Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government will make time for a substantive debate and vote in both Houses during the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 period for the UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar, in light of the revised implementation date of 15 July 2026.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We welcome the EU's announcement confirming agreement on the Gibraltar Treaty by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, which is an important milestone for the people and businesses of Gibraltar on the journey to full ratification.
As soon as possible after the EU has concluded its other internal processes, the final version of the Treaty will be laid in Parliament for scrutiny in accordance with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
As I have stated in my previous answers to the Hon Member, I look forward to going over the detail of the treaty with her when the final text is brought before the House.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what revised timetable the Government has set for (a) signature, (b) laying before Parliament, and (c) ratification of the UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar, in light of the stated implementation date of 15 July 2026.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We welcome the EU's announcement confirming agreement on the Gibraltar Treaty by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, which is an important milestone for the people and businesses of Gibraltar on the journey to full ratification.
As soon as possible after the EU has concluded its other internal processes, the final version of the Treaty will be laid in Parliament for scrutiny in accordance with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
As I have stated in my previous answers to the Hon Member, I look forward to going over the detail of the treaty with her when the final text is brought before the House.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government intends to provisionally apply any provisions of the UK-EU Agreement in respect of Gibraltar prior to completion of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 process.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We welcome the EU's announcement confirming agreement on the Gibraltar Treaty by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, which is an important milestone for the people and businesses of Gibraltar on the journey to full ratification.
As soon as possible after the EU has concluded its other internal processes, the final version of the Treaty will be laid in Parliament for scrutiny in accordance with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
As I have stated in my previous answers to the Hon Member, I look forward to going over the detail of the treaty with her when the final text is brought before the House.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the 21 sitting day scrutiny period for the UK-EU Treaty in respect of Gibraltar.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We welcome the EU's announcement confirming agreement on the Gibraltar Treaty by the Committee of Permanent Representatives, which is an important milestone for the people and businesses of Gibraltar on the journey to full ratification.
As soon as possible after the EU has concluded its other internal processes, the final version of the Treaty will be laid in Parliament for scrutiny in accordance with the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
As I have stated in my previous answers to the Hon Member, I look forward to going over the detail of the treaty with her when the final text is brought before the House.
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.