Written questions by Braverman.

Whether she has made an assessment of compliance by Evri and its subcontractors with statutory right‑to‑work checks.

All employers are required to undertake right to work checks on any prospective employee to confirm their legal status. Clamping down on illegal working is a critical part of this government’s work to restore fairness, order and control within the immigration and asylum system. This includes measures in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act to ensure companies who utilise flexible worker models, as seen in the warehouse and delivery sector, are required to conduct right to work checks to prevent illegal working when they contract workers to provide services under their company name. This will include agency workers or self-employed individuals working in the gig economy. These new legislative measures will restrict the ability of employers to take advantage of illegal workers and encourage businesses to provide work opportunities to only those permitted to work in the UK. It will provide parity across industries and will set a level playing field for businesses to uphold their responsibilities to prevent illegal working in the UK. A consultation on how to implement these measures has been conducted, the response to which will be published in due course. In addition to the extended right to work scheme, and as already announced, digital right to work checks will be mandatory by the end of Parliament, making them easier and cheaper for businesses to do.

What assessment he has made of the effect on employment in the home‑insulation and retrofit sector of the decision to end the Energy Company Obligation scheme before publishing details of its replacement.

The government recognises that ending ECO presents challenges for the supply chain. We will support the transition to opportunities provided by the Warm Homes Plan, in particular the additional £1.5 billion for upgrading low-income households. For this additional funding, we will use the procurement regime for all new funding to support the retrofit workforce affected by the closure of ECO, working closely with the retrofit supply chain, housing associations and local authorities. Officials are also working with the Department for Business and Trade on support that can be provided to employees and companies in the construction sector during this time.

What the £1.5 billion transition fund announced for the period between ECO and its successor scheme will cover; and when guidance for businesses on accessing this funding will be published.

The £1.5 billion extra funding allocated to the Warm Homes Plan at the Budget will be spent on low-income households. This takes the total capital investment in the Warm Homes Plan to £15 billion – the largest ever public investment in home upgrades. This comes on top of the measures announced at the Budget, which took an average of £150 of costs off energy bills from April 2026. From 2025-28, funding for low-income home upgrades will be delivered through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and the Warm Homes: Local Grant as previously announced, to help millions of households benefit from solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and insulation that can save a typical household £550 a year compared to a gas boiler – reducing our exposure to the volatile international fossil fuel markets which have driven the cost-of-living crisis.

What steps he is taking to ensure continuity of work for companies delivering insulation, heating upgrades, and other energy‑efficiency measures during the transition from the Energy Company Obligation to the Warm Homes Plan.

The government recognises that ending ECO presents challenges for the supply chain. We will support the transition to opportunities provided by the Warm Homes Plan, in particular the additional £1.5 billion for upgrading low-income households. For this additional funding, we will use the procurement regime for all new funding to support the retrofit workforce affected by the closure of ECO, working closely with the retrofit supply chain, housing associations and local authorities. Officials are also working with the Department for Business and Trade on support that can be provided to employees and companies in the construction sector during this time.

Whether his Department has conducted an economic impact assessment of the transition period between the Energy Company Obligation and the Warm Homes Plan on small and medium‑sized enterprises in the home‑retrofit industry.

The government recognises that ending ECO presents challenges for the supply chain. We will support the transition to opportunities provided by the Warm Homes Plan, in particular the additional £1.5 billion for upgrading low-income households. For this additional funding, we will use the procurement regime for all new funding to support the retrofit workforce affected by the closure of ECO, working closely with the retrofit supply chain, housing associations and local authorities. Officials are also working with the Department for Business and Trade on support that can be provided to employees and companies in the construction sector during this time.

If he will make an estimate of the number of jobs potentially at risk in the Energy Company Obligation supply chain as a result of the gap between the closure of ECO and the implementation of its successor scheme.

The government recognises that ending ECO presents challenges for the supply chain. We will support the transition to opportunities provided by the Warm Homes Plan, in particular the additional £1.5 billion for upgrading low-income households. For this additional funding, we will use the procurement regime for all new funding to support the retrofit workforce affected by the closure of ECO, working closely with the retrofit supply chain, housing associations and local authorities. Officials are also working with the Department for Business and Trade on support that can be provided to employees and companies in the construction sector during this time.

Whether his Department has met with representatives of the eco‑homes and retrofit sector to discuss the risk of redundancies arising from the time period between Energy Company Obligation and its successor scheme.

The government recognises that ending ECO presents challenges for the supply chain. We will support the transition to opportunities provided by the Warm Homes Plan, in particular the additional £1.5 billion for upgrading low-income households. For this additional funding, we will use the procurement regime for all new funding to support the retrofit workforce affected by the closure of ECO, working closely with the retrofit supply chain, housing associations and local authorities. Officials are also working with the Department for Business and Trade on support that can be provided to employees and companies in the construction sector during this time.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on the Government’s net‑zero and home‑energy‑efficiency targets of delays in implementing the Warm Homes Plan.

Our landmark £15 billion Warm Homes Plan is already delivering on our commitment to lower energy bills and upgrade up to 5 million homes by 2030, as evidenced by BUS-supported heat pump installations rising 40% in the year to November 2025 compared with the previous year. We have also committed to other home upgrade targets such as raising minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector and deploying solar panels on the rooftops of up to 3 million more homes by 2030. The government is committed to its net zero targets, tackling fuel poverty, and strengthening our energy security.

When he plans to publish full details of the Warm Homes Plan; and whether he has made an assessment of the effect of the delay on businesses operating in the energy‑efficiency and eco‑homes sector.

The Government published the Warm Homes Plan on 21 January 2026. The Warm Homes Plan will invest £15 billion, making it the biggest ever public investment to upgrade British homes and cut bills.We will help millions of households benefit from solar panels, batteries, heat pumps and insulation that can save a typical household £550 a year compared to a gas boiler – reducing our exposure to the volatile international fossil fuel markets which have driven the cost-of-living crisis. This comes on top of the measures announced at the Budget, which took an average of £150 of costs off energy bills from April 2026. We will reach up to 5 million homes by 2030, tackle fuel poverty and create good jobs across the country. Our plan will unlock £38 billion in total investment across this Parliament, and with additional funding for skills, innovation and UK manufacturing, we will ensure that British workers and businesses reap the benefits.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential economic and social impact on rural communities of proposals to ban trail hunting.

This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. The Government intends to hold a public consultation to seek views on an effective, enforceable ban. As part of that consultation, the Government plans to seek evidence from all concerned to ensure that the legislation that is brought forward is effective in practice and its potential impact is understood. The Government will consider the responses to the consultation carefully in developing our proposals’ as there is nothing further we can say at the moment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to consult landowners, rural organisations and local authorities before introducing legislation to ban trail hunting.

This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. The Government intends to hold a public consultation to seek views on an effective, enforceable ban. As part of that consultation, the Government plans to seek evidence from all concerned to ensure that the legislation that is brought forward is effective in practice and its potential impact is understood. The Government will consider the responses to the consultation carefully in developing our proposals’ as there is nothing further we can say at the moment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of banning trail hunting on land management practices, including pest control and countryside access.

This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. The Government intends to hold a public consultation to seek views on an effective, enforceable ban. As part of that consultation, the Government plans to seek evidence from all concerned to ensure that the legislation that is brought forward is effective in practice and its potential impact is understood. The Government will consider the responses to the consultation carefully in developing our proposals’ as there is nothing further we can say at the moment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what evidence her Department has used to inform its decision to bring forward proposals to ban trail hunting in England.

This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. The Government intends to hold a public consultation to seek views on an effective, enforceable ban. As part of that consultation, the Government plans to seek evidence from all concerned to ensure that the legislation that is brought forward is effective in practice and its potential impact is understood. The Government will consider the responses to the consultation carefully in developing our proposals’ as there is nothing further we can say at the moment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department plans to issue to local authorities on implementing and enforcing a ban on trail hunting.

Enforcing a ban on trail hunting will be a matter for the police.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of banning trail hunting on the additional enforcement resources that would be required by police forces.

This Government is committed to enacting a ban on trail hunting in line with our manifesto commitment. The Government intends to hold a public consultation to seek views on an effective, enforceable ban. As part of that consultation, the Government plans to seek evidence from all concerned to ensure that the legislation that is brought forward is effective in practice and its potential impact is understood. The Government will consider the responses to the consultation carefully in developing our proposals’ as there is nothing further we can say at the moment.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether alternative regulatory options were considered before deciding to ban on trail hunting.

Alternative regulatory options were considered by Ministers but it was decided a ban was the most effective way of implementing the manifesto commitment to ban trail hunting.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the fairness of income‑banded Council Tax Reduction schemes where a small increase in Universal Credit entitlement results in a large reduction in Council Tax support.

Support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. This review may include the provision for those migrating between benefits. For pension age households, councils administer a centrally prescribed Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is reviewed annually. The government currently has no plans to assess these schemes, however it encourages those who are struggling to pay their council tax bill to discuss their circumstances with their council.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions in Council Tax Reduction entitlement following migration to Universal Credit on low‑income households, particularly where the Limited Capability for Work or Work‑Related Activity element results in claimants being placed in a higher income band.

Local council tax support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. The government has not undertaken an assessment, including any discussions with local authorities, of the potential impact of Universal Credit migration on individual claimants.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with local authorities on the treatment of the Limited Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work‑Related Activity elements of Universal Credit as income for the purposes of Council Tax Reduction calculations.

Local council tax support for working age households, including the treatment of benefits, is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Each year, councils must consider whether to revise or replace their scheme. The government has not undertaken an assessment, including any discussions with local authorities, of the potential impact of Universal Credit migration on individual claimants.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the time taken for the Crown Prosecution Service to reach charging decisions in cases involving alleged breaches of Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 in (a) general and (b) the case of Isabel Vaughan-Spruce.

The Crown Prosecution Service has issued proceedings under Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023, in relation to one case, since it was commenced on 31 October 2024. As a former Home Secretary, she will understand that the Government cannot comment on any live investigations or criminal proceedings.