John Whitby MP: written questions
102 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Bluetongue Virus: ScreeningDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28238More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the capacity of laboratories in processing bluetongue tests in a timely manner during periods of increased transmission; what
Answer: Defra is working with APHA and The Pirbright Institute to reduce delays in testing and reporting. Testing is being undertaken by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) at Weybridge alongside the National Reference Laboratory at The Pirbright Institute....
Answered 18 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordBluetongue Virus: VaccinationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that sufficient supplies of vaccines against bluetongue virus are available to livestock keepers; and what steps she is taking to improve the availab
Answer: Defra and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are working closely with manufacturers, wholesalers and veterinary bodies to monitor availability and support continuity of supply. Defra and VMD have taken proactive regulatory action to expedite the i...
Answered 18 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Water SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department will include measures to improve farm water security when determining which items currently supported through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund will be i
Answer: No decisions have been made on the scope of FETF inclusion in Capital Grants from 2027, we are still considering future support arrangements and will set out further details in due course.
Answered 18 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Water SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Sept 2026AnsweredUIN 28235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to include capital grant options for improving on-farm water supply and storage infrastructure in the grant scheme that will incorporate elements of the Farming Equip
Answer: The Government recognises the significant challenges that drought conditions can pose for farmers and growers. As part of the drought support package announced on 14 August 2026, up to £15 million has been made available to support on-farm reservoir const...
Answered 18 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordPlanning: AdvertisingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Sept 2026Awaiting answerUIN 28233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the current planning and regulatory framework governing advertising for potential impact on the character and visual amenity
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordCraniocervical Instability: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5561More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his department has made into the potential use of upright MRI scans to diagnose Craniocervical Instability, particularly as it relates to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Answer: Diagnostic investigations for suspected craniocervical instability in patients with Ehlers Danlos syndromes, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography, are available through existing National Health Service pathways. Access to mor...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordWaste Heat Recovery: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of policy measures adopted in Germany to improve energy efficiency and waste heat utilisation in data c
Answer: To address the growing energy demands of AI, the AI Energy Council was established. The Council offers expert insights into preparing the UK’s energy system to manage AI’s energy footprint, as well as harnessing AI’s potential within a modern energy syste...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordHeat Networks: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1035More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to encourage the integration of data centres into local heat network zoning plans.
Answer: The Department is looking at how waste heat from data centres can be used to support the development of large scale, strategic heat networks. Through heat network zoning, certain buildings and heat sources, including data centres, can be required to conne...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: SponsorshipHome OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127023More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the timeline for establishing a Named Community Sponsorship scheme.
Answer: In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, published on 21 November 2025, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to spon...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: SponsorshipHome OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the proposed Named Community Sponsorship scheme.
Answer: In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, published on 21 November 2025, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to spon...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFuel Oil: Small BusinessesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127021More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to provide targeted support to businesses that use heating oil.
Answer: The government recognises that many businesses across the country will see the global events and be concerned about the impact on their fuel bills. We are monitoring the situation closely and actively engaging with industry and trade associations to under...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCerebral PalsyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure ICBs provide an annual health check to adults with cerebral palsy.
Answer: The Government is committed to making sure that people with cerebral palsy receive quality care. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance on cerebral palsy in adults, which is available at the following link:http...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVisitor Levy: CountrysideMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123099More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assurances he can provide that National Parks and National Landscapes will be fully considered in any proposals for an overnight visitor accommodation levy.
Answer: The precise design and scope of the overnight visitor levy power is still under development. Decisions on whether to introduce a levy will rest with Mayors and be shaped through local consultation on its design and the impacts the levy may have, including...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: QuarryingDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123089More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase awareness and funding for (a) materials and mining programmes of study and (b) science and engineering apprenticeships and qualifications in the quarrying sector.
Answer: The government supports education and skills training in the minerals, mining and quarrying sectors through:Offering 13 qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds at Levels 2 to 6 and 3 Level 2 qualifications in the adult skills fund (ASF) local flexibilities...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: Carbon EmissionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123088More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to its response to recommendation 24 of the Environmental Audit Committee’s report entitled Environmental Sustainability and Housing Growth, published on 13 March
Answer: My Department has made no such assessment.
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Further EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121685More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what oversight mechanisms exist to ensure that behaviour policies adopted by further education colleges do not disproportionately disadvantage young people with SEND.
Answer: Further education (FE) colleges are subject to statutory and regulatory oversight to ensure that policies do not disadvantage learners with special educational needs and disabilities. Colleges must comply with the Equality Act 2010, including the duty to ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPublic Houses: Public ConsultationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115273More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to take ensure that any consultations with pubs include independent publicans.
Answer: We recognise the valuable contributions of independent publicans in the pubs consultation process.Ministers and officials from my Department regularly meet with independent publicans and their trade association representatives at the British Institute of ...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCarbon Capture and Storage: Derbyshire and StaffordshireDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of industrial carbon capture projects, such as Peak Cluster, on safeguarding domestic cement production and skilled jobs in Derbyshire and
Answer: Carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS) is essential for fully decarbonising clinker production within the cement sector, which is critical for producing foundational materials for the UK economy. 40% of the UK’s cement and lime is produced in Derbyshir...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFootball: Neurological DiseasesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110659More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help support ex-footballers with neurodegenerative diseases.
Answer: My department is taking important steps to ensure that former football players with neurodegenerative diseases, and their families, receive the support they need.The Secretary of State and I have met with affected family members and ex-footballers, includ...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: BuildingsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110658More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to coordinate planning, energy policy and building regulations to maximise solar deployment across the built environment.
Answer: We work closely across Whitehall to ensure alignment between planning policy, energy policy and building regulations. The Government will publish the Future Homes Standard in the coming months, ensuring solar panels are installed on the majority of new bu...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: Business PremisesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110657More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has plans for new incentives to help encourage businesses to install rooftop solar panels on large industrial and commercial buildings.
Answer: The Government is aware of the significant potential that commercial rooftops have in our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower. The Solar Council is monitoring delivery of Roadmap actions to support rooftop solar deployment on commercial and i...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordSolar Power: FinanceDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 3 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of current mechanisms supporting small-scale solar generation following the closure of the Feed-in Tariff scheme.
Answer: The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism that ensures small-scale solar generators receive payment for any electricity exported to the grid. The Government keeps current market offerings under review to assess whether the market is conti...
Answered 11 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: Derbyshire DalesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 29 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 907724More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress her Department has made on the rollout of gigabit broadband in Derbyshire Dales constituency.
Answer: In May 2025, BDUK and Full Fibre mutually agreed to end the Project Gigabit contract for the Peak District, affecting some Derbyshire Dales premisesSince then, BDUK has worked with suppliers on alternatives and is now close to agreeing a replacement contr...
Answered 4 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordPalestine: ChildrenForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 907383More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to help prevent the detention of children from Gaza and the West Bank by the Israeli military.
Answer: We are deeply concerned about the detention of Palestinian children by the Israeli military and about allegations of abuse against those children, including sexual violence.The UK calls for all such reports to be fully investigated. The arrest and detenti...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBabies: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105029More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of not expanding Healthy Babies funding to all local authority areas from April 2026.
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan sets out an ambitious agenda for how we will improve the nation’s health by creating a new model of care that is fit for the future. We recognise that local authorities are ambitious, seeking to deliver universal support to familie...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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