Richard Holden MP: written questions 2024
322 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Abellio Greater Anglia and c2c: TicketsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for the expansion of contactless ticketing to (a) C2C and (b) Greater Anglia services.
Answer: We have committed to expanding Pay As You Go (PAYG) contactless ticketing to a further 47 stations in the South East by the end of the year, with 6 stations on the Chiltern railways line having already gone live in June. This expansion will include the e...
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordRegeneration: BasildonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has discussed the Laindon Centre with Basildon Council.
Answer: Officials at Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, are in dialogue with Basildon Council to discuss where their programmes, capacity and funding may be able to support the Council’s priorities.
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordChildren in Care: InnovationDepartment for EducationTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 701More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to implement the recommendations of the Twenty-Seventh Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2022-23 on Evaluating innovation projects in children’s social ca
Answer: The recommendations from the Twenty-Seventh Report of the Committee of Public Accounts rightly highlighted that the innovation projects in children’s social care needed to be fully evaluated and that the subsequent learning from previous innovation work s...
Answered 31 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordRetirementDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 528More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what compulsory retirement ages exist in the private sector; what changes have been made to compulsory retirement ages in the public sector in the last ten years; and whether the Government plans to (a
Answer: The Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011 prohibited compulsory retirement taking place unless it could be objectively justified.Compulsory retirement ages in the current Police pension scheme were removed with the int...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordLondon, Tilbury and Southend Line: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 483More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the reliability of the C2C service from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness via Laindon and Basildon.
Answer: c2c are an operationally high performing train operating company. From 1 January to 31 March 2024, c2c were the highest performing train operating company in terms of cancellations (1.5 per cent) and third highest for on-time punctuality (81.3 per cent). ...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordAbellio Greater Anglia: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 482More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the reliability of the Greater Anglia service from Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria via Billericay.
Answer: In the most recent rail industry period, 25 May to 21 June, the Public Performance Measure (PPM) across the Greater Anglia network was at 94.9 per cent. In relation to the Southend line the annual PPM was 96.4 per cent. Customers taking Greater Anglia ser...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordGynaecologyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 481More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of banning (a) virginity testing and (b) hymenoplasty on women.
Answer: No specific assessment has been made. The legislation to ban virginity testing and hymenoplasty was introduced through the Health and Social Act 2022. In April 2024 the department published the virginity testing and hymenoplasty multi-agency guidance whic...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordBeer: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 480More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of differential duty for draught beer on (a) pubs and (b) clubs.
Answer: Under the new alcohol duty system, Draught Relief provides a 9.2% duty reduction on draught beer and cider products below 8.5% alcohol by volume. The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms, including Draught Relief, that took ef...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordCash Dispensing: Fees and ChargesTreasuryTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 479More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure the availability of free access to cash.
Answer: The Government is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator responsible for access to cash further to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, with powers to seek to ensure ...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services and Roads: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 478More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of using capital expenditure released by the cancellation of elements of HS2 project for (a) roads, (b) buses and(c) potholes.
Answer: This Government is committed to ensuring that people have access to transport that enables them to travel to the destinations they want to reach and meets their needs. As my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor has set out, the first step is undertaking...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPost OfficesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 477More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support high street post office counter services.
Answer: The Post Office is an essential service in communities across the country. The Government is committed to finding ways to strengthen the Post Office, through consulting with sub-postmasters, trade unions and customers. This will include supporting the dev...
Answered 23 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPlanning: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 476More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to assess the adequacy of (a) roads, (b) other physical infrastructure, (c) GP services, (d) schools and (e) other service infrastructure
Answer: As set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.Local planning authoritie...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordWind Power: TilburyDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 475More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of an underground first approach to new electricity infrastructure connecting offshore North Sea wind farms to Tilbury.
Answer: Proposed changes to the energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) were consulted on between 30 March 2023 to 23 June 2023 under the previous government. Following this a revised version of the National Policy Statement for electricity networks infrastructu...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordCars: SalesDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 474More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to restrict the sale of cars to (a) registered UK companies and (b) individuals with driving licences.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has measures in place to ensure that keepers notify them when they buy and sell a vehicle. Based on the latest available data, more than 92 per cent of vehicle keepers are contactable and traceable, based on ...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordRoads: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 470More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to review future capital expenditure on the concrete roads programme.
Answer: In the second Road Investment Strategy (RIS2), National Highways committed to invest £400 million between 2020 and 2025 on the replacement and repair of England’s remaining concrete roads. The programme of replacing worn-out concrete roads is expected to ...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: AviationCabinet OfficeTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 462More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has (a) had discussions and (b) taken advice on the use of Government aircraft.
Answer: The principles around ministerial travel are long-established and have been in place for successive administrations. Ministers take advice on individual travel arrangements as necessary.
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Transport: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 460More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the (a) financial impact and (b) potential for delay of her Department's capital projects.
Answer: This government is committed to ensuring that people have access to transport that enables them to travel to the destinations they want to reach and meets their needs. As my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor has set out, the first step is undertaking...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordBus Services: FaresDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 459More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ending the Get around for £2 bus fare scheme this year on bus use (a) nationally, (b) regionally and (c) by operator.
Answer: Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of my top priorities as I know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The government is urgently considering the most effective and affordable ways to d...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Fees and ChargesDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 458More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on (a) class sizes, (b) teacher recruitment and retention and (c) relations with unions in state schools of the introduction of VAT on education p
Answer: Education matters and is at the heart of the mission to break down barriers to opportunity. The impact of any tax changes affecting independent schools on the state sector will be carefully considered. The government will complete its analysis once detail...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: ConcreteDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 457More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what is her timeline is for reviewing (a) capital projects relating to RAAC within schools and (b) other capital projects.
Answer: High and rising school standards are at the heart of the mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. Ensuring schools have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of that.There are over 22,000 sch...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordNHS: Capital InvestmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 456More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his timeline is for reviewing (a) the hospital building programme, (b) the new diagnostics centres programme, (c) primary care programmes and (d) other capital projects.
Answer: All capital spending activity is kept under regular review to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of patients and delivers value for money.This Government recognises that strategic, value for money investments in capital projects are critical to pr...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordRetirement: Public SectorTreasuryTabled 17 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 455More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what compulsory retirement ages exist in the public sector; what changes have been made to compulsory retirement ages in the public sector in the last ten years; and whether the Government plans to (a) introduce and
Answer: The judiciary have a compulsory retirement age of 75, which was increased from age 70 by the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022. For the Armed Forces, each service has responsibility for setting retirement ages but in all cases, there i...
Answered 22 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
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