Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has considered the impact of recommendations 11,12 and 19 of the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025 on progress towards achieving the Government’s nature recovery targets set under the Environment Act 2021.

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

We will present a full government response and implementation plan soon, taking account of our national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the use of AI-based mental health tools in the NHS; and what plans he has to consult on the use of these tools.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department recognises the potential of artificial intelligence-based tools to support mental health services in the National Health Service. Recent discussions have focused on ensuring that these technologies meet safety, ethical, and clinical standards. We are working with NHS England, regulators such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and other partners to develop robust evaluation frameworks. Plans include consultation with clinicians, patient groups, and industry to ensure transparency and public confidence. Any adoption will comply with NHS standards and data protection requirements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions his Department has had on the use of AI-based mental health tools in the NHS; and whether he plans to consult relevant stakeholders on the use of such tools.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department recognises the potential of artificial intelligence-based tools to support mental health services in the National Health Service. Recent discussions have focused on ensuring that these technologies meet safety, ethical, and clinical standards. We are working with NHS England, regulators such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and other partners to develop robust evaluation frameworks. Plans include consultation with clinicians, patient groups, and industry to ensure transparency and public confidence. Any adoption will comply with NHS standards and data protection requirements.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will publish the independent audit reports commissioned on ECO4 delivery in 2025–26.

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

The Department for Net Zero and Energy Security commissioned independent audit reports on ECO4 delivery. The results of this audit programme are available on the Government website: Solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS: Statistical audit results - GOV.UK

We are unable to publish individual household reports as this would contravene GDPR requirements

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 National Energy System Operator on the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

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

The methodology for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) was formally approved in May 2025 by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, together with Ofgem. As announced by NESO, the final SSEP will now be delivered in Autumn 2027, with pathway options submitted for decision by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in summer 2026.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment has he made of the potential merits of NESO introducing interim guidance that bridges the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and the delayed Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

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

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is committed to delivering the joined up, strategic energy planning needed for Great Britain to support economic growth, deliver a secure energy system and pave the way to a sustainable energy future. The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan gives a clear direction for our power system strategy for both 2030 and beyond, forming the basis for NESO's reformed connections queue out to both 2030 and 2035. NESO have now delivered clear queue outcomes to developers. At present, Government does not consider it necessary to produce any interim guidance.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to encourage investment into the UK hydrogen technology manufacturing sector.

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

The Industrial Strategy set out our public finance offer to crowd private investment into clean energy industries, including our hydrogen economy. This includes: £1bn Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8bn for the National Wealth Fund to invest this Parliament in clean industries; and a £4bn British Business Bank Growth Capital scale and start up financing package. The proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs for manufacturing supply chains in priority clean energy sectors such as hydrogen, making the UK an even more competitive place to invest.

My officials work with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to showcase investment opportunities and our world-class hydrogen sector capability.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support investment into research and development across the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Since 2020, Innovate UK, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has awarded more than £405 million in hydrogen related R&D funding to support technology development, strengthen supply chains, advance hydrogen production, and to enable its use across the transport, energy, and industrial sectors.

The Industrial Strategy set out the government’s approach to attract private investment into clean energy industries, including our hydrogen economy (including the £1 billion Clean Energy supply chain fund), £5.8 billion for the National Wealth Fund to invest in clean industries, and a £4 billion British Business Bank Growth Capital scale and start-up financing package. The proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will also reduce electricity costs for manufacturing supply chains in priority clean energy sectors such as hydrogen.

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 help ensure that UK hydrogen and fuel cell technology manufacturers benefit from the comprehensive Public Financial Institution offer set out in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan.

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

The UK is well placed to be a global leader in hydrogen deployment and supply chains, with significant export market potential for UK manufacturers. The Clean Energy Industries Plan (CEI) sets out a comprehensive Public Finance Institution offer to crowd private investment into sustainable supply chains in the UK and we will ensure hydrogen benefits from this. The offer includes:

• Energy, Engineered in the UK (EEUK) is Great British Energy’s (GBE) flagship supply chain investment programme, delivering £1 billion of funding to increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK. GBE is currently engaging with companies in various clean energy sectors, including the hydrogen supply chain, to explore potential interventions under EEUK.
• The National Wealth Fund has committed to direct part of its £5.8 billion capitalisation towards low carbon hydrogen and its associated supply chains. Hydrogen is also one of the 10 sectors they have selected to catalyse in their recently published 5-year Strategic Plan.

DESNZ is collaborating with the public finance institutions to align these offers with the needs of hydrogen and fuel cell manufacturers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what funding will be allocated to the UK hydrogen and fuel cell technology manufacturing sector through the Great British Energy £1 billion ‘Energy: Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund.

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

Energy, Engineered in the UK (EEUK) is GBE’s flagship supply chain investment programme, delivering £1 billion of funding to increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK.

Aside from the £300m Offshore Wind and Networks fund, funding under EEUK has not been pre-allocated to specific technologies or sectors. GBE will deploy the funding strategically, as aligned with its Strategic Plan and the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, working with industry and the wider energy ecosystem to identify where public investment can best unlock UK capability and crowd in private capital. GBE is currently engaging with companies in various clean energy sectors, including the hydrogen supply chain, to explore potential interventions under EEUK.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential for UK hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to contribute to the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as (a) heavy machinery and (b) heavy transport.

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

The Government expects hydrogen to play a role in decarbonising applications where there are limited alternatives such as maritime, aviation, and off-road machinery. This includes through use as a fuel directly, in a fuel cell, and to produce other low-carbon fuels such as ammonia, methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The Government plans to publish a renewed Hydrogen Strategy in early 2026 to sharpen our priorities, deepen industry collaboration, and unlock the full potential of hydrogen over the next decade.

The Department has long supported the research, development, and deployment of hydrogen‑powered transport, including through ensuring hydrogen is eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation and the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate, through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator, the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions, and the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme.

Playing fields

Iran protests

Situation in Iran

Found: 032] Ericsson [HCE 035] Mineral Products Association [HCE 048] Independent Age [HCE 054] Sarah Gibson

Found: Perkins (Chair); Olivia Blake; Julia Buckley; Jonathan Davies; Carla Denyer; Barry Gardiner; Sarah Gibson

Found: Mid Derbyshire) Carla Denyer (Green Party; Bristol Central) Barry Gardiner (Labour; Brent West) Sarah Gibson

Found: Mr Toby Perkins; Olivia Blake; Julia Buckley; Jonathan Davies; Carla Denyer; Barry Gardiner; Sarah Gibson

Found: Mr Toby Perkins; Olivia Blake; Julia Buckley; Jonathan Davies; Carla Denyer; Barry Gardiner; Sarah Gibson

Found: Written questions, answers and statements – Sarah Gibson Air Pollution.

Air pollution is a serious threat to both public health and the natural environment. It has been linked to heart disease, strokes, cancer, asthma and impacts on lung development in children. Tens of thousands of lives are being shortened in the UK by air pollution, according to the Chair of the Environment Agency.