Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether apprenticeships have been created through unspent Growth and Skills Levy funds.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions has responsibility for apprenticeships in England only. The English apprenticeships budget is set by HM Treasury and although closely linked, is distinct from the income collected from the Growth and Skills Levy.

The apprenticeships budget pays for apprenticeship training costs at both levy-paying and non-levy paying employers, as well as the costs of English and maths tuition for apprentices and additional payments to employers, training providers and apprentices.

The funds available to levy-paying employers, through their apprenticeship service accounts, are not the same as the annual apprenticeships budget, and while levy-paying employers can use all their levy funds, the majority do not. This allows the government to fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers from the apprenticeship budget.

As a result, over the last four years, on average, 98% of the English apprenticeships budget has been spent.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether any Ministers or officials in HM Treasury have met with representatives of oil and gas companies to discuss North Sea oil and gas extraction since 1 March 2026.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Treasury Ministers and officials regularly engage with multiple industry stakeholders. The Chancellor met the UK’s oil and gas sector this month following the events in the Middle East. This included discussing how to navigate this uncertain period and the desire to provide certainty to support jobs in the UK, particularly in Scotland.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of differential treatment of electric and internal combustion engine motorcycles under the proposed electric Vehicle Excise Duty framework on drivers; and whether he has considered extending any VED exemptions to all motorcycles on the basis their road surface impact.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

All UK-registered electric and plug-in hybrid cars will pay Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED). Other vehicle types such as vans, buses, coaches, motorcycles and heavy goods vehicles will be out of scope of the tax upon its introduction. This is because the transition to electric for these vehicle types is less advanced than for cars at this stage.

With regards to existing VED, the government has no current plans to exempt motorcycles on the basis of their impact on road surfaces. The taxation of motoring is a critical source of funding for our vital public services and investment in infrastructure, including upkeep of the roads.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether recent developments in Iran will affect the Government’s commitment to meeting its existing climate targets, including the UK’s net zero target and carbon budgets.

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

Making Britain a clean energy superpower is one of this government’s five missions - delivering clean power by 2030 and accelerating progress towards net zero.

The government remains committed to meeting its carbon budgets and net zero by 2050, as required by the Climate Change Act. This is the most effective way to reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets, protect bill payers and strengthen our energy independence.

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 the (a) minutes and (b) summaries of meetings held with representatives of the European Union on oil and gas prices since 1 March 2026.

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

Details of the Secretary of State’s meetings are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his proposed timeline is for the introduction of community benefits applied to energy infrastructure.

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

In the Clean Power Action Plan, we made it clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, they should feel tangible and enduring benefit of doing so.

The Government has already announced bill discounts for communities living nearest to new electricity transmission infrastructure and published guidance on community funds from electricity transmission infrastructure and onshore wind in England.

Last year, the government published a working paper setting out proposals for mandatory community benefits. We will publish a response to the working paper shortly.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to undertake a Special Protection Area review for the Marine Protected Area network for seabirds.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As part of the England Marine Protected Area (MPA) network review we are considering designations and MPA protection for seabirds. The review is mapping hotspots of seabird activity in English seas to understand how these relate to current Special Protection Areas (SPAs). This work will help to inform next steps for our approach to designations for seabirds.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure the UK meets commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by 2030.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to achieving the goals and targets adopted under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Domestically, in England, the Environmental Improvement Plan and delivery of the legally binding targets under the Environment Act form a core pillar of meeting the commitments. Internationally, the UK is increasing investment in biodiversity and works extensively through international partnerships to support global capacity development. A comprehensive assessment of our progress towards delivering the 2030 GBF targets can be found in the UK’s 7th National Report to the CBD, which was published on 27 February 2026.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce seabird mortality from fisheries bycatch in UK waters.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra recognises that accidental bycatch in fisheries is one of the greatest threats faced by sensitive marine species such as seabirds.

To tackle this, Defra funds numerous programmes and projects including: Clean Catch, which is carrying out a seabird bycatch monitoring and mitigation trial in the North Sea whitefish fishery; the Bycatch Monitoring Programme (BMP) which provides essential observer data on incidents of sensitive species bycatch; the ongoing Bycatch Risk Prioritisation Framework to assess species vulnerability to bycatch in all fisheries in the UK; a Seabird Bycatch Action Plan for England.

Defra also plays an international leadership role, for example tabling a recent proposal to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) recommending modifications to fishing gear which have been proven to reduce seabird bycatch in longline fisheries. While not yet adopted, this helps lay the pathway for future work on addressing seabird bycatch in international tuna fisheries.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to improve the condition and management of protected sites for nature in England, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Department is taking action to improve the condition and long-term management of protected nature sites, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). We have set an interim target in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 (EIP25) for 50% of SSSI features to have actions on track to achieve favourable condition by December 2030. The EIP25 also reiterated this Government’s ambition to have 75% of protected sites in favourable condition by 2042. The published delivery plan sets out how we will achieve this and can be found online here: Protected sites Environment Act target delivery plan - GOV.UK

Natural England is improving how SSSIs are monitored and ensuring that action on the ground is focused where it is most needed. This covers practical work such as helping farmers adjust land management, supporting catchment-wide efforts to improve water quality, and using proportionate regulatory action to prevent further harm to sensitive sites.

Protected Site Strategies, which are spatially based restoration plans, will deliver targeted action for priority sites to restore and improve their condition by addressing environmental pressures such as pollution. The Nature Restoration Fund will provide a more strategic, long-term approach to managing impacts of new development on protected sites and species by pooling payments from multiple developers in order to deliver conservation measures at scale and maximise environmental outcomes.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with European Union officials about the UK joining the EU's Internal Electricity Market since the exploratory discussions for the UK's possible participation.

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

Since the exploratory discussions concluded, the Secretary of State has continued constructive engagement with European Union counterparts on regional energy cooperation, including on the United Kingdom’s possible future participation in the Internal Electricity Market. These engagements have underlined shared ambitions to accelerate the development of clean, secure, and lower cost energy sources in the North Seas, which will enable us to reduce our reliance on expensive and volatile fossil fuel imports.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that home-visit requirements under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill are applied proportionately, particularly in cases where families have no prior history of safeguarding concerns.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The power for local authorities to request to visit a child in their home is intended to help the authority decide whether education is suitable for the child or, in the case of children subject to child protection processes, that it is in the best interests of the child to receive their education in or outside of school. The findings of a home visit, or the refusal to allow one, must be considered in deciding whether to commence the school attendance order process, but will not be the only factor determining that decision.

The requirement in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill for local authorities to consider a child’s home and other learning environments, and the power to request a home visit, addresses recommendations in the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the death of Sara Sharif.

Local authorities must always act reasonably when carrying out their duties. We will consult on statutory guidance, which helps local authorities conduct visits sensitively, and will develop training to help local authorities implement their new duties. A full new burdens assessment will be undertaken to determine the costs and resources required for local authorities to undertake these new duties, and additional funding will be provided.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what additional funding, guidance, and training her Department plans to provide to local authorities to support the consistent and fair implementation of home-visit duties from the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The power for local authorities to request to visit a child in their home is intended to help the authority decide whether education is suitable for the child or, in the case of children subject to child protection processes, that it is in the best interests of the child to receive their education in or outside of school. The findings of a home visit, or the refusal to allow one, must be considered in deciding whether to commence the school attendance order process, but will not be the only factor determining that decision.

The requirement in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill for local authorities to consider a child’s home and other learning environments, and the power to request a home visit, addresses recommendations in the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the death of Sara Sharif.

Local authorities must always act reasonably when carrying out their duties. We will consult on statutory guidance, which helps local authorities conduct visits sensitively, and will develop training to help local authorities implement their new duties. A full new burdens assessment will be undertaken to determine the costs and resources required for local authorities to undertake these new duties, and additional funding will be provided.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what evidence base underpins the proposal that a family's refusal of a home visit may lead a local authority to consider issuing a School Attendance Order under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The power for local authorities to request to visit a child in their home is intended to help the authority decide whether education is suitable for the child or, in the case of children subject to child protection processes, that it is in the best interests of the child to receive their education in or outside of school. The findings of a home visit, or the refusal to allow one, must be considered in deciding whether to commence the school attendance order process, but will not be the only factor determining that decision.

The requirement in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill for local authorities to consider a child’s home and other learning environments, and the power to request a home visit, addresses recommendations in the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the death of Sara Sharif.

Local authorities must always act reasonably when carrying out their duties. We will consult on statutory guidance, which helps local authorities conduct visits sensitively, and will develop training to help local authorities implement their new duties. A full new burdens assessment will be undertaken to determine the costs and resources required for local authorities to undertake these new duties, and additional funding will be provided.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what (a) safeguards and (b) limitations will apply to home visits conducted by local authorities under the proposed registration provisions in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The power for local authorities to request to visit a child in their home is intended to help the authority decide whether education is suitable for the child or, in the case of children subject to child protection processes, that it is in the best interests of the child to receive their education in or outside of school. The findings of a home visit, or the refusal to allow one, must be considered in deciding whether to commence the school attendance order process, but will not be the only factor determining that decision.

The requirement in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill for local authorities to consider a child’s home and other learning environments, and the power to request a home visit, addresses recommendations in the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the death of Sara Sharif.

Local authorities must always act reasonably when carrying out their duties. We will consult on statutory guidance, which helps local authorities conduct visits sensitively, and will develop training to help local authorities implement their new duties. A full new burdens assessment will be undertaken to determine the costs and resources required for local authorities to undertake these new duties, and additional funding will be provided.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when Section 16 of the NHS Staff Terms and Conditions (Agenda for Change) handbook was last reviewed in relation to the partial retirement scheme introduced in October 2023; and whether his Department has any plans to update this section to ensure fairness for staff who took partial retirement.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Section 16 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service handbook, also referred to as Agenda for Change, sets out the contractual redundancy provisions for staff covered by these terms and conditions. These contractual redundancy provisions for staff in England were agreed and ratified in partnership by the NHS Staff Council, the collective bargaining structure made up of trade union and employer representatives. Section 16 was last reviewed by the NHS Staff Council in 2015. No changes to the contractual redundancy provisions in England have been made since.

Any future changes to the handbook, including changes to this section, would require the Department to issue a mandate to allow negotiations to be undertaken by the NHS Staff Council.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with his counterparts in the Department for Work and Pension and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government about data sharing to offer targeted support for vulnerable households with heating oil.

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

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a number of issues.

DESNZ officials worked closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and His Majesty’s Treasury ahead of the recent announcement of £50m for low-income families, who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices. This funding will be available to the Northern Ireland Executive, Wales, and Scotland.

In England, funding will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which comes into effect from 1 April.

In addition, DESNZ is working closely with other Government Departments on the National Data Library (NDL) energy bill support ‘kickstarter’ project to test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to government programmes.

The Kickstarter project will pave the way for better targeted help, ensuring those who are struggling to pay their bills get the support they need

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of Environmental Land Management schemes in supporting nature-friendly farming and species recovery.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Environmental Land Management schemes have seen high levels of uptake by the farming sector with 50,000 farm businesses and over half of all agricultural land involved in schemes. Detailed uptake of each action in schemes is published here Agri-environment scheme uptake data - GOV.UK.

We have a large-scale monitoring programme that is assessing the impact of schemes on a range of indicators and environmental outcomes at the appropriate timescales for these types of biological responses. This report summarises some of the latest monitoring and evaluation of government agri-environment schemes: Agri-Environment Evidence Annual Report 2024-2025: A summary of recently published project reports - NERR165.

Online abuse and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication shortages

Water sector reform

St Neots Walk and Talk 4 Men 5th anniversary

NHS funding for mental health services

Sign Language Week

Coniston Hydro

LGBTQ+ veterans

Conflict in Lebanon

Student finance system reform

Funding for rural Britain

Windermere

UNESCO World Heritage Status and the River Marden

State visits to the US

Outdoor learning

Royal Mail delivery standards

NHS access to medical cannabis for children with drug-resistant epilepsy

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026

Durham District Prostate Cancer Group

Found: (Labour, South East Cornwall) (added 28 Oct 2024; removed 17 Nov 2025) 24 of 42 (57.1%) Pippa Heylings