Every parliamentary written question tabled by Luke Charters this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 81–85 of 85 · this parliament
If she will make an assessment of the potential economic merits of improving internet connectivity on the rail network.
I have asked my officials to explore the feasibility of a range of technology options to improve passenger connectivity on the rail network. This will include assessing the economic benefits of improving internet connectivity. The Department is also measuring the strength of mobile signals along the rail network to fully understand where interventions are needed.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department plans to take to (a) protect and (b) support vulnerable people in relation to online gambling addictions.
The Government is acutely aware of the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk. We will provide further updates to the House soon.The Gambling Commission is responsible for the implementation of a number of the regulatory reforms set out in the white paper, such as introducing new regulations to make online games safer, and financial vulnerability checks aimed at reducing cases of unaffordable losses. It has consulted on and implemented the majority of these reforms.
When his Department plans to next update the National Policy Statement for energy infrastructure; and whether that update will include battery storage as significant energy infrastructure.
The Chancellor committed to Government updating relevant National Policy Statements (NPSs) for infrastructure within 12-months and this includes reviewing the energy NPSs.This Government recognises that batteries have a key role to play in decarbonising the power sector by 2030 through balancing the electricity system and facilitating the integration of renewable power. Batteries above 50MW formerly fell under the regime but this was not found to expedite planning decisions. The policy will be kept under review.
What assessment his Department have made of the potential impact of retrofitting new homes on net zero targets.
The Government has dual ambitions of delivering 1.5 million new homes by the end of this Parliament and achieving clean power by 2030. These objectives are not mutually exclusive, and with good planning and smart design we can build the high quality, low carbon homes we need. Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. The department will continue to work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on this matter.
What steps his Department is taking to work with local authorities on implementing the warm homes plan.
On 23rd September the Secretary of State announced the Warm Homes: Local Grant which will provide energy performance measures and low carbon heating to low-income households in England. The scheme will allocate funding to local authorities following the outcome of an expression of interest, opening in October. The Government also launched the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, which replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Eligible social housing landlords can apply as of 30th September 2024. Local Authorities within the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) will be receiving an allocation of funding for these national schemes as part of our commitment to the pilots announced in the trailblazer devolution deals. The Retrofit Insight Support and Expertise (RISE) web service provides free support to help local authorities deliver these retrofit programmes.