Lord Ravensdale

The department recognises the potential importance of americium for advanced technologies, including space power systems.

Whilst no decisions have been taken, government continue to explore opportunities for collaboration with industry. Any future private sector involvement would need to comply with strict safety, security and regulatory frameworks.

The Department is supporting the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL)’s work to extract americium from the UK’s civil separated plutonium inventory at Sellafield for the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) ENDURE Programme.

Discussions are taking place with industry, public bodies and wider government prior to any decision making beyond current commitments.

The nuclear industry has a proud record of supporting tens of thousands of well-paid, highly skilled, unionised jobs, which are vital to communities across the country.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority permanently employs 17,500 people and invests £45m each year in apprentice and graduate development supporting the Nuclear Skills Agenda. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority also supports approximately 5,000 companies as part of its supply chain. The economic impact of the NDA group was reported upon in 2022 [1] and has most recently undertaken an economic impact assessment which will be published this financial year [2]

[1] Microsoft Word - Magnox economic impact assessment - 2022, The economic contribution of the NDA to the West Cumbria economy, Dounreay_Socio-economic_report_2022.pdf

[2] at Nuclear Decommissioning Authority - GOV.UK

The government is committed to ensuring energy efficiency schemes deliver measurable benefits for households. As part of the Warm Homes Plan, officials are exploring how to better target support and improve outcomes.

While the government has not made a formal assessment of the Sustainable Energy Association’s specific proposal, we will continue to engage with stakeholders on innovative approaches to improve affordability and effectiveness of retrofit delivery.

Decarbonising heating is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK getting to Net Zero by 2050. A range of technologies are likely to be required including heat pumps, heat networks and biomethane. As part of the Government's ambitious Warm Homes Plan, we will upgrade up to 5 million homes across the country by accelerating the installation of efficient new technologies like heat pumps, solar, home batteries and insulation. We will publish more details soon.

I thank the noble Lord for raising this matter. The ARIA Framework Agreement will be updated as soon as possible to include this commitment, without prejudice to ARIA’s freedom to have maximum autonomy over its research and project choices.

In his speech of 30 June, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear that in recovering from COVID-19, we must build back better, build back greener, build back faster, and to do that at the pace that this moment requires. Our economy must be cleaner, more sustainable, and more resilient.

Renewable and low carbon energy are important in the delivery of our Net Zero target and will help drive new jobs and growth across the UK.

The Government announced on 2 March 2020 that, in addition to offshore wind, onshore wind and solar projects can bid for contracts in the next Contracts for Difference allocation round planned for 2021. At the budget, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an ambitious support package for our low-carbon economy including £800 million funding to deploy the first carbon capture and storage cluster in the UK. These announcements reflect our commitment to reach our net zero target, through a sustainable, diverse, and resilient energy system and capture economic opportunities in doing so.

Nuclear power has the potential to play a key role in achieving net zero and as the Prime Minister noted in his 30 June speech is an important UK innovation sector. We consulted on a Regulated Asset Base (RAB) financing model to enable new nuclear projects last year and are considering the responses we received – we will publish our response in due course. We also awarded an initial £18m R&D grant, under the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, to a Rolls-Royce led consortium developing an SMR design last year, with a decision to be taken on possibility of further grant of c.£200m later in 2020. Economic recovery post Covid-19 is clearly a new context in which future investment decisions will be taken.

Electricity storage has a key role to play in decarbonising our energy system. We are facilitating investment in storage through delivering the actions set out in the Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, including creating a best-in-class regulatory framework and reforming markets. Energy network regulation is a matter for Ofgem, as the independent regulator, and Ofgem is considering how the upcoming network price controls, for example, can help stimulate the recovery while delivering net zero at the lowest cost to consumers. Government will continue to engage with Ofgem on these issues.

The Government is taking a number of steps to encourage tourism once restrictions are eased. We are working with VisitBritain, VisitEngland and local partners to champion the UK’s diverse tourism offer through the Enjoy Summer Safely campaign.

We will continue to work with industry to provide assurance regarding when people can safely visit attractions - as demonstrated through the We’re Good to Go industry standard, which has been used by over 45,000 businesses. In addition, the £56 million Welcome Back Fund will help councils boost tourism, improve green spaces and provide more outdoor seating areas.

The Government is taking a number of steps to support the visitor economy’s recovery. The Global Travel Taskforce last year committed the Government to publish a Tourism Recovery Plan in support of the sector. The Government intends to set out proposals in the spring, including plans for a marketing campaign to welcome visitors back to the UK as soon as it is safe to do so.

Budget 2021 included £700m of extra funding to support our world-leading arts, culture and sporting institutions - protecting the venues which make London and the UK an attractive destination to visit.

In total, over £25bn has been provided to the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors in the form of grants, loans and tax breaks.

My Department is taking a number of steps to support the reopening of the business events and exhibition sector.

We seek to reopen business events and conferences in Step 3, subject to a capacity cap. Attendees at outdoor business events will be capped at 50% capacity, up to 4,000 people. Attendees at indoor business events will be capped at 50% capacity, up to 1,000 people.

Step 3 will take place no earlier than 17 May, and at least five weeks after Step 2, following a further review of the data and the four tests.

As part of our efforts to get such events back in full operation, we have launched the Events Research Programme to explore when and how large events can return with reduced social distancing requirements.

The Government’s Covid-19 Secure guidance for the visitor economy will be kept up to date over the coming months, in line with the reopening process for the sector.

The Global Travel Taskforce reported on 9th April with recommendations aimed at facilitating a return to international travel as soon as possible, while still managing the risk from imported cases and variants of concern. We will confirm by early May if non-essential international travel can resume on 17 May.

The Skills for Jobs White Paper, published in January 2021, sets out our blueprint to reform post-16 education and training. It is focused on giving people the skills they need, in a way that suits them, so they can get great jobs in all sectors, including the tourism industry.

A range of provision is already available for young people aged 16 to 24 to equip them with the skills and experience they need to progress in their chosen careers, including traineeships, which provide unemployed young people with employability training, work experience and English and mathematics skills.

We have also launched T Levels, which are a high-quality technical alternative to A levels. With longer teaching hours and a meaningful, 45 day minimum industry placement, employer designed T Levels will be excellent preparation for skilled work or further training.

Through the Plan for Jobs, we are investing £1.6 billion to scale up employment support schemes and training to ensure young people have the skills and training to go on to high-quality, secure and fulfilling employment. This funding is delivering real change on the ground, including through the new Kickstart scheme providing 6-month jobs for young people furthest from the labour market, incentive payments for employers taking on new apprentices, the largest ever expansion in traineeships and considerable growth in the number of sector-based work academy programme placements, to enable unemployed individuals to acquire the skills needed for local jobs.

My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, also announced £375 million for the National Skills Fund at the Spending Review in November 2020. This includes £95 million funding for a new level 3 adult offer and £43 million for skills bootcamps, as part of the Lifetime Skills Guarantee.

Currently, adults between the ages of 19 and 23 are eligible for full funding for their first full level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or 2 full A levels. From April 2021, any adult aged 24 and over who is looking to achieve their first full level 3 qualification will be able to access a fully funded course which will give them new skills and greater prospects in the labour market.

We have also introduced skills bootcamps, which are free, flexible courses of up to 16 weeks, giving people the opportunity to build up sector specific skills and fast track to an interview with a local employer. Skills bootcamps have the potential to transform the skills landscape for adults and employers, and are open to all adults aged 19 or over, who are either in work or recently unemployed.

Apprenticeships are available to individuals of all ages and backgrounds providing opportunities to earn whilst learning the skills and knowledge required to work in the tourism industry.

There are 600 high-quality apprenticeship standards to choose from that have been designed by employers to meet their skills needs. Employers in the tourism sector can take advantage of standards in a number of occupational routes. Within the hospitality and catering route for example, standards include hospitality team member, hospitality supervisor and hospitality manager. Other available standards include travel consultant and cabin crew. The full list of standards can be found here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/?routes=Catering-and-hospitality.

To help employers in all sectors, including tourism, to offer new apprenticeships we have increased the level of incentive payments. Employers can claim up to £3,000 for each apprentice they take on as a new employee between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021 under the government’s Plan for Jobs.

The Government takes the conservation of endangered species very seriously, which is why we are banning the import of hunting trophies from endangered species, as set out in the Government's manifesto. Our approach will be robust and effective and will deliver the change we promised to help protect thousands of species worldwide.

This year we have already introduced our Animal Sentience and Kept Animals Bills to Parliament and we intend to legislate further to protect animals abroad as soon as parliamentary time allows. We will be setting out our detailed plans shortly, including by publishing the Government's response to the consultation on trophy hunting imports which will set out in more detail the scope of our intended ban.

The Government takes the conservation of endangered species very seriously, which is why we are banning the import of hunting trophies from endangered species, as set out in the Government's manifesto. Our approach will be robust and effective and will deliver the change we promised to help protect thousands of species worldwide.

This year we have already introduced our Animal Sentience and Kept Animals Bills to Parliament and we intend to legislate further to protect animals abroad as soon as parliamentary time allows. We will be setting out our detailed plans shortly, including by publishing the Government's response to the consultation on trophy hunting imports which will set out in more detail the scope of our intended ban.

Following the Chancellor's commitment to progress Midlands Rail Hub in the 2025 Spending Review the procurement of the alliance that will design and deliver Midlands Rail Hub is currently ongoing.

We are working with Network Rail, Midlands Connect, and West Midlands Rail Executive, to maximise the benefits of Midlands Rail Hub throughout the region. Midlands Connect are leading the development of the rationale for the scheme, including the distribution of socio-economic benefits, and will be able to provide more detail.

The Government has committed in Network North to delivering Midlands Rail Hub in full and increasing funding to £1.75bn, and we have recently released £123m to Network Rail to move the first phase into the detailed design stage. As the scheme progresses through this next stage, we will work with key partners to identify and pursue opportunities for private funding.

We intend to publish the Integrated Rail Plan soon. Given the long-term significance of the IRP, it is important that Government carefully considers the priorities and evidence from metro mayors, council leaders, and representatives from the North and Midlands as well as the National Infrastructure Commission’s Rail Needs Assessment, ahead of setting out our plans.

The Government recognises the devastating impact of sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) on affected families and communities. As the Minister for Public Health and Prevention (Sharon Hodgson MP) set out during a recent Westminster Hall Debate on this issue on 24 March 2026, the Government’s is committed to strengthening pathology services, ensuring high-quality bereavement support and growing the evidence base around SUDC.

Parents who have lost a child to SUDC should be able to access the advice and support that they need. Bereavement support is available on the NHS help page and GOV.UK website in an online-only format.

NHS Bereavement support is commissioned locally, allowing services to be shaped around the needs of local communities. For anyone seeking help after a bereavement, we encourage them to speak to their general practitioner, who can advise on and refer into local bereavement support services. My officials are exploring opportunities to include signposting on the NHS website to SUDC UK to ensure families have access to information when they need it most.

The Government recognises the devastating impact of sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) on affected families and communities. As the Minister for Public Health and Prevention (Sharon Hodgson MP) set out during a recent Westminster Hall Debate on this issue on 24 March 2026, the Government’s is committed to strengthening pathology services, ensuring high-quality bereavement support and growing the evidence base around SUDC.

Parents who have lost a child to SUDC should be able to access the advice and support that they need. Bereavement support is available on the NHS help page and GOV.UK website in an online-only format.

NHS Bereavement support is commissioned locally, allowing services to be shaped around the needs of local communities. For anyone seeking help after a bereavement, we encourage them to speak to their general practitioner, who can advise on and refer into local bereavement support services. My officials are exploring opportunities to include signposting on the NHS website to SUDC UK to ensure families have access to information when they need it most.

The paediatric and perinatal pathology workforce report highlights the extent of the workforce crisis in paediatric and perinatal pathology and the impact this can have on turnaround times and families.

NHS England has launched a national programme to strengthen perinatal and paediatric pathology services and to improve service capacity and resilience.

A £20,000 recruitment incentive for new trainees has been introduced, a fully funded international recruitment campaign has launched, and a new National Training Programme Director has been appointed.

Further initiatives are underway to review the training pathway, develop advanced practitioner roles, and implement a retention strategy for existing staff.

Medical radioisotopes can be produced in different ways, and the United Kingdom has a comprehensive network of cyclotrons used for radioisotope manufacture. These tend to be placed close to the point of use due to the short half-life of these products. The radioisotopes manufactured in these cyclotrons are not suitable for all uses, and so hospitals and trusts in England use a significant number of isotopes manufactured in research reactors. There are currently no reactors in the UK that manufacture medical isotopes, all of these are therefore imported.

The Government does not have any current plans to produce a strategy or to consult on the potential for further domestic medical radioisotope manufacture. However, the Government prioritises the reliable supply of medicines, including the supply of medical radioisotopes for critical services. The Government therefore offers support for private investors and developers to increase manufacture capacity.

The Government has made up to £520 million available through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund to support UK manufacture of medicine and medical technology products. Applications looking to establish, expand, or improve the UK-based manufacture of medical radioisotopes for diagnostic or therapeutic applications can apply to this fund.

The Government also recently announced a £54 million funding package for eight innovative research and development projects, including £9.9 million earmarked for Project Alpha 10.6 to explore how to make medical treatments from legacy nuclear material, something that could unlock the UK’s potential to develop promising new cancer therapies.

Medical radioisotopes can be produced in different ways, and the United Kingdom has a comprehensive network of cyclotrons used for radioisotope manufacture. These tend to be placed close to the point of use due to the short half-life of these products. The radioisotopes manufactured in these cyclotrons are not suitable for all uses, and so hospitals and trusts in England use a significant number of isotopes manufactured in research reactors. There are currently no reactors in the UK that manufacture medical isotopes, all of these are therefore imported.

The Government does not have any current plans to produce a strategy or to consult on the potential for further domestic medical radioisotope manufacture. However, the Government prioritises the reliable supply of medicines, including the supply of medical radioisotopes for critical services. The Government therefore offers support for private investors and developers to increase manufacture capacity.

The Government has made up to £520 million available through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund to support UK manufacture of medicine and medical technology products. Applications looking to establish, expand, or improve the UK-based manufacture of medical radioisotopes for diagnostic or therapeutic applications can apply to this fund.

The Government also recently announced a £54 million funding package for eight innovative research and development projects, including £9.9 million earmarked for Project Alpha 10.6 to explore how to make medical treatments from legacy nuclear material, something that could unlock the UK’s potential to develop promising new cancer therapies.