Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of faith-based oversubscription criteria in school admissions on (a) racial and (b) ethnic groups.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Faith schools are an important part of our diverse school system and parliament has legislated so that they can make certain choices about their admission arrangements. The Equality Act 2010 permits designated faith schools and academies to use faith-based admissions criteria to determine priority for places when the school is oversubscribed. Where schools receive fewer applications than there are places available, they must admit applicants regardless of faith.

All schools, including faith schools, must comply with the School Admissions Code and equalities legislation, and be aware of the general impact of their admissions policies. They must comply with the public sector equality duty and their duties to actively promote the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the timetable is for meetings of the Joint Committee established under the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Officials meet annually for the UK-Faroe Islands FTA Joint Committee, with the latest held on 3^rd June 2026 in London. The FTA establishes effective channels for UK officials from the Department for Business and Trade to lobby the Faroes on animal welfare issues, including at the last Joint Committee. Regular engagement with the Faroese Representation in London also enables the UK to raise important issues directly with the Faroese Government.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to include (a) animal welfare and (b) environmental conservation on the agenda of the next meeting of the Joint Committee established under the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Officials meet annually for the UK-Faroe Islands FTA Joint Committee, with the latest held on 3^rd June 2026 in London. The FTA establishes effective channels for UK officials from the Department for Business and Trade to lobby the Faroes on animal welfare issues, including at the last Joint Committee. Regular engagement with the Faroese Representation in London also enables the UK to raise important issues directly with the Faroese Government.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, which UK representatives are scheduled to participate in the meetings of the Joint Committee established under the UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Officials meet annually for the UK-Faroe Islands FTA Joint Committee, with the latest held on 3^rd June 2026 in London. The FTA establishes effective channels for UK officials from the Department for Business and Trade to lobby the Faroes on animal welfare issues, including at the last Joint Committee. Regular engagement with the Faroese Representation in London also enables the UK to raise important issues directly with the Faroese Government.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to help ensure that arms transferred through UK military bases are used in accordance with international law.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

The UK continues to be committed to upholding International Law and will always operate in accordance with its key principals.

The use of UK military bases by foreign governments is governed by a range of longstanding agreements. For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information relating to foreign nations’ routine movements.

For export licensing matters, I will defer to my right honourable colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if her Department will publish statistics on (a) eVisa errors, (b) cancellations of EUSS status and (c) EUSS status granted in error.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The statistics on eVisa errors are available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-immigration-status-evisa-ukvi-account-creation-data/evisa-error-correction-volumes-from-the-online-webform

There are currently no plans to publish the data for cancellations of EUSS status or for EUSS status granted in error. All statistical publications are subject to review.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he will release Gaza surveillance flights footage of 25 and 26 March 2025.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)

Following the terrorist attacks against Israel of 7 October 2023, the UK government worked with partners across the region to secure the release of hostages, including British nationals, who were kidnapped.

In support of these efforts, the Ministry of Defence conducted surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean, including operating in air space over Israel and Gaza between December 2023 until 10 October 2025. Following the agreement of the Gaza peace plan between Israel and Hamas, and the release of remaining hostages, the Ministry of Defence ceased surveillance flights over Gaza.

The surveillance aircraft were always unarmed, did not have a combat role, and were tasked solely to locate hostages.

I am unable to disclose the information requested as to do so would undermine Defence’s ability to respond to hostage rescue scenarios in the future.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government plans to set up an engagement group of disabled people's organisations to be involved in decision making associated with the work of the D20.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

Decisions on the membership and UK representatives of G20 engagement groups are not for the Government to make; they should be decided by the groups themselves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the UK's lead in the D20 will be a person with a disability.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

Decisions on the membership and UK representatives of G20 engagement groups are not for the Government to make; they should be decided by the groups themselves.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who will be the UK's lead from 15 December 2026 when the UK takes over the chair of the D20.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

Decisions on the membership and UK representatives of G20 engagement groups are not for the Government to make; they should be decided by the groups themselves.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to provide legal recognition of Green Reps in workplaces where they are (a) elected and (b) appointed by a recognised trade union.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

While there is no separate statutory framework for green representatives, the Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthened rights to reasonable paid time off for trade union representatives and trade union equality representatives. Where a workplace green representative is also a trade union representative, they may benefit from these statutory rights relating to trade union representatives. There are no current plans to introduce a separate statutory framework for workplace green representatives.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to give elected workplace Green reps rights to information, consultation and participation in workplace sustainability and transition planning, including through joint Futureproofing Committees.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

While there is no separate statutory framework for green representatives, the Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthened rights to reasonable paid time off for trade union representatives and trade union equality representatives. Where a workplace green representative is also a trade union representative, they may benefit from these statutory rights relating to trade union representatives. There are no current plans to introduce a separate statutory framework for workplace green representatives.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to give the right to reasonable paid time off for elected workplace Green Reps.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

While there is no separate statutory framework for green representatives, the Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthened rights to reasonable paid time off for trade union representatives and trade union equality representatives. Where a workplace green representative is also a trade union representative, they may benefit from these statutory rights relating to trade union representatives. There are no current plans to introduce a separate statutory framework for workplace green representatives.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has carried out an impact assessment on the decision to further reduce the Official Development Aid budget.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

There has been no further reduction in the budget for Official Development Assistance (ODA) since the announcement by HM Treasury in Spending Review 2025 of department spending allocations up to 2028/29, published on 11 June 2025. A full Equality Impact Assessment of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) ODA allocations was published in March 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department takes when facilities designated as part of national infrastructure do not submit accounts in line with the Companies House deadline.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

All companies must file annual accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. Directors are personally responsible for ensuring accounts are delivered on time.

Where accounts are filed late, Companies House automatically imposes statutory late filing penalties. For persistent or serious non-compliance, Companies House has a range of enforcement powers, including financial penalties and criminal prosecution. Enforcement decisions are taken in line with Companies House's published Enforcement Policy and a proportionate, risk-based compliance framework.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-enforcement-policy

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a reliable and secure physical alternative that enables individuals to prove EUSS status.

Answered by Mike Tapp

There are no plans to conduct an independent review of the eVisa system. The Home Office keeps the system under regular review, including through monitoring, stakeholder feedback and issue-resolution processes, so that any problems identified can be addressed.

Millions of people have successfully used eVisas for several years. eVisas are a secure, efficient and up-to-date way for people to evidence their immigration status. More than 10 million eVisas have been issued, including to approximately 5.8 million EUSS status holders, over 5 million UKVI online accounts were created between March 2024 and January 2026, and the online right to work service has been used more than 34 million times—showing that digital status checks are now routine and embedded.

The Home Office is moving to a digital immigration system and does not plan to introduce a physical document as an alternative means of proving EUSS status. Digital status provides important benefits over physical documents, including stronger safeguards against loss, theft or fraud, and the ability to reflect a person’s current status in real time.

We recognise that moving away from physical documents is a significant change for some people. Where someone is unable to access their eVisa, UKVI support is available to help resolve the issue and, where necessary, provide confirmation of their status while that issue is being addressed.

People may keep their grant notification email or letter, or print their eVisa profile page, for their own records. However, these documents cannot be used as evidence of status.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to conduct an independent review of the eVisa system.

Answered by Mike Tapp

There are no plans to conduct an independent review of the eVisa system. The Home Office keeps the system under regular review, including through monitoring, stakeholder feedback and issue-resolution processes, so that any problems identified can be addressed.

Millions of people have successfully used eVisas for several years. eVisas are a secure, efficient and up-to-date way for people to evidence their immigration status. More than 10 million eVisas have been issued, including to approximately 5.8 million EUSS status holders, over 5 million UKVI online accounts were created between March 2024 and January 2026, and the online right to work service has been used more than 34 million times—showing that digital status checks are now routine and embedded.

The Home Office is moving to a digital immigration system and does not plan to introduce a physical document as an alternative means of proving EUSS status. Digital status provides important benefits over physical documents, including stronger safeguards against loss, theft or fraud, and the ability to reflect a person’s current status in real time.

We recognise that moving away from physical documents is a significant change for some people. Where someone is unable to access their eVisa, UKVI support is available to help resolve the issue and, where necessary, provide confirmation of their status while that issue is being addressed.

People may keep their grant notification email or letter, or print their eVisa profile page, for their own records. However, these documents cannot be used as evidence of status.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to increase resources for the Home Office Resolution Centre to assist eVisa holders.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The Home Office Resolution Centre supports customers using our digital immigration services, including with eVisa queries. Customers can choose the contact channel that best suits them, including phone, webchat and email.

While waiting times can vary depending on demand, customers are currently able to access the service in a timely manner. We keep staffing levels under regular review and deploy resources as appropriate to respond to demand where needed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in the context of fit notes, what clinical evidence supports removing or reducing GP involvement in decisions that NICE states require long term clinical understanding.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

In May 2026, the Government announced that it would test reform of the fit note, beginning with pilots across four integrated care boards in England.

The pilots will test a fundamentally different approach, exploring replacing the traditional general practice (GP) led fit note process with newly designed plans, and new work and health teams, that provide better support for people who fall ill at work.

Clear clinical oversight and escalation routes are built into the pilots, which have been designed through close engagement with GP leaders and the health system. GPs will retain a meaningful role in complex cases, including providing clinical evidence where appropriate.

The Government is taking a test and learn approach to design and delivery, and any future rollout or reform will be informed by learnings from the pilots. The current fit note system, where fit notes can be certified by healthcare professionals including GPs following clinical assessment, will continue in non-pilot areas during the pilot period.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he plans to provide emergency support to Air Ambulance charities for the costs of fuel.

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

The Department has been engaging with air ambulance charities on fuel resilience issues, as part of regular contingency planning.

The Government supports the longstanding and successful independent air ambulance charities model, which enables close partnership working with local National Health Service trusts to provide medical guidance, supplies, and training. There are no current plans to provide further funding to the sector which operates through this successful charitable model.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that fit note assessments comply with NICE guidelines for autism and severe mental health conditions.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

Fit notes can be certified by five groups of healthcare professionals: doctors; nurses; occupational therapists; pharmacists; and physiotherapists.

Fit notes are based on the professional’s clinical assessment of a patient’s health condition, and their clinical assessment of the patient’s fitness for work. In carrying out suitable clinical assessments of a patient’s health condition, this should include reference to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, where relevant.

NICE guidelines are not mandatory, however professionals and practitioners are expected to take NICE guidelines fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences, and values of their patients and service users, when exercising their professional judgement.

The Government’s recently announced fit note pilots will test reforms to the fit note in four integrated care boards across England. These pilots will test replacing the traditional general practice (GP) led fit note process with newly designed plans, and new work and health teams, to better support people who fall ill at work.

Clear clinical oversight and escalation routes are built into the pilots, including to ensure GPs retain a meaningful role in complex cases. Any future rollout or reform will be informed by learning from the pilots.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to reinstate and expand funding for organisations to provide legal support to vulnerable individuals seeking to prove EUSS status.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The volume of EUSS applications has reduced over time and is forecast to continue to fall. The number of applications directly supported by Grant Funded Organisations (GFOs) decreased and, in line with this, in recent years the Home Office reduced both the amount of grant funding available and the overall number of GFOs.

This culminated in the decision to not continue with grant funding arrangements following the end of the 2025/2026 financial year.

UKVI support arrangements remain in place for vulnerable EUSS customers. Customers can continue to access support through the Resolution Centre. This remains a key part of the EUSS support model; providing a route for case enquiries and support where customers need help with their application or status.

The UKVI EUSS Vulnerability Team also continue to provide support when cases are notified to them.

There are no plans to re-instate and expand funding.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to increase EUSS caseworking resources to reduce waiting time for decisions on applications.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The Home Office allocates resources for case working of immigration applications in line with the forecasted demand.

The Home Office seeks to process all applications to the EUSS as swiftly as possible. As of 31 March 2026, 5.8 million people held status under the EUSS: 1.3 million had pre-settled status and 4.5 million had settled status.

To 31 March 2026, the Home Office had concluded 99% (8.8 million) of the 8.9 million applications received.

Details of the EUSS processing times can be found on the GOV.UK website – (EU Settlement Scheme: current estimated processing times for applications - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab)) which advises on expected processing times and common reasons why an application may take longer to conclude.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the government has modelled the net fiscal effect of a reduced rate of VAT on fitness services compared to the reduction in NHS and public costs associated with physical inactivity.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

Addressing physical inactivity and getting people moving more is important for improving health outcomes, reducing demand on the National Health Service, and supporting economic growth.

The leisure and fitness sector play an important role in supporting the Government’s sickness to prevention shift through providing affordable and accessible opportunities for people to increase their activity levels.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s third largest tax, forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26.

Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

One of the key considerations when assessing a new VAT relief is whether the cost saving is likely to be passed on to consumers. Evidence suggests that businesses only partially pass on any savings from lower VAT rates. In some cases, reliefs do not represent good value for money, as there is no guarantee that savings will be passed on to consumers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that changes in oil prices are reflected at UK petrol stations.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that motorists get a fair deal at the pump and we have taken several measures to protect consumers from fuel prices increases.

We have extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until 31 December 2026 which will save the average motorist £120.

We also worked with international partners through a co-ordinated release of strategic oil stocks, with the UK contributing 13.5 million barrels to help increase global supply and reduce upward pressure on prices

We have also introduced Fuel Finder, which is now being enforced by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), enabling drivers to compare fuel prices and find the cheapest fuel locally.

The CMA’s latest road fuels monitoring report, published on 1 June, found no evidence that retailers are exploiting recent market developments.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of the inclusion of WhatsApp in any social media ban for under 16s.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The government does not intend for messaging services to be included in social media companies being banned from offering services to under 16s. This is to support children staying in touch with family, friends and communities. Final details of restrictions will be set out in regulations.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current status of the McCloud Remedy for veterans who were medically discharged from the Armed Forces around the time of the 2015 pension reforms.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to issuing all Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) members with their entitlement as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the delivery of Remedial Service Statements (RSS) continues to be prioritised.

While significant numbers of statements have already been issued, cases with complex circumstances, such as those with medical discharge, divorce settlements, added pension arrangements, gaps in service or multiple periods of service, require additional calculations and validation to ensure benefits are implemented accurately, and therefore can take longer to issue. The department is actively increasing resources, implementing automation and focusing specialist expertise on complex cases to accelerate delivery.

The MOD is finalising the timetable for completion of RSS issuance and will communicate confirmed timescales to affected members once available.

Regular progress updates continue to be published in the AFPS Quarterly Digest and at the following link on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#remediable-service-statement-delivery-update

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps are being taken to address delays in the Armed Forces pension remedy programme.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to issuing all Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) members with their entitlement as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the delivery of Remedial Service Statements (RSS) continues to be prioritised.

While significant numbers of statements have already been issued, cases with complex circumstances, such as those with medical discharge, divorce settlements, added pension arrangements, gaps in service or multiple periods of service, require additional calculations and validation to ensure benefits are implemented accurately, and therefore can take longer to issue. The department is actively increasing resources, implementing automation and focusing specialist expertise on complex cases to accelerate delivery.

The MOD is finalising the timetable for completion of RSS issuance and will communicate confirmed timescales to affected members once available.

Regular progress updates continue to be published in the AFPS Quarterly Digest and at the following link on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#remediable-service-statement-delivery-update

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when can veterans affected by the McCloud case expect to receive their Remediable Service Statements.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is committed to issuing all Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) members with their entitlement as quickly and efficiently as possible, and the delivery of Remedial Service Statements (RSS) continues to be prioritised.

While significant numbers of statements have already been issued, cases with complex circumstances, such as those with medical discharge, divorce settlements, added pension arrangements, gaps in service or multiple periods of service, require additional calculations and validation to ensure benefits are implemented accurately, and therefore can take longer to issue. The department is actively increasing resources, implementing automation and focusing specialist expertise on complex cases to accelerate delivery.

The MOD is finalising the timetable for completion of RSS issuance and will communicate confirmed timescales to affected members once available.

Regular progress updates continue to be published in the AFPS Quarterly Digest and at the following link on the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#remediable-service-statement-delivery-update

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether the Government has assessed the combined impact of reducing adoption support funding while also changing school meal eligibility.

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

The adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) provides important therapeutic support for adopted and special guardianship order children. The changes made in 2025/26 financial year were to ensure support for all those applying for ASGSF. The average cost per approved therapy in 2025/26 was below the maximum permissible Fair Access Limit amount, at £2,844.

Free school meals (FSM) are an income-based support offered for lower-income families. Speculative evidence (Adoption Barometer) suggests adopted children have historically been less likely to be FSM-eligible than the wider pupil population, reflecting that their needs are not solely income-related. From September 2026. FSM eligibility will be extended to all households receiving Universal Credit, significantly widening access and meaning more adopted children should benefit. Although more children under special guardianship arrangements would be eligible for FSM, they may face greater economic disadvantage and the department is exploring wider support, including trialling kinship allowances.

In 2026 27, the ASGSF budget has increased by 10% to £55 million, supporting access to provision at similar levels to previous years. Local authorities and regional adoption agencies may supplement this support where appropriate.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many prosecutions and fines have been issued for oil and chemical spills into UK waters in each of the last five years.

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

In the last five years, the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) has issued two civil penalties for oil pollution offences under the Offshore Petroleum Activities (Oil Pollution Prevention and Control) Regulations 2005: £25,000 to Golar-Nor (UK) Limited in May 2022 and £25,000 to Perenco UK Limited in January 2024. No prosecutions have been brought by OPRED in that period. OPRED investigates all reported oil and chemical spills proportionately and takes enforcement action where appropriate to protect the marine environment.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Energy Independence Bill will end new oil and gas licences and exploration.

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

The Energy Independence Bill was announced in the King’s Speech, in which the government committed to manage existing oil and gas fields for their lifetime and to show climate leadership by meeting the manifesto commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields.

The full detail of the Bill and its policy measures will be set out in due course when it is introduced to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what mechanisms are in place to help ensure oil and gas companies remain liable for the decommissioning costs of wells and pipelines within marine protected areas, including where operators cease trading or sell on licences.

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

Section 29 of the Petroleum Act 1998 ensures that companies connected to offshore installations and pipelines remain responsible for decommissioning. Liability for decommissioning continues after a licence or asset sale and applies to all companies being served a section 29 notice.

Decommissioning obligations are joint and several, allowing SoS to recover costs from remaining liable parties even where another party defaults. OPRED monitors financial resilience of companies connected to North Sea oil and gas installations and ensures that Section 29 notices are served and maintained.

Jonathan Frisher

Parthenon Sculptures

Prohibiting Members of Parliament from having paid second jobs

Walford Mill Crafts’ 40th anniversary

Sports bras

Industrial dispute of staff in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

National Day of Memory for Victims of Honour-Based Abuse

Generation Z and the State Pension

London South Bank University industrial dispute

Nelson Mandela Day

Cancer and access to travel insurance

Moygashel Bonfire 2026

Nature rights

Richard Pengelly

Key Stage 2 Sats Results and the Pearson-Administered National Curriculum Assessment

Strike action and industrial dispute at Tower Hamlets leisure centres

Touring artists mobility arrangements

138th anniversary of the Matchgirls' Strike

Public sector communications, decentralised platforms and local journalism

Compulsory voting and civic education

Palantir and the NHS (No. 2)

Partick Methodist Church restoration and transformation into a community arts hub

50th anniversary of the Trico strike for equal pay

Sustainability of mental health legal aid services

78th anniversary of the creation of the National Health Service

Durham Miners’ Gala 2026

Impact of Israel’s ingress into Palestinian territory on maternal care

Suspension decisions at the FIFA World Cup 2026

UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Carbon monoxide alarms

VAT on energy saving materials

South Yemen