Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the eligibility of households that rely on heating oil as their primary source of home heating for support through the Winter Fuel Payment.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Winter Fuel Payments are paid to all pensioners in England and Wales. They provide a lump sum payment to the majority of pensioners quickly and automatically, without the need for a claim and irrespective of the source of home heating.

Other support is available through Cold Weather Payments which are targeted at those who are more vulnerable to severe weather such as older people, disabled people, and children under five who receive qualifying income-related benefits. Payments are made from 1 November to 31 March when the average temperature in the eligible recipient’s postcode area is recorded as (or forecast to be) 0°C or below over seven consecutive days.

The Warm Home Discount is also available to eligible low-income households, who pay their electricity bill directly to a participating domestic supplier, including those off the gas grid.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has had recent discussions with his Irish counterpart on introduction of a 9% VAT rate on the tourism and hospitality sectors in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will ask his Irish counterpart to publish their analysis of the impact of that reduction on the Irish economy.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Chancellor maintains regular engagement with his Irish counterpart through routine bilateral discussions.

Decisions on the publication of analysis relating to Irish tax policy are a matter for the Irish Government.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding with the Irish government to remove taxation on air travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will take steps to ensure that the taxation of air travel between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is included on agenda of the next meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

The Government recognises the importance of connectivity between Northern Ireland and Ireland - particularly for the North West region - in supporting local trade, tourism, and cross-border community links.

We continue to work with regional partners to safeguard Northern Ireland’s transport resilience and ensure local airports remain viable drivers of regional growth.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland holds regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues, including what may be included on agendas of any bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach, and will always ensure Northern Ireland's interests are represented in those discussions.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to protect rural households that rely on heating oil to heat their homes from supply disruptions and price volatility.

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

This government is determined to ensure consumers reliant on heating oil are treated fairly and better protected, including during times of international volatility.

The government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, confirming it will take forward proposals to introduce stronger regulations for the first time, and agreeing with the CMA that we will not be replicating the gas and electricity price cap. Instead, we will focus on a programme of reform to strengthening consumer protections.

However, this Government does recognise the impact that heating oil price increases has had on households. In March 2026, the Government announced £53 million of targeted support for low-income households who heat their homes with oil. Wales was allocated £3.8 million, reflecting the number of Welsh households that rely on heating oil. Using this funding, the Welsh Government is providing a one-off £200 payment to low-income households that use heating oil or LPG and receive support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.

Post-16 education

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Tonia Antoniazzi (Chair); Simon Hoare; Adam Jogee; Mike Kane; Mr

Found: Waterlooville PO7 5RU Voluntary, charity and social enterprise Committed South West England Tonia Antoniazzi