Scott Arthur MP: written questions 2026
229 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Social Media: ChildrenDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and SportTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24518More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether a list of services within scope of the under 16s social media ban will be produced.
Answer: The Government has been clear that it will bring forward measures to prevent under-16s from accessing social media services. We intend to use a model similar to Australia, which means capturing social media services whose purpose is to enable social inter...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: ChildrenDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and SportTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24517More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how the scope of social media services to be banned for under 16s will be future proofed for the design of emerging social media platforms.
Answer: The government announced in June that we would be closely following the Australian model for the scope of the social media ban. This means capturing user to user platforms whose purpose is to enable social interaction, and which allow users to post materi...
Answered 16 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordPension FundsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24516More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish a response to the consultation entitled Trust-based pension schemes: Trustees and governance, building a stronger future, which closed on 5 March 2026.
Answer: We are continuing to analyse responses to the consultation to support policy development and will publish the Government's response in due course.
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordReligion: SecurityHome OfficeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24515More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the security funding settlements announced for minority faiths for 2026–27; and if she will make it her policy to keep those settlements under rev
Answer: The Government is clear that protecting the right of all faith communities to worship freely and without fear is fundamental.In 2026/27, the Government has made available a record £77.4 million available for the Home Office’s protective security schemes f...
Answered 10 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordNational SecurityHome OfficeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24514More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the communication of the current national terrorism threat level of Severe to communities considered to be at heightened risk of terrorist attack;
Answer: The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre independently sets the UK National Threat Level, which is currently SEVERE, meaning that a terrorist attack is highly likely. The threat level provides transparency about the threat the UK faces and supports a shared un...
Answered 9 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordSatellitesDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24513More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of orbital mirror constellations on astronomical observation and light pollution in the UK, and whether the Governme
Answer: The UK Government has funded three studies to date and engages internationally through a range of fora, including the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, to help develop guidelines and governance structures that meet the needs of...
Answered 3 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Bicycles and Motor Vehicles: RegulationHome OfficeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24512More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) police leaders and (b) the National Police Chiefs' Council on potential regulatory measures for the sale of (i) off-road vehicles and (ii) high powe
Answer: The training of police officers is an operational matter for Chief Constables and police forces. Police forces are responsible for ensuring that officers have the skills and knowledge necessary to enforce the law effectively and proportionately. This incl...
Answered 10 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordElectric Bicycles: Road Traffic OffencesHome OfficeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24511More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government is taking steps to promote accredited e-bike compliance and inspection training to police forces nationally; and what guidance is being issued to ensure officers can accurately
Answer: The training of police officers is an operational matter for Chief Constables and police forces. Police forces are responsible for ensuring that officers have the skills and knowledge necessary to enforce the law effectively and proportionately. This incl...
Answered 10 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: FraudDepartment for TransportTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 24510More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of point-of-sale registration on tackling illegal vehicle sales.
Answer: No specific assessment has been made of the potential impact of point-of-sale registration on tackling illegal vehicle sales. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) already requires notification when a vehicle is bought or sold and maintains vehic...
Answered 3 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving TestsDepartment for TransportTabled 14 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18873More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total cost of the additional testing allowance introduced in June 2025 has been to date; and what assessment she has made of its effect on the number of tests delivered per full-time equivalent examine
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) current Additional Testing Allowance (ATA) scheme started in June 2025 to increase practical driving test capacity through voluntary additional testing outside contracted hours. As of June 2026, payments made...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordGenetics: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18872More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to improve transparency on uptake, turnaround times and outcomes for genetic and biomarker testing across the NHS.
Answer: HS England is responsible for commissioning the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS). Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS GMS and the genomic testing nationally commissioned and funded by NHS England for pat...
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordCancer: Orphan DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 14 Jul 2026Awaiting answerUIN 18871More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the review of orphan medicines regulation required by the Rare Cancers Act 2026 will consider the full pathway from regulatory authorisation to NHS patient access, including evidence genera
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordSexual Offences: VictimsHome OfficeTabled 13 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18334More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many woman and girls she estimates have been victims of grooming gangs; and what methodology she uses to calculate that number.
Answer: The true scale of group-based child sexual exploitation remains unknown because of under-reporting, under-identification, and variations in data collection and analysis. However, data from the Centre for Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse shows that 15% of g...
Answered 21 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTransport: Supply ChainsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Mass Transit Taskforce working with the devolved governments to help ensure the benefits to the UK supply chain are maximised.
Answer: The independently-led Mass Transit Taskforce welcomes views from members of the public, experts, operators and academics from across Britain. The call for evidence is now open and as part of its research, the Taskforce will also draw on knowledge and expe...
Answered 21 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTrams: TrainsDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18332More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Mass Transit Taskforce's remit includes tram-train projects.
Answer: The independently-led Mass Transit Taskforce will consider all modes of mass transit and emerging technologies. This includes Tram-train projects and other mass transit modes, including bus‑based, light rail‑based and hybrid systems.
Answered 21 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential risks of age verification methods involving facial or biometric data to enforce a social media ban for under-16s.
Answer: I have asked Ofcom to rapidly assess what constitutes highly effective age assurance for establishing whether someone is over 16, prioritising data privacy and security, and considering how it can work for all users.The ICO’s age-appropriate design code a...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 30 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Digital Citizenship Qualification to educate children on interaction with the online world.
Answer: Following the final report of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, the government is focused on delivering the reforms set out in its response to the Review, which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-ass...
Answered 2 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: EdinburghDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the answer to Question UIN 63826 on driving test waiting times in Currie, what the average waiting time is for a practical driving test at the Currie Driving Test Centre; and by what date she
Answer: The average waiting time for a car practical driving test at Currie driving test centre in May was 24 weeks.DVSA is taking sustained action to increase testing capacity and reduce waiting times as quickly as possible, including recruiting and training mor...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDelivery Services: RobotsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14225More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Department has made of the level of need for further regulation of autonomous delivery robots operating on public pavements and highways; and whether the Department plans to publish addition
Answer: The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows by creating a ‘Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle’ category. This could be used to regulate pavement robots in future. Any new regulations w...
Answered 1 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordProsecutions: CostsMinistry of JusticeTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14181More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when he plans to launch a consultation on proposed regulations relating to costs orders under Section 17 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
Answer: The Victims and Court Act 2026 introduces an enabling power for the Lord Chancellor to set the rates at which private prosecutors can recover costs from central funds under section 17 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The Government will consult in...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMusculoskeletal Disorders: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14180More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to incentivise research into Inclusion Body Myositis and other rare progressive muscle disorders.
Answer: The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR funds clinical, public health, and social care research and works in partnership with the National Health Service, universities, local government, o...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordMusculoskeletal DisordersDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14179More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase awareness of Inclusion Body Myositis and other rare progressive muscle disorders.
Answer: The Government remains committed to improving outcomes for people living with rare diseases, including inclusion body myositis and other rare progressive muscle disorders, through the UK Rare Diseases Framework and successive England Rare Diseases Action ...
Answered 8 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordCancer: GenomicsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will undertake a horizon-scanning review to identify emerging actionable gene mutations for timely inclusion in the National Genomic Test Directory, prioritising pancreatic cancer and ot
Answer: Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPancreatic Cancer: GenomicsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13677More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the barriers to genomic testing for pancreatic cancer patients and how he plans to increase uptake nationally.
Answer: Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (NHS GMS) and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as direc...
Answered 3 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordDriverless Vehicles: AccidentsDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 11583More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles is exploring the adequacy of compensation arrangements for victims of accidents involving uninsured vehicles in the context of the Automated Vehicles Act
Answer: Through the Automated Vehicles Act Implementation Programme, officials from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles are working with the Motor Insurers' Bureau on insurance for automated vehicles. This includes assessing the adequacy of the insur...
Answered 25 Jun 2026
Original Parliament record
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