Written questions by Chadwick.

What steps he is taking to support the development of a resilient UK-based supply chain for green hydrogen (a) production, (b) storage and (c) distribution technologies.

The Government recognises the importance of resilient, home-grown clean energy supply chains to support and secure growth as we decarbonise our economy. We have a number of levers to support our supply chains, including support via the National Wealth Fund, and our upcoming Industrial Strategy.My officials in the UK and overseas are working closely with UK based supply chain companies to highlight and develop opportunities for UK supply chain across the hydrogen value chain both in the UK and abroad.

What steps he is taking to support (a) scientific innovation and (b) R&D across the hydrogen value chain to (i) drive down costs and (ii) improve efficiency.

Since 2021, the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio has awarded around £170m to hydrogen innovation projects to advance low-carbon technologies across the hydrogen value chain. Hydrogen-specific programmes include: the Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 programme, the Industrial Hydrogen Accelerator, and the Hydrogen from Biomass with Carbon Capture and Storage programme. Demonstrators have been built and tested with the aim of reducing the costs of hydrogen production, or providing evidence towards the cost effectiveness of hydrogen for fuel switching. The Department commissioned the British Geological Survey to conduct a research study on the geological potential for natural hydrogen in the UK.

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for (a) Energy Security and Net Zero and (b) Business and Trade on fiscal measures to help support the scale-up of the green hydrogen sector.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been engaging closely with both the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Secretary of State for Business and Trade through the spending review, including on support for the low carbon hydrogen sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging arrangements on levels of costs for small scale (a) cider and (b) perry producers using glass bottles; and what steps he is taking to support small businesses through these changes.

The Government wants to see all businesses take steps to reduce packaging use, ensure packaging is easy to recycle, and where appropriate move to re-use systems. However, the Government also recognises the importance of protecting small producers from direct cost obligations. This is why the regulations include a de-minimis threshold of £2 million turnover and 50 tonnes which exempts approximately 70% of the producers supplying packaging in the UK from paying scheme fees.

With reference to NHS England awarding contracts for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) services to three of six planned regional centres, if she will undertake a review of NHS England's recompression service contract; if she will take steps to ensure equitable geographic access to hyperbaric chambers across the UK; and if she will make it her policy to include (a) diver safety organisations and (b) medical experts in future consultations on HBOT services.

We are committed to ensuring equitably accessible, high-quality services, for any patient who requires Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. NHS England set out their assessment of service requirements in their commissioning intentions during the public consultation which took place in September 2024. The reconfiguration of services ensures service provision which meets optimal time to treatment guidelines, in which providers must be located no more than four hours, based on 200 miles radial distance, from the coast and four hours from the next nearest commissioned provider. More information on the consultation is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/reviewing-hyperbaric-oxygen-services-consultation-guide/We actively encourage individuals and organisations to register as stakeholders to ensure a full range of views are included in any service developments. Stakeholders can register their interest in services commissioned by NHS England on their website, which includes a special interest group for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. The website is available at the following link:https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/application/crg-stakeholder-reg-april-2019/Any individuals or organisations who sign up are kept informed when NHS England engages on potential changes to the way that these services are commissioned. NHS England also encourages stakeholders to cascade invitations to provide feedback across their networks.NHS England consulted with a range of stakeholders in the update of the service specification in line with the published Full Methods Process which requires clinically led design, full public consultation and targeted stakeholder engagement. The methods process is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/methods-national-service-specifications/The engagement report for this service includes the range of stakeholders who provided feedback on the specification and the service model, and is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-engagement-report-November-2024.pdf

What steps he is taking to encourage (a) domestic and (b) international investment in green hydrogen.

The UK is well placed to support a thriving hydrogen economy, with a robust and growing pipeline of production projects in development in the coming decade, providing an opportunity for domestic and international investors. My department has been working closely with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to showcase the opportunities for investment in the UK hydrogen sector. We recently announced 27 shortlisted green hydrogen projects across the UK for the second Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR2), marking a key milestone and reaffirming the Government’s commitment to the sector. Our upcoming industrial strategy will provide support for global investors.

Whether representations have been made to his Department on the potential impact of energy parks and associated infrastructure on the Welsh Military Tactical Training Area.

Without details of any specific development being referred to, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are unable to confirm whether we have been consulted upon a particular development. The MOD is a statutory consultee in the UK planning systems to safeguard operational defence sites (such as aerodromes, technical sites and explosives storage sites) as well as defence capabilities such as defence radar coverage and the UK military low flying system. The MOD routinely responds to representations and will raise objections to any development that may adversely impact Defence activities.

What discussions his Department has had on the impact of the proposed green energy network on military aircraft operating in Brecon, Radnor and Cwmtawe constituency.

Without specific details of the proposal referenced, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) are unable to confirm whether we have been consulted on this potential development. The MOD is a statutory consultee in the UK planning systems to safeguard operational defence sites and routinely responds to representations. The MOD will raise objections to any developments that may adversely impact Defence capabilities.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of energy parks on communities.

Energy National Policy Statements state that impacts of Nationally Significant (energy) Infrastructure Projects on local communities should be kept to a minimum, and at a level that is acceptable. Developers are required to undertake an assessment of likely significant environmental impacts and to describe how the mitigation hierarchy (avoid, reduce, mitigate, compensate) has been applied to address possible impacts, including cumulative, on the wider environment. In addition, through the Clean Power Action Plan, we have made clear that where communities host clean energy infrastructure, we will ensure they benefit from it. On 21st May we published our working paper setting out proposals for mandatory community benefits for low carbon infrastructure and seeking views on shared ownership.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of placing cables for national energy infrastructure associated with energy parks underground.

The Government’s overarching position on undergrounding is set out in the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (NPS EN-5). It states that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption except in nationally designated landscapes where undergrounding is the starting presumption. Developers are responsible for designing electricity network infrastructure, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, planning policy and regulatory requirements, and assessing the merits of undergrounding cables on a project-by-project basis. The Government does not make assessments for specific projects unless they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.

What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on placing cables underground for national energy infrastructure associated with energy parks in areas (a) of high outstanding natural beauty and (b) designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. The Government’s policy on undergrounding is set out in the energy National Policy Statement for electricity networks (EN-5), which sets a strong starting presumption of overhead lines, except in nationally designated landscapes - such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest - where undergrounding is the starting presumption.

What recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the remainder of the South Wales mainline.

No recent cost estimates have been made by Network Rail for electrification of the South Wales Mainline, with the last available information dating from 2017. With bi-mode trains offering comparable journey times regardless of whether operating in diesel or electric mode, it is expected that any business case for electrification of this route would be very weak.

What recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the North Wales mainline.

The government has not made any recent estimate of the cost of electrification of the North Wales Mainline. It is more than ten years since Network Rail were last asked to consider the electrification of this line. That work would need to be fully refreshed, taking account of current electrification technologies.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to reflect the findings of the Water Commission.

The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, will recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system and is expected to form the largest review of the industry since privatisation. It is considering a wide range of areas, as set out in the Commission’s Call for Evidence. The Commission will report later in summer 2025 with recommendations to the UK and Welsh Governments to help restore our rivers, lakes and seas to good health, meet the challenges of the future and contribute to economic growth. These recommendations are expected to form the basis of further legislation to attract long-term investment and clean up our waters for good.

Whether the UK-India Free Trade Agreement includes tariff exemptions on steel imported from India.

Steel is a top priority for this Government. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) does not include any text related to the implementation of the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.The FTA includes liberalised Most Favoured Nation tariffs on steel, but the UK’s trade remedies, including a global safeguard measure on certain steel products, continue to apply. Also, as part of our agreement, we included a ‘bilateral safeguard mechanism’ which allows us to temporarily increase tariffs or suspend tariff concessions if an industry is suffering or is at threat of serious injury as a result of reduced duties.

Whether steel imports from India will be covered by UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism exemptions under the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

Steel is a top priority for this Government. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) does not include any text related to the implementation of the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.The FTA includes liberalised Most Favoured Nation tariffs on steel, but the UK’s trade remedies, including a global safeguard measure on certain steel products, continue to apply. Also, as part of our agreement, we included a ‘bilateral safeguard mechanism’ which allows us to temporarily increase tariffs or suspend tariff concessions if an industry is suffering or is at threat of serious injury as a result of reduced duties.

Whether the UK-India Free Trade Agreement includes tariffs on steel imported from India.

Steel is a top priority for this Government. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) does not include any text related to the implementation of the UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.The FTA includes liberalised Most Favoured Nation tariffs on steel, but the UK’s trade remedies, including a global safeguard measure on certain steel products, continue to apply. Also, as part of our agreement, we included a ‘bilateral safeguard mechanism’ which allows us to temporarily increase tariffs or suspend tariff concessions if an industry is suffering or is at threat of serious injury as a result of reduced duties.

What estimate her Department has made of the (a) number of (i) Carer’s Allowance and (ii) carer element recipients who will lose their eligibility in Wales by the 2029-30 financial year and (b) the cost to the public purse of these changes; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of eligibility changes on carers in poverty.

The assessment by the Office for Budget Responsibility of the impact of the proposed changes on carers was only made for England and Wales as a whole. The impacts can be found in table A4 here: Spring Statement 2025 health and disability benefit reforms – Impacts.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing the assets Tata Steel in Port Talbot into public ownership.

Tata Steel decided to close the blast furnaces at Port Talbot in January 2024, under the previous government. However, we negotiated an improved deal with Tata regarding the transformation of Port Talbot after just 10 weeks in office, with better terms for workers, future investment opportunities for the area and the highest voluntary redundancy package Tata has ever offered for workers. Work is proceeding on the development of the Electric Arc Furnace which will enable steelmaking to continue at the site and form a key part of our future steel sector.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of the blast furnaces at the Tata Steel site on the economy in Neath Port Talbot.

We are aware of the impact of this transition on the local economy and community, and we have taken steps to assist and support those affected. Under the leadership of the Secretary of State for Wales, the Port Talbot Tata Steel Transition Board moved from discussion to delivery from last July. Since then, more than £50 million has been announced to support steel communities, from the £80 million available from UK Government. The latest release of funding, to support mental health, was announced just last month.