theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the average (a) progress 8 score, (b) attainment 8 score and (c) share of pupils getting grade 5 or above in English and maths was for each ethnic group in each region of England in each of the last eight years. \p Catherine McKinnell: The average Progress 8 and Attainment 8 overall and for boys and girls by ethnic group are published at the following links:

The average Progress 8, Attainment 8, and percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in English and mathematics GCSEs by ethnic group and region are published at the following links:
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Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether local authorities will be responsible for providing inclusivity training to schools within their jurisdiction. \p Catherine McKinnell: This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to improving expertise and enabling high-quality and inclusive practice in mainstream schools. This work forms part of the government’s Opportunity Mission, which will break the unfair link between background and opportunity, starting with giving every child, including those with SEND, the best start in life.

This includes building a robust and credible evidence base on what works to drive inclusive education. To support this, an expert advisory group for inclusion has been established, led by Tom Rees, that consist of experts across the SEND sector. This group will advise Ministers on how to drive inclusive practice across the whole system and improve mainstream education outcomes and experiences for children and young people with SEND. Members of the group will use their collective expertise to ensure children and young people are effectively supported to achieve and thrive.

To support the department's ambition to strengthen the evidence base on inclusive practice, we have commissioned evidence reviews to identify the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff in mainstream settings to identify and support children and young people with different types of needs.

The department will also work with Ofsted to strengthen accountability on mainstream settings to be inclusive, support the mainstream workforce to increase their SEND expertise and encourage local authorities and schools to set up resourced provision or special educational needs units to increase capacity in mainstream schools.
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Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6019 on Private Education: Teachers, whether any schools have (a) left the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and (b) entered phased withdrawal since 14 October 2024. \p Catherine McKinnell: Between 14 October 2024 and 15 January 2025, nine schools left the Teachers’ Pension Scheme outright and eighteen have entered a phased withdrawal.
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Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of VAT changes on (a) private schools and (b) demand on the state sector in North Dorset constituency. \p Stephen Morgan: The department has made no separate estimate of the number of pupils in North Dorset specifically who will leave the independent school system as a result of VAT impact on school fees.

Across the UK as a whole, including North Dorset, the government predicts, in the long-term steady state, there will be 37,000 fewer pupils in the private sector in the UK as a result of the removal of the VAT exemption applied to school fees. This represents around 6% of the current private school population.

Of the 37,000 pupil reduction in the private sector, the government estimates an increase of 35,000 pupils in the state sector in the steady state following the VAT policy taking effect, with the other 2,000 consisting of international pupils who do not move into the UK state system, and domestic pupils moving into homeschooling. This state sector increase represents less than 0.5% of total UK state school pupils, of which there are over 9 million. This movement is expected to take place over several years.

The impact on individual local authorities will interact with other pressures and vary. Every year lots of pupils move between schools, including between the private and state-funded sectors.

Local authorities routinely support parents who need a state-funded school place, including where private schools have closed. Where local authorities are experiencing difficulties in ensuring there are enough school places for children that need them, the department will offer support and advice.

The department provides capital funding through the basic need grant to support local authorities to provide school places, based on their own pupil forecasts and school capacity data. They can use this funding to provide places in new schools or through expansions of existing schools.

Dorset Council has been allocated just below £1.5 million to support the provision of new mainstream school places needed over the current and next two academic years, up to and including the academic year starting in September 2026.
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Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: This Government has outlined its ambitions through the Plan for Change, which sets out an ambitious set of milestones - across the missions - for this Parliament.

As the House would expect, the Government continually reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer.

Public reviews will be available on Gov.uk as they are published.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a review of sentencing guidelines for people convicted of grooming-gang offences. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Child sexual abuse and exploitation are the most horrific of crimes and the Government is determined to act to strengthen the law in this area. We have committed to legislate to make grooming an aggravating factor in the sentencing of child sexual offences, to ensure that this behaviour is reflected in the sentencing of perpetrators. We will also make it a mandatory duty for those working with children to report child sexual abuse – a key recommendation of Professor Alexis Jay’s report – and this will go into the Crime and Policing Bill due to be introduced to Parliament this spring.

Sentencing guidelines are developed by the independent Sentencing Council for England and Wales, in fulfilment of its statutory duty to do so. The guidelines produced provide the Court with guidance on factors that should be considered, which may affect the sentence given. They set out different levels of sentence based on the harm caused and how culpable the offender is.

Sentencing guidelines for child sex offences, including for the offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming, were first published by the Council in 2013. Following consultation, revised guidelines for some child sex offences were published in May 2022. As an independent body, the Council decides its own work plan and priorities.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the operation of Sharia courts on the legal system. \p Sarah Sackman: I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 18 December to Question 18879: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2024-12-10/18879.

Sharia Councils are not part of the judicial system.
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Simon Hoare:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what progress she has made on changing licensing in the funeral home sector. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Funeral directors have a profound responsibility to treat those who have died with the utmost dignity and respect and the majority of funeral directors conduct themselves in accordance with the high standards expected of them. However, the Government recognises that there are some significant concerns about certain practices within the funeral sector, as evidenced by the incident in Hull.

This is a complex and sensitive matter that demands careful consideration to ensure a response that effectively safeguards the public. It is crucial to protect the rights and dignity of those who have died and their grieving families, while implementing measures that are proportionate.

For that reason, the Government is thoroughly evaluating all potential next steps to ensure that the high standards upheld by many within the funeral director sector are consistently reflected throughout the entire industry. This includes the possibility of introducing suitable and proportionate regulation for funeral directors. Further updates on the next steps will be provided in due course and the Government will respond to the Fuller Inquiry when its part two report is published.
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Dr Kieran Mullan:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many delays there have been in fitting sobriety tags longer than (a) one, (b) seven, (c) 14 and (d) 28 days in each of the last 12 months. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: The table below illustrates the proportional duration of fitting alcohol orders by month of order start date, from November 2023 to October 2024. This includes both AAMR tag and AML tag.

Up until May 2024, the electronic monitoring service was delivered by Capita. Serco took on the service on 1 May 2024. Provider performance was poor either side of the transfer and there has been a backlog of visits under Serco.

Ministers have been clear that Serco’s performance has been unacceptable and contractual penalties have been levied against them as a result.

Frequency Distribution of Durations of Tag Fit Time for Alcohol Tags by Month (November 2023 – October 2024)

Days

Date

1 day or less

2 to 7 days

8 to 14 days

15 to 28 days

28 days+

Nov 23

14%

48%

16%

12%

9%

Dec 23

21%

39%

11%

11%

18%

Jan 24

16%

37%

8%

14%

25%

Feb 24

25%

35%

8%

14%

19%

Mar 24

19%

33%

12%

22%

14%

Apr 24

22%

35%

10%

14%

19%

May 24

13%

26%

10%

25%

25%

Jun 24

13%

34%

17%

19%

17%

Jul 24

22%

42%

15%

14%

8%

Aug 24

23%

39%

13%

14%

10%

Sep 24

21%

32%

16%

19%

11%

Oct 24

29%

42%

15%

14%

1%

Proportion

20%

36%

13%

16%

15%

Notes

These figures are drawn from administrative data systems provided by contractors. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent.

These figures exclude those who had not had a tag fitted at the point the underlying files were generated. An individual subject to an AM order may not have a tag fitted for a number of reasons, including being recalled.

The tag fit time has been derived by subtracting the first date the data appears as tagged on the caseload file, as compared to the order start date. Where AMS is notified late of an order, the difference between the order start date and the date the tag is fitted is not an accurate reflection of contractor performance.

Data provided for the period November 2023 to October 2024 as this represents the latest available data.

Monitored individuals are unique individuals with a live EM order and with an alcohol device (AAMR or AML) fitted.

Alcohol monitoring cannot be used for those under 18.
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Mims Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department’s sentencing review will consider the potential merits of designating misogyny as a hate crime. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for this Government. This Government has made a clear commitment to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.

Our manifesto committed to a review of sentencing to ensure the framework is up to date. In October 2024, the Government launched an independent Sentencing Review, chaired by David Gauke.

The Sentencing Review will be guided by three principles. Firstly, sentences must punish offenders and protect the public – there must always be space in prison for the most dangerous offenders.

Secondly, sentences must encourage offenders to turn their backs on a life of crime, cutting crime by reducing reoffending. Thirdly, we must expand and make greater use of punishment outside of prison.

The Review has a broad remit. It will be up to the chair to decide on the areas of focus, but we have asked the Review to specifically look at the sentencing of offences primarily committed against women and girls.
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John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the impact of levels of taxation on people in Scotland. \p Ian Murray: The assessment that we have made is that the Honourable Gentleman's party crashed the economy and left the legacy of the highest tax burden on working people in 70 years and in Scotland that is even higher.

The SNP Government’s own figures show that a Band 5 Nurse will pay more tax in Scotland than a nurse earning the same amount in England, meanwhile billions of pounds of taxpayer money has been wasted under the SNP.

The previous Conservative government and current SNP government both share the belief that nurses, teachers and ordinary Scots should pay for their economic failures.

We will provide economic stability and put more money in people’s pockets.
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Joani Reid:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the future of industry in Scotland. \p Ian Murray: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to ensure we work together to safeguard the future for key Scottish industries.

We inherited a fiscal crisis, and in Scotland an industrial crisis as well. Our industrial strategy will be for all parts of the UK.

Scotland is key to our defence, technology, professional services, higher education, food and drink and energy industries, all cornerstones of Scotland's strong economic and industrial base.
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Dave Doogan:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland,what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support people with the cost of living in Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: Delivering economic growth and raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom, so working people have more money in their pocket, is the government’s central mission.

We are protecting 1 million pensioners with the triple lock, giving a pay rise to hundreds of thousands of Scots through the minimum wage increase.

3.2 million people in Scotland will benefit from the cut in fuel duty, 1.7 million families in Scotland will have their working age benefits uprated in line with inflation, and our universal credit reforms will be essential for families throughout Scotland.
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Kenneth Stevenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on public services in Scotland. \p Kirsty McNeill: The budget delivered more money for public services in Scotland with the largest real terms budget in the history of devolution.

People now expect delivery from the SNP government in Edinburgh, especially in our NHS where over 100,000 Scots have been trapped on NHS waiting lists for more than a year. They have the money, they have the powers, there are no more excuses.
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Rebecca Paul:To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of not issuing new oil and gas licences on economic growth in Scotland. \p Ian Murray: The UK Government recognises oil and gas production in the North Sea will be part of our energy mix for decades to come and is committed to managing the energy transition in a way that supports jobs in existing and future industries. We have a workforce that leads the world and we are determined to secure their long-term future in the energy industry.

The Government will be consulting shortly on how to support the energy transition in the North Sea.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the recent (a) Georgian parliamentary election and (b) presidential inauguration on Georgia’s relationship with (i) the EU, (ii) the United States and (iii) NATO. \p Stephen Doughty: I made clear on 3 December that Georgia's continued steps away from democratic norms and freedoms will only serve to harm its international reputation, and risk fundamentally damaging relations with Georgia's friends and partners. In response to recent events in Georgia, the Foreign Secretary announced on 9 December that the UK would suspend all programme support to the Georgian government, restricted defence cooperation, and limited engagement with representatives of Georgian Dream. On 19 December the UK, in co-ordination with the USA, implemented sanctions against the Minister and Deputy Minister of Internal affairs and three police officials responsible for violent attacks against journalists and peaceful protestors in Georgia. The UK continues to work closely with NATO, European and American partners to support the Euro-Atlantic will of the Georgian People.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of publishing records of meetings with the Pakistani government on the deportation of Pakistani national prisoners. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: This Government is fully committed to making our communities safer by deporting those who break our laws. Despite significant and complex challenges when seeking to return foreign national offenders.

I raised these issues with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during my visit to Pakistan in November 2024. We do not routinely publish records of private meetings with the Government of Pakistan which form part of our day-to-day diplomatic relations.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with the Pakistani authorities on the return of Pakistani national prisoners. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: This Government is fully committed to making our communities safer by deporting those who break our laws. Despite significant and complex challenges when seeking to return foreign national offenders. The UK has regular constructive discussions with Pakistani authorities on a range of topics of vital mutual interest. I raised these issues with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during my visit to Pakistan in November 2024.
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Stephen Gethins:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Turkish counterpart on the security situation in northern Syria. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: The Foreign Secretary spoke to Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan about the security situation in northern Syria on a number of occasions; most recently at the International Contact Group for Syria in Riyadh on 12 January. I spoke most recently to Deputy Turkish Foreign Minister Yilmaz on 24 December 2024. This is part of regular Ministerial and senior official engagement with Turkish counterparts on this issue. We continue to urge all sides to refrain from activity that will lead to loss of civilian life, damage to civilian infrastructure, and to avoid further destabilisation and civilian suffering in the region.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Namibian counterpart on relations between the UK and that country. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK enjoys a warm partnership with the Republic of Namibia, built upon our shared interests of driving economic growth, building climate resilience, and promoting Commonwealth values. Namibia recently held elections in November 2024. We are exploring ministerial attendance at the Presidential inauguration in March, to meet the new administration and discuss opportunities that promote economic growth, as well as listening to Namibian views on the new Africa Approach.
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Bell Ribeiro-Addy:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Tanzanian counterpart on alleged reports of (a) forced evictions, (b) excessive use of force and (c) arbitrary detention of Maasai people in Tanzania. \p Anneliese Dodds: The British High Commission in Dar es Salaam continues to meet with stakeholders on this issue, including the Government of Tanzania, Maasai community leaders and civil society representatives, to better understand the challenges faced by all parties. This is a complex and important matter, and we will continue to encourage all involved to engage in meaningful dialogue.
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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to uphold human rights in Sudan. \p Anneliese Dodds: In November, the Minister for Africa chaired a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting stressing the urgent need to protect civilians in Sudan and supporting the Secretary General's recommendations on the protection of civilians. The UK co-led a protection of civilians UNSC resolution on Sudan which received unanimous support apart from Russia, who chose to veto it. We continue to explore ways to move forward with an updated Council product that will not be blocked again by Russia. At the UN Human Rights Council in October 2024, the UK led lobbying efforts to secure a mandate extension for the UN Fact-Finding Mission that investigates human rights abuses in Sudan. The UK strongly supports the International Criminal Court's (ICC) active investigation into the situation in Darfur, including allegations of crimes committed since April 2023. This support has included the secondment of expert investigators to support the ICC's work in several countries.
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Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Pakistani counterpart on inheritance rights for the Ahmadiyya community. \p Mr Hamish Falconer: We work to protect and promote human rights in Pakistan through our diplomatic engagement and programme funding. I underlined the importance of promoting religious tolerance and harmony when I met with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister in November, though inheritance rights were not raised specifically. The British High Commission also regularly raises the issue of Ahmadi Muslim rights at the highest levels. The UK will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all people in accordance with international standards.
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Jim Shannon: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 attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria during December 2024. \p Anneliese Dodds: The UK is committed to supporting Nigeria to address ongoing security challenges, including intercommunal violence and violent extremism, which continue to impinge on the rights of Nigerians to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). The root causes of this violence are complex, and whilst religious identity can play a role, so can loss of economic opportunity, competition over land and natural resources. Our support includes funding to programmes which strengthen mechanisms to resolve conflict and build resilience in affected communities. Through our UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership, we also engage with Nigerian security actors to address these complex issues.
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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 10 January 2025 to Question 21077 on Ithaca Energy: Occupied Territories, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of reports that the Rosebank oil field’s minority owner is owned by a firm operating in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. \p Michael Shanks: There are no current plans to make such assessment.

We routinely update our guidance to British businesses on the Overseas Business Risk website.

We advise British businesses to bear in mind the British Government's view on the illegality of settlements under international law when considering their investments and activities in the region.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent members of staff in his Department work on supporting (a) advanced and (b) small modular nuclear reactors. \p Michael Shanks: Advanced nuclear policy which includes Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) is administered by the Net Zero, Nuclear, and International (NZNI) Group within the Department. This includes an advanced nuclear policy function, a sponsorship interface with Great British Nuclear, which is delivering the SMR competition for UK deployment, and a science and innovation function as part of the Department’s wider Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. While staff numbers will fluctuate in accordance with Department priorities, as of January 2025, the team is made up of c.50 officials. The Department's activities are also supported by independent technical experts.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent members of staff in Great British Nuclear work on the UK’s small modular reactor programme. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Nuclear is driving forward its small modular reactor competition for UK deployment. To deliver on this mission, GBN has grown rapidly as an organisation and as of January 2025, GBN has c.145 FTE in total, of which c.90 FTE are focused directly on delivering the SMR programme.
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Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his Department's target is for nuclear capacity in gigawatts by (a) 2030, (b) 2040 and (c) 2050. \p Michael Shanks: Nuclear power currently provides ca. 15% of the UK’s electricity (6GW). As the current fleet retires, the Clean Power Action Plan anticipates a drop in capacity to 3-4GW in 2030.

We see nuclear as an important part of the mix going forward and are pushing ahead with building new nuclear. We have committed to getting Hinkley Point C over the line and will take final decisions on Sizewell C and the Great British Nuclear-led Small Modular Reactor programme at the Spending Review.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost of delivering Net Zero. \p Kerry McCarthy: The Net Zero transition is critical to sustainable UK growth because of the economic costs of unmitigated climate change.

The Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) published its analysis of the cost of reaching net zero by 2050 in chapter 3 of the July 2021 edition of its UK Fiscal Risk Report. As the OBR has noted, “the costs of failing to get climate change under control would be much larger than those of bringing emissions down to net zero.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what trading schemes are (a) operational and (b) planned under the terms of Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008. \p Sarah Jones: The operational trading schemes under Part 3 of the Climate Change Act 2008 (CCA) are the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, launched in 2021, and the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes, launched in 2024. A review of the UK ETS was published in December 2023. A consultation on the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes was published in December 2024. The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (formerly the Carbon Reduction Commitment) was previously established under Part 3 of the CCA, but there have been no CRC surrender obligations since October 2019 and all legal requirements for the scheme regulator end on 31 March 2025.
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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to ensure that the the creation of offshore energy does not harm marine habitats and ecosystems. \p Michael Shanks: The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. New energy infrastructure must be built in a way that protects the natural environment and supports nature recovery, by following a “mitigation hierarchy” to avoid damage to marine protected areas, and minimising, restoring and delivering compensation when damage cannot be avoided.

The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for the marine environment and sectors, and The Crown Estate to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed, including the marine environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

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Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) The Crown Estate to help ensure that the deployment of offshore energy does not negatively impact the marine environment. \p Michael Shanks: The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. New energy infrastructure must be built in a way that protects the natural environment and supports nature recovery, by following a “mitigation hierarchy” to avoid damage to marine protected areas, and minimising, restoring and delivering compensation when damage cannot be avoided.

The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for the marine environment and sectors, and The Crown Estate to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed, including the marine environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_279

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make it his policy that no offshore energy development projects will take place in the most sensitive marine habitats. \p Michael Shanks: The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature. New energy infrastructure must be built in a way that protects the natural environment and supports nature recovery, by following a “mitigation hierarchy” to avoid damage to marine protected areas, and minimising, restoring and delivering compensation when damage cannot be avoided.

The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for the marine environment and sectors, and The Crown Estate to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed, including the marine environment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_280

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Great British Energy's press release, Negotiations begin for UK’s small modular reactor programme, published on 11 November 2024, what steps he is taking to help ensure decisions on the UK small modular reactor programme are not delayed beyond spring 2025. \p Michael Shanks: As announced at the Autumn Budget, Great British Nuclear is driving forward the small modular reactor competition for UK deployment and is negotiating with four shortlisted companies. Once negotiations have concluded, the companies will be invited to submit final tenders, which GBN will then evaluate. Final decisions will be taken in the spring.

GBN is resourced to deliver the SMR competition and is working to a timeline that enables a robust process underpinned by fairness and transparency, to ensure any selected technology provides best value for money.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_281

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published. \p Michael Shanks: The information requested is a matter of public record and available on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_282

Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to publish a consultation on licences to explore new oil and gas fields. \p Michael Shanks: The Government will consult on its commitment to not issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_283

Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of opening new oil and gas fields in the North Sea on the Paris Agreement goal to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. \p Michael Shanks: At COP28, the UK and others agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in an orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade. This is essential to keep the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach. The Government has acted swiftly to consult on new environmental guidance for oil and gas firms to ensure that the impact of burning oil and gas is considered in the Environmental Impact Assessment for new projects.

The Government will consult on the implementation of its manifesto position, not to issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields, in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_284

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the cost to (a) consumers and (b) the public purse of the Sustainable Industry Reward scheme in each of the next five years. \p Michael Shanks: The Clean Industry Bonus (CIB) has superseded Sustainable Industry Rewards. Like the rest of the Contracts for Difference scheme, it will be funded by the existing levy on consumer bills. It will drive much needed investment in supply chains, including into new factories. For the first round of CIBs (starting in 2025), aggregate consumer bill impact is estimated to be in the region of c.£1-2 per year for two years, giving rise to a total bill impact of around £2-4 for the round. Impact for future rounds will depend on the timing and scale of those rounds which has yet to be decided.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_285

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the position of Head of Mission Control, Net Zero is a full-time role. \p Michael Shanks: The Head of Mission Control is a full-time role.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_286

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to balance the needs of different sea users, in the context of offshore energy. \p Michael Shanks: The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature.

Through the cross-government Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme (MSPri), the Department is engaging across government and with marine users to improve its understanding of future demands and identify opportunities for greater co-location.

The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for marine sectors, to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed as we develop future offshore wind.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_287

Ben Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to consult with sea users on the development of offshore energy projects. \p Michael Shanks: The UK Government is committed to accelerating to net zero, delivering clean power by 2030, and to restoring nature.

Through the cross-government Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme (MSPri) we are engaging across government and with marine users to improve our understanding of future demands and identify opportunities for greater co-location.

The Department will work with Defra to bring together its ministerial colleagues, who share responsibilities for marine sectors, to discuss how best to consider wider demands on the seabed as we develop future offshore wind.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_288

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on the potential for small modular nuclear reactors to power datacentres in the UK. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ and DSIT officials are already working together on the potential for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to power data centres in the UK and will continue to do so. The recently announced AI Energy Council is also an avenue for DESNZ and DSIT SoS to discuss this topic further with the AI industry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_289

Joe Robertson:To ask the Solicitor General, how many (a) internal policy reviews, (b) independent reviews, (c) external reviews, (d) taskforces, (e) public consultations, (f) investigations and (g) other reviews their Department launched between 5 July 2024 and 5 January 2025; what the titles were of those reviews; and how many of those reviews have been (i) completed and (ii) published. \p Lucy Rigby: This Government has outlined its ambitions through the Plan for Change, which sets out an ambitious set of milestones - across the missions - for this Parliament.

As the House would expect, Government continually reviews its work to ensure that it is delivering the best outcomes for the people of the United Kingdom, and that its policies continue to represent the best value for the taxpayer.

Public reviews will be available on Gov.uk as they are published.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_290

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department issues guidance to local authorities on the size of (a) household rubbish and (b) recycling bins. \p Mary Creagh: No, Defra has not issued guidance on the size of household rubbish and recycling bins. Local authorities are best placed to determine the effective delivery of local services.

Through Simpler Recycling, Government is providing the framework in which they do this and ensure that there is consistency in what is collected.

The Government’s priority is ensuring that households’ needs are met, and we expect local authorities to continue to provide services to a reasonable standard, as they do now. Building on existing and new legal duties, Defra recently published non-statutory guidance on ensuring good waste collection services for households, which includes certain factors local authorities should consider when they review services, to ensure that reasonable standards are maintained.

We are also working with sector specialists WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) to provide additional (non-statutory) guidance on best practice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_291

Mr Toby Perkins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the recommendations within the Environmental Audit Committee's report entitled The UK's contribution to tackling global deforestation, published on 4 January 2024. \p Mary Creagh: We note the recommendations put forward by the committee and recognise the important work that there is to be done.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_292

Barry Gardiner:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the future of the Darwin Plus programme. \p Mary Creagh: In November 2024, Minister Doughty and Minister McCarthy met with the elected leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territories at the UK Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council. The UK Government confirmed that it would continue to work in partnership with the Territories to support the protection of their unique environments and to help address biodiversity loss.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-01-22)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-01-22 conversation_293

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 19918 on Waste: Codes of Practice, what representations he has received, on outsourced private enforcement firms issuing fines in breach of non-statutory enforcement guidance. \p Mary Creagh: Current littering enforcement guidance for local authorities is clear that where external contractors are used, private firms should not be able to receive greater revenue or profits just from increasing the volume of penalties and that local authorities remain responsible for the whole enforcement process, whether they contract out part of it or not.

The previous administration consulted on whether to place this guidance on a statutory footing. 35 responses were received, some of which discussed the use of private enforcement firms.