Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he expects to publish the results of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme Round 10.

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

Applications for Round 10 of the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme closed on 19 September 2025 and are currently being assessed and scored against the scheme’s standard criteria. Details of the outcome of the funding round are expected to be published in Spring 2026.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to her Israeli counterpart on (a) forced evictions of Palestinian families and (b) home demolitions in Silwan.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK is concerned by reports of evictions of Palestinian families and home demolitions in East Jerusalem, including Silwan. In all but the most exceptional cases, demolitions by an occupying power are contrary to international law.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps is she taking to reform the Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) process for safety cameras to allow single units to carry out multiple functions.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

We keep the Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) process under continuous review to ensure it is sufficient to assure equipment is sufficiently robust for evidential purposes.

My officials are currently carrying out a comprehensive review to update the HOTA standard in collaboration with safety camera manufacturers and suppliers and technical experts from the scientific community.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps is she taking to ensure the Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) process is able to respond quickly to emerging technologies.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

We keep the Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) process under continuous review to ensure it is sufficient to assure equipment is sufficiently robust for evidential purposes.

My officials are currently carrying out a comprehensive review to update the HOTA standard in collaboration with safety camera manufacturers and suppliers and technical experts from the scientific community.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps is she taking to speed up the Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) process for safety cameras.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

We keep the Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) process under continuous review to ensure it is sufficient to assure equipment is sufficiently robust for evidential purposes.

My officials are currently carrying out a comprehensive review to update the HOTA standard in collaboration with safety camera manufacturers and suppliers and technical experts from the scientific community.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what is the longest waiting time for a Academic Technology Approval Scheme application to be processed was in the last 12 months.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Most Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applications are straight forward and 98% of applications during the past year were processed within 30 working days. Between 1 January 2025 to 13 November 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office received 33,945 ATAS applications. 670 of those applications were delayed beyond 30 working days.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many outstanding applications for Academic Technology Approval Scheme applications have waited for longer than 30 working days.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Most Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applications are straight forward and 98% of applications during the past year were processed within 30 working days. Between 1 January 2025 to 13 November 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office received 33,945 ATAS applications. 670 of those applications were delayed beyond 30 working days.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the current average waiting time for Academic Technology Approval Scheme applications to be processed is.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Most Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) applications are straight forward and 98% of applications during the past year were processed within 30 working days. Between 1 January 2025 to 13 November 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office received 33,945 ATAS applications. 670 of those applications were delayed beyond 30 working days.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to investigate the use of defeat devices in diesel vehicles.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) is investigating cases of possible non-compliant diesel emissions in cars and vans. The investigations aim to ensure any non-compliance found is fixed as soon as reasonably possible, working together with manufacturers to achieve real-world impacts on air quality.

Where an investigation into the emissions has identified emissions that do not meet the required standard, the MSU will work with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans and, where necessary, recall affected vehicles.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department will confirm the areas who will be an early adopter for Young Futures Hubs.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The eight Young Futures Hubs early adopter Local Authority areas will be announced shortly.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take steps to ensure the recall of diesel vehicles found to use defeat devices.

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

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) is investigating cases of possible non-compliant diesel emissions in cars and vans. The investigations aim to ensure any non-compliance found is fixed as soon as reasonably possible, working together with manufacturers to achieve real-world impacts on air quality.

Where an investigation into the emissions has identified emissions that do not meet the required standard, the MSU will work with the manufacturer to implement improvement plans and, where necessary, recall affected vehicles.

Found: Debbie Abrahams MP, Work and Pensions Committee Ruth Cadbury, MP, Chair, Transport Committee Helen Hayes

Found: Department for Education Josh MacAlister OBE MP Minister for Children and Families Helen Hayes

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Helen Hayes (Chair); Jess Asato; Mrs Sureena Brackenridge; Darren

Found: Centre for Young Lives 58 Victoria Embankment, EC4Y 0DS www.centreforyounglives.org.uk Helen Hayes

Found: Yours sincerely, Helen Hayes MP Chair, Education Select Committee

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Helen Hayes (Chair); Jess Asato; Dr Caroline Johnson; Darren Paffey

Submit Evidence (by 9 Jan 2026)

Reading brings a range of benefits to children, young people and their families, but the number of children reading for pleasure is declining rapidly.