Lisa Smart MP: written questions
321 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Development Aid: WomenForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64541More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions to Official Development Assistance on women and girls’ reproductive (a) health and (b)
Answer: The UK is committed to promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), recognising that health and rights are co-dependent and mutually reinforcing. Official Development Assistance (ODA) is one of multiple levers to achieve this. We will conti...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceHome OfficeTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64477More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Minister for Migration and Citizenship plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS06151.
Answer: A response will be sent to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove’s letter (ref LS06151) in due course to reflect the latest position on the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.As per The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 (Commencement) Reg...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxis: Conditions of Employment and PayDepartment for TransportTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64062More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) dynamic pricing and (a) general payments on the (i) working conditions and (ii) pay of private hire drivers.
Answer: Subject to any requirements under relevant legislation, pay and working conditions in the private hire vehicle sector are commercial matters between drivers and operators.
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPensions: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64061More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of bringing most unused pension funds within the value of a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes on people currently receiving pensions.
Answer: I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to UIN 55099.
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceHome OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63761More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the correspondence of 23 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove on evacuation from Gaza.
Answer: The Minister for Migration and Citizenship replied on 1 July.
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: RefugeesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63760More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help facilitate safe passage to Jordan for refugees fleeing Gaza.
Answer: The Government has been clear that civilians in Gaza must be protected, and that Palestinians should not be forced to relocate from Gaza to third countries. Jordan is a generous host to several million refugees from regional conflicts, and entry of refuge...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: GazaHome OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63759More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) advice and (b) support her Department provides to UK citizens who wish to assist relatives in Gaza in seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: VisasHome OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63755More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce a (a) fast-track and (b) expedited process for applications to the Displaced Talent Mobility Scheme for people seeking refuge from (i) war zones and (ii) crisis situatio
Answer: The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, announced a review of the UK’s existing refugee resettlement and sponsorship schemes. This will ensure that there is a framework which will allow businesses, universities and communities to sponsor refugee...
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: GazaHome OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63751More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) safe and (b) legal routes are available for people in Gaza to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCounter-terrorismHome OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63597More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made on appointing a permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner.
Answer: An open competition to recruit the permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner is underway, and an update will be provided once an appointment has been made.
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: AttendanceDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to review how attendance at schools is recorded for students who have been transferred to another school.
Answer: Once a pupil has been transferred to another school, their name is deleted from both the admission and attendance registers.The ’Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance sets out the process clearly for schools in paragraphs 222-224. The gu...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordParliamentary and Health Service OmbudsmanCabinet OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63120More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that there is no gap between the end of the term of office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and their successor.
Answer: Paula Sussex has been appointed Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). Arrangements are now in place, meaning all casework can progress as normal.
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordParliamentary and Health Service OmbudsmanCabinet OfficeTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63119More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman cases are pending the appointment of the new Ombudsman.
Answer: There were 187 pending decisions when Paula Sussex CBE was appointed as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on 26 June 2025.
Answered 3 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPlanning Permission: BusinessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 61040More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of Class E to the Use Classes Order on the variety of businesses on high streets.
Answer: Class E of the Use Classes Order enables flexibility to change between uses commonly found on the High Street. No recent assessment has been made of the impact of the introduction of Class E on the variety of businesses on the high street.
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordJobcentres: VacanciesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60936More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the processes for businesses to advertise vacancies through Jobcentre Plus.
Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions has recently reviewed and continues to enhance the processes through which businesses advertise vacancies via Jobcentre Plus. Employers currently benefit from a range of flexible engagement routes: Direct Contact: Empl...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordJobcentres: VacanciesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing businesses to contact their local Jobcentre Plus directly to advertise vacancies.
Answer: The Department can confirm that such an assessment has been made and that direct engagement is not only permitted but actively encouraged. Employers are already able to contact their local Jobcentre Plus directly through several well-established routes. T...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60141More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57756 on Asylum: Housing, what her planned timetable is for evaluating the impact of interim measures.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave her on 13 June to Question 57756.
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: HousingHome OfficeTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60140More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57756 on Asylum: Housing, whether she has a target date for making a decision on the extension of the move on period beyond June 2025.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave her on 13 June to Question 57756.
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: HousingHome OfficeTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60139More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the temporary policy of extending the move on period for newly recognized refugees to 56 days will end.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave her on 13 June to Question 57756.
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordConsumers: ComplaintsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59899More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has plans to extend consumer rights to cash refunds following a customer complaint.
Answer: The Consumer Rights Act 2015 has provisions for consumers to be able to obtain refunds where a product is not as described or fit for the declared purpose. In addition, consumers can seek redress where a trader has breached obligations under the Digital M...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAviation: RepaymentsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59898More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her department has made an assessment of the potential merits of mandatory minimum expiry dates on refund vouchers issued by airlines.
Answer: Regulation 261/2004 sets out passengers' rights in the event of certain flight disruptions, including rights to refunds and compensation. The Regulation states that refunds or compensation must be offered as payment in cash, by bank transfer, or by cheque...
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMedicine: StudentsDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58746More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to support medical students with the cost of living.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Hazel Grove to the answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54621.
Answered 18 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMedicine: StudentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58745More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to support medical students with the cost of living.
Answer: For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, the Government will increase the NHS Bursary tuition fee contributions, maintenance grants, and all allowances by 3.1%. This is the second consecutive year the Government has increased support for medical students throu...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMedicine: StudentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58682More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to review funding available to medical students under the NHS Bursary.
Answer: For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, the Government will increase the NHS Bursary tuition fee contributions, maintenance grants, and all allowances by 3.1%. This is the second consecutive year the Government has increased support for medical students throu...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57756More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to extend the move on period for newly recognised refugees to 56 days beyond June 2025.
Answer: In December, the Home Office operationalised a pilot to extend the grace period to 56 days to support local authorities during a period of increased asylum decision making and with the transition to eVisas. It is important that we take the necessary time ...
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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