Victoria Collins MP: written questions 2025
508 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Road Works: EnforcementDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80304More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving greater enforcement powers to local authorities in relation to the regulation of roadworks conducted by utility companies.
Answer: The Department for Transport recognises the importance of ensuring that street works are carried out safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to road users and local communities.Highway authorities already have access to a comprehensive set of pow...
Answered 16 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Works: UtilitiesDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80303More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the 2023 Code of Practice for Inspections to ensure that (a) the performance-based sample inspection regime does not allow utility companies to offset local failure rates against national ave
Answer: The Department for Transport keeps all statutory guidance under regular review, including the 2023 Code of Practice for Inspections. The performance-based sample inspection regime introduced in April 2023 is designed to ensure that undertakers are inspect...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Works: UtilitiesDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80302More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will review the April 2023 Code of Practice for Inspections in relation to the capping of inspection charges for defective reinstatements at two cycles.
Answer: In April 2023, the Department for Transport introduced a performance-based inspections regime to improve the quality of reinstatements following street works. Under this system, utility companies with higher defect or failure rates are subject to increase...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Works: UtilitiesDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80301More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to implement the planned doubling of fines available to local councils for utility companies that breach permit conditions or carry out unauthorised roadworks.
Answer: Following a public consultation in 2024, the Government confirmed its intention to double the level of fixed penalty notices for certain street works offences including breaching permit conditions.The necessary secondary legislation to enact these changes...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordRoad Works: UtilitiesDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80300More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to review the level of fines that local authorities can levy on utility companies for (a) breaches of permit conditions and (b) defective roadworks.
Answer: Following a public consultation in 2024, the Government confirmed its intention to double the level of fixed penalty notices for certain street works offences including breaching permit conditions.The necessary secondary legislation to enact these changes...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Medical EquipmentDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80299More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department (a) has considered and (b) plans to consider expanding requirements for lifesaving equipment in vehicles used for public or quasi-public purposes.
Answer: The Department is not considering mandating public vehicles to carry defibrillators. In England outside London, commercial bus operators provide the majority of bus services and have responsibility for managing their fleets. Any decision on whether to fit...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSewers: Private PropertyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80298More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Section 106 obligations on developer funding for the (a) long-term maintenance or (b) adoption of sustainable drainage infr
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that developments of all sizes should use sustainable drainage techniques where the development could have drainage impacts. This is supported by National Planning Guidance which sets out that local autho...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSpecial Educational Needs: Developmental Language DisorderDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80297More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure children with Developmental Language Disorder receive appropriate support within the education system.
Answer: The government is committed to ensuring that every child has the best start in life. This includes all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including speech, language and communications needs such as Developmen...
Answered 23 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPost-polio Syndrome: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80296More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that post-polio syndrome is (a) recognised, (b) diagnosed, and (c) treated though (i) access to specialist neuromuscular clinics, (ii) appropriate care
Answer: Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but care may involve pain-...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPolio: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80295More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reviewing the regional disparities of access to (a) therapy and (b) rehabilitation services for people living with (i) the long-te
Answer: Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but care may involve pain-...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPolio: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) polio survivors with post-polio syndrome and (b) other polio survivors have equitable access to specialist treatment centres providing (i) physioth
Answer: Although there is currently no cure for post-polio syndrome, a range of treatments and support is available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment will depend on the severity of a patient’s condition, but care may involve pain-...
Answered 29 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSchools: TravelDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the travel costs to families for their child to meet their (a) educational, (b) pastoral and (c) mental health needs where the local school is unable to meet those needs
Answer: The government’s ambition is that all children receive the support they need to achieve and thrive. Our home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport.A child is eligible for free home-...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCommunity DevelopmentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80292More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to publish the Community Cohesion Strategy; and what recent progress he has made in developing the Strategy.
Answer: The Ministry for Communities, Housing and Local Government is leading cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and addr...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80291More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing business rates for hospitality venues on high street regeneration.
Answer: The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospital...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCoeliac DiseaseDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80290More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle regional inequalities in access to gluten free prescriptions for patients with coeliac disease.
Answer: Decisions about the commissioning and funding of local health services are the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). It is the responsibility of ICBs, working with clinicians, service users, and patient groups, to develop local services a...
Answered 20 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCoeliac Disease: Hospitality IndustryDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mandatory training requirements for food handlers in businesses serving the public on increasing awareness of (a) allergens, (b) gluten-fr
Answer: Under United Kingdom law, food business operators must ensure that staff training is appropriate to the type of food handled, including high-risk foods such as those containing allergens or gluten. While there is no standalone legal requirement for allerg...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSchool Meals: Gluten-free FoodsDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80288More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her department holds on the number of pupils in England requiring gluten free meal provision in schools.
Answer: The department does not hold data on requirements for gluten-free meal provision in schools. The government sets out required minimum standards for school food in the School Food Standards. Headteachers, governors and their caterers are best placed to mak...
Answered 28 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: Offences against ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80287More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom plans to (a) measure and (b) report on the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 for tackling online child grooming.
Answer: Monitoring and evaluation are key to understanding how effective the online safety regime is. The Government and Ofcom are actively monitoring the regime’s impact through a programme of evaluation work.This work will track the effect of the online safety ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: CopyrightDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80286More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of the creative industries on a potential copyright and AI framework.
Answer: The Government will continue to engage extensively with stakeholders on copyright and AI. This includes establishing a stakeholder working group to inform the development of copyright and AI policy.This work commenced over the Summer, where three initial ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordFlood ControlMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to (a) amend planning policy and (b) issue guidance on (i) the sequential test and (ii) flood-risk management in the context of recent (A) appeal and
Answer: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk (whether existing or future). Where development is necessary in such ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordSewers: Private PropertyMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80284More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to (a) amend planning policy and (b) issue guidance on how local planning authorities should frame enforceable planning conditions where delivery of
Answer: My Department’s Planning Practice Guidance already provides guidance on the use of negatively-worded planning conditions (often termed Grampian conditions) to deal with the delivery of infrastructure required for a development (such as drainage) which is ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordLand Use: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 80283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to help tackle the practice of subdividing agricultural land into multiple small plots for onward sale without an accompanying (a) planning and (b) cha
Answer: It is for individual local planning authorities to take enforcement action where development, including change of use of land, is undertaken without planning permission.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordOverseas Students: GazaHome OfficeTabled 16 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77831More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support Palestinian students from Gaza who have been accepted onto UK university courses with (a) access to secure (i) English language testing (ii) visa process
Answer: The Government has outlined plans to support the departure from Gaza of a group of Chevening Scholars so they can take up university places in the UK in the Autumn for the 2025/26 academic year. We are extending this support to students in Gaza with full ...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordBuildings: InsuranceTreasuryTabled 16 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 77830More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has issued guidance on the rights of consumers to access property-specific risk data held by (a) insurers and (b) third-party providers that are used in insurance premium calculations.
Answer: The Treasury has not issued guidance on the rights of consumers to access property-specific risk data held by insurers or third-party providers. Consumers have rights to access their personal data under the UK's data protection legislation (the UK General...
Answered 13 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: EmploymentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 11 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 76733More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support entry-level employment opportunities for young people in the hospitality sector.
Answer: I recognise that the hospitality sector offers significant entry-level opportunities for young people. My department is working closely with UKHospitality, the trade body for the sector, to deliver Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) to 26 areas ...
Answered 19 Sept 2025
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →