Written questions by Hayes.

If she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of introducing tax (a) incentives and (b) subsidies for battery storage solutions.

The installation of qualifying energy-saving materials (ESMs) in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose benefits from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027. Following a Call for Evidence (CfE) last year, electrical storage batteries were one of the technologies added to the relief. However, as set out in the Government response to the CfE, at that time, the Government was unable to identify sufficient independent data regarding the efficiency of heat batteries. As such, they do not currently qualify for VAT relief. EV charge points were also proposed to be added to the ESMs VAT relief by CfE respondents. However, they were not added to the relief, because their primary purpose is not to save energy or reduce carbon emissions, meaning EV charge points don’t meet the objectives of the relief. The Government currently has no plans to add further technologies to this VAT relief. Nevertheless, the Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy making process. Changes to the tax system are announced at fiscal events in the usual way.

What steps his Department is taking to review the (a) accreditation and (b) certification processes for renewable energy installers to ensure that they are accessible for small and medium enterprises.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) sponsors the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as the national accreditation body. UKAS is independent of government, however DBT is working with UKAS to seek out and assess opportunities for supporting SMEs' participation in and use of accreditation. Certification processes are based on international standards and UKAS accredits to these standards to ensure certification bodies are fit for purpose. Where certification schemes exist, these are initially assessed by UKAS and reviewed on a regular basis by UKAS with the scheme provider.

Media and Sport, how much funding he plans to provide to the voluntary, community, and social enterprise energy efficiency scheme in 2025.

The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme (EES) is a £25.53 million grant programme, set up under the previous government and delivered in 2023/24 and 2024/25 to increase the energy efficiency and long-term sustainability of frontline VCSE organisations.There is no plan to continue the EES beyond this financial year. However there are a number of other ways in which the government supports VCSEs with their financial sustainability. This includes delivering other grant programmes, growing other sources of funding such as the social investment market, and supporting the viability of central and local government contracts. The government will also shortly set out how it intends to allocate the £350 million expected to flow into the Dormant Assets Scheme in England between 2024 and 2028 to the named causes - youth, financial inclusion, social investment, and community wealth funds.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional funding to the voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations for (a) reducing their energy consumption and (b) other costs.

The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme (EES) is a £25.53 million grant programme, set up under the previous government and delivered in 2023/24 and 2024/25 to increase the energy efficiency and long-term sustainability of frontline VCSE organisations.There is no plan to continue the EES beyond this financial year. However there are a number of other ways in which the government supports VCSEs with their financial sustainability. This includes delivering other grant programmes, growing other sources of funding such as the social investment market, and supporting the viability of central and local government contracts. The government will also shortly set out how it intends to allocate the £350 million expected to flow into the Dormant Assets Scheme in England between 2024 and 2028 to the named causes - youth, financial inclusion, social investment, and community wealth funds.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of hostile architecture on persons experiencing rough sleeping.

Rough Sleeping levels are far too high, and this can have a devastating impact on those affected. This Government is committed to addressing this and delivering long term solutions.We have set up a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, to bring together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.We are committed to providing the services rough sleepers need to leave the street and the support they need to prevent a return to rough sleeping.

What enforcement mechanisms his Department plans to put in place under ESOS Phase 4 to help ensure that companies comply with required energy efficiency measures.

The energy saving measures identified in audits by large businesses in scope of the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) are currently voluntary to implement. ESOS participants are however required to submit actions plan and progress reports which can include information on proposed implementation of audit recommendations. The approach to enforcement in England, including civil penalties where ESOS requirements are not met, is set out in the Environment Agency’s enforcement and sanctions policy. These arrangements were in place in Phase 3 of Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, and the Government has not announced any plans to make further changes in Phase 4.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for (a) Benjamin Netanyahu, (b) Yoav Gallant and (c) Mohammed Deif.

We respect the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) which is the primary international institution for investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes of international concern. We remain focused on pushing for an immediate ceasefire, to bring an end to the devastating violence in Gaza. This is essential to protect civilians, ensure the release of hostages and to increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.

What steps she is taking to ensure that breakfast clubs in primary schools are accessible for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Breakfast clubs will mean that many more pupils get a supportive start to the day and are ready to learn. They will also benefit parents and mean that many pupils who would not otherwise have had breakfast will be well fed to start the day.As confirmed at the Autumn Budget 2024, this government will triple the investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million in the 2025/26 financial year, enabling 750 early adopter schools to open breakfast clubs from April 2025. All state-funded schools, including special and alternative provision schools, will be eligible to apply. Details on the application process for schools will follow shortly.The department recognises that there will be barriers, such as staffing and transport, to opening breakfast clubs for some schools, including special and alternative provision schools. The early adopter programme will allow us to test and learn how best to overcome such barriers and refine the department’s support and advice to schools to ensure the programme works for these schools.

What steps she is taking to ensure that primary level special schools receive funding for breakfast clubs.

Breakfast clubs will mean that many more pupils get a supportive start to the day and are ready to learn. They will also benefit parents and mean that many pupils who would not otherwise have had breakfast will be well fed to start the day.As confirmed at the Autumn Budget 2024, this government will triple the investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million in the 2025/26 financial year, enabling 750 early adopter schools to open breakfast clubs from April 2025. All state-funded schools, including special and alternative provision schools, will be eligible to apply. Details on the application process for schools will follow shortly.The department recognises that there will be barriers, such as staffing and transport, to opening breakfast clubs for some schools, including special and alternative provision schools. The early adopter programme will allow us to test and learn how best to overcome such barriers and refine the department’s support and advice to schools to ensure the programme works for these schools.

What steps she is taking to ensure that breakfast clubs in primary schools are accessible for children with special educational needs and disabilities who receive school transport.

Breakfast clubs will mean that many more pupils get a supportive start to the day and are ready to learn. They will also benefit parents and mean that many pupils who would not otherwise have had breakfast will be well fed to start the day.As confirmed at the Autumn Budget 2024, this government will triple the investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million in the 2025/26 financial year, enabling 750 early adopter schools to open breakfast clubs from April 2025. All state-funded schools, including special and alternative provision schools, will be eligible to apply. Details on the application process for schools will follow shortly.The department recognises that there will be barriers, such as staffing and transport, to opening breakfast clubs for some schools, including special and alternative provision schools. The early adopter programme will allow us to test and learn how best to overcome such barriers and refine the department’s support and advice to schools to ensure the programme works for these schools.

If she will take steps to improve collaboration between local authorities and multi-academy trusts in the delivery of SEND education in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council area.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. This work forms part of the government’s Opportunity Mission, which will break the unfair link between background and opportunity, starting with giving every child, including those with SEND, the best start in life.Excellence exists in all parts of our school system, and this government believes schools can perform best when they collaborate with each other and with their local community. That is why, in the King’s Speech, the government committed to legislating on requiring all schools to cooperate with their local authorities on issues such as school inclusion and place planning.This government wants to work with all parts of our school system so that together we can ensure there is strong partnership and high quality collaboration, especially around the sharing of expertise and good practice, that helps deliver an exceptional education for children and young people with SEND. I expect all schools, regardless of type, to support each other, to drive a self-improving system.Departmental officials work closely with both Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole local authority and academy trusts to bring all parts of the system together. The department will continue with its work with the local area to ensure that they deliver further improvements in services.

If she will make it her policy to make localised funding available to support businesses to help local economies.

Sustained economic growth is the only route to improving the prosperity of our country and the living standards of working people, and ensuring growth is realised everywhere across the UK is key to the government’s Growth Mission. The government will therefore work with Mayors and local leaders, giving them to the tools they need to boost their economies and drive local growth, including supporting businesses. The government will also set out its long-term vision for local growth at the muti-year spending review in the Spring, moving away from the short-termist, competitive approach of the past, to better support local leaders to drive growth in the areas that need it most. The government will also set out more detail on its strategy for regional growth alongside, and integrated with, plans for infrastructure, investment, and the Industrial Strategy.

What recent progress he has made on considering proposals from local authorities for funding from the Local Power Plan.

The Local Power Plan, a core function of Great British Energy, will put communities at the heart of the energy transition. It will support Local and Combined Authorities and Community Energy Groups to roll out up to 8GW of renewable energy projects. Since July, UK government officials have been engaging with the Local Government Association and the Devolved Administrations on the Local Power Plan to ensure that local needs are carefully considered. The recent Budget outlined £125 million in 2025-26 to set up Great British Energy as an independent company and begin delivering on its core functions, including local projects.

What steps his Department is taking to support the fitting of rooftop solar panels on (a) new build and (b) existing homes in Bournemouth East constituency; and how such solar panels will contribute to the Government's mission of clean energy by 2030.

Future standards next year will set new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuel markets and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. Our Warm Homes Plan will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out low carbon heating like solar and heat pumps. The Government is committed to working with industry to radically increase our existing solar capacity by 2030 to boost growth across the country, create thousands of high-skill, future-proofed jobs and tackle the climate crisis.

If he will take steps to ensure that (a) viable, (b) funded and (c) consented projects are delivered despite National Energy System Operator objections.

On 5 November, Government published an open letter,[1] jointly with Ofgem, supporting a reformed connections process that accelerates connections for viable projects aligned with strategic plans. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans/open-letter-from-desnz-and-ofgem-aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans-5-november-2024 [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans/open-letter-from-desnz-and-ofgem-aligning-grid-connections-with-strategic-plans-5-november-2024

What assessment he has made of the accuracy of the solar capacity identified in the report entitled Clean Power 2030, published by National Energy System Operator on 5 November 2024.

Work is ongoing to examine the ‘Clean Power 2030’ report from the National Energy System Operator (NESO). The Government will provide its own assessment of the generating capacity required to decarbonise the grid by 2030, in a Clean Power Action Plan, set for release by year-end. This will include capacity estimates for solar power and other technologies.

What estimate he has made of the contribution of on-shore solar energy to delivering the Government's target of clean power by 2030.

The rapid expansion of onshore solar power will be critical to achieving the Government’s clean power mission. The Government will shortly publish its Clean Power Action Plan. Set for release by year-end, this will include estimates of the solar capacity needed to decarbonise the grid by 2030. Further detail about how Government and industry will meet these targets will be set out in the Solar Roadmap due for publication early next year.

Whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on making localised funding available to support businesses working together to help local economies.

The Government’s forthcoming Small Business Strategy will set out how national and local business-support schemes can align to increase growth and productivity. Existing offers available include the Business Support Service, local Growth Hubs across England and The Help to Grow scheme. Financial support is available to businesses through the Government-backed British Business Bank (BBB) to improve access to finance for investment and growth. In Bournemouth East, businesses can access resources such as the South-West Investment Fund, offering loans to SMEs through the BBB, and the joint Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council/UK Shared Prosperity Fund economic development programme

Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 58 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, what plans she has to include (a) parish and (b) town councils in (i) consultations and (ii) subsequent work by her Department on moving towards simpler administrative structures for local areas; and if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of her Department's consultation with such councils on those plans as of 18 November 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of town and parish councils for the role they play in empowering the communities they represent. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is involved in regular engagement with the sector.

If he will have discussions with nursing organisations on the nurse registration fee requirement under article 9 of the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The Government has no current plans to amend the Nursing and Midwifery Order 2001, to abolish the requirement for NMC registrants to pay a registration fee.The UK's model of healthcare professional regulation is founded on the principle of regulators operating independently from the Government. All registered health and social care professions in the UK pay an annual registration fee to their regulatory body. Being funded by registrant fees enables the NMC to maintain its independence, allowing it to take action if it identifies risks to patient safety or the public’s confidence in the profession.