Written questions by Griffith.

With reference to the Written Statement of 13 April 2026 (HCWS1501), what statutory or prerogative powers were relied upon to direct Ensus UK Limited to restart production.

The costs associated with this intervention have been independently verified and are commercially sensitive. The Department’s Annual Report and Accounts will record the expenditure incurred with Ensus and disclosures surrounding the expenditure incurred will reflect the materiality of the arrangement to the Department’s accounts, as is required by International Financial Reporting Standards.Government uses legal powers under the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. A key condition of this support requires Ensus to keep the facility on standby and restart operations when required to provide resilience for critical sectors.Ministers were first advised of risks to CO2 supply chains arising from the Middle East conflict on 9 March.

With reference to HCWS1501, what estimate her Department has made of the total cost to the public purse of operating the Ensus UK Limited plant for the initial three-month period.

The costs associated with this intervention have been independently verified and are commercially sensitive. The Department’s Annual Report and Accounts will record the expenditure incurred with Ensus and disclosures surrounding the expenditure incurred will reflect the materiality of the arrangement to the Department’s accounts, as is required by International Financial Reporting Standards.Government uses legal powers under the Industrial Development Act 1982 to provide financial support to Ensus. A key condition of this support requires Ensus to keep the facility on standby and restart operations when required to provide resilience for critical sectors.Ministers were first advised of risks to CO2 supply chains arising from the Middle East conflict on 9 March.

When the Minister for Policing and Crime plans to respond to the letter of 17 March 2026 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

The correspondence from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs, dated 17 march 2026, was answered on 27 April 2026.

What steps he is taking to ensure the Employment Rights Act 2025 does not negatively impact employment levels.

Our analysis demonstrates that the Act is more likely to help more people into work than reduce employment. Making work more attractive and accessible to a wider range of people, such as those with caring responsibilities or health conditions, can help more people enter or return to the workforce.Changes will be introduced gradually over a two-year period, giving businesses time to prepare. We have launched a dedicated website offering practical guidance and support for businesses and workers, alongside wider communication, engagement and educational activity to raise awareness. We will keep consulting with businesses, trade unions and civil society to make sure we get the detail right.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on the number of entry-level and flexible jobs.

The Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights act and this is available here: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments. Our analysis, supported by independent modelling and international evidence, demonstrates pro-employment effects are more likely and deems the overall risk to employment to be low.

When she intends to publish the guidance for businesses on compliance with s21 of the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Clear guidance for employers on Section 21 (harassment by third parties) of the Employment Rights Act is planned to be published in advance of the new legislation coming into force in October 2026. This will ensure that employers are fully supported in complying with the changes.

What assessment his Department has made of purchasing Emissions Trading Scheme permits in the secondary market on the cost to businesses.

The price of carbon allowances in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme is set by the market. A market-determined price of carbon is the most efficient way to decarbonise the traded sector. The UK ETS Authority sets the scheme’s cap, which sets a limit on the volume of greenhouse gases participants captured by the scheme can emit. In 2024 the UK ETS cap was aligned to net zero. This ensures the covered sectors will reduce their emissions in line with the UK’s climate target and establishes a long-term investment signal. An impact assessment was conducted, including costs to businesses.

When she expects to publish the consultation on guaranteed hours under the Employment Rights Act 2025; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the timing of the publication of the consultation on (a) business confidence, (b) employment levels, (c) levels of flexible work and (d) business viability, particularly for (i) recruitment agencies and (ii) seasonal sectors such as (A) hospitality and (B) agriculture.

The government will consult on the right to guaranteed hours in due course, to be sure to get the detail of the regulations right for both workers and employers across all sectors. We appreciate that employers will need clarity and time before regulations come into effect to familiarise themselves with these new rights and adapt their practices. We will ensure that employers have sufficient time and appropriate guidance to comply with the new legislation.

How many businesses received free allowances under the Emissions Trading Scheme in each of the last three years.

The number of businesses that received free allowances under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) in each of the last three years was as follows: 2024: 2842025: 2732026: 265 Note that the Allocation Table lists the company that operated each site at the time the table was last updated, rather than when the free allowances for a given year were distributed, so the figures above should be treated as approximate for 2024 and 2025. This information is publicly available on GOV.UK at UK ETS Allocation Table for operators of installations - GOV.UK.

How many free allowances were granted to businesses under the Emissions Trading Scheme in each of the last three years.

The total number of free allowances distributed under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) in each of the last three years was as follows: 2024: 30,823,9372025: 25,451,6712026: 24,107,382 This information is publicly available on GOV.UK at UK ETS Allocation Table for operators of installations - GOV.UK.

What proportion of Freedom of Information requests received by his Department were responded to (a) within the statutory 20 working day deadline, (b) between 21 and 40 working days, (c) between 41 and 60 working days, and (d) after 60 working days, in each of the last three calendar years.

The Cabinet Office publishes official Freedom of Information (FOI) statistics for all monitored central government bodies, including the Department for Business and Trade, as part of its regular Government FOI Statistics series. These statistics are available on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.FOI statistics for 2023 and 2024 are currently available online through this collection. The 2025 FOI statistics are scheduled to be published in April 2026.

Communities and Local Government, how many planning applications were submitted for change of use into Class E for each of the last three years.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

If she will publish information held by the Disclosure and Barring Service on DBS checks issued in the most recent year by (a) sector, (b) occupation and (c) Standard Industrial Classification.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is operationally independent and therefore responsible for the information it publishes.The organisation currently publishes performance against its targets at DBS dataset 1: DBS checks, the DBS Update Service, and disputes - GOV.UK.It does not publish information about the sector, occupation, or Standard Industrial Classification in relation to its checks.

What proportion of DBS checks are requested for roles not involving regulated activity.

DBS received 7,434,323 applications across all levels of checks between 01/03/2025 and 28/02/2026. Of those, 3,580,685 (48%) applications were for roles not involved in regulated activity.

Whether his Department plans to hold an African Investment Summit.

I refer the member for Arundel and South Downs to the answer I gave to UIN 101498 on 8 January.

Innovation and Technology, whether she intends to publish an updated Space Industrial Plan.

The government does not intend to update the Space Industrial Plan. Instead, a broader plan for space will be published later this year, which will build on the Space Industrial Plan and other relevant publications, including the National Space Strategy and the Strategic Defence Review. The plan will set out objectives and delivery plans for areas previously covered by the Space Industrial Plan, including skills, regulation and investment.

Where the new Fair Work Agency offices will be located.

The Fair Work Agency brings together in one place the work of the existing employment rights enforcement bodies. To ensure there is no disruption to front line operational activity there are no immediate plans to changes to existing, nationwide, locations of staff.

What was the total value of the Emission Trading Scheme/Carbon Price Support compensation paid to British Steel during 2024-2025.

For the last decade, Government has provided compensation to a small number of businesses in the most electricity intensive sectors, including steel, to lower their electricity bills and help keep them viable in the UK. In the 2024/25 financial year, approximately 140 of the most electricity intensive and trade exposed companies received support worth £142 million. The Department does not publish the details of individual awards given to companies through compensation schemes due to commercial sensitivities.

With reference to the Companies House news story titled Update on Companies House WebFiling security issue, published on 16 March 2026, how many unique user accounts successfully performed the set of actions required to access another company’s details without consent during the period the vulnerability was active.

It is not currently possible to determine the number of unique user accounts affected. However, Companies House is investigating this from both a technical and customer perspective. Following the initial report, ongoing investigations have found no subsequent confirmed cases of personal data having been accessed without permission as a result of the issue. There is no confirmed evidence that any records have been changed. The absence of any new confirmed cases is welcome, although investigations continue.

With reference to the Companies House news story titled Update on Companies House WebFiling security issue, published on 16 March 2026, what estimate his Department has made of the number of companies whose private dashboard information, including director home addresses, was accessed by unauthorised users.

Companies House is investigating this from both a technical and customer perspective. Following the initial report, ongoing investigations have found no subsequent confirmed cases of personal data having been accessed without permission as a result of this issue. There is no confirmed evidence that any records have been changed. The absence of any new confirmed cases is welcome, although as the investigation continue it is not yet possible to provide an estimate of whether any confirmed cases will be identified.