Philip Dunne Portrait

Philip Dunne

Conservative - Ludlow

First elected: 5th May 2005


European Statutory Instruments
18th Jul 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Environmental Audit Committee
22nd Jan 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
European Statutory Instruments Committee
18th Jul 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Minister of State (Department of Health)
16th Jul 2016 - 9th Jan 2018
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Defence Procurement)
8th May 2015 - 16th Jul 2016
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
6th Sep 2012 - 8th May 2015
Assistant Whip (HM Treasury)
12th May 2010 - 6th Sep 2012
Opposition Whip (Commons)
1st Oct 2008 - 6th May 2010
Public Accounts Committee
24th Jul 2006 - 9th Feb 2009
Treasury Committee
17th Jul 2007 - 17th Nov 2008
Work and Pensions Committee
12th Jul 2005 - 23rd Oct 2006


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Philip Dunne has voted in 834 divisions, and 2 times against the majority of their Party.

20 Oct 2021 - Environment Bill - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative No votes vs 265 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 268 Noes - 204
23 Nov 2021 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Philip Dunne voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 276 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 219 Noes - 280
View All Philip Dunne Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Alok Sharma (Conservative)
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
(16 debate interactions)
Jeremy Quin (Conservative)
(11 debate interactions)
Boris Johnson (Conservative)
(11 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Cabinet Office
(26 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(22 debate contributions)
Ministry of Defence
(20 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
Legislation Debates
Environment Act 2021
(1,803 words contributed)
Energy Act 2023
(906 words contributed)
View All Legislation Debates
View all Philip Dunne's debates

Ludlow Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

We want the Government to abandon the planned implementation of affordability checks for some people who want to place a bet. We believe such checks – which could include assessing whether people are ‘at risk of harm' based on their postcode or job title – are inappropriate and discriminatory.

Ensure Water companies treat the sewage they are responsible for. Not discharge it into rivers and water courses. After all what goes into the ocean comes back as the fish we eat.


Latest EDMs signed by Philip Dunne

23rd November 2020
Philip Dunne signed this EDM on Friday 27th November 2020

VAT Retail Export Scheme

Tabled by: Tracey Crouch (Conservative - Chatham and Aylesford)
That this House expresses its concern at the Government's decision to abolish the VAT Retail Export Scheme, otherwise known as tax-free shopping, from 1 January 2021 with inaccurate determinations having been made of the impact of that decision; acknowledges that since that decision was announced, businesses have been facing the …
29 signatures
(Most recent: 17 Dec 2020)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 13
Conservative: 11
Labour: 2
Democratic Unionist Party: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
Independent: 1
22nd January 2019
Philip Dunne signed this EDM on Tuesday 22nd January 2019

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENTARY COUNSEL

Tabled by: Margaret Beckett (Labour - Derby South)
That this House congratulates the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel on its sesquicentennial anniversary; expresses its appreciation of the members of the Office, both past and present, for their contribution to the drafting of legislation and the legislative process; and notes that the Office, now under the leadership of Elizabeth …
26 signatures
(Most recent: 6 Mar 2019)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 15
Labour: 4
Scottish National Party: 3
Democratic Unionist Party: 2
Independent: 1
Liberal Democrat: 1
View All Philip Dunne's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Philip Dunne, 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.


Philip Dunne has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Philip Dunne has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

1 Bill introduced by Philip Dunne


A Bill to place a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Wednesday 5th February 2020

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
3 Other Department Questions
20th Apr 2022
To ask the President of COP26, what recent discussions he has had with the COP President-designate and states party to the UNFCCC on the implications for the COP27 agenda of current trends in global energy markets.

Colleagues in the COP Unit and I speak very regularly with our Egyptian partners on a range of matters.

Last month I also attended and spoke to Energy and Climate Ministers at the International Energy Agency’s annual Ministerial where Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and global energy markets were front and centre of discussions.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
5th Jul 2021
To ask the President of COP26, on how many occasions the Climate National Strategy Implementation Group has met since June 2020; what (a) business was considered and (b) decisions were taken at each such meeting; what matters have been referred to the Committee for implementation by (a) the Climate Action Implementation Committee of the Cabinet (b) other Cabinet committees and (c) other bodies; and if he will make a statement.

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

Through the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our Energy White Paper, we have set out concrete steps we will take to build back greener from the pandemic and reach net zero emissions by 2050. Ahead of COP26, we will set out ambitious plans across key sectors of the economy, including a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy, setting out the Government’s vision for transitioning to a net zero economy. This will raise ambition as we outline our path to meet net zero by 2050, our Carbon Budgets and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
5th Jul 2021
To ask the President of COP26, with reference to his oral evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on 11 March 2021, HC 222, Qq 80-82, on what dates the Climate Action Implementation Committee of the Cabinet has met since June 2020; what (a) business was considered and (b) decisions were taken at each such meeting; what decisions have been taken by correspondence since the Committee was established; what matters have been referred to the Committee for implementation by the Climate Action Strategy Committee; and if he will make a statement.

It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.

Through the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan and our Energy White Paper, we have set out concrete steps we will take to build back greener from the pandemic and reach net zero emissions by 2050. Ahead of COP26, we will set out ambitious plans across key sectors of the economy, including a comprehensive Net Zero Strategy, setting out the Government’s vision for transitioning to a net zero economy. This will raise ambition as we outline our path to meet net zero by 2050, our Carbon Budgets and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
31st Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of households that are (a) dual fuel, (b) connected to mains gas only and (c) connected to mains electricity only.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 1 February to Question 11454 and 11455. These figures are published in Table 10 of the Fuel Poverty Statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics#2022-Statistics

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
31st Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will make an estimate of the number of households (a) connected to mains electricity only and (b) in fuel poverty.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 1 February to Question 11454 and 11455. These figures are published in Table 10 of the Fuel Poverty Statistics here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics#2022-Statistics

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what policy recommendations her Department received from the energy efficiency taskforce.

The Energy Efficiency Taskforce was established to support the Government with its target to reduce total UK energy demand by 15% from 2021 levels by 2030. The Secretary of State, after careful deliberation, concluded that the draft work could be streamlined into other Government activity.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will have discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of the work of the energy efficiency taskforce on the 2024 Budget.

The Energy Efficiency Taskforce concluded in 2023. The Department has regular conversations with the Treasury about energy efficiency.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
23rd Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether she plans to publish outputs produced by the energy efficiency taskforce.

The Energy Efficiency Taskforce was established to support the Government with its target to reduce total UK energy demand by 15% from 2021 levels by 2030. The Secretary of State, after careful deliberation, concluded that the draft work could be streamlined into other Government activity. No finalised document was produced.

Amanda Solloway
Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
26th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to provide a budget framework for Contracts for Difference auctions over the next 5 years.

BEIS has set clear overall ambitions for renewables deployment to 2030 and beyond. Contracts for Difference Budgets are determined on a round by round basis based on requirements set out in the Energy Act 2013. In 2017, HM Treasury set out the Control for Low Carbon Levies which provides a budget framework for low carbon levies including Contracts for Difference.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
26th Jan 2023
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy., what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of fluctuations in the rate of electricity market pricing per megawatt hour in the last 10 years; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of inflation on those rates.

BEIS carries out regular monitoring of the wholesale market price to inform policy. Ofgem regularly publish data on wholesale electricity market prices.

As has widely been noted, the recent increase in electricity market prices has largely been driven by an increase in the wholesale market price for gas as a result of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, as opposed to wider inflation.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2022 to Question 7959 on Energy Company Obligation, what statutory provisions in force (a) between December 2018 and March 2022 and (b) since April 2022 require energy suppliers to install energy efficiency measures under the Energy Company Obligation scheme.

The Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) Order 2018 required obligated energy suppliers to install heating and energy efficiency measures between December 2018 and March 2022.

Since April 2022, a statutory provision has not been in place. Installations under ECO have continued under transitional arrangements that were announced in the ECO4 Government response; primarily via ECO3 interim delivery, as referred to in the answer I gave the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion on 1 June 2022 to Question 7959.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2022 to Question 7959 on Energy Company Obligation, what assessment he has made of the levels of compliance of licensed (a) gas and (b) electricity suppliers with the Energy Company Obligation scheme since 1 April 2022; and if he will make a statement.

Compliance for obligated energy suppliers is monitored by the scheme administrator, Ofgem. Ofgem works with suppliers to communicate rules for installing energy efficiency measures.

Ofgem run monthly compliance checks to ensure that what has been delivered to date is eligible and compliant under the scheme. They will make a final decision on all installations at final determination of the ECO3 scheme – the most recent iteration of the scheme – later this year and make a final decision on each supplier’s compliance with their obligation. Those found non-compliant may face Enforcement Action.

A written Ministerial statement will be issued once the draft Statutory Instrument for ECO4 is laid.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
9th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 1 June 2022 to Question 7959 on Energy Company Obligation, what plans he has to (a) lay and (b) secure Parliamentary approval of the secondary legislation implementing the ECO4 scheme before expiry of the interim delivery phase; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is working quickly to lay regulations as early as possible. A Written Ministerial Statement will be issued once the draft Statutory Instrument is laid.

Greg Hands
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to incentivise the use of renewable liquid fuels such as hydrotreated vegetable oil in home heating.

The Department has recently published a Call for Evidence to inform the development of the Biomass Strategy. This strategy will review the amount of sustainable biomass available to the UK, including liquid biofuels, and how this could be best used across the economy to achieve our net zero target. It will also assess the UK’s current biomass sustainability standards, which are some of the most stringent in the world, to see where and how we can improve them even further.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many school attendance orders were issued by local authorities on electively home-educated children in England in each of the last five years.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will publish any independent accredited research undertaken or commissioned by his Department on the number of electively home-educated children who do not receive a suitable education.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he plans to launch a public consultation on his proposal for a register of electively home-educated children when the draft legislation is published.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, in how many cases where school attendance orders were issued by local authorities in England on electively home-educated children did a court subsequently direct that the order should cease to be in force because it was found that the education was suitable in each of the last five years.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children were recorded as being electively home-educated by local authorities in England in each of the last five years.

The department does not currently collect data on numbers of home educated children or school attendance orders. Such data as is collected is held by local authorities. Parents are not required to register if they are home educating their children and, therefore, there is not a robust basis on which the department or independent accredited researchers can reliably collect statistics on home education.

The department supports the right of parents to educate their children at home. Most do so with the best education of their child at the centre of their decision. The department is aware of increasing numbers of home educated children, which cannot be overlooked. For some parents, the child’s education is not the primary reason behind the decision to home educate, which can mean that some children are not being provided with a suitable education.

Local authorities are under a duty to take action if it appears to them that the home education provided to a child is unsuitable. The department issued revised and strengthened guidance to local authorities in April 2019, setting out how they can exercise their powers in this regard. This guidance will be reviewed again in due course.

The department remains committed to a form of local authority register for children not in school and we will legislate for it at the next suitable opportunity. The department have already consulted on proposals in the Children Not in School consultation, and their response to the consultation, published on 3 February 2022, reaffirmed this commitment to create local authority registers of children not attending registered independent or local authority- maintained schools, and to place a duty on local authorities to provide support for home-educating families (should they want it). Such duties will help local authorities undertake their existing duties, improve data on children in scope, as well as help safeguard all children who are in scope. In addition to the Children Not in school consultation, officials continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as we prepare for the next legislative opportunity. There are no immediate plans to commission, undertake or publish any independent accredited research on elective home education, for the reason noted above.

24th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what resources are available nationally to support teachers when discussing death, dying and bereavement in (a) primary schools Key Stages 1 and 2 and (b) secondary schools Key Stages 3 and 4.

The department wants to support all young people to be happy, healthy, safe, to equip them for their adult life and to make a positive contribution to society.

Schools and colleges have an important role to play in supporting the resilience and mental health of children and young people. We have made relationships education compulsory for all primary school pupils, relationships, and sex education compulsory for all secondary school pupils, and health education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools from September 2020.

Under the topic of physical health and mental wellbeing, the statutory relationship, sex, and health education (RSHE) guidance sets out that teachers should be aware of common adverse childhood experiences. For example, family breakdown, bereavement, exposure to domestic violence, and when and how these may be affecting any of their pupils. This will help teachers to tailor their lessons accordingly, taking decisions on appropriate resources and support to enable them to teach the curriculum effectively. Teachers are free to draw on the support and expertise of subject associations and other providers of curriculum support. The RSHE guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health and wellbeing, the department accelerated the RSHE teacher training module relating to mental health to be available in July 2020. The department subsequently provided £15 million for the Wellbeing for Education Return and Wellbeing for Education Recovery schemes. These schemes provided training and support for education staff in schools and colleges in how to respond to COVID-19 outbreak issues. They also included a focus on supporting children and young people with bereavement. Local areas continue to share examples of practice and lesson plans covering themes such as bereavement and loss, understanding anxiety and low mood, and actions for building resilience and recovery, with us and each other.

The department has made no assessment of the changes in the level of awareness of death, dying, and bereavement among school-age children because of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the department has published its report, which provides an in-depth picture of the experiences of children and young people aged 5 to 24 during the 2020/21 academic year. The report can be accessed here : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2021-children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing.

24th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has made an assessment of changes in the level of awareness of death, dying and bereavement among school-age children as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

The department wants to support all young people to be happy, healthy, safe, to equip them for their adult life and to make a positive contribution to society.

Schools and colleges have an important role to play in supporting the resilience and mental health of children and young people. We have made relationships education compulsory for all primary school pupils, relationships, and sex education compulsory for all secondary school pupils, and health education compulsory for all pupils in state-funded schools from September 2020.

Under the topic of physical health and mental wellbeing, the statutory relationship, sex, and health education (RSHE) guidance sets out that teachers should be aware of common adverse childhood experiences. For example, family breakdown, bereavement, exposure to domestic violence, and when and how these may be affecting any of their pupils. This will help teachers to tailor their lessons accordingly, taking decisions on appropriate resources and support to enable them to teach the curriculum effectively. Teachers are free to draw on the support and expertise of subject associations and other providers of curriculum support. The RSHE guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/relationships-education-relationships-and-sex-education-rse-and-health-education.

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on mental health and wellbeing, the department accelerated the RSHE teacher training module relating to mental health to be available in July 2020. The department subsequently provided £15 million for the Wellbeing for Education Return and Wellbeing for Education Recovery schemes. These schemes provided training and support for education staff in schools and colleges in how to respond to COVID-19 outbreak issues. They also included a focus on supporting children and young people with bereavement. Local areas continue to share examples of practice and lesson plans covering themes such as bereavement and loss, understanding anxiety and low mood, and actions for building resilience and recovery, with us and each other.

The department has made no assessment of the changes in the level of awareness of death, dying, and bereavement among school-age children because of the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the department has published its report, which provides an in-depth picture of the experiences of children and young people aged 5 to 24 during the 2020/21 academic year. The report can be accessed here : https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/state-of-the-nation-2021-children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing.

18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he has taken to encourage procurement of British produce within meals available for (a) staff of his Department and (b) people in his Department's care since 1 January 2021.

The Department has staff in 13 offices across England and is only responsible for the procurement of produce for meals in one of these offices. The Coventry Office contract to provide meals, available for staff to purchase, was let before 1 January 2021. The remaining 12 offices are managed by other government departments or other organisations where the Department for Education has no involvement with the meals contracts.

The supplier for the Coventry Office meals contract is committed to supporting local produce, with all fresh goods to travel a maximum of 50 miles. 100% of the fresh meat is reared and sourced through local British suppliers, all fresh fruit and vegetables are sourced through local and regional suppliers and all fresh bakery products are made by bakers in close proximity of the Coventry office.

Environments where teaching takes place, such as schools, colleges and universities, are autonomous and have the freedom to make their own procurement decisions based on individual need and circumstances regarding British produce used within meals.

The Department has, and continues to review, a wide range of deals across public sector buying organisations, including three catering frameworks. All have been assessed for compliance with procurement regulations, ease of use, suitability and value for money.

15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what are the projected emissions resulting from waste over the period of the 4th, 5th and 6th budget periods.

The Government's Net Zero Strategy sets the UK on the path to deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Net Zero Strategy sets out Government's vision for transitioning to a net zero economy and covers a wide range of actions across different sectors.

Sectoral emissions for Waste and F-gases over forthcoming carbon budget periods are set out in Table 8 of the technical annex to the net zero strategy. These are: Carbon Budget (CB) 4 24-27 MtCO2e; Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 17-20 MtCO2e and CB6 12-15 MtCO2e.

n.b. NDC is the midpoint of CB5

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what are the projected resulting emissions for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use over the period of the 4th, 5th and 6th carbon budget periods.

The Government’s Net Zero Strategy sets the UK on the path to deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Net Zero Strategy sets out the Government’s vision for transitioning to a net zero economy and covers a wide range of actions across different sectors.

Sectoral emissions for Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use (AFOLU) over forthcoming carbon budget periods are set out in Table 8 of the technical annex to the Net Zero Strategy. These are Carbon Budget (CB) 4; 51-57 MtCO2e; Nationally Determined Contribution 44-52 MtCo2e and CB6 38-48 MtCO2e.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
15th Oct 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has an emissions reductions plan.

On 19 October, the Government's Net Zero Strategy was published, setting the UK on the path to deliver on its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The Net Zero Strategy sets out Government's vision for transitioning to a net zero economy and covers a wide range of actions across different sectors. The Natural Resources, Waste and Fluorinated-Gases (F-Gases) chapter covers Defra related sectors and their emission reductions including agriculture, peat and tree planting.

Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
17th Jun 2021
What steps he is taking to improve river water quality.

I would like to thank my Honourable Friend for the role he has played in championing action to tackle pollution. He will know that our amendments to the Environment Bill will require the Government to produce and report on a statutory plan to tackle unacceptable discharges of untreated sewage that affect our rivers and beaches. Water companies and the Environment Agency will also be required to report annually on storm overflow activity. We are also acting to tackle agricultural pollution in rivers, including funding advice to farmers and vital investment in slurry management.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the terms of reference of the taskforce reviewing sewage pollution from storm overflows.

The Storm Overflows Taskforce comprises representatives of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, CCW, Water UK and a water company. In addition, Blueprint for Water have been asked to nominate a representative to the group. I will ensure that the Rt Honourable Member receives a copy of the terms of reference. The Taskforce meets regularly and is developing proposals to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows. The group is exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows. The first phase of the taskforce to develop short term actions runs until November 2020. The second phase, to develop proposals and mechanisms to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows, will report in spring 2021. No timescale for how long the Taskforce will operate has been set as yet.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will publish the membership of the taskforce reviewing sewage pollution from storm overflows.

The Storm Overflows Taskforce comprises representatives of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, CCW, Water UK and a water company. In addition, Blueprint for Water have been asked to nominate a representative to the group. I will ensure that the Rt Honourable Member receives a copy of the terms of reference. The Taskforce meets regularly and is developing proposals to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows. The group is exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows. The first phase of the taskforce to develop short term actions runs until November 2020. The second phase, to develop proposals and mechanisms to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows, will report in spring 2021. No timescale for how long the Taskforce will operate has been set as yet.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how long he plans the taskforce on reducing the frequency and volumes of sewage discharges from storm overflows to be operational for.

The Storm Overflows Taskforce comprises representatives of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, CCW, Water UK and a water company. In addition, Blueprint for Water have been asked to nominate a representative to the group. I will ensure that the Rt Honourable Member receives a copy of the terms of reference. The Taskforce meets regularly and is developing proposals to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows. The group is exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows. The first phase of the taskforce to develop short term actions runs until November 2020. The second phase, to develop proposals and mechanisms to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows, will report in spring 2021. No timescale for how long the Taskforce will operate has been set as yet.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
22nd Oct 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the (a) scope and (b) terms of reference are of the taskforce on reducing the frequency and volumes of sewage discharges from storm overflows.

The Storm Overflows Taskforce comprises representatives of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, CCW, Water UK and a water company. In addition, Blueprint for Water have been asked to nominate a representative to the group. I will ensure that the Rt Honourable Member receives a copy of the terms of reference. The Taskforce meets regularly and is developing proposals to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows. The group is exploring further short-term actions water companies can take to accelerate progress on storm overflows. The first phase of the taskforce to develop short term actions runs until November 2020. The second phase, to develop proposals and mechanisms to reduce the frequency and volumes of spills from storm overflows, will report in spring 2021. No timescale for how long the Taskforce will operate has been set as yet.

Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
3rd Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what provisions are included in the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill 2019-20 to protect national parks and AONBs from aircraft noise.

The Bill gives the Secretary of State the power to direct an airport, air navigation service provider or another body to take forward an airspace change that is considered necessary for the delivery of the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

Any Airspace Change Proposals that are taken forward as a result will be covered by the department’s existing Air Navigation Guidance which is reflected in the CAA’s airspace change process. The guidance for this process states that, where practicable, it is desirable that airspace routes below 7,000 feet should seek to avoid flying over Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks.

3rd Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what (a) scrutiny and (b) appeal mechanisms there are for the assessment of the effect of aircraft noise on (i) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and (ii) and National Parks.

The government expects airports to monitor the effect of aircraft noise on their surroundings, and to seek to address any specific concerns arising from it. There are no specific scrutiny arrangements or appeal mechanisms related to the assessment of aircraft noise on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or National Parks.

The airspace issues surrounding AONB and National Parks were considered in the department’s airspace and noise project. The outcome of this work was reflected in the Air Navigation Guidance 2017, which the department issued to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in October 2017.

The guidance requires the CAA to have regard to the statutory purposes of AONB and National Parks when considering proposals for airspace changes. When airspace changes are being considered, it is important that local circumstances, including community views on specific areas that should be avoided, are taken into account where possible. However, given the finite amount of airspace available, it will not always be possible to avoid overflying AONB and National Parks.

2nd Mar 2020
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what statutory protections Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty receive against aircraft noise.

The airspace issues surrounding National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) were considered in the department’s airspace and noise project. The outcome of this work was reflected in the Air Navigation Guidance 2017, which the department issued to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in October 2017.

The guidance requires the CAA to have regard to the statutory purposes of National Parks and AONB when considering proposals for airspace changes. When airspace changes are being considered, it is important that local circumstances, including community views on specific areas that should be avoided, are taken into account where possible. However, given the finite amount of airspace available, it will not always be possible to avoid overflying National Parks or AONB.

18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to encourage procurement of British produce within meals available for (a) staff in his Department and (b) patients since 1 January 2021.

The catering provider contracted to supply services to the Department has adopted a United Kingdom-first sourcing policy.

The National Health Service is required to purchase food through the appropriate frameworks which identifies safe working practices and the quality of the product. The NHS Supply Chain and NHS organisations have shown an ambition to source with local producers where possible.

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
12th May 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when data collected at 12 hours from the point of arrival at emergency departments will be available from hospital trusts.

Data on 12 hour waiting times in accident and emergency departments is collected and published by NHS Digital. The latest data available is for the period 2019-20 and is available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hospital-accident--emergency-activity/2019-20

Edward Argar
Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
13th Dec 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the impact of sanctions against Russia on global energy markets.

We are working alongside the G7 to end reliance on Russian energy. We are also working with the international community to open up alternative sources of energy, ensuring market stability. We have introduced an oil price cap that is designed to enable countries to access the oil they need at affordable prices, and undermine Russia's ability to profit from inflated prices.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
6th Sep 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she plans to take to help Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery.

We must support Ukraine’s vision for rebuilding a sovereign, prosperous, democratic nation that is stronger than before Putin’s invasion. Significant support will be required for Ukraine to recover and rebuild from the damage wrought by this war. In early July, the former Foreign Secretary presented our vision to support a Ukraine-led effort for recovery and reconstruction at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano. We will host the Conference in 2023 to galvanise further international support. The priority now is to address Ukraine’s immediate economic needs, and in the longer term, leverage UK private sector investment and work to support Ukraine’s future economic growth.

Graham Stuart
Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
26th Jan 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Electricity Generator Levy on investment in renewables, including (a) onshore and offshore wind infrastructure and (b) solar power projects; and if he will make a statement.

As announced at Autumn Statement from January 2023 a 45% tax is being levied on the extraordinary returns being realised by certain electricity generators. This will help fund support for households and business with their energy bills as well as vital public services.

The levy will only be applied to extraordinary returns defined as returns from selling electricity for a period at an average price of more than £75/MWh. This is approximately 1.5 times the average price of electricity over the last decade. The Government considers this to be a proportionate approach to recovering a share of the extraordinary returns electricity generators are receiving while leaving generators a share of the revenue from high electricity prices. HM Treasury has worked closely with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the levy.

The Office for Budget Responsibility considered the impact of the levy on its economic and fiscal forecasts which was published at Autumn Statement in its economic and fiscal outlook.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
26th Jan 2023
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he or his officials have held discussions with their counterparts at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the Electricity Generator Levy and work to disincentivise unabated fossil fuel generation, including meeting the Government's decarbonisation commitments.

As announced at Autumn Statement from January 2023 a 45% tax is being levied on the extraordinary returns being realised by certain electricity generators. This will help fund support for households and business with their energy bills as well as vital public services.

The levy will only be applied to extraordinary returns defined as returns from selling electricity for a period at an average price of more than £75/MWh. This is approximately 1.5 times the average price of electricity over the last decade. The Government considers this to be a proportionate approach to recovering a share of the extraordinary returns electricity generators are receiving while leaving generators a share of the revenue from high electricity prices. HM Treasury has worked closely with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the levy.

The Office for Budget Responsibility considered the impact of the levy on its economic and fiscal forecasts which was published at Autumn Statement in its economic and fiscal outlook.

James Cartlidge
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
17th Nov 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to consult on (a) vehicle taxation reform and (b) road pricing.

HM Treasury has no current consultations underway on motoring taxes. All taxes, including motoring taxes, are kept under review and any changes are considered and announced by the Chancellor.

Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
7th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much HMRC has spent in aggregate on legal costs defending claims from taxpayers which reached court in each of the last 10 available financial years.

HMRC incur several different types of legal costs when defending claims in Tribunals and Courts, such as Counsel fees, Court costs and Expert Witness costs. The department’s financial records are not currently set up to differentiate between costs relating to defending claims in Courts or Tribunals and other legal spend.

However, HMRC can provide costs incurred on Counsel fees and Court fees in litigation teams over the last 10 years. Aside from their staff costs, these will cover the vast majority of external legal spend on litigation and related activities.

£000s

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

Counsel fees

6,643

7,983

6,851

7,326

8,840

8,599

7,956

7,923

8,926

8,464

7,935

Court costs

90

109

128

130

90

121

175

127

148

155

134

Expert Witness costs*

1,030

1,107

*Data not available for years 2010/11 – 2018/19

The Tax Assurance Commissioner’s Report (part of HMRC’s Annual Report) contains details of the tax protected in litigation by HMRC. Over the last 5 years this has amounted to over £180 billion.

12th May 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of removing duty for (a) hydrotreated vegetable oil and (b) other renewable liquid fuels for home heating purposes.

Hydrotreated vegetable oil is a direct substitute for diesel and it is therefore taxed at the rebated rate for diesel when it is used for home heating. There are no duty incentives for renewable fuels used as a direct substitute for diesel, and it would be difficult to legislate for a complex scale of duty rates to be applied to different hydrocarbon oil products. The Government will keep this under review to determine whether there is a case to make changes to the taxation of this fuel.

The UK is the first major economy in the world to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050 and the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive, currently worth over £1 billion per year, supports households to install renewable heating systems such as heat pumps and biomass boilers. The forthcoming Heat and Building Strategy will set out the Government’s position on the transition to low carbon off gas-grid heating, but fiscal decisions are a matter for Budgets.

Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to encourage procurement of British produce within meals available for (a) staff of her Department and (b) people in her Department's care since 1 January 2021.

The provision of catering for both Home Office staff and people in our care is outsourced to a number of contractors. None of these contracts require the suppliers to use British produce in the meals that they provide.

18th Aug 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to encourage procurement of British produce within meals available for staff of his Department since 1 January 2021.

Under the terms of existing Ministry of Defence (MOD) contracts, the procurement of British produce within meals is the responsibility of the MODs contractor. All produce sourced must meet the mandated government buying standards for food and catering services. MOD works collaboratively with its suppliers, who assure us they buy British produce where practicable.

10th Mar 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what collaboration is taking place between the UK and US on the UK’s replacement warhead programme.

We are working with our U.S. counterparts to ensure the UK replacement warhead remains compatible with the Trident missile. The UK Replacement Warhead will be designed, developed and manufactured in the UK. It will be housed in the Mk7 aeroshell, as will the U.S. W93 warhead, but the requirements, design and manufacture of the warheads are sovereign to each nation. This is consistent with our obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will publish the Justice Impact Test for the Renters Reform Bill.

We are working closely with the Ministry of Justice and the First-tier Tribunal so the courts and tribunals are fully prepared for the changes introduced by the Renters (Reform) Bill on the justice system.

Justice Impact Tests are internal Government documents and are not routinely published.

Jacob Young
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
17th Jan 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he has made an estimate of the number of applications under the Section 13 process in the Renters Reform Bill in each of the first 3 years after its passage.

We are working closely with the Ministry of Justice and the First-tier Tribunal so the courts and tribunals are fully prepared for the changes introduced by the Renters (Reform) Bill on the justice system.

Justice Impact Tests are internal Government documents and are not routinely published.

Jacob Young
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)