Julian Smith MP: written questions
103 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Health Services: StatisticsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11875More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to (a) ensure regular public data releases and (b) improve the timeliness of data available.
Answer: The Department is strongly committed to upholding the Code of Practice for Official Statistics, and its three constituent pillars of trustworthiness, quality, and value. As such, the Department is committed to releasing timely data at a frequency that mee...
Answered 13 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services and Social Services: Public consultationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11874More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Health and social care statistical outputs which closed on 5 March 2024, when he plans to respond to that consultation; and if he will publi
Answer: The Department expects to publish a response to the consultation this year. Work is ongoing across the Department, the UK Health Security Agency, NHS England, and the Office for National Statistics to agree and align proposals following the feedback from ...
Answered 13 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 28 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11250More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress of Project Gigabit in rural areas.
Answer: As of February 2024, over 1 million premises had been upgraded to gigabit-capable broadband through government-funded programmes. Between April 2022 and March 2023, 90% of premises benefiting from government broadband schemes were in rural areas.To improv...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 28 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve rural ultrafast broadband connectivity.
Answer: The government is committed to delivering fast, reliable broadband through Project Gigabit with a goal of nationwide coverage by 2030. There are 36 contracts in place, set to connect over 1 million homes and businesses that would otherwise miss out, with ...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: VATTreasuryTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10716More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to apply VAT to small private schools offering Montessori education where pre-school age children are in the same classes as older children.
Answer: From 1 January 2025, the 20% standard rate of VAT will apply to all education services, vocational training, and boarding services provided by private schools for a charge. This will apply to any fees charged after 29 July 2024 for terms starting after 1 ...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10715More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the scope of the Food Standards Agency’s review of dietary lead as part of its risk analysis programme covers areas with high concentrations of ab
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.Previous reviews of ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10714More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Food Standards Agency plans to develop guidance for residents in areas with high environmental lead contamination on the safe consumption of locally produced food.
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.Previous reviews of ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Food Standards Agency is taking to work with local authorities in areas with high numbers of abandoned lead mines to help ensure adequate (a) monitoring and (b) public awareness of p
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.Previous reviews of ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Food Standards Agency plans to conduct targeted testing of food products in areas with high concentrations of abandoned lead mines.
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.Previous reviews of ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10711More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Food Standards Agency is taking to make an assessment of the potential health risks to people living near old lead mine sites who consume (a) locally grown vegetables and (b) locally
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.Previous reviews of ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10710More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Food Standards Agency plans to (a) complete and (b) publish its review of dietary lead as part of its risk analysis programme.
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is planning to review dietary lead as part of its rolling programme of risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food. This will include consideration of areas where exposure is likely to be higher.Previous reviews of ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6219More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) fairness of the funding allocation system for special educational needs and disabilities provision.
Answer: The department is taking time to consider the various funding formulae that the department and local authorities use to allocate funding for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It is important that there is a ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6218More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help tackle financial pressures on local authorities resulting from SEND expenditure.
Answer: The department recognises that many local authorities are facing challenges in managing their high needs budgets, which has impacted their ability to balance their Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) funding. This government’s ambition is that all children and ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: TeachersDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6217More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to make the teaching workforce more inclusive for individuals with special educational needs and disabilities.
Answer: The government is committed to making teaching a profession where all teachers, including those with disabilities, have equal opportunities to progress. This includes designing our world-class programmes such as the Early Career Framework and National Pro...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6216More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that Education, Health and Care Plan applications are processed promptly.
Answer: The department’s aim is to deliver better life chances for all, through a system which works for all.The department knows that some parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through a long and difficult education, he...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6215More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve (a) inclusivity and (b) expertise in mainstream schools for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Answer: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Free SchoolsDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6214More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to (a) replace and (b) extend funding announced by the previous Government for 15 new special free schools.
Answer: This government is committed to making sure that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive the support they need to achieve and thrive, which includes a place in a special school where needed.The window for trus...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6213More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to continue the reforms set out in the SEND and alternative provision improvement plan.
Answer: Too many families and schools are struggling to secure the provision and support they need to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and outcomes for children with SEND have suffered for far too long. This...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: LeadDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6212More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of food chain information sheets for allowing farmers rearing animals on land with high lead levels to (a) accurately declare this information and (b) di
Answer: Lead is a naturally occurring contaminant in the environment. Independent scientific expert groups advise that exposure to lead should be reduced as much as possible. Maximum levels are set on the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ basis. Levels focus on f...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordFood: LeadDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the number of food samples tested for lead contamination per year by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Answer: The levels of lead testing in the United Kingdom are determined in accordance with legislative requirements which provide food safety assurances to both domestic consumers as well as export markets. Sampling levels are reviewed by the Veterinary Medicines...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6210More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on conducting lead level tests on food products sold in local shops within areas known to have high levels of environmental lead contaminati
Answer: Lead is a naturally occurring contaminant in the environment. Independent scientific expert groups advise that exposure to lead should be reduced as much as possible. Maximum levels are set on the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ basis. Levels focus on f...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of recent flooding on areas with historical levels of lead contamination.
Answer: The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Local councils have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contami...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6208More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason has the Food Standards Agency not set an established threshold for lead content in eggs.
Answer: Lead is a naturally occurring contaminant in the environment. Independent scientific expert groups advise that exposure to lead should be reduced as much as possible. Maximum levels are set on the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ basis. Levels focus on f...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6207More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, whether historical lead mining activities are considered when approving new housing targets.
Answer: The proposed methodology to calculate local housing need figures for each local authority, is set out in the ‘Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system’ consultation documents. These can be found a...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance he provides to local authorities for testing land in proximity to former lead mining sites; and whether he is taking steps to inform (a) residents and (b) those involved
Answer: There are a variety of resources available to local authorities in regard to testing potentially contaminated land. The Interdepartmental Committee on the Redevelopment of Contaminated Land (ICRCL) issued guidance on The Restoration and Aftercare of Metal...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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