Written questions by Stephenson.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Protected Landscapes programme in helping to protect communities from flooding.

The impact of flooding across England’s 44 Protected Landscapes varies according to their local context and geographies. Work undertaken by Protected Landscape organisations makes a valuable contribution to protecting communities from flooding. The Protected Landscape Targets and Outcomes Framework sets out how Protected Landscapes will deliver a proportionally bigger contribution to national environmental targets than other areas. For example, approximately 130,000 hectares of peat will be restored in Protected Landscapes by 2050 which is 60% of the national target. This will enhance natural flood management.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure that the Spending Review recognises the contribution of the nature friendly farming budget in (a) supporting farmers, (b) restoring nature and (c) tackling climate change.

We recognise the huge importance of nature friendly farming, and we will look to maintain momentum in the coming years. The budgets for which will be set in the Spending Review.

If he will confirm when his Department will publish a fully-costed plan to achieve a Net Zero power grid by 2030.

The Clean Power Action Plan published in December 2024 outlines the Government’s approach to reaching clean power by 2030, including the need to deliver an estimated £40 billion a year of investment on average per year between 2025-2030. The vast majority of this investment will come from the private sector.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The UK is taking firm steps to expand humanitarian aid in Gaza, working with trusted partners including UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations to deliver food, healthcare, and shelter. A significant portion of our Financial Year 2024/25 funding has already reached Gaza, including life-saving medical supplies. Some remain prepositioned at border crossings or in regional warehouses due to access constraints. On 19 May, the UK co-signed a joint donor statement urging Israel to fully restore humanitarian aid access to Gaza and permit the United Nations and other aid organisations to operate independently. The UK continues to press for safe, unhindered humanitarian access.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help achieve the release of the remaining Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.

Since day one, this Government has been clear that we need to see an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages cruelly detained by Hamas, better protection of civilians, significantly more aid consistently entering Gaza, and a path to long-term peace and stability. The remaining hostages must be released and the only way to return them safely is through a deal. The UK is playing an active role in coordination with our international partners and continue to urge all parties to re-engage in ceasefire negotiations to get the hostages out and to secure a permanent end to the conflict.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2025 to Question 44048 on Environmental Delivery Plans, whether measures that require permanent maintenance will be funded from the initial levy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44048 on 24 April 2025.

Representing the Church Commissioners, if she will hold discussions with the Church of England on the potential merits of heating church buildings with boilers that are compatible with hydrated vegetable oil.

The National Church Institutions, Cathedral and Church Buildings Department does not recommend that parish churches use hydrated vegetable oil for heating. They have issued the following advice available here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/hydrogen-and-hydrotreated-vegetable-oilsAll the Parochial Church Councils across England have been encouraged to undertake an energy audit as part of the commitment of the Church of England to reach net zero by 2030. The audit should be conducted on a church-by-church basis to identify the best local heating, insulation, and lighting solutions.An energy audit enables informed decisions to find the most suitable technology to replace boilers, heating, lighting and insulation. It also allows the parish church to apply for grants from the National Church Institutions, which may be able to help a parish install new technology, equipment and materials to make their buildings more efficient to operate.Details of the grants can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/net-zero-carbon-church/short-guide-grants-and-projects-help-your-church-get

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, if he will make an estimate of the number of houses in Bedfordshire now classified as being in flood zone (a) 2 or (b) 3.

The number of properties in Bedfordshire classed within Flood Zone 2 is approximately 8200. The number of properties in Bedfordshire classed within Flood Zone 3 is approximately 3500.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, what steps he is taking to support home owners now classified as being in flood zone (a) 2 and (b) 3.

This Government will maintain the highest levels of flood protection while taking decisive action to fix our broken planning system and deliver 1.5 million homes through our Plan for Change. The Flood Zones in the Flood Map for Planning are aimed at planners and developers making decisions about the location and design of new development. By publishing the new flood and coastal erosion risk information in March 2025 the Environment Agency have ensured these decisions are based on the best available evidence. This Government is investing a record £2.65 billion over two years (2024/25 and 2025/26) for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones. The Flood Zones in the Flood Map for Planning are aimed at planners and developers making decisions about the location and design of new development. By publishing the new flood and coastal erosion risk information in March 2025 the Environment Agency have ensured these decisions are based on the best available evidence. The Environment Agency also provides the Check for flooding service, giving information on flood alerts and warnings as well as a 5-day forecast. Its flood warning system directly alerts 1.6 million properties in England who are registered to receive flood warnings. In addition it provides advice on what can be done to reduce the impacts of a flood, including preparing personal flood plans, adapting a home or business and getting insurance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 25786 on Argentina: Foreign Relations, whether he discussed the future of the Falkland Islands in those conversations.

The Foreign Secretary reiterated the UK's longstanding position on Falkland Islands sovereignty. While the UK recognises that a constructive relationship with Argentina is in our shared best interests, our commitment to defending the Falkland Islanders' right of self-determination will not waiver. Only the Falkland Islanders can and should decide their own future.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 25787 on Spain: Foreign Relations, whether the Minister discussed the future of Gibraltar during his visit to Madrid on 17 January 2025.

My meetings with Spanish Foreign Minister Albares and State Secretary for the EU Fernando Sampedro were focussed on the UK's relationship with Spain. We also discussed the progress of the UK-EU negotiations in respect of Gibraltar's future relationship with the EU. We agreed on the importance of reaching an agreement as soon as possible. The UK Government is steadfast in its support for Gibraltar and will only conclude an agreement that protects sovereignty, UK military autonomy, and prosperity. We are working closely alongside the Government of Gibraltar and will only agree to terms with which the Government of Gibraltar is content.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance, new national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, if he will write to home owners now classified as being in flood zone (a) 2 and (b) 3.

The Environment Agency (EA) provides a free service which allows homeowners to check and understand the flood risk around their properties and the actions they can do to reduce their risk. The EA also shares updated information about the risk of flooding at community engagement events.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the cost of energy on automotive manufacturers.

We speak regularly to all major UK automotive stakeholders to understand the health of the sector and factors that impact competitiveness. Our modern Industrial Strategy will focus on tackling barriers to growth in areas important for automotive companies to grow and invest in the UK. The Strategy will build on existing support for the automotive sector, including the Budget commitment of over £2 billion of funding to 2030 for zero emission vehicle manufacturing.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of how long housing delivery of 300,000 per year would need to be sustained to result in a reduction in the ratio of wages to house prices to 1997 levels.

As the hon. Member is aware, the government has not set interim annual targets in respect of its ambitious Plan for Change milestone of delivering 1.5 million safe and decent homes in this Parliament. As such, we do not have an annual housing target of 300,000 homes. Due to the reduced levels of housing supply that we inherited from the previous government, we have been clear that rates of housebuilding will have to increase significantly in the later years of the Parliament.House prices are influenced by a variety of economic factors, including but not limited to, the supply of new homes. For more information on the factors that influence house prices, I refer the hon. Member to the publication “Analysis of the Determinants of House Price Changes” (2018) which can be found here.The effects of housing undersupply can be seen in affordability and rent pressures. Boosting the supply of homes of all tenures therefore must be at the heart of any strategy to improve housing affordability.Through the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024, the government implemented a new standard method for assessing housing needs to increase supply and better direct new homes to the areas where they are currently least affordable and therefore most needed.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, whether her Department plans to have discussions with local authorities on avoiding development in areas of functional floodplain.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 is clear that new housing and most other forms of development should not be permitted in functional flood plains.National planning policy and guidance expect flood risk assessments to consider all sources of flooding, and to take the most up-to-date information into account, which includes the Environment Agency's NaFRA2 data.It is for individual decision-makers, including local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate, to apply this policy and guidance. Support in doing so is available from various sources, including recent webinars hosted by the Town and Country Planning Association. Additional guidance on interpreting the updated NaFRA2 data is also available through the Environment Agency and sector partners to assist local planning authorities.The New Towns Programme aims to create environmentally resilient places that support the Government’s net-zero agenda through sustainable design, nature enhancement, low-carbon infrastructure, and responsible development, including flood risk mitigation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, published on 25 March 2025, if she will hold discussions with the Planning Inspectorate to ensure that new houses are not built on functional floodplains.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 is clear that new housing and most other forms of development should not be permitted in functional flood plains.National planning policy and guidance expect flood risk assessments to consider all sources of flooding, and to take the most up-to-date information into account, which includes the Environment Agency's NaFRA2 data.It is for individual decision-makers, including local planning authorities and the Planning Inspectorate, to apply this policy and guidance. Support in doing so is available from various sources, including recent webinars hosted by the Town and Country Planning Association. Additional guidance on interpreting the updated NaFRA2 data is also available through the Environment Agency and sector partners to assist local planning authorities.The New Towns Programme aims to create environmentally resilient places that support the Government’s net-zero agenda through sustainable design, nature enhancement, low-carbon infrastructure, and responsible development, including flood risk mitigation.

Communities and Local Government, over what period her Department plans to require housing supply of 370,000 houses per year.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 includes a new Standard Method for assessing housing need that is aligned to our Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new safe and decent homes in England by the end of this Parliament. The new Standard Method sets a local housing need for England of 370,408. Detail on how individual local planning authorities should plan to meet this updated housing need, including transitional arrangements, is set out in the Framework.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he will provide support to retrofit car parks with solar panels.

The Government is assessing the potential to drive the construction of solar canopies on outdoor carparks over a certain size through a call for evidence, which is open until 18th June. DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for retrofitting solar canopies on existing car parks. No policy has been determined yet, but Government will use the evidence gathered to shape policy development in this space, including potential opportunities for increasing retrofit installation.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled, Better deal for motorists and businesses with solar car parks, published on 7 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of making solar car parks mandatory for car parks on conservation areas.

DESNZ is seeking evidence and feedback on a proposal to mandate the installation of solar canopies on new outdoor car parks and explore opportunities for deployment on existing car parks, through a call for evidence which closes on June 18th. This includes evidence about exemptions to the proposal. Thorough assessments on how to take the policy forward, including the impact on conservation areas, will be made once the call for evidence has closed, and suitable evidence has been gathered and analysed.

Whether his Department plans to incentivise the use of (a) hydrated vegetable oil and (b) other biofuels in compatible boilers by (i) encouraging the availability of biofuels and (ii) (A) reducing and (B) removing taxes on biofuels; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on the (1) cost and (2) use of biofuels as a renewable alternative for heating buildings.

The Government expects most properties will ultimately switch to heat pumps as these are a proven technology and have been installed in high numbers in other countries.However, the Government is committed to ensuring that there is the right solution for every household. We have therefore commissioned research to collect data on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising the most complex housing archetypes, including the use of renewable liquid fuels, and we expect to receive results from that research in 2025. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil, in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstocks.