Victoria Collins MP: written questions 2026
216 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Carer's Allowance: StudentsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 949More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many carers have lost entitlement to Carer’s Allowance as a result of exceeding the 21-hour study limit in each of the last five years.
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 recordDomestic Abuse: Family ProceedingsMinistry of JusticeTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 948More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when his Department's response to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report entitled Everyday Business: Addressing domestic abuse and continuing harm through a family court review and reporting mechanism, publishe
Answer: The Government welcomes the publication of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s report “Everyday Business: Addressing domestic abuse and continuing harm through a family court review and reporting mechanism.”We are carefully considering the recommendations m...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: LabellingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 946More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps her Department has taken to develop AI content labelling to (a) support creatives and (b) reduce the impact of AI deepfakes on the creative industries.
Answer: There is an increasing use of AI tools and other forms of technical innovation in the creation and distribution of digital content, including by the creative industries. The government recognises that labelling AI-generated content can be helpful to consu...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordFraud: InternetHome OfficeTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussion her Department has had with the Department for Science Innovation and Technology about the impact of social media platforms in enabling online scams and fraud.
Answer: The Home Office and DSIT work closely on online harms and ensuring people are safe online from fraud. This includes the Online Safety Act which is in the process of implementation. Since March 2025, Ofcom have been enforcing the illegal content codes whic...
Answered 18 May 2026
Original Parliament recordPlanning Permission: Harpenden and BerkhamstedMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 735More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made on the ability of Local Authorities to effectively halt unauthorised planning developments in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: My Department has made no specific assessment of the ability of Dacorum Borough Council or St Albans City and District Council to effectively halt unauthorised planning developments in the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answered 26 May 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 734More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she plans to take to include children’s perspectives in the policymaking process for generative AI.
Answer: Children’s perspectives are central to the government’s policy approach to generative AI.The Secretary of State recently brought together young people, campaigners, experts, and industry, to discuss childhood in the age of AI at Wilton Park. The event hig...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordPerforming Arts: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 733More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the levels of funding for music and dance schools on the adequacy of the provision of music and dance training.
Answer: The government is committed to revitalising arts education.This includes £36.5 million for the Music and Dance Scheme this academic year, with £32.5 million allocated for the approximately 900 students attending schools and £4 million for the approximatel...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Growing up in the online world: a national consultation, published on 2 March 2026, for people
Answer: The government is committed to ensuring that as many people as possible can take part in Growing up in the online world: a national consultation, including those without technical expertise.The government has produced tailored and more accessible versions...
Answered 22 May 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, in what way she plans to use responses to the consultation entitled Growing up in the online world: a national consultation, published on 2 March 2026, to inform policymaking; and how t
Answer: All responses to the consultation titled: Growing up in the online world: a national consultation will be analysed and summarised, with a summary published on the GOV.UK website. Ministers will consider these views alongside evidence gathered through our ...
Answered 18 May 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 730More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the stakeholder engagement in relation to the consultation entitled Growing up in the online world: a national consultation, published on
Answer: Alongside the consultation, which has had over 63,000 responses already, the Government launched a National Conversation to support broad and accessible engagement across the UK, including through schools, community settings and civil society organisation...
Answered 18 May 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness Rates: ValuationTreasuryTabled 27 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 130027More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Valuation Office Agency’s performance in responding to Checks and Challenges to rateable values of non-domestic properties; and what steps her Department is
Answer: I refer the hon member to the answer to UIN 126458, tabled on 10 April 2026.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBowel Cancer: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128534More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase public participation in the bowel cancer screening programme in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: Bowel screening uptake in Berkhamsted and Harpenden is currently between 84% and 87%. The NHS Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) works closely with general practices (GPs) to encourage promotion of bowel screening through a ‘making every contact cou...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment: MenopauseWomen and EqualitiesTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128525More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what workplace support the Menopause Action Plan will deliver for constituents in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: This Spring, we launched voluntary action plans for large employers, encouraging them to publish what they are doing to support employees experiencing menopause, alongside the steps they are taking to address their gender pay gap.We have published step-by...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMultiple Sclerosis: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 20 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128513More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support his Department is providing to people living with Multiple Sclerosis in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: At the national level, initiatives such as NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time programme and the NHS RightCare Progressive Neurological Conditions toolkit both aim to reduce unwarranted variation in services and improve equity of care for people wit...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational NeedsDepartment for EducationTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127581More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how far the proposed SEND reforms will address the postcode lottery in access to specialist education support.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPupils: SafetyDepartment for EducationTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127381More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of children’s physical safety in schools.
Answer: Nothing is more important than the safety of children. It is the responsibility of those running our schools (academy trusts, local authorities, and voluntary-aided school bodies) to ensure their school buildings are safe, well-maintained, and compliant w...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPupils: Mental HealthDepartment for EducationTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of children’s happiness at school.
Answer: The department is committed to improving pupils’ experience of school, which can affect attendance, engagement, attainment and wider wellbeing.As set out in the Every Child Achieving and Thriving white paper, the government will work with partners to prod...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for EducationTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127378More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the trends in the length of time it takes parents who suspect their child has SEND to get an assessment in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), rests with local authorities. To support this, we are investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding betwee...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for EducationTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127377More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to make it easier for parents to get support for children with SEND in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), rests with local authorities. To support this, we are investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding betwee...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for EducationTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127376More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of then number of school places for children with SEND in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places, including for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), rests with local authorities. To support this, we are investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding betwee...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127375More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support disabled people into work in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: In the Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency, we have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: WomenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127374More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of State Pension age changes on 1950s-born women living in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: The Government carefully considered the findings of the Ombudsman’s report on the communication of changes to women’s State Pension age, and a detailed response including an Equality Analysis has been deposited in the House library.
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAccess to Work Programme: Harpenden and BerkhamstedDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127340More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to reform access to work in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency.
Answer: In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of the Access to Work scheme. We also considered the role of employers in creating accessible and inclusive workplaces as well as how we can shape the market for aids, appliances and assistiv...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordParking: Pedestrian AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127338More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Statutory Instrument required to enable civil enforcement against unnecessary pavement obstruction has been drafted; and when he plans to lay that instrument before Parliament.
Answer: The Statutory Instrument is being drafted and will be laid before Parliament by the end of the year.
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPolice: Ethnic GroupsHome OfficeTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127337More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to improve levels of confidence in the police amongst minority communities.
Answer: The Government actively supports the aims of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing’s ‘National policing culture and inclusion strategy’ which aims to tackle discrimination within policing, as well as the Police Race Action Pla...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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