Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps she has taken on the closure and restructuring of NHS England with regard to redundancies of staff.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the impact assessment that has been laid before Parliament, which is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-bill-abolishing-nhs-england-impact-assessment
The latest information on NHS England's workforce, including information on redundancy, was published in NHS England's most recent Annual Report and Accounts. This is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-england-annual-report-and-accounts-2025-to-2026
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has considered reallocating policy costs and levies on non-domestic electricity bills for energy-intensive businesses, particularly those operating in sectors such as defence and advanced manufacturing.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the pressure high electricity costs place on businesses. Eligible energy-intensive businesses in Scotland can benefit from the British Industry Supercharger, which provides relief from certain electricity policy costs and network charges. The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will also support over 10,000 businesses across Great Britain, reducing electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour—an average discount of around 25%. We are working closely with the Department for Business, Industry, Science and Trade to explore further options to reduce non-domestic electricity costs. In the longer term, delivering clean power will strengthen energy security and reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
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 limit the impact of non-commodity costs on non-domestic energy bills.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the pressure high electricity costs place on businesses. Eligible energy-intensive businesses in Scotland can benefit from the British Industry Supercharger, which provides relief from certain electricity policy costs and network charges. The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will also support over 10,000 businesses across Great Britain, reducing electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour—an average discount of around 25%. We are working closely with the Department for Business, Industry, Science and Trade to explore further options to reduce non-domestic electricity costs. In the longer term, delivering clean power will strengthen energy security and reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to provide advice to local authorities on local event management.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Local authorities are best placed to determine arrangements for local events, taking account of the needs of the community.
Local Resilience Forums do not usually play a role in supporting local events unless the scale warrants the Local Resilience Forum leading on planning (e.g. Royal International Air Tattoo; Glastonbury, Commonwealth Games).
I also refer the hon. Member to the following gov.uk guidance here.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will require local authorities processing Section 3F from the Town and Country Planning Act to inform the police in time to avoid local advertising being prosecuted by enforcement officers.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The rules governing the display of advertisements are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007. Responsibility for application of the Regulations, including the enforcement of any breaches of control, rests with local planning authorities.
Further information on the advertisement consent regime can be found on gov.uk here.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of applying the summer savings scheme to the Christmas holidays.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
From 25 June to 1 September the Government is introducing a temporary reduced rate of VAT on children's menu meals and eligible family attractions.
This is a targeted and temporary scheme to reduce the costs of children’s meals in restaurants, children’s tickets for theatres and cinemas and tickets for everyone for attractions like soft play, adventure centres, and theme parks, helping families enjoy a day out for less. Individual businesses should consult HMRC’s guidance to determine how the rules apply in their circumstances.
VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
On the question of a further Christmas relief, the Government keeps all taxes and reliefs under review.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether an ETA is required to go on holiday whilst on a 90 day work visa.
Answered by Mike Tapp
The ETA Scheme applies to those passengers visiting the UK (or transiting landside, passing through Immigration Control) who do not currently need a visa for short stays or do not have an immigration status prior to travelling.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to assess whether gambling companies are able to advertisements on streaming platforms during the day.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is aware of the increased prevalence of gambling advertising, including advertising of illegal gambling, on streaming platforms. We are committed to tackling the issue of illegal gambling advertising. This is one of the main focuses of the Illegal Gambling Taskforce which was launched in January.
Online advertisements, including those on video on demand or music streaming services, must comply with the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing (CAP Code). The CAP Code includes rules on content and targeting of adverts.
We will work with the Gambling Commission and the Advertising Standards Authority to continue to monitor this issue and will take action where necessary.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will provide support through a winter fuel allowance for people in caravans, chalets and mobile homes.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
Winter Fuel Payments are payable to pensioners who live in caravans, chalets and mobile homes.
Asked by: Will Stone (Labour - Swindon North)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Conversion practices draft bill, published on 25 June 2026, if she will make the definition of healthcare services more narrow.
Answered by Olivia Bailey
The Government published its draft Conversion Practices Bill on 25 June for pre-legislative scrutiny. We have requested that this is done by a Joint Committee and welcome cross-party engagement and scrutiny on all aspects of this draft legislation, including the healthcare provisions.