Ian Byrne MP: written questions
137 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Social Media: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 31 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27902More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment has he made of the impact of social media use on children's well-being.
Answer: In November 2024 DSIT announced a feasibility study to further understand the impact of smartphones and social media on children.The study will review existing evidence on the topic and assess which research methods will be most effective in determining t...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFood: LabellingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to require the inclusion of information on animal welfare standards on food labels.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Tamworth Sarah Edwards on 03 February, PQ 27505.
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSolar PowerDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27627More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans his Department has to support the installation of rooftop solar panels.
Answer: Accelerating deployment of rooftop solar panels is key to the Government’s Clean Energy mission. New building standards will be introduced to ensure that all newly built houses and commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. These standards are ex...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPrisoners: SuicideMinistry of JusticeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26533More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people took their own life in prison while serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection sentence in 2024.
Answer: There were four self-inflicted deaths of those serving an indeterminate sentence for public protection in 2024. This information can be found in Table 1.7 of the 'Safety in custody: quarterly update to September 2024’. Self-inflicted deaths are any deaths...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNutritionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25336More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) reduce the prevalence of food deserts in deprived areas, (b) improve access to affordable, healthy food and (c) address the affordability gap between healthy and unhe
Answer: Within six months of taking office, the Government has begun action to improve the food environment and ensure that healthier food is available, affordable, and accessible for all, irrespective of where you live.This includes publishing the revised Nation...
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordPolitical Parties: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24959More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of further limits on donations to political parties from billionaires.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN HL3289 on 20 December 2024.
Answered 28 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordGaie DelapMinistry of JusticeTabled 20 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the case of Gaie Delap.
Answer: Offenders released on home detention curfew (HDC) are still serving the custodial element of their sentence and it is a statutory requirement that the curfew is electronically monitored for at least 9 hours a day. In cases where it is not possible to elec...
Answered 28 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSudan: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to uphold human rights in Sudan.
Answer: In November, the Minister for Africa chaired a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting stressing the urgent need to protect civilians in Sudan and supporting the Secretary General's recommendations on the protection of civilians. The UK co-led a pr...
Answered 22 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordPlanning: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to protect the countryside and wildlife, in the context of her Department's proposed planning reforms.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to, and enhance, the natural and local environment by recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefit...
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordHomelessnessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to include the perspectives of people with lived experiences of homelessness in the cross-government strategy to end homelessness.
Answer: Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected.The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. T...
Answered 14 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordKinship CareDepartment for EducationTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking with local authorities to help support kinship carers in (a) Liverpool and (b) other areas.
Answer: The government recognises the important role that kinship carers play in caring for some of the most vulnerable children. In October 2024, the department published the new Kinship Care statutory guidance for local authorities, which sets out the support a...
Answered 16 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 8 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 22713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the time taken for people on mental health waiting lists to be (a) assessed and (b) treated.
Answer: It is unacceptable that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and we know that waits for mental health services are far too long. We are determined to change that.As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that...
Answered 16 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordFurther Education: PayDepartment for EducationTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21545More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of pay for further education teachers.
Answer: This government recognises the vital role that further education (FE) teachers and providers play in equipping learners with the opportunities and skills that they need to succeed in their education and throughout life.That is why this government is commi...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordReligious BuildingsDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21530More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support religious buildings of historic importance.
Answer: There is a range of support available via DCMS and the Department’s Arm’s-Length Bodies for listed places of worship. These include the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme; the National Lottery Heritage Fund's £15m Heritage in Need: Places of Worship in...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordEpilepsy and Parkinson's Disease: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21522More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of supplies of (a) epilepsy and (b) Parkinson's medication.
Answer: The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including with s...
Answered 7 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordReligious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21415More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote freedom of religion and belief internationally.
Answer: The UK remains strongly committed to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all abroad. It is our firm opinion that no one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We are championing the right to FoRB and promoting tolerance and...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: FoodDepartment for EducationTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21414More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of updating school food standards to promote (a) healthier and (b) more sustainable diets.
Answer: The department is committed to raising the healthiest generation ever. The school food standards regulate the food and drink provided throughout the school day. They aim to ensure that the right foods are available for children. For example, one or more p...
Answered 7 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMusic Venues: LiverpoolDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20044More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help support grassroots live music venues in Liverpool.
Answer: Following the Autumn Budget, we are continuing to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund which provides grants to grassroots music venues, recording studios, promoters and festivals across England. ACE has provi...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: Children's RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19947More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the rights of children in countries most impacted by climate change.
Answer: This Government is committed to the promotion, protection and realisation of children's rights. We know that children are disproportionately at risk from the effects of climate change, and children and young people will be at the forefront of shaping a re...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: DisadvantagedDepartment for EducationTabled 12 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19905More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reintroducing maintenance grants on widening access to higher education.
Answer: The department is determined that the higher education (HE) funding system should deliver for our economy, universities and students, and the government is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go t...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMigrants: DetaineesHome OfficeTabled 12 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19867More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a maximum 28 days statutory time limit for immigration detention.
Answer: I would like to refer the Honourable Member to the written answer I gave to the Honourable Member for Stroud on 29 November 2024 (UIN 15894).
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing Benefit: Social Rented HousingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19859More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment has she made of the potential impact of the under occupancy charge on rates of poverty.
Answer: The Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS), sometimes referred to as the underoccupancy charge, applies to claims for housing support - either Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit - where the claimant is living in the social rented...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Standing ChargesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 12 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of standing charges issued by energy suppliers on low and middle-income households.
Answer: Although standing charges are a commercial matter for suppliers and are regulated by Ofgem under the price cap, the Government knows that too much of the burden of the bill is placed on them. Ofgem’s recently published update regarding reforming standing ...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHunting Act 2004Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18671More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the effectiveness of the Hunting Act 2004.
Answer: Defra holds no data on the adequacy of the effectiveness of the Hunting Act 2004 as the enforcement of the Hunting Act is an operational matter for the police.
Answered 15 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordVisual Impairment: RehabilitationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17901More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of vision rehabilitation.
Answer: Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes supporting people with sight loss to develop practical skills and strategies to maintain independen...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament record
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