Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential contribution of higher education institutions to reducing (a) national and (b) regional skills shortages.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Skills England analysis estimates that two thirds (66%) of the projected additional employment demand in priority occupations to 2030 will require workers with a qualification at level 4 or above. In higher education (HE), half (53%) of employed recent education leavers are working in priority occupations. Overall, HE accounts for over half (51%) of all recent education leavers entering priority occupations from the skills system in England.
The government published plans for HE reform as part of the post 16 education and skills white paper on 20 October 2025. This set out a target of two-thirds of young people participating in higher level learning academic, technical or apprenticeships by age 25, and a sub target of at least 10% of young people participating higher technical education or apprenticeships by age 25 by 2040.
The white paper sets out a number of policies to deliver this target, including reforming the strategic priorities grant to align with priority sectors and strengthened guidance on HE providers engaging with Local Skills and Improvement Partnerships.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to provide funding for charities supporting young people that do not meet the eligibility criteria for the (a) Youth Investment Fund and (b) Better Youth Spaces Fund.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government will publish the National Youth Strategy in the autumn, which will outline future priorities and funding opportunities for the youth sector.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her business rates policies on small hospitality businesses.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.
As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27.
The final design, including the rates, of the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.
Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and froze the small business multiplier.
Over a third of properties (more than 700,000) already pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief, with an additional c.60,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 help support small and medium-sized businesses in the hospitality sector.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the vital role hospitality businesses in our communities and economy, including those in South Basildon and East Thurrock and that’s why we’re taking targeted action to support them with the pressures they face. That is why we are offering targeted support for the sector, like the Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects such as Pub is The Hub to encourage local investment.
In April, we launched a Taskforce to consider ways to create a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025). These reforms are part of the Small Business Strategy, which also tackles late payments, improves access to finance, and cuts red tape. We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents.
Additionally, we’re creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council to address the challenges facing businesses.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of energy costs on the number of hospitality business closures in each year since 2021.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Whilst no specific assessment has been made on these trends, as Government we understand the importance to businesses of reducing their energy bills and reaching net zero and recognise the increased burdens and barriers businesses, particularly SMEs, face when trying to overcome these challenges.
The Government has announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality Trial, which aims to provides pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels with free energy and carbon-cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. This initiative is designed to help businesses reduce costs and support the transition to net zero.
The Government continues to work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council, which brings together industry leaders to address strategic challenges and co-create solutions.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 81178, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of volumetric concrete mixers which operate over the incoming 32 tonne limit.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department does not hold specific data on the proportion of volumetric concrete mixers that operate above the forthcoming 32-tonne weight limit.
In the concrete delivery sector, the Department estimates there are in the region of 1,000 VCMs in operation. Existing vehicles can continue to operate beyond the end of the temporary arrangement provided they are loaded to the lower weight limits (for example, up to 32 tonnes for 4 or more axle rigid vehicles).
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions in numbers of pubs on the vitality of high streets.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We recognise the value of Pubs in all communities across in the UK. They’re social anchors that support local economies and footfall and are a key part in a high street’s vitality. We’re also aware of the pressures that they face.
We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents and so we are creating a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025).
Additionally, we have cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products, covering about 60% of pub sales saving pubs over £85m annually. We are also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and through the English Devolution Bill, we have introduced a strong new ‘right to buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets, empowering local communities to reclaim and revitalise empty shops, pubs, and community spaces, helping to revamp our high streets and eliminate the blight of vacant premises. We continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council, working together to address the challenges facing all hospitality businesses.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of availability of accessible housing on the ability of older people to move out of larger family homes.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of suitability of housing for older people on levels of hospital admissions among those people.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report, published in November 2024.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.