Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the contract awarded by National Highways for the M49 junction 1 at Severnside was let on a fixed price basis or on a basis under which the final sum payable to the contractor could vary; and what the (a) original contract value and (b) final sum paid to the contractor were.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.

The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.

Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the contract awarded by National Highways for the construction of the M49 junction 1 at Severnside was let as a design and build contract or as a construction only contract; and whether responsibility for the design of that junction rested with National Highways or with the appointed contractor.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.

The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.

Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what provisions the contract for the M49 junction 1 at Severnside contained requiring the contractor to remedy defects at its own cost; and whether National Highways has sought to recover any sums from the contractor in respect of that junction.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.

The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.

Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether National Highways has referred, or intends to refer, the dispute over defects identified at the M49 Severnside junction 1 to adjudication under the dispute resolution provisions of its construction contract.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

National Highways is continuing to engage with the principal contractor to seek an amicable and timely resolution to the issues identified at M49 Severnside Junction 1. As these discussions continue, no decision has been made on whether to pursue adjudication, and any future consideration of legal options would be subject to legal privilege.

The contract for M49 Severnside Junction 1 was awarded through National Highways’ Collaborative Delivery Framework as a design and build arrangement, with responsibility for the design resting with the appointed contractor. The framework is based on the NEC model, under which the contract value may vary in certain circumstances. However, National Highways is unable to disclose commercially sensitive information, including the original contract value, final sum paid, or any sums sought from the contractor, while ‘without prejudice’ discussions remain ongoing with the contractor, as doing so could compromise those discussions.

Design and build contracts include standard provisions requiring contractors to remedy defects during the defect correction period. Where issues are pursued outside that period, as in this case, any claim would be treated as a standard breach of contract claim. National Highways will continue to engage with the contractor to ensure a shared understanding of the technical information and identify responsibility and liability, determining whether the matter can be resolved amicably and expeditiously.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the accessibility for disabled people of GOV.UK guidance on setting up a business; and what steps she plans to take to improve it.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring that digital services are accessible and inclusive to everyone, including disabled people.

GOV.UK guidance is owned and managed by government departments and organisations. They have a legal duty to consider everyone’s needs when designing and delivering information and services, and to meet the requirements of the Public Sector Bodies Accessibility Regulations and the Government Service Standard.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the level of the barriers faced by disabled people in accessing start up funding; and what steps he plans to take to reduce them.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department's work through the Lilac Review with Small Business Britain has supported research into the barriers faced by disabled people in accessing start up finance.

In response to this the Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship (DFCE) was launched in December 2024 to improve access to finance and resources for disabled entrepreneurs. Its July 2026 Progress Report highlighted progress by founding signatories Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and NatWest.

The Department will continue to work with the wider financial sector to expand the Code’s reach, strengthen its impact, and help reduce financial barriers for disabled entrepreneurs across the UK.

World Menopause Day 2026

Defibrillators in police vehicles

Cancer treatment in rural areas

Support for off-grid homes

UK firefighters attending the Terry Farrell Patriot Memorial Stair Climb

Enhertu for metastatic breast cancer patients

Foster Care Fortnight 2026

Barbering and hairdressing

Independent cafes and coffee shops

Second Reading of the Mental Capacity (Duty to Assess) Bill

Road fuel prices

Water sector reform

Found: Cleethorpes) Mike Reader (Labour; Northampton South) Bradley Thomas (Conservative; Bromsgrove) Claire Young

Found: Cleethorpes) Mike Reader (Labour; Northampton South) Bradley Thomas (Conservative; Bromsgrove) Claire Young

Found: present: Bill Esterson (Chair); Sir Christopher Chope; Wera Hobhouse; Melanie Onn; Mike Reader; Claire Young

Found: present: Bill Esterson (Chair); Sir Christopher Chope; Wera Hobhouse; Melanie Onn; Mike Reader; Claire Young