Written questions by Hinchliff.

What steps he is taking to support manufacturing of the materials needed for the production of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies within the UK.

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out a clear plan to support the growth of the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen technologies, including deployment certainty and timelines for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds; the launch of the first transport and storage allocation round and hydrogen to power business model; establishing the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031; exploring options to expand the CfD Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen; working with projects to deliver events connecting developers and suppliers; and a comprehensive public financial institution offer including the £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund.

What is the potential scope of their proposed consultation on financial support for parents of seriously ill children.

The government has already committed to publish a terms of reference and timeline for its ongoing review of employment rights for unpaid carers this autumn. This will also outline the scope and include a timeline for consulting on employment rights for parents of seriously ill children.

What steps his Department plans to take to support research and development into hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

The Department has allocated around £170 million from the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to hydrogen R&D, including £60m for Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 and £31m for Hydrogen BECCS, advancing production, storage, transport, and negative-emission technologies. The UK is engaging internationally to accelerate hydrogen research and innovation, for example, co-chairing the Clean Hydrogen Mission and participating in the International Energy Agency Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Programme. This Government has a clear focus on commercial deployment, including hydrogen technologies and infrastructure.

What steps he is taking to grow the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan sets out a clear plan to support the growth of the UK’s manufacturing base for hydrogen technologies, including deployment certainty and timelines for future Hydrogen Allocation Rounds; the launch of the first transport and storage allocation round and hydrogen to power business model; establishing the UK’s first regional hydrogen network from 2031; exploring options to expand the CfD Clean Industry Bonus to hydrogen; working with projects to deliver events connecting developers and suppliers; and a comprehensive public financial institution offer including the £1 billion Great British Energy supply chain fund.

What steps he is taking to support hydrogen and fuel cell technology manufacturers to invest in (a) new manufacturing facilities and (b) research and development.

The Government announced a public finance offer for clean energy industries to crowd private investment into sustainable UK supply chains. This includes: a £1 billion Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8 billion for the National Wealth Fund to invest across this Parliament in clean industries including low-carbon hydrogen; and a £4 billion British Business Bank Industrial Strategy Growth Capital scale up and start up financing package. DESNZ has allocated around £170 million from the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio to hydrogen research & development, including £60 million for Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2 and £31million for H2BECCS, advancing production, storage, transport, and negative-emission technologies.

If he will publish a timetable for launching a consultation on financial support for parents of seriously ill children.

The government has already committed to publish a terms of reference and timeline for its ongoing review of employment rights for unpaid carers this autumn. This will also outline the scope and include a timeline for consulting on employment rights for parents of seriously ill children.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) jobs and (b) investment in the UK hydrogen technology manufacturing sector by 2030.

The sector is nascent but is expected to grow significantly; the global hydrogen market could exceed $1 trillion by 2050, with the UK well positioned to capture a substantial share. We intend to publish a revised Hydrogen Strategy which will include the latest hydrogen jobs estimates and set out plans to optimise the job creation and economic benefits delivered by the UK hydrogen economy. We will continue to engage with stakeholders across the hydrogen value chain; working together with industry and unions to identify actions that support the skills and workforce needs of the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.

Whether the provisions of the forthcoming Railways Bill will permit cross-subsidisation between publicly owned and delivered rail services.

The Public Service Obligations in Transport Regulations 2023 allow public authorities to take into account the possibility of grouping cost-covering services with non-cost-covering services when determining what rail services should be provided by a public service operator (and what subsidy (if any) that should be provided to that operator). The forthcoming Railways Bill, due to be introduced into Parliament this session, aims to ensure continuity of this principle and will provide further clarity on the approach to subsidy control once Great British Railways is established and is responsible for all previously-franchised passenger services.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of vacant residential properties.

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country.Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.They can also access funding through the Affordable Homes Programme and Local Authority Housing Fund. Through the New Homes Bonus, local authorities can also receive the same level of reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one.Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found on gov.uk here.The government outlined its intent to strengthen local authorities’ ability to take over the management of vacant residential premises in the English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024. Further details will be set out in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of permitting cross-subsidisation between publicly owned and delivered rail services on the sustainability of rural rail services.

Train operating companies are currently preparing business plans. They will give consideration to rail service patterns, including for rural rail services, with the objective of improving performance of the railway for passengers, reducing the net cost of the railway and retaining access to services for those communities this Government is trying to help most.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to p.94 of the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, if he will publish his Department's (a) proposals and (b) timetable for implementing proposed powers to enable local authorities to take over the management of vacant residential properties.

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country.Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.They can also access funding through the Affordable Homes Programme and Local Authority Housing Fund. Through the New Homes Bonus, local authorities can also receive the same level of reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one.Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found on gov.uk here.The government outlined its intent to strengthen local authorities’ ability to take over the management of vacant residential premises in the English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024. Further details will be set out in due course.

Whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing minimum bus service levels for communities of 300 people or more.

The Government recognises the importance of reliable bus services in keeping communities connected. On 17 December, the government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The aim of the Bill is to give power back to local communities to ensure that bus services reflect the needs of those who rely on these services. We believe that mandating an arbitrary level of service takes power away from communities, and that local leaders are best placed to make decisions about how to improve services. That is why we are providing £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London, including £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated £12.2 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. The Bill also includes a socially necessary local services measure. Under the new measure, local transport authorities will need to identify bus services which they consider socially necessary and put in place requirements that must be followed before they can be substantially changed or cancelled. This includes a review to consider the needs of the local community, as well as taking on board the views of bus passengers who use the service. They will also need to consider any alternative options that are available to preserve vital connectivity.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a minimum standard of bus service for communities of 300 people or more.

The Government recognises the importance of reliable bus services in keeping communities connected. On 17 December, the government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill as part of its ambitious plan for bus reform. The aim of the Bill is to give power back to local communities to ensure that bus services reflect the needs of those who rely on these services. We believe that mandating an arbitrary level of service takes power away from communities, and that local leaders are best placed to make decisions about how to improve services. That is why we are providing £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London, including £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Hertfordshire County Council has been allocated £12.2 million. Local authorities can use this funding to introduce new bus routes, make services more frequent and protect crucial bus routes for local communities. The Bill also includes a socially necessary local services measure. Under the new measure, local transport authorities will need to identify bus services which they consider socially necessary and put in place requirements that must be followed before they can be substantially changed or cancelled. This includes a review to consider the needs of the local community, as well as taking on board the views of bus passengers who use the service. They will also need to consider any alternative options that are available to preserve vital connectivity.

Food and Rural Affairs, what role will organically certified produce have in achieving 50 percent of public sector catering contracts from British producers or those certified to higher environmental standards.

We have published a new national procurement policy statement, which sets out expectations for government contracts to favour products certified to high environmental standards. We are currently considering the policy options available to deliver further on our ambitions for public sector catering, including the role of organic produce.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme on electricity bills for non-exempt consumers.

The government is looking to fund this support by bearing down on levies and other costs in the energy system, alongside revenues from the strengthening and expansion of carbon pricing.

Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Nature Restoration Fund proposed by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the Marine Recovery Fund.

The Marine Recovery Fund is being established as a voluntary mechanism to deliver strategic compensation for offshore wind developers. The Nature Restoration Fund will offer a new way for developers to discharge existing environmental obligations related to protected sites and species, using resources strategically to maximise positive outcomes for nature. There are currently no plans to combine the two funds.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of its proposed exemptions for certain industrial users from (a) Feed-in Tariffs, (b) Renewables Obligation Certificates and (c) the Capacity Market ion levy costs for other industrial, commercial or domestic consumers.

The government is looking to fund this support by bearing down on levies and other costs in the energy system, alongside revenues from the strengthening and expansion of carbon pricing.

If she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of Personal Independence Payment claimants who use some of their Personal Independence Payment to pay for housing costs.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to provide a financial contribution towards the extra costs faced by disabled people and people with long-term health. Claimants are free to use PIP according to their own needs and priorities. Information on how claimants spend their benefit is published in The Uses of Health and Disability Benefits, and, for a subset in receipt of the Support Group rate of Employment and Support Allowance and its Universal Credit equivalent, in chapter 3.4 of The work aspirations and support needs of claimants in the ESA Support Group and Universal Credit equivalent.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the real-terms percentage change in funding for the Affordable Homes Programme in each of the next three financial years.

The 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme averages £2.3 billion of grant capital funding per year.The Spending Review 2025 policy paper (which can be found on gov.uk here) makes clear that spending on our new £39 billion, 10-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme (2026-27 to 2035-36) will reach £4 billion per year in 2029-30 and rise in line with inflation subsequently.As such, government spending on affordable housing investment will have almost doubled by the end of this Parliament.Government does not usually publish year-by-year spend on specific programmes in advance. We will continue to publish past year’s expenditure figures in the department's Annual Report and Accounts.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the projected percentage increase in nominal funding for the Affordable Homes Programme in each of the next three financial years.

The 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme averages £2.3 billion of grant capital funding per year.The Spending Review 2025 policy paper (which can be found on gov.uk here) makes clear that spending on our new £39 billion, 10-year Social and Affordable Homes Programme (2026-27 to 2035-36) will reach £4 billion per year in 2029-30 and rise in line with inflation subsequently.As such, government spending on affordable housing investment will have almost doubled by the end of this Parliament.Government does not usually publish year-by-year spend on specific programmes in advance. We will continue to publish past year’s expenditure figures in the department's Annual Report and Accounts.