theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26353 on Tyres: Recycling, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of financial support available for increasing domestic tyre processing capacity. \p Mary Creagh: Defra has not completed an assessment as described; however the Government offers a range of support to businesses looking to invest in recycling infrastructure in the UK, including through the British Business Bank and National Wealth Fund, and financial support continues to be available for increasing domestic tyre processing capacity through Innovate UK responsive programmes and more targeted programmes focused on resource efficiency.

As explained in response to PQ 26353 on 3rd February, the Secretary of State has convened the Circular Economy Taskforce to help us develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. Together we are considering the evidence for interventions right across the economy and are exploring a wide range of levers to drive circularity, including in the recycling sector, as we develop our strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timeline is for introducing legislation to ban (a) trail hunting and (b) the import of hunting trophies. \p Mary Creagh: Trail Hunting is a devolved matter with regard to Scotland and Northern Ireland; hunting with dogs is a reserved matter with respect to Wales and therefore, the information provided relates to England and Wales only.

The Government made a manifesto commitment to ban Trail Hunting as part of a set of measures to improve animal welfare. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing. Announcements will be made in due course.

The Government also committed to a hunting trophy import ban in its manifesto and we intend to deliver on this. We are currently engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can deliver on this commitment in the most effective way.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what enforcement mechanisms his Department plans to introduce for the ban on trail hunting. \p Mary Creagh: This is a devolved matter with regard to Scotland and Northern Ireland; hunting with dogs is a reserved matter with respect to Wales and therefore, the information provided relates to England and Wales only.

The Government made a manifesto commitment to ban Trail Hunting as part of a set of measures to improve animal welfare. Work to determine the best approach for doing so is ongoing. Details on the implementation and enforcement of the policy are part of this policy development. Announcements will be made in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

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Alex Ballinger:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect grouse and their habitats. \p Mary Creagh: There are two native species of grouse in England, red and black grouse. Black grouse are of conservation concern because of a long-term decline in their numbers due to a combination of factors including predation, climate change and changes in agricultural practices.

As with all wild birds, red and black grouse are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. The Game Act, 1831 applies a close season to both species to ensure hunting is sustainable. However, there is a long-standing voluntary moratorium on the hunting of black grouse due to their long-term decline.

Typical habitat for both species is peatland, heathland and moorland. We are committed to protecting these nature-rich habitats through promoting sustainable land management and restoration practices. These habitats are included in the Government commitment to deliver our legally binding biodiversity target to restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat by 2042. The Government’s Nature for Climate Fund is also enabling peatland restoration and native woodland planting which will provide benefits for both species of grouse.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to report on the (a) adequacy of and (b) potential impact of new free trade agreements on (i) fishing stocks, (ii) fishing fleets, (iii) nature conservation and (iv) natural capital at the outset of each new trade negotiation. \p Daniel Zeichner: It is always the UK’s intention to enter into FTA negotiations seeking ambitious outcomes with regard to the sustainability and conservation of fish stocks and wider marine environment. The Department for Business and Trade’s impact assessments set out the potential long-run impacts of FTAs; including the associated environmental impacts on natural capital and fisheries.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the Flood Re-Programme to include properties built after 2009. \p Emma Hardy: The Flood Re scheme was established to ensure UK households living in properties at high risk of flooding can access affordable home insurance. Homes built after 2009 were not included within the scope of the scheme due to changes to planning policy in 2006 specifying that inappropriate development in floodplains should be avoided.

Where development is necessary in a flood risk area, it should be made flood resistant and resilient and safe for their lifetime, without increasing flood risk elsewhere.

Flood Re’s second Quinquennial Review was published in July 2024. Consideration was given to extending the scope of the Scheme including homes built after 2009. Flood Re determined that the scheme should not currently be extended, citing the lack of substantive evidence of a systemic market failure. There are currently no plans to extend the scope of the scheme, however Defra regularly reviews all policies, including eligibility for Flood Re.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the value of single malt Scotch whisky to the economy. \p Daniel Zeichner: No formal assessment has been made by the department, but a report by the Scotch Whisky Association, using figures from industry and the Government from production to employment, concluded that Scotch Whisky’s contribution to the UK economy reached £7.1 billion in 2022.

Exports of Scotch Whisky were valued at £5.4 billion in 2024, of which £1.7 billion was Single Malt Whisky.

The entire country is proud of Scotch Whiskey as one of the world’s most loved products.

SOURCE:

https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/2024-export-figures/

https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/scotch-whisky-boosts-uk-economy-by-71bn/
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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to align with changes to the EU Honey Directive on labelling published on 14 May 2024. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra, alongside the Food Standards Agency in Wales and Food Standards Scotland, are working together to assess and address issues arising from the EU’s recent amendments relating to the Honey Directive 2001/110/EC. Any decision on future policy will focus on maintaining our existing high food standards, protecting consumers, and supporting businesses and consumer choice.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press release entitled Record investment to protect thousands of UK homes and businesses, published on 4 February 2025, whether the 1,000 flood defence projects will include projects aimed at tackling surface water flooding. \p Emma Hardy: Protecting communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. This Government is investing £2.65 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences.

The list of projects to receive Government funding in 2025/26 is being consented in the usual way over the coming weeks through Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, with local representation. We expect this to include schemes that address risk from surface water flooding.

A full list of schemes to receive funding in 25/26 will be published in the Spring.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of food procured by his Department is sourced in the UK. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra does not hold information on where food procured by the department is sourced from. However, for the first time ever, as announced in January and starting right away, the Government will review food currently bought in the public sector and where it is bought from. This work will be a significant first step to inform any future changes to public sector food procurement policies and help make it an equal playing field for British farmers to bid into the £5 billion spent each year on public sector catering contracts.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government has submitted a report to UNESCO on the state of the Tower of London World Heritage Site. \p Chris Bryant: I can confirm that DCMS, as the State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, submitted a State of Conservation Report for the Tower of London World Heritage Site to UNESCO in November 2024, at UNESCO’s request. The executive summary of this report is published online: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/488/documents/

We expect the report to be considered by members of the World Heritage Committee at the annual committee meeting in July 2025.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Chinese Embassy near the Tower of London World Heritage Site on its UNESCO world heritage status. \p Chris Bryant: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is the UK State Party to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, but does not make assessments of planning applications and their impact on World Heritage Sites.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether UK Sport has had discussions with the Amaury Sport Organisation on the UK hosting the 2027 Grand Départ of the Tour de France. \p Stephanie Peacock: We remain committed to delivering international events with pride, showcasing the UK’s expertise, generating significant socio-economic benefits and inspiring the next generation’s talent.

The UK Government would be honoured to bring the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes ‘Grand Départ’ stages to the United Kingdom in the coming years. Future hosting decisions are rightly a sensitive matter and the responsibility of the Amaury Sport Organisation.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of misinformation created by AI-generated news on public trust. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government takes very seriously the impact that online mis- and disinformation can have, including risks posed by AI. We also recognise the concerns around AI models generating large volumes of content that is indistinguishable from human generated content which may also impact trust in the information environment. Enabling users, and institutions, to determine what media is real is a key part of tackling a wide range of AI risks.

Journalism plays an invaluable role in the fabric of our society and we are committed to supporting a free, sustainable and plural media landscape, as the best way of maintaining a shared understanding of facts. We are engaging with the press sector on these concerns, including through a recent ministerial roundtable with major UK publishers and broadcasters on the broader impact of generative AI on journalism. We have also provided funding to the Bridging Responsible AI Divides research programme at The University of Edinburgh, which produced the report ‘Generative AI and Journalism: Mapping the Risk Landscape’. We will continue to work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, as the lead department on counter-disinformation policy and monitor developments in this area to inform future policymaking.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to ring-fence funds levied through the statutory gambling levy for the research, treatment and prevention of gambling harms. \p Stephanie Peacock: As set out in the government’s consultation response, section 123 of the Gambling Act 2005 is clear that statutory levy funding will be ringfenced for gambling-related purposes and all spending is subject to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and HM Treasury approval. We will ensure robust governance processes for the levy system as a whole to ensure that funding allocated for research, prevention and treatment to the lead commissioning bodies we have appointed is being used in line with the government’s objectives.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of AI on employment opportunities for freelance press journalists. \p Stephanie Peacock: Journalism plays an invaluable role in the fabric of our society and we are committed to supporting a free, sustainable and plural media landscape. At the same time, the UK is well placed to seize the transformative opportunities presented by AI and is committed to the responsible adoption of AI across all parts of the economy. In this context, we recognise concerns from the press sector that recent developments in generative AI pose risks, as well as opportunities, to journalism, including those who work freelance. We are engaging with the press sector on these concerns, including through a recent ministerial roundtable with major UK publishers and broadcasters. We have also provided funding to the Bridging Responsible AI Divides research programme at The University of Edinburgh, which produced the report ‘Generative AI and Journalism: Mapping the Risk Landscape’. We will continue to monitor developments here to inform future policymaking, including with regard to employment opportunities for freelance journalists.

We recognise that particular concerns have been raised with regard to the use of copyrighted news content in the training of AI models and how this interacts with UK copyright law. Our consultation on the impact of AI on the copyright regime has now closed. We will consider all the responses we have received and continue to develop our policy approach in partnership with creative industries, media and AI stakeholders. Addressing this is an urgent priority for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, but no decisions will be taken until we are confident we have a practical plan that delivers for the media and creative industries.
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Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support her Department has offered local authorities to help facilitate local VE Day 2025 celebrations. \p Stephanie Peacock: On March 5th, the Government announced a UK-wide programme to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day, with a series of events and celebrations that will share stories of the Second World War generation. Commemorations will kick off on Monday 5 May and will include a range of events as well as community activity such as street parties, BBQs and community get-togethers. Local Authorities are encouraged to amplify and support street parties and community activity on Monday 5 May, echoing the celebrations that took place 80 years ago. More information can be found on the Government’s dedicated interactive website: ve-vjday80.gov.uk.

Funding will be made available through the National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All for organisations across the UK to bid for grants to host community events, activities and exhibitions to help tell the stories of the Second World War at a local level, ensuring the legacy of the war and its impact on individuals and communities across the country is not forgotten.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Afghan counterpart on improving safe access to education for girls in that country. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We repeatedly condemn the Taliban's draconian restrictions on women and girls' rights, both bilaterally and internationally. Ministers do not engage with the Taliban. The UK Mission to Afghanistan in Doha continues to press Taliban acting ministers and Afghan officials on their grotesque human rights abuses, including the recent ban on female medical education. UK officials most recently visited Kabul in January 2025 to raise human rights issues with senior members of the Taliban, including their policies which limit women and girls' access to education. While in New York in January I publicly demonstrated my support for Afghan women and girls at the UN, ahead of the International Day of Education on 24 January.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of religious tensions between communities in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We are deeply concerned about religious tensions between communities in Syria, and the impact this may have for Syria's stability. Reports that large numbers of civilians have been killed in coastal areas in ongoing violence are horrific. In my statement to the House on 10 March, and in the Foreign Secretary's public statement on 9 March, we have been clear that the interim Syrian authorities must ensure the protection of all Syrians and set out a clear path to an inclusive political transition. We will judge them by their actions.
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Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to tackle the promotion of sectarianism in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is engaging regularly with the interim Syrian authorities to support them in taking steps that will deliver a more stable, free and prosperous future for the Syrian people. In my statement to the House on 10 March, and in the Foreign Secretary's public statement on 9 March, we made clear that the interim authorities have a responsibility to ensure the protection of all Syrian civilians and to make progress towards an inclusive political transition which leads to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We will judge them by their actions.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the (a) amount and (b) proportion of the overseas aid budget that will be spent in the UK in each of the next three years. \p Stephen Doughty: The Home Secretary is committed to ensuring that asylum costs fall and has already acted. The Government has taken measures to reduce the asylum backlog, reform the asylum accommodation system to end the use of expensive accommodation in the next Spending Review period and increase detention capacity to facilitate more asylum removals.

Whilst there will always be volatility in asylum forecasts, we expect these decisions to drive down overall in-donor refugee costs over the next Spending Review and the Home Office are well incentivised to deliver this.
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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding his Department plans to provide for international climate finance in (a) 2025-26 and (b) each of the next five financial years. \p Catherine West: Tackling climate change is a top priority for this government and we remain committed to International Climate Finance. We will set out our spending plans for future years following the completion of the Spending Review and departmental resource allocation processes.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the social and economic impact of the British Council’s work on the UK’s soft power and international relations. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The British Council plays a leading role in promoting UK values and interests through its work in arts and culture, education, and promotion of the English language.

The British Council's 2023 Global Perceptions report survey demonstrates that cultural relations initiatives are connected to higher levels of trust in the UK Government. The average score for trust in the UK Government given by young people surveyed in the G20 countries was 54%. However, for those who had participated in a UK cultural initiative, the score was 62%, and where this initiative was delivered by the British Council, it was 69%.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the rights of Afghan women and girls. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK Government condemns the Taliban's inhuman repression of Afghan women and girls. We are working with international partners to maintain collective pressure to press the Taliban to respect the human rights of women and girls. While in New York in January, I publicly demonstrated my support for Afghan women and girls at the UN, ahead of the International Day of Education on 24 January. The UK Government is committed that at least 50 percent of Afghans reached by UK aid are women and girls.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help remove barriers to the development of Small Modular Reactors. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recognises that Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could play an important role helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs.

The Department has supported development of SMRs through the Advanced Nuclear Fund and the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund. Separately, Great British Nuclear is running an SMR technology selection process and is on track to make final decisions in spring.

In addition, we recently launched a regulatory taskforce to streamline regulatory processes and published the draft EN-7 National Policy Statement, setting out a refreshed planning framework for new nuclear reactors, including SMRs.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions (a) Ministers, (b) advisors and (c) officials in his Department have had with the Office for Nuclear Regulation on Small Modular Reactors. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by Midlands Engine entitled The nuclear industry in the Midlands, published in February 2025; and whether he is taking steps to help support nuclear-related economic growth in the (a) East Midlands and (b) West Midlands. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is supporting rapid development of the nuclear fission and fusion energy sectors.

For fusion this includes investing in cutting edge research capabilities and facilities, and implementing a proportionate regulatory framework to cement the UK as a global hub for fusion investment and commercialisation. This includes the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype fusion energy power plant which aims to prove the viability of commercial fusion and catalyse fusion sector development.

We are determined to work with these sectors to ensure they continue to be economic engines for communities across our country, including the Midlands, and the Government is grateful for the excellent work Midlands Engine has done to highlight the opportunities in these areas.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce household energy bills in Fylde constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers – including those in Fylde - permanently. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million.

The Government has extended the Household Support Fund in England until 31 March 2026 with an extra £742 million in support, with additional funding for the Devolved Governments. In addition, I have also worked with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million Winter Commitment to help customers struggling with bills this winter.
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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with DCC to ensure there will be alternate smart meter connections in rural areas. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Data Communications Company (DCC) is required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of communications network coverage for Great Britain beyond its currently provisioned minimum level of 99.25%.

The DCC are examining a number of options to reach homes not currently able to get smart metering network coverage as part of its Future Connectivity strategy, which includes consideration of a full range of technical solutions including cellular options.
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David Mundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many households in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency remain dependent on the Radio Teleswitch Service for their energy meter connections. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Department does not hold constituency level data on remaining RTS meters, but we are regularly engaging with energy suppliers, Ofgem and the industry body Energy UK to review local plans for the switch-off.

Energy suppliers have contacted all premises with RTS meters and Ofgem is encouraging customers to book an appointment to ensure they are provided with a replacement meter ahead of the switch-off.
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Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has (a) instructed or (b) provided guidance to Ofgem's Radio Teleswitch Service Taskforce on what steps it should take on the transition for households affected by the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service in June 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Department attends the Industry Taskforce on the Radio Teleswitch Service, which was convened by Ofgem last year and is led by Energy UK.

The Taskforce involves all major energy suppliers and is working with consumer groups, local authorities, housing associations and other key stakeholders to urgently ramp up efforts to replace the remaining RTS meters in Great Britain before the service ends.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reduced energy imports from Norway on energy prices in the UK. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Great Britain has a secure and diverse energy system, which has delivered reliable energy supplies this winter and over recent years, despite challenging global conditions. This includes the UK’s homegrown energy from renewables and nuclear.

The UK imports gas through pipelines with Norway and mainland Europe and from the global market via Liquefied Natural Gas ports, and have ten operational electricity interconnectors with Europe. Our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower provide energy security in the long term and help protect billpayers from global markets.
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Clive Jones:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on data sharing to identify households eligible for energy social tariffs. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The department is working closely with other government departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions, to understand how we can better use and share data to better target support at customers that need help. I am also leading a working group with Energy UK and other stakeholders to consider how we can take further sustained action on improving affordability and accessibility of energy.
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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with Green Deal companies on (a) minimising potential (i) disruption and (ii) distress to homeowners during environmental energy upgrades and (b) ensuring compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_368

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support people in Newbury constituency with energy bills. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The Government has extended the Household Support Fund in England until 31 March 2026 with an extra £742 million in support, with additional funding for the Devolved Governments. In addition, I have also worked with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million Winter Commitment to help customers struggling with bills this winter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_369

Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in energy prices on pensioners in Newbury constituency no longer receiving winter fuel payment. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Over a million pensioners will continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment and through our commitment to protect the triple lock, those on the full new State Pension will receive a boost of over £400 – twice the average winter fuel payment. We continue to urge everyone who might be eligible for pension credit to claim so that they can also continue to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

The Department’s Warm Home Discount (WHD) provides a £150 rebate off winter energy bills for eligible low-income households. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. I have also worked with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million Winter Commitment to help customers struggling with bills this winter. I have been clear with suppliers that they should do all that they can to support their customers – including vulnerable consumers – who may be struggling with their bills.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_370

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of delays in smart meter replacements for households affected by the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) closure; and whether (a) penalties and (b) enforcement measures will be applied to energy suppliers failing to provide timely replacements. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against their licence obligations. Ofgem have been clear that they expect energy suppliers to arrange a suitable replacement metering solution for their customers with RTS meters in a timely manner ahead of the switch off to avoid a disruption to their service.

Ofgem is consulting on new licence conditions which will seek to ensure consumers are treated fairly and have access to an alternative metering arrangement following the cessation of RTS. The consultation ends on 11 March and is available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/radio-teleswitch-service-rts-electricity-supply-licence-changes
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_371

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what alternative (a) heating and (b) metering solutions he plans to provide to households that are unable to install a smart meter due to location or connectivity issues following the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: In the few circumstances where a supplier may not currently be able to install a smart meter, Ofgem has been clear that the supplier is obligated under their licence conditions to ensure that a suitable metering system is offered and that the customer's heating and hot water service is not disrupted.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_372

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the average cost to consumers of replacing Total Heating Total Control systems following the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service; and what discussions he has had with stakeholders on the potential merits of direct financial assistance for people affected. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Industry-led Radio Teleswitch Service Taskforce is investigating with energy suppliers the volume and costs of any additional works that may be required for Total Heating Total Control systems. Energy suppliers are best placed, and responsible for, advising their customers.
wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_373
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_373

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has taken steps to provide Ofgem with enforcement powers to help ensure that energy suppliers provide Radio Teleswitch Service-affected customers with a tariff closely equivalent to their existing arrangement; and what steps Ofgem plans to take to penalise potential non-compliance. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem has been clear that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to ensure former RTS consumers stay on a closely equivalent tariff.

Ofgem is also consulting on plans to introduce new RTS specific licence conditions for energy suppliers, which include a proposal that would require energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to provide a tariff that leaves their customers ‘no worse off’ than previously once their RTS meter is replaced. The consultation closes on 11 March and is available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/radio-teleswitch-service-rts-electricity-supply-licence-changes
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_374

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 31124 on Renewable Energy: Staff, whether the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport will support oil and gas workers into the (a) Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage and (b) hydrogen sectors. \p Sarah Jones: The Energy Skills Passport, launched in January, is designed to help oil and gas workers transition into clean energy sectors like offshore wind. In phase two, we are exploring opportunities to expand it into other clean energy sectors such as CCUS and Hydrogen. The RGU estimates the offshore renewables workforce, which includes offshore wind, CCS, and hydrogen, could increase to between 70,000 and 138,000 in 2030 creating opportunities for skilled workers as the sector matures. Further decisions for future CCUS deployment, including in the Scottish Cluster, will be taken in due course. As the Energy Skills Passport develops, we will continue working with industry to expand its scope, ensuring it effectively supports workers moving into emerging clean energy sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_375

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) apprenticeships and (b) training programmes provide the requisite skills for the (i) the clean energy and (ii) Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage sectors. \p Sarah Jones: The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is engaging widely with industry experts, and trade unions for a clear assessment of the skills opportunities and challenges. It is working closely with Skills England to ensure that skills systems reforms support the clean energy transition. It has recently launched the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers into new roles in the clean energy sector.

In phase two, we are exploring opportunities to expand it into other clean energy sectors such as CCUS. CCUS could support up to 50,000 jobs as the sector matures into the 2030s.

The government is also transforming the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a growth and skills offer which will allow employers to invest in a wider range of training.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_376

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by Midlands Engine entitled Energy Security White Paper, published in December 2024. \p Michael Shanks: The Government welcomes this paper as a strong example of regional leadership in the energy space and the commitment of the Midlands Engine Partnership to look to align its actions with Great British energy’s priorities and functions. The Midlands is a crucial region to the UK’s clean energy transition and the paper identifies many important issues that need to be addressed, including grid connections and reform of the planning system, where we set out our approach in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_377

Harriet Cross:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to (a) prevent and (b) mitigate the potential impact of (i) offshore wind farm, (ii) solar farms and (ii) transmission infrastructure projects on (A) land disturbance, (B) scenery, (C) levels of traffic, (D), health and safety, (E) tourism and (F) property prices in (1) rural and (2) coastal communities. \p Michael Shanks: Developers prepare a thorough and comprehensive environmental assessment in preparation for the planning process. This is then subject to careful scrutiny by the Planning Inspectorate and during the decision-making stage, by the Secretary of State, for nationally significant energy projects considered under the Planning Act 2008. Local planning authorities do the same for those developments considered under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990. All of the issues listed, and many more, are routinely considered as relevant planning considerations, and are set out in the published Decision Letter for development consent decisions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_378

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much innovation funding has the (a) tidal stream and (b) wave energy sectors received since 2020. \p Michael Shanks: Tidal stream and wave technology projects are eligible to apply for a suite of innovation funding programmes delivered by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Through UKRI, several such projects have won support through programmes administered by Research and Innovation organisations, including Innovate UK and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult.

Detailed information on amounts of funding awarded to research and innovation projects is publicly available and can be found on the UKRI website:

https://www.ukri.org/what-we-do/what-we-have-funded/
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-11 conversation_379

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what engagement he has had with the wave energy sector to support the technology commercialising in the UK. \p Michael Shanks: Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on gov.uk.