Written questions by Tufnell.

Whether she has considered the potential merits of reviewing the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate to ensure it supports the competitiveness of the SAF industry.

Awaiting answer.

What steps her Department is taking to support the development and use of green methanol in the road haulage sector.

The supply of green methanol for use in road vehicles is eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The RTFO, a certificate trading scheme, has been successful in supporting a UK market for renewable fuels since 2008. In 2024, 68 million litres of renewable methanol was reported as supplied under the RTFO scheme. This is equivalent to around 2% of renewable fuel supplied under the scheme.

What steps he is taking to support the decarbonisation of industry in South West Wales through the development of non‑pipeline carbon capture, utilisation and storage projects.

The government recognises the importance of CCUS and NPT to the decarbonisation of South Wales. As part of the CCUS Programme, we are working with the South Wales Industrial Cluster to assess viable decarbonisation pathways, including CCUS enabled solutions via non-pipeline transport. The government’s consultation on its proposals for NPT deployment across the UK has just concluded and we are in the process of analysing responses. Alongside this, the government launched the NPT Pathfinder Selection Process on the 9 April. This is the first time NPT projects will be eligible to apply for storage at the East Coast Cluster and we look forward to seeing which projects come forward to take up this exciting opportunity. Both initiatives will help inform further NPT deployment in the future, and as such, support the decarbonisation of South Wales.

When she plans to begin a formal assessment of the potential addition of refined petroleum products to the scope of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

As announced at Budget 2025 the government is considering the feasibility and impacts of including refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in future. The government recognises that refineries play a role in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. Government Ministers are holding a roundtable with the refining sector on 4 February 2026 and will also publish a call for evidence on the fuel sector shortly.

What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of Stare for Energy Security and Net Zero, on the potential inclusion of refined petroleum products within the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism; and when the outcomes of those discussions will be made available.

As announced at Budget 2025 the government is considering the feasibility and impacts of including refined products in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in future. The government recognises that refineries play a role in energy security and the UK’s industrial base. Government Ministers are holding a roundtable with the refining sector on 4 February 2026 and will also publish a call for evidence on the fuel sector shortly.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve mobile connectivity in a) Mid and South Pembrokeshire and b) Tenby.

Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This ambition includes villages and rural communities as well as towns and cities.We expect this ambition to be delivered through commercial rollout plans from the network operators. Government continues to work closely with the mobile network operators to ensure their continued investment into the expansion and improvement of mobile networks and that this translates into benefits for communities right across the UK, as well as identifying and addressing barriers to deployment where they exist and it is practical to do so.In Ofcom’s Connected Nations Annual Report, published on 19 November 2025, it is reported that 4G is available across 90% of the Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency from all four operators, while 5G (combined standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 87% of premises in the constituency from at least one MNO.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of indexing payments from the Financial Assistance Scheme for pensions accrued before 1997 by Allied Steel and Wire members.

We are committed to consider what we have heard on this issue. I have heard first hand all the challenges facing ASW workers and others with pre-1997 accrued pensions. However any change in this area has significant implications on public finances for the taxpayer funded Financial Assistance Scheme. We will continue to work through these important issues with the Pension Protection Fund. The PPF has recently reviewed, and made publicly available, its assessment of the potential impacts of addressing pre-1997 indexation for all the schemes within its remit.

What recent progress he has made on implementing the Defence Industrial Strategy 2025.

We are progressing the implementation plan for the Defence Industrial Strategy. I am happy to report to the House that I spoke with the Welsh Government about the roll out of a Defence Growth deal for Wales and how Wales will benefit from the £250 million fund allocated.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that dispersed industrial sites in south Wales can access (a) onshore and (b) offshore non-pipeline transport storage capacity solutions.

The Government recognises the importance of enabling dispersed industrial sites in South Wales to access carbon storage solutions. Through the Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Programme, we are exploring non-pipeline transport (NPT) options including road, rail, and shipping to support onshore and offshore storage access for sites not connected to pipeline infrastructure. The South Wales Industrial Cluster has received support through the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge and Track-1 expansion process, helping to assess viable NPT pathways. We continue to engage with industry and local stakeholders to develop a roadmap for CCUS deployment in the region, including storage capacity solutions that reflect the unique geography and industrial profile of South Wales.

What recent progress he has made on setting out a roadmap for carbon capture utilization and storage projects in south Wales.

The Government is committed to supporting the deployment of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) across the UK, including in South Wales by allocating £9.4 billion in capital budgets over the Spending Review period. As part of the CCUS Programme, we are working with the South Wales Industrial Cluster to assess viable decarbonisation pathways, including CCUS enabled solutions. The Cluster has received support through the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge and is being considered under the Track-1 expansion process. This work is helping to inform a roadmap for CCUS deployment in the region, including options for non-pipeline transport and storage. We continue to engage with industry and local stakeholders to ensure that South Wales is well positioned to benefit from future CCUS investment and infrastructure development.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of devolving (a) probation and (b) youth justice services in Wales.

The Ministry of Justice and Welsh Government regularly discuss justice matters in Wales and are developing a programme of work to consider administrative options on youth justice delivery and partnership arrangements on probation services. This work is currently underway.

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) existing jobs are protected and (b) investor confidence is maintained in the South Wales Industrial Cluster.

The South Wales Industrial cluster is home to many longstanding and globally recognised businesses. Our modern Industrial Strategy has already set out further support for key growth sectors including foundational sectors such as chemicals. This government sees the transition to net zero as the economic opportunity of the century. This is a chance to create good jobs, to drive investment to all parts of the UK and protect our energy security, while also ensuring fairness for workers across the country including in South Wales. We will set out further details of our plans to decarbonise industry and help them seize the opportunities of the transition in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October.

What steps he is taking to support the future delivery of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage projects in the South Wales Industrial Cluster.

The Government is working to create a CCUS industry and provide increased support to UK CCUS by allocating £9.4 billion in capital budgets over the Spending Review period. South Wales Industrial Cluster was awarded approximately £20 million in grant funding between 2019 and 2024 as part of the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge, helping projects develop comprehensive plans to achieve net-zero emissions and deploy low carbon technologies. Government is actively engaging industry on non-pipeline transport costs, risk allocation and economic licensing, aiming to publish a consultation later this year. A Call for Evidence is also planned for Q3 2025 on network strategy.

What steps his Department is taking to increase levels of consumer choice in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The Government is always considering how to improve access to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to boost deployment and support more property owners to transition to low carbon heating. On 30 April, the Government launched a consultation on potential changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, including proposals to support air-to-air heat pumps and alternative electric heating technologies such as heat batteries. The consultation closed on the 11 June, and a government response will be set out in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) heat batteries as low-carbon heating systems and (b) including those batteries in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

On 30 April, the Government launched a consultation on potential changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, including proposals to support air-to-air heat pumps and alternative electric heating technologies such as heat batteries. The consultation closed on the 11 June, and a government response will be set out in due course. The Department will continue to review our position on heat batteries, and other alternative electric heating technologies, as the supporting evidence base develops.

What steps she is taking to ensure that the Legal Aid Agency’s digital systems are cyber-secure.

The recent data breach is the result of heinous criminal activity, but it was enabled by the fragility of the Legal Aid Agency’s (LAA) IT systems as a result of the long years of underinvestment under the last Conservative Government. By contrast, since taking power this Government has prioritised work to reverse the damage of over a decade of under-investment. That includes the allocation of over £20 million in extra funding this year to stabilise and transform the LAA digital services. This investment will make the system more robust and resilient in the face of similar cyber-attacks in future. The cyber-attack is subject to an ongoing investigation and the LAA continues to work closely with the National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre. As a precautionary measure the LAA’s digital services have been taken offline. The decision to bring LAA services back online will include a comprehensive security assessment. Appropriate actions have been taken to mitigate the impact of the attack and contingency measures have been put in place to ensure those most in need of legal support and advice can continue to access the help they need during this time, as outlined on LAA’s dedicated information page.

What steps the Legal Aid Agency is taking to engage with local legal aid providers to increase legal aid provision.

It is vital that those who need legal aid—some of the most vulnerable people in our society—can access it wherever they live.The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) monitors provider numbers in each procurement area and across all categories of law. It takes operational action where it can, to respond to market pressures that may arise.At a local level, LAA hold market engagement events to understand challenges to service delivery for particular categories of law, considering how it can remove any barriers or manage concerns which could deter providers from bidding for a legal aid contract.The LAA consults with provider representative bodies on any proposed contractual changes, with the aim of incentivising legal aid work. Acting on feedback the LAA has made changes to reduce perceived barriers to holding contracts such as increasing the use of remote working, amending supervisor standards and introducing greater flexibility in office requirements.Legal aid contracts are now offered on an ‘always on’ basis, meaning providers can apply at any time, not just during a fixed bidding window as before. This flexible approach lets new organisations join when ready and allows providers to grow their services. It removes strict deadlines and helps ensure services are widely available. The new crime contract lasts ten years, twice as long as before, making it easier for firms to plan ahead and reducing paperwork. These changes were brought in following considerable market engagement and have been widely welcomed.The LAA works closely with the Ministry of Justice on policy solutions concerning the supply of legal aid. The Department recently closed a consultation on uplifts to civil legal aid fees. Once implemented, these changes would inject an additional £20 million into the sector each year, and is currently consulting on funding of up to £92 million more a year for criminal legal aid solicitors.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 56598 on Restless Legs Syndrome: Medical Treatments, whether he plans to make such an assessment.

The Department has no plans to make such an assessment. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has an established prioritisation process overseen by a prioritisation board, for the identification of priorities for guidance development. Anyone is able to suggest a topic through the NICE website, at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/forms/topic-suggestionThe licensed dopamine agonist medicines that are indicated for the treatment of restless leg syndrome are ropinirole, pramipexole, and rotigotine. Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by healthcare professionals and National Health Service commissioners, based on an assessment of the available evidence, taking into account national guidance and advice, such as Clinical Knowledge Summaries.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the safe passage of aid to Gaza; and what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart on the Madleen vessel.

We are aware of the interception of the Madleen and the arrest of its passengers by Israeli Naval Forces on 09 June. We note that this happened without serious incident or injury to any passenger.Over the weekend and last week, we pressed the Israeli authorities in advance of the ship's arrival to ensure that any action they took would resolve the situation safely, with restraint, and in line with International Law.The humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling. The UK continues to demand that the Israeli government permits the full and unhindered resumption of aid into Gaza immediately. By far the most effective way to meet the desperate needs of the Gazan people at the speed and scale that is needed is via overland routes. We reiterate that Israel must immediately allow the United Nations and other agencies to deliver lifesaving aid to those in Gaza who so desperately need it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to push for the removal of restrictions on humanitarian access and aid to Gaza.

As I made clear to the house on 4 June, Israel's unjustified block on aid into Gaza needs to end. It is inhumane. The Foreign Secretary recently announced that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement and will be reviewing cooperation with them under the 2030 Bilateral Roadmap. On 19 May we issued a statement, with France and Canada, calling on the Israeli Government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter. We also issued a joint donor statement with 26 other signatories calling for a full resumption of aid into Gaza and for Israel to allow the UN and other aid organisations to operate independently. The Foreign Secretary continues to make representations to Israeli counterparts stressing the importance of restoring the flow of aid into Gaza.