Mike Reader MP: written questions 2024
19 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Transport: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21179More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including in the integrated national transport strategy measures to (a) help increase efficiency and (b) support decarbonisation in the logistics sector
Answer: The Strategy will set the high-level direction for how transport should change to better serve people and is currently in early development. Government recognises the importance of the logistics sector in delivering its missions and transport priorities, ...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordFreight: InfrastructureDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21178More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an asssessment of the potential merits of identifying a National Freight Network.
Answer: The UK has a complex national freight system handling millions of transactions every day. The merits of increasing our understanding of this system to inform policy making, regulation and investment interventions are well understood, and this Government i...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDelivery Services: RobotsDepartment for TransportTabled 11 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19574More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to support the use of autonomous last-mile delivery robots on pavements.
Answer: The Government has no current plans to legislate in this space. However, we are determined to seize the opportunities of emerging micromobility and tackle any negative impacts which may arise. We are actively monitoring the industry, new vehicle types, an...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDriverless VehiclesDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18828More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including the regulation of self-driving delivery robots alongside other forms of micro mobility.
Answer: This government is determined to seize the opportunities of emerging micromobility and tackle any negative impacts which may arise. We actively monitor the industry and the new vehicle types and business models being developed while carefully considering ...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRegional Planning and Development: Higher EducationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had made an assessment of the potential role of universities (a) within and (b) outside mayoral combined authorities in local growth programmes.
Answer: Local leadership is at the heart of our mission to deliver growth. Universities have an important role in driving growth across the country, working in partnership with other local stakeholders to deliver improved outcomes for their communities. In mayora...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: Carbon EmissionsTreasuryTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10325More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending VAT relief to (a) heat batteries and (b) other new energy saving technologies that can help decarbonise homes when a heat pump cannot be installed.
Answer: The installation of qualifying energy-saving materials in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose benefits from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027. Last year, a Call for Evidence (CfE) seeking views on...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing Benefit: Supported HousingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the financial impact of reducing the housing benefit taper rate for people in supported housing.
Answer: The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, i...
Answered 28 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordOffensive WeaponsHome OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 900761More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on banning zombie-style knives and ninja swords.
Answer: We have implemented the ban on zombie-style knives and zombie-style machetes approved by Parliament earlier this year. The ban came into force on 24th September.We will also be pressing ahead as soon as possible with a ban on Ninja swords, following the t...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordImport ControlsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9319More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the timetable for scaling up physical checks under the Border Target Operating Model to the full regime.
Answer: Our checks are intelligence-led and based on biosecurity risk. To protect the integrity of this approach, we cannot share operational details, including the exact timelines for scaling up checks. Traders should continue to follow the published guidance wh...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordImport ControlsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9318More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the efficiency of the operation of the Border Target Operating Model since it was introduced.
Answer: The first milestone - health certificates - happened on 31 January 2024. Physical and documentary checks began on April 30th. Medium and high-risk goods posing the greatest biosecurity risk are being prioritised as check levels are scaled up in a sensible...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordUK Trade with EU: Import ControlsHome OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9317More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the EU Entry Exit System on (a) goods trade across the short straits, (b) goods availability in the UK and (c) prices of goods in the UK.
Answer: The implementation of the EU Entry Exit System (EES) has been postponed by the European Commission while they review their plans, with an updated roadmap to be announced in due course. We are continuing to work with the EU and its member states, as well a...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordUK Trade with EU: Import ControlsHome OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the EU Entry and Exit System on (a) freight traffic across the Short Straits and (b) GB-EU trade at peak passenger periods.
Answer: The implementation of the EU Entry Exit System (EES) has been postponed by the European Commission while they review their plans, with an updated roadmap to be announced in due course. We are continuing to work with the EU and its member states, as well a...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordUK Trade with EUDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9315More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what (a) mechanism and (b) resources his Department is allocating to (i) monitor, (ii) evaluate and (iii) manage (A) passive and (B) active regulatory divergence between the UK and EU to minimise the i
Answer: This Government continues to follow EU regulatory developments with interest, engaging with the EU on key regulatory developments via TCA structures. I also recognise the importance of maintaining an effective dialogue with UK industry leaders and civil s...
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordImportsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9313More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to include measures to grow imports in the forthcoming trade strategy.
Answer: The Trade Strategy will support businesses trade and drive economic growth. Further details on this will be published in due course.
Answered 23 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLogisticsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he will include measures to strengthen the enablers of growth in the logistics sector and the infrastructure it uses in the forthcoming industrial strategy.
Answer: Our Strategy is unreservedly pro-business, engaging on complex issues that are barriers to investment, like skills, recruitment of international talent, data, R&D, technology adoption, access to finance, competition, regulation, energy prices, grid co...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordElectric Scooters: SafetyDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8392More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to require that e-scooter (a) trials and (b) permanent schemes are run in away that (i) protects pedestrians from people riding on pavements and (ii) ensures safe
Answer: As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps for the e-scooter trials and wider micromobility rental and what legislative changes may be required in future. However, road safety is a to...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordElectric Scooters: Hire ServicesDepartment for TransportTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8391More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for determining whether to bring forward legislative proposals to make e-scooter rental trials permanent.
Answer: As you will appreciate, the new Government is still in its early stages, and I am carefully considering next steps for the e-scooter trials and what legislative changes may be required in future.
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPupils: Mobile PhonesDepartment for EducationTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7687More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of banning smartphones (a) in classrooms, (b) within school grounds and (c) in the proximity of schools.
Answer: The department knows that using mobile phones in schools can lead to online bullying, distraction and classroom disruption, which can lead to lost learning time, while research also suggests that excessive screentime can have a negative impact on children...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: East MidlandsDepartment for TransportTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7686More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the re-opening of the Northampton to Market Harborough railway line.
Answer: The Government believes that local transport authorities and local leaders are best placed to prioritise and take forward transport projects which are most appropriate for the areas they serve, particularly where they will support economic growth, job cre...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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