Written questions by Williamson.

How much was spent on energy bills for the residential section of 11 Downing Street in the last year.

The Downing Street estate is metered as one and no residential split is available.

How much was spent on energy bills for the residential section of 10 Downing Street in the last year.

The Downing Street estate is metered as one and no residential split is available.

Whether gifts of clothing are a taxable benefit in kind.

The normal rules for employment-related benefits apply to employment-related gifts, as described in HMRC guidance at https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/employment-income-manual/eim20020

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to maintain the single occupancy council tax discount.

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. The Government is committed to keeping taxes on working people as low as possible.

Whether he plans to sign a free trade agreement with Algeria.

In 2023, the UK and Algeria established a Trade Taskforce, a forum for the two countries to discuss how we can strengthen our trade and investment relationship on a regular basis, which may include formal trade agreements. The Taskforce had its inaugural meeting earlier this year, and there was a strong willingness to drive trade between the two countries. There are, presently, no plans for the UK to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with Algeria.

Whether funding allocated for ticketless travel in the Network North plan is now being used to implement the scheme.

This government remains committed to improving the passenger experience and improving the railways. We are already working with local authorities to improve ticketing in the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. The previous Government made a number of funding commitments in the Network North Command Paper, and these will be examined closely in the coming months.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the cost to educational institutions of stopping the implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

An estimate of costs associated with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech Act) 2023 was provided in the Impact Assessment published with the Act. The Act was paused to consider options for its future, including repeal, and no final decision has been made on this. One of the reasons for pausing the Act was to consider the burden on higher education providers before making a final decision, and the department is currently engaging with stakeholders on this. The department will undertake all required impact assessments before making a final decision.

What estimate she has made of the cost of compliance with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023.

An estimate of costs associated with the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech Act) 2023 was provided in the Impact Assessment published with the Act. The Act was paused to consider options for its future, including repeal, and no final decision has been made on this. One of the reasons for pausing the Act was to consider the burden on higher education providers before making a final decision, and the department is currently engaging with stakeholders on this. The department will undertake all required impact assessments before making a final decision.