Written questions by Aquarone.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of electric vehicle batteries were (a) reused, (b) recycled and (c) disposed of via landfill or incineration in the UK in the most recent 12-month period for which data are available.

Defra does not currently collect this data. Current statutory reporting requirements for waste batteries do not distinguish between reuse and recycling, or between different types of industrial battery, which includes electric vehicle batteries. It is against the law to dispose of waste industrial batteries in a landfill or by incineration.Taking into account the expected increases in end-of-life electric vehicle batteries over the coming years and to support optimal end-of-life outcomes for waste electric vehicle batteries, Defra is currently engaging with industry and other stakeholders to inform a review of the UK batteries regulations.

What the cost to the public purse was of advertising the digital ID consultation on a) Spotify, b) Apple Podcasts and c) Audible.

Podcasts are not bought at partner level, so we’re not able to provide this information. I refer the Hon Member to PQ126891 for details on costs.

If she will make it her policy to delay departmental decisions on academy closures or mergers in Norfolk until after the 2026 local elections.

In line with the Cabinet Office May 2026 elections guidance, during the three weeks preceding local authority elections, the department will take special care in relation to decisions, announcements and other public actions which could have a bearing on the elections.

Innovation and Technology, what progress has been made implementing the recommendations of the State of Digital Government Review since its publication in January 2025.

Since January 2025, the Government has united digital, data, and AI teams into one centre to tackle identified systemic blockers to transformation. Government has also launched the GOV.UK app, the digital HM Armed Forces Veteran Card, and 13.2 million people have now proven their identity using the single sign-on system OneLogin.In January 2026, the Government published ‘A Roadmap for Modern Digital Government’, its plan to make government more user-focused, efficient and resilient to deliver better outcomes for the public and the economy. It provides a public-facing, whole-of-government commitment to digital transformation and holds departments accountable for progress, updates on which will be regularly published.

Innovation and Technology, what steps have been taken to reduce fragmentation of digital systems across departments, as identified in the State of Digital Government Review.

At the same time as publishing the State of Digital Government Review, the Government set out the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government. In January 2026, the Government published the Roadmap for Modern Digital Government, translating that vision into a practical delivery plan and setting out further action to join up services and strengthen shared digital infrastructure. This included establishing the Technical Design Council, comprised of technical experts from across the Public Sector, to provide strategic direction on shared strategies and technical solutions.

Innovation and Technology, what progress has been made in increasing the number of digital and data professionals in the civil service.

In April 2025, the Prime Minister made the commitment that one in 10 civil servants will work in technology and digital roles by 2030. When like-for-like roles are compared over the 6-months from April to October 2025, the digital workforce has grown by 0.3% of the civil service - from 4.9% to 5.2%. However, for the first time, we are now also able to report on cyber and other digital roles (the majority of which are included in the one in 10 definition), which uplifts the October figure to 5.7%The next workforce commission will take place in April 2026, in which we hope to see further growth.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of delaying decisions on school closures until after the 2026 local elections in relevant local authorities.

The department has not made such an assessment.However, in line with the Cabinet Office May 2026 elections guidance, during the three weeks preceding local authority elections the department takes special care in relation to announcements, including academy closures, and other public actions which could have a bearing on the elections.Local authorities are the decision makers for proposals to close maintained schools. Local authorities are subject to their own restrictions when elections are taking place.

What was the total VAT revenue from a). domestic and b). commercial heating oil sales in FY2024-25.

HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services. This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden. VAT is chargeable at the reduced rate of 5% on domestic fuel and power. Business consumers of energy may reclaim VAT on their purchases of energy subject to normal VAT deduction rules.

What steps he is taking to help reduce bureaucracy and improve export processes for SMEs trading with the EU.

We are improving our relationship with the EU and will align with the EU where it is in our national interest. This will help reduce barriers to trade, and the bureaucracy and onerous paperwork for UK businesses, particularly SMEs. Alongside this, DBT publishes explainer documents on key EU regulations and market specific guides on business.gov.uk, through which SME’s can access Unlock Europe, a new programme from UK Business Academy, designed to help businesses build stronger relationships with European customers and increase exporting potential to the EU.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the termination of the UK–Australia social security agreement in 2001 on UK citizens who return from Australia after long periods of work there; and whether the Government has considered reviewing the policy or providing support for returners who are unable to access either the Australian Age Pension or a UK State Pension.

The Government currently has no plans to reinstate or negotiate a new reciprocal social security agreement with Australia. Support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, find themselves on a low income is provided through Pension Credit. It guarantees a minimum level of income – the Standard Minimum Guarantee – which will increase by 4.8% from April 2026, protecting the most vulnerable pensioners. They may also have access to other forms of UK support subject to the usual eligibility rules, such as Housing Benefit (if in eligible accommodation) or Council Tax Reduction These provisions operate independently of the former UK–Australia agreement and remain available to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements.

What steps she is taking to help increase economic growth in Norfolk.

The government is restoring stability, increasing investment, and reforming the economy to drive growth across every region of the UK.Norfolk will receive £32.5 million in Local Transport Grant funding enabling local authorities to deliver transport improvements including more zero emission buses, cycleways, accessibility and congestion improvement measures.The record breaking results of our most recent offshore wind auction will support projects in the region, delivering further local jobs and growth.

Whether Specialist Resource Bases and Alternative Provisions are eligible for funding from the free breakfast clubs scheme.

All state-funded schools with primary aged pupils, including those with specialist units, special schools and alternative provision schools, are in scope for the free breakfast clubs programme.Through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, all state-funded schools with primary-aged pupils will be required to offer a free breakfast club and will be funded to do so.We are undertaking national roll out of free breakfast clubs to these schools in phases, with 2,000 starting in the 2026/2027 financial year. We will share details regarding how schools can join the programme in future years, in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 108923, whether she plans to provide transitional arrangements to councils going through Local Government Reorganisation.

Local authorities with a transitional arrangement are listed in the commencement regulations with the date by which they must introduce food waste collections from households. These were applied where long-term waste disposal (mechanical biological treatment and energy from waste) contracts present a barrier to introducing separate food waste collections. All local authorities without a transitional arrangement should provide a food waste service for every household by 31 March 2026.

How her Department defines a partial closure of a Sixth Form College; and whether removal of A-Level provision constitutes a partial closure.

The arrangements for closing a standalone sixth form college are set out in the Dissolution of Further Education Corporations and Sixth Form College Corporations (Prescribed Bodies) Regulations 2012, and do not include partial closure.It is for the college to decide the provision offered, taking into account the local authority’s statutory duty to ensure sufficient provision for 16 to 18 year-olds and their learner demographic and needs. For school sixth forms, it is up to individual schools to decide which post-16 qualifications to offer in line with the 16 to 19 study programmes guidance.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of HMRC’s operational capacity and performance standards for processing R&D tax credit repayments.

The Government recognises the important role that research anddevelopment (R&D) plays in driving innovation and economic growth as well as the benefits it can bring for society. HMRC actively balances its compliance efforts with the need to ensure those who are eligible for relief receive it promptly. HMRC consistently meets its aim to process 85% of payable R&D tax credit claims within 40 days. HMRC exceeded this target in both 2023–2024 (92%) and 2024–2025 (90%). For the current financial year so far, HMRC has met its 85% processing target every month. The Government is committed to improving the administration of the reliefs, to make it easier and more reliable for legitimate claimants while continuing to protect taxpayer money from unacceptable levels of error and fraud in the system.

With reference to Action 15 of the National Cancer Plan, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that patients in remote and rural areas with poor access to public transport are not disadvantaged in their ability to access specialist treatment.

The National Cancer Plan sets out how we will tackle unwarranted geographical variation head on and ensure that everyone has access to the best diagnostic and treatment services, no matter their postcode.We recognise that rural and coastal areas have been struggling for too long, which is why this plan is increasing the number of training places for cancer consultants in rural and coastal areas, particularly in areas where there are a high number of vacancies. This will ensure quality improvement in the trusts with the greatest needs and provide all patients with access to specialised cancer doctors.We will utilise data driven service planning tools, to support local systems to plan specialist care in a way that is accessible to everyone. It will take account of travel time and the impact on different groups who can experience disparities, such as older people, some ethnic groups, and those that live in rural and coastal areas.

By what route installers can access funding under the extended ECO4 scheme.

Installers participate in the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and access funding only by delivering measures on behalf of obligated energy suppliers. ECO4 is not government‑funded, rather suppliers pay for installations and recover costs through their customers’ bills. To work under ECO4, installers must be TrustMark‑registered and comply with relevant standards for installing energy efficiency measures. Suppliers decide with which installers they contract.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage food surplus redistribution in the baking industry.

We recognise the environmental, economic and social benefits of preventing food waste and redistributing surplus food to organisations who can use it. Redistribution is second only to prevention in Defra’s Food and Drink Waste Hierarchy, which includes the expectation that all businesses should have plans for redistribution in place if any surplus arises. We fund the groundbreaking UK Food and Drink Pact (formerly the Courtauld Commitment), a voluntary agreement with industry to tackle food waste. Through the Pact, Defra regularly engages a working group of industry and redistribution sector organisations to develop best practice on how to redistribute surplus quickly and safely and overcome the barriers to redistribution. We also fund the Food Waste Reduction Roadmap, which helps businesses to identify and measure their surplus and waste and take action to reduce it. We support this Target Measure Act approach as it enables food businesses to get more surplus to the redistribution sector.

What support his Department provides to the baking industry to decarbonise.

Businesses in the baking industry can benefit from the Climate Change Agreements scheme, which provides Climate Change Levy discounts of up to 92% in return for improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions. More broadly, our Clean Power by 2030 mission is working to reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuels and lower electricity costs for businesses. We are also continuing to develop policies to bring down electricity costs relative to gas and intend to consult on options to make electrification an economically rational choice for a wide range of businesses.In due course, we will also set out a clear plan for industrial decarbonisation to support a competitive low‑carbon industrial base and to ensure growth opportunities are realised alongside emissions reductions.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer to Question 107848 on 27 January 2026, if he will publish (a) the list of attendees and (b) the minutes of his meeting with Norfolk County Council on 16 December 2025.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils: Cllr Matthew Hicks, Nicola Beach, Andrew Cook, Cllr Kay Mason Billig and Tom McCabe. My Department has no plans to publish the minutes of the meeting.