Tony Vaughan MP: written questions 2026

Written questions

• Livestock Industry: Migrant WorkersDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114322More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of ending temporary concessionary visas for sheep shearers on sheep welfare.

  Answer: Defra recognises the importance that shearing sheep plays in managing the health and welfare of around 30m sheep in the UK flock, and the continued challenges that the industry faces each year in sourcing sufficient numbers of trained shearers. The depart...

  Answered 3 Mar 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Sheep: Livestock IndustryDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114321More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps with British Wool to help increase the supply of British-trained sheep shearers.

  Answer: British Wool is the main provider and promoter of training for sheep shearers in the UK. In each of the last five years (2021-2025) they have invested an average of £134,000 net costs in providing shearing training for between 798 and 898 people at skill ...

  Answered 3 Mar 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Migrant Workers: Livestock IndustryHome OfficeTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114320More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ending temporary concessionary visas for sheep shearers on the total labour supply of sheep shearers for the farming sector.

  Answer: Immigration Rules concessionary arrangements are temporary and subject to regular Ministerial review. The sheep shearing concession had been operating for 14 years and closed after the 2025 shearing season as it reasonable to expect that over this period ...

  Answered 3 Mar 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Air Passenger DutyTreasuryTabled 20 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114249More

  Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to increase the number of private jet passengers paying the higher rate of Air Passenger Duty.

  Answer: The Government is ensuring all private jets are taxed fairly. Currently, only 36% of private jet passengers pay the higher APD rate, while most pay the same as those on commercial flights, despite using a more premium service with far higher emissions per...

  Answered 26 Feb 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Royal Mail: Workplace PensionsCabinet OfficeTabled 11 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112896More

  Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will provide an update on the status of the Royal Mail Statutory Scheme Pension deficit.

  Answer: The administration of the Royal Mail Statutory Pension Scheme (RMSPS) is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office. The RMSPS was created in April 2012 when the UK government assumed responsibility for the historic liabilities (accrued before 2012) of the ...

  Answered 29 Apr 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Nuclear Regulatory ReviewDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 907806More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce.

  Answer: We will present a full implementation plan by the end of February 2026, taking account of international obligations, security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes. We aim to complete implementation within two years, subject to l...

  Answered 10 Feb 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Representation of the People (Equal Franchise) Act 1928: AnniversariesCabinet OfficeTabled 4 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 110936More

  Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what commemorations are being planned to mark the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1928.

  Answer: We are very much aware of this significant milestone and the opportunity it represents; both for celebrating women being granted equal voting rights, and inspiring women and girls to get involved in politics. We are working with other Departments and with...

  Answered 16 Feb 2026

  Original Parliament record
• Children: ProtectionDepartment for EducationTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104980More

  Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve early interventions in cases of childhood neglect.

  Answer: The department is driving major children’s social care reforms to strengthen and improve early intervention, including in cases of childhood neglect. These reforms are backed by £2.4 billion investment, robust statutory guidance ‘Working together to safeg...

  Answered 21 Jan 2026

  Original Parliament record