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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make it her policy to increase nature-rich spaces by rivers to (a) reduce agricultural pollution and (b) protect and (c) enhance chalk streams.

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

Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to addressing the multiple pressures facing chalk streams and restoring them to better ecological health. This Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good: we will ensure that chalk streams benefit from this era of reform.

Our Environmental Land Management schemes funding will increase by 150% to £2 billion by 2028/2029, providing incentives for farmers and land managers to farm more sustainably – six of our Landscape Recovery projects are being developed in chalk stream catchments.

Additionally, we have committed to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan which will set out how Defra will deliver our legally binding targets. The Government will develop a new, statutory plan to protect and restore our natural environment with delivery plans to meet each of our ambitious Environment Act targets.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish a timetable for launching a consultation on financial support for parents of seriously ill children.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government has already committed to publish a terms of reference and timeline for its ongoing review of employment rights for unpaid carers this autumn. This will also outline the scope and include a timeline for consulting on employment rights for parents of seriously ill children.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what is the potential scope of their proposed consultation on financial support for parents of seriously ill children.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government has already committed to publish a terms of reference and timeline for its ongoing review of employment rights for unpaid carers this autumn. This will also outline the scope and include a timeline for consulting on employment rights for parents of seriously ill children.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what plans his Department has to support exports of UK-manufactured hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to international markets.

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

As a frontier sector in the Industrial Strategy, the government has committed targeted support to boost exports of world leading hydrogen technologies into new and established markets, by increasing the visibility of UK capabilities to projects and investors and unlocking greater participation in international supply chains. The Trade Strategy also commits to supporting exports through building on existing and exploring new and deeper clean energy sector agreements.

Officials in my department will continue to showcase UK capabilities through our global network, increasing access to international supply chains. UK Export Finance can offer a range of support for overseas sales, aims to deliver £10bn in clean growth financing by 2029.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with industry stakeholders on growing UK-based manufacturing of hydrogen and fuel cell equipment by 2030.

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

The Government announced a public finance offer for clean energy industries to crowd private investment into sustainable UK supply chains. This includes: a £1bn Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8bn for the National Wealth Fund to invest across this Parliament in clean industries including low-carbon hydrogen; and a £4bn British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale up and start up financing package.

My officials in the UK and overseas are working closely with UK-based companies to showcase the UK's leading capabilities and unlock opportunities across the hydrogen value chain both at home and overseas. I look forward to working with the industry on these shared ambitions.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department plans to take to support research and development into hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

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

The Department has allocated around £170 million from the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to hydrogen R&D, including £60m for Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 and £31m for Hydrogen BECCS, advancing production, storage, transport, and negative-emission technologies.

The UK is engaging internationally to accelerate hydrogen research and innovation, for example, co-chairing the Clean Hydrogen Mission and participating in the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme.

This Government has a clear focus on commercial deployment, including hydrogen technologies and infrastructure.

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 support manufacturing of the materials needed for the production of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies within the UK.

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

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out a clear plan to support the growth of the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen technologies, including deployment certainty and timelines for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds; the launch of the first transport and storage allocation round and hydrogen to power business model; establishing the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031; exploring options to expand the CfD Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen; working with projects to deliver events connecting developers and suppliers; and a comprehensive public financial institution offer including the £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund.

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 grow the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

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

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out a clear plan to support the growth of the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen technologies, including deployment certainty and timelines for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds; the launch of the first transport and storage allocation round and hydrogen to power business model; establishing the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031; exploring options to expand the CfD Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen; working with projects to deliver events connecting developers and suppliers; and a comprehensive public financial institution offer including the £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund.

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 support hydrogen and fuel cell technology manufacturers to invest in (a) new manufacturing facilities and (b) research and development.

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

The Government announced a public finance offer for clean energy industries to crowd private investment into sustainable UK supply chains. This includes: a £1 billion Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8 billion for the National Wealth Fund to invest across this Parliament in clean industries including low-carbon hydrogen; and a £4 billion British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale up and start up financing package.

DESNZ has allocated around £170 million from the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to hydrogen research & development, including £60 million for Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 and £31million for H2BECCS, advancing production, storage, transport, and negative-emission technologies.

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 trends in the level of (a) jobs and (b) investment in the UK hydrogen technology manufacturing sector by 2030.

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

The sector is nascent but is expected to grow significantly; the global hydrogen market could exceed $1 trillion by 2050, with the UK well positioned to capture a substantial share.

We intend to publish a revised Hydrogen Strategy which will include the latest hydrogen jobs estimates and set out plans to optimise the job creation and economic benefits delivered by the UK hydrogen economy.

We will continue to engage with stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain; working together with industry and unions to identify actions that support the skills and workforce needs of the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of permitting cross-subsidisation between publicly owned and delivered rail services on the sustainability of rural rail services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Train operating companies are currently preparing business plans. They will give consideration to rail service patterns, including for rural rail services, with the objective of improving performance of the railway for passengers, reducing the net cost of the railway and retaining access to services for those communities this Government is trying to help most.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to p.94 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, if he will publish his Department's (a) proposals and (b) timetable for implementing proposed powers to enable local authorities to take over the management of vacant residential properties.

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

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.

They can also access funding through the Affordable Homes Programme and Local Authority Housing Fund. Through the New Homes Bonus, local authorities can also receive the same level of reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one.

Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found on gov.uk here.

The government outlined its intent to strengthen local authorities’ ability to take over the management of vacant residential premises in the English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024. Further details will be set out in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of vacant residential properties.

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

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.

They can also access funding through the Affordable Homes Programme and Local Authority Housing Fund. Through the New Homes Bonus, local authorities can also receive the same level of reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one.

Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found on gov.uk here.

The government outlined its intent to strengthen local authorities’ ability to take over the management of vacant residential premises in the English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024. Further details will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the provisions of the forthcoming Railways Bill will permit cross-subsidisation between publicly owned and delivered rail services.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Public Service Obligations in Transport Regulations 2023 allow public authorities to take into account the possibility of grouping cost-covering services with non-cost-covering services when determining what rail services should be provided by a public service operator (and what subsidy (if any) that should be provided to that operator). The forthcoming Railways Bill, due to be introduced into Parliament this session, aims to ensure continuity of this principle and will provide further clarity on the approach to subsidy control once Great British Railways is established and is responsible for all previously-franchised passenger services.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of adopting a EU-style carding system to (a) warn and (b) sanction states that are not sufficiently combating illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The UK’s Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing Regulation (1005/2008) includes provisions that support a carding system, to warn and sanction states identified as non-cooperative in combating IUU fishing. Currently, the UK bans imports of seafood from Cambodia, Comoros and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK-manufactured hydrogen and fuel cell technologies use hydrogen production and usage schemes.

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

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out a clear plan to support the growth of the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen technologies, including deployment certainty and timelines for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds; the launch of the first transport and storage allocation round and hydrogen to power business model; establishing the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031; exploring options to expand the Contracts for Difference (CfD) Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen; working with projects to deliver events connecting developers and suppliers; and a comprehensive public financial institution offer including the £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund.

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 UK hydrogen supply chain on (a) creating skilled jobs and (b) supporting regional growth.

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

The hydrogen industry will create investment and jobs across the UK’s industrial heartlands. The UK is well placed to be a global leader in hydrogen supply chains, further supporting regional growth. Our forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy will include the latest jobs estimates and plans to optimise economic benefits delivered by the UK hydrogen economy. We will continue to engage with stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain; working together with industry and unions to identify actions that support the skills and workforce needs of the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.

Thames Water in North East Hertfordshire constituency

Two-child limit

Kashmir Black Day and self-determination

Freezing of Local Housing Allowance

Strike action at the British Library

Buying community energy locally

Fireworks anti-social behaviour and regulation

Nature-rich river corridors

Found: Liberal Democrat; Chippenham) Alison Griffiths (Conservative; Bognor Regis and Littlehampton) Chris Hinchliff

Found: ; Olivia Blake; Julia Buckley; Carla Denyer; Barry Gardiner; Sarah Gibson; Alison Griffiths; Chris Hinchliff

Found: ; Olivia Blake; Julia Buckley; Carla Denyer; Barry Gardiner; Sarah Gibson; Alison Griffiths; Chris Hinchliff

Found: ; Olivia Blake; Julia Buckley; Carla Denyer; Barry Gardiner; Sarah Gibson; Alison Griffiths; Chris Hinchliff