Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Minister for Migration and Citizenship plans to respond to the correspondence of 2 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS06151.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
A response will be sent to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove’s letter (ref LS06151) in due course to reflect the latest position on the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.
As per The British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 (Commencement) Regulations 2025, the Act will come into force on 22 July 2025.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to review how attendance at schools is recorded for students who have been transferred to another school.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Once a pupil has been transferred to another school, their name is deleted from both the admission and attendance registers.
The ’Working together to improve school attendance’ guidance sets out the process clearly for schools in paragraphs 222-224. The guidance was drawn up following full public consultation and can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66bf300da44f1c4c23e5bd1b/Working_together_to_improve_school_attendance_-_August_2024.pdf.
This guidance explains the legal process set out in Regulation 9(1)(a) of The School Attendance (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulations 2024, which can be accessed here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/208/regulation/9/made.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to help facilitate safe passage to Jordan for refugees fleeing Gaza.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government has been clear that civilians in Gaza must be protected, and that Palestinians should not be forced to relocate from Gaza to third countries. Jordan is a generous host to several million refugees from regional conflicts, and entry of refugees from Gaza into Jordan is a matter for the Government of Jordan. We continue to call on all parties in Gaza to protect civilians and urge the Government of Israel to enable life-saving aid to enter Gaza at scale, and to enable the seriously ill and wounded to leave Gaza for medical care.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made on appointing a permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)
An open competition to recruit the permanent Independent Prevent Commissioner is underway, and an update will be provided once an appointment has been made.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of bringing most unused pension funds within the value of a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes on people currently receiving pensions.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to UIN 55099.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) dynamic pricing and (a) general payments on the (i) working conditions and (ii) pay of private hire drivers.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Subject to any requirements under relevant legislation, pay and working conditions in the private hire vehicle sector are commercial matters between drivers and operators.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure that there is no gap between the end of the term of office of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and their successor.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Paula Sussex has been appointed Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO). Arrangements are now in place, meaning all casework can progress as normal.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman cases are pending the appointment of the new Ombudsman.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
There were 187 pending decisions when Paula Sussex CBE was appointed as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on 26 June 2025.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce a (a) fast-track and (b) expedited process for applications to the Displaced Talent Mobility Scheme for people seeking refuge from (i) war zones and (ii) crisis situations.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, announced a review of the UK’s existing refugee resettlement and sponsorship schemes. This will ensure that there is a framework which will allow businesses, universities and communities to sponsor refugees to live, work and study in the UK. Further details will be set out in due course.
Asked by: Lisa Smart (Liberal Democrat - Hazel Grove)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) advice and (b) support her Department provides to UK citizens who wish to assist relatives in Gaza in seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 13 March to Question 35970.