Alex Sobel
Labour (Co-op) - Leeds Central and Headingley
8,422 (26.7%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 8th June 2017
6 APPG memberships (as of 7 May 2025)
Fair Elections, Music, Net Zero, Students, Ukraine, West Papua86 Former APPG memberships
22q11 Syndrome, Aid Match, Albania, American Football, Antisemitism, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Baseball, Baseball and Softball, Baseballand Softball, Basketball, British Jews, Cayman Islands, Channel 4, Clean Quarrying, Climate and Security, Climate Change, Conservation, Places and People, Côte d’Ivoire, Critical Minerals, Drones, Drones and Modern Conflict, East Coast Main Line, Electoral Reform, Electric Aviation, Electric Vehicles, Esports, Estonia, Events, Fair Business Banking, Food Waste, Fusion Energy, Future of UK-Australia Trade, Global Deforestation, Greenland, Gypsies, Travellers and Roma, Heritage and Regeneration, Holocaust Memorial, Hospitality and Tourism, Human-Relevant Science, Hydrogen, International Conservation, Internet, Communications and Technology, Investment Fraud, Investment Fraud and Fairer Financial Services, Kosovo, Kurdistan in Turkey and Syria, Lithuania, Loan Charge and Taxpayer Fairness, Local Resilience and Civil Contingencies, Modern Conflict, Montenegro, Mutuals, North Macedonia, Northern Culture, Pacific Islands, Park Homes, Parkrun, Plastic Waste, Polo, Race and Community, Rare, Genetic and Undiagnosed Conditions, Religion in the Media, Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Renters and Rental Reform, Running, Rural Business and the Rural Powerhouse, Slovakia, Slovenia, Small Island Developing States, Social Enterprise, Space, Sustainable Finance, Sustainable Resource, Sweden, Tajikistan, Technology Addiction, Ticket Abuse, United Nations, Uzbekistan, Vegetarianism and Veganism, Video Games, Video Games and Esports, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Western Sahara, Yoga in Society, Zoos and AquariumsDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(10 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(16 debate contributions)
(16 debate contributions)
(9 debate contributions)
(8 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(1,077 words contributed)
(550 words contributed)
(543 words contributed)
(393 words contributed)
Leeds Central and Headingley Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 76,854 signatures (0.87%)
of 14,087 signatures (0.75%)
of 127,783 signatures (0.50%)
of 25,612 signatures (0.47%)
of 143,047 signatures (0.40%)
of 76,854 signatures (0.87%)
of 127,783 signatures (0.50%)
of 143,047 signatures (0.40%)
of 239,686 signatures (0.11%)
c. 857 added daily
143,499
(Estimated)
Tighten the rules on political donations
Sign this petition Gov Responded - 26 Feb 2025 Debated on - 31 Mar 2025 View Alex Sobel's petition debate contributionscloses in 2 months
We want the government to:
Remove loopholes that allow wealthy foreign individuals to make donations into UK political parties (e.g. by funnelling through UK registered companies).
Cap all donations to a reasonable amount.
Review limits on the fines that can be levied for breaking the rules
Latest EDMs signed by Alex Sobel
Ensuring stability for Ukrainian refugees in the UK
Tabled by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)That this House believes that Ukrainian refugees fleeing war must be treated with compassion in the UK; recognises that the war in Ukraine still wages on, more than three years after Putin first invaded; notes with concern recent reports that some Ukrainian refugees have faced losing their homes and jobs …
(Most recent: 16 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 59
Labour: 21
Scottish National Party: 7
Plaid Cymru: 4
Green Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Conservative: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Trans+ History Week
Tabled by: Kate Osborne (Labour - Jarrow and Gateshead East)That this House welcomes the second annual Trans+ History Week; notes the week held from 5 to 11 May 2025 will celebrate the millenia-old history and contributions of transgender, non-binary, gender-diverse and intersex people; highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Trans+ communities that includes high rates in hate crimes and …
(Most recent: 16 May 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 31
Liberal Democrat: 15
Green Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Independent: 2
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Alliance: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Alex Sobel, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
1 Urgent Question tabled by Alex Sobel
Alex Sobel has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
1 Bill introduced by Alex Sobel
A Bill to require the United Kingdom to achieve climate and nature targets; to give the Secretary of State a duty to implement a strategy to achieve those targets; to establish a Climate and Nature Assembly to advise the Secretary of State in creating that strategy; to give duties to the Committee on Climate Change and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee regarding the strategy and targets; and for connected purposes.
Thursday 21st March 2024
24 Bills co-sponsored by Alex Sobel
Assets of Community Value (Sports Facilities) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Emma Foody (LAB)
Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Preet Kaur Gill (LAB)
Powers of Attorney Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Fabian Hamilton (Lab)
Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (Guidance) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Munira Wilson (LD)
Co-operative Housing Tenure Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Andrew Pakes (LAB)
Illegal and Unsustainable Fishing (Due Diligence) Bill 2023-24
Sponsor - Lord Grayling (Con)
Co-operatives (Permanent Shares) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Gareth Thomas (LAB)
Firearms and Hate Crime Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Luke Pollard (LAB)
Wellbeing of Future Generations (No. 2) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Caroline Lucas (Green)
Fur Trade (Prohibition) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Taiwo Owatemi (Lab)
Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies (Environmentally Sustainable Investment) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Anna McMorrin (Lab)
Planning (Affordable Housing and Land Compensation) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Helen Hayes (Lab)
Dockless Bicycles (Regulation) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Daniel Zeichner (Lab)
Plastic Pollution (No. 2) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)
Plastic Pollution Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alistair Carmichael (LD)
Packaging (Extended Producer Responsibility) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Anna McMorrin (Lab)
Marriage and Civil Partnership (Consent) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Fabian Hamilton (Lab)
Energy Consumption (Innovative Technologies) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Rebecca Pow (Con)
Banking (Cash Machine Charges and Financial Inclusion) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ged Killen (LAB)
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
Sponsor - Karen Buck (Lab)
Local Electricity Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jeremy Lefroy (Con)
Youth (Services and Provisions) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lloyd Russell-Moyle (LAB)
Assaults on Retail Workers (Offences) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Alex Norris (LAB)
DiGeorge Syndrome (Review and National Health Service Duty) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - David Duguid (Con)
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)The Procurement Act 2023 (the Act), which received Royal Assent in October 2023, creates a new debarment regime, including a public debarment list.
As of the 24th February 2025 the Act comes into force, at which point debarment investigations can be started and the debarment list can be created.
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Department provides a range of services and advice to assist companies doing business in Hong Kong, through our extensive network, both in the UK and at our Consulate. Additionally, the Overseas Business Risk (OBR) service provides information on the political, economic and security risks to support and guide businesses when trading overseas.
FCDO Travel Advice provides information to help British nationals make informed decisions about foreign travel. Travel Advice for Hong Kong remains under regular review to ensure it reflects the latest assessment of risks to British nationals.
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
Over 90% of smart meters are sending automatic readings to energy suppliers. To drive this percentage up further we are working at pace alongside industry partners to share best practice and improve smart meter connectivity across Great Britain.
Ofgem is currently conducting compliance engagement into six energy suppliers in relation to their obligations to keep smart meters operating in smart mode. Ofgem is also currently consulting on new Guaranteed Standards of Performance (GSOPs) that will further strengthen consumer protections in cases where a smart meter is not sending automatic readings.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is working closely with the Low Carbon Contracts Company and Ofgem to finalise the remit for the independent advisor on biomass sustainability and will set out a timescale for the appointment in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government only supports sustainable biomass and generators only receive subsidies for biomass that complies with our criteria.
The results of Ofgem’s investigation into Drax’s compliance with biomass sustainability criteria was published in August 2024 and can be found here, https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/ofgem-decision-investigation-drax-power-limited) . Ofgem found that whilst Drax complied with sustainability standards, it had failed to report data accurately. Drax’s misreporting is a serious matter and Government expects full compliance with all regulatory obligations. Drax’s £25 million redress payment underscores the robustness of the regulatory system. No decision has been taken as to whether transitional support arrangements will be introduced for relevant biomass generators when their current subsidies end.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Low carbon hydrogen is a leading option to decarbonise industrial processes that are harder or more expensive to electrify.
Hydrogen could therefore be important for processes that require high temperatures or direct firing such as in the glass or ceramics industry.
Government has an ambitious range of policies in place to incentivise and support industry to invest in innovative, clean technologies, including low carbon hydrogen.
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has no plans to introduce an energy social tariff this winter. However, we are committed to ensuring vulnerable households are supported with their energy bills and we are looking at all options on how to support these households.
The Government is continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills to over 3 million eligible low-income households. We are also working with energy suppliers to ensure they are providing additional support to vulnerable customers.
The Government has also extended the Household Support Fund for an additional 6 months until 31 March 2025 with an extra £500 million in funding, and I encourage any individual who is struggling to pay their bills contacts their local authority to see if they are eligible for this support.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The 2023 Biomass Strategy contained a commitment to consult on developing and implementing a cross-sector sustainability framework to enable greater consistency across sectors. Next steps on this will be announced in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government provides support for biomass, for the purpose of heat and power generation, through active and legacy policy schemes, such as the Renewables Obligation (RO) and the Contracts for Difference (CfD). The annual cost of support is dependent on variables, such as the volume of electricity generation in a given year and the wholesale cost of electricity. The Department does not hold a combined estimate of the projected cost of these schemes for “biomass” in the years listed.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The department does not produce specific emissions estimates for the plastic production industry, however our greenhouse gas (GHG) territorial (i.e. occurring within the UK’s borders) emissions statistics by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) includes a category for plastics products. The latest year for which data is available is 2022, when GHG emissions from manufacture of plastic products was 2,266 kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (kt CO2e).
The department publishes Energy & Emissions Projections however these do not include an emissions split for plastic products.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/energy-and-emissions-projections
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
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 considerations, as whilst not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act, we want people who participate in large scale commercial prize draws to be confident that proportionate protections are in place. We will update Parliament further in due course.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Large scale commercial prize draws are a significant and growing market. Whilst not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act, we want people who participate in large scale commercial prize draws to be confident that proportionate protections are in place. Independent research was commissioned in 2023, looking at possible gambling harm and assessing the impact of potential regulation, and will inform our policy considerations. The department is grateful for the voluntary action taken so far by the sector to act transparently and apply player protection measures. We want to ensure high standards in this area and the Minister for Gambling will be meeting the sector to discuss this work.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Large scale commercial prize draws are a significant and growing market. Whilst not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act, we want people who participate in large scale commercial prize draws to be confident that proportionate protections are in place. Independent research was commissioned in 2023, looking at possible gambling harm and assessing the impact of potential regulation, and will inform our policy considerations. The department is grateful for the voluntary action taken so far by the sector to act transparently and apply player protection measures. We want to ensure high standards in this area and the Minister for Gambling will be meeting the sector to discuss this work.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Large scale commercial prize draws are a significant and growing market. Whilst not regulated as a gambling product under the Gambling Act, we want people who participate in large scale commercial prize draws to be confident that proportionate protections are in place. Independent research was commissioned in 2023, looking at possible gambling harm and assessing the impact of potential regulation, and will inform our policy considerations. The department is grateful for the voluntary action taken so far by the sector to act transparently and apply player protection measures. We want to ensure high standards in this area and the Minister for Gambling will be meeting the sector to discuss this work.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We have had no such recent meetings, but there are already several routes that provide opportunities for artists and creatives to come to the UK. The UK’s domestic rules allow musicians, entertainers, artists, and their technical staff, from non-visa national countries (such as EU/EEA nationals) to perform in the UK for up to 6 months without requiring a visa, as long as they are not receiving payment from a UK source other than prize money or expenses. Musicians, entertainers and artists from visa-national countries are likewise able to perform in the UK via the Standard Visitor route, and/or if performing at a festival detailed on the Permit Free Festivals list.
Additionally, the Creative Worker visa allows a professional artist, model, entertainer or musician (applicable to all nationalities) to carry out activity directly relating to their profession, if they have a Sponsor who is licensed by the Home Office and has assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship to the
individual.
We are committed to continuing to work closely with stakeholders to better understand their needs and challenges within the immigration system. This includes exploring ways to better streamline the processes within existing frameworks, to ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for global creative talent.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The oversight of both operating and personal management licences for society lotteries, including assessing an applicant’s suitability to hold a licence, is a matter for the Gambling Commission.
More information about the Gambling Commission’s principles for licensing and regulation and licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Gambling Act 2005 can be found on the Commission’s website here and here.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The oversight of both operating and personal management licences for society lotteries, including assessing an applicant’s suitability to hold a licence, is a matter for the Gambling Commission.
More information about the Gambling Commission’s principles for licensing and regulation and licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Gambling Act 2005 can be found on the Commission’s website here and here.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
From 2011 onwards, the Gambling Commission has provided advice and worked with the Health Lottery to ensure it remains compliant with its statutory responsibilities. The ongoing assessment of the Health Lottery has been in line with the Commission’s usual approach.
More information about licensing, compliance and enforcement under the Gambling Act 2005 can be found on the Gambling Commission’s website here. Where the Commission takes regulatory action against an operator, it publishes the details on its website.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The oversight of operating licences for large scale lotteries such as the Health Lottery, including compliance with social responsibility duties, is a matter for the Gambling Commission. Where the Commission takes regulatory action against an operator, it publishes the details on its website.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Leeds and Central Headingley to the answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 30133.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The period products scheme is confirmed for the 2024/25 academic year. The department will make further announcements on the scheme soon.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on how we will allocate the department’s budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the adoption and special guardianship support fund are being made as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.
All future funding decisions will be considered as part of the next spending review.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to those with the most complex needs.
All teachers are teachers of SEND, and high quality teaching is central to ensuring that pupils with SEND are given the best possible opportunity to achieve at school. Consideration of SEND underpins the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Core Content Framework (CCF) and Early Career Framework (ECF). These frameworks were produced with the support of sector experts and have been designed to support all pupils to succeed, including those identified within the four areas of need set out in the SEND Code of Practice.
All mainstream schools must have a special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) who must be a qualified teacher, or the headteacher, working at the school. On 1 September 2024, the government introduced a new mandatory leadership level National Professional Qualification (NPQ) for SENCOs. The NPQ will play a key role in improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND by ensuring SENCOs consistently receive high quality, evidence-based training. This is crucial given the central role SENCOs play in supporting pupils with SEND.
Universal SEND Services brings together SEND-specific continuing professional development and support for the school and further education workforce. The programme aims to improve outcomes for children and young people, including those with autism. The contract offers autism awareness training and resources. Over 200,000 professionals have received autism training from an Autism Education Trust training partner since the programme launched in May 2022.
Minister of State (Education)
The department does not hold data on the number of students studying at UK universities who hold British National (Overseas) (BNO) visas, including those from Hong Kong.
The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is responsible for collecting and publishing data on the UK higher education (HE) sector. This data is shared with the department and includes a wide range of information on students coming from overseas to study in UK HE providers. However, information on students’ visa status is not collected and those that are studying in the UK and holding a BNO visa cannot be identified by the department.
Data from HESA shows that there were 17,905 students from Hong Kong studying at UK HE providers for the 2022/23 academic year.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The recent pay award for the 2024/25 financial year was for school teachers only. The government does not set or recommend pay in further education (FE).
This government recognises the vital role that FE teachers and providers play in equipping learners with the opportunities and skills that they need to succeed in their education and will consider workforce sufficiency and what this might mean for FE funding in future years.
The Autumn Budget 2024 set out the government’s commitment to skills, by providing an additional £300 million revenue funding for FE to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs. The department will set out in due course how this funding will be distributed.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
As part of this government’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders, my Ministerial colleagues and departmental officials meet regularly with representatives of all the education unions, including the National Education Union, to discuss a range of issues.
Further education (FE) providers are responsible for setting the pay of their teachers and government plays no role in this process.
The Autumn Budget 2024 set out the government’s commitment to skills by providing an additional £300 million revenue funding for FE to ensure young people are developing the skills this country needs. The department will set out in due course how this funding will be distributed.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Student finance is awarded on an academic year basis, not a financial year basis, so the average amounts are provided by academic year. The mean average maintenance loan amounts presented below are for England-domiciled full-time undergraduate borrowers:
a) Studying away from home in London
Academic Year | Average Maintenance Award (£) |
2021/22 | 10,746 |
2022/23 | 11,072 |
2023/24 | 11,593 |
b) Living at home and studying in London
Academic Year | Average Maintenance Award (£) |
2021/22 | 5,760 |
2022/23 | 5,793 |
2023/24 | 5,917 |
c) Studying in London in total
Academic Year | Average Maintenance Award (£) |
2021/22 | 9,148 |
2022/23 | 9,442 |
2023/24 | 9,863 |
To note:
- The location of the student (Parental Home or Elsewhere in London) in the autumn term is assumed to be their location throughout the year.
- Long Course Loans are excluded from these figures.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department is working closely with Leeds City Council, Luminate Education Group and other providers in Leeds to ensure all 16-19 learners can access places, both in 2024 and in 2025.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Alex Sobel's Defra questions)The fifth round of negotiations on the global plastic pollution treaty (INC-5), beginning on 25 November 2024 does not include a formal Ministerial segment. The UK will continue to be appropriately represented, and we will keep the need for Defra ministerial attendance at INC-5 under review
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
On the 24 September in New York, the Foreign Secretary announced the UK had endorsed the Bridge to Busan declaration to support greater ambition on addressing unsustainable levels of primary plastic production in the negotiations for a new treaty to end plastic pollution. Further information, including the full list of signatories to the Bridge to Busan declaration can be found at the following address: https://www.bridgetobusan.com.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The host country and Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution have confirmed there will not be a dedicated Ministerial segment at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. As with previous negotiating committee sessions, the UK plans to have a strong negotiating presence to pursue our aims of an ambitious Treaty covering the full plastics life cycle.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The host country and Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution have confirmed there will not be a dedicated Ministerial segment at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. As with previous negotiating committee sessions, the UK plans to have a strong negotiating presence to pursue our aims of an ambitious Treaty covering the full plastics life cycle.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Yes, officials will attend the fifth session, due to be held in November in Busan, South Korea.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Any imported car or light goods vehicle up to 10 years old will require approval before it can be registered for use on the roads of Great Britian to ensure it meets prescribed environmental and safety requirements. There are several different approval schemes available, and the process will vary depending on the specific scheme and type of vehicle, but each contains provisions to minimise, as far as practicable, tailpipe emissions and risk to pedestrians. Imported vehicles over 10 years old are required to pass an annual roadworthiness test to assess their tailpipe emissions and ensure that they are safe.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Any imported car or light goods vehicle up to 10 years old will require approval before it can be registered for use on the roads of Great Britian to ensure it meets prescribed environmental and safety requirements. There are several different approval schemes available, and the process will vary depending on the specific scheme and type of vehicle, but each contains provisions to minimise, as far as practicable, tailpipe emissions and risk to pedestrians. Imported vehicles over 10 years old are required to pass an annual roadworthiness test to assess their tailpipe emissions and ensure that they are safe.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is committed to ensuring that the railway maintains the highest air quality standards to safeguard the health and well-being of passengers and rail staff. The Department for Transport already requires Network Rail and train operators to develop air quality improvement plans to address issues in stations. The Department is also working with the Rail Safety and Standards Board to explore the option of specific air quality targets for the rail network, including within stations, to ensure rail remains one of the cleanest forms of mass public transport. The Department will confirm its position in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Customers can contact DWP by telephone or post, face to face and via digital channels.
DWP continues to develop services that are easy to find and navigate, ensuring that the people feel confident and protected when they are relying on us.
The department is modernising to allow customers to interact with the department across multiple channels and in a way that suits them, enabling customers to self-serve online, while retaining non-digital channels for those that need them, avoiding digital exclusion and ensuring that everyone gets the level of support they need. Of course, if a customer cannot access digital services and specifically requests a written response, the department will provide this.
Developing secure digital channels for both the customer and the department is a key foundation of the work to modernise its services and using email as an outbound channel to communicate with customers is being progressed, the department is developing more secure and effective inbound digital channels for customers to use.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The remaining accessible formats of the Green Paper have now been published and can be accessed here: Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper - GOV.UK. A full suite of accessible versions is available including Audio, British Sign Language, Braille, Large Print and Easy Read.
The consultation will close in 12 weeks on 30 June 2025, to ensure that everyone has sufficient time to engage with and respond to the consultation.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
We are committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people and people with health conditions at the heart of everything we do. Throughout the consultation period we will listen, learn and take feedback through an online form, email, post and through accessible in-person and online events.
We will publish a full suite of accessible versions of the Green Paper, to ensure that everyone can engage with the consultation. The consultation will close 12 weeks after the point at which all the accessible versions are available, to ensure that all stakeholders have sufficient time to engage and we hear from as many people as possible. We will also be holding a full schedule of public events which we will publish along with the accessible versions in the coming weeks. The public consultation events will accommodate any reasonable adjustments for individuals who wish to attend, including re-imbursing travel costs and arranging accessible venues and interpreters for attendees.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There is no Service Level Agreement for criminal fraud investigations. Each case presents unique complexities, depending on the offence type and individual circumstances. Cases are often operationally challenging due to the complexity of the work required, involving information gathering from external organisations to obtain supporting evidence. Timelines are also affected by the frequent need to capture witness statements and the reliance on customer participation.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
All directorates within DWP receive Telephony learning. This begins with new joiners receiving induction and mandatory learning which covers topics such as communicating effectively, delivering excellent customer service, keeping safe, and how to support those with additional or complex needs.
On completion of the induction learning delegates will complete their technical learning covering the skills and knowledge required for their specific role.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department continues to assess the Pension Credit service. This led to the introduction of the online claim process, providing customers with a convenient alternative claim route, alongside the existing telephony and paper application methods. As the Department continues to modernise the Pension Credit service, we continue to review the user experience, balancing simplification of application with capturing the right information to ensure accuracy of award.
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
In the light of broader pressures on the National Health Service and on-going changes within NHS England, we have been looking again at achievable ambitions to improve access to fertility services and fairness for all affected couples.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently reviewing its fertility guidelines, which will be the clinical standards for the future NHS offer.
The Department is considering how best to support integrated care boards to improve their local offer.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
In the light of broader pressures on the National Health Service and on-going changes within NHS England, we have been looking again at achievable ambitions to improve access to fertility services and fairness for all affected couples.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently reviewing its fertility guidelines, which will be the clinical standards for the future NHS offer.
The Department is considering how best to support integrated care boards to improve their local offer.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It is unacceptable that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and we know that waits for mental health services are far too long, including for people with bipolar disorder. We are determined to change that.
As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future, we will provide access to a specialist mental health professional in every school in England, create a network of open access community Young Futures hubs, recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to cut wait times and provide faster treatment, and modernise the Mental Health Act.
We are also committed to new models of care for mental health, including reforming care for people experiencing a mental health crisis. We are testing neighbourhood mental health centres for people aged 18 years old and over with serious mental illness. These six pilot schemes are based in Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Sheffield, York, Birmingham, and Whitehaven.
These models will offer 24/7 open access care closer to home, with an integrated service which includes healthcare providers, local authorities, and the voluntary sector. These pilots build on international evidence that shows that similar models have led to a reduction in hospitalisation and waiting times, and support our efforts to move more care into the community.
Since 2021, all areas of the country have been transforming and increasing access to community mental health services for all people with severe mental illness, including people with bipolar disorder. The vision for the transformation programme was set out in the Community Mental Health Framework, which included ensuring that services were needs led, rather than requiring people to have a specific diagnosis to access care.
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)