First elected: 6th May 2010
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Jonathan Edwards, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Jonathan Edwards has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Jonathan Edwards has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to establish an independent advisory body to make recommendations on the equitable distribution of public expenditure across the United Kingdom, the calculation of block grants to devolved administrations, the implications of the devolution of tax-raising powers for the United Kingdom fiscal framework, and the resolution of fiscal disputes arising between governments in the United Kingdom; and for connected purposes.
Shared Prosperity Fund (Wales) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Ben Lake (PC)
Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Patricia Gibson (SNP)
Workers (Definition and Rights) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Chris Stephens (SNP)
Workers (Definition and Rights) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Chris Stephens (SNP)
Universal Credit Sanctions (Zero Hours Contracts) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Chris Stephens (SNP)
Clean Air (No. 3) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Geraint Davies (Ind)
European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019
Sponsor - Hilary Benn (Lab)
Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
Fracking (Measurement and Regulation of Impacts) (Air, Water and Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Geraint Davies (Ind)
European Union Withdrawal Agreement (Public Vote) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Gareth Thomas (LAB)
Local Electricity Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jeremy Lefroy (Con)
Representation of the People (Young People's Enfranchisement and Education) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Jim McMahon (LAB)
Cold Weather Payments Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Hywel Williams (PC)
Access to Banking Services Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Ben Lake (PC)
Government Services (Telecommunication Charges) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Chris Stephens (SNP)
Mutual Guarantee Societies Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - Christina Rees (LAB)
During the national test of the emergency alerts system on 23 April 2023, some Three Mobile customers did not receive the alert.
To address this issue, the Deputy Prime Minister met with the CEO of Three Mobile on 26 April 2023. Following this meeting, Three Mobile has made a number of technical improvements to rectify the errors made on the test day. Three Mobile has since reassured the government that they believe the underlying issue has now been resolved.
At the first Partnership Council on 9 June, we noted the importance of the Civil Society Forum, and agreed with the EU on the necessary preparations ahead of its first meeting later this year.
We are engaging with the devolved administrations on membership of the Forum, as we do on all relevant matters of TCA implementation. We will seek public views and will issue a call for participants within the next few months to ensure a balanced representation of business and civil society groups across the UK.
Guidance on pet travel is set out on gov.uk.
Any changes to this guideline is dependent on the category that is given to Great Britain at the end of the Transition Period, with this being conditional on the ongoing discussions being had with the EU Commission.
DEFRA has submitted an application to the European Commission to become a ‘Part I’ listed third country in relation to the non-commercial movement of pet dogs, cats and ferrets into the EU, which the Commission is considering.
Discussions with the European Commission are ongoing. Updates will be announced in the usual way.
The AMSC meets regularly to discuss cases, and will be meeting in due course.
The final reports of the four Boundary Commissions in the 2018 Boundary Review were submitted to the Government and laid before Parliament in September 2018.
The Government will continue to monitor closely the current legal proceedings in relation to the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland’s final report.
As we set out in our manifesto, the Government will ensure we have updated and equal parliamentary boundaries, making sure every vote counts the same.
Steelmaking remains a vital part of the Welsh economy and this Government is working tirelessly to secure a sustainable future for Port Talbot Steelworks. This deal delivers a £1.25 billion pound joint investment package with Tata, comprising of £500 million pounds from the UK Government.
The Welsh Government are not currently providing capital funding towards this project. The Transition Board; established to support affected employees and the local economy has up to £100m of funding. Over the last month, I have engaged with the Welsh government through the Transition Board and a ministerial call.
Gallium and germanium have a range of applications in electronics and communications sectors. The new Chinese export controls applying to germanium, gallium and related items coming into effect on 1st August this year may have impacts on the global supply chains for these sectors. Along with international counterparts, we are following the situation closely and are assessing risks this poses to the UK.
The Government imposes a Universal Service Obligation (USO) on Royal Mail, requiring delivery of parcels up to 20 kilograms 5 days-a-week at uniform rates throughout the UK, with-out any geographical restrictions. Outside of the USO, delivery practices remain commercial decisions for parcel operators. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require all retailers to provide up front information to consumers regarding any delivery restrictions.
The Postal Services Act 2011 provides Ofcom with powers to impose conditions on postal operators, including courier services. Ofcom consulted on consumer protection in the parcels market, as part of its 2022 review of postal regulation. As a result, new guidance came into effect in April 2023 on how Ofcom expects parcel operators to comply with their current obligations.
“Potential for Critical Raw Material Prospectivity in the UK” was a study undertaken by CMIC, a programme sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by the British Geological Survey. This report delivers on the Critical Minerals Strategy’s commitment to collate UK geoscientific data and identify areas of geological potential for critical mineral extraction. It is a preliminary assessment, and its findings do not mean prospective areas identified will necessarily be targeted for exploration and mining. The
Government is working with the British Geological Survey to understand next steps and will engage with Devolved Administrations when appropriate.
Ofgem, the independent regulator, is responsible for compliance and enforcement of license conditions.
As an Alternative Dispute Resolution scheme, the Energy Ombudsman does not have the enforcement powers of Ofgem does. The Energy Ombudsman can however tell suppliers to take practical action, make an apology, offer financial awards up to £10,000, and make recommendations to prevent an issue from happening again. Energy suppliers are legally bound to implement decisions made by the Ombudsman.
Network regulation, including the ability to grant Distribution Network Operator licenses, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator. As such, the government does not comment on Ofgem’s decision making on licence applications.
Network regulation, including the ability to grant Distribution Network Operator licenses, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator. As such, the government does not comment on Ofgem’s decision making on licence applications.
All installations under the Energy Company Obligation scheme must be carried out by a TrustMark registered business. Installations of low carbon measures, such as heat pumps, must be carried out in accordance with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) requirements.
TrustMark’s Customer Charter sets out the responsibilities of any TrustMark registered installer which includes the registered business ensuring there is a proper testing and hand-over process to ensure the customer knows how installations work and should be maintained.
Ofgem has set out a route to redress for any issues arising from measures installed under the scheme, which can be found at: www.ofgem.gov.uk/eco4-complaints-process.
I met with the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change, to discuss the Transmission Acceleration Action Plan in advance of publication. Speeding up the deployment of electricity networks across Great Britain is a key shared objective and the UK Government has worked with the Welsh Government to develop the Action Plan and will continue to do so as it is implemented.
The Government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process. The design and development of energy transmission infrastructure, including which technology would be used for construction of a project, is a matter for the developer, with the implications of that choice considered through the planning process. The Government carried out a full public consultation on its National Policy Statements - including EN-5 - earlier this year and will shortly be publishing them and laying them before Parliament ahead of designation.
The Government carried out a public consultation which closed on 23 June and is on track to present the updated National Policy Statements to Parliament and publish them alongside the response to the Electricity Networks Commissioner’s Report later this month.
The Government consultation on the draft energy National Policy Statements closed on 23 June and we are reviewing the responses. This included that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity networks developments but that in nationally designated landscapes the strong starting presumption will be that the applicant should underground the relevant section of the line. Decisions on which technology would be used for construction would be a matter for the developer. Government officials engage and meet with all devolved administrations, including Welsh Government, as required for policy development and evaluation.
Network regulation, including the ability to grant Distribution Network Operator licenses, is a matter for Ofgem as the independent energy regulator. As such, the government does not comment on Ofgem’s decision making on licence applications.
The Government consultation on the draft energy National Policy Statements closed on 23 June and we are reviewing the responses. This included that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity networks developments but that in nationally designated landscapes the strong starting presumption will be that the applicant should underground the relevant section of the line. Decisions on which technology would be used for construction would be a matter for the developer. Government officials engage and meet with all devolved administrations, including Welsh Government, as required for policy development and evaluation.
The Government consultation on the draft energy National Policy Statements closed on 23 June and we are reviewing the responses. This included that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity networks developments but that in nationally designated landscapes the strong starting presumption will be that the applicant should underground the relevant section of the line. Decisions on which technology would be used for construction would be a matter for the developer. Government officials engage and meet with all devolved administrations, including Welsh Government, as required for policy development and evaluation.
A total of 384 individuals are in receipt of a concessionary fuel entitlement in the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency. Of these, 325 receive Cash In-Lieu and 59 receive solid fuel.
The AFP Alternative Fund was open to applications from 6 March to 31 May inclusive and the Government has no plans to re-open the scheme.
The Government is continually reviewing the financial support it provides for the differing energy needs within its communities. This includes the Help for Households campaign that has numerous Cost of Living support schemes in 2023/2024. You can visit the Help for Households webpage on GOV.UK which outlines details of the support offered: https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk.
The information requested is not held centrally.
The Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) scheme delivered payments of £200 to households who use alternative fuels such as heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas, coal or biomass, helping around 2 million off-gas-grid households to meet their energy costs. The scheme particularly supported households in rural areas that are not connected to the gas grid.
Over 85% of eligible households received the payment automatically via their electricity supplier during February, and a small proportion of households needed to apply for the AFP, for example when households in their local area predominantly use electricity or mains gas for their heating.
There is ongoing work to assess the potential contribution of geothermal heat in Wales. The Coal Authority is working closely with the Welsh Government to produce a full Mine Water Heat resource map for Wales, identifying key opportunity locations and an overall resource estimate. The map is scheduled for completion later this year.
Heat is a devolved policy area but the Department has funded studies for local authorities to explore minewater heat opportunities across South Wales.
Ofgem has granted licences to 16 Independent Distribution Network Operators.
The Alternative Fuel Payment Portal due to open for applications from Monday 6 March.
Since the launch of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme in May 2022 and up to the end of January 2023, a total of 132 biomass boiler vouchers have been issued to properties in England and Wales.
Ofgem has made us aware that there are currently 4 live applications affected by changes to the product eligibility list. The Government is working closely with Ofgem to ensure a fair and proportionate decision is made regarding these cases.
Ofgem always keep the Product Eligibility List (PEL) under review. Where they have reason to, Ofgem may investigate certain products to gain greater assurance that they are eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Where this is the case, Ofgem sometimes remove products from the PEL until they have completed their investigation.
The PEL is not a guarantee that specific products meet all requirements under the scheme. Installers should always consult the regulations, the standards published by Secretary of State, and the scheme guidance to understand whether specific products are eligible for funding.
Distribution network operators build, own and operate the lower voltage distribution network infrastructure. When identifying preferred options for new infrastructure, Network Operators consider a range of factors including cost, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, deliverability and system benefit. This can include consideration of undergrounding along existing road and rail corridors, however this can significantly increase the costs of projects, which are paid for by consumers.
Payments began from 6 February and electricity suppliers have until the end of February to pay eligible customers, including non-direct debit customers. When and how customers receive their payment will depend on their electricity supplier and how they pay their bill.
Multi-function premises that are used for both residential and business purposes, and have the same address, will not be eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF). Instead, the user of the premises is likely to be eligible to receive support through the Energy Bills Relief Scheme (EBRS) with more information available on the GOV.UK webpages. If the residential dwelling has a different postal address, is not a business premises, is used wholly or mainly for domestic purposes, and is not paying business rates, this household would likely be eligible for the EBSS AF.
In July 2023, we launched a Project Gigabit cross regional procurement to bring gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses in hard to reach parts of North West Wales, Mid Wales, and South East Wales. Our intention is to award a contract to the successful supplier in the summer.
North Wales and South West Wales will be included in a further procurement once the cross regional contract is in place.
Building Digital UK (BDUK) monitors the general health of the voucher suppliers it works with on the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. Any vouchers issued under the scheme are owned by the beneficiary, rather than the supplier assigned to the project, however only the supplier assigned to the project by BDUK can claim the funding.
If a voucher supplier goes into administration, BDUK will review options for ensuring premises included in any of their voucher projects can be covered through one of our programmes. If the supplier is acquired by another company, the new owner may retain the vouchers projects through formal, mutual agreement. Alternatively, the premises covered by the vouchers could be incorporated into a Project Gigabit procurement or existing contract.
Communication Providers are required by the Communications Act (2003) to ensure the continuity of access to the Public Emergency Call Service, via the telephone numbers 999 and 112. These obligations are set out in the General Conditions of Entitlement and are regulated by Ofcom.
In 2018, Ofcom published guidance on how telecoms companies can fulfil this General Condition in light of the industry’s decision to retire the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and replace it with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. The guidance states that in the event of a power outage at least one solution must be available for consumers, providing access for a minimum of one hour. The solution should be suitable for customers’ needs and should be offered free of charge to those who are at risk as they are dependent on their landline, such as those with no mobile phone signal. These are minimum standards, and in practice many providers are offering solutions which exceed them.
The Government and Ofcom regularly engage with the telecoms industry to monitor their migration process and ensure providers are taking appropriate steps to protect vulnerable consumers. In January, Minister Julia Lopez held a roundtable with the major Communications Providers to discuss how the telecommunications industry will support consumers as they transition to VoIP services.
Communication Providers are required by the Communications Act (2003) to ensure the continuity of access to the Public Emergency Call Service, via the telephone numbers 999 and 112. These obligations are set out in the General Conditions of Entitlement and are regulated by Ofcom.
In 2018, Ofcom published guidance on how telecoms companies can fulfil this General Condition in light of the industry’s decision to retire the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and replace it with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. The guidance states that in the event of a power outage at least one solution must be available for consumers, providing access for a minimum of one hour. The solution should be suitable for customers’ needs and should be offered free of charge to those who are at risk as they are dependent on their landline, such as those with no mobile phone signal. These are minimum standards, and in practice many providers are offering solutions which exceed them.
The Government and Ofcom regularly engage with the telecoms industry to monitor their migration process and ensure providers are taking appropriate steps to protect vulnerable consumers. In January, Minister Julia Lopez held a roundtable with the major Communications Providers to discuss how the telecommunications industry will support consumers as they transition to VoIP services.
The Government uses Valuation Office Agency data on property characteristics to identify households living in properties estimated to have high heating costs. If a household believes this property characteristic data is inaccurate and wants to provide alternative information, they will need an Energy Performance Certificate.
Energy suppliers can provide additional support to households through the Industry Initiatives element of the scheme, including financial assistance. This support can be provided irrespective of whether a household is eligible for a rebate.
At the Autumn Statement, the Government doubled the Alternative Fuel Payment from £100 to £200 to give additional support for households that use alternative fuels in recognition of the cost-of-living pressures caused by these rising fuel costs. This is a one-off payment and there is currently no plan to make further payments. The Government does, however, continue to keep the AFP under review, including monitoring future price changes in alternative fuels.
The Government has doubled to £200 the level of support for households that use alternative fuels, such as heating oil, LPG, coal or biomass, to heat their homes. This support will be delivered as soon as possible this winter.
The Government is not providing energy suppliers a fee for administering the Government’s energy support measures.
The UK steel industry not only underpins a range of domestic industries; it forms the core of some local communities and economies. The Government remains committed to a UK steel industry and a decarbonised future, supporting local economic growth and our levelling-up agenda.
Global economic conditions continue to be challenging for the steel industry and the Government is working with the sector, the unions and devolved regions to support its transition to a competitive, sustainable, and low carbon future.
The Government recognises the role community and locally owned renewable energy schemes can, and do, play in supporting the UK’s national net zero targets. These projects help encourage innovation and investment as well as community engagement with the energy challenge.
The Government will shortly be consulting on the Cost- Plus Revenue Limit and the issue of having a minimum threshold for size of generation stations will be considered as well as whether it is appropriate for this mechanism to apply to community or local energy schemes.
The additional support, including the level at which it is set, provided to households not eligible for the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) is intended to ensure that they do not face a higher rate of growth in their heating costs since last autumn, compared to those on gas supported by the EPG.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for St Albans on 22 September 2022 to Question 48498.
The Government continues to work at speed to determine the most practical and tested routes to deliver this support and will provide more details in due course.