Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps they are taking to increase skills and training opportunities to become HGV drivers.

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

The government offers a range of skills training which can be used to support the HGV sector. This includes apprenticeships such as the Urban Driver and Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver C + E standards, Skills Bootcamps, and sector-based work academy programmes (SWAPs).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to publish guidance setting out how non-financial factors, such as environmental performance or repeated regulatory breaches, will be considered when determining whether to trigger special administration of a water company.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90063.

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 merits of publishing criteria, thresholds and circumstances under which the Water Industry Special Administration Regime may be triggered.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90063.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that public, environmental and customer interests are considered in future uses of the Special Administration Regime for struggling utilities.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90065.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with Ofwat on the adequacy of Thames Water’s compliance with its environmental and financial obligations under its operating licence; and whether Thames Water's performance meets any threshold for intervention under the Special Administration Regime (SAR).

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

Special administration is the ultimate enforcement tool in Ofwat’s regulatory toolkit, and as such the bar is set high. In determining whether to apply to the court for a Special Administration Regime, the Secretary of State would have regard to all the relevant facts and matters pertaining at the time, acting in accordance with applicable statutory duties.

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 has assessed Thames Water’s current financial position against the statutory criteria for triggering the Special Administration Regime under the Water Industry Act 1991.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 19 November 2025 to the hon. Member for Witney, UIN 90065.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of cost pressures for the haulage industry, ahead of the Budget.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the key role the haulage sector plays in the UK economy and regularly engages with its representatives.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to previous levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average HGV driver £843 next year compared to previous plans.

From 1 April 2026, Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) standard rates for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and HGV levy rates will be uprated by RPI for 2026-27. Hauliers will not see a real-terms increase in VED or HGV levy liabilities, as rates have increased to keep pace with inflation only.

The Government considers the impact of motoring taxes on the economy, including households and businesses, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the reasons for households not obtaining insurance for flooding in spite of being eligible for the Flood Re scheme; and if she will call on Flood Re to clarify why such cases are occurring in Witney constituency.

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

Flood Re is a joint Government-industry scheme enabling high flood risk households to access affordable insurance. Since launch, Flood Re has supported more than 650,000 households, with 346,000 policies ceded to them in 2024/25.

Prior to Flood Re’s inception, the average home insurance quote for a householder with a flood claim was about £4,400. As of December 2024, the average was c. £1,100, with 99% of householders at high risk of flooding now able to obtain quotes from 10 or more insurers.

The decision to insure a property, and/or to cede a policy to Flood Re is a decision made by each insurance company, but all households eligible under the Flood Re Scheme should be able to access to flood insurance cover. It remains important that policy holders shop around for an insurer to find the most suitable policy for their needs as individual insurers will consider a range of factors in setting their premiums.

Defra continues working with Flood Re and insurers to monitor affordability, and have not been made aware of any Flood Re eligible properties being refused flood cover on an industry wide basis.

Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week 2025

Found: Littlehampton) Sonia Kumar (Labour; Dudley) Justin Madders (Labour; Ellesmere Port and Bromborough) Charlie Maynard

Found: Chair); Dan Aldridge; Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Alison Griffiths; Sonia Kumar; Justin Madders; Charlie Maynard

Found: Chair); Dan Aldridge; Antonia Bance; John Cooper; Alison Griffiths; Sonia Kumar; Justin Madders; Charlie Maynard

Submit Evidence (by 18 Dec 2025)

The Business and Trade Committee is exploring issues impacting competition and market functioning within the UK’s live music industry, including the role of the CMA in regulation of the sector. This work is following on from oral evidence sessions held on 4 February and 24 June 2025. The Committee is seeking written submissions on the characteristics, features and trends within the UK live music industry that may adversely impact market competition or market functioning.