To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports of a weapons cache found by the Israel Defense Forces at the maternity ward at the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports of a weapons cache found by the Israel Defense Forces at the maternity ward at the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports of a weapons cache found by the Israel Defense Forces at the MRI centre at the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of recent reports of a weapons cache found by the Israel Defense Forces at the MRI centre at the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

Motion that this House has considered the future of the under 10-metre fishing fleet in the South West. Agreed to on question.

Motion that this House has considered the future of the under 10-metre fishing fleet in the South West. Agreed to on question.

I thank the Minister for that answer and join her in thanking the excellent Department for Work and Pensions staff at both Newquay and St Austell jobcentres. Through their hard work and under the leadership and policies of the Government, we have achieved an 80.2% employment rate locally, which is well above the national average. We also have some great opportunities for the jobs of the future coming through in renewable energy, lithium extraction and the space sector. What more are the Government doing to ensure that local people in Cornwall can grasp those opportunities?

I thank the Minister for that answer and join her in thanking the excellent Department for Work and Pensions staff at both Newquay and St Austell jobcentres. Through their hard work and under the leadership and policies of the Government, we have achieved an 80.2% employment rate locally, which is well above the national average. We also have some great opportunities for the jobs of the future coming through in renewable energy, lithium extraction and the space sector. What more are the Government doing to ensure that local people in Cornwall can grasp those opportunities?

What steps he is taking to help fill job vacancies in St Austell and Newquay constituency.

What steps he is taking to help fill job vacancies in St Austell and Newquay constituency.

Many communities in my constituency face the double whammy of coastal tidal flooding and fluvial river flooding. We have seen significant investment in places such as Par and St Blazey through the StARR project—St Austell

Bay Resilient Regeneration—which the Minister has been to see. We have recently completed flood defences at Pentewan, but the village of Mawgan Porth remains vulnerable to both river and coastal flooding, and I cannot get any real progress in developing a scheme to reduce flood risk there. Will the Minister meet me to look at what we can do to protect Mawgan Porth?

Many communities in my constituency face the double whammy of coastal tidal flooding and fluvial river flooding. We have seen significant investment in places such as Par and St Blazey through the StARR project—St Austell

Bay Resilient Regeneration—which the Minister has been to see. We have recently completed flood defences at Pentewan, but the village of Mawgan Porth remains vulnerable to both river and coastal flooding, and I cannot get any real progress in developing a scheme to reduce flood risk there. Will the Minister meet me to look at what we can do to protect Mawgan Porth?

Motion that this House has considered the supply of lithium and other critical minerals. Agreed to on question.

Motion that this House has considered the supply of lithium and other critical minerals. Agreed to on question.

What recent estimate he has made of the additional cost to the public purse of councils delivering public services in coastal areas.

What recent estimate he has made of the additional cost to the public purse of councils delivering public services in coastal areas.

The Government have already accepted the additional cost of delivering services in rural areas through the rural services delivery grant, but they have not yet accepted those additional costs for coastal areas. Would the Minister consider establishing a coastal services delivery grant to ensure that coastal regions such as Cornwall, which as he said has the longest—and most beautiful—coastline in the country, get the funding that they need?

The Government have already accepted the additional cost of delivering services in rural areas through the rural services delivery grant, but they have not yet accepted those additional costs for coastal areas. Would the Minister consider establishing a coastal services delivery grant to ensure that coastal regions such as Cornwall, which as he said has the longest—and most beautiful—coastline in the country, get the funding that they need?

Cornwall has a very large number of off-grid properties. One way they can decarbonise their heating is through the use of renewable liquid heating fuel. Last year, the Government said there would be a consultation on promoting and supporting the use of that fuel in the coming months. However, in response to a recent written question it was suggested that it would not be launched until at least September this year. Will the Government bring forward the consultation as soon as possible, so we can help people to decarbonise through the use of renewable fuels?

Cornwall has a very large number of off-grid properties. One way they can decarbonise their heating is through the use of renewable liquid heating fuel. Last year, the Government said there would be a consultation on promoting and supporting the use of that fuel in the coming months. However, in response to a recent written question it was suggested that it would not be launched until at least September this year. Will the Government bring forward the consultation as soon as possible, so we can help people to decarbonise through the use of renewable fuels?

What steps she is taking to support off-grid properties to decarbonise.

What steps she is taking to support off-grid properties to decarbonise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to section 159 of the Energy Act 2023, whether she plans to consult on regulations for renewable liquid heating fuel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to section 159 of the Energy Act 2023, whether she plans to consult on regulations for renewable liquid heating fuel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Department for Transport on equalising fuel duty rates for renewable liquid fuels and kerosene for home heating.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Department for Transport on equalising fuel duty rates for renewable liquid fuels and kerosene for home heating.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has had discussions with the renewable liquid fuels industry on potential regulations under section 159 of the Energy Act 2023.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she has had discussions with the renewable liquid fuels industry on potential regulations under section 159 of the Energy Act 2023.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her planned timetable is to introduce exemptions for homes identified as unsuitable for heat pumps.

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what her planned timetable is to introduce exemptions for homes identified as unsuitable for heat pumps.

Will my hon. Friend confirm that, following the 4p cut in national insurance that the Chancellor has introduced, the tax take on workers will be the lowest it has been for 50 years? In St Austell and Newquay, two people in a household on average incomes will be paying £1,800 less this coming year than they did last year.

Will my hon. Friend confirm that, following the 4p cut in national insurance that the Chancellor has introduced, the tax take on workers will be the lowest it has been for 50 years? In St Austell and Newquay, two people in a household on average incomes will be paying £1,800 less this coming year than they did last year.

Motion lapsed. Motion made and Question proposed that this House do now adjourn. Agreed to on question.

Motion lapsed. Motion made and Question proposed that this House do now adjourn. Agreed to on question.

Q15

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Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con):

The £132 million allocated to Cornwall from the shared prosperity fund not only kept our promise to the Cornish people to replace EU funding, but has supported dozens of businesses and funded projects across the duchy. However, the current round of SPF expires next year, so can the Prime Minister confirm that his Government will continue the shared prosperity funding and will continue to provide the support that the Cornish economy needs?

Q15

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Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay) (Con):

The £132 million allocated to Cornwall from the shared prosperity fund not only kept our promise to the Cornish people to replace EU funding, but has supported dozens of businesses and funded projects across the duchy. However, the current round of SPF expires next year, so can the Prime Minister confirm that his Government will continue the shared prosperity funding and will continue to provide the support that the Cornish economy needs?

If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 28 February.

If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 28 February.

Many off-grid homes across Cornwall cannot convert to energy-efficient heating schemes without incurring huge costs. One option for them is to use hydro-treated vegetable oil. Can the Minister lay out what plans the Government have to support those using renewable liquid heating fuels, and will she back the campaign by our excellent candidate for Camborne and Redruth, Connor Donnithorne, to axe the tax on HVOs?

Many off-grid homes across Cornwall cannot convert to energy-efficient heating schemes without incurring huge costs. One option for them is to use hydro-treated vegetable oil. Can the Minister lay out what plans the Government have to support those using renewable liquid heating fuels, and will she back the campaign by our excellent candidate for Camborne and Redruth, Connor Donnithorne, to axe the tax on HVOs?