Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will provide a list of organisations that she has met with advocating for community sports partners, such as Parkrun, to remove gender self-identification from participants; whether an assessment has been made by her Department into ties between these organisations' and the Alliance Defending Freedom International and other Christian conservative right-wing advocacy groups; and what actions her Department is taking to protect trans inclusive practices in our community sports organisations.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government continues to work closely with our arms-length body, Sport England and community sport partners across the sector including Parkrun, to keep developments in this area under review and to support safe, lawful and inclusive participation in grassroots sport for everyone.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support UK bus manufacturing and strengthen the domestic supply chain, in the context of increasing competition from China in the zero-emission bus market; and what assessment she has made of the impact of this trend on UK jobs, investment, and long-term industrial capacity in the bus manufacturing sector.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the important role of a vibrant UK bus manufacturing sector.
That is why the Government is committed to supporting the full transition to zero-emission buses (ZEBs). In March, we announced up to £73.2m in additional funding to support the delivery of approximately 484 ZEBs across 10 projects in England, on top of £38 million announced last April.
In addition, our modern Industrial Strategy launched DRIVE35, the biggest government investment in the automotive industry of the post‑war era. With £4bn in capital and R&D funding to 2035, DRIVE35 will accelerate UK innovation in strategic vehicle technologies, support their commercial scale‑up, and unlock investment across all aspects of automotive manufacturing and electrification, including buses.
Furthermore, in March 2025, the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel was launched, bringing together industry experts and local leaders to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing. The final meeting was held in March 2026. At the meeting, Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) agreed a set of Commitments which included a 10% minimum application of social value in all future bus procurement exercises and to explore collective procurement options across MCAs.
It also agreed that the 10-year zero emission bus order pipeline, that was published in March 2026, will be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure an accurate forward look on ZEB manufacturing.
The Government is aware of concerns raised by UK manufacturers regarding increasing competition in the zero-emission bus market and the potential implications for jobs, investment and industrial capability. Where industry is concerned that increased competition is as a result of unfair foreign trade practices – i.e., dumping, subsidisation or an unforeseen surge of imports – they can apply to the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) for a trade remedy investigation.
We will continue to engage and work with the industry to ensure a competitive UK bus manufacturing sector.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what measures she is taking to support small and medium sized businesses in the UK bus manufacturing supply chain.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the important role our smaller and medium sized companies play as part of a vibrant UK bus manufacturing sector.
That is why the Government is committed to supporting the full transition to zero-emission buses (ZEBs). In March, we announced up to £73.2 million in additional funding to support the delivery of approximately 484 ZEBs across 10 projects in England, on top of £38 million announced last April.
In addition, our modern Industrial Strategy launched DRIVE35, the biggest government investment in the automotive industry of the post‑war era. With £4bn in capital and R&D funding to 2035, DRIVE35 will accelerate UK innovation in strategic vehicle technologies, support their commercial scale‑up, and unlock investment across all aspects of automotive manufacturing and electrification, including buses.
Furthermore, in March 2025, the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel was launched, bringing together industry experts and local leaders to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing. The final meeting was held in March 2026. At the meeting, Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) agreed a set of Commitments which included a 10% minimum application of social value in all future bus procurement exercises and to explore collective procurement options across MCAs.
It also agreed that the 10-year zero emission bus order pipeline, that was published in March 2026, will be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure an accurate forward look on ZEB manufacturing.
We will continue to engage and work with the industry to ensure a competitive UK bus manufacturing sector.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Government's definition of social value rewards bidders who support businesses across the supply chain and create jobs.
Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
Businesses bidding for government contracts will be judged on their commitment to creating high-quality jobs, tackling skills shortages and supporting young people into apprenticeships and work placements. The Cabinet Office is developing detailed guidance on social value for publication later this autumn.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness for renters of the two redress schemes currently endorsed by the government.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
My Department monitors the performance of the two government-approved redress schemes: the Property Ombudsman and the Property Redress Scheme.
This includes reviewing monthly data provided by the schemes and assessing their progress against the approval criteria.
To obtain and maintain approval as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) bodies, the schemes must comply with statutory ADR requirements, including criteria relating to effectiveness.
These requirements were originally set out in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Regulations 2015 and are now being updated under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
The schemes have been subject to audit by a Competent Authority to ensure criteria are met.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
What steps he is taking to support young people into employment, education or training.
Answered by Pat McFadden - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Too many young people are not in employment, education or training, something we are addressing and which the previous Government did nothing about.
We are investing £2.5 billion into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy to support nearly one million 16–24-year-olds into work, education or training.
Over the next three years, this investment will unlock up to 300,000 opportunities for workplace experience and training, along with 200,000 jobs through the £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant, the £2,000 apprenticeship incentive, and guaranteeing jobs for long-term unemployed young people on Universal Credit.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HMRC is taking to ensure retirees and others with pensions and savings get clear help in avoiding mistakes with tax codes.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
HMRC is committed to helping retirees and others with pensions and savings understand their tax position and avoid errors with their tax codes.
Most people who receive a pension or savings income pay the right tax automatically through Pay As You Earn (PAYE). HMRC uses information provided by pension providers, banks and building societies to set and update tax codes, and continues to improve how this data is used to increase accuracy and reduce the risk of errors.
Where changes are made to a tax code, HMRC provides clear explanations so customers understand why an adjustment has been made and what action, if any, is needed. Customers can check and update their details online through their Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app, and can contact HMRC directly if something does not look right.
HMRC also recognises that some retirees may find tax matters more complex or may not be able to use digital services. For these customers, HMRC provides alternative support, including telephone and postal services, clear written guidance, and trained advisers who can offer tailored and empathetic help.
HMRC continues to improve its guidance and communications, including plain‑English information designed around real‑life situations, to help people better understand their tax affairs and avoid common mistakes.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential financial impact on outdoor visitor attractions, including zoos like Chester Zoo and theme parks like Drayton Manor, from the presentation of weather forecasts that use a single icon to summarise whole-day conditions.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
DCMS recognises the vital role outdoor visitor attractions play in the UK’s visitor economy. These sites, ranging from world-leading zoos and theme parks to historic gardens, contribute to regional investment, local employment and often support learning and biodiversity conservation.
At this time, DCMS has not made a specific assessment of the potential financial impact of digital weather forecasting on outdoor visitor attractions. The Government is aware of the concerns raised by the sector regarding how these forecasts can influence visitor behaviour, including the recent campaign led by Chester Zoo.
My department continues to represent the interests of the visitor economy across Government and my officials are engaged on this matter. This includes membership of the Public Weather Service (PWS) Customer Group. This Group has been working closely with the Met Office to strengthen the focus on supporting the outdoor economy, including the visitor economy. More broadly, I remain committed to maintaining a close and constructive dialogue with industry representatives to ensure the visitor economy continues to thrive.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help support greater transparency in the fees associated with accepting card payments.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the cost of accepting payments, including cards, is fair to all parties, and that our payment systems work for all.
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the UK’s economic regulator for payments, has recently concluded two market reviews into card fees to assess if increases in prices are fair and reflect a market that is operating well. The PSR is now considering its next steps, including remedies designed to increase the transparency of scheme and processing fees.
https://www.psr.org.uk/our-work/market-reviews/
There are a number of fees that can be placed on merchants, including interchange fees which are governed by the Interchange Fee Regulations 2015 (IFR). The IFR caps the fees that are paid by a merchant (or trader) to the card user’s bank. The caps are currently set at 0.2% for every transaction using a debit card, and 0.3% for credit card transactions.
The Government is also committed to ensuring that payment options remain affordable and accessible for small businesses, including through measures that promote competition and reduce unnecessary costs. The National Payments Vision, published in November 2024, sets out the Government’s ambitions for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.
This included the ambition for seamless account-to-account payments to be developed as a ubiquitous payment method – enabling consumers to pay digitally for goods and services in shops and online, without using a card. This would provide greater choice to consumers and merchants in how they make and receive payments, which in turn is likely to spur innovation and downward competitive pressure on the cost of payments.
Asked by: Sarah Edwards (Labour - Tamworth)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support competition in the payments market to reduce fees for small businesses.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the cost of accepting payments, including cards, is fair to all parties, and that our payment systems work for all.
The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the UK’s economic regulator for payments, has recently concluded two market reviews into card fees to assess if increases in prices are fair and reflect a market that is operating well. The PSR is now considering its next steps, including remedies designed to increase the transparency of scheme and processing fees.
https://www.psr.org.uk/our-work/market-reviews/
There are a number of fees that can be placed on merchants, including interchange fees which are governed by the Interchange Fee Regulations 2015 (IFR). The IFR caps the fees that are paid by a merchant (or trader) to the card user’s bank. The caps are currently set at 0.2% for every transaction using a debit card, and 0.3% for credit card transactions.
The Government is also committed to ensuring that payment options remain affordable and accessible for small businesses, including through measures that promote competition and reduce unnecessary costs. The National Payments Vision, published in November 2024, sets out the Government’s ambitions for a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, where consumers and businesses have a choice of payment methods to meet their needs.
This included the ambition for seamless account-to-account payments to be developed as a ubiquitous payment method – enabling consumers to pay digitally for goods and services in shops and online, without using a card. This would provide greater choice to consumers and merchants in how they make and receive payments, which in turn is likely to spur innovation and downward competitive pressure on the cost of payments.