LabourNorth Northumberland
David Smith MP: written questions
How to read this
A written question seeks a published ministerial answer. Similar headings can identify separate questions; use the UIN to distinguish them. Tabled wording does not establish motive.
Most recent 12 months, since 30 Sept 2025. Newest first within each group. Follow the original source for full context.
Written questions
Local Housing Allowance: North NorthumberlandDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 16 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 19651More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of Local Housing Allowance on the ability of Universal Credit claimants to secure housing in North Northumberland.
Answer: The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) determines the maximum financial support available for renters receiving housing support in the private rented sector. LHA rates are not intended to meet all rents in all areas. The Secretary of State for Work and Pension...
Answered 2 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordCrime: Rural AreasHome OfficeTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 900981More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to help tackle rural crime.
Answer: This Government is introducing the most significant policing reforms in nearly 200 years, restoring neighbourhood policing to better support rural communities, whilst strengthening the police response to cross-border crimes such as wildlife crime and orga...
Answered 13 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBabies: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16738More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he expects the UK National Screening Committee to publish its recommendation following the consultation on newborn screening for metachromatic leukodystrophy; and when Ministers expect to make
Answer: The Government is advised on all screening matters by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which is made up of leading medical and screening experts.The UK NSC considered newborn screening for metachro...
Answered 20 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordHousing: Planning PermissionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16737More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration has been given to ensuring equitable permitted development rights for homeowners for properties that were originally built with stepped rear elevations.
Answer: Under the householder permitted development rights (set out in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) homeowners are able to extend and improve their homes and to erect outbuildings incidental to the main dwe...
Answered 15 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: MetersDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16736More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress he has made on upgrading smart meters in North Northumberland constituency.
Answer: Energy suppliers are now able to install smart meters in the ‘North’ region using the 4G cellular mobile network, with 4G communication hubs available for rollout across Great Britain since July 2025. 4G operates alongside the existing long range radio so...
Answered 15 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordSpinal Injuries: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of moving spinal cord injury services from nationally coordinated commissioning to the responsibility for ICBs.
Answer: Ahead of the planned merger of NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, it has been necessary to consider where commissioning responsibility for the portfolio of specialised services currently held by NHS England should sit in the future....
Answered 19 Aug 2026
Original Parliament recordHospitality Industry: First AidDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14176More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring licensed pubs, restaurants and other food-serving establishments to have at least one member of staff on duty who holds a valid first aid
Answer: The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate to enable first aid to be rendered to employees who are injured or become ill at work. A needs assessment will de...
Answered 13 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordPowers of Attorney: Universal CreditMinistry of JusticeTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 14175More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Office of the Public Guardian’s fee exemption criteria for Lasting Powers of Attorney on people migrated from income-related Employment and Support Allow
Answer: The criteria for the remission of or exemption from fees are prescribed in secondary legislation, namely the Public Guardian (Fees etc.) Regulations 2007 (Fees Regulations). The Fees Regulations require the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) to grant a f...
Answered 7 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTrees: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the cost to local authorities of removing hard plastic tree guards at the end of the usage cycle.
Answer: It has not been possible to produce a single robust estimate of the cost to local authorities of removing hard plastic tree guards as costs vary depending on local circumstances, scale of planting and disposal arrangements. Tree planting grants recognise ...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordTrees: Environment ProtectionDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 3 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 6608More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the environmental merits of biodegradable alternatives to hard plastic tree guards.
Answer: The Department recognises the need to reduce the environmental impact of plastics in forestry, including tree guards. Forestry England is part of the UK Forest Industry Plastics Working Group, which focuses on reducing single-use plastics and exploring al...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSecurity Guards: Retail TradeHome OfficeTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5827More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to work with private security companies to ensure that security staff are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when operating in retail
Answer: The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is the regulator of the private security industry and continues to work with security businesses to improve standards, training, and best practice in support of public safety. It is for individual businesses to determ...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordBank Services: Financial Conduct AuthorityTreasuryTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128885More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Treasury expanding the FCA’s remit to include in-person banking services.
Answer: The Government supports initiatives which give customers access to in-person banking, as well as digital access. The Government is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordME/CFS: Health ServicesDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127766More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of progress on the establishment of a specialised NHS service for people with very severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, including t
Answer: The action within July 2025’s final delivery plan on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), to consider whether a specialised service should be prescribed by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Soc...
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBanking HubsTreasuryTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127765More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of voluntary industry commitments to deliver banking hubs on adequate assurance of long term access to in person banking services.
Answer: Banking is changing, with many customers benefitting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, the Government understands the importance of access to in‑person banking services for communities and high streets and ...
Answered 23 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: FinanceDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127026More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that energy development project special purpose vehicles cover the financial liability of decommissioning.
Answer: The Department operates a statutory scheme under the Energy Act 2004 to ensure that those responsible for constructing offshore energy installations are responsible for covering the financial liability of decommissioning. Regardless of how an installation...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPost Office: Bank ServicesDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 10 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 125969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Government response to the Future of Post Office Green Paper, whether her Department plans to facilitate discussions on potential collaboration between the Post Office and the ban
Answer: On 21 January 2026, the government held joint discussions between the Post Office and the banking sector to explore where continued collaboration, on a commercial and voluntary basis, would allow all parties to better meet the needs of individuals and bus...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124347More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of informing parents/guardians of the estimated wait time for an autism or ADHD assessment upon application.
Answer: The Government has recognised that, nationally, demand for assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that people are experiencing severe delays for accessing such assessments. Th...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordStudents: LoansDepartment for EducationTabled 26 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 124346More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that those currently repaying Plan 2 student loans are able to pay off the initial capital owed and return to solvency.
Answer: Student loans are not like commercial loans, as they carry significant protections for borrowers, and repayments are linked to income, not to the amount borrowed or interest applied. As repayments remain income-contingent, if a borrower’s salary remains t...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMental Health: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on children's mental health of an expanded play therapy offer in the NHS.
Answer: Whilst no such specific assessment has been made of the impact on children’s mental health of an expanded play therapy offer in the National Health Service, we are committed to ensuring that children and young people can access the support they need for t...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPoultry: Animal HousingDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123367More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing import restrictions on enriched cages for laying hens, pullets and breeder layers.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 March 2026 to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend, PQ UIN 120331.
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordChildcare: FinanceDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123055More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what capital funding is available to increase the number of childcare places in settings that are already at capacity, including those operating within primary schools.
Answer: High-quality early years education is central to our mission to break down barriers to opportunity, give every child the best possible start in life, and is essential to our Plan for Change. This government is boosting availability and access through the ...
Answered 7 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: HousingDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120693More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that homeowners near railway lines being (a) created and (b) reopened are informed of the potential impact of new electrification or rail infrastructure on the
Answer: The Department for Transport expects Network Rail to proactively and transparently engage with lineside neighbours who live close to major rail infrastructure works. Network Rail’s established consultation and communication procedures require project team...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordRailways: HousingDepartment for TransportTabled 13 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 120692More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of housing repairs that require contributions from Network Rail before proceeding on financial costs to homeowners.
Answer: Network Rail is responsible for assessing and managing potential impacts that its infrastructure or activities may have on neighbouring properties. Where homeowners believe that damage may be linked to railway operations, assets or work, Network Rail has ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGift AidTreasuryTabled 3 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117548More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress her Department has made in amending the rules on Gift Aid.
Answer: The government is pleased to confirm that charities will continue to be eligible for Gift Aid following implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. HMRC has published guidance setting out that where subscriptions are current...
Answered 11 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMotabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 2 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 117177More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that recent changes to the Motability Scheme, including the removal of VAT zero-rating on advance payments and the introduction of Insurance Premium Tax on
Answer: The Motability Scheme is a lifeline for many disabled people and families, supporting their independence by enabling them to lease a car, wheelchair accessible vehicle, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for an eligible disability benefit allowance...
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordLINK Scheme Holdings: Bank ServicesTreasuryTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115306More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of Link’s possible responsibility for delivering access to banking services and access to cash services.
Answer: Banking is changing, with many customers benefiting from the convenience and flexibility of managing their finances remotely. However, the Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking services to communities and is committed to supporting...
Answered 2 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordSchool Games: FinanceDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115305More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has for funding the School Games Organiser Network after July 2026.
Answer: The Government has now confirmed funding for the SGO Network until the end of the 2026/27 financial year.
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPrimary Education: Physical Education and SportsDepartment for EducationTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115304More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of how Primary PE and Sport will be funded in the 2026–27 academic year; and when she plans to announce future funding arrangements for the Primary PE and Sport Premium.
Answer: Arrangements for the funding of PE and sport in the 2026/27 academic year and future will be confirmed in due course.
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordNeurodiversity: ChildrenDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 115303More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that local health authorities provide parents with clear information regarding expected waiting times for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and atten
Answer: There are currently no plans to implement a standardised minimum waiting time for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessments for children.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline for the diagnosis ...
Answered 3 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEast Coast Main LineDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 112462More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of variations in ticket pricing between rail operators on the East Coast Main Line serving stations such as Berwick upon Tweed and N
Answer: The move to Great British Railways will enable passengers to receive a more consistent offer across the network, and we are already taking steps to overhaul the complex fares system and make it easier and simpler for passengers to trust they are buying th...
Answered 23 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordMineworkers' Pension SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 20 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 107272More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to remove the mechanism in the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme that freezes bonus pension increase.
Answer: I am meeting the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme Trustees next month to discuss future surplus sharing arrangements. No decisions have been made yet.
Answered 28 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTransportDepartment for TransportTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104035More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy for England, following the closure of the call for evidence on 20 February 2025.
Answer: The Department is committed to publishing the integrated national transport strategy shortly, which will set the long‑term vision for domestic transport across England.
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBroadband: Rural AreasDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104034More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on considering the needs of rural broadband investment in the Telecoms Access Review.
Answer: As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector and is currently finalising its Telecoms Access Review.DSIT officials regularly engage with Ofcom on these issues. In Ju...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: SubsidiesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102256More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the Rural Payments Agency’s performance in delivering Higher Tier and other payments in early December in line with past expectations.
Answer: The 2025 payment window opened on 1 December, and by mid-December around three quarters of eligible farmers had already received their Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments. The Agency continues to work hard improving payment perf...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: SubsidiesDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102255More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what reassurance she can give to farmers whose cashflow relies on Higher Tier payments arriving in early December and who have not received their payments yet from the Rural Payments A
Answer: The 2025 payment window opened on 1 December, and by mid-December around three quarters of eligible farmers had already received their Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship payments. The Agency continues to work hard improving payment perf...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: EducationForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 102254More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help increase funding for education for children around the world.
Answer: The UK is a world leader in championing safe, inclusive, quality education, working in partnership with governments and multilaterals to deliver the education that all children deserve. In a context of scarce resources, the UK is working to increase both ...
Answered 8 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented HousingMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101190More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he will take to remove barriers to accessing a social home for those most in need.
Answer: The government has already taken action to remove barriers for those most in need of access to social housing, including exempting former members of the regular armed forces, young care leavers under 25 and victims of domestic abuse from local connection ...
Answered 6 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordY Quynh BđăpForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 17 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 101189More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the allegations relating to the (a treatment and (b) location of Y Qunyh Bdap from Vietnam; and
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 November in response to Question 83589. The UK raised the case of Y Quynh Bdap in our statement at the UN Human Rights Council in September 2025. On 19 December, the UK Human Rights Ambassador and Deputy...
Answered 7 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordDriving TestsDepartment for TransportTabled 4 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 97485More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Mirror, signal, manoeuvres: Military driving examiners mobilised to cut test backlog, published on 12 November 2025, whether an impact assessment has be
Answer: To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country. The measures the Secretary of State ...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordSurgery: Waiting ListsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 3 Dec 2025AnsweredUIN 96969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients awaiting elective surgery are provided with clear and timely information about their position on waiting lists; and whether his Departmen
Answer: The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure patients are seen on time and have the information they need to have the best possible experience of care.As set out in the Elective Reform Plan, published January 2025, patient...
Answered 10 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordMotor Vehicles: Excise DutiesTreasuryTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94840More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) allowing the payment of and (b) refunding Vehicle Excise Duty on a (i) daily and (ii) weekly basis.
Answer: Since 1 October 2014, customers have had the option to pay VED monthly or in two instalments per year via direct debit, with a 5% surcharge. This scheme enables the spreading of VED payments at a lower surcharge rate than non-direct debit instalments, and...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordDriverless Vehicles: RegulationDepartment for TransportTabled 26 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 94839More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to publish an evaluation framework for the regulatory approval of supervised autonomous vehicle technologies, including indicative timelines.
Answer: The Automated Vehicles Act 2024 (the Act) provides the powers to regulate the safe use of automated vehicles. Full implementation of the Act, including provisions for authorising self-driving vehicles, is on-track for the second half of 2027. The regulato...
Answered 4 Dec 2025
Original Parliament recordBritish Coal Staff Superannuation SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89195More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on (a) agreeing a way forward on the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme and (b) considering the transfer of its investment reserve to its members.
Answer: The Department is engaging with 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 member...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordFarms: InspectionsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 10 Nov 2025AnsweredUIN 89194More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what coordination processes are in place between (a) the Rural Payments Agency, (b) the Animal and Plant Health Agency and (c) other arms-length bodies of her Department to (i) reduce
Answer: Our arm’s-length bodies are implementing more risk-based approaches for inspections and increasing use of remote monitoring tools, reducing administrative burdens on farmers who are doing the right thing. We are also implementing a more advice-led approac...
Answered 18 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes PlanDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 29 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86508More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) levels of rurality, (b) local average temperature and (c) average age of housing on the implementation of the Warm Homes Plan.
Answer: 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 regardless of age or location. Therefore, research was commissioned by the Department to develop a definit...
Answered 7 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy Performance Certificates: Solar PowerDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86087More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how solar schemes that contribute to residential energy efficiency are accounted for when measuring energy performance certificate ratings.
Answer: Solar photovoltaic (PV) is currently reflected in the domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, which is based on energy costs. Electricity generated by PV is assigned a value and deducted from the property’s energy cost, improving the EPC Rat...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes Plan: Rented HousingDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86086More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much and what proportion of the funding for the Warm Homes Plan will be made available for (a) social and (b) private landlords; and how they will be able to access that funding.
Answer: The £13.2 billion investment in the Warm Homes Plan includes funding for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF) and the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) with more information at www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-t...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy: ConservationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86085More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support rural properties to improve their energy efficiency.
Answer: This government is investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan to upgrade up to 5 million homes, including £500 million to be delivered from 2025-28 through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. The WH:LG provides energy performance measures to low-income homes...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordState Retirement Pensions: CorrespondenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 28 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 86084More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the level of readability of the correspondence sent by his Department when setting out how a constituent's New State Retirement Pension has been calculated (a) when consid
Answer: Individuals enrolling in a private pension scheme should receive clear and accessible information from their pension provider or employer about how the scheme may affect their State Pension entitlement. They can forecast their State Pension entitlement us...
Answered 5 Nov 2025
Original Parliament recordEggs: UkraineDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 13 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 81638More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with Ukrainian egg farmers on improving the welfare standards of imported eggs.
Answer: Ministers have not had direct discussions with Ukrainian egg farmers or with Ukrainian counterparts on egg production standards. However, as set out in the UK’s Trade Strategy, the Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfa...
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record