Calum Miller Portrait

Calum Miller

Liberal Democrat - Bicester and Woodstock

4,958 (9.9%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Foreign Affairs)

(since September 2024)

1 APPG Officer Position (as of 31 Jul 2025)
Water
3 APPG Memberships
Antimicrobial Resistance, Climate Change, Fair Elections
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill [HL]
6th Nov 2024 - 13th Nov 2024


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Calum Miller has voted in 184 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Calum Miller Division Votes

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
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(33 debate interactions)
David Lammy (Labour)
Deputy Prime Minister
(18 debate interactions)
Keir Starmer (Labour)
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
(12 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
View all Calum Miller's debates

Bicester and Woodstock 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).

Calum Miller has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Calum Miller

1st September 2025
Calum Miller signed this EDM on Tuesday 2nd September 2025

Humanitarian situation in Gaza

Tabled by: Ed Davey (Liberal Democrat - Kingston and Surbiton)
That, given the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe taking place in Gaza, the ongoing captivity of hostages by Hamas, and the planned expansion of the Israeli military's operations into Gaza City, an humble Address be presented to His Majesty that he will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid …
45 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 44
Plaid Cymru: 1
16th May 2025
Calum Miller signed this EDM on Monday 1st September 2025

Digital-only immigration status

Tabled by: Pete Wishart (Scottish National Party - Perth and Kinross-shire)
That this House expresses serious concern about the implementation of the digital-only immigration status, which was first rolled out in 2018 for those with status under the EU Settlement Scheme and by the end of 2024 had been extended to all migrants with an immigration status in the UK; notes …
34 signatures
(Most recent: 3 Sep 2025)
Signatures by party:
Liberal Democrat: 18
Scottish National Party: 4
Plaid Cymru: 4
Independent: 3
Green Party: 3
Labour: 2
View All Calum Miller's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Calum Miller, 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.


Calum Miller has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Calum Miller

1 Bill introduced by Calum Miller


A Bill to require parliamentary approval for the deployment of UK armed forces outside the UK; to provide for exemptions from that requirement in cases of emergency or in respect of compliance with treaty obligations; to make provision for retrospective parliamentary approval in certain circumstances; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 25th June 2025

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if his Department will publish the minutes from meetings between the Minister of Trade and the Chief of Defence Staff and their Chinese interlocutors on the week commencing 7 April 2025.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, detailed minutes of ministerial meetings - even those that are declared publicly - are not normally disclosed.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
23rd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to his Department's press release entitled UK Government statement on denial of UK MP to enter Hong Kong, published on 14 April 2025, if his Department will publish the minutes from the meeting between the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security and Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration as they relate to the decision to deny Wera Hobhouse MP entry to Hong Kong.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, detailed minutes of ministerial meetings - even those that are declared publicly - are not normally disclosed.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of US policies enacted between 20 January 2017 and 20 January 2021 on the UK renewable energy industry.

The UK government is committed to monitoring US policies and considering what action is best to promote and safeguard UK business interests.

Between January 2017 and January 2021, we engaged the US administration extensively on a range of US policies, including in the context of UK-US FTA negotiations. Beyond 2021, we have continued engaging with the US to improve access to the US market for UK exporters, including by securing the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of US policies enacted between 20 January 2017 and 20 January 2021 on the UK steel industry.

The UK government is committed to monitoring US policies and considering what action is best to promote and safeguard UK business interests.

Between January 2017 and January 2021, we engaged the US administration extensively on a range of US policies, including in the context of UK-US FTA negotiations. Beyond 2021, we have continued engaging with the US to improve access to the US market for UK exporters, including by securing the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of US policies enacted between 20 January 2017 and 20 January 2021 on the UK aluminium industry.

The UK government is committed to monitoring US policies and considering what action is best to promote and safeguard UK business interests.

Between January 2017 and January 2021, we engaged the US administration extensively on a range of US policies, including in the context of UK-US FTA negotiations. Beyond 2021, we have continued engaging with the US to improve access to the US market for UK exporters, including by securing the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of US policies enacted between 20 January 2017 – 20 January 2021 on UK small businesses.

The UK government is committed to monitoring US policies and considering what action is best to promote and safeguard UK business interests.

Between January 2017 and January 2021, we engaged the US administration extensively on a range of US policies, including in the context of UK-US FTA negotiations. Beyond 2021, we have continued engaging with the US to improve access to the US market for UK exporters, including by securing the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on international trade since 5 November 2024.

Since the 5th of November the Secretary of State has held positive discussions with European Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera (15 January) and the Spanish Minister for Economy, Trade and Business, Carlos Cuerpo (14 November) on shared trade interests. We look forward to continuing to build these relationships with the new Commissioners.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of US policies made between 20 January 2017 and 20 January 2021 on UK exporters.

The UK government is committed to monitoring US policies and considering what action is best to promote and safeguard UK business interests.

Between January 2017 and January 2021, we engaged the US administration extensively on a range of US policies, including in the context of UK-US FTA negotiations. Beyond 2021, we have continued engaging with the US to improve access to the US market for UK exporters, including by securing the removal of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

Douglas Alexander
Secretary of State for Scotland
24th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2025 to Question 39293, when he plans to publish guidance relating to communities and onshore wind; when Solar Energy UK plans to publish its guidance; and whether the guidance will be binding.

We will publish updated community benefits guidance for onshore wind in England in spring 2025, to clearly set out our expectations on what effective community benefits for communities that host new onshore wind projects should look like.

Solar Energy UK plans to publish its community benefits guidance for solar PV later this year. It will apply on a voluntary basis and provide a benchmark for the solar energy sector.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the press release entitled Households near new pylons to save hundreds on energy bills, published on 10 March 2025, if he will take steps to provide similar funding to communities affected by renewables schemes.

We have announced bill discounts for new transmission infrastructure projects because many communities will live close to this infrastructure without enjoying the direct, tangible benefits coming from other technologies, such as local jobs and investment.

However, in the Clean Power Action Plan, we made clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it. There are many options in this area including community funds and shared ownership, which we are exploring.

In the interim, we intend to publish guidance for onshore wind in England and Solar Energy UK has also committed to publishing guidance.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of US policies in relation to renewable energy between 20 January 2017 and 20 January 2021 on the UK's renewable energy commitments.

BEIS has, and DESNZ continues to, assess the implications of international policy on the UK. The Department works on the basis of its legislative commitment to combating climate change and meeting the UK's Carbon Budgets

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on international climate commitments since 5 November 2024.

This Government believes that we can only ensure climate security for further generations in the UK if we lead globally. Secretary of State has had a range of engagements with European counterparts on international climate commitments, including at COP29.

Kerry McCarthy
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the proposed community financial benefit from the Botley West Solar Scheme; and if he will introduce a mandatory minimum level of community benefit from new renewable schemes.

There is currently no legal obligation for developers in the UK to provide community benefits However, in the Clean Power Action Plan, we have made clear that in the future where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it. There are many options in this area including community funds and direct support for households, and we are exploring all options to ensure communities can benefit from our clean power mission. We hope to have more to say on this in due course.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department is considering to attract high quality research teams from United States' universities.

We recognise and value the US as a key partner in R&D and look forward to continuing our collaboration on shared priorities to drive economic growth and technological advancement. Both the UK and US are committed to facilitating the exchange of talent and students to enhance R&D capabilities.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press notice entitled £740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND, published on 25 March 2025, what steps her Department has taken to establish the criteria for prioritising spending for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities capital investment.

The department has published allocations for £740 million high needs capital funding in 2025/26 to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or who require alternative provision.

Of this funding, Oxfordshire Council has been allocated just under £8 million.

This funding is intended to support local authorities to adapt or create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit pupils’ needs, and to create high quality special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places including for pupils with SEND, sits with local authorities. It is ultimately up to local authorities to determine how to best prioritise their high needs capital funding to address local priorities.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press notice entitled £740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND, published on 25 March 2025, what proportion of the £740 million has been allocated for building new special schools.

The department has published allocations for £740 million high needs capital funding in 2025/26 to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or who require alternative provision.

Of this funding, Oxfordshire Council has been allocated just under £8 million.

This funding is intended to support local authorities to adapt or create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit pupils’ needs, and to create high quality special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places including for pupils with SEND, sits with local authorities. It is ultimately up to local authorities to determine how to best prioritise their high needs capital funding to address local priorities.

Stephen Morgan
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has had discussions with the Oxford-Cambridge Partnership on ensuring that business needs are met through the delivery of (a) apprenticeships and (b) technical skills by further education institutions.

The department, through Skills England, is actively engaged in the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor. This engagement is supported by local skills improvement plans (LSIPs), which cover all the areas within the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. LSIPs are overseen by Skills England, helping to ensure all parties play their part.

Skills England works closely with employer representative bodies who develop LSIPs to ensure that local technical skills priorities support employers, empower learners and enable regions to respond to future workforce needs.

Employers have consistently engaged with and contributed to the development of LSIPs to articulate skills needs, outline issues faced and establish solutions to tackle these.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is developing plans to require universities to develop institution-wide human rights policies and procedures.

The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world, and we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights. Universities attract international engagement from across the world, and this global reach plays an important part in promoting British values, such as the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and therefore responsible for their own policies and procedures.

However, English HE providers must uphold applicable public interest governance principles, including on free speech, and we expect the sector to be alert to regulatory risks when collaborating with international partners, conducting appropriate due diligence to comply with all legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998. The Office for Students (OfS) have introduced a further registration condition on harassment and sexual misconduct, which will come into force on 1 August 2025. This condition is important in ensuring HE students are free from harassment and sexual misconduct that would otherwise adversely affect their ability to benefit from their studies.

As the independent regulator, it is the role of the OfS to monitor and assess registered providers’ compliance with all its conditions of registration.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
24th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring universities to conduct human rights due diligence checks when offering security-related courses to organisations based in countries listed as a human rights priority in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office's report entitled Human Rights and Democracy Report 2022, published on 13 July 2023.

The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world, and we remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights. Universities attract international engagement from across the world, and this global reach plays an important part in promoting British values, such as the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous bodies, independent from government, and therefore responsible for their own policies and procedures.

However, English HE providers must uphold applicable public interest governance principles, including on free speech, and we expect the sector to be alert to regulatory risks when collaborating with international partners, conducting appropriate due diligence to comply with all legislation, including the Human Rights Act 1998. The Office for Students (OfS) have introduced a further registration condition on harassment and sexual misconduct, which will come into force on 1 August 2025. This condition is important in ensuring HE students are free from harassment and sexual misconduct that would otherwise adversely affect their ability to benefit from their studies.

As the independent regulator, it is the role of the OfS to monitor and assess registered providers’ compliance with all its conditions of registration.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to introduce legislation for the provision of (a) early screening for neurodivergent conditions and (b) improved teacher training in those conditions.

The department is committed to improving support for all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including those with neurodiverse conditions.

We have established a neurodivergence task and finish group, which includes a range of experts including clinicians, scientists and academics, education experts and third sector organisations. This group is chaired by Professor Karen Guldberg from Birmingham University and is working closely with the department to help improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream settings in a way that works for neurodivergent children and young people. This includes considering the use of needs-assessment and screening tools by educational professionals.

High-quality teaching is the most important in-school factor for improving outcomes for all children, particularly those with SEND. All initial teacher training (ITT) providers must ensure that their courses enable trainee teachers to meet the Teachers’ Standards, which set clear expectations that teachers must understand the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, such as neurodiversity, to be recommended for the award of qualified teacher status.

The ITT Core Content Framework and Early Career Framework (ECF), for trainee and Early Career Teachers (ECTs) respectively, cover the first three years or more at the start of a teacher’s career. They set out the core body of knowledge, skills and behaviours that define great teaching, and from September 2025, these will be superseded by the combined Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF), which sets out a minimum entitlement to training and must be used by providers of ITT and those delivering provider-led early career training to create their curricula. From September 2025, all ECTs will be entitled to a two-year induction that is underpinned by the ITTECF, known as the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE).

The department’s review of content for the ITTECF paid particular attention to the needs of trainees and ECTs when supporting pupils with SEND. There is now significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with SEND, including those with neurodiversity. We have edited existing statements to improve inclusivity for SEND throughout the framework including, for example, developing an understanding of different pupil needs, and learning how to provide opportunities for success for all pupils. From September 2025, the department has also enhanced the requirement on providers of ECT training to develop SEND training materials. The department tested this approach with SEND educational experts with consensus that the approach of ‘quality-first teaching’ would be the best way to improve outcomes for all children, particularly those with SEND.

We recognise that continuous improvement is essential and have recently committed to a full review of the ECTE in 2027 to ensure it continues to provide the best possible support for ECTs. This review will focus on the support we provide new teachers in teaching pupils with SEND.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of linking the Adoption Support Fund annual funding cap to inflation.

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on the allocation of the department’s budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), including issues linked to inflation, are being considered as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible. We will always consider the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

To ensure there are no gaps in therapy, including for children with additional needs, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are approved, therapy which starts during March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the time taken to confirm Adoption Support Fund funding does not lead to gaps in therapy provision for adopted children with additional needs.

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on the allocation of the department’s budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), including issues linked to inflation, are being considered as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible. We will always consider the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

To ensure there are no gaps in therapy, including for children with additional needs, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are approved, therapy which starts during March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the time taken to confirm the Adoption Support Fund budget on children receiving therapy through that fund.

The department will shortly be finalising business planning decisions on the allocation of the department’s budget for the next financial year. All decisions regarding the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), including issues linked to inflation, are being considered as part of these discussions. An announcement will be made as soon as possible. We will always consider the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

To ensure there are no gaps in therapy, including for children with additional needs, ASGSF applications are generally permitted to extend up to 12 months, allowing children and families to receive continuing therapy across financial years. Where applications are approved, therapy which starts during March 2025 may therefore continue into the next financial year under previously agreed transitional funding arrangements.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
28th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to allocate adequate resources to support households at risk of flooding in Bicester and Woodstock constituency.

This Government will invest £7.9 million over the next ten years in the largest ever flood programme.

This will boost resilience and benefit 840,000 properties by 2035–36.

The programme will launch in April 2026 and I encourage all local areas to work with the Environment Agency to explore options for future flood schemes.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
4th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) environmental and (b) animal welfare standards are maintained in planning reforms.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 28 January 2025 to the hon Member for West Dorset, PQ 25127.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
24th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the National Land Use Strategy.

The Government plans to publish a 12-week consultation on land use shortly. The consultation will inform the publication of a Land Use Framework, planned for later in the year.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) serious and (b) fatal incidents have occurred at level crossings in each of the last five years.

The number of fatalities and serious injuries at level crossings in Great Britain in each of the last five years is set out in the table below. This covers each reporting year and available data from April 2020 to March 2025.

Person type

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/2025

Fatalities (excluding suicide)

Pedestrian

7

7

4

0

5

Road Vehicle Occupant

0

0

1

1

0

Train Occupant

0

0

0

0

0

Total

7

7

5

1

5

Serious injuries

Pedestrian

4

1

9

3

4

Road Vehicle Occupant

1

0

0

1

0

Train Occupant

0

0

0

0

0

Total

5

1

9

4

4

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the criteria used to assess applications for transport Development Consent Order projects.

The Secretary of State sets out her considerations in her decision letters for each Development Consent Order. This will take into account relevant legislation, national policy statements and other relevant policy as well as national carbon budget commitments. She also follows public law considerations relating to good decision making and procedural fairness to ensure that interested parties have the opportunity to be heard. The Secretary of State takes account of the evidence before her, only considering relevant matters, and provides appropriate reasoning to support her decision making. Information about the Development Consent Order process and its requirements are available on gov.uk: https://national-infrastructure-consenting.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/decision-making-process-guide.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to prohibit the sale and use of LEDs which dazzle (a) pedestrians, (b) cyclists and (c) other drivers.

The lighting of road vehicles is regulated by the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as amended (RVLR). It is illegal to sell unapproved LED light sources for use in modern car, truck and bus headlamps. Changes were made to the MOT manual to align with the requirements of the RVLR to ensure that modern vehicles fitted with unapproved light sources fitted will fail the MOT.

Furthermore, the Government recognises the increased public concern around headlamp glare and has commissioned independent research to understand the causes.

Careful consideration will be given to that work when it reports later this year to determine what future actions may be appropriate to ensure the safety of all road users.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle the use of illegally modified (a) cars and (b) motorcycles that produce excessive noise.

The Department for Transport takes the impact of excessive noise on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously. Strict noise regulations for cars and motorcycles are harmonised at an international level and require vehicles to demonstrate compliance before being placed on the market. Replacement silencers that are to be used on the road must also meet strict noise limits that are aligned with those of the original vehicle.

The Department published the results of roadside trials of noise camera technology last year and continues to keep a keen interest in this technology. However, it is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be within their area, based on their knowledge of the issue locally. The Department has limited means for influencing local decision making on enforcement priorities.

The police have powers to deal with noisy vehicles on an ongoing basis. Under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 they can take action if they suspect a vehicle is being driven in a manner that makes excessive noise which is avoidable through reasonable driver care. In the same Regulations, exhausts and silencers are required to be maintained in good working order and not modified so as to increase noise.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
7th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which regions have the longest driving test waiting times; and what steps her Department is taking to reduce delays in these regions.

The regions currently experiencing the longest driving test waiting times are London and the South East of England.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work to attract and recruit more driving examiners (DE) in the London and South East areas.

For recruitment campaigns, DVSA continues to use additional measures when advertising in these areas, such as local managers attending and running recruitment events, and working in local communities, building and fostering relationships to showcase the DE roles.

DVSA has seen success in its recent campaigns for these regions. From these campaigns, 36 candidates have completed DE training successfully and have been placed to their test centre, and a further 19 candidates are currently undertaking training.

From the most recent campaigns, DVSA has a further 26 potential candidates booked for upcoming training courses, with a further 48 currently undergoing pre-employment checks.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions her Department has had with the Health and Safety Executive on the collection of data on (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries caused by cattle.

The Department of Work and Pensions has had no recent discussions with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) about the collection of data on fatalities and serious injuries caused by cattle.

Data is collected and published by the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) that require certain work-related injuries and fatalities, including those caused by cattle to members of the public, to be reported.

Guidance on reporting requirements is published by HSE on their website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/.

Statistical data from these reports is published by HSE and is freely available to view on their website at https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/index.htm.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed welfare reforms on poverty levels among (a) disabled people and (b) their families.

As the Secretary of State announced on Tuesday 18th March 2025, the equality and poverty impact analysis will be published alongside the spring statement.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to her oral statement on Welfare Reform on 18 March 2025, what proportion of the potential savings to the public purse identified by her Department is related to young people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment.

The information is intended for publication at a future date.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of her proposed welfare reforms on demand for social care services from people who may lose benefit eligibility.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will support the Casey Commission into adult social care – and work closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) – as we take forward the proposals in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper.

In the short term, up to £3.7 billion of additional funding will be made available for social care authorities in 2025/2026, including an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant.

For those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the cost to the public purse for PIP payments for people with mental health conditions.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 34908 on 10th March 2025.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
29th Aug 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) secondary school and (b) university students participating in organised sport are routinely tested for heart health.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommends screening babies for heart problems in pregnancy and twice in the newborn period. These programmes are run successfully in the National Health Service. The UK NSC does not recommend routine testing for heart health in older children. The committee reviewed the evidence for screening for risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in people under the age of 39 years old in 2019 and concluded that screening should not be offered. The committee’s review is available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/sudden-cardiac-death/

Research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use in young people without symptoms, and that treatments and interventions were not based on good scientific evidence to prevent SCD.

To reduce SCD in young people, the current consensus is to focus on the rapid identification and care of people who are likely to be at risk of SCD, due mainly to a family link or because they have had symptoms, and to train people to carry out cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and to use defibrillators.

NHS England has published guidance for inherited cardiac conditions, a major cause of SCD in young people, which requires services to investigate patients with previously undiagnosed cardiac disease, suggestive symptoms, or patients who are from families with sudden unexplained deaths. Where a genetic variation is identified, cascade testing should be offered to relatives based on risk.

We are aware that the UK NSC has received a submission via its annual call process to consider SCD screening in young people aged between 14 and 35 years old engaging in sport. The UK NSC has included this in their review of screening for SCD which is currently under way.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
27th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has had discussions with (a) NHS England and (b) local Integrated Care Boards on the impact of rent under-valuation by the Valuation Office Agency.

NHS England and the Valuation Office work collectively on a practical level to provide support to integrated care boards in instances where rental levels for new primary care investments are deemed insufficient or unviable, and jointly test options and variation of terms to create financial viability, where possible.

There is no under-valuation presented by the District Valuer Service, as rents are assessed based on Current Market Rent and are relative to comparable value-significant attributes and evidence within the market.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
27th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of rent under-valuation by the Valuation Office Agency on the ability of GPs to secure appropriate premises to meet patient demand in areas with high property costs.

The Department has worked closely with NHS England to consider the ability to deliver new purpose-built primary health care facilities within the current economic setting.

In the case of new developments, the Valuation Office Agency’s District Valuer Service (DVS) is commissioned by NHS England to offer an opinion on the proposed lease terms and lease rent of these new facilities, reflecting all value-significant attributes of the premises, including the premises location. In arriving at opinions of Current Market Rent (CMR), DVS valuers utilise the comparable valuation approach, identifying the best available evidence which is subject to analysis, adjustment, and weighting in order to apply to the subject property. This is in line with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ professional standard, Comparable Evidence in Real Estate Valuation, 1st edition. The relative value of individual locations, including high value areas, is fully considered and assessed by the valuer when arriving at an opinion of the CMR.

As an adviser, DVS are not under-valuing any schemes or properties, but stating what the local market rent may be, with regard to relevant local market comparable evidence.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
26th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that parliamentary scrutiny of child and young people's mental health policy is supported by transparent ministerial accountability in the House of Commons.

Ministers in the Department take their accountability to Parliament very seriously and we welcome the role of hon. Members in championing the interests of children, young people and their families, raising awareness of the issues affecting their mental health and in scrutinising our policies and holding the Government to account.

Parliamentary scrutiny of the Government’s policies on children and young people's mental health is evidenced through our written ministerial statements, including the statement made on 27 March 2025 on Mental Health: Expected Spend for 2025-26, our contributions to debates such as the one on Eating Disorder Awareness that took place on 1 April 2025, in our evidence to committees, our responses to Members’ oral and written questions and through the House’s scrutiny of the Mental Health Bill during its first and second readings and its recently completed committee stage.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
22nd May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7208, what steps his Department has taken to help recruit 8,500 new mental health workers.

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, we are recruiting 8,500 mental health workers across child and adult mental health services to help ease pressure on busy services.

We continue to work with NHS England to consider options to deliver this commitment alongside publishing a refreshed workforce plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade. There are a wide range of factors that will affect this future growth of the NHS mental health workforce, and we will provide an update in due course.

In addition, targeted retention work has been undertaken through the NHS Retention Programme which works with trusts to help them understand why staff have left. This has focused on better support for line managers and improved support for new joiners.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of extending the eligibility of Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommendations to include people over 79.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is the United Kingdom’s expert committee that advises the Government on immunisations programmes. In line with JCVI’s advice, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programme for adults turning 75 years old began on 1 September 2024 in England, alongside a one-off catch-up programme to rapidly vaccinate all those already aged 75 to 79 years old. The JCVI considered that there was less certainty about how well the vaccine works in people aged 80 years old and older, as there were not enough people of this age in the clinical trials to be able to see if the vaccines are protective in this age band. The Department will consider any further JCVI advice on who should be offered an RSV immunisation as the committee continues to keep the evidence under review.

A phased expansion of the eligible cohort for the routine shingles vaccination programme began in September 2023. The programme currently includes those aged 50 years old and over who are at increased risk of serious complications, and those turning 65 years old on or after 1 September 2023, as well as those turning 70 years old, as was previously the case. In November 2024, the JCVI provided advice to the Department on eligibility for the shingles vaccination programme. This included advice that the Government should consider expanding the shingles vaccination offer to include older adult cohorts aged 80 years old and over. The Department will consider this advice when setting the policy on who should be offered shingles vaccinations.

11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure timely (a) approval and (b) delivery of Novavax vaccine for immunosuppressed people.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has now approved an adapted version of the Nuvaxovid COVID-19 vaccine that targets the Omicron JN.1 COVID-19 subvariant. The press release is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mhra-approves-adapted-nuvaxovid-jn1-covid-19-vaccines-for-adults-and-children-aged-12-plus

The UK Health Security Agency is unable to comment on any ongoing procurement activity for future campaigns due to commercial sensitivities.

11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including people with post-Covid syndrome in the list of people qualified for an autumn booster vaccine.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI stated in its advice for the autumn 2024 COVID-19 vaccination programme that there remains considerable uncertainty regarding the impact of additional vaccine doses, beyond the primary vaccination, on the risk, progression, and outcome of post-COVID syndromes. The JCVI advised that better data is needed on the impact of additional vaccine doses on the occurrence and severity of post-COVID syndromes in the current era of Omicron sub-variants of the COVID-19 virus, and high population immunity. This advice is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-autumn-2024-vaccination-programme-jcvi-advice-8-april-2024/jcvi-statement-on-the-covid-19-vaccination-programme-for-autumn-2024-8-april-2024

On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme in spring 2025, autumn 2025 and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026#:~:text=the%20JCVI%20webpage.-,Advice%20on%20vaccination%20in%20spring%202025,care%20home%20for%20older%20adults

The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice on eligibility for the spring 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme. The Government is considering the advice for autumn 2025 and spring 2026 carefully, and will respond in due course.

3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing free covid-19 vaccinations for carers.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). On 13 November 2024, the JCVI published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme covering vaccination in 2025 and spring 2026. This advice is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026-jcvi-advice/jcvi-statement-on-covid-19-vaccination-in-2025-and-spring-2026#:~:text=the%20JCVI%20webpage.-,Advice%20on%20vaccination%20in%20spring%202025,care%20home%20for%20older%20adults

The Government is considering this advice carefully and will respond in due course.

22nd Jul 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many meetings have Ministers held with Roman Abramovich's representatives and the foundation set up to manage the funds received from the sale of Chelsea FC since July 2024.

The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine following Russia's illegal full-scale invasion. There have been regular contacts with stakeholders to achieve this and we are deeply frustrated that it has not yet been possible to reach agreement with Mr Abramovich. It would not be appropriate to provide a running commentary on discussions, but we remain open to reaching a negotiated agreement and, as the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary have stated previously, we are considering all options, including pursuing this matter through the courts if necessary.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)