Written questions by Stainbank.

How many people with a Personal Independence Payment special rules award have reached the end of their 3-year award period and have had their benefits award reviewed.

I refer the Rt Hon member to my previous answers.For Question UIN 127998, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 April 2026 to Question UIN 126117.For Question UIN 127999, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2026 to Question UIN 126116.For Question UIN 128000, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 April 2026 to Question UIN 126114.

How many people in Scotland are employed in sectors eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.

Based on the latest available employment data, over 64,000 people in Scotland are employed in sectors with Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes that are eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.Eligibility under the scheme will be based on both SIC codes to identify eligible manufacturing sectors and Harmonised System (HS) codes to confirm eligible products. Employment figures are therefore indicative and not all businesses within an eligible SIC code will necessarily qualify for support.

In the last year for which information is available how many Personal Independence Payment Recipients who are in receipt of the Enhanced component of both Daily Living and Mobility died (a) in total and (b) who accessed PIP under the Special Rules for Terminal Illness route.

I refer the Rt Hon member to my previous answers.For Question UIN 127998, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 April 2026 to Question UIN 126117.For Question UIN 127999, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2026 to Question UIN 126116.For Question UIN 128000, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 April 2026 to Question UIN 126114.

How many current Personal Independence Payment recipients that have been assessed at a Personal Independence Payment assessment as having a terminal condition are in receipt of a fixed-term award; and what is the average length of these fixed-term awards.

I refer the Rt Hon member to my previous answers.For Question UIN 127998, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 April 2026 to Question UIN 126117.For Question UIN 127999, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 28 April 2026 to Question UIN 126116.For Question UIN 128000, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 April 2026 to Question UIN 126114.

What the latest date is a company must have been incorporated on to be eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.

The Government can confirm that whilst there is no explicit latest date at which a company must have been incorporated to be eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, companies will be required to provide 6 months of historic electricity consumption data at the point at which they apply. This is to enable the Department to accurately assess a company’s eligibility for the scheme. Further detail on application timing is set out in the Government’s current consultation on scheme delivery. The Government will provide more guidance for businesses over the Summer.

What estimate she has made of the relative additional costs to domestic refineries of not including refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from January 2028 for the 2028-29 financial year.

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector. Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options and case for expanding CBAM to refined oil products at a later date. We are unable to conclude that expanding the CBAM to refined oil products is technically feasible for January 2028, especially in an uncertain global environment where the potential adverse impacts of inclusion could not necessarily be managed effectively at such accelerated timelines.

If he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Transport of the potential impact of providing public subsidies to non-UK bus manufacturers on national security.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt Hon Member in the timeavailable before Prorogation

What discussions his Department has had with fuel suppliers and retailers on supply to petrol forecourts in Scotland.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero engages regularly with fuel suppliers and retailers across the United Kingdom, including in Scotland, to monitor fuel supply resilience and ensure continued availability at petrol forecourts. Officials maintain close contact with industry stakeholders to assess supply chain conditions, including refinery operations, distribution networks, and retail capacity. These discussions form part of routine market monitoring and contingency planning to identify and mitigate potential disruptions. The Government works closely with industry through established resilience frameworks. We are confident in the UK’s security of fuel supply.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Grangemouth refinery on fuel supply.

Grangemouth refinery was converted into an import terminal in April 2025 and supply in Scotland and the UK have continued as normal. The UK remains well supplied through a combination of domestic production and imports. The UK continues to have sufficient operational refining capacity, including at Fawley, Humber, Pembroke and Stanlow. There has been no disruption to fuel supply, and the Government continues to monitor supply resilience closely.

What consideration is given to disqualifying companies fined for non compliance for paying the national minimum wage when awarding Government contracts.

Non compliance with paying the national minimum wage is unacceptable and has no place in government contracts or in wider society. The Procurement Act 2023 provides contracting authorities with strong powers to exclude suppliers from public procurements where an exclusion ground applies, including where they have breached existing labour laws.Where the circumstances that cause an exclusion ground to apply are continuing or likely to reoccur, contracting authorities must exclude suppliers subject to mandatory exclusion grounds. Such grounds could include where a supplier is convicted of the offences of refusing or wilfully neglecting to pay the national minimum wage, or of failing to comply with a labour market enforcement order (which can relate to offences under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998). Where a discretionary exclusion ground applies, such as if a labour market enforcement order is made against the supplier, contracting authorities can choose whether to exclude them. The Debarment Review Service can also carry out investigations in accordance with the Act to establish whether a supplier can be added to the debarment list.

How many backlog death in service cases remain unresolved by Capita following the Cabinet Office's Recovery Plan Sprint 3.

The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. The issues and delays facing a number of civil servants and pension scheme members in receiving their pension quotes are unacceptable. I want to reassure you that this Government has taken firm action to help put things right as soon as possible. We have agreed a clear recovery plan with Capita, which includes specific milestones and accountability targets for delivery. For priority cases, we have deployed additional resources and improved communication with affected colleagues, so that staff, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve. Existing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been enhanced and strengthened to deliver improved performance and higher penalties for failure, including financial penalties. These have already applied in respect to Capita's performance with recent issues and delays in administering the Civil Service Pension Scheme.The highest priority cases for recovery, including death-in-service and ill-health retirements, have been returned to normal service levels, with cases concluded wherever it has been possible to do so.Capita has processed 407 death-in-service cases, successfully reducing the volume of workable cases from 375 to 75 as of 23 March. Capita has now achieved its target of normalising work in progress to 60 cases, representing a return to steady-state operations. While the backlog has been addressed, this figure is expected to fluctuate slightly as cases currently with third parties are returned to Capita for finalisation.The Cabinet Office remains committed to ensuring these cases are managed efficiently to provide timely support to beneficiaries.

Whether Lords Amendment 22 to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill permits an enforcement body to invest in smoking cessation services in connection with their purposes.

Lords Amendment 22 allows a relevant enforcement authority in England to retain all proceeds from the £2,500 fixed penalty notices for licensing offences in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The bill provides that the proceeds must be used for the enforcement of tobacco and vape legislation, mirroring the approach to the use of proceeds from £200 fixed penalty notices in the bill. The bill does not allow proceeds from fixed penalty notices to be invested in smoking cessation services.From April 2026, the Government is investing an additional £260 million over three years in Stop Smoking Services within the Public Health Grant. This will mean at least £153 million of ringfenced funding for Stop Smoking Services each year.

What steps his department is taking to support research, national awareness and UK-wide collaboration to improve outcomes for people living with epilepsy and their families.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Knowsley on 6 January 2026 to Question 101055.

What Barnett consequentials will be generated for Scotland by (a) the awarding of grants to local authorities in England to address SEND deficits, as set out in UIN HCWS1315 and (a) the funding for SEND announced in the Spring Statement 2026.

At Spring Forecast 2026 it was confirmed that the Scottish Government will receive £533 million Barnett consequentials in 2026-27, through the application of the Barnett formula to the grants for Local Authorities to address SEND deficits in England. The Barnett formula applies mechanically to new funding for the Department for Education in 2028-29, to support reforms of the SEND system. This results in an additional £362 million for the Scottish Government in 2028-29.

What Barnett consequentials will be generated for the Scottish government by (a) grants awarded to local authorities in England to address SEND deficits announced in the written statement entitled Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, published on 9 February 2026, HCWS1315, and (b) additional funding for SEND announced in the Spring Statement.

At Spring Forecast 2026 it was confirmed that the Scottish Government will receive £533 million Barnett consequentials in 2026-27, through the application of the Barnett formula to the grants for Local Authorities to address SEND deficits in England. The Barnett formula applies mechanically to new funding for the Department for Education in 2028-29, to support reforms of the SEND system. This results in an additional £362 million for the Scottish Government in 2028-29.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of including refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism before January 2029 or earlier.

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector.Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. Assessing the case for and feasibility of including refined oil products within the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism at a later date is a priority. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the inclusion of refined products in the carbon border adjustment mechanism on national security.

The government recognises the role that refineries play in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. The Government published a call for evidence (https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector/future-of-the-uk-downstream-oil-sector-call-for-evidence) on the future of the fuel sector on 23rd February 2026 in order to help understand the current state of the refining sector.Following a strategic and technical assessment by HMG, it has been decided not to expand the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to refined oil products in January 2028. Assessing the case for and feasibility of including refined oil products within the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism at a later date is a priority. We are continuing to work with the sector to assess the options.

Whether she has held discussions with Cabinet colleagues to help support the rise in Zero Emission bus demand being met by British-based manufacturers.

Department for Transport Ministers regularly meet with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a range of issues, including British bus manufacturing. The Government is committed to supporting the long-term strength and competitiveness of our bus manufacturing sector. In March 2025, the Minister for Roads and Buses launched the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel, bringing together industry experts and local leaders to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing. A key objective of the panel is to develop a pipeline of future bus orders to give better planning certainty to the sector and UK-based manufacturers, which was published on 16 March 2026.

With reference to her Department's document entitled 10-year zero emission bus order pipeline, published on 16 March 2026, how many of the total zero emission bus purchases over the next 10 years are estimated to be for bus fleets in Scotland.

The 10‑year zero‑emission bus order pipeline published on 16 March 2026 does not provide a specific estimate for how many of the forecast UK‑wide zero‑emission bus purchases are expected to be for bus fleets in Scotland.The Department’s dataset is based on voluntary returns from bus operators and local transport authorities across Great Britain. Data from bus operators was supplied at an aggregate level, not split by region.

What consideration has been given to the potential merits of using powers in the Procurement Act 2023 to block non-treaty states from procurement of zero emissions buses following the announcement of departmental funding for 484 electric buses.

The procurement of buses is carried out by Local Transport Authorities or bus operators, not the Department for Transport.