Viscount Hanworth

There is a mandatory retirement age of 70 prescribed by section 1(3) of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Age Limit) Measure 1975 which applies to all Archbishops, Bishops, Deans, Archdeacons, residentiary Canons, parish incumbents and curates. Archbishops may be continued in office until the age of 71 at the Sovereign's discretion. Clergy other than Archbishops may continue beyond the age of 70 provided they hold Common Tenure, which covers almost all clergy; they are covered by regulation 29A of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Regulations 2009. That Regulation makes comprehensive provision for holding office beyond the age of 70. For bishops and certain other clergy, their period in office can be extended until they reach the age of 75. For parish clergy, they can be extended in office beyond the age of 70 where certain conditions are met; there is no upper age limit in these cases. The Archbishops’ Council has issued guidance under regulation 29A of the attached.

We recognise that electricity storage technologies, including pumped hydro storage, provide an important source of flexibility to our energy system. We currently have around 3GW of storage capacity on our system, of which the vast majority is pumped hydro storage. The Electricity System Operator estimates that, by 2050, there could be 12-29 GW of total storage capacity on our system.

Our 2017 Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan and 2018 Progress Update set out a range of actions to remove barriers to storage and ensure flexibility is fairly valued in our energy markets. Pumped storage hydro is able to access the Capacity Market in the same way as other technologies, though a number of issues were raised in the recent Capacity Market review “Call for Evidence” which we will be considering.

In England, the Environment Agency has an extensive monitoring network over both surface and groundwaters, to comply with European groundwater legislation (2006/118/EC) and requirements under the EU Priority Substances Directive (2008/105/EC and its update, 2013/39/EU). It monitors surface waters for priority substances (set at EU level), and also certain other chemicals of a national, but not European, concern.

The Environment Agency are developing a programme to monitor priority substances that accumulate in biota (e.g. in fish or shellfish) at a number of freshwater sites in England.

The Environment Agency is shortly to start contributing to the European-wide surveillance of a number of emerging substances of concern (the watch list) required under Directive 2013/39/EU. This monitoring will include the xenoestrogen ethinyloestradiol.

The Government recognises the important role of hydrogen in decarbonising the economy, and expects hydrogen and its derivatives to play a role in sectors where there are limited alternative solutions with each transport mode driving progress on the solution that is most appropriate to them.

The Department is supporting the transition to low carbon fuels in surface transport through the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, alongside driving hydrogen research, development and deployment through programmes such as the SAF and ZEV Mandates, ZEHID, UK SHORE, the Advanced Fuels Fund, and the CAA’s Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge. The Government will also be publishing a renewed Hydrogen Strategy in 2026 to sharpen priorities and deepen industry collaboration, alongside a forthcoming Zero Emission HGV and Coach Infrastructure Strategy.

Officials from the Department for Transport are working closely with Network Rail to produce their new 'Future Electric Railway' strategy. This strategy will include an examination of the whole life costs and technological capability of each option to remove diesel traction in order to set out a realistic, affordable, and deliverable approach to a net zero railway. This strategy will also complement the Department’s ‘Rolling Stock and Infrastructure’ strategy to identify the correct solution for upgrading both track and train as required. We anticipate both strategies being published mid-2026.

Sections 21 and 22 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and associated Codes of Practice, in particular, PACE Code B 2023, stipulate how the police should deal with the retention and return of seized property. Property seized as evidence may only be retained for so long as is necessary and the officer in charge is responsible for ensuring that the property is returned as soon as practicable.

A person who wishes to claim property seized by the police may also apply to a Magistrate's court under the Police (Property) Act 1897.