Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support biodiversity and nature when building houses and infrastructure.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 is clear about the importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity where it is affected by development and includes stringent protections for nationally designated sites and irreplaceable habitats.
The implementation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies and Biodiversity Net Gain are helping to highlight opportunities to improve nature in conjunction with development, and to secure tangible contributions to biodiversity enhancements.
The Nature Restoration Fund, introduced by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, will provide further benefits where development could affect protected habitats and species, by enabling strategic improvements.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
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 help support the development of the geothermal energy industry (a) nationally and (b) in Southampton Test constituency.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is making support available to the industry through existing schemes such as Green Heat Network Fund, Contracts for Difference and Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. Potential projects in the Southampton Test constituency can apply if they meet the scheme eligibility criteria. The Government also continues to commission publicly available research to support the development of the industry. Research into the costs of geothermal energy is due to be published this summer and an open-access UK Geothermal Platform to support project feasibility work is in the final stages of development. Any future support is subject to spending review outcomes.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help support the National Park City initiative.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Department recognises the value of the National Park City initiative, which aligns with our priorities to increase access to nature and green spaces for everyone. We continue to engage with the National Park City Foundation to support the initiative's ambition to make urban areas greener, healthier, and more connected to nature.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
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 on the chalk stream recovery pack for the river Test and Itchen.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Cleaning up our waters, including iconic sites such as chalk streams, is a top Government priority. That is why on 23 October 2024, the Secretary of State announced the launch of an independent commission to fundamentally transform how our water system works.
Fixing the systemic issues in the water system is essential to address the multiple pressures facing chalk streams, namely over abstraction, phosphorous pollution, and physical modifications of habitats. Restoring our chalk streams to better ecological health is part of our overall programme of reforms for the water sector. Alongside this, we are continuing to direct investment to projects that will improve chalk streams. Through the Water Industry National Environment Programme, over 1000 improvement projects are planned within chalk stream catchments between 2024-2029.
Natural England is supporting the Environment Agency’s Test and Itchen Restoration Strategy. The aim of the project is to restore the Test and Itchen to a more functioning chalk stream habitat. This involves projects to improve the river habitat and reconnecting the river with its floodplain. The work undertaken to date has improved the chalk stream habitat, creating a more resilient river for the species which rely on it such as southern damselfly, invertebrates and fish species such as Atlantic salmon.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his department has made of the potential merits of (a) promoting and (b) mandating the installation of solar panels on new large industrial developments.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Accelerating the deployment of solar on commercial rooftops is at the heart of our clean energy mission.
The Government promotes commercial solar by various means, including permitted development rights and fiscal incentives.
Future Buildings Standards will be introduced later this year to ensure that all newly built commercial buildings are fit for a net zero future. We expect these standards to encourage the installation of solar panels.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of installing solar panels in the unused space between train tracks.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Installing solar between train tracks could be a feasible solution, particularly in urban areas where the track is electrified, as there will likely already be an adequately sized grid connection. However, there are some obstacles that may inhibit the deployment of this technology, such as the challenge of grid connections in rural areas, obstruction of track maintenance, and the cost of additional transformers required to convert electricity from solar to useable high voltage DC or AC electricity for trains. Decisions on specific locations of solar deployment ultimately rest with developers.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) marine and maritime and (b) tourism and creative industries will be included in the Industrial Strategy.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences and Professional and Business Services.
Sector Plans for the eight growth-driving sectors will be published alongside the Industrial Strategy in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review. The Sector Plans will set out the specific sub-sectors of focus, identify key barriers to growth, and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.
All sectors will benefit from wider policy reform through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission. This will create the pro-business environment for all businesses to invest and employ, and consumers to spend with confidence.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether her Department is taking steps to financially compensate historic survivors of child sexual abuse who are affected by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's same-roof rule.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
We recognise the importance of effective support and redress for victims of sexual abuse. Criminal injuries compensation is part of a wider package of government-funded general and specialist support for victims of crime. Victims, including children, who suffer serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme).
The first Scheme, dating from 1964, included an eligibility rule, commonly known as the ‘same roof’ rule. This rule prevented some victims of violent crime from receiving compensation if their assailant was a family member living with them at the time of the incident. The rule was changed in 1979 so that child victims of incidents that occurred on/after 1 October 1979 were no longer affected by it.
Following a Court of Appeal judgment in 2018, the Scheme was amended to remove the pre-1979 same roof rule. In addition, provision was made for new applicants and applicants who had previously been refused an award under the rule to submit a claim. The amended Scheme came into force in June 2019. More than £21 million compensation has been paid to those affected by the rule since the amendments came into effect.
There are time limits to apply for compensation under the Scheme. Following removal of the pre-1979 same roof rule, the time limit to apply was two years from the date the amended Scheme came into force. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the Scheme, has discretion to consider applications made outside of the time limit in exceptional circumstances. This includes applications relating to the same roof rule and where the applicant was a child at the time of the incident giving rise to the injury.
Having concluded the previous administration’s review of the Scheme in April 2025, this Government is now considering how it can best provide the support that victims need and deserve. We are also driving other improvements for victims, including working on a new Victims’ Code, to raise awareness of compensation.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps her Department is taking to support survivors of child sexual abuse who are affected by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority's same-roof rule.
Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
We recognise the importance of effective support and redress for victims of sexual abuse. Criminal injuries compensation is part of a wider package of government-funded general and specialist support for victims of crime. Victims, including children, who suffer serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012 (the Scheme).
The first Scheme, dating from 1964, included an eligibility rule, commonly known as the ‘same roof’ rule. This rule prevented some victims of violent crime from receiving compensation if their assailant was a family member living with them at the time of the incident. The rule was changed in 1979 so that child victims of incidents that occurred on/after 1 October 1979 were no longer affected by it.
Following a Court of Appeal judgment in 2018, the Scheme was amended to remove the pre-1979 same roof rule. In addition, provision was made for new applicants and applicants who had previously been refused an award under the rule to submit a claim. The amended Scheme came into force in June 2019. More than £21 million compensation has been paid to those affected by the rule since the amendments came into effect.
There are time limits to apply for compensation under the Scheme. Following removal of the pre-1979 same roof rule, the time limit to apply was two years from the date the amended Scheme came into force. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which administers the Scheme, has discretion to consider applications made outside of the time limit in exceptional circumstances. This includes applications relating to the same roof rule and where the applicant was a child at the time of the incident giving rise to the injury.
Having concluded the previous administration’s review of the Scheme in April 2025, this Government is now considering how it can best provide the support that victims need and deserve. We are also driving other improvements for victims, including working on a new Victims’ Code, to raise awareness of compensation.
Asked by: Satvir Kaur (Labour - Southampton Test)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to provide compensation to survivors of child sexual abuse.
Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Government is making reforms to better support victims of child sexual abuse and prioritise their rights, including making it easier for victims to pursue claims in the civil court.
The Government has committed to remove the three-year time limit for victims to bring civil personal injury child sexual abuse claims, so that claims do not need to be brought within three years of turning 18. This change is significant because we know that it can take decades for survivors to disclose sexual abuse. Now, victims can come forward when they feel ready to do so, without fear of having their claims rejected due to the time limit.
Furthermore, the burden of proof that currently rests on victims' shoulders, who must prove it is possible to hold a fair trial for one to go ahead, has been lifted. Now it is up to the defendant to demonstrate that a fair trial cannot proceed if they intend to challenge one. This will enable cases to be heard more easily, and protect victims from having to relive their trauma any more than is necessary.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is part of a package of Government-funded general and specialist support available to victims of crime. It is a Scheme of last resort where eligible victims cannot claim compensation from elsewhere. Victims, including children, who suffer a serious physical or mental injury as a direct result of a violent crime such as physical and sexual abuse, may be able to access compensation under the Scheme. Payments under the Scheme are an expression of public sympathy and are intended to be an acknowledgment of the harm that eligible applicants have experienced.
The Government recognises the specific challenges faced by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in applying to the Scheme. Given that it takes between 24 and 27 years, on average, for child sexual abuse victims to report their experiences, we understand that this will affect their ability to comply with some of the Scheme's requirements. The Scheme already allows discretion to extend the time limits for applying in exceptional circumstances, and evidence suggests that discretion is being used effectively. In addition, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) has worked to improve its service for compensation applicants, including providing its staff with specific training on the impact of psychological and emotional trauma in sexual abuse cases, and guidance on applying the exceptional circumstances discretion to sexual abuse cases - particularly child sexual abuse.