Written questions by Doogan.

What the budget is for GB Energy in the 2024-25 financial year; how much and what proportion of that budget has been spent; and what GB Energy has spent its funding on.

Great British Energy (GBE) was allocated £11.1million for 2024/25, and a further £125 million was allocated in the Autumn Budget 2024 to set up GBE in FY 25-26. This will enable GBE to begin the roll out of local projects alongside other functions. Information on departmental expenditure is made publicly available the usual way through the Department's annual report and accounts.

If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of the 2015 memorandum of understanding between Ireland and the UK on defence.

The Defence MOU between the United Kingdom and Ireland underscores the breadth of our bilateral relationship with Ireland. Since it was signed in 2015, we have enhanced cooperation in exchanging information, exercises and training, UN mandated International peacekeeping, crisis management operations, capability developments, and cyber defence and security, among many other areas of cooperation. The Ministry of Defence keeps effectiveness of these arrangements these under regular review including through staff talks.

When each F-35 entered into service.

I am withholding the requested information as it would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

How many hours have been flown in each UK F35 since they entered full operational capability.

The total flying hours accumulated for each airframe from first flight of each airframe to December 2024 is as follows.Airframe tail number - Total Hours flown ZM135 1,088ZM136 1,058ZM137 795ZM138 976ZM139 976ZM140 858ZM141 721ZM142 945ZM143 867ZM144 758ZM145 872ZM146 847ZM147 589ZM148 533ZM149 816ZM150 550ZM151 650ZM152 425ZM153 380ZM154 533ZM155 389ZM156 558ZM157 411ZM158 504ZM159 653ZM160 488ZM161 587ZM162 357ZM163 323ZM164 286ZM165 83ZM166 86ZM167 63ZM168 98ZM169 151

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of children globally who will be impacted by the funding cuts to Official Development Assistance.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used, including our work supporting children, will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.

Which minister is responsible for overseeing progression of The Payment Services (Contract Terminations Amendment) Regulations 2024.

I am the minister responsible for the progression of this policy. The Government is preparing to lay these regulations in Parliament in due course.

What definition of family farm was used when developing changes to inheritance tax relief for (a) business and (b) agricultural assets.

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. The Government’s assessment relates to claims for agricultural property relief and business property relief. The qualifying conditions for these reliefs are set out in Part 5 of the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. Guidance on agricultural property relief is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/agricultural-relief-on-inheritance-tax and www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/inheritance-tax-manual/ihtm24000. Guidance on business property relief is available at www.gov.uk/business-relief-inheritance-tax and www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/inheritance-tax-manual/ihtm25000.

Whether Ofgem have made an estimate of the relative costs per KM of installing (a) overhead, (b) underground and (c) offshore electricity transmission cables for energy transmission infrastructure.

Ofgem estimates of the relative costs of overhead, underground and offshore electricity transmission cables vary significantly depending on various factors such as technology types, voltage levels and locations. Due to commercial sensitivity, Ofgem cannot not share specific estimates. However, as set out in the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s 2012 study, offshore cables have considerable cost and technical challenges and can have substantial impacts on the marine environment. Undergrounding is usually by open trenching with costs between 5-10 times those of overhead lines.

What the disregarded capital limit on pension credit was in each of the last 15 years; and if she will increase the disregarded capital limit in line with inflation since the last increase.

The capital disregard in Pension Credit has been set at £10,000 since 2009 and will remain at that level in 2025/26. Capital over £10,000 reduces weekly entitlement by £1 per £500 of capital. Unlike with working age income related benefits, there is no upper capital limit. Benefit rules, including capital disregards in income related benefits, are kept under regular review. There are no plans to increase the capital disregard in Pension Credit.

What is the average wait time for callers to HMRC helplines; what action is being taken to reduce wait times on HMRC helplines; and if she will make it her policy implement a freephone service when wait times are high.

Information regarding the average speed of answer is published as part of HMRC’s monthly performance report:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-monthly-performance-reports HMRC know that their service levels have, until recently, been below published standards. They aim to answer calls as quickly as possible but wait times may be longer than usual during busy periods. HMRC received extra funding last year to recruit more customer service advisers to help improve telephony performance. They met their helpline service standard in Quarter 3. HMRC do not have plans to introduce a freephone service. HMRC helplines use 03 numbers (0300 or 0345), which cost the same as landline 01 or 02 numbers, but actual call charges depend on the customer's phone provider. For mobile networks, 03 numbers are typically included in airtime plans, but customers should verify with their specific network provider. HMRC is a public body and does not profit from customer contacts.

What recent discussions she has had with Network Rail on the steps it is taking to ensure the health and wellbeing of neighbours impacted by rail maintenance.

I am replying as Minister responsible. I am not aware of any discussions between the Secretary of State and Network Rail on this issue. The health and wellbeing of lineside neighbours is a key consideration for Network Rail in undertaking any essential rail maintenance work. These are reflected in Network Rail’s safety management system arrangements, which covers how they manage operations and connected activities to ensure that disturbance is minimised as far as reasonably practicable, whilst upholding their statutory duties on safety and performance.

What guidance she has issued on the recourse available to neighbours to Network Rail maintenance and construction projects for disputes relating to planned works.

While the Secretary of State has not issued specific guidance on this, there are options available for raising a dispute. Ahead of planned works Network Rail consults with communities affected, to address their concerns. Compensation for disruption will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Network Rail has a contact centre and webpage which details the process for making a complaint: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/contact-us/making-a-complaint/.

What recent estimate he has made of the relative costs per km of (a) overhead, (b) underground and (c) offshore electricity transmission cables in the last 12 months.

The Government keeps abreast of the various technologies that can be used to help us achieve clean power by 2030, including the various means of laying cable, but has not yet made an estimate of the relative costs of cabling in the last 12 months.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Landmark £9 billion contract for British business to boost jobs, growth and nuclear deterrent, published on 24 January 2025, how many of the jobs in (a) Cardiff and (b) Glasgow are already in existence working on elements of defence nuclear power.

Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd indicate that at the end of January 2025 there are currently three posts filled in Cardiff with plans to recruit up to an additional 127 posts in the next 14 months. There are 64 posts filled in Glasgow with plans to recruit up to an additional 56 posts over the next 14 months.

What progress he has made with Ofgem and energy suppliers on (a) understanding how energy costs will change for consumers following the switch from services relying on Radio Teleswitch and (b) ensuring consumers will have access to competitive tariffs when Radio Teleswitch Service meters are replaced.

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. Ofgem has been clear that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to ensure former RTS consumers stay on a closely equivalent tariff.

What progress GB Energy has made on delivering community energy projects.

Great British Energy has as one of its key functions the delivery of the Local Power Plan which will provide funding and support to communities to meet the government's goal of 8GW of community energy by 2030. The GBE Bill is still making its way through Parliament and the Autumn 2024 budget allocated £125m to set up the company in FY 25-26. We will have more to say on GBE's first investments in due course.

What estimate he has made of how many jobs the Unity Contract with Rolls Royce will create in (a) Cardiff and (b) Glasgow.

Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd estimate the Unity contract will create at least 200 new jobs in Glasgow and Cardiff providing the company with longer-term contractual security to plan and develop their existing and future workforce.

What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support people with the cost of living in Scotland.

Delivering economic growth and raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom, so working people have more money in their pocket, is the government’s central mission.We are protecting 1 million pensioners with the triple lock, giving a pay rise to hundreds of thousands of Scots through the minimum wage increase.3.2 million people in Scotland will benefit from the cut in fuel duty, 1.7 million families in Scotland will have their working age benefits uprated in line with inflation, and our universal credit reforms will be essential for families throughout Scotland.

What recent discussions he has had with Ofgem on steps it is taking to help consumers secure competitive tariffs when Radio Teleswitch Service meters are replaced.

The Government recognises the importance of a smooth transition for consumers away from Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters. The Government is working closely with Ofgem, industry stakeholders, and energy suppliers through the RTS Taskforce which is working to upgrade all RTS meters before the switch off in June 2025. We will continue to work closely with Ofgem and the RTS Taskforce to tackle this issue and to ensure that consumers get a good deal.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans the Government has to appoint a Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

As the Deputy Prime Minister said in Parliament on 20 November, envoy appointments are under Ministerial consideration and will be decided upon in due course. We continue to use the strength of our global diplomatic network, including dedicated staff within the FCDO, to promote and protect Freedom of Religion or Belief around the world.