Written questions by Hobhouse.

What steps his Department is taking to support (a) small anaerobic digestion plants and (b) other small energy producers.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants and small scale biomass generators. We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact of the end of Renewables Obligation support on security of supply, clean power 2030 and the environment. Anaerobic digestion plants do have alternative sources of support available such as the Green Gas Support Scheme that provides support for biomethane grid injection.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the end of the Renewable Obligation Certificates scheme on anaerobic digestion plants.

The Government is aware that the expiration of Renewables Obligation accreditation may affect the commercial viability of generators from a range of technologies, including anaerobic digestion plants. We are continuing to assess the situation to understand the impact of the end of Renewables Obligation support on security of supply, clean power 2030 and the environment. Anaerobic digestion plants do have alternative sources of support available such as the Green Gas Support Scheme that provides support for biomethane grid injection.

Whether the UK Emissions Trading Scheme will be ready and aligned with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel mandate by the end of 2026.

Aircraft operators that use eligible sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can currently claim a reduction in their UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations. In June 2023, the UK ETS Authority committed to review its approach to SAF within the UK ETS, acknowledging the significance of the SAF Mandate to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. The UK ETS Authority will consult on a range of options, including SAF Mandate alignment in due course.

If he will carry out a review of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to ensure alignment with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate; and if he will take steps to ensure that the ETS is reviewed in time to facilitate the deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Aircraft operators that use eligible sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can currently claim a reduction in their UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) obligations. In June 2023, the UK ETS Authority committed to review its approach to SAF, acknowledging the significance of the SAF Mandate to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. The Authority will consult on a range of options in due course.

Whether her Department has carried out analysis of the potential impact of Heathrow expansion since October 2017.

The Government supports and is inviting proposals for a third runway, to be brought forward by the summer.We will then take forward a full assessment of these proposals through the Airport National Policy Statement. This will ensure that the project delivers value for money and that it is delivered in line with legal, environmental and climate obligations.

When he plans to respond to the consultation entitled Regulating Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) in the retail energy market, published on 20 September 2024.

Third-party intermediaries (TPIs) like price comparison websites, energy brokers, and auto-switching services are vital in helping consumers navigate the retail energy market, acting as intermediaries between energy suppliers and customers. However, not all TPIs offer optimal services. While most operate ethically and responsibly, there are exceptions. Several consumer harms have been reported, such as TPIs prioritising their own commercial interests over consumers', opaque contracting practices (including verbal contracts in the non-domestic market), instances of mis-selling, inadequate dispute resolution, and poor customer service. The Government consultation on regulating TPIs in the retail energy market closed on 15 November. A government response will follow in due course once we have reviewed the feedback received.

What assessment his Department has made of (a) the prevalence of malpractice in the third-party intermediary energy retail market and (b) the potential impact of the policies within the consultation entitled Regulating Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs) in the retail energy market, published on 20 September 2024, on levels of malpractice.

Third-party intermediaries (TPIs) like price comparison websites, energy brokers, and auto-switching services are vital in helping consumers navigate the retail energy market, acting as intermediaries between energy suppliers and customers. However, not all TPIs offer optimal services. While most operate ethically and responsibly, there are exceptions. Several consumer harms have been reported, such as TPIs prioritising their own commercial interests over consumers', opaque contracting practices (including verbal contracts in the non-domestic market), instances of mis-selling, inadequate dispute resolution, and poor customer service. The Government consultation on regulating TPIs in the retail energy market closed on 15 November. A government response will follow in due course once we have reviewed the feedback received.

With reference to NHS England's news entitled Early cancer diagnosis in England reaches highest ever level, published on 2 January 2025, if he will publish data on the number of cancers diagnosed at (a) Stage 1 and (b) Stage 2 by cancer type for each of the last five years for which data is available.

Data on the number of all stageable cancers diagnosed at both stage 1 and stage 2 are collected by cancer type. This data is compiled by the National Disease Registration Service and published by NHS England, with more information available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics

With reference to NHS England's news entitled Early cancer diagnosis in England reaches highest ever level, published on 2 January 2025, whether data on the number of cancers diagnosed at (a) Stage 1 and (b) Stage 2 is collected by cancer type.

Data on the number of all stageable cancers diagnosed at both stage 1 and stage 2 are collected by cancer type. This data is compiled by the National Disease Registration Service and published by NHS England, with more information available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics

What estimate his Department has made of the potential cost savings to social care budgets of providing universal access to Fracture Liaison Services each year.

The Government and NHS England support the clinical case for services which help to prevent fragility fractures and support the patients who sustain them. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.Impacts will be assessed, including adult social care budgets, taking into consideration the evidence gathered from the 60 services already in operation in England.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential costs savings to the NHS of providing universal access to Fracture Liaison Services in each year.

The Government and NHS England support the clinical case for services which help to prevent fragility fractures and support the patients who sustain them. My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is committed to rolling out Fracture Liaison Services across every part of the country by 2030.Costs savings to the National Health Service will be assessed taking into consideration the evidence gathered from the 60 services already in operation in England.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to funding for Level 7 apprenticeships from the Growth and Skills Levy on the availability of Clinical Associates in Psychology in the NHS.

The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth with the support of a strong skills system.This government has made tough choices to fix the foundations of our economy in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers. The department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund Level 7 apprenticeships, outside of the levy-funded growth and skills offer.The department will take advice from Skills England, who have been engaging with employers on this, and expects to make a final decision on affected apprenticeships soon.Learners who have started these apprenticeships will be funded through to completion.

If he will take steps ensure that the intellectual property chapter in a free trade agreement with India includes commitments to the (a) UN Sustainable Development Goals, (b) International Treaty on Pl

Following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister on 18 November, the Prime Minister announced that UK-India trade talks will relaunch in the new year. While we do not comment on the details of negotiations, work is underway across government to prepare f...

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of adding carbon capture, utilisation and storage costs onto household bills.

We have created several business models to fund CCUS projects, designed to ensure value for money whilst providing long term sight of revenue streams for investors. CCUS will be funded by a mixture of exchequer and levy sources, the exact split to be dete...

What plans he has for increased (a) funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and (b) support for additional low-carbon heating technologies.

On 21 November the Government announced £30 million of additional budget for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for this financial year in response to increased uptake to the scheme. It was also confirmed that the scheme budget for the next financial year will be ...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) restoring a three-year window for solar photovoltaics and (b) allowing solar Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects to bid

Solar projects over 5MW were eligible to apply for Allocation Round 6. 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 deliv...

Whether his Department plans to allow large-scale development consent order solar projects to bid for future Contracts for Difference auctions.

Solar projects over 5MW were eligible to apply for Allocation Round 6. 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 deliv...

How many civil servants in his Department are working on (a) demand flexibility, (b) Great British Energy, (c) hydrogen, (d) carbon capture and storage, (e) nuclear energy, (f) the review of

The Department has around 4500 full time equivalents (FTE) working across multiple policy areas and programmes. These include demand flexibility, Great British Energy, Carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen, nuclear, the review of electricity m...

What proportion of funding from the public purse for Sizewell C has been (a) spent on and (b) committed to companies with headquarters in (i) the UK and (ii) what foreign countries.

The details of contracts agreed by Sizewell C with its suppliers are commercially sensitive. The project has made a commitment to spend 70 per cent of the construction value in the UK.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes made to National Insurance contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024 on not-for-profit social care providers.

The Budget will provide support for government departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer NICs costs. Private sector firms or charities, including social care providers, that are contracted by central or local government will no...