Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of applying VAT to private school fees on children attending extracurricular activities at private schools, despite not attending them.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, has made no assessment of the impact of applying VAT to school fees on children who do not attend private schools but may utilise their facilities.

The 20% standard rate of VAT applies to all education services, vocational training and boarding services provided by private schools for a charge. The VAT treatment of services delivered by third-party providers at private schools, for instance, self-employed music teachers or organisations that rent out private schools’ facilities, are unaffected by this policy. These services will always have been subject to VAT, if the provider is VAT-registered, unless it is private tutoring of a subject ordinarily taught in schools, which is exempt from VAT.

However, any before or after school childcare, or childcare-based holiday clubs, that consists solely of childcare and does not fall within the definition of education will remain exempt from VAT by virtue of the fact that welfare services are exempt from VAT.

HM Revenue and Customs have published guidance on charging and/or reclaiming VAT on good and services related to private school fees, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charging-and-reclaiming-vat-on-goods-and-services-related-to-private-school-fees.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the criteria for removing varicose veins to include the level of pain experienced.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidance identifies several treatment options for those with symptoms or complications associated with varicose veins, including surgery to remove the veins.

Pain that is more severe can often be associated with other conditions. A decision on which treatment is most appropriate will be led by a clinician on a case- by-case basis, based on the evidence, level of associated risk, as well as the pain and symptoms the patient presents with.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the value was of the Education and Skills Funding Agency Adult Education Budget allocated to Kent County Council in the (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25 financial year; and what the allocation will be in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The Education and Skills Funding Agency awards adult education budget allocations on an annual basis. Allocations are based on an academic year rather than a financial year.

Allocations that span the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years have been published on GOV.UK.

‘Funding allocations to training providers: 2023 to 2024’ can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-allocations-to-training-providers-2023-to-2024.

‘Funding allocations to training providers: 2024 to 2025’ can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-allocations-to-training-providers-2024-to-2025.

Allocations for the 2025/26 academic year have not yet been finalised. The department expects to confirm these shortly.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to orchestral tax relief on orchestras that rely on touring.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK provides world-leading support for orchestras: at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government confirmed that from 1 April 2025, the rate of OTR will be set at the generous rate of 45%.

From April 2024, qualifying expenditure for the orchestra tax relief (OTR) is expenditure incurred on goods or services that are ‘used or consumed in the UK’, replacing the previous rule that qualifying costs were those incurred on goods/services provided from the UK or EEA.  To ease the transition to the new rule, orchestras with concerts in train on 1 April 2024 were permitted to continue claiming relief on goods/services provided from within the EEA until 31 March 2025.

It is appropriate to refocus orchestra tax relief on UK expenditure now that the UK has left the EU. Under the new rule, the relief incentivises activity within the UK, rather than the UK and the EEA. This does not prevent qualifying productions from touring in the EEA (nor elsewhere).

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the switch-off of the Radio Teleswitch Service on households reliant on Economy 10 electricity tariffs.

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

Energy suppliers are best placed to advise on suitable tariffs for households affected by the switch-off of RTS, including those with Economy 10 electricity tariffs.

Ofgem is consulting on plans to introduce new RTS licence conditions for energy suppliers, one of which states that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a tariff that leaves their customers ‘no worse off’ than previously once their RTS meter is replaced.

Energy suppliers are contacting all households with RTS meters and Ofgem is encouraging customers to book an appointment to ensure they are provided with a replacement meter ahead of the switch-off.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the National Highways A3/M25 junction upgrade on RHS Garden Wisley; and whether her Department plans to provide financial compensation to mitigate losses incurred by the charity due to construction-related disruptions.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The impact of the M25 Junction 10 scheme on the RHS Garden Wisley was discussed and considered during the early stages of the development of the project starting in 2016. Based on the outcome of these engagements, National Highways incorporated mitigation measures in the scheme where it was possible to do so. The development and implementation of the scheme has considered major planned events at RHS Wisley, incorporating measures to enhance traffic flow for their visitors. Additionally, National Highways has scheduled major M25 and A3 weekend closures to avoid conflicts with key RHS events. Extensive signage has also been installed to ensure RHS visitors have the most direct and convenient routes through National Highways’ works.

National Highways provides compensation as established in legislation across all its projects, to ensure appropriate use of taxpayers’ money. RHS Wisley may make a claim to National Highways under Section 7 of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 or 152 Planning Act 2008. While there are compensation arrangements for permanent adverse impacts, it is a generally held principle that the public purse does not compensate business for loss of earnings during temporary road works.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating new cars and buses to have engines which automatically switch off when in traffic.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Vehicle manufacturers are under legislative and market pressure to deliver fuel-efficient vehicles that produce less carbon dioxide. This encourages the fitment of technologies such as automatic engine start-stop systems. Government sees its role as the setting of standards, and that of industry as the development of appropriate technologies to meet those standards.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on introducing a TV License for people who only use streaming services.

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

The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee, and firmly believes that the unique obligations placed on the BBC demand continued, sustainable public funding to support its vital work.

There are a range of alternatives and we are thinking creatively about options for the future, to ensure we future-proof our national broadcaster for many years to come. The Government will be taking forward the question of how the BBC is funded as part of the Charter Review process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of the Loan Charge to include (a) the effectiveness of the terms of the Loan Charge, (b) lessons learned by her Department in relation to the introduction of the Loan Charge and (c) the role of scheme promoters in promoting tax avoidance schemes.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers.

The Government does not think it is right for people affected by the Loan Charge to have to wait years for any progress on bringing this matter to a close for them and has therefore ensured that the review has a focused remit, allowing it to report by this summer. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.

Alongside the review, the Government is committed to tackling promoters of tax avoidance and will consult on measures to tackle promoters of marketed tax avoidance, including new powers focused on those who own or control promoter organisations and options to tackle legal professionals behind avoidance schemes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential (a) merits of including Tunbridge Wells in the High Cost Area Allowance and (b) impact of these proposals on staff (i) recruitment and (ii) retention for the NHS Trust.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

It is part of the Pay Review Bodies’ remit to look at and, if necessary, make recommendations on the future geographic coverage of high-cost area supplements, and on the value of such supplements. As these provisions are reflected in staff terms and conditions of service, any recommended changes would need to be collectively agreed between employers and trade unions.

Alternatively, National Health Service employers or staff organisations in a specified geographic area can propose an increase in the level of high-cost area supplement, or can request the introduction of a supplement where no supplement exists. There must be evidence to support its introduction, and this would be down to local determination.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will introduce legislative measures to require sellers to (a) disclose to prospective homebuyers whether a property is supplied by a private water network and (b) outline the financial risks associated with this arrangement.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Providing essential information upfront is important in supporting potential buyers to make important decisions about whether a property is suitable for them early in the process.

There is already a requirement under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 that any property information that would help a prospective homebuyer to make an informed decision is not hidden or omitted. On 9 February, we announced action to improve the availability of property information. Improving access to key home buying and selling data will help transactions run more smoothly by ensuring all parties are able to access the information they need at the right time.

We continue to work with stakeholders across industry, government and the public sector to understand the most effective way of supporting buyers to make the right decisions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will make an assessment on the potential merits of exempting British National (Overseas) passport holders from Electronic Travel Authorisation.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme was introduced on 25 October 2023 to enhance our ability to screen travellers upstream and stop those who pose a threat from travelling to the UK.

ETAs were expanded to British National (Overseas) BN(O) passport holders on 27 November 2024 and are currently a requirement for travel to or transit, landside, via the UK. We keep all policies under review.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of exempting military compensation as income to ensure that veterans can still qualify for Pension Credit.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer the honourable member to the answer given on 18 November 2024 to question UIN 14156.

The first £10 of any War Pension payment or Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) award made due to injury or disablement is disregarded in Pension Credit. Income is calculated on a weekly basis, so the disregard is £10 per week.

Four additions to the War Disablement Pension are completely disregarded: Constant Attendance Allowance; Mobility Supplement; Severe Disablement Occupational Allowance; and dependency increases for anyone other than the applicant or her / his partner.

War Pensions and AFCS awards are a qualifying income for the Savings Credit element of Pension Credit, which is available to those who reached State Pension age before April 2016.

Armed Forces Independence Payments are fully disregarded in Pension Credit and can also allow the recipient to qualify for an additional disability amount.

Maternity care in the UK

Community pharmacies

Mobile phone usage in schools

Fibrenest and Persimmon homes

Shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy

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