Written questions by MacAlister.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory is able to conduct commercially beneficial research.

The Government published its Strategic Review of the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) establishing a bold vision for its future (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6762a4b1ff2c870561bde75b/strategic-review-of-the-national-nuclear-laboratory.pdf). This is a vision of UKNNL as a platform for the private sector to accelerate technology to market. Much of the strategic review focuses on how the Government supports UKNNL in this, and considers issues ranging from UKNNL objectives through to the requirement for core government funding. The Government is now working with UKNNL, and industry, on implementing the findings. Industry were extensively consulted on the strategic review, and we are continuing to engage with them. Whilst UKNNL will remain a public corporation, it will operate a commercially driven model which supports customer-focused research. The optimal long-term model of the laboratory remains under consideration to ensure UKNNL can deliver nuclear outcomes for government, and support sector growth.

What steps his Department is taking to support the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory in expanding the development of americium so it could be used by the space industry.

The Department is supporting the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL)’s work to extract americium from the UK’s civil separated plutonium inventory at Sellafield for the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) ENDURE Programme. This includes supporting UKNNL and the UK Space Agency in the development of a new facility which aims to upscale americium extraction to meet future ESA demand.

With reference to the small modular reactor competition run by Great British Nuclear, whether his Department is taking other steps to support the development of privately (a) funded and (b) o

Great British Nuclear (GBN), the Government’s nuclear delivery body, is pushing forward with the small modular reactor competition – at the Autumn Budget it was confirmed GBN had entered negotiations with the four remaining bidders, with final decisions e...

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an estimate of the total costs awarded by the Planning Inspector to the appellant due to unreasonable behaviour of the planning authority in the d

The Planning Inspectorate does not hold information on whether a local planning authority has acted unreasonably in refusing a planning application for a clean energy project without justification. As such, we are unable to provide an estimate on the numb...

Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of in how many cases the Planning Inspectorate has found that a local planning authority has acted unreasonably in refusing a planning appli

The Planning Inspectorate does not hold information on whether a local planning authority has acted unreasonably in refusing a planning application for a clean energy project without justification. As such, we are unable to provide an estimate on the numb...

What progress the NHS England and College of Operating Department Practitioners working group has made on prescribing rights.

In late 2020, NHS England launched a series of public consultations seeking views on proposals to amend the responsibilities for the prescribing, supply, and administration of medicines for the following professionals:dental hygienists and dental therapis...

What steps he is taking to ensure the Warm Homes Plan integrates with existing energy efficiency schemes.

Through the Warm Homes Plan, we will invest an extra £6.6 billion over the next five years in clean heat and energy efficiency, upgrading five million homes through solutions like low carbon heating and improved insulation. We will set out the full details of our Warm Homes Plan, and the approach to Net Zero Buildings more broadly, after the completion of the Spending Review Process.

When he plans to provide further details on the (a) implementation and (b) scope of the Warm Homes Plan.

Through the Warm Homes Plan, we will invest an extra £6.6 billion over the next five years in clean heat and energy efficiency, upgrading five million homes through solutions like low carbon heating and improved insulation. We will set out the full details of our Warm Homes Plan, and the approach to Net Zero Buildings more broadly, after the completion of the Spending Review Process.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure sufficient supply of (a) creon and (b) other ADHD medications.

The Department has been working with suppliers to address current supply issues with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) used by patients with conditions such as cystic fibrosis and certain cancers, including pancreatic cancer. The supply issues are impacting countries throughout Europe and have been caused by limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints to produce volumes needed to meet demand. The Department is continuing to work with all suppliers of PERT to help resolve the supply issues in the short and longer term. This includes asking that they expedite deliveries, source stock from other markets, and increase production.We have issued comprehensive guidance to healthcare professionals about these supply issues, which provides advice on how to manage patients whilst there is disruption to supply. This guidance is being kept under review and updates will be made as necessary. Serious Shortage Protocols are in place for Creon 10,000 and 25,000 capsules to limit prescriptions to one months’ supply whilst stocks are limited.The Department has also been working hard with industry to help resolve supply issues with some attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medicines, which are also impacting countries throughout Europe. As a result of intensive work, some issues have been resolved. All strengths of lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine capsules, and guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are now available. We are working to resolve the remaining issues impacting some strengths of methylphenidate. This includes asking suppliers to secure additional stocks, expedite deliveries where possible, and review plans to further build capacity to support continued growth in demand for the short and long-term.The Department has worked with specialist clinicians to develop management advice for clinicians which includes consideration to prescribe available alternative brands of methylphenidate prolonged release tablets. We have widely disseminated our communications and continually update a list of currently available and unavailable ADHD products on the Specialist Pharmacy Service website, helping to ensure that those involved in the prescribing and dispensing of ADHD medications can make informed decisions with patients.

If he will make an assessment of (a) Government and (b) industry data on household (i) income and (ii) energy needs to develop a targeted support mechanism for energy bills (A) for low-income households and (B) generally.

The Government’s Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme provides targeted support to eligible low-income households across Great Britain with a £150 rebate off their winter energy bill, the vast majority of which are provided automatically. The WHD scheme provides rebates to pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (Core Group 1) and those in receipt of one of the qualifying means-tested benefits and are living in properties which have an energy cost score, calculated from certain property characteristics, exceeding a high-energy-cost threshold (core Group 2). In 2023/24 the WHD scheme delivered rebates to 3.14 million households in Great Britain. This represents an increase of around 646 thousand households receiving rebates and an increase of around £97 million of support, compared to 2022/23. Since the WHD scheme began in 2011, over £4 billion in support has been provided to households.

What the cost was of the insurance provided by her Department for members of HM Coastguard in 2023; and how many people that insurance covered.

Insurance TypeJan-Dec 2023Travel£25,511.75Building£30,261.73Vehicle£121,806.69 £177,580.17 Average number of employees: 1,229.Average number of Coastguard Rescue Officers (CROs): 3,080.Insurance premiums within the MCA cover all employees and CROs as applicable. Insurance premiums are not split by business activity.

When she plans that access to the Croasdale Emergency Services mobile mast in Whitehaven and Workington constituency will be shared with all mobile network operators.

The build of the Croasdale Extended Area Services (EAS) mast was completed in November 2023. Since then work has been underway to complete power and network connections to the mast, and it is now envisaged that all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), as part of the Shared Rural Network programme, will be able to activate their services by end of July 2025.

Whether he will prioritise new nuclear power generation on land designated for new nuclear over other potential uses.

The New nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) is being developed to provide updated planning guidance to developers. This will be subject to the usual public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny. The potential sites listed in EN-6 are likely to retain many inherent advantages and it is for those landowners to decide how to manage their assets. For those sites within the wider government estate, optimal land use will be considered to best maximise public benefit.

Whether he will prioritise government owned land that remains (a) unused and (b) licensed for new nuclear use in siting decisions for deployment of new nuclear power plants.

Government will always consider strategic land use opportunities for its estate and is committed to managing its land to best maximise public benefit.

Whether access to existing nuclear expertise is considered in siting decisions for new nuclear power plants.

A new nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) is being developed which will provide updated planning guidance and set out any specific assessment criteria for the siting of new nuclear power stations.

Whether the eight sites identified for new nuclear use in the 2011 National Policy Statement are intended for new nuclear use.

New nuclear National Policy Statement (EN-7) is being developed to provide updated planning guidance to developers. This will be subject to the usual public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny. The potential sites listed in EN-6 are likely to retain many inherent advantages and it is for those landowners to decide how to manage their assets. For those sites within the wider government estate, optimal land use will be considered to best maximise public benefit.

Which government sites licensed for new nuclear use have been subject to further detailed assessments since designation.

Land assessments for a variety of purposes will have been undertaken at those potential sites listed in EN-6 for Nuclear Power Generation, that are now owned by government arm’s length bodies.

Whether access has been (a) requested and (b) granted to land owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at Moorside for detailed assessment to be carried out for its use for new nuclear power generation in the last ten years.

Yes, requests have been made, within the last ten years, to access the land at Moorside for the purpose of undertaking detailed assessment of its suitability to be used for the development of new nuclear power generation infrastructure. These requests have been granted by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

Whether the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority have sought approval for the purchase of land in West Cumbria in the last ten years.

Yes, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has sought, and received, approval for the purchase of land in West Cumbria in the last ten years. This includes land parcels adjacent to the Low Level Waste Repository at Drigg.

Whether decisions have been (a) requested of and (b) made by his Department on alternative uses of land licensed for new nuclear use owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at Moorside in West Cumbria.

To date, no decisions have been made, but discussions are ongoing regarding the most effective use of the land at Moorside. The Department is considering options to maximise public benefit.