Written questions by Roberts.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a social energy tariff.

The Government understands the need to target support to those who need it most. That is why on 30 January, we announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills every winter until 2030/31. This means that millions of households every year who need support with their energy bills will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade. We also committed to exploring additional improvements to the scheme. While we consider options for future bill support, we are working across Government to improve access to and sharing of data to target support more effectively in the future. Specifically, the ‘Kickstarter’ programme under the National Data Library will test how public sector data can be better joined up to improve access to government programmes.

What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the desired governance end state for policing in Wales following the policing white paper; when those discussions took place; and what the outcomes were.

We are working closely with the Welsh Government, as well as other Welsh Stakeholders including Welsh local government, police forces and other partners, to ensure new governance arrangements provide strong and effective police governance in Wales. Officials have established a specific Welsh transition working group as part of the Police Governance Reform project, which last met on 22 January. Welsh Government officials are members of this Board and Home Office and Welsh Government officials speak regularly to develop proposals. The Minister for Policing and Crime regularly speaks to the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt MS, and she attended the Policing Partnership Board for Wales on 18 December. The Minister plans to attend the next Board on 5 March. We will continue to work collaboratively with Welsh stakeholders on the design and implementation of governance arrangements in Wales.

What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential merits of introducing a Graduate Driving License scheme in Wales.

Graduated Driving Licences and how these are implemented around the world vary, there is not one standard type. Whilst we are not considering further restrictions on newly qualified drivers such as carrying passengers or driving at night, we are consulting on a Minimum Learning Period in England, Scotland, and Wales before learner drivers can take their test. Additionally, we are considering further post-test measures as part of the motoring offences consultation, where views are being sought on a lower blood alcohol limit for novice drivers in England and Wales. My officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the Devolved Authorities, including those in Wales.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 107737 on Devolution: Wales, the future devolution of which specific key policy areas have been discussed; when each of those discussions took place with Welsh Government Ministers since July 2024

I have regular discussions with Welsh Government Ministers on a wide range of policy issues, including on the devolution settlement. Unlike Plaid Cymru, who wish to force their costly, separatist ideology on the people of Wales, Labour is the party of devolution. We created devolution, we defend devolution from parties who wish to destroy it, and we will always update the devolution settlement to ensure it delivers the best outcomes for people and communities across Wales.

What discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on the the Warm Homes Agency; and if he will set out how the Agency will operate in Wales.

The Government has been actively engaging with the Welsh Government on the Warm Homes Agency since Spring 2025, including discussions on how future arrangements of the Agency would work with Devolved Governments. The Agency will only operate in Wales with agreement from the Welsh Government, and discussions to secure this agreement are ongoing.

How many homes in Wales are awaiting rectification of work carried out under the ECO4 scheme; and what is the constituency‑level breakdown of those cases.

The Government commissioned an independent statistical audit in April 2025. Unfortunately, the samples are not substantial enough to reliably perform regional analysis. Due to the level of non-compliance found for EWI measures, the Government is offering a comprehensive on-site audit to all households where external wall insulation (EWI) was installed under ECO4 or GBIS. This check will be provided at no cost to the consumer. Should any issues requiring action be found, these should be remediated by the original installer. Where the installer has ceased trading, protections under the installation guarantee policy should be invoked. Checks across all measures under ECO4 and GBIS, will continue to be carried out by TrustMark and certification bodies as part of routine surveillance.

What support is available to households that have paid to rectify non-compliant works under the ECO4 scheme.

We have been clear that the original installer is responsible for remediating issues with their work and for the costs of doing so. Where an installer ceases to trade or in some cases fails to rectify an issue, protections under the guarantee should be invoked. TrustMark require a guarantee to have been issued, which for Solid Wall Insulation will cover up to £20k. If consumers have a separate complaint about their installation, they can follow the steps set out in the TrustMark complaints process here. This includes the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman if the consumer wishes to progress with legal actions.

What formal requests for the devolution for further powers has the Welsh Government made since July 2024.

Labour is the party of devolution in Wales and Westminster. I and all UK Government ministers engage with the Welsh Ministers frequently on a wide range of issues, including the future of devolution in key policy areas. This engagement is part of our reset relationship with the Welsh Government based on co-operation and partnership, through which we can achieve and deliver more for people in Wales.

Whether the Welsh Government has made a formal request for the devolution of (a) justice, (b) youth justice, (c) probation and (d) policing.

Welsh Government and Ministry of Justice ministers have met to discuss progressing the manifesto commitments on youth justice and probation. Welsh Government and Ministry of Justice officials continue to work together to progress this.The Ministry of Justice is not responsible for policing and therefore has not received a request in respect of the devolution of policing.

With reference to page 48 of the Department's policy paper entitled Warm Homes Plan, published on 21 January 2026, what proportion of the total funding provided for the Barnett consequentials will be received by (a) Wales, (b) Scotland and (c) Northern Ireland.

The Treasury has not yet confirmed the specific Barnett consequential appointments of the Government’s spending commitment for the Warm Homes Plan. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have unique devolution settlements. The age, tenure, type and size of building stock varies across different parts of the UK. Therefore, some aspects of the Warm Homes Plan will apply equally in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland while other parts will not be relevant in all nations of the UK. The UK Government will continue to work closely with the Devolved Governments in delivering the Warm Homes Plan.

What proportion of the funding allocated to the Warm Homes Plan in the (a) Spending Review and (b) 2025 Autumn Budget has been assigned to Wales.

To ensure the bill savings from the transition to clean energy technologies are felt in all parts of the country, the different needs and approaches of the Devolved Governments will need to be recognised. The UK Government will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government and will publish the Warm Homes Plan soon.

What steps his Department is taking to help protect jobs and retain skills across Wales, in the context of the time taken to announce the Warm Homes Plan.

Government is committed to supporting businesses to transition to new opportunities in the sector, including exploring options to support the supply chain to transition from ECO and GBIS to capital scheme delivery.The Warm Homes Plan, due to be published soon, will set out government’s plans to invest nearly £15 billion to upgrade low‑income homes and scale clean home‑energy technologies. The number of UK jobs supported in clean energy industries and their supply chains is estimated to increase from around 440,000 today to around 860,000 by 2030 and we are working closely with the sector to support its growth.

How many homes in Wales are waiting for rectification of work carried out under the ECO4 Scheme by Consumer Energy Solutions.

We are working with MCS and certification bodies to determine the number of homes in Wales awaiting remediation of work carried out by Consumer Energy Solutions under ECO4. Ministers have been clear that no household should be asked to pay to fix work that is non‑compliant through no fault of their own. Where issues are identified, the installer responsible is expected to put them right. Where an installer has ceased trading or fails to remediate, households should contact their relevant guarantee provider to access the protections of their guarantee. Further advice will be provided to affected households shortly.

What safeguards are being established to protect people who are waiting for rectification of work carried out under the ECO 4 Scheme by Consumer Energy Solutions following the company entering administration.

All completed installations under ECO4 and GBIS are covered by a guarantee. Consumers should approach their guarantee provider for support within the bounds of their policy. We are actively and urgently working with Trustmark, MCS and scheme providers to consider how best to support recipients of CES’ work. We will provide further advice as soon as possible. No household should be asked to pay to rectify non-compliant works.

What steps he has taken to address fraud by companies in the ECO4 scheme since the publication of the National Audit Office investigation into the performance of ECO in October 2025.

For existing schemes, we work with Ofgem, TrustMark and energy suppliers to detect, prevent and deter fraud. When Ofgem is notified of suspected fraud, they engage with suppliers, Action Fraud and the Serious Fraud Office to ensure robust investigation.We are taking on board the lessons identified by the NAO, embedding these into our future consumer protection systems, and applying relevant lessons from grant-funded programmes as part of our revised approach to assurance in all retrofit schemes. We have increased departmental oversight of consumer levy funded schemes and will publish an updated Accounting Officer statement with our 2025-26 annual report.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of conducting a government inquiry into the installation of air source heatpumps and solar panels within the ECO4 scheme.

ECO4 has played a part in delivering clean heat technologies; however, issues identified by the NAO and PAC support a shift to a more direct, publicly-funded approach focused on technologies that cut bills and accelerate the transition to clean heat such as heat pumps, solar PV and batteries. The government is providing an additional £1.5 billion—taking planned capital investment to almost £15 billion—to upgrade low‑income homes and scale clean home‑energy technologies. Deployment will be further supported through wider policies and details of this will be set out soon in the Warm Homes Plan.

What recent steps his Department has taken to identify and investigate online retailers that misrepresent themselves as UK-based businesses.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions (such as online retailers that misrepresent themselves as UK-based), that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decision.The CMA and Trading Standards are responsible for investigating any breaches of misrepresentation (along with HMRC if any breaches of customs rules and duties are indicated).

What Barnett consequential funding will Wales receive as a result of measures set out in the Violence against women and girls strategy, published on 18 December 2025.

The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to UK Government Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL). Programmes set out in the Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy are being funded from within existing unallocated budgets. The Barnett formula has already been applied in the normal way to funding previously allocated at Spending Review 2025. Spending Review 2025 provided the Welsh Government with their largest spending review settlements in real terms since devolution in 1998. As a result of decisions at Budget 2025, the Welsh Government will receive an additional £320 million RDELex and £185 million CDEL through the operation of the Barnett formula on top of these record settlements.

Which specific measures set out in the Tackling violence against women and girls strategy, published on 18 December, apply to (a) England only and (b) England and Wales.

This Strategy applies to areas under UK Government responsibility. Commitments on crime, policing, and justice apply to England and Wales, while those on health, social care, housing, transport, and education apply to England only, as these are devolved matters. Reserved areas, such as online safety and immigration, apply across the UK.

What discussions he has had with Welsh Government officials on the application of relevant measures set out in the violence against women and girls strategy, published on 18 December 2025, in Wales.

Throughout the development of the VAWG Strategy we have engaged with the Welsh Government, Scottish Government, and Northern Ireland Executive, including through roundtables with Welsh stakeholders and representation of the Wales National Advisor on VAWG as part of our Strategy Advisory Board. Each Devolved Government has its own strategy, and ours has been informed by best practices drawn from the approaches of all three, including Wales. We are committed to sharing learning and best practice to make our work complementary. VAWG is a national and international emergency, and we will continue working with the Welsh Government, Scottish Government, and Northern Ireland Executive to ensure a coordinated UK-wide response.Tackling violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV) has been a long-standing priority for the Welsh Government, as demonstrated through the ground-breaking Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act. Its second Strategy (May 2022) further set out its vision to end VAWG, domestic abuse and sexual violence in Wales. The VAWDASV Blueprint approach brings together devolved and reserved public authorities, non-governmental organisations, specialist services and survivors whose voices are integral to securing a future without VAWG to deliver this vision. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our Welsh Government colleagues as we deliver on our commitments within the Strategy to ensure a cohesive, joined-up approach.