Mark Sewards MP: written questions
129 published records · newest first.
Written questions
NHS: DatabasesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) contractual and (b) regulatory safeguards apply to IQVIA’s role in providing de-identification services for NHS patient data within the Federated Data Platform.
Answer: The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information from different systems across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment. This allows staff to co-ordinate care to improve outcomes for patients. The NHS FDP is del...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: DatabasesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5019More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who will own the intellectual property in products developed using the Federated Data Platform.
Answer: The NHS Federated Data Platform (NHS FDP) safely connects information from different systems across the National Health Service into a single, secure environment. This allows staff to co-ordinate care to improve outcomes for patients. The NHS FDP is del...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordOut-of-school Education: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) is available as part of the continuation of SEND support where a child cannot be educated in school.
Answer: The department’s consultation, “SEND reform: putting children and young people first”, proposes the introduction of Specialist Provision Packages for all children and young people with complex needs, including those children and young people whose needs a...
Answered 12 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: AppealsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4979More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans for decisions on Individual Support Plans to be within the scope of (a) the First-tier Tribunal (SEND) or (b) another independent adjudication route.
Answer: Individual Support Plans (ISPs) will provide a record of need and provision for all children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). They will allow settings to work alongside parents, providing a single, consistent record...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Mental HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4978More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what arrangements will be in place to provide expert advice on children’s mental health alongside Experts at Hand for SEND.
Answer: The department is investing around £1.8 billion over the next three years for local area partnerships, including local authorities and Integrated Care Boards, to develop a new Experts at Hand offer. This offer is designed to strengthen the capability of m...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4977More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what processes her Department will put in place to ensure children, young people and families remain involved in SEND decision-making where responsibility is assumed by the Department from a local authority.
Answer: Under the Children and Families Act 2014, local authorities are statutorily responsible for decisions relating to special educational needs (SEN), both in managing the ‘Local Offer; of services and provision for SEN and in decisions relating to individual...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4976More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Specialist Provision Packages are co-produced with (a) children and young people and (b) families.
Answer: Specialist Provision Packages will be nationally defined, evidence-based packages of support for children and young people whose requirements cannot be met in mainstream settings, even with enhanced special educational needs (SEN) support. Packages will s...
Answered 15 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: CarersDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has carried out an assessment of the potential impact of rules preventing Universal Credit claimants from receiving the (a) Carer and (b) Limited Capability for Work and Work-Rela
Answer: The Universal Credit impact assessment published in December 2012 assessed the impacts of introducing Universal Credit. It did not specifically reference carers, but it set out how households’ awards would be affected by the overall combination of changes...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCrown Court: WitnessesMinistry of JusticeTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3913More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what guidance is issued on (a) moving cases between Crown Court centres and (b) prioritising cases involving vulnerable complainants or safeguarding risks.
Answer: The listing of cases, including decisions as to the court centre at which a case is heard, is a judicial responsibility and function. As things currently stand, the Criminal Practice Directions 2023, made by and under the authority of the Lady Chief Justi...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCourts: WitnessesMinistry of JusticeTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps the Department is taking to reduce delays for court cases involving child or vulnerable witnesses.
Answer: The Government inherited a justice system in crisis, with a record and rising caseload. We know that some victims are waiting years for justice – justice delayed is justice denied. This is why the Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to make recommendations...
Answered 2 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordWitnesses: Video RecordingsMinistry of JusticeTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3911More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the (a) average and (b) maximum time was between the completion of Section 28 pre-recorded cross-examination and the start of trial in Crown Court cases in each of the last five years.
Answer: The Ministry of Justice does not routinely collect the information requested. However, an impact evaluation of section 28, published by the Department in March 2025, provides relevant data for the period January 2019 to September 2022. This evaluation fou...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPalestinian AuthorityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of an April 2026 US State Department report indicating the Palestinian Authority contin
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer he received on 9 March in response to Question 115697.
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMathematics: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 900059More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of recognising advanced mathematics in UKRI's revised approach to funding.
Answer: I am very proud that this Government has committed the largest investment into R&D on record, with £38 billion allocated to UKRI. There is no route to future growth in this country without science and technology, and mathematical sciences is foundatio...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordBank ServicesTreasuryTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1604More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will conduct a review of the level of in-person banking provision.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that people can continue to access in-person banking services. That is why, on 14 May, the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, chaired by Richard Lloyd OBE. The Review will...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament recordINTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1473More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any UK Home Office or National Crime Agency staff members are currently seconded to the Notices & Diffusions Task Force of the Interpol General Secretariat.
Answer: Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordINTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1472More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2026 to Question UIN 109867, whether it has had communications of any nature with the Interpol General Secretariat or Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's File
Answer: Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordINTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1471More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2026 to Question UIN 109867, whether her department has made any assessment of the need to raise recommendations with Interpol on its obligations under Article 2 o
Answer: Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordINTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1469More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, to confirm whether the Home Office has engaged in communications with Interpol’s Notices and Diffusions Task Force (NDTF), regarding new or emerging information on specific Wanted Persons Diffusions o
Answer: Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordINTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1468More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if the National Crime Agency has internal processes in place for determining whether an Interpol Wanted Persons Diffusion or Red Notice request is in conformity with the Interpol charter, particularly
Answer: Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordINTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1467More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is current policy for the National Crime Agency to conduct internal checks on Interpol Wanted Persons Diffusions or Red Notice requests before making them available to UK police forces.
Answer: Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordINTERPOLHome OfficeTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1466More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is current policy to conduct internal checks on INTERPOL Wanted Persons Diffusions or Red Notice requests further to those conducted by the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files (C
Answer: Any misuse of INTERPOL tools, including Red Notices, is taken very seriously by this Government.The UK continues to support INTERPOL’s efforts to ensure systems are in place to protect individuals’ rights and uphold Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution, w...
Answered 19 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Leeds South West and MorleyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 743More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of accessibility to NHS mental health services for residents in Leeds South West and Morley, including average waiting times for assessment and treatment.
Answer: NHS North East and Yorkshire have stated that for NHS Talking Therapies services, the current waiting time from referral to assessment is approximately six weeks, with faster access available where clinically necessary. For children and young people’s men...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMidwives and Nurses: RecruitmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 728More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce delays between qualification, professional registration, and commencing employment for newly qualified nurses and midwives.
Answer: As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are working with higher education institutions (HEIs) to set a standard for the confirmation of course completion, so that newly qualified nurses can begin work as soon as they are able. This work is due for compl...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMidwives and Nurses: RecruitmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 727More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to implement the Graduate Guarantee for newly qualified nurses and midwives; and what metrics will be used to measure its impact.
Answer: NHS England is actively monitoring future nursing and midwifery student numbers and will continue to assess the efficacy of the 2025/26 Graduate Guarantee as a mechanism. There are a range of measures to support students, universities, and clinical educat...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMidwives and Nurses: RecruitmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 726More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many newly qualified nurses and midwives are expected to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council register in (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27; and how many Band 5 nursing and midwifery vacancies were
Answer: The Nursing and Midwifery Council publishes data twice a year on the makeup of its professional register, and this includes information on the number of people trained in the United Kingdom who have joined the register for the first time, which will be a ...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament record
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