Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with the National Grid on the potential impact of the cost to the public purse for compensation for communities in relation to the erection of pylons on its decisions to opt for (a) electric pylons and (b) subsea cables for energy transmission.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to review the monthly salary sacrifice cap for existing users of the childcare voucher scheme, in the context of (a) cumulative inflation and (b) increased average childcare costs since the threshold was last set.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Childcare Vouchers are now closed to new entrants, and the Government has no plans to reopen or reform them. Existing users can continue to use them as long as they remain with their current employer, the employer continues to offer Vouchers, and their contract of employment remains the same.Tax-Free Childcare has been introduced to replace Childcare Vouchers. Tax-Free Childcare is a fairer scheme than Childcare Vouchers, as it broadens access to childcare to all families who meet the eligibility criteria, whether they are an employee or self-employed and regardless of who their employer is.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what estimate he has made of the number of living LGBT veterans dismissed from the Armed Forces before 1967 who are excluded from the reparations recommended by the LGBT Veterans Independent Review; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the scope of the reparations to include those veterans.
Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)
The Government recognises the profound impact that historic criminal and Service law had on LGBT veterans and is committed to ensuring fairness and inclusivity in its restorative measures. While the current scope of the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme (FRS) is based on the recommendations of the LGBT Veterans Independent Review, the Government acknowledges the concerns raised regarding veterans dismissed before 1967.
We therefore extended four restorative measures to those who served before 1967. They can apply to have administrative discharges qualified, their rank restored, Certificates of Service re-issued, and former Officers may apply to have Service details published in The Gazette, as part of the official record.
At present, the Government has not conducted, nor does it have plans to conduct, a formal assessment of the potential merits of extending the FRS to include veterans dismissed or discharged before 1967. This is because the Scheme was set up specifically to respond to the period when Service law was different to civilian law. We do not know how many living veterans were dismissed or discharged from the Armed Forces because of their sexual orientation or gender identity before 1967.
The forthcoming Veterans Strategy will set out this government’s vision for the remarkable men and women that have served in this country’s Armed Forces. Through this new strategy, we will ensure all veterans’– including LGBT – service is celebrated, their potential to make further contributions is realised and, for those that need it, that the right support is available to them.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to FOI2024/01172, if HMRC will now extend 85% discounts to individual taxpayers affected by the Loan Charge.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.
During Oral Questions on 1 July 2025, the honourable member for Mid Buckinghamshire referred to comments made by an external stakeholder that were shared under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. HMRC Officials do not recognise the allegation that HMRC agreed deals with large employers allowing them to settle disguised remuneration liabilities for less than was legally due.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects the Police Remuneration Review Body Report to be published.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
On 1 August, the previous Home Secretary announced that the Government has accepted the PRRB’s recommendations in full, including a 4.2% consolidated pay increase for police officers (up to and including the rank of Chief Superintendent), effective from 1 September 2025.
To support forces with the cost of the pay award, the Home Office is providing additional funding of £120m in 2025/26.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an impact assessment of the use of touchscreen devices in Reception Baseline Assessments.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
The digital elements of the reception baseline assessment (RBA) have been in development since 2019 and subject to extensive trials with teachers and pupils, using the Standards and Testing Agency’s internationally recognised assessment development approach. This has included item validation trials in 2020, 2021 and 2023 involving 2,801 pupils across 277 schools, and a technical pre-test trial in 2022 where 2,406 assessments were completed across a nationally representative sample of 254 schools. In November and December 2024, a voluntary trial involving over 1,000 schools took place, and participating schools undertook key activities needed to administer the assessment, including completing a sample assessment with three pupils. Input from the trials and extensive review by early years experts and teachers has helped shape the content and the digital platform to meet the needs of schools and pupils.
The revised RBA remains interactive and play-based, retaining the use of small toys and verbal responses for other questions. Pupils can respond verbally to on-screen questions if they do not wish to interact with the screen, and a paper-based alternative is available where this is more suitable for the pupil.
Schools, trusts, and local authorities are responsible for making decisions that best meet their educational and operational needs regarding the use of technology in the classroom. The department does not set specific requirements for how often schools should use tablets. To help schools make informed decisions when procuring technology, the department has published advice and guidance to schools through the digital and technology standards and the plan technology for your school service.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Stamford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has undertaken an impact assessment in relation to the use of touchscreen devices in Reception Baseline Assessments.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell
The digital elements of the reception baseline assessment (RBA) have been in development since 2019 and subject to extensive trials with teachers and pupils, using the Standards and Testing Agency’s internationally recognised assessment development approach. This has included item validation trials in 2020, 2021 and 2023 involving 2,801 pupils across 277 schools, and a technical pre-test trial in 2022 where 2,406 assessments were completed across a nationally representative sample of 254 schools. In November and December 2024, a voluntary trial involving over 1,000 schools took place, and participating schools undertook key activities needed to administer the assessment, including completing a sample assessment with three pupils. Input from the trials and extensive review by early years experts and teachers has helped shape the content and the digital platform to meet the needs of schools and pupils.
The revised RBA remains interactive and play-based, retaining the use of small toys and verbal responses for other questions. Pupils can respond verbally to on-screen questions if they do not wish to interact with the screen, and a paper-based alternative is available where this is more suitable for the pupil.
Schools, trusts, and local authorities are responsible for making decisions that best meet their educational and operational needs regarding the use of technology in the classroom. The department does not set specific requirements for how often schools should use tablets. To help schools make informed decisions when procuring technology, the department has published advice and guidance to schools through the digital and technology standards and the plan technology for your school service.