Simon Opher MP: written questions
340 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Special Educational Needs: TransportDepartment for EducationTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support SEND transport providers.
Answer: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Stroud to the answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27291.
Answered 3 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSustainable Farming Incentive: Educational VisitsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42686More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March to Question 36816 on Sustainable Farming Incentive: Educational Visits, whether the proposed standalone capital item for educational access will be i
Answer: The proposed stand-alone capital item for educational access is a separate offer from the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). To be eligible for the education access payments applicants must have an SFI or other agri-environment or woodland agreement. We...
Answered 4 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: StroudDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42640More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her Department's Green Paper entitled Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, published on 18 March 2025, how many people in Stroud will no longer be e
Answer: No estimate has yet been made.Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reformin...
Answered 3 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHistoric Environment RecordsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42631More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will bring section 230 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 into force.
Answer: The government is reviewing heritage planning policy in the context of wider reforms to the planning system. As part of that work we will consider the outstanding measures from the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 including statutory historic enviro...
Answered 4 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordOsteoporosis: TomographyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 31 Mar 2025WithdrawnUIN 42619More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 28 February 2025 to Question 32108 on Osteoporosis: Diagnosis, in which locations will the 14 new bone density scanners be located.
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordTeachers: Workplace PensionsDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41978More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that teacher pension payments are not suspended as a result of (a) administrative issues and (b) delays related to proof of life documentation.
Answer: The department has kept the Disclosure of Death Registration Information (DDRI) check under review with the scheme administrator to ensure that it continues to meet the objectives of both protecting members and the scheme.The DDRI check was introduced as ...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: EligibilityLeader of the HouseTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41227More
Question: To ask the Leader of the House, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on bringing forward legislative proposals to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payments.
Answer: As Leader of the House of Commons (and Chair of the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee), I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues to discuss legislation and other matters. Recently announced changes to PIP eligibility will be brought forward...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordUniversal Credit: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41187More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Office for Budget Responsibility has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity group on the finances of disabled p
Answer: The Department published “Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms - Equality Analysis” and “Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms – Impacts” alongside the Spring Statement. A further programme of analysis to supp...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHealthy Start Scheme: StroudDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many families are receiving Healthy Start in Stroud.
Answer: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Monthly figures for the number of people on the digital Healthy Start scheme are published on the NHS Healthy Start website, which is available at ...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMusicians: WomenDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41132More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support women wanting to become professional musicians.
Answer: This government is committed to providing the essential foundations and support for everyone, including women, to pursue successful careers in music. We are developing a 10 Point Plan to drive growth, foster innovation, and create a thriving environment f...
Answered 3 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEnvironmental Delivery PlansMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41115More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Environmental Delivery Plans proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill are compatible with section 17(5) of the Envi
Answer: The government is clear that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will not lead to a reduction in environmental protections.The Secretary of State, when considering a policy decision to make an Environmental Delivery Plan for an area, will have due regard...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordChildcare and Pre-school EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40720More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support (a) early education and (b) childcare providers.
Answer: The government is committed to giving children the best start in life and has set the ambition through the government’s Plan for Change for a record proportion of children starting school ready to learn.The department has set a target for 75% of children ...
Answered 7 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordEnvironmental Delivery PlansMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40699More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, whether her Department (a) has commissioned or (b) plans to commission pilot studies to assess the effectiveness of Enviro
Answer: The government will work with Natural England to put the first Environmental Delivery Plans in place as soon as possible following Royal Assent of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to determine the b...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordNature Restoration FundMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40697More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Part III of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, what steps her Department plans to take to consult with stakeholders on the implementation of the nature resto
Answer: The government will continue to work with relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the nature restoration levy.
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure and Property Development: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 24 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40696More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of Part III of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the delivery timescales for large (a) infrastructure and (b
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 38624 on 25 March 2025.
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBusiness and Investment: Carbon Emissions and Sustainable DevelopmentDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40295More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help encourage (a) large companies and (b) investment funds to adopt sustainable net zero practices.
Answer: Under current rules, certain large companies and investment funds are required to disclose information about the ways they are responding to the risks posed by climate change and seizing the economic opportunities that it presents. Going forward, the Gove...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordFood: MicroplasticsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of microplastics on food production.
Answer: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) continues to monitor and assess emerging data regarding microplastics in food. The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products, and the Environment (COT), an independent scientific committee that provides ...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordFly-tippingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on steps to help tackle fly-tipping.
Answer: I have not had any recent discussions with local authorities on steps to help tackle fly-tipping but my officials work with local authorities through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group to promote and disseminate good practice with regards to preven...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDemonstrationsHome OfficeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40292More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Public Order Act 2023 on the right to peaceful protest and assembly.
Answer: The right to peacefully protest is a fundamental part of our democratic society.We have committed to carry out post-legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023 beginning in May 2025. This process will review how the legislation has operated since it...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordPackaging: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40291More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) tax incentives to help reduce packaging waste.
Answer: There are a several tax incentives already in place to reduce plastic waste. These include the Plastic Packaging Tax, which encourages use of more recycled plastic in packaging and Landfill Tax, which encourages waste to be diverted from landfill to more ...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: Low IncomesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help low income households access renewable energy solutions.
Answer: We are decarbonising the energy system with utility-scale solar, rooftop solar, and offshore wind allowing households to benefit from reduced electricity bills and cleaner energy.For homes, we have kickstarted delivery of the Government’s ambitious Warm H...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign Investment: Dispute ResolutionDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for the Government's environmental policies of Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanisms.
Answer: The UK is party to 80 Bilateral Investment Treaties and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership that contain Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). ISDS provides an independent means to resolve disputes with states whe...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRiver Severn: SewageDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce sewage discharges into the river Severn.
Answer: For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. That is why we are placing water companies under special measures through the Water (Special Measures) Act. The Act will drive meaningful improvem...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed reductions in Official development assistance on low-lying countries such as (a) the Maldives and (b) Banglade
Answer: The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending R...
Answered 27 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAntidepressants: PrescriptionsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 40286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to stop the overprescription of antidepressants.
Answer: Antidepressants can be an effective treatment option for depression when prescribed safely and in alignment with patient preferences. They are also used in anxiety and chronic pain.It is for the responsible clinician to work with their patient to decide o...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament record
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