Paula Barker MP: written questions
350 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Artificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104313More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of making UK AISI / Thorn's guidance, Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention, published in December 2025, mandator
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of tackling AI-generated CSAM. Creating, possessing, or distributing CSAM, including AI Generated CSAM, is illegal. The Online Safety Act requires services to proactively identify and remove this content. We are ta...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100454More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who have left or are at risk of leaving employment due to reductions in Access to Work awards upon renewal.
Answer: The Department for Work and Pensions does not collect data on the number of people who may have left or are at risk of leaving employment due to reductions in Access to Work awards upon renewal. Access to Work is only available to individuals who are star...
Answered 30 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work ProgrammeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100449More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that any proposals to amend the Access to Work scheme are subject to consultation with disabled people and piloted before implementation.
Answer: This Government values the input of disabled people and people with health conditions, their representative organisations and people that support them. That is why we brought forward the Green Paper and opened a public consultation. We are now carefully r...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPregnancy: MonitoringDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96320More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of (a) the effectiveness of the monitoring of early foetal development in patients by trusts and (b) trends in the level of variations in that monitoring by
Answer: Monitoring and reviewing Foetal Growth Restriction is a key safety component of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle (Care Bundle) which includes the Foetal Growth standard. NHS Resolution monitors this through the Maternity Incentive Scheme as part of the...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAspirin: WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93248More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what national guidance is in place for cases of aspirin-allergic women at high risk of placental complications.
Answer: NHS England’s guidance states that there are a few absolute contraindications, that being, conditions that mean a certain treatment should not be used, to aspirin therapy. Pregnant women with a history of aspirin allergy, for example urticaria, or hyperse...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: StudentsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the quality of student accommodation.
Answer: The government is improving the quality of student accommodation by overhauling the regulation of the private rented sector through the Renters’ Rights Bill. The Bill will provide tenants, including students, with greater security and stability and empowe...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving TestsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for driving tests.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Se...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71282More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Third Report of the Transport Select Committee of Session 2024-2 on Buses connecting communities, HC 494, published on 13 August 2025, if her Department will consider the potential merits
Answer: The Government knows how important affordable and reliable bus services are in enabling people to get to education, work and access vital services. On 1 January, we introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London to help passengers conti...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMusic: TicketsDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71281More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions her Department has had with Ticketmaster on the cost of music concert tickets.
Answer: Ministers have spoken regularly with the industry, with artists and promoters about the cost of pop and classical music concerts, the importance of small music venues and the costs of tickets on the primary and secondary market.That is why we have committ...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMusic: TicketsDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions her Department had with music industry bodies on the cost of music concerts.
Answer: Ministers have spoken regularly with the industry, with artists and promoters about the cost of pop and classical music concerts, the importance of small music venues and the costs of tickets on the primary and secondary market. That is why we have commit...
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: Mental HealthHome OfficeTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67992More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to question 63076 on Deportation: Mental Health, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of not recording (a) the number of failed asylum seekers wit
Answer: Section 95 support is provided to failed asylum seekers who have dependants under the age of 18 in their household at the time their asylum claim and any appeal is finally rejected (for as long as the youngest child remains under 18).Other failed asylum s...
Answered 4 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordRented Housing: Housing ImprovementMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67504More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 41589 Rented Housing: Housing Improvement, whether the First-tier Tribunal takes account of a landlord’s declaration when dete
Answer: It is important that means-tested energy efficiency grants schemes are used to benefit tenants. That is why, for example, we have set a clear expectation that landlords should declare that they do not intend to raise rents as a direct result of the upgrad...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Rented HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67503More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 17 April 2025 to Question 41589 on Rented Housing: Housing Improvement, whether (a) landlords who have received a Warm Homes local grant and (b) local authorities ar
Answer: The Warm Homes: Local Grant requires landlords to declare that they will not raise rents as a direct result of the upgrades being installed funded by government grants. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is monitoring the impact of the scheme...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordYair GolanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the meeting held between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Yair Golan on Thursday 10 July 2
Answer: We are deeply disturbed by reports that soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces have used Palestinians as human shields in Gaza. Use of civilians as human shields is a breach of international humanitarian law. We call on the Government of Israel to fully in...
Answered 6 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: FamineForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the meeting held between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and the Leader of the Israeli Opposition on 10 July 2025, whether the matter of Mr Golan
Answer: I met with leader of the Israeli Democrat party Yair Golan to discuss the need for an immediate ceasefire and a plan for the future of Gaza which would ensure long term security for both Israelis and Palestinians. This is in line with Ministers continued ...
Answered 29 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordYair GolanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67159More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the meeting held between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and the Leader of the Israeli Opposition on 10 July 2025, in what capacity Mr Golan was
Answer: I met with leader of the Israeli Democrat party Yair Golan to discuss the need for an immediate ceasefire and a plan for the future of Gaza which would ensure long term security for both Israelis and Palestinians. This is in line with Ministers' continued...
Answered 29 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordYair GolanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 11 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67158More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the meeting held between the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Yair Golan on Thursday 10 July 2
Answer: I met with leader of the Israeli Democrat party Yair Golan to discuss the need for an immediate ceasefire and a plan for the future of Gaza which would ensure long term security for both Israelis and Palestinians. This is in line with Ministers' continued...
Answered 29 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPovertyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 11 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing legally-binding poverty reduction targets.
Answer: This Government is committed to tackling Child Poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious child poverty strategy which we will publish in the autumn. The Taskforce will continue to explore all available levers to drive forward shor...
Answered 17 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCapita: Industrial RelationsCabinet OfficeTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66664More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of Capita's approach to industrial relations when administrating government contracts.
Answer: As with all strategic suppliers to the government, we continue to monitor Capita's conduct and commercial performance. The Supplier Code of Conduct expects suppliers to treat employees and service users fairly and in line with employment laws, including n...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: ContractsCabinet OfficeTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66663More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to require companies with Government contracts to recognise trade unions.
Answer: This Government is committed to creating jobs that provide security, treat workers fairly, and pay a decent wage. The Government’s Social Value Model provides an opportunity to reward suppliers who provide good working conditions for staff working on publ...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordMyCSP: Industrial DisputesCabinet OfficeTabled 10 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 66662More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to help resolve the industrial dispute at pension administrator MyCSP.
Answer: The Government does not provide a running commentary on ongoing disputes.
Answered 23 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGeoengineering: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65892More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the UKRI on its funded research projects on solar radiation modification.
Answer: The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and its constituent Councils, on a range of research and innovation priorities.In April 2025, UKRI’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) invested £10 million in four research...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordElectronic CigarettesDepartment for EducationTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65891More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with schools on the potential impact of (a) children buying vapes from their peers and (b) preventing the use of vapes in schools on levels of (i) behaviour and (ii) teacher morale.
Answer: The sale of vapes to under 18s is illegal, and the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of all consumer nicotine products to anyone under 18.Schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy that sets out what is expected of all pupils, including...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordStudents: CostsDepartment for EducationTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the average weekly cost of (a) student accommodation, (b) food and (c) living for university students in the latest period for which data is available.
Answer: The latest Student Income and Expenditure Survey for 2021/22 collects data on income and expenditure across the academic year, assumed to be 39 weeks.In the 2021/22 academic year, full-time undergraduate students’ total median living costs were £5,841 inc...
Answered 17 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGeoengineering: Risk AssessmentDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65136More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has undertaken a risk assessment on solar radiation modification.
Answer: The Government is not in favour of using Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). Given the significant uncertainty around the possible risks and impacts of deployment on the climate and environment, the Government is not deploying SRM and has no plans to do s...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →