Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on tackling climate change in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)
Climate change policy is devolved. However, Northern Ireland has the potential to be at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy industry. I recently visited CATAGEN, a company in Belfast developing cutting-edge Clean Aviation Fuel technology which they are selling to the global market, and I was deeply impressed with the level of innovation.
This innovation will drive sustainable economic growth in Northern Ireland and across our country, while tackling our climate change goals.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, with reference to the Nuclear Industry Association’s 2026 Jobs Map, what assessment he has made of the impact of no new nuclear development in Scotland on civil nuclear employment.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
The civil nuclear sector is vital to our energy security and economy, providing skilled, well-paid jobs around the country. According to the Nuclear Industry Association’s 2026 Jobs Map, the UK’s civil nuclear workforce has reached over 100,000, with England creating 47,000 new nuclear jobs since 2014 - a 95% increase. In contrast, Scotland added just 660 jobs over the same period, representing an increase of only 13%.
The Scottish Government’s continued opposition and policy ban on new nuclear development prevents Scotland from accessing the same growth, resulting in an estimated 5,000 potential jobs never realised. Furthermore, with Torness Nuclear Power Station scheduled to end generation in 2030, Scotland risks losing hundreds more skilled civil nuclear roles.
The UK Government remains committed to supporting the nuclear sector, and urges the Scottish Government to rethink its opposition so that workers and communities across Scotland can benefit from high-quality, long-term employment opportunities.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on supporting people employed in Scotland’s civil nuclear sector.
Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)
Nuclear energy plays a vital role in providing clean, reliable power and supporting many skilled jobs in Scotland. However, the Scottish Government’s opposition to new nuclear power stations restricts further civil nuclear development within Scotland.
Despite these constraints, Scotland’s experienced nuclear workforce and supply chains remain well-placed to benefit from the UK Government’s ambitious civil nuclear expansion across the wider UK, including ongoing decommissioning work and Small Modular Reactor projects.
UK Government Ministers engage regularly with Scottish Government counterparts on a wide range of issues and we remain committed to supporting the nuclear sector. The UK Government urges the Scottish Government to rethink its opposition so that workers and communities across Scotland can benefit from high-quality, long-term employment opportunities.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential for new nuclear development at Dounreay to increase civil nuclear employment in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross constituency.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy - Nuclear’s study of Scotland's potential for new nuclear, published on 30 June, indicates that Scotland has land areas with high potential for new nuclear development in the future. The study identified technical potential in the area around Dounreay.
New nuclear projects can deliver billions of pounds of investment and thousands of high-quality jobs to a region. UK Ministers remain open to discussions with the Scottish Government on deploying new nuclear technologies in Scotland.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of increasing availability of wearable recording devices capable of discreet audio and video recording on regulation of privacy and safeguarding legislation.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
People may lawfully use smart glasses and other wearable recording technologies in public spaces, in line with rights to freedom of expression as set out in Human Rights law. However, we recognise the potential privacy and safeguarding implications of the increasing availability of wearable recording devices. If wearers of the technology use it in harmful ways, such as to cause alarm or distress or for the purpose of sexual gratification, they may be guilty of criminal offences such as harassment, stalking or voyeurism.
If recorded images are uploaded to the internet, online services that process them will be subject to the UK's data protection legislation. For example, organisations may need to respond to requests from members of the public to have their images removed.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent regulator for data protection, has recently published guidance on consumer Internet of Things products and services: Guidance for consumer Internet of Things products and services | ICO. It makes it clear that manufacturers, developers and providers of connected devices have responsibilities to make sure that there is sufficient transparency around how the technology is used. This includes making any recording obvious to users and bystanders through visible indicators or alerts, and warning users of risks of recording children or vulnerable people.
We will continue to monitor this issue.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of wearable recording technology on the adequacy of levels of privacy and safeguarding for children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
People may lawfully use smart glasses and other wearable recording technologies in public spaces, in line with rights to freedom of expression as set out in Human Rights law. However, we recognise the potential privacy and safeguarding implications of the increasing availability of wearable recording devices. If wearers of the technology use it in harmful ways, such as to cause alarm or distress or for the purpose of sexual gratification, they may be guilty of criminal offences such as harassment, stalking or voyeurism.
If recorded images are uploaded to the internet, online services that process them will be subject to the UK's data protection legislation. For example, organisations may need to respond to requests from members of the public to have their images removed.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's independent regulator for data protection, has recently published guidance on consumer Internet of Things products and services: Guidance for consumer Internet of Things products and services | ICO. It makes it clear that manufacturers, developers and providers of connected devices have responsibilities to make sure that there is sufficient transparency around how the technology is used. This includes making any recording obvious to users and bystanders through visible indicators or alerts, and warning users of risks of recording children or vulnerable people.
We will continue to monitor this issue.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what comparative assessment her Department has made of domestic heating oil prices between in (a) Scotland and (b) other parts of the UK following publication of the Competition and Markets Authority's heating oil market study; and what steps she is taking to protect off-grid consumers ahead of winter.
Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We know that users of heating oil have been particularly impacted by the rise in prices due to the Middle East conflict. It is clear that the heating oil sector is not working as it should for consumers and we will fight the corner of all those affected by the rise in heating oil prices.
I note the concerns about price disparity between regions, the price of heating oil is not set by Government and suppliers are subject to UK competition and consumer protection law. Therefore, pricing should be fair, transparent and reflective of genuine market conditions - and we would ensure that any price gouging behaviour is appropriately dealt with. However, it should be noted that the CMA's market study found no widespread evidence of suppliers making excessive material profits.
In Scotland, £4.6 million has been allocated to the Scottish Emergency Oil Heating Scheme, which launched on 1 April 2026. The scheme aims to support vulnerable households with the increased cost of oil or LPG for heating. Households on a means-tested benefit, or those in financial hardship who have additional vulnerabilities, may be able to get support. The scheme is delivered by Advice Direct Scotland. More details can be found at: https://homeheatingadvice.scot/faqs/, or by calling 0800 048 7413.
We are considering the CMA’s recommendations to create a fairer system for households and commit to issuing an official response within 90 days.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress has her Department made in implementing the recommendations arising from the Competition and Markets Authority's heating oil market study.
Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
It is clear that the heating oil sector is not working as it should for consumers, and we welcome the CMA’s report identifying issues in the sector. We will fight the corner of all those affected by the rise in heating oil prices, including those in rural communities, and we have acted swiftly to get support to these households as quickly as possible.
We are considering the CMA’s recommendations to create a fairer system for households and commit to issuing an official response within 90 days of publication.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether Post Office Ltd has provided his Department with estimates of the average annual financial impact of the June 2026 remuneration changes on individual postmaster incomes.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Post Office has not provided the department with estimates of the average annual financial impact of the June 2026 remuneration changes on individual postmaster incomes. Postmaster remuneration is an operational matter for Post Office. Government is providing funding to Post Office to help deliver its Transformation Plan, including up to £483 million in FY 2026/27 and 2027/28. The savings created by that plan will help put Post Office in a stronger position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. While there is more to do, it is encouraging that postmaster remuneration increased by £92 million since December 2024.
Asked by: Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat - Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes to Post Office remuneration for Royal Mail parcel transactions on the income of sub-postmasters.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Post Office Ltd operates at arm’s length from Government and is responsible for its own operational matters, including commercial agreements with partners and remuneration for specific services.
Government is, however, providing funding to Post Office to help deliver its Transformation Plan, including up to £483 million in FY 2026/27 and 2027/28. The savings created by that plan will help put Post Office in a stronger position to increase remuneration for postmasters across the UK. While there is more to do, it is encouraging that between December 2024 and April 2026, Post Office increased postmaster remuneration by £92 million.
To ensure service access for rural and other communities, we will continue to monitor Post Office's performance against Government-set network requirements. These requirements mean, for instance, that 99% of the population must live within three miles of a post office.