Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report entitled Defined benefit pension schemes, published on 26 March 2024, HC 144, whether her Department plans to implement pre-1997 indexation for members of the (a) Financial Assistance Scheme and (b) Pension Protection Fund.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The PPF and FAS rules on indexation have been the subject of much discussion. I am aware of the concerns surrounding the matter and understand the problems experienced by Defined Benefit pension scheme members adjusting to an income in retirement which may be less than they were expecting. I will continue to consider this issue, and the valuable report referred to (by the Work and Pensions Select Committee) and will respond fully to its recommendations in the coming months.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty for fire and rescue services to respond to flooding events.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Fire and Rescue Authorities have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. Fire Rescue Authorities also have discretionary powers to respond to incidents under their general powers in the Fire and Rescue Services Act (2004) and in response to the risks set out in their Community Risk Management Plans prepared under the National Framework.

The Home Office is undertaking further work alongside Defra, National Fire Chiefs Council and other relevant stakeholders to understand in more detail if there are gaps in the Fire and Rescue Services flooding response and resilience system.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) improve the (i) communication and (ii) public awareness of flooding risks and (b) integrate the risk know-how framework into its (A) flood preparedness and (B) response strategies.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) has responsibilities to assess the risk of emergencies such as flooding. This includes putting in place emergency plans and preparations for the management of flooding, alongside arrangements to warn, inform and advise during an emergency.

In December 2024, the EA published a ‘National assessment of flood and coastal erosion risk in England 2024’ report. On 28 January 2025 the data will be available on Check your long term flood risk, Check coastal erosion risk for an area in England, Shoreline Management Plan Explorer and data.gov.uk

The EA provides the Check for flooding service, giving information on flood alerts and warnings as well as a 5-day forecast. Its flood warning system directly alerts 1.6 million properties in England who are registered to receive flood warnings.

The EA provides advice on what can be done to reduce the impacts of a flood, including preparing personal flood plans, adapting a home or business and getting insurance.

The EA does not currently use the “risk know-how framework” within the preparedness and response strategies to flooding. The EA uses the UK Government recommended model of “Integrated Emergency Management” (IEM) and has an internal incident management cycle which includes a comprehensive incident management framework.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her decision on the application to expand Luton airport of the level of emissions from flights departing from that airport.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The statutory deadline for a decision on the application for a Development Consent Order for London Luton airport expansion is 3 April 2025. Given the Secretary of State’s role in determining the application, it would not be appropriate to comment on the application.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of ultra fine particles at Luton airport on local residents.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

There are currently no legal limits for ultra fine particulate concentrations. Air quality at Luton Airport is closely monitored and is reported in its Sustainability Reports.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to update the policy paper entitled Airports National Policy Statement, published on 5 June 2018, to reflect the net zero targets set out in legislation.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow to be brought forward by the summer.

Once proposals have been received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement in line with the requirements of the Planning Act 2008.

Replacement of Personal Independence Payments with a voucher system

NHS targets

Royal Mail's universal service obligation

Female football boots

England men's cricket team's upcoming fixture against Afghanistan

US proposals for Gaza

National Apprenticeships Week 2025

LGBT+ History Month 2025

World Cancer Day and Leukaemia UK’s Take Action, Save Lives report

Interstitial Lung Disease

Expanding airports

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins Wera Hobhouse

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins Wera Hobhouse

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins Wera Hobhouse

Found: _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins Wera Hobhouse

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins Wera Hobhouse

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins Wera Hobhouse

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: Monday 3 February 2025 _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: Voaden Mr Lee Dillon Luke Taylor John Milne Tim Farron Jess Brown-Fuller Olly Glover Victoria Collins

Found: Thursday 30 January 2025 32 _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins

Found: _NC31 Munira Wilson Manuela Perteghella Caroline Voaden Ian Sollom Victoria Collins Wera Hobhouse