Roz Savage

This Government’s position is that conversion practices are abuse. Such practices have no place in society and must be stopped.

We are committed to bringing forward a trans-inclusive ban on conversion practices. This is a complex issue, and it is imperative that we get this right. That is why, in collaboration with Cabinet colleagues, my officials and I are working hard to draft legislation that protects LGBT individuals from these harmful practices.

On 20 May, the EHRC opened its consultation on the changes made to the draft updated statutory Code of Practice following the Supreme Court ruling. This consultation is open until 30 June. We will consider the EHRC's final draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted and engage with them to ensure it provides the clarity service providers need, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.

We are working across government and the sector to ensure children and young people with SEND receive the right support to succeed, in mainstream schools where possible.

High needs funding will increase by almost £1bn in 2025-26, compared to 2024-25. We have announced £740 million of capital funding to create more specialist places in both mainstream and special schools.

To grow the economy and boost living standards, we need to build export and investment opportunities for UK businesses, including consultancy firms, and reduce barriers to trade with the EU.

The Government recognises the importance of mobility for UK businesses, and regularly engages other EU Member States to address any bilateral mobility issues and to ensure the visa information they provide is clear. To help businesses navigate the visa and work permit rules of EU Member States, the Government has also published guidance on GOV.UK on entry requirements, as well as for Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

We are resetting the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties and tackle barriers to trade. But we’ve been clear that there will be no return to the single market.

Hearing from businesses about how they have been impacted by Brexit and how the relationship with the EU can be improved is key. In addition to formal channels such as the UK TCA Domestic Advisory Group and Civil Society Forum, my ministerial colleagues, officials and I have been engaging directly with businesses including through round table events with industry leaders.

The Department for Business and Trade continuously monitors the impact of leaving the EU on costs to businesses through our business surveys, ONS reports, and other intelligence sources, as well as through regular direct engagement with exporters - Minister Alexander and I recently hosted a roundtable with SMEs specifically about exporting to the EU. Indeed, a report published by the LSE just this week highlights the disproportionate detrimental impact that Brexit has had on small businesses, with goods exports to the EU dropping by an estimated 30% for the smallest firms.

This Government is addressing those challenges by resetting our relationship with the EU, as discussed between the Prime Minister and European Commission President Ursula Ven Der Leyen in October. We are exploring ways to prevent unnecessary border checks and strengthening our export support service - we launched the 'Unlock Europe' programme earlier this month as part of the Export Academy, which offers practical guidance that will help UK businesses enhance their exporting potential to the EU.

As set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, a power system run on low carbon generation with renewables providing the vast majority of generation, supported by nuclear, can form the basis of a clean, affordable and secure energy system. This assessment was supported by independent advice from the National Energy System Operator (NESO), whose clean power scenarios highlighted the importance of different technologies working in combination. The Department continues to model a range of different energy mixes and scenarios to support policy decisions.

Alongside the Scottish and Welsh Governments, we have also jointly commissioned NESO to develop a Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP). The SSEP will assess infrastructure potential on a zonal basis as well as the quantities and types of energy infrastructure required to meet our future energy demand with the clean, affordable and secure supply that we need. The first SSEP will be published in 2026.

The Government does not comment on individual applications. Any applicant seeking development consent for an energy-related nationally significant infrastructure project must submit a Funding Statement as part of the application process. The Funding Statement is reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State for adequacy of funding to cover the applicant’s liabilities for the project. Past financial performance does not hold any weight when the Secretary of State considers the overall planning balance.

Households with solar panels benefit through significantly reduced electricity bills. They can also export the excess energy they generate to the grid, and receive payment for doing so, via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). The SEG is a market-led mechanism that captures the value of small-scale exported electricity and was introduced to help meet net zero commitments at the lowest cost to consumers and businesses.

According to a report on energy trends published by DESNZ, as of September 2024 ground-mount solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares (52,000 acres), which is only around 0.1 per cent of the total land area of the UK. While such information is not currently available for projects that have been granted planning permission, we are working on expanding the coverage of the data to all projects in the pipeline.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762f035e6ff7c8a1fde9b48/Land_utilised_by_solar_PV__September_2024.pdf

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently, including pension-age carers. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. Last week, we published a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount scheme for next winter, where we propose to remove the high cost to heat threshold, making all those on means tested benefits eligible for the scheme. This would make those of pension age, who claim the Saving Credit element of Pension Credit, eligible for a rebate next winter.

In addition, I have also worked with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million Winter Commitment to help customers struggling with bills this winter. I would urge any consumers struggling with their energy bills to contact their energy supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice to see what support they can receive.

No such assessment has been undertaken recently.

The significance of non-designated heritage assets varies considerably. Measures to help conserve significant non-designated heritage assets through the planning and development control processes are included in national planning policy, while incentives for the positive management of some of those located in rural areas can be found in environmental land management schemes. Owners of such assets can also consider entering into related conservation covenants.

The protections conferred specifically by heritage legislation primarily relate to designated heritage assets, including Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings. Some non-designated heritage assets may benefit from a degree of legislative protection by being incidentally located on, in or under land that has been protected by non-heritage-related designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest).

The Government has no plans at the present time to introduce further measures.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will never be forgotten, and the recent COVID-19 Day of Reflection was an opportunity for communities to come together to remember the lives of those who died, and the sacrifices made by so many. The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration consulted on how to commemorate the COVID-19 pandemic and mark this distinctive period in our history at a national and community level. This Commission made a number of recommendations, including the creation of new COVID-19 memorials in local communities.

This government wants to carefully consider all the Commission's recommendations, working closely with Bereaved Family groups, other departments and the Devolved Governments to do justice to the hard work of the Commission, and will publish a response in due course.

At the recent Budget, the government took a number of difficult decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the foundations of the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability.

The government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that more than half of businesses (including charities) with NICs liabilities will either gain or see no change next year, such as those in the South Cotswold constituency.

We are also expanding eligibility of the Employment Allowance by removing the £100,000 eligibility threshold, to simplify and reform employer NICs so that all eligible employers now benefit. Businesses and charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices, where eligible.

Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. More than £6 billion in charitable reliefs was provided to charities, Community Amateur Sports Clubs and their donors in 2023 to 2024. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.

DCMS does not hold the specific regional financial impacts of this policy. A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) has been published by HMRC, setting out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and equality impacts. The TIIN for the employer NICs changes was published on 13 November 2024.

The Government is supporting hotel owners in the South Cotswolds and across the UK through measures such as business rates relief, and funding opportunities like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. These initiatives aim to alleviate operational costs, promote regional tourism, and drive economic growth. The Government also works closely with VisitBritain and Cotswold Plus (the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the wider Cotswolds region) to boost marketing efforts, attract visitors, and support the hospitality sector's recovery and growth.

Young carers were added to the school census as a specific group for the first time in 2022/23. The department expects the recording of census data to improve over time as the collection becomes better established but are looking at the ways the data is entered to see if we can make technical changes that will support more accurate reporting without overly burdening schools.

In its inspections of local authority children’s services, Ofsted evaluates whether professionals identify children and young people in need of help and protection. Ofsted recently consulted on a new education inspection framework, with their full response due in September. The proposals include a specific evaluation of inclusion, ensuring that schools get it right for all disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including young carers.

Statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ sets out that all school and college staff should be alert to the potential need for early help for children who are young carers and requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and alertness to, the needs of young carers.

Young carers were added to the school census as a specific group for the first time in 2022/23. The department expects the recording of census data to improve over time as the collection becomes better established but are looking at the ways the data is entered to see if we can make technical changes that will support more accurate reporting without overly burdening schools.

In its inspections of local authority children’s services, Ofsted evaluates whether professionals identify children and young people in need of help and protection. Ofsted recently consulted on a new education inspection framework, with their full response due in September. The proposals include a specific evaluation of inclusion, ensuring that schools get it right for all disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including young carers.

Statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ sets out that all school and college staff should be alert to the potential need for early help for children who are young carers and requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and alertness to, the needs of young carers.

Young carers were added to the school census as a specific group for the first time in 2022/23. The department expects the recording of census data to improve over time as the collection becomes better established but are looking at the ways the data is entered to see if we can make technical changes that will support more accurate reporting without overly burdening schools.

In its inspections of local authority children’s services, Ofsted evaluates whether professionals identify children and young people in need of help and protection. Ofsted recently consulted on a new education inspection framework, with their full response due in September. The proposals include a specific evaluation of inclusion, ensuring that schools get it right for all disadvantaged and vulnerable children, including young carers.

Statutory guidance ‘Keeping children safe in education’ sets out that all school and college staff should be alert to the potential need for early help for children who are young carers and requires designated safeguarding leads to undergo training to provide them with the knowledge and skills to carry out their role. This includes having a good understanding of, and alertness to, the needs of young carers.

The department is engaging with stakeholders on revising the School Food Standards, to ensure they support our work to create the healthiest generation of children in history. The current Standards state one or more portions of vegetables as an accompaniment and one or more portions of fruit must be provided every day and at least three different fruits and three different vegetables each week. Schools are responsible for their school meals service and how and where they choose to buy their produce. Schools can voluntarily follow the government buying standards.

Additionally, the National Procurement Policy Statement, published in February 2025, underscores the government's commitment to increasing the procurement of food that meets higher environmental standards and upholding ethical sourcing practises across public sector contracts, which we believe our high quality British producers are well-placed to meet.

Alongside this, the department’s Food Strategy will deliver clear long-term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system, boosting food security, improving health, ensuring economic growth, and delivering environmental sustainability.

As with all aspects of the School Food Standards review, the department will consider our approaches to procurement of UK-grown produce.

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to ensure there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The department has published allocations for £740 million in High Needs Provision Capital Allocations for the 2025/26 financial year. The funding can be used to adapt schools to be more accessible for children with SEND, to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools that can deliver more intensive support adapted to suit the pupils’ needs, and to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.

The department continues to monitor and work closely with local authorities that have issues with education, health and care plan timeliness, including placement decisions. Where there are concerns about a local authority’s capacity to make the required improvements, we help the local authority to identify the barriers and put in place an effective recovery plan.

Free support and advice for families and local authorities is provided by Special Educational Needs and Disability Information and Advice Services.

Where there are concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing, support from social care services may be required. Under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, it is the general duty of every local authority to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need, including disabled children, and to promote the upbringing of such children by their families by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those children’s needs. Where appropriate, social care services may be provided in conjunction with an educational placement such as a residential special school.

Drought has led to an early harvest with a reduction in crop quality and yields. Livestock farmers are facing a growing risk with forage, winter feed supplies and consequently buying additional food or selling animals to reduce pressure on supplies.

Measures to support farmers include:

• Allowing short term options to improve access to water outside of abstraction licence conditions

• Supporting the establishment of Water Abstractor Groups to enable sharing of water rights and for the development of jointly owned infrastructure. Funding has been made available to the West Country Water and Environment to help create Water Abstractor Groups

• Local Resource Option screening studies are supporting farmers to collaborate on schemes such as multi-farm reservoirs, water trading, with one project in the South West.

An updated prospect report will be published this autumn to inform farmers of the water resources situation in order to improve resilience and planning for next year.

Source Protection Zones are sensitive areas because the underlying groundwater contributes towards public drinking water supplies.

To protect those supplies from pollution, unless exempt, new cemeteries must operate under an environmental permit and the Environment Agency has published guidance on this, including information needed to support a planning application. The Environment Agency has recently consulted on a proposal to develop simpler, cheaper, permitting options for cemeteries, which could lead to cost-saving for eligible operators.

The Government has asked the Law Commission to review the legal framework governing burial and cremation, including concerns raised about the long-term availability of burial space. They anticipate publishing the report on their findings in late 2025. The Government will consider the Law Commission’s recommendations once these have been published and will respond in due course.”

For context, the Government does not have operational day-to-day responsibility for burial grounds, which are managed locally, and there is no statutory duty on local authorities to provide burial facilities. Although Government (DCA/MoJ) does provide Guidance for Burial Ground Managers (which includes issues to consider when planning burial space) and Guidance for Operators of Natural Burial Grounds neither address this specific issue.

The Government has announced its plans to publish a Circular Economy Strategy for England and a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis, one of which is agri-food.

As part of this work, evidence for action from right across the economy will be considered and evaluated in terms of what interventions may be needed, including introducing a mandatory food waste reporting requirement for large food businesses.

No assessment of the potential impact of mandatory food waste reporting in Austria has been made.

The Government has announced its plans to publish a Circular Economy Strategy for England and a series of roadmaps detailing the interventions the government and others will make on a sector-by-sector basis, one of which is agri-food.

As part of this work, evidence for action from right across the economy will be considered and evaluated in terms of what interventions may be needed, including introducing a mandatory food waste reporting requirement for large food businesses.

No assessment of the potential impact of mandatory food waste reporting in Austria has been made.

At home and abroad, the UK is taking action to develop our understanding of the microplastic problem and to prevent and reduce microplastic pollution. Microplastics are used in a range of applications and are produced from the degradation of plastic products.

Plastic pellets are the feedstock for the production of plastic products, and can be lost throughout the supply chain. To tackle this issue, we have supported the development of a Publicly Available Specification by the British Standards Institution (PAS 510:2021), which sets out the steps companies should take to reduce the loss of plastic pellets across their operations.

Technical experts from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) have also been leading the Oslo and Paris Convention (OSPAR) Convention to develop a new indicator for microlitter (including microplastics) in seafloor sediments. This will help us to track progress in reducing plastics in the environment at a regional scale. The UK also contributes to the OSPAR Microplastic Expert Group, which is examining ways that we can better detect and quantify microplastics in samples taken for research.

Finally, in negotiations to establish a new international treaty on plastic pollution, the UK has called for binding provisions to reduce and prevent microplastic pollution from all sources. In particular, the UK has called for specific provisions to prevent and eliminate emissions and releases of plastic pellets, flakes and powder across the whole supply chain.