Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his department is making on delivering new jobs for North East Somerset & Hanham in clean energy industries.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Our Clean Energy Jobs Plan sets out how the number of jobs supported by clean energy industries is estimated to grow from around 440,000 jobs in 2023 to support 860,000 jobs across the UK by 2030.

In South-West England, the demand is estimated to reach up to 35,000 direct jobs by the end of the decade, which is an increase of up to 15,000 jobs.

This is driven by projects in the wider area, such as Hinkley Point C, which will have at least 25,000 jobs during construction, 900 jobs during operation, 1,000 apprenticeships, and adult training placements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress is being made to ensure women in North East Somerset & Hanham have access to menopause treatments on the NHS.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government recognises that women suffering from symptoms of menopause have been failed for far too long, and we acknowledge the impact it has on women’s lives, relationships, and participation in the workplace.

The number of women in Bath and North East Somerset receiving hormone replacement therapy, commonly used to relieve menopause symptoms, has increased by approximately 85%, from 15,770 women in 2021/22, to 29,140 in 2024/25. The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire integrated care board (ICB) has also commissioned its general practices (GPs) to provide testosterone replacement to menopausal women, who are affected by low libido as a result of ongoing hormone replacement therapy treatments.

Hanham falls within the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System area, within which seven primary care networks are trialling the use of group education and group consultations for menopause. Over 1,000 people have attended a group education session. The University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Menopause Service is running a training clinic for six GPs with additional qualifications in menopause, to upskill further in menopause care and help reduce waiting lists.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress his Department has made in developing an evidence base to consider whether decapods should have greater protection.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra has commissioned research to address a knowledge gap about how live decapods move from sea to plate. This is due to finish in 2026. In addition, a project on the welfare of decapod crustaceans across the supply chain is included in the Animal Welfare Committee’s current work plan.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps she is taking to help increase incomes of working families in North East Somerset & Hanham.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

On 1 April 2025, the National Living Wage (NLW) increased to £12.21 per hour for eligible workers aged 21 and over. This represents a pay rise of £1,400 per year for a full-time worker and has benefitted around 3 million low-paid workers. Living standards, as measured by Real Household Disposable Income (RHDI) per capita, are 2.1% higher than before the election. This means that the average person’s disposable income is £800 higher now than just before the election in real terms.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress Network Rail has made in carrying out rail infrastructure safety assessments required by the Office of Rail and Road.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The department looks to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), as the independent rail safety regulator, to ensure that Network Rail is held to account for safety-related matters. ORR has assessed Network Rail’s progress in carrying out structural assessments and is assured that it is on target to complete most of the first phase by the deadline agreed with ORR. A small number of these assessments are not expected to be completed by the deadline and will be monitored on a case-by-case basis.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will publish a strategy for new rolling stock to be procured by passenger train operators contracted by her Department.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government has begun work to develop a long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy, the first for more than three decades and we expect to publish it next year. The strategy will place the needs of passengers at its heart and will pursue modern standards of carbon-friendly traction, passenger comfort and accessibility.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of industrial livestock farming in the UK on (a) climate change, (b) deforestation of the Amazon and (c) national food security.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government promotes efficient, competitive farming, but does not seek to favour large, or small-scale farming operations, which each have a role to play in promoting sustainable UK agriculture and supporting our national food security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. As part of the Government’s international and domestic commitments, Defra produces an annual inventory of UK agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including those from the rearing of livestock. We are committed to addressing how UK consumption of forest risk commodities drives deforestation in key ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. This work includes consideration of the role of imported commodities such as soy and palm oil that are used in feed for UK livestock farming.