James McMurdock MP: written questions 2025

1340 published records · newest first.

Written questions

Identity Cards: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100186More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on steps to safeguard against data breaches following the implementation of the proposed Digital ID scheme.
Answer: Privacy and security will be core to the design of a new digital credential. We are working with the UK’s leading security experts – including the National Cyber Security Centre – to build a system with higher protections against identity fraud than ever ...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Identity Cards: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100185More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department has made to use decentralised data storage systems in the implementation of the digital ID scheme.
Answer: We will work closely with expert stakeholders, including the Information Commissioner’s Office and the National Cyber Security Centre, to make the programme as effective and secure as possible. Our approach will involve a federated data model, to ensure p...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Identity Cards: Digital TechnologyCabinet OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100184More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the digital ID scheme on number of hours saved through streamlining public interaction with state services.
Answer: The scope of the digital ID scheme is still in development. The new scheme will be inclusive, secure and useful. It will give people more control over their data than they have now, and it will help to make public services easier to access.
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Identity Cards: Digital TechnologyCabinet OfficeTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100183More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent comparative assessment he has made of the effectiveness of digital ID scheme implementation in other countries.
Answer: Digital identity schemes differ around the world depending on sovereign decisions taken by other governments. The UK is keen to learn from international examples of where digital identity schemes are already delivering benefits for the public, and we are ...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Hospitality IndustryTreasuryTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100182More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on the hospitality sector.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Proof of Identity: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99668More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Government's proposed Digital ID scheme, what assessment her Department has made on the potential risks of using One Login to support implementation of the scheme.
Answer: As with GOV.UK One Login, privacy and security will be core to the design of a new digital credential. We are working with the UK’s leading security experts – including the National Cyber Security Centre – to build a system with higher protections against...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Proof of Identity: Digital TechnologyCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99667More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Government's proposed Digital ID implementation, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential for significant data breaches.
Answer: The National Cyber Security Centre is advising on how the new credential is built to the highest standard. Ensuring that security arrangements keep pace with the changing threat landscape will be central to the scheme.
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Visas: AsylumHome OfficeTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99666More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the potential number of refugees who will enter the UK on a work and study visa in the next 5 years.
Answer: The Home Office has not made an estimate of the potential number of refugees who may enter the UK on work or study visas over the next five years.Student visa applications are rigorously assessed, and any indication of non-genuine intent, such as using th...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Proof of Identity: Digital TechnologyCabinet OfficeTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99665More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the (a) initial cost of implementation of the proposed Digital ID scheme and (b) annual cost of operating that scheme.
Answer: I refer the honourable Member to my answer to PQ93098.
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
PovertyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99645More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of the geographic distribution of deep material poverty across the UK.
Answer: The Department does not hold data on the number of children in deep material poverty broken down by geographical region or constituency. Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-ch...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Poverty: ChildrenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99644More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department plans to take to monitor the effectiveness of the Child Poverty Strategy.
Answer: We want to see an enduring reduction in child poverty over this parliament as part of long-term, 10-year strategy for lasting change.The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, published alongside the Strategy, sets out how we will track progress and evaluat...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Poverty: South Basildon and East ThurrockDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99643More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of children in deep material poverty that will be lifted out of that level of poverty by 2030 in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answer: The Department does not hold data on the number of children in deep material poverty broken down by geographical region or constituency. Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-ch...
Answered 19 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: EssexDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99614More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve early diagnosis and treatment for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in Essex.
Answer: The Government is committed to improving outcomes for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, including those in Essex.NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) gastroenterology programme is supporting local integrated care boar...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Local Government Finance: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99613More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97715 on Local Government: Essex, what safeguards will be in place to ensure the initial funding for Greater Essex is fairly spent, in th
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Local Government: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99612More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97447 on Local Government: Essex, whether the planned interim voting arrangements for the mayoral strategic authority were considered pri
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Elections: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99611More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97401 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions were had with Southend Council regarding the costs incurred by their preparations for
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Elections: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99610More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97401 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions his Department had with Thurrock Council regarding the costs incurred by their prepara
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Elections: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97401 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions he has had with Essex County Council on the costs incurred by their preparations for t
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Local Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97400 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions were had prior to the decision taken on the new date of mayoral elections on the poten
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Elections: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99607More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97397 on Local Government: Essex, what discussions were had on the option of holding Greater Essex's mayoral election in 2027.
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Local Government: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Question 97396 on Local Government: Essex, what role Essex's Police, Fire, and Crime Commissioner will be expected to take in Greater Essex's mayoral st
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Local Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99605More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97395 on Local Government: Essex, whether local councils in areas due to have their 2026 mayoral election cancelled were consulted before
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Local Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99604More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97394 on Local Government: Essex, whether local councils were first informed that mayoral elections would not proceed in 2026 (a) on 3 De
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Local Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99603More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer given to Question 97387 on Local Government: Essex, when discussions began on whether to no longer proceed with the mayoral elections in 2026.
Answer: The Government has taken the opportunity to reflect on the most effective way of ensuring our mayoral institutions are best placed to deliver. Since informing constituent councils on December 3, Ministers have been engaging with local leaders in Greater E...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
Local Government: EssexMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99602More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer to Question 97399 on Local Government: Essex, what plans his Department has to help increase levels of public engagement with the local government reorgani
Answer: When we launched the consultation on local government reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, we asked councils to use their existing mechanisms and forums to seek to bring the consultation to the attention of people and organisations in th...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record

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