Written questions by McMurdock.

What estimate she has made of the cost to the Exchequer of introducing an Essential User Rebate for fuel.

The Government is already taking action on fuel affordability at the pump. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry. As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of grey belt policy on a) biodiversity and b) access to green spaces.

I refer the hon. Member to Paragraphs 156 and 193 of the National Planning Policy Framework and to the answer given to Question UIN 103589 on 14 January 2026.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing an Essential User Rebate for fuel to support sectors reliant on road transport.

The Government is already taking action on fuel affordability at the pump. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry. As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Major renewal of ageing English roads delivered with £27 billion investment, published on 26 March 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the programme on schemes in Basildon and Thurrock.

The third Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) sets the level of performance and investment the Government expects to see in England’s motorway and trunk road network over the period from April 2026 to March 2031. It takes account of evidence gathered over many years from a wide range of sources and stakeholders, and follows a 2023 public consultation. It will benefit all parts of England, including Essex. DfT Ministers have received correspondence, including from Essex County Council, on the case for the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme and on the merits of improvements to the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey.In finalising RIS3 investment decisions, Ministers considered a wide range of factors, including alignment with government missions; regional equity; impacts on growth, safety and the environment; and the impacts of congestion on all road users, including freight movements, in different parts of the country. This helped ensure that investment is prioritised where pressures on the network are greatest and where improvements can deliver the most benefit. National Highways will set out further details of how RIS3 funding will be allocated in its Delivery Plan, due in early summer.National Highways engages with local authorities and other stakeholders as it develops its Route Strategies, which assess the current performance and future needs of the Strategic Road Network and inform future investment decisions. RIS3 was informed by Route Strategies undertaken in Road Period 2 (2020-2025). National Highways will shortly be commencing this process afresh to inform the development of the fourth Road Investment Strategy (RIS4).The potential impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing on other roads in Essex and elsewhere were appraised through the Lower Thames Area Model, a strategic transport model providing detailed representation of the networks in Dartford, Thurrock, Kent, Essex and East London. This ensured that the project’s expected effects on Thurrock’s road network were properly assessed as part of the wider decision‑making process.Funding under the Road Investment Strategy is allocated to National Highways for investment in the Strategic Roads Network across England rather than by region or by local highway authority area. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown by county of where the funding will be spent. This will depend on asset need, and operational and other spend.The condition of local roads in Basildon and Thurrock is the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Government has announced a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highway maintenance over the next four years. Essex County Council is eligible to receive £230,943,000 of this and Thurrock £19,416,000. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are matters for the local highway authority.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of an Essential User Rebate on the financial viability of road haulage businesses.

The Government is already taking action on fuel affordability at the pump. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The 5p cut was introduced following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry. As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Major renewal of ageing English roads delivered with £27 billion investment, published on 26 March 2026, whether any schemes relating to Basildon and Thurrock were considered for inclusion.

The third Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) sets the level of performance and investment the Government expects to see in England’s motorway and trunk road network over the period from April 2026 to March 2031. It takes account of evidence gathered over many years from a wide range of sources and stakeholders, and follows a 2023 public consultation. It will benefit all parts of England, including Essex. DfT Ministers have received correspondence, including from Essex County Council, on the case for the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme and on the merits of improvements to the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey.In finalising RIS3 investment decisions, Ministers considered a wide range of factors, including alignment with government missions; regional equity; impacts on growth, safety and the environment; and the impacts of congestion on all road users, including freight movements, in different parts of the country. This helped ensure that investment is prioritised where pressures on the network are greatest and where improvements can deliver the most benefit. National Highways will set out further details of how RIS3 funding will be allocated in its Delivery Plan, due in early summer.National Highways engages with local authorities and other stakeholders as it develops its Route Strategies, which assess the current performance and future needs of the Strategic Road Network and inform future investment decisions. RIS3 was informed by Route Strategies undertaken in Road Period 2 (2020-2025). National Highways will shortly be commencing this process afresh to inform the development of the fourth Road Investment Strategy (RIS4).The potential impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing on other roads in Essex and elsewhere were appraised through the Lower Thames Area Model, a strategic transport model providing detailed representation of the networks in Dartford, Thurrock, Kent, Essex and East London. This ensured that the project’s expected effects on Thurrock’s road network were properly assessed as part of the wider decision‑making process.Funding under the Road Investment Strategy is allocated to National Highways for investment in the Strategic Roads Network across England rather than by region or by local highway authority area. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown by county of where the funding will be spent. This will depend on asset need, and operational and other spend.The condition of local roads in Basildon and Thurrock is the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Government has announced a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highway maintenance over the next four years. Essex County Council is eligible to receive £230,943,000 of this and Thurrock £19,416,000. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are matters for the local highway authority.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department’s letter to Essex councils dated 26 March 2026, for what reason it was decided that South West Essex and South East Essex councils’ Joint Committees will automatically be chaired by a unitary council councillor, rather than allowing the Joint Committee to decide as in the rest of Essex.

Joint Committees are temporary, implementation‑focused bodies intended to support the transition to the new unitary councils. They will be replaced by shadow councils in May 2027. As such, all existing councils are to be involved in the relevant joint committee, so that implementation is a shared endeavour. In South West Essex and South East Essex, where there are existing unitary authorities, the Joint Committees is to be chaired by a councillor from those existing unitaries, reflecting their existing unitary expertise. In both areas, this operates alongside equal 50 per cent representation on the Joint Committees for councillors from the other predecessor councils. Guidance on the role of Joint Committees was circulated to all Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock councils in the Department’s letter of 26 March.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to council leaders in Essex on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, what contingency measures will be in place to ensure the delivery of public services if existing local authorities fail to adequately prepare for the transition to the new local authorities.

My officials are in regular contact with councils to support them in undertaking preparatory work to ensure readiness for any transition to new authorities.It is essential that councils continue to deliver their business-as-usual services and duties, which remain unchanged until reorganisation is complete.There is a suite of general continuity regulations for local government reorganisation made under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, which ensure an orderly transfer to new unitary councils. These regulations provide transitional and supplementary arrangements enabling councils to undertake specific functions to support a successful move to a single tier of local government. These provisions relate to continuity of services and functions, staffing, local authority plans and schemes, transfer of assets, property and reserves.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Major renewal of ageing English roads delivered with £27 billion investment, published on 26 March 2026, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the funding received by (a) Basildon and (b) Thurrock from the national road investment compared to other areas.

The third Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) sets the level of performance and investment the Government expects to see in England’s motorway and trunk road network over the period from April 2026 to March 2031. It takes account of evidence gathered over many years from a wide range of sources and stakeholders, and follows a 2023 public consultation. It will benefit all parts of England, including Essex. DfT Ministers have received correspondence, including from Essex County Council, on the case for the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme and on the merits of improvements to the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey.In finalising RIS3 investment decisions, Ministers considered a wide range of factors, including alignment with government missions; regional equity; impacts on growth, safety and the environment; and the impacts of congestion on all road users, including freight movements, in different parts of the country. This helped ensure that investment is prioritised where pressures on the network are greatest and where improvements can deliver the most benefit. National Highways will set out further details of how RIS3 funding will be allocated in its Delivery Plan, due in early summer.National Highways engages with local authorities and other stakeholders as it develops its Route Strategies, which assess the current performance and future needs of the Strategic Road Network and inform future investment decisions. RIS3 was informed by Route Strategies undertaken in Road Period 2 (2020-2025). National Highways will shortly be commencing this process afresh to inform the development of the fourth Road Investment Strategy (RIS4).The potential impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing on other roads in Essex and elsewhere were appraised through the Lower Thames Area Model, a strategic transport model providing detailed representation of the networks in Dartford, Thurrock, Kent, Essex and East London. This ensured that the project’s expected effects on Thurrock’s road network were properly assessed as part of the wider decision‑making process.Funding under the Road Investment Strategy is allocated to National Highways for investment in the Strategic Roads Network across England rather than by region or by local highway authority area. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown by county of where the funding will be spent. This will depend on asset need, and operational and other spend.The condition of local roads in Basildon and Thurrock is the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Government has announced a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highway maintenance over the next four years. Essex County Council is eligible to receive £230,943,000 of this and Thurrock £19,416,000. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are matters for the local highway authority.

What assessment he has made of the relationship between minimum wage levels and entry-level job availability for young people.

When setting minimum wage rates, the Government carefully considers the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission (LPC), an internationally respected independent body. The LPC takes into account current labour market conditions, including the youth labour market, when making its recommendations.Accordingly, the increase to the National Minimum Wage rate from April 2026 was more modest than in recent years, and the latest remit issued to the LPC asks the Commissioners to prioritise young people's employment prospects when making recommendations for the April 2027 rates.Evidence to date shows little or no significant impact on employment from past increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, whether her Department plans to publish an evaluation of the programme’s effectiveness.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the science journalism training programme delivered at Imperial College London.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Major renewal of ageing English roads delivered with £27 billion investment, published on 26 March 2026, what representations she received from Essex County Council on Basildon’s roads seeking investment under this programme.

The third Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) sets the level of performance and investment the Government expects to see in England’s motorway and trunk road network over the period from April 2026 to March 2031. It takes account of evidence gathered over many years from a wide range of sources and stakeholders, and follows a 2023 public consultation. It will benefit all parts of England, including Essex. DfT Ministers have received correspondence, including from Essex County Council, on the case for the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme and on the merits of improvements to the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey.In finalising RIS3 investment decisions, Ministers considered a wide range of factors, including alignment with government missions; regional equity; impacts on growth, safety and the environment; and the impacts of congestion on all road users, including freight movements, in different parts of the country. This helped ensure that investment is prioritised where pressures on the network are greatest and where improvements can deliver the most benefit. National Highways will set out further details of how RIS3 funding will be allocated in its Delivery Plan, due in early summer.National Highways engages with local authorities and other stakeholders as it develops its Route Strategies, which assess the current performance and future needs of the Strategic Road Network and inform future investment decisions. RIS3 was informed by Route Strategies undertaken in Road Period 2 (2020-2025). National Highways will shortly be commencing this process afresh to inform the development of the fourth Road Investment Strategy (RIS4).The potential impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing on other roads in Essex and elsewhere were appraised through the Lower Thames Area Model, a strategic transport model providing detailed representation of the networks in Dartford, Thurrock, Kent, Essex and East London. This ensured that the project’s expected effects on Thurrock’s road network were properly assessed as part of the wider decision‑making process.Funding under the Road Investment Strategy is allocated to National Highways for investment in the Strategic Roads Network across England rather than by region or by local highway authority area. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown by county of where the funding will be spent. This will depend on asset need, and operational and other spend.The condition of local roads in Basildon and Thurrock is the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Government has announced a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highway maintenance over the next four years. Essex County Council is eligible to receive £230,943,000 of this and Thurrock £19,416,000. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are matters for the local highway authority.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, whether she plans to provide follow-up support to journalists who completed the programme.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Major renewal of ageing English roads delivered with £27 billion investment, published on 26 March 2026, what consideration was given to levels of congestion and freight traffic in (a) Basildon and (b) Thurrock when allocating funding under the programme.

The third Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) sets the level of performance and investment the Government expects to see in England’s motorway and trunk road network over the period from April 2026 to March 2031. It takes account of evidence gathered over many years from a wide range of sources and stakeholders, and follows a 2023 public consultation. It will benefit all parts of England, including Essex. DfT Ministers have received correspondence, including from Essex County Council, on the case for the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme and on the merits of improvements to the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey.In finalising RIS3 investment decisions, Ministers considered a wide range of factors, including alignment with government missions; regional equity; impacts on growth, safety and the environment; and the impacts of congestion on all road users, including freight movements, in different parts of the country. This helped ensure that investment is prioritised where pressures on the network are greatest and where improvements can deliver the most benefit. National Highways will set out further details of how RIS3 funding will be allocated in its Delivery Plan, due in early summer.National Highways engages with local authorities and other stakeholders as it develops its Route Strategies, which assess the current performance and future needs of the Strategic Road Network and inform future investment decisions. RIS3 was informed by Route Strategies undertaken in Road Period 2 (2020-2025). National Highways will shortly be commencing this process afresh to inform the development of the fourth Road Investment Strategy (RIS4).The potential impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing on other roads in Essex and elsewhere were appraised through the Lower Thames Area Model, a strategic transport model providing detailed representation of the networks in Dartford, Thurrock, Kent, Essex and East London. This ensured that the project’s expected effects on Thurrock’s road network were properly assessed as part of the wider decision‑making process.Funding under the Road Investment Strategy is allocated to National Highways for investment in the Strategic Roads Network across England rather than by region or by local highway authority area. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown by county of where the funding will be spent. This will depend on asset need, and operational and other spend.The condition of local roads in Basildon and Thurrock is the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Government has announced a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highway maintenance over the next four years. Essex County Council is eligible to receive £230,943,000 of this and Thurrock £19,416,000. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are matters for the local highway authority.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Major renewal of ageing English roads delivered with £27 billion investment, published on 26 March 2026, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition of roads in Basildon and Thurrock when determining funding allocations.

The third Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) sets the level of performance and investment the Government expects to see in England’s motorway and trunk road network over the period from April 2026 to March 2031. It takes account of evidence gathered over many years from a wide range of sources and stakeholders, and follows a 2023 public consultation. It will benefit all parts of England, including Essex. DfT Ministers have received correspondence, including from Essex County Council, on the case for the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme and on the merits of improvements to the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey.In finalising RIS3 investment decisions, Ministers considered a wide range of factors, including alignment with government missions; regional equity; impacts on growth, safety and the environment; and the impacts of congestion on all road users, including freight movements, in different parts of the country. This helped ensure that investment is prioritised where pressures on the network are greatest and where improvements can deliver the most benefit. National Highways will set out further details of how RIS3 funding will be allocated in its Delivery Plan, due in early summer.National Highways engages with local authorities and other stakeholders as it develops its Route Strategies, which assess the current performance and future needs of the Strategic Road Network and inform future investment decisions. RIS3 was informed by Route Strategies undertaken in Road Period 2 (2020-2025). National Highways will shortly be commencing this process afresh to inform the development of the fourth Road Investment Strategy (RIS4).The potential impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing on other roads in Essex and elsewhere were appraised through the Lower Thames Area Model, a strategic transport model providing detailed representation of the networks in Dartford, Thurrock, Kent, Essex and East London. This ensured that the project’s expected effects on Thurrock’s road network were properly assessed as part of the wider decision‑making process.Funding under the Road Investment Strategy is allocated to National Highways for investment in the Strategic Roads Network across England rather than by region or by local highway authority area. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown by county of where the funding will be spent. This will depend on asset need, and operational and other spend.The condition of local roads in Basildon and Thurrock is the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Government has announced a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highway maintenance over the next four years. Essex County Council is eligible to receive £230,943,000 of this and Thurrock £19,416,000. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are matters for the local highway authority.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what the total cost to the public purse was of delivering the programme.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what estimate she has made of the value for money of funding overseas journalism training initiatives.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Science training strengthens reporting by journalists from Ghana and Nigeria, published on 9 April 2026, what proportion of programme funding was spent in (a) the UK, (b) Ghana, and (c) Nigeria.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to him on 17 March 2026 in response to Question 120276.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Major renewal of ageing English roads delivered with £27 billion investment, published on 26 March 2026, what criteria was used to determine the allocation of funding across regions.

The third Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) sets the level of performance and investment the Government expects to see in England’s motorway and trunk road network over the period from April 2026 to March 2031. It takes account of evidence gathered over many years from a wide range of sources and stakeholders, and follows a 2023 public consultation. It will benefit all parts of England, including Essex. DfT Ministers have received correspondence, including from Essex County Council, on the case for the A12 (Chelmsford to A120) widening scheme and on the merits of improvements to the A120 between Braintree and Marks Tey.In finalising RIS3 investment decisions, Ministers considered a wide range of factors, including alignment with government missions; regional equity; impacts on growth, safety and the environment; and the impacts of congestion on all road users, including freight movements, in different parts of the country. This helped ensure that investment is prioritised where pressures on the network are greatest and where improvements can deliver the most benefit. National Highways will set out further details of how RIS3 funding will be allocated in its Delivery Plan, due in early summer.National Highways engages with local authorities and other stakeholders as it develops its Route Strategies, which assess the current performance and future needs of the Strategic Road Network and inform future investment decisions. RIS3 was informed by Route Strategies undertaken in Road Period 2 (2020-2025). National Highways will shortly be commencing this process afresh to inform the development of the fourth Road Investment Strategy (RIS4).The potential impacts of the Lower Thames Crossing on other roads in Essex and elsewhere were appraised through the Lower Thames Area Model, a strategic transport model providing detailed representation of the networks in Dartford, Thurrock, Kent, Essex and East London. This ensured that the project’s expected effects on Thurrock’s road network were properly assessed as part of the wider decision‑making process.Funding under the Road Investment Strategy is allocated to National Highways for investment in the Strategic Roads Network across England rather than by region or by local highway authority area. It is not therefore possible to give a precise breakdown by county of where the funding will be spent. This will depend on asset need, and operational and other spend.The condition of local roads in Basildon and Thurrock is the responsibility of the respective local highway authorities. The Government has announced a record investment of £7.3 billion for local highway maintenance over the next four years. Essex County Council is eligible to receive £230,943,000 of this and Thurrock £19,416,000. Decisions on the allocation of this funding are matters for the local highway authority.