Rachael Maskell MP: written questions 2024
289 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Food BanksDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she is taking steps to work with foodbanks to help ensure that healthy options are available for people from low income households.
Answer: We are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We are introducing free breakfast clubs in every primary school to ensure children are fed a nutritious breakfast and are ready to learn and have created a new Mini...
Answered 31 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMeat: NutritionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to help reduce the meat intake in people's diets.
Answer: A balanced diet is rich in fruit and vegetables, beans, pulses and wholegrain starchy carbohydrates. It can also include dairy and alternatives and protein sources such as fish and meat which are valuable sources of many nutrients important for human heal...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordNational Food Strategy ReviewDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the will National Food Strategy.
Answer: It’s time for a change. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers. The only way to do this effectively is to listen to farmers and others with a stake in our food system, countryside and nature. We wi...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordNutrition: Low IncomesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help improve access to healthy food for families on low household incomes.
Answer: Through our Health Mission, the Government has set a bold new ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children in our history. Tackling the childhood obesity crisis is central to that commitment, and the King’s Speech set out the immediate steps we...
Answered 1 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordAnti-social Behaviour: Urban AreasHome OfficeTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1938More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to reduce anti-social behaviour (a) on high streets and (b) in city centres.
Answer: Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission to take back our streets.We will put thousands of neighbourhood police and community support officers into local communities.We will crack ...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordLicensing LawsHome OfficeTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1937More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional legal powers of local authorities to assess the suitability of applications by premises for the sale of alcohol.
Answer: The Licensing Act 2003 regulates the sale and supply of alcohol in licensed premises across England and Wales and devolves decision-making to local licensing authorities.The Act sets out four statutory licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and dis...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordTourism: VATTreasuryTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1936More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to introduce tax free shopping in tourist destinations.
Answer: Earlier this year, the Office for Budget Responsibility conducted a review of the previous government’s 2020 costing of removing tax-free shopping for tourists. The OBR’s updated estimate is that the withdrawal of the VAT Retail Export Scheme will lead to...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordEating Disorders: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that there is a comprehensive strategy for meeting the (a) clinical and (b) care needs of people with eating disorders.
Answer: The Department is committed to working closely with NHS England to ensure that people with an eating disorder get the care and treatment they need, when they need it. The Department will focus on improving the performance of the existing waiting time stan...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordAutism and Mental Health: Hospital BedsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1934More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of beds for (a) adults and (b) children with (i) a dual diagnosis with autism and (ii) other complex mental health needs.
Answer: This specific assessment has not yet been made, as NHS England does not currently hold data of the necessary quality on the number of available beds in mental health inpatient settings prior to March 2024. NHS England has recently implemented version 6 of...
Answered 2 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Hubs: YorkCabinet OfficeTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1710More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that the design of the Government Hub in York blends with the rest of the city.
Answer: I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wi...
Answered 9 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Hubs: YorkCabinet OfficeTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1709More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many jobs the York Central Government Hub will (a) create in York and (b) transfer into the hub from other sites in York.
Answer: I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wi...
Answered 9 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Hubs: YorkCabinet OfficeTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1708More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consultation process is he undertaking concerning the proposed Government Hub for York Central.
Answer: I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wi...
Answered 9 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Hubs: YorkCabinet OfficeTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1707More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his timescale is for the Government Hub in York Central.
Answer: I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wi...
Answered 9 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Hubs: YorkCabinet OfficeTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1706More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will meet the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Government Hub in York Central.
Answer: I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wi...
Answered 9 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordCreative EuropeDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1705More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of rejoining Creative Europe.
Answer: Our arts and creative industries significantly bolster the UK’s economic prosperity, contributing 5.7% of the UK’s total Gross Value Add in 2022 (£124.6 billion). These sectors enrich citizens’ lives, and play a vital role in presenting the UK as an attra...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordMusicians: EU CountriesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Minister for the Cabinet Office and the Secretary of State for the Home Department on (a) tours in European Union countries by UK musicians and (b) tours in
Answer: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is committed to working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Home Office, Cabinet Office and other relevant Whitehall departments to address key issues for our outstanding world-class m...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will restore the parameters for spending of overseas development aid to its previous criteria.
Answer: Official Development Assistance (ODA) is an international standard used to measure aid flows to developing countries. Spend classified as ODA must meet the definition and rules that are set and governed by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). ...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidTreasuryTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1702More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she plans to spend 0.7% of Gross National Income on Official Development Assistance.
Answer: This Government is committed to restoring ODA spending at the level of 0.7 per cent of GNI as soon as fiscal circumstances allow. The Government will set out its approach to the House in due course.
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordLeasehold: Property Management CompaniesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to create statutory standards for management agencies of leasehold properties.
Answer: The Government will act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights. This includes driving up the transparency of service charges and reducing barriers for leaseholders to challenge their landlord. Over the course of this Parliament the Government w...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordLeaseholdMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to cap (a) management and (b) service costs to leaseholders.
Answer: The Government will act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights. This includes driving up the transparency of service charges and reducing barriers for leaseholders to challenge their landlord. Over the course of this Parliament the Government w...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordLeaseholdMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will consult on issues facing leaseholders prior to bringing forward legislation.
Answer: The Government will act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights. This includes driving up the transparency of service charges and reducing barriers for leaseholders to challenge their landlord. Over the course of this Parliament the Government w...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordLeaseholdMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1698More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether it is her policy to bring forward legislative proposals to convert existing leasehold properties to commonhold.
Answer: The Government will act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights. This includes driving up the transparency of service charges and reducing barriers for leaseholders to challenge their landlord. Over the course of this Parliament the Government w...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordGround RentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to end ground rent.
Answer: The Government will act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights. This includes driving up the transparency of service charges and reducing barriers for leaseholders to challenge their landlord. Over the course of this Parliament the Government w...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Health: BabiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will introduce tooth brushing education for parents of infants from teething age until three years old.
Answer: In England, local authorities are responsible for assessing oral health needs, developing oral health strategies, and commissioning oral health improvement programmes for children in their local area.The Better Health Start for Life website offers expecta...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordDental Services: Coastal Areas and Rural AreasDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1695More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to end the proposed use of NHS Dental Vans.
Answer: The Government plans to tackle the challenges patients face when trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments, and to recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To r...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
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