Will Forster MP: written questions 2025
198 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Overseas Workers: National Insurance ContributionsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 75075More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions her Department has had with HM Treasury on improving communication between HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions on cases involving voluntary National Insuranc
Answer: We work closely with HMRC on Voluntary National Insurance Contributions, sharing information where appropriate and proactively identifying ways we can improve our working practices.
Answered 11 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordLandfill TaxTreasuryTabled 1 Sept 2025AnsweredUIN 73880More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the level of landfill tax on (a) housebuilding costs, (b) housing affordability and (c) the delivery of new homes.
Answer: The government consulted on proposals for reform of landfill tax on 28 April following a call for evidence in 2021. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is currently considering responses. The government is committed to delivering 1.5 mi...
Answered 9 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Driving LicencesHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will issue national guidance to police to provide a receipt or paperwork to confirm that a person has produced their driving documents when requested.
Answer: Under section 164 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 a police officer has the power to require the production of a driving licence and under section 165 of the same Act the power to obtain names and addresses of drivers and others, and to require the production...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the longest continuous period was during which a commissioned (a) vessel and (b) aircraft was not (i) deployed and (ii) operational.
Answer: As the hon. Member's question is unbounded and the information is not held centrally, an answer could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordThames Water: DroughtsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73289More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency (a) plans to issue and (b) has already issued a drought permit to Thames Water.
Answer: Water companies have a statutory duty to produce a drought plan outlining actions the company will take to maintain water supplies during dry weather and drought. Such actions include applying for drought permits. Only water companies can apply to the Env...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordMental Health Services: FinanceDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73230More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason he plans to reduce the allocation of NHS funding for mental health services in 2025-26.
Answer: We are determined to transform NHS mental health services, with a shift to prevention and earlier intervention. Spending on mental health support will increase relative to 2024/25 and is forecast to amount to £15.6 billion in 2025/26. That is an increase ...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordDeath Certificates: SuicideMinistry of JusticeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if her Department will consider reviewing the potential merits of listing a specific addiction as the cause of death by suicide on death certificates.
Answer: The Government has no plans to change the information which coroners are required to determine with regard to cause of death in cases of suicide.The information recorded by the coroner in the Record of Inquest is dependent on the circumstances of the indi...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordChemicals: SafetyDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73145More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department has taken to ensure that (a) alignment with EU standards and (b) the highest safety standards are maintained on chemical regulation when importing toxic chemicals.
Answer: The reforms set out in the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) consultation on Chemicals Legislative Reform proposals aim to give HSE greater flexibility and scope to make necessary or appropriate regulatory decisions in Great Britain (GB) at pace with in...
Answered 5 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordFireworks: NoiseDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73144More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) reducing the permissible noise limits of fireworks and (b) restricting their sale to Category F1 and F2 fireworks available only
Answer: The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property. I continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including businesses, consumer group...
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ReorganisationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73143More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the cost to the public purse of funds spent by local authorities on public persuasion on local government reorganisation.
Answer: The government’s invitation to councils is clear on the importance of local engagement in the development of proposals. It is for councils to decide how to do this, including what resource is used, and the department does not hold information on this. Loc...
Answered 15 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordImran KhanForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73142More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when did his Department last raise concerns with his Pakistani counterpart about former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his supporters.
Answer: While judicial matters are for Pakistan's courts, the UK has consistently emphasised to its counterparts in Pakistan the need for due process, fair trials, and humane treatment for all, including Mr Imran Khan.
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPakistan: Human RightsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 73141More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage Pakistan to respect (a) democracy, (b) human rights and (c) the rule of law.
Answer: Promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan, and we regularly engage Pakistan on these issues at the highest levels. The former Foreign Secretary raised human rights, democracy and the...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordVisas: Care WorkersHome OfficeTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 72431More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support overseas carers unable to take up alternative employment as their employer’s sponsorship licence has been suspended and not yet revoked.
Answer: Whilst a Sponsor is suspended, there is no impact on a worker’s ability to continue to remain in their employment. We do not predetermine an outcome related to their licence at this stage.However, the Home Office have confirmed they will support these wor...
Answered 17 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordRailways: TicketsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71868More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with the Treasury on the cost of a rollout of smart ticketing across newly nationalised routes.
Answer: We are overhauling the complex fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare. The rollout of smart ticketing solutions will play an important role in achieving this and...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordBus Services: ConcessionsDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71822More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has considered the recommendation of the Children’s Commissioner’s report entitled Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published in July 2025, to provide access to
Answer: The Government knows how important affordable bus services are in enabling young people to get to education, work and access vital services. The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible ...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: ChildrenDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71821More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has considered the recommendation of the Children’s Commissioner’s report entitled Growing up in a low-income family: Children’s experiences, published in July 2025, to introduce
Answer: The Child Poverty Taskforce, co-chaired by the Work and Pensions and Education Secretaries, is committed to listening to the voices of children and families and embed the voices of these families directly into their work. The Office of the Children’s Comm...
Answered 10 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordSouth Western Railway: OvercrowdingDepartment for TransportTabled 29 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 71759More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help tackle overcrowding on the 18:00 South Western Railway service from London Waterloo to (a) Woking and (b) Portsmouth Harbour.
Answer: We are aware this service is the eighth busiest in the country. The Department are supporting South Western Railway (SWR) to reduce overcrowding. Once the new Arterio train fleet have been introduced on the SWR suburban network, SWR will have the opportun...
Answered 8 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordWater SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 28 Aug 2025AnsweredUIN 905434More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support water security.
Answer: We are pushing ahead with reform under our Plan for Change, which includes £104 billion of water investment, cutting leaks by nearly 20% and building nine reservoirs Working with the National Drought Group, the Government is stepping up the response to th...
Answered 4 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Transport: TicketsDepartment for TransportTabled 22 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 70236More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to extend smart ticketing.
Answer: The Government is delivering on its ambition to overhaul ticketing for passengers and get more people on the railway. We have committed to expanding Pay As You Go (PAYG) with contactless ticketing to further stations in the South East, with an additional ...
Answered 3 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordCybercrimeHome OfficeTabled 21 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 69689More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to help protect British peoples' (a) assets and (b) other interests that are held abroad in the context of trends in the level of (i) cyber fraud and (ii) digital a
Answer: The Home Office works closely with international partners and law enforcement, including the National Crime Agency, to tackle the threat from cyber crime from abroad as well as at home to protect the UK and its interests. 70% of fraud has an overseas elem...
Answered 1 Sept 2025
Original Parliament recordIran: British Nationals AbroadForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68929More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure the safety of British nationals in Iran and (b) provide safe routes for (i) those nationals and (ii) their families to retur
Answer: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice remains under regular review to ensure it reflects our latest assessment of risks to British nationals. The safety of British nationals in each country and territory is the FCDO's overr...
Answered 6 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: AttendanceDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68928More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide additional funding to schools to help support the administrative workload resulting from the attendance and penalty notice regulations introduced in August 2024.
Answer: The changes to the regulations governing the school attendance register simplify and consolidate what is recorded in the attendance register by schools, reducing their complexity and burden on schools.The changes to the penalty notice regulations aimed to...
Answered 12 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordPupils: AttendanceDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 68927More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the changes to attendance and penalty notice regulations that came into effect on 19 August 2024 on school (a) staffing and (b) workload.
Answer: The changes to the regulations governing the school attendance register simplify and consolidate what is recorded in the attendance register by schools, reducing their complexity and burden on schools.The changes to the penalty notice regulations aimed to...
Answered 12 Aug 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing Revenue AccountsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 14 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 67737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is reviewing the rules of Housing Revenue Accounts to support local authorities to (a) safer and (b) more homes.
Answer: The government engages regularly with local authorities to understand the pressures on their Housing Revenue Accounts (HRAs) and keeps the rules governing HRAs under review to ensure they are supporting investment in new and existing stock.My Department i...
Answered 22 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAlcoholic Drinks: Health EducationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65600More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) data and (b) other information his Department used to inform public health (i) policies and (ii) campaigns related to reducing alcohol consumption in the development of the NHS 10 Year Pla
Answer: The impact statement of the 10-Year Health Plan will be published in full shortly. This document explains the rationale for, and potential effects of, a number of measures outlined in the plan, including references to the relevant evidence.
Answered 15 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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