Julian Smith MP: written questions
332 published records · newest first.
Written questions
BBC World Service: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70438More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating BBC World Service funding on a three year basis.
Answer: Grant-in-Aid funding for the BBC World Service will be decided through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office allocations process in the autumn.
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBBC World Service: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 70437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to develop a sustainable funding solution for the BBC World Service.
Answer: The Government highly values the BBC World Service, which makes a significant contribution to UK soft power. According to a 2025 survey conducted for the BBC by the independent polling company, Tapestry, the BBC is a leader in driving favourable impressio...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordFarms: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 28 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 905439More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of representations received by his Department on its proposed reforms to inheritance tax on farms.
Answer: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advant...
Answered 4 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordCompetition Appeal Tribunal: MediationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 905249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using mandatory mediation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Answer: This government is committed to access to justice, and I share the interest of the Rt. Hon. member’s in reducing the burdens of litigation through Alternative Dispute Resolution. The CAT Rules afford the Tribunal significant powers to encourage and facili...
Answered 17 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64435More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of research funding models, in the context of the forthcoming national cancer plan; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of rese
Answer: The Department is committed to ensuring that all patients, including those with cancer, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments.The Department is committed to turbocharging clinical research and delivering better ...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64434More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to increase screening programmes to improve early diagnosis of cancers, in the context of the forthcoming National Cancer Plan.
Answer: Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan, which will build on the three shifts in care set out in the 10-Year Health Plan to diagnose cancers earlier. Through the 10-Year Health Plan, we will make it easier for people to access cancer sc...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSmoking: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64433More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of integrating smoking cessation services into (a) A&E, (b) mental health services and (c) lung screening.
Answer: We are fully committed to our ambition for a smoke-free United Kingdom. Quitting smoking is one of the best things a person can do for their health, and our assessment of the evidence is that targeting people with smoking cessation support in in-patient, ...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBus Services: North YorkshireDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60468More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support councils in improving the frequency and reliability of rural bus services in North Yorkshire.
Answer: The government recognises the importance of accessible, frequent and affordable bus services in keeping communities connected as well as in supporting economic growth, tourism and social inclusion. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: Rural AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60467More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of levels of availability of rural transport links on (a) economic growth, (b) tourism and (c) social inclusion; and what steps she is taking to i
Answer: The government recognises the importance of accessible, frequent and affordable bus services in keeping communities connected as well as in supporting economic growth, tourism and social inclusion. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBus Services: North YorkshireDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60466More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to allocate additional funding to support rural bus franchising pilots in North Yorkshire; and what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) the Yorkshire Dales and (b) other areas receive equit
Answer: The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in the Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed continued funding of around £900 million per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including tak...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimals: Disease ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60015More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to recommendation 27 of the report by the National Audit Office entitled Resilience to animal diseases, published on 4 June 2025, what steps his Department is taking to
Answer: Imports of animals and animal products are subject to strict biosecurity controls. These may include pre-notification, veterinary health certification and Border Control Post checks. We apply additional measures in response to specific biosecurity threats...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimals: Disease ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60014More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to recommendation 26(d) of the report by the National Audit Office entitled Resilience to animal diseases, published on 4 June 2025, whether his Department plans to publ
Answer: The UK Government takes animal diseases seriously and works closely with industry partners, international fora and other government departments and local authorities to constantly monitor and react to new disease threats. We have in place robust measures ...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterinary Services: VacanciesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60013More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce veterinary workforce shortages.
Answer: Defra is exploring various avenues to improve the short- and long-term capacity issues. Defra has increased engagement across the veterinary profession and other stakeholders, to find a sustainable solution, ensuring the ongoing provision of high-quality ...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Disclosure of InformationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his Department's planned timetable is for publishing its Review of the Whistleblowing Framework.
Answer: The previous Government commissioned a review of the UK’s whistleblowing framework. This report, conducted by Grant Thornton LLP, is currently being reviewed by the Department of Business and Trade and will be published in due course.
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPeatlandsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54756More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the projected funding gap for peatland restoration in the Great North Bog region between 2025 and 2028 on (a) rural employment an
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of England’s peatlands, and in our manifesto, we committed to expanding nature-rich habitats such as wetlands and peat bogs. This will contribute to ensuring nature’s recovery, one of Defra’s five priorities. Peatl...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPeatlands: Landscape Recovery SchemeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54755More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure continuity of funding for peatland restoration between the closure of the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme and the full implementa
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of England’s peatlands, and in our manifesto, we committed to expanding nature-rich habitats such as wetlands and peat bogs. This will contribute to ensuring nature’s recovery, one of Defra’s five priorities. We ha...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: MediationAttorney GeneralTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54258More
Question: To ask the Solicitor General, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using mediation in disputes in which the Government is a party in a (a) private and (b) public law capacity.
Answer: The Government conducts litigation in accordance with the relevant court rules and considers the individual circumstances of a dispute before deciding on an appropriate course of action, which may include mediation and other forms of alternative dispute r...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: MediationCabinet OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54257More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of making a renewed Government commitment to resolving disputes across Departments through mediation.
Answer: It is a long-standing convention that we do not disclose publicly specific details on the processes of Cabinet collective decision-making, to protect the safe space for collective decisions. This Government is taking a missions-led approach to governing, ...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRevenue and Customs: MediationTreasuryTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54256More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with HMRC on the effectiveness of using mediation in tax disputes.
Answer: HMRC’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) service can help in cases where there is a dispute. An HMRC mediator will work with the customer, their agent and the HMRC caseworker to explore points that might have been misunderstood and try and reach agreem...
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordClass Actions: MediationMinistry of JusticeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she had made an assessment of the potential merits of the use of mandatory mediation in (a) group actions and (b) class action claims.
Answer: The merits of mediation are considerable. It offers parties a swifter and less costly way to resolve legal disputes and can save parties the time and cost of going to court, thus saving sitting days and reducing the court backlog.The Government has no pla...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSick Leave: Mental HealthDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of using mediation to facilitate an (a) easier and (b) speedier return to the workplace for people off work for (i) stress and (ii) mental heal
Answer: Employment Advisors in the jointly owned DWP-DHSC ‘Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies programme’ provide advice and support to those suffering with stress and/ or mental health conditions to remain in or return to work. Though not formal mediati...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: MediationMinistry of JusticeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the grievance and complaints process in employment claims to mandate mediation.
Answer: The Government has not made a decision to introduce mandatory mediation in Employment Tribunal claims. We are continuing to explore and assess the potential merits of options to utilise more mediation and alternative dispute resolution in the context of t...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPlanning: MediationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of increasing the use of mediation in the planning process.
Answer: My Department has had no recent discussions with stakeholders about the increased use of mediation within the planning system.
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordCompetition Appeal Tribunal: MediationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of the use of mandatory mediation in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
Answer: The Government supports the use, where appropriate, of mediation as a means to resolve regulatory disputes. However, the decision on whether to use mediation, and whether it is appropriate in a particular case, is primarily a matter for the parties in any...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordCivil Proceedings: Legal CostsMinistry of JusticeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54250More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on the enforcement of third party litigation funding agreements following the PACCAR judgement.
Answer: The Government recognises the critical role litigation funding plays in ensuring access to justice.I have engaged with relevant stakeholders on the enforcement of third party litigation funding agreements and the wider market following the PACCAR judgment...
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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