Written questions by Naismith.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the suspension of funding for the Warm Homes Plan on households that had been (a) approved and (b) offered support but were unable to re

Awaiting answer.

If she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing powers available to airlines and other agencies to prevent and respond to disruptive behaviour by airline passengers; and whether her Department h

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the eligibility criteria of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for households that installed air source heat pumps prior to the introduction of gove

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme supports property owners to replace existing fossil fuel systems with low-carbon heating alternatives. The Government has no plans to fund replacement of existing heat pumps through the scheme to ensure it maximises carbon saving...

Whether she has considered the potential impact of reduced economic activity arising from hospitality businesses operating under limited hours due to increased staffing costs in fiscal projections.

The Government recognises the hospitality sector’s vital contribution to jobs, communities, and local economies across the UK. Given the sector’s seasonal and flexible nature, changes in trading patterns may reflect wider economic conditions and consumer ...

Whether the Government has considered the impact of rising costs on growth in the hospitality sector, including (a) constraints on existing businesses expanding and (b) deterrence of new entrants, in its projections

The Government recognises the hospitality sector’s vital contribution to jobs, communities, and local economies across the UK. Given the sector’s seasonal and flexible nature, changes in trading patterns may reflect wider economic conditions and consumer ...

What assessment the Government has made of the economic impact of hospitality businesses closing.

The Government recognises the vital economic contribution of hospitality businesses to jobs, supply chains and the vitality of high streets and town centres. The Government keeps impacts on high streets under review and is taking action to support hospita...

Whether she has made a comparative assessment of VAT revenues in (a) the UK and (b) European counterpart countries.

Comparative VAT revenue statistics for OECD member countries are publicly available and regularly reviewed by the department.

On what date he expects to commence the administrative liability order provisions under sections 32M and 32N of the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023; and what statutory mechanism currently provides

Our intention remains to introduce the necessary legislation for Administrative Liability Order’s (ALOs) as soon as possible. We are working closely with HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and with the Scottish Government to ensure that when commence...

What due diligence his Department undertook in relation to the renewal of the CMS2012 contract with Tata Consultancy Services in August 2024, including consideration of relevant legal proceedings involv

This contract was procured following a Further Competition using Framework RM6263 “Digital Specialists and Programmes – Lot 1: Digital Programmes” under Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Invitation to Tender was sent out to all 51 suppliers on Lot 1,...

Whether she has plans to review the statutory safe walking route distance of three miles for school travel.

The department’s home-to-school travel policy aims to make sure that no child is prevented from accessing education by a lack of transport. Children of compulsory school age, 5 to 16, are eligible for free travel if they attend their nearest suitable scho...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of current planning guidance and national planning rules in enabling local planning authorities to consider the cumulative impact of m

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework. The consultation on the revised framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to the planning of housing, transport, drainage...

What steps his Department is taking, with the Department of Health and Social Care, to distribute clear and accessible guidance on National Insurance credits and State Pension entitlement directly throu

There is a wide range of National Insurance credits available, ensuring people can achieve the best possible State Pension outcome when they reach State Pension age. A number of National Insurance credits are linked to an associated benefit. Child Benefit...

What assessment she has made of the impact of workload and workplace wellbeing on teacher retention; and if her Department will publish a dedicated teacher retention strategy that prioritises mental health and

In February, the department published our delivery plan, setting out how we will recruit an additional 6,500 secondary, special school and further education teachers over the course of this Parliament, including retaining more teachers to keep the skills ...

What assessment he has made of the extent to which homelessness affects access to elective and planned medical procedures; and what steps his Department is taking, including in collaboration with t

Awaiting answer.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients experiencing homelessness are able to access planned medical treatment, including surgery, where a lack of stable accommodation may other

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the rollout of full fibre broadband infrastructure does not result in prolonged loss of service for households; and whether she has ha

Government works in partnership with communications providers to ensure that networks remain secure, resilient, and accessible, including during emergencies and service disruption. There are statutory obligations on communications providers to take approp...

How many (a) prosecutions and (b) convictions under the Hunting Act 2004 there have been in each of the last five years and whether he has considered changes to evidential thresholds for offences under the Huntin

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on prosecutions and convictions for a wide variety of offences in the Outcomes by Offences data tool including offences under the Hunting Act 2004. Data related to the years 2021 – 2025 can be downloaded from the Cri...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential risk of trail hunting being used to circumvent the Hunting Act 2004.

The Government is aware of concerns on this point. On 26 March, Defra launched a Consultation on Proposals to Prohibit Trail Hunting in England and Wales inviting views on the Government’s proposed approach to implementing a ban. All responses to the cons...

Food and Rural Affairs, (a) what review her Department has undertaken of the exemptions listed in Schedule 1 to the Hunting Act 2004, (b) whether she plans to amend or remove exemptions relating to the stalki

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans in a generation to improve animal welfare and that is exactly what we will do. This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, that truly protects our countrys...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to bring forward reforms to the Hunting Act 2004 beyond a ban on trail hunting; and whether she has consulted (a) police forces, (b) prosecutors and (c) animal welfar

This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans in a generation to improve animal welfare and that is exactly what we will do. This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting, that truly protects our countrys...