Mark Sewards MP: written questions 2024

Written questions

• Robots: InvestmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8561More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an (a) estimate of the potential private sector investment in (i) autonomous delivery robots and (ii) other autonomous technologies by 2030 and (b) asses

  Answer: A 2021 BEIS report estimated the total economic impact of robotics and autonomous systems uptake across a range of selected sectors (logistics, agriculture, food & drink, construction, energy, infrastructure and health; and excluding manufacturing) to...

  Answered 18 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Bus Services: Rural AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8560More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the reliability of bus services in rural communities.

  Answer: Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this parliamentary session, which will put decision-making into the hands of local...

  Answered 17 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Transport: InnovationDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8559More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with relevant stakeholders on (a) autonomous delivery robots and (b) other emerging technologies in transport systems.

  Answer: I have attended the Cenex Expo, focused on Net Zero and Connected Automated Mobility. At Cenex I attended a roundtable to discuss next steps for the CAM sector and how to ensure public understanding. I also participated in a demonstration of an Ohmio vehi...

  Answered 18 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Driving Tests: RecruitmentDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8558More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help recruit more driving examiners to tackle the backlog of outstanding practical tests.

  Answer: In response to increased demand for car practical driving tests, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has reviewed its recruitment process and increased its recruitment effort to bring in 450 new driving examiners over the next 12 months. As pa...

  Answered 18 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Healthcare Assistants: RecruitmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8557More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking recruit more full-time healthcare support workers.

  Answer: The National Health Service has been facing chronic workforce shortages for years and we have to be honest that bringing in the staff the NHS needs will take time. The Government will make sure the NHS has the staff it needs to be there for all of us when...

  Answered 18 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Educational Psychology and Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8556More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) improve SEND provision and (b) recruit more educational psychologists.

  Answer: The department recognises that the current special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system is not working and that, for far too long, too many children and families have been failed by it. This government is determined to address the problems and...

  Answered 18 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record
• Employment SchemesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 900512More

  Question: What recent discussions she has had with (a) mayors and (b) local councils on supporting people back into work.

  Answer: I’ve been pleased to meet many of our local leaders to discuss how we meet the shared challenge of our 80% employment rate, recognising that local people know best what their communities need.

  Answered 7 Oct 2024

  Original Parliament record