theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Dame Harriett Baldwin:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to Question 25193 tabled by the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on 21 January 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: A response to Question 25193 is being prepared and will be provided as soon as possible. I apologise for the delay in responding to the hon. Member.
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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make it his policy to hold a public consultation on the Air Quality Information System Review's conclusions and recommendations. \p Emma Hardy: The Government recognizes the importance of effectively communicating air quality information to the public, which is why we conducted a comprehensive review of the Air Quality Information System (AQIS). A large evidence base has been assimilated which gives a strong foundation for taking forward solutions. The final report and accompanying evidence will be published shortly.

We will not be conducting a public consultation on the recommendations of this review. They will inform air quality elements of the revised Environmental Improvement Plan and will be incorporated into a revised Air Quality Strategy in due course.
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Sir Ashley Fox:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether there are any requirements for civil servants to book a desk in advance in order to attend the office in person in each of (a) their Department's office workplaces and (b) the arm’s length bodies of their Department. \p Daniel Zeichner: There is an online booking tool for Core Defra and arm’s length bodies’ staff to use to book workspaces in advance at some office locations (including desks, meeting rooms, and collaboration spaces). It is not a requirement to have the online booking tool in place at all office locations.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department is providing for farmers impacted by the Bluetongue virus. \p Daniel Zeichner: This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England and Wales only.

This Government recognises the importance of tackling rural crimes such as Hare Coursing.

The previous Government made changes to address illegal hare coursing through a package of measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. This broadened the circumstances in which police can investigate and bring charges for hare coursing related activity.

Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police. This is in line with their duties to keep the peace and protect communities.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the symptoms on the Bluetongue virus alongside vaccinations. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra’s approach to bluetongue virus (BTV) considers the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice and aims to limit the spread of infection through proportionate and evidence-based control measures where appropriate, including movement controls on susceptible animals and controls on germinal products. A Restricted Zone is currently in place to help prevent the spread of disease.

Alongside this, the Secretary of State authorised the use of three BTV-3 vaccines in 2024 and keepers are encouraged to discuss the use of vaccines with their vet.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of post-Brexit trade agreements on UK farmers' access to international markets. \p Daniel Zeichner: Local authorities have a critical role in responding to the impacts of climate change in their areas. The Government is currently reviewing its approach to Climate Adaptation, including the tools and support we give to Local Authorities.

in terms of finance, the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25. The majority of this funding is un-ringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote the distribution of cost-effective technological innovations to the farming community in West Dorset. \p Daniel Zeichner: We are committed to supporting technological innovation on farm so all farming sectors can maximise their levels of productivity whilst increasing their sustainability and resilience.

As announced at the NFU Conference, the next window of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) will launch in Spring 2025. This will support uptake of innovative technology and equipment that is commercially available. The scheme will be open to farmers across England and a list of eligible equipment will be published within the scheme guidance ahead of its launch.

The Farming Innovation Programme funds research across a range of technologies in agriculture including precision agriculture. Almost £150 million has been committed to projects of which over £84 million has been committed to small businesses. From later in the year a further £63 million will be available in innovation grants under the Programme to support research and innovation, technology and equipment for farmers.

We are looking carefully at how to position further investment and support to enable the delivery of this Government's objectives as part of the forthcoming Spending Review.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of plant protection product legislation on trends in the level of animal testing on dogs in the last five years. \p Emma Hardy: While we have not made an assessment of the potential impact of plant protection product legislation on trends in the level of animal testing, the UK Government is committed to maintaining a rigorous regulatory system which ensures that animal research and testing is carried out only where no practicable alternatives exist and under controls which keep suffering to a minimum.

The GB pesticides regulation (assimilated EU Regulation 1107/2009) requires that any testing on vertebrate animals is undertaken only where no other methods are available and that duplication of tests and studies on vertebrates must be avoided. It is an offence to carry out animal tests in contravention of the regulations. The HSE implement and enforce these requirements as the competent authority for the GB pesticide regulations, acting on behalf of the UK and Devolved Governments in Scotland and Wales.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent trends in veterinary service costs on farm veterinary insurance premiums over the last five years. \p Daniel Zeichner: Insurance providers are private businesses and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are therefore not able to provide further information on this matter.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help farmers adopt soil management practices that enhance moisture retention during hot and dry conditions. \p Daniel Zeichner: Healthy soils have improved resilience to extreme weather, and soil moisture is an important factor in soil health. Our Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes include actions that support healthy soil. This includes payments for actions to improve soil health, including herbal leys and multi-species cover crops.

In the October 2024 budget, we committed £5 billion for farming over two years, including £1.8 billion for our ELM schemes - the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history. We now have more than half of farmers in an ELM scheme, enabling us to boost Britain’s food security while accelerating the transition to a more resilient and sustainable farming sector.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will provide clarity on the law on the public rights of navigation on non-tidal waterways; and if he will make a comparative assessment of his policy and Magna Carta. \p Emma Hardy: I refer the Hon Member to the reply previously given on 21 January 2025 to PQ 24394.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to publish a response to the consultation entitled the Fur Market in Great Britain, published on 31 May 2021, after the Animal Welfare Committee publishes its review on the responsible sourcing of fur. \p Daniel Zeichner: The call for evidence on the Fur Market in Great Britain was undertaken by the previous government and next steps will be announced in due course.

Defra is continuing to build the evidence base on the fur sector. This includes commissioning our expert Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) on what constitutes responsible sourcing of fur. The report that they produce will support our understanding of the fur industry and help inform our next steps.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the recent decline in the number of agricultural workers. \p Daniel Zeichner: We recognise that it is vital that the agricultural sector have the labour they need to harvest great British produce and grow their businesses. For this reason, Defra regularly monitors agricultural labour numbers, with the most recent assessment for 1 June 2024 being published here on 15 December 2024.

To help support the sector, Defra and Home Office have agreed to a 5-year extension to the Seasonal Worker visa route. This will give farms a pipeline of workers and certainty to grow their businesses.

However, we remain firmly committed to reduce our reliance on overseas labour. Annual quota reviews will ensure we strike the right balance – supporting farms while gradually reducing visa numbers as we develop innovative and Agri-tech solutions.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help encourage the adoption of forward contracts between dairy producers and processors. \p Daniel Zeichner: Farmers should always receive a fair price for their products, and the Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists.

Central to this is the Government’s commitment to improving contractual practices across the agriculture industry, using the Fair Dealings powers in the Agriculture Act 2020 to increase transparency and protect farmers from unfair practices.

The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, which came into force last year, introduced key reforms. These include mandatory written contracts outlining key terms such as termination conditions and agreed supply volumes. They also require greater transparency in milk pricing and establish robust dispute resolution procedures, strengthening trust and cooperation between buyers and sellers.

The regulations are enforced by the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator, who can investigate complaints from farmers who believe they have not been provided with a contract that is compliant with the Regulations, on behalf of the Secretary of State.

We will continue to monitor the dairy industry to ensure these reforms deliver their intended impact, including through a future review of the effectiveness of the dairy regulations.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has commissioned research into developing cereal crop varieties more resilient to prolonged periods of drought. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra’s flagship crop breeding programme, the crop Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs), funds research to develop crop varieties that are more productive; sustainable; and have greater resilience against a changing climate, including drought tolerance. The latest investment in this research programme - £15 million over 5 years - covers five crop types, including wheat. The GINs have already successfully identified genetic traits to improve resilience to climate change and common pests and diseases; and the programme is working closely with breeders to incorporate these traits into elite UK crop varieties.

On 25 February the legislation needed to implement the Precision Breeding Act for plants in England was laid in Parliament and through a new Farming Innovation Programme thematic competition, we have announced £12.5 million to help deliver the practical benefits of precision breeding technology to farmers. This will help transform the plant breeding sector, including potentially supporting more drought resilient cereals.
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Mike Amesbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of trends in the cost of pet insurance in the last (a) 12 and (b) 24 months. \p Daniel Zeichner: Pet insurance providers are private businesses and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are therefore not able to provide further information.
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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many meetings (a) he and (b) Minsters from his Department have had with (i) growers and (ii) fruit growers in the last 12 months; and when did those meetings take place. \p Daniel Zeichner: We recognise the specific needs of the horticulture sector. Defra ministers and officials meet regularly with a variety of growers (including a number of Producer Organisation members) from across the sector to discuss a wide range of issues. This allows us to understand if, and where, government intervention is needed.
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Helen Whately:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 November 2024 to Question 15504 on Agriculture: Subsidies, what issues were discussed with growers. \p Daniel Zeichner: We recognise the specific needs of the horticulture sector. Defra ministers and officials meet regularly with a variety of growers (including a number of Producer Organisation members) from across the sector to discuss a wide range of issues. This allows us to understand if, and where, government intervention is needed.
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Charlotte Nichols:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he taking to increase the recycling rates of soft plastics not normally collected at the kerbside. \p Mary Creagh: Recyclable plastic film and flexible packaging is to be collected for recycling from both households and businesses across the UK by 31 March 2027.

Waste is a devolved policy area. This will be implemented as part of Simpler Recycling in England, and the devolved administrations will have similar arrangements.

In the lead up to this requirement, existing kerbside, front of store and postal take back collections of plastic films for recycling will continue and are expected to increase in response to certainty over the timing of the introduction of this new collection requirement. Investment in new UK plastic reprocessing facilities is also expected.

To support our ambitious goals to recycle plastic film, Defra alongside the Flexible Plastic Fund, UK Research and Innovation and Zero Waste Scotland, is funding a multi-million-pound pilot project on flexible plastic kerbside collections.
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Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to open the Air Quality Funding Scheme for local authorities in 2025. \p Emma Hardy: The Local Air Quality Grant is not opening for the 24/25 financial year. Any future funding schemes will be subject to The Government spending review processes.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will submit an environmental information request to South West Water seeking to obtain details of the (a) testing and (b) monitoring they have carried out along the River Teign in the last five years. \p Emma Hardy: Access to testing and monitoring data is vital for transparency and to hold water companies to account to deliver protections for our rivers, lakes and seas. There are a number of provisions to ensure that Government, regulators and the public have access to the information about discharges from water company assets.

The Environment Agency undertakes statutory bathing water samples to test for microbiological water quality including faecal indicator organisms at Teignmouth Town, Shaldon and Ness Cove, and six additional freshwater sites along the River Teign, during the bathing water season. High readings will be investigated.

This data is published on the EA’s Swimfo bathing waters website so that the public can make an informed decision before swimming.

Since 1 January 2025, water companies are required to publish data related to discharges from all storm overflows within one hour of the discharge beginning. This data can be found on the South West Water website.
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Mr James Frith:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to amend standards for cat and dog pens. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 require businesses providing the following activities to hold a licence issued by their local authority: selling dogs or cats, dog breeding, boarding for dogs or cats, home boarding for dogs, dog day care or keeping or training dogs or cats for exhibition. Statutory guidance details the licence conditions, including conditions relating to housing and accommodation for dogs and cats.

Defra recently completed a post-implementation review (PIR) of the Regulations, which can be found at - The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 Post Implementation Review. The Government is considering the findings and will be outlining more detail on next steps in due course.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will (a) support and (b) meet with the community organisation Friends of the River Teign, in the context of South West Water's plans for tackling levels of overflow along the River Teign. \p Emma Hardy: The Government commends the work of community groups in bringing attention to environmental issues, such as the state of our rivers.

The local Environment Agency Team last met with the Friends of the River Teign (FORT) through the South Devon Catchment Partnership in December 2024. The next meeting is arranged for Thursday 6 March. It will include an update on water quality testing including additional monitoring of the Teignmouth Back Beach, Defra’s bathing water consultation, and wider Environment Agency work to improve water quality in the River Teign.
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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Capital Grant scheme for farmers will re-open for applications. \p Daniel Zeichner: Defra announced on the 24 February that the Environmental Land Management standalone Capital Grants scheme will re-open in summer 2025. We will confirm the date it will re-open in due course.
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Jerome Mayhew:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to meet its target of 16.5% tree cover by 2050. \p Mary Creagh: We are making progress towards the statutory target to reach 16.5% tree and woodland cover in England by 2050. The Government has pledged up to £400 million for tree planting and peatland restoration over the current and next financial year. As part of that we will create new woodland including national forests to bring communities and woodlands closer together and to create new green jobs. The Government has launched a Tree Planting Taskforce to support our plans to plant millions more trees.
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Helen Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will set targets for the reuse of digital devices in the extended producer responsibility regime. \p Mary Creagh: We do not currently set targets for the reuse of digital devices in the waste electricals producer responsibility regime. The Circular Economy Taskforce will consider evidence for action right across the economy and evaluate which interventions are required as we develop the Circular Economy Strategy for England.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the support Government has provided (a) before, (b) during and (c) after flooding instances in (i) Somerset and (ii) the South West. \p Emma Hardy: As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, a record £2.65 billion will be invested over two years in building, maintaining and repairing flood defences, better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026. Around 1,000 projects will receive funding in 24/25 and 25/26.

Defra works with National Resilience, part of the Home Office, to maintain the Flood Rescue National Asset Register, a list of over 100 teams from the Fire and Rescue Service and voluntary organisations with boats and other assets and who are available for national deployment in England, through Local Resilience Forum (LRF) coordination

Government recovery support after flooding is only provided in exceptional circumstances. The recent flooding impact did not trigger the Flood Recovery Framework or Property Flood Resilience Grant. For context, the framework was activated after storms Babet (October 2023) and Henk (January 2024), affecting over 8,500 homes and businesses.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what incentives are available for farmers to invest in innovative irrigation systems that enhance water efficiency in controlled environment agriculture. \p Daniel Zeichner: We are committed to supporting all farming sectors to increase levels of productivity whilst increasing their sustainability and resilience. We are looking carefully at how to position further investment and support to enable the delivery of this Government's objectives, including on water management. We plan to simplify and rationalise our grant funding, ensuring that grants deliver the most benefit for food security and nature.

The forthcoming round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund, to launch in Spring 2025, will support the uptake of innovative technology and equipment that is commercially available. The scheme has historically offered grants for water management equipment and will be open to farmers across England. The full list of eligible equipment will be published within the scheme guidance ahead of the scheme launch.

We will confirm any further future grant rounds in due course following the forthcoming Spending Review.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the contribution of water treatment facilities in managing excess water and flooding in South Somerset. \p Emma Hardy: Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs) are new and vital for setting out how the water industry plans to extend, improve and maintain a robust and resilient drainage and wastewater system in the face of pressures from climate change, urban development and a growing population. Wessex Water's DWMP sets out how they plan to deliver this for the next 25 years. They will be updating this plan shortly and will consult publicly. The Environment Agency is working with OFWAT and Defra to ensure these plans deliver.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to help protect houses built on flood prone land in South Somerset. \p Emma Hardy: As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, a record £2.65 billion will be invested over two years in better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026. Around 1,000 projects will receive funding in 24/25 and 25/26.

The Government has committed to ensure we are building more high-quality, well-designed and sustainable homes and creating places that increase climate resilience and promote nature recovery. Flood risk is an important consideration in the planning system.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk, including floodplains. Where development is necessary, and where there are no suitable sites available in areas with a lower risk of flooding, local planning authorities and developers should ensure development is appropriately flood resilient and resistant, safe for its users for the development’s lifetime, will not increase flood risk overall and will provide wider sustainability benefits.

The Government published a revised NPPF in December 2024. This clarified how the sequential test should be applied to development in areas of flood risk and encouraged the use of sustainable drainage systems in new development. The Government will consider whether further changes are required to manage flood risk, coastal change and sustainable drainage systems provision through the planning system when we consult on further planning reform, including a set of national policies related to decision making, this spring.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the implementation of nature-based solutions to help reduce flooding risks along the River Frome. \p Emma Hardy: The Environment Agency (EA) is committed to supporting Natural Flood Management (NFM) measures across the West Dorset constituency. NFM comprises of using natural processes to reduce the risk of flooding, often to slow and store water.

The EA is currently supporting, (via the Water Environment Improvement Fund), a Dorset Wildlife Trust flagship project, Frome Headwaters. This project has a multi-beneficial focus including enhanced water quality monitoring, stakeholder engagement and project development and delivery with a focus on working with natural processes to reduce sediment input and improve habitat that will also reduce flood risk.

The EA has previously funded projects on the River Hooke upstream of Maiden Newton and will continue to explore NFM options with partners and communities across the area.
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Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which farmers will contribute towards natural flood defence measures. \p Daniel Zeichner: Environmental Land Management schemes and other Government grant payments create incentives for land managers to adopt sustainable farming practices, which provide benefits for agricultural productivity, biodiversity and resilience to climate events. For example, we are providing funding for farmers to implement natural flood management measures on their land, boosting resilience and supporting flood preparedness. Funding for soil health actions can help reduce the impacts of drought and flooding.

The record £2.65 billion floods investment programme also delivers natural flood management, with the impact of a project on agricultural land included as part of the funding calculator. In addition, the government published a rapid evidence assessment in 2024 of flooding and coastal erosion on agricultural land and businesses, and this discusses the evidence for agriculture as a provider of natural flood management.
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Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he has made towards his Department's target of 50% of food procurement in the public sector being locally sourced. \p Daniel Zeichner: At January’s Oxford Farming Conference, as part of the Government’s New Deal for Farmers, the Government announced a series of reforms, including, where possible, backing British produce. It was also announced that for the first time ever, the government will review food currently bought in the public sector and where it is bought from. This work will start right away and be a significant first step in understanding how to capitalise on the Government’s purchasing power: informing any changes to public sector food procurement policies in due course.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing disposal infrastructure for pesticides in the UK at protecting (a) the environment and (b) public health. \p Emma Hardy: We have no current plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of existing disposal infrastructure for pesticides in the UK.

The Government’s first priority with regard to pesticides is to ensure that they will not harm people or pose unacceptable risks to the environment. All pesticide users should follow good practice in the use, storage and disposal of pesticide products, and work to reduce the amount of waste they produce, as set out in the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.

For all pesticides there are legal requirements to store the product securely, use it according to its authorisation (which will include conditions considered appropriate to protect people and the environment) and dispose safely of any surplus.
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Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to meet with British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme trustees again to discuss progress on the transfer of the investment reserve fund. \p Sarah Jones: Further work on the future of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme will require close working with the scheme Trustees.
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Adam Jogee:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will meet with the hon. Member for Newcastle-under Lyme to discuss (a) the potential merits of releasing the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) investment reserve and (b) support for BCSSS Members in (i) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency, (ii) Staffordshire and (iii) the United Kingdom. \p Sarah Jones: This matter is currently under consideration. I am happy to update my honourable friend.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_179

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he expects discussions with British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme trustees to conclude on the transfer of the investment reserve fund. \p Sarah Jones: I met with the Chair and Trustee representatives of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) on 16 December where they outlined their proposals for changes to the Scheme. We will work with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals once the new Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme arrangements have been agreed.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_180
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_180

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25410, what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to uplift pensions. \p Sarah Jones: I have written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter and we will continue to work closely with His Majesty’s Treasury on aspects related to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_181
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_181

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he expects discussions with Mineworkers' Pension Scheme trustees to conclude on the future of the surplus sharing arrangements. \p Sarah Jones: Discussions with the scheme Trustees are ongoing and any announcements will be made in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_182
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_182

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 29 January 2025 to Question 25410, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on release of the investment reserve of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to uplift pensions. \p Sarah Jones: I have written to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on this matter and we will continue to work closely with His Majesty’s Treasury on aspects related to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_183
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_183

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the UK Emissions Trading Scheme will be ready and aligned with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate by the end of 2026. \p Sarah Jones: Aircraft operators that use eligible sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can currently claim a reduction in their UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations. In June 2023, the UK ETS Authority committed to review its approach to SAF within the UK ETS, acknowledging the significance of the SAF Mandate to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. The UK ETS Authority will consult on a range of options, including SAF Mandate alignment in due course.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_184
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_184

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support industrial electrification. \p Sarah Jones: Fuel switching from fossil fuels to electricity has the potential to significantly reduce annual industrial emissions, making a critical contribution to our carbon budget commitments contributing between 15% and 40% of the necessary carbon abatement in industry by 2050. The Government remains committed to supporting industrial electrification and addressing the barriers to investment that were highlighted in the 2023 call for evidence on enabling industrial electrification. This includes further development of policy options to address the high cost of electricity relative to natural gas, and the implementation of planning reforms to speed up infrastructure development and unblock issues on grid connection delays.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_185
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_185

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the process is for signing off the transfer of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme investment reserve fund back to the trustees to uplift pensions. \p Sarah Jones: Any future agreement on changes to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme would require agreement from His Majesty’s Treasury, the Trustees and my Department.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_186
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_186

Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to utilise abandoned coal mines for the benefit of communities in (a) Broxtowe and (b) the East Midlands. \p Michael Shanks: The Mining Remediation Authority are seeking alternative ways to maximise opportunities from closed and abandoned mines across former coal field communities.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_187
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_187

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the switch-off of the Radio Teleswitch Service on households reliant on Economy 10 electricity tariffs. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Energy suppliers are best placed to advise on suitable tariffs for households affected by the switch-off of RTS, including those with Economy 10 electricity tariffs.

Ofgem is consulting on plans to introduce new RTS licence conditions for energy suppliers, one of which states that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a tariff that leaves their customers ‘no worse off’ than previously once their RTS meter is replaced.

Energy suppliers are contacting all households with RTS meters and Ofgem is encouraging customers to book an appointment to ensure they are provided with a replacement meter ahead of the switch-off.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_188
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_188

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's consultation entitled Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes: 2025 update, published on 7 February 2025, whether she has made an assessment of the suitability of pre Second World War housing stock for (a) cavity wall insulation and (b) external wall insulation. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Cavity Wall Insulation and External Wall Insulation when installed correctly is a cost-effective means of improving energy efficiency in homes. All work carried out under current Government energy efficiency schemes, must be installed by a retrofit professional who is certified to Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2030, with work carried out in accordance with PAS 2035. Installers must also be registered with TrustMark and required to provide a TrustMark approved 25-year insurance backed guarantee. This ensures the highest quality installations.

Government does not specify which types of insulation should be installed in any particular property, only that the installations should be carried out by TrustMark registered installers in accordance with the relevant standards and consumer protection requirements.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_189
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_189

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available to farmers to improve the insulation of farmhouses. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The UK Government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings, income groups, and housing types such as farmhouses. As part of the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed initial £3.4 billion over the next three years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency.

There are various schemes currently delivering home energy efficiency improvements including the Energy Company Obligation, the Great British Insulation Scheme, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The new Warm Homes: Local Grant will support low-income homeowners and private tenants with insulation measures, with delivery beginning this year.

Households can also use the home retrofit tool on GOV.UK, ‘Find ways to save energy in your home’ (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency) which allows users to get tailored recommendations for home improvements that could make their property cheaper to heat and keep warm.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_190
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_190

Wera Hobhouse:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) small anaerobic digestion plants and (b) other small energy producers. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants and small scale biomass generators.

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

Anaerobic digestion plants do have alternative sources of support available such as the Green Gas Support Scheme that provides support for biomethane grid injection.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_191
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_191

Sarah Champion:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) importing wind turbine components from China and (b) the ability of the UK to produce wind turbine components from domestically made steel on national security. \p Michael Shanks: The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority of this Government. We have a range of effective measures in place which give the Government powers to balance an open investment environment to facilitate growth with protecting the parts of our economy that are the most sensitive to national security.

The UK steel industry has a long-term future under this Government. This month we launched the Plan for Steel Consultation, to look at the long-term issues facing the industry. This includes assessing how domestic steel producers could fulfil more UK demand for steel in downstream industries. Britain is open for business, and this Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to the future of steel to protect our industrial heartlands, maintain jobs, and drive growth as part of our Plan for Change.
wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_192
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-03-03)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-03-03 conversation_192

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to promote renewable energy opportunities on the Isle of Sark. \p Michael Shanks: Sark, a self-governing jurisdiction within the Crown Dependency of Bailiwick of Guernsey, is responsible for its own domestic affairs, including energy policy. The Government recognises the role of local energy initiatives in Sark and the need to improve and modernise their electricity grid. While there have been discussions between Sark and the UK Government regarding their investment needs, as Sark is outside of the UK, there is limited scope for direct support from DESNZ.