Asked by: Lizzi Collinge (Labour - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when the Infected Blood Compensation Authority plans to begin making compensation payments to affected individuals under the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme.
Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office
In December 2024, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) began making payments to people who are infected and as of 24 April, over £78 million has been paid in compensation. In March Parliament approved Regulations to give the IBCA the power to make payments to people who are affected as a result of the Infected Blood Scandal. The Government expects IBCA to begin making payments to people who are affected before the end of this year.
Asked by: Lizzi Collinge (Labour - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he plans to implement the second phase of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for non-domestic private rented buildings.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
We have analysed the responses to our consultation on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards in the non-domestic private rented sector and we are reviewing the policy design to ensure it remains fair and appropriate for landlords and tenants, and plan to publish our response in the first half of 2025.
Asked by: Lizzi Collinge (Labour - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many planning inspectors are qualified to run local planning examinations; and whether her Department plans to increase staffing at the Planning Inspectorate in the context of the timeframes proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) currently has 60 Inspectors (55FTE) trained to carry out Local Plan Examinations.
The government is committed to achieving a more efficient and consistent local plans examination process. This includes ensuring there is sufficient resourcing in PINS to support such activity.
Asked by: Lizzi Collinge (Labour - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to (a) tackle (i) delays and (ii) cancellations and (b) improve the performance of Northern Rail services (A) in general and (B) on the Morecambe line.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Northern Trains’ current performance is not acceptable and we have issued it with a notice requiring it to develop an improvement plan to address the issues underlying its current lack of reliability. The Secretary of State also recently met with Northern to understand how that plan is progressing, following a previous meeting with the Rail Minister.
As Passenger-in-Chief, the Secretary of State will keep standing up for passengers and demanding better services from operators.
Asked by: Lizzi Collinge (Labour - Morecambe and Lunesdale)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will include measures on (a) the legal use of, (b) enforcement of and (c) education on the risks of using (i) e-bikes, (ii) e-scooters and (iii) similar vehicles in the Crime and Policing Bill.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this Government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission to take back our streets. The Government will give police the powers they need to tackle the dangerous and antisocial use of e-vehicles off the streets for good, so that they will be able to quickly destroy those that they seize from offenders. We will set out more information in due course.
Information on the risks of using electric vehicles is available at: E-cycle and e-scooter batteries: managing fire risk for premises - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and more detailed guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-guidance-to-enhance-e-bike-and-e-scooter-safety.