Sarah Pochin MP: written questions
498 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Patient Choice SchemesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127343More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to maintain patient choice.
Answer: The Government is committed to giving patients greater control and choice over their care. Patients have a legal right to choose where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient.The Elective Reform Plan, publ...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127342More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NHS England and Integrated Care Board commissioners on the (a) fairness and (b) transparency of Indicative Activity Plans.
Answer: Indicative Activity Plans (IAPs) are non-binding, forecasted schedules under the NHS Standard Contract that define expected service volumes between commissioners for integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers. In setting these volumes, ICBs and providers...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS Business Services AuthorityCabinet OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127013More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the Department of Health and Social Care on the governance and accountability of the NHS Business Services Authority.
Answer: Cabinet Office Ministers have not met with DHSC to discuss the governance and accountability of the NHS Business Services Authority.
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArms Length BodiesCabinet OfficeTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127012More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what timetable the Cabinet Office has set for considering departmental submissions on arm’s length body reform and accountability following Statement UIN HCWS1467 of 26 March 2026.
Answer: The ALB review is ongoing and results will be communicated in due course.
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDepartment of Health and Social Care: Arms Length BodiesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127011More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what timetable his Department has set for submitting proposals to the Cabinet Office on arm’s length body reform and accountability.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS Business Services AuthorityDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127010More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many civil servants are employed in his Department’s sponsor team for the NHS Business Services Authority by grade.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVaccine Damage Payment SchemeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127009More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what performance targets his Department has set for the processing of claims under the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.
Answer: The Department works closely with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), the administrators of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), to improve claimants’ experiences. While no specific performance targets have been set for the processing of cl...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVaccine Damage Payment SchemeDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127008More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of the NHS Business Services Authority on the operation of the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.
Answer: The Department has been working with the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), the administrators of the scheme, to continue to take steps to improve the Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme (VDPS), including through improving claimants’ experiences and supp...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCounselling: QualificationsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125846More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department received any revenue or financial benefit arising from the accreditation requirements for counsellors introduced in December 2025.
Answer: The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits a...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCounselling: QualificationsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to assess the potential impact of changes to accreditation and registration requirements for counsellors introduced in December 2025 on (a) counsellors’ businesses, inc
Answer: The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits a...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCounselling: QualificationsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125844More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence his Department used to inform the decision to change accreditation requirements for counsellors in December 2025.
Answer: The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits a...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCounselling: QualificationsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125843More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has undertaken an impact assessment of the potential impact of the changes introduced in December 2025 to accreditation requirements for counsellors on the level of waiting t
Answer: The Department does not set the qualification requirements for psychotherapy and counselling and was not involved in the changes to accreditation requirements introduced in December 2025. The Department does not receive any revenue or financial benefits a...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology Facilities Council: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 908404More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the budget of the Science and Technology Facilities Council on research facilities and programmes.
Answer: The Science and Technology Facilities Council is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its portfolio in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics.No final decisions have been made. The impacts of different scena...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSerco: Type 45 DestroyersMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 119817More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will disclose full details of all three contracts signed in May 2025 between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Serco which relate to the provision of maritime services in support of the Royal Navy, and to i
Answer: For security reasons, the Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific contracts, staffing levels or detailed security arrangements at any defence establishment. HM Naval Bases operate on a continuous 24‑hour basis. Appropriate Duty Staff are in place...
Answered 16 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHoliday Activities and Food ProgrammeDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114410More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason eligibility for the Holiday Activities and Food programme is limited to children who meet the benefits-related Free School Meals criteria.
Answer: The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme provides free nutritious meals, enriching activities, and safe environments to eligible children during the school holidays. The programme is mainly aimed at children in receipt of benefits‑related free scho...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBus Services: DisabilityDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 111079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the disabled persons bus pass is only valid after 9:30am on weekdays.
Answer: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, between 9.30am and 11.00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays. The duration of the ...
Answered 13 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 28 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 109502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending the terms of office of councillors following the cancellation of local elections on democratic accoun
Answer: Where local elections are scheduled to be postponed to release essential capacity for delivering local government reorganisation, democratic accountability remains with the elected member whose term will be extended for an additional year. These councillo...
Answered 5 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107339More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on informing electors when a scheduled local election is cancelled or postponed.
Answer: In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent abo...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107338More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria his Department applies when determining whether a local authority election should be cancelled or postponed; and whether those criteria are applied consistently acr
Answer: In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent abo...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107337More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what statutory basis local elections may be (a) cancelled and (b) postponed once they have been scheduled.
Answer: In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent abo...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107336More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of postponing local elections in England on democratic participation in those elections.
Answer: In the spirit of devolution and trusting local leaders we have listened to councils telling us about the capacity constraints they are operating within and the work that reorganisation introduces on top of existing challenges. We have been transparent abo...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCompanies: RecruitmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107335More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of British industrial capacity on young people’s future employment and skills opportunities.
Answer: Our modern Industrial Strategy focuses on eight sectors with the greatest potential to raise national levels of investment and productivity, spread prosperity to all parts of the country, make us all more secure, and seize the opportunities of net zero. T...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordCompanies: RecruitmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107334More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what support his Department is providing to British industrial companies that employ significant numbers of people directly and indirectly through their supply chains.
Answer: The department’s modern Industrial Strategy will make the UK the best country to invest in and grow. We are targeting government investment towards our world-class eight-growth driving sectors, from life sciences to digital technologies and advanced manuf...
Answered 27 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordIslamophobiaMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2026 to Question 103696, how any proposed non statutory definition of anti Muslim hatred or Islamophobia may be used by public authorities ou
Answer: Ministers are taking the time to review and consider the independent Working Group’s advice before confirming next steps in due course. As per the Working Group's Terms of Reference, a definition could provide the government and other relevant bodies with...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChildren: Care HomesDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107332More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to introduce a mandatory registration of staff working in children's homes.
Answer: The government set out its position regarding professional registration of the children’s homes workforce in its ’Tackling child sexual abuse: progress update’, published on GOV.UK in April 2025 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-ch...
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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