Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of creating a cyber incident database with compulsory fixes to be created for energy infrastructure.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey shows that 43% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack within the past year. Within the utilities sector this figure is 48%. The survey does not specifically detail cyber attacks on energy infrastructure.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned there is a significant and enduring cyber threat faced by the UK’s critical national infrastructure. As part of its routine operations the NCSC works closely with all areas of the UK’s critical national infrastructure to highlight the cyber threat landscape and associated mitigation activities. As noted in its Annual Review (2025) the NCSC has undertaken a wide range of activities to enhance protections for the UK’s energy infrastructure, including delivering technical advice and guidance on cyber security challenges, working directly with key suppliers on cyber security initiatives, and providing additional support to operators of renewable energy assets. The annual review also notes how NCSC has deepened its understanding of cyber maturity in critical national infrastructure, enabling more targeted interventions and strengthening the UK’s ability to identify and eliminate sophisticated threat actors.
The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill updates the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, which includes essential services in the energy sector. The Bill will improve the cyber security of the energy sector and its infrastructure through better resourced regulators to respond to cyber threats, and a stronger mechanism for government to set priority outcomes for regulators to work to.
The incident reporting framework will also be updated through the Bill, including for the energy sector. Under the existing reporting regime, too many significant incidents do not need to be reported, and this creates a gap in the government’s knowledge and ability to protect the UK from harm. A wider range of significant incidents, such as successful ransomware and pre-positioning will need to be reported under the Bill. A light touch, initial notification will also be required within 24 hours of an incident being discovered will enable quicker and more effective support to be provided to organisations.
The Bill will keep pace with an increasingly digitalised and interconnected energy sector by bringing load controllers into scope of the NIS Regulations as a new essential service, where they meet the threshold, ensuring regulation is focused where the risk is greatest.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill on the cyber resilience of energy infrastructure.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey shows that 43% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack within the past year. Within the utilities sector this figure is 48%. The survey does not specifically detail cyber attacks on energy infrastructure.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned there is a significant and enduring cyber threat faced by the UK’s critical national infrastructure. As part of its routine operations the NCSC works closely with all areas of the UK’s critical national infrastructure to highlight the cyber threat landscape and associated mitigation activities. As noted in its Annual Review (2025) the NCSC has undertaken a wide range of activities to enhance protections for the UK’s energy infrastructure, including delivering technical advice and guidance on cyber security challenges, working directly with key suppliers on cyber security initiatives, and providing additional support to operators of renewable energy assets. The annual review also notes how NCSC has deepened its understanding of cyber maturity in critical national infrastructure, enabling more targeted interventions and strengthening the UK’s ability to identify and eliminate sophisticated threat actors.
The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill updates the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, which includes essential services in the energy sector. The Bill will improve the cyber security of the energy sector and its infrastructure through better resourced regulators to respond to cyber threats, and a stronger mechanism for government to set priority outcomes for regulators to work to.
The incident reporting framework will also be updated through the Bill, including for the energy sector. Under the existing reporting regime, too many significant incidents do not need to be reported, and this creates a gap in the government’s knowledge and ability to protect the UK from harm. A wider range of significant incidents, such as successful ransomware and pre-positioning will need to be reported under the Bill. A light touch, initial notification will also be required within 24 hours of an incident being discovered will enable quicker and more effective support to be provided to organisations.
The Bill will keep pace with an increasingly digitalised and interconnected energy sector by bringing load controllers into scope of the NIS Regulations as a new essential service, where they meet the threshold, ensuring regulation is focused where the risk is greatest.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate her Department has made of the number of cyber attacks on energy infrastructure.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey shows that 43% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack within the past year. Within the utilities sector this figure is 48%. The survey does not specifically detail cyber attacks on energy infrastructure.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned there is a significant and enduring cyber threat faced by the UK’s critical national infrastructure. As part of its routine operations the NCSC works closely with all areas of the UK’s critical national infrastructure to highlight the cyber threat landscape and associated mitigation activities. As noted in its Annual Review (2025) the NCSC has undertaken a wide range of activities to enhance protections for the UK’s energy infrastructure, including delivering technical advice and guidance on cyber security challenges, working directly with key suppliers on cyber security initiatives, and providing additional support to operators of renewable energy assets. The annual review also notes how NCSC has deepened its understanding of cyber maturity in critical national infrastructure, enabling more targeted interventions and strengthening the UK’s ability to identify and eliminate sophisticated threat actors.
The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill updates the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, which includes essential services in the energy sector. The Bill will improve the cyber security of the energy sector and its infrastructure through better resourced regulators to respond to cyber threats, and a stronger mechanism for government to set priority outcomes for regulators to work to.
The incident reporting framework will also be updated through the Bill, including for the energy sector. Under the existing reporting regime, too many significant incidents do not need to be reported, and this creates a gap in the government’s knowledge and ability to protect the UK from harm. A wider range of significant incidents, such as successful ransomware and pre-positioning will need to be reported under the Bill. A light touch, initial notification will also be required within 24 hours of an incident being discovered will enable quicker and more effective support to be provided to organisations.
The Bill will keep pace with an increasingly digitalised and interconnected energy sector by bringing load controllers into scope of the NIS Regulations as a new essential service, where they meet the threshold, ensuring regulation is focused where the risk is greatest.
Asked by: Saqib Bhatti (Conservative - Meriden and Solihull East)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the risk of cyber attacks on energy infrastructure.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey shows that 43% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber breach or attack within the past year. Within the utilities sector this figure is 48%. The survey does not specifically detail cyber attacks on energy infrastructure.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned there is a significant and enduring cyber threat faced by the UK’s critical national infrastructure. As part of its routine operations the NCSC works closely with all areas of the UK’s critical national infrastructure to highlight the cyber threat landscape and associated mitigation activities. As noted in its Annual Review (2025) the NCSC has undertaken a wide range of activities to enhance protections for the UK’s energy infrastructure, including delivering technical advice and guidance on cyber security challenges, working directly with key suppliers on cyber security initiatives, and providing additional support to operators of renewable energy assets. The annual review also notes how NCSC has deepened its understanding of cyber maturity in critical national infrastructure, enabling more targeted interventions and strengthening the UK’s ability to identify and eliminate sophisticated threat actors.
The Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill updates the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018, which includes essential services in the energy sector. The Bill will improve the cyber security of the energy sector and its infrastructure through better resourced regulators to respond to cyber threats, and a stronger mechanism for government to set priority outcomes for regulators to work to.
The incident reporting framework will also be updated through the Bill, including for the energy sector. Under the existing reporting regime, too many significant incidents do not need to be reported, and this creates a gap in the government’s knowledge and ability to protect the UK from harm. A wider range of significant incidents, such as successful ransomware and pre-positioning will need to be reported under the Bill. A light touch, initial notification will also be required within 24 hours of an incident being discovered will enable quicker and more effective support to be provided to organisations.
The Bill will keep pace with an increasingly digitalised and interconnected energy sector by bringing load controllers into scope of the NIS Regulations as a new essential service, where they meet the threshold, ensuring regulation is focused where the risk is greatest.
Asked by: Vikki Slade (Liberal Democrat - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support small businesses with their provision of (a) barbering and (b) hairdressing apprenticeships.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105881.
Asked by: Helen Whately (Conservative - Faversham and Mid Kent)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has been made of the potential impact of the (a) the Youth Guarantee and (b) the Government’s new scheme for under-25s on the workload of employers.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
Nearly one million young people aged 16 to 24 – around one in eight - are currently Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). To tackle this crisis of opportunity, the government has expanded the Youth Guarantee.
The Government is investing £820 million over the Spending Review period in the Youth Guarantee, to reach almost 900,000 young people, including through Youth Hubs in every area in Great Britain and a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, offering a dedicated session and follow-up support to 16-24 –year-olds on Universal Credit. This investment will also create around 300,000 more opportunities to gain workplace experience and training and provide guaranteed jobs to around 55,000 young people aged 18-21.
The Department has commissioned an evaluation of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers to build evidence on how the program improves employment outcomes, economic inactivity, participation in education and training, and systems integration.
The Department will continue to monitor the outcomes of young people participating in the Youth Guarantee nationally, and a full process evaluation of the Jobs Guarantee is planned.
Employers are integral to the success of the Youth Guarantee, and we will be working closely with Youth Guarantee supporters and partners who choose to access DWP’s employer commitment. Employers will benefit from a tailored support service to help fill vacancies with Jobcentre candidates, including job description support, faster recruitment, vacancy promotion, use of Jobcentre space for interviews, access to the free Find a Job site, and expert advice from a dedicated Recruitment Manager.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Basildon Council and (b) Essex County Council on local elections.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.
The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the country in recent weeks about local government reorganisation and elections, including with Basildon Council and Essex County Council.
In relation to local elections in 2027, we anticipate that in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock these will be for any new unitary authorities that are announced following the recent statutory consultation. Once a decision is taken on which final proposal for unitary local government, if any, is to be implemented, we will bring forward a Structural Changes Order as soon as possible to give councils certainty. Officials in my Department, alongside the Electoral Commission and other sector bodies, support Returning Officers with some aspects of election preparation to ensure they are progressing effectively.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to HCWS1230, how her Department will define small farms for the purposes of reopening the Sustainable Farming Incentive; what assessment she has made of barriers to participation for small and family-run farms under previous schemes; and how her Department will measure whether access to support has improved.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government will publish a precise definition of a small farm before the first application window opens in June. This is one of the details the Government will be testing with key stakeholders.
As confirmed at the Oxford Farming Conference, the Government will open two Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application windows in 2026:
The Government will provide more detail on the new SFI offer ahead of publishing the full scheme details before the first application window opens in June.
Asked by: Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme; and what steps his Department is taking to help tackle reported delays, unanswered correspondence, and difficulties accessing civil service pension records.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
In November 2023, the Cabinet Office awarded the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme to Capita. This was under the previous government. The Scheme transferred to Capita on 1 December 2025. We are aware that Capita’s current performance is having a detrimental impact on some members.
We are working urgently with Capita to resolve these issues, and to ensure that civil servants, both former and serving, receive the quality of service and support they deserve.
We have established a cross-departmental team to work with Capita to develop and implement a recovery plan. Alongside this, Capita is increasing staffing in key areas, to increase processing times in relation to new retirements and support for members, particularly those impacted by delays.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether he plans to issue guidance to Thurrock Council on planning 2027 local elections.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.
The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the country in recent weeks about local government reorganisation and elections, including with Basildon Council and Essex County Council.
In relation to local elections in 2027, we anticipate that in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock these will be for any new unitary authorities that are announced following the recent statutory consultation. Once a decision is taken on which final proposal for unitary local government, if any, is to be implemented, we will bring forward a Structural Changes Order as soon as possible to give councils certainty. Officials in my Department, alongside the Electoral Commission and other sector bodies, support Returning Officers with some aspects of election preparation to ensure they are progressing effectively.