Written questions by Arthur.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in Benefit-in-Kind rates for electric vehicles on consumer uptake; and whether her Department has considered the effect on adoption rates if Benefit-in-Kind rates exceed 10%.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced new Company Car Tax rates for the years 2028-29 and 2029-30, which increase for both electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol/diesel vehicles, while still maintaining generous incentives to support EV take-up. The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published alongside Budget set out the expected economic, equalities and other impacts, and highlighted that overall the measure was expected to encourage the take-up of zero emission vehicles. The Government recognises that the Company Car Tax regime and the salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government needs to balance these incentives against responsible management of public finances to ensure we have sufficient revenue to fund essential public services. A company car is a valuable benefit and therefore needs to be taxed appropriately.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of salary sacrifice schemes in supporting the uptake of electric vehicles.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced new Company Car Tax rates for the years 2028-29 and 2029-30, which increase for both electric vehicles (EVs) and petrol/diesel vehicles, while still maintaining generous incentives to support EV take-up. The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) published alongside Budget set out the expected economic, equalities and other impacts, and highlighted that overall the measure was expected to encourage the take-up of zero emission vehicles. The Government recognises that the Company Car Tax regime and the salary sacrifice exemption for ultra-low and zero emission vehicles continues to play an important role in the EV transition. The Government needs to balance these incentives against responsible management of public finances to ensure we have sufficient revenue to fund essential public services. A company car is a valuable benefit and therefore needs to be taxed appropriately.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of engagement and consultation with blind and partially sighted people in the design and delivery of interventions set out in the Financial Inclusion Strategy.

In November, I published the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy which sets out a range of ambitious measures for government and industry to improve financial inclusion for underserved groups across the UK. As part of its focus on inclusive design, the Strategy recognises the work taken forward by The Royal National Institute of Blind People and UK Finance to introduce accessibility features for cards, so that those who are blind or partially sighted are better able to distinguish between card types and orientate them when using card readers. UK Finance is developing a Code of Practice for Accessible Cards which will ensure these features are consistent across participating firms. The Strategy also includes a commitment for industry to work with the third sector to make it easier for individuals without standard identification documents to open a bank account, and the launch of an industry-led inclusive design working group to consider how to make products more accessible. UK Finance is currently open to submissions from consumer representative organisations about the accessibility challenges which this group should seek to address. The Strategy was developed alongside a Committee of consumer and industry representatives, including engagement with frontline organisations and those with lived experience. The Government is committed to continuing to work collaboratively to ensure the delivery of interventions remains informed by a wide range of expertise and perspectives.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the level of the funding gap between the BBC, ALBA and S4C; and whether she plans to take steps to address disparities in long-term funding security between Gaelic and Welsh language broadcasting.

The Government recognises the valuable contribution that providers of minority language broadcasting have in our society and the preservation of our national heritage. The Media Act 2024 makes clear in legislation the importance of programmes broadcast in the UK’s indigenous and minority languages - including Scottish Gaelic - by including it in the modernised public service remit for television in the UK. The Public Service Broadcasters, as well as MG ALBA, are operationally and editorially independent from Government, and specific decisions regarding content are a matter for them. MG ALBA committed in its 2024/25 annual plan to explicitly consider international reach and opportunities. The Government launched the BBC Charter Review last year, which will consider how the BBC can best support minority language broadcasting, including Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. The Green paper also sets out that we are considering what further obligations the BBC should have to ensure a broad range of public service content is promoted within the BBC’s own platforms. On funding, we will consider options for providing MG ALBA with more certainty over its partnership arrangements with the BBC and its funding as part of the Charter Review.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that Gaelic-language services are given clear and equivalent visibility alongside other UK national language services on BBC digital platforms.

The Government recognises the valuable contribution that providers of minority language broadcasting have in our society and the preservation of our national heritage. The Media Act 2024 makes clear in legislation the importance of programmes broadcast in the UK’s indigenous and minority languages - including Scottish Gaelic - by including it in the modernised public service remit for television in the UK. The Public Service Broadcasters, as well as MG ALBA, are operationally and editorially independent from Government, and specific decisions regarding content are a matter for them. MG ALBA committed in its 2024/25 annual plan to explicitly consider international reach and opportunities. The Government launched the BBC Charter Review last year, which will consider how the BBC can best support minority language broadcasting, including Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. The Green paper also sets out that we are considering what further obligations the BBC should have to ensure a broad range of public service content is promoted within the BBC’s own platforms. On funding, we will consider options for providing MG ALBA with more certainty over its partnership arrangements with the BBC and its funding as part of the Charter Review.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential audience for Gaelic-language broadcasting among the global Gaelic diaspora.

The Government recognises the valuable contribution that providers of minority language broadcasting have in our society and the preservation of our national heritage. The Media Act 2024 makes clear in legislation the importance of programmes broadcast in the UK’s indigenous and minority languages - including Scottish Gaelic - by including it in the modernised public service remit for television in the UK. The Public Service Broadcasters, as well as MG ALBA, are operationally and editorially independent from Government, and specific decisions regarding content are a matter for them. MG ALBA committed in its 2024/25 annual plan to explicitly consider international reach and opportunities. The Government launched the BBC Charter Review last year, which will consider how the BBC can best support minority language broadcasting, including Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. The Green paper also sets out that we are considering what further obligations the BBC should have to ensure a broad range of public service content is promoted within the BBC’s own platforms. On funding, we will consider options for providing MG ALBA with more certainty over its partnership arrangements with the BBC and its funding as part of the Charter Review.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of current regulatory requirements on gambling operators to carry out due diligence in verifying the source of funds when accepting customer deposits; and whether she plans to introduce further measures to strengthen such requirements.

The Gambling Commission has a duty to ensure that the necessary controls are in place to prevent gambling businesses being used for illicit purposes.As part of the Operator’s Gambling Licence in Great Britain under the Condition of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP), operators are required to keep up-to-date with emerging risks information published by the Gambling Commission. This assessment is a trigger for operators to review their own money laundering and terrorist financing risk assessments and related policies, procedures and controls to ensure that they remain appropriate and effective.The Gambling Commission regularly publishes its enforcement actions which identifies and enforces penalties for breaches. We have regular engagement with the GC on appropriate measures and keep these under review.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans the Government has to work with the British Iranian community to create a memorial to those killed in Iran during protests on the 8th and 9th of January 2026.

As I made clear in my statements to the House at the time, I have the greatest respect for the courage of those Iranians who peacefully exercised their right to protest around the turn of the year, and the greatest sympathy for the friends and families of all those who were killed for doing so. However, decisions around the construction of public memorials are a matter for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), so it would be for DCMS ministers to consider my Hon Friend's suggestion.

Media and Sport, if her Department will provide support to The Art Works facility in Granton.

Arts and culture in Scotland is a devolved matter.The UK Government provides the Scottish Government with a settlement through the Barnett Formula which they can spend on cultural activities and priorities across Scotland. The Scottish Government also has substantial revenue raising capability. Support for the National Galleries Scotland’s project The Art Works in North Edinburgh is best directed to the Scottish Government who make the decisions about how to prioritise cultural funding.

Whether she has made an estimate of the potential impact on the revenue differential to the Treasury if Class 1 National Insurance Contributions calculations matched those of income tax.

This would be a significant change, as National Insurance contributions (NICs) and Income Tax work quite differently at present.NICs are charged on earnings on a per-employment, per-pay period basis, whereas Income Tax is an annual tax, and takes into account an individual’s total, cumulative earnings over the year. NICs also come with specific benefits e.g. State Pension, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Maternity Allowance, and Bereavement benefits. This is in line with NICs’ role as a social security contribution, into which contributions are made from people’s earnings while in work to support them when they are out of work. NICs are currently not payable by those over State Pension age. As such, amalgamating NICs into, or even bringing them closer into line with, income tax would come with major transitional costs and considerationsThe Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) considered this in 2016 in its report on 'Closer alignment of Income Tax and National Insurance', which sets out their analysis on the range of challenges that would need to be taken into consideration before proceeding with such a radical reform as well as indications of potential winners and losers from closer alignment.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of aligning National Insurance Contributions (NICs) earnings periods with those of income tax.

This would be a significant change, as National Insurance contributions (NICs) and Income Tax work quite differently at present.NICs are charged on earnings on a per-employment, per-pay period basis, whereas Income Tax is an annual tax, and takes into account an individual’s total, cumulative earnings over the year. NICs also come with specific benefits e.g. State Pension, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Maternity Allowance, and Bereavement benefits. This is in line with NICs’ role as a social security contribution, into which contributions are made from people’s earnings while in work to support them when they are out of work. NICs are currently not payable by those over State Pension age. As such, amalgamating NICs into, or even bringing them closer into line with, income tax would come with major transitional costs and considerationsThe Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) considered this in 2016 in its report on 'Closer alignment of Income Tax and National Insurance', which sets out their analysis on the range of challenges that would need to be taken into consideration before proceeding with such a radical reform as well as indications of potential winners and losers from closer alignment.

How many driving tests (a) took place, (b) were cancelled and (c) went unused at the Currie Driving Test Centre in each month of 2025; and what the pass rate was in the same period.

The attached Excel spreadsheet shows how many practical car driving tests were conducted and cancelled, including pass rates at Currie driving test centre in each month for 2025. Also included is the number of practical car driving test slots that were available to book during this period but were not used. It is not possible to include data on the number of tests cancelled that then go on to be unused. Please note this data is up to 31 March 2025. Data for individual driving test centres is updated annually. The next update to this information will be published in June/July. DVSA publishes some of this data which is available on GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of retailers withdrawing from the Better Chicken Commitment on her Department's Animal Welfare Strategy.

As set out in the animal welfare strategy, the Government remains committed to supporting a move away from the use of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens. The Government welcomes the fact that those supermarkets who made Better Chicken Commitment pledges have fulfilled them, but it is disappointing to hear of the decision of various restaurant groups to withdraw their commitments to improve animal welfare in this way.

What estimate his Department has made of the diagnostic and workforce capacity required to increase the test sensitivity threshold in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme to 80ug/g by 2028.

NHS England has undertaken detailed modelling to understand the diagnostic and workforce capacity required to support a reduction in the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) threshold within the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England. NHS England has worked with early adopter sites to test the operational impact of lowering the FIT threshold in real‑world settings. These sites have provided evidence on changes in referral volumes, colonoscopy demand, cancer and polyp detection rates, and the implications for endoscopy services. The findings are being formally evaluated and are informing assumptions within the national capacity modelling. The timing of wider roll‑out is directly linked to the outcomes of this modelling and evaluation work, as well as the availability of trained endoscopy staff.NHS England continues to develop the endoscopy workforce, including the expansion of the screening colonoscopist workforce through Advanced Training Skills Module. Alongside this, NHS England is progressing a wider programme of endoscopy transformation focused on releasing capacity and improving productivity. This includes the intelligent use of FIT testing, including coloFIT, to support more effective risk stratification, reduce unnecessary colonoscopies, and ensure that available endoscopy capacity is targeted towards those at highest risk. Embedding FIT‑led pathways supports earlier reassurance for lower‑risk individuals while prioritising timely investigation for those most likely to benefit.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with counterparts in the European Union regarding regulatory alignment on battery passports for electric vehicles.

The Secretary of State has not had discussions with counterparts in the European Union regarding regulatory alignment on battery passports for electric vehicles. Defra is currently reviewing the producer responsibility legislation for batteries. This review will explore potential alignment with the requirements of the European Union Batteries Regulation which applies in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, and which includes provisions on digital battery passports. We are in the process of engaging further with industry and other stakeholders on the review.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of informed consent guidance in protecting NHS clinicians from subsequent legal challenge where animal-derived ingredients are used in medicines or treatments without explicit disclosure.

No assessment has been made of the adequacy of informed consent guidance in protecting National Health Service clinicians from subsequent legal challenge where animal-derived ingredients are used in medicines or treatments without explicit disclosure.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to undertake similar evidence gathering to Food Standards Scotland's Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment on braille food labelling in England.

The availability and accessibility of essential food information to all consumers is vitally important. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for specific information to be presented in a specific way.Defra has met with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to discuss options for improving accessible labelling on food products. Defra is also working with stakeholder groups, including the Business Expert Group on Food Standards and Labelling (BExG), which provides structured dialogue between government, industry and enforcement bodies on food labelling, and with GS1 as they progress work on the transition from traditional barcodes to QR codes. This transition has the potential to support consumers with visual impairments to access not only the basics, but the full range of information available on the label, as well as additional information provided via the App or QR code.We are aware that some retailers are beginning to offer braille on food products. Through the Food Compositional Standards and Labelling (FCSL) Common Framework, officials across the four nations are coordinating on the accessibility of food labelling, including QR codes and braille. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) regularly provide updates on its work exploring the use of braille for key information such as product name and use‑by date. The Government is interested in the findings of this work, including how it may impact businesses, associated costs and potential alternative approaches to accessibility labelling to aid all consumers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what evidence her Department is gathering on braille food labelling in England; and what discussions her Department has had with a) vision impaired consumers, b) braille users and c) disability organisations on braille food labelling.

The availability and accessibility of essential food information to all consumers is vitally important. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for specific information to be presented in a specific way.Defra has met with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to discuss options for improving accessible labelling on food products. Defra is also working with stakeholder groups, including the Business Expert Group on Food Standards and Labelling (BExG), which provides structured dialogue between government, industry and enforcement bodies on food labelling, and with GS1 as they progress work on the transition from traditional barcodes to QR codes. This transition has the potential to support consumers with visual impairments to access not only the basics, but the full range of information available on the label, as well as additional information provided via the App or QR code.We are aware that some retailers are beginning to offer braille on food products. Through the Food Compositional Standards and Labelling (FCSL) Common Framework, officials across the four nations are coordinating on the accessibility of food labelling, including QR codes and braille. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) regularly provide updates on its work exploring the use of braille for key information such as product name and use‑by date. The Government is interested in the findings of this work, including how it may impact businesses, associated costs and potential alternative approaches to accessibility labelling to aid all consumers.

How his Department plans to support endoscopy services to ensure the increased test sensitivity in the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme to 80ug/g is rolled out by 2028 without impacting on colonoscopy waiting times.

NHS England has undertaken detailed modelling to understand the diagnostic and workforce capacity required to support a reduction in the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) threshold within the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England. NHS England has worked with early adopter sites to test the operational impact of lowering the FIT threshold in real‑world settings. These sites have provided evidence on changes in referral volumes, colonoscopy demand, cancer and polyp detection rates, and the implications for endoscopy services. The findings are being formally evaluated and are informing assumptions within the national capacity modelling. The timing of wider roll‑out is directly linked to the outcomes of this modelling and evaluation work, as well as the availability of trained endoscopy staff.NHS England continues to develop the endoscopy workforce, including the expansion of the screening colonoscopist workforce through Advanced Training Skills Module. Alongside this, NHS England is progressing a wider programme of endoscopy transformation focused on releasing capacity and improving productivity. This includes the intelligent use of FIT testing, including coloFIT, to support more effective risk stratification, reduce unnecessary colonoscopies, and ensure that available endoscopy capacity is targeted towards those at highest risk. Embedding FIT‑led pathways supports earlier reassurance for lower‑risk individuals while prioritising timely investigation for those most likely to benefit.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency on braille food labelling under the UK Food Compositional Standards and Labelling Common Framework; and what steps she is taking to ensure coordination in approaches across the four nations.

The availability and accessibility of essential food information to all consumers is vitally important. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for specific information to be presented in a specific way.Defra has met with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to discuss options for improving accessible labelling on food products. Defra is also working with stakeholder groups, including the Business Expert Group on Food Standards and Labelling (BExG), which provides structured dialogue between government, industry and enforcement bodies on food labelling, and with GS1 as they progress work on the transition from traditional barcodes to QR codes. This transition has the potential to support consumers with visual impairments to access not only the basics, but the full range of information available on the label, as well as additional information provided via the App or QR code.We are aware that some retailers are beginning to offer braille on food products. Through the Food Compositional Standards and Labelling (FCSL) Common Framework, officials across the four nations are coordinating on the accessibility of food labelling, including QR codes and braille. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) regularly provide updates on its work exploring the use of braille for key information such as product name and use‑by date. The Government is interested in the findings of this work, including how it may impact businesses, associated costs and potential alternative approaches to accessibility labelling to aid all consumers.