Asked by: Lord Bishop of Norwich (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government how the proposed extension of existing gas and oil drilling in the North Sea aligns with calls arising from the Global Stocktake to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, as recommended by the Climate Change Committee.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The North Sea Future Plan sets out the Government’s globally standard setting, 1.5°C and climate science aligned approach to future oil and gas production, including how we will deliver our commitment not to issue new licences to explore new fields.
The Government is also introducing new Transitional Energy Certificates to enable some oil and gas production in areas adjacent to already licensed fields, to ensure existing fields can be managed for their lifespan. Developers will not be permitted to carry out new exploration on these areas.
Asked by: Abtisam Mohamed (Labour - Sheffield Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will review the cost of leasehold tribunal applications.
Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Most leasehold applications currently attract an application fee of £114. Fees for leasehold applications to the First-tier Tribunal of the Property Chamber are set at levels which recover only part of the cost of the service.
The Government is committed to protecting leaseholders from disproportionate litigation costs. On 26 September 2025, the Government concluded a consultation with proposals to establish exemptions for landlords from seeking tribunal approval to recover litigation costs, permitting temporary suspension of this requirement for specified landlords, and defining the categories of cases in which leaseholders may apply to recover their own litigation costs. The Government is currently analysing responses and will publish the outcome in due course.
Asked by: Al Pinkerton (Liberal Democrat - Surrey Heath)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of a UK-EU Customs Union Deal for economic growth.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
We have not made an assessment as we have been clear there will be no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement. We are focused on strengthening our relationship with the EU to make trade easier, help British businesses and support economic growth. At the first UK-EU Summit, the Prime Minister announced a deal with the EU which will deliver on what the British public voted for and which was welcomed by businesses.
Asked by: Mike Wood (Conservative - Kingswinford and South Staffordshire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish the Freedom of Information Act disclosure with reference Internal Review response to FOI252626.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
HM Treasury does not recognise the Freedom of Information case reference FOI252626.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will commission a National Audit Office evaluation of the implementation, effectiveness and value-for-money of (a) statutory Biodiversity Net Gain and (b) the re-designed Sustainable Farming Incentive.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The National Audit Office (NAO) undertook a review of statutory biodiversity net gain (BNG) in May 2024 and the Government is implementing many of the recommendations. The Government also recently consulted on options for improving BNG for small, medium and brownfield sites and will publish a response in due course.
The NAO also undertook a review of the Farming and Countryside Programme in June 2024, which considered a previous version of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Ministers are considering how to change the SFI scheme so that it better supports sustainable farming and drives growth. We will introduce improved budgetary controls to help money reach more farmers and focus on the most impactful actions to benefit the environment and which work alongside farm business. Full scheme details including the budget, timing and eligibility will be published well ahead of launch in the first half of 2026.
Asked by: Sarah Pochin (Reform UK - Runcorn and Helsby)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many drug related incidents were recorded in prisons in each of the past five years, including instances of possession, supply and related violence.
Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip
We publish the number of drugs finds in prisons in England and Wales in the HMPPS Annual Digest. Please see table 6.1 in the Finds tables and the Finds in Prison – Find Incidents data tool. The latest issue covers the 12-month period to March 2025, with a time series of drug finds starting from the 12-months to March 2007.
The HMPPS Annual Digest reports the number of drug find incidents rather than the overall number of drug related incidents. Any increase in finds should not be interpreted as an increase in drug related activity. Higher figures may reflect more items being found, rather than more items being present in prisons. Data relating to drug related incidents more generally could only be provided at disproportionate cost and data specific to instances of possession, supply and related violence cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
Asked by: Lee Dillon (Liberal Democrat - Newbury)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what consideration his Department has given to reviewing diversion routes for A34 closures to ensure that country lanes are not used.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
National Highways (NH) agrees strategic diversion routes with local authorities and the Police for any planned closures on the A34. These routes are selected as the most suitable for the type and volume of traffic expected and are kept under review.
Country lanes are rarely suitable, so are unlikely to be used as officially designed and signed diversion routes. As a general principle diversion routes will aim to avoid sending traffic onto any road that cannot safely accommodate it. Clear signage and advance warnings are used to help drivers follow the agreed diversion and avoid unsuitable country lanes, however, NH cannot compel road users to use a specific route, and drivers are entitled to use any part of the public highway.
Asked by: David Chadwick (Liberal Democrat - Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Great British Railways will be required to procure sufficient mobile data capacity to meet passenger expectations for on-train Wi-Fi across the network.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
While it is too early to confirm specific procurement requirements, improving Wi-Fi provision across the network will be a key part of future planning and engagement with industry partners.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in ensuring timely case handling and communication with parents.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to providing a modern, efficient, and accessible service for all customers.
Through the Service Modernisation Programme, CMS is expanding digital channels and self-service options, including online tools like Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance and My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC), available 24/7. It has improved communications via SMS, email, and clearer letters, and introduced online messaging for certain processes, with plans to extend this further. By promoting self-service, CMS frees resources for customers who prefer phone support. Recent call routing improvements ensure faster access to case-owning teams.
All changes undergo equality assessments to guarantee fair access to the service for all customers regardless of location.
The Government is reviewing the child maintenance calculation to ensure it reflects current and future trends. Any proposed reforms will undergo public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
CMS remains committed to delivering a reliable, fair, and responsive service for every parent.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to reduce delays and improve contact accessibility for Child Maintenance Service users in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to providing a modern, efficient, and accessible service for all customers.
Through the Service Modernisation Programme, CMS is expanding digital channels and self-service options, including online tools like Get Help Arranging Child Maintenance and My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC), available 24/7. It has improved communications via SMS, email, and clearer letters, and introduced online messaging for certain processes, with plans to extend this further. By promoting self-service, CMS frees resources for customers who prefer phone support. Recent call routing improvements ensure faster access to case-owning teams.
All changes undergo equality assessments to guarantee fair access to the service for all customers regardless of location.
The Government is reviewing the child maintenance calculation to ensure it reflects current and future trends. Any proposed reforms will undergo public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny.
CMS remains committed to delivering a reliable, fair, and responsive service for every parent.