Every parliamentary written question tabled by Graham Stuart this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 94 · this parliament
With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Every child achieving and thriving, updated on 27 April 2026, if she will set out how the proposed targeted layer of support for children with SEND will d
The department is investing £1.6 billion in an Inclusive Mainstream Fund to support the development of a more inclusive education system. Over £500 million per year will be provided to early years, schools and colleges to boost their existing core funding...
That the consent based model for determining the location of GDFs for storing nuclear waste remains government policy.
The Government remains committed to delivering a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) as the long-term solution for the safe and secure management of the UK’s most hazardous radioactive waste. The process for identifying a suitable location for a GDF remain...
Whether she plans to introduce a strategy for motorcycle safety.
By miles travelled, motorcyclists are over 40 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than someone travelling by car. That is why motorcyclist safety was included in the new Road Safety Strategy. Although there are no plans for a separate motorcycle strategy at this time the Road Safety Strategy announced a consultation on an ambitious package of reforms to the training, testing and licensing regime for Category A moped and motorcycle licences in Great Britain. That consultation closes on May 11th.
What criteria he will use to decide the location of the UK’s first integrated hydrogen transport and storage network.
Officials are progressing the design of both the business models and the Regional Hydrogen Network competition at pace. Criteria are being developed to select the most strategically beneficial location for the first regional hydrogen network. As part of this, we expect to assess deliverability of the transport and storage projects involved, value for money, potential contribution to decarbonisation of key industrial and power sectors, and wider economic benefits such as contribution to green job creation and economic growth.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of a core hydrogen network on linking hydrogen production in the Humber to other industrial clusters.
In the early hydrogen economy, we expect that most hydrogen demand will be located within our existing industrial clusters. Government is therefore prioritising the development of regional network infrastructure. Government continues to assess the economic and system benefits that could be presented by a core hydrogen network. However, determining the determining the needs case for inter-regional networks, as well as the location, scale and timing for any such networks requires further evidence.
When he plans to launch the allocation rounds for the Hydrogen Transport Business Model and Hydrogen Storage Business Model.
We are progressing the design of the business models and the first allocation round at pace. We will award the first contracts for the Hydrogen Transport Business Model and Hydrogen Storage Business Model through the Regional Hydrogen Network competition. Further clarity on publication timings will be provided in due course.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of the Humber supporting industrial decarbonisation through the development of hydrogen infrastructure.
The Humber is the UK’s largest industrial cluster and is home to a number of hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation projects, which aim to supply low-carbon hydrogen to local industrial users, supporting decarbonisation, skilled job creation and regional economic growth across the Humber region. Proposals for hydrogen infrastructure in the Humber will be able to participate in the proposed Regional Hydrogen Network when launched. Three projects in the Humber area were shortlisted in Hydrogen Allocation Round 2. If successful, these projects will produce low-carbon hydrogen to power gas turbines and help decarbonise oil refineries and lime kilns in the Humber area.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Humber’s hydrogen production capacity on UK hydrogen targets.
Hydrogen has the potential to support decarbonisation and economic growth across the UK. The Government recognises the Humber as one of several regions that could supply, as well as benefit from, low‑carbon hydrogen production.As part of the Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2), three projects in the Humber area were shortlisted in April 2025, specifically Aldborough Hydrogen Pathfinder, Humber H2ub, and Singleton Birch Kilns. If successful, these projects will produce low-carbon hydrogen which will power gas turbines and help to decarbonise an oil refinery and lime kiln in the Humber area, as well as generate low carbon power.
If he will take steps to help ensure that the Energy Intensive Industry (EII) status of eligible businesses at Saltend Chemicals Park is resolved.
I am aware of the ongoing issues relating to businesses at the Saltend Chemicals Park, who are currently not receiving exemptions under the British Industry Supercharger that they are eligible for. My officials are liaising with Ofgem and the Low Carbon Contracts Company, as they understand the impacts that high industrial electricity costs and unique energy meter configurations are creating for these businesses. My officials are working to resolve this situation promptly and will keep Saltend Chemicals Park Limited, who own the business park, updated on progress.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Local Government Finance Settlement on council tax levels in rural authorities; and what estimate she has made of the additional annual council tax cost for Band (a) A and (b) D households in the East Riding of Yorkshire by the end of the current spending period.
It is for individual councils to decide their level of council tax based on their local circumstances and other sources of income. For East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Government has set a core referendum principle of 3% and a 2% adult social care precept for 2026-27. Where referendum principles are in place, councils seeking to set an increase above this threshold must have it approved by voters.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of excluding soft play centres and other family focused venues from the 15 per cent business rates discount for pubs and music venues on those businesses; and whether she plans to extend equivalent relief to venues serving children, parents and carers.
Pubs rents in business rates valuations are analysed differently to some other sectors. While most hospitality and leisure properties are valued by comparing the size of the property, pubs are valued by comparing their turnover potential. Industry bodies have highlighted concerns with how costs are accounted for in this methodology, particularly during periods of high inflation. There is significant overlap between the pub sector and live music venues, with many pubs serving as grassroots live music venues, meaning they are often valued for business rates purposes in a similar way. The new pubs and live music venues relief is on top of the £4.3 billion support package announced at the Budget to support ratepayers across all sectors seeing bill increases. As a result of the Budget package, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases. This also means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties, including soft play centres. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties.
What steps she is taking to help ensure consistent implementation of the NPCC 2025 Abnormal Loads Guidance by police forces, particularly regarding caravan transporter escorts and charging practices.
Police implementation of the National Police Chiefs Council 2025 Abnormal Loads Guidance on the escorting and charging for abnormal loads remains an operational decision for Chief Officers of forces, reflecting and accounting for conditions and priorities in their areas.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of inheritance tax policy on the viability and succession of family farming businesses, in light of the findings of the Farming Profitability Review.
Following the reforms to inheritance tax announced at Budget 2024, we have engaged with the farming community and businesses. Having carefully considered this feedback, we are going further to protect more farms and businesses, while maintaining the core principle that the most valuable agricultural and business assets should not receive unlimited relief. The allowance for 100% rate of relief will be increased from £1 million to £2.5 million when it is introduced in April 2026. This means a couple will now be able to pass on up to £5 million tax-free between them, on top of existing allowances such as the nil rate band. Raising the threshold will significantly reduce the number of farms and business owners facing higher inheritance tax bills under the reforms, ensuring only the largest estates are affected. This gets the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed increase in the rateable values of pubs on the level of their profitability.
The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the rateable value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. Revaluations ensure that the rateable values of properties (i.e. the tax base) remain in line with market changes, and that the tax rates adjust to reflect changes in the tax base. At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since Covid, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. To support with bill increases, at the Budget, the Government announced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years, including protection for ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. As a result, over half of ratepayers will see no bill increases, including 23% seeing their bills go down. This means most properties seeing increases will see them capped at 15% or less next year, or £800 for the smallest. More broadly, the Government is delivering a long overdue reform to rebalance the business rates system and support the high street, as promised in our manifesto. The Government is doing this by introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £900 million per year, and will benefit over 750,000 properties, including those on the high street. The new RHL tax rates replace the temporary RHL relief that has been winding down since Covid. Unlike RHL relief, the new rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap, meaning all qualifying properties on high streets across England will benefit. Treasury Ministers and officials engaged with a wide range of stakeholders across the pub and hospitality sector ahead of the Budget to discuss business rates.
Whether she plans to introduce interim measures to ensure that learners have access to suitable vocational pathways during the transition period between the withdrawal of BTECs in 2026 and the introduction of V-Levels in 2027.
To support the transition to V Levels, the government will retain the majority of existing vocational qualifications to minimise disruption for learners and providers. This includes Applied General Qualifications under 720 guided learning hours in T Level areas, as well as smaller reformed qualifications such as Alternative Academic Qualifications and Technical Occupational Qualifications. In non-T Level areas, all current qualifications will continue to be funded until V Levels or T Levels are introduced. Qualifications that have already been defunded will remain so.The department is consulting with the sector on the introduction of V Levels, including transitional arrangements to achieve the qualifications landscape set out in the Post-16 Skills White Paper.
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of including hydrogenation and dehydrogenation projects within the Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers eligible for funding through the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund.
The Net Zero Hydrogen Fund was designed to bring forward the first UK low carbon hydrogen production projects, and was not intended to support other parts of the hydrogen value chain such as hydrogen carriers. It made its final funding allocations in 2023.
If he will make a statement on the (a) timing and (b) outcome of the Trade Remedies Authority’s investigation into imports of US-produced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and set out the steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK biodiesel producers are not placed at a competitive disadvantage resulting from unfair trading practices.
The Trade Remedies Authority is the UK’s independent arms-length body responsible for the conduct of trade remedy investigations. They make recommendations to the Secretary of State as to whether any such measures should be introduced.On 17 March 2025 the Trade Remedies Authority initiated a subsidy investigation on the import of HVO Biodiesel of US-origin. As the investigation remains ongoing, I cannot comment further. The TRA will publish relevant information on the public file as the review progresses.
What discussions he has had with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential resilience of energy infrastructure designated as Critical National Infrastructure in the context of Ofgem’s proposed funding reductions in the RIIO-GT3 Draft Determination.
The Cabinet Office frequently engages with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) which is ultimately responsible for the resilience of the energy sector and assessment of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) against its criticality. DESNZ works closely with industry counterparts to maintain energy security and ensure industry has the tools at their disposal to support security of supply. As the risk landscape continues to evolve, ensuring high standards of infrastructure resilience and security across the energy sector is a key priority for DESNZ and Ofgem. DESNZ will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-GT3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security and resilience through the price control period.
What assessment he has made of the potential risk to the UK’s security of energy supply if the gas transmission network does not receive adequate funding under Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 price control.
Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for agreeing the funding and investment allowances for the gas transmission network and gas distribution network. Final decisions regarding the next price control period (RIIO3 – which covers April 2026 - April 2031) will be confirmed by Ofgem before the end of the year. Through this process, Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to attract investment and maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. The Department will continue engaging with Ofgem to ensure RIIO-3 delivers the investment needed to maintain energy security through this period. DESNZ launched an Energy Security and Resilience Taskforce with CEOs of critical operators, with Ofgem in attendance, as a key forum to discuss risks and standards.
What assessment he has made of the gas transmission network’s potential ability to meet rising electricity demand from AI and data centres if it does not receive adequate funding under Ofgem’s RIIO-GT3 price control.
Ofgem, as the independent regulator, are responsible for agreeing the funding and investment allowances for the gas transmission network and gas distribution network. Final decisions regarding the next price control period (RIIO3 – which covers April 2026 - April 2031) will be confirmed by Ofgem before the end of the year. Through this process, Ofgem has a statutory responsibility to attract investment and maintain security of supply while incentivising efficiency and protecting consumers from excessive costs. Ofgem advised in their draft determinations for RIIO-3 that funding for projects supporting rising electricity demand, including those driven by AI and data centres, will be considered where appropriate evidence is submitted, and will be confirmed in their final determinations.