Richard Holden MP: written questions
2152 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Ports: National Policy StatementsDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107164More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance will be issued to decision-makers on the application of paragraphs 4.7.34–4.7.35 of the draft National Policy Statement for Ports, including how “acceptable levels” of residual transport impact wi
Answer: We are currently considering the views received from consultation on, and Parliamentary scrutiny of, the draft revised NPS for Ports, and will lay a final text in due course.
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAirports: Fees and ChargesDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107163More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the kerbside airport drop-off charges were at each of the major UK airports in (a) July 2024 and (b) today; and whether her Department has issued guidance on airport drop-off charges.
Answer: The provision and charging of car parking at airports, including drop-off charges, is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify. Government expects fees to be set in a way that is both fair and transparent for consum...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: Government AssistanceDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107162More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2026 to Question 99932, whether the estimates referred to in that Answer are held in a form that allows net Government support per passenger journey to be calculated, and wh
Answer: The Department does not intend to publish estimates and underlying calculations. The Department does not routinely publish forecasts of passenger revenue due to the level of uncertainty inherent in those forecasts. The ORR publish data that enables this...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCaesarean Sections: HealthDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107161More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of caesarean sections on long-term health, including links to bowel and gastrointestinal conditions.
Answer: Bowel or gastrointestinal long-term conditions are not recognised consequences of caesarean section unless there have been additional complications at the time of surgery such as bowel injury. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are resp...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCare Workers and Nurses: English LanguageDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107160More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what English language proficiency requirements apply to (a) registered nurses and (b) care staff working in regulated settings; and how compliance is monitored and enforced.
Answer: To practise as a nurse in the United Kingdom, individuals must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) which sets the standards for both domestic and internationally qualified nurses. All applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient comp...
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordA12: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107159More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2026 to Question 98750, when the A12 widening scheme was deferred by the previous Government; on what date that decision was taken; what effect that decision had on the statu
Answer: A decision was taken in March 2024 to defer the start of construction on the A12 widening scheme. This had no impact on the statutory Development Consent Order as consent had been granted in January 2024.
Answered 10 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordUK Emissions Trading Scheme: ShippingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107158More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2026 to Question 100965, if he will provide a link to that impact assessment.
Answer: The impact assessment for the response to the consultation on expansion to domestic maritime emissions can be found here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692591b59fd433badebc3140/uk-ets-domestic-maritime-authority-response-ia.pdf We will pub...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPost Office: Carbon Emissions: Sustainable DevelopmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107157More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the cost to Post Office Limited was in 2024–25 of Net Zero, sustainability and decarbonisation initiatives; and how much of that cost was met through direct government support.
Answer: Post Office Limited laid its FY 2024-25 Annual Report and Accounts in Parliament in December 2025. The Annual Report details the company’s policy on net zero, and is available here: post-office-limited_2025-ara-signed.pdfThe Department does not directly f...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Business and Trade: Carbon Emissions and Sustainable DevelopmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107156More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what his Department's spend was on sustainability and Net Zero-related estate activity managed via the Government Property Agency in 2024–25 , including a) energy efficiency measures, b) climate adapta
Answer: The department has not incurred any expenditure on energy efficiency measures, climate adaptation work and reporting and monitoring systems associated with estate activity managed via the Government Property Agency in 2024–25.
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 January 2026 to Question 101851, if she will publish any information held by her Department in whatever format it is held.
Answer: As set out in our answer to question 101851, the Department does not hold the data requested in a readily available form.
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107154More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the annual cost of extending the statutory concessionary bus travel scheme UK-wide to include all residents aged 19 and under.
Answer: The Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to access education, work and vital services. Concessionary travel is a devolved policy area. The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free of...
Answered 26 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric VehiclesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107153More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether additional costs have been incurred from transitioning the non-armoured overseas vehicle fleet to (a) electric and (b) low-emission vehicles.
Answer: The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expendi...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSolar Photovoltaic and Battery Storage: InvestmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107152More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the return on investment for overseas solar photovoltaic and battery storage projects funded since 2021.
Answer: The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expendi...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: Renewable EnergyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107151More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the capital cost was of overseas renewable energy projects undertaken by her Department since 4 July 2024 by country and project type.
Answer: The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expendi...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Carbon EmissionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107150More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what forecast expenditure her Department has made for Net Zero-related activity for each financial year from 2025–26 to 2029–30.
Answer: The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expendi...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordc2c: Community Railways InitiativeDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107149More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has received a proposal for a community rail partnership for the C2C rail franchise; what assessment she has made of the potential merits of a community rail partnership for C2C services; and what s
Answer: Officials have not yet received a proposal for a community rail partnership from c2c. We understand the operator will be sharing a proposal in 2026/27 and officials will consider how this might best be facilitated.In terms of merits, Community Rail Partne...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCommunity Railways InitiativeDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107148More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of community rail partnerships on local rail services; what funding her Department has allocated to community rail partnerships in this fin
Answer: Community Rail delivers projects which bring benefits to local rail through social, environmental, and economic growth. Work carried out by Community Rail Partnerships (CRPs) includes projects to establish community hubs in underused station spaces, creat...
Answered 2 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHybrid Vehicles: SafetyDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107147More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the risks associated with hybrid vehicle battery fires following road traffic collisions; and whether she plans to commission guidance for manufacturers and emergency
Answer: The safety of hybrid-electric vehicles is of paramount importance to the Government and is kept under regular review. Insurance industry analysis suggests that hybrid vehicles are less likely to catch fire than internal combustion engine vehicles. Neverth...
Answered 30 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: Greater ManchesterDepartment for TransportTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107146More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department expects to complete the (a) Manchester Route and Stations, (b) Platforming Scenarios, (c) East of Manchester Connection Scenario Study and (d) Manchester Piccadilly Integrated Study document
Answer: Northern Powerhouse Rail has been announced as a three-phase programme, with a £45bn (2025 prices) funding cap. The second phase will deliver a new route between Liverpool and Manchester, via Warrington and Manchester Airport. The Department continues to ...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Service: Codes of PracticeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107145More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the letter from the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to the Rt hon Member for Basildon and Billericay on 24 Jul
Answer: Yes. Where such appointments are made, individuals are appointed on a standard Civil Service Fixed Term Contract and are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code.
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCabinet Office: Repairs and MaintenanceCabinet OfficeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107144More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54279 on Cabinet Office: Repairs and Maintenance, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the refurbishment of the No. 9 media room.
Answer: A one-off refresh of the facility was undertaken in December 2024. Work was carried out to the appropriate standard.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSenior Civil Servants: PayTreasuryTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107143More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the increase in civil service remuneration approval to £174,000 on civil service salaries.
Answer: Civil Servant pay is set within a pay framework which is reviewed annually by the Senior Salaries Review Body. The senior pay control process, including approvals required from HM Treasury, acts as an additional layer of scrutiny to Senior Civil Servant s...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment for Business and Trade: Carbon Emissions and Sustainable DevelopmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106607More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much his Department spent in 2024-25 on external consultants, advisers or delivery partners in relation to Net Zero, sustainability, decarbonisation and green economy programmes; and which firms we
Answer: My department is committed to supporting Net Zero goals and advancing Clean Energy initiatives. In 2024, the UK signed a Government-to-Government Arrangement with the Dominican Republic to help deliver infrastructure projects that promote mutual economic ...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Carbon EmissionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the total expenditure by her Department has been since 4 July 2024 on policies, projects and programmes contributing to achieving Net Zero targets.
Answer: The Hon Member can find details of all programmes supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), including those related to climate change, at the Development Tracker website on GOV.UK. Where available, details of additional expendi...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordPolice: EssexHome OfficeTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106605More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many full-time equivalent police officers were recorded for Essex Police in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024; and what comparative data the Government holds on changes in of
Answer: The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales, on a bi-annual basis, as at 31 March and 30 September each year in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin, available here: https:...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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