Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help support people who live permanently on boats and use red diesel in the context of (a) fuel cost relief and (b) other support schemes.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have put the industry on notice that they are monitoring fuel prices closely, including red diesel which is one of the fuel types used by people living on boats.

Officials and Ministers are meeting regularly with the CMA to discuss the situation, and will not hesitate to take action if companies are found to have breached consumer protection law.

The planned inflation increase on fuel duty for 2026-27 has been cancelled, and Government stands ready to take any necessary action to ensure that consumers are getting a fair deal.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, (a) what steps his Department is taking to improve public understanding of the planning process, specifically the distinct roles and responsibilities of statutory consultees such as the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authorities in assessing flood risk, surface water drainage, and rainfall modelling for planning applications; and (b) whether he plans to review guidance for applicants, local authorities and the public.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Guidance on planning and flood risk, including the role of the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authorities in assessing planning applications can be found on gov.uk here.

The government recently consulted on reforms to the statutory consultee system to improve clarity, proportionality and public understanding of the planning process and the roles and responsibilities of statutory consultees, including the Environment Agency and Lead Local Flood Authorities.

The proposed reforms place greater emphasis on clearer, more accessible guidance and standing advice, reducing unnecessary referrals, and ensuring statutory consultees focus on matters where their expertise adds the greatest value. The consultation closed on 13 January 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish a response in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance she provides to local licensing authorities on what constitutes an operating base for private hire operators; and whether the Department has assessed the adequacy of existing definitions in the context of app-based operator models.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

No guidance has been issued on this matter. An ‘operating base’ is not defined in law. All guidance is kept under review and the need for any amendments or additions considered. The Department consulted on revised best practice guidance in 2022 and it was subsequently updated in 2023.

The licensing regime in England is archaic, fragmented and inconsistent. We are considering, holistically, how the regulation of taxis and private hire vehicles could be reformed to achieve the best overall outcome for passengers by enabling the sector to deliver the range of safe, available, affordable and accessible services they need.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (a) what steps his Department is taking to deliver a national roll out of Fracture Liaison Services in England; (b) if he will publish a timetable for achieving full coverage; and (c) what assessment he has made of the impact of Fracture Liaison Services on reducing preventable hip fractures and associated mortality.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Our 10-Year Health Plan committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030. Integrated care boards (ICBs) remain well-placed to make decisions according to local need. The renewed Women’s Health Strategy sets an expectation that ICBs prioritise community-based models when commissioning new fracture prevention services.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the impact of Fracture Liaison Services on reducing preventable hip fractures and associated mortality. There is a broad evidence base for the benefits of Fracture Liaison Services. For example, there is evidence that they can reduce the risk of refracture by up to 40%, depending on the fracture type and population considered, with further information available at the following link:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4767862/

Greater prevention would contribute to avoiding debilitating further consequences, including pain, loss of independence, and increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Where available, evidence on the potential impacts will be taken into consideration in future policy development.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the private hire vehicle licensing framework in supporting traditional private hire operators and app-based platforms operating across multiple local authority areas.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime in England is archaic, fragmented and inconsistent. We are considering, holistically, how the regulation of the sector could be reformed to achieve the best overall outcome for passengers by enabling the sector to deliver the range of safe, available, affordable and accessible services they need. The Department issues guidance to licensing authorities in England to help achieve consistency in the application of licensing requirements. We are seeking a power through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to enable the setting of national standards to ensure robust standards are applied by all licensing authorities.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Department plans to review or update the statutory framework for private hire licensing to reflect changes in technology and operating models since the legislation was introduced.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime in England is archaic, fragmented and inconsistent. We are considering, holistically, how the regulation of the sector could be reformed to achieve the best overall outcome for passengers by enabling the sector to deliver the range of safe, available, affordable and accessible services they need. The Department issues guidance to licensing authorities in England to help achieve consistency in the application of licensing requirements. We are seeking a power through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to enable the setting of national standards to ensure robust standards are applied by all licensing authorities.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanisms exist to help ensure consistency in the application of private hire licensing rules across local authorities.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regime in England is archaic, fragmented and inconsistent. We are considering, holistically, how the regulation of the sector could be reformed to achieve the best overall outcome for passengers by enabling the sector to deliver the range of safe, available, affordable and accessible services they need. The Department issues guidance to licensing authorities in England to help achieve consistency in the application of licensing requirements. We are seeking a power through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to enable the setting of national standards to ensure robust standards are applied by all licensing authorities.

Coventry City Football Club’s promotion to Premier League