Ian Sollom MP: written questions
177 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Ministry of Defence: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of DefenceTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13644More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
Answer: AI is embedded across Defence. The Ministry of Defence uses a range of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, including Microsoft 365 Copilot and Chat‑MOD, to support productivity and business processes. The Department has appropriate contractual and licensi...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHome Office: Artificial IntelligenceHome OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13643More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
Answer: The Home Office uses artificial intelligence tools and services across a range of functions and purposes, as set out in the response to UIN 73677 and UIN 5862.This includes publicly available AI technologies, internally developed tools, and those procured...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTreasury: Artificial IntelligenceTreasuryTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13642More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
Answer: Artificial intelligence covers a broad range of capabilities, including data analytics, machine learning, automation and newer generative AI tools. These capabilities are widely embedded within modern software and digital services used across government, ...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Artificial IntelligenceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13641More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
Answer: The Government is committed to adopting artificial intelligence in a way that is transparent, responsible and accountable to the public.The only generative AI tool currently cleared for use within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is Micros...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment of Health and Social Care: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13640More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what artificial intelligence services or tools are used by their department; and whether the department has a contract with each provider of those services.
Answer: The Department uses a small number of Enterprise artificial intelligence (AI) tools. These currently include Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Studio, and Anthropic Claude.The Department has contractual arrangements in place for the AI tools it uses. Microso...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordEngineering and Technology: EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12891More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help tackle gender imbalances in pre and post-16 academic and vocational pathways into engineering and technology careers.
Answer: It is compulsory for all pupils to study science at key stage 4 and, since the 2024/25 academic year, it has been compulsory for all pupils to study science at GCSE. Following the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government is ensuring science is mad...
Answered 2 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHigher Technical QualificationsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12505More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has assessed the potential merits of allowing Growth and Skills Levy funding to be used for Higher Technical Qualifications, particularly for adult learners.
Answer: This government is investing over £18 billion per year in post-16 education and skills and is delivering record investment this parliament, committing an additional £1.2 billion a year by the 2028–29 financial year to support around 65,000 more learners a...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHigher Technical QualificationsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12504More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether there is a single, comprehensive list of available government-approved Higher Technical Qualifications for use by prospective learners and careers advisers.
Answer: The department has regular engagement with higher and further education providers and their representative bodies to discuss matters of mutual interest.The department engages with these representative bodies as part of the development of policy to increas...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHigher Technical QualificationsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12503More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions Ministers and officials in her Department have had with FE colleges and universities on the profile and awareness of Higher Technical Qualifications.
Answer: The department has regular engagement with higher and further education providers and their representative bodies to discuss matters of mutual interest.The department engages with these representative bodies as part of the development of policy to increas...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTechnical Excellence CollegesDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to support new Technical Excellence Colleges to work in collaboration with established Institutes of Technology; and whether measures are in place to support existing part
Answer: Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) will draw on the experience and expertise of Institutes of Technology (IoTs), which have shown the benefits of collaborative working between employers, further education providers, and universities.As system leaders, T...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 12 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9464More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish options for potential changes to the allocation methodology for capital funding for local highway authorities.
Answer: My Department has not yet set a date for publishing options for potential changes to the highways maintenance block funding formula. The review of the formula will be conducted before 2029/30, the end of the period for which highways maintenance block all...
Answered 22 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordFinancial Assistance SchemeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9442More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2026 to Question 3569, what the estimated cost is of providing retrospective pre-1997 indexation only, excluding arrears, at a CPI cap of 2.5% to Financial Assistance S
Answer: The estimated cost of providing retrospective pre‑1997 indexation only, applying CPI capped at 2.5%, and excluding the payment of arrears, for Financial Assistance Scheme members whose former schemes provided for mandatory indexation, is approximately £0....
Answered 19 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 900420More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the provision of Neighbourhood Health Centres in new housing developments.
Answer: MHCLG Ministers and officials engage regularly with the Department for Health and Social Care about infrastructure provision. The new National Planning Policy Framework we recently consulted upon stresses the importance of all forms of public services inf...
Answered 15 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordEquitable Life Assurance Society: CompensationTreasuryTabled 9 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8194More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the value of compensation allocated under the Equitable Life Payment Scheme that will not be paid out to eligible policyholders; and what plans she has to ensure that money reaches thos
Answer: The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants and the Scheme is on track to distribute the remai...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTransgender People: EqualityWomen and EqualitiesTabled 8 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 7783More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to Chapter 13 of the Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations 2026, which paragraphs provide operational guidance on the specific circumstances in which
Answer: The EHRC's draft Code says that service providers should consider whether the impact on those excluded from a separate or single-sex service outweighs the benefits of achieving the legitimate aim.It is for service providers to read the draft Code's guidan...
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 7293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her department will begin to engage with local highways authorities ahead of reviewing the highways capital funding formula ahead of the 2030/31 financial year.
Answer: The Department engages regularly with local highway authorities and sector bodies to support the maintenance and renewal of the local road network.The review of the funding formula will be conducted to align with the end of the period for which highways m...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordEquality: Codes of PracticeWomen and EqualitiesTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6076More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what legal advice was sought and received on whether the draft Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations fulfils the statutory purpose set out in section 14 of the Equa
Answer: The Government does not comment on legal advice it may have received. We have always been clear that there is a due process that needs to be followed by all. The draft Code was laid in Parliament by SoS on 21 May 2026. A Written Ministerial Statement was ...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDental Services: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5644More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to encourage ICBs to redistribute unallocated 'clawback' funding to NHS dental practices which are ready and able to deliver additional NHS care.
Answer: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning National Health Service dental services to meet the needs of their local populations. NHS England encourages ICBs to make effective use of available dental funding, including the reinvestment...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCulture, Practices and Ethics of the Press InquiryDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5518More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to implement the recommendations of Part One of the Leveson Inquiry; and whether she plans to resume Part Two.
Answer: The Leveson Inquiry led to changes in the regulatory system of the press, which included the creation of the Press Recognition Panel, by Royal Charter, and two new press regulators, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) and the Independent M...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRecording Studios: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5052More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the exclusion of recording studios from the lower Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates multipliers on the recording studio sector.
Answer: The Government has introduced new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties. Since these new multipliers were...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMusic and Dance SchemeDepartment for EducationTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5051More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when he plans to announce Music and Dance Scheme funding for the 2026-27 academic year; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of a lack of announcement on potential funding on schools' ability
Answer: The government has committed to a continuation of the Music and Dance Scheme. Providers will be informed of future funding shortly.
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBank Services: Visual ImpairmentTreasuryTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5050More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department has taken to improve accessibility to online banking for blind and partially sighted people.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone can access and use financial services. Financial services providers are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services. UK ban...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Servants: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3939More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Civil Service Pension Scheme MP casework sessions in Parliament.
Answer: The Cabinet Office awarded Capita the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme in November 2023 under the previous government. The current delays facing scheme members are entirely unacceptable, and this Government has taken firm action to ...
Answered 26 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordFinancial Assistance SchemeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 20 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what components are included in the Government's estimate of around £2 billion for the cost of Financial Assistance Scheme pre-1997 indexation; and whether that figure includes (a) arrears, (b) indexati
Answer: The Government has brought forward legislation to introduce increases on compensation payments from the Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme that relate to pensions built up before 6 April 1997. These will be CPI-linked (capped at 2.5%)...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTeachers: Workplace PensionsDepartment for EducationTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2351More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of offering funding support for those universities affected by the costs of the Teachers Pension Scheme contributions, in line with support provided for furt
Answer: The government recognises the financial challenges in the higher education (HE) sector both for providers and their staff.HE providers are autonomous bodies, and the government does not fund the costs of changes to the scheme for them in the same way as f...
Answered 2 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
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