Ruth Cadbury Portrait

Ruth Cadbury

Labour - Brentford and Isleworth

9,824 (21.7%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 7th May 2015


Shadow Minister (Justice)
5th Sep 2023 - 30th May 2024
Transport Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 20th Nov 2023
Shadow Minister (International Trade)
4th Dec 2021 - 5th Sep 2023
Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill
1st Dec 2021 - 14th Dec 2021
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government) (Planning)
19th Sep 2021 - 4th Dec 2021
Building Safety Bill
9th Sep 2021 - 26th Oct 2021
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities & Local Government) (Planning)
14th May 2021 - 19th Sep 2021
Transport Committee
29th Oct 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Justice Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 19th Nov 2018
Shadow Minister (Housing)
10th Oct 2016 - 29th Jun 2017
Women and Equalities Committee
6th Jul 2015 - 28th Feb 2017


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Ruth Cadbury has voted in 93 divisions, and never against the majority of their Party.
View All Ruth Cadbury 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
Anneliese Dodds (Labour (Co-op))
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
(5 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(4 debate interactions)
Helen Whately (Conservative)
Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
(3 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Department for Transport
(11 debate contributions)
HM Treasury
(3 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Ruth Cadbury's debates

Brentford and Isleworth 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).

Ruth Cadbury has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Ruth Cadbury

7th May 2024
Ruth Cadbury signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 9th May 2024

20th anniversary of the Trinjan group

Tabled by: Seema Malhotra (Labour (Co-op) - Feltham and Heston)
That this House extends its congratulations to the Trinjan group and its committee as it celebrates its 20th anniversary; notes that it was founded on 27 April 27 2004 by Mohinder Dosanjh with Mindu Bains, Harbans Dosanjh, Usha Kiran Trikala, Tara Walia, Amarjit Sidhu, Jatinder Wadhva, Ranju Parshotam and Inderjit …
3 signatures
(Most recent: 9 May 2024)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
23rd March 2022
Ruth Cadbury signed this EDM on Thursday 24th March 2022

P&O Ferries and DP World

Tabled by: Karl Turner (Labour - Kingston upon Hull East)
That this House condemns in the strongest possible terms the decision of P&O Ferries to fire 800 staff without notice or consultation with their trade unions, the RMT and Nautilus; demands the immediate reinstatement of the sacked workers; condemns their replacement with agency workers earning as little as £1.80 per …
125 signatures
(Most recent: 27 Apr 2022)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 90
Scottish National Party: 12
Independent: 7
Liberal Democrat: 7
Plaid Cymru: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 3
Alba Party: 2
Green Party: 1
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 1
View All Ruth Cadbury's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Ruth Cadbury, 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.


Ruth Cadbury has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Ruth Cadbury has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Ruth Cadbury


A bill to require HM Commissioners of Revenue and Customs to record income tax revenues where the payee self-certifies as holding a conscientious objection to public spending on defence purposes and report to Parliament thereon; to place a duty on HM Treasury to take account of the amount and proportion of such self-certified income tax income in preparing the supply estimates; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 19th July 2016

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
7th Feb 2025
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of reviewing the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 in relation to the provisions around the appointment of bishops within the Church of England.

The Government introduced legislation on 13 February to remove the legal barrier to Roman Catholics holding the office of Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. This short and narrowly-focused Bill facilitates the upcoming appointment of the first Roman Catholic Lord High Commissioner for the next General Assembly in May.

Nick Thomas-Symonds
Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish a list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

The list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries as of September 2024 is published on gov.uk and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-parliamentary-private-secretaries-pps-september-2024

Georgia Gould
Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of copyright law for ensuring visual artists are remunerated for the use of their work in training AI models.

At present, copyright law regarding AI training is disputed. This makes it difficult for creators, such as visual artists, to control whether their works can be used to train AI models, and to seek payment for this.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on how to create clarity in this area. This includes seeking views on proposals which would enable right holders to reserve their rights, so they can prevent, or license, the use of their content to train AI models in the UK.

The consultation closes on 25 February.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help protect (a) visual artists and (b) other creators from copyright infringement by AI developers.

Copying protected material in the UK will infringe copyright unless it is licensed, or an exception to copyright applies.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on a package of measures, which include a requirement for AI model developers to be more transparent about how they obtain their training material, to enable copyright to be more easily enforced.

The proposals would also enable right holders to reserve their rights, so they can prevent the use of their content to train AI models in the UK.

The consultation closes on 25 February.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the potential impact of the use of AI models on (a) visual artists and (b) the wider creative sector.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

It sets out potential legislative changes to copyright law to support the development and use of AI technology, while continuing to reward human creators. It also seeks views on digital replicas and other related emerging issues.

The Government has published an assessment of options alongside the consultation. Further information and evidence on the economic impact of the use of AI models on visual artists and the wider creative sector is welcomed as part of the consultation, to help shape Government’s thinking.

The consultation closes on 25 February.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to assess the potential implications for the Government's policies of the unlawful use of copyrighted (a) images, (b) books, (c) films and (d) music by AI firms.

In the UK, licences are required from copyright owners when protected works (such as images, books, films, music) are used in AI training, unless an exception to copyright applies.

The law in this area is complex and disputed.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport jointly published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024, seeking views which will help the Government develop an approach which can provide greater legal certainty in this space.

The consultation closes on 25 February.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of introducing an opt-out for AI firms using copyright works on (a) visual artists and (b) other creators.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024.

This consultation seeks views on a number of issues relating to copyright and AI, including on how to give rights holders of creative works greater control over use of their material.

The Government has published an assessment of options alongside the consultation. Further information and evidence on the impact of a rights-reservation (or “opt-out”), including the impact on visual artists and other creators is welcomed as part of the consultation, to help shape Government’s thinking.

The consultation closes on 25 February.

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 he has made of the adequacy of the Online Safety Act 2023 in tackling instances of (a) online deception and (b) coercive and controlling behaviour by impersonations on (i) social media and (ii) dating apps.

The Online Safety Act requires all in-scope services to protect users from online illegal content and criminal behaviour on their services. Coercive and controlling behaviour is a priority offence under the Act. Adult users of services over the designated threshold will also have the ability to verify their own identity, reduce the likelihood of seeing non-verified users’ content, and prevent non-verified users from interacting with their content. The government and Ofcom’s priority is getting these protections implemented effectively.

Feryal Clark
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
27th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposals within the consultation entitled Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, published on 17 December 2024, on visual artists.

The government’s consultation on Copyright and AI, launched 17 December and closing 25 February, was published alongside an accompanying options assessment. The consultation seeks to gather further evidence on the potential impact on the creative industries of any change to the copyright regime in the context of AI training.

Following the consultation, if legislative changes are needed, a full economic impact assessment will be undertaken.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to remove the 50% faith cap on newly opened schools.

The previous government launched a consultation proposing to lift the 50% faith admissions cap that applies to free schools designated with a religious character, where they are oversubscribed. The consultation closed last year and the department will respond in due course.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason interest rates are applied to student finance loans for women on maternity leave.

Student loans are subject to interest, to ensure that those who can afford to contribute to the full cost of their degree can do so.

The student finance system protects borrowers in cases where they see a reduction in their income for whatever reason, including women on maternity leave or any other person on parental leave. Student loan repayments are based on a borrower’s monthly or weekly income, not the interest rate or amount borrowed, and no repayments are made for earnings below the relevant student loan repayment threshold. Any outstanding debt, including interest accrued, is written off at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower.

A full equality impact assessment of how the student loan reforms may affect graduates, including detail on changes to average lifetime repayments under Plan 5, was produced and published in February 2022, and can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reform-equality-impact-assessment.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the average amount of interest accrued on student finance loans for women on maternity leave in the latest period for which data is available.

Student loans are subject to interest, to ensure that those who can afford to contribute to the full cost of their degree can do so.

The student finance system protects borrowers in cases where they see a reduction in their income for whatever reason, including women on maternity leave or any other person on parental leave. Student loan repayments are based on a borrower’s monthly or weekly income, not the interest rate or amount borrowed, and no repayments are made for earnings below the relevant student loan repayment threshold. Any outstanding debt, including interest accrued, is written off at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower.

A full equality impact assessment of how the student loan reforms may affect graduates, including detail on changes to average lifetime repayments under Plan 5, was produced and published in February 2022, and can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reform-equality-impact-assessment.

Janet Daby
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
7th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether people can import polystyrene cups into the UK.

The supply of expanded and foamed extruded polystyrene food and drinks containers, including cups, that are used to contain food or drink that is ready-to-consume has been banned since 1 October 2023.

However, you may still import polystyrene cups. This facilitates their movement through the supply chain to allow for other uses.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
5th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department have taken to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic bottles.

This Government is committed to delivering the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers in October 2027, as agreed with the devolved governments of the UK, and in accordance with the Joint Policy Statement published in April 2024.

We plan to lay the DRS regulations for England/Northern Ireland before Parliament in late 2024 and for them to come into force in early 2025 (assuming parliamentary time allows) and for the Deposit Management Organisation, who will run the scheme, to be appointed in April 2025 as planned.

Mary Creagh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of improving cross-borough public transport links in London on (a) the economy, (b) air quality and (c) social mobility in London.

Transport in London is the responsibility of the Mayor of London and Transport for London, including assessment of the economic, air quality and social mobility impacts of changes to London’s transport network. However, the Government recognises importance of London’s transport network for the capital’s and UK’s economy and for London’s air quality and social mobility, and at Autumn budget confirmed £485m of capital funding for investment in London’s transport infrastructure.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions (a) she and (b) officials in her Department have had with the Mayor of London on proposals for the West London Orbital railway.

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL). The Department for Transport works closely with TfL to understand the long-term needs of London’s transport infrastructure and opportunities to enhance its network, including potential major projects such as the West London Orbital.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
6th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the proposed West London orbital rail link on connectivity between West London Boroughs.

Any assessment of the impact on West London boroughs would be carried out by Transport for London as part of its development of the West London Orbital scheme.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
13th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has plans to consult with (a) community and (b) environmental groups on her Department's plans to modernise airspace.

Anyone sponsoring a proposal to change airspace must follow the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Airspace Change Process (CAP1616). This process sets out the requirements for airspace change sponsors to engage with and consult those potentially affected by airspace change, including local communities and environmental groups. This includes a requirement to engage with relevant stakeholders at different stages of the process, from the initial design principles to detailed options appraisal, before any final plans are submitted to the CAA.

Mike Kane
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps officials in her Department have taken to introduce a reciprocal driving licence exchange agreement with Kosovo.

Following a request from the Kosovan Embassy to consider a possible reciprocal driving licence exchange agreement, officials have carried out a full assessment of the information provided by the Kosovan authorities. This assessment concluded that driver testing and licensing arrangements in place in Kosovo are comparable with those in this country.

The department is now progressing the work required to achieve an exchange agreement. All driving licence exchange agreements are subject to a legally required public consultation and the introduction of the relevant legislation.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of noise cameras on road noise levels.

The Department conducted roadside trials of noise camera technology between October 2022 and February 2023. Reports of these trials, including detailed assessment of the technology’s performance and potential merits, were published on 17 March 2024.

The Secretary of State for Transport has not had discussions with local authorities on the use of noise cameras.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
19th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what financial support is available to carers who incur additional living costs supporting people whose Personal Independence Payments are stopped upon entering hospital as long-term in-patients.

The primary purpose of Carer’s Allowance (CA) is to provide a measure of support and recognition to those whose caring responsibilities mean they are unable to work full time. In order to receive CA, the person being cared for must be in receipt of a disability benefit at the appropriate rate, this is one of the ways we establish that care is required.

Where the adult disability benefit ceases as a result of the cared for person entering a hospital for more than four weeks, CA will also cease. This is to avoid a double provision of public funds to provide care for this individual. A period of 28 days is allowed to determine whether this situation is long term before the relevant benefit payments stop.

However, carers may be entitled to further support. Local Authorities have duties to support people caring for their family and friends. The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable, high-quality care and support services, including support for carers.

Local authorities are also required to undertake Carer’s Assessments to support people caring for their family and friends who appear to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from them.

I would encourage carers who are not receiving a means-tested benefit already to check on Gov.UK to see whether they may be entitled to any other benefits, which may include support with the additional costs of caring. Advice can also be sought from organisations such as Carers UK and Citizens Advice.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
15th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 13503 on Personal Independence Payment: Patients, how many individuals have had personal independence payments withdrawn after entering (a) hospital, (b) hospice and (c) residential care for more than 28 days in the last four years.

As explained in the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 13503 on Personal Independence Payment: Patients, found here, the information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Suspensions of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) after entering (a) hospital, (b) hospice, (c) residential care, and other accommodation types, are combined in the PIP Computer System under a single category.

To distinguish between the specific types of accommodation as requested would require manual investigation of each individual claimant record. We could provide, within cost, the combined figure for all suspensions due to “hospitalisation and other accommodation types”.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
11th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of financial support available to individuals in hospital whose personal independence payments are paused.

Where an adult age 18 or over is maintained free of charge while undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution funded by the NHS, payment of (but not entitlement to) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) ceases after 28 days. This is on the basis that the NHS is responsible for not only the person’s medical care but also the entirety of their disability-related extra costs and to pay PIP in addition would be a duplication of public funds intended for the same purpose. Once someone is discharged from hospital, payment of PIP recommences from the date of discharge.

Entitlement and payment of the standard allowance of Universal Credit will not change if a customer goes into hospital for treatment and/ or care, regardless of the duration of the stay. If the customer has been found to have limited capacity for work or work-related activity, this element will continue to be paid alongside the Universal Credit standard allowance.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
11th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many individuals have had personal independence payments withdrawn after entering hospital care for more than 28 days in the last four years.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Suspensions of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for admission to hospital are combined in the PIP Computer System with admissions to hospices and care homes. To distinguish hospital care from the other types of accommodation would require manual investigation of individual claimant records.

Stephen Timms
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
8th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce hygiene poverty in (a) London and (b) England.

Tackling poverty in all forms, from reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels to ensuring people can afford essentials like hygiene products, is a priority for this government.

We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty, but too many people are being denied the security and dignity that comes with being in good work. The Get Britain Working White Paper, to be set out in the Autumn, will develop measures to reduce inactivity and help people to find better paid and more secure jobs.

We need a modern and effective social security system that is fit for purpose which is why we have committed to reviewing Universal Credit and listening to the full range of views on potential changes.

For those most in need, we have extended the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual. As has been done for previous schemes, the Fund is available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to provide discretionary support to those most in need with the cost of essentials. The Fund can be used to provide support with food, energy, water and wider essentials including hygiene products.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were denied Bereavement Support Payments in (a) 2024 and (b) 2023.

Table 1: Number of Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) claims disallowed during 2023 and 2024

2023

2024

Number of claims disallowed

6240

2300

Notes

- Figures for 2023 covers the period of January 2023 to December 2023

- Figures for 2024 only covers the period of January 2024 to March 2024

- The number of claims disallowed have been rounded to the nearest 10

Source: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were denied Bereavement Support Payments in (a) 2024 and (b) 2023 due to their deceased partner not having made the necessary national insurance contributions.

Table 1: Number of Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) claims disallowed due to the deceased partner having insufficient National Insurance Contributions during 2023 and 2024

2023

2024

Number of claims disallowed

1660

530

Notes

- Figures for 2023 covers the period of January 2023 to December 2023

- Figures for 2024 only covers the period of January 2024 to March 2024

- The number of claims disallowed have been rounded to the nearest 10

Source: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/

Andrew Western
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
14th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to introduce early diagnosis services for osteoporosis.

Funding was recently announced to boost bone density scanning capacity, to support improvements in bone health and early diagnostics for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, such as osteoporosis. This will provide an estimated 29,000 extra scans per year.

As announced in the Get Britain Working white paper, we are delivering the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England’s Getting It Right First-Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT teams will deploy their proven Further Faster model to work with integrated care board leaders to further reduce MSK community waiting times, including for those with osteoporosis, and improve data, metrics, and referral pathways to wider support services.

13th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the supply of HRT products in London.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. Information on stock levels within London is not held centrally.

There are over 70 hormone replacement therapy (HRT) products, and the vast majority are in good supply. Previously there has been issues with the supply of a limited number of these products, primarily driven by very sharp increases in demand. Following the Department’s intensive engagement with industry, the supply position has improved considerably. As part of this we have met with suppliers on a very regular basis and have held seven HRT supply roundtables since April 2022, with the most recent in September 2024, with suppliers, wholesalers, and community pharmacists, to provide updates on the supply position and actions being taken to address them, to share data, and to discuss relevant policy developments and potential impacts.

We are aware of the supply issues affecting Estradot (estradiol) 50 microgram/24 hour, 75 microgram/24 hour, and 100 microgram/24 hour patches, for which we have issued comprehensive management guidance to the National Health Service, including Serious Shortage Protocols allowing community pharmacists to supply the equivalent strength patch of an alternative brand without the need for a new prescription. Alternative brands of estradiol patches remain available.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
8th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether applications for the NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance payment received after 30 September 2023 are eligible.

The NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme was launched on 20 May 2020 to recognise the increased risks that National Health Service and social care staff faced in carrying out their duties during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scheme closed to new deaths on 31 March 2022. Under the rules of the scheme, claimants were required to submit claims for deaths that occurred while the Scheme was open before 30 September 2023.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
14th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the (a) recruitment and (b) retention of radiologists in London.

National Health Service organisations in London will have their own plans in place to manage their recruitment and retention needs, based on local workforce planning.

A clear plan for retention is an essential component of an overall supply plan for the NHS. We need to retain the experienced and skilled staff that we already have, and ensure that the NHS is an attractive place to work so that we can bring in the new trainees and recruits that we need. Nationally, the NHS retention programme is working with NHS organisations to improve culture and leadership across the NHS, addressing issues that matter to staff, such as the need for good occupational health and wellbeing support and the promotion of opportunities to work flexibly.

We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS. A central and core part of the 10-Year Health Plan will be our workforce, and how we ensure we train and provide the staff, technology, and infrastructure the NHS needs to care for patients when and where they need it.

Karin Smyth
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
4th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential health benefits of magnesium supplements.

The Government’s nutrition advice is based on recommendations from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and its predecessor, the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutritional Policy (COMA).

The COMA set dietary reference values for magnesium for men and women aged 19 to 64 years old at 300 milligrams and 270 milligrams a day, respectively. Current Government advice is that individuals should be able to get all the magnesium they need by eating a varied and balanced diet.

The SACN discussed the topic of magnesium as part of its horizon scanning in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Meeting papers are available on the SACN webpage. The committee has noted that while ‘significant proportions of the population had [low intakes], there was limited evidence that this was of public health concern’. There is no agreed biomarker for measuring magnesium status.

Magnesium is therefore on the SACN’s watching brief as a low priority, and the SACN may consider it again in future, if there are any developments regarding biomarkers for magnesium status, to warrant a review of recommendations.

14th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make a request to his Azerbaijani counterpart for a UK delegation to visit the 23 Armenian prisoners being held by Azerbaijan in order to (a) verify their conditions and (b) ensure that international standards and conventions are being complied before COP29 in Baku in November.

The UK has consistently urged the Azerbaijani authorities, including ahead of COP29, to ensure that those in detention are afforded a fair trial and are provided safe conditions, in accordance with Azerbaijan's international obligations and commitments. We are in touch with the UK delegation visiting Azerbaijan for COP29 to ensure a smooth visit to the country, however we have not received a formal request for UK Government support to visit Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.

Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when HMRC plans to respond to the email of 9 December 2024 from the office of the hon. Member for Brentford and Isleworth.

A response to the member for Brentford and Isleworth regarding their correspondence of 9 December 2024 is being prepared and will be provided by 24 January 2025. I apologise for the delay in responding to the Honourable Member.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
13th Jan 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to increase the number of credit unions operating in England.

The Government has made clear its strong support for the credit union sector, recognising the value that credit unions bring to their members in local communities across the country in providing savings products and affordable credit.

The Chancellor announced new measures to support the growth of the credit union and mutuals sector in her Mansion House speech on 14 November. This included publishing a call for evidence on the potential to reform common bonds for credit unions in Great Britain, asking the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to produce a report on the mutuals landscape by the end of 2025, and welcoming the establishment of an industry-led Mutual and Co-operative Business Council. Together, these actions reinforce the Government’s commitment to support the credit union and mutuals sector, and help it grow to drive innovation and economic growth across the country.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) publishes quarterly statistics relating to credit unions in the United Kingdom. According to this latest data, there are currently 140 credit unions operating in England. Whilst HM Treasury does not hold data on the number of credit unions operating in London, all registered mutuals are listed publicly on the Mutuals Public Register, which is managed by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Emma Reynolds
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
13th Jan 2025
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of credit unions operating in (a) London and (b) England.

The Government has made clear its strong support for the credit union sector, recognising the value that credit unions bring to their members in local communities across the country in providing savings products and affordable credit.

The Chancellor announced new measures to support the growth of the credit union and mutuals sector in her Mansion House speech on 14 November. This included publishing a call for evidence on the potential to reform common bonds for credit unions in Great Britain, asking the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to produce a report on the mutuals landscape by the end of 2025, and welcoming the establishment of an industry-led Mutual and Co-operative Business Council. Together, these actions reinforce the Government’s commitment to support the credit union and mutuals sector, and help it grow to drive innovation and economic growth across the country.

The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) publishes quarterly statistics relating to credit unions in the United Kingdom. According to this latest data, there are currently 140 credit unions operating in England. Whilst HM Treasury does not hold data on the number of credit unions operating in London, all registered mutuals are listed publicly on the Mutuals Public Register, which is managed by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Emma Reynolds
Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
6th Nov 2024
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of HMRC's processing of refund requests for taxpayers.

HMRC aims to process all refunds and repayments within a reasonable timeframe. The processing of these is recorded as part of HMRC’s post turnaround measure. HMRC’s service standard for post turnaround is 80% of customer correspondence cleared within 15 working days of receipt. HMRC’s performance has been 77% from April to August 2024.

Post performance is published monthly and can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports#reporting-year-2024-to-2025.

To improve their services and meet published standards HMRC have recently deployed additional customer service advisers. They expect to meet their post service standards in the second half of 2024-25 as the new advisers are trained and up to speed.

James Murray
Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions her Department has had with the National Police Chief Councils on the effectiveness of powers to arrest people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs.

Ministers and officials meet with representatives of the NPCC on a regular basis and discuss a wide range of topics.

The police have the power under section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to arrest and detain an individual if they have provided a specimen of breath, blood or urine that exceeds the prescribed drink or drug driving limit or the individual’s ability to drive properly is impaired. How the police decide to use these powers is an operational matter for their discretion.

The Government will continue to support the police to ensure that they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

The information requested on how many arrests there were for driving under the influence of drugs in each year since 2018 is not held centrally by the Home Office. Drug driving offences are not among the list of offences for which police forces are currently required to notify the Home Office of data on arrests, charges and outcomes.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many arrests there were for driving under the influence of drugs in each year since 2018.

Ministers and officials meet with representatives of the NPCC on a regular basis and discuss a wide range of topics.

The police have the power under section 10 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to arrest and detain an individual if they have provided a specimen of breath, blood or urine that exceeds the prescribed drink or drug driving limit or the individual’s ability to drive properly is impaired. How the police decide to use these powers is an operational matter for their discretion.

The Government will continue to support the police to ensure that they have the tools needed to enforce road traffic legislation.

The information requested on how many arrests there were for driving under the influence of drugs in each year since 2018 is not held centrally by the Home Office. Drug driving offences are not among the list of offences for which police forces are currently required to notify the Home Office of data on arrests, charges and outcomes.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
21st Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of time spent by police officers completing paperwork as part of the requirements set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.

It is important for the investigation of offences, as well as for ensuring transparency and accountability in policing, that effective records are kept, and data is recorded. But it is vital that these processes are proportionate and do not get in the way of everyday police work.

This Government is committed to tackling unnecessary bureaucracy and will work with police forces to build on the foundation of the Policing Productivity Review, working with the College of Policing to support forces to ensure officers are able to use their time more productively.

The Home Office’s Annual Data Requirement (ADR) is a list of all requests for data made to chief officers of police forces in England and Wales under the Home Secretary’s statutory powers. There is a robust and stringent process underpinning the ADR to review existing requests and consider new or amended requests.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
12th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the existing rights for individuals holding British Overseas Citizen status.

British overseas citizens (BOCs) are subject to UK immigration control, but are eligible for British passports and other consular services.

Many BOCs will have rights, including of residence and travel, that stem from the other nationalities that they hold. BOCs who do not hold, and have not voluntarily lost, any other nationality are able to apply to register as British citizens under section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981. BOCs are also able to apply to register as British citizens after 5 years of living in the UK, and meeting certain residence requirements under section 4(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
16th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the roll-out of Electronic Travel Authorisation requirements for non-UK passengers transiting through UK airports on (a) passenger experience and (b) the UK aviation industry.

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme was launched to secure our borders and make the UK safer, by enhancing our ability to screen travellers upstream. The scheme will apply to passengers from eligible countries who are transiting the UK. ETAs form part of our long-term plan for a slicker, more efficient border, with a greater number of passengers able to benefit from automation at the border, enabling our highly skilled Border Force officers to focus on those who pose the most harm or are at the most risk.

We continue to engage positively with industry, and support the aviation sector in understanding what ETAs and wider digitisation will mean for passengers.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
30th Aug 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people hold British Overseas Citizen status.

The Home Office does not hold data on the number of people who hold a British Overseas Citizenship status.

Seema Malhotra
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
9th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces personnel were court-martialled due to their sexuality in the most recent period for which data is available prior to 2001.

Due to the broad range of offences applied to same-sex sexual acts and the record keeping practices prior to 2000, there is no way of conducting a search for data on sexuality based convictions. Court martials were held on a single Service basis until 2009, with the results of such cases being recorded in district court martial books and individuals’ Service records until the introduction of the Joint Personnel Administration database in 2006. Therefore, the data from prior to 2006 is not centrally held in a way which would enable this type of analysis.

The Government encourages anyone who was convicted based on their sexuality to apply for a disregard through the Home Office’s Disregard and Pardon scheme.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
9th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the amount of compensation available to LGBT veterans following the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, published in May 2023.

The Government acknowledges the historic policy prohibiting homosexuality in the Armed Forces was regrettable, wrong and completely unacceptable. The treatment of LGBT Serving personnel between 1967 and 2000 was wholly unacceptable and does not reflect today’s Armed Forces.

All 49 recommendations made in Lord Etherton’s report have been accepted and to date, 32 of the 49 recommendations have already been implemented demonstrating the Government’s commitment to supporting our veterans and the LGBT+ community.

Full details about these recommendations and the non-financial restorative measures already available can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-veterans-apply-for-restorative-measures.

Lord Etherton’s report demonstrated the broad range of ways that personnel were impacted by the Ban. The financial redress scheme has been designed with this in mind, intending to provide a sense of closure to all those affected. Defence has worked with experts across Government to design an appropriate scheme where applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, enabling appropriate distribution of the available funds.

I hope this helps explain Defence’s position and reassures you that we are committed to welcoming back LGBT veterans into the Armed Forces community, where they have always belonged.

Al Carns
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
28th Oct 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of leasehold properties in England which contain Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not gather data on the number of leasehold properties which contain Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). However, our current assessment is that prevalence of RAAC is low in housing.

All building owners should continue to manage building safety and performance risks of all kinds in their buildings, including RAAC, in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner. To do so, they should continue to follow guidance published by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) to identify, assess, and manage issues relating to RAAC.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)