Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 25 July 2024 · 17 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 14 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government takes value for money seriously and aims to recover wrongly spent money where there has been fraud or waste.
  • Government intends to uphold the commitment to publish annual updates on the UK biological security strategy.
  • Government plans to set up a council of nations and regions to improve relations and address devolution issues.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The Department's responsibility to investigate waste and its impact on taxpayers' money, highlighted by an example in Cornwall.

Question

I am concerned about the Government's support for businesses during covid, specifically £242 million of taxpayers' money spent on aid that was handed out to holiday home owners in Cornwall. Only a fraction of this amount has been given to support those desperately in need of affordable homes. Will the Department investigate the impact of such spending?

Answer from Pat McFadden

We take value for money seriously and will do our best to recover wrongly spent money where there has been fraud or waste.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific investigation of the impact on Cornwall was not addressed

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Q2 Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives
Economy Business & Trade
Context

The importance of social value created by small businesses for local communities.

Question

Small businesses create local wealth, meet environmental targets, and develop social wellbeing. Does the Minister agree that social value should be at the heart of the Government's growth agenda?

Answer from Georgia Gould

Growth is a central mission, and we want to use procurement to support good growth, jobs, and local communities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments about social value were not provided

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Q3 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Science & Technology
Context

Biological threats pose risks exacerbated by climate change and the need for an effective UK biological security strategy.

Question

I published the UK biological security strategy to prepare against biological threats. Will the Minister recommit to its objectives and provide annual updates on its implementation?

Answer from Pat McFadden

Yes, we will uphold that commitment.

Answered
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Q4 Oliver Dowden Con Hertsmere
Science & Technology Environment
Context

The importance of dedicated resources for effective biological security strategy implementation.

Question

An effective strategy must be underpinned by dedicated resources to ensure resilience spending does not fall victim to day-to-day pressures. Will the Minister uphold the commitment to ringfence biological security spending?

Answer from Pat McFadden

The right hon. Member set aside spending for commitments, but we will have more to say about that in the coming days.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to ringfencing was not explicitly upheld

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Q5 Oliver Dowden Con Hertsmere
NHS
Context

The last Government's failure to deliver on healthcare and the need for change.

Question

Can the Minister update the House on the changes planned by the Government for constituents in Hemel Hempstead and around the country?

Answer from Pat McFadden

We are getting on with our first steps, including on healthcare, which is a top priority. We want to make the NHS fit for the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific changes and timelines not provided

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Q6 David Taylor Lab Hemel Hempstead
Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

The need to improve the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments, marking 25 years of devolution.

Question

Does the Minister agree that we should look at how to improve relationships with devolved Administrations in the next tranche of devolution? Perhaps by setting up a council involving Ministers from all Administrations and regional mayors?

Answer from Pat McFadden

We intend to set up a council of nations and regions. We need to improve relations, but such organisations are run by political parties.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on the council's formation were not provided

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Q7 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Taxation Housing Environment
Context

The Department's responsibility to investigate waste, highlighted by an example in Cornwall.

Question

Given the Department's responsibility to investigate waste, will it also investigate the impact of £242 million spent on covid aid for holiday home owners in Cornwall compared to the fraction given to support affordable homes?

Answer from Pat McFadden

We take value for money seriously, but we will do our best to recover wrongly spent money where there has been fraud or waste.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific investigation of the impact on Cornwall was not addressed

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Q8 Joe Powell Lab Kensington and Bayswater
Housing Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

The Grenfell Tower inquiry phase 2 is approaching its publication date, with potential implications for the Government.

Question

In just over a month, phase 2 of the Grenfell inquiry will report. There will be implications for the entire Government, but what preparations have been made ahead of the report's publication? Will the Minister commit to engaging with the bereaved, survivors and the affected community before the Government respond in full to the recommendations?

Answer from Abena Oppong-Asare

The publication of the report will mark an important milestone for the Grenfell community, and Parliament will have the opportunity to provide the full and proper scrutiny that the issues deserve. We will work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that all residents are part of this process.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit specifically to engaging before a government response is provided in full.

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Q9 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Taxation
Context

The tax gap has decreased from 7.4% in 2005 to 4.8% in 2022-23, raising questions about further reduction targets.

Question

In 2005, the tax gap was 7.4%; in 2022-23, the previous Government cut it down to 4.8%. Is there a cross-Government mission or target to close the tax gap further?

Answer from Pat McFadden

We will do everything we can to collect the greatest amount of tax possible, given the legacy that we have inherited.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify a cross-Government mission or target for further reducing the tax gap.

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Q10 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
NHS
Context

During the pandemic, local UK manufacturers were largely ignored when asked to source personal protective equipment.

Question

My requests to the then Government to source PPE from local, UK manufacturers were largely ignored. Will the Minister insist that any covid corruption commissioner listens to companies such as Tecman and Comtest in my constituency about what happened at that time?

Answer from Pat McFadden

All lessons should be learned about the procurement pressures at that time, including the lesson that my hon. Friend mentioned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to ensuring a commissioner listens specifically to local manufacturers' testimonies.

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Q11 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Economy
Context

The Cabinet Office structures were not designed to manage a whole-of-Government crisis, as revealed by the covid inquiry.

Question

We heard at the covid inquiry that Cabinet Office structures were not designed to manage a whole-of-Government crisis. What might the Government change to better prepare for the next emergency?

Answer from Pat McFadden

The real challenge in resilience is looking around the corner for things that have not already happened. We are responding to the covid pandemic by keeping this in mind.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete changes being made or planned.

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Q12 Sarah Coombes Lab West Bromwich
NHS
Context

The pandemic had a disproportionate impact on ethnic minority and deprived communities, with Sandwell losing 1,476 lives.

Question

My borough of Sandwell lost 1,476 people to the pandemic. The inquiry is exposing poor preparedness for how it affected ethnic minorities and disadvantaged groups. What will the Government do to ensure better preparation in future?

Answer from Abena Oppong-Asare

The Government recognise that the pandemic had a disproportionate impact on minorities and disadvantaged groups. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will chair a Cabinet Committee on resilience to oversee work assessing and improving national resilience.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or timeline for addressing disproportionate impacts in future emergencies.

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Q13 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Veterans
Context

There is a question about the lack of representation for veterans on the Front Bench.

Question

On behalf of the 12% of people in my constituency who have served, I ask why there is no veterans Minister on the Front Bench this morning.

Answer from Pat McFadden

Responsibility for veterans will be transferred to the Ministry of Defence, which is a better home for it. Looking after our veterans will be a priority in the Ministry.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address why there was no Minister present now.

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Q14 Sam Rushworth Lab Bishop Auckland
Education Energy Environment
Context

Rural areas suffered from power outages during storm Arwen and poor connectivity affected children's education during the pandemic.

Question

Following storm Arwen, parts of my constituency were left without power for a week. During the pandemic, children in upland areas lacked access to school due to poor connectivity. Does the Minister agree that resilience requires considering energy and connectivity needs in rural areas?

Answer from Abena Oppong-Asare

The Government are committed to learning from past disruptions. The UK is investing £5 billion in nationwide gigabit connectivity, targeting hardest-to-reach areas across the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not explicitly agree or disagree with the need for rural resilience plans.

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Q15 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS Northern Ireland
Context

There is a request for statistics on individuals due and awarded compensation in Northern Ireland.

Question

Does the Minister hold any statistics on how many individuals are infected blood compensation claimants or recipients in Northern Ireland? I am happy to receive them if he does not have them now.

Answer from Nick Thomas-Symonds

I am grateful for this question. If you write to me, I would be delighted to provide the specific figures for Northern Ireland.

Not addressed: Did not give any statistics and instead offered to send them through correspondence.

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Q16 Adam Jogee Lab Newcastle-under-Lyme
Science & Technology
Context

The CrowdStrike outage highlighted reliance on digital infrastructure and need for cyber-resilience.

Question

This week's CrowdStrike outage showed how reliant we are on digital services. What will the Minister do to ensure Britain is resilient against cyber-attacks?

Answer from Ellie Reeves

There will be a lessons-learned process following the CrowdStrike IT outage. A Bill will go before Parliament to ensure we are resilient in our cyber-security, strengthening defenses.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete actions beyond a general statement about resilience and a pending bill.

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Q17 Cat Eccles Lab Stourbridge
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

A constituent is adopting a child from care while running a local business and has found out she is not entitled to statutory adoption pay as a self-employed person, resulting in unpaid time off.

Question

My constituent runs a haberdashery and sewing workshop. To integrate her adopted son into the family, she took time away from work but discovered she is not eligible for statutory adoption pay as a self-employed individual. Would you agree that extending adoption pay to self-employed people in line with maternity pay would help achieve better outcomes for looked-after children?

Answer from Pat McFadden

On this, perhaps the simplest thing is for my hon. Friend to write to me, so that I can get her question considered by the proper Minister.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific request or provide details on extending adoption pay to self-employed individuals.

How: Redirecting To A Different Official

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