Written questions by Heylings.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing non-compliance fines in the Clean Heat Market Mechanism on the uptake of heat pumps.

The Government believes that the reduction to the payment-in-lieu for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism for the first baselining year will provide manufacturers with additional capacity to adapt to the scheme’s introduction, while still providing an incentive to invest in the transition. An impact assessment was published on 21 November 2024 alongside the draft statutory instrument. The government is confident that the targeted retrofit heat pump installations for the first scheme year can be achieved but will keep the payment-in-lieu level, like all scheme parameters, under review for future years.

If he will make it his policy to return non-compliance fines for the clean heat market mechanism to the level proposed for 2026 in the document entitled Clean Heat Market Mechanism Consultation: Summary of responses received and government response, published on 30 March 2023.

The Government has made the decision to reduce the level of the payment-in-lieu for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism from the previously proposed £3000 per missing heat pump credit to £500 for the first baselining year, in order to provide industry with additional capacity to adjust to the scheme’s introduction. No decisions have been taken about this or other scheme parameters for future years. The Government will keep the effectiveness of the payment level under close review and will consult on whether and how it should evolve for future years.

Whether she has had discussions with Whizz Kidz on their report entitled Beyond fare Equality through Concessionary Bus Travel; and if she will mandate free travel for disabled bus pass holders.

The Department regularly meets with stakeholders to discuss a range of issues but have had no such discussions with Whizz Kidz. The terms of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme already mandate free off-peak bus travel for disabled bus pass holders.

What her planned timetable is for responding to the Gingerbread report entitled Fix the Child Maintenance Service, published on 25 November 2024.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) continues to engage regularly with stakeholders as we consider CMS reform. We are currently considering the recommendations from the Gingerbread report ‘Fix the CMS’ alongside other potential changes we have been discussing with stakeholders.

What guidance her Department issues to Disability Living Allowance claimants during the wait for their claim to be assessed; and what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children is the only DLA product that has new claims. There are no longer new claims for DLA Adult, as customers over 16 are invited to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and customers over the state pensions age are invited to claim Attendance Allowance (AA), rather than the DLA 65+. At present, for Disability Living Allowance for Children, once a claim has been registered a system generated letter is sent to the customer to advise that the claim is being looked at with an approximate time frame, a progress acknowledgement letter may be sent at 7 weeks for new claims if the claim has not had a decision at that point. Special Rules End of Life claims are dealt with as a priority and the above does not apply as these are expected to be decided within 10 days. Telephony agents are also kept up to date for any telephony enquiries. In 2025 plans are in place to add information to an automated text once claims are registered. Work is also being undertaken to add a page to gov.uk In addition to this, new staff have been recruited and staff redeployed to help meet the increased number of claims and work is also underway to deliver improvements to the customer journey.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of shingles vaccines for all over 65s.

From September 2023, the routine shingles vaccination programme changed from the Zostavax vaccine to the two dose Shingrix vaccine, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the h...

What steps his Department is taking to improve the energy efficiency of homes for winter 2024-25.

There are multiple targeted schemes in place to deliver energy efficiency measures to low income and fuel poor households. Current schemes include the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), the Social Housing Decarbon...

Whether his Department plans to provide vulnerable households with emergency home insulation in winter 2024-25.

We recently announced the next steps on our Warm Homes Plan, which will see 300,000 homes upgraded in the next year. The government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, t...

What discussions he has had with energy suppliers on providing additional support for households with energy bills in winter 2024-25.

The Government and industry have worked together to deliver a £500m Winter Support Commitment for customers, and we applaud suppliers stepping up on this matter. I also meet regularly with energy suppliers to outline the Government’s expectations of the s...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing local supply rights to allow smaller-scale renewable energy schemes to sell their power directly to local customers.

The ability to access local energy supply is an important part of our energy system. Some suppliers already offer local tariffs, and other products and services are available that provide community benefits. Ofgem has a consultation open at the moment on ...

What estimate he has made of the number of people at risk of fuel poverty in winter 2024-25.

There were an estimated 3.17 million households in fuel poverty in England in 2023 and this is projected to decrease to 3.12 million in 2024 based on assumptions of economic factors and government policy as at January 2024. These statistics are taken from...

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of progress on meeting targets to end fuel poverty by 2030.

The Government is committed to tackling fuel poverty. We are currently reviewing the fuel poverty strategy and engaging with stakeholders as part of this process. We will publish a consultation on a new strategy in due course. The Secretary of State has a...

What estimate he has made of changes in the number of (a) children and (b) pensioners living in fuel poverty since 1 January 2024.

There were an estimated 3.17 million households in fuel poverty in England in 2023 and this is projected to decrease to 3.12 million in 2024 based on assumptions of economic factors and government policy as at January 2024. These statistics are taken from...

What estimate he has made of the number of people living in fuel poverty.

There were an estimated 3.17 million households in fuel poverty in England in 2023 and this is projected to decrease to 3.12 million in 2024 based on assumptions of economic factors and government policy as at January 2024. These statistics are taken from...

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing a return-to-retail deposit return scheme on local council revenue streams.

Through our regular industry engagement and international learnings from other schemes, there has been a broad consensus that a return to retail approach is the most effective way to launch a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers across the UK...

If she will hold discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority on the regulation of family trusts sold by building societies.

Treasury Ministers and officials meet with their counterparts at the Financial Conduct Authority often, as part of their regular engagement on various topics.The Financial Conduct Authority is an independent body responsible for regulating and supervising...

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including a digital option in the UK’s deposit return scheme to enable consumers to recycle their in-scope containers from home

Through our regular industry engagement and international learnings from other schemes, there has been a broad consensus that a return to retail approach is the most effective way to launch a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers across the UK...

If she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the support provided by her Department in helping disabled people (a) find and (b) maintain employment.

As part of the get Britain working plan, more disabled people and those with health conditions will be supported to enter and stay in work, by devolving more power to local areas so they can shape a joined-up work, health, and skills offer that suits the ...

What discussions he has had with Ofgem on the adequacy of local supply rights for small-scale renewable energy providers.

Ministers have not held meetings on this specific matter with Ofgem. The Department is aware that Ofgem’s licensing regime already enables small-scale generators to apply for a supply licence that is restricted to a specific geographic area.The Government...

If he will publish a social care strategy which includes support for the use of musical techniques for people living with dementia.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Quality Standard on Dementia, published in June 2019, recommends that therapeutic use of music be considered as a means of non-pharmacological intervention for people with dementia. Localities should...