Written questions by Savage.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help the wine and spirits industry manage the implementation of a UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme.

The UK Government is fully committed to a Deposit Return Scheme and will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland to launch the scheme across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2027. The Department has been working closely with industry, including the wines and spirits sector, during the development of DRS policy and legislation. Officials have engaged with the Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) and the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) who have been acting as Industry Champions of the DRS Small Producers sub-group, working alongside the UK and devolved governments. In England and Northern Ireland, glass will not be in scope of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers. Scottish Government have also agreed to exclude glass from the DRS to progress the delivery of the schemes. This means most wine and spirit drinks containers will not be included in the scheme, only those supplied in PET plastic, aluminium and steel containers will be in scope of the scheme. We aim to appoint the industry-led scheme administrator, the Deposit Management Organisation (DMO), in April 2025. The DMO will work with industry and support them to implement DRS in England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

Food and Rural Affairs, when his Department plans to publish its land use framework.

The Government plans to publish the first steps of its land use strategy in due course.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential risk of investment by Macquarie in (a) Lime Down Solar Park and (b) other Nationally Significant Infrastructure Developments.

Ofgem and DESNZ have robust market monitoring schemes to assess electricity generation licence applications. Ofgem’s principal objective is to protect the interests of existing and future consumers through maintaining security of supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Ofgem considers the experience, capability, and financial stability of each applicant. The National Security and Investment (NSI) Act gives the government powers to scrutinise and intervene in acquisitions that may pose threats to national security. The Government does not routinely comment on specific deals or the applicability of the Act.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on SEND provision.

We are working across government and the sector to ensure children and young people with SEND receive the right support to succeed, in mainstream schools where possible.High needs funding will increase by almost £1bn in 2025-26, compared to 2024-25. We ha...

Whether his Department is taking steps to help develop deep geothermal energy resources.

We know that to achieve net zero, we must look at how we can accelerate the potential of all low carbon technologies including geothermal. The Government understands that geothermal can play a role in our decarbonisation ambitions. The Green Heat Network ...

What steps he is taking to ensure that diagnostic results are transmitted promptly between NHS hospitals and GPs; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using electronic commu

Ensuring that diagnostic test results are received quickly is a priority for the Government, including the transmission of results between National Health Service hospitals and general practices (GPs). Electronic communication is an important mechanism to...

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) leaving the EU single market and (b) ending free movement with the EU on economic growth; and if he will make an assessment

We are resetting the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties and tackle barriers to trade. But we’ve been clear that there will be no return to the single market. Hearing from businesses about how they have been impacted by Brexit and ho...

What recent assessment he has made of the impact of the UK's departure from the EU single market on the (a) administrative and (b) other costs faced by UK small businesses trading with EU customers; an

The Department for Business and Trade continuously monitors the impact of leaving the EU on costs to businesses through our business surveys, ONS reports, and other intelligence sources, as well as through regular direct engagement with exporters - Minist...

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require new houses to be built to Passivhaus standards.

Passivhaus represents an example of innovative and efficient design that is leading the way in delivering highly efficient, low carbon buildings and stimulating the skills and supply chains that are needed to bring about a net zero future.We recognise the...

What steps his Department is taking to help improve the insulation of housing.

The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. As the first step towards the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committe...

If her Department will take steps to provide financial support for pension-age carers providing full-time care but no longer eligible for Carer's Allowance.

Although there is no upper age limit to claiming Carer’s Allowance, it cannot normally be paid with the State Pension. It has been a long-held feature of the UK’s benefit system, under successive Governments, that where someone is entitled to two benefits...

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the restructuring of Out-of-Hours GP services in (a) Wiltshire, (b) Gloucestershire and (c) other rural areas does not restrict patient access to

General practices (GPs) are independent businesses who are contracted by National Health Service commissioners to perform medical services. The GP contract ensures that a consistent provision of healthcare is provided, including out of hours services whic...

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that children with (a) hearing impairments and (b) other disabilities receive adequate support at their local schools when specialist facilities are not availa

The government’s ambition is that all children and young people receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. We are committed to improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring sp...

What steps his Department is taking to reduce delays in response times in mental health services in (a) Wiltshire and (b) Gloucestershire.

It is unacceptable that too many people in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire are not receiving the mental health care they need, and we know that waits for mental health services are far too long.That is why we will recruit 8,500 additional mental health work...

If she will increase the discounted Public Works Loan Board rate to local councils for investment in social housing.

The Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) lending facility exists to provide cost effective loans to local authorities to support investment and service delivery. HM Treasury keeps all PWLB rates under review, including the discounted rate for investment in soci...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) building more social housing and (b) keeping families out of temporary accommodation on the economy.

The Government is clear that homelessness is too high and that too many families are living in temporary accommodation. We intend to take a long-term approach to prevent and end homelessness. Working with Mayors and councils across the country, we will de...

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to continue funding for previously agreed (a) Town Deals and (b) Levelling Up Round 3 awards.

All 101 places selected for Town Deals are now well progressed into delivery, using their share of £2.35 billion to support projects that boost economic regeneration. All Town Deal project business cases have been approved and all monies are now fully all...

Communities and Local Government, what additional steps she plans to take to support district councils to reduce the levels of homelessness.

The Government is clear that homelessness is too high and too many families are living in temporary accommodation. We want to take a long-term approach and, working with Mayors and councils across the country, we will develop a new cross-government strate...

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to reform funding arrangements for Internal Drainage Board levies.

Defra has committed to work with the internal drainage board (IDB) sector and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to review IDBs’ current funding and costs. This will include examination of whether any changes are needed to their fun...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the role that district councils will have in a potential devolution deal for Gloucestershire.

This Government believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined authorities or combined county authorities over sensible economic geographies and supported by a mayor.The Government recognises the vital rol...