Wendy Morton MP: written questions 2026
595 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Palace of Westminster: Repairs and MaintenanceRestoration and Renewal Client BoardTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114855More
Question: To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, whether it has undertaken a formal value-for-money assessment of discretionary scope items including new visitor infrastructure, plaza constructio
Answer: Section 2(5) of the Parliamentary Buildings (Restoration and Renewal) Act 2019, which established the framework for the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme, requires the Programme to have regard to (amongst other things) the need to ensure the Par...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPalace of Westminster: Repairs and MaintenanceRestoration and Renewal Client BoardTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114854More
Question: To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, with reference to the costed proposals report and in particular the proposed new main security entrance and enhanced search and screening faciliti
Answer: The preferred scope for all options under the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Programme will deliver a fit-for-purpose and accessible visitor arrival space, including higher capacity security search and screen areas that will reduce the likelihood of qu...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPalace of Westminster: Repairs and MaintenanceRestoration and Renewal Client BoardTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114853More
Question: To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the Restoration and Renewal Client Board, what assessment it has made of the cumulative cost impact of scope additions relating to visitor experience, public engagement and new-build inter
Answer: In 2024 the Restoration and Renewal (R&R) Client Board (the two House Commissions meeting jointly) considered the scope of the R&R Programme: that is, the improvements and benefits to be achieved in the end-state Palace, to which both Houses of Pa...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: West MidlandsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114852More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the likely impact of public ownership on fare levels in the West Midlands over the next five years; whether fare-setting powers will change substantively under Great British Rail
Answer: Passenger affordability is a top priority for this government when setting rail fares. That is why this year we have taken the historic step of freezing regulated rail fares for the first time in 30 years, putting money back in hard working people’s pocke...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWest Midlands Trains: NationalisationDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114851More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what operational and financial risks were identified ahead of the transfer of West Midlands Trains into public ownership; what additional costs are expected to arise in the 2025–26 and 2026–27 financial years a
Answer: The Department considered all relevant circumstances of West Midlands Trains’ (WMT) position prior to transferring its services into public ownership on 1 February 2026. The Department does not expect WMT’s cost base to rise as a result of the transfer. W...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGreat British Railways: StandardsDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114850More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what empirical evidence her Department relied upon in concluding that public ownership of train operations would improve punctuality and reliability; what modelling has been undertaken on the expected impact of
Answer: Great British Railways (GBR) will be a directing mind for Britain’s railway. The Impact Assessments for the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill and the Railways Bill set out the rationale for reform. We continue to look at international bes...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: Local GovernmentDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114849More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what statutory role combined authorities will have under the Railways Bill in relation to service levels, timetabling and rolling stock deployment; what mechanisms will exist for regional leaders to challenge o
Answer: GBR will be required to consult Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) where decisions on passenger services or rail infrastructure could have a significant impact on their areas. GBR will also have regard to the Local Transport Plans of MSAs to ensure loc...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWest Midlands Trains: Rolling StockDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114848More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the total capital value of rolling stock introduced on West Midlands routes since 2018; what proportion of that funding was supported by public funds, government-backed financing,
Answer: There has been no estimate made of the total capital value of rolling stock because all WMT trains are leased from rolling stock companies who own the rolling stock. WMT's rolling stock lease charges make up approximately 12% of its cost base. Overall WMT...
Answered 6 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWest Midlands Trains: Rolling StockDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114847More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any minimum allocation guarantees have been provided to regional authorities; whether combined authorities or mayors will have any formal consent or veto role in decisions relating to the permanent reas
Answer: There are no minimum allocation guarantees in place. Mayors currently have varying roles in rail matters affecting their areas, and the detail of future arrangements has not yet been decided.No assessment of the potential economic impact of moving trains ...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWest Midlands Trains: Rolling StockDepartment for TransportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114846More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what safeguards are in place to help ensure that rolling stock currently allocated to services operated by West Midlands Trains remains allocated to those routes following transfer into public ownership; and wh
Answer: The Department for Transport (DfT), and the Department’s Rail Operator (DFTO) currently have no plans to reallocate rolling stock in use by West Midlands Trains and, as part of the recent transfer into public ownership, all leases have been extended until...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCommonhold and Leasehold: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112636More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, when he plans to bring forward remedial legislation; when
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 103549 on 14 January 2026.
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordProperty Management Companies: Fees and ChargesMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112635More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, how many freehold homeowners are estimated to be affected
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGround RentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112634More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, what assessment his Department has made of the potential i
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 27 January 2026 (HCWS1278) and to the policy statement on ground rents published on the same date which is available on gov.uk here. An Impact Assessment for the draft Commonhold and ...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCommonhold and Leasehold: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112633More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning of 27 January 2026, HCWS1278, what enforcement framework will replace leasehold forfeitu
Answer: The draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill includes provisions that abolish the right to forfeit a long residential lease for breach of covenant and introduce a new statutory lease enforcement scheme. An Impact Assessment for the draft Bill will be pu...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordCommonhold and Leasehold: ReformMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112632More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2ith reference to the written statement of 27 January 2026 on Commonhold and leasehold reform, HCWS1278, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing the commo
Answer: To ensure that commonhold is viable for existing buildings as well as new developments, the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill includes provisions to make conversion to commonhold from leasehold more accessible. An Impact Assessment for the draft ...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordFlats: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112631More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 27 January 2026 on Commonhold and leasehold reform, HCWS1278, what exemptions his Department is considering to the proposed ban on new
Answer: I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the ‘Moving to commonhold: banning leasehold for new flats’ consultation launched on 27 January 2026. It is available on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 24 April 2026.
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112630More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 28 January 2026 on Resetting the S106 system, whether his Department plans to monitor disparities between authorities in renegotiation
Answer: My Department will closely monitor data relating to the time-limited process in question.We have no current plans to collate re-negotiated S106 agreements and publish comparative data.
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAffordable Housing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112629More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement entitled Resetting the S106 system, HCWS1286, published on 28 January 2026, whether additional legal, valuation, and planning resources wi
Answer: The Planning and Infrastructure Act includes powers that allow the Secretary of State to delegate planning fee-setting to local planning authorities, enabling them to recover costs and reinvest to provide a more efficient and responsive planning service, ...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAffordable HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112155More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to HCWS1286 on Resetting the S106 system, what consultation she will undertake with local authorities prior to implementing the planned Spring 2026 reforms.
Answer: My Department will continue to engage with all relevant parts of the sector as we develop measures designed to ‘reset’ the S106 market and support the effective S106 delivery of social and affordable homes, including local authorities.
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordAffordable HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112154More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in reference to HCWS1286 on Resetting the S106 system, whether financial payments made in lieu of onsite affordable housing will be required to remain within the originating loca
Answer: The government expects that wherever financial payments are accepted in lieu of onsite affordable housing, they will remain within the originating local authority area.
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordBowel Cancer: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112153More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to HCWS1271 on Improving Cancer Care and Early Diagnosis, when bowel cancer screening invitations will be issued via the NHS App; what proportion of eligible patients currently use t
Answer: Whilst there is an increasing move towards digital National Health Service communications, NHS letters remain crucial for many patients, particularly those who may be digitally excluded, therefore, they will always be included in the screening offer. For ...
Answered 16 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCancer: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112152More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to HCWS1271 on Improving Cancer Care and Early Diagnosis, which early cancer detection technologies NICE is currently assessing; what timelines apply to NICE's decisions to approve t
Answer: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently assessing a number of technologies relevant to earlier cancer detection. These include capsule sponge tests to support detection of oesophageal cancer in primary care settings, and ...
Answered 20 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordCancer: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112151More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to HCWS1271, what metrics his Department uses to measure geographic inequalities in cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival; which regions perform worst on early diagnosis and canc
Answer: The Department monitors geographic inequalities in cancer diagnosis and treatment through the NHS Cancer Waiting Time Standards, for which data is published at integrated care board and provider level. The NHS England Acute Provider Table for all 134 prov...
Answered 16 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordVeterinary Services: RegulationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112150More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to HCWS1281 on reform to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, what plans she has to regulate veterinary and animal healthcare businesses; how price transparency and consume
Answer: Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is currently unable to regulate businesses. Defra’s consultation on reform of this Act, released on 28 January, proposes that all veterinary and animal health businesses (tho...
Answered 18 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordVeterinary Services: RegulationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112149More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to HCWS1281 of 28 January 2026 on reform to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, what assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of allowing veterinary nurs
Answer: Registered Veterinary Nurses are highly qualified and are regulated by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Any work they do will remain within their competencies though some tasks that veterinary nurses regularly do now, may no longer need a veterin...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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