Patrick Hurley MP: written questions
86 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Family HubsDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15779More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential for Family Hubs to act as neighbourhood anchors bringing together childcare, parenting support, early years education and wider community services.
Answer: The government is determined to remove barriers to opportunity and raise the healthiest generation of children ever. Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies are central to that ambition, bringing together childcare, health, parenting support and early y...
Answered 15 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordFamily HubsDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15778More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with metro mayors and combined authorities on developing place-based approaches to childcare and family support that integrate childcare, health visiting, family hubs and employment
Answer: Best Start in Life and Best Start Family Hubs are about place-based working. That is why the department has asked local authorities to publish a plan for children's outcomes in their area and why Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies programme guidanc...
Answered 4 Aug 2026
Original Parliament recordChildcareDepartment for EducationTabled 3 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15777More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of childcare on meeting the needs of parents working irregular hours, shift patterns or in insecure employment.
Answer: The department is investing over £1 billion more in the early years entitlements this year compared to 2025/26 and an above inflation increase to entitlements funding rates. In 2026/27, we expect to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlemen...
Answered 15 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordJobcentre PlusDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who want to work but are not currently engaged with Jobcentre Plus services.
Answer: As part of our plans to Get Britain Working and create a new Jobs and Careers Service, we are making employment and careers support available to everyone, including those who are not currently engaged with Jobcentre Plus services. This includes our recent...
Answered 9 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPovertyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15035More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of cross-government approaches to tackling poverty in areas experiencing deprivation.
Answer: The drivers of poverty span employment, social security, housing, education, childcare, health and the cost of living. Cross-government action is therefore essential to effectively tackle poverty. That is why the Child Poverty Strategy was developed by a ...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment and Poverty: Voluntary OrganisationsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15034More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the contribution of local voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to reducing poverty and supporting employment outcomes.
Answer: The Government is clear that tackling poverty and improving employment outcomes requires partnership working and that government cannot achieve this alone. The voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector is the bedrock of our communities, pro...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPackaging: RecyclingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 1 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 15033More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 29 June 2026 to Question 12585 on Packaging: Recycling, whether the ongoing review of the wider impacts of Extended Producer Responsibility for packagin
Answer: Under the scheme, obligations are based on packaging placed on the market and statutory thresholds, rather than business model. Producers are exempt from disposal fee and recycling obligations where they have annual turnover below £2 million and place les...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordNATOMinistry of DefenceTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 900825More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to strengthen the UK’s relationship with NATO allies.
Answer: NATO is the cornerstone of our security, and we are strengthening our relationships with Allies every day.Together we support Ukraine, develop new capabilities, and deepen defence partnerships, with new bilateral agreements already signed with France, Ger...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordGeneral PractitionersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14468More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance NHS England provides to GP practices on responding to covert recording of consultations by patients.
Answer: NHS England has not produced guidance specifically for general practices on the covert recording of consultations. NHS England has published guidance on the use of mobile devices by patients in hospitals, which signposts to the British Medical Association...
Answered 14 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure: EducationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14467More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the role of community infrastructure in improving educational attainment in disadvantaged communities.
Answer: The Secretary of State engages regularly with ministerial colleagues on a range of matters. This includes the flagship £5.8 billion Pride in Place Programme which is targeting places experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, providing flexible fundi...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordYouth ServicesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of levels of (a) youth services and (b) wider community infrastructure on educational outcomes.
Answer: This government published Youth Matters: Your National Youth Strategy in December, following extensive research through qualitative data collection and wider evidence collation, and direct engagement with young people to understand their needs. It sets ou...
Answered 10 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPupils: AbsenteeismDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13979More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to reduce rates of persistent and severe absence among pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in coastal towns.
Answer: Absence is a key barrier to opportunity. For children to achieve and thrive they need to be in school. The department is committed to improving the attendance of all pupils, regardless of background and geographical location. Thanks to the efforts of the ...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordEducation: StandardsDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13978More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the findings of the Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes, published in June 2026.
Answer: The department welcomes the findings of the Inquiry and, as stated in the ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ White Paper, intends to build on its work to develop better insights into issues specific to white working-class children, families and their re...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Areas: DevolutionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13977More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of devolution settlements for coastal towns located on the periphery of combined authority areas.
Answer: The Government believes that all communities can benefit from devolution, which places powers in the hands of local leaders who understand the opportunities and challenges facing their areas.Strategic Authorities can play an important role in addressing t...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Areas: Economic GrowthMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13976More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of establishing dedicated funding mechanisms for coastal and former industrial towns not directly impacted by growth in nearby
Answer: Growth is this Governments’ number one priority, and our city regions are identified as a key driver of this. Backing our major city regions is about creating strong growth for their whole areas, not just city centres, so that communities in the surroundi...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordLand: ValuationTreasuryTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13975More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with mayoral combined authorities on the use of land value capture mechanisms to support the financing of major transport infrastructure projects.
Answer: The government is committed to delivering strong, secure and sustainable growth to lift living standards in every community, town and city region, backing local leaders as the best people to deliver growth in their area. This includes improving the Busine...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTransport: TaxationTreasuryTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13974More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending tax increment financing mechanisms to support the delivery of major transport infrastructure projects.
Answer: The government is committed to delivering strong, secure and sustainable growth to lift living standards in every community, town and city region, backing local leaders as the best people to deliver growth in their area. This includes improving the Busine...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure: TaxationTreasuryTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13973More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to allow mayoral combined authorities to retain a proportion of additional tax revenues generated by major infrastructure investments in their areas.
Answer: At her Mais Lecture, the Chancellor committed to work with mayors, businesses and other stakeholders to develop a fiscal devolution roadmap, to be published at the Budget, setting out plans to give regional leaders control over the allocation of a share o...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Premises: Change of UseMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of development corporations on accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodati
Answer: My Department has made no specific assessment on the potential impact of Development Corporations in accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodation. The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 included measu...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Corporations: Coastal AreasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12835More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to establish new powers for development corporations in coastal communities.
Answer: My Department has made no specific assessment on the potential impact of Development Corporations in accelerating the conversion of vacant upper floors in town centres into residential accommodation. The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 included measu...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCoastal Areas: RegenerationTreasuryTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12834More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of fiscal arrangements in supporting long-term regeneration in coastal communities.
Answer: The government is committed to working in partnership with the nation’s coastal and rural communities, including Southport, so that they can kickstart growth in their area and make everyone better off.Many coastal communities sit within mayoral combined a...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Corporations: BorrowingTreasuryTabled 24 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12833More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of permitting development corporations to borrow for regeneration projects outside the Government's fiscal rules on economic growth.
Answer: The Government recognises the important role that development corporations can play in unlocking large-scale regeneration andsupporting economic growth, including through coordinating investment, land assembly, and accelerating delivery. Development corpo...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPackaging: RecyclingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12585More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging charges on social enterprises; and whether she has considered extending exemp
Answer: Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) shifts the cost of managing household packaging waste from taxpayers to the producers who place packaging on the market. It funds local authorities and incentivises producers to reduce packaging and us...
Answered 29 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordVocational Education: Coastal AreasDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of (a) apprenticeships and (b) technical training opportunities for young people in coastal communities.
Answer: This Government is transforming the Apprenticeships Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships and give employers, including in coastal...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPortsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of ports on (a) economic growth, (b) skills and (c) employment in coastal communities.
Answer: Ports are essential to economic growth for the United Kingdom as a trading nation, over 85% of whose international trade moves by sea. They are instrumental in promoting the skills necessary for modern logistics, with support from the sector's Port Skills...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament record
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