Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
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 trends in levels of public understanding of (a) climate risk, (b) biodiversity loss and (c) actions required to achieve net zero.
Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We regularly undertake research on public awareness, behaviours, and attitudes relating to the department’s policy areas.
This includes the DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker, a nationally representative triannual survey of adults in the UK. Long-term research projects such as this one allow us to identify trends over time, including changes in public concerns about climate change and public attitudes to the actions required to achieve net zero.
The latest Public Attitudes Tracker report is from the Summer 2026 wave of the survey and is published here: DESNZ Public Attitudes Tracker Summer 2026. Insights from this survey and wider research commissioned by the department on a range of climate and energy issues informs ongoing policy development.
Other Government Departments undertake similar research including biodiversity loss.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a nationally coordinated public information campaign on climate change and nature loss comparable in reach to historic public information broadcasts on public health, civil defence and emergency preparedness.
Answered by Katie White - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We recognise the importance of providing clear and trusted information to the public on climate change and nature loss. Our cross-departmental, benefits-led communications strategy prioritises explaining the benefits of clean energy, through an approach that is clear, place-based and people-centred. We show how we are taking action to tackle the climate crisis across all possible stories.
On 13 July, the Government delivered its second annual statement to Parliament on the state of climate and nature, providing an honest appraisal of their condition in the UK and setting out actions being taken in response.
Our ‘Energising Britain’ public participation plan for climate and nature action, sets out how the Government will work to ensure people have the facts and understand the scale, pace of change and benefits of climate and nature action and the benefits to their local communities.
Our communications are informed by audience insight and evaluation from several sources, and we continue to explore a range of engagement approaches.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Financial Conduct Authority communicated concerns relating to the Seventy Ninth Group to any regulated banks, building societies and payment service providers before the public announcement of the criminal investigation into that company.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The FCA will respond to the Hon. Member for Henley and Thame Oxfordshire, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has assessed the potential merits of putting trackers in farm equipment when manufactured to prevent theft.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 provides for security requirements with regards to the sale of specified equipment. The Government has consulted extensively on its implementation. A Call for Evidence ran from May to July 2023, seeking views from manufacturers, dealers, retailers, trade associations, tradespeople, forensic-marking companies and law-enforcement practitioners. We have used those responses to inform our approach to secondary legislation. We intend initially to introduce regulations requiring forensic marking and database registration for new All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and removable GPS units used for agricultural and commercial purposes.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what measures are in place to ensure students are informed of student loan repayment thresholds and contracts.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
We understand that the student loan system we inherited is of significant concern to graduates. Prospective students have access to information about student loan repayment arrangements before applying, including through GOV.UK and Student Loans Company (SLC) guidance. This enables them to consider the costs of borrowing alongside the benefits of higher education.
The full terms and conditions are provided at the final stage of the application process. Students cannot submit their application without confirming that they have read and understood them. These make clear that loan conditions may change in line with the regulations governing student loans. Borrowers can find out about repayment thresholds and interest rates either on GOV.UK or in their statement.
In response to the Treasury Committee report on student loans, the government committed to improving information and guidance so it is clear, fair and accessible, including making clearer that loan terms are governed by legislation and may be amended by future governments. With SLC, we are improving guidance using customer insight, user research and government best practice.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Minister for Pensions' letter of 7 October 2026, whether the guidance on matters trustees should consider when releasing surplus and ways in which members may benefit has been commissioned; what topics it will cover; and when it is expected to be published.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
TPR will consult on Defined Benefit surplus guidance before the end of the year, following publication of the Government’s response to the draft surplus regulations consultation. TPR expects to publish the final guidance alongside the new surplus regime coming into force from April 2027.
The guidance will aim to assist trustees in making decisions around surplus release. The guidance will cover how trustees can prepare for surplus discussions and provide factors they should consider when deciding on surplus, illustrated with case studies that will illustrate those considerations in practice.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department holds, or was provided with by Oxford City Council, parish-level consultation, community-identity or options-appraisal evidence for the inclusion of Warborough parish in the proposed Greater Oxford authority.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Hon. Member to my statement of 29 October.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if in reviewing Local Government Reorganisation in Oxfordshire she will consider a modification so that Dorchester, Warborough, Shillingford and Overy form part of Ridgeway rather than Greater Oxford.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Hon. Member to my statement of 29 October.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans she has have to help tackle hospital parking charges, penalties and negative experiences around these to a) NHS and care workers and b) terminally ill and emergency patients.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 2 November in response to Question 37613.
Asked by: Freddie van Mierlo (Liberal Democrat - Henley and Thame)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will take steps to ensure the publication of the names of the 94 businesses included in LINK’s 2026 assessment of cash access and banking needs in Thame.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the importance of cash, understanding that it continues to be used by millions of people across the UK.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has responsibility and powers to ensure reasonable provision of access to cash. LINK is the independent industry coordinating body responsible for conducting access to cash assessments. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. LINK will then assess a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions, including banking hubs, where it considers a community requires additional cash services.