Written questions by Heylings.

If his department will make an assessment on the potential merits of the heating-as-a-service (HaaS) business model as a solution to tackle high energy bills in the private rented sector.

The Government has pledged to take action to stand with tenants and deliver the safety and security of warmer, cheaper homes. We are currently consulting on plans to reduce energy bills by increasing standards in the private rented sector in England and Wales. As Government-funded trials have shown, Heat-as-a-Service is a potentially attractive way for consumers to finance the installation and operation of low carbon heating systems. We continue to explore how Government can enable these types of business models, while working to ensure consumers are protected.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s proposed revisions to its Code of Practice on the Equality Act in relation to single-sex spaces; and if she will hold discussions with representatives of the transgender community on this matter.

The EHRC recently concluded their consultation on the draft updated Code of Practice where they sought a wide range of views. The Government will consider the EHRC's final draft Code once submitted, ensuring that it clarifies the Equality Act’s single-sex exceptions which we have committed to uphold. The Office for Equality and Opportunity listens to a wide range of stakeholders’ diverse perspectives as it carries out its policy work.

If he will take steps to help ensure that companies cannot commit fraud by changing their company name.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced new powers that build on the existing controls of company names. These powers will be used in accordance with the Registrar’s new statutory objectives.The Registrars of Companies can now reject a proposed company name where they have reason to believe that a name is intended to facilitate fraud. Companies can be directed to change their name in more circumstances and the Registrar can determine a new name for the company.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the effectiveness of the initial assessment process for research and development tax relief claims.

All Research and Development (R&D) claims go through a risk screening process to determine which need further checking, with the majority paid without a formal compliance check. Where risks are identified, HMRC opens compliance checks to investigate the claims, within established legislative time limits and with wider taxpayer safeguards such as appeal rights. Where a check is opened into a claim that on further investigation is found to be fully eligible, HMRC aims to close its check and approve the claim as quickly as possible. HMRC has required claimants to submit an Additional Information Form as part of their claim since August 2023. The information provided in these forms enhances HMRC’s risking process by helping to more accurately identify claims that may not be compliant and reduces the risk of valid claims being picked up for a compliance check. To strengthen the administration of the reliefs and provide businesses with greater certainty the Government announced at the Autumn Budget that it will explore widening the use of advance clearances for R&D reliefs.

For what reason advice on the potential merits of installing (a) loft, (b) wall and (c) roof insulation has been removed from his Department's pages entitled Energy efficient home on gov.uk.

Home upgrades – including insulation – are one of the best tools to get bills down for good and we are committed to promoting properly installed loft, wall and roof insulation. The Government is currently updating the Energy Efficient Home website as part of work to refresh our public campaigns. Additional pages will go live in the coming weeks, including a page on the benefits of cavity wall, roof and loft insulation, and one on wider energy saving tips. The Government’s ‘Find Ways to Save Energy in your Home’ service (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency) provides tailored recommendations to increase household energy efficiency, including advice on insulation.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 25004 on Infected Blood Compensation Scheme: Hepatitis, what steps he is taking to improve the application process for compensation (a) in general and (b) for people with a line of succession to victims.

The delivery of compensation payments, including the application process, is a matter for the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA). IBCA made its first payments to a small cohort of eligible infected people in December 2024, and has steadily increased the number of people invited to claim. This “test and learn” approach of trialling a system with a small number of people is to make sure it works properly, before increasing the number of users. The Government expects payments to eligible affected people to begin this year. Both the Government and IBCA remain committed to ensuring payments are made as soon as possible.

What progress her Department has made on improving accessibility of railways; and (a) when and (b) how new projects will be identified under the Access for All funding scheme.

Since April 2024, step free upgrades at 13 stations have been completed, with a further 18 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme started in 2006. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities. We will shortly provide an update to MPs and other stakeholders on our approach to the Access for All programme.

What steps she is taking to monitor the adequacy of library provision in primary schools.

I refer the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire to the answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 25143.

If he will review the decrease to the Agenda For Change mileage payments for community nurses that will come in July 2025.

Agenda for Change mileage reimbursement rates are reviewed twice a year in line with the process set out in the national contract. These reviews incorporate the latest information on the cost of fuel. The next review is scheduled for April 2025 and any changes required would then be implemented in July 2025. We cannot pre-empt the outcome of this review, however it does not necessarily mean that changes will be made to the reimbursement rates.The Government is aware that some National Health Service trusts may have local arrangements in place for reimbursing mileage. This would be for local employers and trade unions to manage in partnership.

What steps her Department is taking to encourage reading in schools.

I refer to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire to the answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29850.

What steps his Department is taking to increase day care outpatient provision for the treatment of (a) children, (b) young people and (c) adults with eating disorders.

NHS England is refreshing guidance on children and young people's eating disorders, to increase the focus on early identification and intervention and to shift away from inpatient care to community-based care models, including day hospitals/outpatient services.Updated guidance will highlight the importance of improved integration between dedicated community eating disorder services, outpatient day services, wider children and young people's mental health and neurodevelopmental services, schools, colleges and primary care to reduce the need for inpatient stays. The guidance will also improve awareness, provide expert advice and improve support for children and young people presenting with problems with eating, whilst ensuring swift access to specialist support as soon as an eating disorder is suspected.Since April 2021, all integrated care systems have received fair shares funding to transform their adult community mental health services, including eating disorders. NHS England has also published guidance to support systems with implementing intensive day patient care.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce waiting times for (a) GP referral for assessment, (b) assessment and (c) treatment for patients with eating disorders.

General practice (GP) is the front door to the National Health Service, and we know that patients are struggling to see a GP. We are committed to fixing this and delivering the care that patients deserve. That is why, in October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England. This will increase the number of GP appointments delivered, which will benefit thousands of patients seeking access to GP care. We will also bring back the family doctor by incentivising continuity of care so patients can see the same doctor at each appointment, which is key to managing and supporting patients with conditions, including eating disorders.The Department continues to work closely with NHS England to ensure that people with an eating disorder get the care and treatment they need. NHS England is continuing to expand community-based eating disorder services’ capacity. This includes crisis care and intensive home treatment, to improve outcomes and recovery, reduce rates of relapse, prevent eating disorders continuing into adulthood. Also, if admission is required as a very last resort, reduce lengths of stay.

Whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the condition of the UK cycling industry.

No formal assessment has been completed; however, the Department has engaged with key industry brands on issues and will continue to do so moving forward. The industry has recently faced significant headwinds, impacting growth and profitability. Despite this, the industry is stabilising with some retailers reporting positive financial performance. There are signs of recovery and potential growth in key high-demand areas such as Road, Gravel, and Electric Mountain Bikes.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the Child Maintenance Service to (a) increase protections for the victims of domestic abuse and (b) to prevent the withholding or artificial reduction of child maintenance payments being used as a form of economic abuse.

A consultation on proposed reforms to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) was published by the previous Government on 8 May 2024. This included:removing Direct Pay and managing all CMS cases in one service to allow the CMS to tackle non-compliance faster,exploring views on collection fees and the impact of proposals to reduce, but maintain, fees andexploring how victims and survivors of domestic abuse can be better supported. This follows the Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act receiving royal assent in July 2023. The consultation was extended by this Government at the end of July and ran until 30 September 2024. We are currently analysing the responses we have received, and the Government will publish a response in due course. CMS Domestic Abuse training has been updated with input from external stakeholders and wider DWP to ensure caseworkers recognise and respond safely and appropriately to customers who are experiencing domestic abuse or are survivors of domestic abuse. This package includes an understanding of abuse, including economic abuse, and, of course, given the context, covers post separation abuse.The CMS will use its strong enforcement powers to pursue those who willfully avoid their financial obligations to their children. Cases involving complex income can be investigated by the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU). This is a specialist team which can request information from financial institutions (such as banks, investment companies and mortgage companies) to check the accuracy of information the CMS is given.

What steps his Department is taking to support businesses which export bicycles.

Under the umbrella of the recently announced Business Growth Service, UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers.This support is available to all UK businesses including those that sell and wish to export bicycles.

What steps she has taken to review the effectiveness of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme for facilitating the travel of wheelchair users to education and work.

The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations would need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability. The Department has conducted a review of the ENCTS and we are considering next steps.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 25004 on Infected Blood Compensation Scheme: Hepatitis, what assessment he has made of the sufficiency of funding for compensation for the affected families of people with hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

In the Autumn budget, the Government announced £11.8 billion of funding to compensate eligible infected and affected people. Each eligible person will get the compensation they are due.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of a third runway at Heathrow on the UK's carbon budget.

The government is committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and meeting our carbon budget obligations, as set out in the Climate Change Act. Making Britain a clean energy superpower and delivering greener transport, including aviation, is a Department for Transport priority. We have been clear that any airport expansion proposals will need to demonstrate they contribute to economic growth and can be delivered in line with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments, as well as meeting strict air quality and noise standards. The government will set out detail on plans for meeting legislated carbon budgets later this year.

What reforms to disability benefits she plans to introduce in 2025; when each reform will be implemented; and whether she plans to publish any further consultations on planned reforms.

This Government is committed to reforming the system of health and disability benefits so that it promotes and enables employment among as many people as possible. We are working to develop proposals for health and disability reform in the months ahead and will set them out in a Green Paper ahead of the Spring Statement. This will launch a public consultation on the proposals. This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, so we will consult on these proposals, where appropriate, with disabled people and representative organisations.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing compensation for small shareholders for the loss of shares in Northern Rock Plc.

An independent valuer determined that Northern Rock shares were of no value immediately prior to the company being taken into public ownership, and therefore no compensation was due. This independent valuation was upheld in the both the Upper Tribunal in 2011 and the Court of Appeal in 2013. HM Treasury considers this matter settled.