Written questions by McMurdock.

What steps his Department is taking to reduce the cost of electricity bills.

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.The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past. The Government recognises that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Homes Discount to over 3 million households in fuel poverty this winter. In addition, I have also been working with energy suppliers to agree a £500 million winter support package to help customers struggling with bills this winter. I urge any consumers who are struggling to pay their bills to speak to their supplier, local authority, or Citizens Advice who may be able to provide help and support.

What steps she is taking to ensure that Arm's Length Bodies are value for money.

The Chancellor has launched Phase 2 of the Spending Review, covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. This will zero-base all spending, including Arm’s-Length Bodies, conducting a full line-by-line review of all public spending to assess whether it is a priority for this government and represents value for money for the taxpayer. The Spending Review will conclude on 11 June 2025.

What steps she is taking to support people with disabilities at risk of food insecurity.

People with a health condition or disability may be eligible for a range of support such as Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, premiums and additional amounts paid within the income-related benefits. In addition, the extra costs disability benefits are a contribution to meeting the extra costs that arise from a disability or long-term health condition and can be paid regardless of any income or savings. They are also tax-free and worth up to £184.30 a week, or over £9,580 a year.

How many and what proportion of repeat food bank users receive disability benefits.

The Family Resources Survey that measures whether a household has used a food bank in the past 30 days or 12 months can be accessed here Family Resources Survey - GOV.UK Individual level statistics on food banks can be found in the annual Households Below Average Income statistics publication: Households below average income (HBAI) statistics – GOV.UK

If he will take steps to amend the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to include private companies.

The Government is committed to Freedom of Information and will keep the coverage of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 under consideration.

What steps she is taking to ensure that the Lower Thames Crossing provides value for money for taxpayers.

Officials and National Highways are exploring all funding options for the Lower Thames Crossing, including private finance. As with all capital projects, spending decisions will be subject to the upcoming spending review and business case process. The assured cost estimate in line with the 2023 baseline for the project is £8.95bn, but it is important to recognise that there is a normal level of uncertainty at this early stage of the development of a project of the size and complexity of the Lower Thames Crossing. Over £800m has been spent on the project to date. This includes the technical surveys and investigations, land purchasing costs, as well as the Development Consent Order application and the three contracts to deliver the project. Following the announcement of the preferred route in April 2017, the subsequent statutory consultation in 2018 reported that the cost of developing and constructing the project was between £5.3-£6.8 billion. Prolongation and inflationary costs along with continued development of the project have resulted in the updated estimate. There is a robust framework to ensure that projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing continue to be assessed at all stages of the project. The project adheres to the Departmental governance framework as a Tier 1 project – this represents the Department’s projects that are either one or a combination of the largest, highest risk, novel and/or contentious. The project is assessed against several factors, including the scheme objectives and value for money.It also continues to follow the HM Treasury approval process for programmes and projects, as well as the Green Book and the Department for Transport’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG).

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the transparency of public spending on Arm’s Length Bodies.

The government recognises the importance of transparency across public spending, including Arm’s-length bodies (ALBs). Information on ALB expenditure is published within each body’s annual report.The process for budget setting and for preparing and approving annual reports for ALBs are dependent on their classification status and their source of income.Further information on the reporting requirements for ALBs can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6763fa1f3229e84d9bbde88d/MASTER_FINAL_DRAFT_2025-26_FReM_DECEMBER_2024_RELEASE.pdfFurther information on how each type of ALB should produce accounts can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74d700e5274a59fa715592/Classification-of-Public_Bodies-Guidance-for-Departments.pdf

What steps her Department is taking to (a) enforce and (b) monitor safeguarding standards in academy schools.

All schools must follow the ‘Keeping children safe in education’, and ‘Working together to safeguard children’ statutory guidance and in line with the funding agreement, academy trusts must comply with the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (the regulations). Part 3 of the regulations sets out the standards for a trust’s safeguarding responsibilities, and part 4 outlines the standards regarding the suitability of staff, supply staff, and proprietors. Trusts are held to account for standards in their academies through Ofsted inspections.When the department has concerns about an academy trust not meeting its safeguarding responsibilities, it will work closely with the trust to ensure those arrangements come into compliance with statutory requirements. The department’s remit does not extend to investigating individual safeguarding matters or commenting on a trust’s handling of an incident(s). Once alerted to a safeguarding concern, the local authority for the area in which a child lives, is responsible for providing appropriate support.To fulfil its safeguarding remit, the department will work with other statutory bodies, such as the local authority or Ofsted, as appropriate in accordance with our procedures.Failure to comply with the regulations may place a trust in breach of its funding agreement with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education. In these circumstances the department may take intervention action as set out in the academy trust handbook.

What steps she is taking to help reduce the long-term use of food banks.

We are committed to tackling poverty and reducing mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty so this will be the foundation of our approach. The Get Britain Working White Paper has set out how the Government will seek to grow the economy through using work as a route out of poverty and to improve living standards in turn. Our joint ministerial taskforce, jointly chaired by Work and Pensions and Education Secretaries, has begun work on an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy, to reduce child poverty, tackle the root causes, and give every child the best start in life.The vital work of the Taskforce comes alongside our commitments to roll out free breakfast clubs at all primary schools, create 3,000 additional nurseries, as well as deliver our plan to make work pay to turn the minimum wage into a real living wage. Alongside this, we are committed to reviewing Universal Credit to make sure it is doing the job we want it to do. To further support struggling families, £1 billion, including Barnett impact, will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund in England by a full year until 31 March 2026, on top of the six months already announced, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 in relation to the transparency of private companies that perform public services.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. Defra will not be making the suggested assessment. The relevant provisions of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIRs) already set out the legal tests which will determine whether or not a private company performing public services is subject to its transparency requirements.

Whether HMRC case workers dealing with (a) Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and (b) Enterprise Investment Scheme applications are incentivised to help companies.

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme are administered by a dedicated team in HMRC.This team ensures the generous reliefs available under these schemes are claimed by those who are eligible, balancing compliance efforts with ensuring legitimate companies can access them to facilitate their growth. An advance assurance service is provided by HMRC to support companies seeking investment under the schemes. HMRC provide their view whether the company meets the qualifying requirements of the schemes before seeking investment. This helps provide both the company and potential investors certainty over the tax treatment of the proposed investment.

If her Department will take steps to ensure that HMRC case workers dealing with (a) Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and (b) Enterprise Investment Scheme applications process them in a (i) timely and (ii) effective manner.

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme are administered by a dedicated specialist team in HMRC.This team works to HMRC's overall customer service targets, aiming to reply to 80% of EIS compliance statements and advance assurance applications within 15 working days and 95% within 40 working days. They are currently exceeding this target.The majority of applications receive approval without the need for further action. A small minority of applications may take longer to process where there has been insufficient information provided to reach a decision or where the company fails to meet the qualifying requirements of the schemes. Companies authorised by HMRC raised £2,114 million investment in 22/23 under these 2 schemes.

What discussions he has had with the National Grid on their proposed Norwich to Tilbury pylon project.

Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What steps he has taken to ensure that local communities were engaged in the public consultation period of the proposed National Grid Norwich-Tilbury pylon project.

In England and Wales, the Planning Act 2008 requires developers to demonstrate that they have consulted adequately with communities before they submit applications for consent. As part of their application for the Norwich to Tilbury project National Grid are required to engage with local communities and to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into the project. The Government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for a final planning decision.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on religious buildings in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme was established to provide grants towards VAT paid on repairs and maintenance to the nation's listed places of worship. 94% of applications have been under £25,000, and most claims are for under £5,000. A total of 7 claims have been paid out to listed places of worship in South Basildon and East Thurrock, totalling £10,789, since August 2022.

Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled £23 million government package to support restoration of thousands of listed places of worship, published on 22 January 2024, what the average amount claimed was for claims over £25,000 in each of the last three years.

94% of applications between 2022-2024 have been under £25,000, and most claims are for under £5,000. In 2022/23, 2.7% of claims made to the Listed Places of Worship Scheme were over £25,000. These had a mean average claim of £49,235. In 2023/24, 2.3% of claims were over £25,000, with a mean average of £47,534. In 2024/25, 2.2% of claims were over £25,000, with a mean average of £55,119.

How many and what proportion of people on the terrorist watch list are foreign nationals.

It is longstanding policy not to discuss either the specific information held on any security-related watchlist, the source of the information or how it is used.To do so would be counterproductive and harmful to the national security of the UK.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Norwich to Tilbury National Grid pylon project on house prices in the affected areas.

The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices. However, landowners, businesses, and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of an uncapped claim allowance on VAT for repairs to Christian places of worship.

On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.The scheme has always had an upper limit and has always applied to all listed places of worship, regardless of denomination or faith, ever since it was established by the Labour Government in 2001.

If she will list the number of people on the terrorist watch list by (a) nationality, (b) sex, (c) religion and (d) immigration status.

It is longstanding policy not to discuss either the specific information held on any security-related watchlist, the source of the information or how it is used.To do so would be counterproductive and harmful to the national security of the UK.