Simon Fell

Tackling domestic abuse is a priority for this Government and ensuring all victims and survivors of this heinous crime get the support they need.

It’s concerning increases in the cost of living may exacerbate risk factors which Women’s Aid have highlighted, and the Home Office is looking to act on.

The Government’s Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan commits £230m to tackling domestic abuse , including a focus of over £140m to work to support victims, and will establish trials of a ‘flexible fund’, which charities could use to provide extra money to victims and survivors. .

The Government is working with the Community Energy Contact Group on the content of the annual report and consultation. Until these discussions have concluded, the Government is unable to outline a definitive timeline.

The UK plays a leading role with international partners in accelerating renewable and green-grid deployment, drawing on our world-leading experience. Sharing our expertise has helped countries increase their clean energy ambition, as evidenced in declarations made throughout our COP26 Presidency.

We recognise this continues to be a worrying time for businesses due to the significant increases in global energy prices.

Extensive engagement is happening across Government at both an official and ministerial level on this issue.

The Department remains committed to exploring long-term options for accelerating the decarbonisation of industry, while maintaining UK competitiveness. The Government has set out an ambitious package of support for industrial decarbonisation, including: the Industrial Decarbonisation and Hydrogen Revenue Support (IDHRS) scheme to fund the new hydrogen and industrial carbon capture (ICC) business models; the £1 billion CCUS Infrastructure Fund, the £240 million Net Zero Hydrogen Fund, and the £289 million Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF). This support will enable the Government to meet its ambitions as set out in the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy and Hydrogen Strategy.

The Government is working with the energy industry to plan for electric vehicle uptake, and the market is already set up to bring forward investment in new generation capacity; for example, the Contracts for Difference scheme supports investment in new low carbon generation, and additional demand can be managed through adjustments to the amount of capacity secured through the Capacity Market auctions.

Ensuring the adequacy of the electricity network is the responsibility of electricity network companies, and they are incentivised to do so through the regulatory framework set out by Ofgem, the independent regulator. Electricity distribution network operators (DNOs) submitted their draft business plans for the next price control (RIIO ED2), which will run from 2023-28, on 1 July. As part of this, DNOs, including Electricity North West, will include forecasts for electric vehicle uptake and how they plan to ready the network for these technologies.

As well as creating significant new demand, the transition to electric vehicles offers opportunities for flexible management of the electricity system. Smart charging during off-peak periods, when demand is low, can reduce peak demand and avoid triggering unnecessary network reinforcement. It can also maximise use of renewable electricity and can benefit consumers with cheaper electricity.

Our aim is to deliver net zero at the lowest cost for all consumers. A key part of this is supporting consumers who may struggle to afford their energy.

We intend to publish an updated Fuel Poverty Strategy for England by the end of the year which will provide further information on our plans to support low income and vulnerable households as we transition to net zero.

The Energy Company Obligation, worth £640m per year, is already focused on low income and vulnerable households and the recently launched Green Homes Grant, which will provide up to £10,000 for vulnerable consumers to make their home more energy efficient. We also provide support with energy bills for low income and vulnerable consumers through the Warm Homes Discount, Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.

The Government remains committed to the future of free-to-air TV and radio services. Millions of households across the UK rely on these services, particularly those living in rural communities. We also recognise the crucial role that free-to-air television and radio services play in the wider UK broadcasting system, in particular in helping ensure that public service content continues to be widely available and free-to-air to all audiences.

The Government has recently launched a major research and engagement programme looking at how UK audiences will get their TV in the decades to come, including digital terrestrial television (DTT), satellite, cable, and online.

Before any decisions about the future of terrestrial television are made, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on DTT as their primary means of watching television.

Currently, over 97% of premises across the UK have access to a superfast connection (>=30 Mbps), which in many cases is likely to be sufficient for audiences wishing to watch or listen online. In addition, by 2025, the Government’s target is to have at least 85% gigabit-capable broadband coverage, and to achieve nationwide coverage (99%+) as soon as possible thereafter, and by 2030. As of November 2023, over 78% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, which represents significant progress since January 2019, when coverage was just 6%.

The Government remains committed to the future of free-to-air TV and radio services. Millions of households across the UK rely on these services, particularly those living in rural communities. We also recognise the crucial role that free-to-air television and radio services play in the wider UK broadcasting system, in particular in helping ensure that public service content continues to be widely available and free-to-air to all audiences.

The Government has recently launched a major research and engagement programme looking at how UK audiences will get their TV in the decades to come, including digital terrestrial television (DTT), satellite, cable, and online.

Before any decisions about the future of terrestrial television are made, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on DTT as their primary means of watching television.

Currently, over 97% of premises across the UK have access to a superfast connection (>=30 Mbps), which in many cases is likely to be sufficient for audiences wishing to watch or listen online. In addition, by 2025, the Government’s target is to have at least 85% gigabit-capable broadband coverage, and to achieve nationwide coverage (99%+) as soon as possible thereafter, and by 2030. As of November 2023, over 78% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, which represents significant progress since January 2019, when coverage was just 6%.

The Gambling Commission have provided the following information showing retailers across different regions that only sell National Lottery scratchcards and do not sell tickets for draw based games. These retailers are spread throughout the different regions of the UK.

Following on from the previously mentioned PQ, Question 71465 answered on 15 November 2021, the number of retailers selling only National Lottery scratchcards has decreased by one as one of the stores is no longer active, meaning the total number in the table below is 221.

The vast majority of National Lottery retailers sell both draw based games and scratchcards. Currently, 1,931 sell only draw based games and 222 sell only scratchcards.

The Retailer Agreement which is entered into between individual retailers and the current operator of the National Lottery does not stipulate that particular categories of National Lottery products must be sold.

The vast majority of National Lottery retailers sell both draw based games and scratchcards. Currently, 1,931 sell only draw based games and 222 sell only scratchcards.

The Retailer Agreement which is entered into between individual retailers and the current operator of the National Lottery does not stipulate that particular categories of National Lottery products must be sold.

The department is considering how to encourage and support schools to ensure that children continue to benefit from school breakfasts beyond March 2021. We are developing our thinking in this area. The department is engaging with the breakfast food market, following the release of a Public Information Notice in October 2020.

My Department is working closely with the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government on the forthcoming planning reforms to deliver on our commitments in Gear Change and Bus Back Better to ensure that walking, cycling and public transport are the first choice for journeys.

The Government is engaged in regular discussions with stakeholders at both Ministerial and official level. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the tonnage tax regime under review and regularly engages with relevant stakeholders. Any changes to the tax system are considered and announced by the Chancellor.

The Secretary of State has made no such assessment.

Unlike a personal or workplace pension, it has always been the case that nobody can claim their State Pension before they reach their State Pension age.

We have no plans to reverse changes to State Pension age. Changes to State Pension age were made over a series of Acts by successive governments from 1995 onwards, following public consultations and extensive debates in both Houses of Parliament.

Health Education England (HEE) set out a range of recommendations in their Advancing Dental Care Review, which aim to tackle recruitment, retention and attracting dentists to the NHS. One of their proposals was the creation of Centres for Dental Development in localities where there is a shortage in provision, which would bring together education and service elements in smaller units. HEE have now moved into their implementation stage through their Dental Education Reform Programme.

While integrated care systems are expected to work autonomously, they should take into account NHS England and NHS Improvement’s priorities. The Eye Care Planning and Implementation Guidance 2021/22 explains how systems should plan local eye care recovery and transformation in line with the requirements of the NHS England 2021/22 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance.

We have made over £59 billion available this year to support the response to COVID-19 and are committing a further £20.3 billion in 2021/22, of which £3 billion is to support National Health Service recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

The Government continues to ensure the NHS has the resourcing and support it needs to meet any pressures or costs arising from its continued response to COVID-19.

Variation in the number of COVID-19 cases is caused by a number of factors including demography, behaviour and rate of testing. The rate of testing in the area has been high due to an early and proactive approach to testing taken by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Furness General Hospital, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Westmorland General in Kendal in South Lakeland.

The Trust commenced swabbing of employees and household members who were symptomatic of coronavirus at the end of February 2020. Testing has included UHMB NHS Foundation Trust employees and household members, hospital inpatients, care home residents and staff, and key workers from other organisations and their households.

Reports that Russia is buying drones from Iran illustrates that UK efforts with allies to isolate Moscow internationally and cripple its military are having an impact. Russia is struggling to source some vital military parts. We saw overwhelming opposition to Russia's behaviour at both the G7 and NATO Summits in May and the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in July. The UK is committed to working with allies to isolate Russia further, including through the use of sanctions. The reports also highlight Iran's continuing threat to international security and stability. We will continue to hold Iran to account for its destabilising activities.

The FCDO funds projects and programmes that promote UK influence overseas, including the British Council, BBC World Service and our Chevening, Commonwealth and Marshall Scholarships.

Our diplomatic leadership is another important component of how others perceive the UK, as we have seen through our hosting of the G7 and COP26 and our support for a globally accessible Covid-19 vaccine.

Iran has been in non-compliance with its Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) commitments since 2019. This includes producing Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) at 60%, which is unprecedented for a state without a nuclear weapons programme. Iran's increasing 60% stockpile is bringing Iran significantly closer to having fissile material which could be used for nuclear weapons.

We call upon Iran to halt all activities in violation of the JCPoA without delay and take the opportunity in front of them in the JCPoA Vienna negotiations to restore the nuclear deal. If a deal is not swiftly concluded, and Iran continues its nuclear escalation, Iran will be responsible for missing the opportunity to restore the JCPoA and for bringing about the collapse of the deal. Iran's nuclear escalation means we have weeks, not months, to restore the deal before the JCPoA's core non-proliferation benefits are lost and the deal collapses. In the event of the JCPoA collapsing, we would carefully consider all options in partnership with our allies.

FCDO officials raised Father Stan Swamy's case with the Indian High Commission on 12 November. On 9 October, British High Commission officials in New Delhi highlighted to the Ministry of Home Affairs the impact of recent amendments to Indian security legislation on activists and human rights campaigners in India.

Where we have concerns, we raise them directly with the Government of India, including at ministerial level.

Life sciences is one of my priority growth sectors. In May, the Government announced a bold new policy package backed by over £650m funding, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting a thriving life sciences industry.

This follows a number of initiatives announced at Spring Budget that will support the sector, including £10m extra funding for our medicines regulator the MHRA, full expensing of capital expenditure and reforms to R&D tax credits.

The Plan for Jobs supports people to gain the skills needed to access high quality jobs. The Chancellor provided £111 million to triple traineeships, £17 million to expand sector-based work academies, and £32 million to boost the National Careers Service’s capacity.

At the Spending Review, the Government announced £95 million to fund free courses for adults in subjects with strong employment prospects and £43 million to provide 16,000 places on employer-led skills bootcamps.

At Budget, the Chancellor announced £126 million more for traineeships, and increased incentives for hiring apprentices to £3,000.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps the tonnage tax regime under review and regularly engages with relevant stakeholders. Any changes to the tax system are considered and announced by the Chancellor.

The Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) was introduced in 2014 to encourage risk finance investments in qualifying social enterprises and charities. HMRC statistics show that up to 2018-19, about 110 enterprises have used the scheme to raise £11.2 million.

The Government keeps all taxes and reliefs under review in order to ensure they continue to meet policy objectives in a way that is fair and effective. The Government previously published a Call for Evidence on SITR’s use to date. A response to the consultation will be published in due course and a decision on SITR’s future will be announced at the Budget ahead of its sunset clause in April 2021.

The Government takes proscription offences seriously. Investigations into the activities of proscribed organisations or individuals who may be members of or who demonstrate support for proscribed organisations are an operational matter for the police and intelligence agencies.

Following the terrorist attacks on Israel, the (then) Home Secretary wrote to police chiefs in England and Wales urging them to step up patrols and use the full force of the law to tackle those inciting hatred towards our Jewish communities.

Public order policing has disseminated briefing materials to police forces covering hate crime and the proscription offences, including advice on the flags associated with proscribed organisations Hamas and Hizballah.

As set out in the Integrated Review Refresh, the Defending Democracy Taskforce is now an enduring Government function. It is a cross-departmental and inter-agency initiative seeking to protect the democratic integrity of the UK from foreign influence. The Taskforce is working on bringing together all components of the system, working across Government and with Parliament, the UK Intelligence Community, devolved governments, local authorities, the private sector and civil society on the full range of threats facing our democratic institutions.

Meetings of the Taskforce are complemented by wider engagement with partners outside central government and Parliament. The Taskforce will continue to use targeted engagement activities to raise awareness of the Taskforce’s priorities in tackling current and future threats.

The work of this Taskforce reports to the Prime Minister via the National Security Council.

UK electoral law sets out a stringent regime of controls on donations to political parties to ensure that only those with a legitimate interest in UK elections can make donations. Donations from foreign powers – made directly or indirectly – are illegal, and there are strong rules safeguarding against impermissible donations via backdoors.

It is an offence to attempt to evade the rules on donations by concealing information, giving false information, or knowingly facilitating the making of an impermissible donation.

The National Security Act 2023 will create a challenging operating environment for foreign states who seek to undermine UK interests – including our political system. The Act provides for substantially increased maximum penalties for electoral offences relevant to donation rules, where activity is done for, on behalf or with the intention to benefit a foreign power.

The Government has committed to taking forward a consultation on ways to enhance information-sharing between relevant agencies or public bodies to help to identify and mitigate the risk of foreign interference in political donations that are regulated by electoral law. This will be taken forward by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and be supported by the Defending Democracy Taskforce.

The Defending Democracy Taskforce’s mission statement is to reduce the risk to the UK’s democratic processes, institutions, and society. This includes protecting the democratic integrity of the UK from threats of foreign interference. We continue to keep potential threats under review, including foreign interference in public office and political parties, to ensure UK democracy remains robust.

In the financial year 2021-22 there were 16 Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme Top Slice projects. The performance of these projects is governed by the Strategic Asset Recovery Group.

The most recent public update on use of ARIS funding by POCA partners is available at: Asset recovery statistical bulletin: financial years ending 2017 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). We are currently exploring options for providing a further public breakdown of this data.

The projects funded through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) Top Slice scheme continue to offer positive returns in terms of recovered criminal assets.

This includes significant cash and asset seizures by operational teams funded by the Top Slice, at the Border and across national policing.

Since not all projects funded through the Top Slice are directly targeted against asset recovery, the Home Office does not conduct an investment return analysis on each one. In the 21/22 HMG/ law enforcement seized £354.8 million of criminal assets (up £135.1 million from 20/21).

I refer the Hon. Member to the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy, published on 23 March and available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-and-security-industrial-strategy, which outlines this Government’s strategic approach to the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors, including that delivering and maintaining our nuclear deterrent.