Josh Newbury MP: written questions
153 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Mineworkers' Pension Scheme: Cannock ChaseDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many recipients of pensions under the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme in Cannock Chase constituency will be affected by the Government's return of money from the investment reserve fund to th
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 November to Question UIN 12551.
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBritish Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme: Cannock ChaseDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many (a) pensioners and (b) dependents are recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Cannock Chase constituency.
Answer: We are unable to provide the breakdown requested. However, information from the trustees shows that, as at October 2024, the number of pensioner and dependant members in Cannock Chase was 530.
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordGroceries Code Adjudicator: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11619More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of lowering the turnover threshold of £1 billion for businesses that are required to fund the Groceries Code Adjudicator.
Answer: The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) is currently funded by an annual levy on the 14 large retailers that are designated under the Code by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The CMA assesses annually whether retailers which have a turnover excee...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming IncentiveDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11617More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce response times for applications to the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Answer: The Sustainable Farming Incentive has been expanded to now include Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier actions, with around a further 80 new actions now available for customers to select. The scheme is in the late stages of the controlled rollout, something ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNHS: FraudDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11607More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much was lost to fraud in the NHS in each of the last five years.
Answer: The following table shows fraud losses in the National Health Service in England, for each of the last five years:YearFraud loss2019/20£17,400,0002020/21£12,400,0002021/22£20,700,0002022/23£26,400,0002023/24£24,200,000Source: NHS Counter Fraud Authority C...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCooperativesTreasuryTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 900978More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the growth of co-operatives.
Answer: The Government recognises the important contribution of co-operatives to the economy, serving local communities around the UK and ensuring the UK has a diverse business sector with their model of shared ownership. There are currently 7,370 co-operatives o...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordJobcentresDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11082More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to make Jobcentres more effective at helping unemployed people into (a) work and (b) training.
Answer: Government has set an ambition to get to an 80% employment rate, alongside raising living standards and tackling insecurity at work. The Government plans to tackle economic inactivity, support people into good work and help them to progress.Proposed refor...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy Company Obligation: FraudDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11081More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to tackle fraud in the Energy Company Obligation scheme.
Answer: The Department works with the scheme administrator, Ofgem, to investigate and address any suspected misconduct under the ECO scheme. Dedicated work is ongoing on external assurance to review processes and procedures, and strengthening of fraud controls in...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDegrees and Higher National DiplomasDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the provision of level (a) five and (b) six qualifications in areas that do not have a university.
Answer: The department continues to support access to higher level qualifications to break down barriers to opportunity and support economic growth.The department continues to support learners who wish to progress from Level 3 to a higher level, whether that is t...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLandfill: RegulationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the (a) powers and (b) resources of the Environment Agency to regulate landfill sites.
Answer: The regulatory framework in place is designed to serve operators and protect the local community. Where poor performance does occur the Environment Agency has a range of powers to bring sites back into compliance and, where necessary, to take enforcement ...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordGender RecognitionWomen and EqualitiesTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11078More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent progress her Department has made on bringing forward proposed reforms to the gender recognition certificate process.
Answer: In our manifesto, we committed to reforming gender recognition law. We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance whilst retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.We will set out our next steps on this wor...
Answered 4 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordFarms: Biodiversity and FinanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) increase biodiversity on farms and (b) ensure that farms are financially sustainable.
Answer: This Government will champion British farming. Our new deal for farmers will build a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers. We have already delivered on our commitment to restore stability by continuing the...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSports: Video GamesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11076More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the development of the esports industry.
Answer: The Government recognises the potential of the UK esports industry and its impact on the economy, with major tournaments hosted across the UK this year, including in Manchester, Birmingham and London.Kickstarting economic growth, and breaking down barrier...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordNHS: PlasticsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11075More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of single-use items used by the National Health Service.
Answer: As set out in the Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service report, published in October 2020, the NHS is committed to reducing its environmental impact, including by increasing the reuse and recycling of medical equipment. This report is available at...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11074More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of creating a single service to advise households on (a) energy efficiency in the home and (b) financial support available for
Answer: Improving energy efficiency and decarbonising buildings is a crucial element in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. This will also lower energy bills and support the reduction of Fuel Poverty. This is why the Government is going further...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBoiler Upgrade Scheme: Heat PumpsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11073More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for increasing the number of heat pump installations.
Answer: Up to the end of August 2024, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has paid out 32,572 vouchers towards low carbon heating systems. The Government is carrying out an independent evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with its first set of interim findings due to b...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHeat PumpsTreasuryTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11072More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, of the potential merits of removing VAT from refrigerants used in heat pumps.
Answer: No assessment has been made. The installation of certain energy-saving materials, including ground- and air- source heat pumps, in residential accommodation and charity buildings benefits from a temporary zero rate of VAT until 31 March 2027 (after which ...
Answered 31 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes Plan: LoansDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11071More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to introduce (a) low- and (b) no-cost finance for domestic energy efficiency measures in its Warm Homes Plan.
Answer: The Government recognises the important role private finance can play in helping us achieve our decarbonisation ambitions.As part of the Warm Homes Plan, officials are exploring the role of incentives and private finance to support homeowners with the upf...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNatural GasDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11070More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential cost to the public purse of decommissioning the gas grid.
Answer: The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan. Gas will continue to p...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHeating: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using the gas grid to support the decarbonisation of (a) domestic and (b) industrial space heating.
Answer: The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan. Gas will continue to p...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNatural Gas: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11068More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help decarbonise the gas grid.
Answer: The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan. Gas will continue to p...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMineworkers' Pension Scheme: InvestmentDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11067More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) returning the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme investment reserve to scheme members and (b) commissioning a review into future investme
Answer: The Government has ended the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) and agreed the transfer the Investment Reserve Fund to members, so that the mineworkers who powered our country receive a fairer pension. The resulting bonus will increase pen...
Answered 4 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCrime: Rural AreasHome OfficeTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11066More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rural crime on (a) agricultural businesses and (b) Staffordshire Police.
Answer: This Government is committed to reducing crime and disorder in rural areas, given the devastating impact rural crime can have on communities and businesses. Under our reforms, rural communities will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on a...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPlastics: RecyclingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11065More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the recycling rates of plastic film.
Answer: Yes, Defra is supporting the multi-million-pound FlexCollect project, launched in May 2022, funding local authorities to roll out kerbside plastic film collection trials. This will help gather insights to support effective collections more widely ahead of...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPlastics: WasteDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11064More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with businesses on steps to reduce the (a) manufacture and (b) distribution of single-use plastic products other than wet wipes.
Answer: The Secretary of State has not held discussions on reducing the manufacture and distribution of single-use plastic products with businesses. However, officials have met with industry stakeholders through the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN), this ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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