Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support intercropping.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is currently funding over 250,000 ha of companion cropping, which includes the practice of intercropping.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, (i) whether his Department has undertaken any reviews of its processes for handling requested documentation received by post; and (ii) whether those reviews have identified any scope for improvement in the handling of such documents.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department routinely monitors and reviews its processes for handling documentation received by post. Postal correspondence is managed through centralised Mail Opening Units, where documents are opened, scanned and indexed on receipt to improve efficiency, traceability, and security.
These processes operate in line with government security, information management and data protection policies and are kept under continual review to ensure they remain effective and responsive to changing business requirements. Opportunities for improvement are identified through ongoing operational monitoring and continuous improvement activity.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the quality and speed of communication with Ukrainian refugees on their continued immigration status from the Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Permission Extension schemes.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK.
The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability. Earlier this year, the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme was extended, meaning eligible Ukrainians who continue to require sanctuary in the UK can secure up to three and a half years’ permission in total under UPE, in addition to any permission previously granted under the Ukraine Schemes. The UPE application window has also been increased from 28 to 90 days, responding to stakeholder feedback and providing greater flexibility for Ukrainians planning their employment, housing and education.
The first permissions granted under the UPE extension will not begin to expire until August 2028. The Government recognises the importance of providing longer-term clarity and sufficient notice of any future arrangements so that individuals, families and employers can plan appropriately.
No decisions have yet been taken on future arrangements for Ukrainians in the UK. The Government is actively considering the longer-term arrangements, informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Ukrainian Government, and the experiences of Ukrainians living here, and will provide further information in due course to support Ukrainians in planning for their futures.
The Home Office continues to provide information through GOV.UK and works with community and non-government organisations to ensure individuals are informed and supported.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to provide reassurance to refugees on the Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Permission Extension schemes, regarding their continued immigration status.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK.
The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability. Earlier this year, the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme was extended, meaning eligible Ukrainians who continue to require sanctuary in the UK can secure up to three and a half years’ permission in total under UPE, in addition to any permission previously granted under the Ukraine Schemes. The UPE application window has also been increased from 28 to 90 days, responding to stakeholder feedback and providing greater flexibility for Ukrainians planning their employment, housing and education.
The first permissions granted under the UPE extension will not begin to expire until August 2028. The Government recognises the importance of providing longer-term clarity and sufficient notice of any future arrangements so that individuals, families and employers can plan appropriately.
No decisions have yet been taken on future arrangements for Ukrainians in the UK. The Government is actively considering the longer-term arrangements, informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Ukrainian Government, and the experiences of Ukrainians living here, and will provide further information in due course to support Ukrainians in planning for their futures.
The Home Office continues to provide information through GOV.UK and works with community and non-government organisations to ensure individuals are informed and supported.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to increase the level of support for Ukrainians residing in the UK, including through the Homes for Ukraine and Ukraine Permission Extension schemes.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the Government recognises the impact that uncertainty can have on Ukrainian individuals and families who have built their lives in the UK.
The Government has therefore taken concrete steps to provide greater certainty and stability. Earlier this year, the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme was extended, meaning eligible Ukrainians who continue to require sanctuary in the UK can secure up to three and a half years’ permission in total under UPE, in addition to any permission previously granted under the Ukraine Schemes. The UPE application window has also been increased from 28 to 90 days, responding to stakeholder feedback and providing greater flexibility for Ukrainians planning their employment, housing and education.
The first permissions granted under the UPE extension will not begin to expire until August 2028. The Government recognises the importance of providing longer-term clarity and sufficient notice of any future arrangements so that individuals, families and employers can plan appropriately.
No decisions have yet been taken on future arrangements for Ukrainians in the UK. The Government is actively considering the longer-term arrangements, informed by stakeholder engagement, including the Ukrainian Government, and the experiences of Ukrainians living here, and will provide further information in due course to support Ukrainians in planning for their futures.
The Home Office continues to provide information through GOV.UK and works with community and non-government organisations to ensure individuals are informed and supported.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of tying pension growth to wage growth on (a) pensioners and (b) the economy.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is committed to maintaining the Triple Lock for the remainder of this Parliament. This means that the basic and new State Pensions will increase each year by the highest of growth in average earnings, Consumer Prices Index inflation or 2.5%.
From April 2030, pensioners will be protected by an adjusted Triple Lock. The basic and new State Pensions will continue to increase every year by at least the higher of CPI inflation or 2.5%, and by more where needed to maintain their protected value relative to average earnings. This will lock in the gains made under the current Triple Lock while putting the State Pension on a sustainable footing.
The Department has published analysis of the long-term impact of the adjusted Triple Lock, including projected effects on pensioner poverty and indicative expenditure savings. This is available in the GOV.UK publication, State Pension uprating analysis 2026.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support the continuation of the thatching trade.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Thatching is a specialist heritage craft that plays an important role in preserving historic buildings, maintaining local character, and supporting skilled employment in rural communities.
Skills England’s predecessor organisation, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), worked closely with employers and representatives from the sector to develop a Level 2 Thatching Apprenticeship Standard, creating a recognised route into the occupation.
However, since its introduction in 2024, the apprenticeship has not recorded any learner starts. This suggests there may be barriers to uptake, such as the size and structure of the sector, the capacity of employers to support apprentices, or the availability of suitable training provision.
Skills England is keen to continue working with employers, training providers, and wider sector representatives to better understand these challenges and identify practical ways to strengthen routes into the profession, whether through improvements to the apprenticeship or through other skills products and training pathways that meet the needs of the sector and help sustain this important heritage skill for the future.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the future of thatching.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Thatching is a specialist heritage craft that plays an important role in preserving historic buildings, maintaining local character, and supporting skilled employment in rural communities.
Skills England’s predecessor organisation, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), worked closely with employers and representatives from the sector to develop a Level 2 Thatching Apprenticeship Standard, creating a recognised route into the occupation.
However, since its introduction in 2024, the apprenticeship has not recorded any learner starts. This suggests there may be barriers to uptake, such as the size and structure of the sector, the capacity of employers to support apprentices, or the availability of suitable training provision.
Skills England is keen to continue working with employers, training providers, and wider sector representatives to better understand these challenges and identify practical ways to strengthen routes into the profession, whether through improvements to the apprenticeship or through other skills products and training pathways that meet the needs of the sector and help sustain this important heritage skill for the future.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to help ensure affordable insurance premiums for owners of thatched homes.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms and price on which they offer cover based on their assessment of the relevant risks. The Government does not generally intervene in these commercial decisions.
The Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value and has a statutory objective to promote effective competition in the interests of consumers. The FCA has robust powers to take action where firms do not comply with its rules.
The Government recommends that consumers shop around to find the most suitable cover at the best price. For consumers seeking insurance for specialist risks, such as thatched properties, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association may be able to help identify insurers and brokers with relevant expertise.