Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will publish a timeline for introducing trans-inclusive legislation banning conversion practices.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

This Government’s position is that conversion practices are abuse. Such practices have no place in society and must be stopped.

This is a complex issue, and it is imperative that we get this right.That is why, in collaboration with Ministerial colleagues, my officials and I are working hard to draft legislation that protects LGBT+ individuals from these abusive practices.

We remain committed to bringing forward a full trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices, starting with publishing our draft Bill later this session for pre-legislative scrutiny.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has considered introducing a national requirement for the PAS1899 accessibility standard for EV charging stations.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Earlier this year, the Government and Motability Foundation co-sponsored a review of the PAS 1899:2022 standards, and are looking to address challenges identified. The Government will continue to monitor the adoption of the standards and their impact on accessibility to assess the need for further measures.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable access to public electric vehicle charging infrastructure in (a) rural and (b) low-income urban areas.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Transport, including the rollout of public EV chargepoints, is largely devolved to the Scottish Government. However, my officials regularly engage with Transport Scotland on zero emission vehicle initiatives, including charging infrastructure development.

In England, the allocation of the Local EV Infrastructure Fund took account of both levels of rurality and the index of multiple deprivation when calculating funding amounts.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions she has had with motorway service station operators on the rollout of rapid electric vehicle charging stations across the strategic road network in England.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

A reliable, accessible public charging network to support EV drivers on long journeys is essential to support the EV transition.

The market has changed significantly since the Rapid Charging Fund was announced, with now over 6,000 open-access, rapid and ultra-rapid chargepoints within one mile of the Strategic Road Network – more than quadrupling in the last three years (July 2022 – July 2025, Zapmap).

We are adapting our approach to meet the needs of industry today. The recent Spending Review announced £400m for charging infrastructure, including to support charging on the Strategic Road Network. We will use lessons from the Rapid Charging Fund pilot and continue working with industry to target financial support where it is needed most.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to link alcohol duty increases to inflation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The baseline assumption, shared by the Government and the Office for Budget Responsibility, is that alcohol duty will be increased annually in line with the Retail Price Index, so that it does not fall in real terms.

As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations from stakeholders to inform policy development.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and her fiscal rules require day-to-day spending to be fully paid for through tax receipts.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) the public and (b) Parliament can scrutinise the EHRC's updated code of practice for services, public functions and associations before any decision is made about its implementation.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the six week consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities.

The Parliamentary process for laying the Code in Parliament is set out in the Equality Act 2006. The Government will consider the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the minister will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have 40 sitting days to consider the Code, at which point it will be published.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, on incentivising the Motability scheme to buy British manufactured cars.

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

Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is independent of government. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. The Motability Foundation is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme.

The department does however work closely with Motability and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to incentivise the Motability scheme to source British manufactured cars.

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

Motability Foundation is a registered charity regulated by the Charity Commission so is independent of government. The Scheme is delivered by Motability Operations which is an independent commercial company under contract to the charity. The Motability Foundation is wholly responsible for the terms and the administration of the Motability Scheme.

The department does however work closely with Motability and is responsible for the disability benefits that provide a passport to the Motability Scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on integrating electric vehicle charging infrastructure in (a) new housing developments and (b) public spaces.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

In April 2023, the Department for Transport published guidance to support the installation of chargepoints in new housing developments, which includes answers to frequently asked questions. The Department also worked with the Institution for Engineering and Technology to publish a Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure for Local Authorities in December 2024, which covers key aspects of EV charging infrastructure installation, including process maps, site selection, installation, procurement, and operational management.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing targeted fiscal incentives to support (a) small businesses and (b) community organisations in installing electric vehicle charging points.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government already offers targeted grant funding for local authorities, workplaces, small businesses, charities and public bodies. Grant funding can be used towards the purchase and installation of chargepoint infrastructure. The funding is available throughout the UK.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether she plans to publish the Code of Practice on services, public functions, and associations before it is laid before Parliament.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the six week consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities.

The Parliamentary process for laying the Code in Parliament is set out in the Equality Act 2006. The Government will consider the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the minister will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the Code, at which point it will be published.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered increasing alcohol duty; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on (a) the hospitality sector and (b) levels of excessive drinking.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

On the Government’s consideration of alcohol duty rates, I refer the hon member to the answer that I gave to PQ UIN 78321.

Following the Budget decision, the Government will publish a tax information and impact note (TIIN) to give account of the policy’s impacts.

25th anniversary of David Irving v Penguin Books and Professor Deborah Lipstadt judgment

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