James McMurdock MP: written questions
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Written questions
Bus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5655More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Cost of living boost with free bus travel for children and targeted food tariff cuts, published on 20 May 2026, how participating bus operators will be compensated f
Answer: Bus operators will be compensated through a robust formula-based approach designed to reflect the fares income they would normally expect to receive, alongside the impact of any additional journeys generated by the scheme.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5654More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Cost of living boost with free bus travel for children and targeted food tariff cuts, published on 20 May 2026, what estimate she has made of the number of additiona
Answer: The Department expects the scheme to increase bus use among children and those who travel with them during August. While this is likely to result in additional journeys, the scale of any increase will depend on how passengers respond. This will be assesse...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5653More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Cost of living boost with free bus travel for children and targeted food tariff cuts, published on 20 May 2026, what criteria will determine whether the free bus tra
Answer: The free bus travel scheme for children is a time-limited measure running from 1 August to 31 August 2026.
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5652More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Cost of living boost with free bus travel for children and targeted food tariff cuts, published on 20 May 2026, what discussions she has had with local authorities a
Answer: The Department has engaged with Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) including Essex County Council, and bus operators through national communications and wider stakeholder engagement, and has invited feedback from them to inform the development of the sche...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordFinance and Workplace Pensions: EducationDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission, published on 19 May 2026, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of c
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges facing the country when it comes to pensions. On average, someone retiring in 2050 is set to have 8% (£800 per year) lower private pension income compared to a retiree in 2025 (in today’s earning terms), while near...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRetirement: Personal SavingsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5650More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission, published on 19 May 2026, what assessment he has made of the long-term fiscal i
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges facing the country when it comes to pensions. On average, someone retiring in 2050 is set to have 8% (£800 per year) lower private pension income compared to a retiree in 2025 (in today’s earning terms), while near...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRetirement: Owner OccupationDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5649More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission, published on 19 May 2026, what assessment he has made of the implications of lo
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges facing the country when it comes to pensions. On average, someone retiring in 2050 is set to have 8% (£800 per year) lower private pension income compared to a retiree in 2025 (in today’s earning terms), while near...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordWorkplace PensionsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission, published on 19 May 2026, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of curren
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges facing the country when it comes to pensions. On average, someone retiring in 2050 is set to have 8% (£800 per year) lower private pension income compared to a retiree in 2025 (in today’s earning terms), while near...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRetirement: Personal SavingsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5647More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission, published on 19 May 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential barriers
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges facing the country when it comes to pensions. On average, someone retiring in 2050 is set to have 8% (£800 per year) lower private pension income compared to a retiree in 2025 (in today’s earning terms), while near...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRetirement: Personal SavingsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5646More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Britain is undersaving for retirement warns Pensions Commission, published on 19 May 2026, what assessment he has made of the principal causes o
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges facing the country when it comes to pensions. On average, someone retiring in 2050 is set to have 8% (£800 per year) lower private pension income compared to a retiree in 2025 (in today’s earning terms), while near...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLower Thames CrossingDepartment for TransportTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative assessment she has made of the Lower Thames Crossing with alternative rail infrastructure in the Thames Estuary region in relation to (a) traffic congestion reduction and (b) economic productiv
Answer: I can confirm the Department for Transport and National Highways considered both a heavy rail crossing of the Thames and a combined heavy rail and road crossing, serving passengers and rail freight. The report concluded that the provision of rail freight ...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLower Thames Crossing: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5003More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the extent of the contingent liabilities associated with the proposed private finance model for the Lower Thames Crossing.
Answer: The Government's preferred financing option for the Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model. The details of this model are still under development, including through engagement with potential investors. No decisions have yet be...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSports: AnimalsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5002More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of current pet travel requirements on British athletes competing internationally in sporting events involving animals.
Answer: International equine movements are subject to border checks and individual countries’ imports requirements. These are vital to safeguarding animal health, human health and maintaining biosecurity. Requirements include vet checks and certification. For mov...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPet Travel SchemeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5001More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the European Union regarding recognition of UK-issued pet passports.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the response given on 18 June 2026 to the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster for PQ UIN 1432.
Answered 19 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNuisance Calls: Older PeopleHome OfficeTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5000More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with Action Fraud regarding trends in scam calls targeting (a) elderly and (b) vulnerable people.
Answer: The Home Office engages regularly with Report Fraud (the replacement service for Action Fraud) on trends in fraud and scam activity. Report Fraud does not currently publish data disaggregated specifically by scam calls as a distinct fraud type targeting e...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTelephone Services: FraudDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4999More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help improve the ability of telecommunications providers to (a) identify and (b) block scam calls.
Answer: Tackling fraud is a priority for this Government. We are working closely with industry, law enforcement, and consumer groups to identify and prosecute criminal activity of this nature. On 5 November 2025, Government published the second Telecommunications...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: Military AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4698More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled RAF aircraft dangerously intercepted by Russian jets over Black Sea, published on 20 May 2026, how many other instances of dangerous Russian interception
Answer: UK RIVET JOINT aircraft routinely operate in international airspace around the world, including in the Black Sea. Since 2020 there have been three instances of unsafe intercepts by Russian aircraft during Black Sea operations, including the September 2022...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRussia: Military AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled RAF aircraft dangerously intercepted by Russian jets over Black Sea, published on 20 May 2026, what recent discussions he has had with NATO allies regardi
Answer: The Secretary of State for Defence remains in regular contact with NATO Allies on a wide variety of issues affecting Alliance security, including dangerous intercepts by Russian aircraft.
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Scheme: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme, published on 19 May 2026, what estimate he has made of the number of e
Answer: Access to Work applications are processed and recorded at the individual applicant level, as grants are awarded to individuals rather than employers. The Department is unable to extract data on the number of employers that could be affected by delays. Fin...
Answered 13 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Scheme: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4695More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme, published on 19 May 2026, whether his Department plans to publish regu
Answer: We will provide an update via the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2026/27.
Answered 30 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Scheme: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4694More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme, published on 19 May 2026, what estimate he has made of the proportion
Answer: Access to Work applications are managed through a national queue and processed in date order. The Department does not hold the information in a format that allows the proportion of nonurgent Access to Work applications awaiting a decision for more than 28...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Scheme: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4693More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme, published on 19 May 2026, what preventative steps his Department is ta
Answer: As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement made of 19 May, to increase the efficiency and reduce waiting times for the scheme we will recruit an additional 480 case staff to process the higher volume of applications. When recruitment is complete, we ...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Scheme: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4692More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme, published on 19 May 2026, what performance targets his Department has
Answer: As set out in the Department’s press release of 19 May 2026, the current plan is to clear the backlog by September 2027, supported by the recruitment of nearly 500 additional staff to improve processing times and ensure people receive support more quickly...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Scheme: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4691More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme, published on 19 May 2026, what the average number of claims processed
Answer: Since 2021, the Access to Work scheme has successfully adapted to significant changes in demand. Post COVID operating conditions have led to a broader and more complex mix of customer cases, including increased applications involving multiple adjustments,...
Answered 14 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Scheme: StandardsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4690More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to his Department’s press release entitled Huge recruitment boost to tackle backlog in vital disability work scheme, published on 19 May 2026, what estimate he has made of the average wai
Answer: The Department does not hold the information in a format that allows waiting times to be analysed by region.Access to Work applications are managed through a national queue and processed in date order, meaning that a customer’s region does not determine w...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
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