Lisa Smart MP: written questions
321 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Public Transport: Industrial EstatesDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve public transport services to industrial estates.
Answer: Good local bus services, including to industrial estates, are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts th...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordManchester Metrolink and Trams: Hazel GroveDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48202More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has conducted feasibility studies on extending (a) Metrolink and (b) tram-train services to (i) towns and (ii) villages in Hazel Grove constituency.
Answer: This Government is investing in transport improvements across our city regions, including Greater Manchester which is receiving over £1 billion through its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. In line with the Government’s commitment to devolutio...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordManchester Metrolink: StockportDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48201More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps with (a) Stockport Council and (b) the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to provide Metrolink services to Stockport.
Answer: This Government is investing in transport improvements across our city regions, including Greater Manchester which is receiving over £1 billion through its City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. In line with the Government’s commitment to devolutio...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: Greater ManchesterDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of irregular rail timetables on (a) employment and (b) education access in Greater Manchester.
Answer: The department requires its operators to plan services and rail timetables that are designed to respond to expected passenger demand, which includes understanding local demand factors such as access to employment and education. These timetables should be ...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: Greater ManchesterDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47883More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the (a) frequency and (b) reliability of rail services on the Rose Hill to Manchester Piccadilly line.
Answer: The department expects operators to match capacity and frequency of their services to demand, which can mean increased service frequency where that is the right response - although these must also be operationally sustainable and deliver value for taxpaye...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitals: ConstructionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47882More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support to (a) local authorities and (b) Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council to identify new sites for the (i) expansion and (ii) development of existing h
Answer: The Government recognises that delivering high quality National Health Service healthcare requires the right infrastructure in the right places.Integrated care systems (ICSs) are responsible for strategic infrastructure planning as well as managing the op...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordStepping Hill HospitalDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47881More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the maintenance and repairs backlog at Stepping Hill Hospital on the quality of patient care.
Answer: The Government recognises that delivering high-quality National Health Service healthcare requires safe and effective infrastructure.Integrated care systems (ICSs) are responsible for strategic infrastructure planning for their respective areas and were r...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordStepping Hill HospitalDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47880More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of not including Stepping Hill Hospital in the New Hospital Programme on (a) patient and staff safety, (b) quality of care and
Answer: The Stockport Foundation NHS Trust submitted an expression of interest (EOI) to join the New Hospital Programme (NHP) in 2021, alongside other National Health Service trusts. The Department worked with NHS England on a joint prioritisation exercise assess...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDental Services: PregnancyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47879More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to NHS dental care for (a) pregnant women and (b) women in the postnatal period.
Answer: We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist and we want to make sure that everyone who needs a National Health Service dentist can get one, including pregnant women and new mothers. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patient...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDentistry: TrainingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47878More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to expand dental training programmes.
Answer: To reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future, we have launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s five long-term missions.A central part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce and how we ensure we train and...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDental ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47877More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing incentive schemes to encourage NHS dentists to practice in areas that are experiencing a shortage of NHS dental
Answer: We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the workforce is key to our ambitions.Integrated care boards have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme....
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS ProfessionalsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47385More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the annual profits of NHS Professionals Ltd were in each of the last five years; and whether those profits were (a) reinvested into NHS service provision and (b) returned to his Department.
Answer: NHS Professionals Ltd (NHSP), a limited company wholly owned by the Department, is a supplier of clinical and non-clinical temporary workforce to client National Health Service trusts.The following table shows NHSP profit before tax and dividends paid to ...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: Agency WorkersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47384More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of differing pay and conditions between people employed by NHS Professionals Ltd and people directly employed by the NHS on (a) recru
Answer: No such assessment has been made. National Health Service trusts will locally identify the mix of permanent and temporary staffing that fits their workforce requirements and delivers value for money. This can include the use of NHS professionals.The Gover...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordJudges: RecruitmentMinistry of JusticeTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47383More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to increase the number of judges to help reduce the backlog of court cases.
Answer: We are continuing to invest in high volume, regular judicial recruitment of around 1000 judges and tribunal members each year.
Answered 1 May 2025
Original Parliament recordInsomnia: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47382More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to cognitive behavioural therapy for people experiencing insomnia.
Answer: It is for local integrated care boards to decide whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) should be offered to their populations as a treatment for insomnia.NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression offers low-intensity therapy which may include...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordAutism: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47381More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to cognitive behavioural therapy for autistic adults with (a) a gambling addiction and (b) other forms of addiction.
Answer: National Health Service treatment for those experiencing gambling-related harms is currently offered through 15 specialist clinics, representing every region of England. These clinics provide access to expert clinicians who are able to offer relevant psyc...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordAmbulance Services: SuicideDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46933More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information his Department holds on the number of contacts that UK NHS Ambulance Trusts have had with people who are (a) experiencing suicidal ideation and (b) committing suicide in each of th
Answer: This information is not held centrally. We know that suicide is complex and there are a range of factors outside of the mental health system that we will need to address if we are to achieve the Government’s aim.We will need to continue working across Gov...
Answered 9 May 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy Performance Certificates: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of EPC band requirements on (a) all homeowners and (b) homeowners with (i) detached and (ii) bungalow-style properties.
Answer: We have recently consulted on reforms to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to ensure these are better aligned with our key policy objectives of achieving Clean Power by 2030 and accelerating to Net Zero, and effectively delivering the Warm Homes plan...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSuicide: PoliceHome OfficeTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46025More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the number of contacts that each police force has had (a) with people experiencing suicidal ideation and (b) where a suicide is in progress in the last 12 mont
Answer: The Home Office does not collect or hold data on these subjects.The College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice guidance contains a chapter intended to support the police in offering crisis intervention to people who are at risk of suicide and ...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: CancerDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46024More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of increasing funding for educational support for children with a cancer diagnosis on costs to the public purse.
Answer: If a child is too unwell to attend school, local authorities have a duty under section 19 of the Children's Act 1996 to provide suitable and (normally) full-time education for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other r...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: CancerDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46023More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a national funding scheme to support the education of children diagnosed with cancer.
Answer: If a child is too unwell to attend school, local authorities have a duty under section 19 of the Children's Act 1996 to provide suitable and (normally) full-time education for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other r...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: CancerDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of provisions within (a) the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and (b) other relevant legislation intended to promote school attendance on chi
Answer: If a child is too unwell to attend school, local authorities have a duty under section 19 of the Children's Act 1996 to provide suitable and (normally) full-time education for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other r...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: CancerDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46021More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of educational provision for children diagnosed with cancer.
Answer: If a child is too unwell to attend school, local authorities have a duty under section 19 of the Children's Act 1996 to provide suitable and (normally) full-time education for children of compulsory school age who, because of exclusion, illness or other r...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordLeisure: FacilitiesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of funding allocated to local leisure facilities.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.The ongoing responsibility of providing acc...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordLeisure CentresDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46019More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities to (a) maintain and (b) improve community leisure centres.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.The ongoing responsibility of providing acc...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
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