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1716094

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
hansard heading	Nuclear Power: Exports
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps she is taking to support the UK nuclear industry to increase exports.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24891
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>The UK has extensive expertise across the nuclear life cycle, from new build, fuel to decommissioning and waste management.</p><p>The Department recognises the export potential offered by a growing global market and is working closely with other government departments, our overseas network, and industry to offer a full range of support for UK civil nuclear exports across markets including Japan, France, Central Europe and Ukraine.</p><p>This includes UK Export Finance, who can consider a range of options to support overseas sales, including loan guarantees for foreign buyers, working capital, insurance, and bond support products to assist UK suppliers.</p> answering member constituency Chelsea and Fulham answering member printed Greg Hands question first answered 15/05/2024 16:26:43 answering member 1526 label Biography information for Greg Hands
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1716096

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
answering body	Treasury
answering dept id	14
answering dept short name	Treasury
answering dept sort name	Treasury
hansard heading	Banking Hubs: Rural Areas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of banking hubs in helping to ensure access to banking facilities in rural communities.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24892
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>It is important that all customers, wherever they live, should have appropriate access to banking and cash services and the government monitors this situation closely.</p><p> </p><p>Following recent discussions with the UK high street banks, UK Finance confirmed 225 Hubs will be announced by the end of 2024. Participating high street banks have also committed to improving Hubs by standardising the services available between firms, ensuring that customers do not require their own digital device to bank, trialling both a ‘customer liaison service’ and Saturday openings. The banks have agreed to keep services under review to ensure their effectiveness for all customers.</p><p> </p><p>Banking Hubs are recommended by LINK and delivered by Cash Access UK, according to criteria set by industry. The Government does not intervene in these decisions. If a Hub is not available, rural communities can bank via the Post Office, which allows personal and business customers to carry out everyday banking services at 11,500 branches across the UK. The Post Office is also required to ensure that 95% of the total rural population across the UK is within 3 miles of their nearest Post Office.</p> answering member constituency Hitchin and Harpenden answering member printed Bim Afolami question first answered 15/05/2024 13:13:32 answering member 4639 label Biography information for Bim Afolami
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1716097

registered interest
date	07/05/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Anti-social Behaviour: Lancashire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Operation Centurion on anti-social behaviour in Lancashire.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24893
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>Last year the Government launched the Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-social-behaviour-action-plan) ensuring the police, local authorities and other relevant agencies have the tools they need to tackle anti-social behaviour.</p><p>As part of the Plan, we funded an increased police and other uniformed presence to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, targeting hotspots. Initially we worked with 10 police force areas, including Lancashire Constabulary which received £1,050,000. Data received from pilot forces showed from July 2023 to the end of January 2024 over 100,000 additional hours of anti-social behaviour-focused patrols were delivered across pilot areas in England and Wales. This led to an increase in enforcement activity which included almost 800 arrests, around 2,000 stop and searches and nearly 1.000 uses of anti-social behaviour tools and powers.</p><p>Following the success of the pilots, we have extended this approach to every police force in England and Wales from April. Lancashire will receive £1,713,512 for the hotspot programme tackling areas of high incidents of both anti-social behaviour and serious violence.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 15/05/2024 15:09:15 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1715599

registered interest
date	02/05/2024
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Digital Technology: Older People
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the digital skills of older people.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24639
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>The government recognises that digital skills are important for adults of all ages, and the department is committed to improving their level of digital skills to support active participation in society.</p><p> </p><p>From August 2020, the department introduced a digital entitlement for adults with no or low digital skills to undertake specified digital qualifications free of charge. The new entitlement mirrors the existing legal entitlements for English and mathematics. This puts essential digital skills on an equal footing in the adult education system, as the third essential skill adults need for work, life and further learning.</p><p><br> The department introduced new Essential Digital Skills qualifications (EDSQs) at entry level and level 1 from August 2020, funded under the digital entitlement. EDSQs are based on the national standards for essential digital skills and are designed to meet the diverse needs of adults with no or low digital skills, reflecting different learning needs, motivations and starting points.</p><p> </p><p>To further enhance the essential digital skills offer for adults, from August 2023, the department introduced new digital Functional Skills qualifications (FSQs), which have replaced FSQs in Information and Communication Technology. Digital FSQs have standardised content and assessment, providing a benchmark of digital skills for employers. These are based on subject content for digital FSQs the department published in October 2021.</p><p> </p><p>The government recognises that formal qualifications are not necessary for everyone. That is why the department also fund community learning and other non-regulated learning, such as building confidence in essential digital skills, through the Adult Education Budget. Many local authorities and other further education providers are already delivering these courses that help equip adults with the essential digital skills they need for work, life and further learning.</p><p> </p><p>Of course, older people may also be looking to progress beyond essential digital skills, potentially through a desire to retrain or upskill. Through the department’s wider skills reforms, the department is continuing to ensure learners, whatever their age, can train, retrain and upskill towards better jobs, better wellbeing and better options for the future.</p><p> </p><p>More information about essential digital skills and other government funded training opportunities can be found here: <a href="https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/skills-for-life" target="_blank">https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/skills-for-life</a>.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Thornbury and Yate answering member printed Luke Hall question first answered 13/05/2024 11:45:24 answering member 4450 label Biography information for Luke Hall
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1715601

registered interest
date	02/05/2024
answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept id	217
answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
hansard heading	Holiday Accommodation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of differences in the (a) licensing and (b) regulation of (i) short-term holiday lets and (ii) other providers of accommodation on (A) hotels, (B) bed and breakfasts and (C) other accommodation providers.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24640
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>On 19 February 2024, the government announced a mandatory national registration scheme for short-term lets.</p><p>The scheme aims to preserve the benefits of short-term lets, as well as tackling the challenges they present in a proportionate way. The evidence collected through the call for evidence in 2022 and public consultation held in 2023 suggests that a form of registration rather than a licensing model is the optimum form of regulation in this sector in England.</p><p>Our aim is to make the scheme as light touch, low cost and simple as possible. The registration scheme is focussed on short-term lets, and therefore the register will not affect hotels, hostels or B&amp;Bs. We will be examining the impact of the scheme on the sector through an impact assessment. Further details of the register will be set out in the government’s response to the consultation.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 13/05/2024 09:31:03 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1715603

registered interest
date	02/05/2024
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Infrastructure: Public Consultation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he plans to take to improve local consultation on nationally significant infrastructure projects.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24641
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>Effective consultation with local communities on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) is essential to ensuring that projects are delivered in the right way. That is why on 30 April we updated our guidance on public consultation during the pre-application stage for NSIPs.</p><p>This new guidance outlines the expectations examining inspectors will have that effective engagement will support better quality applications. Applicants will now be required to include a clear programme of engagement which reflects the complexity and scale of the project proposed.</p><p>The guidance also emphasises the importance of frontloaded consultation so that applicants can resolve issues at an early stage, and how communities can influence and shape projects so they can be accommodated to maximise local benefits and minimise any disbenefits.</p> answering member constituency North East Derbyshire answering member printed Lee Rowley question first answered 13/05/2024 13:59:59 answering member 4652 label Biography information for Lee Rowley
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1715605

registered interest
date	02/05/2024
answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept id	215
answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
hansard heading	Energy Supply: Communication
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will have discussions with energy companies on improving (a) communication with (i) businesses and (ii) households about disruption as a result of energy projects and (b) access to compensation for losses related to such projects.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24642
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government engages regularly with energy companies and is committed to delivering the energy infrastructure needed for net zero and energy security, while ensuring that individuals are fairly compensated and brought into the process.</p><p> </p><p>To install infrastructure, network operators often need access to private land and appropriate compensation, covering both the value of land and any losses, must be paid to the landowner. The Government recognises that where compensation cannot be agreed, then challenging this via the Upper Tribunal can be expensive for landowners. Government has established a Taskforce to explore Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, to help un-block these disputes.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 16/05/2024 05:55:09 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1715606

registered interest
date	02/05/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Energy: Environment Protection
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on minimising the impact of of new energy projects on local (a) environments, (b) wildlife and (c) rural livelihoods.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24643
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/05/2024 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 16/05/2024 14:43:00 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1715608

registered interest
date	02/05/2024
answering body	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept id	13
answering dept short name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
answering dept sort name	Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
hansard heading	Agriculture: Floods
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an estimate of the financial cost to farmers of flooding in the last 12 months.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24644
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/05/2024 answer text <p>In March, Defra published its <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fstatistics%2Ffarm-business-income%2Ffarm-business-income-in-england-202324-forecast%23%3A~%3Atext%3DWith%2520the%2520exception%2520of%2520grazing%2Cmain%2520factors%2520influencing%2520farm%2520incomes.&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C0f4aacb2f8724db36b4408dc6eaad6e5%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638506927247958316%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ATVQi4RNIpatnP1OmnmwanforM72%2FUgrF9i9V1%2FxDSk%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">forecasts</a> of Farm Business Income, a measure of profit, for 2023/24. These forecasts reflect changes to price, crop area and yield in 2023, but not the impact of more recent weather events. The results of the 2023/24 Farm Business Survey will be published in autumn 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The recent <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgovernment%2Fstatistics%2Fbalance-sheet-analysis-and-farming-performance-england%2Fbalance-sheet-analysis-and-farming-performance-england-202223-statistics-notice&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cpqteam%40defra.gov.uk%7C0f4aacb2f8724db36b4408dc6eaad6e5%7C770a245002274c6290c74e38537f1102%7C0%7C0%7C638506927247971208%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=susXVl3appaG9Lsl9HGGBl%2BhTRmbjJREUw6%2FXrjfaKM%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">‘Balance Sheet Analysis’</a> publication highlights that average liquidity in the sector has been consistently improving over the latest five years of data and reached a 10-year high in 2022/23. This indicates that farm businesses have been keeping back funds in recent profitable years to help sustain the business in less profitable periods.</p><p> </p><p>It is too early to make definitive conclusions on the impact of more recent weather events on farm profitability. We have no reliable forecasts of yields, largely as spring planting is still underway. Additionally, for many farmers any financial impact that arises will not be felt until later in 2024/25. On this basis we continue to work closely with stakeholders to enhance our monitoring of the wet weather and its impact on farms.</p><p> </p><p>In April, Defra opened the Farming Recovery Fund to offset the financial cost to some of the most impacted farm businesses by providing grants of up to £25,000 for uninsurable flood damage.</p> answering member constituency Keighley answering member printed Robbie Moore question first answered 15/05/2024 13:30:35 answering member 4861 label Biography information for Robbie Moore
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies

1715609

registered interest
date	02/05/2024
answering body	Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept id	211
answering dept short name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
answering dept sort name	Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
hansard heading	Holiday Accommodation: Anti-social Behaviour
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he is taking steps to help tackle antisocial behaviour by guests in short-term holiday lets.
tabling member constituency	Fylde
tabling member printed	Mark Menzies
uin	24645
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>As outlined in the ASB Action Plan (2023), the Government is introducing measures to ensure that landlords have the tools they need to take action against persistently problematic tenants, relieve innocent parties living nearby and ensure that anti-social tenants face the consequences of their actions. This includes a commitment to preventing short-term lets importing anti-social behaviour into communities.</p> answering member constituency Redcar answering member printed Jacob Young question first answered 13/05/2024 13:26:37 answering member 4825 label Biography information for Jacob Young
tabling member	3998 label Biography information for Mark Menzies