Greg Smith MP: written questions 2024
46 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Hospices: Employers' ContributionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 902073More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increase to employers' National Insurance contributions on hospices.
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions at the Autumn Budget, which enabled a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department. In December, we announced a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices and an additional £26 ...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Exhaust EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21028More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will conduct modelling on the potential impact of increases in the use of (a) low carbon-emitting and (b) synthetic fuels by vehicles in the logistics sector on carbon emissions.
Answer: Low carbon fuels, including synthetics, are helping decarbonise the logistics sector and are supported by the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation. Any future policy decisions on the support for low carbon fuels in transport will be developed and informed ...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: ApplicationsHome OfficeTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20042More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to extend the deadline for registering for an e-Visa.
Answer: There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa. Most BRPs expire on 31 December and we encourage all BRP holders to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. If a person has not created an account by 31 December 2024, the...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVisas: ApplicationsHome OfficeTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20041More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many registrations for an e-Visa have (a) failed to complete the process and (b) experienced technical difficulties.
Answer: There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa. Most BRPs expire on 31 December and we encourage all BRP holders to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. If a person has not created an account by 31 December 2024, the...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVisas: ApplicationsHome OfficeTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20040More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints her Department has received on systems for registering for an e-Visa.
Answer: There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa. Most BRPs expire on 31 December and we encourage all BRP holders to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. If a person has not created an account by 31 December 2024, the...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordVisas: ApplicationsHome OfficeTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20039More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of people with the right to remain in the UK have reported issues registering for an e-Visa.
Answer: There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa. Most BRPs expire on 31 December and we encourage all BRP holders to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. If a person has not created an account by 31 December 2024, the...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMigrants: VisasHome OfficeTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20038More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of people with the right to remain in the UK have registered for an e-Visa.
Answer: There is no deadline for registering for a UKVI account to access an eVisa. Most BRPs expire on 31 December and we encourage all BRP holders to create a UKVI account before their BRP expires. If a person has not created an account by 31 December 2024, the...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 Line: ConstructionDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of construction inflation on mitigation projects linked to the building of HS2 Phase 1.
Answer: The funding provided to HS2 Ltd includes allowances for inflation based on inflation forecasts set at spending reviews. HS2 Ltd has been impacted by high levels of inflation in recent years alongside all major construction projects. However, HS2 Ltd conti...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChiltern RailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of capacity on Chiltern Railways services.
Answer: The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern Railways to support the delivery of an improved passenger experience. In response to passenger demand and to reduce overcrowding, Chiltern periodically adjusts its timetable. The Department is fully e...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 Line: CostsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20035More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the cost of HS2 Phase 1.
Answer: As reported in the last HS2 report to Parliament published in November 2023, HS2 Ltd indicated that its projected cost to deliver Phase 1 would significantly exceed the current Funding Envelope of £44.6 billion (2019 prices). Following the significant sco...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordIndependent HS2 Construction Commissioner and Independent HS2 Residents' CommissionerDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20034More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she last met with the HS2 (a) Construction Commissioner and (b) Residents Commissioner.
Answer: The Secretary of State, who was appointed on 29th November 2024, has not yet met the Construction or Residents’ Commissioners. However, Minister for Rail Lord Hendy met both Commissioners on Monday 16th December.
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: RegistrationDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20033More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with the DVLA on the call for evidence entitled Registering historic, classic, rebuilt vehicles and vehicles converted to electric: call for evidence, updated on 9 December 2
Answer: The summary of the responses to the call for evidence was published on 9 December.As part of the ongoing engagement regarding this matter, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency held a positive meeting with representatives of the Historic Vehicle User Gr...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordNew Palace Yard: Repairs and MaintenanceHouse of Commons CommissionTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20032More
Question: To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the work for vehicle entry and exit in New Palace Yard is on (a) time and (b) budget.
Answer: The most recently approved Business Case for the works in New Palace Yard anticipated a completion date of between October 2024 and March 2026. This range takes into account identified risks that may occur over the life span of the project, for example ma...
Answered 7 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19040More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the hospitality sector.
Answer: Hospitality businesses are at the heart of our communities and vital for economic growth. Following the budget I have met extensively with hospitality sector stakeholders including a meeting of the Hospitality Sector Council where we discussed the budget ...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19039More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the retail sector.
Answer: The Chancellor has been clear that the government must take difficult choices. This was a budget to fix the foundations of the economy, and these tough decisions are intended to provide a platform for growth.Government is focused on its five-point plan to...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordConsumer Goods: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19038More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the consumer goods sector.
Answer: The Chancellor has been clear that the government had to take difficult decisions in budget. To fix the foundations of the economy and provide a platform for growth. Government is focused on its five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high str...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordService Industries: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the professional services sector.
Answer: The Chancellor has been clear that the government had to take difficult decisions in budget. To fix the foundations of the economy, and provide a platform for growth. The government is creating a fairer business rate system and transforming the apprentice...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the Autumn Budget on the infrastructure sector.
Answer: The Autumn Budget outlined The Government’s commitment to support the infrastructure sector to rebuild Britain. It included plans to increase capital investment by over £100 billion in the next five years. This investment spans the infrastructure sector, ...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEmployment: DiscriminationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18186More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to stop third party discrimination.
Answer: DBT is committed to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees and does not tolerate any form of unacceptable behaviour or abuse, by any party, towards an employee. DBT’s HR policies provide guidance on how to report thir...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Sexual HarassmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18185More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to tackle sexual harassment in the workplace.
Answer: We are strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment. The EmploymentRights Bill will amend the Equality Act 2010 to:require employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees;introduce an obligation on...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Business and Trade: EqualityDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18184More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has a gender action plan.
Answer: This Government is committed to closing the gender pay gap.The Department for Business and Trade has recently finalised a Gender Pay Gap Action Plan in response to the 2024 gender pay gap findings which will be published as part of the Department’s annual...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: BuckinghamshireDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 901683More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to help deliver a new SEND school in Buckinghamshire.
Answer: This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and giving every child the best start in life. Applications to run a special free school in Buckinghamshire have closed. The department is working through next steps and will provide an...
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBroadband: AdvertisingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will have discussions with the Advertising Standards Authority on the mis-advertising of part-copper broadband.
Answer: In September, Ofcom issued new guidance to ensure consumers are told in clear terms about the technology that underpins their broadband service. At point of sale, providers will no longer be able to use the term ‘fibre’ on its own; they must now state whe...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHamas: Hostage TakingForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13812More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many British citizens were taken hostage during the attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023.
Answer: Two British nationals were taken hostage during the attack on Israel by Hamas on 7 October 2023. The UK Government was greatly saddened to hear about the death of Nadav Popplewell who had been held in captivity and was declared deceased in June 2024. For ...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordShared Rural NetworkDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 900708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with mobile network providers to accelerate the delivery of the Shared Rural Network.
Answer: The Shared Rural Network has already delivered substantial improvements to outdoor 4G mobile coverage across the UK.I’m pleased to report to the House that 4G coverage across the UK now stands at 94.9% which is an increase from 91% in March 2020 when the ...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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