Written questions by Chadwick.

What estimate her Department has made of the potential economic impact of changes to the thresholds for the Soft Drinks Industry Levy on the level of food inflation.

An assessment of economic and other impacts are included as part of the ‘Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy’ consultation document. This is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-soft-drinks-industry-levy. The direct impact of the proposed changes on CPI inflation is expected to be negligible, less than 0.01 percentage points. The proposed changes were subject to a consultation, which was open until 21 July 2025 and will inform decisions at a future Budget. If the Government decides to make changes to the levy, it will publish a tax information and impact note (TIIN) to give account of the confirmed policy’s impacts.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of skilled workers to complete rail electrification of the (a) North and (B) South Wales main lines.

Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for Great Britain’s railways, is responsible for considering the skills and workforce requirements for infrastructure projects such as electrification schemes. It is assisted in this by the National Skills Academy for Rail, which supports the rail industry in acquiring, maintaining and developing the workforce it needs.

What steps she is taking to improve the (a) frequency and (b) capacity of passenger rail services on the (i) Heart of Wales Line and (ii) Cambrian Line.

Services on these routes are provided by Transport for Wales (TfW). Capacity on the Cambrian Line will improve with the introduction of new trains in the next couple of years and TfW is preparing to introduce a fifth through service per day on the Heart of Wales line from December 2025.

Whether her Department has taken steps to implement two services an hour on the Shrewsbury-Wrexham-Chester Line.

Services on this route are provided by Transport for Wales in accordance with its Train Service Requirement which is agreed with the Department in respective of services at stations in England. There are no active proposals to increase services on this route.

Whether her Department plans to electrify the North Wales main line.

Together with industry partners, we have identified a number of improvements on the North Wales Main Line which will deliver more immediate passenger benefits, including increasing the frequency of services in 2026, which will serve to strengthen the business case for future electrification. Following the Spending Review, we are funding these improvement works as part of the wider £445 million investment to enhance rail infrastructure across Wales — unlocking economic potential, improving connectivity, and supporting communities.

When the decision was made to reclassify the Oxford-Cambridge line from an England-only project to an England and Wales project.

As rail infrastructure projects have not been devolved to Wales the categorisation of these projects is in line with wider devolution policy managed by Treasury. Every Government funded rail project in Wales or England are always categorised as England and Wales investment projects. The categorising of East West Rail as an England and Wales project does not mean that Wales is disadvantaged in any way.

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce levels of consumption of highly processed foods.

As set out in our 10-Year Health Plan, we will take decisive action on the obesity crisis, easing the strain on our National Health Service and creating the healthiest generation of children ever. In relation to reducing the consumption of foods and drinks high in calories, saturated fat, salt, and sugar, many of which would be considered as highly processed, work is progressing through the following:in a world-first, all large food businesses will be mandated to report against standardised metrics on healthier food sales by the end of this Parliament. Using that reporting, we will set new targets to increase the healthiness of sales in all communities;current food, advertising, and promotion restrictions use the 2004 Nutrient Profile Model to categorise which foods are more or less healthy. This is plainly out of date, and we will update these standards. We will consult on implementation in 2026; andwe will also fulfil our commitments to restrict junk food advertising targeted at children and will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16 year olds. We have already given local councils stronger powers to block new fast-food outlets near schools and are taking steps to ensure the Soft Drink Industry Levy remains fit for purpose.To support those in greatest need, we will uplift the value of the weekly payments delivered by the Healthy Start scheme by 10%, boosting the ability to buy fruit and vegetables for those families who need it most.The Government’s Eatwell Guide already advises that people should eat more fruit and vegetables and wholegrain or higher-fibre foods, as well as less processed meat and food and drink that is high in sugar, calories, saturated fat, and salt.The Eatwell Guide principles are communicated through a variety of channels, including the NHS.UK website and Government social marketing campaigns. For example the Better Health Healthier Families website and the Healthy Steps email programme, which aims to help families with primary aged children in England to eat well and move more.A range of actions that have already been taken to create a healthier environment to help reduce consumption of processed foods that are high in energy, saturated fat, salt, and free sugars include:the Healthy Start scheme, which supported over 358,000 in June 2025;the Nursery Milk Scheme, which provides a reimbursement to childcare providers in England and Wales for a daily 1/3 pint portion of milk to children and babies; andthe School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, which provides approximately 2.2 million children in Key Stage 1 with a portion of fresh fruit or vegetables per day at school.

What proposals put forward for new rail investment in Wales as part of the Spending Review 2025 were rejected by the Treasury.

The Chancellor set out that the UK Government will commit at least £445 million investment into Welsh rail infrastructure upgrades at the Spending Review in June.For too long, Wales’s long-term infrastructure needs have not been recognised. This government is taking a different approach, delivering at least £445 million of rail enhancements funding for Wales. UK Government does not comment on Spending Review discussions, however we are delivering the maximum number of projects the sector can deliver in the next few years.My top priority in advance of the Spending Review was to tackle historic underfunding in Wales’ rail infrastructure. This funding will mean new stations, more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales - connecting people with the new, well-paid jobs we are creating across Wales.Through the Wales Rail Board, we will work in collaboration with the Welsh Government to agree and develop future rail service improvements, delivering a sustainable pipeline of investment.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the level of additional support provided by energy companies to assist people on the Priority Services Register with meter readings.

Vulnerable customers who need extra support are able to sign up for the Priority Services Register for free. This allows energy suppliers to provide extra help for vulnerable consumers, such as help taking their meter readings, advanced noticed of power cuts, and making sure their phone calls are a priority. Eligible individuals include those at or above State Pension age, those with a disability or medical condition, and people with children under the age of 5. I have regular discussions with Ofgem, energy suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure that vulnerable consumers are supported, including using the Priority Services Register to help assist eligible individuals.

What discussions he has had with the Energy Ombudsman on identified breaches of standard licencing conditions by energy companies related to (a) bill accuracy and (b) shortfalls in service.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. On 19 June the Government announced that we will consult on strengthening the Energy Ombudsman to ensure that suppliers comply with its final decisions or pay compensation to their consumer. This consultation will also look at introducing automatic referrals to the Ombudsman instead of consumers having to do this themselves, and also to explore the reduction of referral waiting times from 8 weeks to 4 weeks.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that energy supplier read electricity meter readings are accurately recorded on customer energy accounts.

It is the role of the independent regulator Ofgem to ensure compliance with Standard Licence Conditions, including condition 21B. I meet regularly with Ofgem to discuss consumer protection issues. To ensure Ofgem’s continuing effectiveness, in December the Government launched its first comprehensive review of the regulator. The review is considering whether Ofgem has effective compliance and enforcement tools, so consumers can be confident that any failures will be investigated and rectified quickly.

How energy supplies are complying with condition 21B of the Electricity Supply Standard Licence Conditions.

It is the role of the independent regulator Ofgem to ensure compliance with Standard Licence Conditions, including condition 21B. I meet regularly with Ofgem to discuss consumer protection issues. To ensure Ofgem’s continuing effectiveness, in December the Government launched its first comprehensive review of the regulator. The review is considering whether Ofgem has effective compliance and enforcement tools, so consumers can be confident that any failures will be investigated and rectified quickly.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that the proportion of research and development funding spent by the UK Government in Wales aligns with the population share of Wales in the United Kingdom.

This government is committed to supporting R&D excellence wherever it is found. UKRI has a specific objective to develop world-class places by supporting outstanding institutions, infrastructures, sectors and clusters across the UK. In 2023-24, UKRI invested £168 million in Wales, supporting activity from the Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult in Newport, to the Agri-tech and Food Technology Launchpad in Mid and North Wales, to the Media Cymru project in Cardiff Capital Region. Looking ahead, we are working closely with the Welsh Government to earmark at least £30 million for region in Wales from the new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.

With reference to the Family Court Quarterly Statistics, published on 27 March 2025, for what reason 8,150 bereaved families waited over six months for the Probate Registry to issue grants of (a) probate and (b) administration in 2024.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) retains complaint data concerning lost documentation for a period of five years. HMCTS conducts regular meetings with our bulk scanning provider to review occurrences of lost documents and is committed to continually enhancing our systems to minimize these incidents.The open probate caseload includes individual cases that may experience delays due to various factors such as family disputes or insufficient information being provided by the applicants. HMCTS actively contacts users to facilitate the progression of cases requiring additional information. Official statistics on the open caseload are regularly published via the following link: Family Court Statistics Quarterly - GOV.UK.

What information her Department holds on the number of documents lost by the Probate Registry in each of the last ten years.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) retains complaint data concerning lost documentation for a period of five years. HMCTS conducts regular meetings with our bulk scanning provider to review occurrences of lost documents and is committed to continually enhancing our systems to minimize these incidents.The open probate caseload includes individual cases that may experience delays due to various factors such as family disputes or insufficient information being provided by the applicants. HMCTS actively contacts users to facilitate the progression of cases requiring additional information. Official statistics on the open caseload are regularly published via the following link: Family Court Statistics Quarterly - GOV.UK.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with the Welsh Government to ensure full gigabit coverage by 2030 in Brecon, Radnor and Cwm-Tawe constituency.

The Government has recently reconfirmed its commitment to achieving nationwide gigabit coverage and now expects 99% of premises to have access to a gigabit-capable connection by 2032.As part of Project Gigabit, Openreach is already delivering a contract across North West, Mid and South East Wales to bring gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses that would otherwise miss out. This contract currently includes approximately 3,500 premises in the Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituency.Building Digital UK (BDUK) will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government to improve broadband connectivity across Wales as we refresh our delivery plans for the remaining premises in the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to develop (a) fiscal and (b) regulatory frameworks to support (i) private and (ii) blended finance for large-scale rewilding and nature recovery projects in (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland.

The UK Government is committed to scaling up private and blended finance for nature recovery and sustainable farming. In England, we are actively working to strengthen regulatory frameworks for high-integrity nature markets. This includes a Call for Evidence (published 12 June) on clarifying demand from nature-dependent sectors, and a public consultation (27 April) on improving standards and oversight for carbon and nature markets. The deadline for submitting comment to the Call for Evidence is 7 August. Environmental and agricultural policy are devolved matters. However, the UK and Devolved Governments are collaborating to ensure coherence across the UK, including through joint governance of the British Standards Institution’s UK Nature Investment Standards programme.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of excess sewage sludge on levels of river pollution.

Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989 (SUiAR) supported by the Sewage Sludge Code of Practice provide environmental and health protections from sludge spreading. The Government is continuing to work with the Environment Agency to assess the regulatory framework for spreading sludge.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) devolved administrations and (b) local communities on the potential merits of providing (i) funding and (ii) funding through the (A) Shared Prosperity Fund and (B) other environmental or rural development mechanisms to support the reintroduction of (1) beavers, (2) pine martens, (3) elk and (4) golden eagles in Wales.

Defra has not had discussions with devolved administrations and local communities on the potential merits of providing funding to Wales to support the reintroduction of beavers, pine martens, elk, and golden eagles. This is because this is a devolved matter, and funding is therefore the responsibility of the Welsh Government. Natural England, NatureScot and Natural Resources Wales meet quarterly to discuss all species reintroductions projects in their respective countries including beavers. The agencies have an informal agreement to consult each other for any proposal that would impact cross-border. This has already been done for pine marten and white-tailed eagle reintroductions. Regarding beaver reintroductions, the agencies consult with each other on licence applications near borders. For the English licensing scheme, licence applicants are required to consult Natural Resources Wales or NatureScot as well as impacted cross-border stakeholders prior to submitting an application to Natural England. Natural England will then carry out their own formal cross-agency consultation once the licence application has been received.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the native (a) timber and (b) hardwoods market through (i) sustainable woodland creation, (ii) supply chain development and (iii) local processing infrastructure.

The Timber in Construction Innovation Fund has awarded £2.3 million to support 14 projects to show the suitability and viability of England’s woodlands resource. We will continue our current approach of funding the establishment of native broadleaf woodlands and supporting the planting of well-designed and managed mixed and conifer-dominated woodlands. We aim to increase the use of both softwood and hardwood sourced from domestic forests in construction projects. We are working in collaboration with the forestry, wood processing and construction sectors to boost the use of timber in construction and drive innovation in the sector through the Timber in Construction Roadmap.