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 impact of the adoption of a reformed national pricing mechanism for Electricity Market Arrangements on the four nations of the UK.

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

No decision has been reached on whether to transition to zonal pricing or to reform our current national pricing arrangements. For either a potential reformed national or zonal market, we will ensure that any decision is based on a robust assessment of impacts across the country. The Review of Electricity Market Arrangements' scope covers Great Britain, but we have also considered any potential impacts on Northern Ireland as part of our thinking and continue to engage with officials from all Devolved Administrations on a regular basis. We will provide an update in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he expects to publish the Review of the Electricity Market Arrangements.

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

We aim to conclude the policy development phase of REMA soon. We want to ensure that our final package of reforms continues to underpin the investment needed to reach our 2030 commitment whilst also benefitting consumers through reducing system costs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using artificial intelligence to translate documents supporting (a) visa and (b) asylum applications.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Whilst the Home Office is committed to using technology and innovation to make the asylum system more efficient, the Home Office does not currently use Artificial Intelligence to translate documents submitted as evidence in asylum claims.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department accepts documents for (a) visa and (b) asylum applications translated by artificial intelligence.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

Whilst the Home Office is committed to using technology and innovation to make the asylum system more efficient, the Home Office does not currently use Artificial Intelligence to translate documents submitted as evidence in asylum claims.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill on the Scottish Government's block grant.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

Universal Credit is a reserved matter, while in Scotland Adult Disability Payment, a devolved benefit, replaced Personal Independence Payments.

This Government will deliver the first permanent, above-inflation rise in the Universal Credit standard allowance since the 1970s, meaning nearly 4 million households will receive an income boost worth £725 by 2029/30 for a single household 25 or over. Individual block grant adjustments linked to individual policy decisions will be published in due course.

The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnett consequentials over that time period.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of a reduction in spending on asylum would have on the Scottish Government's block grant.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

Phase 2 of the Spending Review confirmed that devolved expenditure by the UK Government on Justice and Home Affairs will generate £451 million of additional Barnett funding for the Scottish Government over 2026/27-2029/30.

The Spending Review set a three year envelope and guarantees that the block grant will be at least £52 billion by 2029, with an additional £9.1 billion in Barnett consequentials over that time period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when the Leader of Dundee City Council can expect to receive a response to his letter dated 14 November 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Thank you to the Leader of the Council for the invitations in his letter, they will be responded to shortly. I apologise for the delay.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether funding will be made available to devolved Governments under the Barnett formula from the NHS England Ten Year Plan.

Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland

The UK Government announced last month that the Scottish Government will receive an extra £9.1 billion in funding following the Chancellor's Spending Review. This includes £5.8 billion in health-related Barnett consequentials.

Funding for devolved health services in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is determined independently through the Barnett formula. While the UK Government’s NHS England Ten Year Plan does not directly allocate funds to devolved Governments, the Barnett formula ensures that funding remains consistent with respective devolved budgets.

The devolved Governments retain responsibility for the management and delivery of health services within their jurisdictions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation protecting the operability of purchased video games.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is aware of concerns relating to the operability of video games including the life-span of licensed, online-only video games. We appreciate the frustrations of players of some games that have been discontinued. The Government has responded to a petition on this issue.

There are no plans to amend existing consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs). We will continue to monitor this issue.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of recent arrests of political leaders in Georgia.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I am deeply concerned by the recent, politically motivated, sentencing of prominent Georgian opposition leaders. On 23 June, I urged Georgian Dream to stop misusing the judiciary to silence opposition voices, and to release all political prisoners.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) summoned the Georgian Chargé d'Affaires to formally register our concerns about Georgian Dream's unacceptable actions. On 1 July, I spoke with a number of European partners to discuss our collective concerns and, on 11 July, the Foreign Secretary issued a joint statement condemning the politically motivated detentions of opposition politicians.

While Georgian Dream's actions negatively affect our bilateral relations, the UK remains a firm supporter of the Georgian people's Euro-Atlantic aspirations and stands ready to support a return to democratic norms and European values.

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules

Loan Charge and settlement terms offered to large companies and individuals

Found: Not called_2 Graham Leadbitter Kirsty Blackman Stephen Flynn Dave Doogan Stephen Gethins Chris Law