Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of replicating the Wave Energy Scotland model across the UK.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The department has not undertaken a formal assessment of the potential merits of replicating the Wave Energy Scotland (WES) model across the UK. WES primarily utilizes a competitive pre-commercial procurement (PCP) model to drive innovation and development in the wave energy sector.

However, the Government has provided innovative support for wave energy though a suite of a suite of research funding programmes, operated both by DESNZ centrally, and, by UK Research and Innovation, including competitive funding schemes programmes such as the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of innovation funding on the Levelised Cost of Energy of marine energy technologies; and what steps he is taking to support these emerging renewables.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The department has not directly undertaken an assessment of the potential impact of innovation funding on the Levelised Cost of Energy of marine energy technologies,

However, the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in their 2018 Tidal Stream and Wave Energy Cost Reduction and Industrial Benefit study examined the potential impact of additional focus on innovation on cost reduction of marine technologies.

The Government continues to provide innovative support for marine energy technologies though a suite of a suite of research funding programmes, including through UK Research and Innovation.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations on the arts and cultural sector.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Service providers and those delivering public functions should note and follow the ruling. It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to all the services they need whilst in keeping with the ruling. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers and is consulting on its code of practice for services, public functions and associations. This consultation will close on 30 June 2025. The Government is considering the further implications of the Supreme Court's judgment.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Equality and Human Rights Commission document entitled An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment, published on 25 April 2025, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the EHRC's update on the arts and cultural sector.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Service providers and those delivering public functions should note and follow the ruling. It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to all the services they need whilst in keeping with the ruling. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers and is consulting on its code of practice for services, public functions and associations. This consultation will close on 30 June 2025. The Government is considering the further implications of the Supreme Court's judgment.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to academies of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has set out its expectation that organisations follow the clarity the ruling provides. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) interim update provides a perspective on how the judgment and Equality Act are practically applied in some areas, but it is neither official guidance nor comprehensive.

The EHRC is updating their Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations and seeking views from affected stakeholders through their consultation which closes on 30 June. We would encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation. We will then consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it.

We are currently reviewing the draft statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance and the draft non-statutory guidance on gender questioning children, ensuring that children’s wellbeing is at the heart of both. We are analysing consultation responses, talking to stakeholders and considering the evidence, including the Cass Review, before deciding next steps.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Equality and Human Rights Commission document entitled An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment, published on 25 April 2025, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of implementing the EHRC's update for primary schools.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has set out its expectation that organisations follow the clarity the ruling provides. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) interim update provides a perspective on how the judgment and Equality Act are practically applied in some areas, but it is neither official guidance nor comprehensive.

The EHRC is updating their Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations and seeking views from affected stakeholders through their consultation which closes on 30 June. We would encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation. We will then consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it.

We are currently reviewing the draft statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance and the draft non-statutory guidance on gender questioning children, ensuring that children’s wellbeing is at the heart of both. We are analysing consultation responses, talking to stakeholders and considering the evidence, including the Cass Review, before deciding next steps.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Equality and Human Rights Commission document entitled An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment, published on 25 April 2025, what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of implementing the EHRC's update for academies.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has set out its expectation that organisations follow the clarity the ruling provides. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) interim update provides a perspective on how the judgment and Equality Act are practically applied in some areas, but it is neither official guidance nor comprehensive.

The EHRC is updating their Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations and seeking views from affected stakeholders through their consultation which closes on 30 June. We would encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation. We will then consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it.

We are currently reviewing the draft statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance and the draft non-statutory guidance on gender questioning children, ensuring that children’s wellbeing is at the heart of both. We are analysing consultation responses, talking to stakeholders and considering the evidence, including the Cass Review, before deciding next steps.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to primary schools of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

The government has set out its expectation that organisations follow the clarity the ruling provides. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) interim update provides a perspective on how the judgment and Equality Act are practically applied in some areas, but it is neither official guidance nor comprehensive.

The EHRC is updating their Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations and seeking views from affected stakeholders through their consultation which closes on 30 June. We would encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation. We will then consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it.

We are currently reviewing the draft statutory relationships, sex and health education guidance and the draft non-statutory guidance on gender questioning children, ensuring that children’s wellbeing is at the heart of both. We are analysing consultation responses, talking to stakeholders and considering the evidence, including the Cass Review, before deciding next steps.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken to support the addition of an ocean energy pilot farms call to the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

As an Associated Country to Horizon Europe, the UK actively contributes to the programme’s governance and development, including through participation in programme committees. This enables the UK to shape the direction of international research and maximise collaboration on areas of mutual interest in Horizon Europe, including within Cluster 5 of the programme which focuses on Climate, Energy and Mobility.

The Government cannot comment on the 2026-2027 Horizon Europe Work Programme, as it is still in development by the European Commission.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the interim statutory code of practice on services, public functions and associations, published on 20 May 2025, on costs to the hospitality industry.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers and is currently consulting on its code of practice for services, public functions and associations. This consultation will close on 30 June 2025. The Government is considering the further implications of the Supreme Court's judgment.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Equality and Human Rights Commission document entitled An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment, published on 25 April 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential financial impact of the EHRC's update on the night time economy.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

We appreciate that any reinterpretation or clarification of the Equality Act 2010 may raise operational considerations for businesses, including in the night time economy. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)'s update aims to support understanding and inform future dialogue rather than mandate specific changes. Employers and other duty bearers should continue to follow the law and take appropriate legal advice where necessary.

The EHRC has launched a consultation on their Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations which closes on 30 June. We encourage stakeholders to engage with the EHRC consultation and make their views heard.

The Government is committed to engaging with both the EHRC and sector stakeholders to ensure that any changes in interpretation or practice are understood and implemented in a proportionate way. The Government will consider the EHRC's updated draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted, to help provide greater clarity for service providers, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to the night-time economy of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

We appreciate that any reinterpretation or clarification of the Equality Act 2010 may raise operational considerations for businesses, including in the night time economy. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)'s update aims to support understanding and inform future dialogue rather than mandate specific changes. Employers and other duty bearers should continue to follow the law and take appropriate legal advice where necessary.

The EHRC has launched a consultation on their Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations which closes on 30 June. We encourage stakeholders to engage with the EHRC consultation and make their views heard.

The Government is committed to engaging with both the EHRC and sector stakeholders to ensure that any changes in interpretation or practice are understood and implemented in a proportionate way. The Government will consider the EHRC's updated draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted, to help provide greater clarity for service providers, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.

Found: Q286 Steve Race: We talk about bureaucracy, but bureaucracy in service of what?

Found: present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; George Freeman; Dr Allison Gardner; Kit Malthouse; Steve Race

Found: _NC122 Rachel Taylor Jacob Collier Dr Marie Tidball Steve Race Danny Beales Christine Jardine Alison

Found: _NC122 Rachel Taylor Jacob Collier Dr Marie Tidball Steve Race Danny Beales Christine Jardine Alison

Found: Steve Yemm Marie Goldman Lauren Edwards Lloyd Hatton Victoria Collins Mr Lee Dillon Sarah Gibson Steve Race

Found: Freddie van Mierlo Sarah Green Josh Babarinde Will Stone Marie Goldman Victoria Collins Steve Race

Found: Martin Ian Sollom Dr Marie Tidball Natalie Fleet Calum Miller Luke Murphy Victoria Collins Steve Race

Found: Pam Cox Sam Carling Jeremy Corbyn Natalie Fleet Calum Miller Luke Murphy Victoria Collins Steve Race

Found: Rosie Wrighting Amanda Hack Pam Cox Natalie Fleet Calum Miller Luke Murphy Victoria Collins Steve Race

Found: Martin Ian Sollom Dr Marie Tidball Natalie Fleet Calum Miller Luke Murphy Victoria Collins Steve Race

Found: Martin Ian Sollom Dr Marie Tidball Natalie Fleet Calum Miller Luke Murphy Victoria Collins Steve Race

Waterways APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: been received from Bill Esterson, Lee Dillon, Callum Anderson, Julia Buckley, Dave Robertson & Steve Race

Nutrition for Development APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: MP Alice Macdonald MP The Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP The Rt Hon David Mundell MP The Lord Oates Steve Race

Nutrition for Development APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: MP Alice Macdonald MP The Rt Hon Wendy Morton MP The Rt Hon David Mundell MP The Lord Oates Steve Race

Energy Studies APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Mark Garnier OBE MP James Naish MP Sam Rushworth MP Jess Asato MP Seamus Logan MP Steve Race

Anti-Corruption and Responsible Tax APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Attendees Joe Powell MP Luke Charters MP Lloyd Hatton MP Marie Rimmer MP Rachael Blake MP Steve Race