Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to establish a sustainable funding model for social welfare advice services.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government recognises the important role that social welfare advice services play in supporting individuals.

For example, DWP provide grant funding to Citizens Advice, who deliver Help to Claim support for customers to apply for Universal Credit. In addition, the Money and Pensions Service, which is sponsored by DWP, continues to provide impartial, free money and pensions guidance directly to consumers.

DWP’s settlement at Spending Review 2025 provided DWP with funding to continue delivering these services.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to (a) tackle digital exclusion and (b) ensure that people who are digitally excluded have access to (i) advice and (ii) online services.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Digital Inclusion Action Plan sets out the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK. These first actions will widen access to devices, drive digital upskilling, break down barriers to participation and get support to people in their own communities.

We are committed to ensuring that government online and digital services are as accessible as possible and are exploring how to extend the scope of the standards beyond central government into the wider public sector and looking at revising them to include inclusive service design.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of welfare reforms on demand for independent advice services; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The public consultation on the “Pathways to Work” Green Paper received over 47,500 responses before closing on the 30 June. We are now carefully reviewing responses as we develop further proposals, involving disabled people, including through the Timms review of PIP, collaboration committees and the department’s new Disability Advisory Panel.

We will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms as part of our consideration of responses to the consultation, including any impacts on services.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of the creation of a national advice workforce development fund.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Skills England will identify and address skills gaps across all sectors. It works with employers, training providers, and local authorities to ensure the skills system reflects real-world workforce needs, both nationally and locally.

Through 16-19 funding, the Adult Skills Fund and apprenticeships, the department provides funding for education, training and qualifications across a range of sectors. This will support people on pathways that will be relevant to roles in the advice sector.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North constituency to (a) regional and (b) national economic growth.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As evidenced by the inclusion of civil nuclear the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the government recognises that our nuclear programme is an important driver of regional and national growth. We also recognise the considerable presence of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North, with businesses in the region contributing a range of expertise across the programme.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the deposit return scheme to be operational.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers will launch in October 2027 across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Welsh Government are consulting on their DRS scheme and working to align their implementation timetable with the rest of the UK for an October 2027 scheme launch.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his policies on new nuclear on job creation.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

This Government’s nuclear policies are set to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly employed in the project, thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and plans to create 1,500 apprenticeships. Furthermore, a small modular reactor project delivered through the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR programme could create up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction. The new Atlantic partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy between the UK and the US will accelerate deployment of new nuclear power, unlocking opportunities for billions in private investment and delivering thousands more well-paid skilled jobs.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the number of jobs in the nuclear sector on the economy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. The annual industry-led 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment (NWA), published by Cogent Skills, estimates that the civil and defence nuclear sector workforce increased from 83,000 jobs in 2023 to 96,000 in 2024, and could grow by an additional 24,000 employees by the early 2030s.[1] These roles are highly skilled, well paid and concentrated in regions where they provide significant economic benefit. Beyond direct employment nuclear investment boosts skills, infrastructure, and services, driving economic growth

[1] Cogent Skills, 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment