Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average time was for processing a drivers medical check by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the latest period for which data is available; and how many and what proportion of outstanding checks are waiting for third parties to provide medical information.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The current average time to make a licensing decision in cases where the driving licence applicant has declared a medical condition is 81.18 working days. This figure includes new applications, notifications and renewals for both Group 1 (cars and motorcycles) and Group 2 (HGV and bus) drivers. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)’s business plan target is to make a licensing decision within 90 working days in 90 per cent of cases for applications received from October 2022.
On 31 January the DVLA was dealing with 139,238 driving licence applications where a medical condition must be investigated before a licence can be issued. In 78,124 of these cases, the DVLA is awaiting information from third parties (including NHS health care professionals or the customer themselves) before any further action can be taken.
The length of time taken to deal with an application depends on the medical condition(s) involved and whether further information is required before a decision on whether to issue a licence can be made. It is important to note that the majority of applicants renewing an existing licence will be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing they have not been told not to drive by a doctor or optician.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of a potential fall in wholesale energy prices on future levels of domestic energy prices.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Despite the recent fall in wholesale energy prices, energy markets remain volatile, and prices are still well above historical norms. Suppliers typically buy energy in advance of when it is delivered and Ofgem determines a maximum price they can charge consumers to recover the cost of this through the price cap. This means there can be a delay between changes in wholesale prices and these being reflected in consumer bills.
The Government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will save a typical household around £900 this winter.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that healthy animals are not euthanised by vets prior to consultation with the owner.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In 2021, we worked closely with the veterinary profession to provide greater assurance that alternatives to euthanasia are explored before a healthy dog is put down. Following these discussions, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RVCS) agreed to incorporate the principle of scanning a microchip before such euthanasia into the guidance that underpins their Code of Professional Conduct. This applies to all veterinary surgeons practising in the United Kingdom.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of the Pets (Microchips) Bill.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government’s favoured approach is to work collaboratively with all parties to effect positive change without the need for legislation.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to inform local authorities on best practice guidance on scanning microchips of deceased cats found on the roadside.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government has committed to introducing compulsory cat microchipping and this will increase the likelihood that cats injured or killed on roads can be reunited with their keeper.
It is established good practice for local authorities to scan any cat found by the roadside so that the owner can be informed. Highways England has clear guidelines for contractors to follow when they find a deceased cat.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure microchips in cats are scanned when found following a road traffic collision; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government has committed to introducing compulsory cat microchipping and this will increase the likelihood that cats injured or killed on roads can be reunited with their keeper.
It is established good practice for local authorities to scan any cat found by the roadside so that the owner can be informed. Highways England has clear guidelines for contractors to follow when they find a deceased cat.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the (a) contribution of grass roots boxing clubs make to reducing crime and (b) effect of that contribution on reducing costs associated with anti-social behaviour.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Supporting grassroots sport is a key Government priority, we recognise the positive impact participating sport can have on individuals wellbeing and the benefits sport clubs have on local communities.
Sport England - the Government’s Arm’s Length Body - has invested more than £12 million into boxing over the last five years including £2.3 million to support boxing clubs through the immediate challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government believes that sport has the potential to transform lives and can offer a positive alternative to those who are at-risk of being drawn into serious violence, gang culture and criminal behaviour. Participating in sports such as boxing can teach valuable life lessons, and we believe everyone should have access to these opportunities.
In November 2022, the Ministry of Justice announced a £5 million Sport Fund to deliver “sport for crime prevention” programmes. Funding will deliver grants to around 200 local projects which deliver targeted support for children considered to be at-risk of entering the justice system due to identified need or additional vulnerabilities. The fund will be delivered in partnership with a consortium of national sector-leading experts in the sport for crime prevention space, formed by StreetGames, The Sport for Development Coalition and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential positive impact of grass roots boxing clubs in their local communities; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Supporting grassroots sport is a key Government priority, we recognise the positive impact participating sport can have on individuals wellbeing and the benefits sport clubs have on local communities.
Sport England - the Government’s Arm’s Length Body - has invested more than £12 million into boxing over the last five years including £2.3 million to support boxing clubs through the immediate challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government believes that sport has the potential to transform lives and can offer a positive alternative to those who are at-risk of being drawn into serious violence, gang culture and criminal behaviour. Participating in sports such as boxing can teach valuable life lessons, and we believe everyone should have access to these opportunities.
In November 2022, the Ministry of Justice announced a £5 million Sport Fund to deliver “sport for crime prevention” programmes. Funding will deliver grants to around 200 local projects which deliver targeted support for children considered to be at-risk of entering the justice system due to identified need or additional vulnerabilities. The fund will be delivered in partnership with a consortium of national sector-leading experts in the sport for crime prevention space, formed by StreetGames, The Sport for Development Coalition and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the financial viability of grass roots boxing clubs.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Supporting grassroots sport is a key Government priority, we recognise the positive impact participating sport can have on individuals wellbeing and the benefits sport clubs have on local communities.
Sport England - the Government’s Arm’s Length Body - has invested more than £12 million into boxing over the last five years including £2.3 million to support boxing clubs through the immediate challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government believes that sport has the potential to transform lives and can offer a positive alternative to those who are at-risk of being drawn into serious violence, gang culture and criminal behaviour. Participating in sports such as boxing can teach valuable life lessons, and we believe everyone should have access to these opportunities.
In November 2022, the Ministry of Justice announced a £5 million Sport Fund to deliver “sport for crime prevention” programmes. Funding will deliver grants to around 200 local projects which deliver targeted support for children considered to be at-risk of entering the justice system due to identified need or additional vulnerabilities. The fund will be delivered in partnership with a consortium of national sector-leading experts in the sport for crime prevention space, formed by StreetGames, The Sport for Development Coalition and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice.
Asked by: James Daly (Conservative - Bury North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what financial support is available to community boxing clubs in England; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Supporting grassroots sport is a key Government priority, we recognise the positive impact participating sport can have on individuals wellbeing and the benefits sport clubs have on local communities.
Sport England - the Government’s Arm’s Length Body - has invested more than £12 million into boxing over the last five years including £2.3 million to support boxing clubs through the immediate challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Government believes that sport has the potential to transform lives and can offer a positive alternative to those who are at-risk of being drawn into serious violence, gang culture and criminal behaviour. Participating in sports such as boxing can teach valuable life lessons, and we believe everyone should have access to these opportunities.
In November 2022, the Ministry of Justice announced a £5 million Sport Fund to deliver “sport for crime prevention” programmes. Funding will deliver grants to around 200 local projects which deliver targeted support for children considered to be at-risk of entering the justice system due to identified need or additional vulnerabilities. The fund will be delivered in partnership with a consortium of national sector-leading experts in the sport for crime prevention space, formed by StreetGames, The Sport for Development Coalition and the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice.