Victoria Collins MP: written questions 2025
508 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Train Operating CompaniesDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31559More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure private train operating companies are held to account for their performance during the transition to rail nationalisation; and what steps she will take to ensure that performa
Answer: The Secretary of State for Transport will not tolerate poor performance and will continue to hold all operators to account through a range of measures, including during the transition of services to a public sector operator. All operators will continue t...
Answered 26 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: InfrastructureDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31558More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of AI zones on local infrastructure.
Answer: The AI Opportunities Action Plan outlines how the UK can build the cutting-edge compute infrastructure needed to lead in AI development and deployment, securing long-term economic growth and staying at the forefront of AI innovation.AI Growth Zones will e...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: DisadvantagedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an estimate of how many and what proportion of (a) children, (b) adults and (c) pensioners in digital poverty in each year since 2018.
Answer: There is no single accepted definition of digital poverty, but we know that digital exclusion impacts people broadly across demographics with some, including older people, at higher risk.According to Ofcom in 2024, 6% of UK adults did not have internet ac...
Answered 28 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordOvarian Cancer: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31274More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer through the non-specific symptoms pathway.
Answer: We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster, including blood cancer. NHS Planning Guidance, issued on 30 January 2025, set stretching targets for cancer. By March 2026, approximately 100,000 more people every y...
Answered 6 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordOvarian Cancer: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 12 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 31272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle regional variations in early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.
Answer: We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster, including blood cancer. NHS Planning Guidance, issued on 30 January 2025, set stretching targets for cancer. By March 2026, approximately 100,000 more people every y...
Answered 6 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordDental Services: PregnancyDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve the accessibility of dental care during the maternity exemption period.
Answer: We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist and we want to make sure that everyone who needs a National Health Service dentist can get one, including pregnant women and new mothers. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patient...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordMedia: EducationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29226More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding the Government has allocated to media literacy initiatives since 4 July 2024; and what recent assessment he has made of the impact of those initiatives on media literac
Answer: The government is committed to empowering internet users with the skills to engage critically with online content and make informed decisions.Since 2022, nearly £3 million in funding has been provided for media literacy projects. This includes £0.5 millio...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordLeisure Centres: SalesDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29214More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of the sale of local authority leisure facilities on public access to sports and recreation services.
Answer: The Government recognises that leisure facilities are important to communities up and down the country. High quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to high quality faci...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordProject GigabitDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 5 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 29213More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the progress of Project Gigabit; how many premises have been connected; and what the status of the outstanding procurements is.
Answer: As of the end of March 2024, over one million premises had been upgraded to gigabit-capable broadband through government-funded programmes. Additionally, more than £2 billion of contracts have been signed to provide gigabit-capable coverage to over a mill...
Answered 11 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28847More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to allocate funding for (a) secure data environments for data validation and (b) other infrastructure required for AI implementation in the NHS.
Answer: Secure access to data to accelerate research and development is an important lever in delivering the Government’s health and growth missions. Access to National Health Service data across England has been supported by investments in digital infrastructure...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28845More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure public engagement with AI implementation in the NHS.
Answer: As part of Government’s five long-term missions, the Department has launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the National Health Service and make it fit for the future. The plan will set out an agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed, to move hea...
Answered 14 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS Trusts: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28844More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding will be made available to NHS trusts to integrate AI technology.
Answer: The NHS AI Lab has already provided £113 million, through the NHS AI Health and Care Awards, to 86 artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, which have been used in 40% of National Health Service acute trusts in England and hundreds of Primary Care Netwo...
Answered 24 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28843More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI integration in health on productivity in (a) radiology and (b) oncology.
Answer: Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have huge potential in improving productivity across the National Health Service by supporting clinicians with faster and more accurate diagnosis, enhancing clinical decision-making about treatment plans, and redu...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28842More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the (a) 10 Year Health Plan and (b) Long-Term Workforce Plan will link to the AI Opportunities Plan.
Answer: As part of the 10-Year Health Plan we are reviewing how the National Health Service should focus its resources to ensure that it maximises the impact of data and technology. This includes how we can make life easier and more productive for those who work ...
Answered 13 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28840More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of levels of workforce requirements needed for AI adoption and innovation in (a) radiology and (b) clinical oncology.
Answer: As part of the 10-Year Health Plan, we are reviewing how the National Health Service should focus its resources to ensure it maximises the impact of data and technology. This includes how we can make life easier and more productive for those who work in t...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS Trusts: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Feb 2025AnsweredUIN 28838More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to ensure that NHS trusts have access to similar AI technologies by having approved models in line with the provision of medical equipment.
Answer: The Department is working to accelerate the safe, ethical, and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the whole healthcare system. The Department has already provided £113 million, through the NHS AI Health and Care Awards, to 86 AI technolo...
Answered 12 Feb 2025
Original Parliament recordNHS: 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 record
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