Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his Department's policy is on ensuring that veterans in receipt of the War Pension Unemployability Supplement have access to the same passported benefits as recipients of equivalent Department for Work and Pensions income-replacement benefits.
Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises the importance of supporting veterans in receipt of the War Pension Unemployability Supplement (UnSupp) and continues to work with relevant parties to ensure veterans receive appropriate support. However, responsibility for passported benefits remains with the relevant government department, devolved administration, or organisation responsible for those benefits. These operate independently of MOD compensation schemes.
The MOD does not have a policy to extend passported benefits to UnSupp recipients. However, those who claim UnSupp may be eligible for additional War Pension Scheme benefits, including Invalidity Allowance and Comforts Allowance.
Currently, while recipients of the War Pension UnSupp do not automatically qualify for the same passported benefits as those receiving equivalent income-replacement benefits administered by the Department for Work and Pensions, they may still be eligible to apply for such benefits.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has been made, through Great British Energy – Nuclear’s siting study into new nuclear development in Scotland, of Scotland’s suitability to host both Small Modular Reactors and gigawatt-scale nuclear reactors.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
In autumn 2025, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) was commissioned by Department Ministers to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear power, whilst the government has also tasked GBE-N with identifying suitable sites that could host a potential large-scale new nuclear project.
The government believes that areas of Scotland that have previously hosted nuclear power stations will have many positive attributes for new nuclear.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the target of 600,000 annual heat pump installations by 2028 will be met.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The target of installing 600,000 annual heat pump installations by 2028 was set by the previous government.
This Government has put in place a package of policies – outlined in the Warm Homes Plan which was published earlier this year – that will help ensure that over 450,000 heat pumps are installed each year by 2030.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much has been spent to date on the development and roll-out of Making Tax Digital; and what the projected cost is for completing that programme.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the honourable member to the answer provided in the response to 122373. (5601)
I refer the honourable member to the answer provided in the response to 123012. (5602)
The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) is expected to publish the annual Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) transparency data on GOV.UK in July, which will include updated information on programme costs and benefits.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of compliance costs incurred by businesses as a result of Making Tax Digital requirements.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the honourable member to the answer provided in the response to 122373. (5601)
I refer the honourable member to the answer provided in the response to 123012. (5602)
The National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) is expected to publish the annual Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) transparency data on GOV.UK in July, which will include updated information on programme costs and benefits.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2026 to Question 2387, if he will publish a list of all newspaper work subscriptions held by (a) the Director of Communications, (b) the Press Secretary and (c) other staff at 10 Downing Street since July 2024.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 21 May 2026, Official Report, PQ 2387.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the aviation sector on the (a) potential impact of jet fuel shortage on the industry and (b) distribution of available jet fuel between different parts of the aviation industry.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State for Transport and departmental officials have engaged regularly with the aviation sector, including through fortnightly industry roundtables and bilateral discussions, to understand the potential impacts of disruption to jet fuel supply and to support the sector’s resilience.
These discussions have focused on the potential implications of reduced jet fuel availability on airline operations, including impacts on flight schedules, connectivity and the transport of passengers and freight. The Department continues to monitor the situation closely, drawing on industry data and engagement to inform its assessment.
Airlines and industry stakeholders have been clear that they are not currently experiencing jet fuel shortages, and that supply and operations continue broadly as expected. However, the Department for Transport is working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and industry stakeholders on contingency planning.
The Government will continue to engage closely with the aviation sector to ensure that any emerging risks are identified as early as possible and that proportionate and effective mitigations are in place.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Answer of 27 April 2026 to Question 128930 relating to Great British Energy staff numbers, how many people working for Great British Energy are employed as (a) permanent, (b) temporary and (c) contingent labour staff from other public sector roles.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
(a) There are currently 30 permanent staff assigned to Great British Energy (GBE).
(b) There are 37 temporarily assigned staff from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, with 21 staff on loan to GBE from other departments across government and 12 secondments from various government departments and external organisations
(c) There are 23 contingent staff assigned to GBE.
GBE has had its Workforce Pay Case agreed and we expect it to significantly ramp up recruitment of permanent roles over the next financial year.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the (a) Director of Communications, (b) Press Secretary and (c) other staff at 10 Downing Street had a work subscription to the Independent newspaper since July 2024.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
The Government has access to a range of media outlets.
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any (a) Director of Communications, (b) Press Secretary and (c) other staff at 10 Downing Street has had a work subscription to the Independent newspaper since July 2024.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.