Rachel Gilmour MP: written questions 2024
52 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Health Services: Missing PersonsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15121More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been reported missing from (a) hospitals and (b) other health care settings in each of the last four years for which data is available.
Answer: The following table shows a count of patient safety incidents, reported as occurring where the incident category is absconder or missing patient, broken down by care setting, each year from 2020/21 to 2023/24:Care setting of occurrence2020/212021/222022/2...
Answered 28 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he plans to take to support rural households in Tiverton and Minehead constituency with gaining broadband connections, in the context of (a) Connecting Devon and Somerset and
Answer: We are considering how Project Gigabit can support the rollout of fast, reliable broadband to premises that have been descoped from Airband’s contracts with Connecting Devon and Somerset. This may include bringing more premises into the scope of Project G...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordSecond Homes: Council TaxMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13976More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the council tax levy for second homes on the chalet industry; and whether chalets will qualify as second homes
Answer: From April 2025 councils will have the power to charge a discretionary premium of up to 100% on dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially furnished. The Government recognises there may be circumstances where it may not be appropriate for a premium ...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordVoice over Internet Protocol: Tiverton and MineheadDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13914More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of transitioning from analogue landline systems to a digitised service on (a) Tiverton and Minehead constituency and (b)
Answer: The industry-led migration from analogue to digital landlines (“the PSTN migration”) poses some specific risks for rural constituencies, for instance where areas may be more prone to power outages or lack mobile coverage. The Department is working with co...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHospices: Community Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13866More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has for the role hospices will play in shifting care into the community.
Answer: We have committed to develop a 10-Year Health Plan to deliver an National Health Service fit for the future, by driving three shifts in the way health care is delivered. We will carefully be considering policies, including those that impact people with pa...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy: MetersDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 12 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13865More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) PeakSave and (b) other energy tariff rates for communities without the signal needed to install a smart meter.
Answer: The Government has made no such specific assessment, as tariffs and energy contracts are a commercial matter for suppliers. However, the Government does want consumers to have access to a range of tariffs, so they can choose the contract that best suits t...
Answered 20 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEpilepsy: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13728More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to (a) increase funding for epilepsy research and (b) improve treatment options for patients with epilepsy.
Answer: The Department funds research into epilepsy via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR spent almost £19 million on 46 epilepsy research projects in the five years from April 2019 to March 2024. Additionally, over this period,...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordService ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13711More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislation to (a) standardise service charge (i) item descriptions and (ii) terminology used and (b) include references to (A) Schedule of Rates codes
Answer: The Government recognises that Non-Disclosure Agreements are sometimes used for out of court settlements between leaseholders and their managing agent or landlord. It considers that in the vast majority of cases these should be unnecessary and only be use...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLeasehold: Service ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13710More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will bring forward legislation to prohibit the imposition of non-disclosure agreements on people who (a) successfully challenge (i) landlords and (ii) managing
Answer: The Government recognises that Non-Disclosure Agreements are sometimes used for out of court settlements between leaseholders and their managing agent or landlord. It considers that in the vast majority of cases these should be unnecessary and only be use...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: Mental HealthDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13359More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the impact of the journal system for Universal Credit on the mental health of applicants and users.
Answer: DWP are committed to providing the best possible support for all our customers, including the most vulnerable in society. Within Universal Credit, we recognise that customers have individual needs and different barriers, so we train and support all our wo...
Answered 15 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordExtracurricular ActivitiesDepartment for EducationTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the impact of the restriction of school and extra curricular options through repayment deadlines within the UK Benefits System on parents and students.
Answer: The department has no plans to undertake this specific assessment, but we have evaluated the impact of poverty on educational outcomes. Evidence shows that disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs are more likely to fall behind and need extra ...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCoastal AreasDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the University of Exeter's report entitled Resilience of Coastal Communities, Work Package 1: Responding
Answer: Defra welcomes the publication of the report, which is an output of work funded by UK Research and Innovation. We consider a number of policy initiatives already align with many of the work’s findings, and will continue to consider their implications in t...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAbduction: ChildrenForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 5 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12877More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will meet with the hon. Member for Tiverton and Minehead to discuss a case of international child abduction.
Answer: The Government takes International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) very seriously. When a British child has been abducted, the FCDO's consular staff provide empathetic and practical support to those affected, including to signpost them to relevant partner...
Answered 12 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordNature Conservation: CrimeMinistry of JusticeTabled 5 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12867More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will (a) hold discussions with the Sentencing Council on the adequacy of sentencing guidelines for people who have been convicted of wildlife crimes and (b) make an assessment of the potential implications
Answer: Sentencing guidelines are developed by the independent Sentencing Council for England and Wales, in fulfilment of its statutory duty to do so, and the Council regularly assesses their effectiveness. It would not be appropriate for the Government to requir...
Answered 12 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDiabetes: Medical EquipmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 1 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12329More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to roll out NHS-funded Hybrid Close Loop technology to all Type 1 Diabetics in the UK.
Answer: In December 2023, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence published the Technology Appraisal guidance, and recommended that the National Health Service in England makes Hybrid Closed Loop (HCL) systems available to eligible adults, and all c...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordFarmers: Tiverton and MineheadDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11673More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Tiverton and Minehead on the (a) Exmoor Farmers' Network and (b) farming community in Tiverton and Minehead constituency.
Answer: My Defra private office handles all meeting requests. Please contact them directly to request a meeting.
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordTiverton High SchoolDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11672More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Tiverton and Minehead on the (a) condition of Tiverton High School and (b) school community.
Answer: Ensuring schools have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life.My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education is unable to meet at pres...
Answered 5 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBreast Cancer: Medical TreatmentsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the National Care Institute for Health and Care Excellence severity modifier in 2022 on the (a) appraisal of Enhertu for H
Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is responsible for developing the methods and processes it uses in its evaluations independently, and in consultation with stakeholders. The severity modifier that the NICE introduced in 2022 is...
Answered 22 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAlcoholic Drinks: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8056More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to (a) review the planned changes to alcohol duty rates before their implementation in February 2025, notwithstanding an extension of the current duty freeze and (b) publish an impact assessment of
Answer: As with all taxes, the Government keeps alcohol duty rates under review during its Budget process. Any substantive tax changes would be accompanied by a relevant Tax Information and Impact Note. The current temporary duty easement for wine is due to end o...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordYouth Services: Tiverton and MineheadDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8055More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding her Department has provided to youth groups in Tiverton and Minehead constituency in the two latest periods for which data is available; and if she will take steps to increase th
Answer: This government recognises the vital role that youth services and activities play in improving young people’s life chances and wellbeing. As set out in section 507B of the Education Act 1996, local authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is...
Answered 16 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordWeedkillers: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8054More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will restore the license for ASOLUX; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the restoration of that license on the growth of bracken in (a) the Quantocks an
Answer: Asulox is a herbicide containing the active substance asulam, which is not approved for use in the UK. For some years, use of Asulox to control bracken has been allowed under strictly controlled conditions under emergency authorisation arrangements. In 20...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInland Waterways: FinanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7670More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the level of funding for waterways.
Answer: The Canal and River Trust is the largest inland waterway navigation authority in England and Wales, responsible for the 2,000 miles of canals and rivers it owns. The Government is currently providing the Trust with a 15-year grant (2012-2027) totalling ab...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordCoronavirus: VaccinationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3570More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide covid-19 vaccinations to the (a) families and (b) carers of patients with immunosuppressant diseases.
Answer: The primary aim of the autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths, arising from COVID-19. On 2 August 2024 the Government accepted the advice of the independent Joint Committee on Vacc...
Answered 6 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordGreat Western Railway: OvercrowdingDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the levels of overcrowding on Great Western Railway trains from Tiverton Parkway; and whether she plans to take steps to reduce overcrowding on those trains.
Answer: Officials continually monitor the performance of Great Western Railway services, including instances of overcrowding, and actively hold operators to account through their contracts when they run less capacity than agreed. The Rail Minister additionally me...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordTrastuzumab DeruxtecanDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Aug 2024AnsweredUIN 3568More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make representations to NICE on their decision to no longer offer Enertu for women suffering from metastatic HER2-LOW breast cancer.
Answer: Decisions on whether new medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service in England are taken by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the basis of an evaluation of a treatment’s costs and benefits. NICE’s met...
Answered 9 Sept 2024
Original Parliament record
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