theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Richard Burgon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of Israeli funding of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK is appalled by reports of mass casualty incidents, in which civilians and aid workers have been killed, at and near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution sites. The funding streams of the GHF have not been shared with the UK. The UK has been clear that we will not support any aid mechanism that prioritises political or military objectives or puts civilians at risk. On 4 June, we were firm at the UN Security Council that the new aid model is inhumane and Israel needs to end its restrictions on aid now. We support the UN and endorse its plan for delivery of aid put forward on 16 May - it is based on humanitarian principles, has built in mitigations against aid diversion and uses established mechanisms to deliver aid safely and at the scale required.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with (a) pro-democracy organisations, (b) civil society and (c) ethnic nationalities in Myanmar to promote (i) federal democracy and (ii) human rights in that country. \p Catherine West: We continue to discuss the political situation in Myanmar with a range of opposition stakeholders, including the National Unity Government (NUG) and a number of Ethnic Resistance Organisations (ERO). I recently met senior NUG stakeholders, to reiterate UK support for inclusive dialogue in Myanmar.

In April, we co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Myanmar calling for the Myanmar military to fully respect and protect the human rights of all persons in Myanmar, including Rohingya and other persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities.

UK Aid continues to support the role of civil society to promote peace and stability in Myanmar.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities in rainforest countries. \p Catherine West: We recognise the global contribution Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) make to climate change mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and inclusive and sustainable development, and support global efforts to recognise and advance their contribution.

At COP26, the UK led international efforts to strengthen IPLC forest tenure, launching the IPLC Land and Forest Tenure Pledge to mobilise $1.7 billion in support of IPLC efforts by the end of 2025. This funding has supported legal reforms or land titling processes within several countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through its own commitments, the UK has increased direct support to IPLC organisations, including backing the Tenure Facility's work in the Amazon. We are working with international partners and IPLC groups through the Forest and Climate Leaders' Partnership to shape a new pledge for COP30.

Complementing these joint initiatives, the UK is directly supporting IPLC efforts through bilateral programmes including the Amazon Catalyst for Forest Communities, the Global Land Governance Programme and Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme. All of these include a focus on strengthening IPLC rights. The UK is advocating for IPLC to have a greater voice in climate finance notably with IPLC-led mechanisms in the Climate Investment Funds and Global Environment Fund.
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Uma Kumaran:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 52505 on Sri Lanka: War Crimes, for what reason his Department provided legal representation to the freedom of information tribunal against the application for Major David Walker to be summoned to give evidence. \p Catherine West: The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) takes seriously its statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and has complied with all relevant directions issued by the Tribunal. The FCDO accepts the Tribunal's decision of March 2024 not to call Mr Walker as a witness in the case. It would be inappropriate for the FCDO to comment any further on ongoing legal proceedings.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2025 to Question 50064 on China: Caribbean, whether he plans to provide guidance to the Inter-American Development Bank on the financing of infrastructure in Caribbean nations as an alternative to Chinese state-backed loans. \p Catherine West: The UK is a shareholder of and supports the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank (WB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in their work in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) regions, providing financial support for sustainable development and growth, including sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure, to bolster climate resilience, advance citizen security and create economic opportunities to improve lives across the region.

The UK is a leading development partner within the IDB Group, exemplified by its flagship UK Sustainable Infrastructure Programme (UKSIP), a partnership between IDB and the UK. UKSIP supports countries in LAC to reduce emissions, adapt to climate change, ensure infrastructure and communities are resilient to its effects, and invest in cost effective nature-based solutions through technical assistance and blended finance investments.

IDB has robust and well-established policies and procedures in place. As one of the Bank's shareholders, we engage closely with the bank to help shape their strategies, policies and procedures.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent forest fires in tropical forest biomes. \p Catherine West: Wildfires were responsible for record-breaking levels of tropical forest loss in 2024, as highlighted in a recent World Resources Institute (WRI) report (https://gfr.wri.org/latest-analysis-deforestation-trends). Rising temperatures and environmental degradation are increasing the likelihood, severity and frequency of wildfires globally.

Protecting and restoring tropical forest biomes makes them more resistant to damaging wildfires. The UK is supporting delivery of the shared commitment to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030. We are working with partners to protect, restore, and sustainably manage tropical forest biomes, as well as supporting deeper collaboration to prevent wildfires through the G7 and the Food and Agriculture Organization's Global Fire Management Hub.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what consideration has he given to staffing (a) levels and (b) structures in his Department following changes to levels of ODA spending. \p Catherine West: The Foreign Secretary has been clear about the reform needed in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to ensure it is fit for the future and is delivering for the British people. The FCDO will consider the size and shape of its workforce in the context of the wider Spending Review settlement to ensure that it remains affordable. The Foreign Secretary is working closely with the Treasury to ensure our diplomatic, intelligence and development footprint will align with our priorities. We expect the department to become smaller as a result.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proscription of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham on UK relations with the Syrian Government. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: As both the Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary have said, the fact that Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a proscribed terrorist group does not prevent the UK from engaging with it nor the Syrian government that includes HTS. We continue to engage the Syrian government because we want to promote stability in Syria, which is in the UK's interests, including through protection of human rights, unfettered access for humanitarian aid, safe destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles, and combatting of terrorism and extremism.
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Kim Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the security of former FARC combatants previously based in the Rancho Grande ETCR transitional zone in Caquetá. \p Catherine West: We welcome the Colombian government's commitment to provide security guarantees for former Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) combatants and measures to reintegrate them into civilian life following the signing of the 2016 Peace Agreement. Despite overall progress since that agreement, illegal armed groups still pose a high threat to former FARC combatants. We continue to urge Colombian authorities to investigate and tackle the root causes of violence, particularly against peace signatories. At the UN Security Council, we consistently call for the strengthening of protection and reintegration measures for former FARC combatants. Through UK funding, we have long supported the implementation of the 2016 Peace Agreement, including the security and reintegration of its signatories, including those in the department of Caquetá through the UN Multi Partner Trust Fund. We maintain close communication with the UN Verification Mission on this issue and support greater state capacity for the safety of former fighters, including those living outside official reincorporation zones.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 50072 on Syria: Druze, what assurances his Department have received from the Syrian Government on the protection of the Druze minorities. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We have been clear that violence earlier this year against Syria's diverse communities, including the Druze, was appalling. In our engagement with the Syrian government we emphasise that the protection of all Syrians and their full inclusion in the transition process is vital for peace in Syria. There has been some positive progress, including a commitment made in the Constitutional Declaration to the protection of freedom of religion and belief. We will continue to judge the Syrian Government by its actions.
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Sammy Wilson: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 reports of alleged (a) human rights violations, (b) claims of late night police summons without official notice, (c) unauthorised home visits and surveillance activities against Hindu activists in India; and what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in India on (i) human rights and (ii) civil liberties in that country. \p Catherine West: The UK Government takes all allegations of human rights violations very seriously. The UK Government has a broad, deep and respectful partnership with the Government of India. This includes sharing perspectives on human rights and minority issues and finding common ground.

Our High Commission in New Delhi and our network across India monitor human rights across the country, including reports of discrimination against minorities, or issues relating to Freedom of Religion or Belief. We engage Indian stakeholders on a range of human rights matters, working with Union and State Governments, and with civil society. This includes raising issues of concern where we have them, including at Ministerial level, where appropriate.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his (a) counterpart in Venezuela and (b) the Venezuelan Ambassador in London on Jesús Armas. \p Catherine West: Protecting human rights in Venezuela is a priority for the UK and we have repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained, including at the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 18 March. On 26 May the Minister of State for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean expressed the UK's deep concern about continuing repression and arbitrary detentions in Venezuela. The UK was also party to the G7 Foreign Ministers' statements of 24 September and 26 November 2024 calling for all unjustly detained political prisoners to be released. The UK will continue to work with international partners to achieve a peaceful solution in Venezuela and for the immediate and unconditional release of those arbitrarily detained.
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Charlie Maynard:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has considered how his Department can ensure aid is distributed in a way which does not discriminate against Christians in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: In 2024, the UK committed £139 million in humanitarian aid to Yemen and will maintain its humanitarian commitment this financial year. The UK's humanitarian priorities (food security, livelihoods, health, protection and women and girls) are delivered through two programmes: Women and Children, and Food Security Safety Nets. In line with humanitarian principles and the humanitarian imperative, the UK's aid programmes are delivered proportionately across the whole of Yemen.

The UK supports the revised UN Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2025, which prioritises lifesaving activities in the worst affected areas to ensure aid is directed to the most vulnerable people. We emphasise the importance of unrestricted access for humanitarian aid workers in Yemen, including at the UN Security Council sessions, and that critical aid must reach all those in Yemen who need it most.
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Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2025 to Question 57392 on Western Sahara: Politics and Government, what his policy is on United Nations Security Council Resolution 377 passed in 1975 on Western Sahara. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: As a member of the UN Security Council, the UK continues to support the UN-led process and efforts, and engage with the UN Personal Envoy of the Secretary General for Western Sahara Staffan de Mistura closely on Western Sahara. It is for the parties to the dispute to agree a resolution on the final status of Western Sahara and the UK offers its full support to both the parties and the UN to achieve a mutually-acceptable solution to the conflict.

On 1 June, the Foreign Secretary endorsed Morocco's autonomy proposal as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution of the Western Sahara conflict. Through our endorsement we hope to progress the stalemate of the conflict towards a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution, based on compromise, which conforms with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including the principle of respect for self-determination.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 35281 on British Council: Finance, what plans he has to introduce a longer-term funding model for the British Council following the Spending Review. \p Catherine West: While the British Council's Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible for the British Council's financial sustainability, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and British Council's shared objective is for the British Council to be financially sustainable for the long term. The FCDO is supporting the British Council to deliver a financial turnaround plan to ensure the British Council's finances are returned to a stable footing.

The British Council's Grant-in-Aid funding for the next three years will be decided through the FCDO allocations process. This was not settled in the Spending Review and will be determined in the round, alongside the FCDO's other Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Non-ODA allocations, in the autumn.
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Sir Iain Duncan Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date he last discussed levels of Chinese support for the military regime in Myanmar with his Chinese counterparts; and if he will publish the minutes of that meeting. \p Catherine West: The UK regularly raises the Myanmar crisis with China and other neighbouring countries, including at the UN Security Council (UNSC). At the UNSC and other multilateral fora, the UK continues to call for the need for all actors to protect civilians and for the Myanmar military to cease violence and engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 5 Point Consensus. UK sanctions include a comprehensive arms embargo on Myanmar.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Colombian counterpart on their offer to host a UK technical delegation to assess migration and border control improvements. \p Catherine West: The Minister for International Development, Latin America and Caribbean has discussed migration and border control issues with her Colombian counterparts, including the potential for a technical visit from the UK to Colombia. We also regularly engage on these issues with the Colombian Government through our Embassy in Bogotá. Tackling irregular migration into the UK remains our top priority. The UK Government keeps its visa and immigration system under constant review given our commitment to border security.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Government property was stolen during his disputed taxi journey from Italy to France. \p Catherine West: No government property or material was stolen. The incident in question was reported to local Police authorities at the time and as far as we are aware is currently subject to an investigation, it would be inappropriate to discuss any matters regarding an ongoing case.
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Fabian Hamilton: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 reports of the murder of Danilo Benavides in Arauca on 2 March 2025. \p Catherine West: We are concerned at the murders of former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) combatants, including that of Danilo Benavides in Arauca on 2 March 2025. We urge the Colombian authorities to investigate and tackle the root causes of violence to prevent such attacks. At the UN Security Council, we consistently call for the strengthening of protection and reintegration measures for former FARC combatants. Through UK funding, we have long supported the implementation of the peace agreement, including the security and reintegration of its signatories.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many staff network events took place in his Department in May 2025; and what the names of those events were. \p Catherine West: Staff networks are collaborative volunteer networks, organised by staff themselves rather than the department. As a result, events are organised by staff themselves, not the department and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not centrally record these details.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it his Departments policy to permit the Chagossian people a say over their self-determination. \p Stephen Doughty: These negotiations were necessarily between the UK and Mauritius. We continue to engage with Chagossian communities. The Foreign Secretary and I met groups on 22 May 2025.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department defines the Chagossian people as a distinct racial group of shared ethnic and cultural origin who are entitled to (a) recognition, (b) consideration and (c) treatment as such. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK government provides a range of support to people who were born on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) / Chagos Archipelago and their descendants. The government has also maintained the current route to British citizenship for Chagossians until it expires in 23 Nov 2027.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department started using the term Occupied Palestinian Territories in official documentation. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The UK government has used the term "Occupied Palestinian Territories" regularly since 2007.

It has been the position of the UK Government since 1967 that the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza) are not lawfully part of the State of Israel. In line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, we regard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We consider that the level of control that Israel retains over these territories amounts to occupation under international law and hence that Israel's presence is governed by the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949, to which Israel is a state party.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 57318 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, if he will publish that letter; and whether he plans to respond to the letter. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Government has noted the views expressed in the open letter of 26 May 2025 from legal experts concerning the situation in Gaza. As the letter is publicly available on a dedicated website, the Government does not plan to publish it separately. The UK addressed the concerns raised through a public statement issued on 27 May 2025, reaffirming our opposition to the expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza and call for immediate, unhindered humanitarian access. We continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including legal experts, on the legalities and operational challenges involved in doing so.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the intended effect of Article 1 of the UK-Mauritius Treaty is to recognise Mauritius as being sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia since Mauritian independence. \p Stephen Doughty: Mauritius will become sovereign at the point of entry into force of the Treaty. The Treaty explicitly grants all rights and authorities that the United Kingdom requires for the long-term, secure and effective operation of the Base.
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Martin Rhodes:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the impact of the conflict in Gaza on older people living in Gaza. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: Marginalised groups such as the elderly are disproportionately impacted by long standing conflicts and recent escalations of violence in the Middle East including the war in Gaza. We continue to call for a lift on the aid blockade in Gaza, and for all parties to re-engage in ceasefire negotiations to get the hostages out and to secure a permanent end to the conflict, leading to a two-state solution and a lasting peace.
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Mike Wood:To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what guidance the Church of England provides to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views. \p Marsha De Cordova: The Church of England does not provide specific standalone guidance to clergy on the expression of gender-critical views.

On complex issues the House of Bishops may from time to time publish guidance and advice for clergy, designed to inform local response. Two main publications that include detailed theological discussion relating to gender and sexuality are ‘Some Issues in Human Sexuality’ (2003), and ‘Issues in Human Sexuality’ (1991).

More recent statements and pastoral guidance have updated the above, in particular:

• 2005 House of Bishops statement on civil partnerships for same-sex couples, • 2014 pastoral guidance from the House of Bishops on civil same-sex marriage,• 2019 House of Bishops statement on civil marriage for all persons, • 2020 Living in Love and Faith book.  These are all available to view or order on the Church of England website

Following a vote of the General Synod in 2017 to welcome and affirm transgender people, the House of Bishops provided guidance in 2018 called ‘Pastoral Guidance for use in conjunction with the Affirmation of Baptismal Faith in the context of gender transition.’ Within Church of England schools, clergy and teachers are advised to align with the “Pastoral Principles”: www.churchofengland.org/about/general-synod/structure/house-bishops/pastoral-principles  Guidance is also available in ‘Flourishing for All: Anti-bullying Guidance for Church of England Schools’ (updated April 2025): www.churchofengland.org/about/education-and-schools/education-publications/anti-bullying-guidance-church-england-schools
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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her planned timetable is for the switch off of the Radio Teleswitch Service in each Welsh local authority area. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) signal will be switched off in carefully targeted local areas, where suppliers are ready to respond quickly in case of any issues, starting from 30 June.

Industry’s phase out plan will be flexible and subject to change, and therefore will not be published, as suppliers must demonstrate to Ofgem and Government that they are sufficiently prepared before they can proceed. Households will be contacted by their energy suppliers through multiple methods of communication to inform them well ahead of time of any phase out activity in their area. Ofgem will also contact local authorities to inform them of planned activity in their area in advance of any switch off.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the ability of (a) ceramics manufacturers and (b) other energy intensive industries to meet the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) participants, including those in energy intensive industries such as the ceramics sector, are provided with free allocations to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage and incentivise emissions reduction.

The UK ETS Authority is reviewing Free Allocation policy to ensure it supports sectors most at risk of carbon leakage and has guaranteed current free allocation levels until 2027.

The Authority commissioned an independent 2-stage evaluation of the scheme to provide evidence of its effectiveness, early outcomes and long-term impacts. The first findings of the evaluation, which include a preliminary assessment of carbon leakage and emissions reduction across the UK ETS, were published in December 2023.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his Department's planned timetable is for publishing the outcome of the consultation entitled Extending the UK Emissions Trading Scheme cap beyond 2030, which closed on 9 April 2025. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The UK ETS Authority, the joint governance body comprising of the UK Government, Welsh Government, Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, is grateful for the range of stakeholder responses to the Extending the UK ETS cap beyond 2030 consultation.

The Authority recognises the importance of providing certainty and clarity on the scheme that is a cornerstone of its economy-wide approach to decarbonising the whole of the UK. A response to the consultation, outlining the Authority’s decisions, will be published as soon as possible.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the data set used to analyse carbon leakage assessments in the recent consultation on free allocation review for the UK Emissions Trading System. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The provision of Free Allocation under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) mitigates the risk of carbon leakage by reducing industrial sectors’ exposure to the carbon price.

The UK ETS Authority is reviewing Free Allocation policy to ensure it targets sectors most at risk of carbon leakage and consulted on its approach to carbon leakage assessment. DESNZ officials have engaged extensively with representatives from energy intensive industries and carefully considered the methodology used to determine carbon leakage risk, including the data sets used in calculations.

The outcomes of the Free Allocation Review, including the data used to assess carbon leakage, will be published in an upcoming Government Response accompanied by an Impact Assessment.
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Liz Saville Roberts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the potential changes in the level of the average annual cost of electricity for people leaving the Radio Teleswitch Service. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem has consulted on plans to ensure that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide an energy tariff that leaves all their customers ‘no worse off’ than before once their RTS meter is replaced. Ofgem will make further announcements on this in due course.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many homes have been upgraded under the Warm Homes Plan in Yeovil constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan over the Spending Review period, in line with the Manifesto commitment. This is a major step forward in the government’s plans to upgrade up to 5 million homes, including those in the Yeovil constituency, over this Parliament and cut energy bills for good. Further detail on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October.

The Department publishes Household Energy Efficiency Statistics. The detailed annual reports provide breakdowns of measures installed under various government support schemes. These are available at GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/household-energy-efficiency-national-statistics).

Warm Homes: Local Grant and Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund schemes began in April 2025. Statistics on the delivery of these schemes will be published in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the RTS switch-off on consumers in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: DESNZ has stepped in to ensure there will be a managed and more controlled start of the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) phase out from 30 June. People with an RTS meter will not face any unexpected disruption to their heating or hot water at the end of the month.

Ofgem has consulted on plans to ensure that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide an energy tariff that leaves all their customers ‘no worse off’ than before once their RTS meter is replaced.

We urge any customers yet to arrange a replacement for their RTS meter to get in touch with their supplier as soon as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_353

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has set targets for upgrading homes through the Warm Homes Programme in Fylde constituency in the next two years. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government is investing £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan over the Spending Review period, in line with the Manifesto commitment. This is a major step forward in the government’s plans to upgrade up to 5 million homes, including those in the Fylde constituency, over this Parliament and cut energy bills for good.

Further detail on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October, including additional funding allocations for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_354

Luke Murphy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the potential role of heat batteries in homes that are unsuitable for a heat pump. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Though heat batteries can utilise time-of-use tariffs, do not require outside space and can be cheaper to install, they are less efficient than heat pumps. If heat batteries do not have sufficient storage capacity, they could draw electricity at peak times, adding burden on the electricity network and increasing energy bills.

The Department is building our evidence on heat batteries through studies like the Homes for Net Zero Trial.

The Government is analysing responses to the consultation on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which gathered views on supporting alternative electric heating technologies, such as heat batteries.
wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_355
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_355

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the energy efficiency of older housing stock in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire. \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 within the Flyde constituency and Lancashire. The Government will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.

We are investing £13.2 billion to help upgrade millions of homes and cut energy bills for families across the country to tackle to cost of living crisis. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_356

Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to page 3 of the report by The Association for Decentralised Energy entitled Consumer-Led Clean Power: How to Unlock Consumer-Led Flexibility for Clean Power by 2030, published in June 2025, whether he has considered introducing a consumer-led flexibility delivery board. \p Michael Shanks: This Government supports significant growth in consumer-led flexibility, as set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. We are grateful to the Association for Decentralised Energy for its work in this area. In our Action Plan, Government committed to publishing a Flexibility Roadmap in 2025, which will set out further detail on how the benefits of such flexibility will be unlocked for the consumer. The Roadmap will include our reforms to flexibility coordination and governance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_357

Andrew Bowie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of building a gigawatt scale nuclear plant at Wylfa on the (a) Welsh economy and (b) UK energy supply. \p Michael Shanks: No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project beyond Sizewell C or where such a project would be located. Therefore, the government has not carried out an assessment of the economic impact of any future project on the Welsh economy. However, by comparison, Hinkley Point C supports about 10,000 jobs during construction and will support approximately 900 permanent jobs during its 60 years of operation.
wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_358
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_358

Jim Allister:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what consideration he has given to including the electricity imported to Northern Ireland through the Moyle interconnector to Northern Ireland's renewable targets. \p Michael Shanks: Energy policy is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland, falling within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Executive. Accordingly, the setting and defining of renewable energy targets is a matter for the relevant Northern Ireland Executive Ministers.

Electricity interconnectors, such as the Moyle interconnector, can provide a number of benefits including: enabling access to lower-cost electricity; enhancing security of supply; supporting decarbonisation; and increasing system flexibility.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_359

Louise Haigh:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential role of (a) innovative Small Modular Reactors and (b) their associated UK-based (i) manufacturing and (ii) construction supply chains in supporting the Government’s (A) energy security and (B) net zero targets by 2050. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to build the UK’s first small modular reactors (SMRs), subject to final government approvals and contract signature.

It is expected that an SMR project could power the equivalent of up to 3 million of today’s homes and support up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction.

Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet which could benefit communities right across the country.
wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_360
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_360

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions his Department has had with the (a) Department for Business and Trade and (b) Treasury on the potential merits of mandating UK-regulated (a) financial institutions, (b) banks, (c) asset managers, (d) pension funds, (e) insurers and (f) FTSE 100 companies to (i) publish their carbon footprint and (ii) develop and implement credible transition plans. \p Kerry McCarthy: Large UK-registered companies are already required to disclose their scope 1, scope 2 and elements of scope 3 carbon emissions under the Companies (Directors’ Report) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Energy and Carbon Report) Regulations 2018.

The Government has committed to delivering the foundations of a world-leading sustainable finance framework to drive investment in the green transition and deliver economic growth. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has worked closely with the Department for Business and Trade and HM Treasury on how best to take forward transition plan and emissions reporting requirements and will consult with stakeholders on these topics in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_361

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57799 on Electric Vehicles: Exports, whether the environmental contribution made by British-manufactured electric vehicles exported overseas counts towards UK climate target figures. \p Kerry McCarthy: The UK follows the agreed international approach for estimating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, which is for countries to report emissions produced within their territories. On this basis, emissions savings generated by the use of British-manufactured electric vehicles overseas do not count towards the UK’s reported emissions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_362

Alex Burghart:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much funding he has allocated to the Finucane Inquiry. \p Hilary Benn: As I outlined in my oral statement of 11 September 2024, I considered the likely costs and impact of the Patrick Finucane Inquiry on public finances. It is the Government’s expectation that the Inquiry will avoid unnecessary costs given all the previous reviews and investigations and the large amount of information and material that is already in the public domain. Public inquiries regularly publish financial reports on their expenditure in the course of their work.
wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_363
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-25)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-25 conversation_363

Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of protections for non-designated but significant archaeological sites under current (a) heritage and (b) land management regulations; and if she will consider introducing new (i) powers and (ii) funding streams to support (A) geophysical surveys and (B) site preservation where landowner cooperation is not forthcoming. \p Chris Bryant: No such assessment has been undertaken recently.

The significance of non-designated heritage assets varies considerably. Measures to help conserve significant non-designated heritage assets through the planning and development control processes are included in national planning policy, while incentives for the positive management of some of those located in rural areas can be found in environmental land management schemes. Owners of such assets can also consider entering into related conservation covenants.

The protections conferred specifically by heritage legislation primarily relate to designated heritage assets, including Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings. Some non-designated heritage assets may benefit from a degree of legislative protection by being incidentally located on, in or under land that has been protected by non-heritage-related designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest).

The Government has no plans at the present time to introduce further measures.