Written questions by Hollinrake.

What process the Regulator follows when determining that no scientifically satisfactory non-animal alternative exists for a proposed project involving dogs; and whether independent scientific advice forms part of that determination.

The Home Office regulates the use of animals in science under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). Under ASPA, applicants must demonstrate that they have fully applied the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3Rs), including showing that no scientifically satisfactory non‑animal alternative exists for the proposed work. Before submission to the Regulator for consideration, all project licence applications must be signed off by the Establishment’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body, that will make an assessment of the application of the 3Rs, and also the Establishment Licence Holder, whom has a legal obligation to the application of the 3Rs.In assessing project licence applications, Home Office Inspectors rigorously examine whether the applicant has carried out an appropriate and comprehensive search for non‑animal alternatives and has provided evidence that any available alternatives have been considered. Inspectors are specifically trained to evaluate 3Rs implementation and the scientific justification provided in applications, supported by specialist training delivered by the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).Where necessary, Inspectors may seek additional assurance, including referring proposals for independent expert advice, or to the independent non-departmental expert advisory body - the Animals in Science Committee. This ensures that decisions are robust, evidence‑based and consistent with the requirements of ASPA.

Whether HMRC has issued guidance on (a) whether improper payments made to public officials are taxable for (i) Income Tax and (ii) National Insurance and (b) in what circumstances enforcement action should be taken to recover unpaid tax.

The income tax and National Insurance Contributions status of any payment made to an employee or a public official will depend on the specific facts and circumstances. Generally, where a payment is received because of a person’s employment or public office, it should be taxed as employment income. Payments may still be taxable, even if not treated as employment income.HMRC will take action to recover unpaid tax and National Insurance Contributions, where it is appropriate to do so.

Whether the Valuation Office Agency plans to amend rateable values for rural pubs in the context of proposed changes to drink driving thresholds.

Rateable values represent the annual rent a property could reasonably have been expected to achieve at the Antecedent Valuation Date (AVD), reflecting market evidence at that point in time. For the current 2023 rateable values the AVD is 1 April 2021, and for the 2026 revaluation, it is 1 April 2024.The Government will launch a review on how pubs are valued for business rates.

How many project licence applications involving the use of dogs under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been refused in each of the last five years on the grounds that a scientifically satisfactory non-animal alternative method was available.

The Home Office regulates the use of animals in science under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA). All project licence applications must comply with the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3Rs), ensuring that animals may only be used when no validated non-animal alternative exists, the number of animals is minimised, and any potential harms are minimised.In the last five years, the Home Office has not refused any licences involving dogs on the grounds that a scientifically satisfactory non-animal alternative method was available. The number of formal refusals is not, however, a meaningful indicator of either application of non-animal alternatives or regulatory rigour.This is because all applications go through multiple review stages before reaching the Regulator, and guidance is available to assist applicants in preparing submissions that meet all legal requirements. All establishments licensed to use animals must have an Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB), which reviews proposals before they are submitted to the Regulator.Therefore, in general, applications where alternatives are available will not be progressed or will be failed at this stage by the establishment. Applications received by the Regulator are subject to detailed scrutiny, including requests for clarification or amendment where required. Applicants may revise or withdraw an application in response to feedback. Only applications that fully meet the requirements of the legislation proceed to licensing.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105915 on Katie Martin, for what reason she is unpaid; and how many and what proportion of (a) female and (b) male advisers to her Department are unpaid.

Katie Martin is a Business Adviser to the Chancellor, appointed as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. Direct Ministerial Appointments are generally unpaid, reflecting their part-time, advisory nature. HM Treasury currently has nine unpaid Direct Ministerial Appointments: three are held by women and six by men (37.5% and 62.5% respectively). HM Treasury also has two paid Direct Ministerial Appointments, one held by a woman and one held by a man.

With reference to the Memorandum of Understanding: accessing HMRC information to assist honours committees in making recommendations about awarding honours to individuals, between Cabinet Office and HMRC, what were the conclusions of the review that took place on 12 June 2025.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed between HMRC and the Cabinet Office on 19 October 2023 sets out the arrangements under which HMRC may disclose information to support the honours process. A review of the operation of the MoU took place on 29 November 2024 as part of routine governance activity. The review concluded that the arrangements continued to operate as intended and it did not result in any material changes. As the arrangements were unchanged, no further review was carried out on 12 June 2025. The MoU remains in force until 12 June 2027. Any future updates would be reflected in a revised agreement when agreed and published.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Notes Verbale have been issued to foreign governments and supranational organisations since 4 July 2024.

The requested information is held on a number of different systems across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be collated for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential cumulative impact of changes to (a) the Minimum Wage, (b) employer National Insurance, (c) Business Rates and (d) lack of uprating to VAT thresholds on micro-businesses in the hospitality sector since July 2024.

The Government recognises the important contribution that micro-businesses in the hospitality sector make to local communities, the high street and the wider economy. The potential impacts of changes on this sector are carefully considered as part of policy development. The Government considers the impact of tax measures on these businesses. Where changes are made, relevant impact notes and assessments are published at fiscal events and otherwise as necessary, in line with the Government’s usual practice. The Treasury also engages regularly with the hospitality sector. To protect the smallest businesses from changes to employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) made at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government increased the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that this year, 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all, and more than half of all employers will either gain or will see no change. The Government is also supporting small businesses to grow. At Budget, the Government announced the extension of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) so that businesses opening second premises can retain their SBRR for three years, tripling the current allowance. The Government continues to provide targeted support to the hospitality sector through the tax system and other policies and keeps all areas of the tax system under review, with future decisions taken at fiscal events under the normal process.

Which financial institutions does the British Business Bank use for its (a) corporate banking and (b) staff pension fund.

The financial institution that provides British Business Bank plc with corporate banking services is NatWest. Bank accounts are held within the Government Banking Service.The British Business Bank’s workplace pension scheme is provided through Aegon.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Lord Mandelson used a non-corporate email address for government business whilst Ambassador.to the United States.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 27 February in response to Question 110419.

Whether equality, diversity and inclusion requirements have been included in the Clean Energy Jobs Plan.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are integral to the Clean Energy Jobs Plan. The government is working with trade unions and industry to ensure clean energy jobs are well paid, safe, and accessible to all. An industry-led Social Inclusion Forum chaired by EU Skills with support from POWERful Women and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with representatives from across the sector, has been created to coordinate social inclusion initiatives and improve working culture.

With reference to page 91 of his Department’s Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, published on 15 September 2025, HC 1274, when he approved the expenditure on trade union activities from facility time; what the nature is of the transformation work; and what trade union activities were funded in 2024-25.

Transformation work is primarily focused on reshaping the department to ensure we are on track to meet our Mission priorities and capitalising on digital opportunities to maximise efficiency. The specific nature of trade union activity is managed and recorded locally, with time spent recorded centrally on an annual basis.

Whether his Department has issued guidance on whether Ministers on official overseas visits are required to declare visits to external commercial organisations.

Guidance on the declaration of ministers' overseas travel and meetings can be found on GOV.UK at the following address: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance/ministers-overseas-travel-and-meetings-publication-guidance.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2026 to Question 106743 on DBT: Public Appointments, who declared political activity; and what the political activity was in each case.

The following six Direct Ministerial Appointees declared political activity:1. Nita Clarke - Departmental Board - (Labour Party)2. Paul Lindley OBE - Board of Trade Advisers (Labour Party)3. Mike Soutar - Board of Trade Advisers (Labour Party)4. Kate Bell - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Labour Party)5. Greg Clark - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Conservative Party)6. Roy Rickhuss - Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (Labour Party)

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 February 2026 to Question 110416 on Government Departments: Publicity, whether there are plans for (a) HM Treasury or (b) HMRC to remove the HM reference in its public branding.

There are no plans for either HM Treasury or HMRC to remove the “HM” reference from their public branding.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2026 to Question 107375 on Public Appointments Commissioner: Correspondence, whether Nita Clarke made a declaration of political activity.

Nika Clarke OBE declared political activity for the Labour Party. This was declared at the time of announcement in line with Appointments guidance.

What the name is of his Department's Freedom of Information casework database.

The Cabinet Office uses Fivium's e-Case for the management of Freedom of Information requests made to the department.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 92263 on Low Alcohol Drinks: Children, if he will cite the sources and titles of the evidence.

The effect of the growing no and low alcohol products market on alcohol consumption and public health is still emerging. The World Health Organization’s 2023 report A Public Health Perspective on zero-and low alcohol beverages consolidated the available scientific evidence, but the evidence base continues to grow and there have been several academic studies published since. The World Health Organization’s report is available at the following link:https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240072152There are also several academic studies underway investigating the effects of no and low alcohol beverages (NoLo), including a National Institute for Health and Care Research funded No/Lo Project, titled Evaluating and responding to the public health impact of no and low alcohol drinks: A multi-method study of a complex intervention in a complex system, which is being conducted by the University of Sheffield. The researchers will, as part of the wider research, ask different groups, including young people, about their experiences with NoLo drinks. Further information on the study is available at the following link:https://sarg-sheffield.ac.uk/projects/no-lo-project/The Department will continue to monitor the emerging evidence from these and other studies about the impact of NoLo products on children and young people.

Pursuant to the answer of 4 November 2025 to Question 85189 on National Wealth Fund: Workplace Pensions, and with reference to page 19 of the UK Infrastructure Bank's document entitled Framework document, published on 9 January 2024, whether the Civil Service Pay guidance applies to the National Wealth Fund; and whether the Chief Secretary to the Treasury’s pay controls apply to the body.

National Wealth Fund employees are subject to the Civil Service Pay guidance, including pay controls.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 105926 on National Energy System Operator: Workplace Pensions, what the name is of the defined contribution pension scheme operated by Legal and General; and what information his Department holds on the type of investments, including overseas equities, it makes.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) is an operationally independent public body and manages their own pension arrangements. The Department does not hold detailed information on NESO’s defined contribution pension scheme. There is some information available publicly in NESO’s latest annual report and accounts.