Every parliamentary written question tabled by Richard Baker this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 41–52 of 52 · this parliament
Whether he is taking steps with his international counterparts to help ensure that Commonwealth War Graves are protected in Gaza.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is aware that both Gaza and Deir el Belah War Cemeteries have been damaged, but the full extent is not yet clear. A more detailed assessment cannot be carried out until the current situation subsides. The CWGC will, however, restore those sites to a befitting standard as and when circumstances allow.
Whether he is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to support the maritime sector to develop clean maritime technologies.
The Department for Transport’s £206m UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme focuses on accelerating the technology necessary to decarbonise our domestic maritime sector.UK SHORE interventions address maritime decarbonisation challenges over the full range of technology-readiness levels (TRL) and are being rolled out between 2022 and 2025.The UK SHORE programme has allocated funding to more than 150 projects and aims to leverage over £100m private investment to support research and development in maritime decarbonisation. The funding benefits all 12 regions in the UK supporting over 350 organisations, including over 200 SMEs.
Whether he plans he to encourage the use of hydrogen technologies in domestic settings.
The Government remains committed to examining the case for hydrogen heating and is reviewing plans. This work aims to gather evidence on the feasibility, costs and benefits of hydrogen heating that can inform decisions on its potential role.
What steps he is taking to ensure that new technologies comply with Net Zero targets.
Innovation is essential for the Government’s mission to deliver clean power by 2030 and accelerate to net zero, helping to develop and drive down the cost of new technologies. Around £4.2bn is being invested in research and innovation over 2022-2025 to catalyse the development and commercialisation of these technologies. Furthermore, Great British Energy and our National Wealth Fund, will support clean technologies and investment across the country.
Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of importing renewable energy from the Global South if there is a gap in domestic green power supply.
Interconnectors are the physical assets that enable electricity to be traded between GB and energy markets in other jurisdictions. We are currently trading electricity, including renewable generation, from Europe via nine interconnectors. The Government considers that interconnection should, and will, play an important role in GB’s future decarbonised energy system.
What steps he plans to take to ensure that the increase of electricity demand in the next 15 years can be met by domestically produced green power.
Later this year the Government will publish the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which will set out the path to deliver a clean power system, helping protect billpayers from volatile gas prices and strengthening Britain’s energy security. The Government has also set up Great British Energy, which will own, manage, and operate clean energy projects across the country, generating abundant homegrown electricity.
What steps he is taking to (a) incentivise consumers and (b) support manufacturers to use green energy sources.
The Action Plan for the Clean Power 2030 Mission will set out the path to decarbonise our electricity and support an increasingly electrified economy. The Government is incentivising adoption of low carbon appliances, including through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, our Warm Homes Plan, and working with industry and local authorities to develop new heat networks. The Government is also supporting low carbon hydrogen production, which has a unique role in transitioning hard-to-abate sectors away from fossil fuels.
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting the green energy transition in Scotland.
The UK Government is committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.As we make the carefully phased transition to clean energy, we will build alternative opportunities for oil and gas workers - to which we’ve already committed £22bn of investment.What’s more, we have created the National Wealth Fund to invest in our clean energy industries. I have seen first hand what great work is taking place - including just last week at Dundee Port.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase funds that can be raised by charity lotteries.
Society lotteries are a vital fundraising tool for many charities, community groups, sports clubs and other non-commercial organisations. We want to see society lotteries continue to thrive, alongside the National Lottery.We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and to working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk. We have commissioned independent research to look at the overall lotteries sector, to strengthen the evidence base for any further review of the limits.We continue to keep society lottery sales and prize limits under review with the Gambling Commission. We will set out further information on gambling policy, including the statutory levy, to the House soon.
Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the charity lottery sector.
Society lotteries are a vital fundraising tool for many charities, community groups, sports clubs and other non-commercial organisations. We want to see society lotteries continue to thrive, alongside the National Lottery.We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and to working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk. We have commissioned independent research to look at the overall lotteries sector, to strengthen the evidence base for any further review of the limits.We continue to keep society lottery sales and prize limits under review with the Gambling Commission. We will set out further information on gambling policy, including the statutory levy, to the House soon.
Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to ensure that charities lotteries and the charities they support are not negatively impacted by a statutory gambling levy.
Society lotteries are a vital fundraising tool for many charities, community groups, sports clubs and other non-commercial organisations. We want to see society lotteries continue to thrive, alongside the National Lottery.We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence from a wide range of sources and to working with all stakeholders in order to support the industry and ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk. We have commissioned independent research to look at the overall lotteries sector, to strengthen the evidence base for any further review of the limits.We continue to keep society lottery sales and prize limits under review with the Gambling Commission. We will set out further information on gambling policy, including the statutory levy, to the House soon.
What the average annual cost per child of looked-after children in residential care is in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.
Education is a devolved matter and this response outlines the information for England only. The average cost for a looked after child in private residential care in 2020/21 was approximately £254,000 per annum and £217,000 for a child in an local authority placement: https://www.pssru.ac.uk/pub/uc/uc2021/services.pdf.Costs may vary depending on factors such as location and the child’s level of need.