theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Bank of England's mandate to maintain fiscal stability. \p Emma Reynolds: The Bank of England has operational independence from the government to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability. Monetary policy, including quantitative easing, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England. The separation of fiscal and monetary policy is a key feature of the UK’s economic framework, and essential for the effective delivery of monetary policy, so the government does not comment on the conduct or effectiveness of monetary policy.

There are no plans to change the way reserves are remunerated at the Bank of England. The government continues to support the Bank to bring inflation in line with its target, including by managing the public finances responsibly.
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Lloyd Hatton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many (a) land and (b) property assets are held through UK trusts registered with the Trust Registration Services; and what the aggregate value is of (i) land and (ii) property assets held via trusts. \p Emma Reynolds: I can only provide a partial answer to these questions, as the information held on the Trust Registration Service in relation to land and property holdings varies depending on the category of registration. Additionally, the Trust Registration Service does not record information on indirect holdings of land by trustees.

From May 2021 (when the Trust Registration Service was expanded to accept registrations from non-taxable trusts) to 5 April 2024 (the end of the last tax year), c.56,000 trusts notified the Trust Registration Service that the trustees have acquired a direct interest in UK land or property on or after 6 October 2020. Of this figure, c.55,000 are UK resident trusts (including trusts categorised as ‘Type A') and c.1000 are non-UK resident trusts (including trusts categorised as ‘Type B’ or ‘Type C’).

Taxable trusts, including those registered before May 2021, are required to provide a statement of assets held at the time of registration, including UK land or property. However, analysing this information to arrive at a total number and value of land and property assets held by these trusts would carry a disproportionate cost.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending the Financial Conduct Authority's powers to regulate claims management companies in Northern Ireland. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government has no plans to extend the Financial Conduct Authority’s powers to regulate claims management activity in Northern Ireland, but continues to keep the territorial scope of the Financial Conduct Authority’s powers under review.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking to reduce economic inactivity in Wales. \p Jo Stevens: As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we have committed £240m of investment towards sixteen trailblazers to test new and innovative ways to support people into work and tackle the root causes of inactivity, including one in Wales. My department has been working in close partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Welsh Government to co-develop and deliver the trailblazer in Wales.

Since coming into government, I have worked with UK and Welsh Government colleagues to drive over £1.5 billion in private investment from Eren Holding and Kellogg’s, creating and sustaining over 400 jobs. Wales is also set to benefit from a £250 million investment from one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers which is expected to support over 500 high value jobs and hundreds more through the wider supply chain. In addition, we will support tens of thousands of new jobs through our Welsh Investment Zones and Freeports.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what steps she is taking to improve productivity rates in Wales. \p Jo Stevens: Growth is the number one mission of the government. Our new Industrial Strategy is central to that Growth Mission and our Plan for Change. The Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors – those in which the UK excels today and will excel tomorrow. The Strategy will play to Wales’s sectoral strengths, including Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Life Sciences and Creative Industries.

My department has been working closely across UK Government and the Welsh Government on the Industrial Strategy. I have also established the Welsh Economic Growth Advisory Group, a group that brings together business, industry, university and trade unions to discuss key economic issues across Wales.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what the median age is of computers issued to officials in their Department. \p Jo Stevens: The Wales Office does not hold this information. The Department’s computers are provided by the Ministry of Justice.
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Bobby Dean:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government has plans to take steps to help facilitate closer economic cooperation with Japan. \p Catherine West: The Government has already taken action to strengthen UK-Japan economic cooperation. In early March 2025, the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Business and Trade travelled to Japan, meeting their Japanese counterparts for the UK's first 'Economic 2+2'. As likeminded nations, we agreed new areas of collaboration in support of rules-based international trade, economic security, energy security, and engagement with Global South countries. The Government is taking forward work on a new Industrial Strategy Partnership and furthering our economic security partnership with Japan in support of growth, jobs and access to essential goods and services needed for the UK's future prosperity. The Government also plans to work closely with Japan to shape the future of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and ensure it remains a modern, high-standards agreement.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he made of the potential impact of the reduction in Official Development Assistance funding on programmes in (a) Israel and the (b) Occupied Palestinian Territories in the 20525-26 financial year. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Prime Minister made clear in the House on 25 February that this Government is proud of the UK's pioneering record on overseas development, and we will continue to play a key humanitarian role in Gaza. The reduction in Official Development Assistance will come into effect from 2027. This will provide time for planning and adapting plans to ensure the smoothest transition possible. We cannot yet confirm funding allocations for the region in financial year 2025-26 but continue to assess all overseas development assistance.
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Andrew Gwynne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help implement the recent United Nations resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. \p Catherine West: I recognise there are human rights issues in both India Administered Kashmir and Pakistan Administered Kashmir. We raise issues, where we have them, directly with the governments of India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan are important friends of the UK, and we have strong and deep bilateral relationships with both. It is for India and Pakistan to find a lasting political resolution on Kashmir, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
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Kate Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure that Overseas Territories adopt open and public registers of beneficial ownership. \p Stephen Doughty: Work is ongoing to improve beneficial ownership transparency in the Overseas Territories. At the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in November 2024, the Falkland Islands and Saint Helena committed to join Montserrat and Gibraltar in implementing fully public registers by April 2025. The British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands agreed to implement registers of beneficial ownership, accessible to those with a legitimate interest, by June 2025. It remains our expectation that the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will ultimately implement fully public registers.

Every Territory is making progress towards these commitments and FCDO officials are in regular contact with counterparts in the Overseas Territories on their proposals for registers to ensure they meet the agreement made at JMC. I have and will continue to raise this directly with elected leaders across the Overseas Territories, and have discussed with the leaders of a number of OTs including Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands in recent weeks.
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Kate Osborne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the levels of compliance by overseas territories on providing public registers of beneficial ownership. \p Stephen Doughty: At the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in November 2024, the Falkland Islands and Saint Helena committed to join Montserrat and Gibraltar in implementing fully public registers by April 2025. The British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Anguilla and Turks and Caicos Islands agreed to implement registers of beneficial ownership, accessible to those with a legitimate interest by June 2025, with the necessary safeguards to protect the right to privacy in line with respective constitutions.

Every Territory is making progress towards these commitments and FCDO officials are in regular contact with counterparts in the Overseas Territories on their proposals for registers to ensure they meet JMC agreements. I have and will continue to raise this directly with elected leaders across the Overseas Territories, and have discussed with the leaders of a number of OTs including Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands in recent weeks.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer given on 11 February 2025 to Question 28011 on Hamas: UNRWA, what assessment he has made of UNRWA's implementation of the Colonna review; and what steps he has taken to investigate the alleged use of UNRWA facilities by Hamas. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have committed to fully investigate any allegations against their employees and to continue implementation of the Colonna Report's recommendations. UNRWA must meet the highest standards of neutrality as laid out in the report. £1 million of our funding to UNRWA this year is supporting the implementation of its agreed Action Plan to ensure UNRWA commits to these neutrality obligations. We welcome the fact that UNRWA has said there should be an investigation into any misuse of its facilities. We have encouraged the Government of Israel to share any evidence of misuse of UNRWA facilities with the UN.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) beer and (b) pub sector to increase (i) economic growth and (ii) business investment in the context of his industrial strategy. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses, including pubs and breweries, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of the (a) brewery and distillery and (b) pub sector to (i) economic growth and (ii) job creation. \p Gareth Thomas: Hospitality businesses, including pubs and breweries, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK.

The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to prevent the illegal (a) online sale and (b) importing of skin (i) whitening and (ii) lightening products which cause skin damage. \p Justin Madders: Cosmetics products must comply with some of the strongest safety standards in the world before they can be placed on the GB market. Government works with local enforcement authorities to take effective action when products are identified that do not meet these safety requirements, ensuring unsafe items are removed from sale.

Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which explicitly recognises the role of online marketplaces to ensure consumers are protected from unsafe products. We intend to use the powers in the Bill to introduce requirements on e-commerce models to help prevent the sale of unsafe products online.
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Mark Pritchard:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will increase (a) criminal sanctions and (b) financial penalties for breaches of Trading Standards laws. \p Justin Madders: Local authority trading standards services oversee numerous pieces of legislation, including consumer protection, product safety, weights and measures, food standards, animal health and welfare, environmental protection, estates and lettings, and age-restricted products such as alcohol and tobacco, among other legislative responsibilities.

The Department of Business and Trade is responsible for the consumer protection function. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 updated and strengthened civil enforcement powers for public designated enforcers, including the ability for trading standards services to apply to the court for an enforcement order with a monetary penalty of up to 10% of turnover.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the potential savings to the public purse of abolishing the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies. \p Justin Madders: The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (“CICs”) (“the Regulator”) plays a crucial role in maintaining the CIC model as an effective form of social enterprise. By exploiting the considerable overlap between the Regulator and Companies House, and the close working relationship that already exists between the two, the Government intends to fully integrate the Regulator’s functions into Companies House as part of wider plans to streamline the UK’s regulatory environment. As the Regulator is entirely funded by fees, there will be no saving to the public purse.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress has been made on the upcoming parental leave review; and if he will make a statement. \p Justin Madders: The government has committed to review the parental leave system to ensure it best supports working families. Planning work is underway across government. Details of the timeline of the review will be shared in due course.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of companies closing and subsequently setting up a new similar company, with the result of (a) job losses, (b) workplace bullying and (c) changes to working conditions on employees’ rights. \p Justin Madders: The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced new measures to help combat ‘phoenixing’ - when a director dissolves a company to avoid debts or other responsibilities, to then set up another similar company. The accompanying impact assessment provides the government’s assessment of the evidence relating to this practice. Alongside this, the Employment Rights Bill is delivering the biggest upgrade to workers rights and protections in a generation, including strengthening collective redundancy rights and ending unscrupulous practices of fire and rehire.
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Uma Kumaran:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Person At Risk of Violence fee on victims of domestic violence; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making all personal details on the Individual Insolvency Register private. \p Justin Madders: The fees applied for Persons at Risk of Violence (PARV) orders should never have the effect of denying access to the courts. The government is presently reviewing the fee framework for PARV orders.

The government is also undertaking a wider review of the personal insolvency framework, which includes whether the Individual Insolvency Register should be private.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21053 on Trade Union Recognition, whether there are exemptions for faith-based organisations. \p Justin Madders: There are no exemptions for faith-based organisations. That has been the case since the statutory recognition scheme was set up back in 1999.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of four-day working weeks. \p Justin Madders: While the government continues to monitor the impact of flexible working, it has made no assessment of the four-day week specifically. Additionally, the government has no plans to mandate a four-day week, however, through the Employment Rights Bill we are giving employees better access to flexible working arrangements, where reasonably feasible. Not all businesses will be able to offer all forms of flexible working, and not all arrangements will suit all employees equally. We want to create a framework that encourages employers and employees to explore options for flexible working arrangements that suit both parties.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help encourage (a) large companies and (b) investment funds to adopt sustainable net zero practices. \p Sarah Jones: Under current rules, certain large companies and investment funds are required to disclose information about the ways they are responding to the risks posed by climate change and seizing the economic opportunities that it presents.

Going forward, the Government is considering whether to require companies to report comparable information in line with international corporate sustainability reporting standards. In addition, the Government's manifesto committed to mandate listed companies and financial institutions to develop and implement credible transition plans that align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. The Government will consult on how to take this forward later this year.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of placing a ban on the import of lamb produced on farms that carry out mulesing without pain relief. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Government is firmly committed to upholding our animal welfare standards and to promoting robust standards internationally.

The independent Trade and Agriculture Commission considered, in the context of its report on the UK-Australia FTA, the issue of imports to the UK of lamb that has been subject to mulesing without pain relief. The Commission concluded that lambs reared for meat are not mulesed and the likelihood of mutton from mulesed sheep being imported into the UK is negligible.
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Laurence Turner:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase capacity on the West Coast Main Line north of Birmingham. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department recognises concerns about capacity on the West Coast Main Line north of Birmingham and are considering advice before setting out detailed plans in due course. The Department is evaluating possible interventions to improve capacity north of Birmingham, such as changes to timetabling and service patterns, as well as incremental improvements to infrastructure and rolling stock that could help to alleviate capacity shortfalls.
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Joani Reid:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to publish its findings on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers; and whether the review considers the need (a) for competition in the market and (b) to reduce emissions across the sector. \p Lilian Greenwood: The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review

The implications for road safety, infrastructure, the environment, and maintaining fair competition in the market have all been considered as part of the review.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of taking steps to help prevent price differentials for different types of users of EV charging points. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Government is committed to accelerating the roll-out of charging infrastructure so that everyone, no matter where they live or work, can make the transition to an electric vehicle.

The Government are aware of the cost differential between those who can and cannot install a dedicated EV charger at home and continue to work with Ofgem and others on measures to keep the cost of EV charging affordable for consumers.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2025 to Question 35021 on Motor Vehicles: Dangerous Driving and Noise, if she will make an assessment of the potential connection between excessively noisy vehicles and dangerous driving. \p Lilian Greenwood: The Department does not have plans to carry out an assessment of the potential connection between excessively noisy vehicles and dangerous driving.

The Department takes the impact of excessive noise on health, wellbeing and the natural environment seriously and conducted roadside trials of noise camera technology between October 2022-February 2023. Reports of these trials, including detailed assessment of the technology’s performance and potential merits, were published on 17 March 2024. Overall, the trials demonstrated that noise cameras currently have the potential to be used for enforcement, but only when accompanied by human review of the recorded evidence, which is likely to lower the cost effectiveness of deploying the technology in many circumstances.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve road safety near schools in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Lilian Greenwood: My Department is developing our Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course.

Active Travel England and my Department published joint School Streets Guidance in November 2024. School Streets schemes restrict motor traffic outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times; reducing congestion, improving safety and enabling more pupils to walk, wheel or cycle.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of fast-tracking legislation to enable the Revenue Certainty Mechanism. \p Mike Kane: The government is working at pace to deliver a revenue certainty mechanism for the UK Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry. The government has confirmed that it will introduce the SAF Revenue Support Bill in the first session of Parliament and we expect the legislation for a revenue certainty mechanism to be in place by the end of 2026. We will continue to monitor the estimated delivery date and work with industry to deliver an effective revenue certainty mechanism as soon as possible.
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Sammy Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the Motor Insurance Taskforce (a) last met and (b) is next scheduled to meet. \p Lilian Greenwood: The cross-Government Motor Insurance Taskforce met for the first time on 16 October 2024 and the Secretary of State is keen to reconvene again soon. We will provide updates on the Taskforce in due course.
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Sojan Joseph:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with the DVSA on the adequacy of its online booking system for booking practical driving tests. \p Lilian Greenwood: As set out in the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) 2024/25 business plan, DVSA is beginning the process of replacing its booking system.

DVSA also launched a call for evidence on 18 December 2024, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This closed on 11 February 2025 and will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.
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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Project Willow report, published on 19 March 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids cap in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate. \p Mike Kane: We welcome the Project Willow Report and are pleased that nine potential business models have been identified to be taken forward at Grangemouth. To help make these models a reality, the Prime Minister recently announced a commitment of at least £200m through the National Wealth Fund for co-investment with the private sector once an investable proposition comes to the forefront. We will also consider Project Willow’s recommendations in due course.

We recognise that Hydrotreated Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) will play an important role in the global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) sector, particularly in the early years of the Mandate. We want to encourage UK production of HEFA in this global market and have not placed a cap on the amount of SAF produced in the UK.

However, certain feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, from which HEFA is made, are limited in volume and will not be able to provide the amounts of SAF we expect to need to in the long term. We therefore need to create space for a range of SAF technologies and feedstocks to develop.

The HEFA cap, which from 2027 will decrease the allowed contribution from HEFA as a proportion of total SAF supply annually, aims to create this space and encourage investment in alternative pathways. The cap would still allow around 1 million tonnes of HEFA SAF to be supplied in the UK each year from 2035 onwards.
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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the average length of time was in which households were without power due to outage in (a) the (i) Basingstoke & Deane: Oakley and The Candovers, (ii) East Hampshire: Bentworth & Froyle, (iii) East Hampshire: Binsted Bentley & Selborne, (iv) East Hampshire: Four Marks & Medstead, (v) East Hampshire: Ropley Hawkley & Hangers, (vi) East Hampshire: Froxfield Sheep & Steep, (vii) East Hampshire: Buriton & East Meon local authority wards and (b) (A) Hampshire, (B) the South East and (C) England in each of the last five years. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not hold information on all historic power outages. The UK has one of the most reliable energy systems in the world and maintaining a secure electricity supply is a key priority for Government.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to provide adequate funding for the warm homes local grant. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: £500 million has been allocated as part of the Autumn Budget for the Warm Homes: Local Grant to be delivered from 2025 to 2028 by eligible local authorities in England. Allocations of this funding to local authorities that expressed an interest in participating in delivering the scheme were announced on 11th March. Details are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-local-grant-successful-local-authorities/warm-homes-local-grant-successful-local-authorities

Future funding towards decarbonisation and to tackle fuel poverty will be considered as part of Phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will conclude in late Spring 2025.
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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of allowing listed building owners to install uPVC double glazing to improve energy efficiency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Changes to improve the energy efficiency of a listed building need to be sensitive to the character, appearance and specific characteristics of the building depending on individual circumstances. Listed buildings are generally exempt from energy efficiency requirements where compliance would unacceptably alter the character or appearance of the existing building.

Further guidance on improving the energy efficiency of windows of listed buildings can be found on the Historic England website.

Accompanying link: https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/retrofit-and-energy-efficiency-in-historic-buildings/modifying-windows-and-doors-in-historic-buildings/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support the rollout of enhanced operational communications enabled by dedicated radio spectrum access for the UK's energy distribution and transmission networks. \p Michael Shanks: Ofcom is responsible for the management of spectrum in the UK, including allocating spectrum. Officials are working with those in in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and with regulators to help establish the evidence base for the future telecommunications requirements of the energy, water and transport sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Luke Myer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to bring forward a revised regulatory framework for the nuclear sector. \p Michael Shanks: As the Prime Minister announced, the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce will be undertaking a review of nuclear regulation, and it would be inappropriate to comment further until that review has concluded.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to decarbonise the power system. \p Michael Shanks: The Government published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan ‘a new era of clean electricity’ on 13 December 2024 detailing our plan to achieve deliver clean power by 2030.

More recently, we have introduced the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that billpayers and communities hosting energy infrastructure see meaningful benefits through lower energy bills and local project investment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure the resilience of (a) energy supplies and (b) energy infrastructure that provide power to (i) critical infrastructure and (ii) sites of national strategic importance. \p Michael Shanks: Resilience of critical national infrastructure is paramount, and that includes having resilient power.

There are high levels of resilience in the national electricity system, and I would like to reassure my hon Friend that the Government works closely with industry to continually improve and maintain the resilience of energy infrastructure.

Alongside Ofgem, the Secretary of State has commissioned the National Energy System Operator to carry out a review to investigate the power disruption to Heathrow on Friday 21 March, and to understand any wider lessons to be learned on energy resilience for critical national infrastructure.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Sally Jameson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data his Department holds on the number of jobs (a) related and (b) dependent on the net zero transition in South Yorkshire; and if he will make an estimate of how much private investment this work attracts to South Yorkshire. \p Kerry McCarthy: The net zero transition is the economic opportunity of the century—supporting hundreds of thousands of good quality jobs across the UK, including in South Yorkshire. The UK has made significant progress in attracting investment into green sectors. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy and the GVA of the net zero economy grew by 10% in 2024. Around the 2024 International Investment Summit £34.8bn of private investment into low carbon sectors was announced. Government also supports local areas to attract investment – including funding the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help low income households access renewable energy solutions. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: We are decarbonising the energy system with utility-scale solar, rooftop solar, and offshore wind allowing households to benefit from reduced electricity bills and cleaner energy.

For homes, we have kickstarted delivery of the Government’s ambitious Warm Homes Plan, which will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run. This includes grant support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), and targeted support for low income and fuel poor households, namely GBIS, ECO. The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, and Warm Homes: Local Grant will also begin delivery this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has received interim findings from OFGEM’s investigation into British Gas on the forced installation of prepayment meters. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem’s investigation into the involuntary installation of prepayment meters (PPMs) by British Gas is ongoing. This is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator, and it would not be appropriate for the government to comment on an ongoing investigation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-31)

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Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what data his Department holds on (a) the number of prepayment meters forcibly installed by British Gas between 1 January 2022 and 31 January 2023 and (b) the number of those subject to forced installation that have since received compensation. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: In March 2023, British Gas previously confirmed that it installed 25,000 PPMs under warrant in 2022. If any of these installations were completed wrongfully then it is vital that affected customers are appropriately compensated.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has provided funding for intersectional climate action since July 2024. \p Catherine West: We have provided funding to the Global Alliance for Green and Gender Action and to the Equality Fund - both expanding support to grassroots women's rights organisations with Equality Fund grants focussed on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Bulgaria. \p Stephen Doughty: Bulgaria remains a key partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally for the United Kingdom, and we cooperate on many key priorities including Russia-Ukraine and tackling organised immigration crime. We signed a Strategic Partnership in October 2023, and held the first of our yearly Strategic Dialogues in Sofia in June 2025, providing an opportunity to discuss a range of bilateral and international priorities. The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Georgiev on 21 July in London, and on 17 January in Sofia, where they discussed the full range of the bilateral relationship. The Minister for the Cabinet Office met the Interior and Foreign Ministers in Sofia on 17 June when he visited regarding the roll-out of eGates to UK nationals. I met the Bulgarian Ambassador to London on 23 June.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in other European countries on promoting freedom of religion or belief. \p Stephen Doughty: We continue to highlight Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) violations and abuses on the international stage, through our position at the UN, G7 and as an active member of the Article 18 Alliance, ensuring joint international action on FoRB, including with our European partners.

The UK Special Envoy on FoRB has visited the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva twice this year, taking part in an interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur for FoRB in June and speaking at a UK-hosted event on Tibetan Buddhism in July, which several European partners co-sponsored.

On 8 July, the Minister for Africa and the Special Envoy publicly set out the Government's approach to FoRB, providing a framework for UK engagement, at an event attended by over 100 stakeholders, including representatives of the European diplomatic community.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Secret Intelligence Service’s diversity and inclusion policies on the recruitment of White Britons to its Summer Intelligence Internship. \p Stephen Doughty: The intelligence agencies, as with any arm to the Civil Service, must take any decisions seeking to improve the diversity of their workforce in-line with UK law and in adherence with the relevant measures of the Equalities Act 2010. These measures permit employers to take specific actions to enable or encourage those with protected characteristics to apply for particular roles. Such action is considered lawful and includes both individuals from White minority backgrounds, those from socially or economically underrepresented groups and those from an ethnic minority background.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-25)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reforming the licence review process for off-licenses. \p Dame Diana Johnson: The Licensing Act 2003 provides licensing authorities with significant powers of review where problems associated with the licensing objectives occur, including those relating to the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm.

Under Section 51 of the Act, a responsible authority, or any other person, may ask a licensing authority to review a licence because of a matter arising at the premises in connection with any of the four licensing objectives.

Where a licensing authority considers that action under its statutory powers is appropriate, it may take any of the following steps:

In March this year a Licensing Taskforce was commissioned to undertake a rapid review of the Licensing Act 2003, to explore how we may ‘deliver a more proportionate, consistent and transparent licensing regime’. The report of that review will be published in due course. We keep the Licensing Act under careful review and will consider any relevant recommendations that arise from this review.