Written questions by Leadbitter.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to weights for volumetric concrete mobile plants on carbon costs for concrete deliveries.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of my Department’s review into volumetric concrete mixers was published on 18 March. This can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-reviewWhilst some VCM operators have argued that heavier VCMs could reduce overall trips and emissions, the increased road and bridge damage would result in more frequent repairs, offsetting these potential benefits.VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads, but as planned, a temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle will end on 31 March 2028. This is not a ban or change in policy.

Whether the status of a managing factor as a limited company affects the classification of a communal electricity supply as domestic or business; and what guidance his Department provides to Ofgem and energy suppliers on this matter.

The classification of whether a communal electricity supply is considered domestic or business depends on whether the organisation or individual who manages the building has a domestic or commercial energy contract. Businesses are required to have a commercial energy contract, even if they provide electricity to domestic properties. Ofgem provides guidance to consumers on whether they need a business energy contact on its website - https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-businesses/get-energy-your-business.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of practice of classifying communal electricity meters in residential buildings as business rather than domestic; what steps he has taken to ensure fair and consistent application of tariffs; whether energy suppliers are permitted to override a meter’s designation as Domestic in the National Database when setting tariffs; and what steps his Department is taking to prevent incorrect classification.

Communal areas in apartment blocks are charged on a non-domestic energy contract as the organisation who is responsible for them is a business. As such, domestic consumers living in the apartment block are usually charged a non-domestic energy rate for these areas. Ofgem’s Maximum Resale Direction protects tenants from being charged inflated electricity costs from their landlord. It sets a maximum price that can be charged for electricity and gas which has already been bought from a licenced supplier. Suppliers are ultimately responsible for correctly classifying the customers they contract with as domestic or non-domestic, in line with Ofgem criteria. Suppliers are also responsible for the correct classification of electricity meters, in accordance with ‘meter profile classes’ managed by Elexon in the Balancing and Settlement Code (BSC). Ofgem has made clear in guidance on this subject that ‘meter profile class’ should not be the deciding factor in whether a customer is domestic or non-domestic, this should be based on the intended purpose of consumption at the premises (i.e. domestic or non-domestic) Bespoke contracts should be offered where needed

Whether his Department plans to review the practice of applying business energy tariffs to communal electricity supplies in residential buildings.

Communal areas in apartment blocks are charged on a non-domestic energy contract as the organisation who is responsible for them is a business. A Call for Evidence regarding domestic customers with a non-domestic energy supply was published in July 2023 and explored the advantages and disadvantages of these arrangements. The responses highlighted the complexity of energy supply and contract arrangements, and due to the physical set-up of these residences, the majority of these consumers will continue to receive their energy via a non-domestic contract. The Call for Evidence is now closed, and a summary of responses was published in April 2024. Ofgem is taking action to ensure these consumers are protected by raising awareness of the Maximum Resale Price direction, and planning work with network companies to produce a clear route for vulnerable consumers to be added to the Priority Services Register.

What steps he has taken to protect residential consumers from being charged Business Rate electricity tariffs for communal areas; and what mechanisms exist to challenge such classifications.

Communal areas in apartment blocks are charged on a non-domestic energy contract as the organisation who is responsible for them is a business. A Call for Evidence regarding domestic customers with a non-domestic energy supply was published in July 2023 and explored the advantages and disadvantages of these arrangements. The responses highlighted the complexity of energy supply and contract arrangements, and due to the physical set-up of these residences, the majority of these consumers will continue to receive their energy via a non-domestic contract. The Call for Evidence is now closed, and a summary of responses was published in April 2024. Ofgem is taking action to ensure these consumers are protected by raising awareness of the Maximum Resale Price direction, and planning work with network companies to produce a clear route for vulnerable consumers to be added to the Priority Services Register.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 March to Question 38512 on Trade: Occupied Territories and Western Sahara, whether his Department has issued guidance on the nature of the risks related to economic and financial activities in (a) Western Sahara and (b) Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The UK government provides guidance to British businesses on potential business risks which may affect economic and financial activity in Western Sahara and Occupied Palestinian Territory on the Overseas Business Risk webpage on gov.uk. This guidance is routinely updated.

Media and Sport, when she plans to reply to correspondence from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on the closure of local area radio broadcasters of (a) 3 December 2024, (b) 20 January 2025, (c) 20 February 2025 and (d) 12 March 2025.

The Hon Member was issued with a response on 26th March.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of UK Government policies between 2010 and 2024 on excess deaths.

Excess deaths are defined as the difference between the actual number of deaths registered in a particular period and the number expected based on recent trends. Headline figures for England are reported weekly by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The following table shows the trends in excess deaths in England and Wales, from 2011 to 2024:YearExcess deaths2011–7,96120128,303201320,45720142,167201526,874201673020171,91820183782019–30,375202069,411202148,759202239,654202311,1482024–50,893Source: ONS statistics for 2011 to 2023, and ONS statistics summed up from weekly figures for 2024, with further information available at the following link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/weeklyprovisionalfiguresondeathsregisteredinenglandandwalesThe drivers of excess deaths are not fully understood, and the excess is likely to be the net effect of many complex and potentially related factors. The attribution of excess deaths to these factors is complex and is beyond the scope of the ONS’ methodology. For this reason, the potential impact of Government policies on excess deaths cannot be assessed accurately.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of hydrogen production on land-locked bodies of water.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero works collaboratively with other government departments and relevant regulators to understand the water impacts of a developing hydrogen economy, including the potential impact of abstraction on water bodies. The Government expects all planned hydrogen production projects to have robust plans in place for sustainable sourcing of water that comply with relevant regulations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Occupied Territories Bill proceeding through the Irish Parliament; and whether he plans to bring forward similar legislation to ban trade with illegal settlements.

The UK government considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law and goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from tariff and trade preferences under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. We support accurate labelling of settlement goods, so as not to mislead the consumer. We routinely update our guidance to British businesses on the Overseas Business Risk website and do not encourage or offer support to economic and financial activity in the settlements.

With reference to the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion entitled Legal Consequences Arising From The Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, published on 19 July 2024, if he will ban UK trade and investment with illegal settlements in (a) Western Sahara and (b) Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity. The UK is committed to international law and respects the independence of the ICJ. We are carefully considering the Court's advisory opinion with the rigour it deserves.It is for companies to take their own decisions on whether to do business in Western Sahara. The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of continuing to permit UK (a) businesses, (b) investment firms and (c) trading entities to (i) invest, (ii) trade and (iii) import goods from and within illegal settlements in (A) Western Sahara, (B) Occupied Palestinian Territories and (C) occupied territories.

The UK Government has a clear position that Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. Goods produced in these settlements are not entitled to benefit from preferential tariff treatment under the UK's current trade agreements with the Palestinian Authority and Israel. There are clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements, and we do not encourage or offer support to such activity.Similarly, it is for companies to take their own decisions on whether to do business in Western Sahara.The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the value of single malt Irish whisky produced in Northern Ireland to the economy.

The Irish Whiskey Association, representing 95% of Irish Whiskey producers across the island of Ireland, report that Irish Whiskey exports exceeded €1billion in 2024 and reached 114 markets around the world. Irish Whiskey produced in Northern Ireland is an important part of that economic impact. The oldest Irish Whiskey distillery in NI, Bushmills, reported a 9.7% rise in volume sales in 2022, reaching 1 million nine-litre cases for the first time. In 2024 the newest Irish Whiskey distillery in NI, McConnell’s, opened its £12m distillery in Belfast which is expected to produce half a million litres of alcohol and attract 100,000 visitors annually.

Media and Sport, what estimate her Department has made of the contribution of the Scottish video games sector to the UK economy in the last three years.

The UK Government supports the video games sector across the UK, including in Scotland, through the video games tax relief and the Dundee-based UK Games Fund.DCMS estimates the UK video games sector generated £3.7bn in GVA in 2021, £2.1bn in 2022, and £2bn in 2023, expressed in 2022 prices accounting for inflation. While these figures have declined since 2021, this is largely due to unprecedented demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, and represents over 300% growth in GVA since 2014. We recognise that due to existing Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code structures, this figure may not fully reflect the sector’s value.A breakdown of these figures for Scotland is not available. Culture, including video games, is a devolved matter.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changing the replacement rate to the Statutory Sick Pay lower earnings limit on people on this limit.

The Department undertook a Regulatory Impact Assessment covering the measures in the Employment Rights Bill to strengthen Statutory Sick Pay: removing the Lower Earnings Limit and the waiting period. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the rate of statutory sick pay.

No one should be forced to choose between their health and financial hardship. Through the Employment Rights Bill we are strengthening Statutory Sick Pay. Up to 1.3 million low-paid employees will now be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay and all eligible employees will be paid from the first day of sickness absence irrespective of their income, benefiting millions of employees. While the Department has not assessed the adequacy of the rate of Statutory Sick Pay, a Regulatory Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment of the Statutory Sick Pay measures in the Employment Rights Bill have been undertaken. The existing rate of Statutory Sick Pay is designed to balance providing support for employees, whilst helping to manage the costs to employers.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to encourage scientists to emigrate to the UK.

The UK offers one of the strongest science bases in the world, with world-leading universities and research institutions, with opportunities in growing areas like quantum and AI. The UK’s immigration offer enables talented scientists, researchers and innovators to come here through various fast-track visa routes, such as the Global Talent, High Potential Individual and Skilled Worker visas. Our Global Talent Network aims to grow our science and technology power by attracting top international science talent to pursue opportunities in the UK. The UK's association to Horizon Europe enables international researchers to come to UK research establishments and collaborate across Europe.

What discussions he has had with DCC to ensure there will be alternate smart meter connections in rural areas.

The Data Communications Company (DCC) is required to assess opportunities to increase the overall level of communications network coverage for Great Britain beyond its currently provisioned minimum level of 99.25%.The DCC are examining a number of options to reach homes not currently able to get smart metering network coverage as part of its Future Connectivity strategy, which includes consideration of a full range of technical solutions including cellular options.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 February to Question 32303 on Alexander Irvine, whether her Department plans to issue a response separate to the DVLA.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency’s response reflects the view of the Department and there are no plans for any further responses.

Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the value of single malt Scotch whisky to the economy.

No formal assessment has been made by the department, but a report by the Scotch Whisky Association, using figures from industry and the Government from production to employment, concluded that Scotch Whisky’s contribution to the UK economy reached £7.1 billion in 2022. Exports of Scotch Whisky were valued at £5.4 billion in 2024, of which £1.7 billion was Single Malt Whisky. The entire country is proud of Scotch Whiskey as one of the world’s most loved products. SOURCE:https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/2024-export-figures/https://www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/scotch-whisky-boosts-uk-economy-by-71bn/