Written questions by Nichols.

What the expected end-of-life date is for each operational gas-fired power station in the UK.

The retirement of individual unabated gas plants is a commercial decision for private operators, based on technical, operational and economic factors. NESO’s Resource Adequacy in the 2030s report notes that many of today’s gas plants were commissioned before 2000 and may be approaching retirement by the early 2030s. To mitigate risks to security of supply, we have made it easier for plants to access multi-year Capacity Market agreements. This will provide greater revenue certainty that enables the type of investment ageing plants will need if they are to extend their operating life.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his policies on new nuclear on job creation.

This Government’s nuclear policies are set to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly employed in the project, thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and plans to create 1,500 apprenticeships. Furthermore, a small modular reactor project delivered through the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR programme could create up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction. The new Atlantic partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy between the UK and the US will accelerate deployment of new nuclear power, unlocking opportunities for billions in private investment and delivering thousands more well-paid skilled jobs.

What assessment he has made of the contribution of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North constituency to (a) regional and (b) national economic growth.

As evidenced by the inclusion of civil nuclear the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the government recognises that our nuclear programme is an important driver of regional and national growth. We also recognise the considerable presence of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North, with businesses in the region contributing a range of expertise across the programme.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the number of jobs in the nuclear sector on the economy.

DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. The annual industry-led 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment (NWA), published by Cogent Skills, estimates that the civil and defence nuclear sector workforce increased from 83,000 jobs in 2023 to 96,000 in 2024, and could grow by an additional 24,000 employees by the early 2030s.[1] These roles are highly skilled, well paid and concentrated in regions where they provide significant economic benefit. Beyond direct employment nuclear investment boosts skills, infrastructure, and services, driving economic growth[1] Cogent Skills, 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment

Whether her Department plans to improve access to free debt advice; and if she will make a statement.

The Government is committed to ensuring that people in financial difficulty have access to free, impartial debt advice. Through the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS), the Government funds a range of national and community-based services to support individuals and families across England. The Government also provides funding for debt advice services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are delivered by the devolved governments.Funding levels for both MaPS and the devolved governments are regularly reviewed to reflect demand, inflation, and evolving needs.MaPS’ latest impact report shows that people accessing the debt advice services it funded in 2023/24 gained an estimated £48 million in additional income, demonstrating the value of these services in supporting financial resilience. MaPS is continuing to expand access to its services by strengthening its digital capabilities and working in partnership with local organisations, to ensure support is available to those most in need.In addition, the Government is currently developing a Financial Inclusion Strategy which aims to improve access to financial services and support, including debt advice. The strategy will be published later this year.

If she will make it her policy to establish a sustainable funding model for social welfare advice services.

The Government recognises the important role that social welfare advice services play in supporting individuals. For example, DWP provide grant funding to Citizens Advice, who deliver Help to Claim support for customers to apply for Universal Credit. In addition, the Money and Pensions Service, which is sponsored by DWP, continues to provide impartial, free money and pensions guidance directly to consumers.DWP’s settlement at Spending Review 2025 provided DWP with funding to continue delivering these services.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to (a) tackle digital exclusion and (b) ensure that people who are digitally excluded have access to (i) advice and (ii) online services.

The Digital Inclusion Action Plan sets out the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK. These first actions will widen access to devices, drive digital upskilling, break down barriers to participation and get support to people in their own communities.We are committed to ensuring that government online and digital services are as accessible as possible and are exploring how to extend the scope of the standards beyond central government into the wider public sector and looking at revising them to include inclusive service design.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of welfare reforms on demand for independent advice services; and if he will make a statement.

The public consultation on the “Pathways to Work” Green Paper received over 47,500 responses before closing on the 30 June. We are now carefully reviewing responses as we develop further proposals, involving disabled people, including through the Timms review of PIP, collaboration committees and the department’s new Disability Advisory Panel. We will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms as part of our consideration of responses to the consultation, including any impacts on services.

What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of the creation of a national advice workforce development fund.

Skills England will identify and address skills gaps across all sectors. It works with employers, training providers, and local authorities to ensure the skills system reflects real-world workforce needs, both nationally and locally.Through 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund and apprenticeships, the department provides funding for education, training and qualifications across a range of sectors. This will support people on pathways that will be relevant to roles in the advice sector.

With reference to the Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002, what provision exists for the revocation of this legislation should the evidence no longer support such controls.

The Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002 prohibits any food consisting of or containing kava-kava from being imported or placed on the market. This regulation is in place to protect public health. Since the introduction of this legislation, any additional scientific evidence that has been provided to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not been sufficient to support any amendments to the controls in place. If additional data on the safety of kava-kava were to be submitted, appropriate evaluations, such as a risk assessment, will be considered by the FSA. The outputs of a risk assessment could then be used to provide advice to Ministers, to amend or repeal the legislation. New scientific evidence on the hepatotoxic risk of kava-kava would be reviewed by the FSA. Without additional evidence that indicates a safe level of human consumption for kava-kava, the FSA considers there is insufficient toxicological data available to initiate an assessment. While there is no specific provision in the regulation that sets out the procedure for revoking the controls, as safety concerns provide the basis for the ban, an assessment of newly available data on the safety of kava-kava for human consumption would be the first step. If the independent Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is satisfied that there is a safe level of human consumption, this would inform advice to Ministers to amend or repeal the legislation. Any future evaluation of the Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002, would need to be considered and carried out in tandem with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency as The Medicines for Human Use (Kava-kava) (Prohibition) Order 2002 is applicable.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of new research into the hepatotoxicity risk posed by kava on The Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002.

The Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002 prohibits any food consisting of or containing kava-kava from being imported or placed on the market. This regulation is in place to protect public health. Since the introduction of this legislation, any additional scientific evidence that has been provided to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not been sufficient to support any amendments to the controls in place. If additional data on the safety of kava-kava were to be submitted, appropriate evaluations, such as a risk assessment, will be considered by the FSA. The outputs of a risk assessment could then be used to provide advice to Ministers, to amend or repeal the legislation. New scientific evidence on the hepatotoxic risk of kava-kava would be reviewed by the FSA. Without additional evidence that indicates a safe level of human consumption for kava-kava, the FSA considers there is insufficient toxicological data available to initiate an assessment. While there is no specific provision in the regulation that sets out the procedure for revoking the controls, as safety concerns provide the basis for the ban, an assessment of newly available data on the safety of kava-kava for human consumption would be the first step. If the independent Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is satisfied that there is a safe level of human consumption, this would inform advice to Ministers to amend or repeal the legislation. Any future evaluation of the Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002, would need to be considered and carried out in tandem with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency as The Medicines for Human Use (Kava-kava) (Prohibition) Order 2002 is applicable.

Whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of controls on the (a) sale and (b) import of kava for food purposes in The Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002.

The Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002 prohibits any food consisting of or containing kava-kava from being imported or placed on the market. This regulation is in place to protect public health. Since the introduction of this legislation, any additional scientific evidence that has been provided to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has not been sufficient to support any amendments to the controls in place. If additional data on the safety of kava-kava were to be submitted, appropriate evaluations, such as a risk assessment, will be considered by the FSA. The outputs of a risk assessment could then be used to provide advice to Ministers, to amend or repeal the legislation. New scientific evidence on the hepatotoxic risk of kava-kava would be reviewed by the FSA. Without additional evidence that indicates a safe level of human consumption for kava-kava, the FSA considers there is insufficient toxicological data available to initiate an assessment. While there is no specific provision in the regulation that sets out the procedure for revoking the controls, as safety concerns provide the basis for the ban, an assessment of newly available data on the safety of kava-kava for human consumption would be the first step. If the independent Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment is satisfied that there is a safe level of human consumption, this would inform advice to Ministers to amend or repeal the legislation. Any future evaluation of the Kava-kava in Food (England) Regulations 2002, would need to be considered and carried out in tandem with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency as The Medicines for Human Use (Kava-kava) (Prohibition) Order 2002 is applicable.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of adding Ukrainian language GCSE to the curriculum.

Decisions about which languages to offer at GCSE in England are taken by four independent awarding organisations, AQA, OCR, Pearson Edexcel and WJEC, rather than by central government. These organisations have the freedom to create a Ukrainian GCSE based on the subject content for modern foreign languages set by the department. We have written to these organisations to ask them to consider introducing a Ukrainian GCSE.The British government stands steadfast behind the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian government. The department is proud to support children and families from Ukraine during their transition to a new life in the UK. To do our part to support the Ukrainian people, we are supporting the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science in policy development and this year have launched a UK-Ukraine Schools Partnership programme, twinning 100 schools in the UK and Ukraine.

If she will remove the tax-exempt heritage assets scheme from landowners.

The conditional exemption tax incentive scheme was introduced to preserve and protect the national heritage for the benefit of the public. The Government keeps all tax policy under review, and any changes are set out at fiscal events.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to encourage empty homes to become occupied.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59458 on 20 June 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has allocated funding to (a) local authorities and (b) other responsible organisations to (i) maintain and (ii) improve rural walking paths.

The Government recognises the vital role that public rights of way play in promoting access to nature, encouraging active travel, and supporting community wellbeing. Responsibility for managing and maintaining these routes lies with local highway authorities, who must ensure that paths are clear of obstructions and accessible to all users. Each authority is required to maintain a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP), which outlines their strategy for enhancing the local rights of way network. These plans include assessments of the network’s current condition and are made publicly available on the authority’s website. ROWIPs serve as valuable tools for identifying local needs and priorities, including opportunities to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, families, and underrepresented groups. Local authorities are uniquely positioned to understand the specific needs of their communities and to allocate resources effectively. Their local insight ensures that improvements to the rights of way network are both targeted and impactful. The Government continues to collaborate with partners to support responsible access and promote inclusive enjoyment of the natural environment.

What steps he has taken to raise awareness among (a) people sleeping rough, (b) socially isolated people and (c) other at-risk populations on the dangers of synthetic opioids since 2024.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued planning guidance for local areas to help them respond to incidents caused by potent synthetic opioids. The guidance enables local partners to rapidly understand the scale of the synthetic opioid threat and assess the risk, communicate the threat, and take actions to mitigate it.The Combating Drugs Partnerships (CDP) are vital in leading the local response to synthetic opioids and developing preparedness plans to manage the risk in their area, utilising the local guidance issued by the Department. In addition to a tabletop exercise conducted with a range of relevant local partners, a sample of CDP preparedness plans have been analysed by the Government, and the Home Office has published a report which includes a series of recommendations to help local areas maintain their emergency preparation and response.Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need and it is for local authorities to decide on the amount of funding to dedicate to public education on the risks of synthetic opioids and how to respond to an opioid overdose. DHSC has made clear that local authorities can allocate funding to support campaigns and events to improve understanding and reduce harm. In addition, in response to increasing use and the serious harms associated with synthetic opioids, the Department is planning a public health awareness campaign which will launch in the coming months. This campaign will raise awareness of new patterns of drug use and their associated risks.To ensure that vulnerable at-risk groups, including the homeless and those who are socially isolated, are aware of the dangers these drugs pose, regular drug alerts and communications are circulated by DHSC to commissioners and providers of drug treatment services, and there is ongoing engagement with local drug systems across England that are responsible for ensuring relevant professionals within their areas are adequately informed. It is their responsibility to circulate information with wider local stakeholders, such as the homelessness sector.DHSC also includes advice on how to respond when witnessing an opioid overdose in its naloxone guidance and on the Government’s drugs information website, Talk to FRANK.

What steps he has taken to integrate synthetic opioid awareness into local authorities’ Drug Strategies since 5 July 2025; and how much of the 2025/26 targeted drug, alcohol treatment and recovery grant funding for local authorities in England, announced on 31 March 2025 he has allocated to public education on the (a) risks of synthetic opioids and (b) how to respond when witnessing an opioid overdose.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued planning guidance for local areas to help them respond to incidents caused by potent synthetic opioids. The guidance enables local partners to rapidly understand the scale of the synthetic opioid threat and assess the risk, communicate the threat, and take actions to mitigate it.The Combating Drugs Partnerships (CDP) are vital in leading the local response to synthetic opioids and developing preparedness plans to manage the risk in their area, utilising the local guidance issued by the Department. In addition to a tabletop exercise conducted with a range of relevant local partners, a sample of CDP preparedness plans have been analysed by the Government, and the Home Office has published a report which includes a series of recommendations to help local areas maintain their emergency preparation and response.Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need and it is for local authorities to decide on the amount of funding to dedicate to public education on the risks of synthetic opioids and how to respond to an opioid overdose. DHSC has made clear that local authorities can allocate funding to support campaigns and events to improve understanding and reduce harm. In addition, in response to increasing use and the serious harms associated with synthetic opioids, the Department is planning a public health awareness campaign which will launch in the coming months. This campaign will raise awareness of new patterns of drug use and their associated risks.To ensure that vulnerable at-risk groups, including the homeless and those who are socially isolated, are aware of the dangers these drugs pose, regular drug alerts and communications are circulated by DHSC to commissioners and providers of drug treatment services, and there is ongoing engagement with local drug systems across England that are responsible for ensuring relevant professionals within their areas are adequately informed. It is their responsibility to circulate information with wider local stakeholders, such as the homelessness sector.DHSC also includes advice on how to respond when witnessing an opioid overdose in its naloxone guidance and on the Government’s drugs information website, Talk to FRANK.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of local Combating Drugs Partnerships in raising awareness of (a) synthetic opioids and (b) how to respond when witnessing an opioid overdose; and what plans he has to roll out best practice on that issue.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has issued planning guidance for local areas to help them respond to incidents caused by potent synthetic opioids. The guidance enables local partners to rapidly understand the scale of the synthetic opioid threat and assess the risk, communicate the threat, and take actions to mitigate it.The Combating Drugs Partnerships (CDP) are vital in leading the local response to synthetic opioids and developing preparedness plans to manage the risk in their area, utilising the local guidance issued by the Department. In addition to a tabletop exercise conducted with a range of relevant local partners, a sample of CDP preparedness plans have been analysed by the Government, and the Home Office has published a report which includes a series of recommendations to help local areas maintain their emergency preparation and response.Local authorities are responsible for commissioning drug and alcohol services according to local need and it is for local authorities to decide on the amount of funding to dedicate to public education on the risks of synthetic opioids and how to respond to an opioid overdose. DHSC has made clear that local authorities can allocate funding to support campaigns and events to improve understanding and reduce harm. In addition, in response to increasing use and the serious harms associated with synthetic opioids, the Department is planning a public health awareness campaign which will launch in the coming months. This campaign will raise awareness of new patterns of drug use and their associated risks.To ensure that vulnerable at-risk groups, including the homeless and those who are socially isolated, are aware of the dangers these drugs pose, regular drug alerts and communications are circulated by DHSC to commissioners and providers of drug treatment services, and there is ongoing engagement with local drug systems across England that are responsible for ensuring relevant professionals within their areas are adequately informed. It is their responsibility to circulate information with wider local stakeholders, such as the homelessness sector.DHSC also includes advice on how to respond when witnessing an opioid overdose in its naloxone guidance and on the Government’s drugs information website, Talk to FRANK.

What information his Department holds on the potential impact of (a) diamorphine assisted therapy, (b) safe consumption rooms and (c) other drug harm reduction services on the level of ambulance call-outs.

Harm reduction measures are vital and can have an impact on preventing overdoses, reducing the spread of infections, and engaging people into drug treatment. However, most of these outcomes would not be seen in ambulance data. The Department does not collect information on the potential impact of diamorphine assisted therapy (DAT), safe consumption rooms and other harm reduction services on the level of ambulance call outs. Identifying the impact of interventions typically delivered to small groups within broader populations at risk of overdose on ambulance call outs would be challenging due to other factors influencing overall levels and it is unlikely to be possible to do this robustly within an English context.