theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) potential and (c) adequacy of relations between the UK and West Africa. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK and West Africa have shared interests from security to investment and development to climate resilience. But West Africa is also a diverse region, with the UK valuing its partnership with each West African nation. For example, the Foreign Secretary visited Nigeria in November and agreed a new Strategic Partnership enabling greater UK-Nigerian cooperation on shared priorities. On 7 January, Lord Collins attended Ghanaian President John Mahama's inauguration, strengthening ties with Ghana and other regional leaders. Lord Collins also visited Ghana and Senegal in September focusing on UK support to boost growth, clean energy, food security and women's empowerment. In his speech at the UK/Francophone West and Central Africa Trade Forum on 4 December, Lord Collins highlighted the Government's desire to strengthen UK trade partnerships across the region.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the (a) effectiveness, (b) potential and (c) adequacy of relations between the UK and sub-Saharan Southern Africa. \p Anneliese Dodds: The Foreign Secretary launched a five-month consultation to inform the UK's new approach to the African continent during a visit to Nigeria and South Africa in November 2024. Our goal is a fundamentally transformed partnership that delivers mutual long-term benefits, driving our domestic economic growth and addressing migration priorities. The UK enjoys warm relations with the different countries in sub-Saharan Southern Africa, illustrated by the numerous visits to the region by me, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Africa in 2024. The Minister for Africa has upcoming trips to Botswana and Tanzania in January 2025.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Syrian counterpart on the protection of Christians in that country. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary underlined the importance of an inclusive political process with interim Foreign Minister Al Shaybani during a meeting in Riyadh on 12 January. In December, senior Foreign Office officials met with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and the interim Foreign Minister. They highlighted the need to protect the rights of all civilians, including religious minorities. We are closely monitoring the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities. No one should live in fear because of what they do or do not believe in. We will continue to advocate for the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Syria and for an inclusive political transition.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure UK humanitarian aid reaches civilians in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK continues to monitor the humanitarian situation in Syria. Most border crossings remain open for humanitarian aid, enabling assistance to be delivered throughout Syria, except where active conflict is constraining this. We continue to call for unhindered access for and facilitation of humanitarian operations.

The UK has announced a further £61 million in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable Syrians inside Syria and across the region. Through NGO and UN organisations, we are providing food, healthcare, protection and other life-saving assistance. We remain in regular contact with those organisations to assess aid access and how they are managing delivery risks.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with international partners to prosecute the former President of Syria Bashar al-Assad. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK will work closely with civil society and the international community to support a Syrian-led transitional justice and accountability programme to ensure that those responsible for war crimes and other atrocities are held to account. Accountability is key to any sustainable transition.

We will continue to support partners who are playing a pivotal role in developing a credible evidence base to record atrocities committed by the former regime and others. This year alone, we have committed £1.15 million to accountability and documentation-related programmes.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19311 on Syria: Development Aid, what discussions his Department has had at official level to support the transition process. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Senior officials, including the UK Special Representative for Syria, have been engaging intensively and widely with international and regional partners. Senior Foreign Office officials travelled to Damascus in December to underline the UK's support for the Syrian people and discuss the pathway towards a more hopeful, representative and peaceful future for Syria with the new interim Syrian authorities and civil society. They discussed the importance of an inclusive transitional political process, protecting the rights of all Syrians and preventing further instability.  The UK will continue to stand with the Syrian people in building a more stable, free and prosperous future.
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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his counterpart in the United Arab Emirates to condemn the (a) detention of Ryan Cornelius in contravention of the ruling of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, (b) treatment of Ryan Cornelius in Al Awhir prison in contrary to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and (c) attempted coercion of Ryan Cornelius to sign a statement that he is well-treated in Al Awhir prison. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: FCDO Ministers regularly raise consular cases with their foreign counterparts. The Foreign Secretary last discussed Ryan Cornelius' case with the UAE Foreign Minister in December 2024. The FCDO takes the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's opinions seriously. While their recommendations are not legally binding, we will continue to highlight their concerns in discussions with UAE authorities. The FCDO are providing Mr Cornelius with consular assistance, and we take any reports of human rights violations, including coercion and poor prison conditions very seriously and, with the consent of Mr Cornelius, will raise any concerns with local authorities.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 19310 on Syria: Religious Freedom, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the treatment of Christians in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The situation in Syria remains fluid. It is too early to say what recent events might mean for Syria or the wider region. The FCDO has consistently underlined the importance of protecting all civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities, publicly and in our engagement with the interim Syrian authorities, regional and international partners. We are closely monitoring the treatment of ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians. We will continue to advocate for the right of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Syria and for an inclusive political transition.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 December 2024 to Question 19304 on Syria: Armed Conflict, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of those discussions in ensuring a peaceful transfer of power in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Intensive diplomatic engagement with Syria continues. The Foreign Secretary and I continue to engage with our regional and international partners. The Foreign Secretary recently underlined the importance of an inclusive political process with interim Foreign Minister Al Shaybani during a meeting in Riyadh on 12 January. In addition, senior Foreign Office officials travelled to Damascus in December 2024 to meet with the leader of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham and interim Minister for Foreign Affairs. They reiterated the UK's support for the Syrian people and discussed the pathway to a more hopeful, representative and peaceful future for Syria. We will continue to call on all parties to preserve Syria's territorial integrity and national unity and respect its independence and sovereignty.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 December 2024 to Question 19304 on Syria: Armed Conflict, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) availability in and (b) access of aid into Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK continues to monitor the humanitarian situation, assess needs and respond. Since the fall of Assad, the UK has announced an additional £61 million to support vulnerable Syrians. However, needs remain high while funding has fallen as donors seek to respond to multiple crises. We will continue to work with the UN and others to ensure aid in Syria is focused on meeting the most critical needs in the most efficient and effective way.

Most border crossings remain open for humanitarian aid. Humanitarian actors are able to deliver assistance throughout Syria where it is safe to do so. We continue to call for unhindered access for and facilitation of humanitarian operations.
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Mr Calvin Bailey:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help support access for UNRWA to northern Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable. I have raised the dire situation in the north of Gaza with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, most recently on 3 January. We have repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to ensure that UNRWA can continue its vital operations across Gaza, including in our contacts with Israeli ministers, and at the UN Security Council in January. The Prime Minister underlined the UK's support for UNRWA by announcing, on 11 December, an additional £13 million for UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the region, bringing our support for UNRWA's work across the region to £41m this financial year.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 December 2024 to Question 19309 on Syria: Women, what recent discussions he has had with (a) women's rights activists, (b) women-led organisations and (c) women involved in the political process in Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary and I have been engaging intensively with international and regional partners to support an inclusive political transition. The UK signed a joint statement with G7 leaders and another following the Aqaba Joint Contact Group ministerial meeting on Syria affirming that we stand ready to support a transition process that leads to credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance with respect for human rights, including for women and minorities. Support to women and girls will continue to be at the heart of the UK's policy and programmes in Syria, including through active engagement with women's rights activists, women-led organisations and women involved in the political process.
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Abtisam Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many medical evacuations  to the UK of Palestinians in Gaza who are non-British nationals there have been since 7 October 2023. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We regularly press Israel at senior levels to re-open safe, regular medical evacuation routes, and to protect healthcare facilities and staff. It is unacceptable that north Gaza now has no functioning hospitals and that medical personnel are being detained without justification.

Our support to UK-Med has treated over 300,000 patients in Gaza and we recently provided £1m, delivered through WHO, to support medically evacuated Palestinians in Egypt. We are keeping our policy under constant review to ensure the UK does everything we can to support sick and wounded Palestinian civilians.
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Abtisam Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for how many evacuations of Palestinians in Gaza with (a) pre-determination and (b) biometric excuse decisions his Department has sought permission from the Israeli authorities since 7 October 2023. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK Government has helped 505 people to leave Gaza since October 2023. 306 are British nationals and their Palestinian dependants; 38 are Palestinian nationals who qualified for assistance under the extended eligibility criteria for Gaza published on 14 December 2023. Israeli exit clearance was sought and received in each of those cases. The extended eligibility criteria are published on FCDO Travel Advice and provide for the UK Government to try to support the exit of Palestinian nationals who have a spouse, partner or a child aged 17 or under living in the UK; and who hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for longer than 6 months. Border crossings out of Gaza have been closed to civilians since Israel took control of Rafah crossing in May 2024. Nevertheless, the FCDO has helped 21 people to leave Gaza, mostly children, since October 2024.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to appoint the (a) special envoy for hostage affairs and (b) special envoy for arbitrary detention. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The FCDO is committed to strengthening support for British Nationals overseas, including through the appointment of an Envoy. Further details will be announced in due course.

William Middleton has succeeded Charles Hay as Director for Gaza Hostages.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions on (a) effective deconfliction and (b) the humanitarian situation in Gaza with his Israeli counterpart. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We continue to press Israel to end its aid restrictions and ensure that the UN and humanitarian partners can work safely and effectively. The Foreign Secretary recently wrote to Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar, alongside his French and German counterparts, calling on Israel urgently to increase, and ensure the safe distribution of, aid.

The Foreign Secretary made his third visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories this week, where he restated that Israel must avoid civilian casualties, protect civilian infrastructure, allow unfettered aid into Gaza, and ensure the UN and its humanitarian partners can operate effectively.

I have raised the dire situation in the north of Gaza with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, most recently on 3 January.

The scale of human suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. Israel must act to address it immediately. Effective deconfliction is an important part of this.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held recent discussions with humanitarian organisations on the adequacy of prosthetics supplies in Gaza; and if he will take steps to assist humanitarian organisations increase their supply. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The plight of sick, injured and disabled people in Gaza is deeply distressing. We have pressed Israel at senior levels to urgently improve healthcare provision, including significantly increasing medical supplies, and to establish sustained, safe and timely passage for patients who need medical or surgical interventions not available in Gaza. The UK has provided funding to the Jordan Hashemite Charitable Organisation (JHCO), which includes the supply of prosthetics to Jordanian field hospitals in Gaza. Through our disability inclusion programmes, we have also provided funding for assistive technology products in Gaza via the World Health Organisation. In July, we announced £5.5m in funding to UK-Med for their field hospitals. UK-Med have provided vital care to over 300,000 Gazans since the start of the conflict, including critical limb and life-saving surgeries, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation.
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Cat Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Israeli counterparts on the immediate release of Palestinian healthcare workers currently being detained without charge or trial. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Gazan civilians must be protected, and able to access effective healthcare. The UK has consistently raised concerns about the impact of this conflict on Gaza's healthcare system and medical staff, including reiterating the requirement for all parties to comply with international humanitarian law. Israel must allow medical staff to carry out their work unimpeded, and to travel around Gaza as needed. On 27 December I made clear to Israel's government that the situation in northern Gaza cannot continue, and raised our serious concern about repeated strikes on Kamal Adwan hospital, and the safety of civilians and medical workers there. The Foreign Secretary met Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar in Israel on 13 January, and stressed to him the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

We are particularly concerned by the reports of the recent Israel Defense Forces operation at Kamal Adwan hospital, and the reported detention of medical personnel there. We have raised this, and will continue to do so, directly with the Israeli Government. In recent weeks, I have specifically raised the detention of Kamal Adwan hospital director, Dr Hassam Abu Safiya, along with the wider need to ensure healthcare facilities in North Gaza are protected, and to enable World Health Organisation and International Committee of the Red Cross access, with both the Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister and Israel's Ambassador to the UK. We urge Israel to urgently clarify the reasons for Dr Hassam Abu Safiya's detention (and that of paediatrician Mohammed Hamouda), and all other health workers detained in Gaza.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies on Syria of the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. The UK has been at the forefront of the response to fast moving events, engaging regularly with regional, UN and international partners, calling for a Syrian-owned political transition process leading to an inclusive, non-sectarian and representative government. We have scaled up our humanitarian response, announcing a further £61 million to support vulnerable Syrians inside Syria and refugees across the region. We continue to monitor the situation closely.
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Mr Gregory Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what recent discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on the cost of developing Casement Park. \p Hilary Benn: Regrettably, given the amount of time wasted by the previous Government, Casement Park could not be built in time for the Euros. The risks of not completing it on time were unacceptably high. While the redevelopment of Casement Park is a devolved policy matter, we are continuing to engage with all partners involved in the project, including the Northern Ireland Executive and the GAA, and assessing the options available.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure small businesses can post parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland without completing customs declarations. \p Hilary Benn: The Windsor Framework removes the need for customs declarations for the overwhelming majority of parcels sent by businesses in Great Britain to consumers in Northern Ireland and instead, parcel carriers will continue to collect standard commercial data required.

There are, of course, no customs declarations requirements for parcels sent between private individuals within the UK.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to decolonise the (a) artwork and (b) heritage assets in (i) her Department and (ii) each of its arm's length bodies. \p Hilary Benn: There has been no change in the Northern Ireland Office’s management of artwork or heritage assets since the previous administration.

As separate entities, the responsibility for creating policy and guidance for artwork sits with each individual Arm’s Length Body, rather than with the Department.
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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he plans to decolonise the (a) artwork and (b) heritage assets in (i) her Department and (ii) each of its arm's length bodies. \p Kirsty McNeill: There has been no change in the Scotland Office’s management of artwork or heritage assets since the previous administration. The Scotland Office is pleased to showcase the best of Scottish art in partnership with the Fleming Collection and the Government Art Collection. Last year, the Government also announced that works of art by five contemporary artists from across Scotland would be displayed in embassies and government buildings around the world as part of a Government Art Collection project; I am delighted to see these contemporary artists having their work promoted by the UK Government.
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John Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20496 on Scotland Office: Media, which contractors were used for the spending on media training; and which Ministers received the training. \p Ian Murray: Media training in the Scotland Office has been provided by Morrison Media. Both the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and I have received such training.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy to return non-compliance fines for the clean heat market mechanism to the level proposed for 2026 in the document entitled Clean Heat Market Mechanism Consultation: Summary of responses received and government response, published on 30 March 2023. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government has made the decision to reduce the level of the payment-in-lieu for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism from the previously proposed £3000 per missing heat pump credit to £500 for the first baselining year, in order to provide industry with additional capacity to adjust to the scheme’s introduction. No decisions have been taken about this or other scheme parameters for future years. The Government will keep the effectiveness of the payment level under close review and will consult on whether and how it should evolve for future years.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision to reduce non-compliance fines in the Clean Heat Market Mechanism on the UK's ability to meet carbon budgets. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that the reduction to the payment-in-lieu for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism for the first baselining year will provide manufacturers with additional capacity to adapt to the scheme’s introduction, while still providing an incentive to invest in the transition. An impact assessment was published on 21 November 2024 alongside the draft statutory instrument. The adjustment to the payment-in-lieu for the introductory year has not changed the Department's assessment of expected carbon savings from heat pump installations over the scheme’s lifetime. The Government will keep the payment-in-lieu level, like all scheme parameters, under review for future years.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing non-compliance fines in the Clean Heat Market Mechanism on the uptake of heat pumps. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes that the reduction to the payment-in-lieu for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism for the first baselining year will provide manufacturers with additional capacity to adapt to the scheme’s introduction, while still providing an incentive to invest in the transition. An impact assessment was published on 21 November 2024 alongside the draft statutory instrument. The government is confident that the targeted retrofit heat pump installations for the first scheme year can be achieved but will keep the payment-in-lieu level, like all scheme parameters, under review for future years.
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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release Home upgrade revolution as renters set for warmer homes and cheaper bills, published on 23 September 2024, when he plans to consult on new EPC requirements for the private rented sector. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government will consult shortly on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation will include proposals for rented homes to achieve Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, what key performance indicators his Department will use to measure energy security; and how his Department plans to demonstrate its progress toward insulating households from international fossil fuel price shocks. \p Michael Shanks: As part of the Government’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission, the milestone this Parliament is to secure Britain’s energy supply with home-grown, clean power, which protects the country from exposure to unstable international fossil fuel markets. We will measure this by being on track to achieving at least 95% of low carbon generation by 2030 in line with advice from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan sets out the government’s further steps; key outcomes and progress against the target will be tracked in the run up to 2030.
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Josh MacAlister:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory is able to conduct commercially beneficial research. \p Michael Shanks: The Government published its Strategic Review of the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) establishing a bold vision for its future (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762a4b1ff2c870561bde75b/strategic-review-of-the-national-nuclear-laboratory.pdf). This is a vision of UKNNL as a platform for the private sector to accelerate technology to market. Much of the strategic review focuses on how the Government supports UKNNL in this, and considers issues ranging from UKNNL objectives through to the requirement for core government funding. The Government is now working with UKNNL, and industry, on implementing the findings. Industry were extensively consulted on the strategic review, and we are continuing to engage with them.

Whilst UKNNL will remain a public corporation, it will operate a commercially driven model which supports customer-focused research. The optimal long-term model of the laboratory remains under consideration to ensure UKNNL can deliver nuclear outcomes for government, and support sector growth.
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Josh MacAlister:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory in expanding the development of americium so it could be used by the space industry. \p Michael Shanks: The Department is supporting the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL)’s work to extract americium from the UK’s civil separated plutonium inventory at Sellafield for the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) ENDURE Programme. This includes supporting UKNNL and the UK Space Agency in the development of a new facility which aims to upscale americium extraction to meet future ESA demand.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of GB Energy on the cost of energy bills paid by farmers. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy is a key part of the government's mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by achieving clean power by 2030.

This is part of a sustainable, long-term plan to protect all UK billpayers, including farmers, from volatile international gas markets. In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee our energy security and protect billpayers permanently is to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to promote the use of energy saving lightbulbs in domestic properties. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills. Consumers can use the Government advice site (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency) to get tailored recommendations for home improvements to increase energy efficiency. There is also existing Ecodesign regulations which sets the minimum energy performance standards for lighting products.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of levels of energy prices in 2024. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes the only way to protect consumers permanently is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy. The creation of Great British Energy will help us harness clean energy and have less reliance on foreign volatile energy markets which affect the energy price cap.

We continue to monitor energy prices and the price cap and are working to ensure bills are affordable for consumers in the long-term, including through our work with Ofgem to reform standing charges, and through our Warm Homes Plan which will transform homes across the country by making them cheaper and cleaner to run.

In the short-term, we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides an annual £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households, and through our collaboration with Energy UK on the Winter 2024 Commitment, which promises £500 million of industry support to billpayers this winter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, what criteria he will use to measure the success of Great British Energy; and if his Department will publish quarterly data on (a) investment returns, (b) operating costs and (c) contribution to the clean energy target. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy’s (GBE) mission is to drive clean energy deployment, to create jobs, boost energy independence, and ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, and communities reap the benefits of clean, secure, homegrown energy.

GBE will be held accountable through regular reporting to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Furthermore, Parliament will be presented with a copy of the annual report and accounts of Great British Energy. Parliament will also be able to hold GBE to account through the normal methods of accountability.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, whether his Department plans to publish an updated roadmap for achieving 95% clean power by 2030; and whether his Department has interim targets for clean energy generation in (a) 2025, (b) 2026, (c) 2027, (d) 2028 and (e) 2029. \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. The Department has not set annual interim targets for clean power generation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to lay an Official Statistics Order to include Great British Energy. \p Michael Shanks: I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to the hon Member for Basildon and Billericay (Richard Holden) to Question UIN 21394.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for Change, published on 5 December 2024, CP1210, if his Department will publish an annual report detailing private investment leveraged by its clean energy strategy. \p Michael Shanks: The Government and DESNZ publishes information on clean energy private investment flows, most recently announcing around the International Investment Summit in October that £34.8bn of clean energy investment has been committed to the UK [1]. DESNZ utilises Bloomberg New Energy Finance data to understand total (public plus private) investment flows, in particular capital expenditure deployed across low carbon sectors. According to our analysis of the BNEF energy transition investment 2023 dataset, between 2010 and 2023, the UK has seen £300 billion of public and private investment across low carbon sectors. We are considering what further information could be published.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/record-breaking-international-investment-summit-secures-63-billion-and-nearly-38000-jobs-for-the-uk
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

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Tracy Gilbert:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what remit the Great British Energy satellite sites in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Glasgow will have. \p Michael Shanks: This Government has been clear that Great British Energy (GBE) will be operationally independent, and decisions such as these will ultimately sit with the company itself. These additional sites in Glasgow and Edinburgh will allow GBE to tap into other expertise across Scotland, and workforce planning is ongoing to ensure the company secures the right skills in the right locations. The work GBE delivers across all of its locations will be in accordance with the strategic priorities, which will be set by the Secretary of State.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

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Tracy Gilbert:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of when the satellite sites for Great British Energy in Edinburgh will (a) be announced and (b) open. \p Michael Shanks: This Government is focused on establishing Great British Energy at its Headquarters in Aberdeen. Additional sites in Glasgow and Edinburgh will follow in the longer term to ensure the company can tap into expertise across Scotland. Estimates for these additional sites will depend upon the detailed workforce plans for the new company, which are being developed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-15)

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Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) their Department and (b) each of the arm’s length bodies connected to their Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps he plans to take to end each dispute. \p Jo Stevens: There are no ongoing industrial disputes in my Department and the Wales Office has no arm’s length bodies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-28)

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Sir John Whittingdale:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of TV viewing transitioning to online delivery digital viewing on linear TV broadcasting on her Department's policy aims for local TV. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises the important role that local TV continues to play in the wider broadcasting ecosystem. That is why last year we brought forward legislation to enable Ofcom to renew the licences for the local TV multiplex and the 34 individual local TV services. Local TV services provide audiences with local content, including news and current affairs. This contributes to our broader policy objectives of ensuring a strong local media sector and keeping communities informed about local issues and decision making. We will consider how we can further safeguard local TV’s contribution to these objectives through the Local Media Strategy.

However, at the same time we understand that there are challenges facing the local TV sector, as there are all broadcasters. The shift from broadcast to online viewing has led to audiences becoming increasingly fragmented, while increasing distribution costs.

In particular, we are aware of the local TV sector’s concerns that they will not receive prominence for their internet programme services (apps) as part of the new online prominence regime established in the Media Act 2024. At the moment we are not aware of the existence of any local TV on-demand apps. However, we would strongly welcome an app being brought to market that improves the availability of local content. This would enable the Government to consider whether the app should receive prominence under the online prominence regime in the same way local TV services have enjoyed prominence on DTT, satellite and cable platforms since they began broadcasting in 2013.

We are also aware of other distribution challenges that are material to local TV’s future success and sustainability, including the long term future of the DTT platform itself. We have launched a project to consider the future of TV distribution, with local TV representatives included on our stakeholder forum. As part of this work, we will also keep under review the policy framework which requires local TV services to broadcast over DTT as the market and viewer behaviour continues to evolve, subject to broader decisions about the future of DTT.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-28)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to football ticket prices on grassroots participation. \p Stephanie Peacock: The matter of football ticket prices is a commercial decision for individual clubs and leagues to take. The Government has introduced legislation to establish an Independent Football Regulator to protect and promote the sustainability of English football in the interests of fans and the local communities football clubs serve. This will mean that clubs are required to consult fans on key issues, including ticket prices.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-28)

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Iqbal Mohamed:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to help fund the repair and reopening of Dewsbury Sports Centre. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are great spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level. We share your ambition to ensure that young people in Dewsbury get the opportunities to benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.

We recognise that grassroots facilities are at the heart of communities up and down the country and are acting to support more people to get active wherever they live. On 21 March we announced £100 million funding to be delivered through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, supporting high-quality, inclusive facilities across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-28)

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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support (a) the tourism industry and (b) small businesses affected by seasonal trends. \p Chris Bryant: The Government recognises the economic benefits that tourism brings to all communities throughout the UK especially coastal and rural areas. The newly established Visitor Economy Advisory Council (VEAC) is a joint industry and government-led board composed of employers, small businesses and representative organisations. The Council will help co-create a National Visitor Economy Growth Strategy that is anticipated to be launched in the Autumn.

The government has recently implemented the most significant overhaul of destination management in a generation, creating a portfolio of nationally supported, strategic and high-performing Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) in partnership with VisitEngland. These LVEPs are providing strong local leadership and governance in tourism destinations all over the country, and North Devon is included in this programme as part of the Devon & Partners LVEP. LVEPs work collaboratively with both local authority and private sector partners as well as providing small business support.