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 contribution of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North constituency to (a) regional and (b) national economic growth.

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

As evidenced by the inclusion of civil nuclear the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the government recognises that our nuclear programme is an important driver of regional and national growth. We also recognise the considerable presence of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North, with businesses in the region contributing a range of expertise across the programme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the deposit return scheme to be operational.

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

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers will launch in October 2027 across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Welsh Government are consulting on their DRS scheme and working to align their implementation timetable with the rest of the UK for an October 2027 scheme launch.

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 his policies on new nuclear on job creation.

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

This Government’s nuclear policies are set to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly employed in the project, thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and plans to create 1,500 apprenticeships. Furthermore, a small modular reactor project delivered through the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR programme could create up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction. The new Atlantic partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy between the UK and the US will accelerate deployment of new nuclear power, unlocking opportunities for billions in private investment and delivering thousands more well-paid skilled jobs.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the number of jobs in the nuclear sector on the economy.

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

DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. The annual industry-led 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment (NWA), published by Cogent Skills, estimates that the civil and defence nuclear sector workforce increased from 83,000 jobs in 2023 to 96,000 in 2024, and could grow by an additional 24,000 employees by the early 2030s.[1] These roles are highly skilled, well paid and concentrated in regions where they provide significant economic benefit. Beyond direct employment nuclear investment boosts skills, infrastructure, and services, driving economic growth

[1] Cogent Skills, 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the expected end-of-life date is for each operational gas-fired power station in the UK.

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

The retirement of individual unabated gas plants is a commercial decision for private operators, based on technical, operational and economic factors. NESO’s Resource Adequacy in the 2030s report notes that many of today’s gas plants were commissioned before 2000 and may be approaching retirement by the early 2030s. To mitigate risks to security of supply, we have made it easier for plants to access multi-year Capacity Market agreements. This will provide greater revenue certainty that enables the type of investment ageing plants will need if they are to extend their operating life.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been convicted for (a) knowing or suspecting and (b) having reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaging in money laundering and failing to make a disclosure as soon as practicable to the bank’s nominated officer in each of the last 15 years.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice does not hold information on those convicted of “knowing or suspecting” or “having reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting that another person is engaging in money laundering and failing to make a disclosure as soon as practicable”.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of convictions each year for offences as listed in the Offence Group Classification - this includes those related to money laundering.  This information is available in the "Outcomes by offence" tool which is available here: Criminal justice statistics quarterly - GOV.UK". This link also contains the Offence Group Classification.

Drug deaths (No. 2)