Anne Marie Morris

The criteria for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme are specified in the Statutory Instrument which was laid in Parliament on the 24^th February 2022:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2022/9780348232349/contents.

Further information on the scheme can be found in Ofgem’s consultation on scheme administration, which closed on 27^th January 2022:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/consultation-ofgems-administration-boiler-upgrade-scheme,

A settlement letter is expected by the end of the financial year.

The Department works closely with National Grid Electricity System Operator (NG:ESO) to ensure there is adequate capacity available to meet peak demand in a range of scenarios, now and in the future.

The Capacity Market (CM) is at the heart of the Government’s plans for a secure and reliable electricity system. Through the CM, the government secure, the capacity needed to ensure security of supply through a competitive, technology-neutral auction process. The volume of capacity the government procures is based on advice from NG:ESO in the annual Electricity Capacity Report. NG:ESO model a wide range of possible scenarios when producing their advice, including levels of electricity demand. The methodologies and analysis provided by NG:ESO are scrutinised by an independent advisory group appointed by government, the Panel of Technical Experts.

The CM incentivises the necessary investment to maintain and refurbish existing capacity and to finance new capacity, ensuring the transition to net zero happens in a managed way that does not compromise security of supply. This year’s auctions have already secured the majority of Great Britain’s capacity needs out to 2024/25 and we will continue to work with the NG:ESO to make sure that the transition to net zero is delivered in a manner that ensures the stability and security of the electricity system.

The Department conducted cost-benefit analysis of our net zero ambition as part of the Impact Assessment for setting the sixth carbon budget. The net present value of meeting the sixth carbon budget and net zero target, compared to no further action, was estimated as a net benefit of £266 billion.

The UK operates a system of informed consent for vaccinations and uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination has been very high across the UK.

Employers, including those in customer-facing sectors, who propose to introduce a requirement for staff to be vaccinated will need to consider the existing legal framework, including the law on employment, dismissal, equalities and data protection. Employers will need to ensure that they have acted in accordance with their legal obligations when making decisions on requiring evidence of a COVID-19 vaccination, taking account of their particular context and circumstances.

I would refer my Hon. Friend to my previous answer that the Department has met and continues to meet regularly with representatives from across the Hospitality sector to discuss how it can recover and build back from the pandemic. Information from these discussions has been shared with the Department for Work and Pensions, who are actively supporting jobseekers to find roles in sectors of need. Last month, the Government also published a comprehensive Tourism Recovery Plan setting out how it will help the Tourism sector build back better from COVID-19.

Solar PV has been a UK success story, with rapid deployment over the last 10 years. Over 99% of the UK’s solar PV capacity has been deployed since May 2010, and over a million homes have installed solar on their roofs.

Solar is a key part of the Government’s strategy for low-cost decarbonisation of the energy sector. Achieving our ambitious 2050 Net Zero target will require significant increases in renewable electricity generation, and we will need to increase deployment across a range of technologies, including solar PV. Our recent Energy White Paper stated that we will need sustained growth in the capacity of solar over the next decade alongside onshore and offshore wind.

That is why the Government announced on 2 March 2020 that large scale solar PV projects will be able to compete in the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) allocation round. The round is planned to open in December 2021 and will aim to deliver up to double the renewable capacity of the last round, potentially providing enough clean energy for up to 10 million homes.

We also support small scale solar projects through the Smart Export Guarantee scheme, which requires electricity suppliers to offer a tariff to buy electricity exported to the grid by small low-carbon generators – typically households that have installed solar panels.

Solar is also an important part of the Government’s strategy for energy efficient buildings and reducing fuel poverty. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the Social Housing Demonstrator Fund and the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme all include solar panels as an eligible measure.

In April next year we aim to launch the Green Heat Network Fund, which is intended to run for three years and will focus on helping new and existing heat networks to adopt low and zero carbon technologies. We recently consulted on proposals for the scheme design and our consultation document looked at the ways in which a number of low-carbon technologies, including solar thermal, might be treated. The consultation document can be found on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/green-heat-network-fund-proposals-for-the-scheme-design ). The consultation period ended on 29 January and we aim to publish the Government’s response later in the summer.

Taken together this support reflects our commitment to reach our net zero ambition, through a sustainable, diverse, energy system.

The Department has and continues to regularly meet with representatives from across the sector to discuss how it can recover and build back from the pandemic.

OneWeb has launched 36 satellites since June 2020, bringing the total number of satellites launched to 110. Further launches are planned throughout 2021 and the company aims to introduce commercial service at the end of the year.

The Government recognises the significant impact that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had on both employers and employees, and their mental wellbeing. in order to highlight available support around mental health, the Government is signposting to resources for businesses and employers, including Mind’s website and the Mental Health at Work toolkit, through GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-support-for-business-from-outside-government. We also continue to work with the Thriving at Work Leadership Council to encourage employers to sign up to the Mental Health at Work (MHAW) commitments and to engage leading Mental Health charities and organisations to better understand issues around SME mental health, financial insecurity for small business owners and the self-employed, and continue to explore what further support may be offered.

We also know how worried people are and we are taking many steps to protect both jobs and the long-term financial future of businesses during the current economic emergency. Throughout this crisis, our priority has been clear: to protect lives and livelihoods. We have introduced an unprecedented and comprehensive package of business support measures to help as many individuals and businesses as possible, which has mitigated some of the worst immediate impacts of COVID-19 on risk factors for poor mental health. This includes measures such as the small business grants, the Coronavirus loan guarantee schemes, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the deferral of VAT and income tax payments, and more. Businesses can also access tailored advice through our Freephone Business Support Helpline, online via the Business Support website or through their local Growth Hubs in England.

Further measures were also announced by my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer that build on the significant support already available as well as set out how current support will evolve and adapt. This includes the extension of the CJRS until the end of April 2021, the extension of the Coronavirus loan guarantee schemes until 31 March 2021, and the introduction of Pay As You Grow measures, meaning businesses now have the option to repay their Bounce Back Loans over a period of up to ten years. Businesses who also deferred VAT due from 20 March to 30 June 2020 will now have the option to opt-in to a scheme to allow them to pay in smaller instalments up to the end of March 2022, interest free. Business and individuals can use our checker tool on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support to quickly and easily determine whether they are eligible for any further financial support at this time.

The Government has ordered certain businesses and venues to close and has set out guidance on which organisations this requirement covers and what the exceptions are.

All food retailers, including food markets, supermarkets, convenience stores and corner shops are permitted to remain open.

We have published comprehensive guidance to allow businesses to be able to work safely. The offering of hand sanitiser is part of a range of measures that businesses can take to protect staff and customers.

The Government welcomes efforts by retailers to reduce the spread of Covid-19 through the implementation of this advice.

We have also launched a campaign urging people to act like they have got the virus, reinforcing the message that if it’s essential to go out, you should wash your hands, cover your face indoors and keep your distance from others. We are also encouraging people to shop alone and infrequently to reduce the number of people in stores.

We have published comprehensive guidance to allow businesses to be able to work safely. The offering of hand sanitiser is part of a range of measures that businesses can take to protect staff and customers.

The Government welcomes efforts by retailers to reduce the spread of Covid-19 through the implementation of this advice.

We have also launched a campaign urging people to act like they have got the virus, reinforcing the message that if it’s essential to go out, you should wash your hands, cover your face indoors and keep your distance from others. We are also encouraging people to shop alone and infrequently to reduce the number of people in stores.

We recognise that some borrowers will benefit from flexibility for their repayments of Government-guaranteed loans. That is why, on 24 September, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Pay As You Grow measures following discussion with lenders.

Pay As You Grow will give all Bounce Back Loan borrowers the option to repay their loan over a period of up to ten years. UK businesses will also have the option to move temporarily to interest-only payments for periods of up to six months (an option which they can use up to three times), or to pause their repayments entirely for up to six months (an option they can use once and only after having made six payments).

These changes will provide greater flexibility to repay these loans over a longer period and in a way that better suits businesses’ individual circumstances.

We have also given Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme lenders the ability to extend the length of borrowers’ loans from a maximum of six years to ten years if it will help the borrower to repay the loan.

The life sciences sector is crucial to our success as a science superpower. It has consistently been the largest investor in research and development in the UK, investing over £4.5 billion in 2018.

The Government has pledged to increase UK investment in research and development, with the goal being to reach 2.4% of GDP by 2027. The Government’s R&D Roadmap puts science and technology at the forefront of our economic and social recovery.

Intellectual property is a crucial part of that effort, so that great research and ideas can be turned into great businesses.

Consequently, as we reach the end of the transition period, we aim to provide maximum certainty and clarity in the patent framework, giving the life science sector the confidence to invest. Going forward, we will have the flexibility to make changes to the intellectual property system to best meet the evolving needs of the UK and our ambition for innovation.

Alongside the R&D Roadmap, we published a public survey asking key questions set out in the Roadmap. This closed in August and we are now working to analyse the results. The Roadmap marks the start of a conversation to identify the strengths and challenges facing the sector;?the issues that need to be addressed;?and how we want to work with universities, business, the third sector and across government to cement the UK’s reputation as a science superpower.

We are continuing to work with a wide range of stakeholders to develop and implement the proposals in the Roadmap.

The Government recognise that the recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak is not uniform across the retail sector.

The Government has provided an unprecedented package of measures?including grants, loans, and relief worth more than £300 billion. Retailers are benefitting from the removal of business rates for 12 months and have been able to access grants through the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Grant Fund.

Retailers have also been able to benefit from The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and the Bounce Back Loan Scheme.

The grant schemes applied to businesses who were trading, occupying premises and liable for business rates?on 11 March 2020. This was the first date that the Small Business Grants Fund was announced at Budget. This was to avoid businesses being established for the sole purpose of applying for grants.

In cases where it was factually clear to the Local Authority on 11 March 2020 that the rating list was inaccurate on that date, Local Authorities had the discretion to withhold or award the grant based on eligibility had the list been accurate. This discretion was only intended to prevent clear errors.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to Local Authorities setting a closure date of Friday 28 August. We asked Local Authorities to close all schemes by this point and ensure that, where payments are still in process, they are complete by 30 September at the very latest.

Businesses which are not eligible for or have not received grant funding should be able to benefit from other measures in the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business.?For further information please?visit:?https://www.gov.uk/business-coronavirus-support-finder

The Rural Urban Classification is an Official Statistic used to distinguish rural and urban areas. The Classification defines areas as rural if they are outside settlements with more than 10,000 resident population.

Wherever possible, the Rural Urban Classification should be used for statistical analysis. Further details can be found at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ gov.uk page at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/rural-urban-classification.

No specific assessment has been made regarding the potential merits of adding tourist information centres to the list of statutory services provided by Local Authorities.

However, my Department recently commissioned an independent review of Destination Management Organisations led by Nick de Bois which is looking at how best regional and local tourism is structured, funded and supported by the central Government. As many Destination Management Organisations run their own tourist information centres, or have done so in the past, the review may touch on this issue.

Last year, the Government provided £2.3 million in financial support to England's Destination Management Organisations, so that they could continue carrying out vital business support roles during the pandemic.

The safety and security of players and spectators is of paramount importance.

On Tuesday 22 September it was announced that all sports pilot events currently ongoing would be paused with immediate effect, due to the sharp upward trajectory of Covid-19 cases. A?s set out in our Roadmap, sports events pilots, and the full return of fans to stadia would only ever take place when it was safe to do so.

However, the Government continues to work closely with a whole range of sports to understand the latest thinking that might allow spectators to return. This includes the creation of a new Sports Technology Innovation Working Group of sporting bodies and health experts to analyse new technologies which might support this.

The Government knows that the decision not to reopen stadia to spectators on 1 October will have major consequences for sports and clubs across the country who relied on those fans for income. We are working with those organisations to understand what they need and how we can support them.

Ministers have spoken to all of the major spectator sports, including football, and have asked for detailed financial returns so the Government can understand what support they might need.

The Government is strongly supportive of the community radio sector and recognises the great value that it offers to communities across the United Kingdom, in terms of providing quality local news, information and entertainment.

We recognise the challenges that some community stations are facing due to Covid-19 and are currently holding discussions with Ofcom and the Community Media Association (CMA) on possible options to provide urgent support for those stations in greatest need.

The Government has committed to achieving availability of superfast broadband to 95% of homes and businesses in the UK by the end of 2017. 88 per cent of homes and businesses in Newton Abbott are estimated to have coverage by the end of 2016, and additional funding sources, including the clawback funding that BT have offered in response to the high levels of take-up, will allow coverage to be extended further in Newton Abbot and the rest of the area covered by the Devon and Somerset broadband project. The Government will also launch a public consultation early next year in preparation for the implementation of a new broadband USO by 2020,with the ambition to give people the legal right to request a connection to broadband with speeds of 10 Mbps, no matter where in the country they live.

The Government has committed to achieving availability of superfast broadband to 95% of homes and businesses in the UK by the end of 2017. 88 per cent of homes and businesses in Newton Abbott are estimated to have coverage by the end of 2016, and additional funding sources, including the clawback funding that BT have offered in response to the high levels of take-up, will allow coverage to be extended further in Newton Abbott and the rest of the area covered by the Devon and Somerset broadband project. The Government will also launch a public consultation early next year in preparation for the implementation of a new broadband USO by 2020, with the ambition to give people the legal right to request a connection to broadband with speeds of 10 Mbps, no matter where in the country they live.

Ofcom is responsible for monitoring the UK broadband market and reported that superfast broadband was available to 45% of premises in Devon by June 2014. This could mostly be attributed to BT’s commercial roll-out.

The Government’s superfast broadband project for Devon and Somerset aims to deliver coverage to 211,000 superfast premises by the end of 2015. The project will increase coverage within the project area to 89% superfast by the end of 2016. This will be made up of commercial and publicly subsidised network build. Coverage beyond the end of the current project will depend on the result of the phase 2 procurement process. The Government has allocated £22.75m for the phase 2 project which the local authorities have committed to match with local and European funding.

In addition, Luxborough in Exmoor, Somerset is hosting a Government funded Market Test Pilot, which will soon be providing superfast satellite broadband services to over 200 premises. This will provide valuable information on how to take coverage even further by demonstrating the delivery of superfast broadband in the most commercially challenging locations.

Ofcom is responsible for monitoring the UK broadband market and reported that superfast broadband was available to 45% of premises in Devon by June 2014. This could mostly be attributed to BT’s commercial roll-out.

The Government’s superfast broadband project for Devon and Somerset aims to deliver coverage to 211,000 superfast premises by the end of 2015. The project will increase coverage within the project area to 89% superfast by the end of 2016. This will be made up of commercial and publicly subsidised network build. Coverage beyond the end of the current project will depend on the result of the phase 2 procurement process. The Government has allocated £22.75m for the phase 2 project which the local authorities have committed to match with local and European funding.

In addition, Luxborough in Exmoor, Somerset is hosting a Government funded Market Test Pilot, which will soon be providing superfast satellite broadband services to over 200 premises. This will provide valuable information on how to take coverage even further by demonstrating the delivery of superfast broadband in the most commercially challenging locations.