Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with its allies to help uphold human rights in Cameroon.
Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 24 November 2025 to Question 91527 following elections in Cameroon. Further to this, the UK continues to work with international partners, including through the UN and G7, to encourage the Government of Cameroon to uphold human rights. Through our British High Commission in Yaoundé, we regularly raise concerns and urge stronger democratic governance and engagement with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what comparative assessment he has made of the international competitiveness of (a) the UK and (b) countries that deploy carbon capture at scale in low-carbon cement production.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Carbon capture, usage and storage is integral to decarbonising the cement sector’s production of clinker and making the sector competitive in a net zero economy.
Government has signed the UK’s first industrial carbon capture contracts with Heidelberg Materials UK’s Padeswood cement works, showing our commitment in this regard. In addition, the National Wealth Fund has made a £28.6 million equity investment in Peak Cluster.
Furthermore, DESNZ in partnership with Innovate UK is supporting the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for next-generation low-carbon concrete. This initiative aims to accelerate the scale up and adoption of low carbon concrete solutions through creating a guaranteed market for these products. Industry supporters who have made commitments include Scottish Water, Ramboll, Derwent London, Atkins Realis UK, and Heathrow.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of promoting and planning the co-location of load-following small modular reactors with stable demand sources, such as data centres or electric arc furnaces, to reduce grid congestion and maximise the flexibility and surplus capacity delivered to the grid.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is aware of the growing interest in private offtake agreements, particularly from energy-intensive sectors, and will explore options brought forward by privately led projects that supporting such arrangements as part of the Advanced Nuclear Framework.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of modifying future Contracts for Difference rounds to reward system value, benefits, and services, in addition to procuring energy at the lower possible cost per unit.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We keep the Contracts for Difference scheme under review and consult on potential reforms ahead of each allocation round. We have also introduced the Clean Industry Bonus which allows for other factors such as supply chain investments to be taken into account as part of the process.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to lay before parliament the revised Equality and Human Rights Commission Equality Act 2010: Statutory Code of Practice on Service, Public Functions and Associations.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
I refer the Hon Member to Lord Collins’ answer to Lord Rooker’s oral question in the House of Lords, dated 2 February 2026, which provides the information you requested.
“The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations provides guidance on all protected characteristics, not solely on sex and gender reassignment.
The EHRC has submitted its draft Code to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. It is crucial that providers have legally robust guidance on how to apply the Equality Act, which is why we are considering the draft Code properly.”
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what progress her Department has made on completing an equalities impact assessment of the revised Equality and Human Rights Commission Equality Act 2010: Statutory Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The EHRC revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following its consultation after the UK Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland, and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Secretary of State will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the draft Code.
It is important that the correct process for considering the Code is followed to ensure the Secretary of State can make an informed decision.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2026 to Question 110137 on Renewable Energy, whether his Department plans to set a minimum gigawatt target for (a) local energy and (b) community energy within the 15GW target.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As set out in its Strategic Plan in December 2025, Great British Energy (GBE) has a 15GW clean energy target over the next 5 years.
This will allow GBE to unlock the potential of emerging technologies while supporting the continued build out of more established technologies, like solar, wind and hydro.
GBE has committed to support at least 1000 local and community energy projects by 2030. These projects will form an integral part of that overall ambition to deliver at least 15GW.
By focussing on projects rather than on GW, GBE will prioritise smaller projects across the country and the communities that benefit from them.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions about the adequacy of levels of support available to clean energy SMEs, to ensure they are able to take on apprentices.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, backed by £725 million additional investment, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy.
To support SMEs in all sectors to take on apprentices, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year. This change will make it easier for those employers to engage with apprenticeships by cutting costs and reducing bureaucracy for both them and their training providers.
As set out in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, DESNZ works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England to ensure the skills system, including apprenticeships, delivers the workforce needed for our clean energy mission.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions about support for apprentices to transition into the clean energy sector.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, backed by £725 million additional investment, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy.
To support SMEs in all sectors to take on apprentices, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year. This change will make it easier for those employers to engage with apprenticeships by cutting costs and reducing bureaucracy for both them and their training providers.
As set out in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, DESNZ works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England to ensure the skills system, including apprenticeships, delivers the workforce needed for our clean energy mission.
Asked by: Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat - South Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to help resolve the shortage of bone cement in the NHS.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.