Rachael Maskell MP: written questions
245 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Health Services and Social Services: StaffDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105855More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how he will ensure the integration of health and social care with workforce planning.
Answer: The 10-Year Health Plan set out how the Government will shift care from hospitals to the community. While the scope of the 10 Year Workforce Plan is the National Health Service workforce, for this shift to be meaningful, multi-disciplinary working and eff...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPalliative Care: StaffDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105854More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in devising the workforce plan, if he will include palliative care services.
Answer: The Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the National Health Service has ...
Answered 23 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordKetamine: MisuseHome OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105853More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions about the reclassification of ketamine.
Answer: Ketamine is a dangerous substance, which can cause irreversible bladder damage and in some cases death. We are concerned about the harms ketamine causes and the rise in ketamine use, particularly among young people. In October 2025 the Department for Heal...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordKetamine: MisuseHome OfficeTabled 14 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105852More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what considerations has she made regarding the adequacy of the classification of ketamine as a Class A illicit substance.
Answer: Ketamine is a dangerous substance, which can cause irreversible bladder damage and in some cases death. We are concerned about the harms ketamine causes and the rise in ketamine use, particularly among young people. In October 2025 the Department for Heal...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUnited Nations: Older PeopleForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103332More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the establishment of the UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the response provided on 4 March 2025 to Question 33140.
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed ConflictForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103331More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she is taking steps to review mechanisms to (a) de-escalate conflict and (b) provide for international mediation.
Answer: The Government works closely with international partners in support of efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts, and ensure the provision of humanitarian aid in conflict zones.This includes discussing with states and organisations active in mediation how ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGaza: Health ServicesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103330More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has held with her Israeli counterpart on the need for foreign nationals to provide health care services in Gaza from deregistered organisations.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made to the House on 5 January.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHumanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of an international treaty on the provision of humanitarian aid in conflict zones.
Answer: The Government works closely with international partners in support of efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts, and ensure the provision of humanitarian aid in conflict zones.This includes discussing with states and organisations active in mediation how ...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordInternational Humanitarian LawForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she is holding with international counterparts on processes to hold countries which are in breach of international humanitarian law to account.
Answer: The UK keeps all such matters under regular review alongside our international partners.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUN Security CouncilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103327More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions has she had with relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of reforming the operations of the UN Security Council when activities and operations concern
Answer: The UK keeps all such matters under regular review alongside our international partners.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUN Security CouncilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103326More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has she made of the effectiveness of the operation of the UN Security Council at being able to hold jurisdictions to account when they are involved in actions
Answer: The UK keeps all such matters under regular review alongside our international partners.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVenezuela: Military OperationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103325More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions were held with the US Government on Venezuela ahead of their military operation.
Answer: It has been the long-standing policy under successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters. But as the Foreign Secretary made clear in her statement to the House on 5 January, the UK Government had no advance knowledge of the operations to w...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordVenezuela: Military OperationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what intelligence did she receive from UK sources as to the build up of operations by the US ahead of their operation in Venezuela.
Answer: It has been the long-standing policy under successive governments not to comment on intelligence matters. But as the Foreign Secretary made clear in her statement to the House on 5 January, the UK Government had no advance knowledge of the operations to w...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGame: Gun SportsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will bring forward legislation to ban grouse moor shooting practices on the moors to help protect against flooding and fire.
Answer: The Government has no plans to bring forward legislation to ban grouse shooting but it is vital that wildlife and habitats are protected and that the law is respected by those involved in the activity. In September 2025, the Government amended the Heather...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFlood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to encourage planting to manage water in the upper catchments.
Answer: Defra promotes tree planting in upper catchments to enhance the water environment, supported by a suite of targeted grants including the England Woodland Creation Offer, the Environment Agency’s (EA) Natural Flood Management Programme, and wider Environme...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFloods: Fire and Rescue ServicesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she is ensuring that Fire and Rescue services have a statutory duty to support flood events.
Answer: Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Fire and Rescue Authorities already have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. However, we recognise the interest in ...
Answered 9 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordYorkshire WaterDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103320More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made with Ofwat on helping to ensure that Yorkshire Water provides value to its customers through how it prioritises resources.
Answer: Ofwat, the economic regulator, sets specific performance targets for companies including Yorkshire Water in the five-yearly price review. Where companies fail to meet these targets, they must reimburse customers through lower water bills. As a result, Ofw...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDroughts: North YorkshireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103319More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to reduce drought in York and North Yorkshire over the summer season.
Answer: Yorkshire's water resources have fully recovered after a notably wet autumn and early winter. The likelihood of a return to drought conditions in 2026 are now the same as they are in the late winter of any recent year. The Environment Agency, Yorkshire Wa...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFlood Control: North YorkshireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103318More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will (a) provide funding for and (b) accelerate upland management schemes to prevent flooding in lower catchment areas in York and North Yorkshire.
Answer: The Government is providing funding for upland and catchment-based management measures that help reduce flood risk in downstream communities, including in York and North Yorkshire. A new 3-year £4.2 billion Flood and Coastal Risk Management Investment Pro...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFlood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103317More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will develop a strategy (a) to help tackle surface water flooding and (b) ensure water industry regulatory compliance.
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview role for all sources of flooding, which includes surface water. This is set out in the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England (FCERM Strategy). The EA has a legal duty t...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFlood Control: Business PremisesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost of flood protection measures to businesses which regularly flood in (a) the King's Staith area in York and (b) all other areas.
Answer: The properties along the historic Kings Staith waterfront are the lowest lying properties in the city and have no permanent flood wall defences due to heritage, buildability and economic reasons. Many of these properties now benefit from individual proper...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFlood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103315More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that flood protection infrastructure, including the Foss Barrier in York, is regularly inspected and maintained.
Answer: The Environment Agency regularly inspects and reports on the condition of flood risk management assets across England. Environment Agency assets are prioritised for funding as part of the annual allocation process. Where appropriate, third-party asset own...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBabies: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 6 Jan 2026WithdrawnUIN 103314More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, further to the commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan for England to expand the Start for Life/Healthy Babies programme to every local authority, when York will receive funding to provide these serv
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordChildren: Digital TechnologyDepartment for EducationTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102803More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps is she taking to assess the potential impact of screen time on the development of children under 5.
Answer: The department is commissioning a systematic review of evidence that enables causal inference, rather than just correlation, to better understand how screentime impacts children and young people, including under fives. We are planning a further programme ...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: PovertyDepartment for EducationTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102802More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how is she supporting (a) babies growing up in poverty and (b) ensuring that early inequalities are addressed.
Answer: The government is committed to giving every child the best start in life. We will fund Best Start Family Hubs (BSFH) in every local authority to ensure all children and families who need support the most can access it. Backed by over £500 million, the rol...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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