Rachael Maskell MP: written questions 2024
289 published records · newest first.
Written questions
General Practitioners: Winter Fuel PaymentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of allowing GPs to prescribe a Winter Fuel Payment to pensioners in fuel poverty.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to ensure that fuel poor and health vulnerable households are supported.The UK Health Security Agency publishes the Adverse Weather and Health Plan...
Answered 17 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordWinter Fuel PaymentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4373More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has asked the Chief Medical Officer to conduct an impact assessment of introducing means-testing for the Winter Fuel Payment.
Answer: My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care meets regularly with the Chief Medical Officer to discuss key issues affecting the public’s health, including winter pressures. In deciding on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the Gover...
Answered 30 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth: Older PeopleDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4372More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies on preventing ill health in later life of the Chief Medical Officer’s Annual Report 2023, Health in an Ageing Society, pub
Answer: One of the Government’s five missions is to build a National Health Service fit for the future. At the heart of the mission will be supporting people in staying healthier for longer, shortening the time people spend in ill health, and promoting greater in...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth: MouldDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4371More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure a cross-departmental approach to preventing ill health due to damp and cold homes.
Answer: The Government is committed to a preventative approach to the public’s health, taking a cross-departmental approach to improve poor housing conditions, such as damp and cold. We have set out a commitment to tackle the social determinants of health.The Gov...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordRespiratory Diseases: MouldDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4370More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the number of instances of (a) stroke, (b) myocardial infarction, (c) hyperthermia, (d) pneumonia and (e) other respiratory disease admissions to NHS hospitals that h
Answer: Poor quality homes, including those that are cold or damp, can directly affect physical wellbeing, creating or exacerbating health issues such as respiratory and cardiovascular illness.The Government is committed to a preventative approach to the public’s...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth: MouldDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4369More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of cold and damp housing conditions on health outcomes.
Answer: Living in a home that is cold or damp can directly impact occupants’ physical and mental health, creating or exacerbating health issues across the life course. The Government is committed to a preventative approach to the public’s health. Improving housin...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSexual Offences: VictimsMinistry of JusticeTabled 4 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 900374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure adequate funding for support for victims of sexual violence after 31 March 2025.
Answer: My department provides funding for vital rape and sexual abuse support, to help victims cope and recover from the impacts of crime, through a mix of locally and nationally commissioned services. Funding beyond March 2025 will be agreed with HM Treasury th...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordElectronic CigarettesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4007More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ban vaping in indoor spaces.
Answer: Whilst vapes can be an effective quitting aid for adult smokers, the Government is concerned about the worrying rise in vaping among children, and there are legitimate concerns about the unknown long-term harms from vaping. The Government will soon introd...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSmoking: Public PlacesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4006More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of banning smoking in some public places on health outcomes.
Answer: The Government will soon introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which stands to be the most significant public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom.The Prime Minister supports measures that will create...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSmokingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4005More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that areas which ban smoking are supported by information about smoking cessation programmes.
Answer: The Government will soon introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which stands to be the most significant public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom.The Prime Minister supports measures that will create...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordSmoking: Public PlacesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to consult relevant organisations on proposals to ban smoking in outdoor spaces.
Answer: The Government will soon introduce the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which stands to be the most significant public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom.The Prime Minister supports measures that will create...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordLung Cancer: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4003More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is he taking to evaluate the lung cancer diagnostic programme, and if he will roll this programme out to provide greater access for people who present a risk of lung cancer.
Answer: The Targeted Lung Health Check (TLHC) is aimed at people who are over 55 years old, but younger than 75 years old, and who have a history of smoking, which puts them at a higher risk of lung cancer. The TLHC will be converted into a national lung cancer s...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordYouth JusticeMinistry of JusticeTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4002More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she plans to (a) develop a different approach to youth justice and (b) use programmes of diversion to prevent young people entering the youth estate.
Answer: This Government is committed to intervening early and supporting the most vulnerable children to address their needs and reduce the risk of young people offending. We are developing a new approach to youth justice by creating a new Young Futures programme...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: PrisonsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4001More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to (a) improve mental health services in prison and (b) ensure continuity with previous mental health interventions.
Answer: NHS England is undertaking the development of a full Health and Justice mental health pathway review and strategy update, considering pre custody, in custody and post custody care. This review is working at pace and is co-produced with people with lived e...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPrisoners: SafetyMinistry of JusticeTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4000More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to provide safe conditions for prisoners.
Answer: Making prisons safe remains a key priority. We are working hard to reduce violence and self-harm and have a range of measures in place to address these safety issues.We have completed our landmark £100 million Security Investment Programme to clamp down o...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPrisoners' ReleaseMinistry of JusticeTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3999More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to ensure that people on early prison release have (a) housing, (b) employment and (c) sufficient probation provision to support them.
Answer: Individuals released through the Standard Determinate Sentence changes, known as SDS40, and at risk of homelessness can be referred to HMPPS’s Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 (CAS3), which can provide up to 12-weeks temporary accommodation. We are ...
Answered 11 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHomelessness: Young PeopleMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3998More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a youth homeless strategy.
Answer: The Government recognises that homelessness levels are far too high and this can have a devastating impact on those affected, including young people. We will look at these issues carefully and will consider youth homelessness as we develop our long-term, ...
Answered 11 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHomelessnessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3997More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the (a) health and wellbeing and (b) housing needs of people experiencing homelessness.
Answer: The DPM is responsible for cross-governmental coordination of policy to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping and will update in due course.
Answered 11 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordHomelessnessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3996More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce levels of homelessness in winter 2024-25.
Answer: The Government will develop a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness and rough sleeping once and for all.Whilst we develop our new strategy, the Rough Sleeping Init...
Answered 11 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Fees and ChargesTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3995More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of VAT on independent school fees on the financial viability of Steiner schools.
Answer: The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education, which is why we have made the tough decision to end tax breaks for private schools. This will raise revenue for essential publ...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Fees and ChargesTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3994More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a lower rate of VAT on independent schools with lower fees.
Answer: On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boardin...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Fees and ChargesTreasuryTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3993More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of VAT on independent school fees on children who (a) attend independent schools and (b) do not have an EHCP and (i) are in care, (ii) exper
Answer: The Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education, which is why we have made the tough decision to end tax breaks for private schools. This will raise revenue for essential publ...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordFuel PovertyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3992More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care of the potential merits of establishing a fuel poverty prescription that can be given by GPs.
Answer: This Government takes fuel poverty extremely seriously. The Government will invest an extra £6.6 billion over this Parliament in clean heat and energy efficiency through the Warm Homes Plan, upgrading five million homes through solutions like low carbon h...
Answered 10 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordLong Term Unemployed PeopleDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3991More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she is taking steps to support community businesses that (a) employ, (b) train and (c) support people who have been unemployed for long periods.
Answer: DWP will give local places the responsibility and resources to design a joined-up work, health and skills offer that’s right for local people – as a key part of their Local Growth Plans. There will be a fundamental shift in the balance of power and resour...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPensioners: PovertyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 3 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 3990More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will establish a taskforce to help tackle pensioner poverty.
Answer: This government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement. Our continued commitment to the triple lock means the full new state pension is forecast to i...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament record
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