Written questions by Cane.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of decoupling electricity prices from wholesale gas prices on household energy bills.

As unabated gas generation is displaced and transitions to a reserve role, wholesale electricity prices will increasingly decouple from the price of gas. Accelerating the deployment of renewable generation, as we are through our Clean Power 2030 Mission, will reduce the frequency with which gas sets the marginal price, helping to rapidly decouple electricity from gas prices without the need for more complex arrangements. This will in turn reduce consumer exposure to volatile international gas prices.

Whether he plans to introduce a social tariff for energy.

I know that more needs to be done to support vulnerable households that are struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power. The Warm Home Discount provides a £150 rebate off winter energy bills for eligible low-income households. On 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from next winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bill costs. On 25 September we published a consultation setting out our intention to continue support for those 6 million households. The consultation sets out proposals for the next scheme period (up to winter 2030/31), after current regulations expire on 31 March 2026. Government is gathering feedback from stakeholders on the design of the core elements of the scheme, options for delivery of the scheme in Scotland, proposals to change some elements of the scheme for suppliers, a call for evidence on Industry Initiatives, and a call for suggestions for future improvements during the next scheme period. The consultation closes on Thursday 20 November.In the interim, I appreciate that one of the biggest practical barriers to providing help to households that need it, is the availability of the right data to target financial support and advice. The Department for Net Zero and Energy Security is working closely with other Government Departments to unlock the data that will enable us to target support more effectively to those who need help with their energy bills.

What support he plans to provide to households in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency with energy bills in winter 2025-26.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. On 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from this winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bills.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of inequalities in cancer treatment access in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients across England, including in Ely and East Cambridgeshire.The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a strong track record in delivering the cancer performance standards over the years. There is a comprehensive action plan to address the recent deterioration in the waiting times that patients are experiencing for cancer diagnostics and treatment. This includes the provision of additional consultant appointments and theatre lists, as well as recruitment to expand capacity across a number of treatment pathways, with breast, urology, and skin cancer services identified as specific priorities to meet local needs.A new Cancer Operational Taskforce has been launched to drive the delivery of the actions required to improve cancer waiting times for patients, including those who reside within the Ely constituency area.The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.Reducing inequalities is also a key priority for the National Cancer Plan. The plan will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival and will develop interventions to tackle these. This includes looking at protected characteristics, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geographic location. We know that people living in deprived areas are less likely to have their cancers diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment can be more effective, and we want to reduce the gap in early diagnosis between those living in the richest and poorest areas through the National Cancer Plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Environment Agency on the adequacy of the level of flood preparedness in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Environment Agency (EA) is supporting 26 flood groups across Cambridgeshire, alongside Cambridgeshire County Council, to be prepared for flooding by creating a flood plan and access to a flood kit. There are two active flood groups in the Ely and East Cambridgeshire area: Cottenham, and Little Downham and Pymoor. Regarding the ongoing inspection, maintenance, and repair of the raised earth embankments river defences in the area, a risk-based approach has been adopted to ensure resources are directed to where they provide the most flood risk benefit. To prepare better for the future, the EA has several strategic projects focused on improving long term flood resilience, these include Fens 2100+ and the Cranbrook/Counter Drain project. Fens 2100+ is developing a long-term plan to manage future flood risk in the Fens and the Cranbrook/Counter Drain project is working on water storage proposals through the restoration of sand and gravel workings.

Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to mitigate the impact of flooding on households ahead of winter 2025-26.

We are investing a record £2.65 billion over two years for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones. Around 1,000 projects will receive fresh funding in 24/25 and 25/26. Flood Action Week, running from 13th of October, will inform the public how to understand their flood risk and the actions they can take. This will include raising awareness of the flood warning service, what to do when they receive a warning, and the benefits of taking property flood resilience measures. The Flood Resilience Taskforce, which brings together national and local government, emergency services and other partners, met on 5 September and reviewed preparedness for flooding in autumn and winter, The Taskforce considered improvements to national flood modelling and forecasting, communication of flood warnings and improving awareness of schemes to support those affected by flooding. The Taskforce concluded that at local and national levels, preparedness for flooding has overall increased compared to September 2024. Taskforce members will continue to work throughout the autumn and winter to protect communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with local authorities on flood preparedness.

The Floods Resilience Taskforce meets quarterly to coordinate and drive forward work on national flood resilience by national and local government, including representatives from Local Resilience Forums, Mayoral Authorities and MHCLG. It met on 8 September and reviewed preparedness for flooding this autumn and winter. The Taskforce discussed the risk of flooding and the improvements made by Taskforce members to prepare, respond and recover. They also discussed national flood modelling and forecasting, communication of flood warnings, exercising of the National Flood Response Centre and improving the awareness of flood schemes. Lead local flood authorities (unitary and county authorities) are required to manage local flood risks from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. Local flood risks should be identified and managed as part of a local flood risk management strategy. The Environment Agency and Defra will continue to work with their partners in local authorities to improve flood readiness, including Lead Local Flood Authorities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Floods Resilience Taskforce is taking to prepare for potential floods in winter 2025-26.

The Flood Resilience Taskforce, which brings together national and local government, emergency services and other partners, met on 8 September and reviewed preparedness for flooding this autumn and winter. The Taskforce discussed the risk of flooding and the improvements made by Taskforce members to prepare, respond and recover, including improvements to national flood modelling and forecasting, communication of flood warnings, exercising of the National Flood Response Centre and improving the awareness of schemes to support those affected by flooding. The Taskforce concluded that at local and national levels, preparedness for flooding has overall increased compared to September 2024. Taskforce members will continue to work throughout the autumn and winter to protect communities.

What steps he plans to take to improve cancer waiting times in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients across England, including in Ely and East Cambridgeshire.The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a strong track record in delivering the cancer performance standards over the years. There is a comprehensive action plan to address the recent deterioration in the waiting times that patients are experiencing for cancer diagnostics and treatment. This includes the provision of additional consultant appointments and theatre lists, as well as recruitment to expand capacity across a number of treatment pathways, with breast, urology, and skin cancer services identified as specific priorities to meet local needs.A new Cancer Operational Taskforce has been launched to drive the delivery of the actions required to improve cancer waiting times for patients, including those who reside within the Ely constituency area.The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.Reducing inequalities is also a key priority for the National Cancer Plan. The plan will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival and will develop interventions to tackle these. This includes looking at protected characteristics, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geographic location. We know that people living in deprived areas are less likely to have their cancers diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment can be more effective, and we want to reduce the gap in early diagnosis between those living in the richest and poorest areas through the National Cancer Plan.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of commencing the Ely junction upgrade project.

The Secretary of State updated Parliament on 7 July regarding which rail and road infrastructure projects will progress following the completion of the Spending Review. The Ely junction scheme was not among those projects funded at this time. The previous government had committed to a number of infrastructure projects that were unfunded, this included the Ely junction scheme.

What discussions her Department had with stakeholders in the horseracing industry prior to the Government's consultation on gambling tax simplification being launched.

As part of the consultation process, the Government engaged with a wide range of stakeholders. We are working with representatives of the horseracing industry to identify any potential unintended consequences for the sector, and how they might be mitigated.

Whether he plans to provide information to communities affected by battery energy storage sites on the safety of those sites.

Communities near potential grid-scale battery sites should be informed about them via planning law, which requires local planning authorities to notify neighbours regarding planning applications either by site notice or letter, and to publish information about the application on a website. This provides the local community the opportunity to make representations about the applicationThe government has published guidance on existing battery safety standards.[1] Separately, the Health and Safety Executive has published guidance[2] for battery duty-holders under health and safety law. While intended for developers, communities may find this information helpful in gaining assurance that appropriate standards are in place for batteries. In GB, fires at battery sites are rare and are mitigated by a regulatory framework overseen by the Health and Safety Executive. The latest available 5-year annual average fire incidence rate for GB batteries is 0.7% (2020/21 to 2024 to 2025)[1], lower than for wider non-domestic building fires in England at 0.8% (2019/20 to 2023/24)[2]. [1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661feca73771f5b3ee757fac/grid-scale-storage-health-safety-guidance.pdf[2] https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/battery-energy-storage-systems.htm

Whether his Department plans to make (a) local fire services and (b) the Environment Agency statutory consultees for battery energy storage sites.

This government takes fire safety extremely seriously. In GB, fires at battery sites are rare and are mitigated by a regulatory framework overseen by the Health and Safety Executive. The latest available 5-year annual average fire incidence rate for GB batteries is 0.7% (2020/21 to 2024 to 2025), lower than for wider non-domestic building fires in England at 0.8% (2019/20 to 2023/24). We do not intend to make fire authorities or the Environment Agency statutory consultees on planning applications involving Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS). However, DEFRA is currently consulting on the principle of including batteries under the scope of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR). EPR requires sites to demonstrate to the Environment Agency that harms are avoided or controlled and would provide for ongoing regulatory inspections.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of safety regulations for battery energy storage sites.

In GB, battery fires are rare and are mitigated by a robust framework overseen by the Health and Safety Executive, requiring responsible parties to ensure safety throughout a battery’s deployment. The latest available 5-year annual average fire incidence rate for GB batteries is 0.7% (2020/21 to 2024 to 2025)1, lower than for wider non-domestic building fires in England at 0.8% (2019/20 to 2023/24).2 To complement this regulation, DEFRA is consulting on including batteries within the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR). EPR requires sites to demonstrate to the Environment Agency that harms are avoided or controlled and provides for ongoing regulatory inspections. [1] https://modoenergy.com/indices/industry-metrics?r=gb&m=operationalSites [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-statistics-monitor

What steps he is taking to increase funding for research and innovation to improve cancer outcomes.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Cancer is one of the largest areas of spend at over £141.6 million in 2024/25, reflecting its high priority.As well as funding cancer research, the Department also invests in centres of excellence, services and facilities to enable and delivery of cancer research in England. This includes NIHR funding for the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres, a UK-wide network for delivery of early phase cancer trials, and NIHR’s Biomedical Research Centres, collaborations between world-leading universities and NHS organisations, bringing together academics and clinicians to do translational research, including for all cancer types. NIHR also works closely with industry to bring innovative research to the United Kingdom. This creates a strong portfolio of work reflecting the need for research and innovation to improve cancer outcomes.Additionally, the Office for Life Sciences’ Cancer Healthcare Goals Programme have invested £21.5m to date for cancer research and innovation programmes, with their aim to maximise and direct global industrial investment for the development and acceleration of new cancer diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and devices in the UK through: providing research investments to support the development of innovations in the early stages of the development pathway; and supporting industry to accelerate cancer diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and devices in the latter stages of development into the National Health Service.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including all cancer types.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that women in the armed forces are equipped with appropriate (a) uniforms and (b) equipment.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is continually seeking to ensure all women in our Armed Forces are equipped with appropriate clothing, including uniforms, and equipment. Following the House of Commons Defence Sub-Committee on Women in the Armed Forces report, "Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life" published on 25 July 2021, the MOD responded by starting work on improving the experience for women in the Armed Forces, and a branch of that was through updating clothing. Women’s uniform and equipment is now regularly reviewed and discussed at a Defence-level working group to ensure the equal provision of safe and suitable clothing and equipment to all Service personnel to allow them to deliver their operational outputs and effects. So far, suppliers have developed more than 85 samples across 38 key clothing items to ensure the female fit meets the requirement. New items now available to women include sports bras, Mess Dress trousers and under-body armour combat shirts. The Tactical Ballistic Plate project will deliver hard armour plates in a range of different sizes, ensuring greater comfort and integration for all users across Defence. Successful Human Factors Integration trials have been completed across a diverse cohort, that included female representation. Narrow-fit Scalable Tactical Vest STV are now in service, which provides improved fit and comfort for all personnel, with special measuring available for those who measure outside of the 12 sizes available.

Innovation and Technology, if the Government will allocate Ministerial responsibility for science centres to a specific Department.

The UK’s Science and Discovery Centres have an important role in engaging the public with science and technology and in inspiring young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, their primary role is as visitor centres focussed on the role of science in the UK’s culture. DSIT will engage with DCMS to discuss how government’s relationship with these important institutions can best be supported going forward.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to immigration laws on the level of recruitment of skilled science professionals from abroad.

The Government remains committed to attracting the best talent from around the world to the UK.The Immigration White Paper makes clear the valuable contribution that high-skilled workers make to our science and technology sectors. It also set-out our ambition to increase the number of very high skilled individuals coming here through high-talent routes like the Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries.DSIT is working closely with the Home Office to implement these commitments.

If he will take further steps to support children's hospices with their energy costs.

While most palliative care and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including children’s hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life and their loved ones.Most children’s hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between integrated care board (ICB) areas. This will vary depending on demand in that ICB area but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provision from both NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area.We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We know that many hospices have chosen to use this funding on energy efficiency measures, such as boiler upgrades or solar panel installation, to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency in the longer term.We are also providing £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices for 2025/26.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that women in the armed forces are equipped with appropriate (a) uniforms and (b) equipment.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is continually seeking to ensure all women in our Armed Forces are equipped with appropriate clothing, including uniforms, and equipment. Following the House of Commons Defence Sub-Committee on Women in the Armed Forces report, "Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life" published on 25 July 2021, the MOD responded by starting work on improving the experience for women in the Armed Forces, and a branch of that was through updating clothing. Women’s uniform and equipment is now regularly reviewed and discussed at a Defence-level working group to ensure the equal provision of safe and suitable clothing and equipment to all Service personnel to allow them to deliver their operational outputs and effects. So far, suppliers have developed more than 85 samples across 38 key clothing items to ensure the female fit meets the requirement. New items now available to women include sports bras, Mess Dress trousers and under-body armour combat shirts. The Tactical Ballistic Plate project will deliver hard armour plates in a range of different sizes, ensuring greater comfort and integration for all users across Defence. Successful Human Factors Integration trials have been completed across a diverse cohort, that included female representation. Narrow-fit Scalable Tactical Vest STV are now in service, which provides improved fit and comfort for all personnel, with special measuring available for those who measure outside of the 12 sizes available.