Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his Budget Statement on the 29th of October 2026, what his department defines as a Vape Shop.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
At Budget 2026, the Government announced changes to business rates to ensure reliefs are better targeted at businesses that support thriving high streets.
Definitions will be published in due course, and we expect these to include premises that mostly or wholly sell vaping products.
As Business Rates are devolved, this policy applies in England only.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the planned timetable is for bringing forward legislation to create a Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle category.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has committed to pursuing legislative reform for micromobility vehicles when parliamentary time allows.
We will be consulting on detailed proposals for e-scooters by spring 2027 to ensure it remains feasible to deliver legislation within this parliament.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment the Department has made of the potential merits of creating a Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle category on the ability of users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters to use pavements.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are already entitled to use pavements at a maximum powered speed of 4mph. However, we recognise these regulations have remained largely unchanged in almost 40 years, which is why we consulted on how we can modernise the law earlier this year.
The Low-speed Zero Emission Vehicle category is primarily designed to allow micromobility vehicles, such as e-scooters, to be used on the road. The Department will consult on new regulations before they come into force so that all interested parties have a chance to shape the new regime, including on the accessible and inclusive design of e-scooters.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what consideration he has given to removing rebated fuel access under any scheme or use-case for private pleasure class boats.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Private pleasure craft (PPC) boats are charged the main rates of fuel duty, at a rate of 52.95 pence per litre for diesel used for propulsion, but are eligible for red diesel rates on fuel used for domestic purposes (heating and electricity generation) on board. As most vessels have a single tank for all uses, PPC users are allowed to buy red diesel, but must pay additional duty at the main rate on the proportion they will use for propulsion.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Department is taking to ensure that reforms to the law on powered mobility devices make provision for new assistive mobility technologies used by disabled people.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As part of our review of the law governing powered mobility devices on the public highway, we are considering the opportunities and the risks of using new technology safely and responsibly, and whether newer devices should be treated differently in public places when used by a disabled person or someone with reduced mobility.
We are considering the needs of all disabled people and the safety of all users who rely on a powered mobility device, pedestrians and other road users will be a key consideration as we continue to review the law.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment HMRC has made of the extent to which vessels used for private pleasure, including superyachts, have been supplied with rebated fuel since 2022.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Private pleasure craft may use rebated diesel available from Registered Dealers in Controlled Oil (RDCOs). Users must declare the proportion of fuel that will be used for propulsion and pay the difference between the rebated and full rates of duty on that amount. These declarations are retained by RDCOs. HMRC therefore does not hold the information needed to determine the volume of rebated diesel supplied to private pleasure craft since 2022.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many vessels have been supplied with fuel (a) under Marine Voyages Relief and (b) at the rebated rate as commercial craft in each year since 2022.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
HMRC holds information on some supplies and claims, but as fuel can be obtained through different routes, the information held is neither complete nor recorded by individual vessel. It is therefore not possible to determine the number of vessels supplied with fuel in either category in each year since 2022.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress has been made towards a final funding decision on Project Acorn.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Following the 2025 Spending Review, we have been allocating development grant funding to Acorn in line with project needs, to continue its development in advance of a final investment decision.
As announced in the 2026 Budget, the mechanism for further financial support for Acorn is moving from capital grants to financial transactions – government loans or equity investment – that need to see the taxpayer receive a return, subject to a business case.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she made an assessment of the potential merits of in-house alternatives prior to the decision to transfer some Student Loans Company functions and staff to Capgemini on 8 October 2026.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The Student Loans Company (SLC) is operationally independent, so it is their responsibility to assess the merits of different options when making decisions on the delivery of functions.
The department understands the SLC did assess the potential merits of continuing in-house delivery of its infrastructure and operations function prior to the decision to contract out the service and found that this did not provide the best value for money.
Asked by: Euan Stainbank (Labour - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of implications of her Department's policies of the recommendation in the report entitled Project Willow, published on 29 May 2025, to include biochar from digestate in agricultural use policy.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Biochar is not yet widely used in UK agriculture, but its use is growing, particularly as a soil improver rather than as a fertiliser. The Government is supporting research through the Biochar Demonstration Project and working with the British Standards Institution to develop a robust methodology for greenhouse gas removals and assess biochar’s wider benefits and risks.