Sarah Pochin MP: written questions

498 published records · newest first.

Written questions

CabinetCabinet OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103690More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Cabinet-level decision-making structures in delivering the Government’s priorities.
Answer: The Prime Minister announced a number of changes to Cabinet committees in November to ensure decision-making structures are best able to deliver the Government’s priorities. The list of Cabinet committees can be found online here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Departmental CoordinationCabinet OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103689More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to improve coordination between Government departments in the delivery of policy.
Answer: The Prime Minister announced a number of changes to Cabinet committees in November to ensure decision-making structures are best able to deliver the Government’s priorities. The list of Cabinet committees can be found online here.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Government: Public OpinionCabinet OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103688More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has conducted internal analysis of the potential causes of recent trends in levels of public approval of the Government.
Answer: Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Government: Public OpinionCabinet OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103687More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what metrics his Department uses to assess the level of public support for the Government’s policy programme.
Answer: Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Government: Public OpinionCabinet OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103686More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department has made an assessment of trends in the level of public confidence in the Government since the General Election.
Answer: Listing the endless ways the government engages with the public and assesses its relationship with the public would be fruitless, since that is a basic principle behind everything the government does.
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103685More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered introducing a sector specific business rates valuation approach for public houses.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103684More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many public houses in England received discretionary business rates relief in 2024 to 25, and what the total value of that relief was.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: TaxationTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103683More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential cumulative impact on public houses of business rates, employer National Insurance contributions and recent increases in the National Living Wage.
Answer: The Government has assessed the cumulative impacts of measures announced over recent Budgets on businesses and households. Taken together, these measures raise revenue to support the public finances in a fair way, whilst providing targeted support. The Go...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Hospitality Industry: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103682More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what modelling her Department has undertaken of the potential impact of the removal or reduction of business rates relief on hospitality businesses employing fewer than 50 staff.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103681More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the average annual business rates bill for a public house in England in 2025 to 26, and how that compares with 2023 to 24.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103680More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many public houses have closed in England in each year since 2019, and what proportion of those closures her Department attributes primarily to business rates liabilities.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Public Houses: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103679More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of recent changes to business rates policy on the financial viability of public houses in England.
Answer: The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Fuad AwaleMinistry of JusticeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on what statutory basis compensation was paid to Fuad Awale; and what the criteria are for such payments.
Answer: Compensation and legal costs were paid in order to comply with an order of the High Court. Failure to do so would have constituted a breach of the court order.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Alaa Abd El-FattahForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103677More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date the Prime Minister was advised by officials of the content of Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s historic social media posts.
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the Foreign Secretary's letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 29 December, and the statement of 5 January, Official Report, Column 111.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Alaa Abd El-FattahHome OfficeTabled 6 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103676More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of whether the presence in the UK of Alaa Abd el Fattah is conducive to the public good.
Answer: We do not routinely comment on individual cases however the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have made clear that Ministers and officials were previously unaware of the historic posts made by Mr El-Fattah.Further, all British citizens automatically ha...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103186More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to expand the asylum accommodation pilot involving new council housing beyond participating local authorities.
Answer: New council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.MHCLG and HO are investing millions in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103185More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consultation she has undertaken with local residents in areas selected for the construction of council housing for asylum seekers.
Answer: New council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.MHCLG and HO are investing millions in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103184More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of the asylum accommodation pilot funding will be from (a) the Government and (b) local authorities.
Answer: New council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.MHCLG and HO are investing millions in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103183More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the asylum accommodation pilot on levels of irregular migration to the United Kingdom.
Answer: While we remain committed to supporting those who are destitute, we must also ensure that the offer of accommodation is decent and humane without becoming a pull factor or placing an excessive burden on taxpayers.We are moving at pace to fulfil the Govern...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Council Housing: AsylumMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103182More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has issued guidance to local authorities on prioritisation between asylum seekers and local households for access to newly constructed council housing.
Answer: Newly built social rented homes are not being allocated to asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Council Housing: AsylumMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103181More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of allocating newly built council housing to asylum seekers on the availability of social housing for local residents on waiti
Answer: Newly built social rented homes are not being allocated to asylum seekers. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103180More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what criteria she used to select local authorities to participate in the asylum accommodation pilot involving new council housing.
Answer: New council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.MHCLG and HO are investing millions in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103179More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which local authorities are participating in the asylum accommodation pilot involving the construction of new council housing.
Answer: New council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.MHCLG and HO are investing millions in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103178More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the value for money of constructing new council housing for asylum seekers.
Answer: New council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.MHCLG and HO are investing millions in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
Asylum: Council HousingHome OfficeTabled 5 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the asylum accommodation pilot involving the construction of new council housing.
Answer: New council housing will not be constructed for use by asylum seekers under any circumstances. Asylum seekers are not eligible for social housing.MHCLG and HO are investing millions in a new, more sustainable accommodation model, developed in consultation...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record

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