John Cooper MP: written questions
162 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Ministry of Justice: ApprenticesMinistry of JusticeTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122949More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many apprentices his Department recruited in each year since 2022.
Answer: The Ministry of Justice recruited the following number of new entrants directly into apprenticeship programmes in each year since 2022.Time period Number of new joiners through apprenticeship recruitment January 2022 – December 20222January 2023 – Decembe...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: ApprenticesMinistry of DefenceTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122948More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many apprentices his Department recruited in each year since 2022.
Answer: The table below includes both existing Ministry of Defence (MOD) Civil Servants who commenced an apprenticeship, and those Civil Servants recruited to the MOD as apprentices. It does not include Armed Forces apprenticeships. YearApprentices202270020238022...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordOffice for Equality and Opportunity: ApprenticesWomen and EqualitiesTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122947More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how many apprentices her Department recruited in 2025, compared to i) 2022 ii) 2023 and iii) 2024.
Answer: The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) is part of the Cabinet Office. No external apprentices were recruited specifically into OEO in either 2022, 2023, 2024, or 2025.Although we did not recruit any apprentices, OEO remains committed to professiona...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Transport: ApprenticesDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many apprentices her Department recruited in 2025, compared to i) 2022 ii) 2023 and iii) 2024.
Answer: The Department for Transport (central), excluding its executive agencies, recruited the following number of external apprentices:2025: 32024: 82023: Data cannot be provided. Our recruitment system (Oleeo VX) retains only two years of data in line with our...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordScotland Office: ApprenticesScotland OfficeTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how many apprentices his Department recruited in 2025, compared to i) 2022 ii) 2023 and iii) 2024.
Answer: The Scotland Office has not recruited any apprentices in the requested timeframe.We remain committed to supporting the use of apprenticeships across the civil service to break down barriers to opportunity. The Scotland Office considers the use of apprenti...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: European Convention on Human RightsHome OfficeTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 908451More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the European Convention on Human Rights on levels of illegal immigration.
Answer: We are committed to the ECHR. But it must evolve to reflect modern challenges like mass migration and ability to protect the public. That is why we are working with international partners to modernise its application.We will also tighten how Article 8 is ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordScottish Government: Republic of IrelandScotland OfficeTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 908001More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what information his Department holds on whether the First Minister of Scotland discussed reserved matters with the Irish Leader of the Opposition on 27 November 2025.
Answer: International affairs are reserved under the Scotland Act, and it is essential that the UK speaks with one voice overseas. FCDO guidance on the overseas activity of devolved government ministers only covers ministerial-level engagement. Accordingly, UK Go...
Answered 25 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordAgricultural Products: UK Trade with EUDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111392More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with stakeholders in the agricultural sector on securing an SPS Agreement between the UK and the EU.
Answer: The Government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and removing trade barriers for British producers and retailers. Officials and ministers ...
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordGenetically Modified Organisms: CropsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111391More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that the implementation of a common UK–EU SPS agreement is compatible with the operation of the Precision Breeding Act.
Answer: Defra remains committed to implementing the Precision Breeding Act and enabling the safe development of innovative genetic technologies. Under the UK-EU Common Understanding, it is recognised that there will be areas where the UK will retain its own rules...
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: Scottish GovernmentMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, in the context of his Department's responsibility for devolution oversight and national security, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Scottish Government’s Defence Se
Answer: This Government recognises the vital contribution that the Scottish defence industry has for the national security of the UK, while also being a key driver of economic growth. This is illustrated by the £2.5 million that this Government is providing to th...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: IndustryScotland OfficeTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104076More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) implications for his policies and (b) impact for UK security of the Scottish Government’s Defence Sector Support Policy, set out to the Scottish Parliament on 3 S
Answer: Defence, national security, foreign affairs and export licensing are reserved matters, and keeping the British people safe is our number one priority. The UK Government continues to assess and manage risks to UK security through established cross-governme...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFuels: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 18 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 907120More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations she has received on the potential impact of the planned rise in fuel duty on motorists.
Answer: At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to early 2022 levels. The planned increase in line with inflati...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Arts and MediaDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101208More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken for the AI and Copyright consultation on the media and creative industries.
Answer: The government consulted on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI). We have carefully analysed the responses and continue to engage extensively on this issue, including through technical working group...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: Dumfries and GallowayDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100191More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average wait time is for a driving test at the a) Stranraer, b) Newton Stewart and c) Castle Douglas driving test centres.
Answer: The average waiting time for a practical driving test at Stranraer, Newton Stewart and Castle Douglas is 24 weeks. These test centres are all remote outstations served by driving examiners from the main test centres of Stranraer and Newton Stewart one day...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDevolutionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she had discussions with the Scottish Government prior to the meeting between the First Minister of Scotland and the Leader of Sinn Fein on 26 November 2025 in Dublin
Answer: Under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Devolved Governments are entitled to have discussions with Ireland on matters within devolved competence. These meetings are not routinely attended by UK Government officials but the Foreign, Commonwe...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDevolutionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she had with the Scottish Government prior to the meeting between the First Minister of Scotland and the President of Ireland on 26 November 2025 in Dublin;
Answer: Under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Devolved Governments are entitled to have discussions with Ireland on matters within devolved competence. These meetings are not routinely attended by UK Government officials but the Foreign, Commonwe...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Border Force: Port of CairnryanHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Border Officers employed at the Port of Cairnryan a) during the day and b) in the evening.
Answer: In the interests of maintaining border security, Border Force does not routinely disclose information of a port-specific nature.
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: FerriesHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal migrants were apprehended between Stranraer and Belfast in each of the last three years; and how many of those were apprehended during a) daytime and b) evening sailings.
Answer: To maintain the highest standards of accuracy, the Home Office prefers to refer to published data, as this has been subject to rigorous quality assurance under National Statistics protocols prior to publication.Information about illegal migrants encounter...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: FerriesHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93167More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal migrants have been apprehended onboard ferry sailings between Stranraer and Belfast in each of the last three years.
Answer: To maintain the highest standards of accuracy, the Home Office prefers to refer to published data, as this has been subject to rigorous quality assurance under National Statistics protocols prior to publication.Information about illegal migrants encounter...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Migrants: Port of CairnryanHome OfficeTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93166More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many illegal migrants have been apprehended at the Port of Cairnryan in each of the last three years.
Answer: To maintain the highest standards of accuracy, the Home Office prefers to refer to published data, as this has been subject to rigorous quality assurance under National Statistics protocols prior to publication.Information about illegal migrants encounter...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: Dumfries and GallowayDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92877More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who are currently trying to book a driving theory test in Dumfries and Galloway.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a key performance indicator (KPI) to provide theory test candidates with a test appointment within 28 days of their preferred date which is measured as a regional average. Despite unprecedented levels of ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: Dumfries and GallowayDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92873More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average wait time is for 1) a driving theory test and 2) a driving test in Dumfries and Galloway constituency.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a key performance indicator (KPI) to provide theory test candidates with a test appointment within 28 days of their preferred date which is measured as a regional average. Despite unprecedented levels of ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: Dumfries and GallowayDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92872More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of (a) driving theory tests and (b) driving tests in Dumfries and Galloway constituency.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a key performance indicator (KPI) to provide theory test candidates with a test appointment within 28 days of their preferred date which is measured as a regional average. Despite unprecedented levels of ...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNorthern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023Northern Ireland OfficeTabled 11 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 906385More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.
Answer: I introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill on 14 October – a significant step in fulfilling our commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act. The Bill received its Second Reading yesterday, and I look forward to continued debate and scrutiny as it...
Answered 19 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: SubscriptionsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 31 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 87203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of section 267 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on platform fees for digital subscriptions.
Answer: The Government has consulted on how refunds should work when consumers exercise their statutory cooling-off rights (Consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contracts regime). We are analysing all the responses, including in relation to ...
Answered 10 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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