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 reduce energy bills for businesses.

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

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers, including business consumers, permanently.

In the short term, the Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into expensive energy contracts and more redress when they have a complaint. We closed a consultation in November regarding the regulation of Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers, aimed at enhancing consumer protections, particularly for non-domestic consumers. A government response will follow in due course once all feedback has been reviewed.

From 19 December 2024, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees can now access free support to resolve issues with their energy supplier through the Energy Ombudsman. This means that 99% of UK businesses can now access this service, with outcomes ranging up to £20,000 in financial awards.

The Government recognises that some businesses may be struggling to pay their bills. These businesses should contact their supplier to discuss their options, including ‘blend and extend’ contracts, where the higher unit rate is blended with a new lower rate, spreading the cost over the course of a long contract.

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 help ensure Great British Energy creates jobs in industrial communities.

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

Through its investment and development activities, Great British Energy (GBE) will support companies to provide opportunities for high quality, well-paid work, in the projects the company supports, in supply chains and in local communities through the Local Power Plan. As an operationally independent company, GBE will choose the projects it supports across the UK. I am confident that the benefits will be felt in local and national economies, including our industrial heartlands. The decision to headquarter GBE in Aberdeen has already given confidence to industry, as Sarens PSG has announced the opening of a Centre of Excellence in Aberdeen that will train wind farm workers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the UK offshore oil and gas industry’s investment in renewable energy.

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

Making Britain a clean energy superpower is one of the five missions of this Government, and oil and gas companies will have an important role to play in the energy transition.

We have begun the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and are moving ahead with new industries including carbon capture and storage, and hydrogen which will attract further private investment. A number of integrated energy companies already invest across a range of clean energy technologies in the UK and elsewhere. The department does not provide a commentary on these investments.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to housing and planning regulations on (a) the Regulator of Social Housing and (b) the regulation of the social housing sector.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. We are also taking action to ensure that all social homes are safe, warm, and decent, and that tenants are treated with the respect they deserve.

This year, we will bring forward Awaab’s Law, consult on a new Decent Homes Standard, and ensure social housing staff have the right skills and experience to deliver quality homes and services.

The Regulator of Social Housing has expanded in recent years to reflect changes in the regulatory landscape that affects the social housing sector, including the introduction of a proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024 following the passage of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act.

The government remains committed to ensuring it has the resources to deliver on its fundamental objectives. We will continue to engage closely with the Regulator of Social Housing as government continues to deliver on its commitments.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Rosebank oil field development on the UK's net zero obligations.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the regulatory decision documents on the environmental effects of the Rosebank project published in September 2023. Those regulatory decisions are currently subject to two Judicial Reviews. In August 2024, the Government announced that it would not be challenging the Judicial Reviews.

At COP28, the UK and others agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in an orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade. This is essential to keep the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach. The Government has acted swiftly to consult on new environmental guidance for oil and gas firms to ensure that the impact of burning oil and gas is considered in the Environmental Impact Assessment for new projects.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average processing time for Syrians' asylum applications was before 9 December 2024.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on asylum claims awaiting an initial decision by nationality and duration is published in table Asy_D03 of the ‘Asylum applications, initial decisions and resettlement detailed datasets’. The latest data relates to the situation as of 30^th September 2024.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason her Department paused the processing of applications made by Syrian asylum seekers on 9 December 2024.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review, so we can respond to emerging issues. Following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the Home Office has withdrawn the Country Policy Information Notes and Guidance relating to Syria.

Consequently, as the Home Office continues to assess the current situation in Syria, the Home Office has temporarily paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what was the total allocation of funding from the Life Science Innovative Manufacturing Fund to projects aimed at improving the (a) supply and (b) distribution of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy since 2 March 2022.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund has – since its inception in March 2022 – supported a wide range of projects across the life sciences sector, able to manufacture different types of life-saving medicines and medical devices. Several of these could have the capability to manufacture medicines such as pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies. The latest iteration of this fund will allocate up to £520 million to deliver economic growth and build health resilience. The fund is currently open to applications, and we encourage companies with eligible life sciences manufacturing projects to apply.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2025 to Question 20760 on Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on increasing the UK's manufacturing capacity of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapies.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There have been no recent discussions with Cabinet Office colleagues on increasing the United Kingdom’s manufacturing capacity of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) or increasing access to the raw ingredients required for the production of PERT. However, we have established incentives to encourage UK life sciences manufacturing, including via the Life Science Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF). The LSIMF is now live and open to Expressions of Interest from all life science manufacturers, with formal application windows open on a quarterly basis, the next being in February 2025. The Government has committed up to £520 million to support businesses investing in life science manufacturing projects in the UK, and this would be open to applicants interested in setting up PERT manufacture in the UK.

Department officials continue to engage with all suppliers of PERT to boost production to mitigate the supply issue. Increased volumes of PERT are expected for 2025, and specialist importers have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the gap in the market. In December, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are implemented. The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, has created a public facing page to include the latest update on PERT availability and easily accessible prescribing advice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 6 January 2025 to Question 20760 on Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on increasing access to the raw ingredients required for the production of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There have been no recent discussions with Cabinet Office colleagues on increasing the United Kingdom’s manufacturing capacity of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) or increasing access to the raw ingredients required for the production of PERT. However, we have established incentives to encourage UK life sciences manufacturing, including via the Life Science Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF). The LSIMF is now live and open to Expressions of Interest from all life science manufacturers, with formal application windows open on a quarterly basis, the next being in February 2025. The Government has committed up to £520 million to support businesses investing in life science manufacturing projects in the UK, and this would be open to applicants interested in setting up PERT manufacture in the UK.

Department officials continue to engage with all suppliers of PERT to boost production to mitigate the supply issue. Increased volumes of PERT are expected for 2025, and specialist importers have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the gap in the market. In December, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are implemented. The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, has created a public facing page to include the latest update on PERT availability and easily accessible prescribing advice.

Heathrow airport third runway expansion

Early detection of heart valve disease

Leasehold reform

National Heart Month

Military sexual trauma

Blue Flag status for rivers

Royal Mail's universal service obligation

NHS targets

Children's Mental Health Week

Proposals to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza

Hospital maintenance

Maternity care in the UK

Women's health hubs

The Bereavement Journey programme

Furniture poverty in social housing

Mobile phone theft

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025

40th anniversary of Glasgow Central Mosque

Preventing sudden deaths from undiagnosed heart conditions

RED January campaign

Found: Paula Barker Grahame Morris Shockat Adam Lorraine Beavers Mary Kelly Foy Chris Hinchliff Ayoub Khan

Found: Paula Barker Grahame Morris Shockat Adam Lorraine Beavers Mary Kelly Foy Chris Hinchliff Ayoub Khan

Found: Paula Barker Grahame Morris Shockat Adam Lorraine Beavers Mary Kelly Foy Chris Hinchliff Ayoub Khan

Found: Paula Barker Grahame Morris Shockat Adam Lorraine Beavers Mary Kelly Foy Chris Hinchliff Ayoub Khan

Found: Paula Barker Grahame Morris Shockat Adam Lorraine Beavers Mary Kelly Foy Chris Hinchliff Ayoub Khan

Found: Paula Barker Grahame Morris Shockat Adam Lorraine Beavers Mary Kelly Foy Chris Hinchliff Ayoub Khan