Every parliamentary written question tabled by Angus MacDonald this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 401–420 of 674 · this parliament
What recent discussions she has had with Ofgem on the adequacy of seven-port smart meters as replacements for RTS meters serving households on the Total Heating Total Control tariff.
The Department and Ofgem agree that seven-port meters can be an adequate replacement option for households with more complex metering arrangements, such as Total Heating Total Control.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of migrating from total heating total control meters to standard tariffs following the replacement of radio teleswitch service meters on consumer energy costs.
Energy suppliers are best placed to advise on suitable tariffs for their customers, and to ensure that they inform affected customers of any changes to the cost of their energy. The Department and Ofgem have been clear with suppliers that we expect consumers to be switched to a similar or equivalent tariff and should not face detriment due to switching from an RTS meter. Ofgem has consulted on plans to ensure that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a similar energy tariff to their customers once their RTS meter is replaced. Ofgem will make further announcements on this in due course.
What recent discussions she has had with the DCC on the expansion of the smart meter network.
The DCC is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.25% of premises across Great Britain, and to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage. The Government is working closely with the DCC on its network communications strategy, and solutions for properties currently without WAN are becoming available. Energy suppliers are now able to install smart meters in the ‘North’ region which communicate using the 4G cellular mobile network. Additionally, a new solution that would involve harnessing, with the consumer’s consent, their broadband connections to carry smart metering communications will be piloted early next year, with a wider rollout expected later in 2026.
What recent estimate he has made of the number of households in the UK still using the total heating total control tariff.
The Government does not hold this information centrally. As tariffs are a commercial matter for suppliers, the Government is unable to comment on individual tariffs offered by energy suppliers.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has taken recent steps to cooperate with the Syria Civil Defence.
The UK has long supported the Syrian Civil Defence (also known as the White Helmets) in their vital work to facilitate humanitarian access, conduct search and rescue operations, and enable the safe removal of unexploded weapons. We are proud of this partnership and remain committed to supporting the White Helmets during its transition into the Syrian Government's Ministry for Emergency and Disaster Relief. In the financial year 2025/26, the UK has committed £2.25 million of support for them to provide emergency civil protection services and community resilience activities.
What guidance his Department has provided to energy suppliers on maintaining tariff equivalence when replacing Radio Teleswitch Service meters for customers previously on Total Heating with Total Control tariffs.
Energy suppliers are best placed to advise on suitable tariffs for their customers, and to ensure that they inform affected customers of any changes to the cost of their energy. The Department and Ofgem have been clear with suppliers that we expect consumers to be switched to a similar or equivalent tariff and should not face detriment due to switching from an RTS meter. Ofgem has consulted on plans to ensure that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to provide a similar energy tariff to their customers once their RTS meter is replaced. Ofgem will make further announcements on this in due course.
If she will make an estimate of the number of households that are not on the smart meter network in each constituency in Scotland.
The Department does not collect data on Wide Area Network (WAN) availability at constituency level. The DCC is obligated under the conditions of its licence to provide Wide Area Network (WAN) coverage to at least 99.5% of premises in the ‘North’ region, which includes Scotland, and to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of coverage.
If she will make an assessment of the potential fiscal impact of exempting the state pension from income tax.
The Government is committed to making sure older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of the support available to them. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently projected to go up by around £1,900 based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast. The Government is also committed to keeping people’s taxes as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility, and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the personal allowance remaining below the value of the new state pension from April 2026 on pensioners.
The Government is committed to making sure older people can live with the dignity and respect they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of the support available to them. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently projected to go up by around £1,900 based on the Office for Budget Responsibility's latest forecast. The Government is also committed to keeping people’s taxes as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility, and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds.
What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of biomass generation at Drax Power Station on the environment.
The Government published an impact assessment in early 2024 as part of the consultation on proposed support options for large scale biomass generators, including Drax. This assessment was consistent with the views of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which recognise that bioenergy can play a significant role in decarbonising economies, provided that policies are in place to mitigate the use of unsustainable biomass. The Government only provides support for biomass sourced from sustainably managed forests, and biomass generators must comply with local air quality requirements as part of their environmental permits.
What recent estimate her Department has made of the number of people who will pay income tax on the state pension from April 2026.
The headline rates of the basic and new State Pensions are currently below the level of the Income Tax Personal Allowance, so pensioners for whom that is their sole income pay no income tax. It is pensioners with larger than average State Pension entitlements, because of, for example, entitlement to additional earnings-related State Pension, inherited awards or Protected Payments under the new State Pension who will be liable for income tax on their State Pension income. Utilising DWP’s pensioner benefit forecasting model and the State Pension caseload forecast published at Spring Statement 2025 (Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2025 - GOV.UK), it is estimated that around 30% (approximately 4m) of State Pension recipients will be liable for tax on their State Pension award administered by DWP in 2026/27. This figure is a modelled estimate from DWP’s pensioner benefit forecasting model and therefore should not be treated as an official statistic. This is consistent with current personal tax allowance policy and the OBR’s Spring Statement 2025 State Pension forecasts. Tax liabilities considered are from DWP administered State Pension awards only.
Whether her Department plans to use artificial intelligence to bypass end-to-end encryption to reduce access to the livestreaming of child abuse.
The Home Office is actively developing options to support more systematic and effective deployment of such technology to fully mitigate harms to children from producing and sharing such imagery. This includes actively considering requirements on device operating systems to implement controls to better protect child users of smartphones; with the option of device-level age assurance for adult users.
What steps her Department is taking to make reasonable adjustments for autistic people to complete Universal Credit applications.
The Department is committed to ensuring that the Universal Credit (UC) service is accessible to all, including autistic people and others with complex needs.We recognise that some customers may require additional support to make and maintain a UC claim. A range of reasonable adjustments and tailored support is available, including:Help to Claim: Delivered by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, this service provides independent, practical support from the point of application through to the first correct payment.Enhanced Support Journey: For customers with complex needs, including those with autism, this includes outbound calls, home visits, and tailored case management.Face-to-face and telephone support: Available through local Jobcentres and the UC helpline for those unable to use the online service.Specialist staff: Trained to identify and respond to the needs of vulnerable claimants, including those with neurodivergent conditions.Third party Support: The claimant can give explicit consent for Universal Credit to speak with a third party to help with the management of a claim. Where a person is unable to manage their own claim the Department can arrange for a third party to be set up as an appointee to formally manage making and managing the benefit claim.The Department continues to work with stakeholders and user groups to improve accessibility and ensure that the UC service meets the needs of all claimants.
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of utilising artificial intelligence to reduce the livestream of child abuse online.
The Home Office is actively developing options to support more systematic and effective deployment of such technology to fully mitigate harms to children from producing and sharing such imagery. This includes actively considering requirements on device operating systems to implement controls to better protect child users of smartphones; with the option of device-level age assurance for adult users.
What steps her Department is taking to make reasonable adjustments for people with dyslexia to complete Universal Credit applications.
The Department is committed to ensuring that Universal Credit is accessible to all claimants, including those with dyslexia.We recognise that some individuals may require reasonable adjustments to complete their Universal Credit application. A range of support is available to help claimants with additional needs:Help to Claim, delivered by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, provides tailored, practical support to help individuals make a new claim to Universal Credit.Face-to-face support is available in local Jobcentres, where trained staff can assist claimants with completing their application.Easy read guides and other accessible formats are available on GOV.UK to support claimants with learning difficulties.For those unable to access digital or telephone services, home visits may be arranged where appropriate.Third party Support: The claimant can give explicit consent for Universal Credit to speak with a third party to help with the management of a claim. The Department continues to review and improve the Universal Credit service to ensure it is inclusive and responsive to the needs of all users. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments where required, in line with our duties under the Equality Act 2010.
What steps her Department is taking to make reasonable adjustments for people with complex learning difficulties to complete Universal Credit applications.
The Department is committed to ensuring that Universal Credit is accessible to all, including individuals with complex learning difficulties. We recognise that some claimants may require additional support to make and maintain their claim. A range of reasonable adjustments and tailored support is available, including:Help to Claim: Delivered by Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, this service provides practical, tailored support to help individuals make a new claim to Universal Credit or move from legacy benefits. Support is available via telephone, webchat, and face-to-face appointments.Jobcentre Support: Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers are trained to identify and support individuals with complex needs. They can offer face-to-face assistance and refer claimants to additional services where appropriate.Alternative Channels: For those unable to use the online service, claims can be made by telephone. The Department also offers Video Relay Services for British Sign Language users.Tailored Adjustments: DWP identifies individuals with complex user needs and ensures appropriate support is made available throughout their UC journey. This includes adapting communication methods and providing additional time or assistance where needed.Continuous Improvement: The Department regularly reviews and improves the UC service based on user feedback to ensure it remains accessible and responsive to all claimants’ needs.Third party Support: The claimant can give explicit consent for Universal Credit to speak with a third party to help with the management of a claim. Where a person is unable to manage their own claim, the Department can arrange for a third party to be set up as an appointee to formally manage making and managing the benefit claim.These measures are part of our broader commitment to equality and inclusion, ensuring that no one is disadvantaged in accessing the support they are entitled to. Where individuals cannot manage their own affairs sufficiently, DWP allows an appointee to undertake actions on the claimant’s behalf.A range of reasonable adjustments are embedded across the UC service, supported by recent enhancements to improve visibility, responsiveness, and operational delivery.Accessibility Needs Tab: Claimants can record their accessibility needs directly in their UC account. These are surfaced to agents via a blue banner and are visible during appointment booking, calls, and correspondenceSupport Needs Tab: Agents can record broader support needs (e.g. cognitive impairments, homelessness, safeguarding). These are visible to Work Coaches, Case Managers, Complex Case Coaches (CCCs), and Visiting Officers
Whether his Department plans to take steps to ensure that the public are (a) consulted and (b) involved in decisions on the use of public-private partnerships in the NHS.
The business case to assess the feasibility of using a public-private partnership (PPP) model for Neighbourhood Health Centres is being co-developed by the Department of Health and Social Care and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.The business case will set out the potential for a PPP model and an assessment of the value for money so that a final decision on the approach can be taken by the time of the 2025 Budget in the autumn. If a decision is taken to proceed, then further market engagement will take place on the model and approach. The location of, and services provided through, Neighbourhood Health Centres will be decided at a local level by the NHS and other stakeholders, based on the local needs of patients.
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken to investigate advertisements by the Advertising Standards Agency.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating advertising in the UK across traditional forms of media (print, radio, TV) and online and is independent of the Government. The process the ASA follows when handling complaints is publicly available on its website, alongside its performance data in responding to complaints over the year, and expected timelines relating to more and less complex cases. It explains that straightforward issues (around 80% of cases) can be resolved in a number of days, but that more complex issues where the advertiser is contacted generally take longer. A small number of the most complex cases can take up to six months to resolve, particularly when appointing independent experts to help assess evidence.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of including financial education provision in primary schools as part of the national curriculum.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose, and to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.The Review is being informed by evidence, data and in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. This includes over 7,000 responses to the public call for evidence, and a range of research and polling.During the public consultation, the Review Group heard consistently from parents and children that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of these skills within subjects, and how content can remain relevant and support young people to thrive in a fast-changing world. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn.
Whether she has had recent discussions with education stakeholders on the inclusion of financial education in the curriculum review.
The Curriculum and Assessment Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose, and to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.The Review is being informed by evidence, data and in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. This includes over 7,000 responses to the public call for evidence, and a range of research and polling.During the public consultation, the Review Group heard consistently from parents and children that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of these skills within subjects, and how content can remain relevant and support young people to thrive in a fast-changing world. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn.