Written questions by Jameson.

What steps his Department is taking to support entrepreneurs.

We are committed to delivering the measures outlined in the Small Business Plan including removing barriers to entrepreneurs, through the most significant package of legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments.My department also supports entrepreneurs with funding and mentoring through the British Business Bank’s Start-up Loans and our newly launched Business Growth Service.We will continue to support entrepreneurs at every stage such as those in Doncaster through our Growth Hubs, I believe my honourable friend’s local Hub is Business Doncaster.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential growth benefits of capital investment in SME industrial units in former coalfield communities, including proposals put forward by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

This government is committed to ensuring that coalfield communities across Britain build stronger, brighter futures. Our Pride in Place strategy sets out how we will deliver up to £5.8 billion over ten years to 284 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, including many coalfield communities.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the proposed £50 million capital investment in the Coalfields Regeneration Trust to support SME industrial development.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 117179 on 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to retain the existing distribution method for the Recovery Grant.

The government is carefully considering views expressed by the public, local authorities and other bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, including on the application of a remoteness adjustment, the distribution of grants and transitional arrangements. The government’s proposals will target central government grant funding to where it is needed the most, and the vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement. We will publish further information and set out details through a policy statement and in the government’s consultation response shortly, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.

Communities and Local Government, how much funding his Department plans to provide to each local authority in each of the next three years.

The government is carefully considering views expressed by the public, local authorities and other bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, including on the application of a remoteness adjustment, the distribution of grants and transitional arrangements. The government’s proposals will target central government grant funding to where it is needed the most, and the vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement. We will publish further information and set out details through a policy statement and in the government’s consultation response shortly, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.

Communities and Local Government, on what evidential basis his Department decided to end using the bespoke distribution method for the Recovery Grant.

The government is carefully considering views expressed by the public, local authorities and other bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, including on the application of a remoteness adjustment, the distribution of grants and transitional arrangements. The government’s proposals will target central government grant funding to where it is needed the most, and the vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement. We will publish further information and set out details through a policy statement and in the government’s consultation response shortly, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.

Communities and Local Government, on what evidential basis his Department decided to continue using the remoteness adjustment within the area cost adjustment of proposed funding formulas.

The government is carefully considering views expressed by the public, local authorities and other bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, including on the application of a remoteness adjustment, the distribution of grants and transitional arrangements. The government’s proposals will target central government grant funding to where it is needed the most, and the vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement. We will publish further information and set out details through a policy statement and in the government’s consultation response shortly, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to have a three-year transition period for the implementation of the fair funding settlement.

The government is carefully considering views expressed by the public, local authorities and other bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, including on the application of a remoteness adjustment, the distribution of grants and transitional arrangements. The government’s proposals will target central government grant funding to where it is needed the most, and the vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement. We will publish further information and set out details through a policy statement and in the government’s consultation response shortly, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will (a) reassess the application of the Remoteness Adjustment across all funding formulas, in the context of levels of supporting evidence and (b) make an assessment of the potential merits of its application on a service-by-service basis.

The government is carefully considering views expressed by the public, local authorities and other bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, including on the application of a remoteness adjustment, the distribution of grants and transitional arrangements. The government’s proposals will target central government grant funding to where it is needed the most, and the vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement. We will publish further information and set out details through a policy statement and in the government’s consultation response shortly, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.

Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to make levels of council tax equal in all local authority areas; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on councils with less ability to raise local revenue.

Council tax is managed by local authorities, who decide what level of council tax they wish to set. This will reflect the service needs of each area having taken account of their other sources of income. It will also reflect historic council tax decisions taken by local authorities over several decades. The government maintains the referendum principles and authorities who choose to increase their council tax above this must obtain the approval of voters. The Government remains committed to keeping all taxes and elements of the local government finance system under review. As part of the Fair Funding Review 2.0, for example, the government has consulted on proposals to fully account for how much different areas can raise from council tax within grant funding allocations.

What steps he is taking to support the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector to export (a) goods and (b) services.

As a frontier Industrial Strategy sector, the government has committed targeted support to boost exports of hydrogen sector goods and services by showcasing UK capabilities through our global network, providing greater access to international supply chains and - as outlined in the Trade Strategy - by expanding clean energy sector agreements, like the UK-Germany Hydrogen Partnership.To support these opportunities, the UK's export credit agency, UK Export Finance aims to deliver £10bn in clean growth financing by 2029, alongside options to support overseas sales, including loan guarantees for foreign buyers, and working capital, insurance and bond support products to assist UK suppliers.

What steps he is taking to encourage investment into the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector.

Under the Industrial Strategy's Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan the Government announced a public finance offer to crowd private investment into clean energy industries, including the UK's hydrogen economy. This includes: a £1bn Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8bn for the National Wealth Fund to invest across this Parliament in clean industries including low-carbon hydrogen; and a £4bn British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale and start up financing package.My officials have been working closely with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to showcase these opportunities for investment alongside UK world-class capability across the hydrogen sector.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector on (a) investment to the UK and (b) the growth in good jobs.

The hydrogen sector is nascent but is expected to grow significantly; the global hydrogen market could exceed $1 trillion by 2050, with the UK well positioned to capture a substantial share. We intend to publish a revised Hydrogen Strategy which will highlight the opportunities available to UK hydrogen technology manufacturers and set out plans to optimise the job creation and economic benefits delivered by the UK hydrogen economy. We will continue to engage with stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain; working together with industry and unions to identify actions that support the skills and workforce needs of the UK’s future low carbon hydrogen economy.

When he plans to publish the consultation on the expansion of the Clean Industry Bonus to the hydrogen sector.

As set out in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, we are considering expanding the Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen and will consult on any proposals. We are currently developing a new Hydrogen Strategy and will provide an update on this in due course. In addition to considering the Clean Industry Bonus, we have a strong offer for domestic manufacturing including support from our Public Finance Institutions and deployment certainty through Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HARs). Additionally, we welcome the industry-led voluntary ambition of 50% UK local content for hydrogen across the value chain from 2030.

What steps he is taking through (a) regulatory reform and (b) market incentives to support the growth of the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector.

The UK is optimally positioned to develop a thriving hydrogen economy, with many UK companies at the forefront of hydrogen technology advancement. The Government has announced a public finance offer for clean energy industries, to crowd private investment into sustainable UK supply chains, including in the hydrogen sector. This includes a new £1 billion Clean Energy Supply chain fund aligned with the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan; £5.8 billion for the National Wealth Fund to invest in industries including low carbon hydrogen across this Parliament; and a £4 billion British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale up and start up financing package.

What steps he is taking to encourage (a) innovation and (b) research and development in the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector.

The Department has allocated around £170 million from the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to encourage hydrogen R&D, including £60m for Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 and £31m for H2BECCS, to support production, storage, transport, and negative-emission technologies associated with hydrogen. The UK is engaging internationally to accelerate hydrogen research and innovation, for example, co-chairing the Clean Hydrogen Mission and participating in the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme.

Communities and Local Government, what progress she has made on considering the capital funding request from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The fiscal position means that there have been tough choices to get us back on the path to recovery. It is in this context that the department is considering the request made for funding by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. I was pleased to meet with Andy Lock to discuss the outstanding work done by the organisation across Britain’s coalfields. I recognise that addressing the acute challenges faced by our coalfield communities will require greater partnership working between government and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, and I am committed to working in partnership with them to explore opportunities for collaboration. This government remains committed to supporting our most disadvantaged communities. At Spending Review, we announced funding for up to 350 places. Of the 100 places announced, 15 are in coalfield areas. Details of the remaining places will be announced in due course.

Communities and Local Government, if she will provide a multi-year funding settlement for early intervention services in local government.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 40059 on 27 March 2025.

What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of financial support provided to parents trying to enter back into the workforce that are currently in (a) education and (b) training.

An assessment has not been made on these parameters, however in DWP’s Get Britain Working White Paper, published November 2024, we set out our aspirations backed by a £55million investment for 2025/26, to transform Jobcentre Plus. This transformation will create a new service across Great Britain that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and to help people to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers. The Get Britain Working White Paper also committed DWP to supporting and providing all areas in England with resource to produce a local Get Britain Working Plans. We are asking local areas to develop detailed plans that address the challenges related to labour force participation (employment, unemployment, and economic inactivity) and progression in work. Local Get Britain Working plans will enable all areas to take the lead in shaping a coherent offer of support for their local citizens, including the offer of support for parents, across work, health, and skills. Parents claiming Universal Credit have existing support from Work Coaches, who provide individual, tailored help to all customers across the country, this includes supporting the development of skills needed to look for and obtain sustained employment, advice to parents on childcare support and funding through Flexible Support Fund to remove immediate barriers to employment. We are also considering how we can improve our support to help parents into work as part of our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty. This is an urgent priority for this Government, and we will bring forward the Child Poverty Strategy as soon as we are able.

What data his Department holds on the number of jobs (a) related and (b) dependent on the net zero transition in South Yorkshire; and if he will make an estimate of how much private investment this work attracts to South Yorkshire.

The net zero transition is the economic opportunity of the century—supporting hundreds of thousands of good quality jobs across the UK, including in South Yorkshire. The UK has made significant progress in attracting investment into green sectors. According to analysis by the CBI, the net zero sector is growing three times faster than the overall UK economy and the GVA of the net zero economy grew by 10% in 2024. Around the 2024 International Investment Summit £34.8bn of private investment into low carbon sectors was announced. Government also supports local areas to attract investment – including funding the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub.