Angus MacDonald MP: written questions
688 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Rural AreasDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 18 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 92401More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on the potential impact of rural depopulation on land management, biodiversity and progress towards national climate targets.
Answer: Rural policy is a devolved matter. Defra regularly publishes statistics on a range of social and economic topics including rural population trends, and rural service provision in The Statistical Digest for Rural England. Net internal migration within Engl...
Answered 26 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: RadicalismDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91761More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports that social media platform algorithms may promote harmful or extremist content to users.
Answer: Social media companies must keep people safe on their platforms and holding them accountable is a departmental priority. Under the Online Safety Act, services must tackle illegal content, including terrorist content and that which stirs up hatred based on...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: Standing ChargesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91759More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of lower standing charge tariffs on households in the Scottish Highlands.
Answer: The Government knows that, for many consumers, too much of the burden of the energy bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and are working constructively with Ofgem on this issue.Ofgem have been worki...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectricity: Standing ChargesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91758More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions his Department has had with Ofgem on the introduction of lower standing charge tariffs for electricity consumers.
Answer: The Government knows that, for many consumers, too much of the burden of the energy bill is placed on standing charges. We are committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and are working constructively with Ofgem on this issue.Ofgem have been worki...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFuel Poverty: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91757More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of improved household insulation on levels of fuel poverty in the Scottish Highlands.
Answer: Energy efficiency policy is devolved in Scotland. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has reporting responsibilities for England only.
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordInsulation: HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91756More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of households in the Highlands with improved wall and loft insulation.
Answer: As issues of energy efficiency are devolved, Scotland has specific Net Zero strategies. We work closely with our counterparts in the Devolved Governments to ensure our strategies align. Consumers can visit Home Energy Scotland for advice on home upgrades ...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Charging PointsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91755More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential environmental benefits of expanding EV charging infrastructure in rural and remote communities.
Answer: The zero emission vehicle (ZEV) transition is crucial to the UK meeting its climate change obligations, as well as improving air quality and supporting growth.Government and industry support means charging infrastructure will match rising demand, so that ...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Rural AreasDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91754More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of gaps in EV charging infrastructure on uptake of electric vehicles in rural communities.
Answer: We are committed to ensuring a spread of chargepoints across the country – in our cities, towns and rural areas. Government and industry support means charging infrastructure will match rising demand, so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, c...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordElectric Vehicles: Charging PointsDepartment for TransportTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91753More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of distribution of (a) rapid and (b) ultra-rapid EV charging points across rural constituencies.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring a spread of chargepoints across the country – in our cities, towns and rural areas. In October, the Department published the latest quarterly tables showing charging devices at all UK parliamentary constituencies in...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans: CompensationMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91752More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with veterans’ representatives on compensation arrangements for people unable to bring claims relating to service before 1987.
Answer: This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges ...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans: CompensationMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91751More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he plans to review the compensation arrangements for veterans whose service took place before the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 came into effect.
Answer: This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges ...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordVeterans: CompensationMinistry of DefenceTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91750More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support veterans who are unable to bring compensation claims relating to service prior to the commencement of the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987.
Answer: This Government is fully committed to renewing the nation’s contract with those who serve and who have served, to ensure Veterans and their families get access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For Veterans facing challenges ...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCompensationWomen and EqualitiesTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91749More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will make it her policy to review whether current levels of compensation in (a) regulated sectors and (b) other sectors adequately reflect lifetime career loss.
Answer: The Office for Equality and Opportunity is not responsible for setting policy regarding compensation for lifetime career loss.
Answered 15 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordEqualityMinistry of JusticeTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91748More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing turnover-based penalties for (a) systemic and (b) repeated equality breaches.
Answer: Where a claim under the Equality Act 2010 is upheld, courts and tribunals are able to award an appropriate remedy, including compensation. The Ministry of Justice has no plans to introduce turnover-based penalties for equality breaches.
Answered 27 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEmployment Tribunals Service: CompensationDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91747More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of Employment Tribunal penalties in deterring repeated breaches of employment law by large employers.
Answer: The Government has not undertaken such an assessment, however; through the Plan for Change we will ensure employment rights are fit for a modern economy, contributing to economic growth. As part of this we will look at ways of strengthening enforcement op...
Answered 25 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFood Strategy Advisory BoardDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91746More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria her Department uses to determine eligibility for appointment to the Food Strategy Advisory Board.
Answer: The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a small group of senior leaders selected for their wealth of experience, collectively reflecting important elements within the food system and its diversity. The Board stress tests ideas and provides advice. Members do ...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFood Strategy Advisory BoardDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91745More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of appointing people from organisations that have recently undertaken remedial action on animal welfare issues on the Food Strategy
Answer: Defra is committed to upholding high standards across the food system, including in relation to animal welfare. I was extremely concerned to see allegations and footage of animal welfare and environmental abuse at Cranswick farms. The film taken and share...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFood Strategy Advisory BoardDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 91744More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people appointed to the Food Strategy Advisory Board uphold high standards across the food system, including on animal welfare.
Answer: The Food Strategy Advisory Board is a small group of senior leaders who represent a wealth of experience and important elements within the food system and reflect the diversity of the sector. The Board considers ideas and provides advice on the food strat...
Answered 24 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordCrown Estate: Rented HousingTreasuryTabled 11 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89966More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of the transparency of letting arrangements for residential properties managed by the Crown Estate.
Answer: The Crown Estate operates under the requirements set out in the Crown Estate Act 1961, including the requirement to lay in the Houses of Parliament an annual report and accounts audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Comptroller and Auditor G...
Answered 19 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNature ConservationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89176More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent offences against protected species.
Answer: The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously and there is a range of legislation in place to protect it. Most notably, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and some wild animals in England and Wales. Under this Act, as w...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNature Conservation: CrimeHome OfficeTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the amount of resources available to police forces to investigate wildlife crime.
Answer: Wildlife crime can have devastating consequences for our natural environments and countryside communities. This Government is committed to reducing crime, including in rural areas, and anyone exploiting or deliberately harming British wildlife should face...
Answered 20 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFinance: Advisory ServicesTreasuryTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88181More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increasing public access to free, impartial financial guidance on (a) financial wellbeing and (b) household financial resilience.
Answer: The government recognises the importance of supporting people of all ages to develop the financial skills needed to manage their money effectively, and has taken steps to improve the provision of accessible financial guidance. The Money and Pensions Servi...
Answered 17 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWater SupplyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88180More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to (a) improve water efficiency and (b) reduce leaks in the public water supply network.
Answer: The Government is delivering on improvements in water efficiency and leakage reductions via a series of water demand targets, which will reduce water usage by 20% per person by 2038 and cut leakage in halve by 2050. To meet these targets, the Government i...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordNatural Gas: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88179More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unqualified operatives performing gas works on levels of public safety.
Answer: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) accepts that unqualified operatives performing gas work pose significant risks to gas safety and believes focusing on the prevention of unsafe gas work through installation, regular servicing and maintenance by qualif...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordHousing: Natural GasDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 4 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 88178More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle unsafe gas works in homes.
Answer: The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR) forms the basis of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) approach to ensuring safe gas work in homes within Great Britain. This includes taking enforcement action against those who do not co...
Answered 11 Nov 2025
Original Parliament record
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