Written questions by Taylor.

What discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of extending the duration of visas for Ukrainians with three-year visas that are approaching expiry.

To provide future certainty, Ukrainians provided with temporary sanctuary in the UK under the Ukraine visa schemes can apply for a further 18 months' permission to remain in the UK through the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme, which opened to applications on 4 February 2025.The Homes for Ukraine scheme remains open, uncapped and free of charge for Ukrainians in need of sanctuary to apply to come to the UK.The Government keeps the Ukraine schemes under review and engages, where appropriate, with relevant stakeholders while closely monitoring developments in Ukraine.

Whether she has had discussions with Santander on (a) its banking presence on high streets and (b) the impact of that on (i) consumers and (ii) businesses.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer meets regularly with all major banks to discuss a wide variety of topics. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and businesses across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. Access to financial services is key to ensuring all citizens and businesses can both contribute to and benefit from growth in the UK. The Government continues to work closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this parliament, which will provide local residents and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the personal savings allowance for basic rate taxpayers.

The Personal Savings Allowance (PSA) allows basic rate taxpayers to receive up to £1,000 in savings income tax free. Higher rate taxpayers can receive up to £500 in savings income tax free. Individuals can also save up to £20,000 into an Individual Savings Account (ISA) each year, where savings income is received tax free. In addition, the Starting Rate for Savings allows for tax free savings income of up to £5,000 for those with earned income below £17,570. Taken together, this means that around 85 per cent of people with savings income pay no tax on that income. The Government keeps all aspects of the tax system under review.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of microplastics in the environment, in the context of the potential impact of microplastics on levels of prevalence of heart attacks and strokes.

Under the 2022/23 UK REACH Work Programme, Defra initiated a research proposal to investigate the risks of intentionally added microplastics. It did not look specifically into any links between microplastics and the prevalence of heart attacks and strokes, but the evidence project has reviewed their emissions, and the risks they pose both to human health and the environment. It also included a socio-economic assessment. It will advise on the most effective measures to address any risks and help identify wider evidence gaps that need to be addressed to support a more strategic approach to managing intentionally added microplastics. This project is expected to report in early 2025. Defra and the Welsh and Scottish Governments will consider its findings once complete.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Peruvian counterpart on (a) restrictions on women’s rights in Peru and (b) the potential implications for those policies on (i) gender equality and (ii) human rights.

The UK Government closely monitors human rights in Peru, including assessing policies that impact women's rights and gender equality. UK Officials and Ministers also regularly discuss human rights with the Peruvian government, including the Foreign Minister, the Minister for Women and Vulnerable Populations, and wider stakeholders. We will continue to work with the government and wider civil society groups to support the protection of human and women's rights.

What estimate she has made on the number of family owned businesses who will be impacted by the proposed changes to (a) Business Property Relief and (b) Agricultural Property Relief in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

The Government published information about the reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) at www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms. The Chancellor also recently wrote to the Chair of the Treasury Select Committee about the reforms to Agricultural Property Relief: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/45691/documents/226235/default/. It is expected that up to around 2,000 estates across the UK will be affected by the changes to APR and BPR in 2026-27, with around half of those being claims that involve AIM shares. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief (or those claiming agricultural property relief and business property relief together) are expected to be unaffected by these reforms. In accordance with standard practice, a tax information and impact note will be published alongside the draft legislation before the relevant Finance Bill. The number of affected estates, meaning how many estates making relief claims that would pay more inheritance tax as a result of the change, is affected by who the owners of any businesses are, how many owners there are, any borrowing they have, and how they plan their affairs. Without such information, which the Government does not hold at the UK Parliamentary Constituency level, area level assessments cannot be made.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency; and if she will make it her policy to review that Scheme beyond March 2025.

Since 2022, the Department has awarded 9 grants, totalling £67,674.80 to Listed Places of Worship in the constituency of Paisley and Renfrewshire.As announced in January, the Scheme has been extended for one year with a budget of £23 million, until 31 March 2026, the end of this Spending Review period. This will enable religious organisations to continue to claim grants in respect of eligible VAT costs paid towards repairs and renovations. The scheme has an overall budget of £23 million with a cap of £25,000 per place of worship.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support Taiwan's security.

The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and has repeatedly stated this alongside our G7 partners. Without it, the prosperity and security interests of both the UK, and our global partners, would suffer. We consider the Taiw...

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Government on improving (a) rail and (b) bus routes in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

I have regular meetings with the Deputy First Minister, where we discuss local economic growth as one of the key missions of this Government. Our two Governments effectively work together to deliver the Glasgow City Region Growth deal, which provides £1 b...

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment has made of the potential flood risk to communities in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

This is a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Scottish Government.

What recent steps his Department has taken to (a) encourage inward investment and (b) support job creation in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency.

Growth is the number one mission of this government. Our Industrial Strategy is central to that Mission - targeting key sectors to deliver high quality, well-paid jobs. My Honourable Friend's constituency is strong in sectors identified in our Green Paper...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of (a) the adequacy of infrastructure in Gaza and (b) its capacity to support access to essential services for children.

The September 2024 UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) damage assessment shows two-thirds of all buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed since October 2023. Schools, warehouses and offices run by UN agencies have been severely affected along with much o...

Whether the locations of (a) the 80 essential and (b) all 88 network projects in the National Grid’s transmission expansion plan have been identified.

Network planning at a high level is undertaken by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) which identifies where reinforcements are needed, network companies then design and propose individual projects. The NESO’s 2030 Advice identifies 80 specific pro...

What steps he is taking to increase the UK's grid capacity to (a) help achieve net zero goals and (b) support (i) improved rail connectivity and (ii) advanced manufacturing in Paisley and Ren

The electricity networks are owned by private network companies and regulated independently by Ofgem. Government is working closely with Ofgem to speed up delivery of new network infrastructure and reform the connections process to help achieve clean powe...

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland on regional economic growth in the next three financial years.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District for Scotland (AMIDS) is Scotland’s home of manufacturing innovation, and forms an integral part of the £1bn UK and Scottish Government funded Glasgow City Region Deal. AMIDS is home to two world-class inn...

What steps his Department is taking to help support GP practices in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency, in the context of the changes made to employers' National Insurance Contributions at

Whilst the Department holds some reserved functions, health is predominantly devolved. This includes services within the National Health Service in Scotland, which are the responsibility of Scottish Government. It is for the Scottish Government to decid...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contribution rates on third sector organisations; and whether she plans to take steps with Cabinet colleagues to provide

The Government recognises the important role charities play in our society, and has made it a priority to develop a Civil Society Covenant recognising the sector as a trusted and independent partner.Within the tax system, we provide support to charities t...

If she will take steps to ensure that the Pensions Investment Review makes an assessment of the potential impact of each of its recommendations on people who plan to retire in the next five years.

Since launching in July, the Pensions Investment Review has focused on engaging with stakeholders and gathering insights and evidence. A Call for Evidence was published in September and the evidence received will inform our understanding of the impacts an...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) introducing transitional arrangements for and (b) delaying implementation of her policy on VAT on school fees in Scotland.

Whilst developing these policies, the Government has carefully considered the impact that they will have on pupils and their families across both the state and private sector, as well as the impact they will have on state and private schools. This conside...

What assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of long-term youth unemployment in (a) Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency and (b) Scotland; and what steps she is taking to help t

It is not possible to obtain estimates of trends in the levels of long-term youth unemployment in Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency and Scotland because the sample sizes from survey data are too small to provide robust findings for these geograp...