Rachel Blake MP: written questions
42 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Pet Travel SchemeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1432More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made on implementing the new pet passports scheme.
Answer: As announced at the UK-EU Leaders' Summit on 19 May 2025, the UK and EU have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area, which will mean taking pets on holiday into the EU will be easier and cheaper. Instead of getting an Animal...
Answered 18 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLanguages: EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127721More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration her Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the number of modern foreign languages offered at GCSE level.
Answer: Decisions about which languages to offer at GCSE in England are taken by four independent awarding organisations: AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC. These organisations have the freedom to create GCSEs based on subject content set by the department.
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVashi: InsolvencyHome OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what conversations she has had with representatives from the Metropolitan Police about the Vashi diamonds case.
Answer: The Home Office does not have any record of the Home Secretary having any conversations with representatives from the Metropolitan Police about the Vashi diamonds case. Operational decisions on case investigations are matters for operationally independent...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVashi: FraudDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123557More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Vashi diamonds case on investor confidence in the UK.
Answer: The Government has not made a formal assessment of this case; however, the UK continues to be regarded internationally as a strong and attractive destination for investment, underpinned by a robust rule of law, transparent insolvency processes, and a long...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVashi: InsolvencyAttorney GeneralTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123556More
Question: To ask the Solicitor General, what steps she is taking to ensure that appropriate oversight is given to the decision by the Serious Fraud Office to not open an investigation into the Vashi diamonds case.
Answer: The SFO is a relatively small, highly specialised government department that is permitted by law to investigate only the most serious and complex cases of fraud, bribery and corruption affecting the UK. Decisions on which cases to investigate are taken in...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHeat NetworksMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123554More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of building regulations in ensuring the quality, efficiency, and resilience of installed heat network systems.
Answer: The Building Regulations set performance requirements for buildings, including buildings connected to heat networks, but they are not responsible for regulating the detailed design or operation of heat network systems themselves. The Department for Energy...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHeat Networks: FlatsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123552More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that leaseholders and tenants in buildings served by heat networks are protected from excessive service charges and poor service delivery.
Answer: Ofgem was introduced as the heat network regulator in January 2026. While many leaseholders can benefit from the new consumer protections, including protection against poor service standards, we are aware that there are still some challenges where heat ch...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHeat Networks: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123550More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that operators of heat networks provide transparent billing and fair pricing to consumers.
Answer: In January, we introduced Ofgem as the market regulator for heat networks. Heat network operators and suppliers are now required to demonstrate compliance with Ofgem’s Authorisation Conditions, including those on billing transparency and fair pricing.Ofge...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHeat Networks: OutagesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123549More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department holds data on the frequency and duration of outages affecting heat network customers.
Answer: Historically, heat network performance, including outage duration and frequency has been unregulated in Great Britain, and as such the Department does not hold this data. As the newly appointed market regulator for heat networks, Ofgem now have powers to ...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordHeat Networks: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123548More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the performance and reliability of heat networks operating in residential developments in England; and what steps he is taking to ensure cons
Answer: We are aware that some existing heat networks are not delivering to the standard they should be. We have and will continue to take steps to protect consumers: We have already taken action by introducing Ofgem as the market regulator who have the powers to...
Answered 1 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordIsrael: PalestineForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122420More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to respond formally to the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on Israel's occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, publ
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided for question 83315 on 29 October 2025.
Answered 2 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBabies and Pregnancy: WeatherDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on incorporating (a) evidence on the maternal and neonatal risks from extreme heat and (b) measures t
Answer: Defra is working across Government to reset the climate adaptation framework and safeguard people, livelihoods, and the natural environment. Defra is setting stronger objectives and improving governance and monitoring, to help the Government turn evidence...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPregnancy: TemperatureDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121635More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to work with UKHSA to issue specific guidance for (a) health professionals and (b) the public regarding the health risks to pregnant people during periods of extreme h
Answer: The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognise that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures which are set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. Th...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPregnancy: TemperatureDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121634More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to update NHS antenatal and maternity guidance on the risks of extreme heat exposure for pregnant people and unborn children.
Answer: The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognise that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures which are set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. Th...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPregnancy: TemperatureDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121633More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment (a) his Department and (b) UK Health Security Agency has made of the risks of exposure to high ambient temperatures during pregnancy including (i) stillbirth, (ii) preterm birth and
Answer: The Department and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recognise that there are risks to pregnant women caused by exposure to extreme high temperatures which are set out in the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Equity Review and Impact Assessment 2024. Th...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAgricultural Products: UK Trade with EUDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121207More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration is being given to animal welfare in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement being negotiated between the UK and the European Union.
Answer: The Government is currently negotiating a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and regulatory barriers for British producers and retailers. The details of this are subj...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPassports: Dual NationalityHome OfficeTabled 16 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121165More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what transitional measures her Department is considering to mitigate the impact of new rules that British citizens with dual nationality must enter the UK with their British passport.
Answer: We recognise the potential impact of changing travel requirements on dual British nationals who are seeking to travel to the UK without a valid British passport. We have therefore issued temporary operational guidance to carriers, who may at their own dis...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHigh Rise Flats: Fire PreventionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 118052More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to review the statutory height threshold for a higher-risk building under the Building Safety Act 2022.
Answer: On 17 December 2025, the Department published the results of the Buildings Safety Regulator’s initial review of the definition of higher-risk buildings and its plans for an ongoing review. The initial review found that, at the time of publication, the cur...
Answered 13 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFuneralsMinistry of JusticeTabled 26 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116270More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to respond to the Law Commission’s consultation on New Funerary Methods.
Answer: It is anticipated that the Law Commission will publish a final report and draft Bill in relation to the New Funerary Methods project in Spring 2026.We await the Commission’s findings and recommendations with interest and will respond in due course.
Answered 6 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNational Holocaust Memorial Centre and Learning ServiceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114542More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration his Department has made of the potential impact of the Restoration and Renewal of Parliament on the proposed Holocaust Memorial Learning Centre.
Answer: The Memorial site is at the southern end of the Gardens and is compatible with the use of the gardens by the Restoration and Renewal Programme. The Holocaust Memorial project team and the Restoration and Renewal programme team meet regularly to share info...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLetting Agents: RegulationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 113165More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to regulate Let Only letting agency agreements where an agent markets a property after which the landlord takes over management.
Answer: The government has no current plans to introduce specific new regulations in relation to let only agency arrangements.Letting agents who operate on a ‘let only’ basis are already subject to existing regulation. Any agent carrying out letting agency work i...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSide Effects: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112337More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, a) what data NHS England holds regarding children who have experienced iatrogenic harm caused by anti-seizure medications (ASMs), and b) what guidance is in place to prevent this harm within NHS En
Answer: The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) in NHS England collects and quality assures data about people with congenital conditions and rare conditions across the whole of England. Further information on the NDRS is available at the following link: ...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordImmigrationHome OfficeTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112335More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, published on 28 November 2025, whether accrued lawful residence under Appendix Long Residence will be recognise
Answer: The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. A public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are ...
Answered 18 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 23 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 108091More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the value for money delivered through the 2003 - 2005 redevelopment of 2 Marsham Street.
Answer: The Department has not undertaken a dedicated, standalone assessment of the value for money delivered specifically through the 2003–2005 redevelopment of 2 Marsham Street. However, the National Audit Office reviewed the associated Private Finance Initiati...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordDouble Glazing: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 22 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107890More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the proportionality of the requirement for planning permission to install double glazing.
Answer: My Department has not undertaken such an assessment, as in most cases the replacement of windows of similar appearance can be undertaken without the need for a planning application. However, there may be some local exceptions, and other consents such as l...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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