Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will ensure that access to Heathrow Airport from Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire are considered in any assessment of new rail links to the proposed third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport infrastructure required to support a third runway, including rail connectivity and mode share targets. This will include considering the impacts for travellers from different regions.

The Government has been clear that expansion must be affordable and delivered in the best interest of passengers. Scheme costs should be minimised and financed through private funding, including any surface transport costs.

While it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ANPS review at this stage, it will be the responsibility of any expansion promoter to set out a surface access strategy demonstrating how they will meet the requirements set out in the ANPS.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will carry out an economic assessment, including a regional analysis, when evaluating rail access to Heathrow Airport as part of expansion proposals.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport infrastructure required to support a third runway, including rail connectivity and mode share targets. This will include considering the impacts for travellers from different regions.

The Government has been clear that expansion must be affordable and delivered in the best interest of passengers. Scheme costs should be minimised and financed through private funding, including any surface transport costs.

While it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ANPS review at this stage, it will be the responsibility of any expansion promoter to set out a surface access strategy demonstrating how they will meet the requirements set out in the ANPS.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will consider surface rail transportation benefits of a southern link to Heathrow when evaluating proposals for the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the vital role that surface access will play as part of any future expansion of Heathrow Airport. As part of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS), launched on 22 October 2025, we will consider the transport infrastructure required to support a third runway, including rail connectivity and mode share targets. This will include considering the impacts for travellers from different regions.

The Government has been clear that expansion must be affordable and delivered in the best interest of passengers. Scheme costs should be minimised and financed through private funding, including any surface transport costs.

While it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the ANPS review at this stage, it will be the responsibility of any expansion promoter to set out a surface access strategy demonstrating how they will meet the requirements set out in the ANPS.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government who will be responsible for collecting the new ‘tourist tax’ on overnight stays in England and how revenue through the tax will be distributed.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The power is for Mayors, and potentially other local leaders, to introduce a visitor levy to raise revenue to drive growth and invest in their areas. The precise design and scope of the power is still under development. The Government has published a consultation which will run until 18 February 2026, to ensure that the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power, including the administration process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings, including those produced as part of another financial service or activity, will be regulated consistently by the FCA, to ensure that investors receive transparent and high-quality ESG ratings.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has introduced regulations to bring the provision of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings into the FCA’s regulatory responsibility. This will strengthen market integrity and boost investor confidence.

Recognising that ESG ratings are provided by a range of different persons, the scope of the regulated activity is designed to be proportionate to the risk of harm, and to avoid dual regulation. In line with this approach, where firms are providing ESG ratings solely as part of another activity for which they are already regulated, they are excluded from the ESG ratings regulations.

The FCA is consulting on draft rules for ESG ratings providers. As part of this process, the FCA will carefully assess whether existing frameworks for regulated products and services adequately address risks of harm where ESG ratings are provided as part of those activities. If the FCA identifies significant gaps, they will consult on changes to enhance those regimes. This approach is designed to minimise burdens on firms whilst consistently addressing risks of harm from all providers, regardless of their business model or regulatory status.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings are regulated consistently, regardless of the business model or regulatory status of the provider.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has introduced regulations to bring the provision of Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings into the FCA’s regulatory responsibility. This will strengthen market integrity and boost investor confidence.

Recognising that ESG ratings are provided by a range of different persons, the scope of the regulated activity is designed to be proportionate to the risk of harm, and to avoid dual regulation. In line with this approach, where firms are providing ESG ratings solely as part of another activity for which they are already regulated, they are excluded from the ESG ratings regulations.

The FCA is consulting on draft rules for ESG ratings providers. As part of this process, the FCA will carefully assess whether existing frameworks for regulated products and services adequately address risks of harm where ESG ratings are provided as part of those activities. If the FCA identifies significant gaps, they will consult on changes to enhance those regimes. This approach is designed to minimise burdens on firms whilst consistently addressing risks of harm from all providers, regardless of their business model or regulatory status.