Written questions by Bowie.

Whether his Department is taking steps to extend the operation of existing nuclear power plants beyond 2030.

EDF have recently announced extensions to the Advance Gas-cooled Reactor nuclear power stations. Heysham 1 and Hartlepool are now expected to operate until March 2027 and Heysham 2 and Torness are now expected to operate until March 2030. Sizewell B is currently scheduled to operate until 2035. The Government is not involved in the decision-making process to extend the operating lifetime of nuclear power stations. The recent decisions to extend the Advance Gas-cooled Reactor fleet have been taken by EDF based on safety and commercial assessments. As set out in our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, nuclear will continue to play a key role in the energy system out to 2030 and beyond with the operation of Sizewell B and delivery of Hinkley Point C.

What his planned timetable is for announcing Green Industries Growth Accelerator grants.

The Government recognises the need for strong, home-grown clean energy supply chains to support sustainable jobs and secure growth as we decarbonise our economy. As part of the of next year’s Industrial Strategy, the Government is developing plans, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review, for each of the key growth sectors, which include Clean Energy technologies. These sector plans will set out how Government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth through bespoke arrangements for each sector.

What progress he has made on the Green Industries Growth Accelerator programme.

The Government recognises the need for strong, home-grown clean energy supply chains to support sustainable jobs and secure growth as we decarbonise our economy. As part of the of next year’s Industrial Strategy, the Government is developing plans, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review, for each of the key growth sectors, which include Clean Energy technologies. These sector plans will set out how Government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth through bespoke arrangements for each sector.

What steps his Department is taking to construct grid connections for North Lincolnshire Energy Park.

Northern Powergrid (NPg) and National Grid Electricity Transmission are responsible for the construction of the connections. I understand from NPg that the connection infrastructure is expected to be completed in 2027. Energisation dates will be specific to each customer in the energy park.

Whether his Department is taking steps to (a) invest in nuclear fusion and (b) expand the use of small modular nuclear reactors.

At the Autumn Budget the Government announced significant support in 2025-26 for UK fusion energy research, to build on the UK’s position as a global leader in fusion energy. On small modular reactors (SMRs), the government welcomes the opportunity for SMRs to play a wider role in Britain’s clean energy future. In addition to the SMR competition being delivered by Great British Nuclear, the government is considering responses on new uses of nuclear energy as part of the Alternative Routes to Market consultation for Advanced Nuclear Technologies and will publish a factual response in due course.

What information his Department holds on the number and proportion of 999 calls that were made in Scotland and handled by an Ambulance Service in England and Wales since 2020.

The information requested is not held by the Department.

What steps he is taking to support Brand Scotland.

I am proud to champion Scotland’s interests globally through Brand Scotland. I have just returned from a successful visit to Norway and will be visiting South East Asia next week to promote Scottish trade, investment, and culture. Following the announcement of £750,000 for promoting Brand Scotland internationally next year, planning is underway to ensure the programme maximises opportunities for growth in Scotland.

What steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to increase the value of exports of Scotch whisky per year.

Food and drink is a key strength of Scotland’s, and the Scotland Office and Department for Business and Trade are working closely on a range of shared priorities to increase the value of numerous Scottish exports. Scotch whisky exports are being championed through the Brand Scotland initiative, and I will be in Malaysia and Singapore later this month to promote our first-class food and drinks exports to growing markets in Asia.

Whether the review of the eligibility criteria for the Nuclear Test Medal was completed in time for Nuclear Test Veterans to receive their medal before Remembrance Day.

The review of Nuclear Test Medal eligibility was conducted at pace. The expanded qualifying criteria were ratified by the Honours and Decorations Committee and approved by His Majesty The King on 6 November 2024. Those who directly supported the American atmospheric tests, which were conducted in the same time period as the independent UK atmospheric tests (1952 – 1967), are therefore now eligible for the first time. I had the pleasure of presenting the first Nuclear Test Medal, using the expanded eligibility criteria, on Thursday, 7 November 2024, to Squadron Leader Peters, one of the RAF pilots who took part in Operation BAGPIPES. The Ministry of Defence has written to the relatives of two other former RAF personnel, now deceased, who participated in the American tests to advise that their applications have now been approved, and medals have been dispatched.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure clear labelling of (a) locally produced fruit and vegetables and (b) imported produce.

The UK maintains high standards on the information provided on food labels and packaging so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. This applies equally to food that is domestically produced or imported. The fundamental principles of our food labelling rules are that information provided to the consumer must not mislead and must enable consumers to make informed decisions. Country of origin information is compulsory for most uncut fresh fruit and vegetables. In any case, where an indication of origin or provenance is given, either in words or pictures, this must be accurate. Buying food locally and supporting their local food economy is important to many consumers and where any label indicates that a food is produced locally, this must not be misleading to a consumer. Shops and supermarkets will often use in-store signs to help shoppers easily identify and buy great British produce and this too is subject to the food labelling rules.

With reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of an increase in the rate of employers' National Insurance Contributions on (a) pubs and (b) small restaurants in Scotland.

This Government inherited a £22 billion black hole in the nation’s finances. The action we are taking in this Budget restores economic stability so we can invest in the future.The government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses, including small restaurants, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year.In addition, we are making business rates in England fairer to protect the high street. The Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values less than £500,000, alongside 40% relief next year for RHL properties up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Business rates are devolved and the Scottish Government could support Scotland;s high streets by using some of the record budget settlement it received to match these reforms.Also, to recognise the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and commitment to supporting smaller brewers, the government is cutting alcohol duty on draught products from February next year.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) increases to the Energy Profits Levy and (b) the abolition of the investment allowance on north east Scotland.

The UK Government recognises that oil and gas will continue to have a role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come and is committed to managing the energy transition in a way that supports jobs in existing and future industries. But we require the sector to contribute to the ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower.At Autumn Budget 2024, the government confirmed that from 1 November 2024, the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) rate would increase by 3 percentage points to 38%, the EPL investment allowance would be abolished and the EPL decarbonisation allowance rate would be adjusted to 66%. The government also confirmed an extension to the period the levy applies from 31 March 2029 until 31 March 2030. To support jobs in future and existing industries, the government decided to make no additional changes to the availability of capital allowances in the EPL.The government has carefully considered the impact of the removal of the EPL’s investment allowance. HM Treasury publishes impacts in summary form for tax measures in tax information and impact notes (TIINs) alongside the Finance Bill. The summary of impacts from these changes to the EPL can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-profits-levy-reforms-2024

What steps he is taking to promote (a) Scotch whisky exports and (b) other Scottish exports.

The recent budget saw the Scotland Office awarded 750 thousand pounds to expand its international trade activities and establish the Brand Scotland initiative.Brand Scotland funding will support industry via trade missions, projects delivered by the overseas network, and promotional events in the UK and overseas. The Scotland Office routinely promotes Scotch Whisky at events we run overseas, for example during my visits to Norway, and South East Asia this month. Scottish exports, including whisky, will all benefit from this work.

When members of the Immediate Choice veterans cohort will receive their McCloud remedy pension payments.

When an Immediate Choice member opts for alternative benefits under the 2015 Pension Remedy (McCloud), arrears and interest are included in the calculations. However, due to the intricacy of these calculations and the high number of elections, the completion of these payments is taking longer than anticipated. We are processing all elections in the order they were received. If an election was made before 1 September 2024, it may take up to six months to adjust the pension entitlement. For elections received after 1 September 2024, the estimated revision time is up to four months. Members are informed about this delay upon returning their election form. Members who have chosen alternative benefits will continue to receive their current benefits until their election is processed. These alternative benefits will be retroactively applied from the date of original entitlement, with interest applied from that date until the payment date, ensuring members do not experience any financial disadvantage.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed increases to the Energy Profits Levy on future employment levels in Scotland.

The UK Government recognises that oil and gas will continue to have a role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come and is committed to managing the energy transition in a way that supports jobs in existing and future industries. But we require the sector to contribute to the ambition to make the UK a clean energy superpower. At Autumn Budget 2024, the government confirmed that from 1 November 2024, the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) rate would increase by 3 percentage points to 38%, the EPL investment allowance would be abolished and the EPL decarbonisation allowance rate would be adjusted to 66%. The government also confirmed an extension to the period the levy applies from 31 March 2029 until 31 March 2030. To support jobs and provide certainty, the government decided to make no additional changes to the availability of capital allowances in the EPL. The government has carefully considered the impact of the removal of the EPL’s investment allowance. HM Treasury publishes impacts in summary form for tax measures in tax information and impact notes (TIINs) alongside the Finance Bill. The summary of impacts from these changes to the EPL can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-profits-levy-reforms-2024

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the increase in alcohol duty on scotch whisky exports.

90% of Scotch Whisky is already exported and therefore pays no duty. Increases on duty are in line with inflation and under the previous Government, duty was increased by 10.1% following the duty review.

What assessment he has made of the impact of changes to inheritance tax on the Scottish economy.

Despite a massive £22 billion black hole in the nation’s finances that this Government inherited, the Scottish Government will receive a record £47.7 billion settlement in 2025/26 - the largest in real terms in the history of devolution.This includes additional Barnett consequentials of £1.5 billion for 2024/25 and a further £3.4 billion for 2025/26.On top of this, the UK Government committed to invest directly around £1.4 billion on important Scottish local growth projects. This includes Freeports, Investment Zones, long term plans for towns, Levelling Up Fund projects, Levelling Up Partnerships and a full commitment to remaining Deal projects. As well as a further £900 million of support for the expanded UK Shared Prosperity Fund in 2025/26.Also, our new approach is making the UK inheritance tax system fairer, ensuring the wealthiest households contribute more while reflecting people’s strongly held desire to pass down their assets to children and grandchildren.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed increases to the Energy Profits Levy on supply chain resilience.

At Autumn Budget 2024 the government confirmed that from 1 November 2024, the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) rate would increase by 3 percentage points to 38%, the EPL investment allowance would be abolished and the EPL decarbonisation allowance rate would be adjusted to 66%. The government also confirmed an extension to the period the levy applies from 31 March 2029 until 31 March 2030. The government has carefully considered the impact of the increase to the EPL. Treasury publishes impacts in summary form for tax measures in tax information and impact notes (TIINs) alongside the Finance Bill. The summary of impacts from these changes to the EPL can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-profits-levy-reforms-2024

When he next plans to meet the Scotch Whisky Association.

I have had several meetings with the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) in recent months, including during my first week in office, and am pleased to be working closely with them on a range of shared priorities. I will be driving growth in Scotland around the world through the Brand Scotland initiative, and will work closely with the SWA to promote the UKs largest food and drink export across all four corners of the globe.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) increases to the Energy Profits Levy and (b) the abolition of the investment allowance on future trends of private investment in north east Scotland.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the government confirmed that from 1 November 2024, the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) rate would increase by 3 percentage points to 38%, the EPL investment allowance would be abolished and the EPL decarbonisation allowance rate would be adjusted to 66%. The government also confirmed an extension to the period the levy applies from 31 March 2029 until 31 March 2030. To support investment and jobs in current and future industries, the government decided to make no additional changes to the availability of capital allowances in the EPL. The government has carefully considered the impact of the removal of the EPL’s investment allowance. HM Treasury publishes impacts in summary form for tax measures in tax information and impact notes (TIINs) alongside the Finance Bill. The summary of impacts from these changes to the EPL can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-profits-levy-reforms-2024 The UK Government recognises that oil and gas will continue to have a role in the UK’s energy mix for decades to come. Nonetheless, public and private investment must be driven towards cleaner energy, including in the north east of Scotland. Money raised from changes to the Energy Profits Levy will be used to support the transition to clean energy, enhance energy security and provide sustainable jobs for the future.