James McMurdock MP: written questions
830 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Visas: Overseas StudentsHome OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12625More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to ensure that student visas are not used solely to gain residence in the UK.
Answer: To obtain permission on the Student route prospective Students must demonstrate that they have a sufficient level of English, funds to maintain themselves, relevant qualifications, a genuine intention to study and be sponsored by a licensed college or uni...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: ExportsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12624More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support food producers from (a) Essex and (b) the UK to increase exports.
Answer: DBT’s offer of export support for Food & Drink businesses in Essex and the whole of the UK includes: educational support via our Export Academy, 1-2-1 support from International Trade Advisors and our extensive overseas network, with trade advisors pr...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: BoatsHome OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12623More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help prevent the provision of large dinghies to people smuggling gangs.
Answer: We are taking a whole-of-system approach to disrupt and dismantle the people smugglers’ business model. This includes working with international partners upstream to intercept material used by these criminal gangs, including dinghies and engines.On Monday...
Answered 12 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordOffenders: Foreign NationalsHome OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12622More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of attempted deportations of foreign national offenders by her Department have been successfully challenged on Article 8 ECHR grounds in each of the last ten years.
Answer: The Home Office publishes data on returns of foreign national offenders (FNOs) in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly release’. Data on total returns of FNOs by nationality can be found in table Ret_D03 of the ‘returns detailed datasets’, with th...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPalliative Care: South Basildon and East ThurrockDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11818More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve palliative and end of life care in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB), including Mid and South Essex ICB, which covers the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, must commission. This promotes a more consistent national appr...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordUnemployment: EssexDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11814More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the unemployment rate in Essex.
Answer: Both Basildon and Grays Jobcentres serve the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency. Both Jobcentres collaborate with employers and providers to resolve recruitment needs, focusing on overcoming common barriers. Solutions include tailored Sector Ba...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBusiness: EssexDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11813More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department is providing to businesses in Essex to increase the levels of exports of (a) goods and (b) services.
Answer: UK businesses, including those in Essex, can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises online support and our wider network of support, including Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network, and UK ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Services: South Basildon and East ThurrockDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11812More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of dentists in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions. We are exploring how we can better support the whole dental team to work in NHS dentis...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSt George's Day: Public HolidaysDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11811More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will establish an additional public holiday for St George's Day.
Answer: The current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established and accepted. The Government has no plans to change it.While an additional bank holiday may benefit some communities and sectors, the cost to the economy of an additional bank holiday rem...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: AsylumMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11808More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many social housing places are accommodating asylum seekers in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 8700 on 21 October 2024.
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNHS England: EqualityDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11807More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people are employed by NHS England in roles relating to equality, diversity and inclusivity.
Answer: There are 34 individuals out of around 16,000 full-time equivalent staff who are employed by NHS England in roles relating to equality, diversity and inclusivity. NHS England provides services that are available for all, and good equality, diversity and i...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordTelevision LicencesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11806More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her policy is on the future of the TV licence.
Answer: The Government remains committed to the licence fee for the remainder of the current Charter period.We will keep an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and will engage with the BBC, the public and other stakeholders before deciding on next step...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordRoad Traffic: South Basildon and East ThurrockDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11805More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help reduce congestion in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: This Government is committed to maintaining and renewing our road network so it can serve all road users and is safe. Traffic management of local roads is the responsibility of local traffic authorities who are best placed to understand local circumstance...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMigrant Workers: VisasHome OfficeTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10589More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to increase the salary threshold for skilled worker visas.
Answer: The Home Secretary confirmed on 30 July that we will be retaining the salary threshold increase brought in by the previous government. Further details can be found in her Written Ministerial Statement here: Written statements - Written questions, answers ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSocial MobilityDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10588More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to improve social mobility.
Answer: Every child should have every opportunity to succeed, no matter who they are, where they are from, or how much their parents earn. Too often opportunity for children and young people is defined by their background. That’s why this government is committed ...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCulture and History: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10586More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a national curriculum which focuses on British (a) culture and (b) history in state-maintained secondary schools.
Answer: The government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, which is chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The terms of reference were published in July and can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/grou...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordProducts: PricesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require supermarkets to charge regulated prices for certain products.
Answer: The government does not intend to propose legislation directly regulating prices in supermarkets. Effective competition in the grocery market will ensure fair prices and choices are available to consumers.Promoting effective competition is the responsibil...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPalliative CareDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10350More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help improve palliative care.
Answer: The Government is determined to shift more healthcare out of hospitals and into the community, to ensure that patients and their families receive personalised care in the most appropriate setting, and palliative and end of life care services will have a b...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordKnives: CrimeHome OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10349More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of recent trends in the level of knife crime in Essex.
Answer: In the year ending March 2024, there were 1,539 offences involving knives or sharp instruments recorded by Essex Police, a fall of 8% compared with the year ending March 2023 (1,667). Across England and Wales (excluding Greater Manchester Police), the num...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordKnives: CrimeHome OfficeTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10348More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle knife crime in Essex.
Answer: In the year ending March 2024, there were 1,539 offences involving knives or sharp instruments recorded by Essex Police, a fall of 8% compared with the year ending March 2023 (1,667). Across England and Wales (excluding Greater Manchester Police), the num...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCapital Investment: ThurrockDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10031More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to encourage companies to invest in Thurrock.
Answer: Growth is the government’s central economic mission and we are currently developing an Industrial Strategy which aims to drive growth across the UK through investment in key sectors and regions.DBT looks to encourage investment across the UK and works clo...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordInvestment: BasildonDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10030More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to encourage companies to invest in Basildon.
Answer: Growth is the government’s central economic mission and we are currently developing an Industrial Strategy which aims to drive growth across the UK through investment in key sectors and regions. The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) encourages invest...
Answered 4 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAlcoholic Drinks: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 18 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10029More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will support (a) pubs and (b) breweries in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency through alcohol duty.
Answer: Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: South Basildon and East ThurrockMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10028More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to help support the high streets in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: We want to ensure that communities across the country, such as in South Basildon and East Thurrock, have the support they need to revitalise their high street. As part of this, we plan to introduce new powers to help fill vacant properties through High St...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Foreign NationalsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9885More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to prevent health tourism to the UK.
Answer: The National Health Service is a residency-based system, so only those who are ‘ordinarily resident’ in the United Kingdom, or otherwise exempt from charges under the NHS (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 2015 (the Charging Regulations), are elig...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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