Tonia Antoniazzi Portrait

Tonia Antoniazzi

Labour - Gower

11,567 (24.5%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 8th June 2017


Opposition Whip (Commons)
31st Oct 2022 - 30th May 2024
Petitions Committee
8th Jun 2020 - 30th May 2024
Welsh Affairs Committee
22nd Jan 2024 - 30th May 2024
Procedure Committee
16th Jan 2023 - 30th May 2024
Welsh Grand Committee
18th Jan 2022 - 30th May 2024
Finance (No.2) Bill
15th May 2024 - 21st May 2024
Community and Suspended Sentences (Notification of Details) Bill
8th May 2024 - 15th May 2024
Pensions (Special Rules for End of Life) Bill
17th Apr 2024 - 24th Apr 2024
British Citizenship (Northern Ireland) Bill
20th Mar 2024 - 17th Apr 2024
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and International Committee of the Red Cross (Status) Bill
28th Feb 2024 - 6th Mar 2024
Finance Bill
10th Jan 2024 - 16th Jan 2024
Shadow Minister (Northern Ireland)
4th Dec 2021 - 5th Sep 2023
Victims and Prisoners Bill
14th Jun 2023 - 11th Jul 2023
Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Bill
8th Mar 2023 - 15th Mar 2023
Business and Trade Committee
5th Jan 2022 - 29th Nov 2022
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
5th Jan 2022 - 29th Nov 2022
Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill
7th Sep 2022 - 12th Oct 2022
Welsh Affairs Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 27th Jun 2022
Pension Schemes (Conversion of Guaranteed Minimum Pensions) Bill
26th Jan 2022 - 2nd Feb 2022
Finance (No.2) Bill
8th Dec 2021 - 12th Dec 2021
Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill
1st Dec 2021 - 2nd Dec 2021
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
25th Feb 2021 - 14th Apr 2021
Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill
22nd Feb 2021 - 22nd Feb 2021
Armed Forces Bill Select Committee
22nd Feb 2021 - 22nd Feb 2021
Women and Equalities Committee
20th Nov 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Welsh Affairs Committee
16th Oct 2017 - 6th Nov 2019


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Tonia Antoniazzi has voted in 135 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Tonia Antoniazzi Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 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
Lucy Powell (Labour (Co-op))
Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
(6 debate interactions)
Bridget Phillipson (Labour)
Minister for Women and Equalities
(6 debate interactions)
Hilary Benn (Labour)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
(6 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(8 debate contributions)
Scotland Office
(7 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(6 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Tonia Antoniazzi's debates

Gower 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).

Tonia Antoniazzi has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Tonia Antoniazzi

7th April 2025
Tonia Antoniazzi signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon (Caernarfon Rygby Club) and Division 1 Cup Final

Tabled by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
That this House warmly congratulates Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon (Caernarfon Rygby Club) on their stunning 30 - 29 victory against Bridgend Athletic at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday; notes that this was Clwb Rygbi Caernarfon’s first appearance in the WRU Division 1 Cup Final; further notes that hundreds of …
6 signatures
(Most recent: 22 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Plaid Cymru: 4
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Labour: 1
7th April 2025
Tonia Antoniazzi signed this EDM on Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Securing habitat for endangered swifts and other cavity nesting birds

Tabled by: Barry Gardiner (Labour - Brent West)
This House notes with concern the dramatic decline in the breeding population of swifts whose numbers have dropped by 60% since 1995; recognises that the loss of natural nesting habitat for swifts and other cavity nesting birds has meant that four species of these birds are now on the International …
18 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Apr 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 11
Liberal Democrat: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Independent: 1
Green Party: 1
Ulster Unionist Party: 1
Conservative: 1
View All Tonia Antoniazzi's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Tonia Antoniazzi, 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.


Tonia Antoniazzi has not been granted any Urgent Questions

1 Adjournment Debate led by Tonia Antoniazzi

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

1 Bill introduced by Tonia Antoniazzi


A Bill to require police officers and certain employees of police forces to declare a membership of or affiliation to certain types of society and organisation; to require such declarations to be accompanied by a statement relating to that membership; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 31st January 2024
(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
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility levies on business (a) competitiveness and (b) operating costs.

The Government has listened to feedback from small businesses and introduced support measures to help compliance with EPR, including: exemptions from fee obligations for producers with annual turnover below £2 million and packaging tonnage below 50 tonnes; exemptions from reporting for businesses with turnover below £1 million and packaging tonnage below 25 tonnes; and flexibility for those with obligations to pay in quarterly instalments.

Both Secretaries of State will shortly be meeting representatives from across the impacted sectors, from Small and Medium Enterprises to larger companies alike, to discuss the economic impact of EPR in more detail.

Justin Madders
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
16th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the ongoing closure of Holyhead Port on trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Ferry travel between Dublin and Holyhead continues to be severely affected by closure due to damage inflicted by Storm Darragh on Holyhead until it reopens early next year. The direct effect is on crossings between the UK and the Republic of Ireland though alternative routes from Liverpool and Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne are available and capacity is being reinforced. There are onward effects on UK services, but these are manageable. Government is concerned about the impact on local businesses and communities and are in close contact with the Welsh Government, who lead, together with port and ferry operators.

Sarah Jones
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of availability of the Warm Home Discount to named account holders only.

The Warm Home Discount is a rebate on energy bills received by over 3m households where an eligible individual, their partner or their legal representative is named on the energy account. To provide support on this scale, it is paid directly into energy accounts in the majority of cases. Those who are not eligible for the Warm Home Discount may be eligible for support from other government schemes or the wider support offered through the Warm Home Discount.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure vulnerable people are able to access financial support with energy bills.

The Government is committed to ensuring energy bills are affordable for all consumers, especially the most vulnerable. The Government is continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills to eligible low-income households.

I recently met with suppliers and encouraged them to build on the Voluntary Debt Commitment from last year and go further in supporting vulnerable customers this winter.

The Government has also extended the Household Support Fund for an additional six months until 31 March 2025 with an extra £500 million in funding, and I encourage any vulnerable individual who is struggling to pay their bills contacts their local authority to see if they are eligible for this support.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available for vulnerable people who meet the financial threshold for the Warm Home Discount but are not the named bill payer.

The Warm Home Discount is a rebate on energy bills, usually paid into the bill payer’s account. Where an individual is not named on the bill, the rebate may still be paid if their partner or legal representative is named. The scheme also funds wider support, including a grant scheme for occupiers of park homes and programmes providing energy efficiency advice and measures. Those not benefiting from the rebate may be eligible for other government programmes, current schemes include the Energy Company Obligation, the Great British Insulation Scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and the Home Upgrade Grant.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
1st Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.

We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
21st Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department’s policies of the recommendations of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.

Sex and gender in data, statistics and research is an important area of discussion, and this review contributes to this ongoing dialogue. Given the wide breadth of recommendations, the government has ensured that the review has been shared with all the relevant departments and policy teams, who will consider the findings in light of their ongoing policy work.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he plans to publish the Bertin Review.

The Independent Pornography Review is an important area of interest for this government. The Review has now concluded, the government is assessing its findings and the report will be published in due course.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will publish the Sullivan Review.

In line with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, the government recognises the importance of transparency with publicly-funded research. As such, we expect the report to be published shortly.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the (a) reliability, (b) accuracy and (c) consistency of personal identity data on sex held by (i) HM Passport Office, (ii) the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and (iii) the NHS in the context of the digital verification services framework.

The digital verification services (DVS) framework seeks to create rules for how those services operate. The DVS framework doesn’t create new ways to determine a person’s sex or gender. Nor does it intervene with how government departments record and store this and other identity data. Under data protection law, personal data which is processed must be accurate.

Government believes processing accurate data is essential to deliver services meeting citizens’ needs. Public sector data about sex and gender is collected based on user and departmental needs and in compliance with any applicable legislation.

The Government Statistical Service published a work plan for updated, harmonised standards and guidance on sex and gender in December 2024. This will align with the Office for Statistics Regulation guidance on collecting and reporting data about sex and gender identity, which was published in February 2024.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on young people in Gower constituency of differences in the level of regulation of pornographic content accessed (a) online and (b) offline.

The Online Safety Act imposes duties on user-to-user services and publishers of pornography to prevent children encountering pornographic content online.

Ofcom can enforce duties on publishers of pornography from early 2025. The age assurance duties for user-to-user services will come into effect by summer 2025.

Additionally, the Independent Pornography Review will assess the effectiveness of pornography legislation, regulation and enforcement, including online and offline regulation. We expect that the independent review will finalise towards the end of this year.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
13th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on taking steps to help prevent people being sexually exploited on websites advertising prostitution in Gower.

Ministers have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, including protecting people from illegal activity online.

The Online Safety Act gives online platforms new duties to tackle illegal content and activity on their services. Sexual exploitation offences are ‘priority offences’ within the Act; service providers need to take proactive steps to search for, remove and limit people’s exposure to this harmful kind of illegal content. Firms will need to start risk assessing for illegal content by the end of the year and the illegal content duties will be fully in effect by Spring 2025.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
31st Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the harmful effects of pornography in Gower constituency.

Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must proactively tackle the most harmful illegal content including extreme pornography. The Act requires services in scope to understand risks from illegal content online and take mitigating action.

Separate to provisions in the Online Safety Act, the Independent Pornography Review, led by Independent Lead Reviewer Baroness Gabby Bertin will explore the effectiveness of regulation, legislation and the law enforcement response to pornography. The government expects the Review to present its final report by the end of the year.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
23rd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for the continuation of the independent pornography review.

The government will provide an update on the independent review of pornography regulation, legislation, and enforcement in due course.

The Online Safety Act 2023 has duties for providers to tackle illegal content online and prevent children from accessing pornography online. The government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls, and violent and misogynistic content online.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
1st Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government. We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made in ensuring women and girls have access to (a) safe and (b) fair play in gender-affected sports at all levels.

We want to break down the barriers that prevent women and girls from being active, including but not limited to kit, facilities, time and cost. As a government, we are investing £123 million in inclusive grassroots sport facilities that will support more women and girls to take part in the sports that they love.

Sporting bodies have a responsibility to protect the integrity and fairness of women's sport and the safety of all participants, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.

National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our UK sports councils have produced guidance to help domestic sports bodies determine the right position for their sport.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board on the England Cricket team's participation in the championship trophy match with Afghanistan.

The UK Government condemns the appalling erosion of women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. Sport operates independently of government, and participation in the ICC Champion’s Trophy match is a matter for the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council.

My officials are in contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board on the wider issue of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team. We welcome the fact that the ECB are making strong representations to the ICC on this issue and what support can be given.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
26th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the report by the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls entitled Violence against women and girls in sports, published on 27 August 2024.

We note the UN Special Rapporteurs's report and support the aim of promoting safe sporting environments for women and girls. We are dedicated to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, have access to high quality sport.

The Government has been clear that sporting bodies have a responsibility to protect the integrity and fairness of women's sport and the safety of all participants, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.

With respect to eligibility, National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions, and rules for international competitions are set by International Federations. To help, in the UK, our Sports Councils have produced guidance, which is clear that inclusion, fairness and safety cannot be balanced in gender-affected sport.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
2nd Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) Independent Press Standards Organisation and (b) Royal Charter on press self-regulation.

Independent and effective self-regulation of the press empowers the public to have trust in what is reported, which is vital to a strong and functioning democracy.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
22nd Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a statutory gambling levy on funds available to charities who operate a charity lottery.

We are in the early stages of the new Government and are still considering the full range of gambling and lotteries policy.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to ensure that commercial free prizes draws are free to enter by digital means.

Prize competitions and free prize draws are not subject to statutory regulatory control under the Gambling Act 2005. However, they must comply with the requirement in the Act to offer a free entry route for participation by post and/or offer paid entries online, in order to avoid being considered as an illegal lottery. Whilst the Gambling Commission has no regulatory responsibilities for these products, it does monitor the boundary between them and lotteries.

Prize draw operators must also comply with relevant consumer protection legislation.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to remove the annual sale limits for society lotteries.

Society lotteries are a vital fundraising tool for many charities, community groups, sports clubs and other non-commercial organisations.

In 2020, the annual sales limit was increased from £10 million to £50 million as part of a wider package of changes to society lottery limits.

My department continues to work closely with the Gambling Commission to monitor society lotteries and the charities they support.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has received representations from charities on annual sale limits for society lotteries.

Society lotteries are a vital fundraising tool for many charities, community groups, sports clubs and other non-commercial organisations.

In 2020, the annual sales limit was increased from £10 million to £50 million as part of a wider package of changes to society lottery limits.

My department continues to work closely with the Gambling Commission to monitor society lotteries and the charities they support.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what data her Department holds on the funding raised for good causes by (a) the National Lottery and (b) society lotteries in each of the last five years.

The National Lottery has raised over £49 billion for good causes since 1994. In the last five years, over £6 billion of funding and 120,000 grants were delivered by distributor bodies.

The National Lottery grants database which details the allocations made, is publically available at https://nationallottery.dcms.gov.uk/charts.

Data regarding society lottery good causes funding is updated annually by the Gambling Commission. In 2022/23, society lotteries raised £421.72 million for good causes.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
18th Jul 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to bring forward proposals for a statutory gambling levy.

His Majesty’s Government recognises the changes to the gambling landscape since 2005 and that while millions of people gamble without experiencing problems, for some it becomes an addiction with serious consequences.

As stated in the Government's manifesto, we are absolutely committed to reducing gambling-related harm. We will ensure responsible gambling and strengthen protections for those at risk.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
1st Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.

We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the extended producer responsibility scheme on local economic growth.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) and the packaging reforms more broadly.

These reforms, pEPR, Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme, will deliver positive environmental and economic benefits, creating 21,000 new jobs in our nations and regions, and stimulating more than £ 10 billion investment in recycling capability over the next decade.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
17th Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the classification by the Office for Budget Responsibility of the extended producer responsibility scheme as a tax on production.

Whilst pEPR was announced a few years ago, Defra has now built a modelling framework to calculate local authority costs and producer fees that was used for the first time by the OBR to include pEPR in their forecast. Pending a decision by the ONS, the OBR have recorded pEPR disposal fees as a tax in their forecast on the advice of Treasury classification experts, whose indicative views is that the ONS will likely classify the income stream as a tax when they formally classify the scheme.

This technical classification does not affect the distribution of revenue to local authorities. Revenue from pEPR will be distributed directly by PackUK, the scheme administrator, to local authorities. It will not be diverted to the Treasury or central government finances.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish the allocation of monies received through extended producer responsibility fees.

PackUK will publish annual reports and financial statements, which will provide transparency on the allocation of funds received through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees. These reports will clarify how the collected fees are distributed and used to support the scheme’s objectives.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of extended producer responsibility costs that will be passed on to consumers; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those costs on the affordability of food and drink.

The Department has assessed the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on both producers and consumers, including the potential effect on the affordability of food and drink. This assessment is included in Section 8 of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024: The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.

We are closely monitoring the potential impact of these costs on consumer prices and remain committed to balancing environmental goals with economic considerations.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish a comparative analysis of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes in other advanced economies, including any measures taken to prevent disproportionate cost burdens on the beer and pub sector.

International comparisons of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are challenging due to differences in waste infrastructure across countries. The UK’s pEPR scheme covers more costs than those in other countries. For example, many European countries rely on 'bring sites' for glass recycling, which lowers collection costs. Furthermore, UK glass fees are likely to be higher due to the full inclusion of the costs associated with managing residual waste—waste not disposed of by consumers in recycling bins—something not included in the pEPR schemes of other countries. While the costs for different materials are apportioned accordingly, the UK aims to balance environmental objectives with the interests of all sectors, including the beer and pub industry.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
25th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to (a) review and (b) adjust extended producer responsibility fees to ensure they do not (i) adversely impact particular sectors and (ii) lead to unintended consequences in the supply chain.

Base fees for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are designed to reflect the net waste management costs incurred by local authorities, with future fee modulation intended to encourage the recyclability of materials. This policy approach, established in March 2022, has been informed by two public consultations under the previous administration. Producer fees for packaging are calculated per tonne of household packaging placed on the market. This ensures a fair distribution of costs in line with the regulations. From Year 2 of the EPR scheme (2026-2027), fees will be modulated to reflect the recyclability of packaging materials, with less recyclable packaging incurring higher fees. The types of packaging subject to higher or lower fees will be determined by assessments based on the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM).

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
18th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions with the DVLA on the timeliness of drivers receiving licence renewal reminder letters.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency sends reminders for vocational licences and ten-year photocard licence renewals 56 days before the licence is due to expire. For those renewing their licence at the age of 70 and those renewing a short-period medical licence, reminders are sent 90 days before the licence is due to expire. There are no plans to change these timescales.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of fraudulent DVLA websites.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) advises customers to use GOV.UK as the official and only website when seeking information or completing applications.

All DVLA literature directs customers to the official GOV.UK website. The DVLA also uses its external communication channels, including social media, to publish advice and to remind motorists that GOV.UK is the only website for government motoring services. Since April 2024, the DVLA has issued guidance to the public via X and Facebook, directing them to GOV.UK services, on sixteen occasions.

The DVLA investigates reports of organisations which act illegally or are actively misleading users about their services. Where appropriate such sites can be and are taken down promptly.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to extend the Great Western Main Line upgrade to include electrification to Swansea.

The decision taken in 2017 to not electrify the railway between Cardiff and Swansea was based on it not delivering significant journey time savings and this remains the case. Enhancements to the railway in Wales that deliver passenger benefits, including proposed electrification, are considered by the Wales Rail Board.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
1st Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government. We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
1st Apr 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will revise guidance on the maximum alcoholic strength at which a drink should be described as alcohol free from 0.05% to 0.5% ABV.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including exploring the potential opportunities presented by No and Low alcohol alternative drinks. While the department has not made a specific assessment of the economic impact of the United Kingdom’s 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold on British brewers we will continue to consider how alcohol labelling can be improved to support consumers make informed decisions about the products they are purchasing, whilst also promoting responsible consumption.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the economic impact of the UK’s 0.05% ABV threshold on British brewers.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including exploring the potential opportunities presented by No and Low alcohol alternative drinks. While the department has not made a specific assessment of the economic impact of the United Kingdom’s 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold on British brewers we will continue to consider how alcohol labelling can be improved to support consumers make informed decisions about the products they are purchasing, whilst also promoting responsible consumption.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing the alcohol-free threshold from 0.05% ABV to 0.5% ABV.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including exploring the potential opportunities presented by No and Low alcohol alternative drinks. While the department has not made a specific assessment of the economic impact of the United Kingdom’s 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold on British brewers we will continue to consider how alcohol labelling can be improved to support consumers make informed decisions about the products they are purchasing, whilst also promoting responsible consumption.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential role of no and low alcohol products in supporting the Government’s public health objectives on alcohol harm reduction.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including exploring the potential opportunities presented by No and Low alcohol alternative drinks. While the department has not made a specific assessment of the economic impact of the United Kingdom’s 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold on British brewers we will continue to consider how alcohol labelling can be improved to support consumers make informed decisions about the products they are purchasing, whilst also promoting responsible consumption.

Ashley Dalton
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
18th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide £400 million for (a) employment support and (b) resources for (i) musculoskeletal and (ii) mental health services.

Long-term sickness continues to be the most common reason for economic inactivity among the working age population, now standing at 2.8 million. The two main causes contributing to sickness absence are mental health and musculoskeletal conditions, with the latter responsible for an estimated 23.4 million days of sickness absence in 2022.

Improving health and good work outcomes for people who live with musculoskeletal and mental health conditions forms a key part of the Government’s missions to kickstart economic growth and build a National Health Service fit for the future.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, with a range of support available to enable individuals to get into and remain in work. Measures include joining up health and employment support around the individual through WorkWell, Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care, as well as support from Work Coaches, Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres, and Access to Work grants.

18th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide £400 million for scaling up musculoskeletal hubs.

Improving health and good work outcomes for the 20 million people in the United Kingdom who live with musculoskeletal l conditions forms a key part of the Government’s missions to kickstart economic growth and build a National Health Service fit for the future.

The Government is currently exploring options to support these missions and those who experience musculoskeletal conditions. Decisions on the scaling up of musculoskeletal hubs will be taken as the work of the missions progresses and through the usual Spending Review processes.

16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of making Proleukin available for motor neurone disease patients on the NHS.

We have made no assessment. It is critical that medicines used in the United Kingdom are safe and effective and as such, medicines cannot be marketed in the UK without a marketing authorisation. These are granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) which assesses all medicines with regard to their quality, safety, and effectiveness. Proleukin (interleukin-2, Aldesleukin) has not been licensed by the MHRA as a treatment for motor neurone disease. It is the responsibility of the company to apply to the MHRA for a relevant marketing authorisation. Should an application for it be received, the MHRA will consider this accordingly.

In England, newly licensed medicines are also appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to determine whether they represent a clinically and cost-effective use of National Health Service resources. If the manufacturer of Proleukin seeks a licence from the MHRA for the treatment of motor neurone disease, then the NICE may consider it through the Technology Appraisal programme.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
9th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the replacement of the term females with the term individuals with child-bearing potential in Schedule 2 of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017 on (a) clinical staff and patients’ understanding of those Regulations and (b) patient care in sex-specific healthcare settings.

A review of the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR(ME)R) 2017 concluded in 2023. Following consultation with expert groups, including the UK Health Security Agency, United Kingdom medical regulators, and professional bodies, the review found that there was no evidence that use of the term ‘individuals with child-bearing potential’ in the regulations was leading to misinterpretation. The Government is clear that it expects all health services, including medical exposure procedures, to be delivered in line with the Equality Act 2010.

9th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of gender-neutral language in (a) pregnancy services and (b) other sex-specific areas of healthcare on the standard of health care services provided to patients.

There are no plans to make an assessment. The Government is clear that it expects health services to be delivered in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)