Written questions by Lewis.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the potential merits of requiring companies building data centres to invest in (a) building and (b) maintaining water supply infrastructure.

The Government is implementing a Water Demand Target to reduce the use of public water supply by 20% by 2037/38. As part of this, Defra is working with the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Environment Agency (EA) to determine how we can improve water efficiency and demand in data centres. Defra also works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on plans to support the economic opportunities data centres bring, whilst making sure these developments are sustainable for local water supplies. The department will also continue to work with Ofwat to identify ways in which we can reduce overall water demand and achieve a secure supply of water for customers and the environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with Ofwat on increased demand on water supply by data centres.

The Government is implementing a Water Demand Target to reduce the use of public water supply by 20% by 2037/38. As part of this, Defra is working with the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Environment Agency (EA) to determine how we can improve water efficiency and demand in data centres. Defra also works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Business and Trade and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on plans to support the economic opportunities data centres bring, whilst making sure these developments are sustainable for local water supplies. The department will also continue to work with Ofwat to identify ways in which we can reduce overall water demand and achieve a secure supply of water for customers and the environment.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2024 to Question 7485 on Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage: Taxation, if she will hold discussion with carbon capture, usage and storage organisations in receipt of Government funding on (a) the location of their headquarters and (b) their tax status.

All the current applicants for government support in Track 1 of the Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage programme are registered in England and Wales. Companies pay Corporation Tax in the UK on their profits derived from economic activities they undertake through a place of business here.

With reference to the press notice entitled Government reignites industrial heartlands 10 days out from the International Investment Summit, published on 4 October 2024, if he will publish a list of climate scientists consulted with by his Department on the efficacy of carbon capture storage.

CCUS will be vital to this government’s commitment to create good jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, ensuring a just transition for the industries based in the North Sea, and accelerating towards Net Zero.The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK’s independent advisor on climate change, has said that CCUS is a ‘necessity, not an option’ for the transition to net zero. The International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change both conclude that carbon capture can play a key role in decarbonisation.The Government engages with a range of stakeholders during the policy development process.

What recent public consultation his Department has undertaken on the efficacy of carbon capture, usage and storage technology.

CCUS will be vital to this government’s commitment to create good jobs in Britain’s industrial heartlands, ensuring a just transition for the industries based in the North Sea, and accelerating towards Net Zero.The Climate Change Committee (CCC), the UK’s independent advisor on climate change, has said that CCUS is a ‘necessity, not an option’ for the transition to net zero. The International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change both conclude that carbon capture can play a key role in decarbonisation.The Government engages with a range of stakeholders during the policy development process.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring carbon capture, usage and storage organisations in receipt of Government funding to be (a) headquartered in the UK and (b) full UK taxpayers.

We’re committed to securing the economic benefits for the UK from pioneering CCUS deployment. It is expected to add around £5 billion per year to the UK economy by 2050 and the backing of these first 2 CCUS sites sends a clear signal to investors that the UK is open for business. These new carbon capture and CCUS enabled hydrogen projects will create 4,000 new jobs and help sustain important British industries. Industry have also pledged to source 50 per cent of the supply chain from domestic companies.

What plans he has to monitor the (a) carbon emissions and (b) water usage of data centres.

(a) Emissions from data centres that occur in the UK - either directly at their locations or at power stations from their electricity use - are included in our published UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions totals, but cannot be attributed to specific data centres.Data centres that are part of a quoted company, large unquoted company or large limited liability partnership are required to report on their emissions in their annual reports to comply with Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) policy.(b) Water usage and its monitoring is overseen by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.

If his Department will publish the evidential basis informing the decision to fund carbon capture, usage and storage clusters announced on 4 October 2024.

The Department plans to release the Full Business Cases (FBCs) for the two clusters next year, in line with the requirements for programmes in the Government Major Projects Portfolio.

Whether his Department made an assessment of the potential impact of increased data processing on water usage before the investment by Blackstone in a data centre in Blyth was announced.

Construction on Blackstone's chosen site for its £10bn data centre investment in Blyth will be subject to securing appropriate planning permission. As part of the planning process, applicants may be required to carry out Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) which may include an assessment of any issues around water scarcity and pollution, if it is considered that these could be impacted by the development. Whether a full EIA is required is a decision for the Local Planning Authority in the first instance.

Communities and Local Government, how many households qualifying for the Council Tax Discount for single people are (a) living in poverty, (b) have a dependent under the age of 18 and (c) are pensioners.

The Government does not collect data on the individual characteristics of residents of households receiving the single person discount.

Whether his Department made an environmental impact assessment of the data centre in Blyth before the investment by Blackstone was announced.

Construction on Blackstone’s chosen site for its £10bn data centre investment in Blyth will be subject to securing appropriate planning permission. As part of the planning process, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are carried out by applicants where a development is considered to have significant impacts on the environment. Whether a full EIA is required is a decision for the Local Planning Authority in the first instance.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has undertaken an impact assessment on the effect of removing the Council Tax discount for single people.

The Government currently has no plans to change the single person discount. Decisions on future local authority funding will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement in which we are fully engaged.

What recent discussions her Department has had with Napo on the impact of the prisoner early release scheme on workers in the probation service.

Probation Service officials meet regularly with Napo officials. In addition to weekly briefings, matters of note concerning the Probation Service, such as prison capacity measures, are discussed at quarterly consultative meetings, and at bi-monthly ‘stock takes’ with the Chief Probation Officer.

Whether her Department made an assessment of the potential impact of the early prisoner release scheme on the probation service.

Amending the automatic release point for eligible Standard Determinate Sentences to 40% (SDS40) has allowed us to end more challenging measures like End of Custody Supervised Licence and move to a more transparent system.SDS40 will result in some offenders being released earlier from custody. This change will lead to longer periods on licence in the community, which will incur additional costs to the Probation Service and Electronic Monitoring Service. Additionally, there will be increased demand for services provided to offenders in the community, such as substance misuse services. The impact of this will be managed carefully to ensure the Probation Service has time to prepare and plan for release.Further information on impact on the Probation Service is set out in the published Impact Assessment available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2024/117/pdfs/ukia_20240117_en.pdf

Whether the Government has offered Blackstone tax incentives as part of the agreement to build a data centre in Blyth.

The Government does not provide any specific tax incentives for data centres. The site chosen by Blackstone for its data centre investment in Blyth, Northumberland, is in an Investment Zone tax site within the North East Investment Zone designed to support new investment in Advanced Manufacturing and Green Industries. Guidance on eligibility for tax reliefs in Investment Zone sites is available on gov.uk. His Majesty's Revenue and Customs administers National Insurance, Stamp Duty Land Tax, Enhanced Structures and Buildings Allowance, and Enhanced Capital Allowance relief, and the relevant billing authority administers relief on business rates.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle shortages of Quetiapine.

The Department was aware of shortages affecting quetiapine 150 milligrams, 200 milligrams and 300 milligrams. The Department worked closely with industry and others and issued communications to the National Health Service to help ensure patients continued to have access to an alternative treatment until their usual product was back in stock. These shortages have now been resolved and the Serious Shortage Protocols that were in place have now been stood down.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential risks of investing in carbon capture storage technology.

The Department has developed a risk management approach for monitoring the risks associated with investing in CCS technology. This approach follows government best practice and has been reviewed and approved by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s major projects gateway process. The Department has documented the material risks within the Full Business Cases for the two clusters. These FBCs have been reviewed and approved by the departmental investment committee and Major Projects Review Group, reflecting the fact that these bodies are satisfied that the programme’s approach to risk management is robust, and that the overall risk profile of the projects is consistent with the Department’s stated risk appetite.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of charging VAT on private school fees on levels of demand for state school places.

On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boarding services provided by private schools. Any fees paid from 29 July 2024 relating to the term starting in January 2025 onwards will be subject to VAT. A start date of January 2025 will have given schools and parents 5 months to prepare for the changes, and it is right that we introduce these changes as soon as possible in order to raise the funding needed to help deliver our education priorities. The Government has carefully considered the impact that these changes 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. 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 the expected impacts of these policy changes in the normal way. The Government recognises that some pupils may subsequently move into the state education sector. However, the number of pupils who may switch schools as a result of these changes represents a very small proportion of overall pupil numbers in the state sector. The Government is confident that the state sector will be able to accommodate any additional pupils and that these policies will not have a significant impact on the state education system as a whole.

Whether her Department plans to increase real terms funding for the Probation Service in the context of the prisoner early release scheme.

As the Chancellor has made clear, all future spending decisions will be negotiated through the Spending Review process and announced on October 30th through the Budget.

Whether he has had recent discussions with Ofgem on setting a timeline to bring heat network pricing in line with prices paid by other consumers.

Officials in my department have been working closely with Ofgem, ahead of the third and final, joint consultation on proposals for heat network regulation. This will include proposals on fair pricing. This consultation will be published in due course.