James McMurdock MP: written questions
830 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Environmental Information Regulations 2004Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27337More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 in relation to the transparency of private companies that perform public services.
Answer: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra will not be making the suggested assessment. The relevant provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs) already set out the legal tests ...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFreedom of Information Act 2000Cabinet OfficeTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27336More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to include private companies.
Answer: The Government is committed to Freedom of Information and will keep the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 under consideration.
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFreedom of Information Act 2000Cabinet OfficeTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27335More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to ensuring the transparency of private companies that deliver public services.
Answer: The Government is committed to Freedom of Information and will keep the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 under consideration.
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDisability: Food SupplyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27334More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support people with disabilities at risk of food insecurity.
Answer: People with a health condition or disability may be eligible for a range of support such as Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, premiums and additional amounts paid within the income-related benefits. In addition, the extra costs disabilit...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFood BanksDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of repeat food bank users receive disability benefits.
Answer: The Family Resources Survey that measures whether a household has used a food bank in the past 30 days or 12 months can be accessed here Family Resources Survey - GOV.UK Individual level statistics on food banks can be found in the annual Households Below...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFood BanksDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27332More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the level of the frequent use of food banks.
Answer: The Family Resources Survey that measures whether a household has used a food bank in the past 30 days or 12 months can be accessed here Family Resources Survey - GOV.UK Individual level statistics on food banks can be found in the annual Households Below...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFood BanksDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27331More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help reduce the long-term use of food banks.
Answer: We are committed to tackling poverty and reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. The Get Britain Working...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFood BanksDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27330More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle the root causes of dependency on food banks.
Answer: We are committed to tackling poverty and reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. The Get Britain Working...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFood BanksDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of food bank dependency on people who (a) are disabled and (b) live in social housing.
Answer: The Family Resources Survey that measures whether a household has used a food bank in the past 30 days or 12 months can be accessed here Family Resources Survey - GOV.UK Individual level statistics on food banks can be found in the annual Households Below...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAcademies: StandardsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) enforce and (b) monitor safeguarding standards in academy schools.
Answer: All schools must follow the ‘Keeping children safe in education’, and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ statutory guidance and in line with the funding agreement, academy trusts must comply with the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulati...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Justice: Arms Length BodiesMinistry of JusticeTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the cost-effectiveness of her Department's Arm's Length Bodies.
Answer: The Ministry of Justice’s Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) play a critical role in the delivery of the Department’s priorities and statutory responsibilities. ALB budgets are agreed through the Department’s spending review and allocations process. Their efficie...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTreasury: Arms Length BodiesTreasuryTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27320More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the cost-effectiveness of her Department's Arm's Length Bodies.
Answer: The Chancellor recently launched Phase 2 of HM Treasury’s departmental Spending Review covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. The conditions of the Review require a zero-based, line-by-line review of all departmental spending to assess whether it is a priority for ...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordArms Length Bodies: Cost EffectivenessTreasuryTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27319More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that Arm's Length Bodies are value for money.
Answer: The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review, covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. This will zero-base all spending, including Arm’s-Length Bodies, conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for t...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordArms Length Bodies: ExpenditureTreasuryTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27318More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the transparency of public spending on Arm’s Length Bodies.
Answer: The government recognises the importance of transparency across public spending, including Arm’s-length bodies (ALBs). Information on ALB expenditure is published within each body’s annual report.The process for budget setting and for preparing and approv...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEnterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment SchemeTreasuryTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27005More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will take steps to ensure that HMRC case workers dealing with (a) Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and (b) Enterprise Investment Scheme applications process them in a (i) timely and (ii) effective
Answer: The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme are administered by a dedicated specialist team in HMRC.This team works to HMRC's overall customer service targets, aiming to reply to 80% of EIS compliance statements and advance assu...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordEnterprise Investment Scheme and Seed Enterprise Investment SchemeTreasuryTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27004More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC case workers dealing with (a) Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and (b) Enterprise Investment Scheme applications are incentivised to help companies.
Answer: The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme are administered by a dedicated team in HMRC.This team ensures the generous reliefs available under these schemes are claimed by those who are eligible, balancing compliance efforts wi...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordConstruction: StaffDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the number of workers in the construction industry.
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade is working across Government to understand the demand impacts for the construction sector to deliver our built environment and infrastructure commitments. This includes working with industry and the Construction Indus...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordConstruction: Skilled WorkersDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25967More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his Department's polices of the Construction Industry Training Board's decision to end the use of Construction Skills Certification Schem
Answer: Construction Skills Certification Scheme Limited is the organisation responsible for providing cards to individuals working on construction sites. The Construction Industry Training Board has not ended the use of Construction Skills Certification Scheme (...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordReligious Buildings: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25966More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of an uncapped claim allowance on VAT for repairs to Christian places of worship.
Answer: On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.The scheme has always had an up...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordListed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: South Basildon and East ThurrockDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25965More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on religious buildings in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was established to provide grants towards VAT paid on repairs and maintenance to the nation's listed places of worship. 94% of applications have been under £25,000, and most claims are for under £5,000. A total of...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordListed Places of Worship Grant SchemeDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled £23 million government package to support restoration of thousands of listed places of worship, published on 22 January 2024, what the average amount
Answer: 94% of applications between 2022-2024 have been under £25,000, and most claims are for under £5,000. In 2022/23, 2.7% of claims made to the Listed Places of Worship Scheme were over £25,000. These had a mean average claim of £49,235. In 2023/24, 2.3% of c...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Grid: East of EnglandDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the National Grid on their proposed Norwich to Tilbury pylon project.
Answer: Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in att...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Grid: East of EnglandDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Norwich to Tilbury National Grid pylon project on house prices in the affected areas.
Answer: The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices. However, landowners, businesses, and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensat...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Grid: East of EnglandDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25961More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken to ensure that local communities were engaged in the public consultation period of the proposed National Grid Norwich-Tilbury pylon project.
Answer: In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with communities before they submit applications for consent. As part of their application for the Norwich to Tilbury project National Grid ...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordTerrorism: Dual NationalityHome OfficeTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25960More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people on the terrorist watch list are dual nationals.
Answer: It is longstanding policy not to discuss either the specific information held on any security-related watchlist, the source of the information or how it is used.To do so would be counterproductive and harmful to the national security of the UK.
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
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