Victoria Collins MP: written questions
407 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Hospices: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of statutory funding for hospices; and what plans his Department has to ensure equitable funding for hospices.
Answer: We are pleased to have now published an interim update on Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care in England, detailing the progress to date. The interim update was published via a Written Ministerial Statement, alongside a...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHospices: PayDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that hospices can implement staff pay awards in line with national Agenda for Change pay scales, where these staff are delivering NHS contracted services.
Answer: Hospices, as independent organisations, are free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment, including pay scales and, therefore, it is for them to determine what is affordable within the financial model they operate and how to reco...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHospices: PayDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6253More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of implementing NHS pay rises for all hospice staff in line with Agenda for Change pay scales.
Answer: Hospices, as independent organisations, are free to develop and adapt their own terms and conditions of employment, including pay scales and, therefore, it is for them to determine what is affordable within the financial model they operate and how to reco...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHospicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6252More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department plan to take to ensure that the Modern Service Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care guarantees equitable provision of hospice care.
Answer: We are pleased to have now published an interim update on Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care in England, detailing the progress to date. The interim update was published via a Written Ministerial Statement, alongside a...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordHospices: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6251More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made in ensuring the Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework will address hospices' funding challenges.
Answer: We are pleased to have now published an interim update on Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care in England, detailing the progress to date. The interim update was published via a Written Ministerial Statement, alongside a...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal PlansMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5674More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether a local planning authority is required to maintain a site allocation in its emerging Local Plan notwithstanding the refusal of a speculative planning application on that
Answer: Local planning authorities are responsible for preparing local plans and for identifying sites in their plans to guide development to the most suitable locations, supported by the right infrastructure. They can only adopt plans that are found sound by an ...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5606More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the announcement on 26 May 2026 of the cancellation of later-stage Project Gigabit contracts, what steps she is taking to prevent rural and hard-to-reach communities f
Answer: As of January 2026, Ofcom reports that 83% of premises in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency have access to a gigabit-capable connection.For the remaining premises within Harpenden and Berkhamsted which have been removed from Project Gigabit contr...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5605More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the announcement of the cancellation of later-stage Project Gigabit contracts on 26 May 2026, when improved broadband access will be delivered in Harpenden and Berkham
Answer: As of January 2026, Ofcom reports that 83% of premises in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency have access to a gigabit-capable connection.For the remaining premises within Harpenden and Berkhamsted which have been removed from Project Gigabit contr...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: HertfordshireDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5118More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, following the announcement on 26 May 2026 regarding the cancellation of later-stage Project Gigabit contracts, how many premises in Hertfordshire will no longer be eligible to receive g
Answer: Building Digital UK (BDUK) and CityFibre have recently agreed changes to the scope of its Project Gigabit contracts to reflect updated commercial rollout plans and wider market conditions. Updated market data shows that a significant number of premises ar...
Answered 3 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordProject Gigabit: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5117More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, following the announcement on 26 May 2026 regarding the cancellation of later-stage Project Gigabit contracts, how many premises in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency will no longer
Answer: Building Digital UK (BDUK) and CityFibre have recently agreed changes to the scope of its Project Gigabit contracts to reflect updated commercial rollout plans and wider market conditions. Updated market data shows that a significant number of premises ar...
Answered 3 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: FraudDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5011More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment her Department has made of the role of social media companies in facilitating online fraud and scams.
Answer: Online platforms, including social media, are being exploited by criminals to commit crime. Data from the banking and financial services sector suggests 53% of authorised push payment (APP) fraud cases in 2023 involved social media, messaging and call pla...
Answered 8 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBowel Cancer: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5010More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to encourage early diagnosis of bowel cancer in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The Government is determined to improve early diagnosis for bowel cancer, including in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.We are increasing the sensitivity of faecal immunochemical tests for bowel cancer screening to catch more bowel cancers at an...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordIron and Steel: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5009More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the impact of the UK Steel and Trade Measure coming into force on 1 July 2026 on (a) advanced metals manufacturers and (b) the viability of UK suppliers; and what (i) rel
Answer: The measure has been designed to strike the right balance between securing the future of domestic steelmaking while maintaining secure supply chains for downstream users. The measure only covers steel requirements that can be met in the UK. In some instan...
Answered 3 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordIron and Steel: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5008More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the financial impact of the UK Steel and Trade Measure on (a) advanced and (b) high-grade metals manufacturers facing significant tariff liabilities.
Answer: The measure has been designed to strike the right balance between securing the future of domestic steelmaking while maintaining secure supply chains for downstream users. The measure only covers steel requirements that can be met in the UK. In some instan...
Answered 3 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordIron and Steel: Manufacturing IndustriesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 May 2026AnsweredUIN 5007More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions his Department has had with small and medium-sized advanced metals manufacturers regarding the UK Steel and Trade Measure coming into force on 1 July 2026; and what assessment h
Answer: The measure has been designed to strike the right balance between securing the future of domestic steelmaking while maintaining secure supply chains for downstream users. The measure only covers steel requirements that can be met in the UK. In some instan...
Answered 3 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPharmacy: ContractsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to introduce a realistic and responsive price-concession mechanism to for pharmacies.
Answer: The Department reviewed the price concession process as part of the 2022/23 and 2023/24 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework Funding. This review resulted in the implementation of several improvements including:no discount deducted on products granted...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordIndia: Religious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3945More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking in response to the implementation of anti-conversion laws in India.
Answer: The UK continues to track these issues and to promote religious freedom and tolerance. Our High Commission in New Delhi, along with our network of Deputy High Commissions, monitors the human rights situation closely. We also engage with civil society and ...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordReligious FreedomForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3944More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what staffing, funding and programme resources are being allocated to support the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief in delivering the commitments outlined in
Answer: The Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief is supported by a team within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. In respect of funding, I refer the Hon Member to the statement made to the House by the Foreign Secretary on 19 March outli...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSchool Meals: HertfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3943More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many pupils have received universal school meals for infants in each Hertfordshire constituency (a) this year (b) in total since the policy was introduced.
Answer: The department holds the data for universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) taken in Hertfordshire since the policy was introduced, but not at constituency level. This data is published in the ‘Schools, pupils and characteristics’ publication. The most r...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPupil Premium: HertfordshireDepartment for EducationTabled 21 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much pupil premium funding has been provided to schools in each Hertfordshire constituency (a) this year (b) in total since the policy was introduced.
Answer: Pupil premium allocations for Broxbourne, Harpenden and Berkhamsted, Hertford and Stortford, Hertsmere, Hitchin, North East Hertfordshire, South West Hertfordshire, St Albans, Stevenage, Watford and Welwyn Hatfield have been published each year since the ...
Answered 5 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordDementia: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 May 2026AnsweredUIN 3642More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department has taken to support unpaid carers of family members living with dementia in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency; and what recent assessment he has made of the a
Answer: The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers supporting family members living with dementia, including in Harpenden and Berkhamsted, and is committed to ensuring they receive the support they need.Under the Care Act 2014, unpaid carers are en...
Answered 1 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordCancer: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1009More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of whether the NHS target of treating 85% of cancer patients within 62 days is being met in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The Department does not collect this data. The data collected by NHS England is not collected at a constituency level. Data on what proportion of cancer patients in the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board received a first treatment within t...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordFuel Oil: PricesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 1007More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his department has made of the impact of the Iran War on heating oil costs for houses and businesses in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The Government is aware of the exposure heating oil has to the short-term volatility in global oil prices, which we recognise it is a significant concern for those reliant on it. This is why the Chancellor announced £53 million for low income families, wh...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordApprentices: Small BusinessesDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 951More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to encourage small businesses to offer apprenticeships for young people in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy in England, backed by £1 billion of additional investment, which will support 50,000 more young people into apprenticeships and give employers, including in Harpend...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordCarer's Allowance: StudentsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 950More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the eligibility rules for Carer’s Allowance on unpaid carers seeking to access higher and further education.
Answer: The department works very closely with the Department for Education and Department for Health and Social Care, and stakeholders such as Carers Trust and the Learning and Work Institute, to help ensure young carers get the help and support they need and de...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament record
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