Priti Patel

The Government will make use of all available data to inform any future decisions on decarbonising heat in domestic and commercial properties off the gas grid.

We are committed to a more strategic approach to energy planning and will shortly commission NESO to produce the first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP). The commission is the first step in the process, setting out our expectations for how the SSEP will be produced and governed. It will also include details on timelines for development, consultations and publication.

The SSEP will build upon independent advice provided by NESO on the pathway to delivering clean power by 2030 commissioned in August 2024.

As details of the guidance on community benefits are still under development, we are not in a position to estimate the costs of providing such benefits to communities affected by the Norwich to Tilbury grid upgrade. We will provide an update at the appropriate time.

The Office for National Statistics publish 2021 Census estimates of occupied household spaces in England and Wales by central heating type, at lower tier local authority level: https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS046/editions/2021/versions/4

The evidence base for non-domestic buildings is being developed by this Department through the Non-Domestic Building Stock project. Analysis of a survey of large off-gas grid buildings shows national-level estimates of energy source in Tables 26 and 27: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65c3bc2c28a4a00012d2ba61/non-domestic-building-stock-large-off-gas-grid-premises.pdf

The Department also publishes non-domestic building statistics in England and Wales. Tables 3A and 10 include data on the number of off-gas grid buildings, broken down to lower authority and constituency level:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65d605b52197b200117fa7ad/nd-need-2023-geographical-annex-data-tables.xlsx

It is the responsibility of the developers of electricity network projects – in this case National Grid Electricity Transmission - to propose a route and obtain planning permission for that route. The government sets the rules for a robust and independent planning process that communities can participate in, with consultation being a central element of the planning process. Any engagement by Ministers must consider the role of the Secretary of State in deciding on planning applications for energy projects, and the limitations on discussing live projects in the development process which have not come to the Planning Inspectorate.

​​The number of education, health and care (EHC) plans issued in each local authority area per year is set out in published statistics on GOV.UK and is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/150da0a4-2fef-4836-8c12-08dbe514ee42.

The department does not make estimates of the number of EHC plans to be issued in each local authority in future years. However, as noted in the recent National Audit Office (NAO) report into special educational needs and disabilities, the department does make estimates at a national level. Page 35 of the NAO report notes that the department’s central estimate is that, without policy interventions, the number of EHC plans will nearly double from approximately 518,000 in 2022/23 to just over one million in 2032/33.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

The department is providing an increase of almost £1 billion for high needs budgets in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion.

The department is providing this increase to high needs funding to help meet the increase in costs local authorities will be facing next year, as they in turn provide support to schools and pupils with SEND. The impact on individual local authorities’ deficits will be variable, and it remains important that every local authority looks at what it can do within the current system to manage its high needs budget while continuing to provide the support that children with SEND need.

The department is now in the process of calculating local authorities’ indicative high needs funding allocations for the 2025/26 financial year, which it expects to publish before the end of November.

High needs budgets beyond the 2025/26 financial year are a matter for the next stage of the multi-year spending review.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

The department is providing an increase of almost £1 billion for high needs budgets in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion.

The department is providing this increase to high needs funding to help meet the increase in costs local authorities will be facing next year, as they in turn provide support to schools and pupils with SEND. The impact on individual local authorities’ deficits will be variable, and it remains important that every local authority looks at what it can do within the current system to manage its high needs budget while continuing to provide the support that children with SEND need.

The department is now in the process of calculating local authorities’ indicative high needs funding allocations for the 2025/26 financial year, which it expects to publish before the end of November.

High needs budgets beyond the 2025/26 financial year are a matter for the next stage of the multi-year spending review.

Academies Enterprise Trust informed the department of its intention to change name as part of the department’s regular engagement with them and subsequently confirmed this in writing.

Academy trusts may change their name but must notify Companies House and the department once they have decided to do so.

It is for a trust to determine its name and consider how this affects its public image.

Schools selected for the school rebuilding programme (SRP) will enter delivery at a rate of around 50 per year. All schools, including those announced in February 2024, have been given individual indicative start dates, so responsible bodies can prepare and make informed decisions around their estate.

Once they have entered delivery, SRP projects have taken on average 3-5 years to complete. We assess the individual timelines at each school once delivery begins.

The Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. Since its launch in 2006, the Access for All programme has delivered step free access at more than 250 stations across Great Britain.

Since April 2024, Access for All projects have entered into passenger service at nine stations, with a further 25 stations scheduled to enter into passenger service by April 2025.

The A120 Braintree to A12 dualling scheme is part of the pipeline of projects being considered for possible delivery as part of a future Road Investment Strategy beyond 2030.

This Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local road network. Within the Budget on 30 October, the Chancellor announced that for the 2025/26 financial year there would be a £500 million increase for local highways maintenance funding in England, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the current financial year. Funding allocations for specific local highway authorities for 2025/26, including Essex County Council, will be confirmed in due course.

Funding allocations for individual local highway authorities beyond 2025/26 will be a matter for the forthcoming Spending Review.

On 30 July 2024, the Secretary of State announced that she was commissioning a review of the Department’s capital spend portfolio.

This review is ongoing and will support the development of our long-term strategy for transport, developing a modern and integrated network with people at its heart, ensuring that transport infrastructure can be delivered efficiently and on time.

The A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme is being considered as part of the capital review alongside other future road projects.

Funding decisions on station renovations such as Witham will be taken in due course, as part of departmental planning for 2025/26 and beyond. At this time, there are no timescales for when delivery of a Witham upgrade scheme might be possible.

In the Autumn Budget on 30 October 2024, the Chancellor announced that the Government will provide £1 billion, including Barnett impact, to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) in England and maintain Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) in England and Wales in 2025-2026.

The Household Support Fund scheme guidance and individual Local Authority funding allocations for the forthcoming extension will be announced as soon as possible ahead of the scheme beginning on 1 April 2025.

In winter 2023 to 2024, a) 21,661 pensioners in Witham constituency (2024 boundaries) and b) 353,463 pensioners in Essex received a Winter Fuel Payment. This is based on the Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2023 to 2024 - Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

It is estimated that around a) 1,681 pensioners in Witham Constituency and b) 34,541 pensioners in Essex will receive Winter Fuel Payment following the changes in eligibility criteria for Winter Fuel Payment. This is based on February 2024 Pension Credit statistics which are available via DWP Stat-Xplore. It is possible to use the Pension Credit statistics to give a minimum estimate of the number who may be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments.

Please note that we do not hold information on the estimated value of these payments.

The estimates for Essex have been calculated by combining the data for the following 14 Local Authorities in Essex: Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock, Braintree, Brentwood, Basildon, Castle Point, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon, Rochford, Tendring and Uttlesford.

The above estimation would not take into account any potential increase in Pension Credit take-up that we might see as a result of the Government’s Pension Credit Awareness Campaign. We do not have data on those additional Pension Credit claims by Parliamentary constituencies or Local Authorities.

The published Pension Credit figures refer to households, so the number of individuals in respect of whom Pension Credit is paid will be higher (i.e., taking account of households where a claimant has a partner and / or dependents.)

In addition, while Pension Credit claimants constitute the majority of those that will be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment, pensioners who claim other qualifying means-tested benefits will also be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment. It is not, however, possible to include those on other qualifying means-tested benefits in these figures.

The Government is committed to a preventative approach to public health. Keeping people warm and well at home and improving the quality of new and existing homes will play an essential part in enabling people to live longer, healthier lives and reducing pressures on the NHS.

Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control. This means that the Winter Fuel Payment will be better targeted to low-income pensioners who need it.

The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further six months, from 1^st October 2024 until 31^st March 2025.  An additional £421 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF in England, plus funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.

The Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales provides eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. This winter, we expect over three million households, including over one million pensioners, to benefit under the scheme.

We will confirm 2025/26 public health grant allocations later this year, and will confirm future years’ allocations following the upcoming Spending Review in Spring 2025.

The recent Budget set out the overall funding for the Department for 2024/25 and 2025/26. In terms of the next five years, the funding that will be allocated to the three integrated care boards covering Essex will be set out alongside planning guidance for 2025/26 at the earliest opportunity. Funding beyond 2025/26 will be determined as part of Phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will be announced in Spring 2025.

The FCDO provides funding to the BIOT Administration for the good governance of the Territory, which includes the costs of supporting the migrants there, whose welfare and safety is paramount, as well as their rights to patient confidentiality. They have access to 24/7 medical care from a team of doctors, paramedics, registered nurses and mental health practitioners, contracted by the BIOT Administration. Where treatment cannot be provided in the BIOT, urgent medical transfers organised or specialists can be brought to the island. Given the broad range of medical services provided in a number of different locations over a three-year period, the detailed information requested cannot be provided except at a disproportionate cost.

No new migrants have arrived on the British Indian Ocean Territory since 2022.  The UK will support the Government of St Helena to care and process any potential migrants. Each case will be unique and the UK will provide the necessary support to the Government of St Helena.

We do not routinely publish policy advice and assessments from officials. The UK Government has agreed to a one-off funding of £6.65million with the Government of St Helena for initiatives to improve public health and education outcomes, and also local IT systems. The UK Government will support the Government of St Helena to care for and process any potential migrants. The St Helena Government will be responsible for determining what accommodation should be provided to any migrants transferred, with technical support from the UK Government.

The Government will continue to stand with, and support members of the Hong Kong community and we continue to engage with the Hong Kong authorities on a range of issues. We encourage all those seeking to apply for a CNCC to follow the process as set out by the Hong Kong Police Force, for which further information can be found on their website.

This Government takes International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) extremely seriously and I recognise the impact that it has on families, particularly the affected children. I raised the issue with my Polish counterpart, Deputy Foreign Minister Prawda, during a meeting on 12 July. IPCA remains a priority for this government and we will continue to use every available opportunity to register our serious concerns and seek updates on the steps the Polish government are taking to address outstanding issues.

The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs only. This funding will be allocated to departments, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way.

This is in line with the approach taken under the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.

The Government plans to update Parliament on allocations by department in the usual way as soon as possible.

The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer National Insurance Contributions costs only. This funding will be allocated to departments, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way.

This is in line with the approach taken under the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.

The Government plans to update Parliament on allocations by department in the usual way as soon as possible.

The Chancellor made an announcement at the Autumn Budget setting out that the rate of Employer National Insurance Contributions will increase from 13.8% to 15% from 6 April 2025. Raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions on tax, which is why the Government is asking employers to contribute more. At the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor also agreed departmental spending allocations for 2024-25 and 2025-26. It is the responsibility of contracting authorities to prioritise these budgets effectively and make assessments on the costs of procurement.

Pillar 2 is a significant reform to international corporate tax rules that will impact large multinational enterprises headquartered around the globe.

Following the implementation of Pillar 2, the government is committed to considering opportunities for simplification or rationalisation of the UK’s rules for taxing cross-border activities.

A Tax Information and Impact note for the Multinational Top-up Tax and Domestic Minimum Tax was published in March 2023, and a Tax Information and Impact note on the Undertaxed Profits rule was published in October 2024. These notes include detail on expected business impact and can be accessed on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-information-and-impact-notes-tiins.

The UK’s implementation of the Multinational Top-up Tax and Domestic Top-up Tax was scored at Autumn Statement 2022, and updated Spring Budget 2023 in ‘table 4.2’. This can be found on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spring-budget-2023.

The UK’s implementation of the Undertaxed Profits Rule was scored at Autumn Statement 2023, and updated at Autumn Budget 2024 in ‘table 5.2’. This can be found on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autumn-budget-2024.

Taken together, the latest estimate is that all three rules will raise more than £15bn over the upcoming scorecard period.

The government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain. We have taken immediate action to restart asylum processing which will save an estimated £7 billion for the taxpayer over the next ten years, and are delivering a major uplift in returns to remove people with no right to be in the UK. Over the long term this will reduce our reliance on hotels and costs of accommodation.

Occupancy at the Wethersfield site is currently capped at 580 as part of the Special Development Order. This means that during current operation of the site, the population will not exceed 580.

Once the relevant Special Development Order conditions have been discharged, regular occupancy will be capped at 800.

The number of residents on the site at any one time is likely to vary due to a number of factors, including individuals having moved to onward dispersed accommodation while their claims are being considered.

The government inherited an asylum system under unprecedented strain. We have taken immediate action to restart asylum processing which will save an estimated £7 billion for the taxpayer over the next ten years, and are delivering a major uplift in returns to remove people with no right to be in the UK. Over the long term this will reduce our reliance on hotels and costs of accommodation.

Occupancy at the Wethersfield site is currently capped at 580 as part of the Special Development Order. This means that during current operation of the site, the population will not exceed 580.

Once the relevant Special Development Order conditions have been discharged, regular occupancy will be capped at 800.

The number of residents on the site at any one time is likely to vary due to a number of factors, including individuals having moved to onward dispersed accommodation while their claims are being considered.

Cost information is prospective and commercially sensitive, and as such is not available to be released.

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at HO annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab). It does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates asylum accommodation costs by type or location.

Asylum seekers who are resident in accommodation where meals are provided, such as Wethersfield, are in receipt of 8.86 per week. Further details about support asylum seekers may be entitled to can be found at Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Cost information is prospective and commercially sensitive, and as such is not available to be released.

The Home Office publishes information on asylum expenditure in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts at HO annual reports and accounts - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab). It does not publish a breakdown of statistics which disaggregates asylum accommodation costs by type or location.

Asylum seekers who are resident in accommodation where meals are provided, such as Wethersfield, are in receipt of 8.86 per week. Further details about support asylum seekers may be entitled to can be found at Asylum support: What you'll get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).