Neil Shastri-Hurst MP: written questions 2025
232 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Special Educational Needs: Private EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve access to independent special schools for children with complex needs in regions where maintained provision is (a) limited and (b) oversubscribed.
Answer: The department recognises the vital role that special schools play in providing high-quality education and meeting the needs of children and young people. Independent special schools play their part in this, particularly in meeting low incidence needs. Ho...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: ReformDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50706More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has undertaken a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed reforms in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan.
Answer: The special educational needs and disabilities and alternative provision improvement plan was published under the previous government which did not complete a full cost-benefit analysis.The department continues to develop and test reform proposals, includ...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve the accountability of local authorities in delivering high-quality SEND provision under the Children and Families Act 2014.
Answer: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to achieve and thrive including as they move into adult life. The department is c...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of education, health and care plans across different local authority areas.
Answer: An education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment ensures that a child or young person’s needs are assessed in a joined-up way across education, health and social care services.Under this assessment process, the local authority must seek information an...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many education, health and care plans were completed within the statutory timeframe in each of the last five years for which data is available.
Answer: Information on the number of requests for an education, health and care (EHC) plan issued within the statutory timeframe of 20 weeks, for each of the last 5 years, is shown in the table linked here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of regional disparities in the time taken for education, health and care plan assessments; and what steps she is taking to ensure local auth
Answer: The department wants to ensure that, where required, education, health and care (EHC) plan assessments are progressed promptly and, if needed, plans are issued as quickly as possible so that children and young people can access the support they need.Local...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Space CouncilDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when the last meeting was of the National Space Council.
Answer: The National Space Council has not been reinstated under this government. However, along with the Ministry of Defence and other departments, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) remains committed to ensuring that space activities a...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordStandard Individual Export Licences: UkraineDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 2 May 2025AnsweredUIN 49989More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken to provide advice on Standard Individual Export Licence applications for dual-use goods to Ukraine on (a) UK defence te
Answer: All export licence applications to Ukraine are treated with the highest priority by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU). As with all export licence applications, assessments are made on a case-by-case basis according to the Strategic Export Licensing Cri...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48710More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to (a) invest in and (b) develop advanced defence technologies to enhance the United Kingdom's military capabilities; and how these technologies are being integrated into curre
Answer: The Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) on 16 July 2024 to ensure we have the military capabilities needed to protect the United Kingdom now and in the future. The SDR has been considering all aspects of Defence, including the capabilit...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: SpaceMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48709More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on developing a sovereign defence space capability in the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this initiative on (
Answer: The Ministry of Defence is working closely with other Departments to develop sovereign space capabilities, and with our Allies and partners.We use the 'own-access-collaborate' framework to identify where the UK must own sovereign capabilities, access serv...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDarfur: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support humanitarian efforts and (b) promote peace and stability in the Darfur region of Sudan; and what steps he is taking with in
Answer: The human cost of the conflict in Sudan is appalling with the warring parties showing a total disregard for human life. The conflict has caused the largest and most severe crisis globally with 64 per cent of the population in urgent need of assistance. Th...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDeveloping Countries: Disease ControlForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48707More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of global health crises on fragile states; and what steps he is taking to support these countries in (a) stren
Answer: The Government recognises that global health crises pose a major threat to the heath, stability, and economic prosperity of fragile states. Working in fragile states is complex and each setting has its own unique challenges, and where possible the UK work...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordChina: National SecurityHome OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48706More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to (a) assess and (b) help tackle the potential risk of threats posed by the People's Republic of China on the United Kingdom's (i) national security, (ii) cyber se
Answer: We have a broad suite of powers available to respond to state threats. This includes measures in the National Security Act 2023 which make the UK a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts, as well as the National Security and Inv...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDisease Control: National SecurityForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to (a) evaluate and (b) mitigate the impact of global health crises on the United Kingdom's (i) national security, (ii) public health, (ii
Answer: The Government recognises the threat global health crises pose for UK national security and prosperity, noting that the threat of another global pandemic is specifically highlighted in the UK National Risk Register. The Government has a multifaceted appro...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordRussia: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK sanctions against (a) individuals and (b) entities connected to the Russian Federation; and what steps he is tak
Answer: Our sanctions have deprived Russia of at least $450 billion since February 2022. The Russian economy is battling high and rising inflation. High interest rates have made Russian government borrowing extremely costly. This Government is committed to ensuri...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: War CrimesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine; and what steps his Department is taki
Answer: The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to ensure Russia is held to account for its actions resulting from the illegal invasion of Ukraine. We led international efforts by 39 International Criminal Court (ICC) State Parties in February 2...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAUKUSMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to (a) implement the objectives of Pillar Two of the AUKUS partnership and (b) increase collaboration on (i) artificial intelligence, (ii) quantum technologies, (iii) cyber and
Answer: The UK remains staunchly committed to AUKUS. Working with Australia and the US, we are committed to addressing the most important military challenges each nation faces, delivering cutting-edge capability advantage, and enhancing interoperability. We have ...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Nuclear EnterpriseMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve the (a) resilience and (b) sustainability of the Defence Nuclear Enterprise; and what estimate he has made of the (i) current and (ii) future workforce requir
Answer: The Government has an unwavering commitment to ensuring the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) is resilient and sustainable through significant investment in our infrastructure, people and places. This includes recapitalising critical elements of our infras...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Medical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47458More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development and (b) approval of (i) second- and third-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors and (ii) other targeted therapy options for patients wit
Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops recommendations for the National Health Service on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of clinical a...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47031More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to the ODA budget on the level of support provided by the Government for the (a) investigation and (b) prosecut
Answer: The impact of Official Development Assistance cuts on specific programmes is being worked through following the decision but the Prime Minister has reassured that Ukraine will remain a priority. The UK is committed to ensuring Russia is held to account fo...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed ForcesMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46349More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people served in the Armed Forces (a) in total and (b) by service between 2003 to 2023.
Answer: The requested information is shown in the attached spreadsheet. UK service personnel statistics on strengths, requirements, intake, applications and outflow is published quarterly on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-service...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44778More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, from what date patients who are prescribed antidepressants will be able to access mental health support from community pharmacies.
Answer: The New Medicine Service (NMS) is an advanced service offered by community pharmacies, providing patients with advice to address any possible side effects, issues, or questions that patients who are prescribed a new medicine may have. The service focuses ...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44777More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New services for patients under record pharmacy funding deal, published on 31 March 2025, what types of mental health support will communit
Answer: The New Medicine Service (NMS) is an advanced service offered by community pharmacies, providing patients with advice to address any possible side effects, issues, or questions that patients who are prescribed a new medicine may have. The service focuses ...
Answered 22 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44776More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's press release entitled New services for patients under record pharmacy funding deal, published on 31 March 2025, what proportion of the additional funding for com
Answer: We have taken the necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The ...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: CostsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44775More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to community pharmacies of changes in the level of (a) employer National Insurance contributions, (b) business rates and (c) the National Minimum W
Answer: We have taken the necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at the Autumn Budget, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The ...
Answered 30 Apr 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →