theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_79

Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to include vasa praevia screening as part of antenatal care within the NHS. \p Ashley Dalton: Based on the UK National Screening Committee’s last review in 2023 of screening women for vasa praevia during pregnancy, screening is not currently recommended, because:

- it is not known how many babies are affected by it in the United Kingdom;

- it is not known how accurate screening tests are at detecting it;

- screening may mean some women are offered an early caesarean when they do not need one; and

- some women may be reassured by false tests and still have a problem during delivery.

The Secretariat hopes to be able to commission a further evidence review within the next three years.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_80

Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of integrating Mpox vaccines into routine sexual health services for higher risk groups. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England is planning for a routine Mpox vaccination programme, whilst continuing to offer vaccination to eligible cohorts in areas with the highest density of the eligible population as part of the response to the recent Mpox outbreaks.

NHS England has recently opened additional Mpox vaccination sites across the country to support the access for eligible individuals, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/02/nhs-opens-new-mpox-vaccination-sites-across-england/

The programme will be delivered through Sexual Health Services who have experience in the assessment, identification, and vaccination of those who are at increased risk of Mpox infection.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress his Department has made on the five-point prevention plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to tackling the United Kingdom’s biggest killers and building a fairer UK, where everyone lives longer, healthier lives. This is why our Health Mission aims to shift away from a model geared towards late diagnosis and treatment, to one where there is focus on prevention, and more services are delivered in local communities. Our core objective is to shorten the amount of time spent in ill-health and prevent premature deaths, and we are committed to this.

We have already taken action, with the landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill passing the committee stage on 30 January. We are committed to banning junk food advertising to children. A 9:00pm television watershed and 24-hour online ban on paid-for advertising of less healthy food and drink products targeting children are on track to come into force across the UK on 1 October 2025. We have also committed to banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16-year-olds.

Alongside this, we are exploring all interventions that will improve public health across a range of the UK’s biggest killers and help deliver the shift from treatment to prevention. Further details on our approach will be shared as we move forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_82

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the National Screening Committee review into lead poisoning will be complete. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) made a recommendation not to screen children for lead poisoning in 2018. The UK NSC has not been asked to review screening adults for exposure to toxic metals. Further details on the UK NSC’s review are available at the following link:

https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/lead-poisoning/

We are aware that a proposal has been submitted to the UK NSC via its open call, to review the decision made in 2018 for screening children for lead poisoning, in light of new evidence. The UK NSC is currently considering all open call proposals. More information about the UK NSC’s open call is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-annual-call-submitting-a-screening-proposal/uk-nsc-annual-call-how-to-submit-a-proposal
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many Mpox vaccines were delivered in each month since January 2024. \p Ashley Dalton: The following table shows the number of Mpox vaccines delivered each month from 1 January 2024 to 31 January 2025, as well as the total Mpox vaccines delivered in that period:

Month

Number of Mpox vaccinations administered

January 2024

804

February 2024

1,069

March 2024

900

April 2024

612

May 2024

899

June 2024

894

July 2024

704

August 2024

2,856

September 2024

2,078

October 2024

4,329

November 2024

1,713

December 2024

1,271

January 2025

293

Total

18,422

The data was extracted on 5 February 2025 and is based on aggregate data submissions from sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_84

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on the number of children reported to have had lead poisoning in each year since 2016. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) coordinates the Lead in Children Exposure Surveillance System (LEICSS), a passive surveillance system covering England, which aims to identify elevated blood lead concentrations in children under 15 years old.

The following table shows the LEICSS data on case numbers between 2016 and 2023, inclusive:

Year

Number of cases

2016

33

2017

49

2018

45

2019

36

2020

35

2021

121

2022

191

2023

226

Note: Between 2016 to 2020, the annual number of cases ranged between 33 and 49. From 2021 there was a marked increase in the number of cases. The steep rise in reported cases from 2021 onwards is due to a change in the case definition in our surveillance system.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_85

Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many mPox vaccines were given in England in the 2023-24 financial year; and how many have been given to date in the 2024-25 financial year. \p Ashley Dalton: The total number of Mpox vaccinations administered in England in the 2023/24 financial year totalled to 21,225. The total number of Mpox vaccinations administered in the 2024/25 financial year to date currently stands at 15,649.

The data was extracted on 5 February 2025 based on aggregate data submissions from sexual health or genitourinary medicine clinics. The data covers a period of 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, and 1 April 2024 to 31 January 2025.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the inclusion of bed bugs within the remit of Environmental Health England. \p Ashley Dalton: There have been no discussions between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the inclusion of bedbugs within the remit of Environmental Health England.

The Department of Health and Social Care does not have responsibility for reducing the spread of bedbugs. Further information on bedbugs is available at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bedbugs/
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Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much his Department has indemnified Astrazeneca in relation to covid-19 vaccine damage claims. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government cannot comment on the terms on which COVID-19 vaccinations were procured, which are confidential.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of out-of-home advertising of fast food on children and young people. \p Ashley Dalton: No assessment has been made of the potential impact of out-of-home advertising of fast food on children and young people.  We are however taking proportionate action, including restricting junk food advertising on TV and online, limiting the access of school children to fast food, and banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s.

Supporting people to stay healthier for longer is at the heart of this government’s Health Mission which aims to reduce the amount of time spent in ill health, tackle health inequalities and drive economic growth.

Evidence shows that the restrictions on junk food advertising on TV and online alone will have a direct impact on childhood obesity by reducing children’s exposure to advertising of less healthy products. We estimate that these restrictions will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets per year in the UK and reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000.
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Nick Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) companies and (b) subsidiaries trading under (i) E-Harley Healthcare Services Ltd and (ii) Harley Street Health Online Ltd been subject to rulings by the Care Quality Commission. \p Ashley Dalton: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) can bring prosecutions and civil enforcement action against providers. The CQC has not brought any criminal prosecutions against E-Harley Healthcare Services Ltd and Harley Street Health Online Ltd. All prosecutions are published on the CQC website, and are available at the following link:

https://www.cqc.org.uk/about-us/how-we-do-our-job/prosecutions

The CQC can also bring civil enforcement action against a provider, which includes warning notices. In September 2021, the CQC urgently suspended registration of Harley Street Healthcare Ltd for breaches of Regulation 17 (Good Governance) of the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what comparative assessment his Department has made of blood cancer outcomes in (a) the UK and (b) international comparator countries for the four most common cancers. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department has not undertaken a formal assessment of blood cancer outcomes in the United Kingdom and international comparators for the four most common cancers. As noted by Lord Darzi’s independent investigation into the National Health Service, the rate of improvement for cancer survival slowed substantially during the 2010s. While survival rates have improved more quickly than many peer countries, they have done so from a low base. This means that the UK is still behind the Nordic countries for all major cancers.

Cancer death rates in the UK have fallen by more than a fifth between 1990 and 2011 and are predicted to drop by a further 17% between 2010 and 2030.

It is a priority for the Government to support the NHS in catching cancer, including blood cancers, as early as possible, to treat these diseases faster and more effectively, and thereby improve outcomes.

The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including those with blood cancer. We are now in discussions about what form that plan should take, and what its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider Health Mission should be and will provide updates in due course.
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Mary Kelly Foy:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support people with leukaemia in (a) City of Durham constituency and (b) the North East. \p Ashley Dalton: The National Health Service is taking crucial steps to improve cancer outcomes for patients across England, including for leukaemia. We will improve cancer survival rates and hit all NHS cancer waiting time targets, so no patient waits longer than they should.

The Department is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Lord O'Shaughnessy review into commercial clinical trials, making sure that the United Kingdom leads the world in clinical trials, and to ensure that innovative, lifesaving treatments are accessible to NHS patients, including those with leukaemia.

NHS England is also committed to ensuring that cancer patients in all parts of England are offered Holistic Needs Assessment and Personalised Care and Support Planning, ensuring care is focused on what matters most to each person. This commitment is being delivered in line with the NHS Comprehensive Model for Personalised Care, empowering people to manage their care and the impact of their cancer and maximise the potential of digital and community-based support.

Health and wellbeing information and support is provided by healthcare professionals from diagnosis onwards and includes access to NHS Talking Therapy services for anxiety and depression, where considered clinically appropriate. These services are provided alongside wider work to improve psychosocial support for people affected by cancer where possible, such as through local partnerships with cancer support charities.

The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we support cancer patients, including those with blood cancer. We are now in discussions about what form that plan should take, and what its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider Health Mission should be and will provide updates in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Sir Christopher Chope:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to paragraph 20 of his Department's Opening Statement to Module 4 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, published 15 January 2025, what estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) deaths, (b) infections and (c) hospitalisations that were prevented by the covid-19 vaccination programme since September 2021. \p Ashley Dalton: The estimated total averted hospitalisations, severe hospitalisations, and deaths for the spring and autumn 2023 boosters were:

- 1,654 hospitalisations, 108 severe, and 508 deaths for the spring 2023 booster program in those aged 75 years old and over; and

- 7,054 hospitalisations, 473 severe, and 1,862 deaths for the autumn 2023 booster program in those aged 65 years old and over.

This can be found in the COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report week 29, which is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/669923b20808eaf43b50d1fd/Vaccine_surveillance_report_2024_week_29.pdf

In total, an estimated 14,400 hospitalisations were averted in adults aged 50 years old and older in England as a result of the vaccination from the autumn 2022 COVID-19 vaccine booster programme. This information is in the COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report week 41, which is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6527f0bfaea2d0000d219c69/vaccine-surveillance-report-2023-week-41.pdf

These are a direct effect calculation and do not include any additional cases prevented from herd immunity. They also do not include cases averted where COVID-19 exacerbated a non-respiratory condition that led to hospitalisation.

In total, an estimated 18,600 hospitalisations, based on cases reported through the Sari-Watch surveillance scheme, were averted in adults aged 50 years old and older in England as a result of vaccination from the autumn 2021 COVID-19 vaccine booster programme. Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website, at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62c6c2168fa8f54e855dfe29/Vaccine-surveillance-report-week-27.pdf

This was also a direct effect calculation method.
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Alex McIntyre:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will take steps to implement a National Cardiovascular Disease Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to ensuring fewer lives are lost to the biggest killers, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). That is why, building on the 2019 NHS Long Term Plan commitment to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases by 2029, this Government has set a CVD-specific mission ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and strokes by 25% within a decade.

The Department and NHS England are working together at pace to understand the scale of the CVD challenge and the greatest opportunities for progress.

This includes through building on action already taken as part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve the timely identification and treatment of CVD risk factors, such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and atrial fibrillation, and drawing on what we have we have heard from the public, patients and staff through the 10-Year Health Plan engagement exercise.

The 10-Year Health Plan, once published, will set out the Government's overarching vision for delivering on its health mission, including how we deliver the critical shift from a focus on treating illness to preventing conditions such as CVD.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has plans to increase the funding available for research into children cancers. \p Ashley Dalton: Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.5 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24. Cancer is a major area of NIHR spend, reflecting its high priority.

Research is a vital part of improving diagnosis and treatment for children and young people with cancer. The NIHR spent approximately £9.9 million over the last five financial years, from 2019/20 to 2023/24, on directly funded research to improve outcomes for children and young people with cancer.

The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health, including childhood cancer. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients, and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

On 4 February 2024 my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced that the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce will be relaunched in 2025, alongside the national cancer plan, to identify ways to improve outcomes and patient experience for children and young people with cancer. Dame Caroline Dinenage and Professor Darren Hargrave have been appointed as co-chairs with Dr Sharna Shanmugavadivel as vice-chair. The taskforce will bring together the country’s top experts to set out support for the development of the National Cancer Plan, which will improve treatment, detection, and research for cancer in children.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Chris Coghlan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2024 to Question 13066 on Prostate Cancer: Screening, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of laboratories not testing samples within 16 hours on prostate specific antigen testing accuracy. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department has not made a specific assessment on the potential impact of laboratories not testing samples within 16 hours on prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing accuracy.

All pathology services in England are expected to implement the recommendation issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, that PSA testing specimens must reach the laboratory within 16 hours for the serum to be separated.

This guidance is in place to ensure that PSA test results are of the highest possible accuracy and validity in supporting the early detection of prostate cancer, particularly in ensuring cases do not go undetected.

All pathology services in England are also expected to maintain international standards for laboratory quality, certified through the UK Accreditation Service.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding her Department has provided to the Lobular Moonshot Project. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department invests £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24, reflecting its high priority.

We are proud to have invested £29 million into the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the Royal Marsden NIHR Biological Research Centre in 2022, supporting their efforts to strengthen research into cancer, including lobular breast cancer. Wider investments into breast cancer research include a £1.3 million project to determine whether an abbreviated form of breast magnetic resonance imaging can detect breast cancers missed by screening through mammography, including lobular breast cancer.

On 4 February 2025, the Department announced that almost 700,000 women across the country will take part in a world-leading trial to test how cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools can be used to catch breast cancer cases earlier. The Early Detection using Information Technology in Health trial, also known as EDITH, is backed by £11 million of Government support via the NIHR.

The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including lobular breast cancer.
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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when does he plans to publish allocations of the Public Health Grant for 2025-26. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government published the 2025/26 Public Health Grant allocations to local authorities on 7 February. Further details are available on the GOV.UK website.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) potential implications for his policies of the level of independence of National Energy System Operator. \p Michael Shanks: The effectiveness and performance of the National Energy System Operator (NESO) is assessed and regulated by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem).

NESO was designed to be an independent entity. NESO’s independence enables it to provide unbiased, expert advice on critical decisions that shape our energy landscape.

The Government is satisfied that the current arrangements are fit for purpose and will keep them under review as necessary.
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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the cost to the public purse was of legal services used by the Government in relation to potential Rosebank oil and gas field development since 4 July 2024; and whether further legal costs have been accounted for in his Department’s (a) current and (b) future budgets. \p Michael Shanks: The Department has paid a total of £26,773 in legal fees relating to the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields since 4 July 2024.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department made of the potential (a) legal and (b) financial impacts of withdrawing legal support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects before taking that decision. \p Michael Shanks: In August, in light of the Supreme Court Finch Judgment, the government accepted that the previous Environmental Impact Assessment decisions were unlawful. That decision was made following the taking of legal advice, the contents of which are privileged.

In any event, all parties to Rosebank and Jackdaw claims, including the operators themselves, agreed that the previous decisions were unlawful. The Court has now confirmed this, and made provision for fresh decisions to be made in due course.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure investor confidence in the UK oil and gas sector following the withdrawal of legal support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects. \p Michael Shanks: In August, in light of the Supreme Court Finch Judgment, the government accepted that the previous Environmental Impact Assessment decisions were unlawful. That decision was made following the taking of legal advice, the contents of which are privileged.

In any event, all parties to Rosebank and Jackdaw claims, including the operators themselves, agreed that the previous decisions were unlawful. The Court has now confirmed this, and made provision for fresh decisions to be made in due course.

We have already consulted on revised environmental guidance for development consents to take into account emissions from burning extracted oil and gas to provide stability for industry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his policy to stop issuing development consents for all new oil and gas fields. \p Michael Shanks: The Government has committed that it will not revoke existing licences and will partner with business and workers to manage our existing fields for the entirety of their lifespan.

We have already consulted on revised environmental guidance for development consents to take into account emissions from burning extracted oil and gas to provide stability for industry.

This consultation closed in January, and we are working to have guidance in place as soon as possible.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of using renewable liquid fuels as an alternative to mains gas for households unable to connect to the grid. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government expects to prioritise its use in sectors like aviation which have fewest options to decarbonise. Renewable liquid heating fuels (RLHF) are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions

However, the Government recognise that RLHFs could play a limited role in decarbonising heat off the gas grid.
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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the National Nuclear Laboratory’s (a) research and development budget and (b) international relationships. \p Michael Shanks: In December 2024 the Government carried out a Strategic Review of the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-nuclear-laboratory-strategic-review .

The review concluded UKNNL is deeply valued by the sector, with its scientific capability being repeatedly praised as world leading, but there is a requirement for core government funding to ensure UKNNL retains and develops its critical capabilities, and continues specialist research and development. The optimal long-term model, that ensures UKNNL can deliver outcomes for Government and support sector growth, remains under consideration. The Government is currently working through a spending review and decisions will be made in due course.

The review sets out UKNNL’s important role supporting Government as its trusted technical advisor, and it is crucial the laboratory engages internationally to further its research and development. Government is taking forward the review’s recommendation for a more proactive and strategic approach to UKNNL sponsorship, this will include assessing the scope of UKNNL’s role in international relationships.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of withdrawing legal support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects on the UK’s energy security and domestic production capacity. \p Michael Shanks: In August, in light of the Supreme Court Finch Judgment, the government accepted that the previous Environmental Impact Assessment decisions were unlawful. That decision was made following the taking of legal advice, the contents of which are privileged.

In any event, all parties to Rosebank and Jackdaw claims, including the operators themselves, agreed that the previous decisions were unlawful. The Court has now confirmed this, and made provision for fresh decisions to be made in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much public investment has been committed to the development of a High Temperature Gas Reactor with the Japanese Government. \p Michael Shanks: Public funding provided by DESNZ is laid out in DESNZ annual reports and accounts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason his Department withdrew legal support for the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects. \p Michael Shanks: In August, in light of the Supreme Court Finch Judgment, the government accepted that the previous Environmental Impact Assessment decisions were unlawful. That decision was made following the taking of legal advice, the contents of which are privileged.

In any event, all parties to Rosebank and Jackdaw claims, including the operators themselves, agreed that the previous decisions were unlawful. The Court has now confirmed this, and made provision for fresh decisions to be made in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

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Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to engage with the public on the nuclear energy industry. \p Michael Shanks: The department regularly engages with the public on nuclear energy policy matters.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_109

Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the number of trees from (a) primary and (b) old growth forests burnt by the Drax power station since 2012. \p Michael Shanks: The origin and profile of biomass used by Drax is monitored by Ofgem. The Government requires that all biomass used by Drax be compliant with strict sustainability criteria. This requires that biomass must be legally and sustainably harvested and includes requirements around protecting biodiversity and maintaining forest productivity.

We have strengthened sustainability requirements in our recently announced deal with Drax. In the agreed low carbon dispatchable Contract for Difference, we will explicitly exclude material sourced from primary forests and old growth forests from receiving support payments. There will be substantial penalties on Drax if sustainability criteria are not met.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_110

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to engage with the public on the renewable energy industry. \p Michael Shanks: This government is committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the transition to net zero, supporting people and communities to take action and realise the benefits.

For large-scale renewable electricity developments, we encourage developers to engage with local communities at the earliest opportunity. We will integrate best practice principles of engagement into planning guidance, so that when developers consult with the local community on a proposed project, they do so in a considered, inclusive and responsive manner. We also use the Public Attitudes Tracker to poll the public on their views regarding renewable technologies on a quarterly basis.

We will publish a Net Zero Public Participation Strategy in 2025, which will set out how we will support people to adopt new technologies, as well as opportunities to ensure that public views are considered in policy development.

Government can’t achieve this alone. People also look to businesses, charities, scientists and local communities for advice and support. We have an opportunity to work in partnership to provide information, help people access grants and wider support and ensure that benefits of the net zero transition can be realised by all.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_111

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to increase domestic inventories of plutonium. \p Michael Shanks: There are no plans to increase the quantity of plutonium in the UK. The domestic inventory of plutonium has arisen from historic reprocessing of spent fuel from the UK and overseas energy utilities under commercial agreements. Reprocessing stopped in the UK in 2022.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_112

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much uranium was imported annually since 2010, by country of origin. \p Michael Shanks: The procurement of nuclear fuel, including uranium and enrichment services, is a commercial matter for reactors operators. The Government works closely with these operators to ensure there is a secure and resilient supply for the UK fleet. Uranium enrichment facilities in the UK operate as service providers, enriching uranium that is provided to them by customers. The stockpiles of Uranium held by these companies are a commercial matter and therefore disclosure of these amounts would be at the discretion of these entities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_113

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many people have successfully obtained employment using the Energy Skills Passport. \p Sarah Jones: The initial version of the Energy Skills Passport was launched on 22nd January 2025. As with all policies, DESNZ will be assessing the impact of the project and will use these findings to inform how the project evolves going forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_114

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many Energy Skills Passports have been issued in each UK region since its introduction. \p Sarah Jones: The initial version of the Energy Skills Passport was launched on 22nd January 2025 with DESNZ having come onboard as a project partner to accelerate delivery in October 2024. The passport is a tool which can be accessed by workers across the country, but the initial version focuses on oil and gas workers looking to transition into certain roles in offshore wind.

As with all policies, DESNZ will be assessing the impact of the project and will use these findings to inform how the project evolves going forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_115

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has received recent representations from (a) energy-intensive manufacturing and (b) chemical industries on carbon pricing. \p Sarah Jones: Ministers regularly engage with a variety of stakeholders.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_116

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Written Statement of 6 February 2025 on Consenting and Regulation of Nuclear Energy, HCWS419, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using the UK’s plutonium stockpile to support the delivery of the Government’s policies on nuclear power. \p Michael Shanks: The Government has published a refreshed planning framework for new nuclear reactors (EN-7), including small and advanced modular reactors, for consultation. The new planning framework proposes to empower nuclear developers to identify potentially suitable sites in real-time against a robust set of siting criteria.

Plans for Government policies on nuclear power were taken into account when making the decision on plutonium disposition. All current reactor projects use uranium oxide fuel. In addition, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) conducted substantial technical, deliverability and economic analysis to identify a preferred option for a long-term disposition solution for the UK-owned plutonium, considering options for immobilisation and reuse of the material as fuel. Immobilisation is the solution that will place the material beyond reach soonest and with greatest delivery confidence. This is a key step towards dealing with our nuclear legacy and not passing the burden on to future generations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_117

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish the total cost to the public purse for the provision of diversity, equality and inclusion courses for staff in her Department in 2024. \p Michael Shanks: This information can only be obtained at disproportionate cost, as we do not theme our learning records by diversity, equality and inclusion.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_118

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how the remit of Great British Nuclear will interact with Great British Energy. \p Michael Shanks: Considering the importance of the two entities’ remits, Great British Nuclear and Great British Energy will remain independent sister companies for the time being to ensure that both organisations are best placed to deliver on the government’s ambitions for energy security and our pathway to net zero. The Government will provide further detail in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_119

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much investment his Department plans to allocate to (a) training centres, (b) training courses and (c) training advisors in the nuclear industry. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK nuclear industry has the necessary skills needed to deliver our nuclear ambitions.

Recognising the need to act now to grow the workforce, the nuclear sector across civil and defence are collaborating to deliver sustained long-term action that will develop a robust nuclear skills base, including through the delivery of the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_120

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on enabling oil fuelled heating homes in Northern Ireland to transition to gas. \p Michael Shanks: Energy policy is a transferred matter to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Northern Ireland Executive. DESNZ holds regular discussions with NI Executive on broader energy matters, including through our Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Inter-ministerial Group.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_121

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of Chinese manufacturing in delivering the Government's Clean Power 2030 goal. \p Michael Shanks: As set out in the Integrated Review Refresh, a positive trading relationship benefits both the UK and China, and we continue to recognise the importance of trade and investment from China where it is safe, reciprocal and mutually beneficial.

The Government works closely with industry to maintain a detailed picture of foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure. Foreign involvement in critical national infrastructure undergoes the highest levels of scrutiny, with the government and industry working alongside each other to monitor and mitigate the security risks in the energy sector and its supply chain.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_122

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Written Statement of 24 January 2025 on Plutonium Disposition Strategy, HCWS388, if he will publish the basis for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s recommendation to immobilise the UK plutonium stockpile. \p Michael Shanks: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) conducted substantial technical, deliverability and economic analysis to identify a preferred option for a long-term disposition solution, considering options for immobilisation and reuse of the material as fuel. It is not intended for the NDA analysis to be made publicly available due to commercial sensitivity and safeguarding national security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_123

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the future needs of research and development for advanced modular reactors. \p Michael Shanks: The Department commissioned the Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board (NIRAB) to produce a report on the Research Development & Innovation required for a UK High Temperature Gas Reactor Demonstration in October 2024. This can be found at https://www.nirab.org.uk/our-work/publications and explores both the technical and commercial areas for development to enable an Advanced Modular Reactor in the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_124

Terry Jermy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of installing solar panels on the roofs of (a) car parks, (b) warehouses and (c) council-owned buildings in Norfolk. \p Michael Shanks: The Government will assess the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence this year.

New standards will be introduced this year which will amend the energy efficiency standards in the Building Regulations in England. This will ensure all new homes and buildings, including warehouses and council-owned buildings, in England are zero-carbon ready.

Further details about how the Government will increase the deployment of solar panels will be set out in the forthcoming Solar Roadmap.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-14)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-14 conversation_125

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 October 2024, HCWS168, on Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024, what requirements there will be for the floating offshore wind infrastructure to be manufactured in the United Kingdom. \p Michael Shanks: Local content requirements are not permitted within the UK’s international trade agreements, however, the Government does offer incentives to invest in supply chains: the Clean Industry Bonus (CIB) as part of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme will reward fixed and floating offshore wind developers who choose to invest in the UK’s poorest communities, or in cleaner manufacturing facilities. The initial budget for CIBs is £27m per GW of capacity that applies for the bonus in Allocation Round 7. An amount within the CIB budget will be reserved for investments in the floating offshore wind supply chain.