Every parliamentary written question tabled by John Glen this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 101–120 of 840 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43043 on Environment Protection: Finance, if she will make it her policy to remove the provisions in the (a) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and (b) UK Paris-aligned Benchmarks on the requirements affecting UK weapons manufacturers.
I refer the Honourable Member to the answers given to his questions in PQ UIN 48396 on 1 May 2025, PQ UIN 43043 and 43449 on 9 April 2025, PQ UIN 47194 on 28 April, and PQ 47196 on 30 April 2025.
If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of EU green finance regulations on levels of investment from Europe into UK defence (a) firms and (b) shares.
This Government does not see a conflict in green and sustainable investment contributing to our world-leading defence sector. There is considerable work to support the sector ongoing across government, including through the Chancellor’s growth mission and in the development of a new Defence Industrial Strategy. In a time of increasing geopolitical instability, maintaining a robust and thriving defence sector is essential to our national security. The government is committed to supporting the defence sector and supporting investment opportunities in it. Private investment in the defence sector is crucial for fostering innovation, boosting economic growth and enhancing national security.
Pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 33375 on Environment Protection: Finance, whether the defence sector will be included in the UK Green Taxonomy.
The government has set out its ambition for the UK to be the world leader in sustainable finance. This includes delivering a regulatory framework to support sustainable growth and enable the private sector to realise the opportunities of the transition. Through the consultation, the government was keen to explore whether a UK Green Taxonomy can be a useful tool in contributing to this ambition. The government is reviewing and analysing the consultation responses, this includes considering the potential costs and how it fits in with existing regulation and regimes. We will publish a formal consultation response in due course which will set out next steps. At this stage in the consultation process, the government was not seeking feedback on the detail of the sectors for inclusion. Instead, the government are focused on the bigger picture of whether and how this can be a useful tool for companies and investors. Therefore, at this stage issues around activities and sectors, such as defence, are out of scope.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43449 on Trident Submarines: Procurement, if she will make it her policy to amend assimilated EU law under the UK Benchmarks Regulation to remove the EU legacy law references to controversial weapons; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on levels of investment by companies which provide (a) goods and (b) services relating to Trident renewal.
As set out in the recent Call for Evidence on the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, having an effective regulatory environment is key to maintaining and enhancing our position as a global financial centre so that it can support growth across the wider UK economy. That includes regulations inherited from the European Union, such as the Benchmarks regulation. The government remains open to views from industry on how we can continue to progress reforms to assimilated law as part of this work creating an effective regulatory environment. More broadly, the government does not see a conflict between sustainable investment and investment in the defence sector.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive on (a) Northern Ireland, (b) UK firms trading with the EU and (c) levels of divestment in the UK defence industry.
Responsibility for assessing the impact of EU legislation ultimately lies with the European Commission, who have published their own impact assessment of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).CSDDD will apply to UK companies generating over €450 million in turnover within the EU. The Government has noted the recent Omnibus proposal updating CSDDD, which was published on 26 February.We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK’s existing measures, alongside the impacts of emerging policy tools, including in the EU, to ensure we can best promote responsible business practices and take action where appropriate.
Which Department is responsible for the (a) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and (b) UK Paris-aligned Benchmarks.
HM Treasury is responsible for financial services policy, including financial benchmarks.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 33375 on Environment Protection: Finance, whether the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures rules for listed companies to refer to the new International Sustainability Standards Board standards will allow for investments in (a) defence companies and (b) companies supporting Trident nuclear deterrent renewal.
The new International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Standards, so called S1 and S2, are designed to replace the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) framework. These are disclosure standards that ask firms to disclose financially material climate related risks to their business. The objective of these is to provide investors with consistent, comparable and reliable information about companies' sustainability-related risks and opportunities. These standards are designed to enhance transparency and do not dictate how a company should invest. They do not prevent or impose restrictions on investment in specific sectors, including defence or the Trident nuclear deterrent. The previous government committed to establishing a framework to assess the suitability of ISSB Standards for endorsement in the UK. A Technical Advisory Committee of external experts have conducted a detailed assessment of the ISSB’s inaugural standards, and this process has now concluded. The government aims to consult on the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UK SRS) shortly, after which point they will be made available for use later in 2025.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 33375 on Environment Protection: Finance, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) divestment and (b) the UK green finance framework on (i) the economic viability of the UK defence industry and (ii) defence procurement costs.
This Government is clear that we see no conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector. The new Defence Industrial Strategy will align the UK’s economic and security priorities and unlock the potential of every region and nation across the UK. This will include creating the conditions needed for the private sector to invest more, and pro-actively, in the defence sector. The Trade Association ADS’s first Defence Environment, Social and Governance Charter Report highlighted the positive contribution that the defence industry is making to supporting our environment and our communities.
With reference to her Department's consultation on the UK Green Taxonomy, published in November 2024, what assessment she has made of (a) the potential regulatory costs of a UK Green Taxonomy and (b) the duplication with other regimes.
The government has set out its ambition for the UK to be the world leader in sustainable finance. This includes delivering a regulatory framework to support sustainable growth and enable the private sector to realise the opportunities of the transition. Through the consultation, the government was keen to explore whether a UK Green Taxonomy can be a useful tool in contributing to this ambition. The government is reviewing and analysing the consultation responses, this includes considering the potential costs and how it fits in with existing regulation and regimes. We will publish a formal consultation response in due course which will set out next steps.
What estimate she has made of the cost of the 2024-25 civil service pay settlements.
Pay for civil servants outside of the Senior Civil Service is not set centrally; rather, departments and bodies have freedom to make decisions on pay within the parameters of the Pay Remit Guidance published annually by the Cabinet Office. The Pay Remit Guidance for 2024/5 can be found using the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-pay-remit-guidance-2024-to-2025/civil-service-pay-remit-guidance-2024-to-2025.
With reference to paragraph 2.45 of the Spring Statement 2025, 26 March 2025, CP1298, what the monetary value is of the baseline spending on administrative budgets on which the 15% saving will be based; what the baseline spending on back-office functions is on which the £2.2 billion savings in 2029-30 will be based; and whether the £2.2 billion is a cumulative saving over the period.
The 15% saving on administration budgets will be made against the counterfactual assumption that these budgets would have remained flat in real terms over the period 2025-26 to 2029-30. The £2.2 billion represents the value of this 15% saving in the final year only rather than being a cumulative total.Further details will be published as part of the Spending Review later this year.
Whether he plans to reduce spending on (a) civil service communications staff, (b) external marketing and (c) external advertising.
The Government regularly evaluates the effectiveness of all communication activities to ensure they are delivering and providing the best value for money for taxpayers. An example of this is the recent comprehensive communications Spending Review that delivered savings of £85 million in 2024-25 and up to £96 million in 2025-26.
With reference to Annex 2 of the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1816, whether Trident renewal is classified as a controversial weapon for the purposes of (a) environmental, social, and governance and (b) ethical investments.
The UK Benchmarks Regulation sets out the requirements for UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and UK Paris-aligned Benchmarks. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) monitor and supervise benchmark administrators according to the Benchmarks Regulation to ensure that benchmarks are produced robustly and with due transparency. The FCA published a statement regarding their position on sustainability regulations and UK defence investment on 11 March 2025. It is for benchmark administrators to decide if they wish to provide UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and UK Paris-aligned benchmarks under the Benchmarks Regulation, including by paying due regard to the relevant FCA guidance, and which companies to include in their benchmarks. It is then up to firms and investors to choose whether to use these benchmarks. This Government does not see a conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of divestment in the UK defence industry as a consequence of (a) the Paris Climate Agreement and (b) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks.
We have not carried out an assessment into the impacts of divestment in the UK’s Defence Industry due to (a) the Paris Climate Agreement and (b) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks. This is because we see no conflict between investment in Defence and sustainable investment. The Defence Industrial Strategy - Statement of Intent, published in December 2024, identified the mobilisation of additional private sector investment as essential to the Government’s agenda to strengthen our nation’s defences and grow our economy.Reducing the carbon footprint of Defence is not differentiated from this investment. Accelerating the development and adoption of dual use energy and circular economy technologies can deliver operational advantage and resilience while reducing emissions. For example, trials integrating alternative fuel sources and renewable energy technology can further unlock an ability to operate for longer periods without resupply and at greater reach across a dispersed battlefield.Our ambition is for a better, more integrated, more innovative and more resilient defence industry and we will be publishing a Defence Industrial Strategy aligned to this ambition.
Whether the EU Green Taxonomy regulations apply to Northern Ireland.
The EU Taxonomy Regulation, which is part of the EU's sustainable finance framework, does not directly apply in Northern Ireland. There are some circumstances where a UK company may be subject to the EU Taxonomy reporting requirements because of its operations in the EU. This could apply to relevant companies in Northern Ireland, just as elsewhere in the UK.
Pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 202, to Question 33375 on Environment Protection: Finance, whether (a) UK Paris-aligned Benchmarks and (b) UK Climate Transition Benchmarks require investment in firms which support the renewal of Trident nuclear deterrent to be excluded.
The UK Benchmarks Regulation sets out the requirements for UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and UK Paris-aligned Benchmarks. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) monitor and supervise benchmark administrators according to the Benchmarks Regulation to ensure that benchmarks are produced robustly and with due transparency. The FCA published a statement regarding their position on sustainability regulations and UK defence investment on 11 March 2025. It is for benchmark administrators to decide if they wish to provide UK Climate Transition Benchmarks and UK Paris-aligned benchmarks under the Benchmarks Regulation, including by paying due regard to the relevant FCA guidance, and which companies to include in their benchmarks. It is then up to firms and investors to choose whether to use these benchmarks. This Government does not see a conflict between sustainable investment and investment in our world-leading defence sector.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in funding for level seven healthcare apprenticeships on the delivery of the NHS long-term workforce plan.
The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth, supported by a strong skills system.This government has an extremely challenging fiscal inheritance. There are tough choices that need to be taken on how funding should be prioritised in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers, and the department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund a significant number of level 7 apprenticeships themselves outside of the levy-funded Growth and Skills offer.The department has received a wide range of representations, which it is currently considering. These have been received directly and via Skills England, which has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on this matter and has shared its findings with the department.The department recognises the importance of providing clarity as soon as possible on future funding for level 7 apprenticeships and will communicate next steps in due course.The department also continues to work across government to tackle the skills needs of different sectors, including addressing the skills gaps in the health and social care industry which were identified in Skills England’s first report on driving growth and widening opportunities.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in funding for level seven healthcare apprenticeships on the availability of Advanced Clinical Practitioners in the NHS.
The government is committed to spreading opportunities and economic growth, supported by a strong skills system.This government has an extremely challenging fiscal inheritance. There are tough choices that need to be taken on how funding should be prioritised in order to generate opportunities for young people that enable them to make a start in good, fulfilling careers, and the department will therefore be asking more employers to step forward and fund a significant number of level 7 apprenticeships themselves outside of the levy-funded Growth and Skills offer.The department has received a wide range of representations, which it is currently considering. These have been received directly and via Skills England, which has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on this matter and has shared its findings with the department.The department recognises the importance of providing clarity as soon as possible on future funding for level 7 apprenticeships and will communicate next steps in due course.The department also continues to work across government to tackle the skills needs of different sectors, including addressing the skills gaps in the health and social care industry which were identified in Skills England’s first report on driving growth and widening opportunities.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of funding changes for level 7 apprenticeships on skills shortages in the NHS; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Education on funding for those apprenticeships.
Skills England and the Department for Education are reviewing the growth and skills offer, including whether employers will fund level seven apprenticeships outside of the levy. Ministers, officials, NHS England, and a range of stakeholders across the sector have been feeding into this review and will continue to work closely with Skills England to ensure that the National Health Service has access to the skilled workforce that patients need, as we rebuild the NHS and make sure that it is there for all of us when we need it.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in funding for level seven apprenticeships on the availability of Chartered Town Planners in local government.
I refer the hon. Member for Salisbury to the answer of 20 January 2025 to Question 23140.