Written questions by Stafford.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the provisions in the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, on (a) localism and (b) communities.

The government sees the policies set out in the English Devolution White Paper as supportive of communities and the localism agenda. The White Paper is clear that we cannot deliver the change the public expect, whether more growth, more homes, more joined-up services, or restored trust, without more empowered communities and local government. Its approach to community empowerment focuses on putting people in control of their own lives, alongside devolving power away from Westminster. That is why alongside committing to greater devolution of powers to area it commits to measures such as replacing the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ Assets of Community Value, creating a more robust pathway to community asset ownership. It’s also why we have recognised the importance of a thriving local media sector that can continue to play an invaluable role by reporting on the issues that matter to communities and, in the context of local government reorganisation, want to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. Together we have assessed this provides a positive impact on localism and communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) extended producer responsibility fees and (b) other tax increases on the viability of UK breweries.

The 2024 pEPR impact assessment can be found here.The impact assessment estimated the pEPR producer fees would generate over £1 billion annually to support local authority collection and disposal services, including recycling services. We expect Greenhouse Gas Emissions savings of approximately 0.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over the 10-year appraisal period. Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief would have ended entirely in April 2025, creating a cliff-edge for businesses. Instead, the Government has decided to offer a 40 per cent discount to RHL properties up to a cash cap of £110,0000 per business in 2025-26 and frozen the small business multiplier. By tapering RHL relief to 40%, rather than letting it end, the Government has saved the average pub, with a rateable value (RV) of £16,800, over £3,300 in 2025. At Budget, the Government also announced that from 2026-27, it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for RHL properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on the most valuable properties, which includes the majority of large distribution warehouses, including warehouses used by online giants. The rates for any new business rate multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the upcoming revaluation outcomes as well as the economic and fiscal context.

What steps she plans to take to ensure the business rates system supports the sustainability of food and drink wholesalers.

To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026-27, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties on 2026-27 - those with a rateable value 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. Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025 – to take effect in the 2026-27 billing year – HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements. The Government published the ‘Transforming Business Rates’ Discussion Paper at Budget setting out priority areas for reform. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. Further information regarding the Discussion Paper can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-business-rates.

What estimate she has made of the potential impact of the higher multiplier on properties with RV of £500,000 and above on the food and drink wholesale sector.

To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026-27, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties on 2026-27 - those with a rateable value 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. Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025 – to take effect in the 2026-27 billing year – HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements. The Government published the ‘Transforming Business Rates’ Discussion Paper at Budget setting out priority areas for reform. This paper invites industry to help co-design a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century. Further information regarding the Discussion Paper can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-business-rates.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of conducting a review of the UK National Screening Committee's decision-making process regarding screening for sudden cardiac death.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is an independent scientific advisory committee which advises ministers and the National Health Service in all four countries on all aspects of population and targeted screening, and supports implementation.Using research evidence, pilot programmes, economic evaluation, expert stakeholders, and consultation, the UK NSC assesses the evidence for national screening programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria covering the condition, the test, the treatment options, and the effectiveness, ethics, and acceptability of the screening programme.The committee is open about their procedures and how evidence and expertise has been considered in formulating their recommendations. They engage with a broad range of stakeholders across the United Kingdom to ensure their advice reflects societal perspectives and is balanced. Further information on the UK NSC’s approach to evidence review criteria is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evidence-review-criteria-national-screening-programmesIn addition, further information about the processes and principles used by the UK NSC is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-nsc-processes-and-principles

Whether he has considered making the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority a surrogacy regulator.

The Law Commissions of England, Wales, and Scotland published a review of surrogacy in March 2023. One of the recommendations in the report was for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to have a new regulatory role for surrogacy organisations.The Government is considering the Law Commissions’ report and will publish a response as time allows.

What steps she is taking to ensure that online companies such as (a) Temu and (b) Shein are paying their due and import taxes for sales of products in the United Kingdom.

The Government recognises the increasing popularity of overseas retailers. VAT is due on all imports of goods into the UK at the same rate as domestic transactions, meaning that overseas retailers contribute to the Exchequer. Imports valued below £135 can be imported into the UK without paying customs duty. Imports valued above £135 must pay the relevant duty. HMRC’s compliance strategy seeks to ensure that overseas retailers pay the tax and duty they are liable for and addresses all forms of non-compliance.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle (a) crime networks and (b) money laundering systems operating behind (i) barbers and (ii) nail shops.

Addressing cash-based money laundering is one of the strategic priorities of the National Economic Crime Centre, which sits within the National Crime Agency and who are currently working with partners to facilitate an increased operational response to this threat.In parallel the National Police Chiefs Council economic crime co-ordinators are engaged in the development of Clear Hold Build strategies to help police forces tackle serious and organised crime.Clear Hold Build aims to reclaim and rebuild neighbourhoods affected by organised crime and increase public confidence in the police and partner agencies. This includes tackling financial crime on the high street.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in China on the treatment of (a) Falun Gong and (b) Shen Yun practitioners outside China.

Within China, the environment for freedom of religion or belief is restrictive, which includes the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. This government will work to uphold the right to freedom of religion and belief for all abroad, for example through bilateral engagement. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, and Chancellor all raised human rights recently with their counterparts (President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang and Vice Premier He respectively).The freedom of speech and other fundamental rights of all people in the UK are protected under UK law, regardless of their nationality.

With reference to her Department's document entitled Local highways maintenance: additional funding from 2023 to 2034, updated on 23 January 2025, whether the £132 million of Network North funding for Hampshire County Council will be provided between the 2023-24 and 2034-35 financial years.

This Government is determined to help local authorities such as Hampshire County Council tackle the poor state of our roads. The previous Government made a series of questionable funding promises in its Network North plan, and this Government has had to review their affordability. We have already announced a £500 million funding uplift for local highway authorities for 2025/26 and will say more on future years’ funding after the conclusion of the Spending Review. Hampshire County Council will benefit from an additional £14.1 million in 2025/26, an increase of around 36% on top of the Network North uplift in 2024/25, to help it carry out vital preventative maintenance works across the county.

Whether she has had discussions with stakeholders on the potential merits of implementing thresholds for corporation tax as per personal taxation.

Companies already pay Corporation Tax in line with their profitability. The main rate of 25 per cent – which is the lowest in the G7 – applies to profits over £250,000. The small profits rate of 19 per cent applies to profits under £50,000. Marginal relief applies to profits between £50,000 and £250,000 so that the tax rate increases gradually from 19% to 25%.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate safeguards are in place for (a) older and (b) vulnerable people during the transition from the Public Switched Telephone Network to digital landlines.

This is an issue that the new Government takes especially seriously. The Government is determined to ensure that any risks arising from the industry-led migration from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated, for all customers across the UK.A definition of vulnerable customers who may require additional support in the context of the digital switchover was published in November 2024. It includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landline. Any customer, including the elderly, can also self-identify as requiring additional support.Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, committing to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN migration. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist before restarting non-voluntary migration of customers.

What steps her Department is taking to clarify long-term residency options for Ukrainian refugees in the UK beyond December 2026.

We recognise the Ukrainian government’s desire for the future return of its citizens to Ukraine. It is important our approach respects these wishes. This is why the temporary Ukraine Schemes do not lead to settlement in the UK. Similarly, time spent in the UK with permission granted under the Ukraine Schemes cannot be relied upon towards the continuous qualifying period for the purposes of a Long Residence application. There are other routes available for those who wish to settle in the UK permanently, if they meet the requirements.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the updated Homes for Ukraine Scheme on Ukrainian refugees' ability to access housing.

Thank you payments have been extended for the full 18-month period under Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme to support Homes for Ukraine guests to remain in sponsorship and to thank sponsors for their continued generosity. We hope that the extension of this support will provide enough time for guests and sponsors to plan for next steps, including to secure independent accommodation if needed or convert a sponsorship to a lodging arrangement. To fund this support and ensure it is affordable within government budgets, from 1 April 2025, all thank you payments will be paid at a rate of £350 per month for all sponsors of guests on Homes for Ukraine and UPE visas, regardless of how long guests have been in the UK. We are signposting sponsors to the Government’s ‘rent a room’ scheme for those who wish to convert their sponsorship to a lodging arrangement. If sponsors move to an arrangement where they charge rent, they will no longer be eligible for thank you payments. Councils receive a tariff of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival in their area to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. Councils have the flexibility to use the funding to support households as best suits the local area. This could include measures to support guests to access employment, English language provision and provide integration measures that support Ukrainians to access private rented accommodation. We engage closely with councils and the voluntary and community sector to ensure that we understand the needs of Ukrainians living in the UK and that adequate support is available. We continue to closely monitor the homelessness pressures relating to Ukrainian homelessness and separately publish statistics here: Homelessness management information - Ukrainian nationals: England - GOV.UK

What assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 on the legal protection of UK veterans.

We owe a great debt to our Armed Forces who served in Northern Ireland.The previous government's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 has been found to be unlawful and was widely opposed in Northern Ireland, including by some families who lost relatives whilst serving the State.That legislation does not prevent legal action being brought by prosecutors for Troubles-related offences, although it is clear that, with the passage of time, prosecutions are increasingly unlikely. As this Government puts in place changes to ensure that legacy cases are dealt with sensitively, efficiently and lawfully, we will ensure that any veteran engaging with this process receives welfare and, where appropriate, legal support.

What steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that veterans of the Northern Ireland conflict are not subject to potential repeated or prolonged legal action under the provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

We owe a great debt to our Armed Forces who served in Northern Ireland.The previous government's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 has been found to be unlawful and was widely opposed in Northern Ireland, including by some families who lost relatives whilst serving the State.That legislation does not prevent legal action being brought by prosecutors for Troubles-related offences, although it is clear that, with the passage of time, prosecutions are increasingly unlikely. As this Government puts in place changes to ensure that legacy cases are dealt with sensitively, efficiently and lawfully, we will ensure that any veteran engaging with this process receives welfare and, where appropriate, legal support.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the recent State Pension increase.

Ensuring a decent foundation State Pension for pensioners is a priority for this Government. That is why we have set out our commitment to the Triple Lock throughout this Parliament. As a result, spending on people’s State Pensions is forecast to rise by over £31 billion. Through our commitment to the Triple Lock, from April the basic and new State Pensions will increase by 4.1%. This means that over 12 million pensioners will benefit from an increase of up to £470 to their State Pension from April this year. That’s up to £275 more than if pensions had been uprated in line with inflation.

What steps she is taking to reduce the difference between the minimum wage and the State Pension.

The National Living Wage (NLW) and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) are the legal wage floors that employers must follow. The NLW rate is the minimum hourly wage for eligible workers aged 21 and over and the NMW is minimum hourly wage for eligible workers aged 18-20 years old. Each year the Low Pay Commission produces recommendations for the Government on the NLW/NMW rates that aim to protect the lowest paid earners in the economy. The State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people. To ensure financial security in later life, individuals are expected to save for their retirement. The Government is committed to ensuring that older people are able to live with the dignity and respect they deserve, which is why it committed to Triple Lock the basic and new State Pension for the duration of this parliament and provides generous pensions tax relief to enable savings. Over the course of this Parliament, the yearly amount of the full new State Pension is currently forecast to go up by around £1,900, based on the Office for Budget Responsibility’s latest forecast.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with the broadband industry to support the take-up of full fibre networks.

The government continues to work with the broadband industry and regulatory bodies to support take-up of gigabit-capable broadband. The government welcomes the introduction by Ofcom of new guidance to ensure consumers are told in clear terms, at point of sale, about the technology that underpins their broadband service. We also welcome the launch of One Touch Switch (OTS) by industry. Consumers now only have to contact their new provider when they wish to switch provider. OTS should support take-up of gigabit broadband as it makes it more straightforward for consumers to upgrade and move providers.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to his Answer of 21 November to Question UIN 14700 on Broadband: advertising, whether he plans to include guidance in his forthcoming Statement of Strategic Priorities.

The government sees the use of consistent terminology between providers as a means to support take-up of gigabit capable broadband services and we continue to engage with Ofcom on this topic. The government is planning to consult on the draft updated Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services in the coming weeks. As part of the consultation process, we would welcome views on content of the SSP from industry stakeholders.