Joe Robertson MP: written questions 2025
626 published records · newest first.
Written questions
NHS: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31722More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that funding allocated to the NHS in the Autumn Budget 2024 is being used to (a) boost productivity and (b) reduce waiting times.
Answer: My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer allocated an additional £25.7 billion to the National Health Service at the Autumn Statement over this year and the next, which includes over £2 billion for technological and digital transformation to im...
Answered 3 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth: HousingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31715More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to develop a national strategy to integrate health and housing services; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of such a strategy on delays in hospi
Answer: The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act will require local authorities to produce supported housing strategies, which will assist local authorities and partner organisations to deliver supported housing, including for people being discharged from...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPsychiatric Hospitals: DischargesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve discharge rates from mental health hospitals.
Answer: The Discharge from Mental Health Inpatient Settings statutory guidance, published in January 2024, provides clarity in relation to how health and care systems can work together to support safe and timely discharge from all mental health inpatient settings...
Answered 3 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitals: DischargesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to work with (a) Integrated Care Boards and (b) housing providers to provide support for people leaving hospital.
Answer: On 30 January 2025, the Government published the policy framework for the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025/26, which will take effect on 1 April. The framework requires National Health Service integrated care boards (ICBs) and local authorities to agree to...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Isle of WightDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to support the voluntary health sector community on the Isle of Wight.
Answer: The Department recognises the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector as a valuable partner in improving people’s health and wellbeing. The Government is committed to resetting the relationship with civil society and unlocking its potential. We...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMature StudentsDepartment for EducationTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to provide support for UK mature students.
Answer: Data published by Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS) on full-time undergraduate higher education (HE) applications for the 2025 admissions cycle shows the overall number of applicants to UK HE is slightly higher than last year, with dema...
Answered 26 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of project licence applications under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were returned to the applicant with a request for additional information to address (a) errors and (b
Answer: The Regulator reports that project licence applications for the last four years had a mean number of 2.55 iterations before granting. The Regulator does not collect data on the number of applications withdrawn, but reports that such occurrences are rare.T...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31698More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of project licence applications under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were rejected in each of the last four years.
Answer: Between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2025, one application for a project licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 was refused.The Government publishes extensive guidance for the regulated sector on applying for project licences. Applicat...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of BritainDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 28705 on Department for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of Britain, if he will declare his attendance at the Muslim Council of Britain's leadersh
Answer: Policy on engaging with the Muslim Council of Britain was not discussed prior to attending this event. This engagement will not be recorded as a ministerial meeting. As the value of hospitality did not surpass the de minimis level, this event will not be ...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of BritainDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2025 to Question 28705 on Department for Work and Pensions: Muslim Council of Britain, whether the Minister for Social Security and Disability discussed policy on e
Answer: Policy on engaging with the Muslim Council of Britain was not discussed prior to attending this event. This engagement will not be recorded as a ministerial meeting. As the value of hospitality did not surpass the de minimis level, this event will not be ...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsHome OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31405More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Animals in Science Regulation Unit's annual report 2023, published on 17 December 2024, what steps her Department is taking to stop future instances of animals (a) dying and (b)
Answer: The Home Office Regulator expects all establishments licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that use automatic watering systems for animals to have appropriate fail safes in place. The Regulator publishes standard conditions in the Re...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31404More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many applications for project licences to conduct experiments on animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 were refused permission between 30 September 2024 and 1 January 2025.
Answer: Between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2025, one application for a project licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 was refused.The Government publishes extensive guidance for the regulated sector on applying for project licences. Applicat...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31403More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of project licences applied for under the Animal Welfare (Scientific Experiments) Act 1986 were refused in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.
Answer: Between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2025, one application for a project licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 was refused.The Government publishes extensive guidance for the regulated sector on applying for project licences. Applicat...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: Business RatesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31315More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of planned increases in business rates for small retailers.
Answer: Against the current fiscal backdrop, the Government is clear that changes to the business rates system should be affordable and sustainable. It is not realistic to continue this support indefinitely. Without any Government intervention, Retail Hospitality...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPensioners: Isle of Wight EastDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31309More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to support pensioners on low incomes in Isle of Wight East constituency.
Answer: The last Labour Government lifted over one million pensioners out of poverty, and this Government, despite having to make the tough decisions to deal with our fiscal inheritance, remains committed to giving pensioners the security they deserve in retireme...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPensioners: Isle of Wight EastDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31308More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce the proportion of pensioners in financial poverty in Isle of Wight East constituency.
Answer: The last Labour Government lifted over one million pensioners out of poverty, and this Government, despite having to make the tough decisions to deal with our fiscal inheritance, remains committed to giving pensioners the security they deserve in retireme...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Services: Undocumented WorkersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31298More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of rogue operators who do not observe visa employment rules in the social care sector.
Answer: We have seen unacceptable increases in unethical practices and exploitation of international recruits in the adult social care sector. The Code of Practice for International Recruitment sets out high ethical standards and best practice for recruiters and ...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness: Migrant WorkersHome OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department are making to help reduce the number of businesses that breach visa employment rules.
Answer: I refer the Honourable Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I laid before the House on 28 November, titled 'Visa Sponsorship’.
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHome Office: EqualityHome OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of officials in her Department can allocate a proportion of their contracted working hours to diversity network activities; what the names of each of those networks are; a
Answer: I refer the Hon Gentlemen to the answer provided by Lord Hanson to question HL1115 on 30 September 2024.
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordWolves: ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the re-introduction of wolves to the wild on biodiversity.
Answer: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. No, the Government does not have any plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of the reintroductions of wolves to the wild on biodiversity. Defra has not...
Answered 27 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartment of Health and Social Care: Public RelationsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30918More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 27757 on Department of Health and Social Care: Public Relations, what the purpose of the contract with Mullen Lowe was; which programmes were
Answer: Mullen Lowe holds a contract with the Department for a range of marketing services to support the delivery of campaigns. This includes advertising, creative and production, digital partnerships, and public relations services, among others. In the current ...
Answered 25 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30844More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the suspension of USAID on the UK's contribution to aid programmes.
Answer: We are currently working to assess the implications of the US funding pause across development sectors, geographic regions and multilateral organisations. We are gathering information and working with other donor partners to share analysis of the pause be...
Answered 26 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: ExportsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30824More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2024 to Question 12624 on Agriculture: Exports, what (a) trade shows, (b) missions and (c) events ministers have attended.
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) offer a compelling programme of trade shows and events to support agriculture exporters to access new markets, build buyer connections and increase their marketing in target countries, all underpinned by our GRE...
Answered 19 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNational ParksDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 11 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30823More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to create any new national parks.
Answer: Following the previous Government’s announcement on 29 November 2023, Natural England have undertaken early exploratory work to consider possible approaches to the designation of a new National Park in England. It is important to note that there is no for...
Answered 4 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordViral DiseasesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30326More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 25535 on Viral Diseases, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of means-testing the winter fuel payment on the number of cases
Answer: The Department has no current plans to undertake an assessment of the potential impact of means-testing the winter fuel payment on the number of flu, COVID-19, norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus cases.The relationship between cold weather and respi...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
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