Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential cost to the public purse of decommissioning the gas grid.

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

The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan.

Gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, and a reliable gas network is essential to support the transition. We are also working with industry to support low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and bio methane.

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 help decarbonise the gas grid.

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

The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan.

Gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, and a reliable gas network is essential to support the transition. We are also working with industry to support low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and bio methane.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to increase the provision of level (a) five and (b) six qualifications in areas that do not have a university.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department continues to support access to higher level qualifications to break down barriers to opportunity and support economic growth.

The department continues to support learners who wish to progress from Level 3 to a higher level, whether that is to study at university, a higher level or degree apprenticeship, or a Level 4 or 5 classroom-based qualification, including Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), which have been approved as providing the skills that employers need.

The introduction of HTQs at Level 5 is aimed at providing high quality, employer-led qualifications that meet the needs of local economies and improves the accessibility and flexibility of higher education. These qualifications are designed to be delivered by further education colleges and other providers and are flexible, offering full-time, part-time and online learning options. This allows breadth of access, meaning that individuals who do not live near a university may be able to access higher technical education through a college.

The department also continues to support the delivery of higher and degree apprenticeships, which allow individuals to earn while they learn and gain qualifications up to Level 6. This approach helps to ensure that training is closely aligned with industry needs.

Additionally, institutions like the Open University offer Validation Programmes enabling institutions without their own degree-awarding powers to offer validated higher education programmes. Such initiatives can help to ensure that high quality degrees are accessible to learners in areas that do not have a university.

The department is also setting up Skills England, a new body, to bring together central and local government, businesses, training providers and unions to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions, providing strategic oversight of the post-16 skills system aligned to the government’s Industrial Strategy.

The government will bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce, and drive economic growth through our Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help support local authorities to keep council-owned leisure centres open.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government recognises the challenges local authorities are facing as demand increases for critical services. Resetting the relationship between national and local government and improving how local government is funded in this Parliament, are crucial in ensuring local people get the support and services they need and deserve.

The majority of funding in the local government finance settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities. This includes funding for leisure centres. Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) returning the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme investment reserve to scheme members and (b) commissioning a review into future investment reserve surplus sharing arrangements.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has ended the injustice of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme (MPS) and agreed the transfer the Investment Reserve Fund to members, so that the mineworkers who powered our country receive a fairer pension.

The resulting bonus will increase pensions by 32% and should start to be paid in November. The Government will soon start talks with the MPS Trustees on the future arrangements for surplus sharing.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent progress her Department has made on bringing forward proposed reforms to the gender recognition certificate process.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

In our manifesto, we committed to reforming gender recognition law. We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance whilst retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

We will set out our next steps on this work in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the number of qualified pharmacists working in (a) community pharmacy, (b) general practice, (c) hospitals and (d) mental health services.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government will make sure the National Health Service has the staff it needs to be there for all of us when we need it and reform the way we deliver care, so more care is delivered in the community.

NHS England and the General Pharmaceutical Council have been working with education providers to increase pharmacy training places. Recent announcements include the establishment of new schools of pharmacy at Plymouth University, Teesside University, and the University of Leicester, which will improve training opportunities and build resilience across all pharmacy settings.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of general practice capacity in the Cannock Chase constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We know that patients are finding it harder than ever to see a general practitioner (GP). This was highlighted in Lord Darzi’s review, and we are committed to fixing this crisis in GPs.

Our plan to increase the number of GP appointments delivered will require both investment and reform. We have already invested £82 million to recruit over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. This will increase the number of appointments delivered in GPs and take pressure off those currently working in the system. We will also train thousands more GPs, securing the future of the workforce, and will end the 8:00am scramble for GP appointments by introducing a modern booking system.

Cannock Chase sits within the NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, where 486,000 appointments were delivered in August 2024. In August 2023, they delivered 507,000 appointments. This is a decrease of 4.3%.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure empty clinical space in hospitals is put to use.

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

The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future, and we recognise that delivering high quality NHS healthcare services requires a safe, resilient, and effective hospital estate. This means not only upgrading, but better utilising infrastructure to reduce unused spaces and increase efficiency.

Managing the local capital budget for its area, reconfiguring services, including to address estates issues, and allocating funds according to local priorities, including any necessary investment to bring empty clinical space back into use, are matters for the local integrated care board (ICB). All ICBs are currently developing locally led 10-year infrastructure strategies with support from NHS England, these strategies should consider opportunities to better use space and drive improved efficiency and productivity from existing estates. Any future national capital programmes to support NHS organisations delivering local and national priorities will also be considered as part of the Spending Review process.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of single-use items used by the National Health Service.

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

As set out in the Delivering a Net Zero National Health Service report, published in October 2020, the NHS is committed to reducing its environmental impact, including by increasing the reuse and recycling of medical equipment. This report is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/greenernhs/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2022/07/B1728-delivering-a-net-zero-nhs-july-2022.pdf

In October 2024, the Government published the Design for Life roadmap, a new strategy to transition away from all avoidable single-use medical technology products towards a functioning circular system by 2045. This roadmap is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/design-for-life-roadmap

The programme is expected to support the NHS by improving resilience, reducing waste, delivering cost savings, and achieving the NHS commitment to be net zero by 2045. The Design for Life roadmap provides examples of where NHS organisations are already achieving cost, waste, and carbon savings through reusing, remanufacturing, and recycling medical devices and equipment, in line with their local Green Plans.

In addition, NHS England collaborates with NHS Supply Chain to increase the availability of reusable products, and supports local NHS organisations to use more reusable medical devices and products, where it is safe to do so. For example, NHS England supported the Royal Surgical Colleges to develop the evidence-based Green Theatre Checklist to encourage sustainable theatre approaches, including promoting the use of reusable or remanufactured equipment, where appropriate. Further information on the checklist is available at the following link:

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rcsed.ac.uk%2Fprofessional-support-development-resources%2Fenvironmental-sustainability-and-surgery%2Fgreen-theatre-

Additionally, NHS England is supporting innovation through the Small Business Research Initiative Healthcare programme, which has funded a project to support reuse of surgical textiles, with further information available at the following link:

https://sbrihealthcare.co.uk/impact-case-studies/case-studies/revolution-zero

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure areas with high levels of housebuilding have adequate capacity in (a) general practice and (b) dentistry.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises the challenges facing areas of significant housing and population growth. We understand the pressure such growth can place on primary care infrastructure. While we have big ambitions to further boost house building, we recognise it must be sensitive to local needs. The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) are currently analysing the results from a recent consultation on making changes to the National Planning Policy Framework to make sure better account is taken of local healthcare infrastructure requirements. Also, additional capital funding for ICSs and GP Practices to meet increased demand as a result of housing developments in their locality may be available through Section 106 (s106) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), or the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including general practice and NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England. For Cannock Chase constituency, this is NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB.

The NHS has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient medical services – including general practice – in each local area, with funding and commissioning reflecting population growth and demographic changes. The National Health Service (NHS) contracts with independent dental providers to deliver NHS dental treatment in primary care settings. NHS England and ICBs across England work together to ensure that patients have access to the dental care they need. This includes an assessment to identify potential gaps in NHS dental service provision and to consider what actions may be required.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce pre-consumer plastic waste in supply chains.

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

The Secretary of State has convened a Small Ministerial Group on Circular Economy and asked his Department to work with experts from industry, academia, civil society, and the civil service to develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. The Strategy will include a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions that the Government will make in particular sectors and value chains; supporting Government’s Missions to kickstart economic growth and make Britain a clean energy superpower.

We will consider the evidence for action right across the economy and evaluate what further interventions may be needed in the plastics sector as we develop the Circular Economy Strategy.

It’s also worth noting that there is a legal obligation for waste producers to manage their waste, including plastic waste, in accordance with the Waste Hierarchy. The Hierarchy puts waste management options into priority order: prevention, reuse, recycle, recovery (including energy recovery), disposal (landfill). Landfill must always be a last resort.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the recycling rates of plastic film.

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

Yes, Defra is supporting the multi-million-pound FlexCollect project, launched in May 2022, funding local authorities to roll out kerbside plastic film collection trials. This will help gather insights to support effective collections more widely ahead of the requirement to collect plastic film from workplaces and households under Simpler Recycling.

Kerbside plastic film collections from workplaces and households will be introduced by 31 March 2027 in England. Defra is only directly responsible for delivering this in England via Simpler Recycling. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are working on their own plans to introduce plastic film collections under extended producer responsibility for packaging.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help (a) increase biodiversity on farms and (b) ensure that farms are financially sustainable.

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

This Government will champion British farming. Our new deal for farmers will build a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers.

We have already delivered on our commitment to restore stability by continuing the rollout of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), whose objectives include increase of biodiversity on farms. We are optimising SFI and other farming schemes that include biodiversity objectives. This includes Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Landscape Recovery’s Round 1, both of which support farmers in protecting and enhancing the natural environment and increasing biodiversity. We will ensure these schemes work efficiently for farmers, food security and the environment.

To support British farmers, we will also:

• Get British food exports moving again.
• Protect farmers from being undercut by low welfare and low standards in trade deals.
• Use Government purchasing power to back British produce.
• Steer private investment in rural areas including broadband rollout in our rural communities.
• Speed up the building of flood defences and natural flood management schemes, including through a new flood resilience taskforce to protect our rural homes and farms.
• Introduce a land-use framework which balances long-term food security and nature recovery.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to promote the (a) development and (b) use of bioplastics for single-use packaging.

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

No, Defra has not taken steps to promote the development or use of bio-based plastics for single-use packaging. More research is needed to ensure bio-based plastics lead to better environmental outcomes overall. During the production of these materials, there are factors such as land use change, water consumption and crop switching that could lead to detrimental environmental effects. The bio-based nature of the plastic does not affect the behaviour of the material produced.

As we are committed to transitioning the UK to a circular economy, the Government is prioritising principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling to keep resources within the economy rather than increasing production of materials and injecting additional resources.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to make Jobcentres more effective at helping unemployed people into (a) work and (b) training.

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

Government has set an ambition to get to an 80% employment rate, alongside raising living standards and tackling insecurity at work. The Government plans to tackle economic inactivity, support people into good work and help them to progress.

Proposed reforms include:

• A new public employment and careers service to help get more people into work and to progress in work.
• Working with local areas to tackle economic inactivity including the development of joined-up work, health and skills plans for the economically inactive, with input from mayors, local councils, the NHS, businesses, colleges and the voluntary sector to address barriers and deliver employment opportunities for local people.
• A youth guarantee for all people aged 18 to 21 to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or employment support.
• DWP will shortly publish a white paper to these effects.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of rural crime on (a) agricultural businesses and (b) Staffordshire Police.

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

This Government is committed to reducing crime and disorder in rural areas, given the devastating impact rural crime can have on communities and businesses. Under our reforms, rural communities will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent farm theft and fly-tipping.

In Staffordshire and other areas, the National Rural Crime Unit provides support to police forces in their responses to rural crime, such as the theft of farming or construction machinery, livestock theft, rural fly tipping, rural fuel theft and equine crime.

The unit aims to help police forces tackle rural crime priorities through the provision of specialist operational support, as well as through sharing best practice and encouraging regional and national approaches to tackling rural crime. The NRCU also helps police forces across the country tackle organised theft and disrupt organised crime groups.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with businesses on steps to reduce the (a) manufacture and (b) distribution of single-use plastic products other than wet wipes.

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

The Secretary of State has not held discussions on reducing the manufacture and distribution of single-use plastic products with businesses.

However, officials have met with industry stakeholders through the Ocean Plastics Leadership Network (OPLN), this includes producers, brands and retailers. Discussions involved reducing plastic production, including single-use plastics, and working towards a circular economy for plastics, including encouraging design for reuse and recycling.

Furthermore, legislation that will ban the sale and supply of single-use vapes was laid in parliament on 23 October. Officials have consulted and are having ongoing discussions with various industrial stakeholders regarding the ban, which is due to come into force in England on 1 June 2025. The Devolved Governments are also introducing bans, and we anticipate a shared UK wide implementation date.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will take steps to issue guidance to local authorities on the establishment of publicly-owned bus companies.

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

Improving local transport services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions.

As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this parliamentary session. The Bill will increase powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership.

Government will continue working closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the government’s ambitions, and will publish guidance to support bus reform delivered through the Buses Bill as appropriate.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to support bus services in rural areas.

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

Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this parliamentary session, which will put decision-making into the hands of local leaders, including in rural areas right across England. This will allow local areas to determine how best to design their bus services so that they have control over routes and schedules.

The government has also committed to increasing accountability by providing safeguards over local networks across the country and empowering local transport authorities through reforms to bus funding.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance her Department has provided to local authorities on consulting communities on (a) proposals for new and (b) the adequacy of existing bus routes.

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

Improving local transport services is a key part of this government’s growth mission, and the government has set out plans to deliver better bus services, grow passenger numbers and drive opportunity to under-served regions.  The government have been clear that bus services need to work better for the local communities who rely on them.

The Department for Transport recently consulted on improving guidance for local authorities who are considering franchising bus services. This guidance includes consideration of the best ways to consult with local communities, and forms part of a package of bus franchising reforms announced on 9 September 2024.

The Department for Transport also published the Bus Service Improvement Plan guidance in 2021, which includes guidance for consulting with communities. The government will continue working closely with local transport authorities on delivering better bus and public transport services throughout England.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support the growth of co-operatives.

Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the important contribution of co-operatives to the economy, serving local communities around the UK and ensuring the UK has a diverse business sector with their model of shared ownership. There are currently 7,370 co-operatives operating across the UK, with an annual income of £42.7 billion.

The Government is committed to unlocking the full potential of the mutual and co-operative sector to support inclusive growth and will work with the sector to ensure it is fully supported to grow.

To help ensure co-operatives legislation is meeting the needs of co-operative and community benefit societies, the Government is funding the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. This will consider ways to update and modernise the Act.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of the (a) powers and (b) resources of the Environment Agency to regulate landfill sites.

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

The regulatory framework in place is designed to serve operators and protect the local community. Where poor performance does occur the Environment Agency has a range of powers to bring sites back into compliance and, where necessary, to take enforcement action against operators. Regulatory oversight of permitted sites is funded by permitting fees, which are calculated on a full cost recovery basis, in line with the Polluter Pays principle and HM Treasury’s managing public money guidance.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of trends in the number of requests to schools to remove LGBT+ literature from school libraries.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The current national curriculum requires teachers to encourage pupils to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. It also emphasises the importance of children listening to, discussing and reading for themselves a wide range of stories, poems, plays and non-fiction books. Within the framework of the national curriculum, schools make their own choices about which specific books or other resources they use. No authors, books or genres have been banned. Teachers have flexibility in their choice of books to teach within the context of the curriculum.  Any sensitive issues should be covered by the school’s own policy and in consultation with parents.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the central costs of academy trusts on the budgets of academy schools.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts rests with the trustees themselves, who are supported by the financial management and governance requirements set by the department in academy trusts’ funding agreements, the academy trust handbook and academies accounts direction. The department expects academy trustees to deliver strong governance and monitor the financial health of their trust or school. It is with strong financial management and governance that schools are able to operate most effectively and deliver high quality teaching and learning that prepares our children for the future.

Academy trusts can take a cut from their funding to pay for central services for their schools. This can be more efficient and cheaper than individual schools running or procuring the functions themselves.

Where academy trusts take a cut to pay for central services, they must be transparent by disclosing the basis and value in their published, audited, annual accounts. They must also include additional disclosures in their accounts about the services they deliver centrally and the charging policy they apply. They must also identify the share against each academy.

The government is clear that strong accountability is non-negotiable. That is why the government has committed to bring multi-academy trusts into the inspection system, to make the system fairer and more transparent, and to enable intervention when schools and trusts are not performing to the required standards.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the value for money of the central costs of operating academy trusts.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The primary responsibility for the financial oversight of academy trusts rests with the trustees themselves, who are supported by the financial management and governance requirements set by the department in academy trusts’ funding agreements, the academy trust handbook and academies accounts direction. The department expects academy trustees to deliver strong governance and monitor the financial health of their trust or school. It is with strong financial management and governance that schools are able to operate most effectively and deliver high quality teaching and learning that prepares our children for the future.

Academy trusts can take a cut from their funding to pay for central services for their schools. This can be more efficient and cheaper than individual schools running or procuring the functions themselves.

Where academy trusts take a cut to pay for central services, they must be transparent by disclosing the basis and value in their published, audited, annual accounts. They must also include additional disclosures in their accounts about the services they deliver centrally and the charging policy they apply. They must also identify the share against each academy.

The government is clear that strong accountability is non-negotiable. That is why the government has committed to bring multi-academy trusts into the inspection system, to make the system fairer and more transparent, and to enable intervention when schools and trusts are not performing to the required standards.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2024 to Question 4283 on Schools: Admissions, what steps her Department is taking to issue guidance to Local Planning Authorities on appropriate levels of section 106 contributions from developers to meet future demand for school places.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

In August 2023, the department published two non-statutory guidance documents for local authorities planning for education, local planning authorities (LPAs) and other stakeholders involved in the delivery of schools.

The guidance on 'Estimating pupil yield from housing development’ sets out the department’s recommended approach to calculating pupil yield from housing development to inform local plans and planning decisions and to help local authorities and LPAs justify developer contributions towards education. This guidance can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64d0f71be5491a00134b5940/Estimating_Pupil_Yield_from_Housing_Development.pdf.

The guidance on ‘Securing developer contributions for education’ promotes good practice on evidencing the impacts of development, engaging with LPAs and delivering expanded or new facilities with funding from housing development. This document can be accessed here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64d0f70d7a5708001314485f/Securing_Developer_Contributions_for_Education.pdf.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the development of the esports industry.

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

The Government recognises the potential of the UK esports industry and its impact on the economy, with major tournaments hosted across the UK this year, including in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Kickstarting economic growth, and breaking down barriers to opportunity are two of this government's core missions. We are supporting the esports sector to grow, building on the success of our world-class creative industries. This includes support for the sector in looking at how to strengthen pathways into the esports workforce.

The Government has identified the creative industries, which includes video games and esports, as a growth-driving sector within the Industrial Strategy. My department will produce an ambitious and targeted Sector Plan for the creative industries to be published alongside the Spending Review in spring 2025.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, of the potential merits of removing VAT from refrigerants used in heat pumps.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

No assessment has been made. The installation of certain energy-saving materials, including ground- and air- source heat pumps, in residential accommodation and charity buildings benefits from a temporary zero rate of VAT until 31 March 2027 (after which it reverts to the reduced rate of 5 per cent).

There are currently no plans to extend this relief to include the sale of the components used in energy-saving materials, where they are not part of such an installation. However, the Chancellor keeps all taxes under review.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued guidance to (a) police forces and (b) Police and Crime Commissioners on the powers granted to (i) Police Community Support Officers and (ii) special constables.

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

Under Section 38 of the Police Reform Act 2002 as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2017, chief officers can designate certain powers to any person who is employed by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and is under the direction and control of that chief officer as a Police Community Support Officer. This excludes the most intrusive powers that are available to police officers, such as arrest and stop and search, and powers under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Special Constables are warranted police officers and have the same powers as any other constable.

The Department has not issued guidance to forces or PCCs on these powers. The College of Policing has issued guidance for PCCs, police forces, and anyone else looking to better understand the PSCO role. This is available online PCSO handbook | College of Policing

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much and what proportion of funding available through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme has been spent on mental health practitioners since 2019.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Funding available through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) for mental health practitioners accounts for 50% of the costs of these roles, with the other 50% provided by mental health trusts. Mental health practitioners were not introduced into the ARRS until 2021/22. The following table shows the spend on mental health practitioners through the ARRS, and that spend as a proportion of overall ARRS funding, for 2021/22 to 2023/24:

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department plans to introduce (a) low- and (b) no-cost finance for domestic energy efficiency measures in its Warm Homes Plan.

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

The Government recognises the important role private finance can play in helping us achieve our decarbonisation ambitions.

As part of the Warm Homes Plan, officials are exploring the role of incentives and private finance to support homeowners with the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating. These are upgrades that will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run.

Officials are also exploring options for working with the private sector, including banks and building societies. We will set out further detail on delivering our Warm Homes Plan in due course.

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 tackle fraud in the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

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

The Department works with the scheme administrator, Ofgem, to investigate and address any suspected misconduct under the ECO scheme. Dedicated work is ongoing on external assurance to review processes and procedures, and strengthening of fraud controls in future scheme design. Ofgem has dedicated teams working on counter fraud and whistleblowing. Ofgem leads on detection, prevention, deterrence, and takes action where there is evidence of fraud. If evidence of potential fraud is found, Ofgem engages with relevant authorities, such as Action Fraud. Additionally, TrustMark works with the department and Ofgem to engage with scheme providers to address and mitigate such activities.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) value for money of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for increasing the number of heat pump installations.

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

Up to the end of August 2024, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has paid out 32,572 vouchers towards low carbon heating systems.

The Government is carrying out an independent evaluation of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with its first set of interim findings due to be published in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to increase the number of special constables in (a) Staffordshire and (b) England.

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

The Government recognises and values the professionalism, dedication and sacrifice shown by special constables in their work. Special constables, along with the full range of volunteers in policing, make a vital contribution to keeping our communities safe.

Data published by the Home Office in the ‘Police Workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletin shows the number of special constables (headcount) in England has declined by 70% since a peak of 19,619 in March 2012 down to 5,860 in March 2024. In Staffordshire Police the number of special constables has declined by 74% from a peak of 512 in March 2012 down to 132 in March 2024.

The Home Secretary has made a clear commitment to strengthen neighbourhood policing through the introduction of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. The Guarantee will put thousands of additional neighbourhood police personnel back on the beat, including special constables, as part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using the gas grid to support the decarbonisation of (a) domestic and (b) industrial space heating.

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

The Government is committed to transforming Britain into a clean energy superpower, including providing the country with clean power by 2030, reducing bills, and transitioning homes to low carbon heating through the Warm Homes Plan.

Gas will continue to play an important role in our energy system for decades to come, and a reliable gas network is essential to support the transition. We are also working with industry to support low-carbon gases such as hydrogen and bio methane.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of creating a single service to advise households on (a) energy efficiency in the home and (b) financial support available for energy efficiency improvements.

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

Improving energy efficiency and decarbonising buildings is a crucial element in our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. This will also lower energy bills and support the reduction of Fuel Poverty.

This is why the Government is going further to simplify the user journey for consumers, on GOV.UK, creating a single access point for all consumers homeowners, landlords and tenants) at varying points in their retrofit journey. It will bring into one space information, sources of funding and links to trusted installers, and simplify and expand the current government advice and information offer. More details will be announced in the Warm Homes Plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve mental health services in (a) Cannock Chase constituency and (b) Staffordshire.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

People with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they deserve, which is why we will fix the broken system to ensure we give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health.

As part of our mission to build a National Health Service that is fit for the future and that is there when people need it, the Government will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, which will also help ease pressure on busy mental health services.

NHS Talking Therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, provide treatment to adults, including in the Cannock Chase constituency and Staffordshire, with common mental health conditions including depression and anxiety. People can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies services or be referred by their general practitioner.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of mental health practitioners working in the NHS.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

To help address the chronic workforce shortages in the mental health workforce we plan to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers across child and adult mental health services, to reduce waiting times and provide faster treatment. We are currently working with colleagues at NHS England to consider options to deliver this commitment.

NHS England is also working to improve the retention of mental health workers through clearer career progression pathways.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care has funded, via the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) a project to look at the impact of non-GP staff in practices on patient care.

Through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and practices have recruited over 37,000 additional staff including Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, and social prescribing link workers. These roles are in place to assist doctors in general practice in reducing their workload, assisting patients directly with their needs, allowing doctors to focus on more complex patients and other priorities, including continuity of care.

From October, PCNs have also been able to recruit newly qualified GPs through the scheme with an additional £82m of funding. Roles employed through the scheme increase capacity and improve access to appointments.

Separate to our inquiries the Committee holds regular evidence sessions with the Secretary of State, other Defra Ministers and senior officials to question them on the work of the Department. The transcripts of those sessions and follow up written evidence is collected here.