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 the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure local authorities are adequately funded to support public libraries.

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

The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils' Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

Public libraries are funded by local authorities as part of this broader settlement. Each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with OFCOM on levels of compliance of delivery companies with consumer rights legislation.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

I have recently met with Ofcom to discuss a range of issues. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the seller is responsible for the delivery of goods bought online until they are in the consumer's physical possession and is thus responsible if anything goes wrong with the consumer's parcel, including goods delivered damaged or lost in transit.

Ofcom requires that all operators have a straightforward, accessible, and affordable complaints process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to prevent speculative development on greenfield sites in coastal locations.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which includes a revised presumption in favour of sustainable development and new policies on development inside and outside settlements. These changes aim to provide for a more certain and rules-based approach to managing development and to steer it towards the most appropriate locations. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

In the absence of an up-to-date local plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area’s potential. It is for these reasons that we have been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible with a view to achieving universal local plan coverage. In the new plan-making system that will come into force early next year, local plans will be expected to be prepared and adopted within a 30-month timeframe and be more frequently prepared so that plans are kept up-to-date.

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 recreational angling operators in the light of recent changes to pollack catch limits.

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

The pollack stock remains vulnerable and it is important we take steps to support its recovery. The recreational sector has shown leadership through the voluntary Pollack Pact, which we are building on by mandating a three-fish daily bag limit. This means recreational fishers can continue to fish for pollack, while helping reduce pressure on the stock. We will continue working closely with the recreational and commercial sectors through the Fisheries Management Plan process to consider any further fair and proportionate measures.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has had with the fishing industry in the South West on the sinking of a vessel off the coast of South Devon on 11 October 2025.

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

The MCA did not liaise with the fishing industry in the South West during the operation pertaining to the sinking of a vessel off the coast of South Devon.

The incident is currently subject to a debriefing process wherein upon completion there will be engagement directly with industry.

Deregistration of international non-governmental organisations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Nuclear Regulatory Review and habitats regulations

50th anniversary of Central Church Torquay

80th anniversary of the South Devon Branch of the Devonshire Association

UK arms export licensing and conflict in Sudan

Winter NHS corridor care

Schools Residential Outdoor Education (Scotland) Bill (No. 2)

Found: Hayes (Chair); Darren Paffey; Manuela Perteghella; Mark Sewards; Peter Swallow; Chris Vince; Caroline Voaden

Found: Hayes (Chair); Darren Paffey; Manuela Perteghella; Mark Sewards; Peter Swallow; Chris Vince; Caroline Voaden