Scott Arthur MP: written questions
578 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Gaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54174More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what economic steps he is taking to encourage Israel to allow aid into Gaza.
Answer: On 20 May, the Foreign Secretary announced that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli Government on a new free trade agreement. We will be reviewing cooperation with them under the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap. On 19 May we issued a statement, with F...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian SituationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54173More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Answer: On 28 April, the UK announced a package of support for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including £101 million for humanitarian aid, support for Palestinian economic development, and strengthening Palestinian Authority governance and reform. As part ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54172More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with NGOs on alternative aid routes into Gaza.
Answer: All routes to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza must be approved by the Government of Israel. The UK regularly engages with the United Nations, humanitarian partners and Non-Governmental Organisations, who provide insights into the challenges facing the ...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54171More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with UK regional allies on alternative aid routes into Gaza.
Answer: All routes to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza must be approved by the Government of Israel. The UK has previously collaborated with regional partners on alternative routes, including air drops and a maritime corridor. However, these cannot substitute d...
Answered 4 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGender Based ViolenceHome OfficeTabled 21 May 2025AnsweredUIN 54163More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she plans to take to evaluate the effectiveness of her Department's Enough campaign at tackling violence against women and girls.
Answer: To evaluate communications activity, including the Enough campaign to help tackle violence against women and girls, the Department follows the steps set out by the Government Communication Service: GCS Evaluation Cycle - UK Government Communications.
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBroadband: ScotlandScotland OfficeTabled 20 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve broadband (a) connectivity and (b) speeds in Scotland.
Answer: Our Plan for Change recognises the importance of ensuring people across Scotland have access to the fastest broadband networks on the market to level the playing field and realise our mission to boost economic growth and improve living standards. Earlier ...
Answered 27 May 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: Skilled WorkersHome OfficeTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people on the Skilled Worker visa have had their employment extended beyond their 26th birthday with pay meeting the standard salary threshold for the most recent year
Answer: The information requested is not available from published statistics and the relevant data could only be collated and verified from multiple systems owned by multiple teams across the Home Office for the purpose of answering this question at disproportion...
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential role of technology in the decarbonisation of the transport sector.
Answer: Technological solutions will play a critical role in decarbonising transport across all modes, including through accelerated electric vehicle rollout and low carbon fuel deployment in shipping and aviation. Government will produce a plan later this year f...
Answered 19 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52096More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of drone technology to the net zero strategy.
Answer: Drones are useful in inspecting energy infrastructure such as offshore wind turbines and overhead electrification lines which are difficult to reach using other means. As part of DESNZ’s Net Zero Innovation Programme, we have funded UK companies looking t...
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordExports: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52095More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK exports are not used to help facilitate potential human rights abuses.
Answer: Each export licence application is assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria, which provides a thorough risk assessment framework. The Government will not grant an export licence if to do so would be inconsistent wit...
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: StudentsHome OfficeTabled 13 May 2025AnsweredUIN 52094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an estimate of the potential impact of her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on the number of student visa
Answer: Provisional estimates on the potential impact on future student visa demand are published in the Technical Annex accompanying the Immigration White Paper: restoring-control-over-the-immigration-system-technical-annex.pdf
Answered 21 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: TaxationDepartment for EducationTabled 12 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51662More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed levy on higher education provider income from international students on Scottish universities.
Answer: This government welcomes international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK. Our world-class higher education (HE) sector can offer a fulfilling and enj...
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 12 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51661More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the policy paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system: white paper, published on 12 May 2025, on the finances of higher education
Answer: This government welcomes international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK. Our world-class higher education (HE) sector can offer a fulfilling and enj...
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: Skilled WorkersHome OfficeTabled 12 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51660More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of removing age stratification in the Skilled Worker visa minimum salary criteria.
Answer: The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under review, and recently published a white Paper setting out the Government’s plans for reform of salary requirements and a wide range of other areas.
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordMaternity PayDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 12 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51659More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the level of statutory maternity pay.
Answer: Government spends approximately £3 billion a year on parental payments. When considering calls to increase the level of parental benefits, the Government must balance a range of factors including the needs of parents, the impact on employers, and affordab...
Answered 19 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: EdinburghDepartment for TransportTabled 9 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51216More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people (a) sat and (b) passed a driving test at the Edinburgh (Currie) Driving Test Centre in each year since 2010.
Answer: The attached Excel document shows the number of people using a unique driver number that a) sat and b) passed a driving test at Edinburgh (Currie) driving test centre (DTC) in each year from 2015 to 30 September 2024. Please note, this data is based on ca...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordResearch: UkraineDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51215More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to encourage academic research collaboration between UK and Ukrainian universities.
Answer: The UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership sets out how the UK and Ukraine build long-term military, economic and cultural ties. This includes through science, technology and innovation collaboration – both to drive mutual growth and support Ukraine’s R&D se...
Answered 19 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: RegulationDepartment for TransportTabled 9 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51214More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps with the Civil Aviation Authority to help ensure that (a) existing and (b) future regulation of drone technology is (i) proportionate and (ii) supports growth in the sector.
Answer: I am committed to maximising the benefits of drones to drive economic growth, support communities, and enhance public services, whilst ensuring their safe and responsible use. The Department for Transport is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authori...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: Fees and ChargesDepartment for TransportTabled 9 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51213More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps with the Civil Aviation Authority to help reduce the potential impact of the new scheme of charges on drone operators.
Answer: After consulting the aviation sector, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) consulted ministers in February about changes to its schemes of regulatory charges for 2024/25. We considered every response to its sector consultation, including 72 specifically abo...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordEqualityWomen and EqualitiesTabled 25 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48266More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to bring into force the legislative provisions of the Equality Act 2010 relating to the socio-economic duty.
Answer: The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act2010. The duty will require public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to consideractively how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with ...
Answered 6 May 2025
Original Parliament recordGirls: Mental HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48007More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help support the mental health of girls in schools.
Answer: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.This government is committed to improving mental health support for all children and young people. This is key to breaking down barriers to opportunity, helping all...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordRelationships and Sex EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48006More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she taking to ensure that children receive sex and relationship education.
Answer: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.It is compulsory for schools to teach relationships education for primary school pupils, relationships and sex education for secondary school pupils, and health edu...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: Hate CrimeDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48005More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help tackle misogyny in schools.
Answer: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Edinburgh South West, to the answer of 1 April 2025 to Question 40591.
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordWomen: SafetyHome OfficeTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help ensure the safety of girls and young women in public places.
Answer: Ensuring the safety of women and girls in public spaces is a top priority for this Government. We have set out an unprecedented mission to halve the level of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in a decade. That means working to tackle threats to wome...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordWomen: DiscriminationWomen and EqualitiesTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48003More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to help tackle misogyny against girls and young women.
Answer: There is no place for misogyny in our society, which too often leads to violence. Tackling this is a top priority for this Government, with a mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. We will deliver a cross-Government transformative ...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament record
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