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To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the levels of standing charges for electric vehicle chargers.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the levels of standing charges for electric vehicle chargers.
The setting of standing charges is a commercial matter for suppliers, and suppliers have the flexibility in how they structure their tariffs. Ofgem regulates standing charges, as they do with other elements of billing.
The Government is pleased that Ofgem is considering the issue of standing charges through their recent Call for Input and looks forward to hearing its findings and future proposals. The Government expects bills to be fair and affordable for all consumers (including for electric vehicle charging), that standing charges are kept as low as possible, and that the right costs are recovered.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 delivers more offshore wind capacity than Allocation Round 5.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure that the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 delivers more offshore wind capacity than Allocation Round 5.
On 6 March 2024, the Government confirmed over £1 billion of budget will be available in the Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 6 auction, including £800 million allocated to offshore wind. This followed the announcement in November that the administrative strike
prices for fixed and floating offshore wind had been increased by 66% and over 50% respectively, since the previous allocation round. This budget announcement makes this the largest round yet, with four times more budget available to offshore wind than in the previous round.
The Government recently announced yet another consultation support mechanism for the production of sustainable aviation fuel. Meanwhile, other countries across the world are getting on with producing SAF at scale. When will the Government get the mechanism in place, and will they meet their unambitious target of five SAF plants by 2025?
The Government recently announced yet another consultation support mechanism for the production of sustainable aviation fuel. Meanwhile, other countries across the world are getting on with producing SAF at scale. When will the Government get the mechanism in place, and will they meet their unambitious target of five SAF plants by 2025?
On 25 April, we published the SAF mandate, requiring 10% SAF across the aviation industry by 2030, and announced the revenue certainty mechanism consultation. It is an eight-week consultation. We have been inviting the whole industry to respond to it. We have to ensure that we get it right, and we will produce the final result very shortly after that.
The reality is that the UK Government could do much more. At Tuesday’s sitting of the Transport Committee, Mick Whelan of ASLEF said that in Germany, they have German trains and in Italy, they have Italian trains. He said:
“Before they award a Government contract, they look at their supply chains, future apprenticeships and all the things associated with those contracts”.
Why does the UK continue to destroy its own industrial base by refusing to implement similar procurement policies for all transport manufacturers, including buses? There is too big a reliance on Chinese imports.
The reality is that the UK Government could do much more. At Tuesday’s sitting of the Transport Committee, Mick Whelan of ASLEF said that in Germany, they have German trains and in Italy, they have Italian trains. He said:
“Before they award a Government contract, they look at their supply chains, future apprenticeships and all the things associated with those contracts”.
Why does the UK continue to destroy its own industrial base by refusing to implement similar procurement policies for all transport manufacturers, including buses? There is too big a reliance on Chinese imports.
As I said, UK bus manufacturers have done very well out of decarbonisation policies. They are every competitive, and I have had the opportunity in this job to visit a number of them. If the hon. Gentleman believes that there is unfair competition from imports, he knows that there is an independent statutory body, the Trade Remedies Authority, whose responsibility it is to look at importers where there might be dumping. If he thinks there is any evidence of that by any manufacturers, he should provide that evidence to the Trade Remedies Authority so that it can conduct an investigation, as appropriate.
What steps he is taking to support bus manufacturing.
What steps he is taking to support bus manufacturing.
The UK boasts a strong and highly competitive bus manufacturing industry. Manufacturers have benefited significantly from Government funding as we work with industry to decarbonise the bus fleet. More than 5,200 buses have been funded across the UK since February 2020, with UK bus manufacturers supporting many of them. UK manufacturers have grown substantially in recent years as a result of their success in securing orders, supported by £460 million of dedicated ZEBRA—zero-emission bus regional areas—funding.
What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Government’s proposed welfare reforms on disabled people.
What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Government’s proposed welfare reforms on disabled people.
The Department engages regularly with the Cabinet Office on the different options for reshaping the current welfare system set out in the health and disability Green Paper, including on the potential impact on claimants with different health conditions.
In November, when I raised the concerns of Parkinson’s UK about changes to the work capability assessment, the then Minister agreed to meet the organisation. Six months on, there has been no meeting, and the Minister has replied to my follow-up written questions with standard answers about meeting a number of organisations. Will she step up to the plate and meet Parkinson’s UK to hear directly its concerns about the changes to welfare reform for those suffering from Parkinson’s?
In November, when I raised the concerns of Parkinson’s UK about changes to the work capability assessment, the then Minister agreed to meet the organisation. Six months on, there has been no meeting, and the Minister has replied to my follow-up written questions with standard answers about meeting a number of organisations. Will she step up to the plate and meet Parkinson’s UK to hear directly its concerns about the changes to welfare reform for those suffering from Parkinson’s?
I try not to give standard answers, and I will not give a standard answer to that question. I recently met people who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s early—perhaps as young as 35—and I am happy to meet more broadly with Parkinson’s UK. I recently met Mind, and as much as my diary allows, and at events in the House, I engage with advocates for disabled people and those with health conditions. I am happy to pick up that meeting, because if it is not already in my diary, it should be soon.
The introduction of tribunal fees previously led to a 54% drop in the number of cases going forward, and the scheme was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court, so it beggars belief that the Government are looking at reintroducing tribunal fees, and giving a green light to bad employers to exploit workers, who will be deterred from coming forward. What does the Minister say to the 50 organisations, including the TUC, Citizens Advice, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Liberty, that are calling on the Government to reconsider the reintroduction of tribunal fees?
The introduction of tribunal fees previously led to a 54% drop in the number of cases going forward, and the scheme was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court, so it beggars belief that the Government are looking at reintroducing tribunal fees, and giving a green light to bad employers to exploit workers, who will be deterred from coming forward. What does the Minister say to the 50 organisations, including the TUC, Citizens Advice, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Liberty, that are calling on the Government to reconsider the reintroduction of tribunal fees?
I thank the hon. Member for his question. Many of these issues were raised when the statutory instrument passed through Parliament. The Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley and Golders Green (Mike Freer), who is the courts Minister, has written to the Senior President of Tribunals to convey those concerns, and I think that is in part why my noble and learned Friend is meeting the Senior President of Tribunals tomorrow.
What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of proposed reforms to employment tribunal panels.
What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of proposed reforms to employment tribunal panels.
The employment tribunal panel composition arrangements are now a responsibility of the Senior President of Tribunals, and I understand that he intends to publish the responses to the consultation on proposed reforms shortly. He has a statutory duty to consult my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor before making these arrangements, and my noble and learned Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice will be meeting the Senior President of Tribunals—I think tomorrow—to discuss his proposals as part of that duty.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2024 to Question 23517 on Work Capability Assessment: Parkinson's Disease, when she (a) last met and (b) is next scheduled to meet representatives from Parkinson's UK.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2024 to Question 23517 on Work Capability Assessment: Parkinson's Disease, when she (a) last met and (b) is next scheduled to meet representatives from Parkinson's UK.
Ongoing engagement continues with a range of charities and clinical experts specialising in disability and health conditions as well as representatives from national organisations to understand the experiences of people with Parkinson’s going through the Work Capability Assessment.
Details of ministerial meetings are published quarterly on gov.uk in line with transparency data releases and can be found here.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Assessment of the F gas Regulation in Great Britain, published on 16 December 2022, if he will make an assessment of what the research and development requirements will be for businesses...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Assessment of the F gas Regulation in Great Britain, published on 16 December 2022, if he will make an assessment of what the research and development requirements will be for businesses...
The F gas regulation in Great Britain Assessment report included HFC demand forecast, modelled for Great Britain, for four forecast scenarios. The assumptions behind these scenarios were informed by stakeholder engagement. We have continued to discuss the feasibility of the scenarios with stakeholders following publication of the report.
We are aware that further research and development, as well as investment, will be needed as the transition to lower GWP alternatives continues. We remain engaged with stakeholders to understand the barriers and challenges faced by industry.
We intend to consult in due course on proposals for legislative reform to the GB F-gas Regulation. This will provide all stakeholders with an opportunity to respond to the proposals and highlight any concerns with resourcing for research and development.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Assessment of the F gas Regulation in Great Britain, published on 16 December 2022, whether he has had recent discussions with relevant industry stakeholders on their ability to meet the quotas...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the policy paper entitled Assessment of the F gas Regulation in Great Britain, published on 16 December 2022, whether he has had recent discussions with relevant industry stakeholders on their ability to meet the quotas...
The F gas regulation in Great Britain Assessment report included HFC demand forecast, modelled for Great Britain, for four forecast scenarios. The assumptions behind these scenarios were informed by stakeholder engagement. We have continued to discuss the feasibility of the scenarios with stakeholders following publication of the report.
We are aware that further research and development, as well as investment, will be needed as the transition to lower GWP alternatives continues. We remain engaged with stakeholders to understand the barriers and challenges faced by industry.
We intend to consult in due course on proposals for legislative reform to the GB F-gas Regulation. This will provide all stakeholders with an opportunity to respond to the proposals and highlight any concerns with resourcing for research and development.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer by the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work to the Question from the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun on 13 November 2023, Official Report, column 371, when he plans to contact Parkinson's UK...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer by the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work to the Question from the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun on 13 November 2023, Official Report, column 371, when he plans to contact Parkinson's UK...
I have recently met with individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and we continue to engage with a range of clinical experts and charities specialising in disability and health conditions as well as representatives from national organisations to understand the experiences of people with Parkinson’s going through the Work Capability Assessment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19394 on Fuel Poverty, if she will take steps to extend the list of energy efficiency measures to include new technologies; and if she will make an assessment...
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2024 to Question 19394 on Fuel Poverty, if she will take steps to extend the list of energy efficiency measures to include new technologies; and if she will make an assessment...
Government energy efficiency schemes prioritise measures that have beneficial long-term effects on lowering bills and making homes more comfortable and affordable to live in, within the scope of the Standard Assessment Procedure model. The Government is currently developing the Home Energy Model which will replace the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP).
The current Energy Company Obligation schemes require eligible measures to result in a reduction in the cost of heating a consumer’s home. There are mechanisms for new measures to be eligible where they meet this and other scheme requirements. The potential impact of new measures on energy bill savings for low-income households would have to be assessed in relation to the specific new measures selected.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending until 2027 periods for finalising reconciliation for energy supplier subsidies following the closure of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending until 2027 periods for finalising reconciliation for energy supplier subsidies following the closure of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
The Department has been working with energy suppliers and industry stakeholders to determine the best course of action on this matter, which includes ensuring that we retain the necessary protections to protect public funds.
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April 2024 to Question 20677 on UNRWA: Finance and with reference to the measures and conditions set out in correspondence published by the EU Commissioner on 6 March 2024, whether (a) he and (b) the Secretary of State...
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the Answer of 15 April 2024 to Question 20677 on UNRWA: Finance and with reference to the measures and conditions set out in correspondence published by the EU Commissioner on 6 March 2024, whether (a) he and (b) the Secretary of State...
We are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.
We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General
We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.
We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza. We continue to urge Israel and all parties with relevant information to cooperate fully with the independent investigations.
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the answer of 15 April 2024 to Question 20677 on UNRWA: Finance, what evidence his Department has received from Israel confirming allegations made against UNRWA; and whether he has shared that evidence with (a) UNRWA and (b) governments that have reinstated funding...
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the answer of 15 April 2024 to Question 20677 on UNRWA: Finance, what evidence his Department has received from Israel confirming allegations made against UNRWA; and whether he has shared that evidence with (a) UNRWA and (b) governments that have reinstated funding...
We are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.
We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General
We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.
We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza. We continue to urge Israel and all parties with relevant information to cooperate fully with the independent investigations.
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, with reference to the Note to Correspondents on the Independent Review of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) of 20 March 2024, what assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy of the mechanisms and...
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, with reference to the Note to Correspondents on the Independent Review of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) of 20 March 2024, what assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy of the mechanisms and...
We are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.
We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General
We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.
We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza. We continue to urge Israel and all parties with relevant information to cooperate fully with the independent investigations.
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18736 on Hamas: UNRWA, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Israel's cooperation with the investigations carried out by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna; and whether the...
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2024 to Question 18736 on Hamas: UNRWA, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of Israel's cooperation with the investigations carried out by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna; and whether the...
We are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.
We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General
We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.
We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza. We continue to urge Israel and all parties with relevant information to cooperate fully with the independent investigations.
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what (a) criteria he is using and (b) conditions he has set for UNRWA to determine the resumption of funding to that organisation; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the interim reports of the UN Office...
To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what (a) criteria he is using and (b) conditions he has set for UNRWA to determine the resumption of funding to that organisation; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the interim reports of the UN Office...
We are appalled by allegations that UNRWA staff were involved in the 7 October attack against Israel, a heinous act of terrorism that the UK Government has repeatedly condemned.
We are aware that the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services and Catherine Colonna have now provided their interim reports to the UN Secretary-General
We want UNRWA to give detailed undertakings about changes in personnel, policy and precedents to ensure this can never happen again.
We are working with allies to try to bring this situation to a rapid conclusion - not least because UNRWA have a vital role to play in providing aid and services in Gaza. We continue to urge Israel and all parties with relevant information to cooperate fully with the independent investigations.