Written questions by Bailey.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the use of online retention algorithms on adult social media consumers, particularly those with accessibility needs.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of regulating the use of online retention algorithms directed at adult consumers.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to promote greater user content viewing control on social media platforms for adult consumers.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to promote healthier social media consumption for adult consumers.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the further legal costs that may be incurred by the Department in relation to ongoing litigation concerning compensation for women affected by maladministration in State Pen

Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd (WASPI) are seeking permission from the High Court to bring a Judicial Review on our response to the Ombudsman’s report. We do not comment on live litigation.

Whether the Department has considered participating in Alternative Dispute Resolution or mediation in relation to the ongoing legal proceedings brought by WASPI.

Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd (WASPI) are seeking permission from the High Court to bring a Judicial Review on our response to the Ombudsman’s report. We are not able to comment on live litigation, but full details of our decision in this cas...

What assessment he has made of the comparative cost to the public purse of (a) compensating women affected by maladministration in State Pension Age communications and (b) losses to the Department arisi

Women Against State Pension Inequality Ltd (WASPI) are seeking permission from the High Court to bring a Judicial Review on our response to the Ombudsman’s report. We are not able to comment on live litigation, but full details of our decision in this cas...

On how many occasions Ministers or officials from his Department have met representatives of the WASPI Campaign since September 2024.

During this time, the previous Minister for Pensions met with representatives, the first Minister to do so in eight years.

What assessment his Department has made of (a) the prevalence of respiratory disease and (b) the number of emergency hospital admissions for respiratory conditions in Salford; and what steps he is

Data is available for emergency Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs) where there was a primary diagnosis of 'respiratory conditions’. The following table shows the number of FAEs where there was a primary diagnosis of 'respiratory conditions’ for Harpenden ...

What oversight mechanisms are in place in relation to (a) payment delays, (b) retentions and (c) wider commercial practices by obligated suppliers within the ECO scheme supply chain.

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is administered by Ofgem, which oversees obligated supplier compliance, including monitoring, audits and counter-fraud processes across the supply chain. Payment terms, retentions and wider commercial practices are prim...

What steps the Government is taking to ensure that (a) installers and (b) other businesses within the ECO supply chain are paid (i) appropriately and (ii) promptly for completed works.

As the administrator for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Ofgem is responsible for overseeing obligated supplier compliance through monitoring, audits and counter-fraud processes across the supply chain. Payment terms, retentions and wider commercial ...

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of safeguarding measures for in-person work experience placements at i) outlets centrally owned by and ii) franchisee-owned stores operated by McDonald'

The Department is pleased to work with employers such as McDonald’s UK to provide work experience opportunities. All employers hosting placements are required to comply with relevant legislation and are expected to provide a safe working environment inclu...

Whether he has had discussions with McDonalds UK on the adequacy of safeguarding measures in relation to the "in-person work experience placements" at (i) outlets centrally owned by McDonald's UK and (ii) franchisee-owned stores operated by McDonald's UK in relation to the potential risk of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Awaiting answer.

What consideration he has made of joining inclusive mediation with 1950s born women about the maladministration of state pension age changes.

Awaiting answer.

When HMRC last reviewed the overseas subsistence scale rates; what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those rates on employees working abroad, in the context of increases in the cost of food; and whether she plans to bring forward an updated schedule.

Where employers reimburse allowable travel expenses, tax relief is available provided the expenses are wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for work purposes. Ordinarily, employers must hold evidence of the employee’s actual expenditure. However, to reduce administrative burdens on employers, HMRC allows expenses for travel outside the UK to be reimbursed without evidence up to the levels contained within the Overseas Scale Rates. Where the Overseas Scale rates do not cover the expense incurred by employees, employers can still reimburse and provide tax relief provided they have appropriate evidence. The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the policy‑making process. Any decisions on future changes in this area will be taken in the context of the wider public finances.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what proportion of the UK’s international climate finance is delivered as (a) grants and (b) loans; and what steps she is taking to ensure that financial support to countries most vulnerable to climate-related disasters is primarily provided in the form of grants rather than loans.

Between 2021/22 and 2025/26, 89 per cent of international climate finance (ICF3) was delivered as grants. We will continue to ensure grant finance delivered through ICF4 is targeted towards the most vulnerable.

What progress he has made on establishing the Warm Homes Plan workforce.

The Warm Homes Plan will create high-quality jobs and boost innovation to deliver economic growth. The government, in partnership with the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has established the Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce to facilitate the transition, creation and growth of a diverse, skilled and resilient workforce for existing workers and new entrants. The Taskforce held its inaugural meeting in January this year. The Taskforce supports the government’s ambition to make sure the additional 180,000 jobs in energy efficiency and clean heating, created by the Warm Homes Plan, will be high-quality, well-paid and future-proofed.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of ending the ECO scheme on energy efficiency sector workers and businesses.

The Government recognises that ending ECO presents challenges for the supply chain. The Government will support the transition to opportunities provided by the Warm Homes Plan, including new regulations for renters and new builds treating millions of homes, and the additional £1.5 billion for upgrading low-income households. For this additional funding, the Government will use the procurement regime to support local supply chains and small businesses, working closely with the retrofit sector, housing associations and local authorities. Officials are working with the Department for Business and Trade to develop support for employees and companies in the construction sector.

What steps he is taking to provide support to energy efficiency (a) SMEs and (b) microbusinesses dependent on ECO scheme funding.

The Government recognises that ending ECO presents challenges for the supply chain. The Government will support the transition to opportunities provided by the Warm Homes Plan, including new regulations for renters and new builds treating millions of homes, and the additional £1.5 billion for upgrading low-income households. For this additional funding, the Government will use the procurement regime to support local supply chains and small businesses, working closely with the retrofit sector, housing associations and local authorities. Officials are working with the Department for Business and Trade to develop support for employees and companies in the construction sector.

What progress he has made on establishing the Warm Homes Agency.

Following the announcement of the Warm Homes Agency, officials have been working with relevant stakeholders, including Ofgem, Salix, devolved governments and local authorities, to develop the design, scope and functions of the Agency. We will further develop the specifications for the functions that the Agency will deliver during 2026, with the Warm Homes Agency beginning initial operations in 2027.