Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of tariffs applied by the US Government on (a) jobs and (b) exports in (i) Edinburgh North and Leith constituency and (ii) Scotland.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

We know that this will be a concerning time for businesses in Scotland; in 2024, 12.3% of goods exported from Scotland were to the US. That is why the government has been focused on negotiating an economic deal with the US and we remain committed to these discussions.

The government is resolute in our support for industry across the whole of the UK, and ministers and officials will continue to engage with businesses to understand the impact of these tariffs.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) aid and (b) health workers detained by Israel.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that at least 330 health care workers from Gaza had been detained by the Israeli authorities as of December 2024, but we do not have current figures for the number of aid or health workers detained by Israel. The UK urges the Government of Israel to clarify the reasons for the detention of aid or health workers, to respect the rights of detainees, and to allow the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) immediate and unfettered access to detention facilities.

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 introducing zonal pricing on private investment.

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

The Government is considering reforms to the electricity market through our Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA). This includes consideration of whether to move to a zonal electricity market, where prices vary depending on local conditions, or to continue with a reformed version of our national pricing arrangements.

Zonal pricing could have significant benefits, including through reducing the cost of energy to businesses. However, it also creates potential new risks to generators that need to be carefully considered.

Any decisions on market reform will be based on a robust analysis of the costs and benefits.

The Government plans to conclude the policy development phase of the REMA programme by mid-2025.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will remove corporate crown immunity from the Scottish Prison Service.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

The Lord Chancellor has received a letter from the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs seeking to discuss a number of issues across the justice system and will respond in due course.

Crown Immunity within the Scottish Prison Service is a complex issue, and any change would interact with both devolved and reserved competencies. It is right therefore that the UK Government fully considers its next steps accordingly.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many organisations he has had discussions with on zonal pricing are (a) in favour of and (b) against introducing zonal pricing.

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

The second REMA consultation sought views on a range of market reforms under consideration by Government, including zonal pricing. The outcomes of the consultation are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-electricity-market-arrangements-rema-second-consultation

Since coming into office I have also met with stakeholders representing a wide spectrum of views on zonal pricing, with the purpose of considering all positions as we work towards making a decision on market reform.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his planned timetable is for the end of the policy development phase of the review of electricity market arrangements.

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

As set out in the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements Autumn Update, the Government plans to conclude the policy development phase of the REMA programme by mid-2025 and announce final decisions before the CfD Allocation Round 7 auctions open.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she plans to take to ensure the availability of single-sex services for women.

Answered by Nia Griffith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)

This Government is steadfast in its dedication to protecting women and fostering a society in which they feel respected and empowered. We will uphold the Equality Act and continue to support the use of its single-sex exceptions. We will explore the best ways in which we can give service providers assurance about the rights afforded by the Act and how to lawfully apply its single-sex exceptions.

It is vitally important that service providers have clear guidance about the Equality Act 2010 and its single-sex service exceptions. We will bring forward guidance in due course that will give service providers assurance about the rights afforded by the Act and how to lawfully apply its single-sex exceptions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the report entitled Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025, what steps he plans to take to ensure reliable sources for sex data are used for the proposed digital verification service.

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

The Government recognises the importance of accurate data and statistics on sex and gender, and has shared the independent review’s recommendations with departments for consideration in ongoing policy work. The Government Digital Service is also developing data standards for attributes of a person with input from across the public sector. Digital verification services, and public authorities processing personal data which may be used by such services during the verification process, are subject to data protection legislation which requires the personal data they’re processing to be relevant and accurate for the purpose for which it is being used.

Found: Current membership Sarah Champion (Labour; Rotherham) (Chair) Tracy Gilbert (Labour; Edinburgh North

Found: Current membership Sarah Champion (Labour; Rotherham) (Chair) Tracy Gilbert (Labour; Edinburgh North

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn Harris Margaret Mullane Jess Asato

Found: COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 8 April 2025 10 _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn

Found: COMMITTEE STAGE Monday 7 April 2025 10 _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn

Found: COMMITTEE STAGE Friday 4 April 2025 10 _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn

Found: _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn Harris Margaret Mullane Jess Asato

Found: _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn Harris Margaret Mullane Jess Asato

Found: _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn Harris Margaret Mullane Jess Asato

Found: _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn Harris Margaret Mullane Jess Asato

Found: _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn Harris Margaret Mullane Jess Asato

Found: _NC1 Tonia Antoniazzi Tracy Gilbert Mrs Sharon Hodgson Carolyn Harris Margaret Mullane Jess Asato

Submit Evidence (by 16 May 2025)

Energy lies at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Yet, the international community remains largely off track in meeting these commitments. According to the International Energy Agency, around 750 million people lack access to electricity, and more than 2 billion people lack access to clean cooking fuels, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Written questions (WPQs) allow MPs to ask for information on the work, policy and activities of Government departments, related bodies, and the administration of Parliament.