Ruth Jones MP: written questions 2025
213 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Diagnosis: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86718More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps is his Department taking to (a) promote earlier detection and (b) ensure (i) dentists, (ii) GPs and (iii) other frontline health professionals are (A) trained to identify early warning s
Answer: The responsibility for commissioning primary care, including dentistry and diagnostic activity, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to all integrated care boards (ICBs) across England.Dentists and other dental professionals, inclu...
Answered 14 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordOral Cancer: DeathDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86717More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in the number of deaths from mouth cancer over the past ten years and (b) the potential role of late diagnosis in these trends.
Answer: We know that more needs to be done to improve outcomes for patients with mouth cancer. To support earlier and faster cancer diagnosis, we are now delivering additional checks, tests, and scans at 170 community diagnostic centres. As the first step to ensu...
Answered 21 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsHome OfficeTabled 29 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86299More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 19 October 2023 to Question 202528 on Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, when the policy work to clarify Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 19
Answer: In 2014, the Government commenced a public consultation seeking views on section 24 with the aim of increasing openness and transparency. This work was paused due to changes in administration.The Home Office since resumed work on this issue and in 2022 a ...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChemicals: Health and WildlifeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 16 June 2021 to Question 14142 on Chemicals: Health and Wildlife, when she expects the UK Health Security Agency to publish the biomonitoring data collected on the e
Answer: As part of the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) project, funded under Horizon 2020, the feasibility of integrating human biomonitoring data into an existing United Kingdom health examination survey was explored. However, no UK biomonitoring data wa...
Answered 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChemicals: RegulationDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85311More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which chemical substances have received EU Harmonised Classification and GB Mandatory Classification since 1 January 2021 by (a) chemical name, (b) European Community number, (c) CAS Registry Number, (d
Answer: Since 1 January 2021, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the regulator, has acted as the Agency for the assimilated Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures as amended in Great Britain (or ...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordBiocidal Products: RegulationDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85310More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which active substances used in biocidal products are approved for use in the UK and not approved in the EU by (a) name of active substance, (b) product type (c) CAS Registry Number and (d) entity name.
Answer: The only active substance that is currently approved for use in biocidal products under the GB Biocidal Product Regulation (BPR) in GB, and which is not approved in the EU under EU BPR, is sulfuryl fluoride, in product types 8 and 18, CAS 2699-79-8. The e...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChemicals: SafetyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85309More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will create new regulatory protections from hazardous chemicals similar to those of the EU in the revised Environmental Improvement Plan.
Answer: The revised Environmental Improvement Plan will set out our approach to chemicals management. The ‘UK REACH Rationale for Prioritising Substances in the UK REACH Work Programme: 2025 to 2026’ policy paper set out our strategic approach to chemicals regula...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEfrén Antonio Vílchez LópezForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 27 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 85308More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her Nicaraguan counterpart on the imprisonment of Efrén Antonio Vílchez López.
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer of 17 October 2025 to question 81287. We remain concerned by the harassment and arbitrary detention of members of the Church in Nicaragua and urge the Nicaraguan authorities to release all political prisoners immediat...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that migration from Employment Support Allowance to Universal Credit does not adversely impact disabled claimants financially.
Answer: The Department is committed to ensuring that customers, including those with disabilities, are supported when moving from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to Universal Credit (UC). For those moved under managed migration, we provide transitional pro...
Answered 3 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: DisabilityDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of migration from Employment Support Allowance to Universal Credit on care charges levied on disabled people by local authorities.
Answer: Under the Care Act 2014, the responsibility for interpreting and applying the law and the Care and Support Statutory (CASS) guidance rests with local authorities. Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must fo...
Answered 14 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 24 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84935More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she plans to publish the (a) minutes, (b) outcomes and (c) performance monitoring for meetings of Lead Ministers for Disability.
Answer: On 3 December 2024, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I announced new Lead Ministers for Disability in every Government department.In addition to their day-to-day Ministerial portfolios, the Lead Ministers for Disability have a specific resp...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordWomen against State Pension InequalityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84342More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he last met with representatives of the WASPI campaign.
Answer: The previous Minister for Pensions met with representatives from WASPI on 5th September 2024 to hear their experiences directly, the first Minister to do so in eight years.
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84341More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish an (a) annual and (b) periodic report on the work of Lead Ministers for Disability.
Answer: On 3 December 2024, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I announced new Lead Ministers for Disability in every Government department.In addition to their day-to-day Ministerial portfolios, the Lead Ministers for Disability have a specific resp...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84340More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that Lead Ministers for Disability (a) engage with (i) disabled people's organisations, (ii) people with lived experience and (iii) other relevant civil society stakeho
Answer: On 3 December 2024, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I announced new Lead Ministers for Disability in every Government department.In addition to their day-to-day Ministerial portfolios, the Lead Ministers for Disability have a specific resp...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84334More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Lead Ministers for Disability scheme in communicating the (a) needs and (b) views of disabled people across Government.
Answer: On 3 December 2024, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I announced new Lead Ministers for Disability in every Government department.In addition to their day-to-day Ministerial portfolios, the Lead Ministers for Disability have a specific resp...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how frequently the Lead Ministers for Disability have met over the last year; and if he will publish the (a) agenda and (b) topics discussed by the Lead Ministers for Disability in the last year.
Answer: On 3 December 2024, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I announced new Lead Ministers for Disability in every Government department.In addition to their day-to-day Ministerial portfolios, the Lead Ministers for Disability have a specific resp...
Answered 30 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84317More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many farm inspections were conducted by the Animal and Plant Health Agency following a complaint of alleged breaches of animal welfare in each of the last five years.
Answer: All farm animals are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), as the national regulator for farmed animal welfare in Great Britain, undertake proactive and reactive inspections on far...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of Animal and Plant Health Agency procedures on providing farms with advanced notice of an inspection on the enforcement of animal
Answer: All farm animals are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), as the national regulator for farmed animal welfare in Great Britain, undertake proactive and reactive inspections on far...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84314More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many reports the Animal and Plant Health Agency has received of alleged animal welfare breaches on farms in each of the last five years.
Answer: All farm animals are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), as the national regulator for farmed animal welfare in Great Britain, undertake proactive and reactive inspections on far...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84313More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to apply lessons learned from the use of mandated CCTV footage in slaughterhouses to the enforcement of animal welfare standards on farms.
Answer: There are key differences between farms and slaughterhouses in terms of numbers and this affects the type of inspections that are practical. All slaughterhouses in England have Official Veterinarians from the Food Standards Agency present on-site when ope...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Animal and Plant Health Agency's guidance entitled Animal welfare on farms inspection, published on 12 January 2016, requiring compl
Answer: APHA carries out inspections for a number of different reasons, including (but not limited to) in case of allegation of poor animal welfare on farm. Any allegations of poor animal welfare are logged and assessed. Where there are non-compliances with the r...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84305More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to increase the significance of improving animal welfare within the work of the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
Answer: Animal welfare is, and will continue to be, a high priority for the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Through its knowledge and expertise, effective delivery of regulatory functions, and provision of guidance and advice, APHA plays a critical welfare...
Answered 4 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84304More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to require the Animal and Plant Health Agency to publish the (a) outcomes of inspections, (b) rates of compliance and (c) types of non-compliance on farms.
Answer: Defra publishes data in the Multi-annual National Control Plan (MANCP) annual reports, relating to animal welfare official controls and enforcement activities undertaken within GB, which the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) contributes to. Outcomes o...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84302More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to ensure that the Animal and Plant Health Agency acts on reports of animal welfare breaches on farms by animal protection groups.
Answer: All farm animals are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), as the national regulator for farmed animal welfare in Great Britain, undertake proactive and reactive inspections on far...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLivestock: Animal WelfareDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 84300More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the compliance by farms with animal welfare requirements.
Answer: All farm animals are protected by comprehensive and robust animal health and welfare legislation. The Animal and Plant Agency (APHA), as the national regulator for farmed animal welfare in Great Britain, undertake proactive and reactive inspections on far...
Answered 31 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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