Written questions by Leadbitter.

Innovation and Technology, whether the proposed digital ID would be accepted as identification to vote in general elections.

Once the new digital credential is available, the Government intends to add it to the list of acceptable forms of ID for use in voting in elections. It will not be required for voting, however, as other forms of ID will still be available. We will confirm the details of this closer to the launch of the new digital credential once further development has been completed.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Digital ID will be accepted as proof of identification.

The Government has announced plans for a new national digital ID for all UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks using the new digital credential by the end of this parliament.Through the consultation, the Government will be exploring the other circumstances in which it could be a choice for people to use this digital ID as proof of identification to make people’s lives less frustrating by giving them easier and more secure access to services. These could include things like getting support into work, accessing free childcare hours, checking free school meals, using financial services, buying a house, or buying alcohol.

Pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the number of pub closures in 2025 so far.

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living. This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating To support spirits producers, the Government has: agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time; ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries; invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

Pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of raising spirits duty on job losses in the hospitality sector.

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living. This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating To support spirits producers, the Government has: agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time; ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries; invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

Pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what the evidential basis is for charging spirit duty at twice the level of beer.

Following public consultation, a new duty structure for alcohol products was introduced in August 2023. The alcohol duty system taxes all alcohol products according to their strength, so the duty owed increases with alcohol content. The system is also progressive, ensuring that higher strength products pay proportionately more tax The 2023 reforms significantly reduced previous inconsistencies in treatment between different types of alcohol product and introduced two new reliefs: Draught Relief (DR); and Small Producer Relief (SPR). DR enables products served on draught below 8.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) to pay less duty. This relief provides support to pubs and other hospitality venues, as well as helping producers of eligible products. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor made DR more generous by cutting draught rates by 1.7%, taking a penny of duty off a typical strength pint. SPR replaced and extended the previous Small Brewers Relief. SPR supports SMEs and new entrants by permitting smaller producers who make 4,500 hectolitres or less of alcohol per year to pay reduced duty rates on all products below 8.5 per cent ABV. HMRC plans to evaluate the new rates and structures three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023.  This will allow time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

Pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the level of jobs in the Scotch Whisky industry since the Autumn Budget 2024.

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living. This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating To support spirits producers, the Government has: agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time; ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries; invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

Pursuant to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury in response to the Question from the hon. Member for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey on 9 September 2025, Official Report, column 724, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of Treasury receipts of spirits duty in the last year.

The Chancellor’s decision at Autumn Budget 2024 to cut duty for draught products, whilst uprating alcohol duty in line with inflation for main rate products balanced the need to fund public services, disincentivise harmful alcohol consumption, and support moderate, responsible drinkers with the cost of living. This kept the tax on non-draught products stable in real terms, which the Government does not expect to have any significant macroeconomic impacts. The Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) for this decision is available here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating To support spirits producers, the Government has: agreed a trade deal with India which will reduce tariffs on gin and whisky exports from 150% to 75% initially, and then 40% over time; ended the alcohol duty stamps scheme on 1 May 2025, reducing the administrative burden on spirit producers and importers, including Scotch Whisky distilleries; invested £5m in the Spirits Drink Verification Scheme (SDVS) to enable HMRC to cut the fees it charges producers for its verification service.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) improve aviation safety and (b) reduce the number of incidents of fatigue among pilots operating in UK airspace.

UK regulations set out requirements for operators of both aerodromes and aircraft, to mitigate risks and ensure operations are conducted as safely as possible. My officials are in regular contact with the UK’s independent safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who are responsible for enforcing Aviation Safety regulations, as well as advising the Department when regulations may need to be updated. When advising updates to aviation safety regulations, the CAA works closely with industry experts as well as other government bodies, like the Health and Safety executive. The risk of flight crew fatigue is managed under the flight time limitation (FTL) regulations which limit the number of hours pilots can be on duty. The CAA monitors and oversees UK Airlines’ management of FTL requirements and how these impact pilot fatigue, as well as investigating safety reports that cite fatigue as a contributory factor. The CAA will take action to recommend changes to regulation or update guidance if they see any evidence it may be required to manage the risk of fatigue.

If he will hold discussions with the Chief Executive of GB Energy on changes to employment levels in the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen.

The Department continues to work quickly to set Great British Energy up for success and ensure all British people feel the benefits. The Office for Clean Energy Jobs has already worked with industry, Scottish Government and unions to launch the ‘Energy Skills Passport’ for offshore Oil and Gas workers, putting clean energy at the heart of our modern industrial strategy. We are committed to a just transition for industries based in the North Sea. Aberdeen will be at the heart of this transition, supported by initiatives such as the Energy Skills Passport and the Energy Transition Zone.

What the annual cost is of armed protection of (a) nuclear energy, (b) nuclear waste and (c) other nuclear sites; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on those costs.

Armed protection is provided by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary at our most sensitive nuclear sites and by some Home Office Police forces at less sensitive sites. The Civil Nuclear Constabulary is funded by charges to its service recipients, the site license companies. The costs charged to these for the financial year 2024/25 was: Nuclear Energy - £57.9MWaste and decommissioning - £80.4MOther nuclear sites - £6.0M The security of the UK’s critical national infrastructure is of paramount importance to the Government. The department works with the regulator and industry to respond to changing national security threats.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the routes used to transport nuclear waste within the UK; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on the number of routes used.

Nuclear waste is transported in the UK via road, rail, and sea using specially designed, secure containers that meet stringent international safety standards. The government takes the security of nuclear material very seriously. Nuclear waste transports operate within extremely stringent safety and security standards, which are continuously monitored to minimise the risk of any incident.

What routes of travel are undertaken to transport nuclear waste within the UK.

There are a number of proven routes to transport nuclear waste. On the grounds of national security, the Government does not publish information on specific routes taken.

What the annual security costs are of nuclear waste transport within the UK; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on those costs.

The Government does not publish the specific security costs of nuclear waste transport on the grounds of national security. The transportation of nuclear waste materials is long-established and has an excellent safety and security record. Nuclear waste transports operate within extremely stringent safety and security standards, which are continuously monitored to minimise the risk of any incident.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's policy on hydrogen on regional water availability.

We are working with environmental regulators in England, Scotland and Wales, as well as DEFRA and National Energy System Operator (NESO) to ensure that the impact of projects on regional water bodies is carefully considered.

With reference to his Department's publication entitled Hydrogen strategy update to the market: December 2024, published on 17 December 2024, when he plans to publish the report on Water Demand for Hydrogen Production.

DESNZ has published the Water Demand for Hydrogen Production report, which shows the variation in water demand for hydrogen production based on the production technology, water source and cooling system used.

What estimate he has made of long-term storage costs of nuclear waste; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his Department's policies on those costs.

Nuclear power is central to our ambitions for clean energy and to meet our net zero commitments. It is therefore important that we have in place effective plans to manage the associated wastes that arise from nuclear operations. Approximately 94% of nuclear waste by volume is low in radioactivity and will be disposed of safely in existing facilities. For the remaining more hazardous radioactive waste, the UK Government’s policy is to implement geological disposal. A geological disposal facility is expected to be available for intermediate level waste in c.2050-2060 and c.2075 for high level waste and Spent Fuel. We require interim storage to manage this waste until disposal facilities are available - these interim stores vary depending on the nature of waste they are designed for.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his Department's policy on hydrogen on the (a) demand and (b) supply of water.

We require projects to have robust plans in place for sustainable water sourcing, including gaining abstraction licenses from the EA in England and SEPA in Scotland where required, and assess these when support is sought under Hydrogen Allocation Rounds. The Government’s forthcoming Hydrogen Strategy will build on previous work to elaborate on how water supply constraints are being considered in planning for the hydrogen economy.

Whether he raised animal welfare issues in relation to trade during his visit to China in September 2025.

The Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, visited China from 10-11 September to co-chair the first UK-China Joint Economic and Trade Commission since 2018 and the UK-China Industrial Cooperation Dialogue. The visit delivered over £1bn market access wins in potential additional exports over 5 years, including the signing of a Pet Food Protocol in the agrifood sector.Animal welfare was not discussed during the Secretary of State’s visit. The Government raises concerns about the welfare of animals with other Governments and international organisations when appropriate.

With reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Airspace modernisation, published on 22 October 2024, whether her Department and the Civil Aviation Authority plan to deploy the Scottish cluster's airspace change proposal first.

The Government’s priority is to deliver the benefits of airspace modernisation alongside the critical technology upgrades to the UK’s air traffic control systems. The Department for Transport is working closely with Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and NATS to ensure that the airports can continue to make progress with their Airspace Change Proposals in line with the CAA’s airspace change process. The next stage in this process is for the airports to consult on their proposals.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of abolishing peak fares for rail passengers.

We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network. The amount of taxpayer subsidy provided to the railway industry has increased from under a quarter in 2018/19 to almost half of total income following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023/24. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.