Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to align UK oil and gas production with climate targets.
Answered by Polly Billington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As I said in my earlier answer, this government will not be making decisions for this country which are not compatible with our climate obligations. We are committed to our manifesto position to end new licences to explore new oil and gas fields and will be introducing legislation to reflect this very soon.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
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 driving licence acquisition on employment outcomes for young adults.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recognises the importance of timely access to practical driving tests for learner drivers across the country, and the role this plays in supporting employment, education, and mobility particularly where public transport is limited.
The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times. In the 12 months to September 2026, DVSA conducted more than 2.16 million tests, the highest rolling 12-month figure on record.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of access to driving lessons on employment outcomes among young people.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government understands the importance of being able to access driving lessons and recognises the financial impact of the cost of learning to drive on learner drivers, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
To help reduce learning to drive costs where possible, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published guidance on GOV.UK for family members and friends who wish to supervise a learner driver. This guidance explains who can supervise a learner driver, the rules that apply and how to plan practice sessions safely. Where private practice is available, it may help learners reduce the number of paid lessons required before their test.
Asked by: Scott Arthur (Labour - Edinburgh South West)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 17 September 2026 to Question (UIN 28962), what evidence his Department holds on the extent to which reductions in VAT are passed on to consumers (a) in general and (b) specifically for automated external defibrillators; and whether his Department has assessed representations from defibrillator manufacturers and suppliers committing to pass on in full any savings arising from VAT relief.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals