Wendy Morton MP: written questions 2024
78 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Ghana: ElectionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17542More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Russian interference in the upcoming Ghanaian general election.
Answer: Foreign actors, including Russia, attempt to use information manipulation and interference to manipulate social discourse, skew national and international debates on subjects of critical importance, and try to undermine democratic institutions and nationa...
Answered 6 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Hostage TakingForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 3 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17540More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the incoming US Administration on securing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Answer: Whilst we have not had any official discussions with the incoming US administration regarding the release of hostages, our position remains clear. It is appalling that hostages taken by Hamas terrorists on 7 October are still being held captive, including...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGambling: TaxationDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17539More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact on charity lotteries of introducing a statutory levy on gambling operators.
Answer: As set out in the Government’s response to the consultation on the statutory levy, we will introduce a statutory levy charged to all licensed gambling operators. Society lotteries will be charged the levy at the lowest rate of 0.1%, in recognition of the ...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordPrize Money: ResearchDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 3 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17538More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to publish research commissioned by her department to gather evidence about the (a) size and (b) nature of the prize draw sector.
Answer: The Department is still considering the findings of the independent research, which looked at the size and nature of the prize draw market, as well as possible gambling harm associated with these products. This research is informing our policy considerati...
Answered 11 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRussia: Diplomatic RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 17121More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the (a) expulsion of a UK diplomat by Russia and (b) travel bans issued by Russia on UK officials and Mi
Answer: The UK condemns harassment of diplomats in the strongest terms including the malicious and completely baseless accusations made against FCDO staff in Russia. We do not comment on specific Russian travel bans. No Minister will be visiting Russia in the cur...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGavi, the Vaccine Alliance: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16959More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing funding to Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance’s replenishment campaign for the 2026-2030 strategic period.
Answer: The UK is a longstanding proud donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, committing £1.65 billion from 2021-2025 which is helping save up to 8 million lives from vaccine preventable diseases. In 2026-2030, Gavi aims to immunise up to 500 million more children,...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRussia: Diplomatic ServiceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the work of UK diplomatic staff based in Russia.
Answer: The Kremlin shows a persistent pattern of unacceptable and unjustified behaviour against UK diplomats in Russia, who undertake vital work in extremely challenging circumstances. Following specific incidents of concern, the Russian Ambassador has been summ...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRomania: ElectionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to support the work of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe in ensuring free and fair elections in Romania.
Answer: The UK is a strong supporter of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). While ODIHR did not send an election observation mission to Romania on this occasion, the UK will continue to work closely with the OSCE to support dem...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordMauritius: Foreign RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16956More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam in Mauritius.
Answer: After his recent election, the UK sent congratulatory messages to Prime Minister Ramgoolam. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy, Jonathan Powell, then visited Mauritius and met Prime Minister Ramgoolam on 25 November. We look forward to developing our shar...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLebanon: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16955More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) Lebanon and (b) the Middle East on ensuring that aid can be brought into Lebanon.
Answer: The UK continues to engage with international partners on alleviating the suffering of those most in need in Lebanon, including refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities. I attended the International Conference in Support of Lebanon's People and Sovere...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLebanon: Aid WorkersForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the safety of UK humanitarian workers in Lebanon.
Answer: Any British national in Lebanon, regardless of the purpose of their stay, is entitled to consular support from the British Embassy. We provide detailed and up-to-date travel advice on gov.uk, which gives useful information for British Nationals to inform ...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: Sexual OffencesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help support international action to tackle conflict-related sexual violence.
Answer: This Government's commitment to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is resolute. To drive international action, Lord Collins has been appointed as the Prime Minister's Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conf...
Answered 10 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordColombia: Gender Based ViolenceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16927More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Colombia on tackling violence against women and girls.
Answer: Colombia is a focus country for the UK for work to support Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Colombia launched its first WPS National Action Plan on 30 November. In support of the plan, the UK provided £270,000 to co-fund consultation workshops with women'...
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordRussia: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16926More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK sanctions on Russia.
Answer: Working with partners, our Russia sanctions are restricting Putin's war machine - degrading his military and putting grit in the system by increasing equipment costs and delays and reducing equipment quality. Sanctions have deprived Russia of over $400 bi...
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordIran: SanctionsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16925More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK sanctions on Iran.
Answer: We judge UK sanctions to be an important tool in deterring and disrupting Iran's malign activity and demonstrating that, alongside our international partners, the UK condemns Iran's threats to international security and its human rights violations. Since ...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordGaza: Humanitarian AidForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16924More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to identify any potential additional routes for humanitarian aid delivery into Gaza since July 2024.
Answer: The UK continues to call on Israel to increase humanitarian and commercial access into the Palestinian territories by ensuring all aid crossings are fully operational. This is particularly vital in the winter months as heavy rain and flooding are now exac...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordEmployers' Contributions: Civil SocietyTreasuryTabled 29 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16917More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has she made of the potential impact of changes to Employer’s National Insurance Contributions announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 on charities and community organisations in (a) the West Midlands an
Answer: In order to repair the public finances and raise the revenue required to fund our public services, the government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance which has included the charity sector. HMRC has published a Tax Info...
Answered 9 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordHospices: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16507More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2024 to Question 13775 on Hospices: Children, what his timescale is for announcing funding arrangements for the Children's Hospice Grant for 2025/26.
Answer: We are aware that clarity on the 2025/26 funding arrangements is needed to help children’s hospices, as they confirm their budgets. I have met NHS England, Together for Short Lives, and one of the co-chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Childre...
Answered 12 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16505More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Qs 258-259 of the oral evidence given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Treasury Select Committee on Wednesday 6 November 2024, what value of Business Property Relief was claimed on farmer'
Answer: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. This includes information on claim...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16504More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to Qs 258-259 of the oral evidence given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Treasury Select Committee on Wednesday 6 November 2024, whether the figures quoted in her answers related only to Agr
Answer: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. This includes information on claim...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordDerelict LandMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16502More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to utilise architects to allow development of complex brownfield sites in proposed National Planning Policy Framework reforms.
Answer: National planning policy sets out the circumstances in which the development of brownfield land is considered appropriate, and the standards that are expected, including a high quality of design. It does not specify the professions which should be involve...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordLocal Plans: FinanceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 27 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16501More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure the provision of adequate funding to support (a) up-to-date local plans and (b) high-quality design codes.
Answer: Within weeks of taking office, the government consulted on increasing planning fees to put planning services on a firmer footing and to reflect the real costs of the services they provide.Subject to the outcome of our consultation on proposed reforms to t...
Answered 5 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16242More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief on trends in the sale of agricultural land assets.
Answer: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. It is expected that up to around 2...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16241More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief on (a) arable, (b) livestock and (c) hill farms.
Answer: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. It is expected that up to around 2...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxTreasuryTabled 26 Nov 2024AnsweredUIN 16240More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 on (i) abattoirs, (ii) butchers, (iii) agricul
Answer: The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. It is expected that up to around 2...
Answered 4 Dec 2024
Original Parliament record
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