Written questions by Taylor.

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on improving (a) rail and (b) bus routes in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

I have regular meetings with the Deputy First Minister, where we discuss local economic growth as one of the key missions of this Government. Our two Governments effectively work together to deliver the Glasgow City Region Growth deal, which provides £1 billion of infrastructure funding to the region to deliver local priorities.The planning of local and national rail and bus routes in Scotland is a devolved matter, however, and therefore the responsibility of the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment has made of the potential flood risk to communities in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

What recent steps his Department has taken to (a) encourage inward investment and (b) support job creation in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

Growth is the number one mission of this government. Our Industrial Strategy is central to that Mission - targeting key sectors to deliver high quality, well-paid jobs. My Honourable Friend's constituency is strong in sectors identified in our Green Paper, particularly Advanced Manufacturing and Life Sciences including being home to the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre. We are working closely with the Scottish government and other partners to attract new investment and jobs. Senior officials from the Office for Investment recently visited the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland to see the investment potential first-hand.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the adequacy of infrastructure in Gaza and (b) its capacity to support access to essential services for children.

The September 2024 UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) damage assessment shows two-thirds of all buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023. Schools, warehouses and offices run by UN agencies have been severely affected along with much of the civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, hindering efforts to preserve access to basic services - safe drinking water, shelter and healthcare. We are deeply alarmed by the disproportionate impact of the conflict on children in Gaza. Tailored approaches will be required for early recovery and reconstruction efforts in Gaza to integrate the needs of children. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary continue to press Israeli leaders to take all steps to avoid civilian casualties, and to emphasise the importance of upholding International Humanitarian Law. The Foreign Secretary stated that he was appalled by the tragic loss of life as a result of the Israeli military strike on the al-Tabeen school. The UK supports humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to provide education services to civilians in Gaza, including through UK funding to Education Cannot Wait, which delivers education to children in crisis.

Whether the locations of (a) the 80 essential and (b) all 88 network projects in the National Grid’s transmission expansion plan have been identified.

Network planning at a high level is undertaken by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) which identifies where reinforcements are needed, network companies then design and propose individual projects. The NESO’s 2030 Advice identifies 80 specific projects as critical for the delivery of Clean Power by 2030. These projects are taken from NESO’s Pathway to 2030 Report (2022), and are listed in Annex N1 of the NESO’s Clean Power 2030 Data Workbook. The Government will set out further details when we publish the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan by the end of the year.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland on regional economic growth in the next three financial years.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District for Scotland (AMIDS) is Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation, and forms an integral part of the £1bn UK and Scottish Government funded Glasgow City Region Deal. AMIDS is home to two world-class innovation centres - the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and the Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre.Since its establishment, AMIDS has already become home to world renowned names, including Boeing and Thermo Fisher, and with the landmark opening of the Renfrew Bridge, my department expects AMIDS to achieve even greater successes in delivering up to 10,000 new jobs across the River Clyde.

What steps he is taking to increase the UK's grid capacity to (a) help achieve net zero goals and (b) support (i) improved rail connectivity and (ii) advanced manufacturing in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

The electricity networks are owned by private network companies and regulated independently by Ofgem. Government is working closely with Ofgem to speed up delivery of new network infrastructure and reform the connections process to help achieve clean power by 2030 and accelerate to net zero. Under the current distribution network price control (2023-2028), Ofgem has allowed £22.2bn for network investment. This will increase capacity, enabling connections for projects across GB, including rail and advanced manufacturing.

What steps his Department is taking to help support GP practices in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, in the context of the changes made to employers' National Insurance Contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024.

Whilst the Department holds some reserved functions, health is predominantly devolved. This includes services within the National Health Service in Scotland, which are the responsibility of Scottish Government. It is for the Scottish Government to decide how to direct the £1.5 billion of extra funding delivered by the budget this year and £3.4 billion next year. We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented April 2025, with the Department setting out further details on allocation of funding, including for NHS England and Primary Care, for next year in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contribution rates on third sector organisations; and whether she plans to take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide additional funding to charities to support them with these costs.

The Government recognises the important role charities play in our society, and has made it a priority to develop a Civil Society Covenant recognising the sector as a trusted and independent partner.Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. The tax reliefs available to charities are a vital element in supporting charitable causes across the UK, and our tax regime for charities is among the most generous of anywhere in the world with more than £6 billion in charitable reliefs provided to charities, CASCs and their donors in 2023 to 2024. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.To repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance.The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of employers with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices, where eligible.The Government has committed to provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer NICs costs only. This is the usual approach the Government takes to supporting the public sector with additional Employer NICs costs, as was the case with the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.

If she will take steps to ensure that the Pensions Investment Review makes an assessment of the potential impact of each of its recommendations on people who plan to retire in the next five years.

Since launching in July, the Pensions Investment Review has focused on engaging with stakeholders and gathering insights and evidence. A Call for Evidence was published in September and the evidence received will inform our understanding of the impacts any changes in this area could have on savers. Any measures that are taken forward into legislation will have the relevant accompanying impact assessments.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) introducing transitional arrangements for and (b) delaying implementation of her policy on VAT on school fees in Scotland.

Whilst developing these policies, the Government has carefully considered the impact that they will have on pupils and their families across both the state and private sector, as well as the impact they will have on state and private schools. This consideration includes the impacts of these changes across all four nations of the UK. The Government has additionally engaged extensively with all the devolved Governments, including the Scottish Government, on this issue. Following scrutiny of the Government’s costing by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility, the Government will confirm its approach to these reforms at the Budget on 30 October and set out its assessment of relevant expected impacts in a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN).

What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of long-term youth unemployment in (a) Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency and (b) Scotland; and what steps she is taking to help tackle long-term youth unemployment in those areas.

It is not possible to obtain estimates of trends in the levels of long-term youth unemployment in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency and Scotland because the sample sizes from survey data are too small to provide robust findings for these geographical areas. Currently we have a national Youth Offer which is available in Jobcentres across Scotland. Through the Youth Offer we provide labour market support to young people aged 16-24 claiming Universal Credit through a range of tailored interventions to help reduce the barriers young people may face, bringing them closer to work or education.Jobcentre Plus School Advisers target support to young people that schools have identified as being at greatest risk of not being in work or education, or who may be disadvantaged in the labour market. We understand Scotland have a Youth Guarantee that supports young people access employment, training and education opportunities. Under our plan to get Britain Working, we are in the process of introducing a similar concept through a new Youth Guarantee in England that will ensure all young people aged 18-21 can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or employment support. Such ambitious plans require input and expertise from a wide range of stakeholders, and we are working closely with the Devolved Governments to share insights into what is currently working across Britain. We will set out further detail in the upcoming ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper.