Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will exempt Armed Forces personnel on mandatory overseas postings from the three year time limit on Stamp Duty Land Tax refunds.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Successive Governments have taken the view that the three-year limit on SDLT refund claims when replacing a main residence should apply consistently to armed forces personnel and other employment.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has considered introducing a mandatory vehicle noise test as part of the MOT; and what steps she is taking to tackle excessive vehicle noise.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Excessive exhaust noise is already assessed as part of the MOT. Testers must fail a vehicle where its exhaust noise is unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. The Department keeps the content of the MOT under review, but there are practical challenges in introducing an objective noise measurement test in MOT stations. To tackle excessive vehicle noise, the Department continues to work with enforcement partners and supports action under existing legislation against vehicles that do not comply with noise requirements.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure secondary school pupils have unrestricted access to clean, safe toilet facilities.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department expects all schools to provide pupils with access to clean, safe and suitable toilet facilities that support their health and welfare. The School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 require schools to provide adequate toilet and washing facilities, including separate toilets for boys and girls aged eight and over, except where individual lockable toilets are provided. It is for school leaders to manage the day-to-day operation of their schools, including arrangements for pupils’ access to toilet facilities.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve access to NHS dental services.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the press release issued in December 2025, setting out the action we are taking to improve access to National Health Service dental services, available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-boost-for-millions-of-nhs-dental-patients
The latest NHS Dental Statistics show continued improvement across a range of key measures, with more NHS dental care being delivered, more dentists providing NHS services, improved access for patients, increased preventative care for children, and record levels of urgent dental activity. The publication of the annual dental statistics is available at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202526