Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average age is of (a) diesel-electric and (b) electric locomotives that will deliver annual rail freight growth targets to 2029-30.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As rail freight operating companies are privately owned and operated, the Department for Transport does not hold information on what the average age is of (a) diesel-electric and (b) electric locomotives in their fleets. We do expect that new bi-mode locomotives currently being introduced by operators and the gradual retirement of older diesel units will lower the average age of freight locomotives on the network.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many wagons are (a) owned and (b) leased by rail freight operating companies on the UK network.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As rail freight operating companies are privately owned and operated, the owning and leasing of wagons is a commercial matter for the businesses. No data is held by the department.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to protect rail freight (a) jobs and (b) assets in response to Deutsche Bahn’s decision to sell DB Cargo (UK).
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential role of psychedelic-assisted therapies in the treatment of (a) treatment-resistant depression, (b) PTSD and (c) other mental health conditions; and what steps his Department is taking to support clinical research into those therapies.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care is working closely with the Home Office and other key stakeholders across Government to take forward relevant recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ report on barriers to research involving Schedule 1 controlled drugs, which include substances used in some psychedelic-assisted therapies.
The Department of Health and Social Care also funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, including the Psilocybin in Depression Resistant to Standard Treatments trial, which published its results in August 2026.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her planned timetable is for consultation on and implementation of the provisions of Clause 43 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026.
Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Throughout the passage of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, ministers consistently committed to consulting on the implementation of the Clause 43 provisions. That consultation will happen in due course.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, when he plans to consult on the timetable for implementing the provisions of the Commercial Payments Bill relating to retention payments in construction contracts; and whether he plans to publish a timetable setting out the key milestones for bringing the proposed ban fully into force as part of that consultation.
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)
The Commercial Payments Bill introduces a ban on the deduction of retention sums in construction contracts, with a two-year transitional period to allow businesses time to prepare and to support the development of alternative surety products. This measure will only come into force through Commencement Regulations following Royal Assent of the Bill.
The Government will work with the Construction Leadership Council, its clients and other stakeholders on the timetable for implementation, as well as improving quality and reducing the incidence of defects in construction and strengthening the market for alternative forms of surety.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether steps have been taken to ensure that managers within the former Valuation Office Agency, following its merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, who are the subject of a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination do not retain supervisory or safeguarding authority over the complainant during the period of the active investigation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff.. Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) take all allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. When a formal complaint is raised, specialist HR advice is provided to assess any risks and consider appropriate support arrangements for those involved. This includes consideration of who should manage the employee during the investigation and whether any supervisory or safeguarding responsibilities should be changed. Any interim arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances and identified risks.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what independent safeguarding arrangements were established for employees of the former Valuation Office Agency following its merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026 for employees who report harassment, bullying, or discrimination during an active internal investigation into the reported conduct.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies, procedures and support arrangements as other HMRC employees.
Cases relating to former VOA employees within VO Group continue to be supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service.Employees have access to the range of support available to HMRC staff, including wellbeing support, the Employee Assistance Programme, Trade Union support and other relevant support mechanisms.
Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC has taken steps to ensure that managers who are the subject of a formal complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination do not retain supervisory or safeguarding authority over the employee who made the complaint during the period of the active investigation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) take all allegations of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously. When a formal complaint is raised, specialist HR advice is provided to assess any risks and consider appropriate support arrangements for those involved. This includes consideration of who should manage the employee during the investigation and whether any supervisory or safeguarding responsibilities should be changed. Any interim arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis, taking account of the circumstances and identified risks.Asked by: Rebecca Long Bailey (Labour - Salford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what authority and responsibility did the HR function within HMRC hold for former Valuation Office Agency employees following the merger into HMRC on 1 April 2026, in relation to safeguarding arrangements where the subject of a formal complaint remains in post during an active investigation.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Following the merger of the Valuation Office Agency into HMRC on 1 April 2026, former VOA employees became HMRC employees and are largely covered by the same HMRC policies and procedures as other HMRC staff, Cases relating to complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination are managed under HMRC's Upholding our Standards policy, supported by a dedicated VO HR Consultancy team within HMRC's Expert Advice Service using VO Decision Managers.
Where the complaint concerns the employee's line manager, EAS works with the business to undertake an individual risk assessment and agree appropriate safeguarding measures. These are tailored to the circumstances of the case and may include temporary alternative management arrangements, adjustments to working patterns or locations, measures to limit contact between the parties, and access to wellbeing and support services. Safeguarding arrangements are reviewed throughout the investigation and amended where necessary to ensure the employee is appropriately supported.HMRC does not tolerate bullying, harassment or discrimination. Where a complaint is upheld, EAS advises on disciplinary action in line with HMRC policy and supports the implementation of any recommendations arising from the investigation.