Written questions by Stafford.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the higher business rates multiplier for larger premises on (a) the prices of essential goods, (b) shop closures, (c) regional employment levels and (d) footfall in town centres.

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government will introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the British Retail Consortium press notice entitled 400 of Britain’s largest shops at risk, published on 12 September 2025.

From April 2026, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL properties benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government is introducing a higher rate on the most valuable properties in 2026/27 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. The Government recognises that, ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, RHL businesses need support in 2025-26. So, the Government has prevented RHL relief from ending by extending it for one year at 40 per centup to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier. The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context can be factored into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Mobile Market Review will assess the (a) impact of the Electronic Communications Code and (b) cumulative effect of (i) legal and (ii) commercial reforms introduced since 2017.

The Mobile Market Review (MMR) will consider sector-wide investment challenges and technological innovations across the mobile sector and the impact these have on investment in widespread high-quality connectivity over the next decade. It will assess what more Government can do to ensure the policy and regulatory framework supports innovation and investment over the long-term.The Electronic Communications Code and a national audit of telecoms sites is not within scope of the Review.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Mobile Market Review will include a comprehensive national audit of telecoms sites covering (a) site type, (b) ownership, (c) legal status, (d) deployment status, (e) notices to quit, and (f) site removals to (i) help understand the evolution of mobile infrastructure and (ii) inform future policy decisions.

The Mobile Market Review (MMR) will consider sector-wide investment challenges and technological innovations across the mobile sector and the impact these have on investment in widespread high-quality connectivity over the next decade. It will assess what more Government can do to ensure the policy and regulatory framework supports innovation and investment over the long-term.The Electronic Communications Code and a national audit of telecoms sites is not within scope of the Review.

Innovation and Technology, what estimate her Department has made of the number of additional telecoms infrastructure sites that will be required to deliver high-quality standalone 5G coverage to all populated areas by 2030.

Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. It is for the mobile network operators to determine how best to deploy the required infrastructure to achieve this.The need for additional sites will be determined based on a number of variables, including their existing site portfolios and areas of current network congestion. It is likely that additional sites will be required to deliver our ambition, but the mobile network operators are assessing this as part of their commercial delivery plans.

What steps he is taking to help prevent patients being treated in (a) corridors, (b) converted office spaces, (c) gyms and (d) other inappropriate spaces in winter 2025-26.

We are doing everything we can as fast as we can to tackle and eliminate corridor care. The Government is determined to get the National Health Service back on its feet, so patients can be treated with dignity. Our Urgent and Emergency Care Plan, published in June 2025, set out the steps we are taking to ensure that patients will receive better, faster, and more appropriate emergency care this winter, backed by a total of nearly £450 million of funding. This includes a commitment to publish data on the prevalence of corridor care. We have been taking key steps to ensure that the health service is prepared for the colder months. This includes taking actions to try to reduce the demand pressure on accident and emergency departments, increase vaccination rates, and offer health checks to the most vulnerable, as well as stress-testing integrated care board and trust winter plans to confirm they are able to meet demand and support patient flow.

What steps she is taking to ensure that specialist music and dance schools have enough funding to provide funded places for talented children from all socio-economic backgrounds; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing a multi-year grant settlement for those schools.

​​The government fully supports the arts and the development of a skills pipeline into the creative industries. ​The department is providing £36.5 million for the Music and Dance Scheme this academic year. ​Any introduction of multi-year funding agreements will be considered in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to inform patients (a) with chronic autoimmune conditions and (b) on immunosuppressive therapy of their eligibility for covid boosters in winter 2025-26; and what steps the NHS plans to take to help ensure such patients are protected.

NHS England, in partnership with the UK Heath Security Agency and the Department, has developed a suite of communications resources to encourage eligible people to get their autumn and winter vaccinations. As part of this, NHS England has produced a variety of posters and digital-screens, as well as a factsheet specifically designed for pharmacies to support conversations with individuals about eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine.The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. For autumn and winter 2025/26, the COVID-19 vaccination is offered to:- residents in a care home for older adults;- all adults aged 75 years old and over; and- persons aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables three and four of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book, which is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b5be03536d629f9c82a97d/Green-book-chapter-COVID-19_1_9_25.pdf.

What guidance NHS England has issued on covid booster vaccination for patients who are (a) immunosuppressed and (b) on long-term steroid therapy; and what steps his Department is taking to help ensure clinically vulnerable people are offered protection against (i) Stratus and (ii) other circulating covid variants.

The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to those in the population most vulnerable to serious outcomes from COVID-19 and who are therefore most likely to benefit from vaccination. For autumn and winter 2025/26, the COVID-19 vaccination is offered to:- residents in a care home for older adults;- all adults aged 75 years old and over; and- persons aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables three and four of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book, which is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b5be03536d629f9c82a97d/Green-book-chapter-COVID-19_1_9_25.pdf.NHS England, in partnership with the UK Heath Security Agency and the Department, has developed a suite of communications resources to encourage eligible people to get their autumn and winter vaccinations. As part of this, NHS England has produced a variety of posters and digital-screens, as well as a factsheet specifically designed for pharmacies to support conversations with individuals about eligibility for a COVID-19 vaccine.National invitations are designed to supplement local invitations, to ensure the National Health Service reaches as many people as possible who may be eligible. For COVID-19 vaccinations, everyone aged five to 74 years old whose NHS record suggests they may be immunosuppressed due to a medical condition or treatment, and all those eligible by age, are contacted.Eligible people are able to book via the National Booking Service or by calling 119. For those that are uncertain, they can book an appointment and discuss their eligibility with a clinician at the appointment.

Whether his Department plans to publish a winter preparedness analysis for 2025-26 defining eligibility for covid boosters.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is an independent expert committee which reviews the latest data on COVID-19 risks, vaccine safety, and effectiveness and advises the department on the approach to vaccination and immunisation programmes. The JCVI published advice for future COVID-19 vaccination campaigns in autumn 2025 and spring 2026 in November 2024, and published advice for autumn 2026 and spring 2027 in July 2025. The Government accepted JCVI advice for autumn 2025 in June 2025. The Government is considering the JCVI’s advice for 2026 and spring 2027 carefully and will respond in due course.The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious disease, involving hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19. The JCVI assessment indicates that the oldest age cohorts and individuals who are immunosuppressed are the two groups who continue to be at higher risk of serious disease.Therefore, in autumn 2025, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to:- adults aged 75 years old and over;- residents in a care home for older adults;- individuals aged six months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in the ‘immunosuppression’ sections of tables 3 or 4 in the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency Green Book.The National Health Service is preparing earlier and more robustly for winter this year, with rigorous stress testing of local plans, closer working with local partners, and a far earlier kick-off of winter preparations. Vaccinations have been ramped up across the board for flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus so families can protect themselves and others. This includes the surge capacity and escalation plans in place across all NHS and urgent care services. As set out in the 2025/26 Urgent Emergency Care Plan, the NHS is focusing on improvements that will see the biggest impact on urgent and emergency care performance this winter. The 2025/26 Urgent Emergency Care Plan is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/

Innovation and Technology, if her Department will take steps to review its guidance for (a) local authorities and (b) telecommunication operators entitled Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England, published in March 2022.

The department published the Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England to provide guidance to local authorities and network operators on siting, design and community engagement for wireless infrastructure installations.The department regularly engages with local authorities and network operators in relation to telecommunications infrastructure deployments and encourages operators to follow the Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development.This autumn we will publish a call for evidence to assess the merits of planning reform for the telecoms sector.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with UK-based Nepali community leaders on recent violence in that country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed the UK Government's continued support for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Nepal in response to recent incidents of violence and restrictions on peaceful protest in Nepal. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu also reiterated the UK's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the protection of free speech and peaceful assembly. The UK continues to encourage all parties in Nepal to uphold these values and to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully. Our Strengthening Foundations of Federalism in Nepal programme (2019-2025) promotes inclusive decision-making processes and capacity of local governments and state-citizen engagement. We remain committed to working with Nepal to promote democratic governance, uphold civil liberties, and support inclusive development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department supports democracy in Nepal.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed the UK Government's continued support for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Nepal in response to recent incidents of violence and restrictions on peaceful protest in Nepal. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu also reiterated the UK's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the protection of free speech and peaceful assembly. The UK continues to encourage all parties in Nepal to uphold these values and to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully. Our Strengthening Foundations of Federalism in Nepal programme (2019-2025) promotes inclusive decision-making processes and capacity of local governments and state-citizen engagement. We remain committed to working with Nepal to promote democratic governance, uphold civil liberties, and support inclusive development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her Nepalese counterpart on support for (a) democracy and (b) free speech in that country.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office expressed the UK Government's continued support for democracy and fundamental freedoms in Nepal in response to recent incidents of violence and restrictions on peaceful protest in Nepal. Our Ambassador in Kathmandu also reiterated the UK's commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, and the protection of free speech and peaceful assembly. The UK continues to encourage all parties in Nepal to uphold these values and to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve tensions peacefully. Our Strengthening Foundations of Federalism in Nepal programme (2019-2025) promotes inclusive decision-making processes and capacity of local governments and state-citizen engagement. We remain committed to working with Nepal to promote democratic governance, uphold civil liberties, and support inclusive development.

What steps his Department is taking to prepare for potential flu outbreaks in winter 2025-26.

We have done more than ever to prepare for winter this year with the development and better testing of winter plans. This includes surge capacity and escalation plans for urgent and emergency care.The flu vaccination programme began on 1 September 2025 for children and pregnant women. Adults aged over 65 years old, those with long term health conditions, and frontline health and social care workers will start from 1 October 2025. Further details of the plans for this year, including actions to reduce the effects of flu on demand for services, are set out in the Urgent and Emergency Care Plan for 2025/26, which is available at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/urgent-and-emergency-care-plan-2025-26/ On 16 September, the Secretary of State addressed a gathering of Chief Executives and undertook a joint visit with the NHS England Chief Executive to set out how winter preparations were being strengthened. A further meeting with Chief Executives on 3 November also focused on winter planning.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to raise concerns with the Indian authorities about the increasing use of controversial anti-apostasy laws to target (a) Christian and (b) Muslim minority communities across the country.

The UK Government is committed to defending freedom of religion or belief globally, including in India. We are aware of concerns regarding the use of anti-conversion laws in India and their impact on religious minorities, particularly Christian and Muslim communities. Dialogue concerning this is an important aspect of the UK-India relationship. Our diplomatic network across India monitors developments closely and regularly meets with religious representatives from different faith communities.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of (a) the Energy Profits Levy and (b) other carbon-related taxes in preventing climate related damage.

The Energy Profits Levy (EPL) was introduced as a temporary additional surcharge on profits generated from oil and gas exploration and production activities in the UK, in response to extraordinary global circumstances. The EPL has already raised over £11bn since its introduction to date. From 1 November 2024 the government introduced changes to the EPL, including increasing the rate by 3 percentage points to 38% and extending it to 31 March 2030. We also removed the EPL’s core investment allowance, which was unique to oil and gas and not available to any other sector, and retained the decarbonisation allowance in the EPL regime to support the sector to decarbonise. The Government sees the tax system as one important lever to further environmental and climate objectives by encouraging behaviour change and supporting greater investment in cleaner technologies. The government ensures the tax system supports climate goals through measures such as the Carbon Price Support and Climate Change Levy.

What assessment he has made of the extent to which oil and gas companies operating in the UK contribute to the costs of climate-related damage.

The North Sea Transition Authority enforces compliance with the North Sea Transition Deal to ensure the oil and gas sector halves its emissions by 2030 and achieves net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the UK’s carbon budget. The targets will be achieved through initiatives including the industry’s Methane Action Plan which includes a 50% methane reduction target by 2030. The Government also published in June supplementary environmental impact assessment guidance. The guidance marks a step forward in ensuring the full environmental impact of oil and gas extraction - including end use emissions - is considered for offshore projects.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that high-emission industries contribute fairly to funding climate recovery and adaptation.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme ensures that high-emitting sectors like power pay a fair price for the emissions they produce. ETS participants must buy allowances to cover their emissions, with revenues supporting government priorities including climate change mitigation and adaptation. The carbon price faced by businesses covered also drives them to invest in decarbonising their operations – over half say it has prompted them to invest in decarbonisation. We are expanding the scheme to the energy from waste and maritime sectors.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will respond to the correspondence of 16 July 2025 from the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon regarding the Woolmead site in the Farnham and Bordon constituency.

A response to the hon. Member was issued on 20 October 2025.