Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing mandatory zero-rating on data usage for essential government and NHS websites for families with disabled or seriously ill children.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the importance of helping families with disabled or seriously ill children access essential NHS and government services. We have not made a formal assessment of mandatory zero-rating, since many providers already offer this for key public sector services, including NHS content.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential economic and environmental merits of applying zero-rating for VAT to repair and maintenance work on upland paths.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services, this includes most repair and maintenance works.
Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. The Chancellor announces decisions on tax policy at fiscal events.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of Potential Driving Instructors (1) passed, (2) failed and (3) did not sit the ADI part 3 test within the 6 month licence period in the most recent year for which data is available.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It is not possible to determine the proportion of applicants who applied for, and were granted, specifically a second licence period. While the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) records the number of trainee licences issued, this data does not distinguish if these are second trainee licences.
Applications for further trainee licences are considered individually in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements.
Holding a trainee licence is not a requirement for taking the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 3 test, and DVSA's systems do not link Part 3 test outcomes to an individual's six-month trainee licence period.
DVSA publishes overall statistics on ADI Part 3 tests, including pass rates. This data is available on GOV.uk - Approved driving instructor (ADI) qualifying test data - GOV.UK
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of Potential Driving Instructors (a) applied for a second licence period and (b) had their application granted in the most recent year for which data is available.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It is not possible to determine the proportion of applicants who applied for, and were granted, specifically a second licence period. While the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) records the number of trainee licences issued, this data does not distinguish if these are second trainee licences.
Applications for further trainee licences are considered individually in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements.
Holding a trainee licence is not a requirement for taking the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 3 test, and DVSA's systems do not link Part 3 test outcomes to an individual's six-month trainee licence period.
DVSA publishes overall statistics on ADI Part 3 tests, including pass rates. This data is available on GOV.uk - Approved driving instructor (ADI) qualifying test data - GOV.UK
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of withdrawing UK Research and Innovation operational funding for international research facilities on UK operational standing within those international science infrastructure projects and the retention of UK-based scientific talent in frontier physical sciences.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
UK Research and Innovation and the Science and Technology Facilities Council undertook a structured assessment of the impacts of different funding options across STFC's portfolio. This considered factors including scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of capabilities that would be difficult or impossible to recreate if lost. Major international subscriptions are being fully protected, helping to maintain UK participation in world-leading facilities and collaborations. As part of the prioritisation process, STFC grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers was maintained at 2025/26 levels, protect funding for grant funded postdoc researchers at 25/26 levels, while PhD studentships and fellowships were also protected.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the communication of the current national terrorism threat level of Severe to communities considered to be at heightened risk of terrorist attack; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure those communities receive timely and appropriate security information.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)
The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre independently sets the UK National Threat Level, which is currently SEVERE, meaning that a terrorist attack is highly likely. The threat level provides transparency about the threat the UK faces and supports a shared understanding across the partners delivering the counter-terrorism strategy. As the Security Minister has previously announced, he has initiated a review of the national threat level system, which currently captures only the threat from terrorism, to ensure that it remains fully relevant, and that we are communicating as clearly as possible with the public about the national security threats that we face today.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that communities at heightened risk receive clear and timely information about the terrorist threat. The Home Office works closely with the police and other partners to monitor threats and ensure that effective and proportionate protections are in place. Free guidance, advice and training are available through ProtectUK, including Action Counters Terrorism and See, Check and Notify resources. Faith Security Training also provides practical support to help faith communities strengthen their security awareness and preparedness.
We do not comment on detailed protective security arrangements for particular communities or locations, as doing so could compromise their effectiveness.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department took to ensure that recent UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) operational funding decisions for key facilities aligned with the UK's broader strategic investments in frontier physical sciences prior to those decisions being finalised; and what formal impact assessments were conducted regarding the continuity of UK capital investment in those same facilities.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
UKRI, through STFC, has undertaken a prioritisation process to ensure its overall financial stability and the ongoing affordability of its National Laboratories, large scale, multi-disciplinary facilities, and the PPAN portfolio. The cross-UKRI Facilities Strategic Advisory Group, which included representation for the physical sciences, were consulted on the range of options under consideration. These are considered, strategic choices to focus resources where they deliver long-term capability and value. The aim is a stronger, more focused, and more sustainable STFC delivering impact for the UK. The outcomes seek to protect key strategic priorities and capabilities including the operation of STFC’s National Laboratories and facilities.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department with telecommunications providers to ensure social tariffs for broadband and mobile data are routinely offered at sign-up to low-income households with disabled children.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Department works with Ofcom and providers to improve social tariff awareness. Telecoms providers signed the Telecoms Consumer Charter, committing them to make social tariffs for those on means-tested benefits easy to find and signposted. Government also encourages more providers to offer low-cost broadband and mobile deals to eligible low-income households, with clear, fair information at sign-up. There are around 30 superfast broadband social tariffs available, with at least one available across 99% of the UK.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what changes will be made to the UK Space Agency's funding and remit following the transition to the Department of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Following the Government's review of arms-length bodies, the UK Space Agency (UKSA) is now an integral part of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and its staff are departmental officials. This transition does not alter UKSA’s funding or remit.
UKSA expertise continues to drive implementation of policy, funding programmes, sector support and promotion of the UK’s civil space capabilities. The Government is providing £7.8 billion over this spending review period until 2029/30, of which £3.3 billion is allocated to UKSA. This is the highest level of investment in space ever made by the UK.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to promote the UK space sector; and what role UK Space Agency communications will play.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Support from the Department and UK Space Agency (UKSA) includes funded delivery plans, targeted funding through grants, procurement, regulatory reform, support for local clusters and international partnerships. UKSA communications explain how space delivers the Government’s priorities of economic growth and national security and defence, promote funding opportunities to industry and academia and help commercialise the most promising areas of our space economy.
The Government is providing ÂŁ7.8 billion over this spending review period until 2029/30, of which ÂŁ3.3 billion is allocated to UKSA. This is the highest level of investment in space ever made by the UK. We will shortly publish more detail in our space strategy.