Louie French MP: written questions 2025
245 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Gig Economy: Undocumented WorkersDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 87896More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with gig economy operators on ensuring consumer safety from people working illegally.
Answer: Through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, the Home Office is closing an existing gap to make it a legal requirement for all businesses in the UK, including those in the gig economy, to prevent illegal working by checking anyone working for...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Workers: Gig EconomyHome OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 87895More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many enforcement actions have been taken against gig economy companies found to have engaged workers without the legal right to work in the United Kingdom since 4 July 2024.
Answer: The Home Office does not hold an estimate of the prevalence of illegalworking among people using app-based delivery platforms. The recent jointwork between the Office for National Statistics and the Home Office explainsthe complexities - Measuring illegal...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUndocumented Workers: Delivery ServicesHome OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 87894More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the prevalence of illegal working among people using app-based delivery platforms.
Answer: The Home Office does not hold an estimate of the prevalence of illegal working among people using app-based delivery platforms. The recent joint work between the Office for National Statistics and the Home Office explains the complexities - Measuring ille...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMusic Venues: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 87893More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number of grassroots music venues that will be affected by the new higher multiplier rate of retail, hospitality and leisure relief; and what assessment her Department ha
Answer: The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitali...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational Baccalaureate: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86344More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with state schools which exclusively offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) on her decision to stop funding for the IB from September 2026.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup to the answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 83028.
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordInternational BaccalaureateDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86343More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure a continuity of provision of education at state schools which exclusively offer the International Baccalaureate from September 2026.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup to the answer of 24 October 2025 to Question 83028.
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBetting: Excise DutiesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85955More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has met (a) organisations and (b) individuals to discuss potential changes to betting duties.
Answer: DCMS Ministers have met with a number of stakeholders to discuss the impacts of possible changes to betting duties.
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordTickets: ToutingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84977More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions (a) she and (b) Ministers have had with (a) the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on the introduction of a ticket resale cap since 6 Sept
Answer: This Government is committed to introducing new protections for consumers on ticket resales, which is why we launched the Putting Fans First consultation on the resale of live events tickets earlier this year. Policy responsibility for live event ticket r...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMusic and Dance Scheme: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84976More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make it her policy to (a) uprate the level of funding for the Music and Dance Scheme by at least the rate of inflation each financial year and (b) provide a multi-year funding settlement for the Mus
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup to the answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 82566.
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDance and Music: FinanceTreasuryTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84975More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (a) removal of the VAT exemption and (b) increase in (i) business rates, (ii) the minimum wage and (iii) National Insurance contributions on specialist (A)
Answer: The Government recognises the value that music and dance schools bring to education in the UK. In advance of Autumn Budget 2024, the Government conducted thorough and detailed analysis of the impacts of applying VAT to private school fees and the removal ...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMusic and Dance Scheme: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84974More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what representations she has made to (a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the Secretary of State for Education on (i) uprating the level of funding for the Music and Dance Scheme in line with inflation,
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup to the answer of 3 November 2025 to Question 82566.
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84972More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to encourage retail businesses to return to the high street through changes to business rates.
Answer: The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospital...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: EmploymentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84971More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what was the change in the number of jobs in the retail industry between 2023-2024 and 2024-2025; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change.
Answer: According to ONS data, between 2023-24 and 2024-25, retail employment fell by around 94,800 jobs (-3.3%), from 2.9 million to 2.8 million [1]. This continues a longer-term downward trend in retail employment seen since 2016.The decline reflects structural...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGamblingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84965More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the accuracy of the statistical analysis in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities's report en
Answer: The Government is committed to reviewing all official reports that assess gambling harm and its impact in the United Kingdom when making future policy decisions. This includes the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ (OHID’s) report entitled ‘Th...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGamblingDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Office for Statistics Regulation's review, published on 11 September 2024, of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities's report entitled The economic and social cos
Answer: The Government is committed to reviewing all official reports that assess gambling harm and its impact in the United Kingdom when making future policy decisions. This includes the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities’ (OHID’s) report entitled ‘Th...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonation: OffendersHome OfficeTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84934More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to (a) identify and (b) deport foreign nationals residing in the UK who have committed identity fraud.
Answer: The Home Office performs mandatory identity verification and security checks on individuals applying to enter or remain in the UK and those applying for British citizenship. These checks are set out in comprehensive, internal guidance called the UK Visas ...
Answered 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSports: WomenDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84933More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to prioritise the safety of women and girls in grassroots sport.
Answer: The Government is committed to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, are able to participate in sport and physical activity.The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordDemonstrations: Greater LondonHome OfficeTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84932More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential economic impact of organised protests on (a) the level of tourism to London and (b) businesses in London.
Answer: The Home Office has not made a formal assessment of the potential economic impact of organised protests on tourism or businesses in London.We continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and to ensure that lawful protest is facilitated wh...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal PressDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 21 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83850More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with local newspaper companies on the potential impact of Recommendation 4 of the Licensing policy sprint: joint industry and HM government taskforce report, publishe
Answer: Following the Licensing taskforce report, the Government published a Call for Evidence on reforming the licensing system on 7 October, which closes on 6 November. The Call for Evidence invites views on licensing reforms, including in relation to Recommend...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGambling: RehabilitationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83438More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that organisations previously funded under the voluntary research, education and treatment system administered by GambleAware will be able to bid for statutory le
Answer: The Government recognises the important work undertaken by organisations funded under the voluntary research, education and treatment system administered by GambleAware. The introduction of the statutory levy marks a significant further step in tackling g...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGambling: TaxationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what governance mechanisms her Department plans to introduce to ensure that the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling is able to operate (a) independently, (b) transparently and (c) on th
Answer: The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives....
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGambling: CharitiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83436More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help ensure the continuity of the (a) National Gambling Helpline and (b) other national gambling harms charities.
Answer: The introduction of the new statutory levy on gambling operators, which came into effect in April 2025, guarantees independent, sustainable funding for the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harms.The Government recognises the importa...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGambling: TaxationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83435More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish the (a) governance framework, (b) remit, (c) terms of reference and (d) operating rules for (i) the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling and (ii) its associated advis
Answer: The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives....
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGambling: TaxationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83434More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the (a) names, (b) job titles and (c) names of associated organisations are of the people appointed to (i) the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling and (ii) its associated advisory
Answer: The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives....
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordBetting: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83432More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77715 on Betting: Excise Duties, which stakeholders her Department has engaged with through the consultation process.
Answer: The Government launched a consultation on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system, which closed on 21 July 2025. Responses are now being analysed and a response to the consultation will be published at Autumn Budget 2025. As part of the cons...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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