Baroness Hodgson of Abinger

The Department engages with the British Footwear Association (BFA). The BFA attended a roundtable on 24 April 2024 and are due to attend a roundtable with the Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports on 15 October 2024, where there will be an opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the footwear manufacturing sector in the broader context of consumer goods including fashion, textiles, and furniture. The CEO of the BFA attended a Luxury Steering Group with officials to discuss trade promotion opportunities on 18 September 2024.

The Government will introduce a new Industrial Strategy to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth - through securing investment into crucial sectors of the economy.

The Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office. Work is already underway to identify and deliver measures through non-legislative and secondary legislative routes. We are already delivering on our commitments, including changing the remit of the Low Pay Commission to reflect living standards for the first time.

The Department has internal software tools that it uses to model the performance of a specific wind turbine located in a defined location since the comparative energy conversion efficiency depends on the turbine design and the available wind resource rather than if a turbine is used offshore or onshore. The maximum energy conversion efficiency is theoretically 59.26% (The Betz Limit), but practical turbines have efficiency factors around the 40% range.

This is an independent review which is ongoing, and as such responses have not been directed to the Department.

As per the Terms of Reference, final reporting will be submitted by the end of August 2024. Upon receipt, the government will consider the report.

As a new administration, we are exploring policy options to support skills development, including safeguarding endangered craftsmanship. We are working closely with the Department for Education and engage with the heritage and skills sectors regularly in order to understand and address skills gaps. The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports traditional craft skills and training, including funding projects that train people in traditional crafts and skills. They also run a Heritage Crafts programme which offers bursaries to help people train in heritage crafts or develop their skills.

The UK ratified the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in March 2024, pledging to take measures to ‘safeguard’ living heritage, including craft. Discussions about how living heritage is safeguarded, and by who, will take place as the Convention is implemented.

Hammersmith Bridge is expected to be reopened following the completion of the second, ‘Strengthening’ stage of works.

The table below shows the number of vehicles currently licensed in England.

The Government recognises the need to address the problems caused by unregulated e-bike hire schemes and illegal e-scooters. Ministers are carefully considering next steps and potential solutions. It is a matter for the police to decide what action is appropriate to deal with those who ride e-scooters illegally on the public highway.

We are continuing to review our policy on Afghanistan. Our overall priorities are to protect UK national security interests, support the most vulnerable Afghans through our humanitarian response and defend human rights, especially those of women and girls.

The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff. This decision was not made by the UK Government. UK policy towards Afghanistan has not changed, especially regarding women and girls. In line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Afghanistan is responsible for the appointment and termination of staff at its embassies. We recognise the closure of the embassy is likely to create challenges for Afghans in the UK who require consular services.

The FCDO recommends against all travel to Afghanistan.

The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff. This decision was not made by the UK Government. UK policy towards Afghanistan has not changed, especially regarding women and girls. In line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Afghanistan is responsible for the appointment and termination of staff at its embassies. We recognise the closure of the embassy is likely to create challenges for Afghans in the UK who require consular services.

The FCDO recommends against all travel to Afghanistan.

The State of Afghanistan decided to close the Afghan Embassy in London and dismiss its staff. This decision was not made by the UK Government. UK policy towards Afghanistan has not changed, especially regarding women and girls. In line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Afghanistan is responsible for the appointment and termination of staff at its embassies. We recognise the closure of the embassy is likely to create challenges for Afghans in the UK who require consular services.

The FCDO recommends against all travel to Afghanistan.

We have repeatedly condemned Taliban restrictions on women and girls' rights, including through UN Security Council and Human Rights Council resolutions.  As the Foreign Secretary said on 24 August, the exclusion of women from all aspects of public life is another tragic setback for Afghanistan. We are discussing with international partners ways to hold them accountable. More broadly, officials regularly press the Taliban to reverse their inhuman restrictions, both bilaterally and with international partners.

There are a number of VAT reliefs on construction work to properties already for residential use. For instance, a reduced rate of VAT at five per cent applies to residential renovations, subject to certain conditions. These include conversions of buildings from one residential use to another, conversions from commercial to residential use, and the renovation of properties that have been empty for two years or more prior to the renovation work.

The Government also maintains a zero rate of VAT on new-build residential or qualifying buildings to encourage the construction of new homes.

VAT is the UK's second largest tax forecast to raise £176 billion in 2024/25. A vital source of revenue that helps to fund public services.

The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process.

His Majesties Government is committed to keeping the Act under continuous review. In addition, we will be engaging with stakeholders and the public to gather insights and explore ways to improve its implementation. This collaborative approach will ensure that any necessary changes are carefully considered and effectively addressed.

We have been clear that development must look to brownfield first, prioritising previously used land wherever possible. To support this, we propose a set of targeted changes in our consultation on reforms to the NPPF, published 30 July. These changes include an expanded definition of previously developed land, and changes to make clear that the default answer to brownfield development should be ‘yes’.

National planning policy also expects local councils to support efforts to identify and bring back into residential use empty homes and other suitable buildings.

We have been clear that development must look to brownfield first, prioritising previously used land wherever possible. To support this, we propose a set of targeted changes in our consultation on reforms to the NPPF, published 30 July. These changes include an expanded definition of previously developed land, and changes to make clear that the default answer to brownfield development should be ‘yes’.

National planning policy also expects local councils to support efforts to identify and bring back into residential use empty homes and other suitable buildings.

We have been clear that development must look to brownfield first, prioritising previously used land wherever possible. To support this, we propose a set of targeted changes in our consultation on reforms to the NPPF, published 30 July. These changes include an expanded definition of previously developed land, and changes to make clear that the default answer to brownfield development should be ‘yes’.

National planning policy also expects local councils to support efforts to identify and bring back into residential use empty homes and other suitable buildings.

The Government wants to create good quality, well-designed, and sustainable homes and places that we are all proud of. That is why the National Planning Policy Framework and our national design guidance highlight the benefits of good design and the role that it can play in improving health and well-being, accessibility and inclusion, and establishing a strong sense of place.

I would like to assure the Noble Baroness that creating beautiful homes and beautiful places is still encouraged by the Framework, including as part of the social objective of the planning system; one of the three overarching objectives for achieving sustainable development.