Gregory Stafford MP: written questions 2025
416 published records · newest first.
Written questions
BBC: Glastonbury FestivalDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63927More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department has had with the BBC Board on the broadcasting of (a) Bob Vylan and (b) Kneecap during the coverage of the Glastonbury Festival 2025.
Answer: The Secretary of State was clear in her statement to Parliament that the scenes from the Bob Vylan performance at Glastonbury were utterly appalling and unacceptable. This Government will not tolerate antisemitism – it has absolutely no place in our socie...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGlastonbury Festival: MusiciansHome OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63926More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the (a) Irish band Kneecap and (b) Bob Vylan performances at Glastonbury.
Answer: Avon and Somerset Police have opened an independent criminal investigation into the matters raised, and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: StandardsDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62434More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve training for teachers (a) in the early identification of dyslexia and (b) to ensure minimum standards of SEND support are in place across all primary schools.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 1 August 2025 to Question 61402.
Answered 1 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: ScreeningDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62433More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of introducing mandatory screening for (a) dyslexia and (b) other forms of neurodivergence in primary schools on (i) early identification and (ii) supp
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon to the answer of 1 August 2025 to Question 61402.
Answered 1 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordHeating: Alternative FuelsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62409More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support residents of rural 1950s properties to use alternative fuels to heat their homes; and if he will take steps to reduce the VAT rate on fuel for those unable
Answer: For most off-grid properties, transitioning to clean heat will involve installing a heat pump as these are cost-effective, proven technologies. The Government expect sustainable biomass to be prioritised where there are limited alternatives for decarbonis...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordInflationTreasuryTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62144More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her policies on levels of inflation.
Answer: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) assessed the impact of Government policies on the level of inflation. While noting they expect inflation to remain close to the 2 per cent target throughout the forecast period, the OBR forecast a tem...
Answered 27 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordJapan: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62044More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Tokyo District Court’s dissolution order against the Unification Church; and what steps he i
Answer: This is a matter that is subject to ongoing court proceedings. It is therefore reserved for the Government of Japan and institutions of Japan. The UK has always been clear that the right to adopt a religion or belief, practise it without hindrance, and to...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support people stranded in Tel Aviv.
Answer: The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. Since the beginning of this crisis, when Israeli airspace closed, we deployed specialist teams to the Egyptian and Jordanian borders to support British nationals wishing to leave Israel by ...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMobile Phones: Fees and ChargesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with mobile phone providers on inflation-linked price increases in fixed-term mobile phone contracts.
Answer: I have not had any such recent discussions but the Government works closely with Ofcom, the independent regulator of telecommunications, to ensure telecom contracts remain fair and transparent, ensuring significant clauses, such as in-contract price incre...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMayors: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of financial requirements for standing in mayoral elections on the (a) accessibility and (b) diversity of candidates.
Answer: The Government has not made such an assessment. Under electoral law, candidates are required to pay a deposit in certain elections, reflecting the scale of the role, including budget responsibility, role as chair of the Combined Authority or Combined Coun...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will commission a review into the (a) management arrangements and (b) maintenance outcomes on non-trunk A roads that cross multiple local authority areas.
Answer: It is the responsibility of local highway authorities to maintain the highways network in their area, as per section 41 of the Highways Act 1980. However, the Government is determined to end the pothole plague on our roads, which is the result of a decade...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department has provided to local highway authorities on the timely removal of (a) cones, (b) sandbags, (c) signage and (d) other abandoned roadworks equipment.
Answer: Removal of roadworks equipment comes under Section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act. The Act enables local highway authorities to charge utility companies for delays in completing roadworks on public highways, and since 2001 regulations have been ...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on the number of (a) reports and (b) complaints there have been relating to (i) abandoned roadworks equipment and (ii) degraded signage on the (A) A3, (B) A31 and (C) A331
Answer: Removal of roadworks equipment comes under Section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act. The Act enables local highway authorities to charge utility companies for delays in completing roadworks on public highways, and since 2001 regulations have been ...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanisms her Department has to coordinate maintenance responsibilities between multiple local authorities on A roads that do not fall under the remit of National Highways.
Answer: Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 local highway authorities have a duty to maintain the highways network in their area. DfT does not have legal mechanisms under the act to co-ordinate maintenance responsibilities between multiple authorities on A ...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to repatriate British citizens in Tel Aviv.
Answer: Support to British nationals remains our top priority and we have worked at pace to ensure those who wanted to leave left safely. Consular teams have worked round the clock to support British nationals in the region. As soon as Israeli airspace re-opened ...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLandfill: ScotlandDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60347More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he is having with his Scottish Government on the timeline for its 31 December 2025 landfill ban; and whether he has received any formal request from the Scottish Gover
Answer: Defra regularly engages with colleagues in the Devolved Governments on resources and waste policy. However, resources and waste policy is a devolved matter and the decision to ban biodegradable waste to landfill in Scotland is a matter for Scottish Govern...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordWater Companies: NationalisationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered public ownership as a potential outcome under the special administration regime in circumstances where a regulated water company is found to be in
Answer: The purposes of a Special Administration Regime (SAR) are set out in legislation. Government stands ready to intervene to ensure the continued provision of vital public services – through the application for a SAR – should this be required. It is for the ...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordCarer's AllowanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59626More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to review the eligibility rules for Carer’s Allowance for claimants receiving the State Pension.
Answer: Although there is no upper age limit to claiming Carer’s Allowance, it cannot normally be paid with the State Pension. It has been a long-held feature of the GB benefit system, under successive Governments, that where someone is entitled to two benefits f...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordClothing: Import DutiesTreasuryTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59190More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason HMRC applies import duties to mastectomy bras.
Answer: The UK’s tariff schedule, known as the UK Global Tariff (UKGT), adheres to global classification standards. Those classify mastectomy bras under a commodity code that covers a range of other textiles.We continue to monitor the UKGT to ensure our Most Favo...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChildcare: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59188More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Tax-Free Childcare scheme in reducing childcare costs for working families.
Answer: Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) has been designed with the specific policy aim of supporting parents to return to paid work or work more. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the Government adds £2 up to a maximum of £2,000 in top up per year f...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordLGBT Veterans Independent ReviewMinistry of DefenceTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59187More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 57700 on LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme, what progress his Department has made on ensuring eligible individuals receive compensation under the LGBT Veterans I
Answer: Defence’s LGBT Restorative Action team have worked closely with external and internal Defence communications teams to deliver campaigns to drive awareness of, and encourage, eligible LGBT Veterans to claim under the Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) sinc...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: SurreyDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58877More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Safety Valve Agreement signed with Surrey County Council in 2021, whether her Department has disbursed the full funding allocated to support the delivery of three new SEND schools in Surrey.
Answer: Funding for free school projects is provided at different stages of project development, in line with key delivery milestones.The department provides capital funding for the acquisition of sites, land and construction. For centrally delivered free school ...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: SurreyDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Jun 2025WithdrawnUIN 58876More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the progress made by Surrey County Council to provide three new SEND schools under the terms of its safety valve agreement.
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58875More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will publish a progress report on the (a) delivery of specialist school places and (b) other outcomes by all local authorities that entered into safety valve agreements.
Answer: The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or who require alternative provision sits with local authorities.The department provides local authorities with annual High Needs Pr...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: South EastDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58873More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential use of disused school buildings to increase SEND specialist school capacity in (a) Surrey and (b) Hampshire.
Answer: The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or who require alternative provision sits with local authorities.The department provides local authorities with capital funding to sup...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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