Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps with the Financial Conduct Authority to help ensure that (a) Gypsies and (b) Travellers are able to access homes and contents insurance.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out in the answer to question 75505 on 11 September 2025, the Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly, and insurers must comply with all relevant regulations and legislation. This includes the Equality Act 2010 which generally prohibits discrimination based on certain protected characteristics, including race.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator of financial services firms, requires firms to treat customers fairly under its rules. This includes ensuring that firms meet their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

The FCA operates independently within the statutory framework agreed by Parliament and has robust powers to take action where necessary.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made in implementing the civil society covenant.

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

The Civil Society Covenant was launched by the Prime Minister in July at a major civil society summit. Its ambition is to strengthen relationships and encourage partnership between civil society and all levels of UK government. Achieving this will require the collective commitment of organisations across the full breadth of both civil society and government.

At the launch we also announced the initial steps that DCMS is taking to implement the Covenant. This includes establishing a cross-sector Joint Civil Society Covenant Council to drive implementation and provide strategic oversight, and a Local Covenant Partnerships Programme to support collaborative working at the local level between civil society and public sector organisations. We are making progress and plan to share details and engage civil society in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of retail businesses impacted by (a) the business rates reduction for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties and (b) the higher business rates multiplier in the City of Durham.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government will introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure industries on the level of business rates relief which would help to drive (a) investment and (b) local employment.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The rates for new multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the revaluation outcomes as well, as the economic and fiscal context.

The Government has engaged with a broad range of stakeholders on business rates. The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, brings together extensive feedback from stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system, that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-business-rates-interim-report/transforming-business-rates-interim-report.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle Asian hornets.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is continuing to follow an eradication strategy against Yellow Legged Hornet (also known as Asian Hornet) to prevent this invasive non-native species from establishing in GB. Contingency action is delivered by the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit (NBU). As of 10^th October 2025, the NBU have found and destroyed a total of 143 Yellow Legged Hornet nests.

Durham University - University of the Year in The Times Good University Guide 2026

Proposal for a wealth tax

Equitable national prostate cancer screening

Found: Christchurch) Mr Lee Dillon (Liberal Democrat; Newbury) Graeme Downie (Labour; Dunfermline and Dollar) Mary Kelly Foy

Found: Members present: Cat Smith (Chair); James Asser; David Baines; Bambos Charalambous; Lee Dillon; Mary Kelly Foy