Uma Kumaran MP: written questions
111 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Students: DisadvantagedDepartment for EducationTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of support available for students from low-income families.
Answer: The government recognises the impact that the cost of living crisis has had on students. That is why we are increasing maximum loans for living costs for the 2025/26 academic year by 3.1%, in line with the forecast rate of inflation based on the RPI All I...
Answered 29 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordStudents: LoansDepartment for EducationTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a stepped repayment structure for student loan repayment plans.
Answer: The department is determined that the higher education (HE) funding system should deliver for our economy, for universities and for students. The government is committed to supporting the aspiration of every person who meets the requirements and wants to ...
Answered 29 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEnergy: BillingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15094More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of support provided by energy companies to customers with their energy bills.
Answer: The Government welcomes the commitment by energy suppliers to support consumers this winter. The Government and industry have worked together to deliver a £500m Winter Support Commitment, and we applaud suppliers stepping up on this matter. We expect ener...
Answered 27 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHeat Networks: RegulationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14216More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to regulate communal heating systems.
Answer: The Department is introducing heat network regulation in January 2026 which aims to provide consumers with comparable protections to existing gas and electricity regulations. Ofgem will be appointed heat network regulator, and they will administer the Mar...
Answered 21 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordAsylum: Mental HealthHome OfficeTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14173More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her immigration policies of the Royal College of Psychiatrists report entitled Protecting the mental health of people seeking sanctuary
Answer: We are determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly. Clearing the asylum backlog is our priority.The Home Office continues to invest in a programme of transformation and business improvement initiatives ...
Answered 22 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordConvention on Biological DiversityDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 13 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 14140More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the outcomes of the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16).
Answer: The UK Biodiversity Conference (COP16) was the first opportunity for Parties to take stock of the progress made in implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted at COP15. Of the 27 important decisions taken at COP16, many provided guid...
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordTransgender People: Young PeopleHome OfficeTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13368More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support young trans people impacted by hate crime.
Answer: This Government is determined to tackle all forms of hate crime across England and Wales, including transgender identity hate crimes. Under the Victims’ Code all victims, including victims of hate crime, are entitled to be referred to support services whe...
Answered 14 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordWaste Management: ReformDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13367More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to implement the recommendations of the Fifth Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of 2023-24 on Government’s programme of waste reforms, HC333, published on 1 D
Answer: The Government intends to implement the recommendations set out in the report, of which a number have already been implemented by the programme. Due to the General Election and subsequent change in Government earlier in the year, the strategic landscape t...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPersonal Independence Payment: AppealsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13366More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of mandatory reconsideration for assessing Personal Independent Payment decisions.
Answer: The Department is committed to making the right decision as early as possible in the claim journey. Mandatory Reconsideration (MR) is a valuable process that supports the resolution of disputes as early as possible, so that customers do not need to appeal...
Answered 15 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordMusic Venues: Greater LondonDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13365More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support grassroots live music venues in London.
Answer: The Government recognises the value of the grassroots music sector - it provides the foundation for the entire music industry, fostering creativity, innovation and cultural expression.The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committe...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBiodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction AgreementForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13362More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with the Leader of the House on bringing forward legislative proposals to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty.
Answer: The Government is completely committed to ratification of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement,...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordShared Ownership SchemesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support shared owners affected by (a) building remediation works and (b) increasing service charges.
Answer: The level of service charge that leaseholders pay depends on many factors, including the terms of a lease and the age and condition of a building.By law, variable service charges must be reasonable. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness o...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordService ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of establishing an independent body to regulate service charges for residents of all tenures.
Answer: The level of service charge that leaseholders pay depends on many factors, including the terms of a lease and the age and condition of a building.By law, variable service charges must be reasonable. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness o...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordService ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13292More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing a legal right for (a) tenants and (b) residents to trigger an audit of service charges where bills
Answer: The level of service charge that leaseholders pay depends on many factors, including the terms of a lease and the age and condition of a building.By law, variable service charges must be reasonable. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness o...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing AssociationsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13291More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to improve the regulation of under-performing housing associations.
Answer: All registered providers of social housing are required to meet the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing.On 1 April 2024, the Regulator introduced a new, proactive consumer regulation regime. It has begun...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing AssociationsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 13290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the regulatory standards for housing associations.
Answer: All registered providers of social housing are required to meet the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing.On 1 April 2024, the Regulator introduced a new, proactive consumer regulation regime. It has begun...
Answered 18 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordPer- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl SubstancesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 12646More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2024 to Question 4786 on Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances, what his planned timetable is for considering measures to restrict per- and p
Answer: Health and Safety Executive is currently preparing a UK REACH dossier for a restriction on PFAS in fire-fighting foams (FFFs), which is due to be published for consultation in 2025.
Answered 19 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEast London NHS Foundation Trust: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help support the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of mental health specialists in the East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Answer: To address the current mental health workforce shortages in trusts, like the East London NHS Foundation Trust, we plan to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across child and adult mental health services, to reduce waiting times and provide ...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordEast London NHS Foundation Trust: Mental Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 30 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 11957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of trends in the number of people who have accessed adult mental health services in the East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Answer: We recognise that the overall number of people being referred to National Health Service adult mental health services is increasing, including in East London, and too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need.That is why, as part of o...
Answered 8 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBicycles: Low IncomesDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10899More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with (a) the Mayor of London and (b) other mayors on improving access to cycles for people on low incomes.
Answer: Ministers and officials meet regularly with Mayors and their representatives to discuss a wide range of transport issues, including enabling more people to walk, wheel and cycle.
Answered 1 Nov 2024
Original Parliament recordBiodiversity: Climate Change ConventionDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 22 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10598More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to integrate the Government's Nationally Determined Contribution under the United Nations Framework
Answer: The UK will announce a 1.5°C aligned 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution at COP29 and will submit the Information to facilitate Clarity, Transparency and Understanding to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change before 10 February 2025. The UK is...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordSchools: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9857More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of falling pupil rolls on school budgets.
Answer: The majority of school funding is driven by pupil numbers. As such, the department understands that falling rolls can have a significant impact on schools’ budgets.The lagged funding system, where schools are funded on the basis of their pupil numbers in ...
Answered 25 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: Primary SchoolsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9856More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to expand access to mental health services in primary schools.
Answer: The Department is working across the Government to deliver on our commitment of a specialist mental health professional in every school, including primary schools. We need to ensure that any support meets the needs of young people, teachers, parents, and ...
Answered 30 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordIsrael: United NationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 15 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9386More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will support an independent investigation into shots fired at UN peacekeepers by Israeli forces.
Answer: The UK condemns the recent attacks on UN Peacekeepers. We have been clear: Israel must act in accordance with International Humanitarian Law. Alongside the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Italy, the Foreign Secretary expressed deep concern about ...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHeart Diseases and Strokes: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 9 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 8373More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on reducing deaths from stroke and heart disease by a quarter within ten years.
Answer: Reducing avoidable disability and death from heart disease and stroke is a priority for the Government. This is why the Government has set a goal for fewer lives being lost to the biggest killers, including from cardiovascular disease (CVD), and why the N...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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