Written questions by Cross.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the contribution made by the terrestrial broadcasting sector to mobile phone coverage in (a) rural and (b) remote areas.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. As part of this project, close consideration is being given to the interrelationships between television distribution and a variety of other sectors. In particular, the project has identified both the ongoing sharing of physical infrastructure by the two sectors, and that terrestrial broadcasting and mobile telecommunications represent competing uses of ultra high frequency electromagnetic spectrum.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the expiry in 2034 of the licences for terrestrial (a) television and (b) radio on (i) all households (ii) households reliant on terrestrial signals in Scotland.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. This will inform any decision concerning the future of digital terrestrial television services after 2034. Before any decision is made in relation to the availability of services beyond 2034, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on digital terrestrial television as their primary means of watching television.As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure, including through a stakeholder forum which I chair. Membership of the Stakeholder Forum includes a range of broadcasters active in Scotland, including the Scottish broadcaster STV, the BBC and ITV. The forum also benefits from the perspectives of a number of groups representing the interests of Scottish and UK-wide audiences, such as Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Digital Poverty Alliance and Silver Voices.Given the extensive relationship between the UK’s DTT and radio broadcast networks, we will separately look at how broadcast radio services may be affected and will ensure that any decision taken on the future of TV distribution fully considers the wider impacts on broadcast radio services.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the broadcasting sector's contribution to telecoms resilience.

The broadcasting sector plays an important role in enhancing telecoms resilience by providing robust infrastructure and rapidly circulating news and information to the public during emergencies. DSIT collaborates with TV and radio broadcast and telecom operators through the Electronic Resilience & Response Group (EC-RRG) industry forum, sharing best practices and strengthening the networks to ensure the continuity of communication services and public safety during crises. Both DSIT and DCMS (who have responsibility for the broadcast sector) recognise the importance of ongoing collaboration to maintain and enhance telecoms resilience.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26353 on Tyres: Recycling, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of financial support available for increasing domestic tyre processing capacity.

Defra has not completed an assessment as described; however the Government offers a range of support to businesses looking to invest in recycling infrastructure in the UK, including through the British Business Bank and National Wealth Fund, and financial support continues to be available for increasing domestic tyre processing capacity through Innovate UK responsive programmes and more targeted programmes focused on resource efficiency. As explained in response to PQ 26353 on 3rd February, the Secretary of State has convened the Circular Economy Taskforce to help us develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. Together we are considering the evidence for interventions right across the economy and are exploring a wide range of levers to drive circularity, including in the recycling sector, as we develop our strategy.

What estimate his Department has made of the average cost to consumers of replacing Total Heating Total Control systems following the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service; and what discussions he has had with stakeholders on the potential merits of direct financial assistance for people affected.

The Industry-led Radio Teleswitch Service Taskforce is investigating with energy suppliers the volume and costs of any additional works that may be required for Total Heating Total Control systems. Energy suppliers are best placed, and responsible for, advising their customers.

Media and Sport, if she will publish minutes of the TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum's meetings to date.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. The minutes of the Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum will be published following the conclusion of the forum process. The terms of reference and membership list for the forum have already been published and can be found on GOV.UK.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of delays in smart meter replacements for households affected by the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) closure; and whether (a) penalties and (b) enforcement measures will be applied to energy suppliers failing to provide timely replacements.

Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against their licence obligations. Ofgem have been clear that they expect energy suppliers to arrange a suitable replacement metering solution for their customers with RTS meters in a timely manner ahead of the switch off to avoid a disruption to their service. Ofgem is consulting on new licence conditions which will seek to ensure consumers are treated fairly and have access to an alternative metering arrangement following the cessation of RTS. The consultation ends on 11 March and is available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/radio-teleswitch-service-rts-electricity-supply-licence-changes

With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Get Britain Working, published in November 2024, when she plans to publish details of the planned public consultation; and what the timeline will be for different mechanisms of stakeholder engagement.

The Get Britain Working White Paper outlines the government's commitment to engage with stakeholders on the detailed policy development and implementation of reforms.We are engaging with disabled people, and others with relevant expertise and experience, to consider how to address challenges and build a better system. We are working to establish the Disability Advisory Panel which will consult disabled people to ensure their views and voices are at the heart of the design and delivery of our reforms.To inform our approach, we have met with external and internal stakeholders, including the NHS Confederation, Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel, and representatives from the Disability Charities Consortium and Disabled People’s Organisation Forum England.Further engagement will begin based on the findings from the Keep Britain Working review discovery phase, which is expected to be published in March 2025.We are working to develop proposals for reform to the system of health and disability benefits and will set them out in a Green Paper in the spring.

What alternative (a) heating and (b) metering solutions he plans to provide to households that are unable to install a smart meter due to location or connectivity issues following the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service.

In the few circumstances where a supplier may not currently be able to install a smart meter, Ofgem has been clear that the supplier is obligated under their licence conditions to ensure that a suitable metering system is offered and that the customer's heating and hot water service is not disrupted.

Whether his Department has (a) instructed or (b) provided guidance to Ofgem's Radio Teleswitch Service Taskforce on what steps it should take on the transition for households affected by the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service in June 2025.

The Department attends the Industry Taskforce on the Radio Teleswitch Service, which was convened by Ofgem last year and is led by Energy UK. The Taskforce involves all major energy suppliers and is working with consumer groups, local authorities, housing associations and other key stakeholders to urgently ramp up efforts to replace the remaining RTS meters in Great Britain before the service ends.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 31124 on Renewable Energy: Staff, whether the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport will support oil and gas workers into the (a) Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage and (b) hydrogen sectors.

The Energy Skills Passport, launched in January, is designed to help oil and gas workers transition into clean energy sectors like offshore wind. In phase two, we are exploring opportunities to expand it into other clean energy sectors such as CCUS and Hydrogen. The RGU estimates the offshore renewables workforce, which includes offshore wind, CCS, and hydrogen, could increase to between 70,000 and 138,000 in 2030 creating opportunities for skilled workers as the sector matures. Further decisions for future CCUS deployment, including in the Scottish Cluster, will be taken in due course. As the Energy Skills Passport develops, we will continue working with industry to expand its scope, ensuring it effectively supports workers moving into emerging clean energy sectors.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) apprenticeships and (b) training programmes provide the requisite skills for the (i) the clean energy and (ii) Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage sectors.

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is engaging widely with industry experts, and trade unions for a clear assessment of the skills opportunities and challenges. It is working closely with Skills England to ensure that skills systems reforms support the clean energy transition. It has recently launched the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers into new roles in the clean energy sector.In phase two, we are exploring opportunities to expand it into other clean energy sectors such as CCUS. CCUS could support up to 50,000 jobs as the sector matures into the 2030s.The government is also transforming the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a growth and skills offer which will allow employers to invest in a wider range of training.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to bring forward secondary legislation to permit gene editing by the end of March 2025.

On 25 February 2025, the secondary legislation needed to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants was laid in Parliament. If passed, the legislation will come into force in Autumn 2025. This is a devolved matter, and the legislation is England only.

What the criteria are for harbours and ports to access the £1.8 billion allocated in the National Wealth Fund for the upgrade of port infrastructure and supply chain facilities.

The National Wealth Fund has financial capacity totaling £27.8 billion, of which at least £5.8 billion will be committed over this Parliament to the five priority sectors that the Chancellor announced at the International Investment Summit, including ports.There are no unique or additional criteria for accessing this funding as it will be deployed in line with the National Wealth Fund’s standard approach, an overview of which can be found here: https://www.nationalwealthfund.org.uk/how-we-invest-principles-and-approach.This capital is available now - and will be targeted into investable projects that meet the National Wealth Fund’s investment criteria and mandate – driving growth, clean energy and creating the jobs of the future.Anyone with a potentially investable project can contact the National Wealth Fund via its website.

What discussions his Department has had with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on the proposal for it to be designated as the regulator for surrogacy, as recommended in the Law Commission’s report Building Families Through Surrogacy: A New Law.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health will be writing to the Chairs of the Law Commissions of England, Wales, and Scotland shortly, to follow up their meeting on 5 November. A Government response to the commission’s report will be published as time allows.The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health met with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority senior team on 20 July 2024. Regulatory oversight of surrogacy was discussed as part of a broader introductory discussion.

Food and Rural Affairs, whetherhis Department plans to renew the licence for glyphosate for agricultural use in 2025.

All active substances used in pesticides are periodically reviewed to ensure they meet modern standards which take into account current knowledge. HSE will review the approval of glyphosate for all uses when it is due for renewal in GB. Pesticides are only authorised following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met.

Food and Rural Affairs, what lessons his Department has learned from the (a) avian inflluenza outbreak in Scotland in 2022-23 and (b) other avian influenza outbreaks in the UK to help prevent the spread.

Defra’s approach to avian influenza is set out in the Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy for Great Britain supported by the Mitigation Strategy for Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in England and Wales and the Scottish wild bird highly pathogenic avian influenza response plan. Current policy reflects our experience of responding to previous outbreaks of exotic animal disease and is in line with international standards of best practice for disease control. All exotic disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review as part of the government’s ongoing work to monitor and manage the risks of exotic disease. In addition, to regularly exercising our disease response capabilities lessons identified reviews are undertaken at the conclusion of outbreaks to identify and evaluate where improvements to disease response capability, processes and organisational structures for managing an outbreak of exotic notifiable disease can be made. The feedback, including that of Devolved Governments, operational partners and stakeholders is collated in lessons identified reports. These reports are published on gov.uk and provide the framework for improvements of the response to and management of disease outbreaks and the review of contingency plans, policies and operational instructions.

How much funding remains available in Phase 3 of the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme.

ECO4 funding is not released through a tranche system. The scheme sets a legal obligation on energy suppliers, and this is divided between energy suppliers based on their respective shares of the domestic gas and electricity market. Energy suppliers are permitted to deliver their obligation at their preferred pace over the life cycle of the scheme, between April 2022 and March 2026. The total value of ECO4 is £4 billion. This breaks down to £1bn a year for the four years of the scheme.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether compensation will be available for commercial poultry farmers for flock losses due to avian influenza control measures.

Compensation paid for birds culled by the Government for disease control purposes is designed to promote prompt reporting of suspicion of disease and is only payable for healthy birds as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. There is no compensation available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat.

Whether households with existing underfloor foam insulation are eligible for funding through the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme.

Households with existing underfloor foam insulation may be eligible for Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme support if they meet scheme eligibility criteria. Homes equivalent to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) bands D-G, for owner occupied households, and bands E-G for privately rented homes and social housing, where occupants are in receipt of means-tested benefits, are eligible for the scheme, as well as those referred by their local authority under ECO Flex. However, meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee assistance. This is determined by obligated suppliers and the installers to whom they sub-contract.