Mark Garnier Portrait

Mark Garnier

Conservative - Wyre Forest

First elected: 6th May 2010


International Trade Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 26th Apr 2023
Committees on Arms Export Controls
6th Jul 2020 - 26th Apr 2023
Electricity and Gas Transmission (Compensation) Bill
18th Jan 2023 - 25th Jan 2023
Cultural Objects (Protection From Seizure) Bill
9th Nov 2021 - 17th Nov 2021
Regulatory Reform
2nd Mar 2020 - 20th May 2021
European Statutory Instruments Committee
10th Feb 2020 - 14th Sep 2020
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for International Trade)
17th Jul 2016 - 9th Jan 2018
Finance Committee (Commons)
20th Jul 2015 - 19th Dec 2016
Treasury Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 31st Oct 2016
Treasury Committee
12th Jul 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards (Joint Committee)
16th Jul 2012 - 12th Jun 2013


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Mark Garnier has voted in 861 divisions, and 5 times against the majority of their Party.

23 Jun 2020 - Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme - View Vote Context
Mark Garnier voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 45 Conservative Aye votes vs 235 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 238
17 Jun 2020 - Health and Personal Social Services - View Vote Context
Mark Garnier voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 104 Conservative Aye votes vs 124 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 253 Noes - 136
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
Mark Garnier voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 240 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 185 Noes - 242
2 Jun 2020 - Proceedings during the Pandemic - View Vote Context
Mark Garnier voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 257 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 261 Noes - 163
30 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Mark Garnier voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 72 Conservative Aye votes vs 175 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 188
View All Mark Garnier 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
Nadhim Zahawi (Conservative)
(9 debate interactions)
Anthony Mangnall (Conservative)
(7 debate interactions)
Chi Onwurah (Labour)
Shadow Minister (Science, Research and Innovation)
(6 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(35 debate contributions)
Department for International Trade
(16 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(14 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21
(1,915 words contributed)
Criminal Justice Bill 2023-24
(1,540 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Mark Garnier's debates

Wyre Forest 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).

Mark Garnier has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Mark Garnier

Mark Garnier has not signed any Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Mark Garnier, 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.


Mark Garnier has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Mark Garnier has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

2 Bills introduced by Mark Garnier


A Bill to make provision about consumer protection in relation to domestic building works; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 19th November 2021

A Bill to require that companies selling road fuels be required to charge prices equalised between rural and urban areas; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 20th January 2015

Latest 49 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
15th Oct 2021
To ask the Attorney General, what overseas visits have been made by (a) herself, her predecessor or senior officials in her Department, (b) the Director of Public Prosecutions or senior CPS officials and (c) the Director of the Serious Fraud Office or senior officers over the last 12 months; which countries were visited; what matters were discussed; and whether covid-19 quarantine rules were followed by all people making such visits.

The Attorney General, Solicitor General and senior officials in the department have not undertaken any overseas visits in the last 12 months.

In June 2021, Lisa Osofsky (The Director of the Serious Fraud Office) and John Carroll (Chief Operating Officer of the Serious Fraud Office) visited the United States of America (USA). The purpose of the visit was to meet strategic partners and discuss collaboration and cooperation in tackling serious and complex economic crime. They both followed Covid protocols throughout their time abroad and on returning to the UK.

In October 2021, on a visit to the USA, the Director attended a work meeting with DOJ Senior Officials. In this meeting, she met with American Operational partners and discussed collaboration and cooperation in tackling serious and complex economic crime. The Director followed Covid protocols in place for foreign travel.

No overseas visits have been undertaken by any other Senior SFO Officer over the past 12 months.

Over the past 12 months, the Director of Public Prosecutions completed two overseas business trips, to Poland and the United States. During both visits, the DPP met key stakeholders, including HMG officials. Both of these visits provided an important opportunity to demonstrate support for CPS Liaison Prosecutors based in these jurisdictions and to cement the importance of their role and our cooperation with our international partners.

On both occasions, there were no requirements to quarantine on entry into either country, or on return to the UK.

Alex Chalk
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to help reduce economic loses caused by rogue builders operating in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector.

The domestic repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) sector is a vital part of the construction industry. It is one where genuine concern exists about consumer protection. The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry and works with the industry and Local Authority trading standards, to improve standards of competence, consumer protection and redress, and to act against rogue builders.

The Department consulted last year on proposals to make alternative dispute resolution mandatory in the home improvements sector as part of a broader attempt to strengthen consumer rights in problematic sectors. We are now working with the Ministry of Justice to help inform and support their policy development on the use of mediation as an integrated part of the justice system.

Kevin Hollinrake
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) maintaining a ringfence for tidal stream renewable energy technologies in allocation round six of the Contracts for Difference scheme and (b) setting a target of 1GW for tidal stream technologies by 2035.

The Government is currently developing auction parameters for Allocation Round 6 of the Contracts for Difference scheme, including any for tidal stream, taking into account evidence of the pipeline of available projects. The Government will publish core parameters for the round later this month, and final parameters, including the budget, ahead of the round opening in March 2024.The Government will review the merits of setting an ambition for tidal stream deployment.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to amend the methodology used to set administrative strike prices for all renewable technologies in the Contracts for Difference allocation round six.

The Government reviews auction parameters, including Administrative Strike Prices (ASP) and the ASP methodology, ahead of every Contracts for Difference Allocation Round. Considering recent price volatility and that no offshore wind technologies were successful in Allocation Round 5, the Government has conducted a thorough review of its cost assumptions ahead of Allocation Round 6. The Government is committed to ensuring that it sets the parameters at a level that would allow sustainably priced projects in the pipeline to compete in the auction. The ASP methodology will be published alongside core parameters in November 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
7th Nov 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent steps her Department has taken to increase the use of tidal stream renewable energy technologies; and whether she has had recent discussions with her international counterparts on the use of this technology.

Tidal stream is eligible for the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, the UK’s main mechanism for supporting low-carbon generation. In the last CfD allocation round a record 11 tidal stream contracts were secured with a capacity of over 53MW. This is a world-leading deployment in Scottish and Welsh waters, and the first time that tidal stream power has been procured at this scale.

The Department engages on tidal stream internationally across Europe and beyond, including at the Ocean Energy Europe conference in October 2023.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Nov 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when the £400 arising from the Energy Bill Support Scheme will be delivered to park home residents.

I refer my Hon. Friend to the answer I gave my Hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch on 8th November to Question 78634.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to help ensure that people in caravan parks who are connected to utilities through the park owners will be able to receive the £400 payment through the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for St Albans on 20th June 2022 to Question 18990.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government maintains a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.

At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government maintains a database of firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England that have gone into liquidation in each of the last three years.

The Government does not maintain a specific database of firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England that have gone into liquidation in each of the last three years.

However, the Government does hold data from the Insolvency Service on liquidations of firms in the wider construction sector in England and Wales. The table below sets out Registered Compulsory Liquidations and Registered Creditors' Voluntary Liquidations to three-digit level Standard Industrial Classification from 2018 to Q3 of 2021.

Description

2018

2019

2020

2021 to Q3

2,754

2,881

1,874

1,619

Construction of buildings

876

975

637

538

Development of building projects

419

420

280

251

Construction of residential and non-residential buildings

457

555

357

287

Civil engineering

144

156

117

121

Construction of roads and railways

24

31

35

51

Construction of utility projects

23

19

11

12

Construction of other civil engineering projects

97

106

71

58

Specialised construction activities

1,734

1,750

1,120

960

Demolition and site preparation

57

57

28

24

Electrical, plumbing and other construction installation activities

624

646

407

361

Building completion and finishing

564

606

406

309

Other specialised construction activities

489

441

279

266

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate the Government has made of the number of general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.

The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.

The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:

Legal Status

Total

Company (including building society)

51,840

Sole proprietor

7,365

Partnership

1,575

Column Total

60,775

“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate the Government has made of the number of general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England which are limited by shares.

The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.

The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.

The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:

Legal Status

Total

Company (including building society)

51,840

Sole proprietor

7,365

Partnership

1,575

Column Total

60,775

“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate the Government has made of the number of general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England which are limited liability partnerships.

The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.

The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.

The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:

Legal Status

Total

Company (including building society)

51,840

Sole proprietor

7,365

Partnership

1,575

Column Total

60,775

“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate the Government has made of the number of general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England which are unlimited liability partnerships.

The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.

The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.

The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:

Legal Status

Total

Company (including building society)

51,840

Sole proprietor

7,365

Partnership

1,575

Column Total

60,775

“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate the Government has made of the number of sole traders operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.

The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.

The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:

Legal Status

Total

Company (including building society)

51,840

Sole proprietor

7,365

Partnership

1,575

Column Total

60,775

“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate the Government has made of the number of workers employed by firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

The repair, maintenance and improvement sector (RMI) is not part of the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC). Therefore, whilst the Government has data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) regarding the number of construction businesses operating, we do not maintain a database on how many of these businesses operate in the RMI sector, either solely or partially.

The most recent Construction Statistics annual tables were published by the ONS in December 2021 and relate to 2020 (please find the relevant data attached). Table 1.4 shows the value of RMI work carried out by businesses in different SIC sectors in Great Britain, and Table 3.5 provides information on the number of employees in such businesses, although the data does not show whether or not they undertake RMI work.

The ONS also publishes data on business counts by sector, country and legal status. The following data relates to March 2021 and only includes construction businesses in England which are registered for VAT and/or PAYE. It relates to SIC sector 412: Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, and it is therefore not specific to the RMI sector:

Legal Status

Total

Company (including building society)

51,840

Sole proprietor

7,365

Partnership

1,575

Column Total

60,775

“Company” includes both limited by shares and limited liability partnerships, and “partnerships” refers to unlimited liability partnerships.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government maintains a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England; and how many disputes have been registered between general building firms and customers in each of the last three years.

The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.

At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government maintains a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England; and how many customer complaints have been made against general building firms for substandard work over the last three years.

The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.

At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government maintains a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England; and how many customer complaints have been made against general building firms for unsafe work over the last three years.

The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.

At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government maintains a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England; and how many customer complaints have been made against general building firms for work that has failed building control inspections in each of the last three years.

The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.

At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jan 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government maintains a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector; and how many complaints have been made by subcontractors against general building firms that have engaged their services over the last three years.

The Government is committed to ensuring that we have a high-quality and professional construction industry in the UK, and to strengthening consumers’ rights and access to redress in the domestic construction sector. We have recently consulted on proposals to reform competition and consumer policy. This includes proposals for mandatory alternative dispute resolution in the home improvements sector.

At present, the Government does not maintain a database of complaints levelled against general building firms operating within the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in England.

There are also several market-led mechanisms, including online forums and public reviews, that highlight those in the sector who are not doing the right thing.

Lee Rowley
Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
6th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to provide funding to the West Midlands Ambulance Service Student's Paramedic Apprenticeship Programme.

Employers of all sizes can access funding for apprenticeships training and assessment when they need it. The department does not allocate funding to particular employers, apprenticeship standards or sectors.

As a levy paying employer, West Midlands Ambulance Service can utilise their levy funds to invest in the high-quality apprenticeships training they choose. The West Midlands Ambulance Service is also registered and approved to deliver apprenticeships training for other employers.

To support more employers across the country, including the National Health Service (NHS), to recruit new apprentices, the department is increasing funding for apprenticeships in England to £2.7 billion by the 2024/25 financial year.

The NHS have recently published their long-term workforce plan which puts apprenticeships and skills at the heart of the NHS workforce strategy. The proportion of paramedics who will be trained through apprenticeships will be between 25 – 50% by 2031/32.

These apprenticeships will make medical professions more accessible and help to build a highly skilled and diverse NHS workforce that is more representative of local communities.

5th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has plans to bring forward proposals on long-term funding for the PE and Sport Premium for primary schools.

My right hon. Friend, the former Secretary of State for Education, confirmed on the 25 of June that the £320 million PE and sport premium will continue for the 2022/23 academic year, supporting primary schools to continue to improve the PE, sport and physical activity which they offer.

The position of the PE and sport premium beyond the 2022/23 academic year will be confirmed in due course. Any decisions beyond the 2024/25 financial year are subject to the outcome of future spending reviews in the usual way.

18th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the guidance entitled Official definition of an XL Bully dog.

We developed the definition of an XL Bully dog by convening a group of experts and other stakeholders to define the physical characteristics of the breed type. This included representatives from the police, local authorities, devolved administrations and the Animal Welfare Committee, which advises the Government on animal welfare issues. We reviewed existing breed standards provided by breed registries in the United States and the UK and tested the standard in practice. We have provided further guidance to support owners in applying this.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs have been classified as XL Bully dogs since the guidance entitled Official definition of an XL Bully dog was published on 31 October 2023.

It is for owners to identify whether they think their dog may be in scope of the ban by referring to the guidance. As of 18 December, we have issued 5242 certificates of exemption for XL Bully dog types and have received 39 completed compensation claims.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Dec 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of using DNA testing in the scientific classification of XL Bully dogs.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, the assessment of whether an individual dog is prohibited is strictly based on ‘breed type’ and its physical characteristics.

Defra has produced guidance on the physical characteristics of the XL Bully breed type to support Dog Legislation Officers and dog owners to determine whether a dog may be prohibited.

Mark Spencer
Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2023 to Question 5 on Motorcycles: Training, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s proposals to reform compulsory basic training on (a) road safety, (b) the quality of rider training and (c) rider skill levels.

In 2017 the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) published its response to the Improving Motorcycle Training consultation, and committed to exploring:

  • updating the qualification process for motorcycle instructors

  • updating the content and structure of the compulsory basic training (CBT) syllabus

  • strengthening the quality assurance scheme for motorcycle instructors

Officials met with key representatives of the motorcycle organisations on 4 December 2023 to discuss motorcycle safety. The next round table meeting, which is scheduled for 8 May 2024, will consider and explore:

  • taking forward reforms to motorcycle CBT and testing

  • the Motorcycle Industry Association's request for a wider review of licensing for L category vehicles as set out in the ‘A Net License to Zero’ proposals and action plan

  • licence reforms

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 27 November 2023 to Question HL240, whether he has made an assessment of the Motorcycle Industry Association’s proposal to merge the motorcycle module 1 and module 2 tests since that date.

This is an issue in the primary control of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The DVSA and Department for Transport officials met with representatives of the motorcycle sector at a Stakeholder Roundtable Meeting on 4 December 2023 to discuss motorcycle safety and licensing reform. Further discussions are ongoing.

There is a proposed round table with the Motorcycle Industry Association, and other key stakeholders, scheduled for May 2024.

Guy Opperman
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
5th Mar 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2024 to Question 11316 on Motorcycles: Carbon Emissions, what engagement his Department plans to undertake with the L-Category industry on the development of EV charging infrastructure in the next six months.

The Department has engaged extensively with the L-Category sector since the publication of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan in July 2021 and will continue to do so to support its transition to zero emission vehicles whenever appropriate.

Anthony Browne
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
31st Oct 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that Ukrainian driving licences remain valid 12 months after entry to the UK; whether they will be required to take a test to exchange the licence for a GB equivalent; and what support is being given to help with the process of exchanging to a GB equivalent.

Ukrainian driving licences are already valid for 12 months in Great Britain for driving most cars and motorcycles, and can be exchanged without test for a UK licence. Work is ongoing in respect of Ukrainian bus and lorry licences. Following this question, I have asked officials to consider whether there are further measures we might take in this regard.

Richard Holden
Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
5th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data her Department holds on the number of individuals convicted of fraud related to contracts with her Department for the provision of personal protective equipment in the last four years.

To date, no individuals have been convicted of fraud related to personal protective equipment contracts. Work continues to recover costs wherever possible to ensure taxpayer value for money.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
27th Jun 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much funding his Department has provided to the West Midlands Ambulance Service Student's Paramedic Apprenticeship Programme in the latest period for which data is available.

The Department does not provide levy funding for apprenticeships. HM Revenue & Customs collect Apprenticeship Levy payments and funding is allocated and drawn down by employers via the Department for Education.

22nd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prescriptions for (a) Nabilone, (b) Savitex and (c) unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use were issued by private healthcare specialist prescribers and dispensed in the community in October 2019.

The average cost to the National Health Service of all prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products dispensed in the community from November 2018 to October 2019 was £2,789.21 per prescription.

The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold data for prescriptions dispensed by hospital pharmacies, including for Nabilone, Sativex, Epidyolex* and unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. This information is not held centrally and is not routinely published. Intelligence from NHS England and NHS Improvement Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers is that a low number of patients are receiving prescriptions for cannabis-based products for medicinal use in independent secondary/tertiary care in England. However, this data is not collected nationally or routinely published.

In October 2019, for prescriptions issued by private healthcare specialist prescribers and dispensed in the community, there were no prescriptions for Nabilone, one prescription for Sativex, and 33 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products.

Finally, there was one prescription for unlicensed cannabis-based products prescribed on the NHS and dispensed in the community in October 2019.

Note:

*Epidyolex was unlicensed prior to September 2019; no NHS prescriptions for Epidyolex have been recorded as submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority at the time of this request. Approximately 185 patients have accessed Epidyolex through the manufacturer’s (GW Pharma) early access programmes, ahead of a licensing decision by the European Medicines Agency.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use were prescribed by the NHS and dispensed in the community in October 2019.

The average cost to the National Health Service of all prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products dispensed in the community from November 2018 to October 2019 was £2,789.21 per prescription.

The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold data for prescriptions dispensed by hospital pharmacies, including for Nabilone, Sativex, Epidyolex* and unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. This information is not held centrally and is not routinely published. Intelligence from NHS England and NHS Improvement Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers is that a low number of patients are receiving prescriptions for cannabis-based products for medicinal use in independent secondary/tertiary care in England. However, this data is not collected nationally or routinely published.

In October 2019, for prescriptions issued by private healthcare specialist prescribers and dispensed in the community, there were no prescriptions for Nabilone, one prescription for Sativex, and 33 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products.

Finally, there was one prescription for unlicensed cannabis-based products prescribed on the NHS and dispensed in the community in October 2019.

Note:

*Epidyolex was unlicensed prior to September 2019; no NHS prescriptions for Epidyolex have been recorded as submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority at the time of this request. Approximately 185 patients have accessed Epidyolex through the manufacturer’s (GW Pharma) early access programmes, ahead of a licensing decision by the European Medicines Agency.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
22nd Jan 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many prescriptions for (a) Nabilone Savitex, (b) Epidiolex and (c) unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use were dispensed by hospital pharmacies from November 2018 to October 2019.

The average cost to the National Health Service of all prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products dispensed in the community from November 2018 to October 2019 was £2,789.21 per prescription.

The NHS Business Services Authority does not hold data for prescriptions dispensed by hospital pharmacies, including for Nabilone, Sativex, Epidyolex* and unlicensed cannabis-based products for medicinal use. This information is not held centrally and is not routinely published. Intelligence from NHS England and NHS Improvement Controlled Drugs Accountable Officers is that a low number of patients are receiving prescriptions for cannabis-based products for medicinal use in independent secondary/tertiary care in England. However, this data is not collected nationally or routinely published.

In October 2019, for prescriptions issued by private healthcare specialist prescribers and dispensed in the community, there were no prescriptions for Nabilone, one prescription for Sativex, and 33 prescriptions for unlicensed cannabis-based products.

Finally, there was one prescription for unlicensed cannabis-based products prescribed on the NHS and dispensed in the community in October 2019.

Note:

*Epidyolex was unlicensed prior to September 2019; no NHS prescriptions for Epidyolex have been recorded as submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority at the time of this request. Approximately 185 patients have accessed Epidyolex through the manufacturer’s (GW Pharma) early access programmes, ahead of a licensing decision by the European Medicines Agency.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has given consular assistance to the (a) Director of Public Prosecutions or senior CPS officials and (b) Director of the Serious Fraud Office or senior SFO officials in support of any investigations being undertaken by those offices in the last 12 months.

The FCDO provides consular assistance to British Nationals overseas on a case by case basis. We keep and use information in line with the Data Protection Act 2018. We cooperate with other government departments and public authorities - including the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) - in relation to those cases where necessary and may release information to them in accordance with relevant exemptions. More information on consular assistance can be found in the publicly available document "Support for British Nationals Abroad - A Guide" (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-british-nationals-abroad-a-guide) and on how personal data is stored and processed in our consular privacy notice: (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fcdo-privacy-notice-consular-services-in-the-uk-and-at-british-embassies-high-commissions-and-consulates-overseas).

Amanda Milling
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
4th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate his Department has made of the amount of income tax that was lost due to tax fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the tax gap, which will encompass fraud, for all taxes including VAT, Corporation Tax and Income Tax. However, HMRC does not make a separate estimate of the amount of fraud within the tax gap nor is it not possible to subdivide these tax gap estimates into fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.

Tax gap estimates for VAT, Income Tax and Corporation Tax for tax year 2021-2022 are available in chapters 2, 4 and 5, respectively, of HMRC’s publication Measuring tax gaps 2023 edition. An illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by customer behaviour is available in chapter 7. This report is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
4th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate his Department has made of the amount of corporation tax that was lost due to tax fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the tax gap, which will encompass fraud, for all taxes including VAT, Corporation Tax and Income Tax. However, HMRC does not make a separate estimate of the amount of fraud within the tax gap nor is it not possible to subdivide these tax gap estimates into fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.

Tax gap estimates for VAT, Income Tax and Corporation Tax for tax year 2021-2022 are available in chapters 2, 4 and 5, respectively, of HMRC’s publication Measuring tax gaps 2023 edition. An illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by customer behaviour is available in chapter 7. This report is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
4th Jul 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate his Department has made of the amount of VAT that was lost due to tax fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the tax gap, which will encompass fraud, for all taxes including VAT, Corporation Tax and Income Tax. However, HMRC does not make a separate estimate of the amount of fraud within the tax gap nor is it not possible to subdivide these tax gap estimates into fraud by builders in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector in the last 12 months.

Tax gap estimates for VAT, Income Tax and Corporation Tax for tax year 2021-2022 are available in chapters 2, 4 and 5, respectively, of HMRC’s publication Measuring tax gaps 2023 edition. An illustrative breakdown of the tax gap by customer behaviour is available in chapter 7. This report is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/measuring-tax-gaps.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
20th Dec 2022
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support the financial services sector.

The Edinburgh Reforms, launched by the Chancellor on 9 December, take forward the government’s ambition for an open, sustainable, and technologically advanced financial services sector that is globally competitive and acts in the interests of communities and citizens across all four nations of the UK. These reforms build on the work the government is already taking forward through the Financial Services and Markets Bill and the reforms to Solvency II announced at the Autumn Statement.

John Glen
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
5th Jul 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people without work visas who are working in the building sector.

The Home Office does not have an estimate of the number of people working illegally specifically on app-based work platforms.

13th Mar 2023
[EU edit] To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the updated harms assessment by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on nitrous oxide, published on 7 March 2023, when she plans to respond to its findings; what assessment she has made of the potential merits of specifically proscribing nitrous oxide; and whether it is her policy to support the other recommendations in that report.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published their report on nitrous oxide on 6 March, setting out the evidence as it currently stands and made seven recommendations.

The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully along with any other available evidence, as appropriate, and will respond in due course.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
6th Feb 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to using the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 to ban the misuse of nitrous oxide.

On 3 September 2021, the Government asked the independent statutory advisory body, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), to provide an updated assessment of the harms of nitrous oxide, including advice on whether it should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The ACMD is independent of Government and can provide a broad range of recommendations, including advice on regulatory or legislative changes. The Government will consider the ACMD advice carefully along with any other evidence, including that relating to any potential legislative or regulatory options beyond control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as appropriate, before deciding how to proceed.

Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
24th Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the judicial reviews brought by Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Authority against their proposed merger, what steps she is taking to ensure that legal processes do not prevent the delivery of future efficient and safe mergers.

In March 2020, the Court of Appeal refused permission for the FRAs in West Mercia to appeal the High Court’s judgment on the transfer of fire governance to the PCC for West Mercia, bringing to end the judicial review. Further JR proceedings have now become redundant in light of current developments.

It is disappointing that lengthy legal action by the FRAs in West Mercia has meant that we have not yet been able to implement a transfer of governance that we considered to be in the interest of the local community.

We remain strongly committed to supporting PCCs to take on fire governance where a case exists, and I look forward to reviewing any updated proposal the newly elected PCC may decide to bring forward after the elections. We will be working with the sector in the meantime to consider the lessons learned from this process.

23rd Jun 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of not proceeding with the proposed merger of West Mercia Police Authority with Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

In July 2019, the High Court upheld the then Home Secretary’s (Amber Rudd MP) decision of March 2018 to transfer governance of Hereford and Worcester and Shropshire and Wrekin Fire and Rescue Service to the PCC for West Mercia. The Court of appeal has refused permission for the FRAs to appeal the judgement

However, given the time that has passed and developments since the business case was originally submitted in October 2017, it is right that we reconsider whether the case still meets the statutory tests. The Minister for Crime and Policing has written to PCC John Campion to explain that we will require an updated business case.

It is for the PCC and Fire and Rescue Authorities to consider whether to publish information they hold relating to the proposal, although I am aware that some of this is currently available through their websites.

17th Oct 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the limit for claims under the Disabled Facilities Grant from £30,000 to (a) £50,000 and (b) another amount.

Government is committed to helping older and disabled people to live independently and safely. Government funding for Disabled Facilities Grant has more than doubled, rising from £220 million in 2015-16 to £623 million for 2023-24.

Local areas already have discretion in how they manage the grant, for example, they can increase the cap on a case-by-case basis or in line with a locally published housing assistance policy. In 2022, Government published guidance for local authorities on the Disabled Facilities Grant, which includes information on using discretion in local delivery of the grant. The guidance can be found here.

As with all aspects of the Disabled Facilities Grant, the Government will continue to keep the upper limit under review.

Felicity Buchan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
24th May 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what his timeframe is for changing the annual index of park home pitch fees from the Retail Price Index to the Consumer Price Index.

The Government remains committed to improving protections for park home residents and this includes changing the pitch fee review inflationary index from the Retail Prices Index (RPI) to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). We will introduce the required legislation when the parliamentary timetable allows.