Simon Opher MP: written questions
108 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Public 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 recordAdoption and Social ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68038More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support (a) foster carers, (b) kinship carers and (c) adoptive parents.
Answer: The Transformation Fund, announced in the spring, builds on the £15 million investment for foster care in the Budget. The department will provide an additional £25 million over two years, beginning in the 2026/27 financial year.Foster carers receive the n...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of information provided on (a) choice over pregnancy, (b) menopause care and (c) the availability of free contraceptive pills at pharmacies.
Answer: It is important that women are provided with accurate information that enables them to make informed choices about their care, including contraceptive choices and menopause.Pharmacies are well placed to advise patients on the options available to them whe...
Answered 23 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDisability: Voluntary WorkDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to increase volunteering opportunities for disabled people.
Answer: The Pathways to Work Green Paper, published in March, highlights the value of volunteering in the transition from inactivity to employment. The Department’s Strategic Relationship Team (SRT) has worked closely with the Shaping the Future with Volunteering...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordWarm Home Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67800More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, which organisations received funding through the Industry Initiative component of the Warm Home Discount scheme in the last 12 months; and how much each organisation received.
Answer: The Department sets the overall policy and spending targets for the scheme but the financial responsibility for delivering these initiatives lies with energy suppliers. For more detailed information on the latest assessment of WHD delivery (2023/24), incl...
Answered 23 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordBitcoin: Proceeds of CrimeHome OfficeTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67525More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has for Bitcoin seized from criminal activity.
Answer: The Home Office is responsible for the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA).POCA equips law enforcement agencies with a range of powers to deprive criminals of their money, or other property connected to criminal activity, and recover the proceeds of crime, ...
Answered 17 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of creating a legal duty on councils to (a) meet climate targets and (b) tackle the loss of wildlife.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of local places in driving net zero action. Local government has autonomy and flexibility in how they deliver net zero, according to each local area’s varying needs and opportunities. DESNZ regularly engages with l...
Answered 17 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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