Written questions by Hollinrake.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help protect seabird populations.

We have several policy delivery programmes that contribute to the protection and conservation of seabirds, supporting our mission on nature’s recovery. These include integrating seabird needs into our strategic marine spatial planning; management and review of our marine protected areas (MPA) network; delivering measures to reduce seabird bycatch; and pushing for seabird protections internationally. We have established a Seabird Conservation Coordination Group, comprising Government officials, experts, environmental NGOs and industry representation. This group is considering recommendations in Natural England’s English Seabird Conservation and Recovery Pathway report, and helping to coordinate, monitor and drive delivery of priority actions for seabirds across our programmes of work. We will continue to work with devolved Governments on next steps, including as they implement their respective seabird conservation strategies.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent extreme winter storms on UK (a) Atlantic Puffins and (b) other seabird populations.

We have several policy delivery programmes that contribute to the protection and conservation of seabirds, supporting our mission on nature’s recovery. These include integrating seabird needs into our strategic marine spatial planning; management and review of our marine protected areas (MPA) network; delivering measures to reduce seabird bycatch; and pushing for seabird protections internationally. We have established a Seabird Conservation Coordination Group, comprising Government officials, experts, environmental NGOs and industry representation. This group is considering recommendations in Natural England’s English Seabird Conservation and Recovery Pathway report, and helping to coordinate, monitor and drive delivery of priority actions for seabirds across our programmes of work. We will continue to work with devolved Governments on next steps, including as they implement their respective seabird conservation strategies.

What steps her Department is taking to encourage investment in British equities by pension funds.

The government has taken forward an ambitious programme of reforms to boost UK markets, including overhauling the UK listing and prospectus rules to make it easier for firms to raise the capital they need to grow. In addition, the government has taken steps through the measures outlined in the Pensions Investment Review to improve long-term returns to pension savers and support UK growth. These will directly support investment in UK growth markets, including firms quoted on AIM and Acquis.

With reference to page 79 of the HM Budget 2025 Policy Costings, published in November 2025, for what reason the Exchequer Impact of the Cash ISA changes fluctuate from (a) £5 million in 2028-29 to (b) £35 million in 2029-30 to (c) £15 million in 2030-31.

The figures set out on page 79 of the Budget 2025 Policy Costings document reflect the estimated Exchequer impact from a combination of savings tax changes. The savings measures covered are:Making the Help to Save scheme permanent from April 2027,Maintaining the total ISA annual subscription limit at £20,000 with cash limit reduced to £12,000 for under-65s from April 2027,Delaying the ISA digitalisation until April 2028, andMaintaining the ISA subscription limits until 2030/31. The profile of the Exchequer impacts reflects the different commencement dates of these changes, as well as the timing of receipts collected through Self-Assessment.

Through which (a) companies and (b) registries HM Government holds its crypto-assets.

Neither the Treasury nor central Government hold any cryptoassets. However, the Government recognises the transformative potential of cryptoassets and blockchain technologies to drive economic growth in the UK and increase efficiencies across financial markets. We are therefore committed to making the UK a world leading destination for cryptoassets and have taken steps to establish a new financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets.

If she will publish the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasting schedule agreed between the OBR and her Department.

HM Treasury published the Budget Information Security Review on 9 February: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/budget-information-security-review. The review states that "The OBR will not publish the full forecast timetable ahead of the 2026 Spring Statement. The OBR will consider, ahead of Budget 2026, whether the current approach to publishing the timetable continues to contribute to transparency and stability as was intended when it was implemented in October 2022 following a recommendation by the OBR’s then non-executive directors"

What the target date is for a new chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility to be in post.

HM Treasury launched a competitive external recruitment campaign for a new Chair of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) on 20 February. The intention is that a new Chair is in post by the Budget later this year. While the Chair’s post is vacant, the two current members of the Budget Responsibility Committee, Professor David Miles and Tom Josephs, will lead the OBR.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What data the Financial Conduct Authority holds on the number of Covid Business Interruption claims that were reopened or reassessed by insurers following post-Test Case court judgments.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), as the independent regulator for financial services, sets the conduct standards required of insurance firms. The FCA has made clear its expectation that insurers carefully consider how new legal rulings affect claims they have already decided. It is for the FCA to supervise firms and, if necessary, take action against those that do not comply with its rules. The FCA has robust powers to take action where it deems appropriate. The FCA’s 23 January letter (available online at: https://www.fca.org.uk/publication/correspondence/fca-response-insurance-open-letter.pdf) stated that the FCA stopped publishing business interruption claims data in March 2023. Questions about data held by the FCA can be addressed directly to the FCA.