Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on granting people with arrest warrants issued against them by the International Criminal Court access to UK airspace.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Airspace access is not within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's policy responsibilities. The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for airspace management and related policies in the UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the surcharge for paying Vehicle Excise Duty in instalments for people with below average incomes.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In Autumn 2013, the Government announced the introduction of the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) direct debit scheme from 1 October 2014. Instead of paying VED annually or in two instalments per year with a 10% surcharge, this allows people to pay VED monthly or in two instalments per year via direct debit, with a 5% surcharge. This change therefore reduced the surcharge payable by half.

These surcharges are in place to make up for the interest that the government loses on monthly and six monthly VED payments. When the VED direct debit scheme was announced in 2013, a Tax Information and Impact Note was published setting out the expected impacts on individuals. It was expected that the direct debit scheme would have a positive impact for individuals, as it would enable the spreading of VED payments at a lower surcharge rate than non-direct debit instalments, and help individuals and families plan manage their finances.

The Tax Information and Impact Note also set out expected economic, equalities and other impacts of the changes, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74c63ce5274a3f93b48b3e/vehicle-excise-dd.pdf

As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations from the public on how the tax system can be improved. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of public finances.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the impact of the surcharge for paying Vehicle Excise Duty in instalments on people with below average incomes.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

In Autumn 2013, the Government announced the introduction of the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) direct debit scheme from 1 October 2014. Instead of paying VED annually or in two instalments per year with a 10% surcharge, this allows people to pay VED monthly or in two instalments per year via direct debit, with a 5% surcharge. This change therefore reduced the surcharge payable by half.

These surcharges are in place to make up for the interest that the government loses on monthly and six monthly VED payments. When the VED direct debit scheme was announced in 2013, a Tax Information and Impact Note was published setting out the expected impacts on individuals. It was expected that the direct debit scheme would have a positive impact for individuals, as it would enable the spreading of VED payments at a lower surcharge rate than non-direct debit instalments, and help individuals and families plan manage their finances.

The Tax Information and Impact Note also set out expected economic, equalities and other impacts of the changes, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74c63ce5274a3f93b48b3e/vehicle-excise-dd.pdf

As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations from the public on how the tax system can be improved. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of public finances.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will ask the UN Secretary General to investigate (a) how many allegations of human rights abuses have been made to the Moroccan National Human Rights Council in Western Sahara and (b) whether those allegations have been investigated in each year since 2015.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara. We consistently support the UN efforts to resolve the situation in Western Sahara, and support language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. We engage regularly with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Western Sahara.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in the occupied territory of Western Sahara.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara. We consistently support the UN efforts to resolve the situation in Western Sahara, and support language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. We engage regularly with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Western Sahara.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of Morocco on the expulsion of (a) Dolores Travieso Darias, (b) Flora Moreno Ramos and (c) Silvestre Suarez Fernandez from El Aaiun.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have had no such discussions regarding these three individuals.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with counterparts in the Welsh Government on improving equine identification and traceability.

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

The Government recognises the importance of engaging with Devolved Governments on a regular basis. Defra officials hold regular monthly meetings with Welsh Government to discuss improvements to equine identification and traceability; there is also an open channel of communication between officials to deal with shared issues in a timely manner.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she plans to take to support the use of shore power technology at the Port of Fishguard to aid maritime decarbonisation.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions programme has previously allocated over £33m to five shore power demonstrator projects at Aberdeen, Atlantic and Peninsula Falmouth, Cammel Laird shipyard, Leith and Portsmouth.

These projects have informed Government policy making about maritime decarbonisation, and in March 2025, the Government published its Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy. A core policy within this Strategy is taking action to reduce emissions from vessels whilst at berth. Although the Government remains technology neutral, we recognise that shore power will play a role in reducing emissions from vessels at berth, supporting our mission to make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower.

Alongside this Strategy, the Government also published a call for evidence on Net Zero Ports to explore the opportunities and barriers to reducing emissions at berth, with a focus on the role ports can play in enabling the shipping sector to decarbonise. Ports policy is devolved, so this will inform Government policy relating to English ports. However, we welcome input from ports and their tenants in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to this Call for Evidence to broaden our understanding of the issues.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were recorded as leaving the UK via (a) Dover, (b) Cairnryan, (c) Holyhead, (d) Harwich and (e) other ports since the ban on live exports to slaughter and fattening was brought into force.

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

The table below contains the number of Export Health Certificates (EHC) dispatched for the export of Equidae from 22/07/2024 to date.

Each EHC issued is for the export of one equine. The point of exit and purpose of movement are not recorded as the Export Health Certificate Online System (EHCO) does not capture that information.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department plans to carry out an impact assessment on the consequences of proposals detailed in the Health and Disability Green Paper that have not been included within the formal consultation process.

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

Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper’.

A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help support the owners of (a) short and (b) long term holiday lets to improve the energy efficiency rating of their properties in Wales.

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

The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to property owners, including holiday lets, to enable them to transition away from fossil fuel to low carbon heating.

Advice for energy efficiency support in Wales is available at: https://www.gov.wales/home-energy-fuel-poverty

Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate she has made of the (a) backlog of cases and (b) average time taken by the Valuation Office Agency’s to process applications to transfer short-term rental properties between business rates and council tax; and what steps she is taking to help improve performance.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has announced that the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will be integrated into HMRC by April 2026. Moving the VOA’s functions into HMRC will increase oversight and accountability to Ministers over delivery of their priorities to modernise the tax system and improve the experience of taxpayers and businesses.

On average, the VOA is clearing cases relating to self-catering properties in England and Wales within four months.

Currently, the VOA is working as quickly as possible to clear any outstanding cases, focusing on the oldest cases first, and those where customers are facing financial hardship.

More widely, it is replacing IT systems with modern cloud-based platforms that will deliver significant efficiencies across its work. It is also upskilling its workforce so they can handle multiple types of cases, and improving its digital services to make it easier for customers to self-serve.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many times HMRC's Statutory Payment Consultation Group convened in each of the past 5 years.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Statutory Payments Consultation Group convened as follows:

2020 – once

2021 – once

2022 – once

2023 – not held

2024 - once

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to uplift pensions.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor meets regularly with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to discuss a range of issues.

The Government is considering proposals put forward by the BCSSS Trustees and needs to understand their impacts for both scheme members and the Government, in the same way as we are doing for the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme. The Government and BCSSS Trustees are working together to jointly commission analysis so that we can gain that understanding and work towards reaching agreement on a way forward.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allocating a portion of the financial penalties collected by the Financial Conduct Authority to fund financial redress to people affected by the collapse of Football Index and BetIndex Limited.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recognises the significant impact the collapse of BetIndex Ltd had on former customers.

Revenue from FCA fines is used to benefit the taxpaying public. First, the FCA deducts the costs of enforcement from its fine income. Any money left over is passed to the Treasury in accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The Treasury must surrender it to the Consolidated Fund and is then part of the Government’s total revenues, used to pay for all Government spending on public services like hospitals, hospices, and other crucial services. The Government has no plans to change this approach.

The previous Government concluded that it would not be appropriate for the Government to use public funds to provide compensation for those who had lost money through the collapse of Football Index and BetIndex. Whilst the Government strongly sympathises with all who were impacted, we do not think this decision should be reopened.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with (a) the UN Security Council and (b) his Moroccan counterpart on ensuring access to the occupied territory of Western Sahara by (a) the media and (b) humanitarian NGOs.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has supported language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. Officials, including up to ambassador level, also engage on these issues with the Moroccan Government and authorities. The UK continues to regularly meet and consult regional and international partners to discuss the issue of Western Sahara, including those from the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the UN, civil society, and the broader international community.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April to Question 42840 on Western Sahara: Human Rights, what discussions he has had with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Western Sahara on the adequacy of the number investigations undertaken by the Moroccan National Human Rights Council following allegations of human rights abuses in Western Sahara since 2015.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Morocco and Western Sahara, and consistently urges all states to uphold international law and international human rights standards, avoiding any action that may endanger human life. The UK engages regularly with Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Western Sahara, most recently at senior official level on 1 April. The Minister for Africa last met with him in September 2024.

Better Jobs, Better Services campaign

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia

Digital-only immigration status

World IBD Day 2025

World Bee Day (No. 2)

Humanitarian aid into Gaza

British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (No. 2)

Impact of No Recourse to Public Funds on child poverty

Arms exports to Israel

UK aid for global forests and indigenous peoples

Nurses Day 2025

Negotiating rights for police officers

Import of goods from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Foster Care Fortnight

Support for the trans community

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Gaza occupation proposals

Deaf Awareness Week 2025

Clwb Ffilm Dyffryn Nantlle and the Into Film Awards 2025

Securing habitat for endangered swifts and other cavity nesting birds

Trans+ History Week

Climate and Nature Bill

Blockade of aid to Gaza

Libraries in state primary schools

Spring Statement 2025 and young disabled people

Lesbian Visibility Week 2025

Ian Gibson Fellowship

Armenian genocide

Death of Pope Francis

Restless legs syndrome

War Widows/Widowers Pension compensation and medical discharge

Life of Pope Francis

Rory McIlroy’s grand slam victory

St George’s Day 2025

LED headlights

Immigration application fees for young adults and children

UK parliamentarians sanctioned by the Russian Federation

Sanctioning of UK Parliamentarians by Russia

Found: Knutsford Bake Club AOC0523 468 LINK ATM Scheme AOC0177 469 Later Life Ambitions AOC044967 470 MP, Ben Lake

Found: ; Clwyd North) Simon Hoare (Conservative; North Dorset) Claire Hughes (Labour; Bangor Aberconwy) Ben Lake

Found: meeting Members present: Ruth Jones (Chair); David Chadwick; Ann Davies; Simon Hoare; Claire Hughes; Ben Lake

Found: Olivia Blake Ian Byrne Rachael Maskell Kim Johnson Ellie Chowns Carla Denyer Richard Burgon Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Liz Jarvis Rachel Gilmour Tom Gordon Helen Maguire Tom Morrison Sarah Gibson Alex Brewer Ben Lake

Found: Liz Jarvis Rachel Gilmour Tom Gordon Helen Maguire Tom Morrison Sarah Gibson Alex Brewer Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

Found: Stainbank Jo White Johanna Baxter Jonathan Hinder Dr Scott Arthur Maureen Burke Adam Jogee Ben Lake

<p>First Minister, infrastructure development is crucial to supporting the economy in Preseli Pembrokeshire and, as you’re aware, there is a long-standing issue regarding the road network in lower town Fishguard. The current road system means that pedestrians have to use the same bridge as vehicles of all sizes, and there are regular reports of severe congestion because some heavy goods vehicles are ignoring the restrictions that are currently in place. None of this is helpful to the local community or, indeed, to the local economy, and because this is above party politics, I and Ben Lake, the MP for Ceredigion Preseli, have worked with the town council, and wrote a joint letter to you and the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, in March, asking for intervention after years of this problem affecting the area. We haven’t had a response to that letter as of yet, despite it being chased by my office, and so perhaps you could tell us now whether you and, indeed, the Cabinet Secretary would be willing to visit the site for yourselves, and meet with me, Ben Lake and the town council so that we can resolve this matter once and for all.</p>