Martin Wrigley MP: written questions
1010 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Media: EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of poor media literacy skills on young people's (a) employability and (b) workplace readiness.
Answer: According to the Essential Digital Skills Framework, media literacy-related skills, including understanding online risks, are essential for work. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has worked with FutureDotNow to analyse the benefits of...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of poor media skills on young people's (a) employability and (b) workplace readiness.
Answer: According to the Essential Digital Skills Framework, media literacy-related skills, including understanding online risks, are essential for work. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has worked with FutureDotNow to analyse the benefits of...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) civil society and (b) community organisations delivering lifelong media literacy programmes for adults.
Answer: Civil society and community organisations are instrumental in delivering media literacy programmes to adults, leveraging their expertise to support diverse and vulnerable groups. Libraries and community centres provide accessible locations where adults of...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47938More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure media literacy programmes are part of local and regional strategies.
Answer: Government is adopting a holistic approach to digital inclusion integrating related policy on digital skills and media literacy. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps towards delivering digital inclusion for everyone in the UK, including suppor...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: CurriculumDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47937More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that media literacy is included in the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member for Newton Abbot to the answer of 1 May 2025 to Question 47184.
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: ForestryDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47936More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will expand agroforestry support to include (a) multiple species and (b) increased tree planting density.
Answer: Our in-field agroforestry offers under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes allow flexibility for land managers to decide on tree species and densities that suit their objectives, to realise the multiple benefits that trees provide in the farmi...
Answered 1 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: SubsidiesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to adapt existing farming subsidy schemes to incentivise the (a) housing of all farmed animals in woodland and (b) planting of woodland in permanent pasture to im
Answer: Our in-field agroforestry offers under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes include support for establishing and maintaining silvopastoral systems, where trees are planted in pasture to realise their multiple benefits such as enhanced animal we...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordGrazing Land: Biodiversity and Carbon Capture and StorageDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47934More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) silvopastoral and (b) holistic planned grazing practices to enhance (i) carbon sequestration and (ii) biodiversity.
Answer: All prospective Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme offers were assessed for their potential impact against a range of environmental and cultural services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity indicators. The assessment was based on a co...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordTicket Offices: DevonDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47933More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with Great Western Railway on the potential closure of ticket offices in Devon.
Answer: I am not aware of any plans to close ticket offices in Devon. Closing a ticket office would be a major change under the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement and any proposal to close a ticket office would require a period of consultation before any decisio...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordOphthalmic ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47414More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of additional costs incurred during eye tests on low income households attending opticians.
Answer: Free National Health Service sight tests are available to individuals on income-related benefits, and help is also available through the NHS low income scheme. An ophthalmic practitioner is required to undertake any clinically necessary tests to determine...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordOphthalmic ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47413More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of costs for opticians on trends in the level of people seeking eye care.
Answer: High street optical practices are independent businesses that deliver a mix of private and National Health Service eye care services. Free NHS sight tests are available for children, people aged 60 years old and over, individuals on income related benefit...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRailway Stations: DevonDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47412More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of re-opening Kingskerswell station.
Answer: No assessment of the potential merits of reopening Kingskerswell station is planned at this time.
Answered 1 May 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: Ticket OfficesDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46997More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to ensure that ticket offices in Devon are not closed.
Answer: I am not aware of any plans to close ticket offices in Devon. Closing a ticket office would be a major change under the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement and any proposal to close a ticket office would require a period of consultation before any decision...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: Newton AbbotDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46996More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43362 on Railways: Newton Abbot, if she will extend South Western Railway services from Exeter St David's to Newton Abbot when it enters public ownership.
Answer: There are currently no plans to extend South Western Railway services from Exeter St David’s to Newton Abbot when it enters public ownership.
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRailway Stations: Newton AbbotDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46995More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of disability access at train stations in Newton Abbot constituency and (b) potential impact of removing customer service assistants at railway stations on disa
Answer: We are committed to enhancing railway accessibility for all, including those in the Newton Abbey constituency with disabilities. As part of the ongoing Spending Review, we are assessing public spending and cannot comment on individual schemes until the pr...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordTeignmouth Station: LiftsDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46994More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to fund a disability access lift at Teignmouth railway station.
Answer: We are committed to the Access for All programme, which has delivered accessible routes at more than 270 stations. Teighmouth station was not selected by the previous Government for the programme, but the station already has an accessible route, and if an...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordInfected Blood Compensation Scheme: CarersCabinet OfficeTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46993More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to increase the amount of compensation provided to bereaved carers through the infected blood compensation scheme.
Answer: The Government recognises that every victim of infected blood will have their own unique circumstances, and experienced devastating losses. Carers of an eligible infected person who, without reward or remuneration, provided personal care or support greate...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordAdoption and Special Guardianship Support FundDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46992More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37398 on Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund, if she will hold discussions with Adoption UK on funding for the adoption and special guardianship su
Answer: I meet regularly with key adoption stakeholders including Adoption UK and will continue to do so to discuss a wider variety of adoption issues, including the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund. Departmental officials also have regular meetings...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordForests: CommoditiesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will implement the provisions of the Environment Act 2021 to establish a due diligence regime for forest risk commodities before COP30.
Answer: The UK strongly supports global efforts to protect forests, including advocating for the international commitment to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, while supporting livelihoods and economic development. We will set out our appr...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: Urban AreasDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support high street businesses in competing with large online retailers.
Answer: We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, from 2026-27. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on th...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Government AssistanceTreasuryTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46275More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she plans to take to support small businesses with (a) energy prices, (b) inflation and (c) business rates.
Answer: At Autumn Budget the Government announced it was freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025-26, and extending the retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) business rates relief for 1-year at 40% (up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business). This means ...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: UniformsDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46274More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to enforce statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms.
Answer: The guidance on the cost of school uniforms is statutory and schools must have regard to it when designing and implementing their uniform policies. We expect all schools to now be compliant.If parents are concerned about the cost of their child’s school u...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: UniformsDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46273More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to introduce a £30 cap on school uniform items.
Answer: Too many families still tell us that the cost of school uniform remains a financial burden. This is why the department has introduced legislation to limit the number of branded items of uniform and PE kit that schools can require to bring down costs for ...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Rural AreasDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department is providing to small businesses in (a) Devon and (b) other rural areas.
Answer: Last year the Business Secretary announced a new Business Growth Service which will make it easier for businesses across Devon and the rest of the UK and in rural areas, to get help, support and advice to grow and thrive.The South West Growth Hub is where...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: LicensingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46271More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of local licensing fees for outdoor seating on small hospitality businesses.
Answer: The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 made caps to the fees charged for pavement licences permanent. These caps were designed to allow administration costs borne by local authorities to be recovered whilst ensuring the cost to business is proportiona...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
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