Uma Kumaran MP: written questions 2024
47 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Mobile Phones: TheftHome OfficeTabled 16 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20352More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with representatives of the mobile phone industry on (a) using technology to prevent stolen phones from being re-used and (b) the adequacy of security on banking phone
Answer: A series of meetings have already been held, and we will be holding a Home Office Mobile Phone Theft Summit, drawing together representatives from the mobile phone industry, including tech companies, and law enforcement to see what more can collectively b...
Answered 24 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRented Housing: StudentsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19188More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) regulations and (b) enforcement mechanisms to hold landlords accountable for non-compliance with housing standards in the stud
Answer: The government is committed to improving housing quality for students and will apply a Decent Homes Standard (DHS) to the private rented sector (PRS) for the first time to ensure homes are safe, secure and hazard free. This will include homes let to stude...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGreenhouse Gas EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19187More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Written Statement of 12 November 2024 on the UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement, HCWS206, what steps his D
Answer: The UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% on 1990 levels is an economy-wide target, covering all greenhouse gases, sectors and categories and aligned with limiting global warming to 1.5c...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordClimate Change ConventionDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19186More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for (a) his policies and (b) the IPCC’s seventh assessment cycle of negotiations on the Global Stocktake at COP29 in Baku.
Answer: The UK is fully committed to taking forward the outcomes of the Global Stocktake, including through our recently announced 1.5 aligned Nationally Determined Contribution of at least 81% reduction in emissions by 2035 based on 1990 levels. We are disappoin...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSyria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19185More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts about (a) the role the UK will play in restarting Syria’s political process and (b) a timeline for poli
Answer: The UK is speaking regularly to regional and other partners about the situation in Syria. The Foreign Secretary has spoken to the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria and a number of regional counterparts. I have also discussed developments...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17420More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to incentivise private developers to build more (a) social and (b) affordable homes.
Answer: The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes a number of changes to planning policy designed to support social and affordable housing delivery.The government is also committed to strengthening the existing system of dev...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: Greater LondonMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17419More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of new social homes built across London; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for affordable hou
Answer: I refer my Hon Friend to my answer to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024.
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordFamilies: Advisory ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17418More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to extend funding for independent, non-profit, specialist advice for families involved with the (a) child welfare and (b) family justice systems beyond March 2025.
Answer: The department is currently undertaking business planning to consider spending plans for the 2025/26 fiscal year following the Budget on 30 October. National Helpline services will form part of those considerations.
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordChildren: PovertyDepartment for EducationTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16004More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will ensure that the requirements of children in migrant households are included in the child poverty strategy.
Answer: In developing a child poverty strategy, the child poverty taskforce is considering all children across the United Kingdom. The taskforce recognises the distinct challenges faced by migrant children. The causes of child poverty are deep-rooted, with soluti...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHomelessnessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16003More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle hidden homelessness.
Answer: The Government recognises that homelessness levels are far too high, and this can have a devastating impact on those affected. We will look at these issues carefully, including issues around hidden homelessness, to make sure we put in place services that ...
Answered 3 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordStudents: DisadvantagedDepartment for EducationTabled 21 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 15561More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to (a) reintroduce maintenance grants and (b) another scheme to support students from low income families with the cost of living.
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: 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 record
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