Mark Sewards MP: written questions
129 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Small Businesses: Unsolicited Goods and ServicesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the support available to small businesses for unsolicited sales approaches from third-party intermediaries.
Answer: The government’s plan is to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business, with a culture that supports entrepreneurship in every community and high street. There is a range of support offers available to businesses and entrepreneurs including t...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordOffensive Weapons: Electronic CommerceHome OfficeTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119035More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the sale of (a) knives, (b) swords, and (c) battle axes on third-party online selling platforms.
Answer: The Government has been strengthening controls on the online sales of bladed articles, including knives, swords and axes. We commissioned Commander Stephen Clayman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for knife crime, to conduct a review into the onl...
Answered 17 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDual Use Goods and Technologies: Export ControlsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119034More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 4th March to Question 116233, if he will clarify (a) the timeline for introducing secondary legislation and (b) whether it will apply to all Common High Priority List items.
Answer: We expect to lay secondary legislation to deliver the sanctions end-use control this Spring, subject to the Parliamentary timetable.The sanctions end-use control is intended to apply to exports which are not already subject to strategic export controls, w...
Answered 13 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Armed ForcesDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116682More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of (a) current funding models in the context of high mobility and separation on Service pupils and (b) targeted support for those with special and additional e
Answer: Over £26 million of targeted funding was allocated in 2025/26 to help schools in England support their Service pupils, through the Service Pupil Premium. The rate increased to £350 per eligible pupil in 2025, reflecting the department’s commitment to reco...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Education: Armed Forces CovenantDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116681More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 73095, whether her Department has complemented a New Burden Assessment regarding the potential financial impact of extending the Armed Forces Covenant Duty o
Answer: New burdens assessments are required when a department’s actions meet the government definition of a new burden, ensuring that the financial impact on local authorities is estimated for at least the first three years and fully funded by the relevant depar...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Armed ForcesDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116680More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the portability of (a) special and (b) additional needs, and (c) disability provision for children in Armed Forces families.
Answer: As part of the consultation on the government’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, I recently attended a roundtable hosted by the Armed Forces Community All-Party Parliamentary Group. I met representatives from armed forces familie...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDual Use Goods and Technologies: RussiaDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what additional resources his Department has allocated to domestic enforcement bodies to (a) investigate and (b) prosecute sanctions evasion involving dual-use technologies exported to Russia through H
Answer: The Government has invested in strengthening trade sanctions enforcement capacity. The Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) was established in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in October 2024. Alongside specialist investigative capac...
Answered 6 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDual Use Goods and Technologies: Export ControlsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to enhance due diligence obligations on exporters of dual-use goods to help prevent diversion through Hong Kong.
Answer: The UK has introduced extensive trade sanctions to prevent Russia acquiring dual‑use items used in its military operations. Since March 2022, we have banned the export of all dual‑use goods and other high‑risk technologies, including products identified o...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: West YorkshireDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115911More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase rail carriage capacity in West Yorkshire.
Answer: The Department approved and funded the use of 12 additional trains (60 extra carriages) for the CrossCountry network. These additional trains were introduced in May 2025 and have increased the Inter-City train fleet substantially and enabled CrossCountry ...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMusic and Tickets: CompetitionDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department has taken to help prevent anti-competitive practices in the live music and ticketing sectors.
Answer: Last year the government announced new consumer protection measures in the ticketing market. A strong consumer protection regime is essential for protecting consumers from harmful practices and stimulating competition to drive down prices. It is also good...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPalestinian AuthorityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115698More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has formalised conditions aimed at encouraging reform as part of the UK's memorandum of understanding with the Palestinian Authority.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 13 November 2025 in response to Question HL11575, which for ease is reproduced below:In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to ...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPalestine: TerrorismForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Palestinian Authority on payments to convicted terrorists.
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 13 November 2025 in response to Question HL11575, which for ease is reproduced below:In President Abbas' letter to President Macron, dated 9 June 2025, he set out his commitment to ...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDemonstrationsHome OfficeTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to introduce a new mechanism to restrict the activities of extreme criminal protest groups.
Answer: This government is committed to ensuring the police have the powers they need to proportionately manage extreme criminal protests while safeguarding the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.An independent review of public order and hate crime legi...
Answered 4 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAntisemitismMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115694More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for her policies of Australia's Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026.
Answer: Tackling all forms of hatred is an issue of global significance. This government is committed to eradicating hated from our society, working to ensure that no individual should ever experience hatred or live in fear due to their race, religion, beliefs or...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMathematics: Higher EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2025 to Question 98630, if she will recognise mathematical sciences as a strategically important high-cost subject as part of the Strategic Priorities Grant funding for 202
Answer: The government recognises mathematical sciences as a valuable subject in higher education.As outlined by my hon. Friend, the Member for Vale of Glamorgan, the 25/26 Guidance Letter from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, to the Of...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMathematics: Higher EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 23 December 2025 to Question 98631, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the mathematical sciences on delivering the Industrial Strategy and the Growth Mission; and
Answer: The government recognises mathematical sciences as a valuable subject in higher education.As outlined by my hon. Friend, the Member for Vale of Glamorgan, the 25/26 Guidance Letter from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, to the Of...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFalkland Islands: Import DutiesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 907371More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the Falkland Islands on the potential impact of trade tariffs on its economy.
Answer: We are proud of the bond that the United Kingdom shares with the Falkland Islands as part of one Great British family, and we deeply value the relationship between our governments.I was pleased to speak with the new Assembly within a week of their electio...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMathematics: Higher EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98631More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what internal discussions her Department has had on the allocation of funding for the mathematical sciences within the 2026-27 Strategic Priorities Grant.
Answer: The allocation of funding for mathematical sciences within the 2026-27 Strategic Priorities Grant is the responsibility of the Department for Education (DfE). As such, there has been no specific internal discussion within the Department for Science, Innov...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMathematics: Higher EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98630More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the role of the mathematical sciences within future Strategic Priorities Grant funding.
Answer: The mathematical sciences sector is key to delivering the Government’s missions and plays an important role from advising government and business, to sharing expertise that underpins the innovation and scientific discovery that helps our country and econo...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBita ShafieiForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96588More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has raised the detention of Bita Shafiei on 13 November 2025 with her Iranian counterparts.
Answer: We are aware of Bita Shafiei's case and continue to raise the rights of women and girls and human rights defenders with the Iranian Government in multilateral fora. The UK co-sponsored an Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN Third Committee on ...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: VeteransMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of moving disabled military veterans from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit on their eligibility for loca
Answer: Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordNeurological Diseases: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his department is taking to improve (i) support, and (ii) access to treatments, for people with (a) Multiple System Atrophy, and (b) Parkinson’s.
Answer: At the national level, there are several initiatives supporting service improvement and better care for patients with Parkinson’s and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), including the RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit and the Getting It Rig...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth: MenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92798More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department have made on the impact of participation in (a) gyms, (b) swimming pools, and (c) leisure centres on men’s (i) mental and (ii) physical health.
Answer: The Government knows that addressing physical inactivity and getting people moving more is important for improving health outcomes, well-being, reducing demand on the National Health Service, and supporting economic growth.Our 10-Year Health Plan sets out...
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92400More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure early intervention for pupils with special educational needs.
Answer: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Leeds South West and Morley, to the answer of 12 November 2025 to Question 86204.
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Children and Young PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92399More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of waiting times for children and young people accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Answer: We know too many children and young people are waiting too long for mental health support, and through our Plan for Change, we’re determined to give children and young people the best start in life. The Government is expanding access to mental health supp...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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