David Taylor Portrait

David Taylor

Labour - Hemel Hempstead

4,857 (11.0%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 4th July 2024



Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, David Taylor has voted in 271 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
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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
Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op))
(7 debate interactions)
Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op))
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
(7 debate interactions)
Keir Starmer (Labour)
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
(6 debate interactions)
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Department Debates
Home Office
(14 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(9 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(8 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Crime and Policing Bill 2024-26
(2,870 words contributed)
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View all David Taylor's debates

Hemel Hempstead 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).

Petition Debates Contributed

We think the UK Government must ban all cages for laying hens as soon as possible.

We think it should also ban the use of all cage and crates for all farmed animals including:
• farrowing crates for sows
• individual calf pens
• cages for other birds, including partridges, pheasants and quail

In modern society, we believe more consideration needs to be given to animal welfare and how livestock is treated and culled.

We believe non-stun slaughter is barbaric and doesn't fit in with our culture and modern-day values and should be banned, as some EU nations have done.


Latest EDMs signed by David Taylor

David Taylor has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by David Taylor, 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.


David Taylor has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by David Taylor

Friday 24th January 2025

David Taylor has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

David Taylor has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


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
12th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of vehicles owned by his Department coming to their end of life; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making those vehicles available to the Ukrainian military.

The Department for Energy and Net Zero does not own any vehicles.

Michael Shanks
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to make government digital services accessible to people without strong digital skills.

The Government Digital Service supports and incentivises departments to design digital services that are simple and easy to use. The Service Manual provides patterns to help departments design both online services for people with limited digital literacy and offline channels to support users, such as in person support at Post Offices for OneLogin.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase uptake among schools for Universal SEND Services in Hertfordshire.

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. We are 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 the Early Career Framework (ECF), both of which were developed with input from sector experts to outline the mandatory training for new teachers. The frameworks have been designed to support all pupils to succeed, including those pupils identified within the four areas of need set out in the SEND code of practice. Headteachers are provided the flexibility to use their professional judgement to identify any further training, including in specific specialisms.

All mainstream schools must have a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) who must be a qualified teacher, or the head teacher, 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 that SENCOs consistently receive high-quality, evidence-based training. This is crucial given the central role SENCOs play in supporting pupils with SEND.

The department’s Universal SEND Services programme offers free SEND-specific continuing professional development for the school and further education workforce. It is delivered by National Association for Special Educational Needs (Nasen). The department works closely with Nasen to ensure the programme supports professionals across all of England. Since the programme commenced in May 2022, school and college staff have completed over 15,500 online training modules.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandated Continuing Professional Development activities for increasing Special Educational Needs and Disability services in Hertfordshire.

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. We are 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 the Early Career Framework (ECF), both of which were developed with input from sector experts to outline the mandatory training for new teachers. The frameworks have been designed to support all pupils to succeed, including those pupils identified within the four areas of need set out in the SEND code of practice. Headteachers are provided the flexibility to use their professional judgement to identify any further training, including in specific specialisms.

All mainstream schools must have a special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) who must be a qualified teacher, or the head teacher, 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 that SENCOs consistently receive high-quality, evidence-based training. This is crucial given the central role SENCOs play in supporting pupils with SEND.

The department’s Universal SEND Services programme offers free SEND-specific continuing professional development for the school and further education workforce. It is delivered by National Association for Special Educational Needs (Nasen). The department works closely with Nasen to ensure the programme supports professionals across all of England. Since the programme commenced in May 2022, school and college staff have completed over 15,500 online training modules.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
12th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will estimate the number of vehicles under the jurisdiction of his Department coming to their end of life; and if he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Defence of the potential merits of making those vehicles available to the Ukrainian military.

The Environment Agency, through its strategic asset management programme, would be selling 193 commercial vehicle assets before the end of the current financial year.

The granting of weapons and equipment to Ukraine is made in response to official requests made by the Ukrainian Government.

We continue to liaise closely with Ukraine to deliver the capabilities they require to resist Russian aggression.

The UK has provided over 240 armoured and protected mobility vehicles, alongside hundreds of support vehicles to Ukraine this year.

The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can to defend its sovereign territory and ensure it is in a position of strength for any peace negotiations. This Government has stepped up support for Ukraine, with a record £4.5 billion of support this year alone. The Prime Minister has committed to £3 billion a year of military support for Ukraine for as long as needed.

Daniel Zeichner
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
2nd Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he ha made of the potential merits of using swift bricks when building new homes.

Natural England has identified that the lack of nest sites is a pressure on certain bird species, including the swift. Therefore, provision of swift bricks may aid recovery alongside other actions, such as to increase food resources.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework, published by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in December 2024, included several changes designed to enhance and protect the environment. For example, it expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including through incorporating features such as swift bricks which support priority or threatened species. Defra policy officials are also working with MHCLG colleagues to consider what action may be appropriate to drive up rates of swift brick installation in new build properties.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
27th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of harmful pesticides on the number of bees in Hertfordshire.

Defra has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact of pesticides on Hertfordshire’s bee population.

Defra funds a monitoring programme providing information about the concentrations of different pesticides in honey collected from beehives across England, and the subsequent risk to honeybees.

Defra partly funds the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) which generates systematic data on the abundance of bees and other flower-visiting insects at a national scale. Data from PoMS insect surveys contributes to providing an invaluable resource from which to measure trends in pollinator populations and target conservation efforts.

England biodiversity indicators provide data about the relative abundance of wild bees.

These schemes collect data from around the country and have been designed to ensure regional representation, but do not allow assessment of the impact of pesticides on bee populations locally.

Pesticides are only authorised following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met. This includes an evaluation of the effect on bees.

Use of the neonicotinoid pesticide Cruiser SB is not allowed on sugar beet in England in 2025 as an application for its emergency use was not approved. This decision underlines the Government’s commitment to protecting pollinators and the wider environment.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
12th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Scottish Government on the potential impact of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 on the number of walkers in Scotland.

No, the Secretary of State has not had discussions with the Scottish Government on the potential impact of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 on the number of walkers in Scotland.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
12th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the potential impact of the public's right to roam on levels of (a) mental health, (b) obesity and (c) stress.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure this is safe and appropriate. We will be working across Government departments to achieve this, including with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Defra is already working closely with DHSC, alongside other partners, in the delivery of the Green Social Prescribing programme which directly examines the impact of increased use of nature-based interventions and activities on participants’ health and wellbeing. The first phase of the programme ran from October 2020 - March 2023, achieving around 8,500 referrals and demonstrating statistically significant improvements in participants’ mental health.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Affinity Water's recent price changes on the financial security of residents in Hertfordshire.

As the independent economic regulator, Ofwat independently scrutinises water company business plans and ensure the prices water companies charge their customers are fair and proportionate. Ofwat published their final determinations for Price Review 2024 on 19 December, which sets company expenditure and customer bills for 2025-2030.

The Government is committed to taking action to address water poverty and help vulnerable customers with their water bills. All water companies, including Affinity Water, have measures in place for customers who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, including measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks and holidays, and debt management support.

Furthermore, we expect companies to hold themselves accountable for their public commitment to end water poverty by 2030 and will work with the sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to this end.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
24th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the number of sewage discharges into watercourses there have been in Hemel Hempstead constituency in the last 12 months.

The Secretary of State recently met with water company bosses, including Thames Water, to make it clear that water firms will be held accountable for their performance for customers and the environment. Furthermore, after writing to Ofwat, the Secretary of State has secured agreement that funding for vital infrastructure investment is ringfenced and can only be spent on upgrades benefiting customers and the environment. Ofwat will also ensure that when money for investment is not spent, companies refund customers, with money never allowed to be diverted for bonuses, dividends or salary increases.

The Government also announced a new Water (Special Measures) Bill, which will turn around the performance of water companies, in the King’s Speech. The Bill will strengthen regulation, give the water regulator new powers to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met and increase accountability for water executives. These are the first critical steps in enabling a long-term and transformative reset of the entire water sector.

I would also refer the hon. Member to the Written Statement made by the Secretary of State on 18 July, HCWS3.

The Environment Agency will publish the 2024 Event Duration Monitoring data, showing how long and how often storm overflows have been used, in March 2025. The data for previous years is available here.

Emma Hardy
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
12th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the number of vehicles under the jurisdiction of her Department coming to their end of life; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of making those vehicles available to the Ukrainian military.

The Department has not made a specific estimate of the number of vehicles under its jurisdiction that are approaching the end of their operational life. It is also important to note that a proportion of vehicles are leased rather than owned outright, and therefore would not be available for disposal by the Department.

Decisions regarding the disposal or repurposing of vehicles are made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account operational requirements, value for money, and relevant legal and security considerations. At present, there are no plans to assess the potential merits of making such vehicles available to the Ukrainian military. Any such decision would need to be considered in the context of broader cross-government policy on defence support and international assistance.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the difference between travel concessions for (a) Metropolitan Police Officers and (b) NHS staff working in Central London; and whether she plans to introduce similar subsidised travel schemes for essential medical staff using National Rail services.

Any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy will require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

There are no current plans to review concessions in advance of the transition to Great British Railways, but it will have the opportunity to take a fresh look at the justification of the eligibility and restrictions of concessionary schemes.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the level of regularity of bus services in Hemel Hempstead constituency on the ability of residents to commute to work.

The government knows that a modern public transport network is vital to keeping communities connected, and ensuring people can commute to work. The government believes that local transport authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them right across England.

In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country, of which Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated £12.2 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce improvements to bus services to best meet the needs of passengers in their local area, including increasing the frequency of bus services.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with the (a) Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and (b) Secretary of State for the Home Department on (i) the playing of loud music and (ii) antisocial behaviour on public transport.

Both I and the Secretary of State meet regularly with other ministers from across government to discuss a range of issues within our portfolios. This includes anti-social behaviour on public transport, which incorporates the playing of loud music on public transport.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to combat anti-social behaviour, particularly the playing of loud music on public transport.

The government is committed to tackling all forms of anti-social behaviour (ASB) on public transport.

The British Transport Police enforce against it on the rail network and the 61016 reporting plays a key role in addressing ASB incidents and providing intelligence to target resources.

In addition, the government is funding five pilot schemes across England which are aimed at tackling ASB through the targeted deployment of Transport Safety Officers. The findings from these pilots will be shared with other local authorities to help them to address ASB on their public transport networks.

The Bus Services Bill aims to provide all local transport authorities with the powers to effectively enforce against ASB on their bus networks and improve safety for passengers. The Bill also seeks to mandate that staff are trained on how to recognise and respond to incidents of ASB on buses.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with (a) the Mayor of London and (b) Transport for London on regulating pedicabs to ensure they comply with the Highway Code.

The Secretary of State for Transport has had no direct discussions with the Mayor of London or Transport for London (TfL) on this particular matter. However, the Department for Transport has recognised the need to regulate the Pedicabs industry in London through the passing of the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024. This legislation will be applied through regulations to be consulted on by TfL in 2025. We would expect TfL to take into account the Highway Code throughout the consultation process.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with (a) the Mayor of London and (b) Transport for London on the potential impact of pedicabs in central London using pavements on the safety and wellbeing of pedestrians.

The Secretary of State for Transport has had no direct discussions with the Mayor of London or Transport for London (TfL) on this particular matter. However, the Department for Transport has recognised the need to regulate the Pedicabs industry in London through the passing of the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024. This legislation will be applied through regulations to be consulted on by TfL in 2025. We would expect TfL to take into account the safety and wellbeing of pedestrians throughout the consultation process.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with (a) the Mayor of London and (b) Transport for London on the potential impact of the lights and loud noises made by pedicabs in central London on people with neurological conditions affected by sound and light.

The Secretary of State for Transport has had no direct discussions with the Mayor of London or Transport for London (TfL) on this particular matter. However, the Department for Transport has recognised the need to regulate the Pedicabs industry in London through the passing of the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024. This legislation will be applied through regulations to be consulted on by TfL in 2025. We would expect TfL to take into account equalities considerations throughout the consultation process.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
9th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) signalling safety, (b) service reliability and (c) maintenance on the West Coast Mainline.

The Government is clear that performance on the West Coast Main Line has not been good enough with too many cancellations and delays.

Ministers recently met with the Managing Director of Avanti West Coast and the Network Rail West Coast South Route Director to challenge them on poor performance and demand immediate action to deliver urgent improvements relating to service reliability. Ministers will be meeting them again next month to follow-up and to ensure progress.

In their capacity as the independent safety regulator, the Office of Rail and Road has not raised any concerns regarding signalling safety on the West Coast Mainline.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
17th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support young people into work in Hertfordshire.

I thank the honourable Gentlemen for his question. Mr Speaker, as well as building our new Jobs and Careers service, which will help young people in Hertfordshire have access to better opportunities, DWP have now signed a Grant Funding Agreement of up to £19.7 million with Hertfordshire County Council for the delivery of their local Connect to Work programme, which will open for participants - including young people - at the beginning of July.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Child Maintenance Service takes action against people who are in arrears.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will do everything within its powers to make sure parents comply and has made significant improvements to the process to speed up action when payments first break down and to target enforcement action more effectively.

Where parents fail to take responsibility for paying for their children, the CMS will not hesitate to use the full range of strong enforcement powers available. These include, using Enforcement Agents (previously known as bailiffs) to take control of goods, forcing the sale of property, removal of driving license or UK passport, deductions directly from earnings and bank accounts or even commitment to prison.

8% (£682.1 million) of the total maintenance due to be paid since the CMS began, remains to be collected through Collect & Pay but this is falling.

In the past year to September 2024, the CMS collected £16.8 million from paying parents with civil enforcement actions in process and an additional £5.4 million from paying parents with our most serious enforcement action in process.

In the twelve months to September 2024, there were 2,857 applications to the courts in England, Wales and Scotland for our most serious enforcement powers. Of these the courts issued two immediate prison sentences and 316 suspended prison sentences.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
5th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Child Maintenance Service takes action against people committing fraud by hiding assets in order to avoid paying child maintenance.

Most parents pay some or all their maintenance liability without issue however, the Child Maintenance Service is aware of a small number of parents whose maintenance liability is inconsistent with their financial resources, usually because they can choose to support themselves via a complex arrangement of assets instead of, or in addition to, taking a salary.

Cases involving complex income or suspected fraudulent behaviour can be looked into by the FIU. This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions to check the accuracy of information the CMS is given.

In the quarter ending September 2024, 300 financial investigation cases were referred to the Financial Investigations Unit (FIU) in addition to 875 ongoing cases from previous quarters. In the same quarter, 340 financial investigations were completed of which 210 resulted in a maintenance assessment change.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish his Department's final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis.

We aim to publish our myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), final delivery plan by the end of June 2025.

The plan will focus on boosting research, improving attitudes and education, and bettering the lives of the people with this debilitating disease. The responses to the interim delivery plan consultation, along with continued close engagement with other parts of the Government, the National Health Service, and external stakeholders, will inform the development of the final ME/CFS delivery plan.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the number of people in Hertfordshire who do not have access to an NHS dentist on patient wellbeing.

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a dentist, and we want to make sure that everyone who needs a National Health Service dentist can get one. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Hemel Hempstead constituency, this is the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
3rd Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the NHS Find a Dentist webpage is up-to-date with showing dentists who have available places for NHS patients in Hertfordshire.

It is a contractual requirement for National Health Service dentists to update their NHS website profiles at least every 90 days to ensure patients have up-to-date information on where they can access care. This includes information on whether they are accepting new patients. Integrated care boards can review which practices in their area have not updated their profile in a 90-day period, and work with practices to ensure websites are up to date.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to continue to fund the swap to stop smoking scheme.

The settlement for the Swap to Stop scheme will be confirmed in due course.

21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to continue to fund the financial incentives scheme for pregnant smokers.

The settlement for the National Smoke-free Pregnancy Incentives Scheme will be confirmed in due course.

6th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of funding in his Department's statistics entitled Adult Social Care Activity and Finance Report, England, 2023-24, published on 31 October 2024.

The Adult Social Care Activity Report is published annually by NHS England. This statistics publication is the main data source for our analysis of adult social care expenditure. It includes statistics about overall levels of spending and breaks these down by setting, primary support reason, and age group. It also includes statistics about the unit costs of different types of adult social care.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
23rd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of secondary care for residents in Hemel Hempstead constituency.

No specific assessment has been made. The appropriate provision and configuration of local services to best meet the needs of the local population and patients is a matter for National Health Service commissioners to consider.

The Government has been clear that NHS services are currently not meeting the high standards that patients should expect, and is committed to supporting the NHS to return to the standards set out in the NHS Constitution.

As a first step, my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has appointed the Professor Lord Darzi to lead an independent investigation of NHS performance, which will report in September 2024.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
13th Jun 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he he has made of the potential merits of establishing a bilateral security agreement with Kosovo as an additional mechanism for the KFOR mission.

The Kosovo Force (KFOR) plays a vital part in maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kosovo, with a significant UK contribution including provision of the bulk of KFOR's Strategic Reserve Force which deployed to help manage down tensions in 2023. The UK provides a substantial package of bilateral security support to Kosovo through defence education, training, and advice under a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding. In Kosovo in April, the Foreign Secretary discussed with Kosovo's President Osmani the potential for enhancing the UK-Kosovo bilateral relationship, including through defence and security cooperation. We will take forward further discussions once a new Kosovan government is in place.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
30th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that Lukoil is not able to avoid UK sanctions.

We cannot comment on future designations. The UK has targeted Russian oil and those who produce it, by banning its import, implementing the Oil Price Cap, sanctioning two Russian oil majors, and specifying 251 shadow fleet oil tankers. Ships sanctioned by the UK in 2024 collectively carried $1.6 billion less year-on-year in Russian oil and oil products in Q1 2025.

We have also targeted those enabling Russia's illicit oil trade. These include a British national involved in procuring vessels for Russia's shadow fleet on behalf of Lukoil and networks established to enable the trade of Russian oil via the shadow fleet.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
19th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps with his international partners to reduce arms sales to warring parties in Sudan.

Support from external actors to both warring parties only prolongs the conflict and the terrible human suffering. In our engagement with international partners, the UK continues to emphasise the importance of refraining from activity that prolongs the fighting and rather use their influence to support a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We will continue to work closely with partners at the UN Security Council to enforce the existing UN sanctions regime and arms embargo on Darfur. There is also a longstanding UK arms embargo in place for the whole of Sudan.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
10th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the level of Russian involvement in the attack by pro-Assad forces prior to the outbreak of violence on the west coast of Syria in March 2025.

The events in Syria at the start of March 2025 were deeply concerning, and reports that large numbers of civilians have been killed are horrific. We are working as quickly as possible to establish from reliable sources of information what exactly happened and who was responsible.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
26th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2024 to Question 10916 on Chelsea Football Club: Sales, for what reason the Government is unable to access these funds.

The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club are currently frozen in a UK bank account. A licence from the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) is needed to move or use the proceeds, but they are not Government funds.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help protect the safety and wellbeing of all Syrians including (a) religious minorities, (b) women and (c) ethnic minorities following the fall of the Assad regime.

The FCDO has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities, publicly and in our engagement with regional and international partners. The UK joined talks in Aqaba on 14 December, hosted by Jordan, with Arab, US, UN and EU partners during which we collectively expressed commitment to supporting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process based on the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We also underlined the importance of respect for human rights, including for women and minorities. Senior FCDO officials recently travelled to Damascus, where they discussed the importance of an inclusive transitional political process, protecting the rights of all Syrians.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to convene an inaugural meeting in London to support civil society in Israel-Palestine in working towards a two-state solution.

The Prime Minister has pledged his support for the establishment of an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace. Speaking on December 2, 2024, he announced plans for the Foreign Secretary to convene an "inaugural meeting in London to support civil society in the region, as part of that work to negotiate a two-state solution." This government has been clear; we are committed to pursuing a lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict, including through achieving a two-state solution. We continue to support efforts to this end through our aid programmes, which assist civil society in Israel and Palestine on a range of issues, including peacebuilding and conflict resolution. In June 2024, the G7 Heads of Government included milestone new language in their communiqué, committing to "working together and with other international partners to closely coordinate and institutionalize our support for civil society peacebuilding efforts, ensuring that such efforts are part of a larger strategy to build the foundation necessary for a negotiated and lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace."

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the report by the UN Special Rapporteur entitled Atrocity Crimes and grave violations of human rights committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran (1981–1982 and 1988), published on 17 July 2024.

We are aware of the Special Rapporteur's report relating to "atrocity crimes" of the 1980s, including the summary, arbitrary and extra-judicial execution of dissidents. The execution of dissidents and political opponents is a deliberate attempt to instil fear and stifle dissent. We will continue to support UN Special Procedures including the Special Rapporteur in their mandate to highlight the Islamic Republic's historic and current human rights violations. The UK was proud to help deliver the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN Third Committee in November, which called for Iran to establish a moratorium on executions and to end the persecution of political opponents.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take in response to the July 2024 Atrocity Crimes report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran.

We are aware of the Special Rapporteur's report relating to "atrocity crimes" of the 1980s, including the summary, arbitrary and extra-judicial execution of dissidents. The execution of dissidents and political opponents is a deliberate attempt to instil fear and stifle dissent. We will continue to support UN Special Procedures including the Special Rapporteur in their mandate to highlight the Islamic Republic's historic and current human rights violations. The UK was proud to help deliver the Iran Human Rights Resolution, adopted by the UN Third Committee in November, which called for Iran to establish a moratorium on executions and to end the persecution of political opponents.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
23rd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to unlock the £2.5 billion worth of funds resulting from the Sale of Chelsea football club to be used for humanitarian ends for Ukrainian people effected by conflict in Ukraine.

This government is working hard to ensure the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as quickly as possible, in line with the UK's unilateral declaration. The government is fully committed to that position, as part of our iron-clad support for Ukraine. UK officials continue to hold discussions with Mr Abramovich's representatives, experts and international partners, and we are doubling down on our efforts to reach a resolution.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
23rd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Russia's policies on the (a) granting of Russian citizenship to Ukrainian children and (b) placement of Ukrainian children in foster families.

The UK is appalled by reports that Ukrainian children living under Russian occupation and Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia are being forced to take Russian citizenship, as well as subsequent reports that these children are being adopted into Russian families. The UK was pleased to participate in the most recent meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 1 October. We will continue to raise Russia's attempts to erase the Ukrainian identity of these children at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the Human Rights Council.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
23rd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his international counterparts on returning Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia.

The UK continues to track Russia's deportation of Ukrainian children, which is a clear violation of international law. We were pleased to see another group of children returned via Qatari mediation in September, and are grateful for Qatar's continued engagement on this issue. The UK participated in the most recent meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 1 October and continues to work closely with the Ukrainian government on this issue. We have also raised Russia's deportation of Ukrainian children at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the Human Rights Council.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
22nd Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking as penholder on Sudan to help find a diplomatic solution to the conflict in that country.

The UK uses its position as penholder on Sudan at the UN Security Council to call for coordinated, international action to bring an end to the conflict. On 18 September, the UK called an urgent council session to address escalation in El Fasher, where we called on the Rapid Support Forces to halt its siege of the area and reiterated our calls to both warring parties to return to negotiations in good faith. The UK will have the Security Council Presidency in November where Sudan will feature on the agenda. We look forward to the Secretary-General's recommendations on Protection of Civilians and will work closely with the UN, Council Members, and international partners to build momentum towards their implementation.

16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the level of Official Development Assistance spending on refugee costs in the UK.

My Rt Hon. Friend the Home Secretary is committed to bringing order to the asylum system and has taken steps to unblock the backlog of claims. Official Development Assistance spending on demand-driven refugee costs is within international rules set by the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee. My Rt Hon. Friend the Chancellor will set out the Government’s spending plans, including ODA, at the Budget.

4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help protect civilians from harm in non-regime held areas of (a) north-east and (b) north-west Syria; and if he will hold discussions with (i) the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Syrian civil society organisations on this matter.

The UK supports those in need across northern Syria, working with partners to improve humanitarian co-ordination and access to enhance crisis preparedness. In the North East, we provide assistance to communities and IDP (internally displaced persons) camps to help vulnerable women and children and support early recovery and resilience building. In the North West, we support partners to deliver agricultural and livelihoods opportunities, as well as education services.

The UK Envoy for Syria and FCDO officials regularly meet with Syrian civil society organisations, most recently on 9 October. On 30 September, I raised security and stability challenges in Syria at a Ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
24th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for asylum accommodation policy of using the overseas development budget to help fund asylum accommodation.

The growth of asylum accommodation spending has led to difficult cuts to other UK aid programmes. This Government is committed to rebuilding Britain’s reputation on international development. The Home Secretary is committed to bringing order to the asylum system and has taken steps to unblock the backlog of claims, which will help reduce costs.