Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to update the regulation of third-party political campaigning.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in our Strategy for Modern Elections, we are taking forward a package of measures to strengthen the rules around political finance, some of which will apply to third-party campaigners. This includes requiring recipients of donations to consider the risk of political donations being illegitimate, ensure political donors declare any benefit or sources of funding connected to their donation and tighten the rules around company donations by allowing them to donate only if they have a genuine connection to the UK or Ireland.

By taking action to address vulnerabilities and close loopholes in the existing system, we will strengthen and protect the integrity of our democracy.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports that social media platform algorithms may promote harmful or extremist content to users.

Answered by Rushanara Ali

Social media companies must keep people safe on their platforms and holding them accountable is a departmental priority. Under the Online Safety Act, services must tackle illegal content, including terrorist content and that which stirs up hatred based on religion or race, or incites violence. They must also protect children from additional forms of legal content, including that which is hateful or abusive.

The Act is clear that services should take steps to ensure their algorithms do not promote these kinds of content. Ofcom also has robust information gathering and enforcement powers to ensure that services operate their algorithms safely.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of lower standing charge tariffs on households in the Scottish Highlands.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government knows that, for many consumers, too much of the burden of the energy bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and are working constructively with Ofgem on this issue.

Ofgem have been working to ensure that domestic consumers, in the Scottish Highlands and across Great Britain, can choose tariffs with lower standing charges. You can read about this here:
Requirement to offer lower standing charge tariffs | Ofgem

Ofgem have also been reviewing how ‘fixed’ costs, which tend to be funded through standing charges, should be recovered in the future energy system. Through the Cost Allocation and Recovery Review (CARR), Ofgem will consider how options for allocating and recovering costs in a fairer and more efficient way. This includes considering whether ‘fixed’ costs should vary across regions or whether they should be standard across Great Britain.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of improved household insulation on levels of fuel poverty in the Scottish Highlands.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Energy efficiency policy is devolved in Scotland. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has reporting responsibilities for England only.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of rural depopulation on the carbon intensity of delivering public services in remote and sparsely populated areas.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Rural policy is a devolved matter. Defra regularly publishes statistics on a range of social and economic topics including rural population trends, and rural service provision in The Statistical Digest for Rural England.

Net internal migration within England tends to be towards rural authorities, and in 2023 the rate of this migration was higher than in 2013; the exception to this is 15- to- 19- year-olds for which there is net migration from rural authorities, reflecting the movement of students.

Defra has not made a specific assessment of the effect of rural population decreases - or increases - on the carbon intensity of delivering public services.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of households in the Highlands with improved wall and loft insulation.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As issues of energy efficiency are devolved, Scotland has specific Net Zero strategies. We work closely with our counterparts in the Devolved Governments to ensure our strategies align.

Consumers can visit Home Energy Scotland for advice on home upgrades and information about the Scottish Government funded Warmer Homes Scotland programme which provides grants and support. A phoneline service is available on 0808 808 2282.

Rural off-gas-grid properties in Scotland receive a 35% uplift incentivising delivery in harder to reach areas and reflecting additional energy costs.

Between Jan 2013 and June 2025, the Highlands (Local Authority) received 15,874 measures under the ECO scheme, and 9,242 via ECO Flex between April 2017 and June 2025.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on the introduction of lower standing charge tariffs for electricity consumers.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government knows that, for many consumers, too much of the burden of the energy bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and are working constructively with Ofgem on this issue.

Ofgem have been working to ensure that domestic consumers can choose tariffs with low or no standing charges. You can read about this here:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/policy/standing-charges-energy-price-cap-variant-next-steps.

Ofgem have also been reviewing how ‘fixed’ costs, which tend to be funded through standing charges, should be recovered in the future energy system through their Cost Allocation and Recovery Review. This includes whether those fixed costs could be recovered in more progressive ways, and we are working closely with the regulator on this. You can read about this here: Energy system cost allocation and recovery review | Ofgem

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Employment Tribunal penalties in deterring repeated breaches of employment law by large employers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has not undertaken such an assessment, however; through the Plan for Change we will ensure employment rights are fit for a modern economy, contributing to economic growth. As part of this we will look at ways of strengthening enforcement options, including the Employment Tribunal Penalty scheme which will move to the Fair Work Agency (FWA) once established.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support cultural engagement with the Irish community.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I value the UK’s strong cultural relationship with Ireland which has been developed over many years of successful partnerships between UK and Irish arts and cultural organisations and I recognise the substantial contribution that the Irish community makes to British cultural life.

Since the start of the current parliament, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded three grants totalling £290,074 to projects which explore the history and the experiences of the Irish diaspora in Britain.

In a joint statement at the UK-Ireland summit in March, the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach announced a further programme of cultural cooperation between the two countries. My Department developing a programme to support new projects between the Irish national cultural institutions and leading UK counterparts.

Further commitments made by the PM and Taoiseach include establishing an Ireland-UK Youth Forum as a way to bring together young people to understand, discuss and respond to their views on how they can be considered by both of our governments.

We also look forward to jointly hosting the upcoming EURO2028 Men’s Football Championships and the 2030 T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support cultural engagement with the Indian community.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Our relationship with India is a priority for this Government. Our shared culture and heritage provides a foundation for mutual benefits and economic growth. India is a priority for our Creative Industries Sector Plan and our people to people engagement.

During her visit to India in May, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State signed on behalf of DCMS a five year cultural agreement with the Indian Minister of Culture. This is a key element of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with India announced by the Prime Minister in July and will support a broad range of activity embracing the Indian community across the UK. We regularly meet cultural leaders from the Indian and wider South Asian diaspora.

During the Prime Minister’s visit to India last month, he announced that three new Bollywood films will be made in the UK, supporting economic growth, job creation and cultural exchange. My Department is working closely with Yash Raj Films to realise this ambition.

From Gurinder Chadha and Civic Studios’ Christmas Karma to a major Chila Kumari Singh Burman retrospective to reopen Tate Liverpool in 2027, British and Indian cultural creativity is thriving across the country.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support cultural engagement with the Pakistani community.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Through a broad range of activity largely delivered by our Arm’s-Length bodies, my Department supports engagement with the Pakistani community, and indeed the wider South Asian community, as we believe community cohesion is better served by providing universal access to culture, rather than targeting audiences based on their identity.

In 2022, the British Council delivered a six month cultural showcase to mark the 75th anniversary of Pakistan. Pakistan/UK: New Perspectives illuminated the cultural wealth and contemporary creativity of both countries and facilitated professional collaboration for culture, creative and education sectors; and focused on a shared future through building lasting partnerships. The programme also focused on changing perceptions, particularly amongst the younger generation in both countries, with a particular focus on young women and girls.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support cultural engagement with the Polish community.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I value the close cultural partnership we share with Poland and recognise the rich cultural offering the Polish diaspora brings to the UK, which sustains Polish language and traditions and facilitates cultural enrichment through cultural events, festivals, and exhibitions, supported by arms length bodies such as Arts Council England.

Since July 2024, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £346,427 across three projects that explore the history of, or directly engage, the UK's Polish population.

This year we have also supported the UK/Poland Season 2025, a programme of over 100 events taking place in both countries across 40 cities, linking institutions and people to collaborate in the visual arts, film and music. Events in Poland are organised and funded by the British Council, while in the UK they are led by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the Polish Cultural Institute, and the British Council.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of rural depopulation on the energy efficiency and maintenance of housing stock in remote areas.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK has the oldest housing stock in Europe and we are aware of the complexities involved in decarbonising rural and off-gas grid homes.

This government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings.

Our Warm Homes Plan will help households, including rural off-gas grid households, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The Department has partnered with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. Details of the plan will be published soon.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on the potential impact of rural depopulation on land management, biodiversity and progress towards national climate targets.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Rural policy is a devolved matter. Defra regularly publishes statistics on a range of social and economic topics including rural population trends, and rural service provision in The Statistical Digest for Rural England.

Net internal migration within England tends to be towards rural authorities, and in 2023 the rate of this migration was higher than in 2013; the exception to this is 15- to- 19- year-olds for which there is net migration from rural authorities, reflecting the movement of students.

Defra has not had specific discussions with rural stakeholders on the potential impact of rural depopulation on land management, biodiversity and progress towards national climate targets.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the merits of regulating the use of (a) workplace culture and (b) employer-of-the-year award to ensure such awards do not misrepresent compliance with equality and employment law.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has no plans to regulate the use of such awards.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the amount of resources available to police forces to investigate wildlife crime.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Wildlife crime can have devastating consequences for our natural environments and countryside communities. This Government is committed to reducing crime, including in rural areas, and anyone exploiting or deliberately harming British wildlife should face the full force of the law.

This financial year, we are continuing to fund the National Wildlife Crime Unit who provide intelligence, analysis and investigative assistance to forces and other law enforcement agencies across the UK to support them in investigating wildlife crime.

Additionally, the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will ensure that every community in England and Wales will have named and contactable officers dealing with local issues, and that neighbourhood teams spend the majority of their time in their communities providing visible patrols and engaging with local communities and businesses.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of media ownership rules in relation to companies with headquarters outside the UK.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The UK is open for investment from people around the world, provided that, in the case of investment in media sectors, their investment complies with the foreign state influence and public interest media merger regimes.

The Culture Secretary considers all mergers involving any newspaper, broadcaster or news media enterprise that reach certain thresholds as set out in the Enterprise Act 2002. This legislation applies to all relevant investors, wherever they are based, or - in the case of companies - wherever their headquarters are located. We consider these regimes to be sufficient, but continue to keep them under review to ensure their effectiveness.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people appointed to the Food Strategy Advisory Board uphold high standards across the food system, including on animal welfare.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a small group of senior leaders who represent a wealth of experience and important elements within the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. The Board considers ideas and provides advice on the food strategy. Members do not represent their business, sector or regional interests.

Members are expected to observe the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the advice and recommendations they provide, as set out in the terms of reference published on the Board’s page on gov.uk.

Defra keeps membership under review to ensure the Board holds the necessary depth and breadth of expertise.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that gambling harm prevention campaigns reach rural and remote communities.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The introduction of the new statutory levy on gambling operators, which came into effect in April 2025, guarantees sustainable funding for the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harms which is entirely independent of the influence of the gambling industry.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), as the gambling harms prevention commissioner in England under the levy, acknowledges the role that public health and awareness-raising campaigns can play in preventing health harms, including harms associated with gambling.

OHID is working at pace to develop its gambling harms prevention programme, working closely with the gambling harms prevention commissioners in Scotland and Wales. OHID is considering the role of prevention campaigns in the future prevention programme at a national and Great Britain-wide level and will consider the reach of such activity across specific populations such as rural and remote communities. Further details will be confirmed before the end of this financial year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of gaps in EV charging infrastructure on uptake of electric vehicles in rural communities.

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

We are committed to ensuring a spread of chargepoints across the country – in our cities, towns and rural areas. Government and industry support means charging infrastructure will match rising demand, so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to a ZEV. As of 1 November, there are now more than 86,700 public charging devices across the UK, an increase of 22% year on year.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of distribution of (a) rapid and (b) ultra-rapid EV charging points across rural constituencies.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring a spread of chargepoints across the country – in our cities, towns and rural areas. In October, the Department published the latest quarterly tables showing charging devices at all UK parliamentary constituencies including a table of 50kW+ or above devices, available at tables 7a and 7b here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6900f9b584b816d72cb9aab6/electric-vehicle-public-charging-infrastructure-statistics-october-2025.ods.

Between October 2024 and October 2025 the number of public charging devices located in rural areas of England increased by 26%.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential environmental benefits of expanding EV charging infrastructure in rural and remote communities.

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

The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) transition is crucial to the UK meeting its climate change obligations, as well as improving air quality and supporting growth.

Government and industry support means charging infrastructure will match rising demand, so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to a ZEV. As of 1 November, there are now more than 86,700 public charging devices across the UK, an increase of 22% year on year.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 60696, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on the independence of the Independent Review of the Loan Charge of comments made by Ray McCann in August 2019 on his level of independence.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government committed to holding an independent review of the Loan Charge to bring this matter to a close for those affected. The review has now concluded and the Government will respond at Budget.

Ray McCann was suggested as a potential reviewer by one of the Loan Charge campaigners. During the review, Mr McCann was supported by a team of officials who had not previously worked for the Treasury or HMRC. The reviewer decided how to conduct the review and had the final say on what was included in his report.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria her Department uses to determine eligibility for appointment to the Food Strategy Advisory Board.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a small group of senior leaders selected for their wealth of experience, collectively reflecting important elements within the food system and its diversity. The Board stress tests ideas and provides advice. Members do not represent their business, sector or regional interests.

Defra keeps membership under review to ensure the Board holds the necessary depth and breadth of expertise.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of appointing people from organisations that have recently undertaken remedial action on animal welfare issues on the Food Strategy Advisory Board’s work.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is committed to upholding high standards across the food system, including in relation to animal welfare.

I was extremely concerned to see allegations and footage of animal welfare and environmental abuse at Cranswick farms. The film taken and shared by animal justice groups showed animal welfare treatment that was clearly unacceptable.

As such, I met with Tim Smith, chairman of Cranswick plc, to discuss these matters. I was reassured that Cranswick has taken swift and comprehensive remedial action in response to these incidents, including implementation of recommendations in an independent review into animal welfare and husbandry practices led by a senior veterinarian.

The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a small group of senior leaders who represent a wealth of experience and important elements within the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. Members do not represent their business interests. Membership is kept under review.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of rural depopulation on levels of transport-related emissions in remote communities.

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

The Department for Transport has not made an assessment of the potential impact of rural depopulation on levels of transport-related emissions in remote communities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support veterans who are unable to bring compensation claims relating to service prior to the commencement of the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges or difficulties, the Veterans Welfare Service, run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for Veterans or anyone supporting a Veteran, their families and dependants.

There are currently no plans to apply the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 retrospectively. Successive Governments have had a policy against retrospective changes to schemes. However, there is a route to compensation, outside of litigation, for Service personnel who served before May 1987, via the War Pension Scheme (WPS). If a Veteran feels that they have been impacted by their Service before 1987 they are able to make a claim under the WPS. The WPS is a no-fault scheme which provides compensation for Service personnel who are disabled or die due to injury caused or made worse by service in the UK Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. There are also a range of supplementary pensions and allowances payable, including for dependants.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with veterans’ representatives on compensation arrangements for people unable to bring claims relating to service before 1987.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges or difficulties, the Veterans Welfare Service, run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for Veterans or anyone supporting a Veteran, their families and dependants.

There are currently no plans to apply the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 retrospectively. Successive Governments have had a policy against retrospective changes to schemes. However, there is a route to compensation, outside of litigation, for Service personnel who served before May 1987, via the War Pension Scheme (WPS). If a Veteran feels that they have been impacted by their Service before 1987 they are able to make a claim under the WPS. The WPS is a no-fault scheme which provides compensation for Service personnel who are disabled or die due to injury caused or made worse by service in the UK Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. There are also a range of supplementary pensions and allowances payable, including for dependants.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review the compensation arrangements for veterans whose service took place before the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 came into effect.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges or difficulties, the Veterans Welfare Service, run by the Ministry of Defence, provides free one-to-one support for Veterans or anyone supporting a Veteran, their families and dependants.

There are currently no plans to apply the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 retrospectively. Successive Governments have had a policy against retrospective changes to schemes. However, there is a route to compensation, outside of litigation, for Service personnel who served before May 1987, via the War Pension Scheme (WPS). If a Veteran feels that they have been impacted by their Service before 1987 they are able to make a claim under the WPS. The WPS is a no-fault scheme which provides compensation for Service personnel who are disabled or die due to injury caused or made worse by service in the UK Armed Forces before 6 April 2005. There are also a range of supplementary pensions and allowances payable, including for dependants.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of current mechanisms for reporting and removing extremist content from major social media platforms.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Under the Online Safety Act, platforms now have a legal duty to protect users. Since March 2025, services must proactively scan for and remove illegal content such as terrorist material, or that which stirs up racial hatred. In July 2025, additional new child safety duties came into force, placing a legal duty on services to protect children from content that is harmful to them, including that which is hateful or abusive. Services must ensure their algorithms do not promote this content and enable users to easily report where it appears on regulated services.

The Act requires the Secretary of State to review and report to Parliament on the effectiveness of the regime 2-5 years after the Act is fully implemented.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking in response to reports that social media platform algorithms may promote harmful or extremist content to users.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Under the Online Safety Act, platforms now have a legal duty to protect users. Since March 2025, services must proactively scan for and remove illegal content such as terrorist material, or that which stirs up racial hatred. In July 2025, additional new child safety duties came into force, placing a legal duty on services to protect children from content that is harmful to them, including that which is hateful or abusive. Services must ensure their algorithms do not promote this content and enable users to easily report where it appears on regulated services.

The Act requires the Secretary of State to review and report to Parliament on the effectiveness of the regime 2-5 years after the Act is fully implemented.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of recent reports that social media platform algorithms may promote harmful or extremist content to users.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Under the Online Safety Act, platforms now have a legal duty to protect users. Since March 2025, services must proactively scan for and remove illegal content such as terrorist material, or that which stirs up racial hatred. In July 2025, additional new child safety duties came into force, placing a legal duty on services to protect children from content that is harmful to them, including that which is hateful or abusive. Services must ensure their algorithms do not promote this content and enable users to easily report where it appears on regulated services.

The Act requires the Secretary of State to review and report to Parliament on the effectiveness of the regime 2-5 years after the Act is fully implemented.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing turnover-based penalties for (a) systemic and (b) repeated equality breaches.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

Where a claim under the Equality Act 2010 is upheld, courts and tribunals are able to award an appropriate remedy, including compensation. The Ministry of Justice has no plans to introduce turnover-based penalties for equality breaches.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the national security considerations relevant to renewable energy developments in proximity to defence sites.

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

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The Department collaborates with government departments – including the Ministry of Defence – other agencies and industry partners on a regular and ongoing basis to understand, assess and mitigate threats to both energy infrastructure and sensitive sites.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance his Department provides to developers on national security considerations when selecting suppliers for critical energy infrastructure.

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

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department works closely with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand, assess and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure.

Where necessary this includes written guidance, for example in relation to the Procurement Act 2023, or clear and robust regulatory standards, for example for cyber resilience through the Network and Information Systems Regulations.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the level of dependence on overseas suppliers for wind turbine components and its potential implications for energy security.

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

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

The Government is clear that the greatest risk to our energy security is from failing to decarbonise and continuing to be overly dependent on fossil fuels, exposing household bills to the rollercoaster of fossil fuel prices.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the national security implications of foreign-state-linked companies supplying components for renewable energy infrastructure.

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

The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure very seriously.

The department works closely with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand, assess and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure.

The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code in regulating hon. Members presenting television programmes.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is deeply concerned about the blurring of news and fact with opinion and polemic in the broadcast media environment. As the Secretary of State has set out, it is a dangerous place for democracy if people cannot trust what they see and hear.

Ofcom, by law, carries out its duties independently of the Government. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code includes rules to ensure news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Following consultation, Ofcom recently updated their guidance to make it clearer to broadcasters that politicians may not present news programmes, unless exceptionally justified. Politicians are not prohibited from presenting other types of programmes, provided that they follow the rules in Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. The Secretary of State is now considering whether the Government needs to go further to protect audiences.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on the application of impartiality requirements in current-affairs programming outside regulated election periods.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is deeply concerned about the blurring of news and fact with opinion and polemic in the broadcast media environment. As the Secretary of State has set out, it is a dangerous place for democracy if people cannot trust what they see and hear.

Ofcom, by law, carries out its duties independently of the Government. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code includes rules to ensure news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Following consultation, Ofcom recently updated their guidance to make it clearer to broadcasters that politicians may not present news programmes, unless exceptionally justified. Politicians are not prohibited from presenting other types of programmes, provided that they follow the rules in Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. The Secretary of State is now considering whether the Government needs to go further to protect audiences.

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