Every parliamentary written question tabled by Nick Timothy this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 421–440 of 953 · this parliament
What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the white paper entitled Restoring control over the immigration system, published on 12 May 2025, on overseas recruitment in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.
My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.
What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of labour abuse in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry.
The Government is aware of the abhorrent allegations of forced labour in clean energy supply chains and is committed to tackling it. That is why we have amended the Great British Energy Act 2025, making it clear that GBE is committed to adopting measures so it acts on any evidence of forced labour in its supply chains – as we would expect of any responsible company. Legislation and guidance are already in place to help businesses take action against modern slavery. We are further considering how to strengthen Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, including possible penalties for non-compliance.
What discussions (a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisors in his Department have had with Huawei since 5 July 2024.
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of cellular internet modules on (a) wind turbines, and (b) solar panels imported from China.
Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the Department is working to ensure the system is developed in a way that is secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load. The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber security through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves.
If he will bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen the law against acts of sabotage to offshore infrastructure.
DESNZ works closely with subsea and offshore owners, operators, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure offshore infrastructure is proportionately protected against a range of threats, whether from accidental damage or intentional sabotage. This includes working jointly with the Joint Maritime Security Centre to proactively survey against external threats and increase the UK's maritime domain awareness of activity around UK offshore infrastructure. DESNZ will continue to work closely with cross-government counterparts alongside industry to explore what further proportionate action can be taken to reduce the risks to offshore infrastructure, including if there is any need for new legislative powers.
What the (a) value, and (b) volume of solar PV and energy storage equipment imported into the UK by Huawei is.
The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels and batteries imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
What the (a) value and (b) volume of solar PV and energy storage equipment imported into the UK from China is.
The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels and batteries imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
How many visas were issued for workers in the (a) wind and (b) solar industry in each year since 2015.
Available data relating to work visas is routinely published in the Immigration system statistics release.
Communities and Local Government, if she will publish a list of the organisations that were invited to provide evidence to the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition.
The work to provide a definition of anti-Muslim hatred is being undertaken by an independent working group. They will provide advice to Ministers as per the established terms of reference and the Government will provide a response in due course.
By which date she will (a) appoint a Chair and (b) agree a Terms of Reference for the national inquiry into grooming gangs.
Further details will be announced in due course.
What steps he is taking to investigate NHS penalty charges resulting from errors in direct debits for prescriptions.
The Department has no plans to investigate National Health Service penalty charges resulting from errors in direct debits for prescriptions.Only the 12-month Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can be paid for by direct debit, and there are processes in place to ensure individuals who pay for their PPC via direct debit are informed of the procedures and their responsibilities.The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) administers PPCs on behalf of the Department. A patient’s PPC and payments automatically renew unless it is: requested or cancelled by the certificate holder; there is an outstanding balance to be paid on a PPC; or if the holder is turning 60 years old within nine months of their certificate expiring. In these instances, the individual will be notified by letter before the end date of their existing certificate. Where a patient is turning 60 years old within nine months of their certificate expiring, they are advised of alternative routes to exemption to cover the period until they are entitled to the age exemption.Only where the individual fails to manually renew their PPC but continues to claim free prescriptions after the expiry date of their PPC, will a penalty charge be issued by the NHSBSA.
How much revenue was raised by NHS penalty charges for (a) prescriptions and (b) other services in each year since 2020.
The following table shows the revenue raised by National Health Service penalty charges each year from 2020 to 2024:Payment yearTotal payment received from penalty charges for prescriptionsTotal payment received from penalty charges for dental treatment2020£2,600,479.92£1,893,654.292021£55,725.35£693,560.842022£5,883,895.30£9,291,868.332023£18,349,147.70£10,901,045.182024£21,334,486.51£16,244,861.91Source: NHS Business Services Authority.Dental treatment is the only service aside from prescriptions that can result in an NHS penalty charge notice.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58747 on Police and Crime Commissioners: Combined Authorities, whether she plans to transfer police and crime commissioner powers to combined authorities where the mayoral geography aligns with the geography of two police force areas.
In the English Devolution White Paper we committed to exploring whether a single Mayor can take responsibility for Police and Crime Commissioner functions across two or more police forces, where this would result in coterminous boundaries, and bring forward any legislative changes as part of the English Devolution Bill. We will announce further details in due course.
What processes his Department plans to put in place to ensure clear (a) accountability and (b) alignment with warranty schemes for long-term roof performance following the installation of rooftop solar panels.
For microgeneration technologies under DESNZ schemes, including rooftop solar, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (or equivalent) installer is mandatory. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. The MCS Solar PV Standard (2025) includes provisions for waterproofing, fire safety, and roof warranties and is available online. The Government is currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Government press release entitled Rooftop solar for new builds to save people money, published on 6 June 2025, if she will make it her policy to require rooftop solar panels installed on new homes under the Future Homes Standard to be fitted by individuals with proven competency in both (a) electrical and (b) roofing.
The government will publish the Future Homes Standard (FHS) this autumn to ensure new homes are zero carbon ready, meaning they will require no future retrofit work as the electricity grid fully decarbonises.The FHS will apply to all new homes and will ensure they have low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. We will set out appropriate transitional arrangements for the FHS in due course to ensure a smooth adoption of the new standards.To ensure the quality and safety of installations, including the requirements around structural safety, fire safety and electrical safety, works must be approved by building control or carried out by someone registered as part of the competent persons scheme.
Whether his Department plans to introduce auditable competency standards for the installation of rooftop solar PV systems to help ensure the (a) structural and (b) waterproofing integrity of roofing is maintained.
For microgeneration technologies under DESNZ schemes, including rooftop solar, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (or equivalent) installer is mandatory. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. The MCS Solar PV Standard (2025) includes provisions for waterproofing, fire safety, and roof warranties and is available online. The Government is currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.
Whether his Department is taking steps to (a) develop and (b) adopt a standardised fire testing methodology for rooftop solar PV systems, in the context of the fire safety of residential buildings.
For microgeneration technologies under DESNZ schemes, including rooftop solar, a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified (or equivalent) installer is mandatory. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. The MCS Solar PV Standard (2025) includes provisions for waterproofing, fire safety, and roof warranties and is available online. The Government is currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.
Communities and Local Government, what role qualified roofing professionals will have in assessing the condition of roofs before solar PV installations under the Future Homes Standard.
The Future Homes Standard, which will be set through the Building Regulations in autumn this year, will apply to new-build homes only. As solar PV will play a fundamental role in the new standards, we would expect roofs to be designed to accommodate solar panels from the outset, rather than requiring an assessment of roof condition post-construction. The Future Homes Standard will not apply to existing homes, which is where such assessments of roof condition might be necessary.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) her Department's proposals on gambling harmonisation and (b) affordability checks on levels of black market gambling.
The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one – reducing complexity and improving compliance. A new system for financial risk assessments is currently being piloted by the Gambling Commission. Stage 1 of the pilot showed that 95% of checks were frictionless and this increased to 97% of checks in stage 2. DCMS works closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in Parliament on 25 February 2025, will grant the Gambling Commission with powers to move quickly and effectively to take down illegal gambling websites.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her Department's proposals to harmonise gambling duties on (a) horseracing and (b) other sports.
The Government is consulting on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one. The Government is committed to engaging with all stakeholders, including representatives of the horseracing industry, as part of the consultation process. If any changes are made to gambling duties at a future Budget following the consultation, the legislation will be accompanied by a Tax Information and Impact Note which will set out the expected impacts.