Simon Opher MP: written questions
340 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Fractures: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 83414More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to publish an implementation plan to ensure that each Integrated Care Board commissions a Fracture Liaison Service.
Answer: Fracture liaison services are commissioned by integrated care boards, which are well-placed to make decisions according to local need.Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out fracture liaison services across every part of the country by 2030.Offic...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: VeteransDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82418More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for the Op Courage service.
Answer: NHS England meets with the regional providers of Op COURAGE on a regular basis to review the individual services, to ensure that they are meeting the needs of veterans. They are undertaking a comprehensive review which includes the time that veterans wait...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BuildingsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 82020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of improved energy efficiency in buildings on (a) energy security, (b) consumer bills and (c) carbon budgets.
Answer: Decarbonising buildings is the only certain way to permanently lower bills, protect the UK against price shocks, reduce demands and preserve energy security by helping the UK become energy independent. Government schemes are already delivering improvement...
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: StandardsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 81428More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for neurology health services.
Answer: Cutting waiting lists is a key priority for the Government. We have exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having delivered 5.2 million more appointments across elective care services. This marks a vital f...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Public ConsultationHome OfficeTabled 13 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 81427More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to respond to the consultation entitled National guidance for community scrutiny panels, which closed on 19 October 2023.
Answer: Community scrutiny is a valuable means by which local communities can have a voice in how they are policed.The consultation on the national guidance for community scrutiny panels ran under the previous government. We have no plans to respond to this consu...
Answered 16 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78861More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to make it easier for (a) communities and (b) charities to receive planning permission for infrastructure projects.
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner. Local development plans s...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic FootpathsDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78860More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential barriers to delivery of (a) the Wotton, Charfield and Kingswood Greenway and (b) other paths on disused railways.
Answer: It is part of National Highway's role to maintain safety on the Historical Railway Estate whilst seeking to transfer assets to other third parties if appropriate. It is for those third parties to assess the viability of potential greenways routes and Nati...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78859More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will consider issuing a call for evidence on ways to (a) promote and (b) fund the installation of domestic energy efficiency measures.
Answer: We are working across government on a comprehensive Warm Homes Plan for households to cut energy bills for good. The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-car...
Answered 15 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHospital BedsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78858More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support trusts to reduce bed occupancy to below 80% ahead of winter 2025-26.
Answer: The National Health Service is already preparing for winter this year with the development and testing of winter plans. This includes the surge capacity and escalation plans in place across all NHS and urgent care services.The Urgent and Emergency Care Pl...
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordChurches: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78857More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will consider amending statutory planning guidance for listed buildings to permit the use of reproduction stone slates on Grade 1 listed churches.
Answer: Each listed building is different, and the government believes that decisions on which materials should be used should be a matter for the decision maker depending on the particular circumstances of each case. We therefore have no plans to issue statutory...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigration ControlsHome OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78856More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will ensure that her Department does not engage in cooperation over migration control with security forces in (a) Libya and (b) other countries involved in (i) human rights abuses and (ii) viol
Answer: We are clear on the need to respect international law and human rights when it comes to managing migration. The UK is working with Libya and other countries on migration and provides support to the most vulnerable migrants, working in partnership with int...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRescue Services: Mediterranean SeaForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 78855More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with (a) the European Commission and (b) her Italian counterpart on the attack on the Ocean Viking Rescue Ship.
Answer: No.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland OfficeTabled 16 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 905774More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on health services in Northern Ireland.
Answer: With our record settlement for Northern Ireland, and work of the Executive, waiting lists are starting to come down.Soon, I will meet with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to discuss long-term transformation.
Answered 15 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordStudents: LoansDepartment for EducationTabled 16 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77723More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of Exchequer on adopting a stepped repayment system for student loans.
Answer: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education regularly engages with my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer on a range of matters, including higher education (HE) finance and funding. We are aiming to publish our plans for HE r...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: Solar PowerDepartment for EducationTabled 16 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77722More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on supporting new solar power installations for state schools via Power Purchase Agreements.
Answer: The department is committed to helping schools decarbonise and reduce energy costs through sustainable solutions like solar. Rooftop solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) can deliver public sector savings and wider social benefits through partnerships wi...
Answered 14 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 16 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77721More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will raise the expensive car supplement threshold for electric and zero emission vehicles.
Answer: As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the government recognises the disproportionate impact of the current VED Expensive Car Supplement threshold for those purchasing zero emission cars and will consider raising the threshold for zero emission cars only at a ...
Answered 13 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMedical Treatments: GazaDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71534More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to expand the medical evacuation of Gazan children scheme.
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to the Written Statement HCWS899 made to the House on 1 September 2025 by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMedical Treatments: GazaDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71533More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy that prioritisation for (a) medical evacuation and (b) treatment of children from Gaza is based solely on (i) clinical urgency and (ii) medical need.
Answer: The Government is working urgently to get some of the critically ill and injured children medically evacuated from Gaza.I refer the hon. Member to Written Statement HCWS899 by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Answered 29 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: GazaHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71532More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to ensure that children evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment are accompanied by appropriate family members.
Answer: The Prime Minister announced at the end of July that the UK will medically evacuate Gazan children for treatment in the UK. A cross-government taskforce is working urgently to get some of these sick and injured children out of Gaza, so that they can recei...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: GazaHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71531More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will waive biometric requirements for children medically evacuated from Gaza to the UK.
Answer: The Prime Minister announced at the end of July that the UK will medically evacuate Gazan children for treatment in the UK. A cross-government taskforce is working urgently to get some of these sick and injured children out of Gaza, so that they can recei...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRefugees: GazaHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71530More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will ensure that children medically evacuated from Gaza to the UK will not be subject to forced return to (a) Gaza and (b) other unsafe countries following treatment.
Answer: The Prime Minister announced at the end of July that the UK will medically evacuate Gazan children for treatment in the UK. A cross-government taskforce is working urgently to get some of these sick and injured children out of Gaza, so that they can recei...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPark Homes: SalesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71529More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a timeline for a review of the commission fee paid on the sale of park homes.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69040 on 24 July 2025.
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordStudents: LoansDepartment for EducationTabled 21 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69473More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 18684 on Students: Loans, what progress she has made in developing a longer-term plan for higher education reform.
Answer: The department is determined that the higher education (HE) system should deliver for our economy, for providers and for students. Whilst we have already taken action to help move the sector towards a more stable financial footing, we recognise that a rea...
Answered 5 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordListed Places of Worship Grant SchemeDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68040More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, why her Department introduced a cap of £25,000 on claims through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Answer: The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was previously funded to March 2025. In January this government announced that we would extend the Scheme for one year with an overall budget of £23 million in recognition of the importance of listed places of wor...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordListed Places of Worship Grant SchemeDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68039More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what was the evidential basis of her Department's decision to reduce the level of VAT relief available through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Answer: The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was previously funded to March 2025. In January this government announced that we would extend the Scheme for one year with an overall budget of £23 million in recognition of the importance of listed places of wor...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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