Written questions by Jogee.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland about the potential impact of proposed changes to inheritance tax on family farms in Ulster.

Following the reforms to inheritance tax announced at Budget 2024, we have engaged with the farming community and businesses. Having carefully considered this feedback, we are going further to protect more farms and businesses, while maintaining the core principle that the most valuable agricultural and business assets should not receive unlimited relief. The allowance for 100% rate of relief will be increased from £1 million to £2.5 million when it is introduced in April 2026. This means a couple will now be able to pass on up to £5 million tax-free between them, on top of existing allowances such as the nil rate band. Raising the threshold will significantly reduce the number of farms and business owners facing higher inheritance tax bills under the reforms, ensuring only the largest estates are affected. This gets the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services.

How much funding Staffordshire County Council has received from His Majesty’s Government since 1 May 2025.

Funding for individual local authorities is primarily distributed through the Local Government Finance Settlement. Details of the funding allocated to Staffordshire County Council through the Settlement for 2025–26, as well as its Core Spending Power, are published online and can be accessed here Core Spending Power table: final local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure those seeking election to local authorities are provided with support in advance of election day.

The Government does not provide direct support to individuals seeking election. The Electoral Commission is the independent regulatory body responsible for providing guidance and support to candidates on how to comply with electoral law. This department funds the Local Government Association (LGA) to deliver a programme of sector support, including the LGA’s Be A Councillor Campaign which aims to raise awareness of the councillor role, help people to find out more about becoming a councillor and increase representation in local government of the communities it serves.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with her European counterparts following the fire in Crans-Montana.

Following the tragic deaths and injuries in Crans-Montana the Foreign Secretary and I contacted our Swiss counterparts to express the UK's condolences and offer assistance, as did the Prime Minister with his counterpart.

What steps he is taking to financially support pubs in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

The Government recognises the importance of pubs and the wider hospitality sector, including in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across Staffordshire. We continue to support these vital local businesses through a range of measures designed to ease cost pressures and strengthen communities.The government has also introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years to protect ratepayers seeing their bills increase because of the revaluation. We’ve introduced permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a ratable value under £500,000, worth nearly £900 million annually, benefitting over 750,000 properties. The new relief rates are permanent, giving businesses certainty and stability, and there will be no cap so all qualifying properties will benefit.The Chancellor announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of her budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that young people from a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire are able to see the Bayeux Tapestry.

The Bayeux Tapestry will be on display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027. The British Museum, which is operationally independent of the government, is eager to enable access to the exhibition for as many schoolchildren as possible, and as such is planning dedicated weekly entry slots for school visits. The Museum is also working closely with other organisations commemorating the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror in 2027, including developing special resources for teachers and activities across the UK.Entrance will be free for schoolchildren and for under 16s, as it is to all of the British Museum’s exhibitions. The Museum will also offer concessionary tickets for other relevant groups, including students, disabled visitors, seniors (over 60s), and jobseekers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she will take to support farmers in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The Government has allocated £11.8 billion this parliament to sustainable farming and food production, targeting public money where it delivers most value, in Newcastle-under-Lyme and across the country. The Government is making supply chains fairer to ensure farmers, particularly smaller farmers who can be most exposed to market pressures, are protected in their contracts, while unlocking new markets for British produce. The department has published Baroness Batters’ independent Farming Profitability Review 2025. A 25-year Farming Roadmap setting out the long-term direction for farming will follow next year. Defra is establishing a farming and food partnership board to give farmers a stronger voice in Government. Changes to planning rules will place greater emphasis on food production, making it easier for farmers to develop infrastructure. We will take forward sector plans to build profitability in sectors with great potential, and we will seek to boost private finance into farming.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Republic of Ghana joining the Francophonie on the work of the Commonwealth.

Ghana's full membership of the International Organisation of La Francophonie was confirmed more than fifteen months ago, and there are no indications that it has had any impact on Ghana's status as a historic and valued partner in the Commonwealth.

Media and Sport, whether she has plans for a formal national memorial to the Duchess of Kent.

The Government does not have any plans for a formal national memorial for the late Duchess of Kent.

How many people are owed money by HS2 Ltd.

Individual land and property claimants can have multiple active claims at any given time so data in the form requested is not available. HS2 Ltd is strongly committed to paying compensation as quickly as possible, although some compensation claims can be complex and take time to settle in full. Where a property has been acquired under compulsory purchase, a claimant can request an advance payment, and HS2 Ltd is required to pay all valid advance payment claims within three months.

If she will meet the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss the potential merits of a direct train connection between Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station and Manchester Airport.

West Midland Trains is working with the industry and stakeholders on a proposal to amend its Stafford to Crewe service including a potential extension to Manchester Airport. The introduction of new services will require a business case that demonstrates value for money, as well as minimising any risk to the performance of existing services.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what lessons the Church has learned from the case of John Smyth QC.

The Church of England commissioned the Makin Review into the historic abuse surrounding John Smyth, which was published 7th November 2024 and can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/media/press-releases/independent-review-churchs-handling-smyth-case-publishedFollowing the publication of the Makin Review, a task and finish group was established, which most recently produced a progress report for the February meeting of the General Synod. https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2025-11/gs-misc-1433-makin-task-and-finish-interim-report_0_0.pdfThe work in this area remains a high priority and is regularly reviewed. It is expected to publish its next progress report ahead of the July 2026 sitting of the General Synod.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what discussions the Church has had with the Government of Zimbabwe on John Smyth QC.

The National Church Institutions of the Church of England have engaged with the Church of Southern Africa and the Church of the Province of Central Africa regarding the historic safeguarding cases relating to John Smyth. The two provinces of the Anglican Communion are independent from the Church of England, and discussions with the Government of Zimbabwe would be a matter for the Province of Central Africa.The Church of Southern Africa held its own review into the activity of John Smyth’s activities which was published on the 3rd February 2025 and can be found here: https://anglicanchurchsa.org/archbishops-panel-of-inquiry-pinpoints-churchs-failures-on-smyth-abuse-report/ and Archbishop Thabo published a statement, which can be read here: https://anglicanchurchsa.org/archbishop-thabo-apologises-for-churchs-failures-over-abuse/There have also been extensive discussions with the Province of Central Africa, and Archbishop Chama has been encouraged to undertake a similar review to that held by the Church of Southern Africa.

What recent steps he has taken to improve access to an NHS dentist for residents in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire constituency, this is the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB.We have asked ICBs to commission extra urgent dental appointments to make sure that patients with urgent dental needs can get the treatment they require. ICBs have been making extra appointments available since April 2025.ICBs are recruiting dentists through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.We are committed to delivering fundamental reform of the dental contract before the end of this Parliament. As a first step, on 16 December we published the Government’s response to the public consultation on the quality and payment reforms to the NHS dental contract. The changes will be introduced from April 2026. These reforms will put patients with greatest need first, incentivising urgent care and complex treatments. Further information is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reforms/outcome/government-response-to-consultation-on-nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reforms

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent engagement His Majesty’s Government has had with IGAD about a) food security and b) regional stability in East Africa.

We remain in regular contact with members of IGAD on a range of regional issues, including through the UK's Representative to IGAD based in Djibouti.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has considered the potential merits of hosting a stand alone UK-Africa summit in the United Kingdom.

The Government regularly engages with African countries and African regional bodies. Any announcements of future summits to be hosted, or attended by, the UK Government will be made in the normal way in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to support dairy farmers in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The UK dairy sector is highly resilient and adaptable and continues to supply healthy and affordable products, both capitalising on the opportunities and rising to the challenges it has faced in recent years. Following a recent period of enhanced profitability for the UK sector, supply of dairy is currently exceeding demand on both our domestic and wider global markets. This is resulting in reductions to UK farmgate milk prices. Ensuring fairness in supply chains is key for UK dairy farmers and supporting the sustainability of the sector. The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, which fully came into force on 9 July 2025, improve fairness and transparency, requiring dairy contracts to include clear terms on pricing, termination, and prohibiting unilateral changes. However, these regulations are not intended to set prices.

What recent steps her Department has taken to help tackle rural crime in Staffordshire.

We are supporting forces across the UK, including Staffordshire Police, to tackle the crimes that particularly affect rural communities.We have given £365,000 in funding to the National Rural Crime Unit, a further £450,000 to the National Wildlife Crime Unit, and we have worked closely with the NPCC to deliver their Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy which was launched recently.

Food and Rural Affairs, what fiscal steps she plans to take to cut levels of waste crime in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, b) Staffordshire and c) England.

In addition to driving forward the policy and regulatory reforms designed to close the loopholes being exploited by criminals, we are also increasing the resources available to the Environment Agency (EA). The EA’s total budget for 2025 to 2026 has increased and includes £15.6 million for waste crime enforcement. This is a more than 50% increase from 2024/25. Overall, the EA has been able to increase its frontline criminal enforcement resource in the Joint Unit for Waste Crime and area environmental crime teams across England by 43 full-time staff.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the cost to the public purse of waste crime.

The Government has made no recent assessment. The Environmental Services Association estimated in 2021 that waste crime costs the economy in England about £1 billion per year.