Sojan Joseph MP: written questions
119 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Disease 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 recordBus Services: KentDepartment for TransportTabled 31 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27954More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the provision of bus services in (a) Ashford constituency and (b) Kent.
Answer: The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs...
Answered 5 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordA28: BridgesDepartment for TransportTabled 30 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27725More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Highways Agency on increasing the height of the railings on the A28 overbridge over the M20 between junctions 9 and 10.
Answer: There have not been recent discussions between the Secretary of State and National Highways on increasing the height of the railings on the A28 overbridge over the M20 between junctions 9 and 10. Both the Department and National Highways take the issue of...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: AutismDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27452More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of ensuring that all public-facing transport staff participate in mandatory autism awareness and sensitivity training.
Answer: This Government wants to focus on how transport can be designed, built and operated to better serve the people who use it – delivering on our pledge to put people at the heart of what we do on transport and enabling them to live healthy, fulfilling lives ...
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: AutismHome OfficeTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27450More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) police officers and (b) public-facing police staff participating in mandatory autism awareness and sensitivity training.
Answer: Training on mental ill health and autism is already integrated throughout the initial police learning programme which all new recruits must complete.Policing is operationally independent, and it is a matter for the chief constables of each force to decide...
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSports and Leisure: AutismDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27448More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of ensuring that public-facing (a) leisure and (b) sports staff participate in mandatory autism awareness and sensitivity training.
Answer: As set out in the cross-government autism strategy (2021-2026), we want to improve understanding and acceptance of autism, and for public sector services to become more autism-inclusive.Under the Equality Act 2010, public sector organisations are required...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: AutismDepartment for EducationTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27447More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) teachers and (b) other teaching staff participating in mandatory autism awareness and sensitivity training.
Answer: As set out in the cross-government autism strategy (2021 to 2026), the government wants to improve understanding and acceptance of autism and for public sector services to become more autism-inclusive.Under the Equality Act 2010, public sector organisatio...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordWinter Fuel Payments: Terminal IllnessesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27328More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the criteria for the eligibility of the Winter Fuel allowance to include pensioners who have received a terminal diagnosis.
Answer: 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 need; this includes people with a terminal illness who are eligible. There are no plans to ...
Answered 4 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordRespiratory Syncytial Virus: VaccinationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26780More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of ensuring that adults aged over 60 with pre-existing conditions are included in the respiratory syncytial virus vaccination program
Answer: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) keeps all vaccine programmes under review and will continue to update its advice as new evidence emerges. In October 2024, the JCVI agreed that it would need to formally review, in detail, the evi...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
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