Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of people receiving an adequate pension since 2019.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are many ways of measuring of adequacy, such as Target Replacement Rates (TRR) or using minimum income standards such as the PLSA Retirement Living Standards.

DWP's latest estimates of undersaving for retirement showed around 4-in-10 working-age individuals were undersaving for retirement according to TRR levels and 1-in-10 working-age individuals were undersaving for retirement as measured by PLSA Minimum Retirement Living Standards. This is published here: Analysis of future pension incomes - GOV.UK.

Current pensioners have seen gross incomes increase over the last 10 years in real terms (a 4% increase from 2012/13 to 2022/23). This is available in Pensioners' Incomes: financial years ending 1995 to 2023 - GOV.UK. These statistics are published annually.

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 the National Grid on their proposed Norwich to Tilbury pylon project.

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

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his European counterparts on steps to tackle Islamic extremism in Europe.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Reducing the risk to the UK and its interests overseas from terrorism, violent extremism and extremism is a high UK Government priority. These threats are global challenges and international co-operation is essential. We already work closely with our European partners on all three topics, both bilaterally and through our close security relationship with the EU. We held our first dedicated UK-EU Counter Terrorism Dialogue in February 2024 and will host the next iteration in February this year. I regularly discuss joint-working with European counterparts to tackle terrorism, violent extremism and extremism in all their forms. I work closely with my counterpart, the Home Office Security Minister and other Ministerial colleagues, on these issues.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he has taken to ensure that local communities were engaged in the public consultation period of the proposed National Grid Norwich-Tilbury pylon project.

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

In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with communities before they submit applications for consent. As part of their application for the Norwich to Tilbury project National Grid are required to engage with local communities and to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into the project. The Government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.

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 impact of the proposed Norwich to Tilbury National Grid pylon project on house prices in the affected areas.

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

The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices.

However, landowners, businesses, and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will list the number of people on the terrorist watch list by (a) nationality, (b) sex, (c) religion and (d) immigration status.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is longstanding policy not to discuss either the specific information held on any security-related watchlist, the source of the information or how it is used.

To do so would be counterproductive and harmful to the national security of the UK.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people on the terrorist watch list are dual nationals.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is longstanding policy not to discuss either the specific information held on any security-related watchlist, the source of the information or how it is used.

To do so would be counterproductive and harmful to the national security of the UK.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled £23 million government package to support restoration of thousands of listed places of worship, published on 22 January 2024, what the average amount claimed was for claims over £25,000 in each of the last three years.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

94% of applications between 2022-2024 have been under £25,000, and most claims are for under £5,000. In 2022/23, 2.7% of claims made to the Listed Places of Worship Scheme were over £25,000. These had a mean average claim of £49,235. In 2023/24, 2.3% of claims were over £25,000, with a mean average of £47,534. In 2024/25, 2.2% of claims were over £25,000, with a mean average of £55,119.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on religious buildings in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was established to provide grants towards VAT paid on repairs and maintenance to the nation's listed places of worship. 94% of applications have been under £25,000, and most claims are for under £5,000. A total of 7 claims have been paid out to listed places of worship in South Basildon and East Thurrock, totalling £10,789, since August 2022.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of an uncapped claim allowance on VAT for repairs to Christian places of worship.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.

The scheme has always had an upper limit and has always applied to all listed places of worship, regardless of denomination or faith, ever since it was established by the Labour Government in 2001.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of people on the terrorist watch list are foreign nationals.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

It is longstanding policy not to discuss either the specific information held on any security-related watchlist, the source of the information or how it is used.

To do so would be counterproductive and harmful to the national security of the UK.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of repeat food bank users receive disability benefits.

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

The Family Resources Survey that measures whether a household has used a food bank in the past 30 days or 12 months can be accessed here Family Resources Survey - GOV.UK

Individual level statistics on food banks can be found in the annual Households Below Average Income statistics publication: Households below average income (HBAI) statistics – GOV.UK

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 level of the frequent use of food banks.

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

The Family Resources Survey that measures whether a household has used a food bank in the past 30 days or 12 months can be accessed here Family Resources Survey - GOV.UK

Individual level statistics on food banks can be found in the annual Households Below Average Income statistics publication: Households below average income (HBAI) statistics – GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to tackle the root causes of dependency on food banks.

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

We are committed to tackling poverty and reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels.

We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. The Get Britain Working White Paper has set out how the Government will seek to grow the economy through using work as a route out of poverty and to improve living standards in turn.

Our joint ministerial taskforce, jointly chaired by Work and Pensions and Education Secretaries, has begun work on an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy, to reduce child poverty, tackle the root causes, and give every child the best start in life.The vital work of the Taskforce comes alongside our commitments to roll out free breakfast clubs at all primary schools, create 3,000 additional nurseries, as well as deliver our plan to make work pay to turn the minimum wage into a real living wage.

Alongside this, we are committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to do.

To further support struggling families, £1 billion, including Barnett impact, will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund in England by a full year until 31 March 2026, on top of the six months already announced, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help reduce the long-term use of food banks.

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

We are committed to tackling poverty and reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels.

We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. The Get Britain Working White Paper has set out how the Government will seek to grow the economy through using work as a route out of poverty and to improve living standards in turn.

Our joint ministerial taskforce, jointly chaired by Work and Pensions and Education Secretaries, has begun work on an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy, to reduce child poverty, tackle the root causes, and give every child the best start in life.The vital work of the Taskforce comes alongside our commitments to roll out free breakfast clubs at all primary schools, create 3,000 additional nurseries, as well as deliver our plan to make work pay to turn the minimum wage into a real living wage.

Alongside this, we are committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to do.

To further support struggling families, £1 billion, including Barnett impact, will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund in England by a full year until 31 March 2026, on top of the six months already announced, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to reduce retail crime.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Shop theft soared to unacceptable levels under the previous government, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this. Everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.

The Government is committed to tackling retail crime. We will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to shop theft of goods of £200 and under. This will remove any perception that offenders will escape punishment.

We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

As set out in the Autumn budget 2024, we will provide over £7 million over the next three financial years to help support police in tackling retail crime.

I am committed to chairing the newly established Retail Crime Forum to ensure we understand the needs of all retailers and to promote collaboration between the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of food bank dependency on people who (a) are disabled and (b) live in social housing.

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

The Family Resources Survey that measures whether a household has used a food bank in the past 30 days or 12 months can be accessed here Family Resources Survey - GOV.UK

Individual level statistics on food banks can be found in the annual Households Below Average Income statistics publication: Households below average income (HBAI) statistics – GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of levels of (a) violence and (b) abuse faced by retail workers.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Shop theft soared to unacceptable levels under the previous government, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this. Everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.

The Government is committed to tackling retail crime. We will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to shop theft of goods of £200 and under. This will remove any perception that offenders will escape punishment.

We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

As set out in the Autumn budget 2024, we will provide over £7 million over the next three financial years to help support police in tackling retail crime.

I am committed to chairing the newly established Retail Crime Forum to ensure we understand the needs of all retailers and to promote collaboration between the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support retailers to improve security measures in their stores to prevent crime.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Shop theft soared to unacceptable levels under the previous government, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this. Everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.

The Government is committed to tackling retail crime. We will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to shop theft of goods of £200 and under. This will remove any perception that offenders will escape punishment.

We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

As set out in the Autumn budget 2024, we will provide over £7 million over the next three financial years to help support police in tackling retail crime.

I am committed to chairing the newly established Retail Crime Forum to ensure we understand the needs of all retailers and to promote collaboration between the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to improve the safety of retail workers from (a) violence and (b) abuse.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Shop theft soared to unacceptable levels under the previous government, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this. Everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.

The Government is committed to tackling retail crime. We will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to shop theft of goods of £200 and under. This will remove any perception that offenders will escape punishment.

We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

As set out in the Autumn budget 2024, we will provide over £7 million over the next three financial years to help support police in tackling retail crime.

I am committed to chairing the newly established Retail Crime Forum to ensure we understand the needs of all retailers and to promote collaboration between the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to help reduce financial loss to retailers caused by customer theft.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Shop theft soared to unacceptable levels under the previous government, with more and more offenders using violence and abuse against shopworkers. We will not stand for this. Everybody has a right to feel safe at their place of work.

The Government is committed to tackling retail crime. We will end the effective immunity, introduced by the previous Government, granted to shop theft of goods of £200 and under. This will remove any perception that offenders will escape punishment.

We will also introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.

As set out in the Autumn budget 2024, we will provide over £7 million over the next three financial years to help support police in tackling retail crime.

I am committed to chairing the newly established Retail Crime Forum to ensure we understand the needs of all retailers and to promote collaboration between the retail sector, security providers and law enforcement.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support people with disabilities at risk of food insecurity.

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

People with a health condition or disability may be eligible for a range of support such as Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, premiums and additional amounts paid within the income-related benefits.

In addition, the extra costs disability benefits are a contribution to meeting the extra costs that arise from a disability or long-term health condition and can be paid regardless of any income or savings. They are also tax-free and worth up to £184.30 a week, or over £9,580 a year.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help ensure that workers contribute sufficiently into their pensions to achieve an adequate standard of living in retirement.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Ensuring current and future pensioners have an adequate retirement income is a key priority for this Government and a focus of our landmark pensions review.

Automatic enrolment has already succeeded in transforming retirement saving with over 11 million employees having been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension since 2012. Over 22m employees in Great Britain are benefiting from participating in a workplace pension, with over £131bn saved for eligible individuals in 2023.

The first phase of our pensions review – focused on investment and growth – published its interim report in November 2024. Two consultations on unlocking the UK pensions market for growth and reforming the Local Government Pension Scheme closed in January and we expect to provide our response in Spring 2025.

The second phase of our review will follow in due course – focussing on pension outcomes and retirement adequacy.

Alongside this, the Pension Schemes Bill, announced in the King’s Speech includes measures which could boost pension pots by over £11, 000 for average earners saving over their lifetime in a defined contribution scheme.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans she has to help raise awareness of the risks of under-saving in pensions for retirement.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Ensuring current and future pensioners have an adequate retirement income is a key priority for this Government and a focus of our landmark pensions review.

Automatic enrolment has already succeeded in transforming retirement saving with over 11 million employees having been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension since 2012. Over 22m employees in Great Britain are benefiting from participating in a workplace pension, with over £131bn saved for eligible individuals in 2023.

The first phase of our pensions review – focused on investment and growth – published its interim report in November 2024. Two consultations on unlocking the UK pensions market for growth and reforming the Local Government Pension Scheme closed in January and we expect to provide our response in Spring 2025.

The second phase of our review will follow in due course – focussing on pension outcomes and retirement adequacy.

Alongside this, the Pension Schemes Bill, announced in the King’s Speech includes measures which could boost pension pots by over £11, 000 for average earners saving over their lifetime in a defined contribution scheme.

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 effectiveness of PenSim3 for supporting public (a) awareness and (b) understanding of pensions.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pensim3 is a computerised long-term model designed to look around 80 years ahead to compare pensioner outcomes under various possible policy scenarios for a modelled British population. It is used for policy development/evaluation, aiding long-term expenditure forecasting and in analysis of future pensioner incomes. It does not simulate the actions of specific individuals, so its output is not suitable for a person planning their own pension provision.

Pensim3 is the main government source for estimating future pensioner incomes (latest publication is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/analysis-of-future-pension-incomes/analysis-of-future-pension-incomes). These statistics estimate the number and proportion of working age individuals, aged 22 to State Pension age, who are under saving for their retirement.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the transparency of public spending on Arm’s Length Bodies.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government recognises the importance of transparency across public spending, including Arm’s-length bodies (ALBs). Information on ALB expenditure is published within each body’s annual report.

The process for budget setting and for preparing and approving annual reports for ALBs are dependent on their classification status and their source of income.

Further information on the reporting requirements for ALBs can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6763fa1f3229e84d9bbde88d/MASTER_FINAL_DRAFT_2025-26_FReM_DECEMBER_2024_RELEASE.pdf

Further information on how each type of ALB should produce accounts can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74d700e5274a59fa715592/Classification-of-Public_Bodies-Guidance-for-Departments.pdf

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the cost-effectiveness of her Department's Arm's Length Bodies.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor recently launched Phase 2 of HM Treasury’s departmental Spending Review covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. The conditions of the Review require a zero-based, line-by-line review of all departmental spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. This approach extends to the department’s Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs). The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that Arm's Length Bodies are value for money.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review, covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. This will zero-base all spending, including Arm’s-Length Bodies, conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of reported retail crime cases resulted in prosecution in each of the last three years.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of shoplifting offences, and their investigative outcomes (including those resulting in charged/summons), on a quarterly basis. The latest information, to the year ending September 2024, were on published Thursday 30 January 2025 and can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tables

Prosecutions are the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice. Statistics on prosecutions at court are published by the MoJ and can be accessed via their outcomes by offence data tool, available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/criminal-justice-system-statistics-quarterly-june-2024

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) enforce and (b) monitor safeguarding standards in academy schools.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

All schools must follow the ‘Keeping children safe in education’, and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ statutory guidance and in line with the funding agreement, academy trusts must comply with the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (the regulations). Part 3 of the regulations sets out the standards for a trust’s safeguarding responsibilities, and part 4 outlines the standards regarding the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors. Trusts are held to account for standards in their academies through Ofsted inspections.

When the department has concerns about an academy trust not meeting its safeguarding responsibilities, it will work closely with the trust to ensure those arrangements come into compliance with statutory requirements. The department’s remit does not extend to investigating individual safeguarding matters or commenting on a trust’s handling of an incident(s). Once alerted to a safeguarding concern, the local authority for the area in which a child lives, is responsible for providing appropriate support.

To fulfil its safeguarding remit, the department will work with other statutory bodies, such as the local authority or Ofsted, as appropriate in accordance with our procedures.

Failure to comply with the regulations may place a trust in breach of its funding agreement with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. In these circumstances the department may take intervention action as set out in the academy trust handbook.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC case workers dealing with (a) Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and (b) Enterprise Investment Scheme applications are incentivised to help companies.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme are administered by a dedicated team in HMRC.

This team ensures the generous reliefs available under these schemes are claimed by those who are eligible, balancing compliance efforts with ensuring legitimate companies can access them to facilitate their growth.

An advance assurance service is provided by HMRC to support companies seeking investment under the schemes. HMRC provide their view whether the company meets the qualifying requirements of the schemes before seeking investment. This helps provide both the company and potential investors certainty over the tax treatment of the proposed investment.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the (a) transparency of private companies that provide public services for her department and (b) protection of their commercially sensitive data.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice recognises the importance of the Government’s transparency obligations on public spending and routinely publishes relevant information in accordance with the legal and policy framework that governs public sector procurement. This includes publication of a contract award notice and a copy of the redacted contract (where appropriate), where the Ministry of Justice has awarded a contract to a private company to provide public services. There are specific thresholds and timescales in place which determine the publication obligations to be applied.

In complying with these transparency obligations, the Ministry of Justice ensures it also follows the requirements set out under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR), to establish whether there are any permitted exemptions or redactions on commercial sensitivity grounds.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the cost-effectiveness of her Department's Arm's Length Bodies.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Ministry of Justice’s Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) play a critical role in the delivery of the Department’s priorities and statutory responsibilities. ALB budgets are agreed through the Department’s spending review and allocations process. Their efficiency, effectiveness and performance are scrutinised through regular, robust oversight and assurance activities, in line with the ALB Sponsorship Code of Good Practice, and through their inclusion in the Cabinet Office’s Public Bodies Review Programme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the Lower Thames Crossing; and what the cost for the project was originally projected to be.

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

Officials and National Highways are exploring all funding options for the Lower Thames Crossing, including private finance. As with all capital projects, spending decisions will be subject to the upcoming spending review and business case process.

The assured cost estimate in line with the 2023 baseline for the project is £8.95bn, but it is important to recognise that there is a normal level of uncertainty at this early stage of the development of a project of the size and complexity of the Lower Thames Crossing.

Over £800m has been spent on the project to date. This includes the technical surveys and investigations, land purchasing costs, as well as the Development Consent Order application and the three contracts to deliver the project.

Following the announcement of the preferred route in April 2017, the subsequent statutory consultation in 2018 reported that the cost of developing and constructing the project was between £5.3-£6.8 billion. Prolongation and inflationary costs along with continued development of the project have resulted in the updated estimate.

There is a robust framework to ensure that projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing continue to be assessed at all stages of the project. The project adheres to the Departmental governance framework as a Tier 1 project – this represents the Department’s projects that are either one or a combination of the largest, highest risk, novel and/or contentious. The project is assessed against several factors, including the scheme objectives and value for money.

It also continues to follow the HM Treasury approval process for programmes and projects, as well as the Green Book and the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much and what proportion of the Lower Thames Crossing is expected to be funded using public money.

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

Officials and National Highways are exploring all funding options for the Lower Thames Crossing, including private finance. As with all capital projects, spending decisions will be subject to the upcoming spending review and business case process.

The assured cost estimate in line with the 2023 baseline for the project is £8.95bn, but it is important to recognise that there is a normal level of uncertainty at this early stage of the development of a project of the size and complexity of the Lower Thames Crossing.

Over £800m has been spent on the project to date. This includes the technical surveys and investigations, land purchasing costs, as well as the Development Consent Order application and the three contracts to deliver the project.

Following the announcement of the preferred route in April 2017, the subsequent statutory consultation in 2018 reported that the cost of developing and constructing the project was between £5.3-£6.8 billion. Prolongation and inflationary costs along with continued development of the project have resulted in the updated estimate.

There is a robust framework to ensure that projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing continue to be assessed at all stages of the project. The project adheres to the Departmental governance framework as a Tier 1 project – this represents the Department’s projects that are either one or a combination of the largest, highest risk, novel and/or contentious. The project is assessed against several factors, including the scheme objectives and value for money.

It also continues to follow the HM Treasury approval process for programmes and projects, as well as the Green Book and the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Lower Thames Crossing provides value for money for taxpayers.

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

Officials and National Highways are exploring all funding options for the Lower Thames Crossing, including private finance. As with all capital projects, spending decisions will be subject to the upcoming spending review and business case process.

The assured cost estimate in line with the 2023 baseline for the project is £8.95bn, but it is important to recognise that there is a normal level of uncertainty at this early stage of the development of a project of the size and complexity of the Lower Thames Crossing.

Over £800m has been spent on the project to date. This includes the technical surveys and investigations, land purchasing costs, as well as the Development Consent Order application and the three contracts to deliver the project.

Following the announcement of the preferred route in April 2017, the subsequent statutory consultation in 2018 reported that the cost of developing and constructing the project was between £5.3-£6.8 billion. Prolongation and inflationary costs along with continued development of the project have resulted in the updated estimate.

There is a robust framework to ensure that projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing continue to be assessed at all stages of the project. The project adheres to the Departmental governance framework as a Tier 1 project – this represents the Department’s projects that are either one or a combination of the largest, highest risk, novel and/or contentious. The project is assessed against several factors, including the scheme objectives and value for money.

It also continues to follow the HM Treasury approval process for programmes and projects, as well as the Green Book and the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Lower Thames Crossing on residents of (a) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency and (b) other surrounding areas.

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

The deadline for the decision on the application for a Development Consent Order by National Highways for the Lower Thames Crossing is 23 May 2025. The impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing, including the concerns of local residents, will be fully considered before a decision on the Development Consent Order is made. Given this is a live planning application to be determined by my Department, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if her Department will take steps to ensure that HMRC case workers dealing with (a) Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and (b) Enterprise Investment Scheme applications process them in a (i) timely and (ii) effective manner.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme are administered by a dedicated specialist team in HMRC.

This team works to HMRC's overall customer service targets, aiming to reply to 80% of EIS compliance statements and advance assurance applications within 15 working days and 95% within 40 working days. They are currently exceeding this target.

The majority of applications receive approval without the need for further action. A small minority of applications may take longer to process where there has been insufficient information provided to reach a decision or where the company fails to meet the qualifying requirements of the schemes.

Companies authorised by HMRC raised £2,114 million investment in 22/23 under these 2 schemes.

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 reduce the cost of electricity bills.

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 permanently.

The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

The Government recognises that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Homes Discount to over 3 million households in fuel poverty this winter. In addition, I have also been working with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million winter support package to help customers struggling with bills this winter.

I urge any consumers who are struggling to pay their bills to speak to their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide help and support.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to ensuring the transparency of private companies that deliver public services.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to Freedom of Information and will keep the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 under consideration.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will take steps to amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to include private companies.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government is committed to Freedom of Information and will keep the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 under consideration.