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Written Question
Social Services: Children
Tuesday 19th December 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the press release by Pause entitled Pause responds to Government’s plans for children’s social care, published on 11 May 2023, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of their recommendation on annual data collection on parents who have experienced the removal of more than one child from their care.

Answered by David Johnston - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department appreciates the need to improve the data available about children’s social care, including by making it more relevant to the experience of children, young people and families. That is why the department has published a data and digital strategy for children’s social care. This strategic approach will provide the opportunity to map and understand the data needs of the children’s social care sector as a whole and seek to address this over time. This will enable a better understanding of the system and support the planning and delivery of services. A link to the strategy can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-social-care-data-and-digital-strategy.

Existing statutory data is captured about the child and does not capture the complex nature of families such as, for example, where siblings to not live in the same family home. Addressing data gaps in children’s social care will be a long-term endeavour due to the need to agree data definitions and standards, as well as redesign local authority and departmental systems before rolling out nationally.



Written Question
Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions
Thursday 14th December 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's consultation on L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposals to phase out new non-zero emission L-category vehicles by 2035 on the commercial viability of (a) L-category manufacturers building zero emission L-category vehicles and (b) consumers purchasing those vehicles.

Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles was supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement with manufacturers and the wider industry. We are now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.

We are working closely with industry to ensure a prosperous future for L-category manufacturers in the UK. In February 2022, the Motorcycle Industry Association and Zemo Partnership published a government-commissioned action plan, namely “Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles”, to support the transition to zero emission L-category vehicles. The Government also recently made £350,000 of funding available to grow the zero emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK.

Government policies are already in place to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. However, the Government appreciates that there are technology and infrastructure considerations for these vehicles as they transition and will continue to work with the sector to support and examine how to best overcome demand side challenges, including the infrastructure needs of zero emission L-category vehicles.


Written Question
Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions
Thursday 14th December 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's proposals to phase out new non zero emission L-category vehicles on (a) manufacturers and (b) importers of mopeds and motorcycles.

Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles was supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement with manufacturers and the wider industry. We are now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.

We are working closely with industry to ensure a prosperous future for L-category manufacturers in the UK. In February 2022, the Motorcycle Industry Association and Zemo Partnership published a government-commissioned action plan, namely “Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles”, to support the transition to zero emission L-category vehicles. The Government also recently made £350,000 of funding available to grow the zero emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK.

Government policies are already in place to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. However, the Government appreciates that there are technology and infrastructure considerations for these vehicles as they transition and will continue to work with the sector to support and examine how to best overcome demand side challenges, including the infrastructure needs of zero emission L-category vehicles.


Written Question
Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions
Thursday 14th December 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to publish a response to his Department's consultation on L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models.

Answered by Anthony Browne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles was supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement with manufacturers and the wider industry. We are now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.

We are working closely with industry to ensure a prosperous future for L-category manufacturers in the UK. In February 2022, the Motorcycle Industry Association and Zemo Partnership published a government-commissioned action plan, namely “Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles”, to support the transition to zero emission L-category vehicles. The Government also recently made £350,000 of funding available to grow the zero emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK.

Government policies are already in place to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. However, the Government appreciates that there are technology and infrastructure considerations for these vehicles as they transition and will continue to work with the sector to support and examine how to best overcome demand side challenges, including the infrastructure needs of zero emission L-category vehicles.


Written Question
Firearms: Licensing
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will (a) make an assessment of the performance of police forces in issuing firearms and shotgun licences and (b) centralise the responsibility for issuing those licences with the police force that performs the best against the metrics used for that assessment.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.

The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.

Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.

In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.

The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.

There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.


Written Question
Firearms: Licensing
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of delays in the approval of firearm and shotgun licenses on people for whom a license is essential to their livelihood.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.

The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.

Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.

In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.

The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.

There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.


Written Question
Firearms: Licensing
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to establish a compensation scheme for individuals who have had to wait more than one year for their firearm and shotgun licenses.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.

The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.

Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.

In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.

The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.

There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.


Written Question
Firearms: Licensing
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to remove responsibility for issuing firearm and shotgun licenses from West Mercia Police; and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.

The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.

Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.

In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.

The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.

There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.


Written Question
Firearms: Licensing
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to reduce the waiting time for individuals who have been waiting over three years for firearm and shotgun licenses.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.

The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.

Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.

In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.

The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.

There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.


Written Question
Firearms: Licensing
Wednesday 25th October 2023

Asked by: Bill Wiggin (Conservative - North Herefordshire)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which police force has the lowest average time taken for issuing firearm and shotgun licenses over the last 12 months.

Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)

We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.

The issue of how individual forces’ firearms licensing departments deal with applications for firearms certificates is an operational matter for the Chief Officer of each police force concerned. However, I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing and she is working actively with forces with performance related issues.

Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.

In addition, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) is planning a thematic inspection of firearms licensing in 2024/25 and case performance is likely to be one of the issues considered and inspected.

The Home Office is currently reviewing firearms licensing fees, which were last increased in 2015 and are now considerably below the cost of the service provided. The key aim of the review is to achieve full cost recovery for the police so that they receive the funding and resources they need to provide a more effective service. The income from new fees will enable police forces to better resource, train and equip their firearms licensing teams. This will help reduce delays in processing applications, as well as supporting public safety.

There are no plans to create a central licensing body to administer firearms licensing.