Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what financial and advisory support is available to established manufacturers seeking to relocate manufacturing operations and associated jobs from Northern Ireland to the West Midlands; whether such businesses may be eligible for support through the West Midlands Investment Zone; and what displacement, additionality and subsidy-control requirements apply to applications for that support.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government provides financial and advisory support to manufacturers operating in or relocating to the West Midlands through central government programmes and regional bodies. The West Midlands Investment Zone primarily offers tax incentives to businesses locating within designated sites, rather than direct relocation funding.
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) can assist businesses in identifying appropriate land and premises, including Investment Zone sites where relevant. Businesses are encouraged to contact WMGC as a first point of contact for tailored inward investment support.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many data-centre developments have applied for a connection to the gas network; what generating capacity is proposed in connection with those applications; and what assessment the Department has made of the potential effect of privately operated gas-fired generation at data centres on the delivery of the carbon budgets and the Clean Power 2030 target.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
According to figures published by Future Energy Networks on 14th April 2026, gas networks received a total of 113 enquiries concerning data centre gas connections between 2024 and 2025.
Our analysis suggests there are a number of credible pathways to meeting Carbon Budgets, and we will continue to test a range of data centre growth trajectories to ensure we meet these as we form our next Carbon Budget Delivery Plan. We will also continue monitoring emerging demand, to inform where further mitigation or system adjustments may be required.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what proportion of the cost of electricity-network reinforcement required to connect new data centres will be met by (a) data-centre developers, (b) network operators and (c) electricity consumers; and whether the Department will publish an estimate of the total network investment attributable to projected data-centre demand .
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The independent energy regulator, Ofgem, is responsible for the connections charging framework and the allocation of charges between developers, network operators, and consumers. Government is not tracking the network reinforcement cost data associated specifically with new data centres.
However, the department recently consulted on measures to manage the volume of data centres connecting to the electricity network, to secure capacity for vital data infrastructure in a way that minimises impacts on the energy system. A response will be published in due course.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps HM Revenue and Customs is taking to provide businesses with timely and definitive guidance on the tariff treatment of aluminised steel coil and tube originating in China; whether that guidance will specify the relevant commodity codes, tariff-rate quota order numbers and anti-dumping duties; and if he will take steps to introduce an expedited Advance Tariff Ruling process where delays could affect manufacturing operations and employment.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
HM Revenue and Customs Online Trade Tariff (OTT) site provides support to customers to self-serve and identify the correct commodity code and applicable duty and measures. This is supported by an email enquiry service and a webchat service where customers can speak directly to a HMRC classification advisor if further support is required to confirm the commodity code.
Customers requiring a legally binding ruling, can apply for an Advance Tariff Ruling (ATaR) and decisions will be issued within 30 to 120 days.
HMRC does not have an ATaR fast track service. However, if representations were made where the timeline for issuing a ruling could materially affect manufacturing operations, supply chains, investment decisions or employment, steps would be taken to expedite the request.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much finance the National Wealth Fund has committed to projects in each region of England since its establishment; how much has been committed in (a) the West Midlands and (b) Greater Manchester; and what assessment the Department has made of the appropriateness of the geographical distribution of that investment.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)
The National Wealth Fund is committed to accelerating place-based investment and has committed £10.8 billion across the UK to date.
In England, NWF has committed £6.2 billion with £391 million in the West Midlands and £421 million in Greater Manchester.
The West Midlands and Greater Manchester have benefited from strategic partnerships with the NWF. This has helped the West Midlands develop an investment pipeline that supports economic growth, with the West Midlands Mayor announcing the ‘West Midlands Futures Fund’ in May 2026 with backing from the NWF. In Greater Manchester the NWF has backed the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund with an ambition to provide £500 million investment to support a pipeline of transport, regeneration and clean energy projects.
The NWF operates independently of government and deploys its finance flexibly in response to market conditions. Its ambitious Key Performance Indicators for this year include significantly strengthening its regional role. As part of this the NWF is extending its Strategic Partnerships model to South Yorkshire, the North East, Liverpool and Cardiff.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on the delivery of the Holiday Activities and Food programme in Walsall Borough of incorporating funding for that programme into the Children, Families and Youth Grant from 2026–27; and what steps are being taken to ensure that the change does not reduce the number, geographical coverage or duration of holiday activity places available in the borough.
Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme funding, including the local authority capacity support funding, is now part of the wider children’s, youth and families grant, which is delivered through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS), in line with the government’s commitment to simplify the local government funding landscape.
HAF funding is ringfenced, within the Children, Families and Youth Grant, as part of the LGFS with attached grant conditions. The 3-year funding settlement provides greater stability and certainty for local authorities, enabling longer-term planning and investment to drive more effective and efficient delivery. The HAF programme is allocating over £600 million via the LGFS, between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2029.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed right to guaranteed hours on the number of employment opportunities available to people aged 16 to 24.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The government has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the right to guaranteed hours, which includes consideration of the potential impacts on employment.
Our analysis identifies young workers as a group more likely to benefit from the right to guaranteed hours. There is evidence that greater certainty over hours and income could make it easier for young people to return to the labour market. The reforms do not ban zero hours and similar contracts, and workers who value this flexibility will be able to remain on their existing arrangements by declining a guaranteed hours offer if they do not want one.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to (a) support the UK’s air ambulance charities and (b) establish a national policy to safeguard reliable 24/7 access to on-site hospital helipads.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer provided on 16 July to Question 16317.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of South Staffs Water’s compulsory metering programme on household bills; and what information her Department holds on how many customers are expected to experience an annual bill increase of (a) less than £50, (b) £50 to £100, (c) £100 to £250 and (d) more than £250.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government is committed to a fair, affordable and accessible water system and are acting to protect vulnerable customers from rising bills, while balancing affordability with the need for investment to secure clean and reliable water services and improve the environment. Support Schemes, including WaterSure, social tariffs and debt assistance, are available for vulnerable customers.
Smart meters will provide customers in England with greater control over billing. The Government is working with Ofwat to monitor the impact smart meters will have on billing, as well as working with the Smart Water Meter Delivery Group (SWMDG) to ensure that the benefits of smart meters are realised for customers.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of compulsory water metering on (a) large families, (b) disabled people, (c) people with medical conditions requiring additional water use, (d) low-income households and (e) residents unable to access online usage information; and whether water companies are required to complete and publish equality impact assessments before beginning a universal rollout.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This Government is committed to a fair, affordable and accessible water system and are acting to protect vulnerable customers from rising bills, while balancing affordability with the need for investment to secure clean and reliable water services and improve the environment. Support Schemes, including WaterSure, social tariffs and debt assistance, are available for vulnerable customers.
Smart meters will provide customers in England with greater control over billing. The Government is working with Ofwat to monitor the impact smart meters will have on billing, as well as working with the Smart Water Meter Delivery Group (SWMDG) to ensure that the benefits of smart meters are realised for customers.