Mark Pritchard MP: written questions
202 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Offences against Children: SentencingMinistry of JusticeTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will ask the Sentencing Council to increase custodial sentences for people convicted of procuring child abuse images.
Answer: The maximum sentences available for criminal offences are set by Parliament and, for possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, the maximum sentence is 5 years’ imprisonment. For distributing, making or taking indecent photograph...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: InfrastructureMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on safeguarding civilian national infrastructure required for the (a) mobilisation and (b) deployment of the armed forces.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence has robust plans for mobilising and deploying the Armed Forces in response to events and crises, both at home and abroad. The Ministry of Defence works closely with other Government Departments, including the Cabinet Office, as wel...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security: Departmental CoordinationCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44210More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will establish a cross-Government expert group to help (a) innovate responses and (b) devise policy counter-measures to (i) non-traditional and (ii) hard-to-trace grey-zone activities of (A) malign state a
Answer: As set out in the Plan For Change, this Government’s first duty is to make the UK safer, more secure, and resilient against the growing and interconnected threats from state, state-linked and non-state actors. We are committed to working across Government...
Answered 10 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordBBC: Broadcasting ProgrammesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42427More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the BBC on ensuring that the programmes it commissions reflect the views of people from across the UK.
Answer: As a public service broadcaster that matters hugely to public life, the BBC must be responsive to viewers and listeners and tell inclusive stories about the lives of all people, in all parts of the UK. Under the current Charter, the BBC has an obligation ...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadcasting: CompetitionDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42426More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with Ofcom on encouraging competition in broadcast news media.
Answer: The Department regularly engages with Ofcom on a range of issues including the importance of a competitive and diverse broadcasting sector. Ofcom has a statutory duty under the Communication Act 2003 to secure and maintain a sufficient plurality of provid...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: MenDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42425More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with media production companies on producing more content to promote positive male role models.
Answer: The Government recognises the important positive contribution made by our creative industries, including our public service broadcasters, in informing, educating, and entertaining audiences. However, editorial decisions are ultimately a matter for individ...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployee Assistance ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41041More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will commission research on (a) productivity, (b) sickness rates and (c) absenteeism in the (i) public and (ii) private sectors where employers offer mental health support (A) by phone, (B) onlin
Answer: In January 2025, the department launched “Keep Britain Working”, an independent review of the role of UK employers in reducing health-related inactivity and promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces. The review is being led by the former Chair of John Le...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNurseries: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41040More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing Business Rates relief to nurseries.
Answer: The early years system has a central role to play in driving economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity, which is why the Government wants to make childcare more affordable and accessible. At the Budget in October, the Government committed ...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: ContractsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41039More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with independent pharmacy owners on ensuring an equitable contract for community pharmacies.
Answer: The Government recognises that pharmacies are an integral part of the fabric of our communities. They provide an easily accessible ‘front door’ to the National Health Service, staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare professionals.We have now conc...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41038More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will consider linking pharmacy funding to (a) inflation and (b) the National Living Wage.
Answer: We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, and this enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.We ha...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: SecurityDepartment for EducationTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will ensure all schools have (a) lock down plans which all teaching staff are taught, (b) direct feed panic alarms to local police stations, (c) security bollards at the main entrances and exits and (d)
Answer: This government is committed to ensuring that children, young people and adult learners are safe from terrorist incidents and attacks. This is why the department publishes comprehensive guidance alongside a range of high-quality resources to support educa...
Answered 10 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: SecurityDepartment for EducationTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on (a) domestic extremist threats and (b) other terror related threats against primary and secondary schools; and what assessment she has m
Answer: The Prevent duty safeguards children and young people from extremist ideologies to prevent them from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. The department publishes over 150 resources to support schools, parents and pupils in protecting children fro...
Answered 7 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: Disciplinary ProceedingsDepartment for EducationTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41029More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will increase the powers of local education authorities to take action against parents who threaten teaching staff over decisions taken under school disciplinary procedures.
Answer: No teacher should feel unsafe or face violence or abuse in the workplace. The department will always support teachers to ensure they can work in safe and calm classrooms. All school employers, including trusts, have a duty to take reasonable steps to prot...
Answered 7 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordTrading StandardsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40437More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will increase (a) criminal sanctions and (b) financial penalties for breaches of Trading Standards laws.
Answer: Local authority trading standards services oversee numerous pieces of legislation, including consumer protection, product safety, weights and measures, food standards, animal health and welfare, environmental protection, estates and lettings, and age-rest...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCosmetics: Health HazardsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40436More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to prevent the illegal (a) online sale and (b) importing of skin (i) whitening and (ii) lightening products which cause skin damage.
Answer: Cosmetics products must comply with some of the strongest safety standards in the world before they can be placed on the GB market. Government works with local enforcement authorities to take effective action when products are identified that do not meet ...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTikTok: Children and Young PeopleDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40435More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will commission research into (a) the types of (i) messages and (ii) videos promoted by TikTok to UK children and teenage users and (b) the role of promoting such content by malig
Answer: Child online safety is of the utmost importance to the government. Under the Online Safety Act, user-to-user services likely to be accessed by children must protect them from harmful content. Ofcom’s draft codes of practice include recommendations for ser...
Answered 1 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordCars: Manufacturing IndustriesCabinet OfficeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40148More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate his Department has made of trends in the level of employment in the car manufacturing sector between July and December 2024.
Answer: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 21st March is attached.
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Armed ForcesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38965More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Defence to encourage young people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance to seek employment in the armed forces.
Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions is committed to working closely alongside the Ministry of Defence to identify and support anyone in receipt of benefits with transferable skills to move into careers within the Armed Forces, with a particular focus on ...
Answered 24 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRAF Akrotiri: Guided WeaponsMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to protect UK defence personnel at RAF Akrotiri from regional ballistic missile attacks.
Answer: The UK takes the security of all our overseas bases seriously and takes appropriate measures for their protection. The UK employs a broad approach to deterring and defeating air and missile threats. We pursue counter-proliferation and military activities ...
Answered 25 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many (a) in person and (b) online meetings she had with organisations representing children with special educational needs between 14 July 2024 and 14 October 2024.
Answer: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education meets with a wide range of external stakeholders who represent children’s interests as part of her ministerial work. Details of ministers’ external meetings are published in quarterly ministerial ...
Answered 26 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordCryptocurrencies: CrimeHome OfficeTabled 10 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 36621More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will introduce increased criminal sanctions for crypto exchange companies who (a) launder stolen crypto currency and (b) allow (i) criminal gangs and (ii) hostile states to trade cryptocurrenci
Answer: Cryptoassets exchanges, like all businesses who launder funds, can be prosecuted under the money laundering offences in Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and fined accordingly. In April 2024, new powers came into force to enable law enforcement to ...
Answered 18 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMigration: National SecurityHome OfficeTabled 10 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 36620More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will commission research into the (a) role of (i) Russia (ii) Belarus (iii) Iran (iv) China and (v) Yemen in the migration of people and (b) potential impact of that migration on national secur
Answer: Tackling irregular migration is a key focus for this government and we regularly research and review the drivers behind it to inform our response. National security, including security at our border, is of the highest importance which is why the Border Se...
Answered 17 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 34807More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will require housing developers to promptly complete remedial works required to new build properties after completion.
Answer: Most new build warranties cover damages caused by structural defects for a 10-year term. The developer is often held accountable for the first two years of this period. The terms of warranty should give more detail on what developers would be expected to ...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHoaxes and False AlarmsHome OfficeTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34240More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will increase sanctions for people who make fake (a) bomb threats and (b) calls to the emergency services.
Answer: Making a bomb threat or other any other type of hoax phone call to the emergency services is a criminal offence. All calls to the emergency services are recorded and the number can be traced, even if withheld. Local services regularly remind the public of...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHouse of Commons: SecurityHouse of Commons CommissionTabled 27 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 34239More
Question: To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will bring forward proposals to agree sanctions against (a) hon. Members and (b) members of staff employed by (i) the House of Commons a
Answer: The security of Parliament and its Members is a priority for the Commission, and it expects everyone in the parliamentary community, including Members, Members’ staff and House Administration staff, to support this aim and manage sensitive information app...
Answered 14 Mar 2025
Original Parliament record
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