Written questions by Hayes.

What steps she is taking to increase accessible holiday club provision for SEN children requiring one to one support.

This year, the government is again investing over £200 million in the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme, with all local authorities in England. The programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning.The HAF programme funding is primarily for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits-related free school meals (FSM).While the majority of funding that local authorities receive should be used for holiday club places for children in receipt of FSM, local authorities have discretion to use up to 15% of their funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children, who are not in receipt of benefits-related FSM, but who the local authority believe could benefit from HAF provision.Local authorities are responsible for understanding the needs of the children and families in their area and ensuring that the programme reaches those who need it. In addition, they have flexibility in how the programme can be delivered to children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or additional needs, who are in receipt of FSM, ensuring it is tailored to meet the needs of those children and their families.The department’s guidance on the HAF programme 2024 provides key points for local authorities to consider when designing provisions for children with SEND or additional needs. This guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activites-and-food-programme-2024.The department encourages local authorities to engage with local and national organisations, including special schools with expertise in working with children with SEND or additional needs. Local authorities are obligated to include the numbers of children with SEND or additional needs who have participated in their programme in their post provision reporting to us.Local authorities must ensure there are sufficient school places for all pupils, including those with SEND. The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to keep the provision for children and young people with SEND under review (including its sufficiency), working with parents, young people and providers.

When will the allocation of GP funding for 2025-26 be published.

In December 2024 we announced a proposed funding uplift for general practices (GPs) in 2025/26 of £889 million, representing a 7.2% cash growth, estimated to be an approximately 4.8% real terms growth. This is the largest uplift to GP funding since 2019 and means that we are reversing the recent trend, with a rising share of total National Health Service resources going to GPs.We started consulting with the General Practitioners Committee in England, of the British Medical Association, on the 2025/26 GP Contract on 19 December 2024, and will consider all proposed policy changes alongside the funding uplift. The final changes will be announced in the usual way following the close of the consultation in 2025.

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the delivery of Homes for Heroes.

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have made clear that ensuring veterans and their families can access housing support is a priority.At a roundtable in November with the Housing Minister and veteran housing organisations, we discussed the removal of the local connection and residency test for veterans applying for social housing in England, which is now in force.I also attend the Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, driving progress on our cross-Government homelessness strategy.

Whether there is a mandated process for social services to be informed when a child for whom there has been a (a) Child Protection Plan, (b) Child in Need plan and (c) safeguarding concern raised is removed from school.

Schools are legally required to notify the local authority of a child’s removal from the school roll at a non-standard transition point. This relates to pupils removed from the admission register before completing the final year of education normally provided by the school, or pupils added to the admission register after the start of the first year of education normally provided by that school. Local authorities are legally responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in their area, and for identifying children who are not receiving a suitable education if not in school. Where the latter is the case, they should commence the School Attendance Order process.Statutory guidance is clear on how local authorities, schools and other agencies should work together to help, protect, and promote the welfare of children. Where a child of school age is not a registered pupil at a school and is not receiving suitable education at home, this could be an indicator of neglect, abuse, or exploitation. Local authorities should work closely with schools and other agencies to share information effectively, identify and respond to risks of harm, and ensure children and families receive the services they need.The proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, introduced on 17 December, contains new measures which, if the bill is passed, will require parents to obtain local authority consent before they can home educate if their child is subject to a child protection enquiry or has a child protection plan. Local authorities would also have new powers under the bill to require any home educated child to attend or remain in school if their home or learning environment is deemed unsuitable.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the (a) resourcing and (b) powers of Local Authority building inspectors.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) registers and sets competency standards for all building inspectors. As part of that work, it is clear that there are capacity issues across the sector. We have invested £16.5 million to support capacity building in local authorities and continue to encourage all authorities to invest in this area.We will keep the powers of building inspectors under review and are working to see if there are ways in which they should be strengthened. For all higher risk buildings, the BSR remains the building control authority.The role of local authorities within the building control system is linked to recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The Government is carefully considering all such recommendations, and we will respond by March.

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to give local authorities primary responsibility for building inspections.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) registers and sets competency standards for all building inspectors. As part of that work, it is clear that there are capacity issues across the sector. We have invested £16.5 million to support capacity building in local authorities and continue to encourage all authorities to invest in this area.We will keep the powers of building inspectors under review and are working to see if there are ways in which they should be strengthened. For all higher risk buildings, the BSR remains the building control authority.The role of local authorities within the building control system is linked to recommendations of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. The Government is carefully considering all such recommendations, and we will respond by March.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential role of heat batteries in decarbonising domestic heating.

Through our Warm Homes Plan we are focused on rolling out home upgrades across the country, with a focus on heat pump installation and fabric solutions. In many cases heat batteries are less efficient than heat pumps, however they do not require outside space, and can often be cheaper to install in some circumstances. We are currently exploring the role heat batteries could play in the future.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the eligibility for the Funeral Expenses Payment of unmarried partners.

The Funeral Expenses Payments (FEP) scheme provides an important contribution towards the cost of a simple, respectful funeral arranged by someone who is in receipt of certain income related benefits or tax credits and has taken responsibility for the funeral. A partner (married, unmarried or in a civil partnership) or immediately family member (adult child or parent) can make a claim for FEP. Where there is no partner or immediate family member, a close relative or friend may also be eligible for FEP.The scheme meets the necessary costs of a burial or cremation in full and offers up to £1000 to meet other funeral expenses such as, the cost of a coffin, church and funeral director fees.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to require a minimum height for letterboxes in new build homes.

Guidance on letterplate specifications are already referenced in Approved Document Q (ADQ), but the Government has recently published a Frequently Asked Question alongside ADQ on gov.uk (Frequently asked questions - GOV.UK), providing guidance on letterbox and letterplate positioning.

If he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of integration of AI-enabled battery storage technologies in increasing the energy efficiency of homes and businesses.

Decarbonising heating is one of the biggest challenges facing the UK. Reducing energy demand and powering homes with green energy is a key priority within the Clean Energy by 2030 Mission. A range of technologies to heat the home of the future are likely to be required including flexible technologies such as battery storage. More generally, the Home Energy Model (HEM) is a calculation methodology designed to assess the energy performance of homes and is set to replace the Standard Assessment Procedure. Consultations on the proposed HEM closed in March 2024 and the Government will respond to the consultation in due course.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the Government meets its targets for (a) clean power, (b) net zero and (c) energy security by 2030 in a way that complements the steps it is taking to meet its targets for 2050.

In November the Government received advice from the NESO on how to achieve our clean power 2030 target. We will review this advice and outline our approach to clean power by 2030 in our action plan later this year. The move to a clean power system by 2030 is vital to support the transition to technologies that will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, including electric vehicles and heat pumps.

What steps he is taking to encourage businesses to (a) engage with knowledge-sharing platforms and (b) share case studies on (i) improving energy efficiency and (ii) using renewable energy.

The Government is committed to engaging and supporting business small and large through the transition to net zero. We know that SMEs can face particular decarbonisation challenges and it is important they have access to reliable information and advice to help them take action to reduce their emissions. We encourage small and medium-sized businesses to visit the UK Business Climate Hub, which provides advice to reduce their emissions and case studies, highlighting examples of businesses taking action. It is run by the Broadway Initiative, in partnership with government and a coalition of business organisations.

What assessment he has made of the the use of energy monitoring systems by businesses to accelerate their progress towards net zero.

The use of energy monitoring systems can support all types and sizes of business to better understand their energy consumption. It can assist large businesses and their corporate groups to carry out mandatory energy assessments of their buildings, transport and industrial processes under the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, to enable the identification of costed energy saving measures. ESOS participants are required to disclose their total energy use, and submit action plans and progress updates on any energy saving measures they decide to implement following their assessment. Businesses that are also in scope of Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting can also set out in their annual reports the key energy efficiency actions they have taken alongside the required energy and emissions disclosures.

What steps he is taking to encourage businesses to (a) prepare for changes to the minimum EPC rating for commercial properties in 2030 and (b) help the UK meet its net zero targets.

The Government has consulted on raising non-domestic Private Rented Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and we are aiming to publish the Government response early next year. We will publish updated guidance to support landlords with compliance where necessary. The Government has also introduced a number of policies to encourage businesses to help meet net zero targets. This includes Climate Change Agreements which provides business rates exemptions and tax discounts in exchange for businesses meeting energy and carbon reduction targets, the Business Energy Advice Service for SMEs which is currently being piloted in the West Midlands, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which provides up to £7,500 off the installation of new heat pumps and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund providing grants for energy efficiency and deep decarbonisation projects.

What progress she has made on delivering additional neighbourhood police officers in Dorset.

As part of the Government’s Safer Streets mission, the Home Secretary has made a clear commitment to strengthen neighbourhood policing through the introduction of a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This includes delivering an additional 13,000 police officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood policing roles up and down the country and ensuring every community has a named officer to turn to. Every part of the country will benefit from this pledge, including Dorset.We are working closely with policing to implement this commitment and will announce our plans.

What assessment has he made of the of the costs faced by (a) electricians and (b) installers in obtaining necessary certifications for renewable energy solutions.

Short courses for electricians training to install EV chargers and solar PV are estimated to cost £300 and £650 (+ VAT) respectively. For heat pump and heat network courses, the Heat Training Grant offers trainees a £500 discount, which covers most of the course costs. Contractors installing heat pumps and solar PV within Government schemes are required to be Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified. The overall cost of MCS membership can be over £1,000 a year. Many installers are also members of Competent Person Schemes. The Department will continue to assess the cost of training and certification.

What steps his Department is taking to provide (a) financial and (b) advisory support to help commercial property owners meet the new EPC rating guidelines for 2030.

The Government has consulted on raising non-domestic Private Rented Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and will publish the Government response early next year. The Government continues to engage with trade bodies and other key stakeholders to help property owners understand the requirements and what support is available to them and will be publishing updated guidance to support landlords with compliance where necessary. Non-domestic properties are eligible for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offering up to £7,500 off the installation of a heat pump.

What steps she is taking to expand (a) skills training and (b) apprenticeship schemes in the (i) renewable energy and (ii) energy efficiency sectors.

The government is committed to the UK becoming a Clean Energy Superpower, achieving clean power by 2030 and net zero carbon emissions by 2050.The government is working to ensure that the current and future skills system in England supports workers to retrain for the low carbon economy, including for critical sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. The department’s initiatives include the new growth and skills offer, which will prioritise investment that supports economic growth, increases opportunity, better meets employers’ skills needs and increases investment in skills shortage areas. The Autumn Budget 2024 announced an additional £300 million for our further education (FE) sector, as well as £300 million of capital funding for FE condition, to support the development of the skills the country needs.Over 40 of the occupational standards that underpin technical education in England directly support the clean energy industry. Others support insulation and energy efficiency in construction.The government is committed to delivering the Lifelong Learning Entitlement, which will launch in the 2026/27 academic year for courses starting from January 2027. This will broaden access to high-quality, flexible education and training by providing funding for full courses as well as modules of high-value courses. Skills Bootcamps are available to support the workforce to gain new skills, including skills for the low carbon economy.Skills England is a new national body which will bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all the regions and create a shared national ambition to boost England’s skills. It will provide authoritative assessments of skills needs, ensure a comprehensive suite of apprenticeships, training, and technical qualifications and work with devolved areas and regional organisations to ensure skills needs are met.Skills England will work closely with the Office for Clean Energy Jobs at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which has been set up with a focus on developing a skilled workforce in core energy and net zero sectors. Skills England published its first report in September, highlighting the skills needed to support targets on net zero, the Clean Energy Mission and UK targets for environmental improvements.Designated employer representative bodies are leading local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) across England. Education and training providers must have regard to the LSIP when making decisions on relevant provision. In order to approve an LSIP, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education must be satisfied that due consideration was given to the skills, capabilities and expertise required for jobs that directly contribute to, or indirectly support, net zero targets and adaptation to climate change or that meet other environmental goals.

What steps he is taking to promote the adoption of energy monitoring technologies to help businesses identify energy savings.

Smart meter-enabled energy monitoring technologies are key to helping businesses understand their energy use in an accessible way to identify savings. Since 1st October 2024, the Government has required energy suppliers to provide all small businesses with free and regular information on their energy use based on their smart meter data, for example via an App, online platform or display. Suppliers must also open up access to data to third parties who are working to provide innovative energy management tools on behalf of businesses of all sizes.

If he will reinstate a three-year delivery window for solar (a) in Allocation Round 7 and (b) beyond.

The Government is committed to accelerating solar deployment to meet clean power 2030 and reviews the Contracts for Difference scheme before every round to ensure it continues to deliver this and other objectives. We will confirm details for Allocation Round 7 in due course.