Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the reintroduction of a (a) passenger and (b) freight service from Rosyth to mainland Europe.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

I have not, but I am aware that you have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter in connection with infrastructure enhancements that may be required at the port of Rosyth.

This Government recognises the importance of upgrading our port infrastructure, and that is why we have created the National Wealth Fund, which will bring together key institutions and a compelling proposition for investors.

The National Wealth Fund is now open for engagement, and can be contacted via www.uknwf.org.uk.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions on the reintroduction of a (a) passenger and (b) freight service from Rosyth to mainland Europe.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

My officials have spoken with colleagues in the Department for Transport and the Treasury on this matter and I am aware of your campaigning on this issue.

This Government recognises the importance of upgrading our port infrastructure, and that is why we have created the National Wealth Fund, which will bring together key institutions and a compelling proposition for investors.

The National Wealth Fund is now open for engagement, and can be contacted via www.uknwf.org.uk.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to support people with insufficient national insurance (a) contributions and (b) credits to qualify for the new State Pension.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

To qualify for any payments of the new State Pension, people usually need at least 10 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or National Insurance credits when they reach State Pension age. The contributions could be as a result of employment, self-employment or people could make voluntary National Insurance Contributions. There is also a wide range of National Insurance credits available, ensuring people can achieve the best possible State Pension outcome. In some circumstances, years built while living in countries with a reciprocal arrangement can be taken into account.

The Government makes personalised information available through the online Check Your State Pension Forecast service, which includes details about an individual’s National Insurance record and their State Pension eligibility.

The Government also provides support to older people on low incomes. Pension Credit provides a safety net for those most in need and is not based on National Insurance contributions. Pension Credit is a means tested benefit which targets help at the poorest pensioners and is a passport to other financial support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure an effective housing insurance market.

Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK’s home insurance market is competitive, with many providers offering a wide variety of insurance products to suit the needs of customers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of financial services, has a statutory objective to promote competition in the interests of consumers.

FCA rules require firms to offer products that deliver fair value to consumers (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). The FCA monitors firms to ensure they comply with its rules and has powers to take action if necessary.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she has taken to encourage people to check their national insurance contributions.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

To support customers, an enhanced online State Pension forecast service was launched on 29 April 2024. This included new functionality that enables the majority of working age customers to view any gaps in their national insurance contributions and make payments online where this would be beneficial. The service has successfully allowed a large number of people to self-serve, with a satisfaction rate of over 80%.

HMRC and DWP have launched a significant communications campaign to encourage people to check their National Insurance contributions, with paid-for marketing supporting our wider low-cost communications.

Some examples include a recent press release published on 7 October 2024 on GOV.UK reminding people of the deadline that has also been publicised by a range of media outlets, including Money Saving Expert. We also undertook a range of activity as part of Pensions Awareness Week in September and Talk Money Week in November. Communications included emails to 2.3 million employers and 110,000 agents, social media posts and stakeholder partnership work with organisations including British Innkeepers, DHL, Unilever and MoneyHelper, who have all helped to promote the campaign.

Continued promotion activity ahead of the deadline in April will include a robust social media strategy and continued interaction with media outlets and external partners. We are also due to publish a new explainer video, covering VNICs and how people can use the online service.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the April 2025 deadline to check for and buy voluntary national insurance contributions.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

People normally have six years to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions (vNICs). An extended deadline was put in place to provide transitional arrangements as part of the introduction of the new State Pension (SP), originally ending in April 2023. Since the deadline extension to support customers, the online Check your State Pension forecast was enhanced and launched on 29 April 2024. New functionality enables the majority of working age customers to view their payable gaps and make payments online. This service has successfully allowed a large number of people to self-serve, with a satisfaction rate of over 80%.

The National Insurance helpline remains in place for customers who are unable to use the online service or who need additional assistance. Previous deadlines have resulted in significant telephony demand, and HMRC is putting in place measures to manage the expected demand in the run-up to the 5 April 2025 deadline, including managing the deployment of resources, the use of interactive voice response messaging and directing customers to the digital service.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the potential economic damage to the (a) media and (b) creative industries of the use of copyrighted content by generative AI developers without a licence.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We are aware of creative industry concerns relating to the use of copyright works by generative AI developers without a licence.

We believe that greater certainty over copyright and AI would support growth in both the creative industries and the AI sector.

This is a complex topic, and we want to take the time to carefully consider the issues and their economic impacts, including the use of copyright content by generative AI developers.

That is why the Government will soon be launching a consultation on copyright and AI. We welcome evidence of economic impact from the creative and media sectors.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to reduce the use of (a) human-authored and (b) copyrighted content without license for generative AI models.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government believes that greater certainty over copyright and AI would support growth in both the creative industries and the AI sector.

This is a complex topic, and we want to take the time to hear stakeholder views and carefully consider the issues, including the licensing of copyright content for use by generative AI models.

The Government is engaging with stakeholders to inform its approach and will soon be launching a consultation on a package of measures to address copyright and AI issues.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of IP theft on AI innovation.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The UK is consistently rated as having one of the best IP systems in the world, allowing innovators to protect their IP and seek remedy through the courts when it is infringed.

We are not aware of widespread concerns about the potential impact of IP theft on the AI sector but welcome reports of any instances of theft, to inform our awareness on this issue.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many quick reaction alert launches there have been from RAF (a) Conningsby and (b) Lossiemouth in each month in 2024.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Quick Reaction Alert from either RAF Coningsby or RAF Lossiemouth were launched on the following number of days in each month of 2024 up to the end of November:

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many quick reaction alert launches there were from RAF (a) Conningsby and (b) RAF Lossiemouth in (i) 2022 and (ii) 2023.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

Quick Reaction Alert from either RAF Coningsby or RAF Lossiemouth were launched on six days in 2022 and on nine days in 2023.

Louis the Pittencrieff Park peacock

Colin S Macleod's 1000-mile swim

Treating retail workers with kindness during the festive trading period

Found: Cat Smith (Chair); James Asser; Bambos Charalambous; Sir Christopher Chope; Mr Lee Dillon; Graeme Downie

Written questions (WPQs) allow MPs to ask for information on the work, policy and activities of Government departments, related bodies, and the administration of Parliament.

On 23 October 2024, the House agreed to reintroduce proxy voting arrangements for serious long-term illness and injury by making changes to Standing Order No. 39A. These arrangements mirror those that were in place at the end of the last Parliament. They are, however, time limited, and will expire at the end of the present Session of Parliament.  

In the July 2024 General Election, a record six independent candidates were elected to the House of Commons. In September 2024, five of those MPs informed the Speaker that they were forming an independent grouping in Parliament as a ‘technical group’, rather than a political party.  This letter has given rise to questions about the status of parliamentary groupings under House of Commons procedures, and the status of independent MPs as a whole.

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Reforms introduced following the publication of the 2009 Report of the Reform of the House of Commons Committee, Rebuilding the House (‘the Wright Report’, so named after the Chair of the Committee, Tony Wright MP) included the election by the whole House for positions such as some select committee chairs and the Deputy Speakers.