Written questions by Wild.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms in the Consultation on Reform of Landfill Tax in England and Northern Ireland, published on 28 April 2025 on the Government’s housebuilding target.

The government consulted on proposals for reform of Landfill Tax on 28 April following a call for evidence in 2021. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is currently considering responses. The government is committed to delivering 1.5 million homes over 5 years as set out in the Plan for Change. The government are working with the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government to assess these impacts and is considering the potential impacts of proposed Landfill Tax reforms on housing delivery and government targets. The government will respond to the consultation in due course.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms in the Consultation on Reform of Landfill Tax in England and Northern Ireland, published on 28 April 2025 on UK infrastructure projects.

The government consulted on proposals for reform of Landfill Tax on 28 April following a call for evidence in 2021. The consultation closed on 28 July, and the government is currently considering responses. As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the construction sector. Reducing the amount of waste material sent to landfill remains a key environmental objective, supporting the transition to a circular economy. The government recently published a 10-year infrastructure strategy that set out the government’s long-term plan for economic, housing and social infrastructure to drive growth. The Government will continue to work across government and engage with stakeholders, including the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, to assess the potential impacts on infrastructure projects. This approach will ensure that infrastructure delivery is supported while advancing circular economy objectives. The government will respond to the consultation in due course.

Whether her Department’s Spending Review settlement includes funding for a multi-year extension to the Holiday activities and food programme.

Through our Plan for Change, we are committed to giving every child the best start in life. On 28 August 2025 we confirmed over £600 million for the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme for the next three financial years (from 2026/27) which equates to just over £200 million each year.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her proposal for a remote betting and gaming duty on (a) rugby league, (b) snooker and (c) darts.

The Government consultation on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one closed on 21 July 2025. Responses are now being analysed and a response to the consultation will be published at Autumn Budget 2025. If any changes are made to gambling duties at a future Budget following the consultation, they will be accompanied by a Tax Information and Impact Note which will set out the expected impacts.

With reference to her oral statement of 8 July on Road and Rail Projects, Official Report, column 815-817, what the benefit-cost ratio is for each project.

Business case documents, costs and benefit cost ratios for major schemes, including for the Strategic Road Network and for relevant schemes in the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline are published on gov.uk.For the set of 50 schemes referenced in the Secretary of State’s statement on 8 July 2025, detailed Green Book analyses, costs, and benefit cost ratios for each scheme have not been published as a single package.As each scheme progresses, further documentation is released and made available on gov.uk as appropriate. The Government is committed to transparency and will continue to make business case documents available in line with Green Book and Treasury guidance as schemes move forward.

Whether she plans to approve the Ely Area Capacity Enhancements scheme.

The Secretary of State updated Parliament on the 7th of July regarding which rail and road infrastructure projects will progress following the completion of the 2025 Spending Review. The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) was not among those projects funded at this time. We are focused on prioritising the schemes that will make the greatest difference for passengers and freight and support economic growth as quickly as possible. The previous government had committed to a number of infrastructure projects that were unfunded, this includes the EACE scheme.

What assessment her Department has made of the benefit-cost ratio of the Ely Area Capacity Enhancements scheme.

The Secretary of State updated Parliament on the 7th of July regarding which rail and road infrastructure projects will progress following the completion of the 2025 Spending Review. The Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) was not among those projects funded at this time. We are focused on prioritising the schemes that will make the greatest difference for passengers and support economic growth as quickly as possible. The previous government had committed to a number of infrastructure projects that were unfunded, this includes the EACE scheme.

Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) implementation of guidance entitled Loot boxes in video games: update on improvements to industry-led protections, published on 18 July 2023.

The Government is committed to ensuring that video games are enjoyed safely and responsibly by everyone and that, where they contain loot boxes, guidance is followed so that appropriate protections are in place for players of all ages.Following the implementation period of the industry-led protections, DCMS commissioned independent academic research into their effectiveness. The research is in its final stages and a report will be published in due course.

Whether she plans to meet with those harmed by sodium valproate.

This is the responsibility of the Secretary of State at DHSC, whose department is meeting with these stakeholders.

What recent progress he has made in the procurement process for a new examination board for applicants wanting to take the Overseas Registration Examination (ORE).

We recognise that there is a considerable waiting list for candidates to sit the General Dental Council’s (GDC) Overseas Registration Exam (ORE). I have asked the GDC to urgently develop an action plan of concrete measures to reduce the ORE waiting list, and will be regularly meeting with them to monitor progress.I have welcomed the additional sittings of both parts of the ORE that the GDC has put in place, and their ongoing procurement of new ORE provider contracts. I will continue to discuss the new arrangements with the GDC, with a focus on understanding how they will further increase the availability of the ORE exam in the short and longer term.We will not be providing the GDC with any additional legislative powers for international registration at this time. Having considered the options for a provisional registration scheme, the Government’s view is that other, more cost-effective and efficient routes to registration should be the immediate priority.Meanwhile, we expect the GDC to make full use of the flexibility afforded by the international registration reforms introduced in 2023 to ensure that those who have the right skills and experience are able to join its registers as quickly and efficiently as possible.

What steps he is taking to expand Overseas Registration Examination (ORE) capacity beyond the additional (a) 1,800 places for part 1 and (b) 576 places for part 2.

We recognise that there is a considerable waiting list for candidates to sit the General Dental Council’s (GDC) Overseas Registration Exam (ORE). I have asked the GDC to urgently develop an action plan of concrete measures to reduce the ORE waiting list, and will be regularly meeting with them to monitor progress.I have welcomed the additional sittings of both parts of the ORE that the GDC has put in place, and their ongoing procurement of new ORE provider contracts. I will continue to discuss the new arrangements with the GDC, with a focus on understanding how they will further increase the availability of the ORE exam in the short and longer term.We will not be providing the GDC with any additional legislative powers for international registration at this time. Having considered the options for a provisional registration scheme, the Government’s view is that other, more cost-effective and efficient routes to registration should be the immediate priority.Meanwhile, we expect the GDC to make full use of the flexibility afforded by the international registration reforms introduced in 2023 to ensure that those who have the right skills and experience are able to join its registers as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Whether he plans to introduce a provisional registration scheme for trained international dentists to practice (a) under supervision and (b) with training support in the UK.

We recognise that there is a considerable waiting list for candidates to sit the General Dental Council’s (GDC) Overseas Registration Exam (ORE). I have asked the GDC to urgently develop an action plan of concrete measures to reduce the ORE waiting list, and will be regularly meeting with them to monitor progress.I have welcomed the additional sittings of both parts of the ORE that the GDC has put in place, and their ongoing procurement of new ORE provider contracts. I will continue to discuss the new arrangements with the GDC, with a focus on understanding how they will further increase the availability of the ORE exam in the short and longer term.We will not be providing the GDC with any additional legislative powers for international registration at this time. Having considered the options for a provisional registration scheme, the Government’s view is that other, more cost-effective and efficient routes to registration should be the immediate priority.Meanwhile, we expect the GDC to make full use of the flexibility afforded by the international registration reforms introduced in 2023 to ensure that those who have the right skills and experience are able to join its registers as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Whether funding for valproate (a) financial redress and (b) interim payments were included in the Spending Review 2025.

The Government is carefully considering the work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report in due course.

With reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what recent discussions his Department have had with HM Treasury on the provision of funds for valproate (a) financial redress and (b) interim payments.

The Government is carefully considering the work done by the Patient Safety Commissioner and her report, which set out options for redress for those harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. This is a complex issue involving input from different Government departments. The Government will provide a further update to the Patient Safety Commissioner’s report in due course.

With reference to her Department’s press release entitled Valuation Office Agency scrapped in government drive to slash inefficiencies, published on 28 April 2025, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the expected 5 to 10 per cent of additional savings in VOA administrative costs by 2028-29 on full time equivalent.

The potential impact of the expected additional savings in the Valuation Office Agency’s administrative costs and Full Time Equivalents (by 28/29) will be determined as detailed plans are developed and implemented.

Food and Rural Affairs, what information his Department holds on the amount that British Wool spent on its overseas operations in the last 12 months.

Defra does not regularly collect or monitor information on sales or uses of wool; this is managed by British Wool. British Wool publishes its annual accounts and financial statements on its website, which include information on its operational activities, including any overseas expenditure. These documents are publicly accessible and provide transparency on the organisation’s use of funds.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to (a) review the (i) structure and (ii) market position of British Wool and (b) make an assessment of the effectiveness of the role of British Wool in supporting the incomes of British sheep farmers.

A new framework document was published in May 2025 and sets out the strategic relationship between Defra, the Devolved Governments, and British Wool. The Framework establishes clear governance arrangements and shared priorities, ensuring British Wool is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the sector. The framework document was informed by a review of British Wool’s operations, including its structure and market position, conducted jointly by Defra and Devolved Governments, this was published on 15 March 2023. While the Department is not currently undertaking a separate assessment of British Wool’s effectiveness in supporting farmer incomes, the Framework Document provides a foundation for ongoing collaboration and performance monitoring. Defra remains committed to working with British Wool and industry stakeholders to ensure the organisation continues to deliver value to sheep farmers and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the wool sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of the Common Market Organisation Regulation for sugar on the UK sugar industry.

The Government recognises the importance of sugar beet farmers and their vital contribution to UK sugar production. Also, that sugar beet itself, used in crop rotations, is beneficial to soil and crop health and allows arable farms a season of “rest” from cereal production. We are committed to promoting fairness across the food supply chain. That includes seeing a price agreed for sugar beet that benefits both growers and processors, in the context of the global market. There is a well-established process in place to agree the domestic sugar beet price; designed to be independent between both parties. While this process has been effective over many years, we continue to keep it and the regulatory framework under review.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the length of time taken by British Wool to provide payments to domestic producers following auctions.

British Wool is a public body, responsible for the collection, sale and marketing of wool from across the UK. While Defra maintains regular engagement with British Wool and monitors its strategic performance through a framework agreement, the organisation remains operationally independent. As such, Defra makes no assessment on the process by which payments are returned to producers. Sales are conducted by auction throughout the year and reflect global market developments in price and availability. Payments to British Wool’s producer members are calculated at year end once the full value of that member’s clip is known. Returns are based on the weight and quality of wool delivered and the average value each grade achieved at auction. Payments are available from 1 May at the start of the following clip year and are released automatically when new season wool is delivered or on request from members.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 59412 on Government Departments: Reviews, if her Department will publish the line by line review of its spending conducted for the Spending Review 2025.

The Department for Transport is committed to meeting savings and efficiency targets set by HMT, with the Department delivering efficiency gains of 8% per year by 2028-29; with SR allocations agreed on this basis. These funding allocations – informed by the findings of the Zero-Based Review (ZBR) – are the first step in a wider plan to finalise budgets for different projects and programmes, with any necessary savings decided through that process. The savings taken forward will be subject to the normal rigorous business planning processes and in-year financial management. Further details of the Department’s efficiency gains can be accessed on the gov.uk website via the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/departmental-efficiency-delivery-plans/departmental-efficiency-plans#department-for-transport.