Richard Holden MP: written questions 2026
1407 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Shipping: TaxationTreasuryTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 4257More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made a sector-specific assessment of the potential impact of changes to the non-domicile tax regime on the competitiveness of the maritime sector; whether (a) she (b) Treasury Ministers an
Answer: The Government is committed to addressing unfairness in the tax system, so that everyone who makes their home in the UK pays their taxes here.That is why the Government removed the outdated concept of domicile status from the tax system from April 2025 an...
Answered 3 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordRailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2807More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the ten routes with the highest number of short-formed services were for each train operating company under DfT Operator ownership in the last 18 months; and how many and what proportion of services operat
Answer: DFT Operator expects operators to provide appropriate capacity in response to expected demand and holds operators to account for short- formed services. DFT Operator generally monitors levels of short formations at an operator level every four weeks and t...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSomaliland: Commonwealth and Recognition of StatesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2805More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support Somaliland in achieving (a) international recognition and (b) membership of the Commonwealth.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 2 February in response to Question 108575.
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Transport: ProcurementDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2804More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to transition from short-term innovation grant funding to longer-term commercial and procurement support for suppliers; and what strategy she has implemented to apply the Pro
Answer: A recent report published by NAO noted that the department has developed guidance to help officials consider the full range of levers available to drive innovation into adoption, rather than defaulting to grant funding alone.The department continues to en...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordTransport: ConcreteDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2803More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the National Audit Office's report entitled Innovation in transport, published on 18 May 2026, what the expenditure has been by her Department and HS2 Ltd on the calcined clay acceleration pla
Answer: Since December 2023, HS2 Ltd has spent £377,225 (net) on work to accelerate the UK adoption of calcined clay, with the aim of understanding and mitigating the blockers to the UK establishing a commercial kiln to produce calcined clay. This would enable wi...
Answered 29 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAdvanced Fuels FundDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2802More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the planned spending is on the Advanced Fuels Fund in (a) 2026–27, (b) 2027–28 and(c) 2028–29 by project.
Answer: The Advanced Fuels Fund ended on 31st March 2026. A new funding scheme to support UK sustainable aviation fuel production is in development. A competitive application window will open this summer, with winning projects announced later in the year.
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTransport: InnovationDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2801More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for which projects her Department has adapted its business case approvals process for innovative activity.
Answer: The Department for Transport follows the principles set out in HM Treasury’s Green Book and associated guidance when considering business case approvals. These frameworks allow for a proportionate and flexible approach, enabling approval processes to be t...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordShipping: Exhaust EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2800More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will provide a list of the innovative research and development programmes for the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions, including the funding allocated to each.
Answer: The UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) research and development programme funds a range of interventions that develop clean maritime technologies across the Technological Readiness Level scale. In September 2025 this Government announced...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMarriage: RelativesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2799More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 108307 on Marriage: Relatives, whether the internal review has concluded; and if he plans to publish its findings.
Answer: I apologise to the Rt. Hon. Member for the delay in responding to his questions of 19 May and 19 June, and I refer him respectively to the answers he received on 9 June in response to Question 1717 and on 17 June in response to Question 8796.
Answered 22 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Charging PointsDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2798More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to publish its response to the consultation entitled Electric vehicle charging: changes to permitted development rights, which closed on 21 January 2026.
Answer: As announced in April, following consultation, the Government will legislate to introduce permitted development rights to expand EV charging provision, allowing for cross-pavement charging solutions and associated charging points. The Government’s respons...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTransport: Greenhouse Gas EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2797More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has assessed the recommendations of the Independent Greenhouse Gas Removal Review, published on 23 October 2025; and what is his timeline for responding to that report'
Answer: On 23 October 2025 the GGR Independent Review was published, setting out a range of recommendations to government. The government welcomes this report and will consider the recommendations and respond in due course.
Answered 28 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAviation: Exhaust EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2275More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on its considerations of the recommendations of the report by the Contrail Impact Mitigation Task and Finish Group, published on 17 March 2026.
Answer: The key recommendations from the Contrail Impact Mitigation (CIM) Task and Finish Group report were for Government to support large-scale trials and help establish a permanent governance body to oversee trial activity and standardise procedures and activi...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordVehicle Certification Agency: Fees and ChargesDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has considered the evidence provided from the recent consultation on the Vehicle Certification Agency's fees and charges; and whether it plans to increase those fees during this parliamen
Answer: The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is currently analysing responses to its recent consultation on fees. Any fee changes require the consent of this House through a fee order. As is the standard practice, I will update the House in due course.
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordPorts: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2268More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to publish the findings of the Net Zero Ports call for evidence.
Answer: We will publish our findings later this year.
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordMaritime and Coastguard Agency: Codes of PracticeDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2267More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 15 April 2026 to Question 126329, when her Department plans to publish the revised MCA Rescue Boat Code.
Answer: The MCA remains committed to the development of the replacement to the Rescue Boat Code and is actively engaging with rescue boat organisations, HM Coastguard, and other industry stakeholders to finalise the draft. Feedback received from industry stakehol...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordRailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 31 March 2026 to Question 123169, when she expects to issue a Long Term Rail Strategy.
Answer: The Long-Term Rail Strategy (LTRS) will be published shortly following the Railways Bill receiving Royal Assent and in time for GBR's day-one stand-up.
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2139More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, in which month National Highways’ RIS3 Delivery Plan will be published.
Answer: National Highways intends to publish its Delivery Plan for RIS3 this summer.
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordRoads: FinanceDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2138More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to publish a breakdown of the Roads Investment Strategy 3 budget allocated to (a) Designated Funds and (b) National Programmes prior to the publication of National Highways’ Delivery Plan.
Answer: National Highways will set out further detail on funding for Designated Funds and National Programmes in its Strategic Business Plan and Delivery Plan for 2026–31.
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordEast West Rail LineDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2135More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department expects the first EWR services between Oxford and Milton Keynes to commence.
Answer: The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the first East-West Rail services between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central via Winslow. Appointment of Chiltern Railways as operator was delayed...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: MotorcyclesDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2134More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 17 April 2026 to Question 125274, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the decision to end the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant on UK manufacturing.
Answer: Ending the £500 per vehicle Plug-in Motorcycle Grant is not expected to have a significant impact on the zero emission motorcycle market. The Government continues to work with industry to monitor the development of the zero emission motorcycle market and ...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordSouth Africa: Development AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2133More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 13 April 2026 to Question 123722, what meetings with a) officials and b) ministers are scheduled.
Answer: The nature of our dialogue with close overseas partners, both at Ministerial and Official level, is such that not every routine bilateral engagement is scheduled in advance, but we will always of course inform Parliament if there are significant exchanges...
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordG20Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2132More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, where the G20 Summit in 2027 will take place.
Answer: Details of next year's UK-hosted G20 summit will be announced in the usual way in due course.
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament recordAirports: CyclingDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2131More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 20 April 2026 to Question 127548, what role her Department plays in balancing aviation growth by improving cycling facilities.
Answer: The Department sets out the policy framework within which airports operate and supports investment in sustainable travel infrastructure where appropriate. Active Travel England's Ports and Airports Employment Accessibility Fund allocates some funding to i...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordLanguages: GCE A-level and GCSEDepartment for EducationTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2128More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which modern foreign languages are available as GCSE and A level qualifications in England; which European languages are not available as GCSE and A level qualifications; and what criteria are used by her Depar
Answer: French, German and Spanish are the most widely taught modern foreign languages at GCSE and A level. In addition, qualifications are available in up to 15 languages at GCSE and 15 languages at A level. The table below outlines the languages that are taught...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordFreezing of Assets: RussiaTreasuryTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2127More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential use of frozen Russian sovereign assets and funds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to support Ukraine.
Answer: While I am unable to comment on private Cabinet or committee discussions, I can assure you that the Government is doing everything within its powers to ensure that the full proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club are used for humanitarian purposes...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament record
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