Sorcha Eastwood MP: written questions
136 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Agriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97422More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on family farms which are passed to multiple children, including where land has t
Answer: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce t...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97421More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will define active farming for the purposes of proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief, including whether this includes farmers who work in partnership with successors, or who have partially stepped
Answer: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce t...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97420More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief on the economic viability of small and medium-sized farm, including farms of around 110 acres in size in N
Answer: The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce t...
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordTrade: Northern IrelandCabinet OfficeTabled 28 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95494More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to update digital systems and guidance to reflect Northern Ireland’s trading position under the Windsor Framework.
Answer: The Government has announced £16.6 million to strengthen the UK internal market and help Northern Ireland boost trade with Great Britain. A comprehensive ‘one stop shop’ regulatory support service will help businesses trade across the UK and EU markets an...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigration: Republic of IrelandHome OfficeTabled 28 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95493More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her earned settlement proposals would apply to the family members of Irish citizens.
Answer: The earned settlement model is currently subject to a public consultation. Full details on earned settlement will be finalised following the conclusion of that public consultation.
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordTrade: Northern IrelandCabinet OfficeTabled 28 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95492More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to update (a) digital systems and (b) guidance to reflect Northern Ireland’s trading position under the Windsor Framework.
Answer: The Government has announced £16.6 million to strengthen the UK internal market and help Northern Ireland boost trade with Great Britain. A comprehensive ‘one stop shop’ regulatory support service will help businesses trade across the UK and EU markets an...
Answered 8 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVAT: Northern IrelandTreasuryTabled 28 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95491More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help improve awareness and acceptance of XI VAT numbers among businesses outside Northern Ireland.
Answer: I refer the member to the answer given to UIN 95354 on 04 December 2025
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVAT: Northern IrelandTreasuryTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95354More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to improve awareness and acceptance of XI VAT numbers among businesses outside Northern Ireland.
Answer: HMRC has published guidance on GOV.UK setting out the requirements for any business trading in goods between the EU and Northern Ireland and the need for an XI VAT number.
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPostal Services: Northern IrelandTreasuryTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95353More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for his policies of parcels from Northern Ireland being incorrectly flagged for EU customs checks due to UK-wide system defaults.
Answer: The Government introduced important new arrangements for the movement of parcels moving to and from Northern Ireland, ensuring that goods can continue to move smoothly between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.HMRC does not carry out routine customs chec...
Answered 5 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordRoyal Mail: Northern IrelandDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95352More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has discussed with Royal Mail updating international addressing systems so that Northern Ireland can be selected as a distinct region.
Answer: International addressing systems are operational tools, owned and maintained by Royal Mail, with their primary purpose being to ensure the accurate sorting, routing and delivery of customers’ mail. Royal Mail keeps this under review for its purposes. Roya...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordPostal Services: Northern IrelandDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95351More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has discussed with Royal Mail updating the international addressing systems so that Northern Ireland can be selected as a distinct region.
Answer: International addressing systems are operational tools, owned and maintained by Royal Mail, with their primary purpose being to ensure the accurate sorting, routing and delivery of customers’ mail. Royal Mail keeps this under review for its purposes. Roya...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: Northern IrelandDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 27 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 95350More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure .eu and .ie domain registration systems recognise Northern Ireland as an eligible territory.
Answer: The eligibility criteria are not the responsibility of the UK Government, and we have made no such steps.
Answered 11 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigration: Hong KongHome OfficeTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether B1 English-language qualifications will remain valid for current BNO visa holders approaching eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain; and what assessment she has made of the potential impa
Answer: The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 ...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigration: Hong KongHome OfficeTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94321More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether individuals from Hong Kong who have been granted asylum or refugee status will be required to meet a 20-year settlement requirement.
Answer: The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK. We fully recognise the significant contribution that Hong Kongers have already made to the UK, and the role they will continue to play in the years ahead. Th...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordImmigration: Hong KongHome OfficeTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94320More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the proposed Migration Quantitative Indicators and changes to existing exemptions, including the English-language waiver for applicants aged 65 and over, will apply to current BNO visa holders
Answer: The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 ...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: British National (Overseas)Home OfficeTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94319More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether young adults currently in full-time education, who were under 18 at the time of their initial BNO visa application, will be exempt from the proposed sustained economic contribution requirement
Answer: The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 ...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: British National (Overseas)Home OfficeTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94318More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she has made an assessment of the potential merits of retrospective protections for BNO dependants unable to meet the sustained economic contribution requirement.
Answer: The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 ...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: British National (Overseas)Home OfficeTabled 25 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94317More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the proposed requirement for a sustained economic contribution under the BNO visa application route will apply to all adult applicants, including non-working spouses, unpaid carers, full-time
Answer: The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 ...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordIncome Tax: GratuitiesTreasuryTabled 24 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 93882More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her department will conduct an assessment into the feasibility of exempting tips from income tax.
Answer: Employees pay tax on all payments that reward them for the work they do. This includes wages, tips, gratuities, or any share of a service charge that they receive. Whether National Insurance contributions are due on tips depends on how tips are managed in...
Answered 2 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92920More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the NSPCC's report, Tools to Combat Online Harms, published in November 2025.
Answer: We welcome the NSPCC’s recent report and are grateful for their longstanding work to improve the evidence base on children’s experiences online. We share concern at the troubling findings and remain committed to protecting children online.The data within ...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: Offences against ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92919More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what conversations her Department has had with Ofcom regarding the use of powers under section 121 of the Online Safety Act to detect child sexual abuse and exploitation in private mess
Answer: DSIT is working closely with Ofcom on issues related to the Online Safety Act, including the implementation of Technology Notice powers under section 121. These powers can and should be used to tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse content shared in ...
Answered 28 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChild BenefitTreasuryTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92168More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has conducted an equality impact assessment on the effect of school-attendance-linked Child Benefit rules on children with mental-health-related disabilities.
Answer: Child Benefit remains in payment until 31 August following a child’s 16th birthday. This applies without any conditions on education, so there is no impact on children of this age if they are unable to attend school for any reason.For young people who are...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChild BenefitTreasuryTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92167More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of families who have had Child Benefit reduced or withdrawn because a child or young person has been unable to attend school due to mental ill-health.
Answer: Child Benefit remains in payment until 31 August following a child’s 16th birthday. This applies without any conditions on education, so there is no impact on children of this age if they are unable to attend school for any reason.For young people who are...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChild BenefitTreasuryTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92166More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education on reforming Child Benefit rules to better support children experiencing mental-health crises wh
Answer: Child Benefit remains in payment until 31 August following a child’s 16th birthday. This applies without any conditions on education, so there is no impact on children of this age if they are unable to attend school for any reason.For young people who are...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordChild BenefitTreasuryTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92164More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of Child Benefit cessation on families where a child or young person is unable to attend school as a result of clinically evidenced mental-health conditions or t
Answer: Child Benefit remains in payment until 31 August following a child’s 16th birthday. This applies without any conditions on education, so there is no impact on children of this age if they are unable to attend school for any reason.For young people who are...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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