Written questions by Lowe.

What estimate she has made of the cost to the economy of compliance with VAT regulations for small businesses.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. The UK’s VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent. The UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD, at £90,000. This keeps the majority of small businesses out of the VAT regime altogether.

What the breakdown was of Category F patients treated by the NHS by nationality in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold or collect the information requested. Guidance on identifying category F patients is available in the Guidance for Charging Overseas Visitors in England for Providers of NHS services, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-cost-recovery-overseas-visitors/charging-overseas-visitors-in-england-guidance-for-providers-of-nhs-services

How many complaints the NHS has received on language issues in each of the last five years.

Data on written complaints in the National Health Service is published annually and is available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/data-on-written-complaints-in-the-nhsThe data collection is a count of written complaints made by, or on behalf of, patients. It does not include a category specifically on complaints involving language issues.

How many e-RS communications were sent to category F patients in each of the last five years.

The information requested is not available. The term "Category F patient" is not a classification used within the National Health Service e-Referral Service (e-RS) for patient status or priority.

How many Category F patients were treated by the NHS; and at what cost in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold or collect the information requested. Guidance on identifying category F patients is available in the Guidance for Charging Overseas Visitors in England for Providers of NHS services, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-cost-recovery-overseas-visitors/charging-overseas-visitors-in-england-guidance-for-providers-of-nhs-services

What the total number of Category F patients receiving emergency care was in each of the last five years.

The Department does not hold or collect the information requested. Guidance on identifying category F patients is available in the Guidance for Charging Overseas Visitors in England for Providers of NHS services, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-cost-recovery-overseas-visitors/charging-overseas-visitors-in-england-guidance-for-providers-of-nhs-services

How many overseas visitor managers are employed by the NHS.

The Department does not hold the data requested. NHS England publishes Hospital and Community Health Services workforce statistics for England, which are available at the following link:https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/nhs-workforce-statisticsThe data is drawn from the Electronic Staff Record, the human resources system for the National Health Service. The level of detail available in the data is not enough to be able to identify staff who are locally in roles described as ‘Overseas Visitor Managers’ or similar.

What is the total value of unpaid invoices to Category F patients.

The Department does not hold or collect the information requested. Guidance on identifying category F patients is available in the Guidance for Charging Overseas Visitors in England for Providers of NHS services, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-cost-recovery-overseas-visitors/charging-overseas-visitors-in-england-guidance-for-providers-of-nhs-services

What guidance his Department provides on identifying Category F patients.

The Department does not hold or collect the information requested. Guidance on identifying category F patients is available in the Guidance for Charging Overseas Visitors in England for Providers of NHS services, at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-cost-recovery-overseas-visitors/charging-overseas-visitors-in-england-guidance-for-providers-of-nhs-services

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

The Scotland Office has not spent on social media advertising with influencers in the last five financial years.The Office has spent the following on social media advertising over the past five financial years. Financial YearOrganisationSocial media advertising spend2025/6 (to date)Meta6,2452024/5Meta17,7252023/4Meta49,8932022/3Meta39,8182021/2Meta75,681

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

The Ministry of Justice uses social media influencers to help deliver its communications and operational priorities. This includes activity to support recruitment campaigns for prison officers, probation officers and magistrates, ensuring that frontline services are effectively staffed to maintain public safety and deliver swift access to justice.Some sensitivities exist around aspects of this expenditure, as disclosure could prejudice commercial interests. All influencer activity is subject to strict Cabinet Office spending controls to ensure we balance effectiveness with value for money for the taxpayer.

How much her Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

Over the last five financial years, the department has spent the following on social media promotion and online advertising:2024-25: £20,248.402025-26 to date: £26,751.60This spend was on the joint UK Government/Welsh Government campaign to promote the availability of Tata Steel transition funding. The campaign aimed to raise awareness of the support available to steelworkers affected by the decarbonisation transition at Tata Steel UK in Port Talbot, including access to skills funding for those leaving the business. It also highlighted funding opportunities for local businesses impacted by the transition. There has been no spend on social media advertising using an influencer during this period.

How much her Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

The department has spent £0 on social media advertising in the last 5 financial years.

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 20 October 2025 to PQ 81251.

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

A full Departmental response could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The majority of Departmental advertising expenditure is undertaken by the three branches of the Armed Forces to aid recruitment. Generic advertising expenditure outside of this remit is not held centrally. The most recent available information on tri service recruitment advertising can be found here: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament and here Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

The Northern Ireland Office has spent the following on social media advertising in the last five years: 2024/25 (to date): £02023/24: £02022/23: £29,395.012021/22: £10,500.00 Please note there was no spend on influencer marketing during this period.

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

Sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.

How much her Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

The department has spent £0 on social media advertising in the last 5 financial years. All spend in these areas are subject to standard value for money assessments.

How much his Department has spent on social media advertising by (a) influencer and (b) organisation in each of the last five financial years.

The Department for Business and Trade used influencers as part of the National Minimum and National Living Wage campaign in 2025 and 2026. We are unable to provide details of how much was paid to each influencer due to confidentiality provisions in the individual agreements. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.