Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Low Carbon Contracts Company has powers to end Drax’s operations as distinct from withdrawing individual subsidy payments.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The new Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference (CfD) with Drax includes powers for the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) to terminate the contract as the ultimate sanction for serious breaches of generating requirements or sustainability criteria.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the reliability of Northern Train’s services on the Airedale Line from Skipton to Leeds.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

In November the Airedale line had cancellations of 1.68 per cent (below Northern’s average of 2.96 per cent). Northern Trains and the department, through the Rail North Partnership, would be keen to discuss any proposals for improving train services with the Hon Member and any interested stakeholders.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what monitoring mechanisms exist to ensure that UK-funded activities in France, whether involving public authorities or private contractors, do not contribute to human rights violations against people on the move.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

France is a key partner in tackling OIC and joint work is seeing French personnel being deployed, supported by cutting-edge surveillance technologies and equipment; and more work is being done to disrupt organised criminal gangs through improved intelligence sharing.

Details of UK funding to France and its purpose are publicly available here:

• 28 November 2020, the UK pledged €31.4 million

• 20 July 2021, the UK pledged €62.7 million.

• 14 November 2022, the UK pledged €72.2 million.

• 10 March 2023, UK pledged €141m for 2023/24 and €191m for 2024/25.

The Government ensures that UK funded activities to prevent small boat crossings comply with human rights obligations through regular engagement with French counterparts, robust governance arrangements within the agreements, and ongoing monitoring and review processes to identify and address any potential risks promptly. These measures collectively safeguard against any breach of human rights while supporting the objectives of the agreements.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much UK public funding has been provided to the French Government under agreements relating to Channel operations since 2020; and for what specific purposes this funding has been used.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

France is a key partner in tackling OIC and joint work is seeing French personnel being deployed, supported by cutting-edge surveillance technologies and equipment; and more work is being done to disrupt organised criminal gangs through improved intelligence sharing.

Details of UK funding to France and its purpose are publicly available here:

• 28 November 2020, the UK pledged €31.4 million

• 20 July 2021, the UK pledged €62.7 million.

• 14 November 2022, the UK pledged €72.2 million.

• 10 March 2023, UK pledged €141m for 2023/24 and €191m for 2024/25.

The Government ensures that UK funded activities to prevent small boat crossings comply with human rights obligations through regular engagement with French counterparts, robust governance arrangements within the agreements, and ongoing monitoring and review processes to identify and address any potential risks promptly. These measures collectively safeguard against any breach of human rights while supporting the objectives of the agreements.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that UK companies operating in West Papua respect the rights of Indigenous peoples and prevent adverse environmental or human rights impacts, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government takes seriously any concerns about environmental and human rights impacts linked to British businesses operating abroad. We regularly engage with both the Government of Indonesia and UK companies to promote responsible business conduct and uphold international standards.

The UK is a signatory to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which promote responsible business conduct globally. Our National Contact Point allows individuals and organisations to raise concerns about UK-linked corporate behaviour overseas.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations her Department has made to the Indonesian government on upholding free, prior and informed consent for Indigenous communities affected by National Strategic Projects.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK Government is aware of the ongoing implementation of National Strategic Projects across Indonesia. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office senior officials have raised the importance of free, prior and informed consent (FPCI) for Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) with senior Indonesian parliamentarians and Government of Indonesia officials, most recently in August 2025.

Commemoration of Terry Yorath

National Coal Mining Museum strike