Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps have been taken to reduce fragmentation of digital systems across departments, as identified in the State of Digital Government Review.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
At the same time as publishing the State of Digital Government Review, the Government set out the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government. In January 2026, the Government published the Roadmap for Modern Digital Government, translating that vision into a practical delivery plan and setting out further action to join up services and strengthen shared digital infrastructure. This included establishing the Technical Design Council, comprised of technical experts from across the Public Sector, to provide strategic direction on shared strategies and technical solutions.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress has been made implementing the recommendations of the State of Digital Government Review since its publication in January 2025.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Since January 2025, the Government has united digital, data, and AI teams into one centre to tackle identified systemic blockers to transformation. Government has also launched the GOV.UK app, the digital HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, and 13.2 million people have now proven their identity using the single sign-on system OneLogin.
In January 2026, the Government published ‘A Roadmap for Modern Digital Government’, its plan to make government more user-focused, efficient and resilient to deliver better outcomes for the public and the economy. It provides a public-facing, whole-of-government commitment to digital transformation and holds departments accountable for progress, updates on which will be regularly published.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of delaying decisions on school closures until after the 2026 local elections in relevant local authorities.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The department has not made such an assessment.
However, in line with the Cabinet Office May 2026 elections guidance, during the three weeks preceding local authority elections the department takes special care in relation to announcements, including academy closures, and other public actions which could have a bearing on the elections.
Local authorities are the decision makers for proposals to close maintained schools. Local authorities are subject to their own restrictions when elections are taking place.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the total VAT revenue from a). domestic and b). commercial heating oil sales in FY2024-25.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services. This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.
VAT is chargeable at the reduced rate of 5% on domestic fuel and power. Business consumers of energy may reclaim VAT on their purchases of energy subject to normal VAT deduction rules.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how her Department defines a partial closure of a Sixth Form College; and whether removal of A-Level provision constitutes a partial closure.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The arrangements for closing a standalone sixth form college are set out in the Dissolution of Further Education Corporations and Sixth Form College Corporations (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2012, and do not include partial closure.
It is for the college to decide the provision offered, taking into account the local authority’s statutory duty to ensure sufficient provision for 16 to 18 year-olds and their learner demographic and needs.
For school sixth forms, it is up to individual schools to decide which post-16 qualifications to offer in line with the 16 to 19 study programmes guidance.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the termination of the UK–Australia social security agreement in 2001 on UK citizens who return from Australia after long periods of work there; and whether the Government has considered reviewing the policy or providing support for returners who are unable to access either the Australian Age Pension or a UK State Pension.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government currently has no plans to reinstate or negotiate a new reciprocal social security agreement with Australia.
Support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, find themselves on a low income is provided through Pension Credit. It guarantees a minimum level of income – the Standard Minimum Guarantee – which will increase by 4.8% from April 2026, protecting the most vulnerable pensioners.
They may also have access to other forms of UK support subject to the usual eligibility rules, such as Housing Benefit (if in eligible accommodation) or Council Tax Reduction
These provisions operate independently of the former UK–Australia agreement and remain available to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help increase economic growth in Norfolk.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government is restoring stability, increasing investment, and reforming the economy to drive growth across every region of the UK.
Norfolk will receive £32.5 million in Local Transport Grant funding enabling local authorities to deliver transport improvements including more zero emission buses, cycleways, accessibility and congestion improvement measures.
The record breaking results of our most recent offshore wind auction will support projects in the region, delivering further local jobs and growth.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help reduce bureaucracy and improve export processes for SMEs trading with the EU.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We are improving our relationship with the EU and will align with the EU where it is in our national interest. This will help reduce barriers to trade, and the bureaucracy and onerous paperwork for UK businesses, particularly SMEs. Alongside this, DBT publishes explainer documents on key EU regulations and market specific guides on business.gov.uk, through which SME’s can access Unlock Europe, a new programme from UK Business Academy, designed to help businesses build stronger relationships with European customers and increase exporting potential to the EU.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 108923, whether she plans to provide transitional arrangements to councils going through Local Government Reorganisation.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Local authorities with a transitional arrangement are listed in the commencement regulations with the date by which they must introduce food waste collections from households. These were applied where long-term waste disposal (mechanical biological treatment and energy from waste) contracts present a barrier to introducing separate food waste collections. All local authorities without a transitional arrangement should provide a food waste service for every household by 31 March 2026.
Asked by: Steff Aquarone (Liberal Democrat - North Norfolk)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of HMRC’s operational capacity and performance standards for processing R&D tax credit repayments.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises the important role that research and
development (R&D) plays in driving innovation and economic growth as well as the benefits it can bring for society.
HMRC actively balances its compliance efforts with the need to ensure those who are eligible for relief receive it promptly. HMRC consistently meets its aim to process 85% of payable R&D tax credit claims within 40 days. HMRC exceeded this target in both 2023–2024 (92%) and 2024–2025 (90%). For the current financial year so far, HMRC has met its 85% processing target every month.
The Government is committed to improving the administration of the reliefs, to make it easier and more reliable for legitimate claimants while continuing to protect taxpayer money from unacceptable levels of error and fraud in the system.