Written questions by Roca.

Whether the National Wealth Fund (a) conducted due diligence on alternative pipeline route and junction location options and (b) commissioned an independent engineering assessment of alternative junction locations for the meeting point of pipeline Sections 3 and 4 before investing in Peak Cluster Limited.

The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is operationally independent in regard to its investment decisions. The NWF undertakes extensive due diligence in line with commercial investor assessment standards, processes and quantification methodologies, to ensure that taxpayer funds are deployed safely, represent value for money, and support technically and commercially viable projects.As part of this process, the NWF considers all relevant design, technical and delivery risks associated with proposed projects. Details of individual assessments, including any consideration of specific design or routing options, remain commercially sensitive.

Whether Peak Cluster Limited has submitted to his Department or to Ofgem any societal risk assessment (FN curve analysis) under BS PD 8010 Parts 1 and 3 comparing the risk profile of the current proposed pipeline route through Gawsworth Parish with any alternative route that avoids the settled Gawsworth valley.

The department is engaging with potential future CCUS projects, including the Peak Cluster, to understand their proposals. The Peak Cluster’s pipeline proposals are still in development. A societal risk assessment is part of the quantitative risk assessment framework for the pipelines under BS PD8010, which will be carried out as part of the FEED design stage. The Peak Cluster project is not yet at this stage. Once complete, the risk assessment will be submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, who will undertake the review.

Whether the Health and Safety Executive has been consulted by Peak Cluster Limited on the proximity of the proposed CO2 pipeline route and above-ground installation to Gawsworth Church of England Primary School.

As a statutory consultee to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process for the Peak Cluster pipeline, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has responded to the Planning Inspectorate at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Stage confirming whether the proposed pipeline passes through the Consultation Distances of other major accident hazard pipelines, major hazard sites, or licensed explosives sites. Under the Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996, as amended, the operator of a major hazard pipeline is required to produce a major accident prevention document prior to the design of the pipeline being completed, demonstrating that major accident hazard potential arising from the pipeline has been identified; evaluation of those risks has been carried out; and that an adequate safety management system for those risks is in place.

What action his Department is taking to encourage cardiac screening in young people.

The Government is guided by the independent scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC). The UK NSC makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process. Where the committee is confident that offering screening provides more good than harm, they recommend a screening programme.The UK NSC last reviewed screening for the conditions associated with sudden cardiac death in people aged under 39 years old in 2019. The conclusion of that review was that population screening should not be offered, as research showed that current tests are not accurate enough to use on young people with no symptoms.The Department and NHS England currently have no specific ongoing campaigns, or plans to conduct a campaign, to encourage cardiac screening in young people as this would go against the current evidence-based advice.

What costs were incurred during the most recent refurbishment, upgrade and replacement work on RFA Argus at A&P Falmouth in the last calendar year.

Refurbishments, upgrade and replacement work on RFA Argus at A&P Falmouth in the last calendar year, 2025, total approximately £6.579 million.

What energy security assessment has been made of electricity supplied to the UK via international interconnectors.

The Capacity Market is our main tool for ensuring security of electricity supply and has already successfully secured the electricity capacity GB consumers need out to 2028/29. Interconnectors are part of the capacity mix that it secures. Like all technologies that participate in the Capacity Market, they are de-rated to reflect their expected contribution to security of electricity supply under periods of system stress. In the case of interconnectors, de-rating is based on consideration of expected flows and technical availability.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the United Kingdom is taking to support the investigation and accountability of violations of human rights by all duty-bearers in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 12 October 2025 to Question 98016.

What the average waiting time was for a practical car driving test at Macclesfield Test Centre in the most recent month for which data is available.

The average waiting time for a car practical driving test at Macclesfield driving test centre in December 2025, was 16 weeks.

What steps are being taken to help Cheshire East Council reduce its SEND assessment waiting times.

The department provides special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support to local areas through a structured approach that balances support, challenge, and assurance. Through our SEND improvement support, a dedicated SEND Adviser is providing targeted advice and challenge to help Cheshire East Council streamline assessment pathways, ensure consistent decision‑making, and improve multi‑agency contributions so that assessments can be completed within statutory timeframes. The department, in collaboration with colleagues from NHS England in the North West, regularly engages with Cheshire East Local Area SEND Partnership to understand any further needs and provides support and challenge as appropriate, as well as monitoring progress.

What steps his Department is taking with social housing providers in the Macclesfield Constituency to help reduce energy costs for tenants.

The Warm Homes Plan will deliver £15bn of public investment and help lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030. This includes support for those on low-incomes and the introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards for the social rented sector, which will slash the cost of heating for families, making homes warmer and more comfortable. Macclesfield-based Peaks and Plains Housing Trust has secured £6.58m as part of the just under £1.15bn Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The funding will support energy efficiency and low‑carbon heating upgrades, helping raise properties below EPC Band C up to that standard.

What work is being done in conjunction with other departments to explore new financing methods for defence equipment procurement.

We have established a Defence Investors Advisory Group to support the development of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS). As part of this work, we are exploring potential new financing options and how these could apply to specific opportunities identified through the Defence Investment Plan. No decisions on new financing methods have yet been taken. We are working closely with other Government Departments and assessing the fiscal, regulatory and industrial implications of new financing methods to support defence equipment procurement.

Whether his department has set a benchmark for the proportion of the UK’s electricity supply that should be imported from abroad in the medium to long term; and how electricity imports are factored into energy security planning.

The Capacity Market is our main tool for ensuring security of electricity supply. Each year the National Energy System Operator assesses the capacity required to meet expected peak demand four years ahead. All participating technologies are de-rated to reflect their expected contribution under periods of system stress, with interconnectors de-rated based on expected flows and technical availability. In the longer term, the Government is supportive of additional interconnection where future projects provide system benefits.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of financial barriers on people who wish to train as commercial airline pilots.

This government works closely with industry to address financial barriers to pilot training and to support the growth of a diverse aviation workforce, including through the Aviation Industry Skills Board. This area is a priority, not only for my department, but also the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England.

What steps his Department is taking to increase ease of access to GP appointments in Macclesfield constituency.

We are increasing access to general practice appointments nationally and in the Macclesfield constituency.We have invested an additional £1.1 billion into general practitioners (GPs), the biggest cash increase in over a decade. In October 2024, we invested £160 million into the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme to support the recruitment of over 2,600 individual GPs into primary care networks across England, helping to increase appointment availability and improve care for thousands of patients.The new £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund will create additional clinical space within over 1,000 practices across England. This investment will deliver more appointments and improve patient care We are also committed to making it easier for patients to contact their general practices. That’s why, Since 1 October, GP practices have been required to offer access to online services throughout core hours (8:00am–18:30pm), bringing online access in line with walk-in and phone access. This change aims to improve patient access, reduce long phone queues, and help GPs manage demand more effectively.After a decade of declining satisfaction, patient experiences with contacting their GP has improved significantly. As of December 2025, 75.2% of patients report that they find it is easy to contact their GP practice, a 14.3 percentage point increase since July 2024 (60.9%).

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of an Accident and Emergency Appreciation Week.

The Government highly values hardworking National Health Service staff who go above and beyond to provide rapid and critical care. Local NHS trusts have in place their own approaches to recognising and rewarding staff, supported by advice and guidance set out in the Staff Recognition Framework, which is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/staff-recognition-framework/Members of Parliament can also acknowledge the work of NHS staff in their constituency through the NHS Parliamentary Awards, with further information available at the following link:https://nhsparliamentaryawards.co.uk/

What steps he is taking to tackle the backlog of court cases in Cheshire.

Chester Crown Court has been allocated an additional 232 sitting days in-region to increase hearing capacity and improve throughput of cases. Additional Legal Advisor recruitment is underway to facilitate an increase in court hearing capacity in Cheshire Magistrates’ Courts.The Government inherited a justice system in crisis, with a record and rising open caseload of nearly 80,000 criminal cases waiting to be heard and too many victims waiting years for justice. Investment alone is not enough - that is why this Government asked Sir Brian Leveson to undertake his Independent Review of the Criminal Courts. On 2 December, the Deputy Prime Minister responded to the first part of that review and set out why reform is necessary, alongside investment and modernisation.

What assessment she has made of the recommendations set out in her Department’s 2023 policy document entitled ‘Options for addressing the cost of pilot training’, including (a) enabling trainee pilots to access a Government-backed loan scheme and (b) addressing any outstanding issues relating to the First Officer Apprenticeship.

The ‘Options for addressing the cost of pilot training’ policy document was published during the time of the previous government. This government is working closely with industry to address the cost of pilot training, including through the Aviation Industry Skills Board. Government also supports the aviation industry through the Generation Aviation programme. The Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund, a part of Generation Aviation and administered by the CAA on behalf of the Department, funds outreach programmes with the aim of improving the accessibility and inclusivity of the sector and attracting the next generation of people into aviation careers, including pilot careers. The First Officer Apprenticeship (FOA) was designed by an industry group as a way of reducing the high cost of pilot training and improving access to the profession. An approved training provider (ATO) is now in place, and regulatory changes made this year have increased training flexibility for employers.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of mandatory animal welfare method-of-production labelling on animal welfare standards.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Manchester Rusholme, Afzal Khan, on 20 October 2025, PQ UIN 78476.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the distance people in Macclesfield need to travel for (a) care and (b) specialist treatments.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service.The Neighbourhood Health Service will embody our new preventative principle that care should happen as locally as it can, digitally by default, in a person’s home if possible, in a neighbourhood health centre when needed, and only in a hospital if necessary.This will rebalance our health and care system so that it fits around people’s lives, not the other way round, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach and giving people more power and choice over the care they receive.Our aim is to have a Neighbourhood Health Centre in each community that provides easier, more convenient access to a full range of health and care services on people’s doorsteps, bringing together National Health Service, local authority, and voluntary sector services in one building to help create a holistic offer that meets the needs of local populations.We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations. While the focus on personalised, coordinated care will be consistent, that will mean the service will look different in rural communities, coastal towns, and deprived inner cities.

What steps his Department is taking with utilities companies to protect consumers from utility account identity fraud.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is the lead department for the energy sector only. Regarding energy utility accounts, Ofgem is the energy regulator for Great Britain. Ofgem works to protect energy consumers and ensure they are treated fairly. Ofgem has a specific counter fraud team who work to detect, prevent, deter, and take firm action where there is evidence of fraud. Ofgem has also issued guidance to energy suppliers regarding identity checking of new customers. Due diligence on verifying the identity of a customer is important for energy suppliers, especially if they are extending credit on an energy account.