Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with the Crown Estate on using the borrowing powers in the Crown Estate Act 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Treasury and The Crown Estate continue to have regular dialogue, including on The Crown Estate’s business plan and the use of the borrowing powers contained in the Crown Estate Act 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made on negotiating a partnership agreement between the Crown Estate and Great British Energy.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Crown Estate and Great British Energy have maintained a continuous dialogue as the Great British Energy Bill progresses through Parliament.

The partnership agreement will be finalised following the conclusion of legislative scrutiny to ensure all amendments are accounted for and the agreement aligns with the final legislative framework.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the salaries are for the (a) Chairman and (b) Chief Executive of the new Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold the information requested. Information on the remuneration of senior staff is published by hospital trusts as part of their annual report and accounts.

As the Chair and the Chief Executive of the new Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group are both recent appointments, details of their salaries will appear in future published accounts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will commission Ofwat to provide an assessment of the potential impacts of extending competition to the residential retail water market.

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

Ofwat has a duty to protect the interests of consumers, wherever appropriate, by promoting effective competition and does this through the economic regulation of the sector.

As part of the Independent Commission’s call for evidence, the Commission sought views on the strengths and limitations of existing competition schemes - as well as potential options for reform - to areas including the New Appointments and Variations market and competitive delivery models for large infrastructure projects.

The Commission is planning on reporting to the government by Q2 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many hospitals in England provide office space to Unison representatives; and what rental charges are paid in each case.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department does not hold the information requested. Trade union representatives are entitled to time off to enable them to carry out their trade union duties or to take part in union training.

It is important that, where possible, employers make available to union representatives the facilities necessary for them to fulfil their duties, and to communicate effectively with their members. Section 25 of the NHS Terms and Conditions of Service (Agenda for Change) sets out that where resources permit, the facilities for recognised trade unions should include the use of dedicated office space.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the 40 most expensive substitute (a) service family accommodation and (a) single living accommodation properties were by (i) monthly rental and (b) location in each of the last 12 months.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

Since 1 April 2022, substitute accommodation has been delivered under the Rented Living Accommodation Project (RLAP). Under RLAP, Mears Group provide both Substitute Service Family Accommodation (SSFA) and Single Service Substitute Accommodation (SSSA) including the occupation management of the substitute accommodation portfolio, repairs and maintenance.

For all substitute accommodation, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) pays a contractual rate in lieu of rental cost. The contractual rate is commercially sensitive, and its disclosure would prejudice Ministry of Defence's commercial interests and relationship with its contractor, Mears.

The 40 most expensive SSSA properties are all located in London.

For SSFA, the table below provides details of the 40 locations with the highest contractual rate for properties, by month, from April 2024 to March 2025:

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's publication entitled UK Covid-19 Inquiry Management Statement, published in August 2022, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the Covid-19 public inquiry represents value for money.

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

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is an independent public inquiry, established by the previous administration.

In line with the UK Covid-19 Management Statement, the Inquiry’s Accounting Officer must conform to value for money and good financial management requirements and must provide financial updates to the Cabinet Office as its sponsor department.

The Chair is under a statutory obligation to avoid unnecessary costs in the Inquiry’s work and she has been clear that she intends to complete her work as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she is taking steps to allow the use of privately owned e-scooters on public roads.

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

The Department estimates that across England between 760,000 and 1.2 million people aged 16 and over own an e-scooter.

The Government aims to deliver an integrated transport system that reduces emissions, improves journeys, and gives people choice over how they travel, and we are carefully considering how micromobility can help to deliver these objectives. No decision has yet been taken, however, on bringing forward e-scooter regulations. The Department will consult on any new proposed regulations before they come into force.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate her Department has made of the number of privately owned e-scooters in England.

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

The Department estimates that across England between 760,000 and 1.2 million people aged 16 and over own an e-scooter.

The Government aims to deliver an integrated transport system that reduces emissions, improves journeys, and gives people choice over how they travel, and we are carefully considering how micromobility can help to deliver these objectives. No decision has yet been taken, however, on bringing forward e-scooter regulations. The Department will consult on any new proposed regulations before they come into force.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve access to public transport in North West Norfolk.

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

The government knows that a modern public transport network is vital to providing access to services and keeping communities connected. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December to put the power over local bus services back into the hands of local leaders. In addition, the government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. Norfolk County Council has been allocated £15.9 million of this funding, helping to improve bus services across the area.

Rail services in North West Norfolk are supported by requirements on train operators to plan services and design timetables to meet both current and future passenger demand, while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. The government commitment to public ownership through Great British Railways will also help to deliver a unified system that focuses on reliable, affordable, high-quality, and efficient transport services, whilst also ensuring safety and accessibility. Under public ownership, passenger services can be operated in the interests of passengers, not shareholders.

The government also launched its plan to develop an Integrated National Transport Strategy which will set the long-term vision for transport in England. It will focus on how transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve all people who use it, including those in North West Norfolk.