Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Airspace modernisation, published on 22 October 2024, whether her Department and the Civil Aviation Authority plan to deploy the Scottish cluster's airspace change proposal first.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government’s priority is to deliver the benefits of airspace modernisation alongside the critical technology upgrades to the UK’s air traffic control systems. The Department for Transport is working closely with Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and NATS to ensure that the airports can continue to make progress with their Airspace Change Proposals in line with the CAA’s airspace change process. The next stage in this process is for the airports to consult on their proposals.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the risk of airborne attacks to the security of nuclear power stations; and whether such assessments are included in infrastructure resilience planning.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

As these questions relate to civil nuclear infrastructure modelling and civil nuclear contingency planning, they are not a matter for Defence but should be directed to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing peak fares for rail passengers.

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

We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network.

The amount of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter in 2018/19 to almost half of total income following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023/24. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will publish nuclear infrastructure modelling for nuclear projects in the UK.

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

The Department conducts power market modelling using the Dynamic Dispatch Model (DDM). The DDM is a comprehensive fully integrated power market model covering the GB power market over the medium to long term. Analysis published using this model, such as Modelling 2050 – electricity system analysis - GOV.UK, has shown the importance of nuclear to obtaining low-cost low-carbon solutions to future electricity supply. The DDM has also been used to inform value-for-money assessments, such as the final investment decision on Sizewell C. Sizewell C: Value for money assessment - GOV.UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has provided guidance on government departments analogising UK Government expenditure to household budgets.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

HM Treasury has not provided guidance to other government departments comparing UK Government expenditure to household budgets.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish summary-level modelling of the (a) environmental and (b) public health impact of terrorist attacks at Sizewell C.

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

We do not publish modelling on the likely impacts of terrorist attacks on the UK’s civil nuclear sites beyond the information included in the public National Risk Register on the grounds of national security. DESNZ officials contribute detailed modelling on potential impacts as part of their contribution to the National Security Risk Assessment, which underpins the National Risk Register.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent the livestreaming of child sexual abuse.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government is unequivocal in its commitment to protecting children from online sexual abuse. Livestreamed abuse is a particularly abhorrent form of exploitation, and we are determined to ensure that offenders cannot use technology to harm children with impunity.

The Online Safety Act introduces world-leading protections for children. It places robust duties on tech companies to prevent and swiftly remove illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, and to take proactive steps to protect children from harm. Ofcom, as the regulator, will have strong enforcement powers to ensure compliance.

We also recognise the importance of device-level protections. I support the development and deployment of safety technologies that can help prevent abuse before it happens. This includes exploring the role of on-device tools that can detect and disrupt livestreamed abuse and other image-based harms, while respecting users’ privacy and maintaining end-to-end encryption.

The Government continues to work closely with law enforcement, industry, and child protection experts to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of efforts to tackle online child sexual abuse.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of inheritance tax rules on housing supply.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) takes inheritance tax into account in its assessments of the housing market. Information can be found at https://obr.uk/forecasts-in-depth/the-economy-forecast/housing-market/.

The estates of all individuals benefit from a £325,000 nil-rate band for inheritance tax. The residence nil-rate band is a further £175,000 for those passing on a qualifying residence on death to their direct descendants, such as children or grandchildren, and there are rules in place to accommodate those wishing to downsize. Information is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/how-downsizing-selling-or-gifting-a-home-affects-the-additional-inheritance-tax-threshold.

The residence nil-rate band was introduced under the previous Government. The OBR’s assessment of its expected impact on the housing market was set out in its Economic and Fiscal Outlook published on 8 July 2015. This is available at https://obr.uk/efo/economic-fiscal-outlook-july-2015/.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the number of homeowners whose property is above the free home care threshold but below the £1 million Inheritance Tax Allowance; and whether her Department plans to take steps to change the incentive for these homeowners to leave their property empty.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Adult social care is a devolved policy area. In England, whether a person qualifies for any financial support towards their care costs depends on the results of a financial assessment. Where an individual is receiving care in a setting that is not a care home, such as where they receive care at home, the value of their main or only home must be disregarded during this financial assessment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the Scotch Whisky industry.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Over 90% of scotch is exported, and so will not be directly affected by the Budget measures, but the industry is set to be among the biggest beneficiaries from the trade deal with India, which is set to reduce tariffs from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he raised animal welfare issues in relation to trade during his visit to China in September 2025.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, visited China from 10-11 September to co-chair the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission since 2018 and the UK-China Industrial Cooperation Dialogue. The visit delivered over £1bn market access wins in potential additional exports over 5 years, including the signing of a Pet Food Protocol in the agrifood sector.

Animal welfare was not discussed during the Secretary of State’s visit. The Government raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other Governments and international organisations when appropriate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve aviation safety and (b) reduce the number of incidents of fatigue among pilots operating in UK airspace.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

UK regulations set out requirements for operators of both aerodromes and aircraft, to mitigate risks and ensure operations are conducted as safely as possible. My officials are in regular contact with the UK’s independent safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who are responsible for enforcing Aviation Safety regulations, as well as advising the Department when regulations may need to be updated. When advising updates to aviation safety regulations, the CAA works closely with industry experts as well as other government bodies, like the Health and Safety executive.

The risk of flight crew fatigue is managed under the flight time limitation (FTL) regulations which limit the number of hours pilots can be on duty. The CAA monitors and oversees UK Airlines’ management of FTL requirements and how these impact pilot fatigue, as well as investigating safety reports that cite fatigue as a contributory factor. The CAA will take action to recommend changes to regulation or update guidance if they see any evidence it may be required to manage the risk of fatigue.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what the evidential basis is for charging spirit duty at twice the level of beer.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Following public consultation, a new duty structure for alcohol products was introduced in August 2023.

The alcohol duty system taxes all alcohol products according to their strength, so the duty owed increases with alcohol content. The system is also progressive, ensuring that higher strength products pay proportionately more tax

The 2023 reforms significantly reduced previous inconsistencies in treatment between different types of alcohol product and introduced two new reliefs: Draught Relief (DR); and Small Producer Relief (SPR).

DR enables products served on draught below 8.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) to pay less duty. This relief provides support to pubs and other hospitality venues, as well as helping producers of eligible products.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor made DR more generous by cutting draught rates by 1.7%, taking a penny of duty off a typical strength pint.

SPR replaced and extended the previous Small Brewers Relief. SPR supports SMEs and new entrants by permitting smaller producers who make 4,500 hectolitres or less of alcohol per year to pay reduced duty rates on all products below 8.5 per cent ABV.

HMRC plans to evaluate the new rates and structures three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023.  This will allow time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of pub closures in 2025 so far.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living.

This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating

To support spirits producers, the Government has:

• agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time;

• ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries;

• invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of raising spirits duty on job losses in the hospitality sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living.

This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating

To support spirits producers, the Government has:

• agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time;

• ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries;

• invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of Treasury receipts of spirits duty in the last year.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living.

This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating

To support spirits producers, the Government has:

• agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time;

• ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries;

• invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the level of jobs in the Scotch Whisky industry since the Autumn Budget 2024.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living.

This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating

To support spirits producers, the Government has:

• agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time;

• ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries;

• invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

County Antrim Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

Buying community energy locally

Proposed changes to STV News and STV North News at 6

Mary's Meals

Conduct of Prince Andrew

Digital ID

Proposal for a wealth tax

Emotional support animals

Final delivery plan on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Margaret Birse and Niaroo Maternity Hospital, Malawi

Asylum funding for local authorities

Air Ambulance Week 2025

Retirement of Sir Anton Muscatelli

25th anniversary of ALIenergy

Think Loud 4 Parkinson's fundraising album

Armed Forces Training Contract and Elbit Systems

Conduct of Lord Mandelson (No. 2)

Fee waivers for ILR applications