Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contribution rates on third sector organisations; and whether she plans to take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide additional funding to charities to support them with these costs.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the important role charities play in our society, and has made it a priority to develop a Civil Society Covenant recognising the sector as a trusted and independent partner.

Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. The tax reliefs available to charities are a vital element in supporting charitable causes across the UK, and our tax regime for charities is among the most generous of anywhere in the world with more than £6 billion in charitable reliefs provided to charities, CASCs and their donors in 2023 to 2024. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.

To repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance.

The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of employers with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices, where eligible.

The Government has committed to provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer NICs costs only. This is the usual approach the Government takes to supporting the public sector with additional Employer NICs costs, as was the case with the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to increase the UK's grid capacity to (a) help achieve net zero goals and (b) support (i) improved rail connectivity and (ii) advanced manufacturing in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The electricity networks are owned by private network companies and regulated independently by Ofgem. Government is working closely with Ofgem to speed up delivery of new network infrastructure and reform the connections process to help achieve clean power by 2030 and accelerate to net zero.

Under the current distribution network price control (2023-2028), Ofgem has allowed £22.2bn for network investment. This will increase capacity, enabling connections for projects across GB, including rail and advanced manufacturing.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the locations of (a) the 80 essential and (b) all 88 network projects in the National Grid’s transmission expansion plan have been identified.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Network planning at a high level is undertaken by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) which identifies where reinforcements are needed, network companies then design and propose individual projects. The NESO’s 2030 Advice identifies 80 specific projects as critical for the delivery of Clean Power by 2030. These projects are taken from NESO’s Pathway to 2030 Report (2022), and are listed in Annex N1 of the NESO’s Clean Power 2030 Data Workbook. The Government will set out further details when we publish the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan by the end of the year.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland on regional economic growth in the next three financial years.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District for Scotland (AMIDS) is Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation, and forms an integral part of the £1bn UK and Scottish Government funded Glasgow City Region Deal. AMIDS is home to two world-class innovation centres - the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.

Since its establishment, AMIDS has already become home to world renowned names, including Boeing and Thermo Fisher, and with the landmark opening of the Renfrew Bridge, my department expects AMIDS to achieve even greater successes in delivering up to 10,000 new jobs across the River Clyde.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment has made of the potential flood risk to communities in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help support GP practices in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, in the context of the changes made to employers' National Insurance Contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Whilst the Department holds some reserved functions, health is predominantly devolved. This includes services within the National Health Service in Scotland, which are the responsibility of Scottish Government.

It is for the Scottish Government to decide how to direct the £1.5 billion of extra funding delivered by the budget this year and £3.4 billion next year.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented April 2025, with the Department setting out further details on allocation of funding, including for NHS England and Primary Care, for next year in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent steps his Department has taken to (a) encourage inward investment and (b) support job creation in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Growth is the number one mission of this government. Our Industrial Strategy is central to that Mission - targeting key sectors to deliver high quality, well-paid jobs. My Honourable Friend's constituency is strong in sectors identified in our Green Paper, particularly Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences including being home to the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre. We are working closely with the Scottish government and other partners to attract new investment and jobs. Senior officials from the Office for Investment recently visited the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland to see the investment potential first-hand.

The Environmental Audit Committee is seeking views on how the Government’s proposed reforms to national planning policy and housebuilding targets might affect environmental protections and current approaches to sustainable development.Read the terms of reference and find out how to submit written evidence through the Committee's evidence portal here.

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The Environmental Audit Committee in the 2024 Parliament has revived the predecessor Environmental Audit Sub-Committee on Polar Research’s inquiry into The UK and the Antarctic Environment.

Submit Evidence (by 13 Jan 2025)

The Environmental Audit Committee is undertaking an inquiry on flood resilience in England, focusing on how flood resilience can be strengthened in response to increasing risks from extreme weather, rising sea levels, and evolving flood hazards.

Submit Evidence (by 17 Jan 2025)

The Environmental Audit Committee is undertaking an inquiry on governing the marine environment, which will focus on the UK's environmental obligations under marine treaties and how the UK is delivering on them, as well as the Government's strategy for marine planning and protection in its domestic waters.