Sonia Kumar MP: written questions
77 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Trade Agreements: IndiaDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-India trade deal on ceramics manufacturers.
Answer: The Department recognises the significant challenges faced by energy-intensive industries like ceramics, including rising global energy costs, unfair trading practices, and carbon leakage. We are taking firm action to protect these industries, including t...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Workers: TrainingDepartment for EducationTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that social workers are trained to deal with (a) domestic violence and (b) the alienation of family members.
Answer: The regulator for the social work profession, Social Work England (SWE), sets the professional standards which all social workers must meet throughout their careers. Standard 6 refers to ‘Promote ethical practice and report concerns’ with paragraph 6.1 sp...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordGambling: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55910More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether residential treatment for severe gambling addiction will (a) continue to be funded by his Department after commissioning for treatment services is moved to the NHS and (b) be funded through
Answer: In April 2025, the new statutory levy on gambling operators came into effect to fund the research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm. NHS England and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities continue to work closely together to de...
Answered 6 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordCare Homes: Fees and ChargesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44343More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has considered increasing the threshold from which people must pay for their own care.
Answer: The capital limits and the social care allowance rates are reviewed annually and the rates for 2025/26 were published in the Local Authority Circular in February 2025.We are launching an independent commission into adult social care later this month as pa...
Answered 10 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordNurseriesDepartment for EducationTabled 31 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 42985More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) keeping records of all incidents in nurseries and (b) making these statistics publicly available.
Answer: This government’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 in life and delivering on our Plan for Change.The department is responsible for se...
Answered 10 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordSTEM Subjects: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 19 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39799More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much funding has been allocated for STEM professional development from April 2025; and how teachers will access this funding.
Answer: The following programmes are delivering teacher professional development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the 2024/25 academic year.The Maths Hub Programme, which is supported by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teach...
Answered 28 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordAllied Health Professions: RecruitmentDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35523More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the allied health professional workforce.
Answer: The refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan, which will be published in summer 2025, will deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade, and will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people, including allied health ...
Answered 13 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordGaza: Medical TreatmentsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 902819More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of supporting the establishment of a medical evacuation scheme for children in Gaza requiring urgent treatment.
Answer: We have announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health, delivered through World Health Organisation (WHO) Egypt, to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza. Israel must ensure sustained passage through the now open Rafah crossing, for...
Answered 25 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCardiovascular diseases: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11674More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to commission research into new cardiovascular treatments.
Answer: The Government, through the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) is committed to funding high quality, timely research that leads to improved outcomes for patients and the public and makes the health and social care system more efficient,...
Answered 11 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHealth Services: WomenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11135More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment the Department has made of the potential impact of women’s health hubs on health disparities in the treatment of (a) endometriosis, (b) polycystic ovary syndrome, (c) other menstrua
Answer: Women’s health hubs bring together healthcare professionals and existing services to provide integrated women’s health services in the community, centred on meeting women’s needs across their life course. Hubs have potential to have a positive impact on r...
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: PovertyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of spending on international aid on the effectiveness of his Department's steps to tackle (a) hun
Answer: We are committed to a modernised approach to international development, based on a reconnected Britain, with a strong focus on poverty and hunger. We will reset our relationship with the global South, founded on genuine respect and partnership to support ...
Answered 6 Sept 2024
Original Parliament recordPancreatic CancerDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 2022More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to tackle pancreatic cancer.
Answer: NHS England is delivering a range of interventions that are expected to improve early diagnosis and treatment for patients with suspected and diagnosed pancreatic cancer. For early diagnosis, this includes providing a route into pancreatic cancer surveill...
Answered 1 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordPublic Transport: DisabilityDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1835More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to increase the accessibility of public transport for (a) people with disabilities and (b) other residents in Dudley.
Answer: The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth and we are working to address these issues and build a truly accessible and inclusive transport system that works for everyone.I am committed to championi...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordTransport: DudleyDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1834More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department plans to take to improve (a) public transportation links, (b) road maintenance and (c) other transport infrastructure in Dudley constituency.
Answer: The Dudley constituency will benefit from a number of Department for Transport projects. These include the substantial projects of the new Dudley bus and Metro Interchange, and the first phase of the Wednesbury Metro tram extension to Dudley. These are bo...
Answered 2 Aug 2024
Original Parliament recordEmployment: DudleyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 23 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1430More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that people in Dudley have access to improved employment prospects; and what steps she is taking to (a) reduce unemployment and (b) enhance skill development.
Answer: Under new leadership the DWP will shift from being a department for welfare to being the department for work. We will create a new jobs and careers service, bringing together Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service.The service will be focused on h...
Answered 31 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordObesity: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1425More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle childhood obesity in Dudley.
Answer: The Government recognises that prevention will always be better, and cheaper, than a cure. We will take action to prevent and tackle the obesity crisis head on, creating the healthiest generation of children ever.As set out in the King’s Speech, we are co...
Answered 29 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1395More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) diagnosis, (b) treatment and (c) awareness of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in the NHS.
Answer: The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), provides funding for research projects which aim to understand the underlying causes of myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and fin...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: DisadvantagedDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1173More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to (a) improve university access for students from underrepresented backgrounds and (b) tackle financial barriers faced by such students.
Answer: The government will support the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to go to university, regardless of their background.Too many people across our country do not get the opportunity to succeed. The government will act to change...
Answered 31 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordEducation: DisadvantagedDepartment for EducationTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1172More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to tackle disparities in educational attainment between the most and least affluent area; and whether she plans to review the funding formula to help ensure more effective distribution
Answer: The department wants to break down barriers to opportunity for every child, no matter what their background, and have an education system in which all children and young people can achieve and thrive. All children deserve to have the best start in life,...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordAnti-social Behaviour and CrimeHome OfficeTabled 22 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 1171More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle (a) antisocial behaviour, (b) vandalism, (c) noise disturbances and (d) public disorder (i) nationally and (ii) in Dudley constituency.
Answer: Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission to take back our streets.We will put thousands of neighbourhood police and community support officers into local communities so that residen...
Answered 30 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordPeriod PovertyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 772More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to tackle period poverty.
Answer: Since 2019 the National Health Service has made free period products available to every hospital patient who needs them, including long-term in-patients. The Department for Education’s period product scheme provides access to free period products for all ...
Answered 25 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordUrban Areas: DudleyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 771More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data her Department holds on investment in Dudley town centre in the last 10 years.
Answer: This Government is fully committed to rejuvenating our high streets and supporting the businesses and communities that make our town centres successful.Through the English Devolution Bill we will introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ for valued community ...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordEmpty Property: DudleyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 770More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to help (a) revitalize commercial areas and (b) encourage new businesses to occupy vacant properties in Dudley constituency.
Answer: This Government is fully committed to rejuvenating our high streets and supporting the businesses and communities that make our town centres successful.Through the English Devolution Bill we will introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ for valued community ...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: TheftHome OfficeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 769More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many keyless vehicle thefts there were in Dudley constituency in the last 12 months; and what methodology her Department uses to collect this information.
Answer: Estimate from the Crime Survey of England and Wales (for the year ending March 2023) showed the two most common methods of entry in theft of vehicles in England and Wales are “Offender manipulated signal from remote locking device” (40%) and “Offender use...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: TheftHome OfficeTabled 18 Jul 2024AnsweredUIN 768More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the use of keyless theft equipment in vehicle-related crimes; if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing legislation for tacklin
Answer: Estimate from the Crime Survey of England and Wales (for the year ending March 2023) showed the two most common methods of entry in theft of vehicles in England and Wales are “Offender manipulated signal from remote locking device” (40%) and “Offender use...
Answered 26 Jul 2024
Original Parliament record
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