Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what comparative assessment her Department has made of (a) loot boxes in video games and (b) gambling products; and what steps she is taking to mitigate potential harms associated with loot box mechanics, particularly for children and young people.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government is committed to ensuring games are enjoyed safely and responsibly by everyone and that, where they contain loot boxes, there are appropriate protections in place.
Prizes that can be won via loot boxes do not have a monetary value, cannot be cashed-out, and are of value only within the context of the game. They are therefore not legally classified as gambling. However, evidence has shown an association between loot boxes and gambling-related harm.
To improve protections in games containing loot boxes, industry-led guidance was published in 2023 with a 12-month implementation period, after which DCMS commissioned independent academic research into its effectiveness. We will publish the research shortly, alongside our next steps.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
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 potential impact of unmanaged vegetation fuel loads on upland peatland and the severity of wildfires.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Healthy peatlands do not require active vegetation management such as burning or cutting. There is clear scientific evidence that burning is particularly damaging, as it degrades peatland conditions, undermines restoration and increases long-term vulnerability to wildfires. In response, the Government amended the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 in September last year to extend protections to more peatlands. Alongside these changes the Heather and Grass Management Code 2025 was published to support land managers selecting appropriate management approaches that reduce peatland damage, support restoration and enhance natural resilience to hazards such as wildfire.
In addition, a two-year research project, Wildfire and Peatland: Studies to Support Delivery of the Third National Adaptation Programme, has been commissioned. This work will inform delivery of the Government’s risk‑reduction objectives by identifying effective approaches for maintaining healthy, functioning peatlands and improving the resilience of these important carbon stores under future climate conditions.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what comparative assessment she has made of wildfire risks under (a) prescribed burning, (b) mechanical cutting and (c) no active vegetation management.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Healthy peatlands do not require active vegetation management such as burning or cutting. There is clear scientific evidence that burning is particularly damaging, as it degrades peatland conditions, undermines restoration and increases long-term vulnerability to wildfires. In response, the Government amended the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021 in September last year to extend protections to more peatlands. Alongside these changes the Heather and Grass Management Code 2025 was published to support land managers selecting appropriate management approaches that reduce peatland damage, support restoration and enhance natural resilience to hazards such as wildfire.
In addition, a two-year research project, Wildfire and Peatland: Studies to Support Delivery of the Third National Adaptation Programme, has been commissioned. This work will inform delivery of the Government’s risk‑reduction objectives by identifying effective approaches for maintaining healthy, functioning peatlands and improving the resilience of these important carbon stores under future climate conditions.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with her Indian counterpart on the protection of civilians, including members of the Muslim community.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 25 November 2025 in response to Question 90911.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans he has to restrict the export of scrap aluminium from the UK to address the challenge of scarce critical minerals identified in the Critical Mineral Strategy, published on the 22nd of November.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the importance of a domestic circular economy and the need for domestic supply of aluminium scrap to meet demand, whilst also ensuring the market remains fair and beneficial for all stakeholders. Government is aware of the various recommendations made by industry, including export controls, and we plan to listen to the perspective of all involved parties and to explore options to encourage growth.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of current regulatory protections, such as age verification and advertising restrictions, in preventing gambling among young people.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
All gambling operators in the UK must comply with robust advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) independently of Government. These codes apply across all advertising platforms, including broadcast, online and social media. The codes are regularly reviewed and updated and include a wide range of provisions designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. DCMS regularly engages with the ASA to discuss these changes and the impact of the regulations.
In addition, all operators in the UK are required to comply with the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, which includes new provisions relating to direct marketing and socially responsible promotions and bonuses. The impact of these measures will be assessed in due course.
We are also working with colleagues across Government and other regulators to assess the effectiveness of age assurance tools on online platforms. We are considering a wide range of evidence to ensure children are best protected from gambling related harm.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
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 current regulatory frameworks governing gambling advertising across broadcast, online, and social media platforms.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
All gambling operators in the UK must comply with robust advertising codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) independently of Government. These codes apply across all advertising platforms, including broadcast, online and social media. The codes are regularly reviewed and updated and include a wide range of provisions designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. DCMS regularly engages with the ASA to discuss these changes and the impact of the regulations.
In addition, all operators in the UK are required to comply with the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice, which includes new provisions relating to direct marketing and socially responsible promotions and bonuses. The impact of these measures will be assessed in due course.
We are also working with colleagues across Government and other regulators to assess the effectiveness of age assurance tools on online platforms. We are considering a wide range of evidence to ensure children are best protected from gambling related harm.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to require gambling operators and online platforms to provide greater transparency regarding how gambling advertisements are targeted and delivered to users.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The advertising codes that apply to all licensed gambling operators state that advertising must not be targeted at children or vulnerable people. The Government welcomes measures implemented by the Gambling Commission which have given customers greater control over the direct marketing they receive, and include further restrictions to make sure bonuses are constructed in a responsible way which does not encourage excessive or harmful gambling.
We will continue to explore whether more can be done to further raise standards in this area, particularly on online platforms.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support the provision of onshore power supply for ports across the UK, including in Northern Ireland, in relation to onshore power supply for ferries and cruise ships.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Responsibility for electricity policy is transferred to the Northern Ireland Assembly under the provisions of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. However, on 25 March, Government published the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy and launched a call for evidence on Net Zero Ports, focusing on future energy demand and shore power. We are considering responses to the call for evidence.
In Great Britain, Government is working with Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator on reforms to accelerate grid connections, alongside using new powers in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to accelerate strategic demand projects. These steps should support power deployment for ports.
Asked by: Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party - East Antrim)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the impact of current fuel duty rates on the road freight and logistics sector; and whether her Department plans to bring forward measures to reduce transport costs.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to previous levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government increasing fuel duty rates in line with RPI from April 2027. This will save the average van driver £100 next year compared to previous plans, and the average HGV driver more than £800.
The Government considers the impact of fuel duty on the economy, including households and businesses, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.