Written questions by Fortune.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Institute of Physics and the Royal Astronomical Society on reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes on university physics departments.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the impact on pubs of Extended Producer Responsibility fees being applied to goods that do not enter the household waste stream and they already pay for through commercial waste management.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what comparative assessment she has made of the fee structure of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme and similar schemes in European countries.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of the cumulative cost of the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme on the brewing sector.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the extended producer responsibility scheme does not reduce investment in UK manufacturing.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the inflationary impact of the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on products such as bottles of beer.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish a comparative analysis of glass packaging Extended Producer Responsibility fees in other advanced economies, including any measures taken to prevent disproportionate costs for the beer and pub sector.

Awaiting answer.

Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department will launch the call for evidence on the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme fees.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits to consumers of competition in fixed telecommunications infrastructure.

The UK telecoms market is highly competitive. The Statement of Strategic Priorities designated on 27 April 2026 sets out the government’s view on the benefits of competition in the fixed telecoms market for investment in high quality networks, innovation ...

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of increased competition in fixed telecommunications infrastructure on (a) household broadband bills, (b) service choice and (c) broadband spe

The UK telecoms market is highly competitive. The Statement of Strategic Priorities designated on 27 April 2026 sets out the government’s view on the benefits of competition in the fixed telecoms market for investment in high quality networks, innovation ...

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that competition in fixed telecommunications infrastructure is sustained and protects consumers’ long-term interests.

The UK telecoms market is highly competitive. The Statement of Strategic Priorities designated on 27 April 2026 sets out the government’s view on the benefits of competition in the fixed telecoms market for investment in high quality networks, innovation ...

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of implementing a deferral mechanism for inheritance tax liabilities arising from the reduction of 100% Business Property Relief above £2.5 million where there is no effective means for family shareholders to fund the liability without disposal of the business.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship. More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capacity of family-owned trading businesses to fund inheritance tax liabilities within six months of death, particularly where probate has not been granted.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship. More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of full Business Property Relief above £2.5 million on levels of forced sales of large family-owned employers.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship. More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the regulatory dashboard, published on 21 October 2025, if she will publish the letters sent to 19 regulators on enabling safe AI-powered innovation.

On 28th January 2026, DSIT SoS wrote to 19 regulators as part of the AI Action Plan anniversary. These letters asked regulators to work with DSIT and their sponsor department to publish a plan setting out how they will enable safe AI-powered innovation by May 2026, including clear, ambitious goals to enable safe AI adoption and responsible innovation; and to report annually on how their regulatory approach has enabled innovation and growth driven by AI in their sector. A copy of the letter sent to regulators has been published on gov.uk.

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 28th January to PQ 106866

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

HM Treasury has not spent any money on X or xAI since July 2024.

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

The Communication Directorate has spent £0 on X and xAI since July 2024.

Communities and Local Government, how much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 106871 on 28 January 2026.