theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_60

Lee Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy not to implement a wealth tax on assets above a certain threshold in the Spring Statement 2025. \p James Murray: The UK does not have a standalone wealth tax, though there are several long-standing taxes on assets and wealth that generate substantial revenue for the government.

In addition to collecting substantial revenue from existing taxes on wealth and assets, the UK also has a progressive income tax system.  The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible.  These and other decisions announced at the Budget will help repair the public finances and fund public services such as the NHS and education.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_61
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_61

Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the British Hair Consortium's report entitled Securing the future of UK hairdressing and beauty: the economic, fiscal and societal case for VAT reform, published in February 2025. \p James Murray: VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. VAT is the UK’s second largest tax, forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.

Changes to the VAT threshold have to be carefully balanced considering the potential benefits to small businesses, the economy as a whole and tax revenues.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_62

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate she has made of the number of people with non-domiciled tax status who permanently left the UK in each month of 2024. \p James Murray: The Government’s priority is improving the UK’s competitiveness internationally and securing economic growth. The non-dom reforms have been specifically designed to make the UK competitive with a modern, simple tax regime that is also fair. The reforms establish a tax regime for new residents, which is more attractive to new arrivals than the current rules.

The Government published a Tax Information and Impact Note for this policy on 30 October. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-changes-for-non-uk-domiciled-individuals/reforming-the-taxation-of-non-uk-domiciled-individuals.

There have always been relatively large flows of non-doms in and out of the UK every year. For example. in the latest HMRC statistics for tax year 2022/23, 8,000 non-doms left and 13,000 arrived.

We anticipate that some non-doms ineligible for the new regime will exit the UK in response to the changes. Taking this migration response into account, the OBR expects the non-dom reforms to raise £33.8 billion over the next five years to help fund the public services and investment projects needed to drive growth.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_63

Mr James Frith:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the contribution of (a) accountants and (b) tax advisers to disguised remuneration schemes. \p James Murray: The government has commissioned an independent review of the Loan Charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers.

The Government is committed to tackling promoters of tax avoidance and will consult on measures to tackle promoters of marketed tax avoidance, including new powers focused on those who own or control promoter organisations and options to tackle legal professionals behind avoidance schemes.

The Government announced action at 2024 Autumn Budget to tackle tax avoidance by umbrella companies. Legislation, effective from April 2026, will be introduced to make recruitment agencies using umbrella companies legally responsible for accounting for PAYE on workers’ pay. Where there is no agency in the supply chain, this responsibility will fall to the end client. This along with the measures on promoters will help prevent disguised remuneration in the future.

In relation to the prosecution of Loan Charge scheme promoters and operators, I refer the hon. Member for Bury North to the answer I gave on 16 October 2024 to Question UIN 7747.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_64
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_64

Charlie Maynard:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to support food manufacturing sites with (a) energy costs and (b) business rates. \p James Murray: This Government has a cast iron commitment to food production. We have committed £5 billion over this year and next to the farming and countryside programme which includes the largest ever amount for sustainable food production. We have also committed to deliver an ambitious food strategy which will set and deliver clear long-term outcomes for a healthier, fairer and more resilient food system.

In regards to business rates, the Government published the ‘Transforming Business Rates’ Discussion Paper at Budget setting out priority areas for reform. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. We are accepting written submissions, which will inform policy development, to the xxx@xxx.xx mailbox until 31 March 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_65
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_65

Charlotte Cane:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to increase growth in rural areas. \p James Murray: Kick starting economic growth, including in rural areas, is the number one mission of this Government so we can put more money in people’s pockets. A prosperous rural economy will be underpinned by strong public services, improvements to rural connectivity and productivity, and a thriving farming sector.

To this end, we are restoring stability and investment in our public services as the best way to support economic growth across the country, including in rural areas. We confirmed investment of over £500 million this year to continue to deliver Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network, driving the rollout of broadband and 4G connectivity, which will support growth in rural areas across the UK. We confirmed over £650 million of funding for local transport beyond our City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements, in 2025-26, to ensure that transport connections improve in our towns, villages and rural areas.

We have also committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years – which includes the largest ever amount of funding directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_66

Cameron Thomas:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of lowering the National Insurance contribution threshold to £5,000 on small businesses that employ part time employees. \p James Murray: The Government has taken a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances.

One of the toughest decisions we took was to raise the rate of employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) from 13.8% to 15%, whilst reducing the per-employee threshold at which employers start to pay National Insurance (the Secondary Threshold) from £9,100 to £5,000.  The Government decided to protect the smallest businesses from these changes by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that next year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of Bill containing the changes to employer NICs, setting out the impact of the policy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_67

Lee Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy not to (a) lower inheritance tax thresholds and (b) increase inheritance tax rates in the Spring Statement 2025. \p James Murray: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has been commissioned for an Economic and Fiscal Forecast, which will be published on 26 March 2025. This is in line with the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 which requires the OBR to produce two forecasts each financial year. This will be accompanied by a statement to Parliament from the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Government set out its plans for inheritance tax at Autumn Budget 2024, including fixing the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band at their current levels for a further two years in 2028-29 and 2029-30.

The Government remains committed to one major fiscal event a year to give families and businesses stability and certainty on upcoming tax and spending changes and, in turn, to support the Government’s growth mission.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_68

Lee Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will publish detailed impact assessments for future tax increases. \p James Murray: As it does with all tax policy changes, the government has published Tax Information and Impact Notes for the tax policy changes announced at Budget, which give a clear explanation of the policy objective together with details of the tax impact on the Exchequer, the economy, individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and any equality or other specific area of impact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_69

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of Government (a) subsidies and (b) support to fossil fuel companies in the last 12 months. \p James Murray: The UK does not give any subsidies to fossil fuel companies and follows the International Energy Agency’s definition of a fossil fuel subsidy.

Where data is available, estimates of the cost of tax reliefs available to oil and gas companies are published on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-relief-statistics.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Lisa Smart:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to replace Business Rates with a Land Value Tax collected by local authorities to disincentivise land banking by developers. \p James Murray: We are creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. At the Autumn Budget, we published a Discussion Paper setting out priority areas for reform and invites stakeholders to have a conversation with government about transforming the business rates system.

Fulfilling all our manifesto objectives on business rates is a multi-year process, and reforms will be designed in collaboration with stakeholders and phased over the course of the Parliament to minimise disruption for businesses.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_71

David Chadwick:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to work with the (a) CLA, (b) NFU, (c) FUW and (d) other industry bodies to protect working farms in the context of the proposed changes to APR and BPR. \p James Murray: As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, I have participated in several meetings with agricultural organisations since Autumn Budget 2024 to listen to their views. Most recently, the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs and I met with representatives from various agricultural organisations, including all those highlighted, on 18 February 2025.

As the Government has outlined, the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make a comparative assessment of taxation on (a) bio fuel and (b) fossil fuels. \p James Murray: The UK taxes fuels for a variety of reasons, and tax revenues from fuel are a vital part of overall tax revenues which are used to fund public services. Tax treatment does not generally differ between biofuels and fossil fuels.

The government also ensures the tax system supports climate goals through measures such as the Carbon Price Support and Climate Change Levy.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_73
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, wheat information his Department holds on the number of (a) computers, (b) USBs, (c) phones and (d) laptops used by MOD staff have been (i) misplaced or (ii) stolen since 5 July 2024. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence takes the security of its devices seriously and requires all losses and thefts to be reported.

The figures for the period requested are:

Computers

USBs

Phones

Laptops

From 5th July 24

11

2

14

8

August 24

0

0

6

11

September- 24

0

1

19

8

October 24

0

2

37

19

November 24

0

1

4

2

December 24

0

0

7

3

January 25

0

5

124

7

Up to 27th February 25

0

2

145

4

Total

11

13

356

62

It is important to note that not all the above incidents have resulted in actual losses or thefts. There are occasions where devices couldn't be accounted for, so were reported, but have subsequently been found.

The number of phones misplaced, lost or stolen is high due to 2 incidents being submitted by one art of Defence regarding the mustering of assets.

Although it appears likely that the cause is poor accounting, the phones are still recorded here.

The discrepancy came to light following the strengthening of mobile device accounting processes within that organisation, which will ensure improved record keeping and improve utilisation of these devices in future, with associated costs and wastage minimised.

Whilst we have seen significant improvements around laptops, due to the accounting errors in relation to phones, we have not seen similar improvements in this area at this time.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the British Army is currently of appropriate (a) scale and (b) capability to provide a potential peacekeeping force to Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The UK is ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine Our focus is ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. When, how and on what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine at the heart of them.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps her Department has taken to tackle the shortfall in armed forces recruitment over the last five years; and whether these measures have been tailored to each branch of the military. \p Luke Pollard: The new Government inherited a crisis in recruitment and has made it a priority to address this with a series of work streams designed to improve Armed Forces recruitment, modernising and refining our policies and processes to attract the best possible talent. Our actions are designed to deliver the widest positive impact across our Armed Forces, but we also pursue activities aimed at the specific requirements of the single Services to maximise effect.

To provide the widest benefit across the Armed Forces, we have delivered a 35 per cent pay increase for new recruits; one of the largest pay increases in the last 20 years for existing personnel; scrapped over 100 outdated medical policies; introduced a new military direct-entry cyber pathway which is now recruiting; and set an ambition to make a conditional offer of employment to candidates within 10 days, and a provisional training start date within 30 days.

Furthermore, we have announced the award of the contract for the new tri-service Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) which will join the recruitment activity of the Services together. AFRS will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits, recruiting from the broadest spectrum of society to attract the best talent from across the country.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 25 February 2025 on Defence and Security, Official Report, columns 361-364, whether he will extend any contacts for the lead members of the Strategic Review team beyond their original termination date. \p Luke Pollard: The external review team continue to support the Government in delivering this crucial piece of work. The Strategic Defence Review-which will be published in the Spring-will ensure the United Kingdom is both secure at home and strong abroad, now and for the years to come.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleague on the potential deployment of British peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: The Secretary of State regularly holds discussions with his Cabinet colleagues on the war in Ukraine and how we can continue to best support Ukraine going forward.

We are not going to get into any further details at this stage and our focus is on ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. When, how and on what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine at the heart of them.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_78
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential (a) size and (b) scale of a British peacekeeping force for Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: We are not going to get into any further details at this stage, our focus is on ensuring Ukraine is in as strong a position as possible. We will continue our dialogue with allies to secure a path to a lasting peace in Ukraine.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which service arm is responsible for combat search and rescue capability. \p Luke Pollard: The Ministry of Defence does not routinely comment on combat search and rescue capabilities for reasons of operational security.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the proposed increase in defence spending will be a real terms increase of £6bn. \p Maria Eagle: The Government's commitment to increase defence investment to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 will result in a £13.4 billion increase to defence spending in cash terms in 2027-28 compared to 2024-25.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Boxer Armoured Vehicles have been delivered to the British Army. \p Maria Eagle: The Mechanised Infantry Vehicle (BOXER) programme deliveries from industry are progressing in line with the current forecasted targets. To date, two BOXER platforms have been delivered to the British Army.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the decision by the US to pause military aid to Ukraine. \p Luke Pollard: Our immediate focus is putting Ukraine in a position of strength and bringing the US and Ukraine together for the benefit of our collective security.

NATO Allies pledged 40 billion Euros in military aid for Ukraine in 2024 and then went on to deliver 50 billion. 60% of that aid to Ukraine last year came from non-US Allies.

The UK will continue to support Ukraine and is stepping up and speeding up its military assistance, spending £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine this year which is more than ever before. We have also earmarked an additional £2.26 billion contribution under the ERA loan for military spending.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned military aid budget provided by the UK to Ukraine is for the 2025-26 financial year. \p Luke Pollard: This Government is committed to providing at least £3 billion a year in military support to Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Additional support is being provided through the UK's contribution to the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loans and UK Export Finance guaranteed loans.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities, in the context of recent submarine activity in British waters. \p Luke Pollard: Protecting the UK and responding to threats in our territorial waters is a critical component of the Defence mission to protect the nation, and we constantly monitor activity within UK waters to counter and deter threats.

The Royal Navy (RN) seeks to exploit and deploy new technologies alongside existing systems to enhance our ability to detect subsurface threats, with programmes seeking to rapidly adopt remote and autonomous anti-submarine sensors. The details of future capabilities are subject to consideration through the Strategic Defence Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to protect (a) undersea cables and (b) critical maritime infrastructure. \p Luke Pollard: We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the security and resilience of critical undersea infrastructure including subsea cables. We continue to co-ordinate with HMG partners, particularly DSIT and DESNZ who own critical undersea infrastructure policy, as well as security partners, industry, and international bodies to assess and understand risks to this infrastructure.

On 22 January 2025, the Secretary of State made a statement in the House about the malign activities of the Russian Spy Ship Yantar and efforts by the RAF, Royal Navy and the RFA to deter Russians loitering over UK critical underwater infrastructure.
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Ms Polly Billington:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what lessons his Department has learned from the (a) Warm Front and (b) Warmer Homes Scotland schemes. \p Sarah Jones: The government is keen to learn from previous energy efficiency schemes, and from the devolved administrations.

Fuel poverty is devolved, and we will work with the devolved administrations to share best practice on how to tackle fuel poverty and deliver energy efficiency improvements. We are currently consulting on a new fuel poverty strategy for England.

We have kickstarted delivery of the Government’s Warm Homes Plan, which will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make a comparative assessment of (a) gas and (b) biofuels for home heating. \p Sarah Jones: Moving away from our reliance on natural gas for home heating is essential to achieving Net Zero and increasing our energy independence. The Government expects most properties will switch to heat pumps, along with heat networks, but recognises that in homes not connected to the gas grid, renewable liquid heating fuels (RLHF) could play a limited role in decarbonising heat.

However, sustainable biomass is a limited resource, so the Government expects to prioritise its use in sectors which have fewest options to decarbonise. RLHFs are also more expensive to use than other heating solutions. We will keep evidence under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of convening an advisory panel to inform its approach to supporting the decarbonisation of buildings. \p Sarah Jones: We understand the importance of bringing people along with us on the journey to decarbonise buildings across the UK. We will continue to be in contact with a range of stakeholders as we develop our Warm Homes Plan.
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Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will take steps to support the training of heat pump installers through (a) apprenticeships and (b) re-training existing engineers. \p Sarah Jones: According to Heat Pump Association estimates, we currently need to train at least 6,600 installers a year. Around 9,000 individuals completed training in 2024, so we are well in line with current workforce training needs.

The £5 million Heat Training Grant is supporting the upskilling of existing heating engineers in England. The scheme launched in July 2023 and is on track to support 6,000 heat pump training opportunities by April 2025.

The Low Carbon Heating Technician apprenticeship launched in Autumn 2023. This is helping bring new entrants into the sector and build a sustainable skills pipeline.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of implementing a mine water heating grant scheme for community heat networks. \p Sarah Jones: The water from coal mines shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks.

The government’s capital schemes for heat network construction, the Heat Networks Investment Project and its successor, the Green Heat Network Fund, have supported heat networks that use mine water.

To date, the Gateshead District Energy Scheme and the Seaham Garden Village network in County Durham have both received funding.

The ninth application round of the Green Heat Network Fund is currently open and projects which aim to use mine water are welcome to apply.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy costs on business in Fylde. \p Sarah Jones: Wholesale energy costs have decreased for non-domestic consumers since the global energy crisis, but we recognise that some businesses may be struggling to pay their bills. The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

In the short-term, the Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into unfair and expensive energy contracts, and more redress when they have a complaint. Last year, the Government launched a consultation on introducing regulation of Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers. This is aimed at enhancing consumer protections, particularly for non-domestic consumers. The consultation has now closed, and a Government response will follow in due course once all feedback has been reviewed.

Business owners struggling to pay their bills should contact their supplier to discuss their options, including ‘blend and extend’ contracts, where the higher unit rate is blended with a new lower rate, spreading the cost over the course of a long contract.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on the proposed energy link between Northern Ireland and Scotland. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to engage with the energy sector on protecting itself from hostile state cyber attacks. \p Michael Shanks: The Government takes the security and resilience of UK energy infrastructure extremely seriously, including the cyber security of its critical infrastructure and maintaining a secure energy supply is a key priority for the UK Government.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and security agencies engage regularly with critical industry stakeholders via industry forums and threat briefings to ensure threats to energy infrastructure are understood and appropriate mitigations are established.
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James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if (a) his Department and (b) Ofgem will make an estimate of the cost of the (i) sealing end compounds and (ii) other costs associated with the construction of the (A) underground and (B) other sections of National Grid’s proposed Norwich to Tilbury route. \p Michael Shanks: It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) - to propose the route and obtain planning permission for that route. NGET presented cost estimates for the Norwich to Tilbury proposals in their April 2024 Strategic Options Backcheck and Review.

Ofgem reviews proposed project costs and ensures that network companies spend efficiently. Electricity network reinforcements are only approved where they are in the interests of consumers and help reduce system costs. Ofgem will conduct a detailed cost assessment of this project for the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment Project Assessment stage.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_95
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_95

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of using development hydropower on the sites of established historic watermills. \p Michael Shanks: Officials continue to engage with the British Hydropower Association regarding the future role the UK’s remaining small-scale hydropower resource, including sites of historic watermills, can play in the UK energy system.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_96
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_96

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a landscape and visual impact scheme in relation to energy infrastructure projects in rural areas. \p Michael Shanks: The impacts, including visual, of energy infrastructure projects on the landscape are important considerations in decision-making, and the National Policy Statements (NPS) for energy set stringent requirements and standards on developers. Proposals for projects that are subject to the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 must be accompanied by an Environmental Statement describing the aspects of the environment, including landscape and visual impacts, likely to be significantly affected. The NPSs also set the criteria for good design for energy infrastructure, including consideration of visual appearance and how it relates to the landscape it sits within.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_97
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_97

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Written Statement of 10 February 2025 HCWS424, whether generation dispatched by the National Energy System Operator from Drax power station will count towards the maximum load factor to receive subsidies. \p Michael Shanks: Yes. Under the low carbon dispatchable CfD, there will be a cap on the volume of electricity generation subsidised across the year. The cap is set with reference to maximum seasonal load factors (with Winter higher than Summer, to reflect system requirements). All generation by Drax Power Station will count towards the cap on subsidised generation. This includes generation that results from actions taken by NESO to balance the electricity system, such as through the Balancing Mechanism and balancing services markets.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_98
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_98

Matt Bishop:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to (a) help create and (b) support job opportunities in industries that contribute to achieving net zero targets. \p Michael Shanks: The Office for Clean Energy Jobs (OCEJ) has been created to ensure that clean energy jobs are abundant, high quality, paid fairly, and have favourable terms and good working conditions. The OCEJ is engaging widely with industry, experts, and trade unions for a clear assessment of the skills opportunities and challenges. It is working closely with Skills England and other government departments to ensure that skills systems reforms support the clean energy transition.

The OCEJ will set out targeted interventions to support specific skills needs in the clean energy workforce. It has recently launched the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers into new roles in the clean energy sector.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_99
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_99

Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason the Government uses the marginal cost pricing system for electricity. \p Michael Shanks: The wholesale electricity market, like most commodity markets worldwide, is based on marginal pricing. This reflects the value of consuming or generating an additional unit of electricity at any given time and ensures that generators increase or decrease their output to meet demand.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_100
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_100

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the (a) value and (b) volume of coal imported into the UK was in 2024. \p Michael Shanks: Coal import data are published by HMRC in the Overseas Trade Data tables. The coal import value and volume for 2024 will be published in table G.2 of the Digest of UK Energy Statistics in July 2025.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_101
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_101

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what funding his Department has provided to (a) support and (b) promote opportunities for domestic hydropower. \p Michael Shanks: The Smart Export Guarantee came into force on 1 January 2020 and requires major electricity suppliers to offer a tariff to buy electricity exported by small low-carbon generators, including small hydro.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_102
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_102

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the total number of (a) air miles and (b) flights undertaken by his Department's staff in 2024. \p Michael Shanks: The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero had a total number of airmiles of 5,234,196 and total number of flights of 1768 in 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_103
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_103

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on oil exports to Russia which are (a) processed, (b) traded, (c) refined and (d) financially insured in the UK. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK did not export oil (HS 2709 and 2710) to Russia in 2023 or 2024.

The department does not hold specific information on financial insurance services. However, the export of - and technical assistance, financial and brokering services related to - a petroleum oil, including crude, as well as oil refining goods and technology are prohibited to Russia under UK sanctions. Failure to comply with our sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through large financial penalties or criminal prosecution.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_104
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_104

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to prevent oil produced in the UK arriving in Russia. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The export of oil from the UK to Russia is prohibited. Non-compliance with the UK's tough sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through large financial penalties or criminal prosecution. According to HMRC data, the UK did not export oil (HS 2709 and 2710) to Russia in 2023 or 2024.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_105

Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK's departure from the European Union on trends in the level of UK trade. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The EU is a significant trading partner for both goods and services, but it is clear that the current deal is not working well enough. In the 12 months ending September 2024, the UK’s total trade with the EU was 5% below the level seen in 2018, after removing the effect of inflation and excluding precious metals. We will continue to work with our European friends to improve the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU, tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade to help drive growth.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_106

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason his Department has issued licenses for the export to Russia of (a) medicinal and pharmaceutical products, (b) beverages and tobacco, (c) organic chemicals, (d) cars, (e) toilet and cleansing preparations, (f) travel services, (g) insurance and pension products, (h) other business services, (i) financial services and (j) telecoms, computer and information services since September 2024. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Applications for licences to export goods and services to Russia otherwise covered by sanctions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, in line with the objectives of our sanctions regime, our wider international obligations, and the specific context of each application, including humanitarian considerations.

Considerations for granting a licence include, but are not limited to, goods and services being provided for medical and pharmaceutical purposes for the benefit of the civilian population, or activities to support the divestment of assets with Russia, and the production or distribution of food for the benefit of the civilian population. Section 3 of the Statutory Guidance for Russia Sanctions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/russia-sanctions-guidance provides further information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_107

Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to reject investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms in future trade deals with Colombia. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The Government has no plan to negotiate a new trade deal with Colombia.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_108

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has plans to ban the importation of oil products produced from Russian crude oil. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: The UK has worked closely with international partners to constrain Russian oil revenues while maintaining global energy supply and security, protecting critical supply chains, and maintaining the stability of global markets. The Government does not speculate on future sanctions measures as to do so could reduce their impact. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of our sanctions.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_109

Mrs Elsie Blundell:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to take steps to (a) improve signposting and (b) create a central database for small and medium enterprises on grants for which they are eligible. \p Gareth Thomas: SMEs can identify available government grants to check which ones they are eligible to apply for on the Find Government Grants page on www.gov.uk.

As part of efforts to better support growth and productivity across the UK’s 5.5 million SMEs, the Department for Business and Trade is in the process of designing and implementing a new Business Growth Service.

With improved signposting, joined up across national and local business support services, the Business Growth Service will make it easier and simpler for SMEs to access information related to their business needs, including financing options.
wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_110

Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken to support the hair and beauty sector. \p Gareth Thomas: This Government recognises the significant economic and social value of the hair and beauty industry.

That is why we have committed to reforming business rates from 2026-27 with a permanently lower multiplier for retail, leisure and hospitality properties, including hair and beauty salons.

The Government will also protect the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning that 865,000 employers will pay no National Insurance contributions (NICs) at all and employers will be able to employ up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage and pay no employer NICs.

We will also transform the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy to support business and boost opportunity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-07)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-07 conversation_111

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport's consultation on the implementation of the new subscription contract regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposals on cooling-off rights on the (a) film and (b) television sectors. \p Justin Madders: The Consultation on the implementation of the new subscriptions contract regime closed on 10 February 2025. We are analysing the responses, including submissions from the film and television sectors. Officials have also met with relevant trade associations and individual businesses in those sectors to hear their views.

The impact assessment for subscriptions chapter in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act can be found here: Subscription traps: annex 2 impact assessment. Together the subscription measures are anticipated to provide £400m of consumer benefits per year and the estimated net cost to businesses is £171m per year.