Baroness Hodgson of Abinger

The Government is committed to delivering the Plan to Make Work Pay in full. Ministers are identifying the most appropriate delivery mechanisms for the commitments in the Plan, including an Employment Rights Bill that will be introduced to Parliament within 100 days of taking office. Work is already underway to identify and deliver measures through non-legislative and secondary legislative routes. We are already delivering on our commitments, including changing the remit of the Low Pay Commission to reflect living standards for the first time.

The Department has internal software tools that it uses to model the performance of a specific wind turbine located in a defined location since the comparative energy conversion efficiency depends on the turbine design and the available wind resource rather than if a turbine is used offshore or onshore. The maximum energy conversion efficiency is theoretically 59.26% (The Betz Limit), but practical turbines have efficiency factors around the 40% range.

This is an independent review which is ongoing, and as such responses have not been directed to the Department.

As per the Terms of Reference, final reporting will be submitted by the end of August 2024. Upon receipt, the government will consider the report.

The UK remains committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

The Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds was appointed on 8 July 2024 as Minister of State for Development at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and will assume responsibility for WPS. She is also Minister for Women and Equalities at the Department for Education. The Minister will attend Cabinet.

The Ministry of Defence lead on WPS will be the Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard, who will be supported by the Minister for the House of Lords, Lord Coaker.

The current set of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) envoys is presently under review.  FCDO Ministers will take decisions on envoys in due course, and appointments of any new envoys will be announced publicly.

The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Strategy, launched in 2022, sets out the UK's approach to tackling conflict related sexual violence (CRSV). It covers the period 2022-2025. Discussions on exact future strategies will be taken by ministers in due course.

Empowering women and girls and preventing the conflicts that disproportionately impact on them is a key priority for this new government. We are working to prevent and respond to CRSV, including as vice chair of the International Alliance on PSVI and by providing medical, psychosocial, and legal support to thousands of survivors around the world.

The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI) Strategy, launched in 2022, sets out the UK's approach to tackling conflict related sexual violence (CRSV). It covers the period 2022-2025. Decisions on exact future strategies will be taken by ministers in due course.

Empowering women and girls and preventing the conflicts that disproportionately impact on them is a key priority for this new government. We are working to prevent and respond to CRSV, including as vice chair of the International Alliance on PSVI and by providing medical, psychosocial, and legal support to thousands of survivors around the world.

The Environment Improvement Plan 2023 recognised that water efficiency could be supported through Building Regulations, planning and voluntary schemes. The Government will review this position in the coming months and recognises that new work might need to consider technical challenges of water capture and avoidance of cross-contamination between rainwater and potable water supplies.

Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. This will support our ambition that the 1.5 million homes we will build over the course of this parliament will be high quality, well designed and sustainable. That is why the Deputy Prime Minister and I are clear that rooftop solar and other renewable technology should play an important role, where appropriate, as part of the future standards for homes and buildings.

We welcome research into ways to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment through safe, innovative products. Building Regulations are outcome based and do not prescribe specific materials. This gives housebuilders the freedom to use the most appropriate materials and technologies for their projects, which allows them to quickly capitalise on innovation.