Written questions by Lake.

Whether she has made an assessment of the impact of the surcharge for paying Vehicle Excise Duty in instalments on people with below average incomes.

In Autumn 2013, the Government announced the introduction of the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) direct debit scheme from 1 October 2014. Instead of paying VED annually or in two instalments per year with a 10% surcharge, this allows people to pay VED monthly or in two instalments per year via direct debit, with a 5% surcharge. This change therefore reduced the surcharge payable by half. These surcharges are in place to make up for the interest that the government loses on monthly and six monthly VED payments. When the VED direct debit scheme was announced in 2013, a Tax Information and Impact Note was published setting out the expected impacts on individuals. It was expected that the direct debit scheme would have a positive impact for individuals, as it would enable the spreading of VED payments at a lower surcharge rate than non-direct debit instalments, and help individuals and families plan manage their finances. The Tax Information and Impact Note also set out expected economic, equalities and other impacts of the changes, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a74c63ce5274a3f93b48b3e/vehicle-excise-dd.pdfAs with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations from the public on how the tax system can be improved. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events in the context of public finances.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Equidae were recorded as leaving the UK via (a) Dover, (b) Cairnryan, (c) Holyhead, (d) Harwich and (e) other ports since the ban on live exports to slaughter and fattening was brought into force.

The table below contains the number of Export Health Certificates (EHC) dispatched for the export of Equidae from 22/07/2024 to date. Each EHC issued is for the export of one equine. The point of exit and purpose of movement are not recorded as the Export Health Certificate Online System (EHCO) does not capture that information. DateNumber of EHCs Dispatched for the Export of Equines2024Jul904Aug2307Sep2342Oct3334Nov2422Dec1714Total130232025Jan1697Feb1739Mar1948Apr1451Total6835Grand Total19858

What steps she plans to take to support the use of shore power technology at the Port of Fishguard to aid maritime decarbonisation.

The UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions programme has previously allocated over £33m to five shore power demonstrator projects at Aberdeen, Atlantic and Peninsula Falmouth, Cammel Laird shipyard, Leith and Portsmouth. These projects have informed Government policy making about maritime decarbonisation, and in March 2025, the Government published its Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy. A core policy within this Strategy is taking action to reduce emissions from vessels whilst at berth. Although the Government remains technology neutral, we recognise that shore power will play a role in reducing emissions from vessels at berth, supporting our mission to make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower. Alongside this Strategy, the Government also published a call for evidence on Net Zero Ports to explore the opportunities and barriers to reducing emissions at berth, with a focus on the role ports can play in enabling the shipping sector to decarbonise. Ports policy is devolved, so this will inform Government policy relating to English ports. However, we welcome input from ports and their tenants in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to this Call for Evidence to broaden our understanding of the issues.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with counterparts in the Welsh Government on improving equine identification and traceability.

The Government recognises the importance of engaging with Devolved Governments on a regular basis. Defra officials hold regular monthly meetings with Welsh Government to discuss improvements to equine identification and traceability; there is also an open channel of communication between officials to deal with shared issues in a timely manner.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on granting people with arrest warrants issued against them by the International Criminal Court access to UK airspace.

Airspace access is not within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's policy responsibilities. The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for airspace management and related policies in the UK.

Whether she has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential (a) impact and (b) merits of reforming the 1987 Police Pension Scheme rules on police (i) widows, (ii) widowers and (iii) surviving partners in Wales.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme. It was not originally costed to provide these extended benefits, and retrospectively changing the scheme would create additional costs for current officers and taxpayers.

If she will amend the Police pension scheme 1987 to allow surviving (a) partners, (b) widows and (c) widowers to retain their full entitlement upon (i) remarriage and (ii) cohabitation.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme. It was not originally costed to provide these extended benefits, and retrospectively changing the scheme would create additional costs for current officers and taxpayers.

If she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of amending the Police pension scheme 1987 to allow surviving (a) partners, (b) widows and (c) widowers to retain their full entitlement upon (i) remarriage and (ii) cohabitation.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme. It was not originally costed to provide these extended benefits, and retrospectively changing the scheme would create additional costs for current officers and taxpayers.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's official Spring Statement of 26 March 2025, whether the 1.3million homes to be built will be built in the UK or in England.

The 1.3 million homes figure referenced represents a forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) based solely on the impact of the changes the government made to the National Planning Policy Framework on 12 December 2024. The OBR does not provide a breakdown between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.The government’s Plan for Change includes an ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with Ofcom on increasing the four-hour minimum time requirement for power backup during power outages in the broadband phone network.

Communication providers have statutory responsibilities to take appropriate and proportionate steps to provide resilient networks and services. Ofcom published guidance in September 2024 on the measures that providers can take to meet those responsibilities, which sets out that power backup of at least four hours is good practice for active fixed access equipment in cabinets at the point of installation. Ofcom also requires providers to ensure customers making calls over broadband are able to make emergency calls in the event of a power cut at their premises for a minimum of one hour. On 14 March, Vodafone, BT, KCOM and Zen Internet announced that they will introduce a Broadband Battery Backup capable of powering routers for four-to-seven hours. This follows the agreement of the Checklist for Non-Voluntary Migrations agreed by providers in November 2024. Ofcom are reviewing the power resilience of mobile networks, and on 10 February announced work they may complete to review power outages affect broadband networks in the UK.

Innovation and Technology, how he plans to measure the progress of the National Telecare Campaign in Ceredigion Preseli constituency.

We are very focused on making sure that the transition - which is industry-led - happens safely and securely. The objective of the National Telecare Campaign is to identify vulnerable customers. The campaign is one method of identifying vulnerable customers, by raising awareness among telecare users and their family and friends. In addition, communication providers are identifying vulnerable people through data sharing agreements with local authorities, including in Ceredigion Preseli, and private telecare providers.The Government is monitoring the development of the campaign and the number of data sharing agreements made by communication providers to identify vulnerable customers.

What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on the potential impact of providing compensation for public services in Wales for costs arising from the increase in employers national insurance contributions through the Barnett Formula.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy. The Welsh Government will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way in 2025-26, including on this support. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The Welsh Government settlement is growing in real terms in 2025-26 and is the largest settlements in real terms of any since devolution. Overall, the Welsh Government receives at least 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £4 billion more in 2025-26.

Whether the funding allocated to public services in Wales to compensate for costs arising from the increase in employers national insurance contributions will be allocated to the Welsh Government through the Barnett Formula.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy. The Welsh Government will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way in 2025-26, including on this support. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The Welsh Government settlement is growing in real terms in 2025-26 and is the largest settlements in real terms of any since devolution. Overall, the Welsh Government receives at least 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £4 billion more in 2025-26.

What the total amount provided to the Welsh Government for the financial year 2025-2026 to compensate Welsh public services for costs arising from the increase in employers national insurance contributions will be.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support them with the additional cost associated with changes to employer National Insurance Contributions policy. The Welsh Government will receive funding through the Barnett formula in the usual way in 2025-26, including on this support. This is the normal operation of the funding arrangements as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy. The Welsh Government settlement is growing in real terms in 2025-26 and is the largest settlements in real terms of any since devolution. Overall, the Welsh Government receives at least 20% more funding per person than equivalent UK Government spending in the rest of the UK. That translates into over £4 billion more in 2025-26.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to support the effective delivery of the National Telecare Campaign in Ceredigion Preseli constituency.

The Government is working with industry to support the industry-led and industry-funded National Telecare Campaign. The objective of this campaign is for telecare users to be identified so that they can be provided with additional support when their landlines are upgraded from analogue to digital.It is important that the campaign reaches vulnerable customers across the UK. In Wales, a TV advert will be broadcast on ITV Wales, in English with Welsh subtitles. A mix of English and Welsh, and Welsh only will be used for printed adverts, video on demand, and social media.

What her policy is on the development of the digital pound.

HM Treasury and the Bank of England are continuing to explore the case for the digital pound. No decision has been taken on whether to introduce the digital pound.  The work currently being undertaken will provide the evidence base for a decision in due course.  Any decision will also take account of international developments and wider trends in money and payments. If a decision was taken to proceed with the digital pound, primary legislation would be introduced prior to its launch. Legislation would be preceded by a further public consultation and would guarantee users’ privacy and control of their money.

Whether levels of compensation payments reflect the impact that failures in the Horizon system had on the families of affected sub-postmasters.

Many of the impacts experienced by family members of affected postmasters will already be compensated for under the relevant scheme in which postmasters are seeking redress. For example, there will be full compensation paid to the affected postmaster for joint losses such as where a family home has been lost, and this will take account of the financial impacts on family members.The Government is however considering whether to extend additional redress to members of postmasters’ families who were affected by the scandal and will provide an update in due course.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will ask the UN Secretary General to investigate (a) how many allegations of human rights abuses have been made to the Moroccan National Human Rights Council in Western Sahara and (b) whether those allegations have been investigated in each year since 2015.

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara. We consistently support the UN efforts to resolve the situation in Western Sahara, and support language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. We engage regularly with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Western Sahara.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in the occupied territory of Western Sahara.

The UK is committed to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, including in Western Sahara. We consistently support the UN efforts to resolve the situation in Western Sahara, and support language in relevant UN Security Council Resolutions that encourages the parties to continue their efforts to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights in Western Sahara, including the freedoms of expression and association. We engage regularly with the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General on Western Sahara.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Government of Morocco on the expulsion of (a) Dolores Travieso Darias, (b) Flora Moreno Ramos and (c) Silvestre Suarez Fernandez from El Aaiun.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have had no such discussions regarding these three individuals.