Richard Holden MP: written questions 2025
1652 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Animal Welfare: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54395More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on interpreting the business tests under Part 1 of the Schedule of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving
Answer: The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 cover five licensable activities: selling animals as pets; providing or arranging boarding for cats or dogs; hiring out horses; breeding dogs; and keeping or trainin...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Welfare: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54394More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with the Charity Commission on improving (a) information sharing and (b) oversight of animal rescue organisations operating at scale but outs
Answer: The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 cover five licensable activities: selling animals as pets; providing or arranging boarding for cats or dogs; hiring out horses; breeding dogs; and keeping or trainin...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Welfare: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54393More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations in relation to unlicensed animal rescue centres; and whether he plans to consult on new licensing of registration requirement
Answer: The Department continues to engage regularly with stakeholders across the animal welfare sector, including on issues relating to rescue and rehoming practices. This Government will introduce the most ambitious plan to improve animal welfare in a generatio...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Welfare: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54392More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to publish the findings of stakeholder engagement carried out by his Department on the potential licensing of animal rescue centres in 2023.
Answer: The Department continues to engage regularly with stakeholders across the animal welfare sector, including on issues relating to rescue and rehoming practices. This Government will introduce the most ambitious plan to improve animal welfare in a generatio...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: EqualityMinistry of DefenceTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54391More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45917 on Armed Forces: Equality, if he will publish the training manuals and documentation prepared for each of those courses provided by the Defence Academy.
Answer: No. The course material is subject to Crown copyright. There are many companies that deliver ED&I training who could financially benefit from copying our course material.
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordData, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent ReviewDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54390More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2025 to Question 47834 on Data, Science and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, whether the Government plans to publish a formal response to e
Answer: As outlined in my previous Answer of 2 May 2025 to Question 47834, relevant departments and policy teams will consider the findings in light of their ongoing policy work.
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIndependent Adviser on Ministerial StandardsCabinet OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54389More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many complaints the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards has received in the period since his remit was amended to allow him to initiate investigations unilaterally.
Answer: The 2024-2025 Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards Annual Report covers the exercise of the Independent Adviser’s functions for the year. This was published on 29 May 2025, and is available here.
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadcasting: PoliticiansDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54388More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an estimate of the cost of the Ofcom consultation entitled Politicians presenting news: Consultation on proposed amendment to Rule 5.3 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, published on
Answer: Ofcom is required by legislation to draw up and enforce a Broadcasting Code. This Code must include rules to ensure that broadcast news is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Ofcom must then keep the contents of the Code under ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadcasting: PoliticiansDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54387More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if he will ask Ofcom to withdraw its consultation entitled Politicians presenting news: Consultation on proposed amendment to Rule 5.3 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code, published on 12 May 2025.
Answer: Ofcom is required by legislation to draw up and enforce a Broadcasting Code. This Code must include rules to ensure that broadcast news is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Ofcom must then keep the contents of the Code under ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadcasting: PoliticiansDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54386More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had recent (a) discussions, (b) meetings and (c) correspondence with Ofcom on its consultation entitled Politicians presenting news: Consultation on proposed amendment to Rule 5.3
Answer: Ofcom is required by legislation to draw up and enforce a Broadcasting Code. This Code must include rules to ensure that broadcast news is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Ofcom must then keep the contents of the Code under ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadcasting: Freedom of ExpressionDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54385More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Ofcom consultation on a proposed amendment to Rule 5.3 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code on freedom of speech.
Answer: Ofcom is required by legislation to draw up and enforce a Broadcasting Code. This Code must include rules to ensure that broadcast news is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Ofcom must then keep the contents of the Code under ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Housing and Animal Welfare: LicensingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54384More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to introducing licensing for (a) animal sanctuaries and (b) rescue and rehoming centres for (i) cats, (ii) dogs, (iii) horses and (iv) other animals.
Answer: The Department continues to engage regularly with stakeholders across the animal welfare sector, including on issues relating to rescue and rehoming practices. This Government will introduce the most ambitious plan to improve animal welfare in a generatio...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: FlagsCabinet OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54383More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 51165 on Government Departments: Flags, whether VAT was paid on the purchases; what the size of the flags purchased was; and whether the flags were (a) printed a
Answer: VAT was paid at point of purchase by the Government Property Agency (GPA) Regional Supply Chain Provider. Where GPA is making a purchase, to ensure quality and longevity, where possible, sewn flags are purchased. The size of the Pride flag is 4 yards. Thi...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPassenger Standards Authority: StatisticsCabinet OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54382More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to lay a new Official Statistics Order to designate the Passenger Standards Authority’s statistical outputs as official statistics.
Answer: The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 22nd May is attached.
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordJonathan PowellCabinet OfficeTabled 22 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54381More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what financial interests have been declared by Jonathan Powell.
Answer: There is an established system in place for the declaration and management of financial interests. As has been the case under successive administrations, interests deemed relevant for publication for special advisers in No10 and the Cabinet Office are pub...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record10 Downing Street: Energy Performance CertificatesCabinet OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54015More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51956 on 10 Downing Street: Energy Performance Certificates, (a) what steps have been taken to date and (b) what steps are planned for the future.
Answer: 10-12 Downing Street is a listed building. The building’s Display Energy Certificate (DEC) shows the building’s energy performance operational rating at C which is above average for a building of this type. Recent energy reduction measures include thermal...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordCambridge South Station: ConstructionDepartment for TransportTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54014More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51962 on Abellio Greater Anglia and c2c: Standards, what her planned timeline is for the improvements to Cambridge South Station; when the Transport and Works A
Answer: The Transport and Works Act Order for Cambridge South was granted in December 2022, and construction work began on site in February 2023. We expect the new station to open early in 2026; an exact date will be confirmed later in the year.
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDementia: Hospitality IndustryDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54013More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support dementia-friendly adaptations in pubs and hospitality venues.
Answer: We want people with dementia to live well and remain independent for as long as possible in their communities.Through the Dementia Friendly Communities programme, we are making society more inclusive, with communities and organisations committing to suppo...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign Investment in UK: National SecurityCabinet OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54012More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many instances there have been of foreign-owned companies using shell companies to bypass the National Security and Investment Act 2021 since 5 July 2024.
Answer: Under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act, the Government identifies and takes action in investments and other acquisitions of control in the UK economy that could harm our national security. Our powers apply to all types of acquirer. Acquisiti...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIntelligence and Security CommitteeCabinet OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54011More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the press release of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament of 1 May 2025, whether he plans to re-locate the Committee's secretariat to outside the Cabinet Office.
Answer: We are engaging constructively with the Intelligence and Security Committee and will continue to do so over the coming months.
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Justice: EqualityMinistry of JusticeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54010More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 47817 on Ministry of Justice: Equality, if she will publish all documentation associated with the training on creating inclusive virtual teams.
Answer: Training materials associated with the Ministry of Justice’s course Creating Inclusive Virtual Teams are subject to copyright and confidentiality considerations.The documentation includes proprietary material provided by third-party training providers und...
Answered 2 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMilitary Aircraft: HelicoptersMinistry of DefenceTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54009More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13435 on Military Aircraft: Helicopters, whether there are non-routine circumstances in which (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) senior members of t
Answer: Ministry of Defence policy allows for senior leader use of military helicopters in emergency circumstances, linked to matters of immediate national security only.
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordChagos Islands: SovereigntyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54008More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the proposed deal with Mauritius on the Chagos Islands amends the status of (a) the waters of the British Indian Ocean Territory's Water and (b) the Blue Belt Program
Answer: The agreement will be supported by an enhanced partnership between the UK and Mauritius on conservation. This partnership will prioritise high conservation standards, with the UK supporting Mauritius' ambitions to establish a Marine Protected Area (MPA) t...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMinisters: AviationTreasuryTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54007More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 2 May 2025 to Question 47820 on Office for Value for Money: Aviation, if she will make it her policy to instruct the Office for Value for Money to undertake an assessment into the value for
Answer: At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor tasked the Office for Value for Money with supporting Value for Money (VfM) decisions as part of the spending review, including supporting departments to develop efficiency targets underpinned by credible delivery plan...
Answered 3 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordFair Work AgencyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54006More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 1 May 2025 to Question 47348 on Conditions of Employment, what comparative estimate he has made of the workload of the (a) Fair Work Agency and (b) existing bodies being merge
Answer: The Fair Work Agency will take over responsibility for the labour market enforcement currently undertaken by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and HMRC’s National Minimum Wage team. It will also, in t...
Answered 5 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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