Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the bus manufacturing sector.

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

The Government is committed to strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the UK bus manufacturing sector and accelerating the shift to zero-emission vehicles. This includes reforms to bus procurement, supporting the work of the DfT UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panels, and a £15 billion investment over five years to improve local transport in the North and Midlands, supporting sector growth and new zero-emission buses. Through DRIVE35, we are providing funding to support R&D and commercial scaling of zero-emission vehicles, creating skilled jobs and attracting private investment for sustained sector success.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to publish the integrated public transport strategy.

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

As committed to in the Government’s manifesto, we will be publishing a long-term strategy for transport to set out the Department’s vision for domestic transport across England. We intend to publish the Strategy towards the end of this year.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government have reviewed the underspend on the Equitable Life Payment Scheme.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Under the previous Conservative Government, the Equitable Life Payment Scheme was wound down and closed in 2016. The only remaining part of the Payment Scheme in operation is the annual payments made to eligible With-Profit-Annuitants and the Scheme is on track to distribute the remainder of the £1.5 billion as planned.

There are no plans to reopen any decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the application of the Litigation and Settlement Strategy on settlements made following disguised renumeration schemes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.

The Litigation and Settlement Strategy (LSS) ensures that HMRC applies the law fairly and consistently. The LSS applies as much to the resolution of a dispute with a multinational corporation as it does to small business customers or individuals. This ensures every taxpayer, no matter who they are, pays the tax due under the law.

Central to the LSS is that HMRC will not settle a dispute by agreement for an amount which is less than it would reasonably expect to obtain from litigation.

Racial Inclusion and Supporting Empowerment (RISE) Forth Valley SCIO

Tamfourhill Community Hub

Hallglen Knit N Natter Group

Aldi Stores in Falkirk donations to families in need

Rainbow Muslim Women's Group

Slamannan Action Group

Laurieston Community Hall at The Thrums

Strathcarron Hospice

LinkLiving Limited

Olivia Smart and the future of tennis in Falkirk

1st Step Development Ventures

Cyrenians

Scotland Demands Better campaign

Proposal for a wealth tax