James Naish MP: written questions 2025
497 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Veterans: LGBT+ PeopleMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62303More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent progress his Department has made on delivering financial reparations to LGBT veterans affected by the historic ban on homosexuality in the armed forces.
Answer: The LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) continues to make progress with applications, with processing capacity expected to increase in the coming months. As of 23 June 2025, the FRS had made payments of £3.4 million to 69 applicants with life-limiting...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCulture: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking through the Creative Foundations Fund to increase access to arts and culture across the UK.
Answer: The government understands that cultural infrastructure must be fit for the future and ensure everyone has access to high quality institutions in the places they call home. The new Creative Foundations Fund will invest £85 million to support arts and cult...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCultural Relations: IndiaDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK–India Cultural Cooperation Agreement on economic growth in the UK.
Answer: The Programme of Cultural Cooperation, which the Secretary of State signed with her Indian counterpart, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture last month, creates opportunities for the UK’s cultural sectors to reach a market of over 1.4 billion peo...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordArts: IndiaDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support creative exports through the UK–India Cultural Cooperation Agreement.
Answer: The Programme of Cultural Cooperation, which the Secretary of State signed with her Indian counterpart, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture last month, creates opportunities for the UK’s cultural sectors to reach a market of over 1.4 billion peo...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Flexible Working and Parental LeaveDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of barriers to (a) flexible working and (b) statutory parental leave provision in SMEs; and whether his Department plans to bring forward (i) legislative
Answer: Guidance for businesses on supporting employee work-life balance through measures such as flexible working and parental leave can be found on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website. We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will res...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Flexible Working and Parental LeaveDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to take steps to help support SMEs to implement (a) statutory parental leave and (b) flexible working policies.
Answer: Guidance for businesses on supporting employee work-life balance through measures such as flexible working and parental leave can be found on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website. We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will res...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Parental LeaveDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help increase awareness of statutory parental leave entitlements among small and medium-sized enterprises in Nottinghamshire.
Answer: Guidance for businesses on supporting employee work-life balance through measures such as flexible working and parental leave can be found on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website. We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will res...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: InternetForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61938More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the internet blackout in Gaza on (a) the delivery of humanitarian aid and (b) civilian protection.
Answer: The UK Government has not conducted or published a formal assessment of the impact of internet blackouts in Gaza. However, we are closely monitoring the situation and are aware of the significant challenges these blackouts pose, including their hindrance ...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian SituationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61937More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent Israeli military operations at and near aid distribution points in Gaza on the humanitarian situation.
Answer: The UK assesses that recent Israeli military operations near aid distribution points in Gaza have had a devastating impact on the humanitarian situation and risk further deterioration. We are appalled by repeated reports of mass civilian casualties, inclu...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordOffshore Industry: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61936More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on support for oil and gas workers in Scotland.
Answer: This Government recognises that oil and gas will continue to play a central role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. We recently published guidance on Scope 3 emissions in response to the Finch judgment, and soon we will publish our consultation r...
Answered 27 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: British National (Overseas)Department for EducationTabled 23 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 58068 on Employment: British National (Overseas), if her Department will make an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of the report by Bri
Answer: As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, said in the latest six-monthly Report, this government will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong, strengthening the connections between our societ...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFoetal Valproate Spectrum DisorderDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61570More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) children with foetal valproate syndrome and (b) their families are represented in NHS reform.
Answer: The Government is committed to raising the healthiest generation of children ever. We are adopting a mission-based approach and will deliver this ambition through the Health and Opportunity Missions, and through the 10-Year Plan for the National Health Se...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordOxygen: Medical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61028More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure equal geographic access to NHS hyperbaric chamber services.
Answer: NHS England is committed to ensuring equitably accessible, high-quality services, for anyone who requires hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). This will be achieved through the commissioning of six geographically dispersed services across England. Three pref...
Answered 27 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordHorizon IT System: CompensationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress he has made in ensuring that all sub-postmasters impacted by failures in the Horizon IT system receive their full compensation; and what steps he is taking to address (a) delays an
Answer: As of 2 June 2025, £1,039 billion has been paid to over 7,300 claimants across the Horizon schemes. This represents a fourfold increase since July 2024, with more than 4,500 victims receiving compensation for the first time.Claims across schemes are asses...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFarms: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60993More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of digital-only (a) services and (b) reporting requirements on farming businesses.
Answer: Defra seeks to introduce services that are digital by default which help users to succeed first time, and an assisted digital route is provided for those who are unable to complete a service online. This equally applies to reporting requirements on farmin...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: PlanningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60992More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on issuing guidance to local planning authorities on giving further weight to f
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) safeguards the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of higher...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFarms: Climate ChangeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60991More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of climate-related events in 2023–24 on the financial resilience of farm businesses; and whether he plans to provide add
Answer: We know climate change presents challenges to the agricultural sector. The government is offering a New Deal for Farmers to help address this. We are providing farmers and land managers with the support needed to help restore nature, which is vital to saf...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPlanning: Agriculture and FoodMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60990More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the merits of taking steps to ensure that the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 gives greater weight to (a) food production and (b) agricult
Answer: The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production.The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAgricultural Machinery: SecurityHome OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to bring forward secondary legislation to mandate (a) GPS and (b) ATV security measures on farm equipment under the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023.
Answer: We are committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which aims to prevent the theft and re-sale of high-value equipment, particularly for use in an agricultural setting.The Act will help prevent equipment being stolen, make it hard...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Rural AreasHome OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to allocate rural crime teams in each police force.
Answer: This financial year the Home Office will be providing the first funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) as well as continuing funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU). The funding boost of over £800,000 will help the units t...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Wealth Fund: Food SupplyTreasuryTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60987More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether funding decisions through the National Wealth Fund consider food supply chain resilience.
Answer: The National Wealth Fund does not provide grant funding, it invests in capital intensive projects and companies by offering financing in the form of debt, equity and guarantees. The Statement of Strategic Priorities to the National Wealth Fund, issued by ...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness: Rural AreasDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60986More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of access to capital from the British Business Bank on rural businesses.
Answer: The British Business Bank’s programmes are designed to support businesses across the UK, including in rural areas, to access the finance they need to invest and thrive. Start Up Loans have been issued to new businesses in every UK parliamentary constituen...
Answered 27 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRural Areas: Public ExpenditureTreasuryTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60984More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Growth Mission Fund will include eligibility criteria for (a) rural job creation and (b) the farming supply chain.
Answer: The Growth Mission Fund will invest £240 million of capital from 2026/27 to 2029/30 in projects that enable local job creation and the economic regeneration of local communities. Further detail on this fund and the criteria that will be applied for projec...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: BiodiversityDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60983More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of exempting agricultural development from Biodiversity Net Gain requirements.
Answer: We are currently consulting on improving the implementation of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development. This includes a range of options looking at how threshold exemptions are used which will cover some agricultural devel...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFarms: FinanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60982More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has considered introducing a farm business investment loan scheme with a subsidised interest rate; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on (
Answer: Defra officials regularly engage with financial institutions providing farm lending, and we will continue to work to explore further opportunities to improve farmers' access to finance. This builds on the £110 million in farming grants announced earlier t...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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