Written questions by Wilson.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the application of VAT to unredeemed deposits within the Deposit Return Scheme on (a) inflation and (b) consumer costs.

HM Treasury, as the lead department, and HM Revenue & Customs are continuing to consider the best way of accounting for VAT on DRS deposits and will set out further detail in due course. The Government is committed to ensuring that the DRS operate effectively, and that VAT is not a barrier to them doing so.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations she has made to the Cuban authorities on the detention of religious leaders; and what steps she is taking to ensure the promotion of religious freedom in the country.

The UK remains committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all. No one should live in fear because of their faith. Our relationship with Cuba allows for frank dialogue, including on matters on which we do not agree. We continue to raise concerns where we have them, as we did through an open letter from the former Foreign Secretary in December 2024 to Pastor Lorenzo, expressing solidarity and calling on the Cuban authorities to release him. We were delighted to hear of his release in January.

What steps her Department is taking to prevent off-road motorcycles being declared as (a) used vehicles and (b) components of vehicles.

There is no legal requirement for vehicles to be registered and licensed if they are used exclusively off the public roads. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does operate a voluntary registration scheme for off-road vehicles, which can assist in the identification of complete, stolen off-road motorcycles.To qualify to register an off-road vehicle, the vehicle can be new or used but it must be complete. It is not possible to register component parts. A declaration that the vehicle will only be used off road is also required.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of Extended Producer Responsibility costs on the beer and pub sector.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on a range of issues, including the potential impact of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) costs on obligated producers, local authorities and the waste management sector. The updated assessment of the pEPR scheme, published in October 2024, evaluated overall effects on packaging producers without disaggregating by sector.

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle unsustainable (a) purchasing practices, (b) pricing structures and (c) business models by UK businesses.

The Government expects all UK companies to respect human rights, workers’ rights and the environment throughout their operations and supply chains in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). If there are concerns related to a multinational enterprise contravening the OECD Guidelines, a case can be raised with the Office for Responsible Business Conduct. In the Trade Strategy, the Government also launched a review into the UK’s approach to RBC, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the existing legislative framework for dealing with (a) human rights and (b) environmental harms in UK businesses supply chains.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct across the economy. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK's approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms.The review will focus on the global supply chains of businesses operating in the UK. It will be a neutral, objective appraisal of policy, led by departmental officials. It will consider the effectiveness of the UK's current regime and the merits of alternative measures to support responsible business practices.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make (a) human rights and (b) environmental due diligence mandatory for businesses.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. The review will be a neutral, objective appraisal of policy, led by departmental officials. It will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current regime and alternative measures to support responsible business practices, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence. It will have due regard to the effectiveness of any measures on supply chain resilience and the livelihoods of global producers.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislation on (a) human rights and (b) environmental due diligence for businesses; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this on (i) the resilience of UK supply chains and (ii) the livelihoods of global producers.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. The review will be a neutral, objective appraisal of policy, led by departmental officials. It will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current regime and alternative measures to support responsible business practices, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence. It will have due regard to the effectiveness of any measures on supply chain resilience and the livelihoods of global producers.

When he expects the review of responsible business conduct to (a) conclude and (b) report any policy recommendations.

In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. The Government is progressing the review at pace while ensuring that we harness the insight of a range of stakeholders. We will continue to provide regular updates as we progress the review.

What steps he plans to take to ensure that companies are held to account when they fail to prevent (a) human rights abuses and (b) environmental harms in their supply chains.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains.The review will be a neutral, objective appraisal of policy, led by departmental officials. It will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current regime and alternative measures to support responsible business practices, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that all companies are legally obliged to prevent (a) human rights abuses and (b) environmental harms in their supply chains.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote responsible business conduct. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains.The review will be a neutral, objective appraisal of policy, led by departmental officials. It will consider the effectiveness of the UK’s current regime and alternative measures to support responsible business practices, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.

What steps he is taking to ensure the views of producers in the Global South involved in UK supply chains are factored into (a) his Department's review of responsible business conduct and (b) any policy recommendations it makes.

In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses, modern slavery, and environmental harms in global supply chains. Throughout the review, we will harness the insights and expertise of civil society and our international trading partners, as well as businesses, investors, trade unions and academia. Stakeholders will also be given the opportunity to feed into the National Baseline Assessment on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which will run in parallel and inform the review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that overseas farmers and workers involved in UK agricultural supply chains are receiving living incomes.

The UK Government is committed to advancing free and fair trade around the world that is inclusive, sustainable and reduces poverty. To do this, the UK supports a range of initiatives to drive inclusive growth and create more and better jobs at scale, including in agricultural supply chains.Such initiatives include the recently concluded Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) programme, which aimed to advance women's economic empowerment in global supply chains. In Kenya, WOW supported over 300,000 tea farmers, over 80% of whom reported improved productivity and income through climate-resilient practices and diversified livelihoods.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Pakistani counterpart following the assassination of Dr Sheikh Mahmood in Sargodha, Punjab, in May; and what steps he is taking to help ensure the protection of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan.

Promoting the rights of religious minorities is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement in Pakistan. On 31 March 2025, I discussed the deteriorating situation for Ahmadi Muslims with Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry. On 5 June 2025, ahead of Eid al-Adha, I also raised the need to protect Ahmadis seeking to practise their faith with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Our High Commission in Islamabad has raised the tragic killing of Dr Sheikh Mahmood with Minister Tarar and Punjab's Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and continues to regularly engage on these issues. We will continue to urge the government of Pakistan to fully investigate incidents of violence, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims and their families.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to phase out the use of animals for the production of antibodies.

I refer the hon. Member for East Antrim to the answer of 23rd of June 2025 to Question 59903.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to ensure that approved methods of killing piglets on farms are being adhered to through proactive inspections.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has legal powers under Section 28 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to inspect farm premises. These inspections help ensure that animals bred or kept for farming purposes are treated in accordance with welfare regulations. APHA conducts a set number of welfare inspections on farms each year. These visits are often unannounced and are intended to assess compliance with animal welfare legislation. In addition, APHA investigates complaints of the illegal slaughter or killing on farms. APHA provides advice on how to achieve compliance and where necessary, APHA supports the local authority in carrying enforcement actions, including prosecutions, to ensure compliance.

Food and Rural Affairs, in what way is the Animal and Plant Health Agency verifying that approved methods are used in (a) farms with large integrated businesses and (b) other sized farms.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has legal powers under Section 28 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to inspect farm premises. These inspections help ensure that animals bred or kept for farming purposes are treated in accordance with welfare regulations. APHA conducts a set number of welfare inspections on farms each year. These visits are often unannounced and are intended to assess compliance with animal welfare legislation. In addition, APHA investigates complaints of the illegal slaughter or killing on farms. APHA provides advice on how to achieve compliance and where necessary, APHA supports the local authority in carrying enforcement actions, including prosecutions, to ensure compliance.

What steps his Department is taking to include motorcycling in its planned Integrated National Transport Strategy.

Later this year, the department will publish the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) and set the long-term vision for transport across England, placing people at the heart of how we plan, build, and operate transport. The Strategy will aim to address fragmentation and inefficiency across the transport system to ensure that people can easily, reliably, and safely carry out the journeys they want to make, however they choose to travel. We have conducted extensive engagement with stakeholders and members of the public, including motorcyclists and motorcycle user representative groups, through a Call for Ideas, Regional Roadshows, and targeted sessions with seldom heard groups. As the Strategy is still in development, I am unable to comment on specific policy questions, but all the insights gathered through our engagement activities have been analysed and are being considered as the Strategy continues to evolve.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason his Department is consulting on proposals to change Biodiversity Net Gain requirements for small sites and medium sites one year after Biodiversity Net Gain became mandatory; and what evidence he has used to inform this approach.

The Government has been working closely with stakeholders to gather feedback and evidence on how BNG is being implemented. Early information suggests BNG implementation is largely working as intended, but there is emerging evidence that some smaller developments and specific types of development are finding BNG more challenging than anticipated. The proposals in the consultation seek feedback on potential changes to make it quicker, cheaper and easier for developers to deliver BNG obligations, while broadly maintaining environmental outcomes.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has considered the potential impact of the recent consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain on (a) investors and (b) developers.

We are mindful of the impacts of any changes to Biodiversity Net Gain on all those involved, especially developers and investors. Government remains fully committed to BNG and will work closely with stakeholders to provide policy clarity and certainty.