Written questions by Stuart.

If she will make it her policy to continue to fund the universal bus pass for those of pension age.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The government recognises the importance of the scheme, which supports local bus travel, assists with access to essential local services and helps those who use it to stay active and avoid isolation. The government has absolutely no plans to withdraw the concessionary bus pass scheme.

If she will make it her policy to extend the £2 bus fare cap beyond 31 December 2024.

Delivering reliable and affordable public transport services for passengers is one of the government’s top priorities as we know how important this is for passengers and for local growth. The Department for Transport is looking at the future of the £2 fare cap as a matter of urgency and is considering the most appropriate and affordable approach for the future of the scheme.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many full time equivalent personnel there are working in his Department's legal directorate.

As of 30 September 2024, there were between 100-119 staff working in Legal Directorate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many qualified lawyers are working in his Department's legal directorate.

As of 30 September 2024, there were between 70-89 lawyers working in Legal Directorate.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department employs staff on secondment from human rights NGOs.

Staff on inward secondment to the FCDO are not on the FCDO Payroll, however there are invoicing arrangements in place between the FCDO and some host organisations. The FCDO does not currently have any staff on inward secondment from human rights NGOs.

When he expects to progress Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage in the Humber through the Track-1 Expansion and Track-2 processes.

The historic investment we recently announced in Carbon Capture and Storage in the North-West and North-East is just the start, representing a vote of confidence in this technology and burgeoning industry. To be ultimately successful, delivering on our climate commitments and protecting jobs, we need to deliver across all four corners of the UK. We have been engaging with the Track-1 and Track-2 clusters, to understand their deployment and expansion plans. We recognise that industry will be hoping for clarity as soon as possible on next steps, and we will have more to say on future projects in the coming months.

Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to pay the second phase of grants under the Farming Recovery Fund to farmers affected by flooding in Beverley and Holderness constituency.

We are aware of the ongoing challenges farmers have been facing following the winter storms and the wet weather in late 2023 and early 2024. We are committed to maintaining food production and supporting thriving farm businesses as well as protecting communities from flooding. All spending commitments will be confirmed in the spending review. This includes the Farming Recovery Fund, more information on the expanded Farming Recovery Fund will be made available soon.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to approve Tranche 2 funding for Asset Repair and Improvement.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government, and that is why we have launched a Flood Resilience Taskforce. It will provide oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season. It met for the first time on 12 September to discuss preparation for the winter ahead. The Internal Drainage Board (IDB) Fund will support our farmers and rural communities from the impacts of flooding by providing grants to IDBs. The Environment Agency has confirmed Tranche 1 allocations, which provides financial support for storm recovery following the wet weather and flooding during winter 2023/24. They are in the process of making payments to the successful IDBs. We will update the IDBs on Tranche 2 in due course.