theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to enable Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB to allow GP to make referrals to adult ADHD assessment waiting lists. \p Stephen Kinnock: It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) in England to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including providing access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessment and treatment, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

Due to the unprecedented demand for ADHD diagnosis and treatment nationally and locally across all age groups, the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB advises that it has implemented an interim measure which is intended to ensure that those patients most in need are prioritised and that those who can self-manage are supported to do so.

Under the interim measure, referrals for adult ADHD assessments are being triaged, and assessments are progressed only for people who also have co-occurring complex psychosocial co-morbidity and/or co-existing secondary care mental health needs, to ensure needs are assessed and resources are utilised on those who are most in need. General practitioners are still able to refer patients to Right to Choose providers if the need for an ADHD assessment is clinically indicated.

Nationally, NHS England has captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support systems to tackle ADHD waiting lists and to provide support to address people’s needs.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of adult social care on supporting people of working age into the labour market. \p Stephen Kinnock: Adult social care plays a vital role and directly supports people of working age to enter, remain in, or return to employment, and ultimately to maintain people’s independence. By ensuring individuals receive the right care in the right place at the right time, they are better able to contribute to society through employment, volunteering, or other forms of participation. To support working aged people into the labour market, earnings from employment are specifically disregarded from financial assessments, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/2672/regulation/14

This is to ensure that working aged adults who are in employment are able to retain their earnings in full, and supplement their income, in addition to retaining the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) after being charged for their social care.

The Government also recognises the importance of supporting unpaid carers. Access to appropriate support, such as respite care, is important to help carers maintain their own wellbeing and avoid burnout, which can otherwise lead to withdrawal from the workforce. To support this, we are committed to reviewing the implementation of Carer’s Leave and examining the benefits of introducing paid Carer’s Leave.
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Sarah Hall:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress his Department has made on the implementation of the Oliver McGowan mandatory training on learning disability and autism across the NHS and social care workforce. \p Stephen Kinnock: On 19 June 2025, the Department laid a Code of Practice in Parliament which sets out how providers can meet the statutory requirement for learning disability and autism training.

Over three million people have completed the e-learning package, the first part of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism (Oliver’s Training). National Health Service providers have reported that approximately 520,000 people have completed either Tier 1 or Tier 2 of Oliver’s Training. At the end of August 2025, 2,850 people have been trained to deliver Oliver’s Training and have been added to the Approved Trainer list.

Data on completion of Oliver’s Training by the NHS is held locally and is reported to NHS England by the integrated care boards. This data does not differentiate between completion by frontline staff and other NHS and social care staff and is instead focussed on the overall completion of Tier 1 and Tier 2.

The Department will be providing funding in autumn 2025 to support rollout of Oliver’s Training to the adult social care sector, via the same online claims service as the Learning and Development Support Scheme.
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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase support for children with Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome. \p Ashley Dalton: The Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as Wiedemann-Steiner syndrome. The UK Rare Diseases Framework sets out four priorities collaboratively developed with the rare disease community: these include getting a final diagnosis faster; increasing awareness of rare diseases among healthcare professionals; better coordination of care; and improving access to specialist care, treatments, and drugs.  In February, we published the annual England action plan, where we report on the steps we have taken to advance these priorities.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support people with bladder and bowel control conditions in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire. \p Ashley Dalton: Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) Integrated Care Board (ICB) commissions several community bladder and bowel/continence services across Fylde and Lancashire. These services consist of specialist nurses and allied health professionals, who work collaboratively with primary care, secondary care and wider community nursing services to ensure there is comprehensive support and end to end treatment pathways for residents of Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Bladder and bowel services provide a holistic continence assessment, including routine observations, bladder scans and skin integrity checks, as well as reviewing past medical history, medication, mobility, carer support, and diet and fluid. They offer ongoing support and products for any bowel and/or bladder issues that are identified and may refer patients to specialist nurses for further support or district nurses for ongoing care. Self-care advice is always given, and independence is promoted during assessments, such as pelvic floor exercises for stress urinary incontinence, or bladder training and fluid intake advice for overactive bladder.

LSC ICB has a dedicated programme of work supporting the transformation of core community services in line with the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan, and bladder and bowel services are considered as part of the community transformation programme ensuring all residents of Lancashire and South Cumbria have access to evidence-based bladder and bowel care when and where they need it.

The community services are aligned to acute National Health Service trusts. Where there needs to be surgical management or specialist input, this is generally presented through a routine referral to urology, gynaecology or gastroenterology services. All localities across LSC ICB provide these services. LSC ICB is continually reviewing and working towards transformation of clinical pathways and services to manage demand as closer to home as possible via specialist multi-disciplinary teams within the community.

Across LSC ICB, there is also a urogynaecology programme that is developing the front-end of the gynaecology pathway for access to specialist women’s health physiotherapists rather than referrals direct to secondary care gynaecology services. This aims to reduce pressure in gynaecology services and to provide specialist assessments and treatments with reduced waiting times for patients.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to encourage the installation of defibrillators in all shopping centre entrances. \p Ashley Dalton: To improve patients' survival rates following out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, the Government committed to improving access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and reducing inequalities in access to these life-saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.

Funding was allocated where there was the greatest need, for example: remote communities with extended ambulance response times; places with high footfall and high population densities; hotspots for cardiac arrest including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people; and deprived areas.

There are no plans to undertake further work on improving access or provide additional support for AEDs, in light of the rapid expansion of AEDs across the United Kingdom. According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), there are now over 110,000 defibrillators in the UK registered on The Circuit, the independently operated national AED database.

We recognise the important work the BHF has undertaken in identifying communities with limited access to a defibrillator. The BHF undertook this work as part of its 2025 community defibrillator fund programme.

The BHF is urgently encouraging areas eligible to apply to its 2025 scheme to do so. Further information is available at the following link:

https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators/apply-for-a-free-defibrillator-for-your-community

Like the BHF, several other UK charities provide and support access to AEDs, and in some cases provide support for their maintenance and running costs. London Hearts, AED Donate, and Community Heartbeat Trust are prominent examples working to increase the availability of AEDs.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on NHS hospital trusts. \p Karin Smyth: On 13 March 2025, the Prime Minister announced that NHS England will be brought back into the Department to form a new joint centre. Work is progressing at pace to develop the design and operating model for the new integrated organisation, and to plan for the smooth transfer of people, functions and responsibilities.

National Health Service trusts are not in scope of this programme, but it is only right that with such significant reform that we commit to assessing and understanding the potential impacts carefully, as is due process, including the impacts on NHS trusts. Ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent progress his Department has made on the abolition of NHS England. \p Karin Smyth: Following the announcement that NHS England will be abolished as an arm’s length body and replaced by a new Department of Health and Social Care, a transformation programme has been launched, led by Richard Barker as Senior Responsible Officer (SRO).

On 26 June 2025, staff were briefed by the Department’s Permanent Secretary, the NHS England CEO, and programme SRO on the programme’s aims, executive structure, guiding principles, and transition timeline.

The recruitment of the senior leadership for the new Department is ongoing, with several roles already out to advert, including for Director General of Strategy and Health Policy, Adult Social Care, Finance, and People.

Work is progressing at pace to develop the design and operating model for the new integrated organization, including a plan for the smooth transfer of people, functions, and responsibilities.
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Fabian Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that bereaved parents have equal access to specialist psychological support following (a) pregnancy and (b) baby loss. \p Karin Smyth: Experiencing pregnancy or baby loss can be extremely difficult and traumatic. We are determined to make sure all bereaved parents, regardless of where they live, have access to specialist psychological support.

As of June 2025, Maternal Mental Health Services are now available in all areas of England. These services provide specialist psychological support for women with moderate/severe or complex mental health difficulties arising from birth trauma or baby loss.

All trusts in England are also signed up to the National Bereavement Care Pathway. This pathway is designed to improve the quality and consistency of bereavement care for parents and families experiencing pregnancy or baby loss.

We also recognise the importance of maternity bereavement services being available at all times. Seven day a week bereavement services are in the process of being set up in every area in England to support women and families who experience pregnancy loss or neonatal death.
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Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the report by Sands entitled Lost in the system, published in July 2025, what steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable access across England to specialist psychological support services for parents who experience pregnancy or baby loss. \p Karin Smyth: Experiencing pregnancy or baby loss can be extremely difficult and traumatic. The Government is determined to make sure all bereaved parents, regardless of where they live, have access to specialist psychological support.

As of June 2025, Maternal Mental Health Services are now available in all areas of England. These services provide specialist psychological support for women with moderate/severe or complex mental health difficulties arising from birth trauma or baby loss.

All trusts in England are also signed up to the National Bereavement Care Pathway. This pathway is designed to improve the quality and consistency of bereavement care for parents and families experiencing pregnancy or baby loss.

We also recognise the importance of maternity bereavement services being available at all times. ‘7 days a week’ bereavement services are in the process of being set up in every area in England to support women and families who experience pregnancy loss or neonatal death.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to consult with stakeholders before implementing changes to the (a) role and (b) title of Physician Associates. \p Karin Smyth: The Leng Review’s recommendations are far reaching and require cross-system partnership working to be considered, planned, and delivered effectively.

The Department, alongside NHS England, royal colleges, and other stakeholders including representatives of doctors, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will develop a detailed implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations. Further information on implementation will be set out in due course.

The Government intends to commence consultation on a modernised legislative framework for the General Medical Council by the end of this year. These proposals will include the change in role titles. Subject to parliamentary time, our expectation is that these changes will be put before the Westminster and Scottish Parliaments during 2026.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for bringing forward legislative proposals to abolish NHS England. \p Karin Smyth: The formation of the future Department is being done in the first instance by bringing teams closer together to jointly plan future delivery. This will be followed by primary legislation to abolish NHS England, subject to Parliamentary approval and once Parliamentary time allows. Until such a time when appropriate changes are made, the Department and NHS England will continue to carry out their respective statutory functions.

Legislation would be subject to the approval of Parliament, so we are working with the Leader of the House and business managers to ensure an appropriate timetable that enables us to do the things that we need to do in a timely way, and working towards the two-year delivery timetable already announced.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the abolition of NHS England on the structure of his Department. \p Karin Smyth: Work is progressing at pace to develop the design and operating model for the new integrated organisation, including a plan for the smooth transfer of people, functions and responsibilities. Given the scale and significance of the reforms, the Government is committed to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. This includes the impacts relating to the future structure of the Department. These ongoing assessments will inform the ongoing work of the programme.

A full impact assessment will be published alongside the primary legislation.
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Dr Caroline Johnson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of the abolition of NHS England on staff morale. \p Karin Smyth: The organisational changes that have been announced are no reflection of the tireless work carried out by talented professionals across the Department and NHS England. They are about getting the system working for patients and the public.

It is understood that organisational changes can have an impact on our colleagues, and the Department and NHS England are committed to treating people with the care, respect and fairness they are owed throughout this process. Both organisations are communicating information about the changes to staff and trade unions at the earliest opportunity and are committed to a culture of transparency.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of patients seeking medication from unregulated sources on public health. \p Karin Smyth: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), acting on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is responsible for the regulation of all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. This also includes applying the legal controls on the retail sale, supply and advertising of medicines which are set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

Sourcing any medicine from unregulated suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not authorised for use. Products purchased in this way will not meet the MHRA’s strict quality and safety standards, and can expose patients to incorrect dosages, or dangerous ingredients that can have serious health consequences.

Many legitimate medicinal products are prescription-only medicines, meaning that a consultation with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional is needed to assess the patient's suitability for the treatment and consider any potential risks. Usually, they should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription.

Public safety is the number one priority for the MHRA and its Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU) works hard to prevent and investigate illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices.

This year, the CEU and its partners have seized millions of doses of illegally traded medicines. It also works closely with web-based sales platforms and the internet industry to identify and remove non-compliant medicines and medical devices where possible.

The MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme collects and monitors information on suspected safety concerns involving healthcare products, including side effects caused by medicines. These reports help the regulator gain a better understanding of medicine interactions and safeguard patients through vigilant monitoring.
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Richard Tice:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports that patients at Pilgrim Hospital outpatients department are being left for extended periods without access to beds due to lack of bed availability; and what steps he is taking to ensure timely access to inpatient care in Lincolnshire. \p Karin Smyth: The Government is clear that patients should expect and receive the highest standard of care and accepts that urgent and emergency care performance has been below the high standards that patients should expect in recent years. Providing care in corridors, and other inappropriate settings, is completely unacceptable.

Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, set out the steps we are taking to ensure at least 78% of patients in A&E departments are seen within four hours, to reduce the number of patients waiting over 12 hours for admission or discharge from an emergency department, and to reduce ambulance handover times to a maximum of 45 minutes.

NHS England has been working with trusts to put in place new reporting arrangements related to the use of temporary escalation spaces, to drive improvement. Subject to a review of data quality, this information will be published shortly, and we will consider how this data could be published on a more regular basis.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of resident doctor strikes on NHS waiting lists. \p Karin Smyth: Industrial action has a significant direct and indirect impact on elective performance and NHS waiting lists.

Within the period of industrial action from December 2022 up to February 2024, 430,000 completed pathways (where a patient starts consultant-led treatment and is removed from the waiting list) are estimated to have been deferred as a result of industrial action.

In summer 2024, this Government’s rapid resolution of industrial action allowed the NHS to exceed its pledge to deliver 2 million extra operations, scans and appointments, having delivered an additional 4.9 million appointments from July 2024 to June 2025.

Unfortunately, in July 2025 we have seen further industrial action from Resident Doctors. As a result of tireless collaborative work, and valuable learning from previous industrial action, the NHS managed to remain resilient against strike action and minimised the impact on patients and the public.

NHS England published estimates that the NHS maintained improved levels of inpatient and outpatient activity at 93% of normal activity levels, which is available at the following link: Early-assessment-of-the-July-2025-Resident-Doctors-IA-on-elective-activity-for-NHS-Acute-Providers-Final_7viii25.xlsx.
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Adam Dance:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to address geographic variations in (a) access and (b) efficacy of treatment for multiple sclerosis in (i) the South West and (ii) England. \p Ashley Dalton: Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services for their local population, including for multiple sclerosis (MS), across England, including in the South West. The Government expects ICBs to assess the demand for service provision in designing their local services.

At a national level, to reduce variation in access and treatment for patients with MS, there are initiatives to support better care for patients with neurological conditions such as MS across England. These include the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, which aims to improve MS care by supporting the National Health Service to address variations in care and promoting best practice.

The Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, published by NHS England’s RightCare Programme, supports healthcare systems in improving the care of individuals living with progressive neurological conditions, including MS. It aims to enhance local services and reduce hospital admissions by focusing on preventative care and optimising the delivery of services.

NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP) is a multi-year programme to develop a new model of integrated care for neurology services. The NTP has collaborated with clinicians and patient groups to create specific pathways for MS, aiming to improve the quality and coordination of care.

Last month, NHS England published its updated Specialised Neurology Service Specification for Adults, which includes MS. Service specifications define the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England to provide specialised care.

The three shifts outlined in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan will support people with long-term conditions, including those with MS, to better manage their condition and access services closer to home. For example, it will empower them to access their medical history and allow them to book and manage their appointments and medication.
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Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many lower-layer super output areas are within Telford constituency; how those areas are ranked by top (a) 1%, (b) 5% and (c) 10% in the index of multiple deprivation; and what impact that data has on the allocation of funding by his Department. \p Ashley Dalton: Data published on the House of Commons Library shows that there are 61 lower-layer super output areas (LSOAs) within the Telford constituency. 15 LSOA areas are ranked in the top 10% of the most deprived areas in England. The number of LSOA areas that are in the top 1% or top 5% are not reported. The data is available at the following link:

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/constituency-data-indices-of-deprivation/

The National Health Service resource allocation formula is intended to support equal opportunity of access for equal need, taking account of NHS England’s duty to have regard to the need to reduce health inequalities. The formula takes account of factors such as demography, morbidity, deprivation, and the unavoidable cost of providing services in different areas. In addition, a further adjustment to address health inequalities and unmet needs increases the resources directed to deprived areas. The Index of Multiple Deprivation is one of the indicators used in the formula.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to provide additional support for energy bills for people in Newbury in winter 2025. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recognises that we need to support households in constituencies like Newbury and across the UK who struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. On 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from next winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bill costs.

The Government has been clear with suppliers that they should do all that they can to support their customers – including vulnerable consumers – who may be struggling with their bills. I would urge any consumers who are struggling to pay their bills to speak to their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide help and support. Your constituents in Newbury can also visit the GOV.UK website, where extra cost-of-living support can be found: www.gov.uk/cost-of-living.

The Government is continuing to work with Ofgem and energy suppliers to ensure energy bills remain fair and affordable while we transition to clean power by 2030.
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Max Wilkinson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support the solar industry. \p Michael Shanks: The Government supports ground mount solar through its Contracts for Difference scheme, which has supported 7.5GW so far. It supports demand for rooftop solar by various means, including favourable tax treatment, permitted development rights, new building standards, the Smart Export Guarantee, and the £13.2bn being made available through the ambitious Warm Homes Plan.

The Government recently published the Solar Roadmap, which set out actions for government and industry to remove barriers to deployment. Progress will be monitored by a Ministerially chaired Solar Council, allowing industry representatives to engage directly on any challenges or opportunities which arise.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many jobs there are within the civil nuclear sector. \p Michael Shanks: DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. Cogent Skills, who published their industry-led 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment, estimated that the civil nuclear sector supported over 51,000 jobs in 2024.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the cost of the (a) pylons, (b) cables and (c) batteries required for upgrading the power grid to net zero by 2030. \p Michael Shanks: In the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the Department estimated that the plan would require around £40 billion of investment on average per year between 2025-2030, much of which will be private investment [1]. This included around £30 billion of investment in generation assets per year, together with around £10 billion of investment in electricity transmission network assets per year, estimated by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) [2]. These estimates are in 2024 prices, undiscounted, and rounded to the nearest 10 billion. A substantial proportion of the network costs estimated by NESO would be associated with pylons and cables. In their Clean Power 2030 advice to Government, NESO also estimated that of the £30 billion technology investment required per annum between 2025-30, low carbon flex capacity – which includes batteries and long duration storage – would require approximately ~£5bn per year in investment over the same period [3].

1. DESNZ, Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-power-2030-action-plan

2. DESNZ, Clean Power 2030 Action Plan: A new era of clean electricity – technical annex: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6776727f6a79200ddfa21b81/clean-power-2030-action-plan-technical-annex.pdf

3. NESO, Advice on achieving clean power by 2030, Annex 4: Costs and benefit analysis, p. 21: https://www.neso.energy/document/xx-xxxx-xxxx/download
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, when he plans to make a decision on the implementation of zonal pricing. \p Michael Shanks: As part of the REMA Summer Update on the 10th of July 2025, we announced that we will not implement zonal pricing.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on building the world’s first commercial scale High Assay Low Enriched Uranium fuel supply chain. \p Michael Shanks: The UK’s £300m HALEU programme will be the first commercial scale capability outside of Russia and is due to deliver in the early 2030s.

The programme is already underway with site preparation work having commenced on the £196 million enrichment project at Urenco’s Capenhurst site, to develop an enrichment capability. Further funding has been allocated to support the HALEU supply chain through awards to National Transport Solution on transportation prototypes (including testing and development of pilot transport packages for safely and securely moving HALEU), the regulators and our National Nuclear Laboratory building our technical capabilities. This project will support building resilient nuclear supply chains, free from political interference and reduce global reliance on Russia.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_259

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, which energy infrastructure projects will receive quicker pre-application periods from the reduction in consultation requirements. \p Michael Shanks: The Government is currently consulting on proposals to streamline the infrastructure planning process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

Our reforms aim to ensure the system is flexible, proportionate, and responsive to Government priorities and build on proposals in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that could reduce the typical time spent in pre-application by up to 12 months. Subject to passage of the Bill this would apply to all projects seeking development consent under the Planning Act 2008.

Once the consultation closes on 27 October 2025, the Government will carefully analyse all responses received to shape the final policy decisions and any legislative changes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_260

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Modern Industrial Strategy, what recent progress he has made in delivering the STEP prototype fusion power station in West Burton. \p Michael Shanks: The STEP prototype fusion powerplant will be delivered by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), itself sponsored by DESNZ and fully owned by the UK Government. STEP will be delivered in several phases. The first has been completed producing the powerplant concept design, site selection (West Burton) and identifying the appropriate regulatory framework. Site characterisation is ongoing, and a live tender is underway to select industrial partners to work on the plant with UKIFS, and Fusion R&D Partner UKAEA.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_261

Mr Alex Barros-Curtis:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress the Government has made on (a) ensuring equal treatment for BCSSS members and (b) transferring the whole of the investment reserve to the benefit of all members. \p Michael Shanks: The previous Minister of State for Industry met the BCSSS Trustees on 22 April, 11 June and 22 July and confirmed the Government’s commitment to considering their proposals regarding the reserve and the future of the scheme. DESNZ will now engage HM Treasury with a view to agreeing a way forward on the transfer of the reserve to members.

The Government is aiming to reach agreement on an outcome that can be implemented later this year which will benefit scheme members.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_262

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to his Department's press release entitled Millions more families to get £150 off energy bills this winter, published on 19 June 2025, what support is available for families in properties that are not on the gas grid. \p Martin McCluskey: The Warm Home Discount is available for homes off the gas grid, as it is an electricity bill discount, not tied to gas supply.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_263

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on strengthening connections to the EU energy market. \p Katie White: The Common Understanding between the European Commission and the United Kingdom, agreed at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May 2025, sets out the progress made on strengthening connections to the EU energy market. Both sides have committed to exploring the UK’s potential participation in the EU’s internal electricity market, including access to trading platforms across all timeframes. Discussions are ongoing to define the parameters of such an arrangement. The UK and European Commission also agreed to continue technical regulatory exchanges on new energy technologies such as hydrogen, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and biomethane.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_264

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what work Great British Energy has undertaken with (a) Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, (b) Cambridgeshire County Council and (c) Huntingdonshire District Council on energy projects in Huntingdon constituency. \p Michael Shanks: As announced in the Clean Energy Sector Plan of the Industrial Strategy, Great British Energy and Great British Nuclear will invest more than £8.3 billion over this Parliament in homegrown clean power.

Specifically, as part of the £10 million Mayoral Renewables Fund announced by Great British Energy on 17 July 2025, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority was awarded £700,000 to deliver clean energy projects in their communities helping to lower energy bills.

Additionally, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Authority received a share of 6.8m to host the Greater South East Net Zero Hub, and a further share of £5 million through the Great British Energy Community Fund, which it can use to support projects in the Greater South East region, including in Huntingdon.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_265

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, when he plans to publish plans for (a) civil and (b) defence nuclear collaboration. \p Michael Shanks: In the Industrial Strategy the Government has committed to further align our civil and defence nuclear capabilities. We plan to set out further details of our plans for future collaboration later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_266

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, by when does he plan to conclude the policy development phase of the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements. \p Michael Shanks: As part of the REMA Summer Update on the 10th of July 2025, we concluded the REMA policy development and published our decision to retain a single national, GB-wide, wholesale market pricing regime and introduce an ambitious package of reforms to improve the efficiency of our power system. We will not implement zonal pricing.

We will set out how the reforms will be implemented in our Reformed National Pricing Delivery Plan later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_267

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing the level of carbon removal on the UK's ability to meet it's net zero targets by (a) 2030 and (b) 2050. \p Michael Shanks: The Government will deliver an updated plan that sets out the policy package out to the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037 for all sectors of the economy, including Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), by October 2025. The Government will also set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026, in line with our statutory duties. Under the Climate Change Act, the UK has a legally binding commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. GGR technologies will be important for reaching net zero – balancing residual emissions from hard-to-decarbonise sectors while providing new economic opportunities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_268

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent steps his Department has taken to support the development of carbon removal technologies ahead of the Autumn Budget. \p Michael Shanks: Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs) will be important to Net Zero - balancing residual emissions from hard-to-abate sectors whilst providing economic opportunities. In August Government published details of the GGR Business Model and published the Carbon Capture and Storage HyNet Track-1 expansion Project Negotiation List, which includes two GGR projects. To support demand, Government published a response to the consultation on the integration of GGRs into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and have consulted on options to ensure integrity of the Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market. To ensure removals are measurable and verifiable, the British Standards Institution, commissioned by Government, published in July interim methodologies for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage. The Government has also invested £100 million in research and innovation for GGRs, including the GGRs Innovation Programme.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_269

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on sourcing black bin waste from councils for use in the production of sustainable aviation fuels. \p Keir Mather: The Government is clear on the merits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and that increasing its use is a key measure to decarbonising aviation. We want the UK to capture its share of the global SAF market and are helping businesses in the UK play a leading role in SAF’s development, production and use.

To that end we are building demand through the SAF Mandate introduced on 1 January. We are supporting the growth of UK SAF production through the Advanced Fuels Fund, under which £63 million has been allocated across 17 UK projects for this financial year. In addition, the SAF Bill, currently before the House, will deliver a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism that will help unlock investment in UK SAF production.

We will continue to work across government on increasing UK SAF production, including with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). We are similarly working with lead departments including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on policies to increase the uptake of SAF produced from waste. This includes SAF made from non-recyclable municipal solid waste, which has been backed through the Advanced Fuels Fund. We are also working with other government departments on waste feedstock availability, including through the Circular Economy taskforce.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-12)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-12 conversation_270

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help support the decarbonisation of the cruise industry. \p Keir Mather: The Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, published in March this year, sets out key UK policies to reach zero emissions by 2050. These policies will work alongside measures to reduce emissions from global shipping, which were agreed at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in April. UK Government funding is also available, through the UK SHORE programme, for research & development of the technologies required for maritime decarbonisation. Together, this creates a clear framework and package of support for the decarbonisation of all parts of the maritime sector, including the cruise industry.