Parliamentary Activity

Matter context: HMP Wormwood Scrubs — 119 mentions in Parliament since Mar 2026

Written Question Commons
19 May 2026
Credit: Consumers

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with regulators on the affordability of consumer credit products.

Government answer
Treasury The Government recognises that, when provided responsibly, credit can play an important role in helping people manage unexpected expenses and smooth their cash flow. Access to suitable, affordable credit products can support people’s financial resilience ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
18 May 2026
Winter Fuel Payment
Rachael Maskell Labour → Department for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason a single pensioner's household income could be less than that of a couple and the couple could be entitled to the Winter Fuel Allowance where the single pensioner was not.

Government answer
Department for Work and Pensions Winter Fuel Payments are assessed and, where applicable, recovered on an individual basis rather than by reference to total household income. This reflects the structure of the personal tax system. Winter Fuel Payments remain a simple scheme to provide a ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
18 May 2026
Microplastics: Washing Machines
Jess Brown-Fuller Liberal Democrat → Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take legislative steps to ensure that all new washing machines are fitted with a 50-micron microfibre filter by 2030.

Government answer
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs The Government recognises growing concerns around microplastics, including microfibre release from textiles, and is committed to building a strong evidence base to inform effective interventions to protect human health and the environment. It is supportin... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
18 May 2026
Fire and Rescue Services: Standards
Neil Duncan-Jordan Labour → Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on introducing national standards across fire and rescue services.

Government answer
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government MHCLG ministers and officials have engaged with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) as part of fire and rescue reform work, including on the future approach to national standards.In England, national professional standards are currently developed and maintained... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
18 May 2026
Housing: Construction
Carla Denyer Green Party → Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Written Statement of 24 March 2026 on Future Homes and Building Standards, HCWS1445, whether the technical review of Approved Document O of the Building Regulat

Government answer
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Part O was introduced in 2021 to reduce the risk of overheating in new residential buildings. In the response to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, the Government committed to a full technical review of Part O to ensure it is effective... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
18 May 2026
Heating: Building Regulations
Graham Leadbitter Scottish National Party → Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether modern high heat retention storage heaters meet the requirements for Part L Building Compliance in SAP 10.3.

Government answer
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Energy efficiency requirements for new dwellings and buildings in England are set through the Building Regulations, which specify overall performance standards rather than mandating particular technologies.Building regulations are devolved, and standards ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
18 May 2026
Aviation: Alternative Fuels

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, will the UK meet the 10% requirement for Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2030.

Government answer
Department for Transport It is too early to forecast SAF usage for 2030, but our most recent provisional statistics show that 370 million litres of verified and unverified SAF were supplied under the UK Mandate, in 2025 – this currently represents 2.5% of all reported aviation fu... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
18 May 2026
Cryptocurrencies

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether financial institutions handling Tether cryptocurrency are regulated in the UK.

Government answer
Treasury The Government legislated in February of this year to establish a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets, requiring firms to be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority for providing relevant cryptoasset services in or to the UK. This ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
15 May 2026
Prisoners: Fathers

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the answer of 20 April 2026 to question 125954, which (a) organisations (b) government bodies and (c) academic partners are conducting the incremental, evidence led approach.

Government answer
Ministry of Justice His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) works across commissioned services and with the voluntary and community sector to inform policy and delivery. Research is conducted in association with a range of academic partners who have expertise in t... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
15 May 2026
Prisons: Self-harm
Helen Morgan Liberal Democrat → Ministry of Justice

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to reduce self-harm in prison.

Government answer
Ministry of Justice Individualised support through a case management process is provided for prisoners identified as being at risk of self-harm. This approach places a strong emphasis on identifying an individual’s risks, triggers and protective factors and establishing mean... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
15 May 2026
Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Research
Mr Lee Dillon Liberal Democrat → Department of Health and Social Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of research funding into endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Government answer
Department of Health and Social Care The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In 2024/25, through the NIHR, the Department committed £1.3 million for new research projects on gynaecological conditions and mens... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Prison Officers: Body Armour and Stun Guns
Sir John Hayes Conservative → Ministry of Justice

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison officers were issued with (a) tasers and (b) body armour in 2025.

Government answer
Ministry of Justice Following a serious incident at HMP Frankland in April 2025, the Department acted quickly to review the use of protective body armour across the estate.As a result, we have introduced a significant expansion in provision, with protective body armour now m... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Peak Cluster: Cement
Esther McVey Conservative → Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much cement will be used to build the Peak Cluster project, including the pipeline, onshore storage facility, pipeline to the sea, in-sea storage facility and any other associated constru

Government answer
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero The department does not hold this information. The Peak Cluster’s planned CCUS project has not been identified as one of the four CCUS Clusters for support through the government’s CCUS Cluster Sequencing process and is not in receipt of any funding from ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Offshore Industry: North Sea
Wendy Morton Conservative → Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of policy on new North Sea oil and gas licences on (a) employment in the offshore energy sector, (b) energy security, (c) tax revenues from

Government answer
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero The government has committed to not issue new licences to explore new fields. We will need a wide range of skills to build the future offshore energy sector, and we are launching a North Sea Jobs Service, matching workers to secure well-paid jobs. New lic... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Written Question
Aphra Brandreth Conservative → Department for Business and Trade

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support the creation of jobs for young people.

Government answer
Department for Business and Trade Building on the December Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy announcement, the Government recently committed a further £1 billion investment in young people, taking total additional investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Written Question
Jayne Kirkham Labour → Department for Business and Trade

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to promote industrial growth in Cornwall.

Government answer
Department for Business and Trade Through the Industrial Strategy, we are supporting industrial growth in Cornwall through targeted investment, innovation and local partnership. Through programmes such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Freeports and the £30m Kernow Growth Fund delivered b... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Documents
Jonathan Hinder Labour → Ministry of Justice

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the barriers to achieving the swift delivery of legal papers.

Government answer
Ministry of Justice The Government recognises that the swift delivery of legal papers is fundamental to due process and in ensuring effective access to justice and procedural fairness.In most circumstances, court procedure rules allow for the immediate service of documents b... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
CCTV
Helen Maguire Liberal Democrat → Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is giving to local authorities to ensure correct and working CCTV is deployed in their area.

Government answer
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls was published by the Home Office ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Women: Safety
Helen Maguire Liberal Democrat → Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what conversations he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities regarding improving local safety for women and girls, especially at night.

Government answer
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls was published by the Home Office ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls
Olly Glover Liberal Democrat → Department for Transport

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether loss of revenue from user charges at the Dartford Crossings is accounted for in the Department's finances.

Government answer
Department for Transport The Government's preferred financing option at this stage is the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model. Under the RAB model, ownership and operations of the Dartford Crossing would transfer to a new regulated private sector entity, which would be responsible f... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Energy Intensive Industries: Compensation
Sarah Pochin Reform UK → Department for Business and Trade

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will include the cement manufacturing sector in the Energy Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme.

Government answer
Department for Business and Trade I recognise the importance of the cement sector to the UK economy; which will play an essential role in delivering this Government’s commitment to build 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliamentary term. The Government intends to review the Ener... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Unemployment: Women
Mims Davies Conservative → Department for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the ONS document Female unemployment rate (aged 16 and over, seasonally adjusted): %, published on 21 April 2026, what steps he is taking to tackle the increase in female unemployment.

Government answer
Department for Work and Pensions The government is committed to tackling the challenges women face in the labour market, whether they want to find a job, return to work, or progress in work, regardless of their background or stage of life. To support this commitment, the Government has ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Employment: Menopause
Helen Morgan Liberal Democrat → Department for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of menopause symptoms on women’s labour market participation.

Government answer
Department for Work and Pensions The government is committed to tackling the challenges women face in the labour market at every stage of life, and with the right menopause workplace support, we can help unlock the full talent and creativity of women across the country. On 1 April 2026, ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
14 May 2026
Employment: Menopause
Helen Morgan Liberal Democrat → Department for Work and Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that menopause-related workplace adjustments are consistently available across different sectors and roles.

Government answer
Department for Work and Pensions The government is committed to tackling the challenges women face in the labour market at every stage of life, and with the right menopause workplace support, we can help unlock the full talent and creativity of women across the country. On 1 April 2026, ... Read full answer →
Written Question Commons
13 May 2026
Visas: Sponsorship

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether artificial intelligence, machine learning, or automated analytical tools are used to process data submitted by sponsor employers for visa sponsorship purposes.

Government answer
Home Office AI is not being used to make or support decision making in Sponsor Licensing applications, licence maintenance or visa sponsorship applications. There is some automation of updates to organisation and key personnel details made by sponsors via their Spons... Read full answer →