Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the decision to accept the Competition and Markets Authority’s recommendations for a new regulatory regime for heating oil suppliers will be extended to suppliers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of consumer protections for households that rely on LPG.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, and plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
The CMA did not cover LPG in their report, but we will if appropriate consider other heating fuels as we gather evidence to develop a proportionate regulatory regime, as recommended by the CMA.
This will take time to get right, to ensure the best outcomes for all consumers, including the most vulnerable households.
Our commitment in our response to the CMA is a clear indication of government’s commitment to create a fairer, more resilient and trusted heating oil market, which delivers stronger protections including those for vulnerable consumer, while preserving competition and security of supply. The Government is regulating the heat oil sector for the first time.
A Written Ministerial Statement can be found here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
The full response can be found here: Government response to the CMA heating oil market study - GOV.UK]
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of increasing the accessibility of palliative care.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided on 20 July in response to Question 18732, and on 13 July in response to Question 16185, which set out the Government's position on these issues.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of increasing government funding for hospices.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answers provided on 20 July in response to Question 18732, and on 13 July in response to Question 16185, which set out the Government's position on these issues.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether an assessment has been made of the potential merits of launching a public consultation into the use of high concentration carbon dioxide for slaughtering pigs.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell, Helen Maguire, on 20 May 2026 to PQ UIN 613.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure regular communication between Craig and Lindsay Foreman and their family in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There is no significant update to provide the Hon Member beyond the answer I gave him on 30 June in response to Question 12428. However, I can assure him that we are continuing to raise the issues he has highlighted on a regular basis with the Iranian authorities, and providing consular assistance directly to Craig and Lindsay. I will keep the Hon Member updated as and when there are new developments to report.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the organisation of an independent medical assessment of Craig and Lindsay Foreman.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There is no significant update to provide the Hon Member beyond the answer I gave him on 30 June in response to Question 12428. However, I can assure him that we are continuing to raise the issues he has highlighted on a regular basis with the Iranian authorities, and providing consular assistance directly to Craig and Lindsay. I will keep the Hon Member updated as and when there are new developments to report.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the delivery of medical and personal hygiene items to Craig and Lindsay Foreman.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There is no significant update to provide the Hon Member beyond the answer I gave him on 30 June in response to Question 12428. However, I can assure him that we are continuing to raise the issues he has highlighted on a regular basis with the Iranian authorities, and providing consular assistance directly to Craig and Lindsay. I will keep the Hon Member updated as and when there are new developments to report.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the eligibility criteria for the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant on the rate of home charge point installation among owner-occupiers with off-street parking.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department continues to monitor uptake of domestic charging infrastructure and the performance of grants. There are no current plans to review the eligibility of the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant. Grants remain available for several types of property, including flats, rental properties, and those without off-street parking.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has any plans to review the eligibility criteria for the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant with a view to extending that grant to homeowners with off-street parking who are not currently eligible to apply.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department continues to monitor uptake of domestic charging infrastructure and the performance of grants. There are no current plans to review the eligibility of the Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant. Grants remain available for several types of property, including flats, rental properties, and those without off-street parking.
Asked by: Tony Vaughan (Labour - Folkestone and Hythe)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that Lindsay and Craig Foreman secure the regular medical treatment in Evin Prison that they need.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We regularly raise Lindsay and Craig's case with the Iranian authorities at both ministerial and official level, and continually stress the importance we attach to their health, their welfare, and their ability to contact family members.
Officials also continue to provide consular assistance directly to the couple, including during a recent consular visit by His Majesty's Ambassador to Iran. We provide regular support and advice to Craig and Lindsay's family members as well. I speak with them regularly, and the Foreign Secretary met them on 17 March.
As the Foreign Secretary has said, the sentence given to Lindsay and Craig is completely unjustified and appalling, and we will continue to raise their case until they are safely returned home.