Written questions by Jogee.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to increase access to capital for businesses based in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

The Government is committed to ensuring that businesses across the UK, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire, can access the capital they need to grow. Working with the British Business Bank (BBB), we are delivering a range of targeted interventions, including through loan guarantee programmes and equity investments, designed to address regional funding gaps and unlock investment opportunities. Businesses in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme are already benefitting from the £400 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund II (MEIF). It is increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses across the Midlands and providing funds to businesses that might otherwise not receive investment and helping to break down barriers in access to finance. In addition, as announced this week, the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme has now provided over £60 million in lending in the North East. The Bank will also host a ‘Meet the Investor’ event in partnership with Tech UK in Newcastle on 11 November to help connect SMEs with potential investors. Businesses in these areas also benefit from national programmes such as the Regional Angels Programme, Future Fund: Breakthrough and British Patient Capital. The recent Spending Review increased the Bank’s total capacity to £25.6 billion, which supports a broad range of regional and growth programmes and will enable annual investments of around £2.5bn to support more high-growth and innovative UK SMEs up and down the UK.

What recent discussions she has had with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not had recent discussions with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). However, the Government works closely with the CWEIC by, for example, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office providing funding to the CWEIC in recent years for the biennial Commonwealth Business Forum, which is held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

What recent discussions he has had with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

Details of the meetings held by Ministers of the Department for Business and Trade are available on the transparency pages of gov.uk.https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbt-ministers-transparency-publications

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council. The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council co-hosted a soft power workshop with the FCDO in June 2025. This workshop was held at the FCDO's King Charles Street office. The FCDO has provided funding in recent years to the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council for the Commonwealth Business Forum, which is held biennially at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), and also for the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Summit, held in London in non-CHOGM years.

What recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the (a) purpose and (b) efficacy of the AUKUS programme.

AUKUS is a landmark security and defence partnership with two of our closest allies. It is one of the most strategically important partnerships in decades, supporting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic, while also delivering jobs and economic growth in communities across all three nations.As one of our closest allies, the Defence Secretary and US Secretary of War have regular engagements where they discuss a number of matters, including AUKUS. The UK continues to work closely with the US and Australia at all levels to maximise the benefits and opportunities which AUKUS presents for our three nations.

What recent assessment he has made of the quality of the treatment available to people with Leukaemia in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire.

We will get the NHS diagnosing cancer earlier and treating it faster so more patients survive, and we will improve patients’ experience across the system. This will benefit patients across the system, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire.We have not made a specific assessment of leukaemia treatment in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme. However, in September 2024, NHS England announced a new targeted treatment, Quizartinib, to be prescribed to newly diagnosed patients with a specific type of leukaemia, boosting their chance of remission and long-term survival. This was made available through NHS England’s Cancer Drugs Fund, which fast-tracks new innovative cancer treatments into standard care. This followed a previous announcement in August 2024, announcing the new treatment, Zanubrutini, for those with marginal zone lymphoma, which could halt the progression of their cancer and provide an alternative to further rounds of chemotherapy.The National Cancer Plan will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care- as well as prevention and research and innovation. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care to better the experience and outcomes for people with cancer, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of the Government issuing an official apology to people affected by forced adoptions.

This abhorrent practice should never have taken place, and our deepest sympathies are with all those affected.The government takes this issue extremely seriously and continues to engage with those affected to provide support.The department continues to follow up on the 2022 Joint Committee on Human Rights report, including improving access to adoption records, enhancing intermediary services and preserving historical records.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) Lightspeed and (b) other (i) broadband and (ii) connectivity companies on the effectiveness of their consultation processes with local residents before any telegraph pole installation takes place.

I have not had any discussions with Lightspeed about their consultation processes with local residents. However, my predecessor raised concerns about telegraph pole deployment directly with industry, through trade bodies ISPA and INCA.In response, the industry convened the Telecommunications Poles Working Group, and published its best practice recommendations. These guidelines set out expectations for operators who plan to deploy telegraph poles as part of their network and sets out steps that local authorities and communities can take if they have any concerns.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent reports his Department has received on the (a) political and (b) security situation in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The UK is closely monitoring the political and security situation in Tanzania. Ministers have engaged with Tanzanian counterparts to raise areas of concern. The British High Commission in Dar es Salaam continues to maintain an active dialogue with the Government of Tanzania on issues of governance and its stated commitment to free and fair elections.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of tackling welfare benefit fraud on public sector finances.

The Government has committed to the biggest ever package of welfare fraud error and debt measures at Autumn Budget 2024 and Spring Statement 2025. These will deliver an additional £9.6bn OBR-scored savings over the next five years.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of airports charging cars to drop off travelling passengers on blue badge holders.

The Secretary of State for Transport has made no assessment of the potential impact of airports charging cars to drop of travelling passengers on blue badge holders. Most airports in the UK are managed and operated as private businesses, and parking arrangements are subject to contractual agreements between airport operators and car parking companies covered by consumer laws. The provision and charging of car parking at airports (including drop off and pick charges) is a matter for the airport operator as a commercial business to manage and justify.

Food and Rural Affairs, what financial support he is giving to farmers to conduct tuberculosis tests on their cattle.

The Government funds the cost of routine bovine tuberculosis (bTB) testing through contracts with veterinary delivery partners. The Government also pays compensation for cattle compulsorily slaughtered to control the spread of bTB.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the state of the UK dairy sector.

This Government recognises that food security is national security, and that this requires a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports our farmers, including those in the UK’s world leading dairy sector. Our dairy industry is a vibrant and resilient sector worth £5-£6 billion at farm level, and many times that when the milk produced is processed into a diverse range of products and commodities. This has helped make the dairy industry the UK’s largest agricultural sector accounting for 19% of total 2023 UK agricultural output, bringing significant value to our economy.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of parental employment on levels of child poverty.

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. We are exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term action across government to reduce child poverty, and we will publish a Child Poverty Strategy in the autumn that will deliver fully funded measures to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty. Good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. Children living in households where no adults work are around 4 times more likely to be in relative poverty after housing costs, than those where all adults work. Our Get Britain Working White Paper, backed by an initial £240 million investment in 25/26, will deliver the biggest reforms to employment support in a generation to help more people into work and to progress. We are already taking steps to support parents into work. From this month, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months and above can access 30 hours a week (over 38 weeks a year) from the term following their child turning 9 months to when they start school. Parents claiming Universal Credit also have access to individual tailored help from their work coaches and funding through the Flexible Support Fund to address immediate barriers to employment.

Whether the Department plans to engage in negotiations on aspects of the sunset clauses of Economic Partnership Agreements.

The UK's Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) do not contain expiry provisions or 'sunset clauses'. The preferential market access they provide to developing country partners will continue indefinitely. EPAs do include review clauses allowing for discussion on areas such as investment, competition, and services.The Department's approach to these reviews will be guided by dialogue with partners and aligned with UK growth and development objectives, as per the Trade Strategy. There is no obligation for partners to negotiate where they are unwilling. The Strategy also commits to engaging governments and businesses on expanding EPAs to include services. Broader stakeholder consultation will be considered in any review process.

What discussions he has had with international partners on their willingness to negotiate on (a) investment, (b) competition, (c) services, (d) intellectual property, (e) government procurement and (f) other aspects of the sunset clauses of Economic Partnership Agreements.

The UK's Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) do not contain expiry provisions or 'sunset clauses'. The preferential market access they provide to developing country partners will continue indefinitely. EPAs do include review clauses allowing for discussion on areas such as investment, competition, and services.The Department's approach to these reviews will be guided by dialogue with partners and aligned with UK growth and development objectives, as per the Trade Strategy. There is no obligation for partners to negotiate where they are unwilling. The Strategy also commits to engaging governments and businesses on expanding EPAs to include services. Broader stakeholder consultation will be considered in any review process.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the National Beef Association.

We engage regularly with a number of key stakeholders, including the National Beef Association, to discuss a wide range of issues affecting the beef sector that are important to both producers and processors.

What recent steps she has taken to reduce the number of children living in poverty in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire.

Tackling child poverty is at the heart of the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances of every child. It is unacceptable that in 2023/24 there were 5,866 children in the Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and 39,655 children in Staffordshire in relative poverty (before housing costs). The Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in autumn that will deliver fully funded measures to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty. The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments. As a significant downpayment ahead of Strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament. We are also establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1 billion a year (including Barnett impact), investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. We also announced the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation and £13.2 billion including Barnett impact across the Parliament for the Warm Homes Plan. We’ve also committed to rolling out Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority by April 2026 and creating up to 1,000 hubs across the country by the end of 2028. Backed by £500m funding, this vital support will relieve pressure on parents and give half a million more children the very best start in life. And last month, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays. These commitments come on top of the existing action we have taken which includes expanding free breakfast clubs, capping the number of branded school uniform items children are expected to wear, increasing the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions.

Whether the Department plans to consult (a) Parliament and (b) civil society in its assessment of (i) the implementation of Economic Partnership Agreements to date and (ii) the potential merits of negotiating issues listed in the sunset clauses of those agreements.

The UK's Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) do not contain expiry provisions or 'sunset clauses'. The preferential market access they provide to developing country partners will continue indefinitely. EPAs do include review clauses allowing for discussion on areas such as investment, competition, and services.The Department's approach to these reviews will be guided by dialogue with partners and aligned with UK growth and development objectives, as per the Trade Strategy. There is no obligation for partners to negotiate where they are unwilling. The Strategy also commits to engaging governments and businesses on expanding EPAs to include services. Broader stakeholder consultation will be considered in any review process.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill on financially vulnerable people in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

The Bill includes new and important safeguards, including new reporting mechanisms and independent oversight on the face of the Bill, to ensure we are being transparent about how the powers will be used proportionately and effectively. This Bill is estimated to deliver benefits of £1.5bn over the next five years, as certified by the Independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The Bill’s Impact Assessment, which was rated ‘green’ by the Regulatory Policy Committee, can be found at the following link: ImpactAssessment.pdf