Written questions by Arthur.

Whether she has made an assessment of the impact of scrapping Multiple Dwellings Relief in March 2024 on the economy.

The previous Government announced the abolition of Multiple Dwellings Relief following an external evaluation which found no strong evidence the relief was meeting its original objectives of supporting investment in the private rented sector. In addition, and as highlighted in the November 2021 consultation on reforms to MDR, the relief was subject to high levels of abuse. Larger investors who purchase six or more properties in a singletransaction can still continue to benefit from the non-residential rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax. The Government will continue to engage with stakeholders in the build to rent sector to understand any concerns. On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes and is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets.

What steps she is taking to tackle (a) harassment and (b) intimidation of women while cycling.

Everyone should feel safe cycling and harassment and intimidation of women cycling is totally unacceptable. Public sexual harassment is a crime that often leaves victims, who are disproportionately likely to be women, feeling very unsafe. That is why tackling it is very much an important part of our mission on VAWG. Once in force, the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act 2023 will help tackle this issue and ensure women both feel and are safer on our streets. The Act builds on existing harassment legislation within the Public Order Act 1986. It introduces an aggravated offence punishable by up to two years imprisonment upon conviction where someone commits the existing Public Order Act 1986 4A offence of causing harassment, alarm or distress based on someone’s sex or presumed sex. Active Travel England is working with local authorities to provide safe cycling infrastructure which should help women feel safer when cycling. Design guidance for new infrastructure, such as that funded through the Active Travel Fund, requires that new schemes are accessible to all users, including women.

How many homes his Department owns in Edinburgh South West constituency; and how many of those (a) have Ministry of Defence tenants, (b) have private tenants and (c) are vacant.

As of 5 January 2025, there are 418 Service Family Accommodation (SFA) properties owned by the Ministry of Defence in the Edinburgh South West Constituency.254 SFA properties are occupied by Serving Personnel (SP) and their families. 72 SFA properties are rented by private tenants and 92 are currently vacant.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to support the development of non-passenger carrying drones.

My department supports the safe deployment of drones for commercial and public benefit, through R&D support and innovative regulation. Wider drone policy is led by the Department for Transport.Since 2019, the Future Flight Challenge, administered by Innovate UK, has provided £125m of public funding for collaborative R&D and innovation in this area.We established the Regulatory Innovation Office to support our ambition to be the best place in the world to innovate. ‘Drones and other autonomous technology’ is an initial focus area of the Regulatory Innovation Office.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the plug-in taxi grant on levels of uptake of purpose-built ultra-low emission taxis.

The Plug-In Taxi Grant (PITG) was introduced in 2017 to support the early market growth of zero emission capable (ZEC) taxis and has supported the purchase of over 10,000 vehicles of this type. The grant is funded until at least the end of the current financial year. All grants remain under review to ensure best value for the money for the taxpayer.

What estimate she has made of the cost of increasing the State Pension for people in Edinburgh South West constituency in 2025.

No such estimate has been made for Edinburgh South West. In April 2025, the basic and new State Pension will increase by 4.1% as confirmed in the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2025. In 25/26, it is estimated the total State Pension expenditure, covering Great Britain and including State Pension paid outside UK, will increase by around £9bn. This estimation is available in the latest Benefit Expenditure and Caseload tables published at Autumn Statement 2024. Geographical breakdowns are not available. Source: Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2024 - GOV.UK

What steps the Government is taking to support the development of Electric/hydrogen Regional Air Mobility.

The Government is supporting and accelerating the introduction and use of new aviation technologies, including electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) and other zero-emission regional air mobility aircraft. My Department is working closely with industry, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and community representatives on the uses of these aircraft to ensure that they are sustainable, safe and offer benefits and opportunities across the UK. I have committed my Department to working toward seeing initial demonstrations of piloted eVTOLs, followed by routine operations and then demonstrations of autonomous eVTOL flights - once the technology has been proven. I will be chairing the Future of Flight Industry Group, bringing government and the CAA together with industry leaders to discuss future of flight technologies, including eVTOLs. The Jet Zero Taskforce Expert Group, convening representatives from government, industry, and academia with an interest in aviation decarbonisation, have agreed to establish a dedicated group to unlock barriers to the commercial operation of zero-carbon hydrogen aircraft.

What steps the Government is taking to support the development of Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing vehicles.

The Government is supporting and accelerating the introduction and use of new aviation technologies, including electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) and other zero-emission regional air mobility aircraft. My Department is working closely with industry, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and community representatives on the uses of these aircraft to ensure that they are sustainable, safe and offer benefits and opportunities across the UK. I have committed my Department to working toward seeing initial demonstrations of piloted eVTOLs, followed by routine operations and then demonstrations of autonomous eVTOL flights - once the technology has been proven. I will be chairing the Future of Flight Industry Group, bringing government and the CAA together with industry leaders to discuss future of flight technologies, including eVTOLs. The Jet Zero Taskforce Expert Group, convening representatives from government, industry, and academia with an interest in aviation decarbonisation, have agreed to establish a dedicated group to unlock barriers to the commercial operation of zero-carbon hydrogen aircraft.

Whether her Department is taking steps to support the use of non-passenger-carrying drones to convey freight.

This Government is supporting and accelerating the use of drone technologies for freight logistics in both the commercial and public sectors, such as for the transport of vital medical supplies within the NHS. I am committed to enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations at scale in integrated airspace. I will be chairing the Future of Flight Industry Group, bringing together industry leaders, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and local representatives to help realise the benefits of drones and other future flight technologies for freight and other uses in a safe and sustainable way. My Department is also funding the CAA to deliver on its BVLOS Technical Strategy which was published in September 2024 and sets out a roadmap towards routine BVLOS operations; as well as funding the £7 million Freight Innovation Fund which supports the commercialisation of late-stage innovative solutions, including drones.

How many (a) male and (b) female pensioners in Edinburgh South West will receive the 2025 increase in the state pension.

All State Pension recipients in Edinburgh South West will receive an increase in their State Pension from April 2025. At the quarter ending May 2024, the latest published State Pension caseload data, there were (a) 7,040 Male and (b) 8,501 Female State Pension recipients in Edinburgh South West. Source: DWP Stat-Xplore.

How many households in Edinburgh South West constituency claimed the Winter Fuel Payment in (a) 2023-24 and (b) 2024-25; and how many of those were new claimants in each of those years.

The vast majority of Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically without the need to claim. Linking Winter Fuel eligibility to Pension Credit and other means tested benefits for pensioners ensures the least well-off pensioners still receive the help they need.In winter 2023-24, there were around 11,500 pensioner households in the Edinburgh South West constituency receiving the Winter Fuel Payment. This is based on Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2023 to 2024. We do not yet hold data on the number of Winter Fuel Payment recipients through winter 2024-25. These figures will be released as part of the Winter Fuel Payment statistics for Winter 2024 to 2025. Powers to pay winter heating assistance in Scotland have been devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government have replaced Winter Fuel Payment with Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from 2024/25. It is up to the Scottish Government how it operates these payments. Information on new recipients of Winter Fuel Payments in 2023-24 is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

What steps she is taking to widen access to higher education by underrepresented groups.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.Access to higher education (HE) should be based on ability, not someone’s background. Opportunity should be available to all, and it is the department’s aspiration that no one is left behind.The department wants to close the gap in entries for disadvantaged students, by ensuring there are quality options which are flexible to their needs, with sound advice and fair and transparent admission processes.The department is continuing with and delivering the Lifelong Learning Entitlement to provide high quality, flexible and modular education, with the new student finance system underpinning and facilitating fuller access and flexible study. From September 2026, learners will be able to apply for Lifelong Learning Entitlement funding for the first time for courses and modules starting from January 2027 onwards.The government continues to provide means-tested non-repayable grants to low income full-time undergraduate students with children and/or adults who are financially dependent on them. The department has announced an increase to maximum dependants’ grants for the 2025/26 academic year by 3.1%, based on forecast inflation using the RPIX (Retail Price Index Excluding Mortgage Interest) inflation index. We have also increased maximum non-means-tested disabled students’ allowance for full-time and part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students with disabilities by 3.1% for 2025/26.Students undertaking nursing, midwifery and allied health profession courses also qualify for non-repayable grant support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.Additionally, the department is increasing maximum loans for living costs for the 2025/26 academic year by 3.1% to ensure that more support is targeted at students from the lowest income families. Higher rates of loan for living costs are also paid to students eligible for benefits, such as lone parents and some disabled students, as well as care leavers, who are normally assessed as low income independent students. In addition, care leavers are also entitled to a £2000 statutory bursary, paid via their local authority.The government also provides financial support through the Office for Students (OfS) to support student access and success, including for disadvantaged students. £301 million was provided for the 2024/25 academic year.The department recognises that there is still much more to do to expand access and improve outcomes for disadvantaged students. Too many people across our country do not get the opportunity to succeed. We will act to change this. We are calling for providers to go further and play a stronger role in expanding access and improving outcomes for disadvantaged students, making sure that they are delivering robust and ambitious access and participation plans. By summer, we will set out our plan for HE reform and the part we expect HE providers to play in this.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in (a) standing and (b) capacity charges on the commercial viability of EV charging infrastructure deployment.

Standing and capacity charges vary by site and location and are a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. Due to the commercial sensitivities of private companies, it is not possible for us to make a definitive assessment. However, we are aware of this issue through ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders. We, in collaboration with Ofgem, continue to closely monitor the situation. Ofgem will be undertaking a broad review of system costs and are considering with industry whether there are other cost recovery options.

Whether she plans to extend the Plug-in Taxi Grant scheme beyond April 2025.

The Plug in Taxi Grant (PITG) is funded until at least the end of the current financial year. All grants remain under review to ensure best value for the money for the taxpayer. The Department will provide an update on the future of the PITG before the end of the financial year.

What assessment he has made of the potential benefits developing a national strategy to place defibrillators in socio-economically deprived communities.

The Government is committed to improving access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in public spaces and reducing inequalities in access to these life saving devices. Following the depletion of the existing AED fund, launched in September 2023, the Government approved a further £500,000 in August 2024 to fulfil existing applications to the fund.The Department selected a joint bid from Smarter Society as its independent partners to manage grant applications. Smarter Society has reviewed funding applications, against requirements specified by the Department. These requirements were to ensure that resources are allocated where there is the greatest need, for instance remote communities with extended ambulance response times, places with high footfall and high population densities, hotspots for cardiac arrest, including sporting venues and venues with vulnerable people, and deprived areas.As part of the Department’s requirements, the defibrillators are suitable for use by untrained persons. The Mindray C1A Defibrillator, a fully automated device suitable for use by untrained persons, are the AEDs provided by Smarter Society in partnership with London Hearts charity.The Department has continued its partnership with Smarter Society, who managed the grant applications on our behalf, with London Hearts supplying the AEDs. London Hearts is the leading heart defibrillator charity in the United Kingdom, supporting communities with the provision of life saving heart defibrillators and teaching cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator skills.NHS England has partnered with St John Ambulance to co-ordinate skills development to significantly increase the use of AEDs by individuals in community settings. This includes a national network of Community Advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people that will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028.

What steps he is taking to encourage the Scottish Government to support Edinburgh's financial sector.

Promoting economic growth is one of the Scotland Office’s priorities and I am proud of the contribution of the financial services industry to the Scottish economy, with recent figures showing it is now worth £14.8 billion in GVA while directly supporting 148,000 jobs. Edinburgh makes up a sizeable proportion of Scotland’s overall financial and related professional services industry, employing 57,290 people. To build on this sectoral success the UK government is developing a long-overdue industrial strategy, with financial services one of the priority sectors. This will ensure that the sector in his constituency is key to attracting investment and help support businesses in Scotland and across the UK. The Secretary of State meets monthly with the Deputy First Minister to discuss a wide range of shared economic growth priorities.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the performance of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority in dealing with cases which involve the Scottish legal system.

I understand that the first group of claims included victims from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Claimants who live in Scotland can receive legal support from firms with particular expertise in Scots law, if they wish, and I have been assured that as the scheme expands, the Authority will increase legal capability across all the UK.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority in dealing with (a) calls and (b) correspondence from potential claimants.

I am informed that in January, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority handled 709 calls and responded to 832 emails. The Authority is taking the approach of having single points of contact for claimants, and I was pleased to learn how this has fostered positive relationships with many of those in the infected blood community.

Whether her Department is taking steps to help protect the interests of shareholders in investment trusts that are subject to hostile takeovers by overseas entities.

Listed companies such as listed investment trusts are subject to substantial corporate governance and shareholder protection requirements.This includes fair treatment and orderly takeover requirements under the Takeover Code, which the independent Takeover Panel oversees. The Takeover Code applies where a person or company acquires 30% or more of voting rights in a company and ensures that all shareholders are afforded equivalent treatment.More broadly, under the Companies Act 2006, shareholders must approve any resolutions circulated by a company, or by any individual shareholder or group of shareholders of that company, including proposed changes to company boards.

What steps she is taking to support Demand Responsive Transport.

The government believes demand responsive transport (DRT) has an important role to play in ensuring communities can access transport services in areas where more traditional, regular stopping services may not be viable.The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill on 17 December. The Bill puts the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England and is intended to ensure bus services reflect the needs of the communities that rely on them.We have allocated over £955 million to help support and improve bus services in 2025/26, including £712 million for local transport authorities (LTAs). LTAs can use funding to introduce DRT services in their areas where they believe it is appropriate to do so and will improve service provision.The Department is supporting DRT trials, funded through the Rural Mobility Fund, and is monitoring their impact. The results of this work will help inform future DRT schemes that local authorities might want to pursue.