Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether an analysis has been undertaken of the potential increase in civil nuclear employment in Thornbury and Yate constituency from the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies at Oldbury.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to her on 6 February 2026 to Question 109670.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with Ofsted on how inspections assess support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities moving into further and higher education.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Although Ofsted inspections do not directly evaluate this support, Ofsted’s expectations for pupils’ achievement, regardless of their context or background, are high. Ofsted expects leaders to take all steps they can to identify and meet the needs of the most vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities and those who face other barriers to their learning and or wellbeing.

Inspectors will ask leaders and staff about how they effectively support such pupils, as well as visiting classes or group times, reviewing pupils’ work and speaking with pupils to understand their experiences, the support they receive and the progress they are making. Inspectors will look at post key stage 4 and post-18 destinations data for all pupils and specifically for disadvantaged pupils in assessing the support they receive.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what the cost to Ofcom was of carrying out its postal regulation functions in each of the last five financial years; and what proportion of that cost was recovered from Royal Mail.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Under Schedule 4 to the Postal Services Act 2011, Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, are required to publish the cost of carrying out postal regulation functions. These are available in their annual reports, published on Ofcom’s website.

Across the last five financial years, Ofcom’s cash operating expenditure on postal regulation amounted to: £4.4m in 2025/26, £4.4m in 2024/25, £5.0m in 2023/24, £4.7m in 2022/23, and £5.5m in 2021/22.

Ofcom may recover the costs of carrying out its postal regulatory functions through charges on relevant postal operators. Budgeted fees that Ofcom charges its stakeholders are published online.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether passengers using demand responsive transport services such as WESTlink have access to the same alternative dispute resolution scheme as bus and coach passengers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The availability of alternative dispute resolution arrangements depends on the regulatory framework under which a transport service operates.

Demand responsive transport (DRT) is a broad term, and DRT services can be operated in different ways. Where a DRT service is registered and operated as a local service (as defined in the Transport Act 1985), passengers should have access to the same complaints and dispute resolution arrangements as other passengers of local services. Where DRT services operate under different regulatory arrangements, the dispute resolution mechanisms available may differ.

The Department encourages operators to have clear and accessible complaints procedures and to ensure passengers are aware of the routes available for escalating complaints where they remain unresolved.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the contribution of the 212 people employed in the civil nuclear sector in Thornbury and Yate constituency to the regional economy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has made no specific assessment of the contribution of the 212 civil nuclear workers in Thornbury and Yate to the regional economy. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estimates that the former Oldbury nuclear site contributes approximately £16 million in Gross Value Added to the South- West economy, including around £9 million in South Gloucestershire. Great British Energy-Nuclear is also undertaking early work to evaluate Oldbury’s potential to support future nuclear opportunities.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the operating costs of Ofcom were in each of the last five financial years.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Ofcom’s operating expenditure was £154.451 million in 2021/22, £175.220 million in 2022/23, £190.973 million in 2023/24 and £209.229 million in 2024/25. In 2025/26, operating expenditure was £228.744 million. Ofcom is primarily funded through fees from the sectors it regulates and the retention of Wireless Telegraphy Act spectrum licence fee receipts. The growth in its costs reflects, in part, its expanding regulatory responsibilities, including online safety.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides to schools and colleges on transition to further and higher education for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is committed to ensuring neurodivergent young people and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) have clear, coordinated pathways into education, training and employment. Local authorities have statutory responsibilities to support participation and effective preparation for adulthood.

The department provides statutory guidance through the SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years, which sets expectations for schools, colleges and local authorities to support young people with SEND to prepare for adulthood and transition successfully into further education, higher education, training or employment.

The department’s SEND reforms propose to strengthen this approach by improving transition arrangements between school and college, with planning beginning at least 12 months in advance, and placing a stronger focus on preparation for adult life, including progression to higher education and employment where appropriate. New national SEND and inclusion training for schools and post-16 settings will also help strengthen inclusive practice and staff expertise, helping staff build the skills and confidence to respond effectively to individual needs.

Military Homes Standard for Single Living Accommodation

Remembrance Day 2026

LGBT+ rights in the Commonwealth

Delivery of Budget 2026 through property tax systems

Microplastic filters for washing machines

Appointment of Russian diplomat to lead United Nations' mine-action work

Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or

Rural fuel duty relief

Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026

E1 settlements

Oil and chemical spills at sea

Support for off-grid homes

Cancer treatment in rural areas

Defibrillators in police vehicles

World Menopause Day 2026

UK firefighters attending the Terry Farrell Patriot Memorial Stair Climb

Foster Care Fortnight 2026

Enhertu for metastatic breast cancer patients

Found: Chope; Lizzi Collinge; Torcuil Crichton; Graeme Downie; Wera Hobhouse; Melanie Onn; Mike Reader; Claire Young