Every parliamentary written question tabled by Angus MacDonald this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 688 · this parliament
Whether her Department has held recent discussions with the Scottish Government on the creation of a dedicated work visa for fluent Gaelic speakers to fill Gaelic-medium posts in Scotland.
We do not limit access to Gaelic-medium posts or any other roles that require Gaelic speakers, provided they meet the other requirements of the Skilled Worker route.We have therefore not had discussions relating to having specific routes for Gaelic speake...
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2026 to Question 3737, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a dedicated visa route for other roles that require Gaelic
We do not limit access to Gaelic-medium posts or any other roles that require Gaelic speakers, provided they meet the other requirements of the Skilled Worker route.We have therefore not had discussions relating to having specific routes for Gaelic speake...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with her Irish counterpart on reports that Aughinish Alumina has been linked to supply chains supporting Russia's defence industry.
The UK and Irish governments regularly discuss our staunch support for countering Russia's aggression in Ukraine, including international efforts to maximise pressure on the Russian war economy. We conduct similar conversations with the EU on a regular ba...
What steps he is taking to improve the UK's business environment.
This government is focused on creating a stronger business environment by making the UK the best place to start and grow a business, with a culture that supports entrepreneurship.Through the Small Business Plan, we are tackling late payments, improving ac...
What steps he is taking to help reduce industrial energy costs.
The Government recognises the pressure high energy costs place on businesses. Our Clean Power by 2030 mission will bring down bills, reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and the risk of carbon leakage. In the near term, we are acting through ...
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with The Humane League UK on the banning of cages for laying hens.
The Department has had wide ranging discussions with animal welfare organisations and other stakeholders on the banning of cages for laying hens.
Whether the Home Office has considered the potential merits of creating a dedicated Gaelic Speaker Work Visa, allowing fluent Gaelic speakers from overseas to fill Gaelic-medium posts in Scotland.
Teachers, including those who deliver Gaelic-medium education, already have preferential treatment in the Skilled Worker immigration route, with salary requirements based on pay scales in each of the four UK nations. There is no need for a separate dedica...
What assessment she has made of the proportionality of Vehicle Excise Duty rates for higher-emission vehicles; and whether she plans to review the differential between vehicles in the lowest and highest emission ban
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different VED rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, wei...
Whether she has made an assessment of whether Vehicle Excise Duty rates for vehicles in the highest bands are a proportionate application of the polluter pays principle.
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) is a tax on vehicles used or kept on public roads. Different VED rates apply to cars, vans, and motorcycles, and the rate for each vehicle is calculated according to a range of factors, such as its date of first registration, wei...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his department plans to take in response to the consultation on the use of cages and crates for laying hens which closed on 9 March 2026.
The Government is analysing consultation responses and will publish a formal response in due course.
What assessment his department has made of the potential merits of rebalancing policy costs levied on electricity bills across gas and electricity bills equally.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment her department has made of the potential impact of VAT on domestic energy bills on regional inequalities in electricity standing charges and unit rates.
The Government is committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and have worked constructively with the regulator, Ofgem, on this issue. At the same time, the Government has taken significant steps to support households with the cost of energy while ...
What assessment his department has made of the potential merits of equalising standing charges for electricity consumers across the United Kingdom.
Standing charges vary by region because the costs of the transmission and distribution networks differ from place to place; a ‘common tariff’ for the most isolated areas would smooth out those higher local costs so customers there avoid very high prices, ...
What assessment his department has made of the potential merits of rebalancing policy costs currently levied on electricity bills across gas and electricity bills equally.
The Government recognises that policy costs fall disproportionately on electricity bills and are taking forward work to ensure that prices reflect the cheaper wholesale price of clean energy.On the distribution of costs between electricity and gas, the Go...
What assessment his department has made of the case for extending the Common Tariff Obligation to apply across the whole of the United Kingdom, so that no comparable domestic consumer is char
Standing charges vary by region because the costs of the transmission and distribution networks differ from place to place; a ‘common tariff’ for the most isolated areas would smooth out those higher local costs so customers there avoid very high prices, ...
What assessment his department has made of the potential merits of introducing a price cap on domestic heating oil for households that are not connected to the gas grid.
The Government has announced its intention to introduce new consumer protections in the heating oil market. The Competition and Markets Authority is currently examining how the market is working for consumers, with its final report expected in June.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has plans to establish a cross-government taskforce to develop a strategy for reducing the United Kingdom's dependence on imported timber and strengthening domestic supply.
This Government recognises the growing global demand for timber. The Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 and the relaunched Timber in Construction Roadmap (2025) sets out our commitment to increase the supply and use of domestic timber. This includes work...
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her department has made of the risk to UK national security posed by the country importing over 80% of its timber requirements.
This Government recognises the growing global demand for timber. The Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 and the relaunched Timber in Construction Roadmap (2025) sets out our commitment to increase the supply and use of domestic timber. This includes work...
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that workers injured through contact with construction equipment have a legal right to access service, maintenance, and operational records relating to tha
The Department for Business and Trade recognises the importance of ensuring that workers injured through contact with construction equipment are able to access relevant support.The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) launched its Health Safety and Wellb...
What conversations her department has had with the Health and Safety Executive with regards to their policy on verifying the accuracy of RIDDOR reports submitted by employers following workplace inciden
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 2013 specify that the duty to make reports and follow the reporting procedure rests with the Responsible Person, as defined, which is often an employer. The reports must be...