Ruth Jones MP: written questions 2025
213 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Conditions of EmploymentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69391More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to include non-disparagement clauses within the definition of contractual duties of confidentiality in Clause 22A of the Employment Rights Bill.
Answer: Clause 22A of the Employment Rights Bill will void any provision in an agreement, such as a contract of employment or settlement agreement, between a worker and their employer that prevents a worker from speaking out about relevant harassment or discrimin...
Answered 1 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordConditions of EmploymentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69390More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require that any confidentiality clause within an (a) employment and (b) settlement agreement (i) cannot be (A) requested and (B) required by an employ
Answer: Clause 22A of the Employment Rights Bill will void any provision in an agreement, such as a contract of employment or settlement agreement, between a worker and their employer that prevents a worker from speaking out about relevant harassment or discrimin...
Answered 1 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking with international partners to defend vulnerable religious groups in north-east Syria.
Answer: Alongside our international partners the UK has consistently advocated and offered support to the Syrian Government to deliver an inclusive political transition. We have underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all Syrians, including vulnerab...
Answered 6 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordIraq: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) respond to threats to religious freedom for Christian and other minority faith communities in Iraq.
Answer: The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. On 8 July, the Government publicly set out its approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement, including for countries navigating the impact of conflict, both past...
Answered 8 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordNature ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65856More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with (a) devolved administrations, (b) conservation organisations and (c) local communities to facilitate effective species reintroduction programmes.
Answer: Defra enables and facilitates effective species reintroduction programmes through its arms-length bodies. Regarding (a), Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and NatureScot meet quarterly to discuss species reintroductions. The England Species Reintro...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSyria: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65855More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what humanitarian assistance his Department has provided to support religious minority communities affected by conflict in Syria.
Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) does not provide targeted humanitarian assistance for religious minority communities in Syria. The FCDO uses data and evidence to guide humanitarian allocations, ensuring that resources are directed ...
Answered 17 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVietnam: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65854More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what initiatives his Department is funding to (a) monitor and (b) support the (i) registration and (ii) legal recognition of religious communities in Vietnam.
Answer: The UK Government is committed to promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) globally, including in Vietnam. During Vietnam's 2024 Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council, the UK put forward recommendations urging Vietnam to take step...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to lay the Activity Regulations required to give effect to the Animals (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023; and which activities he plans to prioritise.
Answer: We continue to engage with stakeholders including the tourism industry and animal welfare groups to explore both legislative and non-legislative options to take forward changes to low-welfare activities abroad.
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBangladesh: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65362More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies on freedom of religion or belief of (a) reports of the escalation of violence against Hindu
Answer: The UK has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. We support the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and their report on the violations that occurred in Bangladesh in July and August 2024. In October 20...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordIndia: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65361More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of redevelopment plans impacting Sikh families in the Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar are
Answer: The UK Government is aware of reports concerning the redevelopment of Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar in Mumbai, and its potential impact on Sikh families. While this is a matter for the Indian authorities, we continue to monitor developments affecting minority c...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65360More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for artificial Intelligence to replace the use of animals i
Answer: The Government is committed to non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption later this year. While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use, we support approaches that replace, reduce an...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordResearch: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65359More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what proportion of the £22.6 billion increase to research and development funding by 2029-30 will be allocated to
Answer: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests to support research which can lead to alternatives, such as organ-on-a-chip, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These are categorised as basic research, so calculating funding for alter...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordIndia: RohingyaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62670More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of recent reports that India forcibly deported over 80 Rohingya refugees to Myanmar; and what steps his Department is taking to raise concerns abo
Answer: The UK is firmly committed to the protection and promotion of human rights around the world. We are aware of reports concerning the deportation of Rohingya refugees from India to Myanmar, and we take such reports seriously.We regularly engage with the Gov...
Answered 30 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEgypt: Baha'i FaithForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62669More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of access to adequate burial rights for members of the Bahá'í community in Egypt; and whether he has raised this issue with his Egypti
Answer: The UK is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), for all. The Egyptian Government has stated its commitment to protecting the rights and freedom of worship as well as the protections enshrined in the Egyptian constitution. We continu...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: Disclosure of InformationHome OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions her Department has had with licence holders on reporting the number of animals bred for scientific purposes and not used in procedures at their establishment.
Answer: The Home Office is presently reviewing the collection and publication of additional statistics on animals that were bred but not used in scientific procedures. This position has been communicated to all stakeholder groups, including the life science secto...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsHome OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 59099 on Animal Experiments, when she expects the review to conclude.
Answer: We intend for a position to be publicised later in 2025.
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordIran: Baha'i FaithForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60899More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies on freedom of religion or belief of reports of official interference in peaceful gatherings
Answer: Iran's abhorrent repression of Baha'is is unacceptable. We continue to take action in multilateral fora to spotlight abuses against Baha'is and hold Iran to account. On 18 March, at the Human Rights Council, the UK's Permanent Representative to the UN, sa...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterinary Surgeons Act 1966Department for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60573More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to include the (a) Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and (b) Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy in its planned review of the Vet
Answer: Defra is actively engaging with key stakeholders to review opportunities for reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. It’s really important that we do this together to have the best opportunity of delivering the best reform for the future of the whole of th...
Answered 20 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: ArthritisDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60092More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Wales on the potential impact of the Green Paper entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, published
Answer: This Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions and our mission-driven approach relies on regular cross-government collaboration. We are working across government and with the Devolved ...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordOut of Area Treatment: WalesWales OfficeTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60091More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on plans for cross-border healthcare.
Answer: I meet with the First Minister of Wales regularly to discuss a range of issues, including health. We are working in a spirit of genuine collaboration to do everything possible to cut waiting lists and build an NHS fit for the future. A good example of our...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: WalesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 16 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60090More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Wales on the implementation of plans for cross-border healthcare.
Answer: My Rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, regularly meets his devolved administration counterparts, both bilaterally and at Inter-Ministerial Groups on Health and Social Care. There is also significant official level engagemen...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: StatisticsHome OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59099More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the frequency of the publication of statistics on the number of animals that are bred for use in scientific procedures but not used.
Answer: The Home Office is presently reviewing the collection and publication of additional statistics on animals that were bred but not used in scientific procedures.
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy Supply: Newport West and IslwynDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of smart grids enabled by dedicated radio spectrum access on people in Newport West and Islwyn constituency.
Answer: Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK, including allocating spectrum. My officials are working with those in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and with regulators to help establish the evidence base for the futu...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordLebanon: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 9 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 58262More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support faith-based organisations providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities impacted by recent conflict in Lebanon.
Answer: Whilst the UK does not currently directly support any faith-based organisations in Lebanon, we remain committed to supporting vulnerable Lebanese communities, including refugees, regardless of religion or nationality. The UK has played a leading role in a...
Answered 12 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has held with stakeholders in the life sciences and technology sectors on the potential for artificial intelligence to support the uptake of non-animal New Approach
Answer: The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternat...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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