Stuart Anderson MP: written questions 2024
86 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Car Washes: LicensingDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21371More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to establish a licensing regime for hand carwashes.
Answer: The Hand Car Wash sector is one of Office of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement (ODLME) priority areas. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) have taken a proactive stance working closely with the Responsible Hand Car Wash scheme and No...
Answered 9 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordOverseas Trade: Rural AreasDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21370More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she is taking steps to support small businesses in rural areas with international trade.
Answer: Under the umbrella of the recently announced Business Growth Service, UK businesses can access The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support inc...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordChurches: MusicChurch CommissionersTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21017More
Question: To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to support churches in rural areas engage local communities in music.
Answer: Through the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board, the National Church Institutions are supporting new musical initiatives in churches in the following ways: • Hympact! is funded in partnership with the Royal School of Church Music, the dioceses...
Answered 23 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Manufacturing IndustriesMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20712More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the sustainability of supply chains in the defence industry.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a long-standing commitment to improve its engagement with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to broaden and strengthen its supply-base. The recently published Defence Industrial Strategy Statement of Intent reco...
Answered 7 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordCrime: Rural AreasHome OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20711More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support police forces to purchase equipment for tackling rural crime.
Answer: It is an operational matter for policing to determine how they use the resources they have been allocated in order to carry out their duties, taking into account local priorities.The Provisional Police Funding Settlement announced funding of up to £19.5 b...
Answered 27 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRetail Trade: Empty PropertyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20710More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what fiscal steps she is taking to help reduce the number of empty retail units on high streets in rural areas.
Answer: The Government is determined to combat the blight of vacancy on high streets. On 2nd December, new High Street Rental Auction powers came into force enabling local authorities to tackle persistent vacancy, implementation is supported by over £1 million of...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDisclosure of InformationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20709More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve protections for whistleblowers.
Answer: Workers who blow the whistle are entitled to protections from detriment or dismissal as a result of making a protected disclosure and a route of redress through the Employment Tribunals if these protections are infringed.The Employment Rights Bill will st...
Answered 24 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordCommunity Diagnostic Hubs: Rural AreasDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20708More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the number of community diagnostic hubs in rural areas.
Answer: We have committed to getting back to the 18-week standard by the end of this Parliament, addressing the unacceptably long waits experienced by too many people. The Department is working with NHS England on a reform plan for elective care, which will be pu...
Answered 23 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEmployment: Rural AreasDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19027More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support older workers in rural settings.
Answer: The government is reforming jobcentres to better match people with the right jobs and provide employment, skills, and career-focused support to individuals, including those in rural and coastal areas.A new national jobs and careers service will be introdu...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordTransport: Rural AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19026More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking with local authorities to develop integrated transport systems in rural areas.
Answer: We are committed to empowering local leaders to design and operate transport systems that better serve local needs. The Integrated National Transport Strategy will establish a people-first approach to transport across all areas and set the vision for bett...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure: Rural AreasMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18632More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to maximise the use of developer's contributions to improve community infrastructure in rural areas.
Answer: The government is also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure, including in rural areas. Further details will be set out in due course.The ...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAgricultural Products: PricesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 5 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18181More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support farmers to receive higher prices for their produce.
Answer: Farmers should always receive a fair price for their products and the Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 we can introduce regulations, applyin...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFurther Education: Rural AreasDepartment for EducationTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17880More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve access to further education facilities for young people in rural areas.
Answer: This government is committed to driving economic growth and supporting opportunity for all. To help achieve these missions, we announced £300 million in the 2025/26 financial year for further education (FE) at the Autumn Budget 2024. We will set out how t...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17879More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps he has taken to help improve broadband connectivity in rural areas.
Answer: The Government is committed to the rollout of fast, reliable broadband to all parts of the UK. The latest data from the independent website Thinkbroadband.com shows that over 85% of UK premises can now access a gigabit-capable connection.To improve covera...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordYouth Work: Rural AreasDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 4 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17878More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help increase the availability of detached youth work in rural communities.
Answer: This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and the vital role that youth workers play in delivering those services and building trusted relationships.This government has committed to...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordBusiness: Rural AreasDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16988More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support (a) start ups and (b) SMEs in rural areas.
Answer: All businesses can access support through their local Growth Hubs, providing advice and support, shaping the offer around unique needs, whether town or country.The Secretary of State recently announced the Business Growth Service ensuring businesses acros...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRural England Prosperity FundDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16773More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of extending the Rural England Prosperity Fund on (a) small business, (b) farmers and (c) community infrastructure.
Answer: The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) is intended to support new and existing rural businesses, including farm businesses, to develop new products and facilities that will be of wider benefit to the local economy and to support new and improved communi...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordUK Shared Prosperity FundMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 28 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16772More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of extending the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on (a) small business, (b) farmers and (c) community infrastructure.
Answer: The Autumn Budget announced that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), for which the previous government made no plans beyond March 2025, will be extended for 2025-26 at a reduced level of £900 million. This transitional arrangement will allow places to ...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture and Food: FinanceDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16538More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Treasury on the potential merits of increasing funding to help (a) farmers and (b) food producers.
Answer: This Government’s commitment to farmers and food producers remains steadfast. Labour will always champion British farming to boost rural economic growth, strengthen food security and improve the environment. Defra has £5 billion for the farming budget ove...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordReligious Buildings: ConservationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support places of worship in rural areas with building conservation projects.
Answer: There is a range of funding available via DCMS and the Department’s Arm’s-Length Bodies that supports places of worship, including in rural areas. These include Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme; the National Lottery Heritage Fund's £15m Heritage in N...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordParking: Private SectorMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15481More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to publish a private parking code of practice.
Answer: The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.The Government is determined to drive up standards in the private pa...
Answered 29 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPrivate Education: Special Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 20 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15247More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the introduction of VAT on private school fees does not negatively impact the academic progress of children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Answer: This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring every child has access to high quality education. The government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) rec...
Answered 28 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Rural AreasDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14980More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve mental health facilities in rural areas.
Answer: Integrated care boards are responsible for providing health and care services to meet the needs of their local populations. We plan to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across children and adult mental health services in England to reduce ...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordLeisure Centres: EnergyDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 19 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14979More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help leisure centres conduct renovations to reduce their energy consumption.
Answer: The Government recognises that leisure centres are important to communities up and down the country. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active.The ongoing responsibility of conducting renovations to public sport and leisure facilities lies...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWiFi: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 14 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14319More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of rural areas with no wifi access.
Answer: Presuming that the Member is referring to broadband access via Wi-Fi in the home or premises, rather than public Wi-Fi, Project Gigabit is delivering gigabit-capable broadband (accessible to consumers as Wi-Fi) to UK premises, with the goal for nationwide...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament record
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