Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps to encourage developers to build roads that meet standards for adoption by the highways authority.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government expects developers to design and construct roads in line with the design standards set by local highway authorities. These standards ensure that roads are suitable for adoption, enabling them to be maintained at public expense. The Department for Transport works closely with local authorities and developers to promote the use of Manual for Streets, which provides guidance on the design of residential streets and supports authorities in setting appropriate standards. The Department has reviewed data which indicates there is a declining trend in the number of roads being adopted and is undertaking research to better understand the underlying causes and identify potential measures to address this issue.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the government plans to further regulate use by local authorities of glyphosate herbicides.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is not planning on further regulating glyphosate use by local authorities.

There is a legal requirement to minimise the use of pesticides along roads and in areas used by the public. It is for each Local Authority to decide the best way of delivering effective and cost-effective weed control in its operations without harming people or the environment.

The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) sets out how we intend to increase the uptake of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) across all sectors, including in amenity. Defra funded the recent publication of Parks for London’s Integrated Weed Management guide, which has been made open access. IPM lies at the heart of the government’s approach to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides.

A pesticide may only be placed on the market in Great Britain (GB) if the product has been authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), GB’s pesticide regulator. This only happens following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 88105, how many 16 to 19 year olds are enrolled on each of the 900 non-A level Level 3 qualifications referenced in the Department’s consultation document on Post-16 Level 3 and Below Pathways.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government’s vision for the 16-19 education system is to create a clear and coherent system with distinct pathways leading to further study, training or employment, including apprenticeships.

At level 3, this includes introducing V Levels, a new pathway alongside A levels and T Levels, as recommended in the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s final report. These reforms are currently under consultation.

Despite removing qualifications with sustained low or no enrolments ahead of this academic year, there remain 872 level 3 qualifications that are still available for 16–19-year-olds. Further analysis shows there were circa. 494,300 16-19 study programme enrolments in academic year 2022/23.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the outstanding level of carers allowance overpayments debt is in relation to carers breaching the earnings limit.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

As of June 2025, just under £166 million was outstanding from just under 93,500 CA debtors due to earnings over the limit which was classed as claimant error. Further information can be found on the Carer’s Allowance statistical release which was published this week: Analysis of Carer’s Allowance claimants receiving other benefits, undertaking paid work, receiving overpayments and civil penalties - GOV.UK

Horton Cemetery

Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week 2025

Armed Forces Training Contract and Elbit Systems

Found: water scarcity 15 Commons Library Debate Pack, 5 December 2025 Water Sector Reform Asked by: Alison Bennett