Written questions by Baker.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Government funding of clean energy sources on businesses and local communities.

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan is our plan to secure growth, to back Clean Energy Industries and unlock billions more in private investment. The Chancellor announced £61.9bn in capital funding for DESNZ during the Spending Review, underlining both her and the Prime Minister’s commitment to the Clean Energy Mission and net zero. UK energy transition investment reached a record £65bn in 2025, a 32% increase in final investment decisions versus 2024. This investment is vital for achieving greater energy security and delivering economic growth across the UK, benefitting businesses and local communities.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce industrial energy bills.

Our modern Industrial Strategy will make British industrial electricity costs cheaper. From 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour (MWh) for over 10,000 manufacturing businesses in Industrial Strategy growth sectors and their foundational supply chains. The Government has also announced an additional payment for eligible businesses in 2027 to cover the 2026/27 period.In addition to this, the British Industry Supercharger reduces electricity costs for eligible energy-intensive businesses by c.£65 – £87/MWh by exempting them from certain policy costs and offering 90% compensation for network charges through the Network Charging Compensation scheme.

What steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to tackle changes in the level of energy costs for businesses since July 2024; and what comparative assessment he has made of these steps compared to those taken before July 2024.

In June 2025, the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy proposed increased support for British Industry Supercharger recipients by uplifting the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% from 1 April 2026. This uplift reduced the gap between electricity prices in Great Britain and other countries by a further £8–10/MWh for around 550 energy intensive businesses. For manufacturing companies ineligible for the Supercharger, the Modern Industrial Strategy also announced the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). BICS is expected to support over 10,000 businesses, saving them up to £40/MWh from April 2027, with an additional payment in 2027 to cover the 2026/27 period.

Media and Sport, what funding her Department is providing to help improve participation in grassroots sport.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.We provide the majority of support for grassroots sport through our arm’s length body, Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million of National Lottery and Exchequer funding to help people get active.In addition, on 27 January, the Government announced that £85 million of the £400 million package for grassroots sport facilities will be invested in during 2026/27, funding the continuation of the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme. This funding is designed to increase participation opportunities and benefit the areas most in need, with 50% investment going to the 30% most deprived areas in the UK.

What steps his Department is taking to help businesses to increase exports, improve productivity, and create more skilled jobs.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is putting exports at the heart of our growth mission to boost productivity and create skilled jobs across the UK. Through our Trade Strategy, we are removing barriers that hold UK businesses back from selling to the world by negotiating trade deals, tackling regulatory obstacles, and expanding export finance support.For the first time, DBT has integrated its support in a single, accessible place - the Business Growth Service - helping firms build the capabilities needed to compete internationally. This includes tailored market advice, free Business Academy training, access to UK Export Finance and our on-the-ground network around the world.

What plans the Ministry of Defence has in place to improve the standard of Single Living Accommodation for military personnel, and how these plans align with the Government's commitment to enhancing the living conditions for service members in line with current operational and welfare needs.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that high‑quality Single Living Accommodation (SLA) is essential to the welfare, retention and operational readiness of our Armed Forces personnel. The SLA and Overseas Accommodation Review launched earlier this year is focused on identifying recommendations to enhance SLA, which will inform future investments. All Front-Line Commands have prioritised SLA condition, reinforced by proactive senior leadership engagement, and have plans to eliminate their worst accommodation. Improving the standard of SLA remains a key priority. The MOD has provided new and refurbished single rooms using a common design and modular off-site construction aiming to reduce build-times and deliver value for money. Their energy-efficient designs minimise operational energy consumption and running costs as well as enhancing the lived experience and thermal comfort.

What steps her Department is taking to help increase levels of recruitment of neighbourhood police officers.

The Government is committed to rebuilding neighbourhood policing and restoring the vital link between police forces and the communities they serve.By the end of this Parliament there will be 13,000 additional neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales. This year we have provided £200m to support forces to deliver 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers by March 2026. We are on track, with forces having already delivered almost 2,400 additional neighbourhood officers in just 6 months.

What steps she is taking to consider autistic burnout when shaping policies on SEND.

As part of our Plan for Change, we are determined to fix the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system and restore the trust of parents. We will do this by ensuring schools have the tools to better identify and support children before issues escalate. We will bring forward a full Schools White Paper early this year, building on the work we have already done to create a system that is rooted in inclusion.To support the development of the reforms, we are drawing on insights from experts, including the department’s Expert Advisory Group for Inclusion and the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group, who were established to provide an expert view and make recommendations on how to best meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people within mainstream education settings.The department has also launched a further period of listening and engagement to strengthen co-creation, listening to children and young people, parents, experts, and education professionals across the country, so that lived experience and partnership are at the heart of the solutions.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the Hughes Report entitled Options Options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh, published on 7 February 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the work by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments. I have met the Patient Safety Commissioner this month to work up the Department’s plans to address her recommendations, and the Government will provide an update in due course.

What steps are being taken to consider the impact of autistic burnout when shaping policies on disability employment, to ensure autistic people achieve positive outcomes and receive appropriate support.

In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise and experiences of neurodiversity to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel considered the reasons why neurodivergent people (including autistic people) have poor experiences in the workplace, and a low overall employment rate. This included reflections on the challenges autistic people face. We will consider its findings alongside the work of the Keep Britain Working Review, which has now entered its Vanguards Phase to test new employer-led approaches to improving support for individuals to stay in work. Employers already have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, including workplace flexibilities, where a disabled person or person with a long-term health condition would otherwise be put at a substantial disadvantage. This includes chronic and fluctuating health conditions and disabilities. DWP provides tailored guidance through its Support with Employee Health and Disability online service and the Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces including guidance on flexible working. DWP policies also help neurodivergent people into work. Our new supported employment programme - Connect to Work - provides a dedicated specialist employment support adviser who works alongside participants to understand their career goals and help them to address any specific barriers to employment. Connect to Work has a specialist pathway that is dedicated to supporting those with particularly complex barriers. We are also training DWP staff to better understand the needs of autistic people. In September 2023, DWP’s Learning Delivery and Design Team introduced autism learning for all of our Jobcentre staff, including Disability Employment Advisors and Work Coaches.

If he has made an assessment of the (a) value and (b) contribution of the not-for-profit adult social care sector to adult social care delivery.

We recognise the vital role and value of not-for-profit providers in delivering adult social care. As of November 2025, 8.1% of Care Quality Commission regulated social care organisation locations are registered as charities.Local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people under the Care Act 2014. Local authorities are encouraged to commission a range of different approaches to services to ensure people have a genuine choice. This includes supporting and commissioning different types of service provider organisations, including third sector, voluntary, and community-based organisations.

What assessment he has made of the performance of the not-for-profit adult social care sector in (a) ratings achieved through CQC inspections and (b) workforce (i) pay and (ii) turnover reported by the Skills for Care adult social care workforce dataset.

We recognise the role and value that not-for-profit providers play in delivering adult social care (ASC). As of November 2025, 8.1% of Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulated social care organisation locations are providers with a charity number. Of these locations, 89.1% are rated “Good” or “Outstanding” compared with 83.8% of other providers, of which the vast majority are for-profit. Overall, 84.3% of ASC providers are rated “Good” or “Outstanding”.Filled posts working for independent sector employers cannot be accurately split into “private” and “voluntary”, as this information is not reported by the CQC. Estimates from the ASC workforce dataset suggests that approximately 74%, or 1,000,000, of the filled posts working for independent sector employers were in private sector establishments, which is approximately 63% of all posts, and 26%, or 345,000, were filled posts in voluntary/charity sector establishments, which is approximately 22% of all posts.The National Institute for Health and Care Research funded Adult Social Care Research Unit is researching the impact of provider ownership type, including not-for-profit status, on care outcomes and workforce outcomes, including pay and turnover. The project will conclude in June 2026.

What steps she is taking to provide (a) clear routes for progression and (b) development in different subject areas to encourage recruitment and retention of teachers.

The within school factor that makes the biggest difference to a young person’s educational outcome is high-quality teaching. Recruiting and retaining more qualified, expert teachers is therefore critical to the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and boost the life chances for every child. Our measures will include getting more teachers into shortage subjects, supporting areas that face recruitment challenges and tackling retention issues.The department wants to ensure all teachers have access to and stay up to date with best practice in continuing professional development at every stage of their career, giving them the expertise and support needed to deliver high-quality teaching.Through the revised initial teacher training and early career framework (ITTECF), new teachers will benefit from at least three years of evidence-based training, across initial teacher training (ITT) and into their induction.Beyond the first few years of teaching, our priority is to help all teachers and school leaders to continuously develop their expertise throughout their careers so every child in every classroom in every school gets the best start in life.The department has launched a new and updated suite of national professional qualifications (NPQs) for teachers and school leaders at all levels, from those who want to lead the development of staff to those leading multiple schools across trusts.The department has established a network of 87 Teaching School Hubs serving schools across the country. The Hubs provide approved high-quality professional development to teachers at all stages of their careers and play a significant role in delivering ITT, the early career framework and NPQs. These measures will ensure teacher and leader training and development are rooted in the best available evidence. ​The department currently offers Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) support in five secondary subjects: chemistry, computing, mathematics, modern languages and physics. The department will continue to explore its options for delivery of SKE training in future academic years to ensure that its funding supports courses in the subjects where these courses are most neededThe department has also expanded the department’s ‘School Teacher Recruitment’ marketing campaign which inspires and attracts candidates to consider a career in teaching, including shortage subjects. It promotes the profession and directs people to the ‘Get Into Teaching’ service, which exists to make teaching a career of choice and supports candidates to apply for teacher training in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Whether her Department is taking steps to help secure free access to cash withdrawals and deposit facilities in Aldershot constituency.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The most recent data from the Financial Conduct Authority shows that 97 per cent of people in urban areas live within 1 mile of a free-to-use cash access point offering deposits. In rural areas, 98 percent of people live within 3 miles of a free-to-use cash access point offering deposits. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash, and its rules came into effect on 18 September 2024. These rules require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. Where a branch closure is announced and it is deemed that this closure will impact free access to cash, the branch cannot close until a replacement service is operational and any gap in provision has been filled. Where a consumer, or anyone with a strong connection to a local area, feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found at the following link: https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cash

What assessment she has made of trends in the level of households in arrears with mortgage payments in Aldershot constituency in the last (a) six and (b) 12 months.

The Government closely monitors levels of mortgage arrears, which remain low by historical standards. UK Finance has predicted mortgage arrears will fall in 2025. There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments, and the Mortgage Charter also remains in place providing additional flexibilities to help customers manage their mortgage payments over a short period.

If she will make an estimate of the number of bank branch closures in (a) Aldershot constituency and (b) Hampshire in each year since 2010.

The Government does not hold bank branch closure data. However, according to consumer website Which?, Aldershot constituency lost just under 60% of its branch network between January 2015 and November 2024, and has eight branches remaining. Guidance from the FCA sets out its expectation of firms when they are deciding to reduce their physical branches or the number of free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and put in place alternatives, where this is reasonable. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in Aldershot and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.

If her Department will make an estimate of the number of mortgage defaults in Aldershot constituency in each of the next twelve months.

The Government closely monitors levels of mortgage arrears, which remain low by historical standards. UK Finance has predicted mortgage arrears will fall in 2025. There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments, and the Mortgage Charter also remains in place providing additional flexibilities to help customers manage their mortgage payments over a short period.

How many and what proportion of care recipients are in fuel poverty in Aldershot.

Fuel poverty statistics for England do not include a breakdown of whether residents of households receive care. Furthermore, the statistics are based on the English Housing Survey, which surveys households and does not include communal establishments. Therefore, the statistics do not cover residents of care homes. The latest statistics for the number and proportion of households in fuel poverty in parliamentary constituencies in England can be found in the published sub-regional fuel poverty Official Statistics, in Table 5:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/sub-regional-fuel-poverty-data-2024-2022-data.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of bank closures on people in Aldershot constituency.

The Government does not hold bank branch closure data. However, according to consumer website Which?, Aldershot constituency lost just under 60% of its branch network between January 2015 and November 2024, and has eight branches remaining. Guidance from the FCA sets out its expectation of firms when they are deciding to reduce their physical branches or the number of free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and put in place alternatives, where this is reasonable. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in Aldershot and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.

How many households have been awarded funding for energy efficiency installations under the ECO4 scheme in (a) Aldershot constituency and (b) Hampshire.

ECO4 does not award funding to households, it is an obligation set by Government on large energy suppliers to install energy efficiency measures. To the end of September 2024 (the latest available data by local authority and parliamentary constituency), ECO4 has supported 79 households in the Aldershot constituency and 1,470 households in Hampshire (includes Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth and Southampton local authorities).