Scott Arthur MP: written questions
167 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Higher Education: DisadvantagedDepartment for EducationTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29385More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to widen access to higher education by underrepresented groups.
Answer: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Access to higher education (HE) should be based on ability, not someone’s background. Opportunity should be available to all, and it is the department’s aspiration ...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxis: Electric VehiclesDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29327More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the plug-in taxi grant on levels of uptake of purpose-built ultra-low emission taxis.
Answer: The Plug-In Taxi Grant (PITG) was introduced in 2017 to support the early market growth of zero emission capable (ZEC) taxis and has supported the purchase of over 10,000 vehicles of this type. The grant is funded until at least the end of the current fin...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Edinburgh South WestMinistry of DefenceTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many homes his Department owns in Edinburgh South West constituency; and how many of those (a) have Ministry of Defence tenants, (b) have private tenants and (c) are vacant.
Answer: As of 5 January 2025, there are 418 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties owned by the Ministry of Defence in the Edinburgh South West Constituency.254 SFA properties are occupied by Serving Personnel (SP) and their families. 72 SFA properties are...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordWinter Fuel Payment: Edinburgh South WestDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many households in Edinburgh South West constituency claimed the Winter Fuel Payment in (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25; and how many of those were new claimants in each of those years.
Answer: The vast majority of Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically without the need to claim. Linking Winter Fuel eligibility to Pension Credit and other means tested benefits for pensioners ensures the least well-off pensioners still receive the help they ...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: Edinburgh South WestDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29317More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the cost of increasing the State Pension for people in Edinburgh South West constituency in 2025.
Answer: No such estimate has been made for Edinburgh South West. In April 2025, the basic and new State Pension will increase by 4.1% as confirmed in the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2025. In 25/26, it is estimated the total State Pension expenditure,...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: Edinburgh South WestDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29316More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) male and (b) female pensioners in Edinburgh South West will receive the 2025 increase in the state pension.
Answer: All State Pension recipients in Edinburgh South West will receive an increase in their State Pension from April 2025. At the quarter ending May 2024, the latest published State Pension caseload data, there were (a) 7,040 Male and (b) 8,501 Female State Pe...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAircraft: Electric Vehicles and HydrogenDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29315More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to support the development of Electric/hydrogen Regional Air Mobility.
Answer: The Government is supporting and accelerating the introduction and use of new aviation technologies, including electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) and other zero-emission regional air mobility aircraft. My Department is working closely with ind...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordAircraft: Electric VehiclesDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29314More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to support the development of Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles.
Answer: The Government is supporting and accelerating the introduction and use of new aviation technologies, including electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) and other zero-emission regional air mobility aircraft. My Department is working closely with ind...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air Systems: FreightDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29312More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps to support the use of non-passenger-carrying drones to convey freight.
Answer: This Government is supporting and accelerating the use of drone technologies for freight logistics in both the commercial and public sectors, such as for the transport of vital medical supplies within the NHS. I am committed to enabling Beyond Visual Line...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordUnmanned Air SystemsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29311More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to support the development of non-passenger carrying drones.
Answer: My department supports the safe deployment of drones for commercial and public benefit, through R&D support and innovative regulation. Wider drone policy is led by the Department for Transport.Since 2019, the Future Flight Challenge, administered by I...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTaxis: Electric VehiclesDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28740More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to extend the Plug-in Taxi Grant scheme beyond April 2025.
Answer: The Plug in Taxi Grant (PITG) is funded until at least the end of the current financial year. All grants remain under review to ensure best value for the money for the taxpayer. The Department will provide an update on the future of the PITG before the en...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDefibrillators: DisadvantagedDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28711More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits developing a national strategy to place defibrillators in socio-economically deprived communities.
Answer: The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, th...
Answered 17 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Charging PointsDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28710More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in (a) standing and (b) capacity charges on the commercial viability of EV charging infrastructure deployment.
Answer: Standing and capacity charges vary by site and location and are a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Due to the commercial sensitivities of private companies, it is not possible for us to make a definitive assessment. However, we are aware of ...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFinancial Services: EdinburghScotland OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28271More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he is taking to encourage the Scottish Government to support Edinburgh's financial sector.
Answer: Promoting economic growth is one of the Scotland Office’s priorities and I am proud of the contribution of the financial services industry to the Scottish economy, with recent figures showing it is now worth £14.8 billion in GVA while directly supporting ...
Answered 7 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInfected Blood Compensation Authority: ScotlandCabinet OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28266More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the performance of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority in dealing with cases which involve the Scottish legal system.
Answer: I understand that the first group of claims included victims from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Claimants who live in Scotland can receive legal support from firms with particular expertise in Scots law, if they wish, and I have been assu...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInfected Blood Compensation Authority: Correspondence and Telephone ServicesCabinet OfficeTabled 3 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28265More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority in dealing with (a) calls and (b) correspondence from potential claimants.
Answer: I am informed that in January, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority handled 709 calls and responded to 832 emails. The Authority is taking the approach of having single points of contact for claimants, and I was pleased to learn how this has fostered...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordInvestment Trusts: TakeoversTreasuryTabled 31 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27945More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department is taking steps to help protect the interests of shareholders in investment trusts that are subject to hostile takeovers by overseas entities.
Answer: Listed companies such as listed investment trusts are subject to substantial corporate governance and shareholder protection requirements.This includes fair treatment and orderly takeover requirements under the Takeover Code, which the independent Takeove...
Answered 6 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordKnives: SalesHome OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26700More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to limit the sale of kitchen knives to those with round tips.
Answer: Nothing is off the table when it comes to tackling the scourge of serious violence and saving young lives, and we always keep the law and practice in this area under close review.We are taking action to tackle the illegal sale of knives online which is wh...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDriver Information Systems: RegulationDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26646More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing regulations on the replacement of windscreens on cars and other road vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
Answer: All drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles in a roadworthy condition at all times. The annual MOT test for cars over 3 years old inspects safety-critical components. Servicing is not directly regulated, and vehicle owners have the freedom to d...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic TransportDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26643More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support Demand Responsive Transport.
Answer: The government believes demand responsive transport (DRT) has an important role to play in ensuring communities can access transport services in areas where more traditional, regular stopping services may not be viable.The government introduced the Bus Se...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordCycling: DisadvantagedDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26642More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the report entitled The cycling opportunity by Sustrans, published in September 2024.
Answer: The Department welcomes the findings of this research and will consider its recommendations carefully as we develop our future plans for active travel.
Answered 29 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordXander IrvineDepartment for TransportTabled 24 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26398More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of implementing the recommendations of the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Alexander Irvine, published on 18 October 2024.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is considering the recommendations of the Fatal Accident Inquiry with the relevant medical advisory panel.
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordXander IrvineDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25903More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has received a response from the DVLA to the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Xander Irvine.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has responded to the Determination following the Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of Xander Irvine. This response can be viewed in full at www.scotcourts.gov.uk/fatal-accident-inquiries/fatal-accident-inquirie...
Answered 29 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordCity Region Deals: EdinburghScotland OfficeTabled 16 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24577More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the Edinburgh City Region Deal.
Answer: The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal is an exemplar of strength in both delivery and impact, and provides the greatest return on investment of any city region or growth deal in Scotland. The Deal has thus far delivered £2.2 billion pound...
Answered 23 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Expenditure: ScotlandTreasuryTabled 16 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24576More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an estimate of the Barnett consequential funding for Scotland associated with investment in filling potholes in England's roads and footpaths.
Answer: The Block Grant Transparency publication breaks down all changes in the devolved governments’ block grant funding from the 2015 Spending Review up to and including Main Estimates 2023-24. The most recent report was published in July 2023 and the next repo...
Answered 24 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
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