Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the total central government capital growth and infrastructure funding per capita allocated was to (a) Mayoral Combined Authorities with integrated settlements and (b) non-mayoral local transport and highway authorities in the latest financial year.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The allocations for capital funding which is devolved through the integrated settlement for financial years 2026/2027 to 2029/2030 are set out on Gov.UK - Integrated Settlement funds for 2026 to 2030 - GOV.UK.

Non-Mayoral local transport authorities’ capital allocations for the Local Transport Grant for financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30 are set out on Gov.UK - Capital allocations: 2026 to 2027 and 2029 to 2030 - GOV.UK

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has considered the potential merits of requiring promoters of radio phone in competitions involving an element of chance to win a substantial prize to publish the (a) odds of winning or (b) the total number of entries for each competition.

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

In November 2025, the Government introduced a Voluntary Code of Good Practice for Prize Draw Operators. This sets out that, where possible, operators should provide players with clear and easily accessible information regarding the likelihood of winning a prize and how prizes will be allocated (for example, by displaying the maximum number of tickets available or data from previous comparable draws).

Whilst broadcasters are subject to comprehensive regulatory frameworks enforced by bodies such as Ofcom, we continue to encourage the sector to sign up to the Voluntary Code to improve consumer experiences.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether a Lasting Power of Attorney document can be used for the purposes of authorising an executor access to a deceased’s pensioner's Civil Service Pension portal.

Answered by Sally Jameson - Parliamentary Secretary and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government)

A Lasting Power of Attorney is valid only during an individual’s lifetime. As it ceases upon death, it cannot be used to authorise access to a deceased member’s Civil Service Pension record.

The Civil Service Pension Scheme portal does not have a facility for third-party access to a member’s record. However, executors or personal representatives can obtain the information required to administer the estate directly from Civil Service Pensions. To do so, they must provide proof of identity and legal authority, such as a Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration, or a copy of the Will.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has considered the potential merits of including cephalopods in the core protections of the Animal Welfare Act 2026.

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

Defra set out in its Animal Welfare Strategy that the department will develop the evidence base through research and continued stakeholder engagement. This work is ongoing and the Government will keep the legislative position under review, as is standard practice.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy published on 22 December 2025, what progress has been made in producing guidance on killing methods for (a) decapods and (b) cephalopods.

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

On decapod welfare at killing, Defra have engaged with industry, animal welfare scientists and non-governmental organisations about current industry practices and standards. Development of guidance will be sequenced alongside the broader set of policies set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy.

Regarding cephalopod molluscs, current knowledge on how to humanely kill them remains limited, and the evidence-base is being developed. The department will continue to monitor and assess evidence as it becomes available.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 October to Question 32077 on Electric Vehicles: Charging Points, what proportion of applications were successful in each year since 2022.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department does not hold this information. This is because, before April 2026, the ​automated grant management system meant customers could not submit applications unless they met eligibility criteria.

From 1 April, a new system has been in place. Up to 14 October, 4,382 customers (46%) ​submitted eligible applications. This has resulted in installers making 1,443 claims on customers' behalf so far. Nearly 750 claims have been approved to date. Processing these applications and claims takes time. We are working to move them through the new system and streamline the process.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether applicants to the Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for residential landlords whose application was refused due to not being submitted using the online portal before 31 March 2026 can reapply for the extended scheme.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Applicants in this situation are welcome to reapply on the extended scheme. Before doing so they should check the grant guidance as new evidencing requirements have been introduced.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Planning Inspectorate case number APP/M1900/W/24/3346607, on what date she will determine the appeal by Brett Aggregates Limited to develop a quarry at the site of the former Hatfield Aerodrome.

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

The Inspector is finalising his report which is expected to be received into the Department’s Planning Casework Unit in mid-November.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will then consider the report and issue the decision.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the policy paper entitled Disability Confident Reform Delivery Plan for December 2025 to December 2026, updated on 13 February 2026, whether he has considered the potential merits of introducing independent audits of accredited Disability Confident employers to ensure they continue to meet the qualifying criteria.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Department has considered the case for greater independent assurance as part of our reforms to the Disability Confident scheme.

We recognise concerns about over-reliance on self-assessment and inconsistent external validation. Our reforms are designed to strengthen criteria, assurance and transparency, while ensuring that expectations remain proportionate for employers of different sizes.

Rather than a blanket system of independent audits across all Disability Confident employers assurance levels will reflect the different stages of the scheme. At Level 1, membership will become a clearer entry point. Membership at this level will be limited to two years with employers expected to progress rather than renew indefinitely. Employers will be supported with guidance and practical resources.

At Level 2, the focus will be on strengthened criteria and require clearer evidence of employer action and progress. At Level 3, where employers demonstrate the highest level of Disability Confident membership, there will be an improved external verification process. Our reform work is developing a more consistent verification framework, supported by clearer criteria, assessor guidance and quality assurance.

Employee lived experience is also being developed as a core part of the reformed verification model, providing more meaningful evidence of the difference employers are making.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of transferring the power to enforce airline breaches of UK Regulation 261 from the Civil Aviation Authority to the Competition and Markets Authority.

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

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), as the United Kingdom’s specialist aviation regulator, is well placed to take enforcement action in relation to breaches of Regulation 261/2004. The Government is strengthening the CAA’s direct enforcement powers through the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill, which is currently in the Commons.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concurrent powers with the CAA, and the two regulators work together closely to ensure the appropriate regulator acts within the specific circumstances.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the use of enforcement powers by the Civil Aviation Authority in relation to cases of airline passengers being denied boarding due to overbooking.

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

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is an independent regulator and is responsible for deciding how to use its enforcement powers. It considers intelligence about potential breaches, including cases involving denied boarding due to overbooking, and prioritises enforcement activity in line with its published prioritisation principles.

The Government is strengthening the CAA’s consumer enforcement powers through the Civil Aviation (Consumer Protection and Regulatory Reform) Bill, including by giving it powers to impose financial penalties.

Delivery of Budget 2026 through property tax systems

Found: Letter dated 14/10/2026 from Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty's Chief Inspector, to Daisy Cooper MP regarding