Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on contingency plans for the Radio Teleswitch Service switch off in Scotland.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

The Radio Teleswitching Service (RTS) will continue until the end of June this year.

My colleagues in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero are in close contact with the regulator and suppliers to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Smart meters are an opportunity to upgrade people’s homes, and critically, for them to access smart tariffs that will give them greater control and reduce bills.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the value of single malt Scotch whisky to the economy.

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

No formal assessment has been made by the department, but a report by the Scotch Whisky Association, using figures from industry and the Government from production to employment, concluded that Scotch Whisky’s contribution to the UK economy reached £7.1 billion in 2022.

Exports of Scotch Whisky were valued at £5.4 billion in 2024, of which £1.7 billion was Single Malt Whisky.

The entire country is proud of Scotch Whiskey as one of the world’s most loved products.

SOURCE:

https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/2024-export-figures/

https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/scotch-whisky-boosts-uk-economy-by-71bn/

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to encourage scientists to emigrate to the UK.

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

The UK offers one of the strongest science bases in the world, with world-leading universities and research institutions, with opportunities in growing areas like quantum and AI. The UK’s immigration offer enables talented scientists, researchers and innovators to come here through various fast-track visa routes, such as the Global Talent, High Potential Individual and Skilled Worker visas. Our Global Talent Network aims to grow our science and technology power by attracting top international science talent to pursue opportunities in the UK. The UK's association to Horizon Europe enables international researchers to come to UK research establishments and collaborate across Europe.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with DCC to ensure there will be alternate smart meter connections in rural areas.

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

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of communications network coverage for Great Britain beyond its currently provisioned minimum level of 99.25%.

The DCC are examining a number of options to reach homes not currently able to get smart metering network coverage as part of its Future Connectivity strategy, which includes consideration of a full range of technical solutions including cellular options.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the rate of statutory sick pay.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship. Through the Employment Rights Bill we are strengthening Statutory Sick Pay. Up to 1.3 million low-paid employees will now be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay and all eligible employees will be paid from the first day of sickness absence irrespective of their income, benefiting millions of employees.

While the Department has not assessed the adequacy of the rate of Statutory Sick Pay, a Regulatory Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment of the Statutory Sick Pay measures in the Employment Rights Bill have been undertaken.

The existing rate of Statutory Sick Pay is designed to balance providing support for employees, whilst helping to manage the costs to employers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February to Question 32303 on Alexander Irvine, whether her Department plans to issue a response separate to the DVLA.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s response reflects the view of the Department and there are no plans for any further responses.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an estimate of the quantity of (a) commercial forest timber and (b) waste wood products that will be needed to achieve the government’s target of 1.5million homes in this parliament; and what proportion of these products can be sourced domestically.

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

We do not yet have an estimate of the required timber and waste wood required to meet the Government's housing targets. The current forecast of softwood availability for Great Britain is a total average of 25.2 million cubic metres of softwood timber per annum over 50 years (2013-16 to 2057-61) from public and private estates.

We are aiming to increase softwoods to at least 30% of total planting and bring more hardwoods to market through increased woodland management. To support this goal, the Government launched the Timber in Construction Roadmap on 27 February 2025 which sets out our vision for a sustainable, integrated industry that meets the needs of the future.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the value of single malt English whisky to the economy.

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

No formal assessment has been made by the department, but the English Whisky Guild forecast the volume of spirit produced by English distilleries to grow by 189% from 2019-2024. They forecast that there would be 50,000 maturing casks by 2024 with a value of £1 billion.

English Whisky distilleries welcomed over 250,000 visitors in 2023, and English Whisky is exported to more than 30 countries worldwide.

SOURCES:

https://www.englishwhiskyguild.com/post/english-whisky-guild-appoints-ceo-as-industry-forecast-to-possess-over-1bn-in-maturing-stock

https://www.englishwhiskyguild.com/post/the-english-whisky-guild-nearing-final-stages-in-gi-application

https://www.englishwhiskyguild.com/annual-review

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the value of single malt Welsh whisky to the economy.

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

No formal assessment has been made by the department, but upon registration of Single Malt Welsh Whisky as a geographical indication in 2023, it was forecast to generate a revenue of £23 million in the 2023-24 financial year and is exported to more than 45 countries.

SOURCE: https://businesswales.gov.wales/foodanddrink/news-and-events/news/single-malt-welsh-whisky-protected

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 25538 on West Bank: Ceasefires, if he will have discussions with his Israeli counterpart on ensuring the de-escalation of violence in the West Bank.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign Secretary raised the need for de-escalation of violence in the West Bank when he spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Sa'ar on 22 January. Stability in the West Bank is crucial to ensure the fragile ceasefire in Gaza can last. All sides should work to ensure a lowering of tension in the West Bank at this time.

Hunted Cow

Skilled worker legislation impact on government workers

Scottish Tourism Month 2025

Reductions in welfare spending

University of Aberdeen breast cancer breakthrough

Edmund Dene Morel

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Keeping transport workers safe

Regional Inequalities in energy pricing

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

UK-USA trade deals and the NHS

Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

Israel’s military presence in the West Bank

National oversight mechanism

Found: Presented by Stephen Flynn supported by Kirsty Blackman, Pete Wishart, Graham Leadbitter, Liz Saville