Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the proposed Energy Independence Bill will amend the deterrence regime to help prevent environmental damage from oil and gas operations.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is committed to ensuring that the offshore environmental regulatory regime provides an effective deterrent against environmental damage and keeps the regime under review.

The proposed Energy Independence Bill does not include provisions to amend the deterrence regime. Decisions on whether to make changes to the regime through future legislation have not yet been taken.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing the existing cap on variable monetary penalties for offshore oil spills, including to align with the equivalent regulations for onshore oil spills.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government keeps the effectiveness of the offshore environmental enforcement regime under review. Removing the cap on variable monetary penalties for offshore oil spills could provide greater flexibility in applying sanctions in the most serious cases. Any penalty must remain proportionate to the circumstances of the case. No decision has been taken to remove the current cap.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what comparative assessment he has made of the maximum level of financial penalties that can be issued for offshore oil spills between the UK and other countries, including Norway and the United States.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has not undertaken a formal comparative assessment of the maximum financial penalties that may be imposed for offshore oil spills in other countries. The UK operates a comprehensive offshore environmental regulatory regime which includes civil sanctions, criminal offences and other enforcement measures designed to secure compliance and protect the marine environment. The Government keeps the effectiveness of this regime under review.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has held with the Competitions and Market Authority on how to promote investment in UK broadband infrastructure and full fibre access.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government engages regularly with a range of stakeholders on telecommunications policy, including the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Government is committed to promoting competition in the broadband market, and our Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) highlights the importance of this. The UK has a strong pro-competition regulatory environment which has supported significant commercial investment in fibre broadband across the UK. Decisions relating to competition and merger control are matters for the CMA, as the UK's independent competition authority.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will outline the Department's progress on the development of the £200 million SEND teacher training programme, and when further detail on implementation can be expected.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The government is investing £200 million in a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and inclusion training package to help teachers, leaders, teaching assistants and support staff across early years settings, schools and colleges feel more confident supporting children and young people with SEND. The programme forms an important part of the government’s plans to improve inclusion and expertise across mainstream education settings.

The SEND teacher training programme will be delivered in phases, and the department has set out a timeline for the key elements.

From late September, the department will publish free in-house training materials to help all staff in schools and colleges to understand proposed SEND reforms, build a shared vision for inclusion, and plan professional development for the rest of the year. The first phase of the early years training programme is also available from September.

In December and spring 2027, the department will publish further materials covering pedagogy, creating inclusive environments and working with parents.

In Autumn 2027, we will launch new fully funded SEND and inclusion training courses for teachers, leaders, teaching assistants and further education support staff in mainstream schools. A more comprehensive early years offer will also launch at this point, including in-depth webinars and local support networks.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration the Department has given to the role of AI-enabled tools in supporting provision for pupils with SEND, including through adaptive teaching advice.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

When used effectively, technology can play a key role in helping children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to achieve and thrive in mainstream education. Many teachers and educators already use digital tools to remove barriers to learning, build confidence and independence, and support inclusion.

The department is helping schools and colleges make informed decisions about adopting technology, including AI-enabled tools. For example, we have published guidance on ‘Generative AI: product safety standards’ for edtech developers and suppliers, setting out the standards these products should meet for use in education. Schools and colleges may also use this guidance to assess whether AI-enabled technologies are appropriate and safe for use in their settings. The guidance is accessible at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-ai-product-safety-standards/generative-ai-product-safety-standards.

In addition, the department is investing £24 million over four years in the Education Endowment Foundation EdTech Testbed Programme to build a robust evidence base on the impact of innovative technology in schools and colleges, including their potential to improve inclusion and outcomes for learners with SEND.

Opening Shift

Found: Watch the meeting Public Accounts Committee members present: Rupert Lowe; Sarah Olney; Tristan Osborne

Found: Catherine McKinnell (Labour; Newcastle upon Tyne North) Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat; Richmond Park) Tristan Osborne

Found: Q1 Tristan Osborne: The defence of our country is the most critical responsibility of Government.

Found: Catherine McKinnell (Labour; Newcastle upon Tyne North) Sarah Olney (Liberal Democrat; Richmond Park) Tristan Osborne

Found: Q31 Tristan Osborne: My question is about local accounting officers.