Sonia Kumar MP: written questions 2025
47 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Electrical Safety: Repairs and MaintenanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101296More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people are adequately protected from unsafe or unregulated electrical work in homes, particularly where such work is carried ou
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 101292 and 101294 on 6 January 2026. The Government takes electrical safety very seriously but has seen no need to establish a mandatory national register of electricians modelled on the Gas Safe Reg...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricians: RegistrationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101295More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Health and Safety Executive has assessed the potential merits of establishing a single mandatory national register of electricians under its statutory oversight, mode
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 101292 and 101294 on 6 January 2026. The Government takes electrical safety very seriously but has seen no need to establish a mandatory national register of electricians modelled on the Gas Safe Reg...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordElectrical SafetyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of enforcement mechanisms relating to electrical safety and compliance with Part P regulations; and whether his Department plans to st
Answer: Neither the Department, nor the Ministry of Justice, hold information on enforcement action broken down by which part of the building regulations was breached. Local authority building control teams have powers that enable them to intervene where it is fo...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordElectrical Safety: ProsecutionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101292More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many prosecutions have been brought under Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales in each year since their introduction in 2005; and if the Department will pu
Answer: Neither the Department, nor the Ministry of Justice, hold information on enforcement action broken down by which part of the building regulations was breached. Local authority building control teams have powers that enable them to intervene where it is fo...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes PlanDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 99964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the public health impacts of the Warm Homes Plan, especially regarding both indoor and outdoor air quality; and what metrics her Department pl
Answer: The Warm Homes Plan will set out a strategy to improve health outcomes through the upgrade of British buildings. This includes measures that mitigate the health risks associated with living in a cold home (such as respiratory disease), exposure to poor ai...
Answered 23 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: HealthDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 11 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 906997More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help ensure freedom of expression for women's health publications on social media.
Answer: We recognise the importance of access to trusted health information. The Act does not prevent users from publishing legal content or children and adults from accessing relevant health information. Once the remaining duties come in, large platforms will no...
Answered 18 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordStudents: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 5 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97629More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to raise the maximum reimbursement Student Finance England can provide for incorrect advice above £500.
Answer: Student Finance England is a service provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC).The SLC is a non-departmental public body and therefore is issued its own delegated authority letter by the department. However, its delegated authority limits cannot exceed ...
Answered 22 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordGambling: RehabilitationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96984More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that people who suffer from severe gambling addiction receive prompt treatment.
Answer: National Health Services receive over 1,000 referrals for gambling addition each quarter, with plans to expand capacity.In April, the new statutory levy on gambling operators came into effect to fund the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-rel...
Answered 5 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordMusculoskeletal Disorders: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 906540More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of developing a modern service framework for musculoskeletal conditions.
Answer: Over a third of people in England live with musculoskeletal conditions, a major cause of economic inactivity. We are advancing Modern Service Frameworks for those conditions where we can swiftly and significantly raise the quality of care and productivity...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordMediation: DudleyMinistry of JusticeTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of mediation services on resolving disputes for residents in Dudley; and what steps he is taking to ensure equality of access to those services.
Answer: The Government encourages the use of dispute resolution such as mediation, to allow parties to resolve their disputes earlier and more consensually, which saves them time, money and stress, and reduces the waiting time for a judicial hearing for cases tha...
Answered 6 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: Freedom of ExpressionDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made an assessment of (a) the prevalence of shadow banning on social media platforms and (b) its potential impact on freedom of expression and online transpar
Answer: The Online Safety Act ensures accountability for tech companies for the safety of their users while upholding freedom of expression online. The Act does not prevent adults from seeking out legal content.The Act requires the largest services to have clear ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMusculoskeletal Disorders: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73365More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered the potential merits of implementing a Modern Service Framework for musculoskeletal conditions.
Answer: Everyone in the NHS is responsible for delivering high-quality care. As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, as well as an overall quality strategy, the National Quality Board will oversee the development of a new series of service frameworks to accelera...
Answered 5 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Digital TechnologyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72818More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will review the guidance on Section 251 of the NHS Act 2006 to ensure clarity and consistency for NHS Trusts engaged in developing digital health initiatives; and if he will take steps to eng
Answer: Since May 2024, the Department and NHS England have been delivering a national programme of public engagement on health and social care data. To date, over 8,600 members of the public have been engaged. The aim is to understand people’s views on how their...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: DudleyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72816More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timeline is for implementing digital transformation initiatives in the Dudley area; and what metrics he will use to measure success.
Answer: We are using technology to help health and care professionals communicate better and enable people to access the care they need quickly and easily, when it suits them. Dudley Council is implementing digital technologies to support person-centred care, inc...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: Digital TechnologyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72815More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to help ensure digital health services are accessible for patients in the most disadvantaged areas; and in what way he plans to support vulnerable communities with enhan
Answer: We are using technology to help health and care professionals communicate better and enable people to access the care they need quickly and easily, when it suits them. Dudley Council is implementing digital technologies to support person-centred care, inc...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordEnglish Language: West MidlandsHome OfficeTabled 21 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69491More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding her Department plans to provide for the provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages courses in the West Midlands Combined Authority area in 2025-2026.
Answer: The Home Office does not fund Mayoral Combined Authorities for provision of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Please refer to the response dated 4th July from my Ministerial colleague in the Department for Education, Janet Daby MP, the Minis...
Answered 5 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth: WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the UK's 41st place in the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index, what steps his Department is taking to improve women's health.
Answer: The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we build a National Health Service fit for the future. Our focus is on turning the commitments in the Women's Health Strategy into tangible action, such as providing emergency hormonal contrace...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEyesight: TestingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to make eye tests mandatory for primary school children.
Answer: There are currently no plans to make eye tests mandatory for primary school children. The UK National Screening Committee recommends vision screening in school for children aged four to five years old, to look for reduced vision in one or both eyes.In add...
Answered 8 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEnvironment Protection: West MidlandsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63415More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support green projects in the Black Country.
Answer: The Government supports local places to drive action to deliver green projects and help realise our national net zero targets. Great British Energy will partner with community energy groups and local government, including Mayoral Strategic Authorities, to...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Transport: DudleyDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63414More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to improve transport connectivity in Dudley constituency.
Answer: This Government is committed to restoring pride and trust in a transport system that works – day in, day out – for the people who rely on it. That is why we have allocated substantial funding to the West Midlands Combined Authority, to enable it to make t...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEconomic Growth: DudleyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63413More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to increase economic growth in Dudley constituency.
Answer: The recently announced Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy, forming part of our wider Growth Mission, aim to support businesses across the country by creating the conditions for companies to invest, employ and grow. Dudley, with its rich manufacturing ...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordIncontinence: PregnancyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63412More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to take steps to increase awareness of the importance of pelvic floor strength for women before pregnancy to prevent post pregnancy incontinence.
Answer: Supporting women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy is a priority for the Government. The women’s health area on the National Health Service’s website brings together over 100 health topics for women seeking health information, including informa...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordIncontinenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63411More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including incontinence in medical training for all healthcare professionals.
Answer: No assessment has been made. The standard of training for healthcare professionals is the responsibility of the independent statutory regulatory bodies who set the outcome standards expected at undergraduate level and approve courses. Higher education ins...
Answered 4 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordNurseries: AccidentsDepartment for EducationTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63410More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of publishing records of incidents and fatalities at nurseries.
Answer: The department’s priority is to grow high-quality, affordable and flexible education and care for children, whilst ensuring their safety, giving every child the best start of life and delivering on our Plan for Change.The department is responsible for set...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordYouth ServicesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 27 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 63358More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) accessibility and (b) range of youth facilities in areas where the population is expanding.
Answer: We will not be making an assessment of youth facilities based on areas where populations are expanding. Local Authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-ti...
Answered 7 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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