Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will increase financial support for homeowners to maintain thatched houses.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Government does not offer a dedicated, standalone grant scheme for maintenance and repair of thatched properties, but thatched properties can qualify for broader historic building grants from Government and arms length bodies, including Historic England, as long as they meet the relevant grant criteria. For example in 2025, Historic England supported the rethatching of the Upminster Tithe Barn in Havering, Greater London alongside partners given its important historical and community significance.
All Government grants are listed on find a grant UK GOV website. For a full list of funding available for activities that relate to the repair, conserve and care for heritage, please consult Historic England website, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund website. On the whole, private domestic dwellings are only considered for public funding in exceptional circumstances and would have to demonstrate significant heritage and community value.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on support for the Golden Valley Development.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Defence Ministers are in regular contact with colleagues across Government, including the Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, on a range of critical matters including how defence plays a vital role in supporting regional economic growth and development. The MOD recognises the wide-ranging potential economic benefits associated with the Golden Valley Development. Discussions are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment on their detail.
Asked by: Cameron Thomas (Independent - Tewkesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of the Golden Valley Development to delivering the Defence Investment Plan’s objectives for the cyber domain.
Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Investment Plan underlines the importance of strengthening the UK's cyber capabilities, supporting innovation and fostering collaboration between Government, industry, and academia. The Golden Valley Development has the potential to contribute to these objectives through the creation of a cyber and technology ecosystem. The MOD continues to engage with key partners to understand how such developments can support the delivery of defence and national security objectives. Detailed assessments of individual projects are kept under review as part of the Department's ongoing strategic planning cycles.