Angus MacDonald MP: written questions 2026
88 published records · newest first.
Written questions
ME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127678More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason planning for a specialised service for very severe ME/CFS has been paused until April 2027.
Answer: The action within July 2025’s final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), to consider whether a specialised service should be prescribed by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Soc...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFoster CareDepartment for EducationTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127677More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will (a) introduce a dedicated employment status for foster carers, (b) establish an independent register and appeals system for foster carers and (c) launch a public inquiry into the fostering system.
Answer: Fostering is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The government does not believe that fostering should be considered a form of employment. Foster care is a family-based vocation and fostering homes should feel lik...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWind PowerDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127405More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Oral Question of 24th March 2026, what steps his Department is taking to introduce a trial for free wind power for people living near energy infrastructure.
Answer: In line with statements made to Parliament on 24th March 2026, the Department is working with UKRI to launch a trial this winter. The trial will test the removal of final consumption levies from increased consumer demand that responds to instances where t...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPrimary Education: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that AI features embedded in platforms such as Google Workspace for Education are (a) disclosed and (b) consented to by (i) schools and (ii) parents before being
Answer: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department is clear that safety is the top priority when making decisions around artificial intelligence (AI) in education, and any use of AI by pupils should b...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPrimary Education: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment for EducationTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126378More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on the use of AI tools on school-issued devices in primary schools.
Answer: Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.The department has provided a number of guidance documents that are relevant to local authorities and other responsible bodies on the safe and effective use of digi...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy and Water: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126377More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the total (a) energy and (b) water demands of all proposed AI data centres.
Answer: The Department’s published Energy and Emissions Projections include growth in power demand from computing services like data centres. To ensure a comprehensive view, the methodology projects at a broader sector level, not disaggregating specific estimates...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: TestingDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126367More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of independent MOT testing stations that have closed since 2010; and whether she has had discussions with the DVSA on the potential impact of the Class 4 MOT
Answer: The Department understands that rising inflation and operational costs have put pressure on garages. It is not possible to determine the number of MOT testing centres that have ‘closed’ since 2010 as sites might cease testing and then resume testing at a ...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGarages and Petrol Stations: Government AssistanceTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126366More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered introducing (a) business rates relief and (b) National Insurance contribution rebates for small independent MOT testing stations.
Answer: There are a wide range of factors to take into consideration when introducing a tax relief. These include how effective the relief would be at achieving the policy intent, how targeted support would be, whether it adds complexity to the tax system, and th...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordTax AvoidanceTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126305More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to FOI2025/189761 dated 2 January 2026, what assessment she has made of the value for money of HMRC's compliance and enforcement activities relating to the Loan Charge.
Answer: This Government recognised that concerns were raised about the Loan Charge under the previous government and that some felt strongly that it had not been handled appropriately. The Government therefore commissioned a new independent review of the Loan Cha...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordCivil Servants: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126282More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to Question 108150 answered on 29 January 2026, what progress the cross-departmental team has made on reducing Capita's backlog of Civil Service Pension Scheme Payments.
Answer: The Cabinet Office is responsible for the management of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. The Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita in November 2023 under the previous government. The issues and delay...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: VATTreasuryTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126126More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 30 March 2026 to Question 122630 on Business: VAT, whether her Department has made an assessment on the effect that inflation has had on small business' ability to stay under the VAT thresh
Answer: At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and one of the highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are not in the VAT system, reducing administrative burdens for small businesses. The government reg...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordLarge Goods Vehicle Drivers: Driving LicencesDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123883More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure HGV licence applications are processed within DVLA target times, in cases where drivers may lose their job if the licence is delayed.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) seeks to process all driving licence applications as quickly as possible. However, in the interests of road safety, licences can only be issued once the required medical standards are met. Medical standards f...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordLarge Goods Vehicle Drivers: Driving LicencesDepartment for TransportTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123882More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to reduce delays in the issuing of HGV driving licences for drivers with medical conditions.
Answer: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) seeks to process all driving licence applications as quickly as possible. However, in the interests of road safety, licences can only be issued once the required medical standards are met. Medical standards f...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMembers: CorrespondenceHome OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123858More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she will respond to the letter of 3 March 2026 from the hon. Member for Inverness, Skye, & West Ross-shire on Cameron Barracks.
Answer: The Minister for Border Security & Asylum responded on 31 March 2026.
Answered 17 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: VATTreasuryTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122630More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what comparative assessment her Department has made of the (a) VAT Registration Threshold and (b) rate of inflation between 2014 and 2026.
Answer: At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This reflects the Government’s approach to balance the impacts on small businesses, with the needs of the wider economy and the public financ...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: FraudDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122625More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the provisions of the Online Safety Act 2023 for tackling online scam advertisements.
Answer: The Online Safety Act lists fraud as priority illegal content, meaning in-scope services including social media and search providers must prevent and minimise fraudulent user-generated content from appearing on their services and swiftly remove it if it d...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordInternet: FraudDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 20 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122624More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what measures her Department is implementing to help ensure big tech companies do not profit from fraudulent activity on their platforms.
Answer: The Online Safety Act lists fraud as priority illegal content, meaning in-scope services including social media and search providers must prevent and minimise fraudulent user-generated content from appearing on their services and swiftly remove it if it d...
Answered 30 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: IndustryScotland OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122418More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increased defence industrial collaboration with Ukraine on Scotland's economy.
Answer: The Defence Industrial Collaboration underscores our continued commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening long-term security in Europe. This strategic partnership offers significant opportunities for UK-Ukraine cooperation, and Scotland is well pl...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Conflict: UkraineCabinet OfficeTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122417More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment the Government has made of Ukraine’s approach to maintaining civil resilience and continuity of government during sustained attacks on critical infrastructure.
Answer: Ukraine continues to show great determination and ability to defend itself against Russia’s illegal invasion. Russia has gained less than 1.5% of Ukrainian territory since the frontlines stabilised in November 2022, suffering over 1 million casualties sin...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ScotlandMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122416More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to expand defence training and knowledge-sharing initiatives with Ukraine, including through facilities and defence establishments in Scotland.
Answer: In March 2026, the UK and Ukraine signed an Enhanced Security and Defence Industrial Collaboration Declaration, which will see the UK and Ukraine deepen cooperation in the field of military training and knowledge sharing. This includes the participation o...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: ScotlandMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122413More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with defence companies and advanced manufacturing clusters in Scotland on collaborating with Ukrainian partners on the development of air defence, drone and electronic warfare technolo
Answer: I have held multiple discussions with defence companies and Scottish stakeholders on collaboration with Ukrainian partners in air defence, uncrewed systems, and electronic warfare. In March, I led the seventh and largest UK defence trade mission to Ukrain...
Answered 7 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: InnovationMinistry of DefenceTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122412More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to incorporate lessons from Ukraine’s battlefield innovation, particularly in drone technology, electronic warfare and autonomous systems, into UK defence.
Answer: The pace of Defence's 'learn and adapt' cycle has accelerated exponentially as a result of lessons learnt in Ukraine The SDR highlighted the importance of autonomous systems within the UK’s integrated force. Decisions on the UK’s equipment requirements, i...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSole Traders: VATTreasuryTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121642More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to her Oral Statement on Youth Unemployment, whether her Department has considered the benefits of raising the VAT Threshold to remove the potential barriers to sole traders taking on more work and hiring a
Answer: At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This means the majority of UK businesses are not in the VAT system at all, reducing administrative burdens and supporting their growth. The G...
Answered 19 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: VATTreasuryTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121537More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the administrative burden to the Treasury of processing VAT receipts for Businesses with a turnover under £250,000.
Answer: HMRC has not made an estimate of the administrative burden to the Treasury for processing VAT receipts for businesses with a turnover below £250,000. HMRC measures its overall operational costs across all taxes and does not hold this information at the le...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordVAT: Small BusinessesTreasuryTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121536More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the average time spent by businesses with turnover below £250,000 on VAT compliance, including preparing returns and maintaining records.
Answer: HMRC does not estimate the administrative cost to businesses with a turnover below £250,000 for processing and submitting VAT returns, as the cost can vary between businesses, regardless of their turnover. Administrative costs are largely dependent on the...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
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