Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Prime Minister considered appointing Matthew Doyle to a head of mission role.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 22 April 2026 at Prime Minister's Questions, Official Report, Column 314.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if it is government policy to withhold the names of potential head of mission appointees from the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 22 April 2026 at Prime Minister's Questions, Official Report, Column 314.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what communication did the Prime Minister have with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regarding potentially appointing Matthew Doyle to a head of mission role.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 22 April 2026 at Prime Minister's Questions, Official Report, Column 314.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to HCWS1468 on Offshore Wind Investment, if mitigations were considered before his department made the decision to not support investment.

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

We cannot comment on the rationale behind individual investment cases including the various considerations in our due diligence, but investment into the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny. We will continue to work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and ensure the UK remains one of the most attractive investment destinations in the world.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to engage directly with representatives of the WASPI campaign since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The previous Minister for Pensions met with representatives from WASPI on 5th September 2024 to hear their experiences directly, the first Minister to do so in eight years.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he will meet representatives of the WASPI campaign to discuss the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on changes to women’s State Pension age, published on 21 March 2024.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd (WASPI) are seeking permission from the High Court to bring a Judicial Review on our response to the Ombudsman’s report. We do not comment on live litigation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what financial assistance his Department is providing to households who are unable to have a heat pump or heat battery, to ensure a fair transition to low carbon heating.

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

The Department recently consulted on the role of alternative clean heating solutions for properties that may not be suitable for heat pumps or cannot connect to heat networks. Through this consultation, we sought evidence on the costs and barriers to uptake of alternative low‑carbon technologies. We are now considering responses and will publish our response in due course. For Scotland, this responsibility lies with the Scottish Government.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including modern high heat storage heaters in the eligible technologies list.

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

Government is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero which is why the Warm Homes Plan supports a range of measures and technologies. Energy efficiency and fuel poverty are devolved matters, and Scotland has its own policies and programmes in these areas.

Additionally Government recently consulted on the role of alternative clean heating solutions for properties that may not be suitable for heat pumps or heat networks, including thermal energy storage systems – to ensure that every household has a suitable low-carbon option. The consultation closed on 10 February and a Government Response will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what financial assistance his Department is providing to households with no central heating to upgrade their old electric heating systems to new technologies such as modern high heat retention storage heaters.

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

Decarbonising heating in Scotland is largely devolved, allowing the Scottish Government to set its own policies and support schemes. Scottish households can access support through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan scheme, including grants to replace old electric heaters with high heat retention storage heaters.

The Department has also consulted on alternative clean heating solutions, such as thermal energy storage, for properties across the UK that are unsuitable for heat pumps or heat networks. This sought evidence on costs and barriers to uptake. We are now considering responses and will publish our findings in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his intention for modern high heat retention storage heaters to meet the future requirements for achieving EPC C and if he will make a statement on the timelines for implementing the new Home Energy Model.

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

In the Home Energy Model (HEM): Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) consultation, we proposed that electric heating with thermal storage – where its efficiency and use of off-peak electricity result in lower annual emissions than an equivalent direct electric system – would typically achieve a C rating or above. We are analysing consultation responses and will publish a Government Response by the end of the year. This consultation related to EPCs in England and Wales and the Scottish Government is developing its own policies for reformed EPCs.

HEM will be introduced as a methodology for demonstrating compliance with the English Future Home Standard (FHS) in the coming months and for EPCs in the second half of 2027.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential economic impact on households of extending the 0% VAT rating on energy efficiency measures and domestic renewables beyond March 2027.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

This Government is committed to improving the quality and sustainability of our housing stock, through improvements such as low carbon heating, insulation, solar panels and batteries. This will be vital to making the UK more energy resilient and meeting our 2050 Net Zero commitment.

Installations of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a charitable purpose benefit from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027, after which they will revert to the reduced rate of VAT at five per cent.

As with all tax policy, the government keeps VAT under review and decisions on tax changes are made by the Chancellor in the context of the public finances.

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 the transition away from fossil fuel heating involves low carbon solutions that suit the different types of UK housing stock.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that all homes are able to benefit from the transition to low carbon heating. That’s why the Warm Homes Plan supports a range of measures and technologies to suit the variety of homes across the country.

Modern heat pumps can increasingly be used in homes previously considered unsuitable, often without the need to upgrade building fabric or radiators, and the expanded Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants for eligible households in England and Wales.

We are also making a strong solar offer through our low‑income schemes, and an offer for everyone with low and no interest loans. The Government is also making plug‑in solar panels available in the UK for the first time which could save many households up to £110 a year on energy bills.

We have consulted on alternative heating solutions to ensure every household has a suitable low‑carbon option. The consultation closed on 10 February and a Government Response will be issued in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what information his Department holds on the number of households using older direct electric heating and older storage heaters; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of upgrading those households to modern high heat retention storage heaters.

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

The Department does not hold information on the numbers of households using older direct electric heating and older storage heaters.

We recently consulted on the role of alternative clean heating solutions, including thermal energy storage systems such as storage heaters, for properties that may not be suitable for heat pumps or cannot connect to heat networks. Through this consultation, we sought evidence on the costs and barriers to uptake of alternative low‑carbon technologies. We are now considering responses and will publish our response in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of moving households on old electric heating systems onto modern high heat retention storage heaters.

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

The Department recently consulted on the role of alternative clean heating solutions for properties that may not be suitable for heat pumps or heat networks. Through this consultation, we sought evidence on the costs and barriers to uptake of alternative low‑carbon technologies including high heat retention storage heaters. We are now considering the evidence received and will publish the Government response 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, whether modern high heat retention storage heaters meet the requirements for Part L Building Compliance in SAP 10.3.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Energy efficiency requirements for new dwellings and buildings in England are set through the Building Regulations, which specify overall performance standards rather than mandating particular technologies.

Building regulations are devolved, and standards in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are determined by the respective Devolved Administrations.

Approved calculation methodologies, such as the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP 10.3), are used to demonstrate compliance with these standards. Compliance is assessed at the level of the dwelling as a whole, allowing designers and developers to select the most practical and cost-effective heating systems for their developments.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what are the expected staffing number in full-time equivalent supply numbers before any rebalance in HMRC's Customer Service Group for (a) permanent excluding the Surge and Rapid Response Team, (b) fixed term appointments (c) Managed Service Provider, (d) contingent labour and (e) Surge Rapid Response Team allocated to Customer Service Group in each quarter for this financial year.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is currently using Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional customer service capacity, equivalent to around 500 FTE, focused on routine work. This includes support for the Online Services Helpdesk and handling simple PAYE enquiries.

HMRC experiences significant peaks and troughs in customer demand over the year and uses a flexible resourcing model to ensure it can meet that demand in a cost‑effective way for the taxpayer. The level and deployment of MSPs can therefore fluctuate across the year in response to operational need.

HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation.

HMRC will continue to use a range of resourcing models, alongside the use of MSPs, to meet variable customer demand.

Any future workforce decisions will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, informed by the findings of the proof‑of‑value evaluation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what Managed Service Provider staffing levels in HMRC – in both headcount and FTE - are projected for, in (a) the next 12 months, and (b)the remainder of the current Spending Review period, and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is currently using Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional customer service capacity, equivalent to around 500 FTE, focused on routine work. This includes support for the Online Services Helpdesk and handling simple PAYE enquiries.

HMRC experiences significant peaks and troughs in customer demand over the year and uses a flexible resourcing model to ensure it can meet that demand in a cost‑effective way for the taxpayer. The level and deployment of MSPs can therefore fluctuate across the year in response to operational need.

HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation.

HMRC will continue to use a range of resourcing models, alongside the use of MSPs, to meet variable customer demand.

Any future workforce decisions will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, informed by the findings of the proof‑of‑value evaluation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the current Full‑Time Equivalent (FTE) headcount employed via the Managed Service Provider, broken down by business area and function.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is currently using Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional customer service capacity, equivalent to around 500 FTE, focused on routine work. This includes support for the Online Services Helpdesk and handling simple PAYE enquiries.

HMRC experiences significant peaks and troughs in customer demand over the year and uses a flexible resourcing model to ensure it can meet that demand in a cost‑effective way for the taxpayer. The level and deployment of MSPs can therefore fluctuate across the year in response to operational need.

HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation.

HMRC will continue to use a range of resourcing models, alongside the use of MSPs, to meet variable customer demand.

Any future workforce decisions will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, informed by the findings of the proof‑of‑value evaluation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to inform hon. Members of changes to staffing models in HMRC customer services, and if she will make a statement.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC is currently using Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to provide additional customer service capacity, equivalent to around 500 FTE, focused on routine work. This includes support for the Online Services Helpdesk and handling simple PAYE enquiries.

HMRC experiences significant peaks and troughs in customer demand over the year and uses a flexible resourcing model to ensure it can meet that demand in a cost‑effective way for the taxpayer. The level and deployment of MSPs can therefore fluctuate across the year in response to operational need.

HMRC are currently in an initial approximately 18 month ‘proof of value’ phase using existing Government contracts. This will allow them to test, learn and ensure quality and value for money before wider implementation.

HMRC will continue to use a range of resourcing models, alongside the use of MSPs, to meet variable customer demand.

Any future workforce decisions will be taken through normal business planning and Spending Review processes, informed by the findings of the proof‑of‑value evaluation.

50 years of Landward on BBC Scotland

Scotland Loves Local Week 2026

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations

Interception of Global Sumud Flotilla vessels in international waters

National Emergency Briefing

Claire Dowling appointed Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

78 years of the Palestinian Nakba

Improving banking services for charities

Reform of monetary limits on charity lotteries

UK digital sovereignty strategy