theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of launching newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy alongside the upcoming launch of newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency. \p Ashley Dalton: The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is working with the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) partnership board to scope out the potential shape of the in-service evaluation into SMA. The partnership board includes clinicians, academics, patient representatives, the National Institute for Health and Research (NIHR), NHS England, and the UK NSC. The final decision on the exact format, scale, and duration will be determined following a successful NIHR tendering process. The timescale for the implementation of the SMA in-service evaluation will not be confirmed until after the 2025 Spending Review.

The UK NSC is aware that screening for SMA and severe combined immunodeficiency uses the same test, and as such there may be saving opportunities through economies of scale, if the two conditions are determined to be suitable for a screening programme. This is still under consideration by the committee.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 41043 on Radiotherapy: Medical Equipment, what his Department's process of advertising the funding applications to NHS foundation trusts was. \p Ashley Dalton: In December 2024, NHS England wrote to all radiotherapy treatment providers inviting them to apply for funding to replace ageing radiotherapy machines.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to publish (a) an arthritis action plan and (b) other disease-specific action plans following publication of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. \p Ashley Dalton: There are currently no plans to publish an arthritis action plan following the publication of the 10-Year Health Plan.

Services for those with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, including arthritis, are commissioned locally by integrated care boards (ICBs). The Department expects MSK services to be fully incorporated into integrated care system planning and decision-making.

As announced in the Get Britain Working white paper, we are delivering the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England Getting It Right First-Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT teams will deploy their proven Further Faster model to work with ICB leaders to further reduce MSK community waiting times, including for those with arthritis, and improve data and metrics, and referral pathways to wider support services.

To support health and care professionals in the early diagnosis and management of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and in the provision of services for people living with arthritis, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has published expert guidance for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, with further information on both available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng100

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what proportion of the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant was allocated to rough sleeping drug and alcohol treatment in each of the last five financial years. \p Ashley Dalton: Through the Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG), the Department is providing a total of £310 million in additional targeted funding to improve drug and alcohol services and recovery support.

Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services to meet local need. Further details are available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-2025-to-2026/drug-and-alcohol-treatment-and-recovery-funding-allocations-2025-to-2026

For 2025/26, the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant (RSDATG) component of the DATRIG was published separately. £58.7 million is being provided through this component to support people sleeping rough or at risk of sleeping rough with drug and alcohol treatment needs. Further information can be found at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rough-sleeping-drug-and-alcohol-treatment-grant-2025-to-2026-funding-allocations

Due to there being some local authority flexibility around DATRIG spend, the previously separate grant components, other than the RSDATG element, have not been published.

The DATRIG is new for this financial year. Before 2025/26, the RSDATG was a standalone grant, and up to £186.5 million was available between 2022 and 2025 to fund targeted drug and alcohol treatment services and support for the rough sleeping population in 83 local authorities and via five pan-London projects. Up to £75 million was available for the RSDATG programme between 2020 and 2022.
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Jim Dickson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has issued to (i) integrated care boards and (ii) NHS Trusts on including opt-out smoking cessation interventions in routine hospital care. \p Ashley Dalton: We are committed to ensuring that all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, NHS England has prioritised and put new funding out to integrated care boards (ICBs) for the rollout of tobacco dependence services in hospital settings. Future funding decisions are subject to the Spending Review process.

Local authorities work with ICBs to provide a range of interventions recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, based on the needs of their local populations.
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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome are supported financially; and whether he plans to include provisions for people with that syndrome within the 10-year health plan. \p Ashley Dalton: We want a society where every person, including those with a long-term condition, their families and carers receive high-quality, compassionate continuity of care.

The NHS Low Income Scheme can provide help with health costs on an income-related basis. Approximately 89% of prescription items are currently dispensed free of charge and a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges in place. People with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome who are 60 years old or over are entitled to free prescriptions. For those that must pay for prescriptions, the cost can be capped by purchasing a pre-payment certificate.

Our 10-Year Health Plan will provide a shared vision for the health and care system in 2035, drawing directly from the extensive engagement undertaken with the public, patients and staff. The plan will include how care models and pathways for health conditions will need to change or evolve to better meet patients’ needs.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 8 April 2025 to Question 43451 on Neuroendocrine Cancer: Radiotherapy, what recent discussions his Department has had with Integrated Care Boards on the commissioning of selective internal radiation therapy. \p Ashley Dalton: NHS England commissions selective internal radiation therapy for chemotherapy refractory / intolerant metastatic colorectal cancer in adults in accordance with criteria which is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Selective-internal-radiation-therapy-for-chemotherapy-refractory-intolerant-metastatic-colorectal-cancer.pdf

The National Cancer Plan, coming later in 2025, will set out plans to improve the experience and outcomes for people at every stage of the cancer pathway. It will include how to improve communication and coordination for patients, so that they feel informed, empowered, and in control of their care.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to increase the uptake of bowel screenings. \p Ashley Dalton: Coverage of bowel cancer screening has been increasing in recent years, with a marked increase from 2019 of 11.3 percentage points since the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) test was rolled out as the primary test in the screening programme with coverage amongst people aged between 60 and 74 years old currently standing at 71.8%.

The bowel cancer screening standards have recently been reviewed, with changes taking effect from 1 April 2025. This will update the achievable and acceptable thresholds for both uptake and coverage. The new coverage thresholds for people aged between 60 and 74 years old will be acceptable level of more than or equal to 62.0%, and achievable level of more than or equal to 76.0%.

To further increase coverage, NHS England: is delivering new approaches to communicating with people about screening through the NHS App; is supporting frontline screening staff and enabling the delivery of new technology, including artificial intelligence; is improving the way eligible people are identified and invited for screening through the transformation of screening programme digital services; is incorporating the reasonable adjustment flag into screening to ensure people get information in the way they want; has recently updated the bowel cancer screening leaflets to improve accessibility; and has made the bowel cancer screening FIT kit more accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted.
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Rachel Gilmour:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help people with arthritis to stay physically active. \p Ashley Dalton: Guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the diagnosis and management of osteoarthritis recommends therapeutic exercise for all people with osteoarthritis that is tailored to their needs and that is part of a wider structured treatment package. It advises that for people with osteoarthritis, long-term adherence to an exercise plan can help to reduce pain and increase functioning and quality of life. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226

More widely, the Government and the National Health Service recognise the important role of physical activity in the prevention and management of long-term health conditions, including arthritis. The NHS Better Health Campaign promotes ways for adults, families and children to move more, and signposts people, including those living with long term conditions who are ready to build movement into their routine, to digital support like the NHS Active 10 walking app.

Local authorities and the NHS also promote and provide services for people living with long term conditions, such as exercise on referral and social prescribing, including access to physical activity interventions, falls prevention and walking groups.

The Department, with Sport England, has delivered support and training to equip healthcare professionals to enable patients to move more to improve their physical and mental health. Sport England continues to support work in this area through the Physical Activity Clinical Champions programme, which is currently being piloted in local areas.

NHS England is working closely with partners nationally and locally to explore how the NHS might galvanise support to make physical activity a core part of NHS care to benefit patients, NHS staff, and the wider public.
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Mary Glindon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure all eligible recipients are registered for their NHS Healthy Start entitlement. \p Ashley Dalton: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) operates the Healthy Start scheme on behalf of the Department. Those eligible for Healthy Start must apply to the NHSBSA to receive Healthy Start payments.

All applicants, where they meet the eligibility criteria, must accept the terms and conditions of the Healthy Start prepaid card at the point of application. As the prepaid card is a financial product and cannot be issued without the applicant accepting these terms, the NHSBSA is not able to automatically provide eligible families with a prepaid card.

We remain open to all viable routes to improve uptake to ensure that as many eligible people as possible are accessing the scheme, to support their children with a healthy start in life.

In March 2025 Healthy Start supported over 359,000 people.
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Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of GP surgeries have signposted patients to the Pharmacy First scheme. \p Stephen Kinnock: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the number of radiologists working in the NHS in (a) England and (b) Tunbridge Wells Hospital; and what steps he is taking to increase the number of radiologists working in the NHS. \p Karin Smyth: Data published by NHS England shows that as of December 2024, there are 3,998 full-time equivalent (FTE) consultants in the speciality of clinical radiology employed in National Health Service trusts and other core organisations in England. Of these, there are 28 FTE consultants employed in the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust. Data is not available for the workforce of specific hospitals within NHS hospital trusts.

When including doctors of all grades, there are 5,844 FTE doctors working in the specialty of clinical radiology in NHS trusts and other core organisations in England, 35 of which are employed in the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

We are committed to training the staff we need, including radiologists, to ensure that patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it. To reform the NHS and make it fit for the future, we have launched a 10-Year Health Plan as part of the Government’s five long-term missions.

Decisions about recruitment are matters for individual NHS employers. NHS trusts manage their recruitment at a local level, ensuring they have the right number of staff in place, with the right skill mix, to deliver safe and effective care.
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James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had recent discussions with Sussex Police on their investigation into alleged medical negligence at the Royal Sussex County Hospital; and whether he has considered providing additional resources to support their inquiry. \p Ashley Dalton: The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
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Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of treating biomethane in the same way as (a) other renewable fuels and (b) renewable electricity under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. \p Sarah Jones: The Government recognises biomethane as a practical and cost-effective way of contributing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to combustion of biomethane where supplied directly to ETS installations. Where biomethane is injected into the gas grid, there is not currently a mechanism to ensure biomethane is accounted for separately.

The ETS prices emissions from electricity generation but not from electricity use as emissions are only priced at the point of combustion.

As outlined in the future policy framework for biomethane production call for evidence, the Government is working with the ETS Authority to consider whether the ETS could account for biomethane injected into the gas grid and will provide an update on this in due course.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of EPC rating requirements for industrial buildings; and what steps he is taking to support small manufacturers in meeting future energy efficiency standards. \p Sarah Jones: Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations consider the energy efficiency of buildings to ensure they are futureproofed for any usage, irrespective of the occupant. MHCLG also recently published a consultation on EPC reform to ensure they are a more effective tool for understanding a buildings energy performance in future.

Non-domestic MEES regulations currently only require buildings, including industrial buildings, below EPC E to improve their energy efficiency. We consulted on strengthening this to EPC B by 2030, and plan to publish our government response in the first half of 2025.

In regard to support for small manufacturers, government publishes various schemes on gov.uk, both local and national, that help with the costs of energy efficiency measures. This includes the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund which has offered up to £500 million. Our Business Energy Advice Service Pilot operates in the West Midlands also provides energy demand reduction and decarbonisation recommendations for SMEs with the provision of free match-funded grants available to support implementation. We also encourage SMEs to visit the UK Business Climate Hub, which provides information and advice on how to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
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Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help support the owners of (a) short and (b) long term holiday lets to improve the energy efficiency rating of their properties in Wales. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to property owners, including holiday lets, to enable them to transition away from fossil fuel to low carbon heating.

Advice for energy efficiency support in Wales is available at: https://www.gov.wales/home-energy-fuel-poverty

Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for the private rented sector on the number of empty homes. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation includes proposals for rented homes to achieve EPC C or equivalent by 2030, unless a valid exemption applies, and is accompanied by the Department’s impact assessment. The assessment makes clear that we are unable to quantify the extent to which this will impact the supply of properties as landlords may take different approaches. We encourage stakeholders to feed in views and evidence on the potential impact of these proposals. Following the consultation process, a government response and full impact assessment will be published.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to improve the energy efficiency ratings of residential properties in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future, including those in the Surrey Heath constituency. The Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1 billion of this allocated to 2025/2026.

The Government has published a consultation on improving energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector in England and Wales.

The Government is also exploring the role of incentives and private finance for households to support homeowners with the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating.
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Mr Will Forster:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to take steps to support the scale-up of low-carbon heat networks in the Warm Homes Plan; and what recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on the effectiveness of consumer protections in terms of (a) pricing, (b) reliability and (c) service quality. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The forthcoming Warm Homes Plan will set out the Government’s vision for upgrading and decarbonising buildings so that they are fit for the future, including through heat networks.

In January 2026, Ofgem will assume its role as heat network market regulator, within a regulatory framework which will provide similar levels of protection available to consumers on gas and electric networks.

Ofgem will have the powers to investigate and intervene in cases where prices appear to be unfair or disproportionate.

They will enforce guaranteed standards of performance to ensure a minimum quality of service is provided at all times, and regulations will include mandated technical standards to improve network reliability.
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Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of abolishing standing charges for energy. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Standing charges recover ‘fixed’ costs that do not vary by energy use. This includes suppliers’ fixed operational costs of serving each customer, the cost of network upgrades and maintenance necessary to keep all consumers connected and fund investment in clean energy infrastructure. It also includes the cost of providing Warm Home Discount payments to eligible customers. However, we are committed to lowering the cost of standing charges and have worked constructively with the regulator, Ofgem, on this issue.

As part of their update on standing charges, Ofgem announced it will be undertaking a broad review of system costs considering how costs are allocated and recovered across domestic and non-domestic consumers. On 20 February, Ofgem launched a consultation ‘Introducing a zero standing charge energy price cap variant’ - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/introducing-zero-standing-charge-energy-price-cap-variant.

The consultation seeks views on the introduction of an option - within the price cap – for a tariff that does not have a standing charge, providing households with more choice over how they pay for their energy. It also explores different ways a zero standing charge tariff could work, with options on a single unit rate, as well as block tariff options where the unit rates go up or down once a certain amount of energy is consumed.

Ofgem has not proposed moving people automatically onto a zero standing charge tariff because of the risks to vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, who have high energy use. We were clear that we would not support changes to standing charges that would disproportionately affect people with higher energy costs.

The consultation closed on 20 March and we stand ready to continue to work with Ofgem on this matter.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of private landlords who will sell their properties as a result of the proposed change in Energy Performance Certificate standards. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation includes proposals for rented homes to achieve EPC C or equivalent by 2030, unless a valid exemption applies, and is accompanied by the Department’s impact assessment. The assessment makes clear that we are unable to quantify the extent to which this will impact the supply of properties as landlords may take different approaches. We encourage stakeholders to feed in views and evidence on the potential impact of these proposals. Following the consultation process, a government response and full impact assessment will be published.
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Lisa Smart:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to Energy Performance Certificate requirements on trends in the level of privately rented housing stock. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is consulting on increasing minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. The consultation includes proposals for rented homes to achieve EPC C or equivalent by 2030, unless a valid exemption applies, and is accompanied by the Department’s impact assessment. The assessment makes clear that we are unable to quantify the extent to which this will impact the supply of properties as landlords may take different approaches. We encourage stakeholders to feed in views and evidence on the potential impact of these proposals. Following the consultation process, a government response and full impact assessment will be published.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of the percentage reduction in heat demand that household insulation measures will deliver on existing housing stock. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Department publishes annual estimates of the impact of installing insulation measures through government schemes on domestic gas consumption in England and Wales.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff in his Department have job titles that include the words (a) equality, (b) diversity, (c) inclusion, (d) gender, (e) LGBT and (f) race. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has fewer than five staff with job titles that include the words equality, diversity, inclusion gender, LGBT or race. These roles play an important part in the Department’s commitment to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many staff have job titles that include the words (a) equality, (b) diversity, (c) inclusion, (d) gender, (e) LGBT and (f) race in the (i) Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, (ii) Civil Nuclear Police Authority and (iii) UK Atomic Energy Authority. \p Michael Shanks: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority have 4 roles that include "diversity and inclusion" as their job title’

The CNC have 5 roles with the acronym EDI in the job title (Equality Diversity and Inclusion).

The UKAEA manages Equality, Diversity and Inclusion alongside Wellbeing, and there are 3 members of staff who have the words 'equality,' 'diversity' and 'inclusion' plus wellbeing in their job titles.

There are no roles with the words gender, LGBT or race in the job titles.
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Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on (a) ending and (b) reversing deforestation. \p Kerry McCarthy: Tackling deforestation is vital to meeting UK goals on climate, nature and growth. If tropical forests are lost, food prices will rise, including for UK consumers. While rates of deforestation are falling in some countries such as Brazil, drivers of forest loss are complex and will require collective global effort.

The UK is driving progress through political leadership and diplomatic engagement, and through our international climate finance, working with partner governments to improve forest governance, sustainable trade and unlocking private finance.

We recognise we must also do our bit domestically. We are working towards our Environment Act targets, including to halt nature’s decline by 2030 and to reach 16.5% tree canopy cover in England by 2050. We have pledged up to £400 million for tree planting and peatland restoration over the financial years 2024/25 and 2025/26. Total tree planting and woodland creation reached over 5,500 hectares in England last year [2023/2024].
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Offtaker of Last Resort scheme has been implemented. \p Michael Shanks: The Scheme was introduced on 1 October 2015 and is intended as a last resort to help renewable generators who have an Investment Contract or Contracts for Difference (CFD) contract, who cannot get a PPA through the usual commercial means. Ofgem administer the Offtaker of Last Resort and publish an annual report on the scheme’s operation.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that nuclear power development does not use Chinese funding. \p Michael Shanks: The Government has robust powers under the National Security & Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise and intervene in acquisitions that pose a national security risk to critical national infrastructure.

The National Security & Investment Act requires mandatory notification of some of the most sensitive acquisitions, including some acquisitions in the UK’s civil nuclear sector.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of green technologies. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Government is committed to supporting the growth and scaling-up of green technologies, including through the creation of GB Energy, as part of its Clean Energy Superpower Mission. The Government will set out its full approach to seizing the growth opportunities from clean energy industries in the forthcoming Industrial Strategy.
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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) exclusion zones, (b) fire suppression systems, and (c) environmental risk mitigation measures outlined in the revised Battery Safety Management Plan for Cleve Hill Solar Park. \p Michael Shanks: The issues raised are matters for Swale Borough Council acting in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue Service as set out in Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020. Following an appeal by the developer, on 5 July 2024 the Planning Inspectorate, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, approved the Battery Safety Management Plan after Swale Borough Council had refused an application for its approval.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) revised Battery Safety Management Plan’s adoption of the National Fire Protection Agency 855 (2023) exclusion zone standards and (b) BS EN IEC 62933-5-2 testing protocols in ensuring the safety of lithium-ion battery storage at Cleve Hill Solar Park. \p Michael Shanks: Under Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020 the matters raised are matters for Swale Borough Council after consulting with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Following an appeal by the developer, on 5 July 2024 the Planning Inspectorate, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, approved the Battery Safety Management Plan after Swale Borough Council had refused an application for its approval.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_282

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, regarding the report entitled Seventh Carbon Budget by the Committee on Climate Change, published on 26 February 2025, whether his Department has made an estimate of the cumulative capital expenditure required for (a) transmission grid upgrades, (b) distribution grid upgrades and (c) household insulation measures to 2050. \p Kerry McCarthy: The actual costs of delivering the Seventh Carbon Budget will be determined by the choices that government makes. The costs and funding scenarios set out in the CCC’s Seventh Carbon Budget report are illustrative and do not represent government policy and Government is not bound to accept their recommendations.

In 2022, the Government published the Electricity Networks Strategic Framework which included an estimate of cumulative 2021-2050 load-related total expenditure for net zero of £100-120bn for onshore transmission and £70-90bn for distribution network.

The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. We will upgrade up to 5 million homes across the country by accelerating the installation of efficient new technologies like heat pumps, solar, batteries and insulation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_283

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024. \p Michael Shanks: Since 5th July 2024, officials at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have reported the loss of 78 phones and 6 laptops. No other electronic devices have been reported as lost.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_284

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will publish the clean energy partnership memorandum of understanding signed with China in March 2025. \p Michael Shanks: The Clean Energy Partnership, signed by the Energy Secretary, allows UK officials to engage with the equivalent Chinese ministry to share policy best practice and technical knowledge in support of enabling the UK and China’s respective energy transitions, which is key in tackling the climate crisis. It also provides a platform to address any concerns we may have around energy security directly with China.

This partnership is a private document, consistent with the precedent agreed by the previous government and China’s National Energy Administration.

We will always take a consistent, long-term strategic approach to managing relations with China, ensuring that we have the appropriate measures in place to mitigate any risks.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_285

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Mingyang supplying the Green Volt offshore wind project on national security. \p Michael Shanks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon Friend the Minister for Climate gave on 12 February to the Urgent Question tabled by the hon Member for Edinburgh West (Christine Jardine).

We cannot comment on individual investment cases, but investment into the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny, and we will continue to work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and ensure the UK remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_286

Shivani Raja:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of using carbon neutral backup power sources on infrastructure in (a) Leicester East constituency and (b) England. \p Kerry McCarthy: Annex O of the Energy and Emission Projections [1] presents Net Zero consistent scenarios for the power sector, including estimates of the low carbon power sources required to ensure security of supply out to 2050.

[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6464ac150b72d30013344604/annex-o-net-zero-power-sector-scenarios.pdf
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_287

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition's press release entitled United Kingdom Elected as co-chair of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, highlighting ambitious agenda to tackle super pollutants, published 21 February, 2025, what recent discussions he has had with his Brazilian counterpart on country-level methane action plans. \p Kerry McCarthy: The UK and Brazil recently co-chaired the first Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Board meeting of 2025. Taking ambitious action on methane remains a key focus for the CCAC and the UK and Brazil are working closely together on this shared objective, including ahead of COP30.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_288

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what resources his Department has allocated to the policy (a) development and (b) implementation of the UK’s commitments to the Global Methane Pledge. \p Kerry McCarthy: Tackling methane emissions is a priority for the department including as part of the Global Methane Pledge's target (to collectively reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030), and under the Climate Change Act. Resource is spread across a number of domestic and international teams in accordance with the priority areas and sectors set out in the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan and Global Methane Pledge.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_289

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the responsibilities of the (a) Health and Safety Executive, (b) Environment Agency, (c) Kent Fire and Rescue Service and (d) Swale Borough Council are in certifying the safety of Cleve Hill Solar Park’s batteries. \p Michael Shanks: Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hil Solar Park Order 2020 made Swale Borough Council responsible for approving the Battery Safety Management Plan after consulting with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. There is no requirement for Swale Borough Council to consult with the Environment Agency. Following an appeal by the developer, The Battery Safety Management Plan was approved by the Planning Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State on 5 July 2024 after Swale Borough Council refused an application for its approval.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_290

Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what accountability mechanisms are in place for (a) the Health and Safety Executive, (b) Kent Fire and Rescue Service, (c) Swale Borough Council and (d) the Environment Agency to ensure the adequacy of safety inspections of the batteries at Cleve Hill Solar Park. \p Michael Shanks: Requirement 3 of the Cleve Hill Solar Park Order 2020 made Swale Borough Council responsible for the regulation of the Battery Safety Management Plan. The plan was informed following consultation with the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Swale Borough Council will be responsible for providing regulation and oversight of the construction and operation of the development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_291

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to help ensure that anaerobic digestion plants supported by renewable obligation certificates and feed in tariffs remain open following the end of those schemes. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants.

We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact that the end of Renewables Obligation support will have on security of supply, clean power 2030, carbon budgets and the environment.

No decisions have been made yet on potential further support.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_292

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of designating anaerobic digestion plants as critical national infrastructure. \p Michael Shanks: The Department recognises the importance of anaerobic digestion plants. Where low carbon energy infrastructure, including anaerobic digestion plants, meets the threshold for being a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project, the National Policy Statements already define such projects as being of Critical National Priority.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_293

Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Great British Energy on household energy bills. \p Michael Shanks: In an unstable world, the only way to guarantee energy security and protect billpayers is to reduce our exposure to volatile international markets. Great British Energy is driving the deployment of the clean, homegrown energy. It will ensure UK taxpayers, billpayers, and communities reap the benefits of this.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_294

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will remove net zero targets for key strategic industries. \p Sarah Jones: Our targets are there to help us seize the economic opportunity of the century – and we are absolutely committed to them.

So, instead of leaving great British industries without a long-term plan for their future, we will help them become more secure and sustainable, creating and protecting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the UK.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_295

Lauren Edwards:What steps he is taking to work with his European counterparts on cross-border energy projects to achieve clean power in the UK by 2030. \p Kerry McCarthy: Cross-border cooperation with our European neighbours is vital for our energy security. Through the government’s wider reset of relations with Europe we have strengthened our relationship with key partners, and will work together to secure our safety, security and prosperity.