Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking in cooperation with Ukraine to develop or invest in low-cost missile interceptor technology.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Under project OCTOPUS, part of a new UK and Ukraine technology sharing agreement, we have agreed arrangements for the development of an advanced air defence interceptor drone.

This system, designed by Ukraine with support from UK scientists and technicians, has demonstrated effectiveness on the battlefield. Plans are in place for initial mass production in the UK, with a target to produce thousands a month.

In addition, the UK has purchased and provided other (non-OCTOPUS) air defence interceptor drones to Ukraine, including from Ukrainian industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what procedures are in place to ensure that defence contractors comply with international humanitarian law.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurements must include DEFCON 516 (Equality) in their contracts. This requirement ensures suppliers shall adhere to the UK Equality Act 2010 and shall not unlawfully discriminate either directly or indirectly on the characteristics outlined in the Act. Any supplier or prospective supplier in breach of this can result in their exclusion from a tender process or give grounds to termination of a contract. The inclusion of this DEFCON also covers equivalent legislation in the country where the Contract is being performed if it is being performed overseas.

All MOD procurements must also assess the potential risks of modern slavery throughout the supply chain in new and existing procurements. This assessment helps inform whether prospective suppliers are in breach of any mandatory and discretionary grounds under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), during the supplier selection stage, if there is any evidence of modern slavery offences having been committed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether human rights are considered when awarding defence procurement contracts.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All Ministry of Defence (MOD) procurements must include DEFCON 516 (Equality) in their contracts. This requirement ensures suppliers shall adhere to the UK Equality Act 2010 and shall not unlawfully discriminate either directly or indirectly on the characteristics outlined in the Act. Any supplier or prospective supplier in breach of this can result in their exclusion from a tender process or give grounds to termination of a contract. The inclusion of this DEFCON also covers equivalent legislation in the country where the Contract is being performed if it is being performed overseas.

All MOD procurements must also assess the potential risks of modern slavery throughout the supply chain in new and existing procurements. This assessment helps inform whether prospective suppliers are in breach of any mandatory and discretionary grounds under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), during the supplier selection stage, if there is any evidence of modern slavery offences having been committed.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of the cost of repairs to military aircraft damaged by (a) acts of vandalism and (b) protest activity in 2025.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 October 2025 to the hon. Member for Angus and Perthshire Glens (Dave Doogan) to Question 78509.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the risk of fish escaping from aquaculture sites due to (a) infrastructure failures, (b) human error and (c) severe weather events.

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

In line with our membership of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation (NASCO), the UK is committed to minimising adverse interactions between farmed and wild salmon. From 2027 each of the UK’s Governments will report annually to NASCO on the number of escapes from salmon farms and their impact on wild salmon populations. This reporting will include information about the monitoring of genetic introgression from farmed salmon. NASCO also provides best practice guidance on salmon aquaculture practices. This guidance is due to be reviewed during 2026/2027, and the UK government intends to put forward a representative to contribute to this review work.

Aquaculture policy and regulation is a devolved matter and there is no marine salmon farming in England. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) authorises all aquaculture production businesses in England, under the Aquatic Animal Health (England & Wales) Regulations 2009. This includes setting conditions to ensure fish do not escape. The FHI assesses each farm for compliance annually and investigates farmed fish escapes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is supporting research into potential methods for reducing the environmental impact of fish farm escapes on wild fish populations.

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

In line with our membership of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation (NASCO), the UK is committed to minimising adverse interactions between farmed and wild salmon. From 2027 each of the UK’s Governments will report annually to NASCO on the number of escapes from salmon farms and their impact on wild salmon populations. This reporting will include information about the monitoring of genetic introgression from farmed salmon. NASCO also provides best practice guidance on salmon aquaculture practices. This guidance is due to be reviewed during 2026/2027, and the UK government intends to put forward a representative to contribute to this review work.

Aquaculture policy and regulation is a devolved matter and there is no marine salmon farming in England. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) authorises all aquaculture production businesses in England, under the Aquatic Animal Health (England & Wales) Regulations 2009. This includes setting conditions to ensure fish do not escape. The FHI assesses each farm for compliance annually and investigates farmed fish escapes.

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 he has made of the (a) prevalence of fish farm escapes and (b) potential impact of fish farm escapes on wild fish populations.

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

In line with our membership of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation (NASCO), the UK is committed to minimising adverse interactions between farmed and wild salmon. From 2027 each of the UK’s Governments will report annually to NASCO on the number of escapes from salmon farms and their impact on wild salmon populations. This reporting will include information about the monitoring of genetic introgression from farmed salmon. NASCO also provides best practice guidance on salmon aquaculture practices. This guidance is due to be reviewed during 2026/2027, and the UK government intends to put forward a representative to contribute to this review work.

Aquaculture policy and regulation is a devolved matter and there is no marine salmon farming in England. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) authorises all aquaculture production businesses in England, under the Aquatic Animal Health (England & Wales) Regulations 2009. This includes setting conditions to ensure fish do not escape. The FHI assesses each farm for compliance annually and investigates farmed fish escapes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of interbreeding between escaped farmed fish and wild fish on the genetic integrity of wild populations.

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

In line with our membership of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation (NASCO), the UK is committed to minimising adverse interactions between farmed and wild salmon. From 2027 each of the UK’s Governments will report annually to NASCO on the number of escapes from salmon farms and their impact on wild salmon populations. This reporting will include information about the monitoring of genetic introgression from farmed salmon. NASCO also provides best practice guidance on salmon aquaculture practices. This guidance is due to be reviewed during 2026/2027, and the UK government intends to put forward a representative to contribute to this review work.

Aquaculture policy and regulation is a devolved matter and there is no marine salmon farming in England. The Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) authorises all aquaculture production businesses in England, under the Aquatic Animal Health (England & Wales) Regulations 2009. This includes setting conditions to ensure fish do not escape. The FHI assesses each farm for compliance annually and investigates farmed fish escapes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on the use of international taxation measures to support global climate adaptation programmes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on a range of topics

The Government is committed to helping deliver global climate finance, including responding to the wider call on all actors to increase climate finance to developing countries to USD 1.3trn per year and the New Collective Quantified Goal agreed at COP29 of at least $300bn per year to developing countries by 2035

As part of that effort, we are pressing for faster and more ambitious reforms to the global financial system to deliver much more and higher quality climate and development finance. Alongside this, we are supportive of exploring revenue raising mechanisms for climate action.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department (a) has provided and (b) plans to provide (i) financial and (ii) technical support for missile interceptor technology projects in Ukraine.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Since the start of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK has provided financial and technical support to missile interceptor technology projects to protect Ukraine's people, its Critical National Infrastructure and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This includes the supply of air defence munitions and air interceptor drones, including from UK industry.

In addition, the UK and Ukraine have established a new tech sharing agreement and under Project OCTOPUS, we have agreed arrangements for the development of an advanced air defence interceptor drone.

The UK plans to continue to provide this support, recognising the ongoing threat from Russian missiles.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the protection of freedom of religion or belief in countries identified as priority areas as part of her Department’s freedom of religion or belief strategy.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, both in sub-Saharan Africa and across the world. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the strength of the link between freedom of religion or belief and conflict prevention in the context of UK foreign policy.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, both in sub-Saharan Africa and across the world. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on strengthening protections for freedom of religion or belief in sub-Saharan Africa.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK champions Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, both in sub-Saharan Africa and across the world. On 8 July, the UK's Special Envoy for Religious Freedom, David Smith MP, set out the Government's new strategy on FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries, and describing the links between the protection of FoRB and other goals including the prevention of conflict. As part of this strategy, the UK continues to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with (a) animal welfare charities and (b) other stakeholders on the potential impacts of fireworks use on (i) pets and (ii) livestock.

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

Building on the work of my predecessor and to inform any future decisions in relation to the regulation of fireworks, I will engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues and impacts of fireworks on livestock and pets.

The insights from these discussions, as well as from animal welfare campaigns and correspondence helped to inform the public campaign on fireworks safety that I have launched for this year’s fireworks season. The campaign features new guidance for those running community fireworks events, as well as social media materials that encourage the public to consider the welfare of animals when using fireworks.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on the adequacy of utility infrastructure in rural Highland communities.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

I regularly engage with the Scottish Government on a variety of shared priorities, including critical infrastructure development in Scotland's rural areas.

My discussions also encompass clean energy transition and infrastructure investment, with a particular focus on projects in the Highlands. For example, we are working together to ensure that Project Gigabit, the UK Government’s programme to enable remote and rural communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband, benefits the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential economic merits of public investment in essential utility infrastructure in remote rural communities.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government’s number one priority is driving economic growth to boost living standards in every part of the country. The 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy confirmed we will fund at least £725 billion for infrastructure over the next decade. This includes significant investment in essential utility infrastructure. The government is changing the Green Book and how it is used to make sure that every region gets a fair hearing when it comes to investment.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households not on the national grid for (a) gas and (b) electricity in each constituency in Scotland.

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

The department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by country, English regions, local authority and constituency.

For Northern Ireland, data on the total number of gas connections is available via the Annual Retail Energy Market Monitoring Report.

Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households not on the national grid for (a) gas and (b) electricity in Scotland.

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

The department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by country, English regions, local authority and constituency.

For Northern Ireland, data on the total number of gas connections is available via the Annual Retail Energy Market Monitoring Report.

Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of households not on the national grid for (a) gas and (b) electricity in the UK.

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

The department publishes estimates of the number of domestic properties not connected to the gas network in Great Britain by country, English regions, local authority and constituency.

For Northern Ireland, data on the total number of gas connections is available via the Annual Retail Energy Market Monitoring Report.

Equivalent figures for the electricity network are not published.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulatory frameworks in ensuring that rural communities have access to electricity grid connections.

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

The Government works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including remote rural areas. Ofgem has allocated £22 billion for network upgrades under the current electricity distribution price control (2023–2028). The next price control (2028–2033) will require distribution network operators to produce long-term regional network plans.

Ofgem is also conducting an ‘end-to-end' review of connection obligations and incentives to improve customer service and network operator accountability, with proposals to be published later this year.

These measures enable timely upgrades and connections for rural communities, supporting low-carbon technologies while maintaining affordability for consumers.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle unsafe gas works in homes.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) forms the basis of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) approach to ensuring safe gas work in homes within Great Britain. This includes taking enforcement action against those who do not comply with their legal obligations, including carrying out gas work whilst not competent to do so.

GSIUR also allowed for the establishment of the Gas Safe Register (GSR) which aims to protect the public from unsafe gas work through:

• Ensuring all gas engineers have the appropriate qualifications;

• Operating a national investigations team tracking down un-registered gas workers;

• Carrying out regular inspections of registered engineers, to ensure they are applying gas competence and complying with GSIUR;

• Investigating reports of unsafe gas work; and

• Educating consumers and raising awareness of gas safety.

GSR will apply appropriate sanctions on those businesses found carrying out unsafe gas work as per their Sanctions Policy.

GSR can pass concerns to HSE who will consider the concern in line with the HSE Enforcement Policy statement available to view here HSE - Enforcement action.

The best way to maintain gas safety is by ensuring that only competent, registered engineers undertake gas work. HSE encourages consumers to ask to see Gas Safe Registration ID before permitting engineers to enter their homes. This can also be checked on the Gas Safe Register website: Find or check a Gas Safe registered business.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a support mechanism for electricity infrastructure projects in rural areas that face high connection costs.

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

I recognise that connection costs can be higher in rural areas that are distant from the wider electricity network. Under Ofgem’s price control framework, network companies are investing in new electricity network capacity ahead of need. This should reduce connection costs, including in rural areas. Ofgem has also reduced the proportion of connection costs that fall to the connecting customer where distribution network upgrades are required. In addition, connection customers can choose an Independent Connection Provider that can often deliver cheaper connections.

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 Ofgem on ensuring that grid investment strategies take into account the long-term sustainability of remote rural communities.

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

The Government works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including remote rural areas. Ofgem has allocated £22 billion for network upgrades under the current electricity distribution price control (2023–2028). The next price control (2028–2033) will require distribution network operators to produce long-term regional network plans.

Ofgem is also conducting an ‘end-to-end' review of connection obligations and incentives to improve customer service and network operator accountability, with proposals to be published later this year.

These measures enable timely upgrades and connections for rural communities, supporting low-carbon technologies while maintaining affordability for consumers.

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 support electricity network operators to deliver connection upgrades in remote rural communities.

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

The Government works with Ofgem to ensure grid investment supports all communities, including remote rural areas. Ofgem has allocated £22 billion for network upgrades under the current electricity distribution price control (2023–2028). The next price control (2028–2033) will require distribution network operators to produce long-term regional network plans.

Ofgem is also conducting an ‘end-to-end' review of connection obligations and incentives to improve customer service and network operator accountability, with proposals to be published later this year.

These measures enable timely upgrades and connections for rural communities, supporting low-carbon technologies while maintaining affordability for consumers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of difficulties in connecting remote communities to the national electricity grid on rural depopulation.

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

The Government has not made an assessment of any relationship between connecting to the electricity network and changes in rural populations.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unqualified operatives performing gas works on levels of public safety.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) accepts that unqualified operatives performing gas work pose significant risks to gas safety and believes focusing on the prevention of unsafe gas work through installation, regular servicing and maintenance by qualified, Gas Safe Registered engineers is key to achieving safer homes.

The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) enabled the establishment of the Gas Safe Register (GSR) and places a legal requirement on all those conducting gas work in homes to be competent to do so and Gas Safe Registered. HSE will consider enforcement action against those who do not comply with this legal obligation.

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 (a) improve water efficiency and (b) reduce leaks in the public water supply network.

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

The Government is delivering on improvements in water efficiency and leakage reductions via a series of water demand targets, which will reduce water usage by 20% per person by 2038 and cut leakage in halve by 2050. To meet these targets, the Government is rolling out a Mandatory Water Efficiency Label for products and consulting to revise the minimum Water Efficiency Standard for new houses in the 2010 Building Regulations.

We are working with regulators to assure the roll out of 10.4 million smart meters over the next five years. This will be delivered alongside a £100 million Water Efficiency Fund (WEF) over the next 5 years.

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 relationship between access to core utilities and population retention in remote rural 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.

Despite this we know that people living in rural areas often have greater distances to travel to access essential services and can struggle to access other core utilities.

This Government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural business and communities. We have made a commitment that all policy decision-making including the provision of utility infrastructure should be rural proofed to ensure that rural areas are not overlooked and that the intended outcomes are deliverable in rural areas.

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 support essential infrastructure in rural communities at risk of depopulation.

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.

Despite this we know that people living in rural areas often have greater distances to travel to access essential services and can struggle to access other core utilities.

This Government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural business and communities. We have made a commitment that all policy decision-making including the provision of utility infrastructure should be rural proofed to ensure that rural areas are not overlooked and that the intended outcomes are deliverable in rural areas.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what criteria need to be met by a company before it receives a contract for military training services.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

All prospective suppliers are to be checked that they are not on the Debarment List before they are invited to tender or awarded a contract. If the procurement is subject to the Procurement Act 2023 (“the Act”), prospective suppliers can be excluded from tendering in accordance with the grounds listed in Schedules 6 and 7 if the MOD is satisfied that the circumstances given rise to the event are continuing or likely to occur again.

Persecution of Christians in Nigeria

Cumulative disruption proposals and the right to protest

Support for the UK-Ukraine Trauma and Recovery Collaborative

Friends of Campsie Community Work

Conduct of Sir Robbie Gibb and the independence of the BBC Board

Family Business Week 2025

Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2025

Morrisons Christmas advert 2025

The Crab and Lobster Fish Shack in Queensferry

Matters for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider prior to the Autumn Budget 2025 (No. 2)

NHS Food Scanner App and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Guidance

The Link Visiting Scheme and the Great British Business and Community Awards

Affordable rail travel for over-30s

The Barkham Hookers and the Poppy Appeal

Gold awards for Oswestry in Bloom, RHS Britain in Bloom 2025

Schools (Residential Outdoor Education) (Scotland) Bill

Taxi accessibility for disabled people

David Rollo, Scottish Rugby Hall of Fame induction

The Retreat at Elcot Park and the Three Peaks Challenge

Election of Clare McNaught as President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

John Wilmott

Protections for animals and people

Second homes in the Lake District

Speen Community Cafe's fourth anniversary

Ukrainian Permission Extension Scheme

Local government and social care

Decarbonising refrigerated transport

Fossil fuel company profits

Commemoration of Brian Hill’s service to Epsom Cycling Club

Citizens Advice Torbay

Accessible healthcare for deaf people and those with hearing loss

President Trump’s 20-point peace plan

Mouth Cancer Action Month

King’s Award for Wem Town Hall

King's Award for Voluntary Service for Options in Life

Bruce Richardson

King’s Award for Open Door Drama Shetland

Bengal Lounge in Linton award of Best Chef of the Year at the Euro Asia Curry Awards 2025

Support for the Shakespeare Curriculum Project

As You Like It Club for the blind and partially sighted

Exmoor Forest Inn

Holt Crafters

Exceptional performing arts centres in rural areas

Newbury Velo at the 2025 British Cycling Awards

Local Housing Allowance

Soham Men's Shed

Cancer waiting times

RAF Photographic Reconnaissance Units

Tobias Gutteridge

Jordan Codices

Release of Alaa Abd El-Fattah and the plight of British nationals arbitrarily detained abroad

Britain’s canals and rivers

Camanachd Assoociation’s Shinty’s Story exhibition

Peter Gow

Conduct of Samir Zitouni and Stephen Crean on the 18.25 Doncaster to Kings Cross train on 1 November 2025

Found: present1 Patricia Ferguson, in the Chair2 Maureen Burke Harriet Cross Lillian Jones Mr Angus MacDonald

Found: meeting Members present: Patricia Ferguson (Chair); Maureen Burke; Dave Doogan; Lillian Jones; Mr Angus MacDonald

In Scotland, as in other parts of the UK, concerns have been raised about how high streets and town centres are changing. Scotland’s high streets face multiple challenges, and many have been described as being in ‘decline’. However, possible new models for resilient and thriving high streets are emerging, while there continues to be interest in community-led regeneration. This inquiry will engage with local communities and other stakeholders to explore what a positive vision for the future of Scottish high streets and town centres might look like, and to examine what role government might play in making this vision a reality.

Submit Evidence (by 12 Dec 2025)

Reliable digital infrastructure is essential for enabling economic growth, public service delivery and social inclusion—especially in Scotland’s rural and island communities. These areas often face unique challenges due to geographic isolation and low population density, which can make the rollout of broadband and mobile networks more complex and costly. This inquiry will explore how digital connectivity can be improved across Scotland, and whether current UK and Scottish Government initiatives are delivering for the communities that need them most.