Sojan Joseph MP: written questions
77 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Animal ExperimentsHome OfficeTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to phase out (a) animal testing and (b) testing on beagles at (i) MBR Acres and (ii) other facilities.
Answer: This Government has made a commitment to the long-term goal of phasing out animal testing in science and research. An immediate ban is not presently feasible due to international regulatory requirements for the safety testing of chemicals and medicines. S...
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDartford-Thurrock Crossing: TollsDepartment for TransportTabled 26 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Written Statement of 17 June 2025 on Dart Charge, HCWS708, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Local Resident Discount Scheme for the Dartford Crossing
Answer: The current approach of applying the local resident discount only to people who live within the boroughs where the Dartford Crossing is located (Dartford and Thurrock), recognises that it is the people living in those boroughs who are most affected by the...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDementia: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53742More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's policies on the adequacy of the care available to people living with dementia; and if he will make an assessment of th
Answer: Provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence g...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordApprentices: PublicityDepartment for EducationTabled 12 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51674More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed removal of funding for the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme on the ability to (a) promote and (b) increase apprentic
Answer: Promoting apprenticeships and technical education routes remains a key part of this government’s education policy. The decision to not continue the Apprenticeships Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme was based on the following:Growth in awareness of app...
Answered 20 May 2025
Original Parliament recordTuberculosis: Disease ControlForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50748More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with international counterparts on tackling the global TB epidemic in preparation for the World Health Assembly in May 2025.
Answer: The UK is a leading donor in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and engages closely with international partners to tackle the disease. Our £1 billion commitment to the Global Fund (2023 to 2025) will provide TB treatment and care for 1.1 million people, ...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordTuberculosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50747More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support public health action to tackle tuberculosis.
Answer: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS England’s joint tuberculosis (TB) action plan for England details actions to achieve a 90% reduction in people with TB by 2035 and is aligned with the World Health Organization’s elimination targets. The plan ...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordApprentices: PublicityDepartment for EducationTabled 25 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge programme for raising awareness of (a) apprenticeships, (b) traineeships and (c) T Levels in (i) Kent and (ii) Engla
Answer: The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge (ASK) programme has played an important role in promoting apprenticeships and other technical education routes over the last nine academic years. Over this period there has been a significant increase in the intere...
Answered 2 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimals: Hunting and SmugglingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for bringing forward measures to ban (a) trophy hunting and (b) animal smuggling.
Answer: The Government committed to a hunting trophy import ban of endangered animals in its manifesto and we will deliver on this. Defra is engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can deliver on this commitment in the most effective way. As outline...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDisease Control: International CooperationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 22 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 47065More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help tackle (a) tuberculosis and (b) other illnesses.
Answer: The UK has played a significant role with international counterparts to tackle tuberculosis (TB) in recent decades.Since 2002, TB deaths have been reduced by 36 per cent in countries where the Global Fund invests. The UK is a leading donor to the Global F...
Answered 25 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: TuberculosisMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 46476More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of poor housing on the transmission of tuberculosis; and what discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for He
Answer: Everyone deserves to live in a decent, safe, and warm home. The government is therefore bringing forward a consultation in early 2025, setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors to ...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Traffic Control: KentDepartment for TransportTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42967More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum on avoiding the routine deployment of Operation Brock during school holidays.
Answer: The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF) is operationally independent from His Majesty’s Government (HMG). The KMRF's decision to deploy Operation Brock ahead of the Easter getaway was taken after extensive discussions, taking into account previous dis...
Answered 3 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordParking: Pedestrian AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 28 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42356More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing restrictions on pavement parking on pedestrians with (a) a visual impairment (b) people with mobility issues, (c) children and (d) parents wit
Answer: The Government fully understands the serious problems that vehicles parked on the pavement can cause for pedestrians, especially people with mobility or sight impairments, as well as those with prams or pushchairs. The Department has been considering all ...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving TestsDepartment for TransportTabled 26 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 41704More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the DVSA on the adequacy of its online booking system for booking practical driving tests.
Answer: As set out in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) 2024/25 business plan, DVSA is beginning the process of replacing its booking system. DVSA also launched a call for evidence on 18 December 2024, seeking views on the current rules to book tes...
Answered 31 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordOffensive Weapons: AshfordHome OfficeTabled 17 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38801More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle the use of catapults against (a) people, (b) animals and (c) property in Ashford constituency.
Answer: We are clear that catapults should not be used for illegal purposes, whether against wildlife, people or property.The law already provides the police with powers relating to the use of any item as an offensive weapon including a catapult, and also if used...
Answered 20 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 14 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38507More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the hours at which English National Concessionary Travel Scheme bus passes can be used in (a) Kent and (b) England.
Answer: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, such ...
Answered 19 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38336More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of adults with severe mental illness who are currently waiting for treatment from community mental health services; and what steps he is taking to reduce wai
Answer: As of 31 January 2025, there were 188,009 people with 211,891 referrals waiting for treatment from community mental health services. Treatment has been defined as receiving a second care contact, where the person attended the care contact and was spoken t...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSewage: KentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 38287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to enforce the publication of real-time data on sewage released into (a) rivers (b) the sea and (c) other waterways in Kent.
Answer: Since 1 January 2025, water companies have been required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. The Secretary of State has authorised Ofwat to carry out enforcement action for this duty, ...
Answered 18 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAdoptionDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37458More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that (a) regional adoption agencies and (b) local authorities meet with representatives of parents affected by adoption (a) disruption and (b) breakdown to help prevent further
Answer: The department does not collect information centrally on the number of adoptions that have been disrupted or adoptions that breakdown. We only publish information on whether children starting to be looked after in any given year were known to have been pr...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAdoptionDepartment for EducationTabled 11 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 37457More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department hold on the number of cases of adoption (a) disruption and (b) breakdown for each of the last five years; and if she will publish that data.
Answer: The department does not collect information centrally on the number of adoptions that have been disrupted or adoptions that breakdown. We only publish information on whether children starting to be looked after in any given year were known to have been pr...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Works: KentDepartment for TransportTabled 5 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35933More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps National Highways is taking with (a) other road agencies, (b) utility companies and (c) local councils to help ensure minimal disruption when roadworks take place in (i) Ashford constituency and (ii)
Answer: National Highways is part of the Kent Corridor Coordination Group (KCCG), which was established as a collaborative forum to coordinate the delivery of multiple concurrent road improvement and maintenance schemes in Kent. By adopting a ‘corridor approach,’...
Answered 10 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordParking: Private SectorMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35494More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that private car park operators (a) display clear and accessible signage, (b) impose proportionate fines and (c) have an appeals pro
Answer: The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019. We will ensure the Code provides the best possible protect...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordFly-tipping and Litter: KentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the measures in place to tackle (a) littering and (b) flytipping in Kent.
Answer: Fly-tipping and littering blight communities and harm the environment. Local councils are usually best placed to assess the measures in place to address the local littering and fly-tipping problems in their area. No specific assessment of the effectivenes...
Answered 7 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordReserve Forces: AgeMinistry of DefenceTabled 24 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 33269More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the age limits for soldiers and officers to rejoin the Army Reserves.
Answer: The Minister for Veterans and People has commissioned an internal review in Defence to ensure that we are making the most of the unique contribution our Reserve Forces offer. The review will examine the Reserves landscape and will include some aspects of ...
Answered 3 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordHormone Replacement TherapyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30342More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supply of HRT products in Kent.
Answer: The Department manages medicine supply issues at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within Kent is not held centrally.There are over 70 hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordBlue Badge SchemeDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 30341More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing blue badge holders to temporarily use an expired badge while its renewal is being processed.
Answer: The Department has no plans to allow the temporary use of an expired Blue Badge. It is an offence to use an expired badge which should be returned to the issuing local authority. Allowing the use of expired badges would undermine the effective enforcement...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament record
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