Jessica Morden Portrait

Jessica Morden

Labour - Newport East

First elected: 5th May 2005

Shadow Minister (Wales)

(since September 2023)

Shadow Vice Chamberlain of HM Household (Whip)
10th Apr 2020 - 6th Sep 2023
Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons
4th Dec 2021 - 6th Sep 2023
Administration Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 26th Jun 2023
Child Support (Enforcement) Bill
22nd Feb 2023 - 1st Mar 2023
Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
19th Oct 2022 - 29th Nov 2022
Committee of Selection
15th Jan 2020 - 17th Jan 2022
Dormant Assets Bill [HL]
15th Dec 2021 - 11th Jan 2022
Opposition Whip (Commons)
18th Sep 2015 - 10th Apr 2020
Liaison Committee Sub-committee on the effectiveness and influence of the select committee system
13th Feb 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Statutory Instruments (Select Committee)
14th Nov 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
14th Nov 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
10th Jul 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Selection Committee
12th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Committee of Selection
12th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Administration Committee
30th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Standing Orders
1st Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Statutory Instruments (Select Committee)
5th Nov 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Statutory Instruments (Joint Committee)
5th Nov 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Liaison Committee (Commons)
14th Nov 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission
16th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Committee of Selection
10th Feb 2016 - 3rd May 2017
Welsh Affairs Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Justice Committee
6th Nov 2007 - 6th May 2010
Constitutional Affairs
11th Jul 2005 - 8th Nov 2007
Welsh Affairs Committee
21st Nov 2005 - 4th Jun 2007
Modernisation of the House of Commons
13th Jul 2005 - 16th Jan 2006


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Jessica Morden has voted in 774 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Jessica Morden Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 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
Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative)
(34 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(20 debate interactions)
Kwasi Kwarteng (Conservative)
(13 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(50 debate contributions)
Leader of the House
(40 debate contributions)
Wales Office
(30 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Environment Act 2021
(2,136 words contributed)
Welfare (Terminal Illness) Bill 2019-21
(1,795 words contributed)
Victims and Prisoners Bill 2022-23
(541 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Jessica Morden's debates

Newport East 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

The Government should reduce the cost of fuel through a reduction of 40% in fuel duty and VAT for 2 years. This can effectively offset the rise in fuel prices since 2020.


Latest EDMs signed by Jessica Morden

11th March 2020
Jessica Morden signed this EDM on Tuesday 17th March 2020

War widows pensions

Tabled by: Stephen Doughty (Labour (Co-op) - Cardiff South and Penarth)
That this House honours and recognises the sacrifices that our veterans and their families make; notes the particular sacrifices that the partners of veterans make and the consequences for them of tragically losing a spouse or partner serving in the armed forces; notes the changes announced in 2014 which allowed …
47 signatures
(Most recent: 22 Apr 2020)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 25
Scottish National Party: 6
Conservative: 5
Democratic Unionist Party: 4
Liberal Democrat: 4
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
Plaid Cymru: 1
3rd March 2020
Jessica Morden signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 3rd March 2020

70th anniversary of the Llandow Air Disaster

Tabled by: Nick Thomas-Symonds (Labour - Torfaen)
That this House notes that 12 March 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the Llandow Air Disaster in Wales; further notes that the flight concerned was for rugby union fans returning home from the Five Nations game between Ireland and Wales; commends efforts, including a service being held by Cwmbran …
22 signatures
(Most recent: 11 Mar 2020)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 14
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Plaid Cymru: 2
Independent: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Conservative: 1
View All Jessica Morden's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Jessica Morden, 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.


Jessica Morden has not been granted any Urgent Questions

3 Adjournment Debates led by Jessica Morden

Thursday 8th December 2022
Monday 14th September 2020

1 Bill introduced by Jessica Morden


A Bill to make provision about terminally ill people in the welfare system.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 22nd July 2020
(Read Debate)

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
3 Other Department Questions
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the annual costs were of the (a) Access To Elected Office Fund and (b) EnAble Fund.

Stuart Andrew
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
31st Jan 2022
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what her Department's average response time was to an enquiry from a hon. Member to the MP (a) hotline and (b) account management team in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) 2021.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs, either directly or on behalf of their constituents. The Equality Hub does not have an MP hotline or an account management team.

The correspondence team does not hold information on the average response time to enquiries from MPs, as correspondence performance is monitored by the percentage of correspondence responded to within the target response time set by the Department.

Data on the timeliness of responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers for 2019 and 2020 is published on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers. Data for 2021 will be published by the Cabinet Office in due course.

Mike Freer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
22nd Sep 2021
What steps she is taking with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to help ensure an equitable economic recovery for women from the covid-19 outbreak.

The Treasury has offered an unprecedented level of support to both individuals and businesses during this pandemic. In responding to the economic challenges of COVID-19, the Government carefully considered the equality impact of both individual measures and fiscal events on those sharing protected characteristics, including gender, in line with its legal obligations and its strong commitment to promoting fairness. This year, we have invested £44 million to support family childcare costs, enabling local authorities to increase hourly rates paid to childcare providers.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
12th Jan 2023
To ask the Attorney General, what proportion of (a) ordinary and (b) named-day written questions their Department answered on time in 2022.

The proportion of ordinary and named-day written Parliamentary questions answered on time in 2022 by the Attorney General’s Office is given in the following table:

Question Type

Due for Answer

Answered on Time

Named-Day

85

72 (85%)

Ordinary Written

165

135 (82%)

Total

250

The figures quoted in this answer are internal statistics compiled by the Attorney General’s Office. The official statistics will be published by the Table Office in the usual way.

Michael Tomlinson
Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
28th Oct 2022
To ask the Attorney General, what steps their Department is taking to reduce the time taken to respond to (a) written parliamentary questions and (b) correspondence from Members of Parliament.

All government departments have access to regular training led by the Parliamentary Capability Team through the Government Campus. The Attorney General’s Office attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and correspondence and remains committed to providing the highest level of service. Between the period of May to July inclusive, the Attorney General’s Office answered 74% of written Parliamentary Questions on time. For the same period, 97% of all Ministerial correspondence was answered on time.

Michael Tomlinson
Minister of State (Minister for Illegal Migration)
28th Jan 2022
To ask the Attorney General, what the average response time was for her Department to respond to an enquiry from an MP once an enquiry had been received by the MP (a) hotline and (b) account management team in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) 2021.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs, either directly or on behalf of their constituents.

The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) does not have an MP hotline. Correspondence from MPs is monitored alongside that received from Peers and members of devolved assemblies by the AGO Correspondence Team.

The AGO Correspondence Team does not hold information on the average response time to enquiries from MPs, as correspondence performance is monitored by the percentage of correspondence responded to within the target response time set by the Department. For AGO this is 20 working days.

Data on the timeliness of responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers for 2019 and 2020 is published on Gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers. Data for 2021 will be published by the Cabinet Office in due course.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
14th Dec 2020
To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking to support the criminal justice system's ability to prosecute perpetrators of coercive and controlling behaviour.

This Government and the Crown Prosecution Service take cases of domestic abuse extremely seriously.

Since the introduction of the Serious Crime Act 2015, which created an offence of coercive and controlling behaviour, the number of domestic abuse prosecutions have increased.

The CPS has developed an ambitious twelve-month programme of work to help narrow the disparity between domestic abuse reporting and criminal justice outcomes, including, sharing best practice and revising guidance to support effective case handling of coercive and controlling behaviour crimes.

It is essential that perpetrators, victims and their families know and understand that the criminal justice system remains open and is prioritising cases with high risk domestic abuse victims.

2nd Jun 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many meetings the Minister for Veterans Affairs has with Ministers responsible for Afghan schemes since 2 February 2023.

I refer the Member for Newport East to the answer given to the Right Honourable Member for Wentworth and Dearne on 16th May 2023 (184567).

Johnny Mercer
Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Minister for Veterans' Affairs)
20th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the recommendations of the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April 2023, if he will make it his policy to make immediate interim payments to (a) children and (b) bereaved parents of children who were given infected blood and infected blood products.

I refer the honourable Member to the statement made on Wednesday 19 April 2023, in response to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Second Interim Report.

14th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Second Interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on 5 April, if he will take steps to implement without delay the report's recommendation to provide interim compensation payments to the parents and children of those impacted by the contaminated blood scandal.

I refer the Honourable Lady to the statement made on Wednesday April 19 2023, in response to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry’s Second Interim Report.

14th Apr 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2023 to Question 174252 on Civil Servants: Dyslexia, for what reason does the Department not hold data on achievement levels for civil servants with dyslexia.

The Department cannot demand nor mandate that an individual discloses a personal protected characteristic (as defined by the Equality Act 2010). However, an individual may disclose that they have dyslexia ahead of an assessment and development centre, for example to discuss the potential for reasonable adjustments to be made. For a reasonable adjustment, the conversation would be filed individually and securely, in line with GDPR regulations. Details are not added to an individual’s profile on Government Commercial College, the data platform that records ADC scores.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Mar 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Government has made of the accessibility of Civil Service commercial function assessments for candidates with (a) dyslexia and (b) other learning difficulties.

Achievement levels for civil servants with dyslexia is not held centrally.

Government Commercial Function (GCF) works with staff networks (for example, the GCF Disability and Neurodivergent Network) to ensure that individuals are treated fairly and empathetically. Where appropriate GCF seeks professional advice, such as occupational health assessments, and encourages the use of the Workplace Adjustment Passports.

The Assessment Development Centre is designed to be as accessible as possible. Participants are encouraged to discuss any adjustments they might need at the assessment centre and adjustments are open for further discussion and amendment if needed.

Alex Burghart
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
16th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to make interim compensation payments to the estates of (a) people who have died as a result of infected blood products and (b) to people affected whose children or parents have died.

I refer the hon Member to the statement I made in the House on 15 December where I announced that the moral case for compensation was formally accepted. I also set out the work being carried out across government in consideration of the compensation framework study - which included specific reference to those groups who were not able to claim interim compensation.

This work is intended to ensure that the Government is prepared to act swiftly in response to Sir Brian Langstaff’s final report when it is delivered.

12th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of (a) ordinary and (b) named-day written questions their Department answered on time in 2022.

Our internal records show that for all cases due with Parliament between 01/01/2022 and 31/12/2022 to which Cabinet Office responded, 92% of ordinary written questions were answered on time and 83% of named-day written questions were answered on time.

6th Jan 2023
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of taking steps to mark the contribution of (a) police officers and (b) other emergency workers killed in the line of duty.

All lives lost in the line of duty are a tragedy and lives lost in public service should be commemorated. Work is continuing on an appropriate way to do so for those police, emergency workers and other public servants who lose their lives while serving the people of the United Kingdom.

23rd Nov 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what discussions he has had with representatives of civil service staff networks on the government reform strategy.

I have not yet met with civil service staff networks, but I look forward to doing so.

This government is committed to working closely with our brilliant civil servants to ensure we deliver for the public. 14,000 civil servants responded to a 2020 survey that helped inform the Declaration on Government Reform and new vision for A Modern Civil Service. Since then, a network of Reform Champions from across grades, professions and locations have been regularly giving their views on our plans for reform and helping to make change happen where they work.

28th Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps their Department is taking to reduce the time taken to respond to (a) written parliamentary questions and (b) correspondence from Members of Parliament.

All departments have access to regular training led by the Parliamentary Capability Team through the Government Campus.

The Cabinet Office attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of Parliamentary Questions (PQs) and correspondence, and officials remain committed to providing the highest level of service. To complement the work of the Parliamentary Capability Team, the Cabinet Office also runs tailored training sessions for Cabinet Office staff specific to PQs and Correspondence to drive up the quality and timeliness of our responses. These sessions have been delivered 3 times since July.

Between the period of May to July inclusive, the Cabinet Office consistently answered over 90% of PQs on time each month, and an average of 86% of all ministerial correspondence on time over those 3 months.

28th Oct 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Prime Minister's Office is taking to reduce the time taken to respond to (a) written parliamentary questions and (b) correspondence from Members of Parliament.

Between the period of May to July inclusive, the Prime Minister answered 100% of Parliamentary Questions on time each month. The Prime Minister receives over 3,000 letters and emails every week covering a broad spectrum of issues.

Where an Hon. Member writes to the Prime Minister about a matter that is directly the responsibility of another Department, it has been the long-standing practice of successive administrations for that matter to be passed to that Department for a substantive reply, on his behalf.

Information on departmental performance on correspondence can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers.

27th Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government has plans to make (a) leadership and (b) administrative roles in the Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network paid positions.

Leadership (chair, co-chair, deputy chair of committee member) and administrative roles of the Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network are voluntary roles as part of an employee's corporate contribution and are not paid positions. There are currently no plans to make these roles paid positions.

22nd Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 June 2022 to Question 19595 on Civil Servants: Recruitment, when the last meeting between the Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network and (a) the Civil Service Disability Network and (b) other cross-Government Diversity Networks took place; and (i) when and (ii) in what format the Government has consulted with the Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network in each of the last three years.

As set out in the Declaration on Government Reform and the recent Civil Service Diversity Strategy, the civil service is committed to setting a new standard for inclusive workplaces. The Cabinet Office values the importance of ensuring our workplaces are inclusive for colleagues with dyslexia and we engage with relevant Networks where appropriate.

The Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network are a sub-network of the Civil Service Disability Network. As a sub-network of the Civil Service Disability Network, the chairs of the sub networks meet every two months, a representative of the Civil Service Inclusive Practice Team attends these meetings, the most recent meeting was on 19 May 2022.

Additionally the team will engage with individual Networks on an ad hoc basis when requested or helpful to test HR policy which impacts specific groups. Individual HR policy teams, such as those on recruitment, organise and meet separately with stakeholders.

16th Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to make the civil service recruitment process more dyslexia-friendly.

As set out in the Declaration on Government Reform and the recent Civil Service Diversity Strategy, the civil service is committed to setting a new standard for inclusive workplaces. The Cabinet Office values the importance of ensuring our workplaces are inclusive for colleagues with dyslexia and we engage with relevant Networks where appropriate.

We engage with Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network, via the Civil Service Disability Network and with other cross-Government Diversity Networks to update on key initiatives and share best practice. The network also features on the Diversity Networks webpage on GOV.UK and the Chairs are able to collaborate with other networks using our Diversity and Inclusion hub.

Across the civil service we provide support via a range of individualised workplace adjustments to remove workplace barriers to enable dyslexic colleagues to thrive at work. Our Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network is a great support to improving the working environment for Civil Servants impacted by dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia across civil service departments. The development of the Toolkit has been widely shared with colleagues in Diversity and Inclusion.

Our recruitment processes are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain as inclusive as they can be, with involvement from occupational psychologists to ensure they meet the requirements of as many people with disabilities as we reasonably can.

An equality analysis was carried out in 2016 to demonstrate due and proper regard to our equality obligations. We used the analysis to assess the impact the introduction of online tests in recruitment was likely to have. This included reviews of the literature and involved a range of stakeholder and user consultations. External neurodiversity experts are also providing ongoing independent advice to GRS about how to improve the inclusive experience of neurodiverse test takers.The Civil Service publishes written and video guidance on the alternatives that exist for disabled test takers through the reasonable adjustment process.

16th Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to (a) assist the growth of the Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network and (b) ensure it is accessible to staff in all civil service departments.

As set out in the Declaration on Government Reform and the recent Civil Service Diversity Strategy, the civil service is committed to setting a new standard for inclusive workplaces. The Cabinet Office values the importance of ensuring our workplaces are inclusive for colleagues with dyslexia and we engage with relevant Networks where appropriate.

We engage with Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network, via the Civil Service Disability Network and with other cross-Government Diversity Networks to update on key initiatives and share best practice. The network also features on the Diversity Networks webpage on GOV.UK and the Chairs are able to collaborate with other networks using our Diversity and Inclusion hub.

Across the civil service we provide support via a range of individualised workplace adjustments to remove workplace barriers to enable dyslexic colleagues to thrive at work. Our Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network is a great support to improving the working environment for Civil Servants impacted by dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia across civil service departments. The development of the Toolkit has been widely shared with colleagues in Diversity and Inclusion.

Our recruitment processes are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain as inclusive as they can be, with involvement from occupational psychologists to ensure they meet the requirements of as many people with disabilities as we reasonably can.

An equality analysis was carried out in 2016 to demonstrate due and proper regard to our equality obligations. We used the analysis to assess the impact the introduction of online tests in recruitment was likely to have. This included reviews of the literature and involved a range of stakeholder and user consultations. External neurodiversity experts are also providing ongoing independent advice to GRS about how to improve the inclusive experience of neurodiverse test takers. The Civil Service publishes written and video guidance on the alternatives that exist for disabled test takers through the reasonable adjustment process.

8th Jun 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has had recent discussions with the (a) British Dyslexia Association and (b) other relevant organisations on steps the Government can take to make all civil service departments dyslexia-friendly workplaces.

As set out in the Declaration on Government Reform and the recent Civil Service Diversity Strategy, the civil service is committed to setting a new standard for inclusive workplaces. The Cabinet Office values the importance of ensuring our workplaces are inclusive for colleagues with dyslexia and we engage with relevant organisations where appropriate. Across the civil service we provide support via a range of individualised workplace adjustments to remove workplace barriers to enable dyslexic colleagues to thrive at work. Our Civil Service Dyslexia and Dyspraxia Network also supports improving the working environment for Civil Servants impacted by dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia across civil service departments.

26th May 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer given on 26 May 2022 to Question 6731 on Cabinet Office: Correspondence, when the Department plans to publish data on volumes and timeliness of responses to correspondence from Members of the House of Commons and Lords for 2021.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence, and so does Parliament.

Ministers and officials remain committed to providing timely and detailed replies.

As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency, the Cabinet Office has published data related to letters from MPs and Peers answered by Government in 2021. This was done via a Written Ministerial Statement in my name on 26 May 2022 (HCWS59).

24th May 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of written questions to each Government department received the response that information was not available in the format requested in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021 and (d) January to May 2022.

Details of responses to written parliamentary questions from other government departments are not recorded centrally by the Cabinet Office. All questions that received responses that cited disproportionate costs or information not being available in the format requested can be found publicly on the parliament.uk website and can be searched for within the years requested.

24th May 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of written questions sent to each Government department received a response citing disproportionate cost as grounds upon which not to provide a substantive answer in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, (c) 2021and (d) January-May 2022.

Details of responses to written parliamentary questions from other government departments are not recorded centrally by the Cabinet Office. All questions that received responses that cited disproportionate costs or information not being available in the format requested can be found publicly on the parliament.uk website and can be searched for within the years requested.

23rd May 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if his Department will publish the average time it took each Department to respond to correspondence from Members of the House of (a) Commons and (b) Lords in (i) 2021 and (ii) during the period from January to May 2022.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs and Peers.

The Cabinet Office does not collect data from government departments on the average time taken to respond to correspondence from Members of the House of Commons and Lords.

The Cabinet Office will be publishing data on volumes and timeliness of responses to correspondence from Members of the House of Commons and Lords for 2021 in the near future. This publication will include data for all government departments.

28th Feb 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2022 to Question 125060 on Infected Blood Compensation Framework Study, when the Government plans to publish the infected blood compensation framework report by Sir Robert Francis QC.

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 24 February to PQ 125060.

18th Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Sir Robert Francis QC's report on a contaminated blood scandal compensation framework will be made available to the public on 14 March 2022.

The study will report to the Paymaster General no later than 14 March 2022. The Government will give full consideration to Sir Robert's study - which is separate from the independent public inquiry. The Government's response and Sir Robert's study will be published.

3rd Feb 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he will publish data on the timeliness of all departmental responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers in 2021.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs, Peers and members of the public.

In July 2021, the Cabinet Office published data on the timeliness of responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers for 2018, 2019 and 2020 on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers. This data measures performance by the percentage of correspondence from MPs and Peers responded to within the target response time set by each Department - rather than the average length of time taken to respond to correspondence from MPs and Peers. As per the Guide to Handling Correspondence, updated by the Cabinet Office in July 2021, the target response time set by Departments for correspondence must not exceed 20 working days.

The Cabinet Office is now in a position to publish correspondence data in a more timely manner; the data for 2021 will be published in the near future.

28th Jan 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average response time was for his Department to respond to an enquiry from an MP once an enquiry had been received by the MP (a) hotline and (b) account management team in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) 2021.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs, either directly or on behalf of their constituents. Neither the Cabinet Office nor the Prime Minister’s Office has an MP hotline or MP management account team.

Where a Hon. Member writes to the Prime Minister about a matter that is directly the responsibility of another Department, it has been the long-standing practice of successive administrations for that matter to be passed to that Department for a substantive reply, on his behalf. This means that the data on such response times will be included in that Department’s broader figures.


Data on the timeliness of responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers is published on GOV.UK.

28th Jan 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average response time was for the Prime Minister's Office to respond to an enquiry from an MP once an enquiry had been received by the MP (a) hotline and (b) account management team in (a) 2019, (b) 2020 and (c) 2021.

The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence from MPs, either directly or on behalf of their constituents. Neither the Cabinet Office nor the Prime Minister’s Office has an MP hotline or MP management account team.

Where a Hon. Member writes to the Prime Minister about a matter that is directly the responsibility of another Department, it has been the long-standing practice of successive administrations for that matter to be passed to that Department for a substantive reply, on his behalf. This means that the data on such response times will be included in that Department’s broader figures.


Data on the timeliness of responses to correspondence from MPs and Peers is published on GOV.UK.

12th Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Government plans to publish UK export figures for February 2021.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
12th Apr 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 1 April 2021 to Question 169810, on 10 Downing Street: Iron and Steel, what records his Department holds on the use of UK-produced steel in the construction of the briefing room facilities in 9 Downing Street.

This information is not centrally held by the Cabinet Office.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
16th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what records his Department holds on the use of UK-produced steel in the construction of the briefing room in 10 Downing Street.

A briefing room has not been constructed in 10 Downing Street, therefore we do not hold the information requested. The Government is establishing facilities within 9 Downing Street which will be used for daily broadcasting by a number of news organisations, therefore I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 169917 on 22 March 2021.

Julia Lopez
Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
25th Jan 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps the Government is taking to equalise payments to infected blood victims throughout the UK.

Work is currently underway across government to address the concerns of people infected and affected by infected blood, and a compensation framework is being explored. Parliament will be updated in due course.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
6th Jul 2020
To ask the the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many women born between 6 April 1950 and 5 April 1960 there are in the UK; and how many of those women are in employment.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

15th Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to provide the Welsh Government with additional funding to increase ex gratia payments distributed through the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme.

In 2017, country-specific support schemes were set up in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. These schemes are devolved, and the devolved administrations will have made different choices around their offers of support over time.

We are currently working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments on taking forward actions to address the disparities in financial and non-financial support for those infected and affected across the UK, including bereaved partners.

The report's timetable is a matter for the Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff. Sir Brian has publicly recognised the need to balance between speed and the need for thoroughness, and has made clear that the Inquiry will complete its work as quickly as a thorough examination of the facts allows.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
15th Jun 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will allocate funding to ensure that widows and widowers in the four nations of the UK are included in Infected Blood ex gratia support schemes until the Infected Blood inquiry reports in 2022.

In 2017, country-specific support schemes were set up in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland. These schemes are devolved, and the devolved administrations will have made different choices around their offers of support over time.

We are currently working with our partners in the devolved nations and other relevant Government departments on taking forward actions to address the disparities in financial and non-financial support for those infected and affected across the UK, including bereaved partners.

The report's timetable is a matter for the Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff. Sir Brian has publicly recognised the need to balance between speed and the need for thoroughness, and has made clear that the Inquiry will complete its work as quickly as a thorough examination of the facts allows.

Penny Mordaunt
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Wales and (b) her Japanese counterpart on the geographical indication status of Welsh food and drink products in Japan.

The department is working closely with Japanese officials to agree a date for entry into force of the necessary amendments to the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, at which point the first tranche of British products will join the seven Geographical Indications (GIs) already in our agreement in receiving protected status. The Secretary of State discussed this process with her counterpart at the Joint Committee in Japan in October 2023.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
15th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with the Board of the Post Office on the provision of financial evidence to claimants of the Horizon shortfall scheme to assist with their claims for redress.

The Government wants to ensure that all postmasters who experienced losses as a result of the Horizon scandal are provided with full and fair redress. It also recognises that given the significant time that has elapsed, it may be more difficult for claimants to provide evidence in support of their claim.

This was factored into the design of the Horizon Shortfall Scheme to ensure that postmasters will not be disadvantaged if there is a lack of records to support their claim.

There is an independent panel in place on the HSS, comprising of retail, legal and accountancy experts, which assesses each individual claim. The panel can exercise a degree of discretion to make fair awards where documentary evidence is lacking.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
5th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she plans to take steps to create an expedited process for products with CE marking to receive UK Conformity Assessed marking.

In June last year, Government announced a package of measures to help reduce costs and burdens for businesses. One of these measures allows manufactures to use conformity assessment activities undertaken by EU notified bodies before 31st December 2024 to be considered as the basis for UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking until 31 December 2027 or until the expiry of the certificate, whichever is sooner. This enables manufacturers to apply the UKCA mark on these products without the need for re-testing.

Government continues to engage with businesses to make placing products on the market and trading as simple as possible, whilst maintaining high standards of safety.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
25th May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what her Department's planned timescale is for paying compensation to sub-postmasters that are eligible for the Group Litigation Order Compensation Scheme.

To date, interim payments totalling £19.2m have been paid to 467 Group Litigation Order (GLO) postmasters. The full GLO scheme opened for registrations on 10 February 2023 and opened for full applications on 23 March. We are already making good progress: over 85% of claimants are now registered.

The Government remains committed to paying fair compensation to all eligible GLO scheme claimants by August 2024. That is why we have committed to publish a timeline for delivering the scheme following discussion with the claimants’ legal representatives.

Kevin Hollinrake
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of trends in the level of standing charges in the last 12 months.

For financial year 2021-22, an investment of £100m by EDF in the Sizewell C project in January 2022 was provided by the Government through the Combined Option Agreement. In the same financial year, the Government provided a further £0.24m of innovation funding in 2021/22 to Sizewell C, together with partner organisations, through Phase 1 of the Direct Air Capture and other Greenhouse Gas Removal technologies competition, part of the Government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

In the financial year 2022-23, the Government’s planned expenditure on developing the Sizewell C project is £860m, with a further £0.5m provided as part of Phase 2 of the Direct Air Capture and other Greenhouse Gas Removal technologies competition.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
18th Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when she plans to publish the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2023-2024.

The eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount scheme 2023-24 is set in the Eligibility Statement which was published on 12th September 2023 and can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales-2023-to-2024-scheme-year-onward

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
1st Sep 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households received funding from the Warm Home Discount Scheme in 2022-23; and how much funding was made available for the Warm Home Discount Scheme in that year.

The official statistics showed that 2.50 million households received a rebate under the Core Group in winter 2022/23, providing £374 million of support to low-income and vulnerable households. Warm Home Discount statistics - GOV.UK.

This does not include part of the scheme in Scotland delivered by participating energy suppliers which is known as the Broader Group. The statistics also do not include spending on Industry Initiatives, which are other financial and energy-related measures that suppliers deliver.

The final figures on the support provided in the 2022/23 scheme year will be confirmed in Ofgem’s annual report towards the end of the year.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
5th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when his Department plans to publish a response to the Developing the UK Emissions Trading Scheme consultation, published 25 March 2022; and whether he plans to take steps to help ensure the international competitiveness of UK manufacturers at risk of carbon leakage.

Industrial participants in the UK ETS are provided with free allocations, reducing their exposure to the carbon price and mitigating the risk of carbon leakage. In a recent consultation the Government guaranteed free allocations at current levels until 2026, and as part of an ongoing review is looking at how to target support to sectors most at risk of carbon leakage. The UK ETS Authority will publish a response to the March 2022 consultation in due course.

The Government is also consulting on wider carbon leakage mitigations such as a carbon border adjustment mechanism and mandatory product standards.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
2nd May 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many Warm Home Discount payments were issued in the period between (a) March 2021 and March 2022 and (b) March 2022 and March 2023.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 April 2023 to Question 181006.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury