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 increase the production of domestic clean power.

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

Since we published the Clean Power Action Plan in December 2024, we are reforming the electricity market through our REMA decision on national pricing, delivered the most successful renewables auction in history with AR7 adding a record-breaking 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind, and published our Solar Roadmap and Clean Flexibility Roadmap to scale deployment across the system.

We have also passed the Planning and Infrastructure Act, updated National Policy Statements, and reformed the grid queue to free up connections for the projects we need by 2030.

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 reduce waiting list times for mental health services.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government expects waiting times to reduce over time as reforms take effect. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, this will be supported by expanding the workforce, improving productivity, investing in digitally enabled therapies, and introducing new models of care in the community, including community mental health centres that bring together services to improve access and reduce delays.

The Department is working with NHS England to improve the measurement and consistency of waiting time data across mental health services, including through the development of measures that will consistently capture when a patient has received meaningful help and started treatment across different areas.

This work will support future decisions on the role of waiting time standards as part of wider service reform. We cannot comment on the specific policy detail in the final Mental Health Strategy at this time, as it will be informed by the Call for the Evidence, the Prevalence Review final report, and any relevant wider evidence.

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 bring forward regulatory changes to allow homes and smaller businesses to buy power directly from local renewable energy schemes run by community co-operatives or other not-for-profit entities.

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

The Government recognises the role of community energy in delivering net zero and is working with Ofgem to address regulatory barriers, including routes to market. Through delivering on commitments in the Local Power Plan, we are working with Great British Energy to explore measures to make it easier for community energy groups to participate in local energy markets.

The department, Ofgem and wider energy industry has also been working to make changes to industry rules to support the local trade of energy. This includes work on rule P441, standardising the classification of local energy sites to provide a regulatory footing that will clarify the rules of setting them up. Further updates and outcomes from this work will be provided in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if NHS England will launch a national procurement for the provision of digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia.

Answered by Preet Kaur Gill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England is considering the most appropriate approach to supporting access to digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. Any future commercial activity will be undertaken in line with applicable procurement legislation and associated transparency obligations.

NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression offer low-intensity therapy which may include interventions around sleep hygiene. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression can be referred by their general practitioner, or can self-refer, to NHS Talking Therapies. People can also access helpful resources on sleep problems on the Every Mind Matters website at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the updated School Food Standards reflect the latest scientific evidence on nutrition.

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

We are committed to raising the healthiest generation ever. The School Food Standards are being updated because they are over a decade old and no longer fully reflect the latest scientific advice on children’s diets. In summary, the changes we propose to make are related to increasing fibre, reducing sugar and further restricting foods higher in fat, sugar and salt, in line with the latest nutritional advice set by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

As part of ensuring the standards reflect the latest evidence in practice, our proposals have been developed through close consultation with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and were also informed by an advisory group and key stakeholders in the food, catering, nutrition, and health sectors. The public consultation now provides a further opportunity to assess the proposals.

Arrest of Dr Mazen Al-Rantisi and Israeli action against Palestinian civil society

Release of Venezuela's gold reserves held at the Bank of England

Parliament Education and Engagement Outreach Service

Communications blackout and human rights in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Rosebank oil field

Government response to Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza

Bermuda and oil industry tax

Draft Code of Practice on Services, public functions and associations