Lisa Smart MP: written questions
579 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Social Workers: Medical ExaminationsDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121545More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for Social Work England to clear the fitness to practise backlog; and what her Department's target is for reducing the average time from referral to heari
Answer: The department is the sponsor department for Social Work England (SWE), the independent regulator, and monitors their performance on an ongoing basis. Funding is provided to SWE annually and is based on the need to deliver against its business plan. SWE r...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAndrew Mountbatten-WindsorDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the expected timeline is for the publication of the first tranche of documents relating to the period in which Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK's Special Representative for Internationa
Answer: We have set up a dedicated team to coordinate work across Government to search historic paper and electronic files and identify documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s role and appointment as Special Representative for Trade and Investment in 2001. This...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAndrew Mountbatten-WindsorDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121246More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any of the staff working in the team responsible for reviewing records relating to the period in which Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK's Special Representative for International Tra
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade is leading the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as Special Representative on Trade and Investment. A small, Director-led team is co-ordinating work to identify re...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAndrew Mountbatten-WindsorDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121245More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the staff working in the team responsible for reviewing records relating to the period in which Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade is leading the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as Special Representative on Trade and Investment. A small, Director-led team is co-ordinating work to identify re...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAndrew Mountbatten-WindsorDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121244More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many staff are working in the team responsible for reviewing records relating to the period in which Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade is leading the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as Special Representative on Trade and Investment. A small, Director-led team is co-ordinating work to identify re...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 908401More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle misinformation online.
Answer: This issue is, rightly, of huge concern. The Online Safety Act is already protecting users from illegal dis- and misinformation online, including foreign interference. We are already taking further action, including launching a campaign to support childre...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAndrew Mountbatten-WindsorDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119543More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many civil servants are currently working to locate and identify files relating to the period in which Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade a
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade is leading the Government’s response to the Humble Address on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as Special Representative on Trade and Investment and has set up a small, Director-led team to co-ordinate work to...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTax AvoidanceTreasuryTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118967More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the settlement opportunity arising from the McCann Review does not include those whose use of disguised remuneration schemes occurred before 9 December 2010 or after 5 April 2019.
Answer: At Budget 2024, the Government announced a new independent review of the loan charge. The purpose of the review was to bring the matter to a close for people who have not settled and paid their loan charge liabilities. The settlement opportunity will only...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTax AvoidanceTreasuryTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118966More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many individuals with outstanding Loan Charge liabilities are estimated to have debts exceeding £140,000; and of those, how many she expects will be able to settle under the terms announced following the McCann
Answer: This Government recognised that concerns were raised about the Loan Charge under the previous government and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately. The Government therefore commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMiddle East: Armed ConflictForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118590More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to secure repatriation routes for British nationals currently subject to shelter-in-place advice.
Answer: The safety of British nationals remains the Government's top priority. I refer the Hon Member to the statement I gave to the House on 5 March, and the answers provided to questions raised in response. Assisted departures have now taken place from both Oma...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCouncil Tax: Tax AllowancesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered (a) introducing statutory Council Tax relief for properties made uninhabitable by severe weather, natural disasters and climate-related events and (b) c
Answer: The Valuation Office Agency is the organisation responsible for determining whether a property is liable for council tax. Council tax is due on all domestic properties, whether they are occupied or not. However, a property may be removed from the council ...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInfant Mortality: Bereavement CounsellingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117479More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to address the postcode lottery in NHS mental health support for bereaved parents following pregnancy or baby loss; and whether she will commit to issuing nation
Answer: The Government recognises that the experience of losing a baby or pregnancy loss can be very difficult for parents and families.Maternal Mental Health Services are available in all integrated care board areas in England and provide care for women with mod...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNuisance CallsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her department is taking to ensure telecommunications providers take responsibility for preventing scam calling.
Answer: Tackling fraud is a priority for this Government. We are working closely with industry, and on 5 November 2025 published the second Telecommunications Fraud Sector Charter. This includes actions to help strengthen trust in voice communications particularl...
Answered 12 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRecycling: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116976More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase opportunities for skilled volunteers with repair and re-use expertise to help to reduce (a) waste and (b) public spending on repairs.
Answer: The Government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy which will present an opportunity to create a more inclusive economy, building shared social and economic value for citizens, businesses and communities. The Government recognises that rep...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRecycling: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116974More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of public liability insurance requirements on volunteering opportunities for volunteers with repair and re-use expertise.
Answer: The government is committed to supporting volunteers, who play a vital role in supporting charities, strengthening communities, delivering services and driving positive change in local areas.Organisations have a dual responsibility to protect volunteers f...
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: Digital TechnologyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116858More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department taking to help ensure that patients who cannot access digital services are still able to obtain timely updates on referrals and care pathways.
Answer: National Health Service organisations must ensure all patients have equitable access to care, and that decisions or policies do not unfairly disadvantage people or lead to an increase in inequalities. All NHS organisations are legally obliged to not discr...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: RecruitmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116857More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of additional fully qualified full-time equivalent GPs required in England to restore the GP-to-patient ratio to 2015 levels.
Answer: The number of patients per full time equivalent (FTE) fully qualified general practitioner (GP) was 1,938 in September 2015 compared to 2,133 in January 2026, including GPs employed by primary care networks. To reach the same number of patients per fully ...
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHealth ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116856More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the accessibility and clarity of NHS information for patients navigating care pathways across primary and secondary care.
Answer: A revised Accessible Information Standard (AIS) was published on 1 July 2025 and can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/accessible-information-standard/ The revised standard requires those staff in relevant communication and inform...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDoctors: Migrant WorkersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 116793More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the pathways used by other Common Travel Area countries to enable qualified medical professionals from outside the EEA
Answer: No assessment has been made by the Department of the potential policy implications of the pathways used by other Common Travel Area countries to enable qualified medical professionals from outside the European Economic Area to practise medicine in the Uni...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInfant Mortality: Bereavement CounsellingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116689More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to address regional disparities in NHS mental health support for bereaved parents following pregnancy or baby loss; and if she will issue national standards for
Answer: The Government recognises that the experience of losing a baby or pregnancy loss can be very difficult for parents and families.Mental health services are available in all areas of England for women who experience mental health difficulties during, or due...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFinancial Services: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 908037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support teachers to deliver effective financial education in the new national curriculum.
Answer: The government is committed to strengthening pupils’ foundational understanding of financial education in mathematics and citizenship following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment Review's final report in November 2025. From budgeting to unde...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy Supply: InsolvencyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113992More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consumer redress options for customers with unresolved complaints against energy suppliers that have entered administration.
Answer: There are two routes through which energy suppliers enter administration. Where a supplier enters a special administration, they continue to hold a licence and to be regulated by Ofgem, including ensuring that consumers have access to redress. Where a sup...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDomestic Abuse Protection OrdersMinistry of JusticeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113927More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what evaluation criteria he is using to assess the impact of the Domestic Abuse Protection Order pilot on people against whom orders are sought.
Answer: Domestic Abuse Protection Order Notices and Orders (DAPNs and DAPOs) have been piloted in selected areas since November 2024, and are being fully evaluated, which will help to inform implementation as the orders are rolled out across England and Wales.Reo...
Answered 27 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBuildings: Fire PreventionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that residents are not left liable for the costs of remediating fire safety defects caused by developer failures and regulatory weak
Answer: Government has introduced caps for most leaseholders to limit their exposure to building safety costs and worked with industry such that fifty-three developers have, as of 31 October 2025, agreed to fix or pay to fix 2,497 buildings in England with life-c...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: CorrespondenceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of changes to Royal Mail's Universal Service Obligation on the delivery of time-critical NHS correspondence.
Answer: Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, has made changes to the obligations imposed on Royal Mail to push the business to improve reliability across all types of postal deliveries.The government recognises the importance of delivery of tim...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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