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Written Question
Renewable Energy: Community Development
Friday 24th November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the contribution of the Minister for Nuclear and Networks in the debate on the Energy Bill on 5 September 2023, Official Report, column 281, when her Department plans to publish (a) an annual report on community energy and (b) a consultation on the potential barriers facing the sector.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is working with the Community Energy Contact Group on the content of the annual report and consultation. Whilst it hopes to publish these products as soon as possible, until these discussions have concluded the Government is unable to outline a definitive timeline.


Written Question
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: Catering
Thursday 23rd November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he is taking steps to support the provision of nutritionally balanced plant-based meals on menus for staff in public sector bodies under his Department's responsibility.

Answered by Simon Hoare - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 1515 on 20 November 2023.


Written Question
Malawi: Development Aid
Wednesday 22nd November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had discussions with his (a) international counterparts and (b) delivery partners in Malawi on the impact of the devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha on the delivery of UK aid-funded programmes in that country.

Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)

The approval of an $178 million Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in Malawi reflects important reform progress by the Government of Malawi to boost economic growth. The recent 44 per cent exchange rate realignment was a tough, but necessary measure to secure an ECF, as foreign exchange reserves were critically low and the overvalued currency was hampering export competitiveness. The UK development programme in Malawi will continue to provide support over this period of economic adjustment. In coordination with other partners, this support will include prioritising additional support for those facing food insecurity, through providing cash and food.


Written Question
Sanitary Protection: VAT
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing VAT on period pants.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The women’s sanitary products VAT zero rate applies to those products which were previously subject to the reduced rate of 5 per cent, for example, tampons and pads. It also applies to reusable menstrual products, such as menstrual cups, to provide greater choice and more sustainable options for those who use sanitary products. The Government is looking into whether this important zero-rating is being passed on to consumers.

The relief does not include articles of clothing, such as period underwear. Such exclusions are designed to ensure that the relief is properly targeted.

The Government keeps all taxes under review, including considering impacts on pricing, and welcomes representations to help inform future policy decisions.


Written Question
Immigration Controls: Airports
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to monitor waiting times for (a) UK and (b) non-UK passport holders to clear the UK Border at (i) Heathrow and (ii) Gatwick Airport.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

Border Force measures and monitors wait times at all major UK ports including Heathrow and Gatwick to ensure the flow of legitimate travel into UK.

Border Force is committed to ensuring passengers wait times are kept to a minimum, however this must be balanced with our duty to Border Security, checking 100% of passports and making sure that anyone or anything that might cause harm to the UK is correctly dealt with.

Resource and staffing requirements at every port are continually reviewed by Border Force who work closely with port operators to ensure resources are deployed flexibly as and when they are required.

The latest Border Force transparency data shows that 95% of arrivals to the UK were cleared within the service standard in the second quarter of this year and in July, 90% of passengers surveyed were satisfied with their experience at UK border control. The most recent data is available on Gov.UK; www.gov.uk/government/publications/border-force-transparency-data-q2-2023


Written Question
Immigration Controls: Airports
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to ensure that the number of operational e-gates at UK border points in airports adequately reflects the number of expected arrivals at different times of day.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

Border Force is committed to ensuring passengers wait times are kept to a minimum, however this must be balanced with our duty to Border Security, checking 100% of passports and making sure that anyone or anything that might cause harm to the UK is correctly dealt with.

Resource and staffing requirements at every port are continually reviewed by Border Force who work closely with port operators to ensure resources are deployed flexibly as and when they are required.


Written Question
Immigration Controls: Airports
Wednesday 15th November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether there is a minimum staff presence ratio requirement for the operation of e-gates at UK border points.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

The Home Office’s priority is to deliver a safe and secure border and we will never compromise on this. Border Force maintain 100% checks for all scheduled arriving passengers into the UK and this will be continued during any period.

To maintain border security we do not comment on the details of operational deployments. Border Force keeps its resourcing and staffing numbers under constant review in light of passenger arrival data provided by carriers and port operators.


Written Question
Refugees: Ukraine
Monday 13th November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2023 to Question 202782, if she will make it her policy to ensure that there are no fees chargeable for any extension to the Ukrainian visa schemes.

Answered by Robert Jenrick

In line with the situation in Ukraine, working closely with the Ukrainian Government, as well as our international counterparts, we keep the need for a possible extension of UK sanctuary, beyond March 2025, under consistent review. This includes whether to require a fee.

We are mindful that permission will start to expire, for the first arrivals under our Ukrainian schemes, from March 2025, and their need for certainty beyond that point to help them to plan ahead.


Written Question
Products: Carbon Emissions
Monday 13th November 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the advertising of high-carbon products on (a) consumer choice and (b) the ability of the Government to fulfill its net zero ambitions.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media and operates independently of the Government. The ASA takes environmental issues seriously and addresses them through the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) Codes, which set the rules and standards for advertising to the marketing industry.


Written Question
Western Sahara: Human Rights
Tuesday 24th October 2023

Asked by: Patrick Grady (Scottish National Party - Glasgow North)

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the human rights of the Saharawi people.

Answered by David Rutley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara and the Tindouf refugee camps. We have consistently supported language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. We strongly support the work of Staffan de Mistura, Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, and welcomed his September 2023 visit to the region, including to Western Sahara, and we continue to engage key partners to encourage constructive engagement with the political process.