Written questions by Anderson.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the removal of seasonal tariffs under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme on UK business sectors.

The Developing Countries Trading Scheme entered into force in June 2023 following thorough consultation and analysis. This included consultation with private sector stakeholders on UK market sensitivities. Seasonal tariffs were subsequently removed for four products (strawberries, cucumbers, artichokes, and wilkings) for imports from Enhanced Preferences countries. Where there is a risk to UK competitiveness, tariffs have been retained. The Government keeps trade preferences under review and may amend them in line with strategic trade priorities.

Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to improve the (a) quality and (b) comparability of impact reporting by charities in receipt of public grant funding.

DCMS is committed to comprehensive evaluation and impact reporting of our major grant funding programmes, including those delivered by charities. These evaluation reports are published on DCMS’ research page on GOV.UK.Beyond impact reporting on DCMS’ own grant funding, we are working with civil society to improve the quality and comparability of data and evidence. One mechanism for this is the ‘Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ (‘the Charities SORP’) which ensures consistency and transparency across the sector, making charity accounts comparable, understandable and useful for donors, beneficiaries, and the public alike. The UK Charities SORP-making body has recently undertaken a public consultation on improvements to the Charities SORP which include improving information for beneficiaries, donors and the public about how charity resources are stewarded.DCMS recognises the importance of good quality data and evidence on charities’ work, as well as the challenges charities can face in measuring and reporting on their impact. Through the Civil Society Covenant, published on 17 July, we will work in partnership with the sector to improve data collection and strengthen the sharing of information and best practice. This includes government making the data it collects more accessible and working with civil society organisations to improve transparency and accountability around the money they receive.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that SMEs can access funding opportunities under the Drive35 programme.

DRIVE35 will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. It will support the latest R&D in strategic vehicle technologies, accelerate their commercial scale-up, and unlock investment across all aspects of automotive electrification, enabling a holistic transition to next-generation electric vehicle technologies. All DRIVE35 competitions are open to SMEs.

What data the Department holds on the number of children placed in out-of-area care in unregistered settings in (a) Buckinghamshire and (b) Milton Keynes since 2020.

The department does not centrally hold information on the number of children looked after in unregistered settings.The department collects data on children looked after by placement type, such as foster care, children’s home, supported accommodation and those in unregistered accommodation. However, unregistered accommodation placements are reported by local authorities within the category ‘Other’ so cannot be identified separately.The latest information on children looked after placements, relating to the year ending 31 March 2024 was published on 14 November 2024 in the annual statistical release ‘Children looked after in England including adoptions’. This can be accessed at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoptions/2024.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that children’s home providers in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire meet national staff training requirements on trauma-informed care.

The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and associated statutory guidance ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards’, make it a requirement for children’s homes providers and managers of children’s homes to ensure staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the children and provide high-quality care. This includes ensuring staff have or are working towards mandatory qualifications and have access to on-going professional development and training, including training on understanding and addressing trauma in children.Ofsted inspects children’s homes on a regular basis, at least once a year, and reports on the effectiveness of leaders and managers in ensuring staff are qualified, have access to regular training and support, and are competent in their roles.The government has committed to reviewing qualifications, standards and access to training for the children’s homes workforce, to ensure they are able to meet the needs of children in care.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of the Drive35 programme to the UK's domestic supply chain resilience in the automotive sector.

DRIVE35 will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle manufacturing It will support the latest research and development, accelerate commercial scale up, and unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries, and the wider supply chain. This will help in strengthening UK supply chain resilience, and boost competitiveness in the sector.

What mechanisms are in place to monitor delivery partners' performance in disbursing Drive35 programme funding.

DRIVE35 is delivered through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and Innovate UK, part of UKRI. DRIVE35 programme funding dispersed by the programme’s delivery partners is monitored in line with Cabinet Office Grant Functional Standards to ensure compliance with grant conditions and alignment with delivery requirements and the programme’s objectives. This includes undertaking effective assurance of the delivery activities undertaken by delivery partners.

How the Department intends to measure the economic impact of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme on UK importers.

The Department has not undertaken a further economic impact assessment following the launch of the DCTS. The Scheme provides UK businesses with the opportunity to diversify supply chains and reduce import costs by sourcing from DCTS countries, which benefit from duty-free access on an average of 94% of goods exported to the UK. We routinely monitor trade flows and utilisation of the Scheme, which shows that over £16 billion in UK imports has benefitted from tariff savings since the DCTS launched in June 2023. We also welcome feedback from businesses and beneficiaries on the operation of the Scheme.

What discussions he has had with local authorities on supporting the development of green innovation investment zones.

As set out in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, part of the Industrial Strategy, the department is launching a new Industrial Strategy Zones Net Zero Network, which will support collaboration between partners in Industrial Strategy Zones such as Investment Zones and Freeports, including local authorities.

How many UK-based subcontractors are expected to be impacted from the Taiwan offshore wind project backed by UK Export Finance.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) support is conditional on the inclusion of UK content. This should usually be at least 20% of the portion of the support provided by UKEF. In this instance, UKEF has issued a guarantee to commercial lenders to help secure new export opportunities for the UK, which in turn support jobs across the UK, both in those businesses with which the project contracts directly, and in their supply chains. While there will be significant UK content, above the 20% threshold, we cannot comment on individual contracts for reasons of commercial sensitivity.UKEF support is based on confirmed contracts for the provision of specialised services and components to support the construction project. UKEF is aware of several UK sub-contractors who are bidding for roles within the various construction contracts , but such selection is an ongoing process throughout the build phase.

With reference to the pres notice entitled New Storm Shadow and missile cooperation to boost jobs as UK and France reboot defence relationship, published on 9 July 2025, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that UK-based defence supply chain SMEs are able to bid for contracts in relation to the UK-France missile co-operation agreement.

Due to the nature of these procurements a number of exemptions from the procurement regulations will be applied, meaning that associated opportunities will be restricted, with a number of contracts being awarded single source. That said UK based companies within the Storm Shadow supply chain, stand to benefit from this new agreement. The Government’s forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy will continue to examine how best to prioritise and promote UK based businesses across current and future Defence capabilities.

What mechanisms are in place to share safeguarding intelligence between local authorities and law enforcement in cases involving suspected exploitative children’s homes.

Although current legislation permits information sharing to safeguard and protect the wellbeing of children, practitioners have told the department that they often only feel confident sharing where there are serious child protection concerns.As outlined in ‘Keeping children safe, helping families thrive’, the department is taking two important legislative steps to improve how services share information to support children and families more effectively.Firstly, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill introduces provision in law, paving the way for a consistent identifier to be specified and the organisations required to use it, at a later date, via regulations.Secondly, the Bill also seeks to put an end to misconceptions about the legal barriers to sharing information, introducing a clear legal basis for sharing information for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.Ofsted inspect children’s homes once a year and take immediate action where there are safeguarding concerns, working with local authorities to protect children. The department is strengthening Ofsted’s powers via the Bill, introducing provider oversight to complement the existing regulatory regime, enabling Ofsted to act at scale and pace by requiring provider groups to improve quality where Ofsted identify concerns, and take action for non-compliance. The relevant local authorities will be informed.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to support the monitoring of environmental lead contamination by conservation bodies in Buckinghamshire.

Under the Environment Improvement Plan, we provide long-term monitoring in England to assess and manage risk from substances known to be harmful, including lead. Trends for exposure of people and wildlife to harmful chemicals are set out in the Outcome Indicator Framework for the Environment Improvement Plan. Minister Hardy recently announced a decision to restrict the use of lead in certain ammunition through UK REACH. This is now being taken forward, including how the restriction will be enforced and monitored. The Health and Safety executive, alongside the Environment Agency, will be responsible for monitoring this restriction.

What criteria the Cabinet Office uses to prioritise national risks within the Government Resilience Framework.

The UK Government Resilience Action Plan takes an ‘all hazards’ approach, focusing on improving the general resilience of the nation to all risks, and investing in common systems and tools to respond. The wide range of specific risks the government plans for are continually assessed in the National Security Risk Assessment, which now operates on a dynamic model and incorporates challenge through a refreshed Expert Advisory Programme.

What the role of local resilience forums are in delivering the objectives of the UK Government Resilience Action Plan.

The UK government recognises the foundational importance of Local Resilience Forums to our national resilience. The Resilience Action Plan sets out our plans to strengthen the public sector resilience system through the roll-out of further data to support local partners to plan for and respond to risks more effectively.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that resilience (a) standards and (b) benchmarks are applied consistently across government departments.

The UK Government Resilience Action Plan is underpinned by well-established Cabinet Office governance structures, including the National Security Council (Resilience), which oversee the implementation and delivery of resilience matters across UK government. The action plan announced new assurance measures to raise resilience standards across government, refreshed expectations for Lead Government Departments will clarify roles and responsibilities, and the UK Resilience Academy will convene expert panels to scrutinise government plans and preparedness for whole-system civil emergencies.The Cabinet Office will continue to report on resilience progress with an annual statement to Parliament on resilience.

What governance structures he has put in place to oversee the cross-government implementation of the UK Government Resilience Action Plan.

The UK Government Resilience Action Plan is underpinned by well-established Cabinet Office governance structures, including the National Security Council (Resilience), which oversee the implementation and delivery of resilience matters across UK government. The action plan announced new assurance measures to raise resilience standards across government, refreshed expectations for Lead Government Departments will clarify roles and responsibilities, and the UK Resilience Academy will convene expert panels to scrutinise government plans and preparedness for whole-system civil emergencies.The Cabinet Office will continue to report on resilience progress with an annual statement to Parliament on resilience.

When he will report departmental progress against the commitments in the UK Government Resilience Action Plan.

The UK Government Resilience Action Plan is underpinned by well-established Cabinet Office governance structures, including the National Security Council (Resilience), which oversee the implementation and delivery of resilience matters across UK government. The action plan announced new assurance measures to raise resilience standards across government, refreshed expectations for Lead Government Departments will clarify roles and responsibilities, and the UK Resilience Academy will convene expert panels to scrutinise government plans and preparedness for whole-system civil emergencies.The Cabinet Office will continue to report on resilience progress with an annual statement to Parliament on resilience.

What steps he is taking to help ensure the fair regional distribution of funding from the £500 million support package for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

The new funding for entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups will be fairly distributed across the UK. Since the British Business Bank's founding, the Bank has backed businesses in all nations and regions of the UK, helping to deliver significant economic impacts.The 10 Year Impact Report shows that 84% of the supported businesses have been based outside of London. The estimated GVA impact from the Bank's support reaches or exceeds £1bn in each and every nation and region. This is accompanied by tens of thousands of jobs being supported in each nation and region as well as boosting economically significant job creation.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the delivery partners for the £500 million fund for underrepresented entrepreneurs have appropriate (a) governance and (b) accountability mechanisms in place.

The £500 million programme of investment for entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups is a new initiative by the British Business Bank which has not yet opened for applications. This includes a £400m Investor Pathways Capital initiative, an addition of £50m in the Invest in Women Taskforce and an addition of £50m in the female-led funds that are aligned with the eight growth-driving sectors of the Industrial Strategy.All Bank programmes, delivery partners and Fund Managers are subject to robust standards of monitoring, reporting, and independent evaluation with oversight by the Bank's investment committee and DBT. Performance of delivery partners is monitored, and the distribution of finance is tracked, including by diversity characteristics such as sex and ethnicity and a programme of early assessments, interim and final evaluations.