James McMurdock MP: written questions 2026
3310 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Local Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the risk to voters from the holding and postponement of elections in the same area.
Answer: There are approximately 650 councillors whose terms will be extended as a result of local election postponements. This does not take into account any by-elections. The exact length of the term of the office will vary, including depending on the election c...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107956More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many councillors’ terms will be extended as a result of the postponement of the elections in May 2026.
Answer: There are approximately 650 councillors whose terms will be extended as a result of local election postponements. This does not take into account any by-elections. The exact length of the term of the office will vary, including depending on the election c...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107955More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of independent scrutiny of the decision to postpone local elections in reorganisation areas.
Answer: In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils. Requests for postponements came from councils and have been considered on their merits on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all other representations received. Pa...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107954More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his letter to council leaders whose elections he is seeking to postpone published on 22 January 2026, if he will make it his policy to utilise the affirmative procedu
Answer: The Secretary of State’s decisions were explained in his Statements to the House on 22 January and the letter he sent to council leaders, which was also copied to the Honourable Member, and is publicly available. The Department will now prepare the necess...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107953More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his letter to council leaders whose elections he is seeking to postpone published on 22 January 2026, what assessment he has made of the administrative impact on coun
Answer: Where a decision has been made to postpone local elections in an area, parish and town council elections will still be proceeding as planned, given they are outside of local government reorganisation.Councils will deliver the elections they are required t...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107952More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether the Statutory Instrument to delay
Answer: The Secretary of State’s decisions were explained in his Statements to the House on 22 January and the letter he sent to council leaders, which was also copied to the Honourable Member, and is publicly available. The Department will now prepare the necess...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107951More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, what recent discussions his Department has
Answer: As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the co...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107950More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether he plans to issue guidance to Thur
Answer: As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the co...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107949More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether he has had discussions on the post
Answer: As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the co...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107948More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether his Department sought any further
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. Many councils gave the view that their elections should go ahead, and many asked us to consider postponing. Some councils did not seek postponement, and two did not provide ...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107947More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, how many councils had a request for postpo
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. Many councils gave the view that their elections should go ahead, and many asked us to consider postponing. Some councils did not seek postponement, and two did not provide ...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of Thurrock Council's request to postpone the 2026 local elections following the cancellation of the 2025 local elections.
Answer: As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the co...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with broadband providers on the adequacy of broadband (a) coverage and (b) speed in rural areas.
Answer: We recognise that reliable broadband underpins all aspects of modern life, including access to and modernisation of essential services.The government, in consultation with industry set targets for broadband coverage in the UK. The government is committed ...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadband: South Basildon and East ThurrockDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the trends of the levels of superfast broadband in (a) Orsett, (b) Bulphan, (c) Horndon-on-the-Hill and (d) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency
Answer: According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations reporting, as of July 2025 superfast coverage for Thurrock Local Authority was reported as 99% up from 97% in September 2023, and for South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency 99% up from 98%.Network coverage dat...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAccident and Emergency DepartmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures for identifying the deterioration of patients' health in Accident and Emergency waiting rooms.
Answer: The safety of patients waiting in accident and emergency is of the highest priority, and we have set out various measures in national guidance. There is a national target that patients receive an initial assessment within 15 minutes of arrival in accident...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAccident and Emergency DepartmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that patients waiting in Accident and Emergency are adequately monitored.
Answer: The safety of patients waiting in accident and emergency is of the highest priority, and we have set out various measures in national guidance. There is a national target that patients receive an initial assessment within 15 minutes of arrival in accident...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Companies: Capital InvestmentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation, published on 19 January 2026, how her Department plans to monito
Answer: Before 2029, the water industry will deliver a water infrastructure upgrade programme worth £104 billion. Upgrades will include 10 million new smart meters, progressing 9 new reservoirs, and delivering 3,000 storm overflow projects. This will require the ...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWater Companies: ComplaintsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation, published on 19 January 2026, what powers the new Water Ombudsma
Answer: All customers of water and sewerage companies are entitled to guaranteed minimum standards of service, as set out by Government. These rights are known as the Guaranteed Standards Scheme (GSS). Where a company fails to meet any of the standards, it is alr...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy that the continued calling of local council by-elections will not be affected by the postponement of a council's elections.
Answer: Any legislation brought forward to postpone May 2026 council elections for one year will have no effect on the usual process for by-elections. Where there is an existing vacancy that was to be filled at the May 2026 election, any legislation to postpone t...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAccident and Emergency Departments: NegligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce risk of negligence in Accident and Emergency waiting rooms.
Answer: The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last 10 years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS fi...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: NegligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107662More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to help tackle the causes of negligence claims received by the NHS.
Answer: The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last 10 years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS fi...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: NegligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107661More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of clinical negligence claims on NHS finances.
Answer: The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last 10 years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on Nation...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107660More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to consider representations from councillors at (a) Thurrock and (b) Basildon councils on alleged procedural improprieties before he decides on cancelling those
Answer: The Secretary of State announced his decisions to the House on 22 January. We plan to bring forward legislation to postpone Thurrock Council’s 2026 elections. In reaching his decisions, the Secretary of State carefully considered all the representations m...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107659More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to update (a) Basildon, (b) Thurrock and (c) other councils who have requested election postponements.
Answer: The Secretary of State announced his decisions to the House on 22 January. We plan to bring forward legislation to postpone Thurrock Council’s 2026 elections. In reaching his decisions, the Secretary of State carefully considered all the representations m...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107658More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to lay Statutory Instruments for councils whose elections will be postponed.
Answer: The Secretary of State announced his decisions to the House on 22 January. We plan to bring forward legislation to postpone Thurrock Council’s 2026 elections. In reaching his decisions, the Secretary of State carefully considered all the representations m...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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