Luke Akehurst MP: written questions 2025
105 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Armoured Fighting VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the policy paper entitled Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) 2024: joint statement, published on 17 December 2024, what progress he has made on exploring enhanced collaboration on L
Answer: As outlined in our December 2024 AUKMIN Joint Statement, the UK and Australia agreed to explore enhanced collaboration on Land Mobility Platforms. We are doing just this with our Land Mobility Programme which includes a recognition of Australian land mobi...
Answered 24 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTechnology: ChinaDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the level of the UK’s reliance on Chinese technology in (a) solar panels, (b) wind power generation and (c) batte
Answer: This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must. As an open economy, we welcome for...
Answered 21 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordPalestine Action: DemonstrationsHome OfficeTabled 6 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 36352More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will review the adequacy of legislation related to the policing of the operations of (a) Palestine Action and (b) other direct action groups.
Answer: Whilst the right to protest is a fundamental part of our democracy, this right does not extend to activities that promote violence or criminal damage.The decision to investigate potential criminal activity is a matter for the police, who are operationally...
Answered 13 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordPalestine ActionHome OfficeTabled 6 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 36351More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will take steps to help stop (a) Palestine Action’s direct action training days and (b) the spread of violent direct action training materials.
Answer: Whilst the right to protest is a fundamental part of our democracy, this right does not extend to activities that promote violence or criminal damage.The decision to investigate potential criminal activity is a matter for the police, who are operationally...
Answered 13 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Palestine ActionMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 36249More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of direct action taken by Palestine Action on the (a) defence sector and (b) adequacy of the supply of assets to the Armed Forces.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence regularly monitors risks and issues facing the defence sector as part of our supply chain resilience work. A number of UK Defence companies have reported that they have incurred costs through installing additional security measures...
Answered 12 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordType 83 DestroyersMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Type 83 destroyer programme on (a) sovereign capabilities, (b) supply chain involvement and (c) social value.
Answer: This Government is committed to delivering a thriving shipbuilding sector across the UK, supporting the whole supply chain, from design to repair, systems and integration. The Type 83 Destroyer is one element of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) prog...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordType 83 DestroyersMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29862More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the (a) design, (b) manufacture and (c) support for Type 83 destroyers will be carried out by UK companies.
Answer: This Government is committed to delivering a thriving shipbuilding sector across the UK, supporting the whole supply chain, from design to repair, systems and integration. The Type 83 Destroyer is one element of the Future Air Dominance System (FADS) prog...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Exhaust EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on how their Departments' procurement policies can support UK vehicle manufacturers to meet the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
Answer: The Government Fleet Commitment states that 100% of the central government car and van fleet will be fully zero emission by 2027. This represents a major opportunity for UK-based manufacturers, and the Department is working with them to ensure they can ta...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Motor VehiclesCabinet OfficeTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29781More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what cross-government policies exist on procuring UK-made vehicles for use by Government Departments.
Answer: The Procurement Act 2023, which is due to come into force on 24 February 2025, establishes a new public procurement regime, creating a simpler and more transparent system that will deliver better value for money. Alongside this, a new National Procurement...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: Motor VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 6 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29779More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on procuring UK-made vehicles for his Department’s White Fleet.
Answer: The Department does not have a mechanism in the current lease vehicle procurement contract (Phoenix II) which would allow us to specify the country of manufacturer of our vehicles.
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: Nuclear WeaponsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28790More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the nuclear weapon capabilities of the People’s Republic of China in (a) 2015 and (b) 2025.
Answer: This Government takes a consistent, long-term, and strategic approach to managing the UK's relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. Upholding national security and keeping the public safe is the first duty of this government. This underpin...
Answered 10 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDementia: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including Primary Progressive Aphasia in the list of conditions requiring nationally commissioned services.
Answer: Primary progressive aphasia is a rare type of dementia where the recommended treatment is usually speech and language therapy, which is carried out by a speech and language therapist. NHS England is committed to delivering high quality care and support fo...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27596More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech delivered at the ADS Annual Dinner on 28 January 2025, what progress he has made on the Snapper system.
Answer: The Snapper system is a new uncrewed maritime system, which has been rapidly developed specifically to support Ukraine. The system is currently undergoing final testing and further details will be set out in due course.
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Marine Systems: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech delivered at the ADS Annual Dinner on 28 January 2025, what progress he has made on the Wasp system.
Answer: The Wasp system is a new uncrewed maritime system, which has been rapidly developed specifically to support Ukraine. The system is currently undergoing final testing and further details will be set out in due course.
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Equipment: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his speech delivered at the ADS Annual Dinner on 28 January 2025, what progress he has made on the Gravehawk system.
Answer: The Gravehawk system is a rapidly developed bespoke air defence system, jointly funded by the UK and Denmark. This innovative system, which is able to retrofit air-air missiles for ground-based air defence, can use Ukrainian missiles already in their arme...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordOccupied Territories: PalestiniansForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26975More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s policy paper entitled UK-Occupied Palestinian Territories development partnership summary July 2023, published on 17 July 2023, whether he
Answer: Education is an essential component of the humanitarian response in Gaza, and critical to building the foundations for a sustainable and lasting peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people, grounded in a two-state solution. It is therefore essential that...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNeurological Diseases: North EastDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to take steps to improve service provision for people with (a) Tourette's syndrome and (b) other tic disorders in the North East.
Answer: The Government has pledged to reform the National Health Service so that it better meets the needs of patients. This includes the current engagement exercise, which will help to shape the 10-Year Health Plan. This will be published in spring 2025 and is e...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordHoliday Activities and Food ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26170More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will extend funding for the holiday activities and food programme beyond 21 March 2025.
Answer: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for North Durham to the answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 24633.
Answered 28 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMayors and Police and Crime Commissioners: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25422More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to revert the voting system for (a) mayoral and (b) Police and Crime Commissioner elections to the supplementary vote system.
Answer: With regards to Mayoral elections, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20691 on 19 December 2024.The Government also has no plans at this time to change the voting system for Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
Answered 29 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAbsent VotingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25421More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to remove the requirement to renew postal vote applications every three years.
Answer: I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to Question UIN 21147 on 9 January 2025.The Government has no plans to remove either requirement.
Answered 29 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAbsent Voting: National InsuranceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25420More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to remove the requirement to provide a National Insurance number when registering for a postal vote.
Answer: I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to Question UIN 21147 on 9 January 2025.The Government has no plans to remove either requirement.
Answered 29 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordElections: Proof of IdentityMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25419More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to remove the requirement to present voter ID at polling stations.
Answer: As our manifesto made clear, the government will address the inconsistencies in the voter identification policy so that all legitimate electors have the opportunity to vote. We are continuing to assess and review the policy and if any further changes are ...
Answered 29 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordIsrael: HamasForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25018More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure the stability of the (a) hostage and (b) ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure the release of (i) Keith Siegel and (ii
Answer: We welcome the release of three hostages in Gaza, including dual British national Emily Damari. The ceasefire agreement must be implemented in full. The UK is working with international partners to ensure the stability of the ceasefire agreement and to se...
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordTibet: DamsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 16 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24544More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 23546, what representations he has made to his Chinese counterpart on the Kamtok Dam project.
Answer: This Government stands firm on human rights, including China's repression of the people of Tibet. We raise our concerns at the highest levels: the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Chancellor all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (P...
Answered 27 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDelivery Services and Taxis: InsuranceDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23547More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) insurance requirements and (b) enforcement mechanisms are in place for (a) private hire and (b) delivery drivers.
Answer: All drivers must have the correct insurance cover for the purpose they are using their vehicle for, and the police may check this when stopping a vehicle. The Government takes uninsured driving seriously and tackles this through Continuous Insurance Enfor...
Answered 17 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
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