Graeme Downie MP: written questions 2025
244 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Asylum: DeportationHome OfficeTabled 21 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93498More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Restoring Order and Control: A statement on the government’s asylum and returns policy, updated on 20 November 2025, what process her Departmen
Answer: The asylum and returns policy statement sets out the intention to deal swiftly with protection claims that are made by nationals of manifestly safe countries in an attempt to frustrate their removal. This policy does not relate to any designation of a spe...
Answered 1 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: CandidatesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89361More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department has issued on whether people on Universal Credit are entitled to raise funds for the purpose of standing for election.
Answer: Funding received and managed by local and national political parties would not be taken into account in assessing an individual’s entitlement for Universal Credit (UC). Money received personally by an individual, including for their political purposes, is...
Answered 19 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCandidates: Universal CreditMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89186More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleague to ensure people on Universal Credit have equal access to fundraising for the purpose of standing for election.
Answer: People on universal credit are not disqualified from standing for elections. With regards to accessing fundraising for the purposes of standing for election, the Electoral Commission have published clear guidance on the rules around donations, which apply...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCandidates: Universal CreditMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89185More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure people on Universal Credit are able to stand for election.
Answer: People on universal credit are not disqualified from standing for elections. With regards to accessing fundraising for the purposes of standing for election, the Electoral Commission have published clear guidance on the rules around donations, which apply...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: CrowdfundingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89184More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure the compatibility of his Department's guidance on political crowdfunding for people on Universal Credit with Article 3 of Protocol 1 of the European Convention on Human
Answer: Money received personally by an individual through crowdfunding, including for their political purposes, is generally treated as capital in Universal Credit, and can affect eligibility and payment amounts if a customer’s total capital exceeds £6,000. Ther...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWind Power: ChinaDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies producing wind turbines in the UK on national security.
Answer: The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSmart Devices: ChinaDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Chinese-manufactured smart devices in the UK's critical national infrastructure on national security.
Answer: National security is the first duty of our government.Under the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, any connected device intended to be used by consumers must meet three basic requirements: no universal default or easily guess...
Answered 10 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security: ChinaDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Chinese companies supplying cellular modules for use in the UK’s critical national infrastructure on national security.
Answer: The Prime Minister has emphasised that national security is the first duty of our government. The Government has a broad set of tools to safeguard our Critical National Infrastructure, including The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, The Network and ...
Answered 10 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: InfrastructureDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of conducting a cross-departmental assessment of the security implications of Chinese investment in UK renewable energy infrastructure.
Answer: The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWind Power: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese-owned companies establishing turbine manufacturing sites in the UK on national security.
Answer: The Department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. The Government takes the security and resilience...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSick Pay: Carers and ParentsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86526More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of raising Statutory Sick Pay for the parents and carers of children with severe health conditions.
Answer: Statutory Sick Pay provides financial support to individual employees who are sick or incapable of work. It is not designed to provide financial support for parents or carers who are not able to work because their child is sick or has a health condition. ...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCarers and ParentsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86525More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the parents and carers of children with severe health conditions.
Answer: Supporting children with severe health conditions can be a heartbreaking time for families. The Department for Business and Trade is currently developing a consultation on employment rights for carers, including specific measures for the parents and carer...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of legislation protecting livestock in the UK as compared to other OECD nations.
Answer: The UK is widely recognised as one of the global leaders in animal health and welfare. We are a member of the World Organisation for Animal Health, and we have a broad legislative base, associated strategies and contingency plans enabling us to protect li...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: Parkinson's DiseaseDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Universal Credit health element applicants (a) had Parkinson's as their primary condition and (b) were found eligible in the last (i) three, (ii) six and (iii) twelve months.
Answer: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.
Answered 23 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordParental Leave and Parental PayDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82867More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on (a) which NHS trusts provide staff with statutory paternity leave and pay, (b) which NHS trusts provide staff with enhanced paternity leave and pay and (c) levels
Answer: The Department does not hold data on the uptake of these arrangements by National Health Service trusts in England.Employing organisations are legally bound to provide two weeks of statutory paternity leave and pay where individuals meet the required elig...
Answered 24 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Parental Leave and Parental PayDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 16 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82866More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on parental eligibility for Neonatal Care Pay and Leave.
Answer: The department is committed to supporting employers to implement the range of parental leave entitlements available, and enabling employees to access them. This includes Neonatal Care Leave and Pay. Local authorities are not involved in determining parent...
Answered 24 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Paternity Leave and Paternity PayDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 16 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82865More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on (a) which local authorities provide their staff with (i) statutory paternity leave and pay and (i) enhanced paternity leave and pay and (b) levels of take up of
Answer: All employers, including local authorities, are legally required to provide eligible employees with Statutory Paternity Leave and Pay, if they meet the eligibility criteria. The department does not hold data on which local authorities offer enhanced Pater...
Answered 24 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Parental Leave and Parental PayMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82553More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provided to local authorities on parental eligibility for Neonatal Care Pay and Leave.
Answer: Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces and compliance with all relevant employment legislation. The Department has not provided guidance to local authorities.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Paternity Leave and Paternity PayMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 15 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82552More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on (a) which Local Authorities provide their staff with statutory paternity leave and pay, (b) which Local Authorities provide their staff with enh
Answer: The Department does not hold this data. Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces and compliance with all relevant employment legislation.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: RecruitmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82163More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what contingency plans he has to rapidly increase the number of front line pilots in the RAF.
Answer: Contingency plans are in place to rapidly increase the number of front-line pilots in the RAF if required. Details of specific contingency plans are not released for operational and personnel security reasons.
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: RecruitmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82162More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to increase the number of frontline fast jet pilots available to the RAF.
Answer: In line with the Strategic Defence Review 2025, an RAF programme team is being established to revise current fast jet training arrangements and optimise capacity. A fast jet transformation project and human performance optimisation programme are being imp...
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: Recruitment and TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82161More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many pilots are expected to complete training and enter front-line service with the RAF in each of the next five years by (a) aircraft and (b) service type.
Answer: This information is not released into the public domain for operational and personnel security reasons. For each training year, the number of pilots that are expected to complete training and commence Operational Conversion Units is based upon the front-l...
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: Recruitment and TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82160More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many new pilots completed training and entered front-line service with the RAF in each of the last five years by (a) aircraft and (b) service type.
Answer: For each training year, the number of pilots that undertake training and commence Operational Conversion Units is based upon the front-line demand for qualified pilots. The Royal Air Force (RAF) actively manage the pilot training pipelines to ensure that ...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82159More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average cost is of training a new fast jet pilot for the RAF.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the former Minister for Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP, gave to Question 36613 on 13 March 2025 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois MP).
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Force: TrainingMinistry of DefenceTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82158More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many fast jet pilots are expected to complete training and enter front-line service with the RAF in each of the next five years.
Answer: The number of Royal Air Force (RAF) fast jet pilots that are expected to complete training and commence Operational Conversion Units is based upon the front-line demand for qualified pilots in future years. The RAF actively manage the pilot training pipel...
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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