Written questions by Roberts.

Communities and Local Government, what is the average cost to the public purse of a parliamentary by-election.

Awaiting answer.

What recent progress he has made on the new independent reporting channel in HMPPS.

Awaiting answer.

What the (a) reasons for and (b) outcomes of complaints made through the new independent reporting channel in HMPPS were.

Awaiting answer.

How many (a) prison and (b) probation workers have made complaints through the new independent reporting channel in HMPPS.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the number of surviving partners in receipt of a pension under the 1987 Police Pension Scheme who would lose their entitlement if they remarry or cohabit in (a) England an

The most recent assessment made was in March 2020 for the actuarial valuation of the police pension schemes in England and Wales, with approximately 27,000 dependants in receipt of a pension. This figure includes dependants other than surviving partners a...

Whether his Department plans to provide remedial funding to address defects arising from government-backed home energy efficiency schemes that pre-date the Energy Company Obligation.

The Department does not currently have plans to provide general remedial funding for defects arising from legacy home energy efficiency schemes that predate the Energy Company Obligation. Responsibility for addressing defects sits primarily with installer...

What plans his Department have to provide support to households continuing to be affected by defects to their homes arising from energy efficiency schemes that pre-date the Energy Company Obl

The Government recognises that some households remain affected by defects arising from historical energy efficiency schemes, including those that predate the Energy Company Obligation. Households should first contact their installer, and where this is not...

Whether the Warm Homes Plan will include the use of clerks of works or equivalent independent site-inspection roles.

Energy efficiency measures installed under current Government energy efficiency schemes must be compliant with PAS 2035/2030 to ensure installations are done to the highest quality and the risk of unintended consequences. The Retrofit Coordinator role wit...

What recent assessment has been made of the sustainability of HM Coastguard relying on approximately 3,000 volunteers receiving expenses only as a result of the removal of hourly remuneration and intention to i

A Court of Appeal ruling found that the current remuneration model could not legally continue. Public safety remains our priority, and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implic...

What consideration she has given to alternative models that would allow some form of payment to Coastguard Rescue Officers while remaining compliant with employment law following the removal of hourly remunerat

A Court of Appeal ruling found that the current remuneration model could not legally continue. Public safety remains our priority, and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implic...

What impact assessment has been carried out on (a) public safety, (b) recruitment, (c) retention, (d) emergency response capability and (e) operational availability of Coastguard Rescue Officers as a result of

A Court of Appeal ruling found that the current remuneration model could not legally continue. Public safety remains our priority, and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implic...

What contingency plans are in place to maintain operational resilience of HM Coastguard if significant numbers of experienced Coastguard Rescue Officers leave the service as a result of the removal of hourly re

A Court of Appeal ruling found that the current remuneration model could not legally continue. Public safety remains our priority, and careful consideration was given to the options for a revised operating model. The legal position, the operational implic...

Whether the Welsh Government was (a) consulted and (b) engaged with as part of the Independent Review of Police Force Structures prior to 7 May 2026.

The Independent Review of Police Force Structures was launched on 17 March this year and has sought views from a wide range of policing stakeholders, including the Welsh Government. It issued its call for evidence on 15 April, to which the Welsh Governmen...

What plans her Department has to review the 1987 Police Pension Scheme, in light of the mechanism under which widowers, widows and surviving civil partners can lose their pension entitlement if they r

I refer the Hon. Member to the response given to UIN 813 on the 18th May 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect funding for nature restoration programmes in Wales after the conclusion of funding from the EU LIFE programme.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Welsh Government.

What progress she has made on the commitment to introduce new legal safeguards around strip-searching children and young people; and what the timeline is for the implementation of these safeguards.

Strip search is one of the most intrusive powers available to the police. The Government has been clear that, where these powers are used, they must be exercised lawfully, proportionately and with proper regard for the welfare and dignity of children and ...

How many former teachers or headteachers have forfeited their teachers’ pensions under Regulation 121 of the Teachers’ Pension Regulations 2010 or Regulation 181 of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulation 2014 since 1 January 2024 following conviction of sexual activity with a child while in a position of trust in (i) England and (ii) Wales.

The department is unable to comment on this matter for data protection reasons.

Whether a fraud risk assessment was carried out during the design of the Warm Homes Plan.

The Government has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud. The Government requires robust counter‑fraud controls to be built into the design and delivery of all energy efficiency and clean heat schemes, in line with cross‑government standards and Public Sector Fraud Authority guidance. Future scheme design and delivery will take into account lessons learned from previous iterations of HMG schemes.

With reference to the Policy Paper published on 11 February 2026 entitled Local Power Plan, when the route to market for unlocking SLES will be operational.

The Department recognises requests to take steps to better enable local energy markets and trading to lower bills and increase the resilience of the electricity networks. The Department is investigating barriers to local supply and is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy and relevant stakeholders to find solutions that work in the best interests of local generators and consumers. The Department is also actively exploring policy options that will unlock Smart Local Energy Systems, including working with Innovate UK, local government and communities to develop opportunities for place‑based approaches. Ofgem and Elexon’s work on code modifications, like P441, will help more community energy groups identify and understand the different routes to market in order to sell their energy. Industry feedback informed the Draft Modification Report considered by the Panel on the 12 March leading to the Final Modification Report submitted to Ofgem on the 17 March.

What assessment has he made of the impact of the reduction in mileage allowance under the Mobility scheme from 1 July 2026 on disabled people living in rural areas.

Responsibility for the terms and administration of the Scheme sits with Motability Foundation and its Board of Governors. The changes to the leasing package were announced on 26 March and include reducing the mileage allowance from 20,000 per year to 10,000 per year. Changes only apply to new leases and there are no changes to the mileage allowance of existing leases. Motability Foundation have advised that approximately 75% of customers on the Scheme already use less miles than the proposed new mileage allowance. They have acknowledged that there will be an impact on some customers and are considering if the impact can be mitigated in some limited circumstances.