Written questions by Hobhouse.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of the temporary easement for wine on the supply chain for UK-based importers.

In August 2023 the Government introduced reforms to alcohol duty so that products are taxed in proportion to their alcoholic strength, not volume.To help the wine industry adapt to the new duty system, the current, temporary duty easement was introduced as a transitional measure, which was intended to allow time for wine producers to adapt to calculating duty based on alcohol by volume. By the end-date of 31 January 2025, the wine industry will have had over two years to adapt to the new strength-based system. The Government publishes tax information and impact notes (TIINs) for tax policy changes. The summary of impacts from the changes to alcohol duty announced at Spring Budget 2023, including the wine easement, can be found here: Reform of Alcohol Duty Rates and Reliefs - GOV.UK

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the withdrawal of the temporary easement for wine on SMEs in the wine industry.

In August 2023 the Government introduced reforms to alcohol duty so that products are taxed in proportion to their alcoholic strength, not volume.To help the wine industry adapt to the new duty system, the current, temporary duty easement was introduced as a transitional measure, which was intended to allow time for wine producers to adapt to calculating duty based on alcohol by volume. By the end-date of 31 January 2025, the wine industry will have had over two years to adapt to the new strength-based system. The Government publishes tax information and impact notes (TIINs) for tax policy changes. The summary of impacts from the changes to alcohol duty announced at Spring Budget 2023, including the wine easement, can be found here: Reform of Alcohol Duty Rates and Reliefs - GOV.UK

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of recognising book and claim as a form of corporate emissions reporting.

Large or listed UK companies are required to disclose specified emissions under the regulations which underpin Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting. Currently, Government is considering the International Sustainability Standards Board reporting requirements which do not prohibit the use of book and claim for emissions, subject to transparent reporting and verification. DESNZ is also reviewing the Environmental Reporting Guidance which includes guidance on reporting renewable energy where Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin are used alongside physical purchase of energy, as well as use of carbon offsets. However, there are no plans to conduct a specific assessment of the merits of book and claim at the present time.

What steps his Department is taking to help support a just energy transition in the North Sea.

The UK Government is committed to making Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030.As we make the carefully phased transition to clean energy, we will build alternative opportunities for oil and gas workers - to which we’ve already committed £22bn of investment.What’s more, we have created the National Wealth Fund to invest in our clean energy industries. I have seen first hand what great work is taking place - including just last week at Dundee Port.

If he will make it his policy to strengthen the biomass sustainability auditing regime before any new Contracts for Difference are awarded.

The 2023 Biomass Strategy contained a commitment to consult on developing and implementing a cross-sector sustainability framework to enable greater consistency across sectors. Next steps on this will be announced in due course.

If her Department will add heat batteries for a central heating system to the list of energy saving materials that are zero-rated.

The installation of qualifying energy-saving materials in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose benefits from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027. Last year, a Call for Evidence (CfE) seeking views on additional technologies to potentially include within this relief was run. Heat batteries were one of the technologies put forwards by respondents. 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, making it difficult to assess the technology’s energy-saving properties objectively. 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.

Whether he plans to take steps to provide financial support to the homes that his Department considers to be too expensive or difficult to install a heat pump into.

The Government recognises that heat pumps may not be feasible in a small number of properties, and these homes will require alternative low-carbon heating solutions to help them decarbonise. The Government is committed to incentivising properties to transition to cleaner, affordable heating and our Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills.

With reference to Ofsted's report entitled Review of sexual abuse in schools and colleges, published on 10 June 2021, what discussions her Department has had with Ofsted on the extent to which it has implemented the recommendations under actions for the inspectorates.

The department has regular discussions with Ofsted on a wide range of aspects, including its approaches to inspection and the safeguarding of children and young people. On the specific matter of Ofsted’s implementation of the actions set out in its report, I have asked His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver to write to the hon. Member directly and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6413 on Sizewell C Power Station: Finance, for what reason disclosure of the proportions of capital allocated by Sizewell C Ltd is considered commercially sensitive; and whether his Department holds that information.

Sizewell C’s spending plans are agreed by shareholders, including Government. The public disclosure of detailed spending plans whilst the project is engaged in live commercial negotiations could have a negative impact on the project’s negotiating position and undermine the project’s value for money.Sizewell C Ltd publishes an annual report and accounts, which are available to view at Companies House. This sets out expenditure and income for each financial year.The Department also includes information about amounts invested into the project via its annual report and accounts, which are published and laid before Parliament.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 September 2024 to Question 2122 and of 10 September 2024 to Question 5089 on Great British Nuclear: Recruitment, from what organisations how many personnel have been (a) seconded and (b) recruited to Great British Nuclear.

GBN has grown rapidly as an organisation to deliver on its mission and now has over 100 personnel working for it, including 51 staff seconded from 16 organisations. GBN has permanent recruitment underway, and all roles are advertised, with applications welcomed from candidates from all backgrounds and organisations.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Building Regulations Act 2010 to introduce mandatory reporting on embodied carbon emissions for projects (a) with a gross internal area of 1000m2 or more and (b) that create more than 10 dwellings to help meet the UK's climate change commitments.

Reducing embodied carbon emissions from the built environment is a key part of meeting the country’s net zero targets. These emissions predominantly come from the supply chains leading to new buildings, and there is work across government to decarbonise those supply chains. The Building Regulations are one of several mechanisms that could be used to encourage reporting of embodied carbon in construction, and my department is currently considering the role they might play.

Whether he plans to extend support for landfill gas to energy operators beyond 2027.

Government is aware that support under the Renewables Obligation Scheme, including some that landfill gas generators hold, concludes from 2027 onwards. We are speaking with a variety of generators to understand the impact that the conclusion of support will have on their future operations. This will inform considerations about whether further support is required.

If he will take legislative steps to ban the routine (a) flaring and (b) venting of oil and gas by 2030.

The UK has committed to the World Bank’s ‘Zero Routine Flaring by 2030’ Initiative, and has additionally committed to end routine venting by 2030. In the North Sea Transition Deal the UK industry committed to accelerate compliance ahead of 2030. With support from Government, industry is on track to meet these ambitious targets.According to the North Sea Transition Authority, flaring reduced by 49% between 2018 and 2023, and methane emissions fell by more than 50% in the same period.

With reference to the paragraph 52 of the Second Special Report of the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2019 on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life: Government Response to the Committee’s Twentieth Report of Session 2017-19, HC160, published on 30 October 2019, what recent progress his Department has made on developing revised regulations to replace the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988; and if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the consultation conducted by the Office for Product Safety and Standards entitled, Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture on proposals for a new approach to the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture, which closed on 24 October 2023.

Following the formation of the Government in July, the Department for Business and Trade is considering next steps for this important issue, including reviewing the evidence gathered from the 2023 consultation, Smarter Regulation: Fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture. The recommendations of the Environmental Audit Committee following the inquiry Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life formed part of the evidence base informing the consultation proposals. The Government will engage with consumer organisations, businesses, and other interested groups and provide updates in due course.

If she will include in the forthcoming Budget proposals relating to the plastic packaging tax - chemical recycling and adoption of a mass balance approach consultation, published on 18 July 2023.

The government has confirmed its intent to publish a response to this consultation by the end of the year. Further details of the government’s response will be set out in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have had discussions with His Majesty's Treasury on the Government's response to the consultation on Plastic Packaging Tax - chemical recycling and adoption of a mass balance approach, published on 18 July 2023.

Yes. Officials in Defra work closely with HM Treasury colleagues. We are aware that the Treasury has committed to publishing a response to the consultation before the end of this year.

How much and what proportion of the funding that his Department has allocated to the proposed new nuclear plant at Sizewell C has been allocated for (a) land clearance, (b) other site preparation, (c) essential forgings and (d) other components for reactors.

Specific details of the project’s spending plans are commercially sensitive – and budget allocations for different elements of work are set by the company, Sizewell C Limited. As majority shareholders in the project, government has previously committed to invest £2.5 billion in the project’s development and recently strengthened this with a further subsidy scheme of up to £5.5 billion to provide certainty and ensure the project has access to the necessary financial support to remain on schedule.

What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of flexible energy systems on consumers.

The transition to a smarter energy system can bring benefits for many consumers. This was a key factor in a call for evidence carried out earlier this year on the future of default tariffs in a more flexible market https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/default-energy-tariffs-for-households-call-for-evidence DESNZ and Ofgem will continue to work closely to ensure that consumers can benefit from a more flexible energy system whilst being protected from unfair or inefficient pricing.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the National Energy System Operator (NESO) integrates demand side flexibility into its market design.

NESO's role is set out in legislation and licences and is regulated by Ofgem. It has a statutory duty to have regard to the Strategy and Policy Statement, which was issued earlier this year and sets out the government’s intention for NESO to consider ‘opportunities to shift and manage demand through smart solutions, such as electricity or hydrogen storage, demand side response and low carbon generation.’ Demand side flexibility has a key role to play in delivering clean power by 2030 and making Britain a clean energy superpower. Such opportunities will include the potential to further integrate demand side response through changes to the design and operation of the markets that NESO operates.