Written questions by Rosindell.

How many incidents of car theft were reported to the Metropolitan Police in the London Borough of Havering in the last six months.

The Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of notifiable offences, including the number of theft of motor vehicles, recorded by the police in England and Wales. This information is published as official statistics each quarter at both the Police Force Area and Community Safety Partnership level, including Havering Crime Safety Partnership area. The latest information, to the year ending September 2024, can be accessed here:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-recorded-crime-open-data-tablesInformation for the year to December 2024 is due to be published on 24th April 2025.

What estimate she has made of total revenue generated by Air Passenger Duty from children aged under 16 years old who travelled in Premium Economy in each of the last three years.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines, not individual passengers, and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. It is expected to raise £4.2 billion in 2024-25 and it aims to ensure that airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. The distance-based band structure ensures that those who travel furthest, and in the greatest comfort, incur a greater tax liability. Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt from APD. This means that no APD will be paid on that passenger by the airline to the UK government. If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class (such as premium economy) or in business jets, they are not exempt. Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty for all classes of travel. Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. They do not break down chargeable passengers by age, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects. The government has published annual statistics and analysis on airline passenger numbers and Air Passenger Duty (APD) receipts in the UK which are administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-passenger-duty-bulletin.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the fees imposed on the pub sector under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

We published three sets of illustrative base fees to help industry prepare for pEPR. The third set, published in December, was based on improved data and using point estimates as opposed to ranges, providing further certainty to businesses. These fees represent the best possible point estimate of base fees given currently available information. Producers were required to submit their final 2024 data by 1 April 2025. Following this deadline, we are conducting regulatory checks. Once checks are conducted to an appropriate level, we will use 2024 data and insight from regulator checks to publish pEPR base fees in June 2025. Regulatory activity will continue throughout 2025 and may result in changes to base fees during the assessment year. The government has worked closely with industry, including the pub sector, throughout development of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging. In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not split the assessment by sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on what extended producer responsibility fee rates are for glass packaging used in the hospitality sector in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries.

Illustrative fee-rates for the UK packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) scheme in the UK have been published on GOV.UK and we expect to publish final fee-rates June 2025. Fee-rates vary depending on the material that is used. As part of the development of the UK's pEPR scheme, we have studied mature pEPR schemes across Europe and the rest of the world. This has included looking at their fee rates and how they were calculated. Illustrative base fee estimates for the UK are in the same order of magnitude of other countries’ fees. However, comparisons are not straightforward because of differences in waste infrastructure and waste management approaches.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the level of cryptocurrency theft by North Korea; what steps he is taking to (a) trace the assets and (b) prevent further illicit transactions; and whether he has considered (i) the imposition of sanctions on (A) cryptocurrency and (B) related entities linked to North Korea and (ii) other steps to help strengthen security regulatory protocols.

The UK has been consistent in challenging malicious cyber activity carried out by North Korean groups. This has included exposing and sanctioning North Korean actors for disruptive attacks that impacted the National Health Service. The National Cyber Security Centre has also issued multiple Cyber Security Advisories specifically on threats from North Korean groups, informing the UK technical audience on the way these groups operate and ways to defend against them.

What assessment he has made of the capabilities of the Royal Air Force Chinook fleet.

The phased retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters, as announced by the Secretary of State in November 2024, will be optimised to ensure that the Chinook Force continues to meet its many operational commitments to the British Army and that UK and global readiness continues to be delivered. From January 2027 these 14 helicopters will be replaced by state-of-the-art H47 (Extended Range). The Force remains ready to rapidly deploy as directed by Defence.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with industry representatives on the potential merits of introducing fee (a) exemptions and (b) reductions in the extended producer responsibility scheme to prevent double charging of packaging waste in the pub sector.

Since Autumn 2024, the Government has been working with stakeholders, including representatives of the hospitality sector, to consider potential amendments to the definition of household packaging. Despite considering multiple approaches, a consensus on a single approach that works for all sectors and within the bounds of legal and regulatory requirements, was not reached. We are continuing to engage with sectors on a way forward and on assessing the tonnages of packaging any amendment might affect in the hospitality sector and in other sectors. We are planning next steps as a priority.

Media and Sport, whether she has considered providing funding for the creation of a Covid-19 memorial in Romford constituency.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration consulted on how to commemorate the COVID-19 pandemic and mark this distinctive period in our history at a national and community level. This Commission made a number of recommendations, including the importance of local memorials in commemorating the Covid-19 pandemic in providing a place to grieve and remember their loved ones. Since the publication of the Commission’s report, a number of COVID-19 memorials have been developed across the country by local Government, local businesses and community groups.This government wants to carefully consider all the Commission's recommendations, working closely with Bereaved Family groups, wider stakeholders and the Devolved Governments to do justice to the hard work of the Commission, and will publish a response, including to the recommendation around the creation of new memorials, in due course.

What steps he has taken to work with relevant authorities to improve the (a) research, (b) diagnosis and (c) treatment of ocular cancers.

The Department funds cancer research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR spent £133 million on cancer research in 2023/24. An example of this investment includes the NIHR Clinical Research Facilities (CRFs), which are dedicated facilities in National Health Service hospitals where researchers deliver early-phase and complex studies, including in cancer. In 2022, the NIHR invested £161 million in 28 facilities over five years to create dedicated spaces for high-risk experimental medicine studies, such as first-in-patient trials.The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including ocular cancers. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on ocular cancers to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.The Department works closely with NHS England in taking steps to improve diagnostic and treatment waiting times for all cancers, including ocular cancer. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new capacity, including magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography scanners. In addition, £70 million will be spent on new radiotherapy machines, to ensure the most advanced treatment is available to patients who need it.In December 2024, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence approved the treatment of tebentafusp for uveal melanoma, a form of ocular cancer. This treatment has now been rolled out to patients across England with inoperable ocular cancer.Improving outcomes for rarer cancers, like ocular cancer, is an area of focus for the National Cancer Plan. The plan’s overarching goal will be to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years.

What steps she is taking to help increase the charge rate for vehicle thefts in London.

Vehicle theft is a truly distressing crime and this Government recognises the negative impact vehicle thefts have had on individuals, businesses and industry.In our Crime and Policing Bill, we have brought forward two new offences to criminalise the possession, importation, making, adapting, supplying or offering to supply an electronic device (such as a signal jammer) for use in theft of a vehicle or theft of anything in a vehicle.We are committed to restoring and strengthening neighbourhood policing. Through our Safer Streets Mission, our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will deliver thousands of neighbourhood police and community support officers, across England and Wales, to speed up response times and build public confidence.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to reduce the number of dogs permitted to travel across international borders to three per non-commercial vehicle.

The Government is supporting the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill. The Bill will close loopholes in the non-commercial pet travel rules that are abused by unscrupulous traders by reducing the number of dogs, cats and ferrets that can enter Great Britain in one non-commercial movement to five per vehicle or three per foot or air passenger.

What steps he is taking to support the black cab industry in London.

The Department for Transport’s best practice guidance to licensing authorities in England makes a number of recommendations to support the taxi sector. It is clear that regulation should be proportionate to remove unnecessary costs and that fare tariffs are regularly reviewed. Fares should reflect changes in cost the sector incur and provide the trade with confidence to remain in the sector and plan for future investment.The Plug in Taxi Grant (PiTG) has been crucial in supporting taxi drivers’ transition to zero emission capable (ZEC) vehicles and decarbonise our roads. It has supported the purchase of over 10,000 taxis and over 60% of actively licensed London taxis are now ZEC. On 25 February 2025, the Government announced that the PITG will be extended into the 2025/26 financial year.

Whether he plans to increase the pay of soldiers, in the context of planned increases in defence spending.

Pay is an important part of a comprehensive benefits package to our Service personnel including subsided food and housing; together, these play a vital role in supporting wider recruitment and retention. Pay for most frontline public sector workforces, including the Armed Forces, is set through an independent Pay Review Body process. These independent bodies consider a range of evidence when forming their recommendations and then submit reports to the Government, which considers them before announcing final settlements. The Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body submitted its report to the government on 10 April 2025. The Government will now carefully consider the recommendations before publishing the report and the Government’s response to it, recognising the importance of giving certainty on 2025-26 pay settlements as early as possible.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to help reduce the cost of fuel on St Helena.

The St Helena Government sets the wholesale fuel price and the island's fuel retailers set the commercial price. The St Helena Government has set out the ambition for generating 80 per cent of its local energy production from renewable energy sources by 2027/2028. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, through its £30 million Economic Development and Investment Programme, is supporting the St Helena Government to progress capital investment in a range of renewable sources.

Communities and Local Government, how much funding was allocated by her Department for infrastructure improvements in Romford constituency in the last two years.

There have been no funds allocated to Romford over the last 2 years from the Housing Infrastructure Fund or from other MHCLG Land and Infrastructure funds. The Greater London Authority was awarded a £63 million grant through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the 2025-26 financial year to support London's economic development, with a focus on supporting local businesses and improving communities and skills. The GLA is working with London Councils and other partners to allocate these funds.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of granting RSPCA investigators statutory powers to gather evidence.

There are no current plans to expand statutory powers in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to include RSPCA inspectors. The RSPCA has strong working relationships with the Police and Local Authorities who support them in protecting animals where needed. The Government recognises the valuable work the RSPCA does to improve the welfare of animals and remains committed to working with the RSPCA, and other organisations involved in enforcement activities, so that our high animal welfare standards are maintained and offenders are subject to appropriate penalties.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to help promote the purchase of British food.

The cross-Government food strategy will restore pride in British food by ensuring a food system that backs British food, grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes individuals, and protects the planet, now and in the future.

Food and Rural Affairs, what comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility schemes on the finances of pubs in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries with similar schemes.

In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole. This impact assessment did not compare the impact of fees to international schemes. Illustrative base fee estimates for the UK are in the same order of magnitude of other countries’ fees. However, comparisons are not straightforward because of differences in waste infrastructure and waste management approaches.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to require all (a) dogs and (b) cats to be treated against tick borne diseases prior to entering the UK.

The Government takes biosecurity very seriously. Disease risk is monitored carefully and is kept under constant review. Where necessary we have the powers in legislation to introduce preventive health measures to protect animal or public health by controlling diseases or infections that are likely to be spread due to the movement of pet animals into Great Britain. We will continue to monitor and consider any further actions that may be necessary to prevent tick borne diseases as appropriate.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to work with relevant authorities to prevent wildfires.

Each fire and rescue authority is required to plan for the foreseeable risks in their area (including wildfire), through their Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), and having regard to the views of other key local responders.The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is the lead government department for wildfire response (from 1 April 2025) and owns the National Risk Register (NRR) wildfire risk, however a coordinated approach is essential to mitigate the impact on people, property, habitats, livestock, natural capital and wildlife, and to plan the most effective response to incidents. MHCLG maintains regular engagement with other government departments including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Cabinet Office, along with National Bodies including the National Fire Chiefs Council and England and Wales Wildfire Forum to monitor and review sector led improvements and mitigations. Since 2024 the government has funded a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor to assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to the wildfire risk and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector. In December 2021 the Home Office, as the former lead government department for wildfire, published the Wildfire Framework for England. The framework identifies responsibilities, clarifies relationships, and facilitates coordination at the government level and between key wildfire stakeholders, in England. As outlined in the Wildfire Framework for England, Defra maintain responsibility for the review of land management inputs for fuel load management, and for the promotion of wildfire mitigation and adaptation planning to land managers. Landowners and land managers are encouraged to adopt good quality wildfire management plans, use sustainable methods to manage habitat and restore their peatland – wetter, healthy-functioning peatlands are more resilient to the risk of wildfire.