Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of modifying future Contracts for Difference rounds to reward system value, benefits, and services, in addition to procuring energy at the lower possible cost per unit.

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

We keep the Contracts for Difference scheme under review and consult on potential reforms ahead of each allocation round. We have also introduced the Clean Industry Bonus which allows for other factors such as supply chain investments to be taken into account as part of the process.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking with its allies to help uphold human rights in Cameroon.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 24 November 2025 to Question 91527 following elections in Cameroon. Further to this, the UK continues to work with international partners, including through the UN and G7, to encourage the Government of Cameroon to uphold human rights. Through our British High Commission in Yaoundé, we regularly raise concerns and urge stronger democratic governance and engagement with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to lay before parliament the revised Equality and Human Rights Commission Equality Act 2010: Statutory Code of Practice on Service, Public Functions and Associations.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

I refer the Hon Member to Lord Collins’ answer to Lord Rooker’s oral question in the House of Lords, dated 2 February 2026, which provides the information you requested.

“The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations provides guidance on all protected characteristics, not solely on sex and gender reassignment.

The EHRC has submitted its draft Code to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. It is crucial that providers have legally robust guidance on how to apply the Equality Act, which is why we are considering the draft Code properly.”

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what progress her Department has made on completing an equalities impact assessment of the revised Equality and Human Rights Commission Equality Act 2010: Statutory Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The EHRC revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following its consultation after the UK Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland, and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The Government is considering the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the Secretary of State will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the draft Code.

It is important that the correct process for considering the Code is followed to ensure the Secretary of State can make an informed decision.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2026 to Question 110137 on Renewable Energy, whether his Department plans to set a minimum gigawatt target for (a) local energy and (b) community energy within the 15GW target.

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

As set out in its Strategic Plan in December 2025, Great British Energy (GBE) has a 15GW clean energy target over the next 5 years.

This will allow GBE to unlock the potential of emerging technologies while supporting the continued build out of more established technologies, like solar, wind and hydro.

GBE has committed to support at least 1000 local and community energy projects by 2030. These projects will form an integral part of that overall ambition to deliver at least 15GW.

By focussing on projects rather than on GW, GBE will prioritise smaller projects across the country and the communities that benefit from them.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions about the adequacy of levels of support available to clean energy SMEs, to ensure they are able to take on apprentices.

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

This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, backed by £725 million additional investment, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy.

To support SMEs in all sectors to take on apprentices, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year. This change will make it easier for those employers to engage with apprenticeships by cutting costs and reducing bureaucracy for both them and their training providers.

As set out in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, DESNZ works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England to ensure the skills system, including apprenticeships, delivers the workforce needed for our clean energy mission.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions about support for apprentices to transition into the clean energy sector.

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

This Government is transforming the apprenticeships levy into a new growth and skills levy, backed by £725 million additional investment, which will deliver greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy.

To support SMEs in all sectors to take on apprentices, the government will fully fund apprenticeship training for non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) for all eligible people aged under 25 from the next academic year. This change will make it easier for those employers to engage with apprenticeships by cutting costs and reducing bureaucracy for both them and their training providers.

As set out in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, DESNZ works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England to ensure the skills system, including apprenticeships, delivers the workforce needed for our clean energy mission.

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 merits of promoting and planning the co-location of load-following small modular reactors with stable demand sources, such as data centres or electric arc furnaces, to reduce grid congestion and maximise the flexibility and surplus capacity delivered to the grid.

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

The Government is aware of the growing interest in private offtake agreements, particularly from energy-intensive sectors, and will explore options brought forward by privately led projects that supporting such arrangements as part of the Advanced Nuclear Framework.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what comparative assessment he has made of the international competitiveness of (a) the UK and (b) countries that deploy carbon capture at scale in low-carbon cement production.

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

Carbon capture, usage and storage is integral to decarbonising the cement sector’s production of clinker and making the sector competitive in a net zero economy.

Government has signed the UK’s first industrial carbon capture contracts with Heidelberg Materials UK’s Padeswood cement works, showing our commitment in this regard. In addition, the National Wealth Fund has made a £28.6 million equity investment in Peak Cluster.

Furthermore, DESNZ in partnership with Innovate UK is supporting the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for next-generation low-carbon concrete. This initiative aims to accelerate the scale up and adoption of low carbon concrete solutions through creating a guaranteed market for these products. Industry supporters who have made commitments include Scottish Water, Ramboll, Derwent London, Atkins Realis UK, and Heathrow.

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 merits of offering loans or a cashback scheme to SMEs to implement energy efficiency measures; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this on levels of (a) emissions, and (b) SME energy costs.

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

Several pilots are running to better understand how we can support SMEs to reduce energy demand, bills and carbon.

The Pilot Business Energy Advise Service, providing energy audits and grants in the West Midlands, could have annual saving of £24m in bills and 51,000 tonnes of carbon based on all recommendations being implemented.

The ZCS Hospitality Trial, will support c600 hospitality SMEs through online carbon and energy reduction tools, with potential to save over £3m in bills and 2,700 tonnes of carbon annually.

The British Business Bank’s pilot Green Growth Guarantee Scheme will facilitate up to £30m of investment in green tech for SMEs and help understand SME appetite for green finance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an estimate of the potential impact to GDP in the UK from nature and biodiversity loss due to climate change.

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

Defra co-funded a 2024 report on Assessing the Materiality of Nature-Related Financial Risks for the UK, led by the Green Finance Institute working with academic partners. The report found that environmental degradation could lead to a potential reduction in GDP of around 3% and, in certain scenarios, nature-related risks including water shortages and soil reduction could lead to up to a 6% reduction in GDP in the years ahead. In addition, this Government’s recent National security assessment on global ecosystems highlights how global ecosystem degradation and collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity. Nature’s recovery is fundamental to the Government’s approach to economic growth, as set out in our Environmental Improvement Plan.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to identify skills gaps in the retrofit industry; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) supporting the expansion of high-quality training and (b) providing funding for long-term capacity.

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

The Government’s Warm Homes Plan will deliver growth to our economy, good jobs for our communities, and opportunities for innovation. The number of additional jobs supported in energy efficiency and clean heating is projected to be up to 180,000 by 2030. The Plan outlines the actions the government is taking to support retrofit skills development including launching the £8 million Warm Homes Skills Programme, extending the Heat Training Grant by allocating a further £21 million until March 2029, and establishing a Workforce Taskforce to facilitate the transition to a diverse, skilled and resilient workforce for existing workers and new entrants.

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 level of need to urgently implement the Forest Risk Commodities regulation.

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

and reverse deforestation and forest degradation by 2030 while supporting sustainable development. The UK helped lay the foundation for the 2030 forest commitment through our own COP26 Presidency, including by rallying over 140 partners behind the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use.

We recognise the urgency of taking action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation and are working across government to determine the most effective way to reduce the impact of the UK’s consumption of forest risk commodities on deforestation.

We will set out our approach to addressing this in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to respond to feedback from frontline GPs to the NHS 10-Year Health Plan consultation; and whether this feedback will result in changes to its policy approach to general practice.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Participants shared their experiences of using and/or working in or with the National Health Service and their views on what it should look like in the future, which were used to shape the 10-Year Health Plan. A report detailing the views of members of the public and health and care staff as gathered through the Change NHS engagement process that contributed to the development of the 10-Year Health Plan for England is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/engagement-insight-report-10-year-health-plan-for-england

The Department currently has no plans to respond to specific individual feedback from frontline general practitioners (GPs).

The 10-Year Health Plan, shaped by engagement, set out the need for reform within GPs. This includes increasing capacity, delivering on the recommendations of the Red Tape Challenge, and rolling out the technology to enable more appointments and better continuity of care for those with complex needs.

As part of the shift from hospital to community, the plan also sets out more fundamental reform that will see GPs lead new neighbourhood providers that convene teams of skilled professionals to provide personalised care for groups of people with similar needs.

We have now concluded the 2026/27 GP Contract consultation. The final package reflects commitments in the 10-Year Health Plan, including ending the 8:00am scramble, improving timely access to care, tackling GP unemployment, and supporting a shift towards prevention. Overwhelmingly, participants in the public deliberative events identified access to care, and prioritising GP access, as the most immediate priority the 10-Year Health Plan should address.

We are investing an additional £485 million into GPs, taking total contract investment to over £13.8 billion in 2026/27. This builds on last year’s £1.1 billion of investment.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that new neighbourhood health centres will be led by trusted local GPs.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

General practice (GP) is the cornerstone of the Neighbourhood Health Service. GPs have a deep understanding and experience of their local population needs and a key role to play in maintaining the health and wellbeing of their neighbourhoods.

We will encourage GPs to work over larger geographies by leading new neighbourhood providers. These providers will convene teams of skilled professionals, to provide truly personalised care for groups of people with similar needs.

These teams of professionals and partners, nurses, doctors, social care workers, pharmacists, health visitors, employment support, children’s services, and more, will work together to support people and places to improve their health and wellbeing.

We also envisage GPs playing an important role in supporting the shift of more planned care out of hospital, for example through working directly with consultants to support people with complex conditions closer to home, without the need for a hospital referral.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the impact of new online consultation requirements on patient access to GP care.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

General practices (GPs) are independent businesses contracted by the National Health Service to deliver essential services, and as part of these contracts they are required to provide modern telephony systems, online consultation tools, and ensure that receptions are open during core hours. In the 2025 contract negotiations with the General Practitioners Committee England, an agreement was reached to ensure online consultation systems are available throughout core hours. These changes are designed to improve access to GPs, end the 8:00am scramble, and ensure parity across all access options.

In January 2026, there has been an increase of 4.1 million online consultation submissions compared to January 2025. Office for National Statistics data from January 2026 shows that 76.8% of patients found it “easy” to contact their GP, up from 60.9% in July 2024. In the year to January 2026, including COVID-19 vaccinations, an additional six million appointments were delivered compared with the previous 12 months.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure commitments to grid upgrades and decarbonisation are not overlooked due to the demand for data centres to be rapidly connected to the grid.

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

Government is working closely with Ofgem, NESO and network companies to ensure network capacity is available to support data centre growth, in a way that balances the needs of the energy system and ensures delivery of clean power. This includes taking actions announced in the November 2025 ‘Delivering AI Growth Zones’ publication to manage speculative data centre demand and ensure the most strategic and credible projects are prioritised for connections. Government expects to consult on these measures in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to protect owners of listed buildings from changes in insurance premiums.

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

Insurance providers make commercial decisions about the terms and price on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. This is usually informed by the insurer’s claims experience and other industry-wide statistics. For listed properties, insurers may consider factors such as the building’s grade and heritage value, alongside the higher costs of specialist materials and skilled labour required for repairs.

The Government is working with Historic England, our statutory advisor on heritage matters, to look at the impacts of increased insurance premiums for historic properties.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether an assessment has been made of the potential disproportionate impact on the ability of female British National (Overseas) visa holders with childcare responsibilities to attain settlement, should the new income requirement under the earned settlement model be imposed.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.

BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.

We sought views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, which was open between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. We will now carefully review and analyse all responses received, and the findings will support the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures. Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

Economic and equality impact assessments will be conducted on the final model. They will consider the impacts on different groups and, will be published in due course.

In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether any estimate has been made on the number of British National (Overseas) visa holders who will not meet the new proposed income requirements due to being in full-time education within the three-year period before they are due to apply for settlement.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.

BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.

We sought views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, which was open between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. We will now carefully review and analyse all responses received, and the findings will support the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures. Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

Economic and equality impact assessments will be conducted on the final model. They will consider the impacts on different groups and, will be published in due course.

In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate has been made of the number of British National (Overseas) visa holders who will not meet the new proposed income requirements due to retirement, early or otherwise.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.

BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years’ residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.

We sought views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, which was open between 20 November 2025 and 12 February 2026. We will now carefully review and analyse all responses received, and the findings will support the development of the final earned settlement model, including consideration of any potential exemptions or transitional measures. Once the final model has been decided, the Government will communicate the outcome publicly.

Economic and equality impact assessments will be conducted on the final model. They will consider the impacts on different groups and, will be published in due course.

In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.

Outdoor learning

Royal Mail delivery standards

Endometriosis Awareness Month 2026

NHS access to medical cannabis for children with drug-resistant epilepsy

Heating oil prices

Public health campaign on tackling stigma towards suicide

Protections for Cornish produce

Cardiac risk in the young

Dual nationals without British passports