Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of potential opportunities the Defence Technical Excellence College programme can provide for apprenticeships and advanced technical training, national security and regional economic development.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence Technical Excellence Colleges (DTECs) will be specialist training centres for students aged 16 and above that will equip them with the cutting-edge technical skills required for critical defence roles. The DTECs will help bolster our national security and contribute to regional economic development by providing a skilled workforce to communities across Great Britain.

In April 2026, we announced the five successful DTECs in England: Blackpool and the Fylde College, City College Plymouth, Yeovil College, Lincoln College and Rotherham College (RNN Group).

As part of the Defence Growth Deals, we have also announced our intention to launch a DTEC in Wales and two DTECs in Scotland, one in east and one in west Scotland. We are working with the respective devolved governments and education authorities in those nations to establish these.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what Barnett consequentials will arise from the decision to cap single bus fares in England at £2; and when he expects these consequentials to be available to devolved governments.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Barnett formula applies when UK Government departmental DEL budgets formally change, not when new policy or funding is announced. Barnett consequentials associated with the £2 bus fares cap will therefore be confirmed in the usual way at Budget 2026.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions the Department has had with the Scottish Government regarding opportunities for new nuclear power in Scotland.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

UK Ministers work productively with the Scottish Government on a range of energy issues and remain open to discussions on deploying new nuclear technologies in Scotland.

Great British Energy - Nuclear’s recent technical study indicated that Scotland has land areas with potential for new nuclear development, but planning policy is devolved and the Scottish Government currently opposes new nuclear power stations in Scotland.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on Scottish households of the removal of VAT from electricity bills from October.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government’s recent announcement that it will cut VAT on electricity bills will give millions of households breathing space on the cost of living. Around 29 million households in the UK are expected to benefit from this change.

These changes to VAT apply and are funded for this winter (from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027).

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) will be published alongside the legislation, setting out the impacts of the measure.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the trends in the levels of long-term health conditions among working-age adults in lower-income households; and what plans she has to target health improvement resources in lower socio-economic areas to support future economic productivity.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise that long-term ill health is more prevalent in lower-income communities. Through the 10-Year Health Plan, we are targeting health improvement activity and resources towards communities with the greatest need to improve health outcomes and support economic growth.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what changes she plans to make to UK procurement rules to support the Government's commitment to increase domestic purchasing.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

This Government is committed to fostering a resilient economy that supports British businesses and creates good jobs in communities across the country.

We must ensure that every pound that we spend in procurement goes as far as it can in benefiting the UK and this is why we published a new Social Value Model with a much sharper focus on good quality jobs, skills and opportunities. Supplementary guidance will follow later this autumn and the model will apply to relevant procurements commencing from 1 January 2027.

These reforms will be carefully developed to be consistent with the UK’s international agreements, ensuring non-discriminatory treatment for suppliers and goods from countries who are party to those agreements. This is a two-way street as it gives UK suppliers access to public procurement markets overseas.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions the Ministry has had with the Scottish Government regarding match funding for the two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for defence-sector skills development if no such funding is agreed.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Together with the Secretary of State for Scotland, I wrote to the Scottish First Minister on 12 March 2026 and 23 June 2026 informing him of our intention to establish two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges in Scotland and to invite his Government to match the £10 million being committed by the UK Government. I continue to work towards opening a constructive dialogue with the Scottish Government on match funding and look forward to further conversations with Scottish Government ministers in the future.

Further education has a vital role to play in ensuring Scotland's, and the wider UK's, defence sector has access to the highly skilled workforce it needs, both now and in the future. That is why, alongside the Defence Industrial Strategy, we have announced a £182 million skills package, which includes a range of initiatives to support people at every stage of their education and careers, including those pursuing further education.

Abuse Doesn't Fly campaign

Food Club Survey report

Found: Tuesday 9 June 2026 Members present Patricia Ferguson, in the Chair Maureen Burke Harriet Cross

Found: Current membership Patricia Ferguson (Labour; Glasgow West) (Chair) Maureen Burke (Labour; Glasgow North

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Patricia Ferguson (Chair); Maureen Burke; Dave Doogan; Lillian Jones

Found: Current membership Patricia Ferguson (Labour; Glasgow West) (Chair) Maureen Burke (Labour; Glasgow North

Found: Members in attendance were: • Patricia Ferguson MP (Chair) • Maureen Burke MP • Kirsteen Sullivan

Found: Members in attendance were: • Patricia Ferguson MP (Chair) • Maureen Burke MP • Kirsteen Sullivan

At its meeting on 9 September, the Committee agreed to inquire into the Electoral Commission's oversight of the funding and governance of political parties in Scotland, and the policies, processes and safeguards associated with the distribution of Short Money to political parties. Further information on the scope of this inquiry will be published in due course.

The Lord Advocate and her deputy the Solicitor General for Scotland each assume a “dual role” being both senior government legal advisers, and senior public prosecutors. There is a long-standing and ongoing political and constitutional debate within Scotland about whether the dual role should be split to better mitigate actual and/or perceived conflicts of interest between the two functions. This inquiry will appraise the case for and against splitting the dual role, and exploring different options for reform.