Helen Whately MP: written questions 2025
258 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Pension CreditDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50196More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of pensioners who are eligible for Pension Credit but not claiming it.
Answer: The latest available Pension Credit take-up statistics cover the financial year 2022 to 2023 and are available at: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2023 - GOV.UK. In the financial year ending 2023, it is estimated that ...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: ProsecutionsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50195More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in the debate on the Report stage of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill o
Answer: The Department does not use the term ‘sickfluencer’ as a defined term and, as such, does not collect data under this description. Furthermore, the Department is not a prosecuting body; DWP’s role is to refer cases for consideration of prosecution to the a...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUnemploymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of people that will not fall into long term economic inactivity due to funding announced in the Spring Statement 2025.
Answer: We will be developing more detailed assessments of the potential impacts of the employment measures proposed in the Green Paper as these are developed in detail. The Office for Budget Responsibility has also stated that it intends to assess the labour sup...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment SchemesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 6 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50193More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of people that will receive additional (a) employment, (b) health and (c) skills support through funding announced in the Spring Statement 2025.
Answer: We announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper that we would establish a new guarantee of support for all disabled people and people with health conditions claiming out of work benefits who want help to get into or return to work, backed up by £1 billio...
Answered 14 May 2025
Original Parliament recordFruit: Import ControlsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49414More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to (a) consult and (b) inform businesses importing fruit from non-EU countries of changes to (i) inspection regimes and (ii) risk categorisation; and what discu
Answer: Changes to plant health import controls are communicated in-line with relevant international obligations, including those under the WTO-SPS agreement and International Plant Protection Convention. This includes submitting a notification to the World Trade...
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordFruit: Import ControlsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49413More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the overnight holding of perishable fruit consignments at borders on affected businesses; and what steps his Departme
Answer: For Plants and Plant Products, APHA will aim to inspect consignments within four hours of them being presented for a physical inspection. However, a small minority of fruit and vegetables are subject to 100% inspection due to the level of pest and disease...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordFruit: Import ControlsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49412More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that importers of fresh fruit from outside the UK receive timely advance notification of border inspections.
Answer: Businesses must notify the competent authorities in advance of a consignment arriving in GB when it contains High risk or Medium A risk plants and plant products as they are subject to phytosanitary controls. Upon completion of the notification an initial...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordProceeds of CrimeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46799More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times her Department has used the Proceeds Of Crime Act 2002 to recover assets following criminal prosecutions in each of the last five years.
Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions uses the Proceeds of Crime Act to apply to the courts to recover assets following criminal prosecutions. In Great Britian in total there have been 174 cases in the last 5 years which resulted in a confiscation order fr...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45735More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will instruct the Environment Agency to provide information on their planned inspections of battery storage units at Cleve Hill Solar Park before they are switched on.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) does not directly regulate the batteries associated with solar power schemes; this is the remit of the Local Authority. The EA, under the planning processes, advises on various aspects associated with the building and operation...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEnvironment Agency: Disclosure of InformationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45734More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to monitor the responsiveness of the Environment Agency to enquiries from hon. Members.
Answer: The Environment Agency works closely with the department at every level to ensure that the Environment Agency maintains high standards of delivery for stakeholders and the public, including when handling correspondence.
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45733More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has recent discussions with the Environment Agency on their inspection plans for the battery storage units at Cleve Hill Solar Park.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) does not directly regulate the batteries associated with solar power schemes; this is the remit of the Local Authority. The EA, under the planning processes, advises on various aspects associated with the building and operation...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that the Environment Agency responds to requests from the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent on battery safety at Cleve Hill Solar Park.
Answer: The Environment Agency works closely with the department at every level to ensure that the Environment Agency maintains high standards of delivery for stakeholders and the public, including when handling correspondence. Members of Parliament are encourage...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to provide information on their planned inspections of battery storage units at Cleve Hill Solar Park before they are switched on.
Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received your correspondence dated 19 March 2024 and 28 March 2025 regarding Cleve Hill Solar Park. HSE sent a reply to both pieces of correspondence on 27 March 2024 and 10 April 2025 respectively. I have asked HSE t...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth and Safety Executive: CorrespondenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45730More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department is taking steps to monitor the responsiveness of the Health and Safety Executive to inquiries from hon. Members.
Answer: The Department attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence and keeps this under constant review. The Cabinet Office publishes statistics on Departmental performance which can be found on the gov.uk website and can be v...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45729More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has held recent discussions with the Health and Safety Executive on their inspection plans for the battery storage units at Cleve Hill Solar Park.
Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received your correspondence dated 19 March 2024 and 28 March 2025 regarding Cleve Hill Solar Park. HSE sent a reply to both pieces of correspondence on 27 March 2024 and 10 April 2025 respectively. I have asked HSE t...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45728More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive responds to requests from the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent on battery safety at Cleve Hill Solar Park.
Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received your correspondence dated 19 March 2024 and 28 March 2025 regarding Cleve Hill Solar Park. HSE sent a reply to both pieces of correspondence on 27 March 2024 and 10 April 2025 respectively. I have asked HSE t...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45727More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) revised Battery Safety Management Plan’s adoption of the National Fire Protection Agency 855 (2023) exclusion zone standards and (b) BS
Answer: Under Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020 the matters raised are matters for Swale Borough Council after consulting with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Following an appeal by the developer, on 5 July 20...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45726More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) exclusion zones, (b) fire suppression systems, and (c) environmental risk mitigation measures outlined in the revised Battery Safe
Answer: The issues raised are matters for Swale Borough Council acting in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue Service as set out in Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020. Following an appeal by the developer,...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45725More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of measures implemented by (a) the Health and Safety Executive, (b) Kent Fire and Rescue Service, (c) Swale Borough Council, and (d) the Environmen
Answer: Battery safety was considered during the Examination of the development consent application and in the Secretary of State’s decision letter (in particular paragraphs 4.139 and 4.148 to 4.176). Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020 made Swa...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45724More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what accountability mechanisms are in place for (a) the Health and Safety Executive, (b) Kent Fire and Rescue Service, (c) Swale Borough Council and (d) the Environment Agency to ensure the a
Answer: Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020 made Swale Borough Council responsible for the regulation of the Battery Safety Management Plan. The plan was informed following consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Resc...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Lithium-ion BatteriesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45723More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the responsibilities of the (a) Health and Safety Executive, (b) Environment Agency, (c) Kent Fire and Rescue Service and (d) Swale Borough Council are in certifying the safety of Cleve
Answer: Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hil Solar Park Order 2020 made Swale Borough Council responsible for approving the Battery Safety Management Plan after consulting with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. There is no requirement fo...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordService Charges: AppealsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45722More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reasons she has yet to implement the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on (a) providing a comprehensive rights of redress to homeowners on (i) pri
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244),
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordLeasehold: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45721More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reasons she has yet to implement the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on (a) providing freeholders with equivalent rights to leaseholders on esta
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244),
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to implement the secondary legislation enabling the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to fully come into force.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244),
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: FraudDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44241More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department’s investigators can apply to police to have individuals suspected of committing fraud against the Department arrested.
Answer: Where appropriate, DWP can apply to the Police to undertake an arrest as part of a criminal investigation into suspected fraud.
Answered 23 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
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