Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Autumn Budget 2025, which tax reliefs for Motability and other qualifying schemes she plans to (a) withdraw and (b) amend; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of those changes on scheme affordability and access to transport for disabled people, particularly in rural areas.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Budget 2025 the government announced tax changes to the Motability scheme which will save over £1 billion over the next five years.

The VAT relief for top-up payments made to lease more expensive vehicles will be removed for new leases from July 2026, and Insurance Premium Tax will apply at the standard rate to insurance contracts on the Scheme. The tax changes will not apply to vehicles designed, or substantially and permanently adapted, for wheelchair or stretcher users.

These tax changes ensure Motability can continue to deliver for its customers, for example through the continued provision of a broad range of vehicle models available without any top-up payments. Further detail on the impacts of tax changes can be found in the Tax Impact and Information Note on GOV.UK Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential financial impact on long-distance commuters and early adopters of electric vehicles of the decision to apply standard rates of vehicle excise duty to electric vehicles from 2025, and to increase those rates further from 2028.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

From April 2025, zero emission and hybrid cars, vans and motorcycles started to pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in a similar way to petrol and diesel vehicles; the standard annual rate is £195.

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that EVs (electric vehicles) contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty.

While it is fair for EV drivers to contribute for their car usage, the government is also committed to ensuring that driving an EV is an attractive choice for consumers. Therefore, the rate of eVED for EVs will be half of the equivalent fuel duty rate paid by the average petrol/diesel driver, ensuring that it will still be cheaper to own and run an EV for the majority of EV drivers. When eVED takes effect in April 2028, an average EV driver will pay around £240 per year or £20 per month.

The Government is taking a proportionate approach to ensuring electric car drivers pay an appropriate share whilst remaining firmly committed to supporting the transitions to EVs. That is why 80% of eVED revenue from the first three years is being reinvested to extend support for EVs and the auto manufacturing industry. This builds on existing generous support, including Company Car Tax incentives.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to ensure that future changes to vehicle taxation do not discourage the take-up of electric vehicles or disproportionately impact workers who rely on long-distance commuting.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

From April 2025, zero emission and hybrid cars, vans and motorcycles started to pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) in a similar way to petrol and diesel vehicles; the standard annual rate is £195.

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that EVs (electric vehicles) contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty.

While it is fair for EV drivers to contribute for their car usage, the government is also committed to ensuring that driving an EV is an attractive choice for consumers. Therefore, the rate of eVED for EVs will be half of the equivalent fuel duty rate paid by the average petrol/diesel driver, ensuring that it will still be cheaper to own and run an EV for the majority of EV drivers. When eVED takes effect in April 2028, an average EV driver will pay around £240 per year or £20 per month.

The Government is taking a proportionate approach to ensuring electric car drivers pay an appropriate share whilst remaining firmly committed to supporting the transitions to EVs. That is why 80% of eVED revenue from the first three years is being reinvested to extend support for EVs and the auto manufacturing industry. This builds on existing generous support, including Company Car Tax incentives.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) the Government’s plans to bring NHS England into the Department of Health and Social Care and (b) the planned 50% reduction in integrated care board staffing on those boards’ capacity to safeguard children, including their effective participation in multi-agency child protection teams proposed in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government will publish an impact assessment of its plan to bring NHS England into the Department alongside the primary legislation to enact this reform. We do not expect the integration to have an impact on the capacity of integrated care boards (ICBs) to safeguard children, as the existing safeguarding functions of ICBs will be retained.

To ensure ICBs maintain effective safeguarding functions throughout the reform, NHS England has shared best practice on safeguarding with ICBs earlier this year. In November 2025, NHS England also published a strategic commissioning framework for ICBs with a focus on collaboration with local government and wider system partners.

Safeguarding partners, including health, have a legal duty to work together to safeguard and promote children’s welfare, including through the proposed Multi Agency Child Protection Teams. There is no intention to change this duty through the ICB reform.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the total cost has been to the public purse of housing asylum seekers in hotels located in the West Northamptonshire Council area since July 2024; and if she will provide a breakdown by hotel.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office publishes all available information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and accounts at: Home Office annual report and accounts: 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK. There are no plans to publish a breakdown of expenditure by premises or location.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department plans to publish a breakdown of spending on hotel accommodation for asylum seekers by local authority area.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office publishes all available information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and accounts at: Home Office annual report and accounts: 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK. There are no plans to publish a breakdown of expenditure by premises or location.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delayed pay awards on staff morale, workload and retention in the Probation Service.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

We recognise that fair and competitive pay is a key part of supporting and retaining our valued probation workforce.

Staff retention and morale is vitally important to us, and we continuously monitor staff workload and retention. The first Recruitment and Retention Strategy was published in 2021. Since its launch, the Strategy has delivered a range of initiatives aimed at increasing recruitment and improving retention across the Probation Service. A full evaluation of the strategy was undertaken to measure progress and identify further areas for future improvement in the recruitment and retention space.

The latest retention data can be found in the HMPPS Official Workforce Statistics which were published on 19 November 2025: HM Prison & Probation Service workforce quarterly: September 2025 - GOV.UK. As these statistics show, the leaving rate for staff in the Probation Service has decreased.

We have taken steps to acknowledge the continued dedication of staff during this challenging period. As part of this, we secured agreement to pay the Competency-Based Framework progression payments, as an interim award, to eligible staff in June 2025. This recognises their vital contribution to delivering on our operational priorities.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, when staff working in HMPPS Probation Services will receive their pay award for 2025–26; and for what reason it has not been implemented.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

We recognise that fair and competitive pay is a key part of supporting and retaining our valued probation workforce. We continue to work to deliver on the 2025-26 pay awards for Probation Staff who are members of the Civil Service. We could not start the process until the Civil Service Pay Remit Guidance was published on 22 May 2025, and since then we have worked hard to develop options and are now seeking the necessary approvals to move to the next part of the process which is to start formal negotiations with the trade unions and work towards making a final offer.

In the meantime, we have taken steps to acknowledge the continued dedication of staff during this challenging period. As part of this, we secured agreement to pay the Competency-Based Framework (CBF) progression payments, as an interim award, to eligible staff in June 2025. This recognises their vital contribution to delivering on our operational priorities.

Once the pay award has been determined it will be back dated to April 2025 for eligible staff.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that increased workloads among HMPPS Probation staff are matched by appropriate pay and support.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

We have taken immediate steps to reduce probation workload where possible. “Probation Reset” was fully implemented on 1 July 2024, followed by the introduction of “Impact” on 28 April 2025. These initiatives are among several designed to alleviate workload pressures by refocusing resources to manage those on probation more efficiently.

Further to these immediate steps, the Our Future Probation Service Programme has been established which aims to ensure that workloads for probation staff are sustainable by deploying new technologies, reforming processes, and ensuring prioritisation of probation staff time. We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of staff by ensuring workloads are sustainable.

I recognise the ongoing workload pressures on the Probation Service and supporting staff wellbeing and safety is critical for us. To address this, a new wellbeing support model has been established across HMPPS, with staff support and well-being leads for both prison and probation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to review access to energy efficiency schemes for households in (a) properties over 100 years old and (b) otherwise classified as difficult to insulate.

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

The government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings. The Warm Homes Plan will transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes fit for the future.

Research was commissioned by the Department to develop a definition for housing stock where the presence, and combination, of attributes and contextual factors, including age, can add complexity to improving energy efficiency.

The government is currently carefully considering the findings, which can be found at: (www.gov.uk/government/publications/defining-and-identifying-complex-to-decarbonise-homes.) These will inform any future decisions.

For tailored recommendations on home upgrades consumers should visit the government’s home retrofit tool: https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of linking eligibility for (a) boiler replacement and (b) heating repairs to the completion of insulation measures in cases where properties are unsuitable for insulation on vulnerable households; and whether he plans to review that requirement.

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

Eligibility for government home improvement schemes is based on factors such as the household income, vulnerability and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of the property. Information on government support including eligibility criteria can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat.

Consumers can also visit the government’s home retrofit tool on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency to get tailored recommendations for home improvements and upgrades. There is a phoneline service available on 0900 098 7950.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is working with the Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority on a strategy to help tackle digital exclusion in financial services, particularly for older or disabled people who do not use mobile devices.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Tackling digital exclusion, which disproportionately impacts certain demographics including older and disabled people, is a priority for Government. That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, which sets out our immediate actions to boost digital inclusion.

Alongside this, DSIT is working closely with HM Treasury on the implementation of the Financial Inclusion Strategy to address the barriers consumers face in accessing the financial services products they need.

The Government is working closely with industry on the commitment to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament, which will provide individuals and businesses across the country with cash and banking services. Over 240 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 190 are already open.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government plans to publish a detailed roadmap for improving national missile defence capabilities, including timelines and funding commitments.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review announced up to £1 billion of investment in Integrated Air and Missile Defence. This announcement responds to the threat the UK faces and will shape our future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment his Department has made of the UK’s vulnerability to long-range missile threats, including ballistic and cruise missile systems; and what steps he is taking to strengthen integrated air and missile defence as part of the Strategic Defence Review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review announced up to £1 billion of investment in Integrated Air and Missile Defence. This announcement responds to the threat the UK faces and will shape our future Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.