Written questions by Witherden.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Israeli legislation on UNRWA on UK government funding.

The UK has committed £41 million for UNRWA this financial year, to deliver essential services for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to Palestinian refugees across the region. This funding has now been released to United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to spend before the end of the financial year. We remain opposed to Israeli legislation against UNRWA, which plays a vital role in delivering humanitarian assistance in Gaza and enabling the broader international response through its logistics and distribution network.

How many (a) households and (b) listed buildings have been awarded funding for energy efficiency installations under the ECO4 scheme in (i) Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr constituency (ii) Wales and (iii) England.

ECO4 does not award funding to households, it is an obligation set by Government on large energy suppliers to install energy efficiency measures. To the end of September 2024 (the latest available data by parliamentary constituency and nation), ECO4 has supported: (i) 1,140 households in the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency, (ii) 18,729 households in Wales, and (iii) 166,258 households in England. The Department does not hold data on how many listed buildings have received ECO4 measures.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed national planning reforms for farmers on (a) the environment and (b) animal welfare.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to, and enhance, the natural and local environment. The revised Framework published on 12 December last year maintains the expectation that where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality. The government are considering what further changes might be made to make it quicker for farmers to build farm buildings, barns and other infrastructure needed to boost their food production. The animal welfare considerations for buildings and accommodation used for farmed animals are set out in The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 with further guidance set out in the relevant species-specific welfare code of practice.

What steps his Department is taking to end fossil fuel (a) extraction, (b) exports and (c) imports.

The Government will consult on the implementation of its commitment to not issue new oil and gas licences to explore new fields in due course. It does not intend to revoke existing licences. The Government has announced it will introduce new legislation to restrict the future licensing of new coal mines in Great Britain. The last coal fired power station closed in October 2024. The Government’s Clean Power 2030 Action Plan paves the way to decarbonising the wider economy by 2050 as it pursues the electrification of heat in buildings, transport, and industry.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the UK's carbon footprint including emissions from imported goods is since 2010.

Information about the Carbon footprint for the UK is published here : Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2021 - GOV.UK Data are available up to 2021. The total carbon footprint now includes the seven main Greenhouse Gases comprising: CO2, Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), Hydro-flourocarbons (HFC), Perflurocarbons (PFC), Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). We do not hold information on total UK emissions but can provide those associated with consumption. UK consumption emission figures, including those from imported goods, are provided in the table below. Table 1: Greenhouse gas emissions associated with UK consumption, million tonnes CO2 equivalent, UK, 2010-2021 YearGHG from UK produced goods and services consumed by UK residentsGHG embedded in imported goods and services to UKUK Households heating emissions arising from the use of fossil fuelsUK Transport emissions generated directly by UK householdsTotal201031033691668042011292347746677820123053608066811201329535882678012014283366696778420152753627268777201623632073696982017211321717067320182133427470699201920833671706852020176311715461320211893817659705

What steps his Department is taking to limit the UK’s CO2 emissions to its proportionate share of the remaining global carbon budget for 1.5°C.

The latest assessments by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) show that the pathway to 1.5°C remains open, but only if urgent action is taken. The UK is a global leader in the fight against climate change, which is why at COP29, the Prime Minister announced the UK’s 1.5°C aligned 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. This target is estimated to reduce emissions by more than 60% between 2019 and 2035, aligning with the reductions in the IPCC’s global pathways which limit warming to 1.5°C with low or no overshoot. The UK’s commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 is also consistent with these pathways, as confirmed by the UK’s Climate Change Committee in advice provided in June 2019 and December 2020.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on foundry businesses (a) in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency and (b) nationally.

The government will introduce the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on 1 January 2027. The UK CBAM will ensure highly traded, carbon intensive products from overseas face a comparable carbon price to those produced here so that UK decarbonisati...

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help improve (a) mobile signal and (b) broadband for areas that have no access to fibre internet in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency.

As part of the Shared Rural Network, we have recently upgraded and activated two government-funded masts in the Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency, delivering a 4G coverage boost to local businesses and community organisations, with more to come. Th...

Communities and Local Government, when she plans to provide an update on the status of Drenewydd Actif Newtown’s application for the Community Ownership Fund.

Applicants to the Community Ownership Fund (COF) were required to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) form as a first stage and have this approved before being able to submit a full application in the next available round of the Fund.Drenewydd Actif re...

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing Value Added Tax from automated external defibrillators.

The Government currently provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators. For example, when an AED is purchased with funds provided by a charity and then donated to an eligible body, no VAT is charged. Furthermore, all state schools in England ...

Whether she plans to retain Lord Walney as the Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption.

The Home Office is currently reviewing the role of the Independent Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption through the Counter-Extremism sprint.Any decisions arising from this review will be announced in the normal was in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of allegations of sexual violence and assault perpetrated against (a) women in Pa

The UK unequivocally condemns all alleged violations and abuses, including sexual violence, and calls for all reports to be fully investigated to ensure justice for victims and survivors. We are deeply concerned by allegations of sexual violence against P...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much and what UK-funded aid has been denied entry into Gaza since 7 October 2024.

During my visit to Al Arish, Egypt on 16 October, where I announced £1 million of UK assistance for Egypt's support to medically evacuated Gazans, I saw that many tonnes of lifesaving aid continue to be denied entry into Gaza by Israel. As the Foreign Sec...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if his Department will take steps to help protect non-UK citizens in Lebanon who have siblings in (a) the UK and (b) Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency.

Consular services are only open to British nationals (funded by a premium on all British passports), and the UK Government is unable directly to assist non-UK citizens in Lebanon. However, immediate family members of British citizens and those settled in ...

Whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of implementing a (a) resettlement and (b) reunification scheme for non-UK citizens in Lebanon who have siblings in (i) the UK and (ii)

We are monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Lebanon closely and keeping all existing pathways under review.Lebanese nationals who wish to join family members in the UK can do so via the existing range of routes available.Any application for a UK ...

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that both platforms at Ruabon train station in Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr constituency are accessible to all.

I regret we are not yet able to comment on next steps regarding Access for All projects at specific stations including at Ruabon railway station. However, please be assured that we are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise ...