theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse. \p Jake Richards: This Department is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse.

We provide comprehensive advice to these employees and their managers including how to identify abuse, actions which colleagues and managers can take, and links to organisations providing advice and support. Our guidance also covers the actions of perpetrators and how disciplinary action would be implemented.

In August 2025, the Ministry of Justice People and Capability Group launched refreshed pan-Ministry of Justice domestic abuse guidance and support for employees and their managers. This guidance recognises the employer’s duty of care to their employees, making clear what support is available with a clear commitment from the organisation and senior leaders to take the issue seriously.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will list the titles of all the events organised by Civil Service networks in his Department since 2017. \p Jake Richards: The information requested is not held centrally.

The Department only holds details of events organised by Ministry of Justice staff networks.
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Catherine West:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people entitled to a civil service pension are paid on time and without fault. \p Anna Turley: The Civil Service Pension Scheme (CSPS) is one of the largest in the UK, currently paying pensions to approximately 730,000 members every month. The scheme administrator processes an average of 6,000 retirements each month.

The Cabinet Office, as the Scheme Manager, holds the administrator (MyCSP) accountable for meeting contractual performance levels to ensure members are paid on time. Over the last 6 months, MyCSP achieved 100% of its key service level agreements for retirement processing. We continue to monitor performance closely and work to ensure that any errors are identified and addressed as quickly as possible.

The government has taken significant steps to improve both oversight and enforcement. A new administration contract has been awarded to Capita, which goes live on 1st December 2025. This new contract includes significantly tighter and more rigorous contractual performance indicators, enhanced service levels, reduced processing times, and a new financial penalty scale to ensure accountability and improve the member experience.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Cabinet Office still operates a Hybrid Development Working Group. \p Anna Turley: The Civil Service has a number of cross-government groups to address common issues, find solutions to complex policy challenges and support the sharing of best practice.

The Cross-Government Group on Working Flexibly meets on an adhoc basis and focuses on effective and positive ways of working in a hybrid world, as well as supporting the implementation of related legislation changes across departments.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 60 of the Decision Note from the Commissioner for Public Appointments on the Appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, published on 6 November 2025, what is the timetable for his Department to (a) consult on and (b) implement the recommendations. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Commissioner for Public Appointments provides independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Principles of Public Appointments and the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Following the Commissioner’s investigation into the appointment of the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator, the Government welcomes his findings against which we are reviewing the robustness of the current guidance with a view to learning the lessons from the report.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will place the desk note on Direct Ministerial Appointments in the House of Commons Library. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: On 30 October the government published for the first time guidance for departments on the process for ministers making Direct Ministerial Appointments. This replaced earlier internal desk note guidance for departments, which had been rewritten to provide greater clarity for a wider audience, including setting out publicly where Direct Ministerial Appointments sit within the various routes into government.

On 3 November the Cabinet Secretary, during his evidence session before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, agreed to send - and subsequently sent - a copy of the previous internal departmental desk note to the Committee. A copy of this now superseded desk note guidance will be placed in the House of Commons Library.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure the 2025 Government Communications Service (GCS) audit includes all GCS staff; and how many GCS staff there are in (a) Downing Street and (b) his Department. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: The Government Communication Service (GCS) conducts an annual data collection, requiring government organisations to submit accurate and timely returns through departmental single points of contact. It should be noted that some organisations may have undergone significant changes since the data was collected in July 2025.

At the time of the collection:

(a) Downing Street: The Number 10 Civil Service Communications team consisted of 44.8 FTE.

(b) Cabinet Office: Core Cabinet Office comms roles consisted of 40.43 FTE (of which 22 are roles within Press Office and Cabinet Office Digital Communications) with 141.52 FTE in the Central GCS team (also based within the Cabinet Office).
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2025 to Question 88938 on Prime Minister: Climate Change Convention, how many miles have been carbon offset in each of the last 12 months. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: Prime Ministerial flights are carbon offset where that is possible.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests has been asked to investigate the appointment of the Independent Football Regulator Chair. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: It is the role of the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments to provide independent assurance that public appointments are made in accordance with the Government’s Principles of Public Appointments and Governance Code.

The report of the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ inquiry into the process of appointing the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator was published on 6 November 2025 and can be found here.
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Alex Burghart:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 81328 on Prime Minister: Information Officers, whether the Special Adviser has provided information on financial interests in Strand Partners. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: I refer the Hon Member to the answer of 20 October 2025, Official Report, PQ 81328.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will publish the guidance issued to departments referenced in the letter from the Paymaster General to the Institute for Government of 14 October 2025. \p Nick Thomas-Symonds: There are no plans to publish this guidance.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85495 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what date was Westminster City Council informed by his Department that the official residence was liable for the second homes council tax premium due to its occupation by the then Deputy Prime Minister as a second home. \p Anna Turley: Before the Second Home premium was introduced in Westminster, the Cabinet Office were aware that the former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) was occupying Admiralty House (AH) as a second home and that council tax would therefore be payable by Government. In line with long standing precedent under successive administrations, as the property was a second residence, the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former DPM. Similarly, the Cabinet Office is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council (WCC) for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House.

WCC were notified at the beginning of May that the former DPM was occupying AH as a second home for council tax purposes, and details were provided for WCC to issue a bill accordingly.

GPA wrote to WCC in June to confirm that the second homes premium applied. WCC issued an invoice in July which was paid the same day.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 75990 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what date the first communication between the Government Property Agency and Westminster City Council was on the second homes council tax premium for the former Deputy Prime Minister’s official residence in Admiralty House. \p Anna Turley: Before the Second Home premium was introduced in Westminster, the Cabinet Office were aware that the former Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) was occupying Admiralty House (AH) as a second home and that council tax would therefore be payable by Government. In line with long standing precedent under successive administrations, as the property was a second residence the Government was responsible for paying the Council Tax on Admiralty House, not the former DPM. Similarly, the Cabinet Office is responsible for liaising with Westminster City Council (WCC) for matters concerning residency at Admiralty House.

WCC were notified at the beginning of May that the former DPM was occupying AH as a second home for council tax purposes, and details were provided for WCC to issue a bill accordingly.

GPA wrote to WCC in June to confirm that the second homes premium applied. WCC issued an invoice in July which was paid the same day.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 71232 on 10 Downing Street: Renewable Energy, who the energy provider is; and what the tariff is. \p Anna Turley: The electricity supply at Number 10 is on zero carbon tariff supplied under the Crown Commercial Services. The gas is under a standard tariff supplied under the Crown Commercial Services. The heat is supplied under the Whitehall District Heat System.
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Amanda Martin:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on ensuring that (a) Portsmouth and (b) other areas receive sufficient funding to meet national cancer waiting time targets as part of the National Cancer Plan for England. \p James Murray: The Government will get the NHS diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster , including in Portsmouth. We have already delivered 5.2 million more appointments nationwide - including many for cancer diagnosis and treatment, helping more patients to access cancer care.

The Government has committed significant investment into cancer care as part of wider funding to reduce elective waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. At Spending Review 2025, we invested in new surgical hubs and diagnostic scanners, to build capacity for over 30,000 more procedures and 1.25 million diagnostic tests.

The National Cancer Plan, to be published in the new year, will include further details on how we will how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients in England.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department was involved in the development of the Electric Car Grant. \p James Murray: Government policy is developed and agreed through the collective agreement process, with His Majesty’s Treasury responsible for scrutinising public spending to ensure value for money.
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Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of businesses closing and vanishing from high streets on councils seeking payment of business rate liabilities. \p Dan Tomlinson: Business rates are an important source of funding for services local Government provides. A fair business rates system is one in which everyone pays their share

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL properties benefit from much-needed certainty and support.  Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with businesses on the potential impact of reductions in levels of relief through business rates relief schemes on those businesses. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Treasury has engaged with a range of stakeholders on business rates about an array of topics. The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report brings together extensive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century.

As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to extend full expensing to leased assets to support small and medium-sized transport businesses that lease vehicles. \p Dan Tomlinson: The UK has one of the most generous and competitive capital allowances regimes in the world and is top of the rankings of OECD countries for plant and machinery capital allowances.

The Annual Investment Allowance allows both incorporated and unincorporated businesses to deduct the entire cost of investment in both main and special rate assets in one go, up to £1 million per year, including assets bought for leasing or hiring.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a lower business rates multiplier for pubs on levels of investment. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible properties, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context, into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Under the previous Government, RHL relief was due to end entirely in April 2025, and so by extending it, the Government has saved the average pub, with a ratable value of £16,800, over £3,300.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of (a) shops, (b) sports stadiums, (c) film studios and (d) airports that would be liable for the surcharge on Rateable Values above £500,000. \p Dan Tomlinson: As announced at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government is sustainably funding this by introducing a higher multiplier on properties with RVs of £500,000 and above.

The Valuation Office Agency has published data on the number of properties with current RVs of £500,000 or above.

Every three years, all non-domestic properties are revalued. The next revaluation will take effect on 1 April 2026. This may affect which properties are in scope of the new higher multiplier. Further detail will be published at the Budget.
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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has considered mandating the use of compostable fresh produce stickers; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on arable land. \p Mary Creagh: The Department has not considered mandating the use of compostable fresh produce stickers and does not currently have plans to assess the potential impact of such a measure on arable land. However, we remain committed to supporting sustainable packaging solutions and continue to monitor developments in this area.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will list each date on which (a) Ministers and (b) Officials have had a meeting with Greenpeace since 4 July 2024. \p Mary Creagh: Ministers have met with Greenpeace and discussions continue at an official level.
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Kirith Entwistle:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the risk to children of developing (a) E. coli and (b) other serious diseases from water sources in the North West. \p Emma Hardy: The 2025 classification results are expected to be released on 25 November 2025.

Companies use tight process controls including filtration, coagulation, chlorine disinfection, and UV/ozone treatment where appropriate, with operational responses when raw water quality deteriorates. Both raw water sources and final water are frequently monitored and tested to ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016. The acceptable concentration of E.coli is 0/100ml at customers' taps, treatment works, or reservoirs.

The Inspectorate oversees company performance through monitoring results, risk assessments, and event notifications, which drive necessary actions and investment. Our risk assessment team actively reviews water safety planning and operational measures, explicitly considering vulnerable populations including children when assessing and responding to microbial incidents.
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Kirith Entwistle:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to help tackle water pollution at beaches in the North West. \p Emma Hardy: The 2025 classification results are expected to be released on 25 November 2025.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have been employed by (a) Natural England, (b) the Environment Agency, and (c) the Office for Environmental Protection in each year since 2005. \p Mary Creagh: Information on the number of people employed in Government organisations including Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Office for Environmental Protection is published monthly on gov.uk as part of Government transparency commitments. Information can be accessed for 2017 through 2025 at the following web address:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/defra-workforce-management-information
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement on the number of cross-border transfers of livestock since 2020. \p Dame Angela Eagle: We have agreed to work towards a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Area which will slash costs and remove red tape. The removal of the need for Export Health Certification would save trading businesses up to £200 per consignment each time goods are sent.

Later we will start the detailed negotiations on the SPS agreement, as well as the other commitments from our summit in May.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to support (a) households, (b) businesses and (c) developers to increase the re-use of greywater. \p Emma Hardy: A consultation launched on 23 September 2025 proposes tightening Building Regulations to see new homes fitted with Water Saving features, such as aerated taps and showerheads, and dual flush toilets. Strengthened Water Efficiency Standards through updated Building Regulations will boost housebuilding and keep more money in families’ pockets. Updated standards will bolster drought resilience and unblock developments in water scarce areas. Future innovations such as using recycled greywater in homes, is also being considered in a call for evidence running alongside the consultation.

The Independent Water Commission Report published in summer recommended that Government work with regulators to develop a new policy and regulatory framework to drive the adoption of reuse infrastructure in the household and non-household space. The Government will respond to the commission’s recommendations through a White Paper and new water reform Bill.

Government is also working with Ofwat to encourage higher levels of water and wastewater efficiency in new developments through environmental incentives.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to implement the Chalk Stream Restoration Implementation Plan. \p Emma Hardy: Chalk streams are embedded in our plan to reform the water sector. The Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good. Our focus is now on delivering this revolution across the entire water sector, ensuring chalk streams, alongside all our rivers, lakes, and seas, benefit from this era of reform.

As such, the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack, which was announced by the previous government, falls short of these wider ambitions and is no longer being taken forward.
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James Wild:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the protection of chalk streams in North West Norfolk constituency. \p Emma Hardy: Chalk streams are incredible source of national pride. As one of Britain’s most nature rich habitats, they support some of our rarest wildlife – from chalk salmon to trout, they are home to beloved and endangered species.

The Government recognises the importance of protecting these globally rare habitats.
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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) homes retrofitted under the Eco4 scheme are inspected and (b) any (i) substandard and (ii) unsafe work is fully remediated. \p Martin McCluskey: Government is offering free inspections of all properties where external wall insulation was fitted under ECO4. The focus is on this measure as audits highlighted particular issues with external wall insulation under the scheme. Ofgem will contact every household with external wall insulation that has not yet been audited.

Remediation is already taking place to address substandard and unsafe work, and over half of the issues identified to date have been fixed. Trustmark, certification bodies and installation businesses are working hard to resolve these issues. They will be rectified at no cost to the consumer.
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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to extend support for anaerobic digestion plants due to expire under the Renewables Obligation. \p Michael Shanks: The Government currently supports anaerobic digestion (AD) through the Renewables Obligation (RO), Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive, Feed-in-Tariffs, and the Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS). The Government has no plans to extend the RO when it comes to an end from 2027 onwards. Since the RO was launched in 2002, the energy landscape has evolved, and the scheme no longer provides the correct market incentives or value for money for electricity generation.

For biomethane from AD, the Government expects to consult this financial year on a policy framework to follow the GGSS, which closes to applications in 2028.
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Luke Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Warm Homes Plan will include (a) independent inspections of retrofit work, (b) requirements for training for installers and (c) protections for residents. \p Martin McCluskey: The Government is reviewing the system of consumer protection and oversight for home retrofit installations. This work looks at the entire landscape: from how installers work in people’s homes to where homeowners turn for rapid action and enforcement if things go wrong. More information will be shared in the forthcoming Warm Homes Plan.

The Government is planning to consult on proposals for retrofit system reform early next year.
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Catherine West:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) energy companies correctly bill consumers by default and (b) any billing mistakes are corrected promptly and without significant delay. \p Martin McCluskey: Ofgem, as the independent regulator, is responsible for ensuring good consumer outcomes, including accurate billing by energy companies. The government committed in its manifesto to strengthen the regulator to require higher standards of performance and ensure there is automatic customer compensation for failures.

On 10 November Ofgem published plans to overhaul customer service standards, including a review of its Guaranteed Standards of Performance. These set minimum standards of performance that all suppliers must meet for specific services. If they fail to do so, they must pay £40 automatic compensation to affected consumers. In addition, the Government is consulting on reforms to the role and powers of the Energy Ombudsman to ensure that consumers have fairer, faster access to redress when things go wrong. This includes removing the barriers which prevent consumers from accessing the Ombudsman’s services, such as low levels of awareness and long waiting times.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the mine water geothermal heat project recently piloted in Gateshead, what steps his Department is taking to support the development and rollout of low-cost, ecological, alternative carbon heating systems using geothermal energy from flooded coal mines or sewer systems. \p Martin McCluskey: To achieve net zero at lowest cost, we are accelerating low-carbon technologies, including geothermal. Water from coal mines and sewer systems offers strong potential for heat networks. Projects can apply to the Green Heat Network Fund for support. DESNZ promotes sewer heat recovery as a reliable urban heat source, given its stable temperatures and alignment with demand. To ensure sustainable deployment, DESNZ issued Exclusion Zone Guidance to protect sewer thermal integrity and avoid conflicts between abstraction points, giving developers and water companies confidence in performance and investment. The Mining Remediation Authority has also published opportunity maps.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether UK (a) climate and (b) carbon capture, usage and storage initiatives are coordinated with U.S. federal or state programmes. \p Michael Shanks: The United States is Britain’s closest ally. Our two countries have a long, deep history of close cooperation. This is demonstrated by the Technology Prosperity Deal signed by the Prime Minister and the President during his recent State Visit, which included ambitious civil nuclear collaboration.

The United States are also a key UK partner in Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, as the world leader in deployment and current capacity, on which we each engage multilaterally within the Carbon Management Challenge and the Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS Initiative.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that electricity demand from data centres does not (a) adversely impact energy security and (b) increase costs for (i) households and (ii) businesses. \p Michael Shanks: The electricity system benefits from a diverse energy mix, with the Capacity Market ensuring supply meets demand.

The Government is committed to ensuring electricity networks can meet rising electricity demand, including from data centres. The Capacity Market ensures supply meets demand. It operates by securing most of the required capacity four years in advance, with additional capacity secured one year ahead based on updated forecasts. This approach ensures Great Britain meets the Reliability Standard, which balances cost and reliability to maintain adequate electricity security.

As a part of the AI Growth Zones programme, the government will encourage data centres to locate in areas where their energy demand reduces the strain on the system by utilising excess renewable energy generation (such as Scotland, Cumbria and the North East). The design of this policy is ongoing and will soon go out to consultation.

Cost controls will be incorporated, to minimise the risk of any gap between price support and constraint costs appearing on consumer bills.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ is committed to looking after the welfare of our staff.

(a) We have Domestic Abuse guidance in place to support staff

(b) We have Domestic Abuse guidance in place to support managers. We also promote Cross-Government Domestic Abuse awareness training.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Lorraine Beavers:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to investigate incidents of incorrectly installed cavity wall insulation that was installed before 2021. \p Martin McCluskey: Cavity wall insulation (CWI) is one of the most cost-effective means of improving energy efficiency in people’s homes when installed in suitable homes and supported by appropriate installation standards and guarantees. However, the Government is aware that there are instances where issues have arisen in some homes which may be attributed to a CWI installation.

For installations under previous government schemes, guidance is available on the Government’s website for consumers who suspect they may have faulty CWI installed in their home, outlining routes to redress under these circumstances at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cavity-wall-insulation-cwi-consumer-guide-to-issues-arising-from-installations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support the growth of community owned energy projects. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy will enhance existing support to community energy by partnering with and providing funding and support to Local Government, and community energy groups as well as working with Devolved Governments. This will help to roll out local and community renewable energy projects across the UK.

Great British Energy will also provide commercial, technical and project planning assistance, increasing capability and capacity to build a pipeline of successful projects in local areas.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Preet Kaur Gill:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he will take to ensure community groups are central to the delivery of local power plans. \p Michael Shanks: The Local Power Plan will be a joint plan between GBE and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero which will outline our shared vision for the local and community energy sector: to drive the growth of renewable energy projects and support efforts to unlock cleaner, cheaper and more resilient power at the community level.

We are continuing to develop the Local Power Plan with GBE and updates will be provided soon.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the (a) development of the anaerobic digestion and biomethane sector, (b) design of support mechanisms for that sector and (c) inclusion of biomethane in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. \p Michael Shanks: Biomethane production is supported by the Green Gas Support Scheme, which is open to applications until March 2028. Following the February 2024 call for evidence, the Government intends to consult on a future policy framework consultation this financial year.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to biomethane combustion where supplied directly to ETS installations. Where injected into the gas grid, there is not currently a mechanism to ensure biomethane is accounted for separately.

The Department is considering feedback on the impacts of this to inform next steps and will provide an update in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of granting Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project status to large-scale anaerobic digestion and biomethane facilities; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project status designation on (a) the delivery of large-scale anaerobic digestion and biomethane projects and (b) the UK' net zero and energy security targets. \p Michael Shanks: The Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime streamlines planning for major projects, making processes faster and fairer for developers and communities. Large-scale infrastructure is vital for secure, reliable, and affordable energy while meeting decarbonisation targets. Biomethane supports these goals as a low-carbon, domestically produced energy source. The Department is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other stakeholders to identify the best ways to enable deployment of larger anaerobic digestion and biomethane plants, including assessing whether NSIP designation is the most effective approach to remove barriers and accelerate delivery toward achieving the UK’s net zero targets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Barry Gardiner:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will steps he will take to prevent Drax power station from burning old growth forest wood in its power station between now and 2027. \p Michael Shanks: We work closely with Ofgem on monitoring environmental regulations and forestry practices in areas where biomass is sourced to ensure the sustainability of the feedstock coming to the UK.

In October 2023 Drax adopted a policy of not sourcing material directly from old growth areas in British Columbia for Drax Power Station in Selby. As a result of Ofgem’s investigation, Drax are currently conducting a global review of their supply chain through an independent auditor. We will carefully consider the results of this audit.

From 2027 onwards, the new Low Carbon Dispatchable Contract for Difference strengthens sustainability requirements by ensuring no subsidy is paid for electricity generated from primary material harvested from primary forest or old growth areas.
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Josh Babarinde:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support Eastbourne residents with energy costs. \p Martin McCluskey: We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills while we transition to clean power. That is why we are expanding the Warm Home Discount (WHD) to around an additional 2.7 million households, resulting in up to 6 million households receiving the £150 support to help with their energy bill costs.

In Eastbourne, in 2024-25, 11.9% of households benefited from WHD – that works out as 5,896 households.

In the South East region, the expansion of the Warm Home Discount is projected to add an approximate additional 350,000 households, an increase of 111%.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that participants in the Contracts for Difference auction process do not source solar panels or components linked to forced labour in the Uyghur Region. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is committed to tackling forced labour in solar supply chains, including in Xinjiang.

The Government is strengthening due diligence requirements through the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 and by reviewing Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act.

In addition, the Solar Roadmap, published in the summer, outlines actions to build ethical, resilient supply chains, including support for the Solar Stewardship Initiative, which is conducting independent audits of manufacturers.

CfD Projects over 300MW must submit a Supply Chain Plan demonstrating steps to prevent modern slavery and labour exploitation, which the Department monitors throughout delivery.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the UK’s energy infrastructure to meet demand from data centres. \p Michael Shanks: The Department’s energy and emissions projections include growth in power demand from computing services such as data centres. However, to ensure a comprehensive view of the energy system, the methodology projects at a broader sector level, not disaggregating specific estimates for data centres.

The Capacity Market ensures supply meets demand. It operates by securing most of the required capacity four years in advance, with additional capacity secured one year ahead based on updated forecasts. This approach ensures Great Britain meets the Reliability Standard, which balances cost and reliability to maintain adequate electricity security.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that households without signal are able to access the smart meter network. \p Martin McCluskey: The Data Communications Company (DCC) is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain.

The DCC is also required by licence conditions to seek to provide coverage to all premises where it is practicable and cost proportionate, and to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage. For the minority of premises that currently do not receive WAN coverage, a new solution will be trialled early next year which will involve harnessing, with their consent, customers’ broadband connections to carry smart metering communications.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-21)

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Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse. \p Hilary Benn: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) follows the Ministry of Justice for its HR policies. The MoJ published updated domestic abuse guidance and support on their intranet in August 2025, helping staff and managers assess safety concerns, and providing information on how best to support individuals and teams. This guidance is readily accessible to all staff in the NIO alongside a range of wellbeing support.