Written questions by Anderson.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate how the target of 80 percent employment will be supported via the co-ordination of (i) employment support and (ii) skills services.

Our Get Britain Working strategy set out plans to increase participation and progression in the workforce by transforming Jobcentre Plus into the Jobs & Careers Service, introducing a new Youth Guarantee, and increasing activity to tackle health and disability related inactivity, including through the new Pathways to Work guarantee set out in the March Green Paper.Coordination of employment support and skills services is key to delivering these plans and meeting the Government’s long-term ambition of an 80% employment rate. The Get Britain Working White Paper set the blueprint for joined up work, health and skills services to tackle inactivity at a local level and built on national models such as the Sector Based Work Academy Programmes, which help employers with their workforce needs by upskilling benefit claimants to fill local job vacancies, and Skills Bootcamps for sector-specific training.We have published our Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper which includes plans to address priority skills gaps and reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training through joined up employment and skills support. We have also brought adult skills into the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to maximise the opportunities of aligning employment and skills support, with the Minister for Skills retaining oversight of skills across DWP and DfE.We will report on our progress towards reaching our 80% employment rate ambition through a range of metrics annually. Our first report was released in April 2025 with the first update planned for next year. We will measure our success through the following metrics:Regional employment rateHealth-related inactivityDisability employment rate gapFemale employment rateParental employmentDWP published its Evidence and Evaluation Strategy in July 2025 Evidence and Evaluation Strategy 2025 - GOV.UK', with Goal 1 covering how DWP will evaluate its labour market agenda. The strategy details both current and planned research and evaluation activities.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many Countryside Stewardship agreements currently in place in Buckinghamshire are eligible for the one-year extension announced in October 2025.

There are 6474 hectares of farmland in Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements in Buckinghamshire which are due to expire on 31 December 2025. The majority of these will be offered a one-year extension.

How much funding under the reading initiative has been allocated for teacher training in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire.

The government has committed £27.7 million to support and drive high and rising standards in reading in the 2025/26 financial year. This funding will deliver a range of support for schools, including new training for primary schools, delivered through the 34 English Hubs, to help children progress from the early stages of phonics through to reading fluently by the time they leave primary school; and new support and training for secondary schools to support reading at key stage 3.Milton Keynes is served by Whiteknights English Hub. The department does not provide specific funding to local authorities under the English Hubs programme.

Whether his Department has set a quantitative target for annual increases in private capital crowd-in by the British Business Bank over the next five years.

No. Setting a quantitative target for annual increases in private capital crowd-in by the British Business Bank could incentivise a shift towards less risky investments, which are more likely to attract private capital. This would be contrary to the Bank’s purpose of addressing market gaps and under-served regions and entrepreneurs.The amount of private capital crowded-in is reported in the Bank’s Impact Report, published annually. The most recent report shows that in the year to 3 March 2025 the Bank deployed £1.2 billion of public finance and crowded-in a further £3.0 billion, a ratio of 2.5 to one.

What proportion of the British Business Bank’s annual investment capacity has been earmarked for deployment in under-served (a) regions and (b) nations of the UK.

The British Business Bank invests flexibly, allowing it to react to changing market conditions. Most investment decisions are taken by the managers of funds in which the Bank has invested. For these reasons, investment is not generally earmarked in advance for specific nations and regions of the United Kingdom.The £1.6 billion Nations and Regions Investment Funds are the exception. They currently provide debt and equity finance to businesses in three regions of England and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Two new funds, covering South and East England, will launch in April 2026.

What performance indicators his Department uses to measure the extent to which the British Business Bank has reduced the scale-up financing gap of R&D intensive companies.

The indicator used to assess the financing gap is venture capital (VC) investment as a proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the UK as compared to the US, measured over 3 years. This gap (across all sectors) has narrowed from 30% greater investment in the US in 2019-2021 to 10% for 2022-2024.The British Business Bank’s Small Business Equity Tracker report 2025 notes that the gap for R&D intensive sectors is wider. VC investment in these industries represented 0.25% of GDP in the UK during 2022-2024 against 0.31% in the US, equivalent to a gap of 30%.Between 2022 and 2024, 49% of Bank-supported deals were in the tech sector, compared to 42% of deals across the overall market.

Communities and Local Government, what his planned timeline is for implementing the proposed reforms to restore access for councillors and extend access to mayors under the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Subject to consultation responses, the government intends to implement the proposals from the start of the 2026-27 financial year.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential for the recently announced funding for rural village pubs to support broader community-services provision in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Government recognises the important role rural pubs and those in deprived areas can play in supporting their communities and the work of Pub Is The Hub in helping them improve their resilience by providing additional community services.That is why the Government has provided £440,000 to help Pub Is The Hub continue this important work. In its 2025 report: PiTH-Social-Value-of-Pubsfinal.pdf, Pub Is The Hub highlighted over 40 diversification projects that could not be delivered due to a lack of funding. Pub Is The Hub operates across the UK and applications for funding are assessed using its criteria.

What criteria his Department is applying to select rural pub diversification projects for the funding scheme.

Government recognises the important role rural pubs and those in deprived areas can play in supporting their communities and the work of Pub Is The Hub in helping them improve their resilience by providing additional community services.That is why the Government has provided £440,000 to help Pub Is The Hub continue this important work. In its 2025 report: PiTH-Social-Value-of-Pubsfinal.pdf, Pub Is The Hub highlighted over 40 diversification projects that could not be delivered due to a lack of funding. Pub Is The Hub operates across the UK and applications for funding are assessed using its criteria.

Whether his Department has identified priority sectors for future trade co-operation with India.

The UK-India Trade Deal will open up new opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including in the high-growth sectors outlined in the Industrial Strategy. As part of his recent visit to India, the Prime Minister brought over 100 businesses to India to unlock further growth in the mutually agreed priority sectors of construction, infrastructure and clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, education, sport, culture, financial and professional business services, science, technology and innovation, consumer goods and food. The Department will continue to support opportunities for trade and investment across these sectors as we integrate the work of the Industrial Strategy with our Trade Strategy.

What plans his Department has to expand the UK’s investment promotion activities targeted at sovereign wealth funds.

As part of the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy, the government announced the creation of the Strategic Investment Opportunities Unit to shape and unlock investment opportunities for strategic investment. This includes originating new investment opportunities that can leverage private capital, including Sovereign Wealth Funds, and deliver government objectives, including to meet the UK’s infrastructure needs, and deliver our Industrial Strategy across the UK. This follows the OfI’s expansion last year, to strengthen our footing globally with the deepest pools of capital.

What mechanisms his Department plans to use to monitor the implementation of (a) funding and (b) job commitments announced following the Prime Minister’s visit to India in October 2025.

All companies involved in the announcements have a dedicated account manager from the Department for Business and Trade and the Office for Investment. Account managers actively engage with these companies on a regular basis to seek updates on the announced investments, assist with any challenges they face in their investment and discuss further expansion plans.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of UK financial markets infrastructure to support further issuances of Islamic financial instruments.

The UK is the leading Western destination for Islamic finance businesses. The Islamic finance sector also has a role in the overall UK financial ecosystem by providing sharia-compliant products for the UK’s Muslim population as well as its contribution to the UK’s competitiveness as an Islamic finance hub. The Government aims to build the right environment to allow businesses to capitalise on growth opportunities in the UK and also promotes the UK’s capabilities and expertise overseas. For example, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia in February 2025 and attended the UK-Saudi Arabia GREAT FUTURES Leadership Summit in September 2025. The Government is considering opportunities to support the Islamic finance sector through UK trade agreements with partners which have significant domestic markets for shariah-compliant finance, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council. The UK's two sovereign sukuk issuances have been successful in providing a platform for and helping to maintain the UK’s position as the leading western hub for Islamic finance while also supporting the UK’s Islamic banks. Given the development of the sector in the last decade and the relatively high cost of issuing sukuk, the Government is not at this time planning to issue another Sukuk after the current Sukuk matures in summer 2026. Officials continue to engage with industry and international partners to explore opportunities for synergies between Islamic finance and the sustainability agenda. Islamic financial instruments are covered under the same legislative and regulatory framework as their conventional equivalents, and the Government works to address any unintended differences that may arise.

What steps her Department is taking to promote UK-based Islamic finance capabilities in international markets.

The UK is the leading Western destination for Islamic finance businesses. The Islamic finance sector also has a role in the overall UK financial ecosystem by providing sharia-compliant products for the UK’s Muslim population as well as its contribution to the UK’s competitiveness as an Islamic finance hub. The Government aims to build the right environment to allow businesses to capitalise on growth opportunities in the UK and also promotes the UK’s capabilities and expertise overseas. For example, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia in February 2025 and attended the UK-Saudi Arabia GREAT FUTURES Leadership Summit in September 2025. The Government is considering opportunities to support the Islamic finance sector through UK trade agreements with partners which have significant domestic markets for shariah-compliant finance, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council. The UK's two sovereign sukuk issuances have been successful in providing a platform for and helping to maintain the UK’s position as the leading western hub for Islamic finance while also supporting the UK’s Islamic banks. Given the development of the sector in the last decade and the relatively high cost of issuing sukuk, the Government is not at this time planning to issue another Sukuk after the current Sukuk matures in summer 2026. Officials continue to engage with industry and international partners to explore opportunities for synergies between Islamic finance and the sustainability agenda. Islamic financial instruments are covered under the same legislative and regulatory framework as their conventional equivalents, and the Government works to address any unintended differences that may arise.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the UK’s sovereign sukuk programme.

The UK is the leading Western destination for Islamic finance businesses. The Islamic finance sector also has a role in the overall UK financial ecosystem by providing sharia-compliant products for the UK’s Muslim population as well as its contribution to the UK’s competitiveness as an Islamic finance hub. The Government aims to build the right environment to allow businesses to capitalise on growth opportunities in the UK and also promotes the UK’s capabilities and expertise overseas. For example, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia in February 2025 and attended the UK-Saudi Arabia GREAT FUTURES Leadership Summit in September 2025. The Government is considering opportunities to support the Islamic finance sector through UK trade agreements with partners which have significant domestic markets for shariah-compliant finance, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council. The UK's two sovereign sukuk issuances have been successful in providing a platform for and helping to maintain the UK’s position as the leading western hub for Islamic finance while also supporting the UK’s Islamic banks. Given the development of the sector in the last decade and the relatively high cost of issuing sukuk, the Government is not at this time planning to issue another Sukuk after the current Sukuk matures in summer 2026. Officials continue to engage with industry and international partners to explore opportunities for synergies between Islamic finance and the sustainability agenda. Islamic financial instruments are covered under the same legislative and regulatory framework as their conventional equivalents, and the Government works to address any unintended differences that may arise.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential contribution of Islamic finance to achieving the Government’s green finance and sustainability objectives.

The UK is the leading Western destination for Islamic finance businesses. The Islamic finance sector also has a role in the overall UK financial ecosystem by providing sharia-compliant products for the UK’s Muslim population as well as its contribution to the UK’s competitiveness as an Islamic finance hub. The Government aims to build the right environment to allow businesses to capitalise on growth opportunities in the UK and also promotes the UK’s capabilities and expertise overseas. For example, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia in February 2025 and attended the UK-Saudi Arabia GREAT FUTURES Leadership Summit in September 2025. The Government is considering opportunities to support the Islamic finance sector through UK trade agreements with partners which have significant domestic markets for shariah-compliant finance, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council. The UK's two sovereign sukuk issuances have been successful in providing a platform for and helping to maintain the UK’s position as the leading western hub for Islamic finance while also supporting the UK’s Islamic banks. Given the development of the sector in the last decade and the relatively high cost of issuing sukuk, the Government is not at this time planning to issue another Sukuk after the current Sukuk matures in summer 2026. Officials continue to engage with industry and international partners to explore opportunities for synergies between Islamic finance and the sustainability agenda. Islamic financial instruments are covered under the same legislative and regulatory framework as their conventional equivalents, and the Government works to address any unintended differences that may arise.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK’s Islamic finance sector on the Government’s objective of strengthening the UK’s position as a leading global financial centre.

The UK is the leading Western destination for Islamic finance businesses. The Islamic finance sector also has a role in the overall UK financial ecosystem by providing sharia-compliant products for the UK’s Muslim population as well as its contribution to the UK’s competitiveness as an Islamic finance hub. The Government aims to build the right environment to allow businesses to capitalise on growth opportunities in the UK and also promotes the UK’s capabilities and expertise overseas. For example, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury visited the UAE and Saudi Arabia in February 2025 and attended the UK-Saudi Arabia GREAT FUTURES Leadership Summit in September 2025. The Government is considering opportunities to support the Islamic finance sector through UK trade agreements with partners which have significant domestic markets for shariah-compliant finance, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council. The UK's two sovereign sukuk issuances have been successful in providing a platform for and helping to maintain the UK’s position as the leading western hub for Islamic finance while also supporting the UK’s Islamic banks. Given the development of the sector in the last decade and the relatively high cost of issuing sukuk, the Government is not at this time planning to issue another Sukuk after the current Sukuk matures in summer 2026. Officials continue to engage with industry and international partners to explore opportunities for synergies between Islamic finance and the sustainability agenda. Islamic financial instruments are covered under the same legislative and regulatory framework as their conventional equivalents, and the Government works to address any unintended differences that may arise.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Tenant Farmers Commissioner on agricultural productivity in Buckinghamshire.

The Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector in England has been appointed by the Government to strengthen relationships and collaboration between tenant farmers, landlords and advisers in all parts of England including Buckinghamshire. Tenant farmers, landlords and advisors working in the tenanted sector in Buckinghamshire can contact the Commissioner to raise an issue or enquiry relating to tenancy matters through the Commissioner’s webpages at Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector: role and services - GOV.UK. The Government is committed to keeping the effectiveness of this approach under review.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that inward investment from India contributes to the UK’s net zero targets.

DBT’s recently published Industrial Strategy sets out the Government’s ambition to be a global leader in clean energy by 2035, doubling investment levels across our frontier clean energy industries to over £30billion per year and creating good jobs across the country. To support this, the Office for Investment acts as a dedicated unit and proactive sales force for the UK, working internationally to secure transformational investment in line with HMGs strategic priorities. It has the commercial knowledge and expertise to originate and land deals, including working to land investment from India.

What assessment he has made of the potential contribution of foreign sovereign wealth funds to the Government’s strategy for attracting long-term investment into the UK economy.

The Government recognises the important role that foreign sovereign wealth funds play in supporting long-term investment in the UK. The UK continues to attract significant investment from sovereign wealth funds, including through strategic partnerships with funds from the Gulf region. This includes a recent £2 billion investment partnership with Bahrain to support sectors such as clean energy, technology, and manufacturing. This investment contributes to economic growth, job creation, and the development of key infrastructure across the country.