Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the hen harrier taskforce on trends in the level of crimes against hen harriers on grouse moors.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra is a principal funder of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) and is providing £530,000 for the Unit this year. In 2024, the NWCU launched the Hen Harrier Task Force (HTF) – a partnership designed to help tackle the illegal persecution of hen harriers. Through the HTF, more efficient working between partners expedites the coordination of effective enforcement response. The HTF represents a pivotal shift in combating wildlife crime, using innovative technology such as tracking drones and detection dogs to overcome logistical challenges and enhance evidence collection in remote areas.
There is an ongoing review of the HTF which is expected to report to Defra later this year. It will include an overview of confirmed crimes and their locations as well as successes and recommendations for the future.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2026 to Question 121856 on VAT Fraud, what steps she is taking to monitor the effectiveness of the (a) additional controls to strengthen systems and (b) the work of the Fraud Prevention Centre to tackle levels of cases of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using customers' registration details and fraudulently claiming VAT refunds.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
Work to tackle fraud in claiming VAT refunds is carried out by a range of compliance, counter fraud and operational teams across HMRC. Controls introduced to tackle fraudulent VAT refunds include new reporting routes for customers, strengthened incident management processes, and the deployment of technical enhancements. The improvements in identification and response to VAT repayment fraud are monitored through the reduction in attempts to fraudulently access customer accounts (based on specific criminal methods) and submit fraudulent repayment requests.
The developing Fraud Prevention Centre works collaboratively with specialist teams across the department, including the Risk & Intelligence Service, which leads on detection of VAT repayment fraud, and the Fraud Investigation Service, which leads on criminal and civil investigations. Together this supports HMRC in assessing criminal success rates are reducing, whether VAT fraud controls remain effective, and informs the continued development of the Centre’s capability, tooling and specialist fraud expertise during 2026/27.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve skills and training for key professions within the vehicle repair sector, as stated in the Motor Insurance Taskforce Final Report (10.12.25).
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Several apprenticeships, including Level 2 Autocare Technician, Level 3 Accident Repair technician and Level 4 Vehicle Damage Assessor, are available to support employers and learners in the vehicle repair sector to develop the skills they need.
For non-levy paying employers, we are fully funding apprenticeship training for eligible people aged 16 to 24 and introducing a new incentive of up to £2,000 for taking on 16 to 24-year-old apprentices as new employees.
The engineering skills package will provide £182 million over three years to support engineering skills in England, working with Skills England to determine how this can increase the pipeline of skills. This includes launching Technical Excellence Colleges to address engineering skills shortages.
Skills England supports multiple occupational standards in vehicle maintenance and repair, covering HGV and other heavy vehicle maintenance, light goods vehicle maintenance, servicing and accident repair. It is currently working with employers to revise and update a number of these standards, including incorporating skills relating to electric vehicle maintenance and repair.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of reinstating a direct railway service between Nottingham, Leicester and Coventry for (a) Leicestershire, (b) Warwickshire and (c) regional connectivity.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My Department is in regular contact with county councils, Midlands Connect and regional mayors on a range of rail issues, including regional connectivity. The Department will consider the case for specific schemes in future funding rounds, subject to value for money, affordability and alignment with strategic objectives.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) county councils, (b) Midlands Connect and (c) regional mayors about reinstating a direct railway service between Nottingham, Leicester and Coventry.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My Department is in regular contact with county councils, Midlands Connect and regional mayors on a range of rail issues, including regional connectivity. The Department will consider the case for specific schemes in future funding rounds, subject to value for money, affordability and alignment with strategic objectives.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for the consultation on the introduction of new battery health measures for electric vehicles.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
On 13 April 2026, the Department launched a public consultation on updating the minimum emission standards for new road vehicles to Euro 7. As part of these proposals, manufacturers would be required to fit electric vehicles with accurate, accessible and comparable battery health monitors. The consultation will remain open until 25 May 2026.
The Government is seeking views on these proposals through that consultation. No final decisions have been taken, and the timetable for introducing any new battery health measures will be determined following careful consideration of the responses received.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Urgent Works and Repair Notice process to ensure that the structures of Grade II listed rural public houses are maintained to a robust standard.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
No such assessment has been made.
Local planning authorities have powers to take action where a designated heritage asset has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk. It is for Local Planning Authorities to determine use of their urgent works powers where appropriate. Historic England provides guidance and expert advice to local authorities to support them in using these statutory tools effectively to protect heritage assets at risk.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with local councils and building owners on steps to maintain Grade II listed to a robust standard.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The primary responsibility for the upkeep of a listed building rests with its owner. Where an owner fails to maintain a heritage asset, Local Planning Authorities have robust statutory powers to intervene.
Our arms length body and statutory advisor for heritage, Historic England, has been in discussion with the Local Government Association regarding undertaking research that looks at both the barriers and opportunities surrounding the use of local authority powers to take action to secure the repair of Listed Buildings when they are being allowed to deteriorate. They also provide advice and guidance to help local authorities and owners with the care of listed buildings.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with stakeholders on the effect of grouse shooting on (a) environmental land management and (b) the rural community.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
There have been no recent discussions with stakeholders on this issue.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support information sharing on supply chain issues and concerns within the vehicle repair sector, as stated in the Motor Insurance Taskforce Final Report (10.12.25).
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Business and Trade worked with other government departments, regulators and industry to support information sharing on supply chain issues affecting the vehicle repair sector, as set out in the Report. This included engagement through the Motor Insurance Taskforce and associated cross‑government and industry forums with insurance and motor trade bodies, including the Association of British Insurers and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. These forums will continue to provide a mechanism for sharing information on supply chain‑related issues, including those affecting vehicle repairs, and for informing wider government consideration of automotive supply chain resilience.