Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to restricting the contracts and investment for small nuclear modular reactors to UK-based companies, with the majority of component parts to be produced in the UK.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Following a robust, two-year procurement process, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to build the UK’s first small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature.

Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet, which could benefit communities right across the country.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livermore on 8 July (HL8809), whether (1) a certificate of sponsorship fee, and (2) an immigration skills charge, constitute a taxable benefit for employers in circumstances where those costs cannot be passed on to employees.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

If an employer pays for a certificate of sponsorship fee and the immigration skills charge, as a result of sponsoring a worker from overseas, these costs could be liable to Income Tax. Whether tax is payable will depend on individual circumstances as tax exemptions may apply. For this reason, each circumstance will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis. The Government has no plans to change the tax treatment of immigration fees. However, all taxes are kept under review as part of the tax policymaking process.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 30 June (HC61433), whether the proposed restriction on installing gas boilers for newly constructed dwellings applies to the development of blended green hydrogen and natural gas for heating purposes.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Future Homes Standard (FHS), to be introduced through the Building Regulations in autumn this year, will effectively preclude the use of gas boilers in new homes. A consultation setting out detailed technical proposals for the FHS was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024. Hybrid and hydrogen-ready boilers would not meet the standards proposed in the consultation. We are carefully considering the feedback we received to the consultation and intend to publish the government response confirming our final position in due course.

Found: After Clause 44 LORD BLUNKETT BARONESS BLOWER LORD WATSON OF INVERGOWRIE BARONESS MORRIS OF YARDLEY

Found: After Clause 44 LORD BLUNKETT BARONESS BLOWER LORD WATSON OF INVERGOWRIE BARONESS MORRIS OF YARDLEY