Written questions by Timothy.

What discussions he has had with international counterparts on the security of offshore energy infrastructure.

This Government takes the protection of offshore infrastructure seriously and is committed to working internationally to ensure it is protected against hazards or malicious threats. DESNZ is working closely with international partners on energy security and crisis management. This includes regular engagement with multilateral institutions such as NATO. DESNZ continues to drive international initiatives, including the signing of the North Sea Joint Declaration of Cooperation and the formalisation of the North Sea Gas Security Group. Working through these partnerships support us to understand respective threats, share situational awareness and strengthen our collective response to incidents impacting shared infrastructure.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 January to Question 23520 on Ambulance Services: Vehicles, for what reason HMRC issues guidance that ambulance services must sign up to a maintenance package in order to reclaim VAT in relation to the leasing of vehicles.

The government departments’ refund scheme applies to certain specified services that qualifying bodies choose to contract out rather than supply in-house. Where there is a single contract for the hire of a vehicle which includes repair and maintenance, recovery of VAT is allowed where the contract is for more than 30 days. VAT charged on the contracting out of repair and maintenance as a stand-alone service is also recoverable. The hire of vehicles is not a service provided in-house and VAT on the hire alone is not recoverable under the government departments’ refund scheme.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20338 on Nuclear Power Stations: Migrant Workers, what his Department's definition is of critical systems for nuclear power plants.

DESNZ defines critical systems as any function (an aggregation of operational technology, information and specific areas within a civil nuclear installation) that is critical to preventing the theft or sabotage of nuclear material.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential threat of hostile interference with offshore energy infrastructure since July 2024.

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero is working both across Whitehall and with energy owners, operators and regulators to ensure that offshore energy infrastructure is protected against hazards and malicious threats. This includes working with the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) since the Nord Stream incidents of 2022. The JMSC provide Government with real-time monitoring capabilities around offshore infrastructure in UK waters. By increasing our maritime domain awareness, we have a more comprehensive understanding of threats to this type of infrastructure and can take the necessary measures to enhance its security.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on preventing action by hostile actors on offshore infrastructure.

The Government takes the protection of subsea seriously and is working across Government to ensure it is protected against hazards or malicious threats. DESNZ has been working with the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) since the Nord Stream incidents of 2022, to enhance the security of subsea energy infrastructure. The JMSC is providing Government with real-time monitoring capabilities around UK offshore and subsea energy infrastructure.

What assessment (a) his Department, (b) its arms-length bodies and (c) planning authorities have made of the potential impact of grid-scale battery energy storage solution systems on the safety of nearby residential units.

Grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) are regulated by the Health and Safety Executive within a robust framework which requires BESS designers, installers, and operators to take the necessary measures to ensure health and safety throughout all stages of the system’s construction, operation, and decommissioning. BESS projects are considered by the local planning regime in England. The government has updated planning practice guidance to encourage BESS developers to engage with local fire and rescue services, and for local planning authorities to refer to guidance published by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC). The NFCC’s current guidance proposes a minimum distance of 25 metres between BESS and occupied buildings.

Which Minister is responsible for the security of offshore energy infrastructure including (a) interconnectors and (b) wind turbines.

Within DESNZ, I am responsible for the security of offshore energy infrastructure. DESNZ works closely with subsea and offshore owners, operators, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure subsea and offshore energy infrastructure is proportionately protected against a range of threats. This includes working with industry to enhance the design of newbuild infrastructure, maintain the resilience of old infrastructure, and continue to develop the UK’s monitoring and detection capabilities. DESNZ has been working with the Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) to enhance the security of subsea energy infrastructure.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the safety of interconnectors from (a) disruption and (b) sabotage.

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero works closely with owners and operators of energy interconnectors to ensure their infrastructure is proportionately protected against a range of threats, including accidental damage or intentional sabotage. This includes working with industry to enhance the design of newbuild infrastructure and maintain the resilience of old infrastructure. We are also working to enhance the UK’s monitoring and detection capabilities, including by working with the Joint Maritime Security Centre to monitor activity around interconnectors, and strengthening information-sharing with our international partners.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to home efficiency regulations on house prices.

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024. It set out proposals for improving the energy efficiency of new homes and buildings. An impact assessment estimating the costs and wider impacts of the proposals was published concurrently and the consultation invited consultees to offer their views on this assessment.We are carefully considering the feedback received. We intend to introduce new energy efficiency standards later this year and will publish an updated impact assessment at that time.

What plans his Department has to mitigate the potential impact of (a) disruption to and (b) sabotage of interconnectors.

The Government takes the protection of subsea seriously and is working across Whitehall to ensure it is protected against hazards or malicious threats. Great Britain has a highly resilient and diverse energy network. We are confident that the gas and electricity system operators have the tools they need to effectively balance supply and demand in a wide range of scenarios. This includes ensuring robust plans are in place to mitigate the impacts of a gas or electricity disruption as far as possible, in the event that they occur.

What guidance his Department issues to NHS England on extending the legal duty to provide care for asylum seekers to individuals with rejected asylum applications; and whether that guidance is mandatory.

Guidance for the National Health Service has been published, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-entitlements-migrant-health-guideThe guidance underlines the need for NHS bodies to act in line with the relevant legislation. This includes legislation determining the circumstances under which an individual may continue to be exempt from NHS charges for care when an asylum application has been rejected.

With reference to her Department's transparency data entitled Breakdown of Home Office costs associated with the MEDP with Rwanda and the Illegal Migration Act 2023, Table 1: Home Office spend on the MEDP and the IMA, published on 2 December 2024, if she will provide a breakdown of the Other fixed costs referenced in that table.

In reference to this published document Breakdown of Home Office costs associated with the MEDP with Rwanda and the Illegal Migration Act 2023, a further breakdown of row 4 of Table 1 ‘other fixed costs’ is as follows: Other Fixed Costs (£m)* 2022/23 2023/24 24/25 (to June 24) Total Costs incurred to design and develop the digital, IT and data systems required to operationalise the MEDP and IMA012212134Programme and legal costs050757Cost of staff working directly on MEDP & IMA policies0612687Total 0 233 45 278 * Figures are to the nearest £1 million Please note the figures in Table 1 of the referenced publication on gov.uk were rounded to the nearest £5 million either way for technical reasons.

For what reason ambulance services must sign up to a maintenance package in order to reclaim VAT in relation to the leasing of vehicles.

Requirements for reclaiming value added tax are set by HM Revenue and Customs. Guidance on the approach for the Government and the health bodies, including ambulance services, for contracted out services is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/vat-government-and-public-bodies/vatgpb9720

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 December 2024 to Question 19469 on Home Office: Equality and with reference to the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance, published on 14 May 2024, if she will remove all stand-alone equality, diversity and inclusion roles.

There are no standalone roles related to equality, diversity and inclusion outside of the Home Office HR Function, and those that do function are focused on discharging the Departments statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010. This is in line with the stipulations in Paragraph 18c of the guidance to which the Hon member’s question refers.

If she will take steps to reform industrial relation practices in the (a) fire and rescue service and (b) police service.

The Government continues to work closely with the relevant police and fire authorities across the country to ensure that they are providing the level of service that the public expect, and that each service has the personnel, resources, equipment and training to do their jobs effectively.Maintaining effective industrial relations is a routine part and objective of this engagement.

If she will make it her policy to reduce the legal age for tattoos to 16 under the Tattooing of Minors Act 1969.

The Home Office keeps all such matters under review.

When she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Alcohol in licensed pavement areas, which closed on 11 July 2024.

The Government is carefully considering the results of the recent consultation and will publish these shortly alongside next steps.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for pavement licences. The Government supports the use of pavement licences to encourage better use of outdoor space on our high streets, supporting businesses and revitalising the spaces that communities use. We have no plans to change the streamlined application process introduced under the last government.

When she plans to respond to the consultation on Alcohol in licensed pavement areas; and what her policy is on (a) pavement licences and (b) takeaway pints.

The Government is carefully considering the results of the recent consultation and will publish these shortly alongside next steps.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is responsible for pavement licences. The Government supports the use of pavement licences to encourage better use of outdoor space on our high streets, supporting businesses and revitalising the spaces that communities use. We have no plans to change the streamlined application process introduced under the last government.

What discussions (a) ministers, (b) officials and (c) special advisors had with chief constables on the deployment of armed officers at Christmas markets in England and Wales in 2024.

Whilst the Home Office works closely with policing to consider security and to share information where appropriate, the operational deployment of police officers (including armed officers), and security considerations for individual sites, are decisions for operationally independent Chief Constables.

If she will hold discussions with responsible authorities on taking steps to tackle (a) unlawful gambling, (b) unlawful street vendors, (c) unlawful parking and (d) unlicensed pedicabs on Westminster Bridge; and who the responsible authorities are.

The Home Office is unable to provide the information requested. You may wish to direct your query to; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding unlawful gambling, the Department for Transport and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding unlawful parking and the Department for Transport regarding unlicenced pedicabs.The Home Office has no plans to hold talks as this is not a matter for the Home Office.