Every parliamentary written question tabled by Wera Hobhouse this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1–20 of 203 · this parliament
With reference to Regional Energy Strategic Plans, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the 10% voting share for demand-side stakeholders on Strategic Boards, as highlighted in the ADE: Demand report entitled Powered by People, Powered by Place.
Awaiting answer.
What assessment he has made of the potential for empowering local authorities to assess flexibility and microgrid opportunities before pursuing network buildout, in the context of the recommendations in the ADE: Demand report entitled Powered by People, Powered by Place.
Awaiting answer.
With reference to the ADE: Demand report entitled Powered by People, Powered by Place, what assessment has his Department has made of the appropriateness of the exclusion of contracted consumer-led flexibility data from the data collection process informing National Energy System Operation modelling for Regional Energy Strategic Plans.
Awaiting answer.
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she if taking to help ensure that the digital infrastructure underpinning the Deposit Return Scheme includes next-generation barcodes and digital product information.
Exchange for Change, a not-for-profit, industry-led organisation, has been appointed to design and deliver the UK’s Deposit Return Scheme across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, including the specifics of the digital infrastructure and labelling re...
If her Department will publish data on unregulated fare movements by GWR since the regulated freeze was announced on the Bath Spa to London Paddington route.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) publishes annual statistics on changes in rail fares, for both regulated and unregulated fares. The most recent data covers 2024-25 and is available on the ORR website at https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/statistics/finance/r...
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the timetable for auction being brought forward on large renewable projects that have had their Contracts for Difference AR8
The Contracts for Difference Scheme (CfD) runs annually. For Allocation Round 8, the Government confirmed in March it would open the round in July (in AR7, the round opened in August). The Supply Chain Plan (SCP) process opened in April, with results now ...
What evidence the Department has used to inform the proposed definition of low hours for the purposes of the guaranteed hours provisions; and whether an impact assessment will be published for the reta
The Department has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures and will publish further analysis in due course. This includes an assessment of the impact of different hours thresholds and the impacts o...
In respect of guaranteed hours provisions what assessment has been made of the potential impact of a 12 week reference period on employers whose staffing needs vary significantly over the year.
The Department has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures and will publish further analysis in due course.The government has also now published its consultation. The government has stated a prefer...
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of extending the guaranteed hours provisions beyond zero-hours contracts to include low-hours contracts on workers; and what steps he is taking to he
The government has published impact assessments for the zero hours contract measures in the Employment Rights Act.The government has assessed that extending the right to guaranteed hours to workers who already have some hours guaranteed could improve inco...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if the UK will encourage allocation of resources for Ukraine local government support at the forthcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk.
The UK remains steadfast in our support to Ukraine, having provided £21.8 billion in military and non-military assistance since the start of the full scale invasion. This includes support for Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, including through our £5...
What assessment has been made of how different low hours thresholds and different reference period lengths in respect of guaranteed hours provisions may impact workforce flexibility.
The Department has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the zero hours contract measures and will publish further analysis in due course as we implement these measures.The consultation includes specific questions on the potenti...
Whether the Department has considered setting the definition of low hours for the purposes of the guaranteed hours provisions at 8 hours per week or below.
In its consultation, the government has expressed a preference for an hours threshold for the right to guaranteed hours of between 8 and 20 hours per week, on the basis that this is likely to offer the best balance of costs and benefits. The consultation ...
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether there are plans to deliver Pillar 9.5 of the UK-Ukraine 2025 Partnership Agreement.
Delivery of Pillar 9, paragraph 5 of the 100 Year Partnership Agreement is progressing. We want more local authorities to twin with Ukrainian counterparts to enable cooperation that delivers material benefits for people in the UK and Ukraine. Local author...
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending the guaranteed hours provisions beyond zero‑hours contracts to include low‑hours contracts on affected people; and what steps he is taking to help ensure that measures intended to tackle exploitative zero‑hours arrangements protect genuinely flexible low‑hours work.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What evidence his Department has used to inform the proposed definition of low hours for the purposes of the guaranteed hours provisions; and whether an impact assessment will be published for the retail and hospitality sectors.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.
What discussions her Department has had with industry stakeholders on the potential impact of the expiry of the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant on future investment in the UK market.
My officials have been in contact with the industry since the decision to close the grant was shared with them in February 2025. The Government will continue to work with industry to monitor the development of the zero emission motorcycle market and the need for any further interventions on an ongoing basis
What estimate the department has made of the net economic impact of removing the Plug-in Motorcycle Grant.
Ending the £500 Plug-in Motorcycle Grant is not expected to have a significant impact on uptake of zero emission motorcycles or on riders. The Government, working with industry, will monitor the development of the zero emission motorcycle market and the need for any further interventions on an ongoing basis.
How her Department intends to ensure consistency in support across different types of zero emission vehicles following the withdrawal of the incentives for motorcycles.
The Government’s £3 billion zero emission vehicle funding package supports eligible cars, vans, trucks, and wheelchair accessible vehicles.Working with industry, we will continue to monitor the development of the zero emission motorcycle market and the need for any further interventions on an ongoing basis.
Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Animal Welfare Strategy published on 22 December 2025, if she will extend the strategy to include the welfare of marine mammals hunted in the Faroe Islands that also inhabit UK waters.
We remain committed to meeting our international obligations and continue to have concerns about the welfare and sustainability of these hunts. In December 2025 we published the UK Cetacean Conservation Strategy with devolved governments. This includes species hunted in the Faroe Islands and aims to improve the conservation status of cetaceans in UK waters. UK ministers and officials consistently call for an end to cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands. As Chair of the International Whaling Commission’s Conservation Committee and Intersessional Working Group on Welfare, the UK promotes stronger protection and improved welfare for small cetaceans.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the implications of Faroese cetacean hunting for (a) international marine conservation and (b) biodiversity agreements.
We remain committed to meeting our international obligations and continue to have concerns about the welfare and sustainability of these hunts. In December 2025 we published the UK Cetacean Conservation Strategy with devolved governments. This includes species hunted in the Faroe Islands and aims to improve the conservation status of cetaceans in UK waters. UK ministers and officials consistently call for an end to cetacean hunts in the Faroe Islands. As Chair of the International Whaling Commission’s Conservation Committee and Intersessional Working Group on Welfare, the UK promotes stronger protection and improved welfare for small cetaceans.