Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of incorporating the agent of change principle in future legislative proposals on planning issues relating to grassroots music venues.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government understand the importance of safeguarding grassroots music venues that may be at risk due to development which affects them. The agent of change policy in the National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that in such circumstances the developer is expected to put suitable mitigation measures in place, and that in no circumstances should an existing business or community facility face unreasonable restrictions on its operation as a result of new development.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help lower the cost of electric vehicle charging.

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

Electric vehicle owners who have access to private charging facilities can fuel their vehicles for much less than it costs to fuel a combustion engine car. Further savings can be made if owners use smart charging, so that their electric vehicle batteries are charged outside of peak demand periods.

Government is however aware of the cost discrepancies between private and public charging and is working with Ofgem and others to explore measures to bring down the costs of public charging, including in the areas detailed within the Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Action Plan 2023.

National Sherwood Forest Day