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 to question 99517 when will her Department be able to update the house of the proposed new approach to dual use packaging as referred to by the Minister.

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

Defra is working closely with stakeholders to assess all options to amend the household packaging definition (regulation 8) in the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations. This includes both sector-based interim measures, as well as a long-term solution that addresses all affected sectors. We understand that this is a high priority issue for stakeholders and will provide an update as soon as possible.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to update the classification criteria for household and non-household packaging under Extended Producer Responsibility to better reflect real-world usage and distribution.

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

Defra is working closely with stakeholders to assess all options to amend the household packaging definition (regulation 8) in the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations. This includes both sector-based interim measures, as well as a long-term solution that addresses all affected sectors. We understand that this is a high priority issue for stakeholders and will provide an update as soon as possible.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance has been issued to the Environment Agency on distinguishing between household and non-household packaging, particularly where products are primarily used in the on-trade.

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

Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, the regulators, including the Environment Agency, have a statutory duty to issue guidance for producers about the evidence which may be used to demonstrate that the household packaging conditions are met.

Defra officials work closely with the regulators to ensure that we are aware of any issues and challenges, including where any future amendments to the pEPR regulations might be needed.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent engagement his Department has undertaken with hospice providers, palliative care charities and sector representatives in developing the proposed Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework; whether he plans to publish a draft framework or consultation prior to implementation; and whether the framework will contain specific measures relating to (a) children’s hospices, (b) hospice-at-home provision, (c) advance care planning, (d) hospice capital funding and estates and (e) workforce recruitment, training and retention across specialist palliative and end of life care services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.

The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.

As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.

We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.

Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.

We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the forthcoming Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework will include proposals for (a) a national commissioning model for hospice services, (b) minimum standards for palliative and end of life care provision, (c) reducing regional disparities in access to hospice care, (d) improving access to community-based palliative care services and (e) reducing the reliance of hospices on charitable fundraising to deliver core clinical services; and whether Integrated Care Boards will be subject to any new statutory duties or funding expectations as part of that framework.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.

The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.

As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.

We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.

Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.

We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department oversees Enforcement action taken by the Environment Agency in relations Extended Producer Responsibility.

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

Defra officials are working closely with the Devolved Governments and the national regulators, including the Environment Agency (EA), to ensure that robust plans are in place to scrutinise the accuracy of submissions and to bring into compliance those producers that have not yet registered or reported data. This is supported by more than doubling the number of EA compliance officers working on pEPR. Since the 1 October 2025 submission deadline, the EA and other regulators tracked down and brought more than 2,000 businesses into compliance.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Palliative Care and End of Life Care Modern Service Framework remains scheduled for publication in 2026; what factors have affected its publication date; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the timetable for publication on the financial sustainability, workforce planning and long-term service provision of hospices.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We will publish an interim update on the Modern Service Framework (MSF) for Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care shortly. The final MSF will be published this autumn, to allow comprehensive engagement with sector stakeholders.

The MSF will provide a clinically-led, evidence-based framework to support sustained improvement in patient and carer outcomes, including reducing both inequality and unwarranted variation. The MSF will also provide the framework against which palliative care and end-of-life care will be improved across all settings, including hospital and community, through neighbourhoods. Areas of action will be identified for those commissioning and delivering services with associated performance and outcome metrics to support system accountability.

As part of the MSF, we will consider contracting and commissioning arrangements. The MSF will seek to embed palliative care and end-of-life care within a strategic commissioning model that is centred on population need. Integrated care boards (ICBs) will be directed to move to sustainable contracting of hospice and other services based on population needs assessments. Further direction to ICBs will be set out in the MSF interim update.

We have been engaging with a range of stakeholders, from approximately 70 organisations, to inform the MSF’s development. This includes the Ambitions Partnership and organisations representing the hospice sector. As there are approximately 170 adult and 40 children’s hospice in England, we have asked independent hospice stakeholders to engage via their membership organisations, Hospice UK and Together for Short Lives. We are also undertaking engagement with integrated care systems through National Health Service regional teams.

Department and NHS England officials will continue to engage closely with stakeholders on the development of the final MSF. Future opportunities for stakeholder engagement will be communicated via our regional NHS England teams, NHS Alliance, and Ambitions Partnership.

We have supported the hospice sector in England with a £125 million capital funding boost for adult and children and young people’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of whether packaging predominantly used in hospitality settings is being correctly classified under extended producer responsibility regulations.

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

Some packaging classified as household packaging under the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations will ultimately end up being managed through commercial waste management operations. Defra is working closely with stakeholders on this issue, including with representatives of the hospitality and food and drink sectors. Work is ongoing to look for opportunities to reduce the amount of packaging waste managed commercially that is liable for pEPR disposal cost fees.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS and the public sector of industrial action by doctors and other healthcare workers since July 2024; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that industrial action on the length of waiting lists, and the number of cancelled procedures and the level of patient outcomes; and whether he plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or amend protections relating to industrial action in essential health and social care services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since the agreement made with resident doctors in July 2024 there have been four rounds of strikes. The resident doctors have been on strike for five days each in July, November, and December 2025, and for six days in April 2026. These have an estimated total cost of £50 million a day, including direct and indirect costs, so the total estimated cost is £1 billion. There have not been other national strikes of other healthcare worker groups in this time period.

NHS England routinely publishes information on postponed inpatient and outpatient appointments during periods of industrial action. This information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/preparedness-for-potential-industrial-action-in-the-nhs/#heading-3

NHS England has published further workforce and activity analysis for the most recent strikes, and this is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/

There are no plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or to amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services. The Government is committed to bringing in a new era of partnership that sees employers, unions, and the Government work together in co-operation to resolve disputes through meaningful negotiations. Additionally, we have robust contingency plans in place to minimise disruption from any potential industrial action. Striking workers are still subject to section 240 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, which allows for criminal prosecutions for those who intentionally and maliciously endanger life or cause serious injury to a person by going on strike.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS and wider public sector of industrial action by doctors and other healthcare workers since July 2024; what assessment he has made of the impact of that industrial action on (a) waiting lists, (b) cancelled procedures and (c) patient outcomes; and whether he plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Since the agreement made with resident doctors in July 2024 there have been four rounds of strikes. The resident doctors have been on strike for five days each in July, November, and December 2025, and for six days in April 2026. These have an estimated total cost of £50 million a day, including direct and indirect costs, so the total estimated cost is £1 billion. There have not been other national strikes of other healthcare worker groups in this time period.

NHS England routinely publishes information on postponed inpatient and outpatient appointments during periods of industrial action. This information is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/preparedness-for-potential-industrial-action-in-the-nhs/#heading-3

NHS England has published further workforce and activity analysis for the most recent strikes, and this is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/

There are no plans to reintroduce minimum service levels or to amend protections relating to industrial action in essential public services. The Government is committed to bringing in a new era of partnership that sees employers, unions, and the Government work together in co-operation to resolve disputes through meaningful negotiations. Additionally, we have robust contingency plans in place to minimise disruption from any potential industrial action. Striking workers are still subject to section 240 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, which allows for criminal prosecutions for those who intentionally and maliciously endanger life or cause serious injury to a person by going on strike.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of the 2025-26 further education funding settlement on colleges’ ability to recruit and retain teaching staff; and what estimate she has made of the current pay gap between further education college staff, school teachers and equivalent industry roles.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Further education (FE) teachers are central to delivering high-quality technical education. The department announced an additional £190 million for colleges and other 16 to 19 providers for the 2025/26 financial year to help them address immediate pressures, including supporting recruitment and retention of specialist FE staff.

We are providing nearly £9 billion in 16 to 19 programme funding for the 2026/27 academic year. This will support colleges in their key priorities, including supporting the recruitment and retention of excellent teachers and non-teaching staff.

Our targeted retention incentive offer is designed to retain eligible FE teachers in technical subjects with payments of up to £6,000 after tax. In its first year, nearly 6,000 teachers received a payment.

Maintained schoolteachers' pay is set nationally subject to recommendations from the School Teachers’ Review Body. FE colleges have statutory autonomy over the pay of their staff.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of students on waiting lists for further education construction courses in England; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing capital funding for colleges seeking to expand technical education capacity.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government is investing £195 million to give colleges the space and facilities to train the next generation of construction workers as part of the Construction Skills Package. A further £375 million will increase capacity in colleges for 16 to 19 year-olds, including technical education. Wave 2 Technical Excellence Colleges are backed by £137 million capital funding, investing in the facilities needed to deliver quality specialist provision across priority sectors.

Admissions are a matter for individual providers and the department itself has not made any estimate of waiting lists.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many 16 to 18-year-old students enrolled at further education colleges in England in the 2025-26 academic year are currently unfunded; what estimate she has made of the number of students who may be denied places in 2026-27 because of funding constraints; and what assessment she has made of the impact of unfunded places on skills shortages in construction, health and social care.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department funds any 16 to 18-year-old who wants a place in post-16 education. Institutions receive funding for all their students, but on a lagged approach, meaning the funding in each academic year is based on the number of students in the previous year.

The department recognises that where an institution makes a particularly significant expansion in student numbers in a single year, that can cause cost pressures. For that reason, we provide exceptional in-year growth (EIYG) funding. We are investing £87 million to fund exceptional in-year growth this year.

In the 2026/27 academic year, we have allocated nearly £9 billion in 16 to 19 programme funding to colleges, schools and other institutions. No young person should be denied a place due to funding constraints as institutions can be confident their funding will reflect student numbers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of further education funding pressures on skills shortages in the West Midlands; and what discussions she has had with mayoral combined authorities and local employers on workforce shortages in construction, engineering and health and social care.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) bring together employers, education providers, and other local partners to identify and address key skills needs in an area. In the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) the LSIP is led by the Coventry Chamber of Commerce. The WMCA sets out sector skills priorities, which inform the LSIP currently being developed for the area. The LSIP is due to be published this summer.

The WMCA also has devolved responsibility for the Adult Skills Fund and delivers priority skills in the region for adults in line with its Integrated Settlement Outcomes Framework, published this May.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the 2025-26 16 to 19 funding settlement, what estimate she has made of the real-terms change in per-student funding for further education colleges after inflation and energy cost increases are considered.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The average total programme funding for all 16 to 19-year-olds, including those at further education colleges, school sixth forms and other providers, has increased from £6,219 in the 2024/25 academic year to £6,762 in the 2025/26 academic year, an increase of 8.74%. This is much higher than the current GDP deflator measure of inflation for 2025/26, which is 3.24%.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of deportation or removal cases in which claims made under Articles 2, 3 or 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights have delayed or prevented removal action in each of the last five years; what assessment she has made of the impact of those cases on public confidence in the immigration system; and whether she plans to review the role of domestic courts and tribunals in immigration and asylum proceedings.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

We are committed to the European Convention on Human Rights. However, to retain public confidence in our policies on irregular migration, asylum and criminal justice, the European Convention on Human Rights and other instruments must evolve to face modern challenges.

We are grateful for the vital work undertaken by the FTT-IAC and the Government continues to invest in its capacity through funding additional sitting days and judicial recruitment. However, the scale and nature of the current immigration and asylum appeals caseload cannot be sustainably managed within its existing limits. As previously announced, the Government will establish a new independent appeals body which will offer increased capacity and an enhanced ability to prioritise cases in the public interest.

The information requested on numbers of deportation or removal cases is not centrally held and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions she has had with retailers on the potential impact of recent trends in the level of retail crime and shoplifting.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government recognises the importance of close partnership with the retail sector in tackling retail crime. Home Office Ministers and officials, regularly engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including major nationwide retailers, trade associations, security providers policing partners, and other law enforcement agencies through forums such as the Retail Crime Forum and wider bilateral engagement. The most recent Retail Crime Forum meeting was held on 17 March, chaired by Ministers, it supports this oongoing dialogue and ensures that industry expertise informs our approach and ensures we understand the needs of all retailers to prevent and reduce retail crime.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the cumulative impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025, increases in employer National Insurance contributions and changes to business rates relief for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors on (a) employment levels, (b) youth unemployment, (c) business closures and (d) recruitment activity; and whether he plans to repeal or amend provisions relating to guaranteed hours, unfair dismissal, trade union facility time and statutory flexible working rights.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has published a comprehensive package of analysis on the Employment Rights Act: Employment Rights Act 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK.

This analysis shows that the Act is expected to benefit young workers significantly. The Government remains committed to implementing MWP in full to provide workers with greater security and to boost living standards across the country.

The Government has taken necessary decisions to restore public finances, while protecting smaller businesses. We are also supporting retail, hospitality and leisure sectors via business rate multipliers worth £1bn per year.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of whether current further education funding levels are sufficient to support the Government’s target of training an additional 60,000 construction workers; and what estimate she has made of the number of prospective construction students turned away from further education colleges due to staffing, funding or facilities constraints in the last 12 months.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department’s construction skills package will expand training routes in construction courses, improve the quality of the training offer, and bridge the gap between industry and training to deliver the additional 60,000 skilled construction workers across this Parliament, alongside the industry commitment of additional 100,000 skilled recruits per year.

We are providing nearly £9 billion in 16 to 19 programme funding in the 2026/27 academic year. This includes making a high value courses premium for construction available as additional funding to encourage and support delivery of selected substantial Level 2 and Level 3 study programmes and T Levels to support an increase in skilled construction workers.

We are investing £120 million to support ten construction technical excellence colleges (CTECs) across England, ensuring high-quality training that meets employer needs and helps learners succeed. The government is investing £195 million in total, including £95 million of the CTEC funding, to give colleges the space and facilities to train the next generation of construction workers as part of the Construction Skills Package.

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 barriers to accessing adult education funding opportunities on locally-based training providers; what steps his Department is taking to improve transparency and accountability within funding allocation processes; and what consideration he has given to introducing ring-fenced funding, pilot schemes and other initiatives to support smaller, high-quality providers delivering locally responsive education and training.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are investing in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). The ASF funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

Approximately 68% of the ASF has been devolved to 13 authorities including the West Midlands Combined Authority which covers Aldridge and Brownhills. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and commissioning/allocation of the ASF to learning providers.

Seven additional authorities are expected to receive ASF funding from August this year growing the devolved portion to 75%. By honouring our commitments to combine and further devolve adult skills funding, we are giving those with local knowledge the power they need to make decisions that are best for their areas and their residents, including on identifying providers that will best meet local need.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the ASF in non-devolved areas. Learning providers do and will continue to have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their allocations to meet local needs and to support learners to achieve wider outcomes, such as improved health and wellbeing.

ASF allocations from DWP take into consideration the provider’s track record including historic delivery and performance data.

Allocations are not set based on provider type. The guidance covering how central government makes allocations is publicly available at: Adult education and skills funding: allocations guidance - GOV.UK. Transparency data is also published on provider allocation values Adult education and skills funding allocations - GOV.UK. We collect data based on provider types but this in relation to whether they are for example a further education college, local authority, or independent training provider rather than their size.

We use the annual Further Education Outcomes report to demonstrate value for money in three specific ways: tracking sustained destinations, analysing earnings progression, and evaluating Net Present Value (NPV), with these metrics providing a transparent framework Release home - Further education outcomes - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will set out how his Department measures value for money in adult education provision; what weighting is given to learner outcomes, employment and self-employment outcomes, community impact and provider quality when allocating funding; and what assessment he has made of the role specialist local training providers in supporting local economic growth and improving access to employment opportunities.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are investing in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). The ASF funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

Approximately 68% of the ASF has been devolved to 13 authorities including the West Midlands Combined Authority which covers Aldridge and Brownhills. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and commissioning/allocation of the ASF to learning providers.

Seven additional authorities are expected to receive ASF funding from August this year growing the devolved portion to 75%. By honouring our commitments to combine and further devolve adult skills funding, we are giving those with local knowledge the power they need to make decisions that are best for their areas and their residents, including on identifying providers that will best meet local need.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the ASF in non-devolved areas. Learning providers do and will continue to have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their allocations to meet local needs and to support learners to achieve wider outcomes, such as improved health and wellbeing.

ASF allocations from DWP take into consideration the provider’s track record including historic delivery and performance data.

Allocations are not set based on provider type. The guidance covering how central government makes allocations is publicly available at: Adult education and skills funding: allocations guidance - GOV.UK. Transparency data is also published on provider allocation values Adult education and skills funding allocations - GOV.UK. We collect data based on provider types but this in relation to whether they are for example a further education college, local authority, or independent training provider rather than their size.

We use the annual Further Education Outcomes report to demonstrate value for money in three specific ways: tracking sustained destinations, analysing earnings progression, and evaluating Net Present Value (NPV), with these metrics providing a transparent framework Release home - Further education outcomes - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that adult education funding allocations reflect provider quality, compliance and learner outcomes; what action is taken when providers receiving public funding are subject to investigation by the Education and Skills Funding Agency or receive repeated ‘Requires Improvement’ ratings from Ofsted; and whether there is a formal process for reassessing funding allocations in such circumstances.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are investing in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). The ASF funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

Approximately 68% of the ASF has been devolved to 13 authorities including the West Midlands Combined Authority which covers Aldridge and Brownhills. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and commissioning/allocation of the ASF to learning providers.

Seven additional authorities are expected to receive ASF funding from August this year growing the devolved portion to 75%. By honouring our commitments to combine and further devolve adult skills funding, we are giving those with local knowledge the power they need to make decisions that are best for their areas and their residents, including on identifying providers that will best meet local need.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the ASF in non-devolved areas. Learning providers do and will continue to have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their allocations to meet local needs and to support learners to achieve wider outcomes, such as improved health and wellbeing.

ASF allocations from DWP take into consideration the provider’s track record including historic delivery and performance data.

Allocations are not set based on provider type. The guidance covering how central government makes allocations is publicly available at: Adult education and skills funding: allocations guidance - GOV.UK. Transparency data is also published on provider allocation values Adult education and skills funding allocations - GOV.UK. We collect data based on provider types but this in relation to whether they are for example a further education college, local authority, or independent training provider rather than their size.

We use the annual Further Education Outcomes report to demonstrate value for money in three specific ways: tracking sustained destinations, analysing earnings progression, and evaluating Net Present Value (NPV), with these metrics providing a transparent framework Release home - Further education outcomes - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of adult education funding in England is allocated to (a) small and medium-sized providers and (b) large national providers; whether her Department collects data on funding allocation by provider type; and what plans she has to improve the clarity of information of the distribution of adult education funding and the criteria used to allocate it.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are investing in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). The ASF funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.

Approximately 68% of the ASF has been devolved to 13 authorities including the West Midlands Combined Authority which covers Aldridge and Brownhills. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and commissioning/allocation of the ASF to learning providers.

Seven additional authorities are expected to receive ASF funding from August this year growing the devolved portion to 75%. By honouring our commitments to combine and further devolve adult skills funding, we are giving those with local knowledge the power they need to make decisions that are best for their areas and their residents, including on identifying providers that will best meet local need.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for the ASF in non-devolved areas. Learning providers do and will continue to have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their allocations to meet local needs and to support learners to achieve wider outcomes, such as improved health and wellbeing.

ASF allocations from DWP take into consideration the provider’s track record including historic delivery and performance data.

Allocations are not set based on provider type. The guidance covering how central government makes allocations is publicly available at: Adult education and skills funding: allocations guidance - GOV.UK. Transparency data is also published on provider allocation values Adult education and skills funding allocations - GOV.UK. We collect data based on provider types but this in relation to whether they are for example a further education college, local authority, or independent training provider rather than their size.

We use the annual Further Education Outcomes report to demonstrate value for money in three specific ways: tracking sustained destinations, analysing earnings progression, and evaluating Net Present Value (NPV), with these metrics providing a transparent framework Release home - Further education outcomes - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK

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 impact of policy on new North Sea oil and gas licences on (a) employment in the offshore energy sector, (b) energy security, (c) tax revenues from domestic oil and gas production and (d) levels of imported liquefied natural gas; and whether he plans to review the Energy Profits Levy, decarbonisation requirements for offshore installations and restrictions affecting new exploration and drilling activity.

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

The government has committed to not issue new licences to explore new fields.

We will need a wide range of skills to build the future offshore energy sector, and we are launching a North Sea Jobs Service, matching workers to secure well-paid jobs.

New licences would typically take up to 10 years to develop and would not make us energy secure.

LNG provides a flexible energy source during the transition and comprises 14% of supply.

We are taking a proportionate approach on tax, recognising the ongoing role of oil and gas, while ensuring the sector contributes more towards the transition.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the (i) UK Emissions Trading Scheme, (ii) Carbon Price Support mechanism, (iii) Renewable Obligation, (iv) Zero Emission Vehicle mandate and (v) wider Net Zero regulatory framework on (a) industrial electricity prices, (b) domestic energy bills, (c) manufacturing output and (d) the international competitiveness of UK industry; and whether she has considered (A) repealing and (B) amending those measures.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Measures including the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, Carbon Price Support, the Renewables Obligation, and the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate contribute to reducing emissions, improving energy security and supporting investment in cleaner technologies.

We keep all taxes and wider policy measures under review, and are taking action through schemes such as the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, the British Industry Supercharger and the EII Compensation scheme to reduce industrial electricity costs and support business competitiveness. Carbon Price Support will also be removed from April 2028.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of social housing allocations made to households where the lead tenant is not a UK national in each of the last five years; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those allocations on waiting lists for UK citizens; and whether he plans to review eligibility criteria for access to social housing and other publicly funded housing support.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Eligibility for social housing is already tightly controlled. If a person’s visa means that they cannot access state benefits or local authority housing assistance, they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. Migrants arriving in the UK on student or work visas are not eligible and nor are those who arrive in the country illegally with no leave to remain.

I otherwise refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 123491 on 2 April 2026, UIN 123488 on 1 April 2026, and UIN 123483 on 1 April 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of whether the National Planning Policy Framework adequately reflects the housing and planning needs of residential boaters; and whether he plans to issue guidance to local planning authorities on making provision for residential boating communities in local plans.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 28057 on 14 March 2025 and UIN 34853 on 11 March 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, asked whether further guidance is required on assessing the needs of different groups.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consultation his Department has undertaken with representatives of residential boat communities on the development of national planning policy.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 28057 on 14 March 2025 and UIN 34853 on 11 March 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, asked whether further guidance is required on assessing the needs of different groups.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of people living permanently on residential boats in England; and what assessment he has made of the availability of suitable residential moorings.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 28057 on 14 March 2025 and UIN 34853 on 11 March 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, asked whether further guidance is required on assessing the needs of different groups.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local authorities on safeguarding and expanding residential mooring provision as part of Development Plans.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 28057 on 14 March 2025 and UIN 34853 on 11 March 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, asked whether further guidance is required on assessing the needs of different groups.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration he has given to whether residential boaters constitute a distinct housing group for the purposes of national planning policy.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 28057 on 14 March 2025 and UIN 34853 on 11 March 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, asked whether further guidance is required on assessing the needs of different groups.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to amend the National Planning Policy Framework to make explicit reference to residential boat communities and their accommodation needs.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 28057 on 14 March 2025 and UIN 34853 on 11 March 2025.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, asked whether further guidance is required on assessing the needs of different groups.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Houses in multiple occupation

Social Security

Found: November 2024 Members present Bob Blackman, in the Chair Jack Abbott Mary Glindon Alison Hume Wendy Morton

Found: Charities and non-publicorganisations Committee Member, Essex Cricket Wendy Morton MP, Parliamentary

Found: Interests - May 2021 James Duddridge MP, Parliamentary Under Secretaryof State No relevant interests Wendy Morton

Found: Any other relevantinterests Member, Nelson Town Deal BoardMember, Chartered Management Institute Wendy Morton

Found: Duddridge MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State No relevant interests Wendy Morton

Found: or close family member Ms Frazer’s husband is the CEO of a talent/recruitment company Wendy Morton

Found: Public appointments Deputy Lieutenant for Dumfries Wendy Morton MP, Assistant Government Whip

Found: by Alicia Herbert, Director of Education, Gender and Equality Department Ministerial speech by Wendy Morton

Found: Wendy Morton MP Ministerial Disability Champion for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office

Found: Wendy Morton MP Ministerial Disability Champion for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office

Found: Wendy Morton AS Hyrwyddwraig Weinidogol Anabledd i'r Swyddfa Dramor, y Gymanwlad a Datblygu Mae'r Swyddfa