Written questions by Medi.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of lowering the landlord cost cap and introducing low property value exemptions for minimum energy efficiency standards on private renters in Wales.

Government’s response to the consultation on increasing the minimum energy efficiency standard for private rented homes was accompanied by the Department’s Impact Assessment. The assessment provides an estimated impact of the final policy based on a range of data available, including HM Land Registry and property price data available for Wales. The measures included in the final policy are intended to be proportional to help manage the burden placed on landlords and the impact on the rental market, whilst still delivering improved, warmer, cheaper to heat homes for private rented sector tenants.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the absence of a permanent motorcycle examiner based in north Wales on (a) test provision ,b) test availability and (c) learners and training providers.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understands the importance of ensuring test-ready learner riders can take their test as quickly as practically possible. DVSA is committed to providing motorcycle testing provision in North Wales and deploys examiners from other parts of the country to help meet demand. DVSA has also made additional tests available at Bangor driving test centre to account for the difficulty caused by the weather over the winter months. Additional testing provision will be available in Bangor from March 2026. DVSA also continues to recruit driving examiners in North Wales, and hopes this will provide the opportunity to nominate individuals for motorcycle examiner training in 2026.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 February 2025 to Question 30336 on Parking: Regulation, what steps he is taking to (a) consult and (b) assess the potential impact of the measures contained in the proposed Government code on standards of parking operator (i) practice and (ii) behaviour.

The government consulted on its proposals to raise standards across the private parking industry between 11 July 2025 and 26 September 2025. All responses are now being analysed. The government’s response to the consultation, together with the impact assessment of the measures contained in the new Code on the industry, will be published in due course. The consultation document can be accessed on gov.uk here.

Whether the Local Power Plan funding for projects in Wales will be delivered through the Internal Market Act.

Through the Local Power Plan, Great British Energy will invest up to £1 billion to support at least 1,000 local and community energy projects across the country by 2030. Funding for the Plan will be administered by Great British Energy. It will not be delivered through the Internal Markets Act. GBE will work with the devolved governments to complement existing support and identify new opportunities for collaboration.

With reference to Written Statement UIN HCWS1315, what Barnett consequentials will be provided to the Welsh Government as a result of the grants awarded to local authorities in England to address SEND deficits.

Any Barnett consequentials generated will be confirmed when departments formally receive funding; the next opportunity is Spring Forecast 2026.

What estimate he has made of the number of jobs that will be created by the (a) Awel Y Mor and (b) The Erebus Project will be based in Wales.

The Department has not made an assessment of the number of jobs that will be created by individual offshore wind projects. However, securing 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity in Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7 has unlocked £22 billion in private investment and supports 7,000 skilled jobs in every corner of the country. The government estimates that the offshore wind sector could support up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Great Britain by 2030. Wales is well placed to benefit, with its clean energy workforce expected to grow by around 110% by 2030 – equivalent to an increase of approximately 10,000 direct jobs from 2023 levels.

What estimate he has made of the number of off-grid homes in Wales that are not suitable for heat pump technology.

While we do not have a specific assessment for Wales, evidence shows heat pumps will work well in most off-gas grid homes. A home’s suitability to install a heat pump depends on several factors, including having sufficient internal and external space (for the heat pump unit, thermal store and larger radiators), the peak current draw of the grid connection, and the home’s peak heat loss. We have commissioned research on the costs of different approaches to decarbonising complex housing archetypes, including alternative low carbon heating solutions where required, and we expect to receive results in Spring 2026.

What steps his Department has taken to help support the decarbonisation of off-grid homes including the uptake of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil in homes where heat-pump technology is not viable.

The Government launched a consultation on 18 November to explore alternative clean heating solutions that may play a role in some homes, including renewable liquid fuels (RLFs) such as hydrotreated vegetable oil.The consultation will run until 10 February.

What steps he is taking to support small independent breweries from increased operating costs in Wales.

My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation. Additionally, the Hospitality Sector Council provides a formal forum to co-create solutions to pressures facing the industry.The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We have conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries, the findings from which are currently being reviewed.We maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as the Society of Independent Brewers, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long‑term stability.

Whether he has had discussions with the Welsh Government on the potential merits of introducing a Guest Beer agreement in Wales.

My department works closely with hospitality businesses to assess impact of rising operating costs across energy, staffing, compliance and taxation. Additionally, the Hospitality Sector Council provides a formal forum to co-create solutions to pressures facing the industry.The Government recognises that independent breweries are essential to the diversity and character of our pubs. We have conducted a review of the beer market to determine whether there are any structural barriers preventing small breweries, the findings from which are currently being reviewed.We maintain regular engagement with trade bodies such as the Society of Independent Brewers, as well as colleagues across government, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the latest evidence and genuinely support the sector’s long‑term stability.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing draught duty relief.

This Government is proud to have been able to significantly expand the generosity of Draught Relief this parliament, in recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”. In February 2025, the Chancellor delivered a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This took a penny of duty off a typical strength pint and reduced overall duty receipts by £85m. Draught beer and cider now pay 13.9% less in tax than their packaged equivalents. The Government keeps duty rates under review, and the Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events. The Government welcomes representations from the on trade sector on the effectiveness of Draught Relief in advance of the Budget.

With reference to table F of his Department's publication entitled Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7: results, published on 14 January 2026, what is the total megawatt deployment capacity for (a) offshore wind and (b) floating offshore wind in Wales.

The total megawatt deployment capacity for fixed bottom offshore wind in Wales is 775 megawatts and 100 megawatts for floating offshore wind. These projects represent the first successful developments in Wales in over a decade.

What discussions his Department has had with the Welsh Government on the Warm Homes Plan.

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.The Minister has been engaging with his Ministerial counterparts in the Welsh government regarding the Warm Homes Plan.

What proportion of the £13.2 billion allocated to the Warm Homes Plan in the June Spending Review has been assigned to Wales; and what share of the £1.5 billion announced in the 2025 Autumn Budget has been allocated 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.

How many homes in Wales have received measures under (a) Energy Company Obligation (b) Energy Company Obligation 1 (c) Energy Company Obligation 2 (d) Energy Company Obligation 3 and (e) Energy Company Obligation 4.

The number of unique households in Wales receiving measures under each Energy Company Obligation (ECO) phase between January 2013 and September 2025 is shown in the table below. Each property is counted when receiving an ECO measure for the first time under each phase. The total of 140,439 homes is lower than the sum of the phases as it shows the unique number of households receiving measures across the scheme. These data have been derived from the Household Energy Efficiency statistics publication where further details on the measures delivered can be found. Summary table All ECO schemes140,439ECO142,980ECO246,753ECO2 Help-to-Heat13,519ECO324,248ECO427,606

How much money has been spent in Wales on (a) Energy Company Obligation (b) Energy Company Obligation 1 (c) Energy Company Obligation 2 (d) Energy Company Obligation 3 and (e) Energy Company Obligation 4.

Estimated Energy Company Obligation (ECO) costs for Great Britain can be found in Table 5.1 of the latest Household Energy Efficiency Statistics Release. Figures for Wales are not available.

What Barnett consequential funding the Welsh Government will receive from the Warm Homes Plan.

The Barnett formula applies to all increases or decreases to Departmental Expenditure Limits (DEL). The Barnett formula is not applied to the individual programmes driving the change in a UK department’s DEL budget, so the total Barnett consequentials associated with the Warm Homes Plan cannot be identified.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to engage with independent creators on copyright and artificial intelligence issues.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport held successful working groups to consider all options with regard to issues concerning copyright and AI in the creative sector. The working groups consisted of representatives from both the creative and AI sectors, with some independent creators amongst the panels. There were also organisations present which represented individual creators and their interests concerning copyright and AI, as well as independent creators who were also organisational representatives. The department will continue to identify areas of collaboration with independent creators going forward, to support their perspectives during these important discussions.

Whether the Welsh Government will receive Barnett consequentials from the Warm Homes Plan.

Calculating Barnett consequentials of the Government's spending commitments is the responsibility of HM Treasury. At almost £15 billion, the Warm Homes Plan is the single biggest public investment programme in energy efficiency in UK history. The Treasury has not yet confirmed the total Barnett consequential nor the specific appointment for Wales. More details on the Warm Homes Plan will be published soon. As issues of energy efficiency, fuel poverty and heat are largely devolved Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have specific Net Zero strategies. We work closely with our counterparts in the Devolved Governments to ensure our strategies align.

With reference to the funding increase by Great British Energy for renewable schemes in Wales announced on 10 December 2025, which body will be responsible for administering this funding to renewable schemes in Wales.

The Welsh Government will administer the additional funding provided by Great British Energy. This will fund solar panels for schools, leisure centres and museums across Wales, as well as supporting a new scheme which will help public sector and communities complete projects such as solar canopies and battery energy storage.