James Naish

The Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people. Deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing women are afforded protections under the Equality Act 2010 (the Act), in relation to the sex and disability protected characteristics.

The Act makes it clear that businesses and public bodies that provide goods and services to the public must not unlawfully discriminate against disabled people, including those who are deaf or have hearing impairments. The Act places an anticipatory duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to improve access to premises, buildings and services. The Act is clear that the failure by a service provider to make reasonable adjustments for a disabled person could amount to disability discrimination.

Similar strong protections apply in employment, where a reasonable adjustment applies where an employer is recruiting or already employing disabled women. Failure to make adjustments or generally treating disabled applicants or employees less favourably than others would amount to unlawful disability discrimination. Where the law is breached, disabled people may enforce their rights in court or, as the case may be, at an employment tribunal.

The government also recognises that people hold multiple protected characteristics and that some experience discrimination due to a combination of these, for example sex and disability. We are committed to strengthening protections in this area, and will bring the combined discrimination (dual characteristics) provision at section 14 of the Act into force. This will help ensure adequate protection for people who experience combined discrimination.

We are tackling pay discrimination through our plan to make work pay – implementing disability pay gap reporting for large employers, and enshrining in law the right to equal pay for disabled people.

On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, I announced new Lead Ministers for Disability in every Government department. Working together, we will break down barriers to opportunity and fulfil the manifesto commitment to ensure the views and voices of disabled people are at the heart of everything this Government does.

The government recognises that many British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders have valuable professional qualifications. Recognition of overseas professional qualifications is determined by independent occupational regulators, many of which accept qualifications from Hong Kong.

The government understands the recognition process can be challenging for BNO visa holders and refugees. DBT has worked with regulators to develop the Regulated Professions Register, which Hongkongers can use to access information on entry requirements and relevant regulators. DBT has also published guidance on GOV.UK to support refugees navigating the recognition process. DBT continues to work with regulators to develop further profession-specific guidance.

Guidance for businesses on supporting employee work-life balance through measures such as flexible working and parental leave can be found on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website.

We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will result in positive and practical support for SMEs across the UK.

Paternity Leave and Parental Leave will become ‘day one’ rights through the Employment Rights Bill. We will continue to engage with business, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as these changes are implemented, and through the Government’s Review of the parental leave system.

Guidance for businesses on supporting employee work-life balance through measures such as flexible working and parental leave can be found on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website.

We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will result in positive and practical support for SMEs across the UK.

Paternity Leave and Parental Leave will become ‘day one’ rights through the Employment Rights Bill. We will continue to engage with business, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as these changes are implemented, and through the Government’s Review of the parental leave system.

Guidance for businesses on supporting employee work-life balance through measures such as flexible working and parental leave can be found on gov.uk and the Help to Grow website.

We are also publishing an SME Strategy Paper later this year, which will result in positive and practical support for SMEs across the UK.

Paternity Leave and Parental Leave will become ‘day one’ rights through the Employment Rights Bill. We will continue to engage with business, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as these changes are implemented, and through the Government’s Review of the parental leave system.

The Department for Business and Trade recognises the importance of supporting UK dairy exports, including yoghurt. DBT works closely with industry partners such as the Dairy Export Taskforce and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board to unlock global opportunities.

We have agreed with the EU to deliver a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement that will significantly reduce costs and paperwork for exporting dairy businesses. Under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, tariffs on UK yoghurt and a broader range of dairy exports to Chile are reduced from 6% to 0%, enhancing competitiveness.

DBT helps businesses benefit from Free Trade Agreements through tailored guidance, sector insights, and direct exporter engagement. The Dairy Export Programme provides targeted support via export promotion, market intelligence, and in-market expertise.

The recently announced expansion of the Warm Home Discount means all households where a person or their partner is named on the energy bill and is on a qualifying means tested benefit will be eligible for the £150 Discount. This will bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that will receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million.

We have not assessed the impact on average household spending. Further information on impacts can be found in the published Impact Assessment.

The UK is committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels and meeting global climate targets.

The Government supports action on decarbonising oil and gas production and has already consulted on revised environmental guidance to take into account emissions from burning extracted oil and gas. We will respond to this consultation in due course and developers will be able to apply for consents under this revised regime.

The Government has also consulted on its commitment to not issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields and will publish a response setting out our next steps in due course.

The Government’s upcoming Industrial Strategy will outline plans to boost high-potential sectors like Clean Energy, creating quality jobs. An initial £300 million via Great British Energy will accelerate offshore wind supply chains, attract private investment, and secure UK manufacturing. Up to £21.7 billion over 25 years has been made available for the first carbon capture projects, which are expected to support 4,000 direct jobs and up to 50,000 as the sector matures into the 2030s. The Solar Roadmap will soon outline steps for resilient solar supply chains. Government also continues to strengthen the nuclear supply chain in partnership with industry.

The Government supports geothermal energy through multiple schemes and integrated projects can receive funding from more than one at a time. For example, United Downs in Cornwall will produce heat and was awarded a contract for difference to produce electricity. Automotive Transformation Fund has provided funding to support R&D into UK Lithium extraction and refining including in Cornwall. The Green Heat Network Fund can also support geothermal heat. Cornwall Council secured £22 Million for Langarth District Geothermal Heat Network. There are no plans to integrate schemes as there are few operational or planned commercial projects combining heat, power, and mineral production.

The Government recognises that risk mitigation schemes have helped develop the geothermal industry in some parts of Europe. It is considered premature to introduce a dedicated risk mitigation scheme at this time, given the current stage of development in the UK, associated costs, and funding priorities.

This conclusion was informed by discussions on the role that these mechanisms fulfil in encouraging deep geothermal investment. Experts, including those from France and the International Energy Agency were consulted. We continue to monitor and engage with the market and experts.

According to the latest information published by Ofcom, outdoor 4G coverage in Rushcliffe, from all four operators currently stands at 99% and coverage from at least one mobile network operator is almost 100%. Consequently, there will not be any further coverage improvements from the Shared Rural Network in Rushcliffe.

The Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including rural areas.

These will be targeted at local initiatives for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and getting support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology. This includes supporting digital upskilling, and enhancing support for the Essential Digital Skills framework, which supports businesses and individuals to get the digital skills they need.

The Government is considering options for UK access to a satellite-based augmentation system, following our withdrawal from the EU's European Geostationary Navigation Overlay (EGNOS) system. This work is ongoing and no decision has yet been made.

The Department does not have plans to limit phone line rental charges for analogue landlines as this is a matter for industry. However, under Ofcom’s telephony universal service conditions, BT and KCOM (in Hull) are required to offer a voice service to everyone, on request, at an affordable price. The telephony universal service obligation (USO) does not specify the technology that providers should use to meet this obligation, therefore the migration to digital landlines does not change the telephony USO.

It is worth noting that many other telecoms providers offer fixed voice services, however unlike BT and KCOM (in Hull) they do not have an obligation to do so. Ofcom’s telephony universal service conditions can be found at this link:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/telecoms-infrastructure/universal-service-obligation

The Government recognises the challenges faced by small businesses who become involved in litigation. Small businesses and unrepresented parties litigating at the IPO Tribunal have high levels of support available, including being able to email or phone expert staff directly, who can provide explanations and assistance. The Tribunal routinely awards costs in favour of the winning party, considering the merits of the case and the conduct of the parties. Costs are usually awarded on a standard scale but larger costs awards are made where appropriate. Claims which are totally without merit can also be struck out at an early stage.

The Programme of Cultural Cooperation, which the Secretary of State signed with her Indian counterpart, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture last month, creates opportunities for the UK’s cultural sectors to reach a market of over 1.4 billion people. The agreement enables institutional level partnerships and reduces bureaucratic barriers, and will boost cultural exchange. In the context of India’s ambitious push to develop world-class institutions and facilities, this will create new opportunities for cultural exports.

Together with the DCMS Creative Industries Sector Plan and our new Free Trade Agreement, the Cooperation Agreement will cement the UK’s position as a global creative powerhouse. It will grow the potential for UK Creative Industries to export and create jobs across the UK.

The Programme of Cultural Cooperation, which the Secretary of State signed with her Indian counterpart, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture last month, creates opportunities for the UK’s cultural sectors to reach a market of over 1.4 billion people. The agreement enables institutional level partnerships and reduces bureaucratic barriers, and will boost cultural exchange. In the context of India’s ambitious push to develop world-class institutions and facilities, this will create new opportunities for cultural exports.

Together with the DCMS Creative Industries Sector Plan and our new Free Trade Agreement, the Cooperation Agreement will cement the UK’s position as a global creative powerhouse. It will grow the potential for UK Creative Industries to export and create jobs across the UK.

The government understands that cultural infrastructure must be fit for the future and ensure everyone has access to high quality institutions in the places they call home. The new Creative Foundations Fund will invest £85 million to support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. This will ensure their buildings and infrastructure will provide improved user experience for visitors and ensure they can be enjoyed by visitors for many more years to come.

Guidance for the fund was published at the end of May and Arts Council England will be accepting Expressions of Interest from 30 June. With grants available from £100,000 and up to £10 million, this fund is a significant opportunity for organisations to address their capital needs.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of sport and physical activity. We recognise that there are barriers which prevent some people from taking part and we will continue to work with our arm's length bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, and sector partners to encourage sport bodies to make sport more accessible and inclusive.

It is for each sport’s National Governing Body to decide on their own specific aims and appropriate initiatives to increase access and inclusion. British Equestrian launched its Horses for All strategy in December 2023.

UK Sport has committed a total of £15.7 million in funding to British Equestrian for the Los Angeles 2028 cycle, including £12.1 million for Olympic disciplines and £3.6 million for Para-Equestrian Dressage. British Equestrian is also a system partner of Sport England, receiving £6,387,216 in funding between 2022 and 2027.

As part of the Together Fund, Sport England also awarded British Equestrian £195,000 to support equestrian centres, community groups and targeted organisations to provide riding activities aimed at engaging lower socio-economic groups, people with long-term health conditions, culturally diverse communities, and disabled people.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of sport and physical activity. We recognise that there are barriers which prevent some people from taking part and we will continue to work with our arm's length bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, and sector partners to encourage sport bodies to make sport more accessible and inclusive.

It is for each sport’s National Governing Body to decide on their own specific aims and appropriate initiatives to increase access and inclusion. British Equestrian launched its Horses for All strategy in December 2023.

UK Sport has committed a total of £15.7 million in funding to British Equestrian for the Los Angeles 2028 cycle, including £12.1 million for Olympic disciplines and £3.6 million for Para-Equestrian Dressage. British Equestrian is also a system partner of Sport England, receiving £6,387,216 in funding between 2022 and 2027.

As part of the Together Fund, Sport England also awarded British Equestrian £195,000 to support equestrian centres, community groups and targeted organisations to provide riding activities aimed at engaging lower socio-economic groups, people with long-term health conditions, culturally diverse communities, and disabled people.