John McDonnell MP: written questions
313 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Further Education: PayDepartment for EducationTabled 20 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3180More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with the Association of Colleges on narrowing the pay gap between further education college lecturers and school teachers.
Answer: Further education (FE) teachers are central to delivering high-quality technical education. Last year, the department announced an additional £190 million for colleges and other 16 to 19 providers for the 2025/26 financial year to support them with key pr...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSports: RegulationTreasuryTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129079More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Question 122645 of 23 March 2026, whether she has plans to bring forward legislative proposals to clarify or amend the regulatory boundary between the Financial Conduct Authority and the Gambling Commiss
Answer: As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSports: RegulationTreasuryTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129078More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 122645 on Sports: Regulation, and with reference to the FCA Perimeter Report published in March 2026, which regulator Parliament has conferred powers upon for the
Answer: As set out in the government’s previous answer on 31 March, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: SodexoTreasuryTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129069More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assurances have been provided that there will be no reduction in service to the staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast following Sodexo's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staf
Answer: Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted sta...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: SodexoTreasuryTabled 22 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 129068More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions HMRC is having with Sodexo over the contractor's decision to reduce the number of cleaning and facilities staff at Erskine House and Carne House in Belfast.
Answer: Sodexo are contracted to deliver facilities management services, including cleaning, in Erskine House and Carne House on an output specification basis. This means it is for Sodexo to determine the level of resourcing required to achieve the contracted sta...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment Schemes: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127411More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether trade unions will be formal stakeholders in the Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan.
Answer: The Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan (Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan for December 2025 to December 2026 - GOV.UK) sets out a clear commitment to meaningful stakeholder engagement throughout the reform period, recognising that the schem...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFlags of ConvenienceDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126527More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, What her policy is on the use of vessels registered on Flags of Convenience by contractors delivering the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Civil Hydrography Programme.
Answer: The MCA’s UK CHP Survey Specification details the Civil Hydrography Programme (CHP)-specific requirements for conducting hydrographic surveys undertaken on behalf of the MCA, in order to deliver UK requirements and services. The Survey Specification is us...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: CrewDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126526More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, With reference to the Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2025 statistics published on 25th February 2025, what assessment she has made of the sources of growth in seafarer employment in the UK shipping indu
Answer: The Department remains committed to increasing the number of UK resident seafarer ratings. Work includes implementing the recommendations from the Ratings Review, modernising training and considering the findings of the recently published SMarT Review and...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: CrewDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126525More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2025 statistics published on 25 February 2025, what steps she is taking to increase the number of UK resident seafarer Ratings employed in the UK shi
Answer: The Department remains committed to increasing the number of UK resident seafarer ratings. Work includes implementing the recommendations from the Ratings Review, modernising training and considering the findings of the recently published SMarT Review and...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFerries: Minimum WageDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of seafarers in the UK’s short sea international ferry sector that are paid an hourly wage that is (a) broadly equivalent to or (b) above the National
Answer: The Department has not made any such estimate. The Seafarers' Wages Act 2023 makes payment of the equivalent of National Minimum Wage a condition of port access for operators of services calling at a UK port at least 120 times a year. The Maritime and Coa...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFerries: Conditions of EmploymentDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126523More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, What recent assessment she has made of the employment conditions of seafarers at ferry operators who are signatories to the Voluntary Seafarers Charter; and if she will list the ferry operators who have signed
Answer: The Department has received evidence from a number of ferry operators in support of their applications for Verified Charter Status under the Seafarers’ Charter. In due course we will publicly confirm which operators have met the required standard.
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: Minimum WageDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126522More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussion she has had with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage (Offshore Employment) (Amendment) Order 2020 for seafarers working (a) in UK territoria
Answer: The Department for Transport maintains regular and ongoing engagement with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through the Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team regarding the implementation, compliance, and enforcement of legislation relating to ...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFerries: Minimum WageDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126521More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, (b) shipowner representatives and (c) port owners on compliance with the Seafarers Wages Regulations 2024 amongst operators of ro
Answer: The Department for Transport maintains regular and ongoing engagement with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through the Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team regarding the implementation, compliance, and enforcement of legislation relating to ...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: StaffTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124442More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has made a comparative assessment of the cost of alternative models based on permanent civil service staffing with external Managed Service Provider provision.
Answer: HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to fo...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: StaffTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124441More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will set out the range of possible outcomes of HMRC’s joint evaluation with PCS of the pilot of the Managed Service Provider within the Customer Services Group.
Answer: HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to fo...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: StaffTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124440More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC may discontinue the use of the Managed Service Provider model beyond the initial proof of value trial.
Answer: HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to fo...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: StaffTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124439More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what criteria she will use to determine whether the Managed Service Provider model is expanded, modified, or discontinued following the joint evaluation with the PCS Trade Union.
Answer: HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to fo...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: StaffTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 124438More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment HMRC has made of the long term operational need for a Managed Service Provider within the Customer Services Group beyond the current proof of value trial.
Answer: HMRC is using Managed Service Providers (MSP) as part of a balanced approach to help it manage peaks and troughs more effectively, drawing on practices already used across other Government Departments (OGDs). This will allow its permanent colleagues to fo...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSports: RegulationTreasuryTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122645More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is responsible for the regulation of sports and non-financial spread bets in the UK.
Answer: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has clarified that non-financial spread betting products are not financial instruments, and that the FCA’s regulatory framework does not account for gambling activity in relation to events which are not connected to f...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordThames Water: Public ConsultationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122644More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has held discussions with Ofwat on the form of public consultation on a deal for the control of Thames Water.
Answer: We are working closely with Ofwat, who is evaluating the consortium’s proposals for Thames Water, to ensure that the best interests of customers and the environment are protected.
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: ReorganisationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120601More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she is having with relevant trade unions on her Department’s reorganisation proposals; and if she will make a statement.
Answer: The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMiddle East: ResearchForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120600More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of proposed staff cuts of staff employed as research analysts in the Middle East, in the context of the developing situation
Answer: The FCDO2030 reform programme is designed to ensure the department is able to rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and a constrained fiscal environment. This is an unprecedented transformation, driven by the objective to become a more agile...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119820More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether Access to Work support worker funding rates fall below the cost of employment once National Insurance, pension contributions and holiday pay are included.
Answer: We do not hold data on the full employment costs of all Support Workers, including National Insurance, pension contributions and holiday pay. This is not information we routinely collect. When setting our indicative payment rates, we aim to ensure value f...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119819More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Access to Work enables Disabled people to remain in employment.
Answer: In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are considering all aspects of the scheme as we develop plans for reform following the conclu...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 11 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119818More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his department has made of the number of Disabled people who have lost employment due to delays or reductions in Access to Work support.
Answer: The Department does not collect such data as the programme only supports people in, or about to start, employment.
Answered 18 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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