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 161–180 of 200 · this parliament
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-...
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 ‘opp...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to support the application of the food and drink waste hierarchy for surplus food.
The Department will hold discussion with the supply chain on a range of issues including how to prevent waste. We remain committed to the programme of work led by The Waste and Resources Programme (WRAP) to drive down surplus and waste across the supply c...
Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to take steps to ensure that mandatory food waste reporting will take into account companies who (a) are aligned with existing reporting requirements under
The previous Government held a consultation wherein stakeholders were asked about their views on the scope of any reporting requirements. It can be found at Improved food waste reporting by large food businesses in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The Waste ...
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the merits of introducing mandatory food waste reporting.
The previous Government held a consultation wherein stakeholders were asked about their views on the scope of any reporting requirements. It can be found at Improved food waste reporting by large food businesses in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The Waste ...
Pursuant to his Answer of 2 September 2024 to Question 2122 on Great British Nuclear: Recruitment, if he will list (a) the organisations from which personnel have been seconded to Great Briti
GBN has grown rapidly as an organisation to deliver on its mission and now has over 100 personnel working for it, including those seconded from a range of organisations. Permanent recruitment for the Executive Team is actively underway and this will be fo...
What assessment he has made of the potential implications for public expenditure of the provision of a further £5.5 billion for additional development support for the proposed new nuclear pow
While working towards a final investment decision on Sizewell C, we have established a new subsidy scheme of up to £5.5 billion to ensure the government can provide the project with the necessary financial support to remain on track. Decisions about provi...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that food waste reporting requirements on businesses are (a) effective and (b) not overly burdensome.
The previous Government held a consultation wherein stakeholders were asked about their views on the scope of any reporting requirements. It can be found at Improved food waste reporting by large food businesses in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The Waste ...
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce food waste; and what discussions he has had with industry representatives on the best way to tackle the issue.
The Department will hold discussion with the supply chain on a range of issues including how to prevent waste. We remain committed to the programme of work led by The Waste and Resources Programme (WRAP) to drive down surplus and waste across the supply c...
Whether his Department plans to respond to the consultation entitled Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales, which closed on 8 January 2021; and wheth
We will require private landlords to make improvements to their properties by 2030. Ensuring warmer, healthier private rented homes will lift many families out of fuel poverty and reduce energy bills. We will consider the evidence gathered as part of the ...
What plans she has to increase the take-up of pension credit.
The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. As part of the current Pension Credit Week of Action, we have joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim. From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply. Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment. We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.
What the cost to her Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment in that period; and how much each Minister received.
In accordance with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, paid Ministers below the age of 65 are entitled to a loss of office payment of one quarter of their claimed annual ministerial salary when they cease to hold office.Details of ministerial severance payments can be found in the Wales Office annual report and accounts.
What the cost to her Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
In accordance with the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, paid Ministers below the age of 65 are entitled to a loss of office payment of one quarter of their claimed annual ministerial salary when they cease to hold office.Departments are required to publish the detail of any ministerial severance payments made within their Annual Report and Accounts each year.Details of such payments are published in departmental annual reports and accounts:Ministry of Justice Annual Report and Accounts 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Ministry of Justice Annual Report and Accounts 2021 to 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Ministry of Justice Annual Report and Accounts 2020 to 2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Ministry of Justice Annual Report and Accounts 2019 to 2020 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)The financial accounts for 2023/24 will be released in due course.
Food and Rural Affairs, what the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
The details of any ministerial severance payments can be found in our Annual Report & Accounts.
What the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
Ministerial severance payments in each year from December 2019 to May 2024 are published as part of the annual reportand accounts for the Department. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministry-of-defence-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of means-testing the winter fuel payment on those no longer eligible for that payment.
This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement.Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged 80 and over. We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. Over the next five years we expect over 12 million pensioners are likely to see their State Pensions increase by thousands of pounds as a result of our commitment to the Triple Lock. Protecting the Triple Lock even in the current economic climate shows our steadfast commitment to pensioners. We are also providing support through our Warm Homes Plan which pensioners will benefit from. This will support investment in insulation and low carbon heating – upgrading millions of homes over this Parliament. Our long-term plan will protect billpayers permanently, reduce fuel poverty, and get the UK back on track to meet our climate goals. The Household Support Fund is also being extended for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £500 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF, including funding for the Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion.
What the cost to her Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
The details of severance payments made to former ministers can be found in our Annual Report & Accounts.Information for the 2024/25 financial year will be published in due course.
What the cost to his Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
The department publishes details of all ministerial remuneration including compensation for loss of office in its Annual Reports and Accounts. The information can be viewed on gov.uk at this address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/cabinet-office-annual-reports-and-accounts The Cabinet Office has published Annual Reports and Accounts for periods up to and including the financial year 2022/23. The 2023/2024 Annual Report and Account is due to be published in the Autumn. Information related to the financial year 2024/25 will be published after that year has closed.
Media and Sport, what the cost to her Department was of Ministerial severance payments during each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment; and how much each Minister received.
Under the Ministerial and Other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, eligible Ministers who leave office are entitled to a one off payment equivalent to one quarter of their annual salary at the point at which they leave the government.This applies only where a Minister is under 65 and is not appointed to a ministerial office within three weeks of leaving government.Individuals may waive the payment to which they are entitled. That is a matter for their personal discretion, but this approach has been taken in the past.Details of such payments are published in departmental annual reports and accounts, and ministerial salaries are published on GOV.UK. Future disclosures for 2023/24 will be published in due course.
What the cost to her Department was of ministerial severance payments in each year from 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024; which Ministers received a severance payment in that period; and how much each Minister received.
Details of ministerial severance payments are published in the HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor Annual Report and Accounts. These can be found here: Transparency andfreedom of information releases - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).I confirm that over the period 19 December 2019 to 30 May 2024, the following payments were made:The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Cox KC MP – £23,612 (February 2020)The Rt Hon Alex Chalk KC – £14,490 (August 2022)Edward Timpson CBE KC – £14,490 (October 2022)The Rt Hon Sir Michael Ellis KC – £23,612 (November 2022)Information on any payments from 31 May 2024 will be released in due course.All severance payments were made under the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, which provides for severance payments to ministers who cease to hold office and are not re-appointed to government within three weeks. This reflects the lack of any notice period when ministers leave government.