Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of variation between local authorities in the provision of SEND support for children from Armed Forces families.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department recognises that Armed Forces life may present particular challenges for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including the need for their families to relocate regularly. Nationally, we want there to be much greater consistency in the support for children and young people with SEND.

Our reforms include proposals for new National Inclusion Standards, setting out support that should be available in every mainstream setting. We also proposed a nationally consistent set of specialist provision packages to provide comprehensive, evidence-based support for children and young people with the most complex needs, underpinning education, health and care (EHC) plans. Additionally, EHC plans and new Individual Support Plans will be digital, and help deliver smoother transitions when families move.

We will confirm our intentions over reform in light of the consultation responses.

Data is collected on a pupil’s SEN provision or whether their parent(s), or person(s) exercising parental responsibility, are service personnel via the school census.

Further information about the school census is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-the-school-census/data-items-2025-to-2026

Although analysis combining both SEN and service status is not routinely undertaken, overall data on educational outcomes for service children is published annually by the Ministry of Defence and is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-covenant-annual-reports

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of family mobility on the continuity of SEND provision for children from Armed Forces families.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department recognises that Armed Forces life may present particular challenges for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including the need for their families to relocate regularly. Nationally, we want there to be much greater consistency in the support for children and young people with SEND.

Our reforms include proposals for new National Inclusion Standards, setting out support that should be available in every mainstream setting. We also proposed a nationally consistent set of specialist provision packages to provide comprehensive, evidence-based support for children and young people with the most complex needs, underpinning education, health and care (EHC) plans. Additionally, EHC plans and new Individual Support Plans will be digital, and help deliver smoother transitions when families move.

We will confirm our intentions over reform in light of the consultation responses.

Data is collected on a pupil’s SEN provision or whether their parent(s), or person(s) exercising parental responsibility, are service personnel via the school census.

Further information about the school census is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-the-school-census/data-items-2025-to-2026

Although analysis combining both SEN and service status is not routinely undertaken, overall data on educational outcomes for service children is published annually by the Ministry of Defence and is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-covenant-annual-reports

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what data her Department holds on the outcomes of Service children with (a) special educational needs and (b) disabilities.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department recognises that Armed Forces life may present particular challenges for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including the need for their families to relocate regularly. Nationally, we want there to be much greater consistency in the support for children and young people with SEND.

Our reforms include proposals for new National Inclusion Standards, setting out support that should be available in every mainstream setting. We also proposed a nationally consistent set of specialist provision packages to provide comprehensive, evidence-based support for children and young people with the most complex needs, underpinning education, health and care (EHC) plans. Additionally, EHC plans and new Individual Support Plans will be digital, and help deliver smoother transitions when families move.

We will confirm our intentions over reform in light of the consultation responses.

Data is collected on a pupil’s SEN provision or whether their parent(s), or person(s) exercising parental responsibility, are service personnel via the school census.

Further information about the school census is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/complete-the-school-census/data-items-2025-to-2026

Although analysis combining both SEN and service status is not routinely undertaken, overall data on educational outcomes for service children is published annually by the Ministry of Defence and is available at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/armed-forces-covenant-annual-reports

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the role heritage-led regeneration can play in supporting the renewal of town centres and local economic growth.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

National planning policy is clear about the positive contribution that the conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable communities, including their economic viability.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to the conservation of the historic environment. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The government’s Pride in Place programme will support projects across the country, including celebrating the heritage of local areas.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to support embodied carbon reduction through the reuse and retrofit of existing buildings.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

National design planning practice guidance highlights that reusing and adapting buildings can reduce embodied carbon emissions and waste, and lower resource consumption while improving energy performance.

Through the Warm Homes Plan, we are investing £15 billion to upgrade up to 5 million homes, helping to cut bills, lift up to one million households out of fuel poverty by 2030, and create good jobs across the country.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to climate change mitigation, including taking opportunities to re-use existing structures and materials. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has plans to promote guidance on material selection within retrofit policy, particularly regarding (a) durability, (b) compatibility and (c) whole-life performance.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Building Regulations set functional performance requirements for new building work; they may apply when somebody is putting up a new building, making material changes to a building, extending an existing building or altering building services. They are supported by statutory guidance called Approved Documents which help ensure that minimum standards for size, space and materials are incorporated into the design.

The Government requires energy efficiency measures installed under its schemes to comply with the Publicly Available Specification PAS 2035/2030, which sets out best practice guidance for domestic retrofit. PAS 2035 requires a whole‑house approach, ensuring interactions between measures are considered and reducing the risk of unintended consequences such as condensation, damp and mould. The standard includes requirements to assess and, where necessary, improve ventilation to mitigate moisture risks and protect indoor air quality. Together, these requirements support the protection of building fabric, ensure compatibility between measures, and promote durable, long‑term performance of retrofit installations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of VAT reform to support repair, maintenance and retrofit projects over demolition and rebuild within the built environment sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services, including most construction work.

To support the Government’s housing delivery targets, the Government currently maintains a zero rate of VAT on new-build residential buildings. There are also several VAT reliefs supporting renovation and retrofit, including a zero rate of VAT for installations of qualifying Energy Saving Materials until April 2027, a zero rate of VAT for conversions of non-residential buildings into a residential use and reduced rates of VAT for renovating residential buildings that have been empty for at least two years and for converting buildings from one residential use to another.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support skills development in retrofit and traditional construction methods, including heritage crafts such as stonemasonry.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

On 20 May, we published the Post-16 Pathways Implementation plan, setting out our plan for post-16 technical and vocational qualifications.

It sets out that we are exploring options with the sector for introducing an Occupational Certificate in stonemasonry from 2028/2029. We will update the Implementation Plan with more detail on this by early 2027.

In addition, there is currently a level 2 Stonemason apprenticeship standard, and we are working with the sector to consider the development of a level 3 Stonemason apprenticeship standard.

There are also apprenticeships available in retrofit coordinator and a range of craft trades. These can be viewed on the Skills England website on occupational maps available at: https://occupational-maps.skillsengland.education.gov.uk/.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) consult and (b) communicate with the North of England's (i) mayoral combined authorities, (ii) local authorities and (ii) local stakeholders and communities on the (A) planning and (B) delivery of (1) Northern Powerhouse Rail and (2) associated regional transport networks.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Northern Growth Strategy commits Government to working in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) and local leaders to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). This is set out in the Compact Agreements with Mayors.

We have established new engagement forums, which will include a Ministerial Taskforce with HM Treasury, the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, alongside Mayors. This is supported by a Northern Growth Strategy Steering Group of city region chief executives to inform strategic objectives and delivery.

For NPR specifically, existing partnerships such as the Liverpool–Manchester Rail Board and the White Rose Partnership will provide oversight of Phase One and Phase Two, working through key design and delivery decisions. Local station boards across the Northern Growth Corridor bring together regional partners to ensure alignment with local transport and economic plans.

We will continue to engage wider stakeholders and communities, with public consultation to take place in future.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of (a) station upgrades and (b) improved integration between national rail services and devolved transport systems across the North-West rail network.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Greater integration between national rail and devolved transport systems like Greater Manchester’s Bee Network is key to improving connectivity within, and between, our great cities in the North. Our newly published Better Connected national transport strategy sets the direction for a more joined-up transport network that works better for passengers, drivers and communities across England. Additionally, the £1.5 billion Manchester & Northwest Transformation Programme is already delivering upgrades at Salford Crescent, with more planned at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) Northern Powerhouse Rail and (b) the Liverpool–Manchester Railway on (i) economic growth, (ii) productivity and (iii) job creation in the North West.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) will drive growth and productivity across the Northern Growth Corridor by delivering a turn up and go railway from Liverpool to York.

Our Northern Growth Strategy recognises significant opportunity to accelerate economic growth across the region - increasing the 5 main city regions’ productivity to the national average could add c.£40 billion per year GVA.

NPR’s Programme Business Case will set out an assessment of the scheme’s impacts on growth, productivity and jobs in line with the Green Book and the Department intends to publish this later this year.

Bank holiday for celebrations if England win the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Parliament Education and Engagement Outreach Service

Orgreave Inquiry

VAT for UK hospitality

75th anniversary of the Easington Pit Disaster

Liushenyu mining disaster and workers’ safety

Found: Labour; Croydon East) Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat; Eastleigh) Anneliese Midgley (Labour; Knowsley) Jo Platt

Found: Dinenage, in the Chair Bayo Alaba Vicky Foxcroft Rt Hon Damian Hinds Dr Rupa Huq Liz Jarvis Jo Platt

Found: , as an example, I will refer to some of the work that I have been doing with the Labour Member Jo Platt—I

Found: , as an example, I will refer to some of the work that I have been doing with the Labour Member Jo Platt—I

Found: , as an example, I will refer to some of the work that I have been doing with the Labour Member Jo Platt—I

Found: , as an example, I will refer to some of the work that I have been doing with the Labour Member Jo Platt—I

Found: , as an example, I will refer to some of the work that I have been doing with the Labour Member Jo Platt—I

Found: , as an example, I will refer to some of the work that I have been doing with the Labour Member Jo Platt—I

Found: the meeting Members present: Dr Rupa Huq (Chair); Vicky Foxcroft; Damian Hinds; Natasha Irons; Jo Platt

Found: the meeting Members present: Dr Rupa Huq (Chair); Vicky Foxcroft; Damian Hinds; Natasha Irons; Jo Platt