Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of replicating the Welsh Government’s support for low-income households using LPG or heating oil.

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

In March 2026, the UK Government announced £53 million of targeted support for low-income households that use heating oil, including £3.8 million for Wales. The Welsh Government is using this funding to provide eligible low-income households that use heating oil or liquefied petroleum gas with a one-off £200 payment.

Equivalent support is already available in England through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. Local authorities can provide Crisis Payments to low-income households facing financial hardship with the cost of domestic heating fuels, including heating oil and LPG, and determine the most appropriate support according to local need

The Government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, and plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly. This will include developing options for a proportionate regulatory regime for the heating oil market, which will take time to get right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers. In the meantime, we will work with industry to strengthen consumer protection measures in existing Codes of Conduct, which set rules for the sector. This is a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to create a fairer, more resilient and trusted heating oil market, which delivers stronger consumer protections while preserving competition and security of supply. The full response can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heating-oil-government-response-to-cma-market-study/government-response-to-the-cma-heating-oil-market-study.

For households considering alternatives to oil heating, the Government is supporting the installation of low-carbon heating through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The scheme is open to domestic and small non-domestic properties in England and Wales and provides upfront grants towards eligible low-carbon heating technologies. It currently offers £7,500 towards the installation of air-to-water heat pumps and ground source heat pumps, £5,000 towards biomass boilers in limited circumstances, and £2,500 towards air-to-air heat pumps. A time-limited higher grant of £9,000 is available for eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating systems, helping households and small businesses most exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices to switch to low-carbon heating. The grant is deducted from the upfront cost by the installer, who applies to Ofgem on the property owner’s behalf. Eligibility, suitability and costs will vary by property, and households should seek advice from an MCS-certified installer before making changes to their heating system.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government has any plans to (a) reduce the age of eligibility for concessionary bus travel in England outside London to 60, (b) introduce concessionary bus travel for NHS staff who retire at age 60, and (c) review the disparity between eligibility for concessionary bus travel in England outside London and the other nations of the United Kingdom.

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

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to people with eligible disabilities and those of State Pension age. From 1 April 2027, the off-peak time restrictions on disabled persons’ bus passes will be removed.

There are currently no plans to lower the age of eligibility for the ENCTS, introduce a concession specifically for NHS staff who retire at age 60, or otherwise review the eligibility criteria for the scheme. However, local authorities in England may, at their own discretion and using local resources, offer concessions that go beyond their statutory obligations. This can include lowering the age of eligibility or providing concessions to additional groups of people in their area. The Government provides significant funding to local authorities, including through the Local Authority Bus Grant, which authorities may use to support local transport priorities, including discretionary concessionary travel schemes where they choose to do so.

North East Mayoral Strategic Authority will be allocated £76.4 million under the LABG from 2026/27 to 2028/29.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to deliver a fuel duty rebate for haulage and for heating oil users.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government recognises pressures from fuel price increases linked to the Middle East conflict. As announced in May, as part of a £600 million package, there will be no rise in fuel duty this year and the temporary 5p fuel duty cut has been extended until 31 December 2026. Hauliers will benefit from the extension of the 5p fuel duty cut, with diesel 11p per litre cheaper throughout 2026 than it would have been compared to plans inherited from the previous parliament. This action is in addition to targeted support through a holiday from HGV VED (road tax) for 12 months from 1 July 2026 for the majority of HGVs.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at discal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to (a) reduce the age of eligibility for concessionary bus travel in England outside London to 60, (b) introduce concessionary bus travel for NHS staff who retire at 60 and (c) review eligibility for concessionary bus travel in England outside London.

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

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to people with eligible disabilities and those of State Pension age. From 1 April 2027, the off-peak time restrictions on disabled persons’ bus passes will be removed.

Local authorities in England may, at their own discretion and using local resources, offer concessions that go beyond their statutory obligations. This can include lowering the age of eligibility or providing concessions to additional groups of people in their area. The Government provides significant funding to local authorities, including through the Local Authority Bus Grant, which authorities may use to support local transport priorities, including discretionary concessionary travel schemes where they choose to do so.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Part 4A of the Electronic Communications Code within the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 in enabling broadband operators to obtain access to multi-dwelling properties where a landlord or freeholder is unresponsive; and what steps she is taking to reduce delays and administrative burdens associated with that process.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

As of January 2026, Ofcom report that 88% of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable connection. The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 enables network operators to seek time-limited Code rights through a streamlined court process where a landlord has repeatedly failed to respond to access requests. While stakeholder engagement indicates landlord non-responsiveness remains a barrier in some cases, wider issues also affect broadband deployment in multi-dwelling buildings. Following a recent consultation on broadband rollout in leaseholds, the Government intends to take forward measures to address wider access barriers through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill when parliamentary time allows.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of taking steps to reduce delays and administrative burdens associated with Part 4A of the Electronic Communications Code.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

As of January 2026, Ofcom report that 88% of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable connection. The Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021 enables network operators to seek time-limited Code rights through a streamlined court process where a landlord has repeatedly failed to respond to access requests. While stakeholder engagement indicates landlord non-responsiveness remains a barrier in some cases, wider issues also affect broadband deployment in multi-dwelling buildings. Following a recent consultation on broadband rollout in leaseholds, the Government intends to take forward measures to address wider access barriers through the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill when parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taken to issue guidance to Councils on how to address poor quality supported housing providers without putting the people they support at risk of homelessness.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We are continuing to implement the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which will give local authorities increased powers to tackle poor-quality supported housing providers, while protecting residents and supporting the many good providers who deliver high-quality accommodation and support. This includes introducing a locally led licensing regime and national support standards.

We will publish guidance for local authorities on licensing and support.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions the Treasury has had with the Financial Conduct Authority and the travel insurance industry about the affordability and availability of travel insurance for people with a history of cancer; and whether the Government will assess the merits of introducing a time-limited right to be forgotten for cancer survivors, drawing on schemes operating in other countries.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that consumers, including people with a history of cancer, can access suitable travel insurance products, and will consider the proposal referred to. More broadly, HM Treasury has regular engagement with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and industry on a wide range of financial services issues.

The Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under FCA rules. The FCA also requires travel insurers to signpost consumers with pre-existing medical conditions to specialist providers where they are declined cover, offered cover with an exclusion, or charged a significantly higher premium.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the costs of implementing a Portuguese-style LPG or heating oil support system in England.

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

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the costs of implementing a Portuguese-style LPG or heating oil support scheme in England.

The Government has allocated £53 million through the Crisis & Resilience Fund administered by local authorities in England to support those on low-income households who use heating oil and LPG to heat their homes.

The Department will continue to review the support available to households facing energy affordability pressures, including those that rely on alternative fuels such as heating oil and LPG.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that poor quality supported housing providers do not receive additional contracts under the Everyone In for Christmas initiative.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities are responsible for determining how best to deliver support in their area and for ensuring that any accommodation offered through the programme is suitable for the individual's needs and circumstances.

We expect accommodation supported through the Rough Sleeping Programme to be safe, appropriate and part of a clear pathway towards sustainable housing outcomes. Local authorities should work with local partners to identify suitable provision and ensure support is delivered in a way that reflects residents' safety, dignity and support needs.

Alongside this, the Government is taking action to raise standards across the supported housing sector. We are currently consulting on regulations to implement the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which will introduce national supported housing standards and strengthen local oversight of supported housing providers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made representations to the Government of Nigeria regarding recent reports of attacks by armed Fulani militants on Christian communities; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures to protect communities at risk of religiously motivated violence.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK condemns violence against civilians of all religions in Nigeria and regularly raises issues linked to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with the Government of Nigeria. Nigeria remains a focus country under the UK's FoRB strategy. Through the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP), we are supporting Nigeria to tackle insecurity and protect civilians. Additionally, the UK's Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme is helping to address the root causes of violence, strengthen local institutions and support peaceful coexistence. In May, the UK's Special Envoy for FoRB, David Smith visited Nigeria. During this trip he engaged with senior government representatives, religious leaders and civil society to support a more nuanced, locally grounded approach to addressing violence affecting communities of all faiths. The UK will continue this engagement to promote FoRB and protect the rights of all communities.

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