Written questions by Cross.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the loss of terrestrial digital television services after current licences expire in the 2030s on (a) elderly people, (b) low-income households and (c) rural communities.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. This will inform any decision concerning the future of digital terrestrial television services after 2034.As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure, including through a stakeholder forum that I chair. Membership of the Stakeholder Forum includes a number of groups representing rural, older and lower income audiences, including the Rural Services Network, Silver Voices and Digital Poverty Alliance.In addition to independent research led by Exeter University and published last year, the Government has commissioned follow up research to understand in more detail the specific preferences, motivations and barriers regarding TV viewing among a variety of groups including rural, older and low-income households.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the availability of terrestrial television services in rural areas after the expiry of current broadcasting licences in the early 2030s.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. This will inform any decision concerning the future of digital terrestrial television services after 2034.As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure, including through a stakeholder forum that I chair. Membership of the Stakeholder Forum includes a number of groups representing rural, older and lower income audiences, including the Rural Services Network, Silver Voices and Digital Poverty Alliance.In addition to independent research led by Exeter University and published last year, the Government has commissioned follow up research to understand in more detail the specific preferences, motivations and barriers regarding TV viewing among a variety of groups including rural, older and low-income households.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on ensuring broadcast network resilience is considered in potential decisions on the future of television broadcasting.

The Government understands how important it is that everyone can access information in times of national emergency and that television has a role to play in providing such access. The Government’s project looking into the future of TV distribution is considering a range of relevant factors, including resilience. It is important that audiences continue to receive consistent levels of service regardless of how they receive their television, and ensuring that this can happen will be a priority for the project.

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the long-term future of free-to-air terrestrial TV and radio services in Scotland.

I meet regularly with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.I understand that DCMS, as the lead department, are currently seeking to understand how people receive their television and radio services now and in the next decade. As part of this process, DCMS has established a stakeholder forum which will take views on this topic from a range of broadcasters active in Scotland, including STV, the BBC and ITV.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure (a) apprenticeships and (b) training programmes provide the requisite skills for the (i) the clean energy and (ii) Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage sectors.

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is engaging widely with industry experts, and trade unions for a clear assessment of the skills opportunities and challenges. It is working closely with Skills England to ensure that skills systems reforms support the clean energy transition. It has recently launched the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport to support oil and gas workers into new roles in the clean energy sector.In phase two, we are exploring opportunities to expand it into other clean energy sectors such as CCUS. CCUS could support up to 50,000 jobs as the sector matures into the 2030s.The government is also transforming the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a growth and skills offer which will allow employers to invest in a wider range of training.

Pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2025 to Question 31124 on Renewable Energy: Staff, whether the initial version of the Energy Skills Passport will support oil and gas workers into the (a) Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage and (b) hydrogen sectors.

The Energy Skills Passport, launched in January, is designed to help oil and gas workers transition into clean energy sectors like offshore wind. In phase two, we are exploring opportunities to expand it into other clean energy sectors such as CCUS and Hydrogen. The RGU estimates the offshore renewables workforce, which includes offshore wind, CCS, and hydrogen, could increase to between 70,000 and 138,000 in 2030 creating opportunities for skilled workers as the sector matures. Further decisions for future CCUS deployment, including in the Scottish Cluster, will be taken in due course. As the Energy Skills Passport develops, we will continue working with industry to expand its scope, ensuring it effectively supports workers moving into emerging clean energy sectors.

Whether his Department has (a) instructed or (b) provided guidance to Ofgem's Radio Teleswitch Service Taskforce on what steps it should take on the transition for households affected by the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service in June 2025.

The Department attends the Industry Taskforce on the Radio Teleswitch Service, which was convened by Ofgem last year and is led by Energy UK. The Taskforce involves all major energy suppliers and is working with consumer groups, local authorities, housing associations and other key stakeholders to urgently ramp up efforts to replace the remaining RTS meters in Great Britain before the service ends.

Whether he has taken steps to provide Ofgem with enforcement powers to help ensure that energy suppliers provide Radio Teleswitch Service-affected customers with a tariff closely equivalent to their existing arrangement; and what steps Ofgem plans to take to penalise potential non-compliance.

Ofgem has been clear that suppliers must take all reasonable steps to ensure former RTS consumers stay on a closely equivalent tariff.Ofgem is also consulting on plans to introduce new RTS specific licence conditions for energy suppliers, which include a proposal that would require energy suppliers to take all reasonable steps to provide a tariff that leaves their customers ‘no worse off’ than previously once their RTS meter is replaced. The consultation closes on 11 March and is available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/radio-teleswitch-service-rts-electricity-supply-licence-changes

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the contribution made by the terrestrial broadcasting sector to mobile phone coverage in (a) rural and (b) remote areas.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. As part of this project, close consideration is being given to the interrelationships between television distribution and a variety of other sectors. In particular, the project has identified both the ongoing sharing of physical infrastructure by the two sectors, and that terrestrial broadcasting and mobile telecommunications represent competing uses of ultra high frequency electromagnetic spectrum.

What alternative (a) heating and (b) metering solutions he plans to provide to households that are unable to install a smart meter due to location or connectivity issues following the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service.

In the few circumstances where a supplier may not currently be able to install a smart meter, Ofgem has been clear that the supplier is obligated under their licence conditions to ensure that a suitable metering system is offered and that the customer's heating and hot water service is not disrupted.

With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Get Britain Working, published in November 2024, when she plans to publish details of the planned public consultation; and what the timeline will be for different mechanisms of stakeholder engagement.

The Get Britain Working White Paper outlines the government's commitment to engage with stakeholders on the detailed policy development and implementation of reforms.We are engaging with disabled people, and others with relevant expertise and experience, to consider how to address challenges and build a better system. We are working to establish the Disability Advisory Panel which will consult disabled people to ensure their views and voices are at the heart of the design and delivery of our reforms.To inform our approach, we have met with external and internal stakeholders, including the NHS Confederation, Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel, and representatives from the Disability Charities Consortium and Disabled People’s Organisation Forum England.Further engagement will begin based on the findings from the Keep Britain Working review discovery phase, which is expected to be published in March 2025.We are working to develop proposals for reform to the system of health and disability benefits and will set them out in a Green Paper in the spring.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of delays in smart meter replacements for households affected by the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) closure; and whether (a) penalties and (b) enforcement measures will be applied to energy suppliers failing to provide timely replacements.

Ofgem is responsible for regulating energy suppliers against their licence obligations. Ofgem have been clear that they expect energy suppliers to arrange a suitable replacement metering solution for their customers with RTS meters in a timely manner ahead of the switch off to avoid a disruption to their service. Ofgem is consulting on new licence conditions which will seek to ensure consumers are treated fairly and have access to an alternative metering arrangement following the cessation of RTS. The consultation ends on 11 March and is available here: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consultation/radio-teleswitch-service-rts-electricity-supply-licence-changes

Media and Sport, if she will publish minutes of the TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum's meetings to date.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. The minutes of the Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum will be published following the conclusion of the forum process. The terms of reference and membership list for the forum have already been published and can be found on GOV.UK.

What estimate his Department has made of the average cost to consumers of replacing Total Heating Total Control systems following the closure of the Radio Teleswitch Service; and what discussions he has had with stakeholders on the potential merits of direct financial assistance for people affected.

The Industry-led Radio Teleswitch Service Taskforce is investigating with energy suppliers the volume and costs of any additional works that may be required for Total Heating Total Control systems. Energy suppliers are best placed, and responsible for, advising their customers.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26353 on Tyres: Recycling, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of financial support available for increasing domestic tyre processing capacity.

Defra has not completed an assessment as described; however the Government offers a range of support to businesses looking to invest in recycling infrastructure in the UK, including through the British Business Bank and National Wealth Fund, and financial support continues to be available for increasing domestic tyre processing capacity through Innovate UK responsive programmes and more targeted programmes focused on resource efficiency. As explained in response to PQ 26353 on 3rd February, the Secretary of State has convened the Circular Economy Taskforce to help us develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. Together we are considering the evidence for interventions right across the economy and are exploring a wide range of levers to drive circularity, including in the recycling sector, as we develop our strategy.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the broadcasting sector's contribution to telecoms resilience.

The broadcasting sector plays an important role in enhancing telecoms resilience by providing robust infrastructure and rapidly circulating news and information to the public during emergencies. DSIT collaborates with TV and radio broadcast and telecom operators through the Electronic Resilience & Response Group (EC-RRG) industry forum, sharing best practices and strengthening the networks to ensure the continuity of communication services and public safety during crises. Both DSIT and DCMS (who have responsibility for the broadcast sector) recognise the importance of ongoing collaboration to maintain and enhance telecoms resilience.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the expiry in 2034 of the licences for terrestrial (a) television and (b) radio on (i) all households (ii) households reliant on terrestrial signals in Scotland.

The Government’s project on the future of TV distribution is seeking to understand how people receive their television now and in the next decade. This will inform any decision concerning the future of digital terrestrial television services after 2034. Before any decision is made in relation to the availability of services beyond 2034, close consideration will be given to how any changes would impact audiences, and especially those who rely on digital terrestrial television as their primary means of watching television.As part of this process, a wide range of views are being sought from across the TV sector, audience groups and infrastructure, including through a stakeholder forum which I chair. Membership of the Stakeholder Forum includes a range of broadcasters active in Scotland, including the Scottish broadcaster STV, the BBC and ITV. The forum also benefits from the perspectives of a number of groups representing the interests of Scottish and UK-wide audiences, such as Voice of the Listener and Viewer, Digital Poverty Alliance and Silver Voices.Given the extensive relationship between the UK’s DTT and radio broadcast networks, we will separately look at how broadcast radio services may be affected and will ensure that any decision taken on the future of TV distribution fully considers the wider impacts on broadcast radio services.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to bring forward secondary legislation to permit gene editing by the end of March 2025.

On 25 February 2025, the secondary legislation needed to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants was laid in Parliament. If passed, the legislation will come into force in Autumn 2025. This is a devolved matter, and the legislation is England only.

How much funding remains available in Phase 3 of the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme.

ECO4 funding is not released through a tranche system. The scheme sets a legal obligation on energy suppliers, and this is divided between energy suppliers based on their respective shares of the domestic gas and electricity market. Energy suppliers are permitted to deliver their obligation at their preferred pace over the life cycle of the scheme, between April 2022 and March 2026. The total value of ECO4 is £4 billion. This breaks down to £1bn a year for the four years of the scheme.

Whether households with existing underfloor foam insulation are eligible for funding through the Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme.

Households with existing underfloor foam insulation may be eligible for Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) scheme support if they meet scheme eligibility criteria. Homes equivalent to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) bands D-G, for owner occupied households, and bands E-G for privately rented homes and social housing, where occupants are in receipt of means-tested benefits, are eligible for the scheme, as well as those referred by their local authority under ECO Flex. However, meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee assistance. This is determined by obligated suppliers and the installers to whom they sub-contract.