Rebecca Smith MP: written questions 2024
37 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Pension Credit: Armed Forces Compensation SchemeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20884More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of disregarding payments from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme when calculating eligibility for Pension Credit.
Answer: I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 18 November 2024 to question UIN 14156.
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLiver Cancer: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19569More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve liver cancer surveillance among higher risk patients with chronic hepatitis B (a) nationally and (b) within Devon Integrated Care System.
Answer: The National Health Service Cancer Programme is working to detect more hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) at an early stage when the chances of survival are higher. Six-monthly liver ultrasound surveillance for patients with cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis is...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHepatitis: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19568More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve earlier diagnosis of hepatitis B (a) nationally and (b) within Devon Integrated Care System.
Answer: Hepatitis B is usually asymptomatic in the early years, and therefore, many people remain unaware of their infection. The UK Health Security Agency estimates that 268,767 people were living with chronic hepatitis B in England in 2022, 38.1% of whom we est...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14900More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of the recommendations in the report entitled Homes for All published by the Church of England and
Answer: As part of the process of developing and implementing housing and planning policy, the government engages with a wide range experts and organisations. Our plans to tackle the housing crisis, including by building 1.5 million new homes in this Parliament a...
Answered 26 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEpilepsy: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of epilepsy medication.
Answer: The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve the intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including wi...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 901149More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number of farms that will be affected by changes to agricultural property relief and business property relief.
Answer: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms, and further explanatory informatio...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: FinanceTreasuryTabled 6 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13080More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief on the finances of farms of 215 acres in size.
Answer: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms, and further explanatory informatio...
Answered 15 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBiofuels: Electricity GenerationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12850More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to publish a response to the consultation entitled Transitional support mechanism for large-scale biomass electricity generators, published on 18 January 2024.
Answer: Yes, the Government plans to publish a response to the consultation in due course.
Answered 13 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordCrime: Rural AreasHome OfficeTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12611More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure that victims of rural crime in areas with poor (a) phone and (b) internet coverage are able to report those crimes promptly.
Answer: This Government is committed to working with the police and other partners to address the blight of rural crime, with the introduction of stronger powers for the police to tackle antisocial behaviour, and action to tackle farm theft and fly-tipping.We are...
Answered 12 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordOlder People's Housing TaskforceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12221More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish the report of the Older People's Housing Taskforce.
Answer: The Government will provide an update in relation to the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report in due course.
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEquipment: TheftHome OfficeTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12189More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her timetable is for bringing forward the secondary legislation under the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to define the minimum standards for (a) immobilisers and (b) forensic markings requ
Answer: We are committed to implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which aims to prevent the theft and re-sale of high-value equipment, particularly for use in an agricultural setting.The necessary secondary legislation to implement the Act will ...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordChild Maintenance ServiceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 31 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 12184More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Child Maintenance Service on the mental health of paying parents.
Answer: The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to ensuring that it delivers a safe service that is sensitive to the needs of all the parents that use it. We recognise that some parents may face difficult circumstances, particularly at a time of separati...
Answered 6 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordFuels: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9871More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will freeze fuel duty for heavy goods vehicles and coaches.
Answer: Revenue from motoring taxes and associated VAT ensures that the Government can continue to fund the vital public services and infrastructure that people and families across the UK expect. Following the spending audit, the Chancellor has been clear that di...
Answered 25 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordBuilding Digital UKDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to ensure that BDUK provide maps at a parish level for their local plans.
Answer: Building Digital UK (BDUK) is currently considering the most appropriate options for publishing more detailed information about the delivery of Project Gigabit at a local level, noting that this is subject to change throughout the lifetime of the programm...
Answered 25 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPrescriptionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8991More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending prescribing rights to (a) dieticians, (b) occupational therapists, (c) prosthetists and orthotists, (d) diagnostic rad
Answer: The Department works with NHS England to ensure that the prescribing responsibilities for all Allied Health Professionals are regularly reviewed and updated. Where it is deemed clinically appropriate and necessary to extend prescribing responsibilities to...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8923More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the activity thresholds for the Pharmacy First Service monthly fixed payment.
Answer: The Minimum Activity Requirements for the Pharmacy First Service have been amended for the remainder of 2024/25, to 20 for October, November, and December, 25 for January and February 2025, and 30 for March 2025.
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: ClosuresDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8922More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of community pharmacy closures on health outcomes (a) in South West Devon constituency and (b) nationally.
Answer: We are aware of the reduction in the number of pharmacies in recent years and recognise that pharmacy closures can impact on local communities. Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) every three years to assess...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: Community Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8741More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of community pharmacies have dispensed medications at a loss in each of the last three years.
Answer: We do not hold this information. Community pharmacy reimbursement arrangements do not aim to ensure that every pharmacy is paid as much or more than it paid for every product, but aims overall to reimburse as much as they were bought for, plus the allowed...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: Community Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8740More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing community pharmacists to substitute prescription medication for generic alternatives in cases of medicine shortages.
Answer: If the generic name is written on the prescription, pharmacists can dispense any supplier’s version of that product. However, where the prescription is written for a brand or a supplier, then the pharmacist is required to supply that specific product. Gen...
Answered 18 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: Community Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8739More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help increase referrals from GP surgeries to community pharmacies under the Pharmacy First service.
Answer: In August 2024, approximately 71% of general practices (GPs) in England made at least one referral into the Pharmacy First Service. To help increase uptake, NHS England is working closely with the integrated care boards (ICBs), GP stakeholders, and the co...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInfant Foods: NutritionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the nutritional content of commercial infant and baby foods.
Answer: An evidence review on commercial baby food and drink, published in June 2019, showed that young children are eating too much sugar and salt, and energy intakes are exceeding requirements. Some baby foods, particularly finger foods, had added sugar or salt...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInfant FoodsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will publish voluntary industry guidelines on commercial infant and baby food and drink.
Answer: The independent Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), for their report on Feeding Young Children aged 1 to 5 years, published in July 2023, recommended that foods, including snacks that are high in salt, free sugars, saturated fat, or are ene...
Answered 17 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSoft Drinks: TaxationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy on children's (a) oral health and (b) associated dental care.
Answer: No specific assessment has been made. Sugar consumption is the main risk factor for tooth decay. Reducing consumption of foods and drinks that contain sugar, alongside adequate exposure to fluoride, including daily toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste, ...
Answered 21 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordPornography ReviewDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7248More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent estimate he has made of when the Independent Pornography Review will be published.
Answer: The Independent Pornography Review will assess the effectiveness of current pornography legislation, regulation, and enforcement. The government expects the review to present its final report by the end of the year.
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLeasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a timetable for the coming into force of provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
Answer: As outlined in the King’s Speech, the Government will act quickly to provide homeowners with greater rights, powers, and protections over their homes by implementing the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. This includes a new valuati...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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