Wera Hobhouse MP: written questions
214 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Wind Power: ScotlandDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 30 May 2025AnsweredUIN 55152More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of capacity allocation in the Clean Power Plan for Scottish onshore wind between 2031 and 2035.
Answer: The 2035 capacity number for Scotland is based on National Energy System Operator's Future Energy Scenarios, which present credible pathways to decarbonise our energy system as we strive towards the 2050 target. We therefore consider the capacity allocati...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordActive TravelDepartment for TransportTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53131More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the size of vehicles on the uptake of active travel by (a) young and (b) other people.
Answer: There are no current plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of vehicle sizes on active travel uptake. Active Travel England is working with local authorities across England to support the development of safe and accessible walking and cycling...
Answered 23 May 2025
Original Parliament recordEnergy Company ObligationDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 19 May 2025AnsweredUIN 53130More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of removing the social housing obligation from future iterations of the Energy Company Obligation scheme on the retrofit measures provide
Answer: We are committed to meeting fuel poverty and Net Zero targets, and we are currently considering what policy mix will best achieve that, including what role energy company obligations should play post-2026.
Answered 28 May 2025
Original Parliament recordDrax Power Station: SubsidiesDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 May 2025AnsweredUIN 51136More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, for what reason The Contracts for Difference (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2025 do not include time limits on extended subsidies to Drax.
Answer: The Government agreed Heads of Terms with Drax for short-term support from 2027-2031 to ensure UK security of security, as outlined in the ministerial statement in February. This represents a step-change in arrangements and Drax will provide power only wh...
Answered 15 May 2025
Original Parliament recordHydrogen: Carbon EmissionsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50549More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he is taking steps to develop a strategic framework to enable the integration of hydrogen into future net zero energy systems.
Answer: Hydrogen will be key in reaching net zero, helping decarbonise industrial processes and heavy transport where it’s harder or more expensive to electrify, complementing wider electrification efforts. Hydrogen to power was identified in our December Clean P...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordElectricity InterconnectorsDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 7 May 2025AnsweredUIN 50548More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to support interconnector infrastructure.
Answer: Interconnector development is a developer-led process in GB. Projects are given regulatory approval through Ofgem, a process with no formal role for Government. We welcome Ofgem’s decision to approve five new interconnector projects, including two Offshor...
Answered 16 May 2025
Original Parliament recordEating Disorders: DeathDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 29 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49020More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the accurate recording of deaths related to eating disorders; and what steps he is taking with the (a) National Medical Examiner, (b) Office for Nation
Answer: It is important that all deaths are recorded accurately, and it is right that the extent to which eating disorders and other factors have caused or contributed to deaths should be explored further, in collaboration with stakeholders including the National...
Answered 13 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsHome OfficeTabled 29 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49019More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on ending the use of forced swim tests since writing to the (a) Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and (b) UKRI requesting expedited research to find validate
Answer: The Home Office wrote to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the UKRI in February 2024 to consider the recommendation to request further research into non-animal methods to replace the Forced Swim Test (FST).The Home Office Regulator ...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal Experiments: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 29 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49018More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many active licences there are for the authorised use of the forced swim test.
Answer: The Home Office wrote to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the UKRI in February 2024 to consider the recommendation to request further research into non-animal methods to replace the Forced Swim Test (FST).The Home Office Regulator ...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsHome OfficeTabled 29 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 49017More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the letter from Lord Sharpe of Epsom responding to the Animals in Science Committee forced swim test report, published on 5 March 2024, what the deadline is for ending the use of for
Answer: The Home Office wrote to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and the UKRI in February 2024 to consider the recommendation to request further research into non-animal methods to replace the Forced Swim Test (FST).The Home Office Regulator ...
Answered 8 May 2025
Original Parliament recordWarm Homes Plan: BristolDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 48492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the reduction of the funding for home energy upgrades in the Warm Homes Local Grant compared to the Home Upgrade Grant 2 for Bristol City Council; and whether thi
Answer: Bristol City Council’s consortium was awarded £13,458,463 under Warm Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG), which is ~£2m more than the £11,393,650 awarded under Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2). Whilst HUG2 was allocated £700m in 2021 by the previous government compared...
Answered 7 May 2025
Original Parliament recordAgriculture: Inheritance TaxDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45785More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief on the (a) Agricultural Transition Plan and (b) Food Security Strategy.
Answer: The Agricultural Transition Plan was the policy of the previous Government and covers the period 2021 to 2024. This Government remains committed to supporting the farming industry by carrying on the transition away from payment for land ownership and towa...
Answered 12 May 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial PrescribingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45784More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether consideration has been given to the importance of (a) gardening and (b) nature-based therapies in improving (i) physical, (ii) social and (iii) mental health in the development of a neighbo
Answer: We are committed to moving towards a Neighbourhood Heath Service, with more care delivered in local communities to spot problems earlier, supporting people to stay healthier and maintain their independence for longer. There will be a focus on shifting the...
Answered 28 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordOutdoor EducationDepartment for EducationTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45783More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of (a) outdoor learning and (b) horticultural education on the development of (i) children and (ii) young people.
Answer: The department has not undertaken a specific assessment on the potential impact of outdoor learning and horticultural education on the development of children and young people.However, access to green space has been shown to have positive impacts on the p...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordHorticultureMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45782More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the report entitled Mission Green Growth: A Strategic Plan from the Environmental Horticulture G
Answer: The government has made no assessment of the implications for the Department’s policies of the report entitled Mission Green Growth: A Strategic Plan from the Environmental Horticulture Group, published in Autumn 2024.
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMethane: Pollution ControlDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45781More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what resources his Department has allocated to the policy (a) development and (b) implementation of the UK’s commitments to the Global Methane Pledge.
Answer: Tackling methane emissions is a priority for the department including as part of the Global Methane Pledge's target (to collectively reduce global methane emissions by 30% by 2030), and under the Climate Change Act. Resource is spread across a number of d...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordAir Pollution: MethaneDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 17 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 45780More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition's press release entitled United Kingdom Elected as co-chair of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, highlighting ambitious agenda to tack
Answer: The UK and Brazil recently co-chaired the first Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Board meeting of 2025. Taking ambitious action on methane remains a key focus for the CCAC and the UK and Brazil are working closely together on this shared objective, ...
Answered 29 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordRenewable Energy: Capital InvestmentTreasuryTabled 2 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 903674More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to increase investment in renewable infrastructure projects.
Answer: The Prime Minister’s Plan for Change sets out our ambitious but achievable target of Clean Power by 2030. The Clean Power Action Plan demonstrates the significant investment requirements to reach this target, including in renewable infrastructure, and act...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordLow Traffic NeighbourhoodsDepartment for TransportTabled 2 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43552More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to enforce statutory guidelines on implementing low traffic neighbourhoods.
Answer: The draft guidance on low traffic neighbourhoods published in March 2024 was never brought into force and remains in draft. As it says in the introduction, the intention was that when published in final form, it would apply to all traffic authorities in E...
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordAir PollutionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 39057More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which Department or agency leads on the Cross Government Working Level Group on Indoor Air Quality; how often it has met since Public Health England closed in September 2021; and which Ministers ar
Answer: The Department co-ordinated the Cross Government Working Level Group on Indoor Air Quality following the closure of Public Health England in September 2021. Since that date the group has met five times, most recently in July 2023. Ministers have not atten...
Answered 2 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordMicrogeneration: Government AssistanceDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35732More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to provide support to (a) anaerobic digestion plants and (b) other small energy producers.
Answer: 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 other small scale generators. We are continuing to ...
Answered 13 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordBiomethane: UK Emissions Trading SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 5 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 35731More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of treating biomethane in the same way as fossil gases under the UK Emissions trading scheme on (a) the anaerobic digesti
Answer: Biomethane can play an important role in reducing reliance on imported gas, increasing our country’s energy security, and helping to deliver net zero. The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) applies a zero emissions factor to biomethane combustion where it ...
Answered 13 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordWater Power: IndustryDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 34918More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the role marine energy will play in the UK's industrial strategy.
Answer: The Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors, including the Clean Energy sector, and will be published in Spring 2025. These are sectors in which the UK excels today and will propel us tomorrow. Regarding marine energy, exi...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordWave PowerDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 34917More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what engagement he has had with the wave energy sector to support the technology commercialising in the UK.
Answer: Details of ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on gov.uk.
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament recordTidal Power and Wave PowerDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 3 Mar 2025AnsweredUIN 34916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much innovation funding has the (a) tidal stream and (b) wave energy sectors received since 2020.
Answer: Tidal stream and wave technology projects are eligible to apply for a suite of innovation funding programmes delivered by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Through UKRI, several such projects have won support through programmes administered by Resear...
Answered 11 Mar 2025
Original Parliament record
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