Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he last met with the Competitions and Markets Authority to discuss fair competition in the hotel market.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There has been no specific meeting between Ministers and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss competition in the hotel market. Responsibility for assessing competition in individual markets, including the hotel market, lies with the CMA, which operates independently of Government. The CMA keeps markets under review and can carry out market studies, investigations or enforcement action where it has concerns that competition is not working well for consumers. If you have evidence of a specific competition issue in the hotel market, I would encourage you to pass it to the CMA for consideration.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure fair competition in the hotel market.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There has been no specific meeting between Ministers and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss competition in the hotel market. Responsibility for assessing competition in individual markets, including the hotel market, lies with the CMA, which operates independently of Government. The CMA keeps markets under review and can carry out market studies, investigations or enforcement action where it has concerns that competition is not working well for consumers. If you have evidence of a specific competition issue in the hotel market, I would encourage you to pass it to the CMA for consideration.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of fair competition in the hotel market.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

There has been no specific meeting between Ministers and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss competition in the hotel market. Responsibility for assessing competition in individual markets, including the hotel market, lies with the CMA, which operates independently of Government. The CMA keeps markets under review and can carry out market studies, investigations or enforcement action where it has concerns that competition is not working well for consumers. If you have evidence of a specific competition issue in the hotel market, I would encourage you to pass it to the CMA for consideration.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what evidence her has received on the role of independent hoteliers.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector as a valuable contributor to the UK economy. While DBT oversees the wider hospitality industry, DCMS holds policy responsibility for accommodation including hotels so I am replying as the Minister responsible. Both departments receive industry evidence through direct stakeholder engagement and through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) and the Hospitality Sector Council respectively. Following a recent VEAC meeting at the IHG Kimpton Fitzroy, I was pleased to visit the hotel and see firsthand the excellence and professionalism of our hotel sector.

The Government is providing a number of targeted support measures for hospitality businesses, including permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government has set out a package of five pro-growth regulatory changes for the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government has also committed to reviewing the methodologies by which pubs and hotels are valued for business rates purposes and will, if necessary, make changes to ensure these valuations accurately reflect the rental market for these properties at the next revaluation.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what evidence her has received on the challenges facing independent hoteliers.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector as a valuable contributor to the UK economy. While DBT oversees the wider hospitality industry, DCMS holds policy responsibility for accommodation including hotels so I am replying as the Minister responsible. Both departments receive industry evidence through direct stakeholder engagement and through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) and the Hospitality Sector Council respectively. Following a recent VEAC meeting at the IHG Kimpton Fitzroy, I was pleased to visit the hotel and see firsthand the excellence and professionalism of our hotel sector.

The Government is providing a number of targeted support measures for hospitality businesses, including permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government has set out a package of five pro-growth regulatory changes for the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government has also committed to reviewing the methodologies by which pubs and hotels are valued for business rates purposes and will, if necessary, make changes to ensure these valuations accurately reflect the rental market for these properties at the next revaluation.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her is taking to help support the independent hotelier sector.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality sector as a valuable contributor to the UK economy. While DBT oversees the wider hospitality industry, DCMS holds policy responsibility for accommodation including hotels so I am replying as the Minister responsible. Both departments receive industry evidence through direct stakeholder engagement and through the Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) and the Hospitality Sector Council respectively. Following a recent VEAC meeting at the IHG Kimpton Fitzroy, I was pleased to visit the hotel and see firsthand the excellence and professionalism of our hotel sector.

The Government is providing a number of targeted support measures for hospitality businesses, including permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government has set out a package of five pro-growth regulatory changes for the retail and hospitality sectors. The Government has also committed to reviewing the methodologies by which pubs and hotels are valued for business rates purposes and will, if necessary, make changes to ensure these valuations accurately reflect the rental market for these properties at the next revaluation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the effects of ADHD on daily life are included in PIP assessments.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to help with the extra costs that arise from long-term health conditions or disabilities. Entitlement is determined by the functional impact a person’s condition has on their daily living and mobility activities. The assessment looks at an individual’s ability to carry out a series of key everyday activities which are fundamental to living an independent life. This approach applies to all conditions.

Health professionals delivering assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis including specific training on health conditions and how to identify their impact on claimants’ ability to carry out the activities in the assessment.

PIP case managers consider information provided by claimants on claim forms, along with any other supporting evidence, further medical evidence that we receive from treating health professionals, and advice from our contracted assessment providers.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether proof of a ADHD diagnosis is required for its impact on daily life to be included in a PIP assessment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to help with the extra costs that arise from long-term health conditions or disabilities. Entitlement is determined by the functional impact a person’s condition has on their daily living and mobility activities. The assessment looks at an individual’s ability to carry out a series of key everyday activities which are fundamental to living an independent life. This approach applies to all conditions.

Health professionals delivering assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis including specific training on health conditions and how to identify their impact on claimants’ ability to carry out the activities in the assessment.

PIP case managers consider information provided by claimants on claim forms, along with any other supporting evidence, further medical evidence that we receive from treating health professionals, and advice from our contracted assessment providers.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what evidence of a ADHD diagnosis on the impact on daily life is required for PIP assessments.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is designed to help with the extra costs that arise from long-term health conditions or disabilities. Entitlement is determined by the functional impact a person’s condition has on their daily living and mobility activities. The assessment looks at an individual’s ability to carry out a series of key everyday activities which are fundamental to living an independent life. This approach applies to all conditions.

Health professionals delivering assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis including specific training on health conditions and how to identify their impact on claimants’ ability to carry out the activities in the assessment.

PIP case managers consider information provided by claimants on claim forms, along with any other supporting evidence, further medical evidence that we receive from treating health professionals, and advice from our contracted assessment providers.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when he last met with the Secretary of State for Defence.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Defence and other defence Ministers to discuss a range of issues, including how to ensure that our Operation Banner veterans are fairly treated through our new Legacy reforms.

30th anniversary of the Dunblane Primary School tragedy

UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons

Seafarer pay and conditions at the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Found: Lizzi Collinge (Labour; Morecambe and Lunesdale) Torcuil Crichton (Labour; Na h-Eileanan an Iar) Graeme Downie

Found: Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: David Baines (Labour; St Helens North) Graeme Downie

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bill Esterson (Chair); Lizzi Collinge; Graeme Downie; Wera Hobhouse

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Bill Esterson (Chair); Lizzi Collinge; Graeme Downie; Wera Hobhouse

Found: Questions 1-33 Representations made I: Ms Polly Billington, Torcuil Crichton and Graeme Downie II: Clive

Found: Members were members of the Committee during the inquiry: David Baines (Labour; St Helens North) Graeme Downie

Submit Evidence (by 27 Mar 2026)

The Committee is inquiring into what reforms are needed to the UK electricity market to enable the transition to clean, lower cost energy by 2023.