Sarah Owen MP: written questions
52 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Bereavement Support PaymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 23 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 12259More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of adequacy of the 18 month period for bereavement support payment.
Answer: Bereavement Support Payment aims to provide support during the acute period following a bereavement by way of an initial lump sum followed by up to 18 monthly instalments with a higher amount paid for those with children. Longer-term financial support is ...
Answered 29 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordFemale Genital Mutilation and Forced MarriageHome OfficeTabled 22 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 11738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress his Department has made on the feasibility study into estimating the prevalence of forced marriage and FGM.
Answer: In 2023, the Home Office commissioned the University of Birmingham to conduct a study on the feasibility of producing a prevalence estimate of forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).Building on this, “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-...
Answered 25 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCommunity Diagnostic Centres: Private SectorDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9154More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the level of value for money of current arrangements with private providers delivering NHS diagnostic services.
Answer: Achieving value for money is primarily the responsibility of integrated care boards, who decide how best to spend fixed budgets to achieve outcomes for their local populations.In most cases, contracts between integrated care boards and local providers wil...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMusculoskeletal Disorders: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9153More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce delays in access to diagnostic imaging for patients experiencing severe pain and inability to work while awaiting MRI scans.
Answer: The Government recognises the impact that delays in diagnostic imaging can have on patients, particularly those in severe pain or unable to work.We are taking a range of steps to improve access to imaging, including expanding capacity through community di...
Answered 26 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordMusculoskeletal Disorders: LutonDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 9152More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of average waiting times between GP referral for suspected musculoskeletal conditions and receipt of MRI scans in Luton.
Answer: The latest data available from 2025/2026 shows that the average wait time from the point of requesting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to receipt of a scan is 41.5 days for all MRI scans, and 36.1 days for musculoskeletal (MSK) related issues for ...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordKashmir: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 7530More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the safety of British nationals in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Answer: The UK is concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life of both security personnel and civilians. We recognise that restricted internet and mobile data services in the region will be causing concern for dias...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordKashmir: CommunicationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 7529More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of communications blackouts in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on the diaspora in the UK.
Answer: The UK is concerned by developments in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including reports of loss of life of both security personnel and civilians. We recognise that restricted internet and mobile data services in the region will be causing concern for dias...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: Sexual OffencesDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what monitoring her Department is doing on rates of sexual harassment and assault in (a) bus companies and (b) bus services.
Answer: Where people report incidents of sexual harassment and assault to the police, under the Home Office Crime Recording Rules, all reports of incidents will, unless immediately recorded as a crime, result in the registration of an auditable incident report by...
Answered 27 May 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: StaffDepartment for TransportTabled 18 May 2026AnsweredUIN 2283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure safety of all staff in bus companies, including engineers.
Answer: The Department is working across government and with partners in industry and Local Transport Authorities, to ensure that everyone, including staff in bus companies such as engineers, feel and are safe.The Department works closely with industry, trade uni...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordPackagingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 14 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the use of multi-material, non-recyclable flexible packaging and plastic sachets.
Answer: The Government has introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) scheme which charges fees to businesses that produce and/or supply household packaging. This incentivises packaging producers to reduce their material footprint and us...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123349More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the level of his Department's role in SEND provision, especially for children with a) disabilities and life limiting-illnesses and b) children who need regular medica
Answer: The Schools White Paper, Every child achieving and thriving, and the consultation on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms have now been published, as of 23 February. The White Paper and the consultation are available, respectively, at...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Classroom AssistantsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what work is being done with the Secretary of State for Education to address the additional workload of teaching assistants that are providing medical attention for disabled and severely ill childr
Answer: The Schools White Paper, Every child achieving and thriving, and the consultation on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reforms have now been published, as of 23 February. The White Paper and the consultation are available, respectively, at...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCombined AuthoritiesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114060More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what process will be followed in determining the location of the headquarters for a new Strategic Mayoral Combined Authority that would include Luton.
Answer: Any decision regarding the headquarters of a strategic authority would be the responsibility of that strategic authority, and not central Government.
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordHIV/AIDS: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government response to the Women and Equalities Committee report on Tackling HIV transmission, HC 1663, what the basis is for the estimate that Cabotegravir injectable PrEP wi
Answer: Cabotegravir pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a clinically and cost-effective use for people who cannot have oral PrEP on 5 November 2025.NICE estimated that up to 1,000 peo...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBedfordshire Police: FinanceHome OfficeTabled 30 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109838More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that Bedfordshire Police have sufficient resource to hit officer number targets.
Answer: The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this.For 2025/26, £376.8 million has been made av...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBedfordshire Police: FinanceHome OfficeTabled 30 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109837More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will integrate Special Grant funding into the core settlement provided to Bedfordshire Police.
Answer: The 2026-27 Final Police Funding Settlement confirmed £49.6m for Special Grant in the coming financial year. Funding for Bedfordshire Police will be up to £175.8m, an increase of up to £7.5m from 2025-26. Special Grant awards will be confirmed in due cour...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBedfordshire Police: FinanceHome OfficeTabled 30 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will provide an update on the status of Special Grant funding to Bedfordshire Police.
Answer: The 2026-27 Final Police Funding Settlement confirmed £49.6m for Special Grant in the coming financial year. Funding for Bedfordshire Police will be up to £175.8m, an increase of up to £7.5m from 2025-26. Special Grant awards will be confirmed in due cour...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordRailway Stations: AccessDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106590More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether stations with more than one million yearly journeys will be prioritised in future rounds of Access for All funding.
Answer: This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Funding for a future round of Access for All may be made available as part of the next Spending Review, ...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: Luton NorthDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 106188More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress she has made on improving rail accessibility in Luton North constituency.
Answer: This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the significant social and economic benefits that enhanced accessibility brings to communities.On 15 January, we confirmed that accessibility upgrades will not progr...
Answered 29 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Housing Allowance: EqualityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 105325More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that the maintenance of Local Housing Allowance at current levels is not having a disproportionately negative impact on people from black, asian or minority ethnic grou
Answer: The Secretary of State reviewed Local Housing Allowance rates for 2026/27 at Autumn Budget and a decision was made to maintain LHA rates at their current 2024/25 levels for 2026/27. A range of factors were considered, including rent levels across Great Br...
Answered 20 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLeagrave Station: AccessDepartment for TransportTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103879More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January to Question 100439, on Luton Airport: Railways, what discussions she has had with Network Rail on the provision of step free access for passengers at Leagrave station travell
Answer: In May 2024, the previous government selected 50 stations for initial feasibility work for potential upgrades as part of the Access for All programme, before delivery funding was secured. We will make an announcement on which stations will progress in due...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLeagrave Station: AccessDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102859More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to provide an update on whether Leagrave station will progress to the development phase under the Access for All programme.
Answer: This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.In May 2024, the previous government selected 50 stations for initial feasibility work for potential upgr...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLuton Airport: RailwaysDepartment for TransportTabled 16 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 100439More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Planning Inspectorate's press release entitled London Luton Airport Expansion development consent decision announced, published on 3 April 2025, what discussions she has had with Network R
Answer: Luton Airport Parkway already has step free access and lifts are already due to be installed at Luton station under the Access for All programme. The Department will also expect any new transport infrastructure to meet current accessibility standards.
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99511More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what humanitarian support her Department is helping to provide for displaced families in Gaza affected by severe weather.
Answer: The Hon Member is right to raise concerns about the impact of worsening weather conditions on the already appalling humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the UK Government is doing all that we can alongside our international and civil society partners to allev...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBreasts: Plastic SurgeryDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 98550More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many reports of BIA-ALCL there have been in the UK; and which manufacturers of breast implants those reports have been associated with.
Answer: As has been previously shared in evidence submitted to the Women and Equalities Select Committee in July 2025, with further information in the document attached, the Medicines and Healthcare product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) closely monitors Breast Implant...
Answered 17 Dec 2025
Original Parliament record
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