Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook published in March 2026, what fiscal headroom the Government is forecast to have against its fiscal rules in each year of the forecast period; what sensitivity analysis has been undertaken by the Office for Budget Responsibility regarding changes in growth, interest rates or inflation; and what assessment she has made of the level of risks to the Government’s ability to meet its fiscal targets.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
In line with the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR)'s mandate, the OBR did not provide a formal assessment of performance against the fiscal rules at the Spring forecast on 3 March. The fiscal rules will be formally assessed alongside the Budget.
As the Chancellor said in her speech to the House, the forecast shows headroom against the stability rule has increased since the Budget from £21.7bn at the Budget to £23.6bn in 2029-30, which is the target year, meaning greater resilience against shocks and stability in the economy. Headroom against the investment rule is also higher at £27.1bn in 2029-30.
As an independent body, the OBR has full discretion over its forecast methodology and the judgements underpinning its forecasts. As is standard, the March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlooks included sensitivity analysis around key economic variables and highlighted upside and downside risks to its central forecast
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Parliamentary Education Centre currently located in Victoria Tower Gardens, what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Restoration and Renewal Client Board and (b) Parliamentary authorities on the future of the site beyond 2030; whether any options to extend or vary the existing licence have been formally considered; and what assessment she has made of the future use of the site once the current Education Centre is vacated.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
DCMS has not had discussions with the Restoration and Renewal Client board on the Parliamentary Education Centre.
Terms have been agreed for a new lease for the Parliamentary Education Centre until the end of 2030.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the comparative costs, reliability and operational performance of hydrogen fuel-cell buses compared with battery-electric buses; what analysis has been undertaken of hydrogen fuel supply risks and infrastructure costs; and what role the Government expects each technology to play in the future decarbonisation of bus fleets.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Buses are procured directly by bus operators or local transport authorities (LTAs) who would make an assessment on the type of zero emission bus (ZEB) to purchase and deploy. The Government’s approach to ZEB competitions has been technology neutral. LTAs have been able to apply for funding for both battery electric buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses.
However, in ZEBRA 2, LTAs and bus operators demonstrated a clear preference for battery electric buses, which they have calculated are significantly more cost-effective than hydrogen at this time.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook published in March 2026, what the projected levels of total public expenditure are expected to be in (a) 2026-2027, (b) 2027-2028, (c) 2028-2029, (d) 2029-2030 and (d) 2030-2031 financial years; which areas of public spending are expected to see the largest increases over the forecast period; and what steps her Department intends to take to manage spending pressures within departmental budgets.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook – published on the OBR’s website - sets out in detail the projected levels of total public expenditure over the next five years.
The government's public spending approach is fair, disciplined and controlled, helping to reduce borrowing and keep public finances on a sustainable path.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that major regional transport infrastructure projects are delivered on schedule and within budget; what oversight mechanisms exist for monitoring project delivery; and what lessons have been learned from delays to major urban transport schemes.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that delivery of large infrastructure projects is underpinned by prudent spending, taxpayer value for money, and efficiency. Local Transport Authorities (LTAs) and Mayoral Combined Authorities are primarily responsible for delivering major regional transport infrastructure projects using devolved funding. The Department maintains oversight through established governance and assurance processes, including reporting on progress, risks, costs and delivery performance.
For the largest and most complex projects the Department retains investment decision-making and works closely with the LTAs to bring projects forward and monitor progress. The Department also provides funding to support LTA capacity and capability to develop and deliver schemes. In addition, the department continues to apply lessons from previous major urban transport schemes, including strengthening project governance, improving risk management, and ensuring clearer sequencing and accountability throughout delivery - to inform both current schemes and the design of future programmes.
The Department also published the James Stewart Review (June 2025), which identified lessons from delivery challenges, including delays to complex schemes. All recommendations have been accepted and are being implemented across the Department’s portfolio to improve consistency and delivery performance. The Department for Transport is using key findings to strengthen oversight of major transport infrastructure delivery, with a focus on improving cost estimation, scheduling, governance, assurance, and commercial delivery.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in reference to the statement of 25 February 2026 on the Government Response to the Green Paper on the Future of the Post Office, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that future IT systems used by the Post Office avoid the operational and governance failures associated with the Horizon system; what procurement processes are being used to select replacement providers; and whether Fujitsu will have any future role in Post Office IT systems or services.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Post Office Limited is using the competitive flexible process (pursuant to the Procurement Act 2023) in order to select suppliers. Post Office expect by Summer 2026 to award a contract for a new supplier to replace Fujitsu and all parties remain committed to seeing that happen as soon as possible.
The Government acknowledges the necessity for maintained oversight and is taking appropriate action to ensure that POL can successfully transition to a new IT system which is robust and fit-for-purpose.
Fujitsu has announced that it will not bid for further Government business unless specifically asked to do so by Government. Such requests are made only where Fujitsu’s involvement is necessary to maintain critical public services.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the statement of 25 February 2026 on the Government Response to the Green Paper on the Future of the Post Office, what increase in remuneration for postmasters is expected to result from the introduction of Banking Framework 4; what assessment his Department has made of the sustainability of Post Office banking services as bank branch closures continue; and what additional services are being considered to strengthen the Post Office’s role in providing access to cash and banking services.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Banking Framework 4 increases remuneration rates for cash services. Increases will vary by branch activity. Post Office has also committed to improving remuneration through its Transformation plan, which includes cost saving investments (such as automation) related to the implementation of the Banking Framework.
Banking Framework 4 secures Post Office’s important role in providing free-to-access cash and banking services until December 2030. As set out in the Government response to the Green Paper, there was a constructive joint discussion between government, the Post Office and the banking sector in January 2026, where several areas of mutual interest were discussed including additional banking services.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in reference to the statement of 25 February 2026 on the Government Response to the Green Paper on the Future of the Post Office, what assessment his Department has made of whether the existing Access Criteria remain sufficient to ensure equitable access to Post Office services in rural, coastal and deprived urban areas; whether changes to those criteria are under consideration; and how the Government will monitor compliance with those requirements at a regional and local level.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government’s Green Paper consultation confirmed that the public, especially rural communities and small businesses, rely on their local Post Office for essential services. We are therefore committed to retaining the 11,500‑branch minimum network and existing access criteria to ensure nationwide access to essential services.
In the Green Paper consultation response, the Government explicitly confirms that all six Access Criteria will remain in place, and performance will be monitored by the Government through regular reporting and Post Office’s published annual Network Report.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the statement of 25 February 2026 on the Government Response to the Green Paper on the Future of the Post Office, what proportion of the planned £180 million network subsidy funding over the next three financial years represents new funding rather than the continuation or repurposing of existing subsidy arrangements; how that funding will be allocated across the network; and what conditions will be attached to the use of that subsidy by the Post Office.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department plans to provide up to £180 million of funding through a new network subsidy to Post Office over the next three financial years. The entirety of this funding is new, with the specific allocation of funding across the network being an operational matter for the Post Office.
This funding will support with the operational costs of delivering government policy, which requires Post Office to deliver essential services across specific access criteria. This includes the requirement to ensure that 99% of the UK population is within 3 miles of their nearest post office outlet.
The Framework Document between the Department and POL sets out that network subsidy is ringfenced for the purposes of delivering government policy via the branch network.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support is available for pubs and hospitality businesses experiencing significant reductions in customer numbers due to prolonged roadworks or infrastructure closures nearby; whether the Government has considered targeted relief schemes in such circumstances; and what assessment has been made of the wider economic impact of infrastructure disruption on the hospitality sector.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government understands the pressure that prolonged roadworks and infrastructure closures can place on local businesses, including pubs and hospitality venues. Local authorities are responsible for managing works and mitigating disruption, including through traffic management and coordination duties.
Wider business support like business rates relief, grants, and the Recovery Loan Scheme remain available to eligible firms. While no targeted national relief scheme is in place specifically for disruption arising from roadworks, the Government supports local authorities to minimise disruption. This is done by coordinating works, using permits and enforcement powers, and applying tools like Street Manager and lane rental schemes to keep traffic moving.