Victoria Collins MP: written questions
379 published records · newest first.
Written questions
NHS: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28837More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to monitor quality control of new AI products used in the NHS to ensure (a) value for money and (b) return on investment.
Answer: Against a backdrop of increasing demand for National Health Services and significant workforce pressures, artificial intelligence (AI) presents significant opportunities for improving the delivery of care and outcomes for patients, while also saving money...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will establish a standard process for the implementation of AI applications in the NHS.
Answer: The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the National Health Service is still at a relatively early stage. To address this, the Department is carrying out work to assess the barriers of effective adoption and improve the way AI tools are impl...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordWorkplace Pensions: Index LinkingDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27073More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report entitled Defined benefit pension schemes, published on 26 March 2024, HC 144, whether her Department plans to implement pre-1997 indexatio
Answer: The PPF and FAS rules on indexation have been the subject of much discussion. I am aware of the concerns surrounding the matter and understand the problems experienced by Defined Benefit pension scheme members adjusting to an income in retirement which ma...
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordADHD: DrugsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 28 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 27070More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to issue guidance to ensure that people diagnosed with ADHD through private healthcare can access NHS prescriptions without additional assessment.
Answer: General practitioners (GPs) are independent contractors that provide services within the National Health Service. The General Medical Council (GMC) has issued guidance on “Good practice in proposing, prescribing, providing and managing medicines and devic...
Answered 18 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordFire and Rescue Services: FloodsHome OfficeTabled 27 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26648More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty for fire and rescue services to respond to flooding events.
Answer: Fire and Rescue Authorities have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. Fire Rescue Authorities also have discretionary powers to respond to incidents under their general powers in the Fire an...
Answered 3 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordLuton Airport: Air PollutionDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26218More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of ultra fine particles at Luton airport on local residents.
Answer: There are currently no legal limits for ultra fine particulate concentrations. Air quality at Luton Airport is closely monitored and is reported in its Sustainability Reports.
Answered 31 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordLuton Airport: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26217More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her decision on the application to expand Luton airport of the level of emissions from flights departing from that airport.
Answer: The statutory deadline for a decision on the application for a Development Consent Order for London Luton airport expansion is 3 April 2025. Given the Secretary of State’s role in determining the application, it would not be appropriate to comment on the ...
Answered 31 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAirports: National Policy StatementsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 26216More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to update the policy paper entitled Airports National Policy Statement, published on 5 June 2018, to reflect the net zero targets set out in legislation.
Answer: The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Planning Act...
Answered 31 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordFlood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 22 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 25891More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) improve the (i) communication and (ii) public awareness of flooding risks and (b) integrate the risk know-how framework into its (A) flood
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has responsibilities to assess the risk of emergencies such as flooding. This includes putting in place emergency plans and preparations for the management of flooding, alongside arrangements to warn, inform and advise during a...
Answered 30 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordFamily HubsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24351More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of extending the Start for Life programme to (a) Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency and (b) other local authorities that do not r
Answer: The Prime Minister’s Plan for Change outlined that there will be investment to continue to build up the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. In 2025/26, this investment will fund the 75 local authorities in England with high levels of deprivation tha...
Answered 20 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDental Services: EpilepsyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24350More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending free NHS dental repairs to teeth damaged by seizures from epilepsy.
Answer: Free National Health Service dental care is available to people who meet the following criteria: under 18 years old, or under 19 years old and in full-time education; pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months; being treated in an NHS hospital ...
Answered 22 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving: EyesightDepartment for TransportTabled 15 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24349More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the DVLA on the potential merits of accepting eye tests from certified opticians other than Specsavers for frequent license renewals where they are required.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will already consider eyesight tests carried out by opticians other than Specsavers. However, examinations carried out by Specsavers, as the DVLA’s contracted partner, ensure a consistent application of the r...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 14 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24018More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI bots on (a) community cohesion and (b) national security.
Answer: The Government recognises that the huge opportunities offered by AI also come with risks. This includes the potential to generate inauthentic content indistinguishable from human-generated content at higher scale and lower cost than previously possible. W...
Answered 20 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordTechnology: RegulationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 14 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 24017More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on the potential merits of strengthening technology regulation.
Answer: The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology regularly engages with international counterparts, including European partners, both bilaterally and through multilateral forums such as the G7, G20, and OECD. These discussions focus on share...
Answered 20 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDental Services: EpilepsyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21823More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to extend free NHS dental repairs to teeth damaged by seizures from epilepsy.
Answer: Free National Health Service dental care is available to people who meet the following criteria: under 18 years old, or under 19 years old and in full-time education; pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months; being treated in an NHS hospital ...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordProbateMinistry of JusticeTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21822More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she plans to take with probate services to find a solution for cases where there is a chain of representation but the name of the applicant will not match that on the Grant of Probate.
Answer: A chain of representation arises where all the executors of an estate have died before completing the administration of that estate. Under section 7(1) of the Administration of Estates Act 1925 the executor for deceased’s executor becomes the executor for...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordChoirs: Tax AllowancesTreasuryTabled 3 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 21821More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing a similar Orchestra Tax Relief to vocal concerts.
Answer: The creative industries play a key role in driving economic growth. The Government is committed to supporting them as part of its plan to fix the foundations of the economy. To qualify for Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR), a concert must be performed by a group...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordBiodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction AgreementForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21529More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress his Department has made on the ratification of the Global Oceans 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 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordOrthopaedicsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21524More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the availability of activity blades for amputees over 18.
Answer: Prosthetics services are overseen by NHS England. They do not commission activity blades for amputees over 18 years old, and have no current plans change this.Currently, NHS England provides adult amputees primary prostheses, activity limbs, and adaptatio...
Answered 8 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordAirports: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for TransportTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21516More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 900487 on Airports: Carbon Emissions, what strict environmental standards she will use to assess airport expansions.
Answer: The assessment of applications for airport expansion will take account of all relevant law, policy and other material considerations. This includes environmental assessments undertaken as part of the planning application process.The UK’s obligations on gr...
Answered 13 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMayors: ElectionsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 19 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21435More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what voting system her Department plans to use for the 2026 mayoral elections.
Answer: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20691 on 19 December 2024.
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDriving TestsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of enlisting approved driving instructors to carry out practical driving tests on a temporary basis; and if she will make an assessment of t
Answer: It is not possible to allow approved driving instructors (ADI’s) to temporarily work as driving examiners. The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) 1999 regulations require driving test examiners to meet certain criteria and pass an initial qualification and...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDriving Tests: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20836More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to increase the availability of practical driving tests in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times right across the country. I announced to Parliament via a Written Ministerial Statemen...
Answered 20 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPoverty: Older PeopleDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20093More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help tackle poverty experienced by older people, in the context of changes to the eligibility criteria for the winter fuel payment.
Answer: The Government is honouring our commitment to the Triple Lock with a 4.1% increase to the basic State Pension and the new State Pension; and we are also increasing the standard minimum guarantee in Pension Credit by 4.1%. As such, according to the latest ...
Answered 19 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHomelessnessMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 3 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17683More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to (a) end homelessness and (b) involve people who have lived experience of homelessness in that process.
Answer: Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessnes...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →