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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the extender producer responsibility scheme on sustainable glass producers.

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

No, the 2022 PePR impact assessment made an assessment of the impact of introducing the scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This does not split the assessment by sector. The Government has now published the first set of pEPR illustrative base fees and is undertaking engagement with relevant industry to ensure that they are based on the best evidence to date. As part of this engagement, the impact on specific packaging sectors is being discussed.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with contractors on the provision of appropriate accommodation for asylum seeker families in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Home Office officials meet regularly with our accommodation provider for Northern Ireland, Mears, who are obliged under the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract (AASC) to ensure that asylum accommodation meets all statutory requirements.

The AASC Statement of Requirements below gives a detailed breakdown of all of the services to be undertaken by our accommodation providers and the standards we expect: http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2018-1112/AASC_-_Schedule_2_-_Statement_of_Requirements.pdf(opens in a new tab).

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to ensure that journalists in Northern Ireland are protected from (a) threats of violence from paramilitary groups, (b) surveillance from security forces and (c) pressure to reveal sources.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

A free, independent media is a cornerstone of our democracy. It is vital that journalists are able to continue their work without the fear of attack or threat. The Department of Digital, Culture, Media & Sport is responsible for the National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists which sets out our approach to increase the safety of journalists.

We work closely with the Northern Ireland Executive in their efforts to tackle the threat and harm caused by paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. I commend the PSNI on the progress they have made to address journalist safety in Northern Ireland. Two Journalist Safety Officers have been appointed and are notified of all reports of threats to journalists. An internal Journalist Safety Group has also been established.

There are a number of robust legal protections afforded to journalists and their sources. These include Article 10 of The European Convention on Human Rights, the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, and the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. In addition, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) can consider allegations of unlawful intrusion by public bodies, including the UK intelligence services and Police.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Police Service of Northern Ireland on recent threats of violence against a Sunday World journalist.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Journalists play a vital role in our society. It is unacceptable that they should find themselves threatened for doing their job.

I meet regularly with the Chief Constable and his senior team regarding national security and discuss a range of issues. I commend the PSNI on the progress they have made to address journalist safety in Northern Ireland. Two Journalist Safety Officers have been appointed and are notified of all reports of threats to journalists. An internal Journalist Safety Group has also been established.

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 (a) Ofgem and (b) energy companies on introducing a social tariff for low-income households.

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

The Government is committed to supporting low-income households this winter, and we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides an annual £150 rebate off energy bills to eligible low-income households.

Last month, I met with energy suppliers to discuss the support we will provide to customers struggling with bills this winter, and my team and I will continue to work closely with suppliers in the weeks ahead. The Government expects energy suppliers to do everything they can to support consumers who are struggling with their bills.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made on introducing a ban on single use vapes.

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

We are reviewing the current proposals to restrict the sale and supply of single use vapes and will outline next steps as soon as possible.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will (a) hold discussions with the (Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in the Northern Ireland Executive on the potential impact of levels of (i) investment by the Irish Government and (ii) access to labour (A) from the EU and (B) through a bespoke visa on the mushroom sector in Northern Ireland and (b) make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Home Affairs of the potential merits of introducing a bespoke visa to encourage more agricultural workers into Northern Ireland's mushroom sector.

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

This Government is serious about revitalising the relationship between UK and Devolved Governments and partnering to deliver economic growth and stability.

The Seasonal Workers visa route is a bespoke visa currently available for workers outside of the UK to come and work for up to six months in the horticulture sector, and in the run up to Christmas for the poultry sector. The horticulture sector includes both edible and ornamental horticulture, which covers the mushroom sector in Northern Ireland. The number of seasonal worker visas available for horticulture in 2024 is 45,000, with an additional 2,000 for the poultry sector. The same allocation was available in 2023 and comfortably met the sector’s needs.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) review of the Seasonal Worker visa was published in July. It recommended the continuation of the visa route because of the sector’s unique, highly seasonal and short-term labour requirements and important role in ensuring our food security. The Government will be responding to the MAC this autumn.

Alongside migrant workers arriving through the Seasonal Worker visa route, food and farming businesses can also draw on EU nationals living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status to meet their seasonal worker needs.

I speak regularly to my counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive on shared priorities.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterpart on implementing an immediate ceasefire in (a) Lebanon and (b) Gaza.

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

A resolution to this conflict has been a priority since day one of this government - the Foreign Secretary has visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories twice and the Prime Minister has spoken to both PM Netanyahu and President Abbas. We were the first G7 country to call for the implementation of an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel on 19 September. The Foreign Secretary spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Katz on 2 October, and we continue to work in lockstep with our allies to de-escalate the situation and urge all parties to end this cycle of violence.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a unique IP address for Northern Ireland residents to prevent geo blocking of Irish sports coverage from Ireland.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the importance of residents of Northern Ireland being able to access coverage of important sporting and other cultural events that are relevant to communities across the island of Ireland.

While decisions on the coverage of sporting events are for rights holders and broadcasters to make independent of their respective Governments, we would encourage sports rights holders and relevant broadcasters to have in place suitable arrangements to ensure Northern Ireland residents can continue to access sports coverage from Ireland.

Given the cross-border nature of the concerns raised, I have also asked my officials to discuss these issues with their counterparts in the Irish Government.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral evidence provided by the Minister for Pensions to the Work and Pensions Committee on defined benefit pension schemes on 10 January 2024, Session 2023-24, HC 144, what plans she has to review the (a) indexation, (b) 90% compensation cap and (c) potential merits of other changes to the Pension Protection Fund; and whether she plans to consult on potential changes to that Fund during this Parliament.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

I have heard about the problems experienced by Defined Benefit pension scheme members adjusting to an income in retirement which may be less than they were expecting following the insolvency of their employer. I recognise the importance of these issues for members and will consider this further in the coming months.

Pension Protection Fund compensation payments based on benefits accrued on or after 6 April 1997 are increased in line with the Consumer Price Index, capped at 2.5 per cent. Before 6 April 1997, there was no general statutory requirement for defined benefit pensions to be increased when in payment, apart from any Guaranteed Minimum Pension element earned on or after 6 April 1988.

There is no cap to Pension Protection Fund compensation. Compensation is calculated at the date of employer insolvency and, at that date, is initially either 100 per cent of their accrued pension benefits for members over their scheme's normal pension age or 90 per cent of their accrued pension benefits for members below their scheme’s normal pension age.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what his planned timetable is for resuming inquests relating to the troubles in Northern Ireland that ended when the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 came into force; and whether those referred from the Attorney General will receive an inquest.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Government has made clear its intention to propose measures that allow legacy inquests previously halted by the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act 2023 to proceed, should that be the preference of the victims’s families.

A number of inquests were referred to the coroners’ service by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland shortly before the Act came into force. I am considering the approach to these as part of my ongoing consultation process with interested parties. I want to make progress as swiftly as possible.

As I set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 7 October, the Government is now carefully considering its next steps following the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal’s judgment in light of the additional declarations of incompatibility made by the Court of Appeal. At the same time, the Government will continue to explore measures to strengthen the ICRIR to ensure that it is both human rights compliant and able to command support from across communities in Northern Ireland.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will review the Government's policy on uprating the State Pension for people living overseas.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are no plans to review the policy on up-rating the UK State Pensions Overseas.

UK State Pensions are payable worldwide, without regard to nationality, and are only uprated abroad where there is a legal requirement to do so, for example in countries with which we have a reciprocal agreement that provides for up-rating.

The policy on the uprating of UK State Pensions paid overseas is a longstanding one.

Support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency

Transition to animal-free research and testing

Scientific hearing on animal experiments

Reductions in jobs and services at the BBC

Frozen pensions for UK citizens overseas

World Food Day

Cost of motor insurance

UN’s resolution on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and sanctions

Supreme Court ruling on Tesco and fire and rehire practices

Found: Not called _5 Ellie Chowns Siân Berry Carla Denyer Adrian Ramsay Claire Hanna .