Rachael Maskell MP: written questions 2024
289 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Alternative EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 793More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to enable the state education system to provide alternative provision without recourse to the private sector.
Answer: The government is committed to meeting children's educational and social needs earlier, so that wherever possible they can remain in their mainstream school. Where alternative provision is required, it should be as part of a planned intervention delivered...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 792More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure adequate funding for community pharmacy services.
Answer: Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. We are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies, and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. We are currently consulting with Community Pharmacy England on the nation...
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordLocal Plans: YorkMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 791More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she expects the consultation on the York Local Plan to be concluded.
Answer: The York Local Plan remains at examination, consultation on main modifications to a policy H5 (Gypsies and Travellers) will end on 30 August. The full timetable for the York Local Plan examination can be viewed publicly on the examination website.
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordTaxis: LicensingDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 638More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the licensing of taxis.
Answer: The Government keeps all policies under review. We will be considering what actions can be taken to improve the existing taxi and private hire vehicle licensing system.
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 637More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her policy is on the bus fare cap post 2024.
Answer: Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of my top priorities as I know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The government is urgently considering the most effective and affordable ways to d...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordRailways: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps to (a) improve transparency of rail fares and (b) make rail travel more accessible through lower ticket cost options.
Answer: As Passenger-in-Chief, affordability is one of the Secretary of State’s key priorities for the rail network. As part of our plan for urgent action for the railways, we are committed to reviewing the overcomplicated fares system with a view to simplifying ...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 635More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will increase the use of Armed Forces personnel in supporting movements of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Answer: The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office leads on coordinating the HMG’s humanitarian response to deliver lifesaving assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. The Ministry of Defence has provided military support when requested to facilitate t...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordArms Trade: IsraelDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 634More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to place a moratorium on arms exports to Israel, in the context of the conflict between Israel and Gaza.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary met with President Netanyahu in Israel on 14 July and pushed for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza. When it comes to arms exports, this Gove...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordArms Trade: Export ControlsDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 633More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to assess impact of international humanitarian law on arms exports.
Answer: The Foreign Secretary met with President Netanyahu in Israel on 14 July and pushed for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza. When it comes to arms exports, this Gove...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordArmy: YorkMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 632More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will take steps to ensure that the Army continue to have a presence in the city of York.
Answer: The Army remains committed to retaining an Army Regular, Reserve and Cadets presence in and around York in Yeomanry and Worsley Barracks, Queen Elizabeth Barracks and Towthorpe Lines.
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMilitary Bases: ClosuresMinistry of DefenceTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 631More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review the proposed closure of (a) Imphal Barracks in York and (b) other barracks.
Answer: There are no plans to review the closure of barracks identified as becoming surplus to military requirements under the Defence Estate Optimisation Portfolio, which are due to release enough land for over 32,000 new homes as well as supporting schools, off...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordHospital BedsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 630More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent delayed discharges from hospital to (a) residential care and (b) homes with domiciliary care provision.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that hospital departments are no longer blocked due to delayed discharges. By developing local partnership working between the National Health Service and social care, we will ensure that people are not stuck in hos...
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordVaccinationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 629More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to (a) review take up levels of vaccinations and (b) raise awareness of the potential benefits of vaccinations (i) in childhood and (ii) for tackling (A) flu and (B) cov
Answer: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) monitors and reviews vaccination coverage, including the assessment of barriers that reduce the uptake of vaccination, for all routine immunisation programmes in England.To raise awareness of vaccination benefits, the...
Answered 24 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: WeatherDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 628More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to commence preparations for winter planning; and if he will make it his policy to prioritise funding for increased levels of care in the community in those plans.
Answer: Guidance on winter planning for health and care services is expected to be issued by the summer recess, building on NHS England’s 2024/25 operational planning guidance published in April 2024.The Government has been clear that as part of the future reform...
Answered 29 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordFree School MealsDepartment for EducationTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 627More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of broadening the eligibility criteria for children to receive free school meals.
Answer: This government has not made a formal assessment of the merits of broadening the free school meals (FSM) eligibility criteria.This adds to the department’s programmes which provide over 3 million children with free and nutritious meals. Such programmes in...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordBreakfast ClubsDepartment for EducationTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 626More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to introduce breakfast clubs in every school; and what her planned timescale is for the introduction of breakfast clubs in every school.
Answer: The government is committed to making quick progress to deliver on its commitment to offer breakfast clubs in every primary school. Breakfast clubs will remove barriers to opportunity by ensuring every child, no matter their circumstances, is well prepare...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordChild Poverty TaskforceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 625More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the (a) terms of reference for the taskforce on child poverty and (b) planned timescale for publishing the outcomes of that taskforce's work.
Answer: The new Ministerial Taskforce will drive cross-government action on child poverty, starting with overseeing the development of our ambitious new strategy in line with the Opportunity Mission. After initial engagement, the formal work to develop the new ch...
Answered 24 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPoverty: ChildrenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 624More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans for the taskforce on child poverty to make an assessment of the potential impact of ending the (a) the two-child benefit limit and (b) under-occupancy charge on levels of child poverty
Answer: The new Ministerial Taskforce will drive cross-government action on child poverty, starting with overseeing the development of our ambitious new strategy in line with the Opportunity Mission. After initial engagement, the formal work to develop the new ch...
Answered 24 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 623More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of capacity in secure and forensic mental health facilities; and whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Justice
Answer: No such recent assessment has been made. However, NHS England has advised that work is currently underway with the 15 Adult Secure Provider Collaboratives across England to speed up the safe and timely transfer of appropriately assessed people from prison...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordVictims and Prisoners Act 2024Ministry of JusticeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 622More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, (a) how and (b) when she intends to enact the public protection decisions provisions of the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.
Answer: The Government is carefully considering how and when to implement the public protection provisions in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordWater Supply: YorkDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 621More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with water companies on the replacement of water pipes to households in which lead has been found in the household water supply in York constituency.
Answer: The Secretary of State has already met CEOs of all 16 water companies, including Yorkshire Water, setting out his expectations from the Government going forward. The Secretary of State and the Minister for Water and Flooding will have further conversation...
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordWater Supply: LeadDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 620More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of instructing water companies to test all households in receipt of water if it is determined that lead is present in their water
Answer: Water companies are responsible for drinking water quality to the boundary of a consumer’s property. The domestic plumbing system is the responsibility of the home/building owner and therefore there may be limitations, such as access constraints, which li...
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordWater Supply: LeadDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 619More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure water companies assess the levels of lead in domestic drinking water supplies.
Answer: Water companies are required to risk assess drinking water supplies from source to tap. Where there is a risk of lead in the water exceeding 10mg/l, water companies will treat the water with orthophosphate which reduces lead leaching significantly. In 202...
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordChildren's Social Care Independent ReviewDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 108More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she plans to implement the recommendations of the Independent Review of Children's Social Care.
Answer: The department is committed to helping children thrive and wants the best for every child and family.Reforming children’s social care (CSC) is critical to giving hundreds of thousands of children and young people the start in life they deserve. It is also...
Answered 31 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Services: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 107More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a per capita funding arrangement for NHS dentistry.
Answer: One of our missions is to rescue and rebuild National Health Service dentistry. To do this, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.There are no perfect payment systems, and careful conside...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
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