Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Future Homes Standard will make solar batteries mandatory on new build homes.

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

Batteries aren’t mandated under the Future Homes and Buildings Standards because Building Regulations set performance‑based outcomes and do not mandate specific technologies. This ensures flexibility for developers and avoids locking in solutions that may not be suitable in every setting.

Battery storage is permitted and encouraged, and we continue to welcome ambitious developers who choose to go further than the minimum requirements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make it his policy to use the mandatory Adaptation Reporting Power regularly.

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

We are reviewing our approach to the Adaptation Reporting Power ahead of the fifth round of reporting, due 2026–2029. This work includes a synthesis of past rounds and other relevant reporting regimes, and an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the previous round. Taking these outputs into account, Defra will be consulting shortly on the approach to the next round of reporting. We will publish the supporting evidence alongside this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people with disabilities and chronic illness so add voluntary National Insurance contributions beyond the current six year limit.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Individuals can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for up to six years in arrears to fill gaps in their National Insurance record.

There are also a wide range of National Insurance credits available, ensuring people can build their National Insurance record. Some are linked to benefits that can be claimed in relation to illness or disability such as Employment and Support Allowance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will confirm whether fur falls outside of scope of the UK/EU SPS Agreement as it was not listed in the recently published UK-EU SPS Agreement - Legislation in scope document.

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

As part of the UK‑EU SPS Agreement currently being negotiated, the Government is making a sovereign choice in the national interest to align in some areas where it makes sense to do so, as set out in the Government’s recently published announcement on legislation in scope. The announcement reflected the UK’s current view of what is in scope and remains subject to change as negotiations progress with the EU.

While those discussions are ongoing, we cannot provide a running commentary or speculate on the scope of the agreement, but we have been clear about the importance of being able to set high animal welfare standards.