Rachael Maskell

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

Open General Licences (OGLs) are pre-published licences that permit the export of specified items to specified destinations, following an online registration. These licences do not have any approved named recipients, however what they permit and to which destinations must be consistent with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (SELC). If this assessment changes for either, then the OGL is amended, typically by removing the destination of concern. Removal of a destination from an OGL does not prevent an exporter from applying for a Standard Individual Export Licence – which would be assessed on its own merits against the SELC.

This Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full and updating Britain's employment protections, so they are fit for our modern economy and the future of work. This includes commitments to support the wellbeing of workers, including their long term physical and mental health, and to ensure employers create and maintain workplaces and working conditions free from harassment. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office.

The Foreign Secretary met with President Netanyahu in Israel on 14 July and pushed for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza. When it comes to arms exports, this Government will uphold our international legal obligations, ensuring that international law is fully factored into decisions on arms exports in line with the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. The Government will now review the advice available and come to a considered decision. The Government will update Parliament as appropriate once this decision has been made.

The Foreign Secretary met with President Netanyahu in Israel on 14 July and pushed for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the upholding of international law, and a rapid increase of aid into Gaza. When it comes to arms exports, this Government will uphold our international legal obligations, ensuring that international law is fully factored into decisions on arms exports in line with the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. The Government will now review the advice available and come to a considered decision. The Government will update Parliament as appropriate once this decision has been made.

The Government is committed to supporting those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, including the most vulnerable households. We are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households. Last month I met with energy suppliers to urge them to do everything they can to support consumers struggling to pay their bills, and to sign up to an ambitious set of commitments to take proactive steps to stop further households from getting into debt.

Tax is a matter for HM Treasury.

Current Government energy efficiency schemes are targeted at low-income consumers and those in the least energy efficient households. Eligibility requirements can be found on gov.uk, www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat.

Through the Warm Homes Plan, we will invest an extra £6.6 billion over the next five years in clean heat and energy efficiency, upgrading five million homes through solutions like low carbon heating and improved insulation. We will set out the full details of our Warm Homes Plan, and the approach to Net Zero Buildings more broadly, after the completion of the Spending Review Process.

Government is supporting households through our Warm Homes Plan, including energy efficiency schemes such as ECO4 and GBIS, which are legal obligations placed on energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to eligible households, making homes warmer and cheaper to heat.

Whilst State Pension is not an eligible benefit, households may still qualify where a member of the household receives a means-tested benefit, or through the Flexible Eligibility element of both schemes.

I intend to meet regularly with energy suppliers to outline my expectations for the standard of service that should be provided, including supporting vulnerable consumers and those struggling to pay their bills.

It is a commercial matter for energy suppliers and their customers to determine which payment method customers should use. Any consumer who wishes to change their payment method or amend their contract should speak to their supplier. It is worth noting that some consumers may choose to have a prepayment meter as it can help them to budget their energy more effectively.

Last year, Ofgem introduced stringent rules for the installation of involuntary prepayment meters, to improve protections for vulnerable consumers. The Government will continue to work with Ofgem to ensure that suppliers only install involuntary prepayment meters as a last resort.

The setting of prices for customers on a prepayment meter or on a fixed contract is a commercial matter for energy suppliers. The Ofgem price cap for the period 1 October 2024 to 31 December was published in August, and the price cap level for prepayment meter customers is £1,669 compared to the level set for direct debit customers which is £1,717 for an average household.

More information can be found on the Ofgem webpage - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-policy-and-regulation/policy-and-regulatory-programmes/energy-price-cap-default-tariff-policy/energy-price-cap-default-tariff-levels.

I welcome the representations from the University of York setting out the opportunities from BioYorkshire. Science and Technology is key for creating growth and prosperity across the UK. DSIT and UKRI continue to support BioYorkshire to explore opportunities for innovation-led growth in this cluster.

Our arts and creative industries significantly bolster the UK’s economic prosperity, contributing 5.7% of the UK’s total Gross Value Add in 2022 (£124.6 billion). These sectors enrich citizens’ lives, and play a vital role in presenting the UK as an attractive location to visit and invest.

The Government is dedicated to fostering their growth and improving the UK’s trade and investment relationship with the EU by dismantling unnecessary barriers to trade and will explore all funding options and opportunities for the arts and creative industries. We recognise that this will take time.

This Government is ambitious and wants to move forward as fast as possible, in line with our clear manifesto priorities for the creative and cultural sectors around supporting touring artists and facilitating cultural exchange.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is committed to working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Home Office, Cabinet Office and other relevant Whitehall departments to address key issues for our outstanding world-class musicians and performing artists on areas such as visas and the movement of goods.

We seek to reset the relationship with our European friends, neighbours and allies. We recognise that strengthening the relationship will take time, but this Government is ambitious and wants to move forward as fast as possible, in line with our clear manifesto priorities in relation to the creative and cultural sectors.

We have no plans to introduce a tourism tax.

Short-term lets are an integral part of the UK’s visitor accommodation offer. The government is clear that they bring a range of benefits to local and national economies.

The government also recognises that communities in tourism destinations, particularly coastal and rural communities, must be able to benefit from thriving tourism but ensure the spirit of their community is preserved when holiday season ends.

Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The government is continuing to explore the introduction of such a scheme, which is now a statutory requirement.

Individual building owners are responsible for health and safety, including responding to safety alerts such as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). DCMS is in regular contact with museum and gallery sector bodies, who have consulted their members and report that RAAC is not a widespread issue.

The department funds the Museum Estate and Development Fund through Arts Council England. The Fund makes substantial grants of up to £5 million to support infrastructure works and repairs, and RAAC mitigation works are eligible. DCMS Arm’s Length Bodies also provide a variety of Capital funds, resilience grant schemes, and expert buildings advice to the museums sector.