Written questions by Smith.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage greater transparency for farmers on the price of fertiliser and red diesel.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will conduct a review of the Heather and Grass Management Code 2025 and assess the impact of a) grazing, b) mowing, and c) controlled winter burns on i) the prevalence and ii) the severity of wildfires on moorland.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to support farmers with increased electricity standing charges.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure an integrated approach to agricultural payment scheme timelines and application windows.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the transition away from direct payment schemes for farmers on a) food production and b) business viability.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce wildfires.

Awaiting answer.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a Guest Beer Agreement in England and Wales, similar to the Guest Beer Agreement already in place in Scotland.

Awaiting answer.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing support to park home residents for energy efficiency upgrades to their homes, in the context of eligibility challenges of park homes for the Warm Homes Local Grant.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing time limits for making a claim on the estate of someone who has died intestate.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of derogations from proposals to restrict the use of ammunition containing lead for commercial purposes on levels of domestic demand.

Awaiting answer.

What steps he is taking to help ensure the timely administration of estates when someone has died intestate.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to tackle rural crime.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the introduction of an overnight visitor levy on hospitality businesses.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in relation to its statutory duty under section 62 of the Envi

Defra monitors and reviews delivery of each National Park Authority, in line with its grant agreement and their statutory National Park Management Plan. These plans are developed and agreed in partnership with local organisations and communities and show ...

Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will commission an independent review of the adequacy of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's internal audit and risk management arrangements in the context

There are currently no plans to commission an independent review of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's internal audit and risk management arrangements. This Government recognises the importance of providing access to nature for people’s health ...

Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) direct and (b) indirect public funding the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has received for programmes designed to increase visitor numbers from ethnic minority and un

Between 2022 and 2026, England’s 44 Protected Landscapes, including the Yorkshire Dales, received £15.47 million capital funding under the Access for All programme. The programme was designed to make Protected Landscapes more accessible to people of all a...

Whether she is considering reducing VAT for the hospitality sector.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Reduced rates of VAT come at a significant cost to the Exchequer and reduce the revenue available for vital public services. Any reduction in ta...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the rate of VAT for the hospitality sector on (a) business viability, (b) job retention, and (c) the affordability of food and drink for consumers.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Reduced rates of VAT come at a significant cost to the Exchequer and reduce the revenue available for vital public services. Any reduction in ta...

What assessment he has made of how the hospitality sector supports local economies and tourism in North Yorkshire, and what support is available to help the sector remain resilient in the long term.

The Government has not made a specific assessment of how the hospitality sector supports local economies and tourism in North Yorkshire. The Government recognises the hospitality sector’s vital role in supporting local economies, tourism, and high streets...

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that trainee driving instructors are able to complete the Approved Driving Instructor qualification process within the validity period of their theory test certific

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has seen unprecedented numbers of applications from people wishing to become approved driving instructors (ADI) - a 152% increase since 2018-19. Alongside this, the pass rate for the part 3 test has declined,...