Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help protect benefit claimants from being charged high fees by private companies for assistance with Personal Independence Payment applications.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are aware that some private companies provide advice on how to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), including some who may charge a fee for their services.

For those claiming PIP, we provide detailed guidance and information. We would also encourage individuals to seek advice from sources such as charities and Citizen’s Advice, which offer reliable and trustworthy guidance without charge.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if his Department will bring forward changes to allow independent celebrants to conduct legally binding weddings.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government recognises the contribution that independent celebrants make to the wedding industry and will be seeking their views amongst a range of others to inform the consultation paper.

In the upcoming consultation, we will invite views on the possible introduction of independent officiants and the potential consequences of this. We will encourage everyone to engage with the consultation when published to help to inform our next steps on weddings reform.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the policy justification is for applying interest to instalment payments of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty; and whether her Department considered alternative models for collecting eVED.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty.

The Government considered a number of options for collecting eVED and intends to make complying with the new requirements as simple as possible for motorists. Consistent with their current VED payment choice, motorists will be able to choose between multiple payment options including online and via telephone; and will be able to either pay upfront or split into smaller payments such as via monthly Direct Debit.

The Government will carefully consider the eVED payment regime in the run-up to implementation to ensure it can function most effectively for motorists, and seeks views on eVED implementation as part of the consultation. The consultation is available at GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-the-introduction-of-electric-vehicle-excise-duty-eved.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the levels of funding provided to Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council for highway surface preventative maintenance and carriageway structural work, including the prevention and fixing of potholes.

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

The Department provides substantial, formula‑based funding to all local highway authorities in England to help them maintain their local road networks.

Highways maintenance funding for Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council is paid to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). GMCA has been allocated a £1.07 billion City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) for the 2022–27 period and will receive a £2.5 billion Transport for City Regions settlement for 2027–32. This funding supports investment in GMCA’s local transport priorities and includes funding for highways maintenance. It is for GMCA to determine how much of this funding is allocated to highways maintenance, but they must ensure that appropriate levels are allocated to its constituent local highway authorities so that they can meet their statutory duty under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980.

These long-term settlements provide longer term funding certainty for local transport improvements and enable authorities to plan ahead and shift away from short-term fixes to proactive and preventative maintenance. In 2026/27, GMCA will also be eligible to receive an additional £15.5 million in highways maintenance incentive funding.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce the number of unoccupied properties in privately owned retirement blocks and (b) to support those facing high fees, including council tax, who have inherited a retirement property.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory requirement for the Animals in Science Regulation Unit to publish an annual report that includes details of incidents of non-compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, or with licence conditions.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Animals in Science Regulation Unit has routinely published its Annual Report since 2011 and will continue to do so.

The Report sets out all confirmed non‑compliance cases with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and any enforcement actions taken.

The Reports are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/animals-in-science-regulation-unit-annual-reports

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's document entitled Pavement parking options for change: government response, updated on 8 January 2026, whether she plans to give local authorities the power to issue fixed penalty notices to vehicles parked on grass verges.

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

On 8 January, I announced in the response to the government consultation on 'Pavement Parking: options for change' that we will enable local transport authorities to prohibit pavement parking in their areas at the next legislative opportunity. This will include verge parking.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to prevent and detect the trafficking of sexual exploitation victims through airports.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of modern slavery and human trafficking are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible for exploiting vulnerable people are brought to justice.

Modern slavery is a top priority for Border Force. All frontline Border Force Officers are trained in how to identify and deal with potential victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as those who seek to exploit them. Border Force also has a network of specially trained Safeguarding and Modern Slavery (SAMS) teams based in all regions. The SAMS officers are operational and ensure children and vulnerable people, including potential victims of modern slavery, are dealt with effectively.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to resolve operational issues at Reddish Post Office, SK5 6AF and reopen the branch.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Post Office is responsible for the day-to-day operation of its network, including decisions related to individual branches. As a result, the Government is unable to provide specific details on the reopening of Reddish post office.

The Post Office has apologised for the inconvenience caused by the closure and will provide updates to customers and stakeholders as soon as further information becomes available. In the meantime, Post Office report that customers can access services at nearby branches, including Broomfield Post Office.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to increase public awareness of the availability of free advice from independent providers on claiming welfare benefits; and if he will make an assessment on the potential merits of a public engagement campaign on this topic.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Free help and support in applying for Universal Credit is available from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland. Free help and support for claiming other DWP benefits is widely available, including on GOV.UK, from the Department itself, and from organisations such as Age UK. There is no need for claimants to pay for advice and support with benefit applications.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will set out a timeline for announcing changes to the BN(O) visa scheme.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

On 9 February, the Home Secretary announced the expansion of eligibility for the BN(O) route. BN(O) status holders’ adult children who were under 18 at the point of Hong Kong’s handover on 1 July 1997 will be able to apply independently of their parents. This expansion will close a gap in eligibility that has led to unfair outcomes within families and ensure we continue to honour our historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong.

We intend to lay the necessary changes to the Immigration Rules in March with the route open to applications from this additional cohort later this Spring.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish a strategy further to the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps, published on 26 February 2025.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.

But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

Through the Fund we will better understand what works and what could be scaled to support more people. We are taking learnings from this Fund and research projects to develop future interventions, including any potential funding after this financial year.

This is just one of our First Steps, and the Government is clear that everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – with more needed to ensure this.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what funding she has allocated to deliver the Digital Inclusion Action Plan through the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund after this financial year.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.

But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

Through the Fund we will better understand what works and what could be scaled to support more people. We are taking learnings from this Fund and research projects to develop future interventions, including any potential funding after this financial year.

This is just one of our First Steps, and the Government is clear that everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – with more needed to ensure this.

Funding for fire and rescue services

Found: Navendu Mishra made representations.

Found: Q113 Navendu Mishra: I have a very quick question as a supplementary to Tessa’s.

Found: Members present Nick Smith, in the Chair Mr Alex Barros-Curtis Bob Blackman Mary Glindon Navendu Mishra