Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government why they increased the mileage rate for the first 10,000 business miles from £0.45 to £0.55 for cars but left it unchanged for motorcycles; and whether they plan to ensure parity of treatment.

Answered by Lord Livermore

Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) are used by employers to reimburse an employee's expenses for business mileage in their private vehicle tax free.

In March, the Government announced a review of approved mileage rates, recognising that motoring costs have evolved significantly in recent years. This review will include consideration of the mileage rate for motorcycles.

As a targeted response to pressures facing drivers as a result of the Iran war, in May 2026, the Government announced an increase to the AMAPs rate for cars and vans to 55 pence per mile for the first 10,000 business miles from 6 April 2026 for tax year 2026/2027. This does not include the rate for motorcycles, which remains at 24p.

Wider questions on the mileage system will be considered at the Budget. More broadly, the Government annually reviews the rates and thresholds of taxes and reliefs to ensure that they are appropriate and reflect the current state of the economy.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent aggression faced by RNLI volunteers; and what plans they have to support those who serve on lifeboats, particularly in light of their inclusion in the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 as search and rescue personnel.

Answered by Lord Lemos - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

This Government values the vital work of emergency service workers and has taken action to strengthen protections and underline the seriousness of offences committed against them. That is why the law on assaults against emergency workers, including RNLI personnel, and the associated penalties are kept under regular review.

Volunteers for organisations like the RNLI and HM Coastguard provide a vital service, often in the most challenging circumstances, and there is no place for abuse, intimidation or threats – whether in person or online. The RNLI and HM Coastguard are currently reviewing their security procedures and have put in place enhanced welfare arrangements.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, What steps the Church of England is taking to increase the number of ordinands.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

The Ministry Development Board chaired by the Lord Bishop of Chester, has launched a national programme, called 'What is your part in God's Story', with targeted resources made available across the Church.

There has been a significant rise in candidates for ordination for each of the last two years, with numbers of ordinantions up by 34% this last Petertide (June).

An improved maintenance package for fulltime ordinands is begining this year and represents a significant extra investment by the Church to improve ordinand wellbeing.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church of England is taking to increase the number of full-time stipendiary priests.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

The Ministry Development Board, chaired by the Lord Bishop of Chester, has launched a national programme, 'Called: What is your part in Gods Story', with targeted resources made available across the Church.

There has been a significant rise in candidates for ordinantion for each of the last two years, with numbers of ordinations up by 34% this last Petertide (June). There is a general focus on all forms of ordained ministry, including fulltime, stipendiary vocations to the priesthood.

An improved maintenance package for fulltime ordinands is begining this year, representing a significant additional investment in ordinand wellbeing. There have also been significant recent investments in clergy wellbeing, including increases to the stipend and pension entitlements.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what assessment the Church of England has made of the effectiveness of the Save the Parish led Consultation at St George’s House entitled ‘Parish Ministry: Addressing the Crisis in Stipendiary Clergy Numbers in the Church of England’.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

We are grateful to all those who seek to support the Church in its service to this nation, including 'Save the Parish' (StP) for their recent consultation and subsequent report. The Lord Bishop of Chester, who chairs the Church’s Ministry Board (MDB), attended the launch of the report.

The issues raised are under active consideration. Many of those raised by Save the Parish are already a focus of specific and ongoing work in the Church (for example, the ‘Called’ campaign, or the review of ordinand support). The Bishop of Chester has asked for ongoing conversation with Save the Parish to clarify some of the suggestions made in the report and remains grateful for their focus in highlighting some key issues.