Written questions by Griffith.

What information her Department holds on G20 states that have set a target to end the sale of new (a) solely internal combustion engine powered vehicles and (b) hybrid vehicles powered in part by internal combustion engines.

The UK Government’s commitment to phase out new cars that rely solely on internal combustion engines from 2030 and then to phase out all new non-zero emission cars and vans from 2035 correspond to a range of national and sub-national targets globally through a variety of different measures. In the G20, Canada has targets of 60% and 100% zero emission in 2030 and 2035 respectively, France, Germany, and Italy follow the EU targets that will require a 35% reduction in car CO2 emissions in 2030 and a 100% reduction in 2035, and 17 US states and the District of Columbia have committed to 100% zero emission cars from 2035.

When he plans to respond to the letter of 28 November 2024 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

The Department aims to respond to answer correspondence within 15 working days, this response was issued on 9 December.

What assessment he has made of the impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the hospitality sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill:[http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill. However, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors, including hospitality, will benefit the most from the Bill. The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security's oral contribution of 3 December 2024, Official Report, column 174, whether his Department has conducted any independent visits to Xinjiang to investigate human rights abuses since 5 July.

This Government stands firm on human rights, including in Xinjiang, where China continues to persecute and arbitrarily detain Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities.We continue to monitor the situation closely, including by conducting independent visits to areas of major concern wherever possible, and supporting reputable NGOs in exposing and reacting to human rights violations.

How many computer monitors his Department has provided to (a) Ministers and (b) officials for home working since 5 July 2024; and what the cost to public purse was.

Expenditure on computer monitors purchased under the Department’s Home Working Equipment Policy between 01 January – 30 November 2024 is as follows: MonthNumber of monitors purchasedCostJanuary27£4,783.19February20£3,392.00March30£5,177.60April30£5,173.60May22£3,561.93June25£4,362.10July24£3,996.40August27£4,498.02September39£6,569.56October64£9,709.52November45£7,125.42Grand Total353£58,349.34No computer monitors have been purchased for Ministers under this policy.

On what dates the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports has met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.The Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports has not met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

On what dates the Minister for Industry has met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.In addition to my wider engagement with the automotive sector, I met with representatives of Stellantis on 24 July.

On what dates the Minister for Investment has met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.The Minister for Investment has not met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024. The Minister for Investment was only appointed on 10th October 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the potential impact of the Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024 to (a) porridge oats, (b) pork rind-based snacks and (c) roast potatoes on the food and drink industry.

The Government is delivering on its manifesto commitment to ban junk food advertising to children by introducing the Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations 2024. This was agreed in the usual way across the Government through proper development and consultation processes. As the lead department, DHSC has published an impact assessment including costs to business, and published guidance for industry on the food and drink categories in scope of the restrictions.

On what dates he has met with representatives of Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.In addition to his wider engagement with the automotive sector, the Secretary of State met with representatives of Stellantis on 15 July, 19 July, 24 July and 26 November.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the chemicals and plastics sector.

As members of the chemicals and plastics sectors have themselves noted, this budget had many positive points for manufacturers. This includes measures based around the key pillars of our industrial strategy, including net zero, skills, regional growth and innovation. Notably, industry has welcomed the announcement that a ‘Mass Balance’ approach to chemically recycled plastic will be introduced, encouraging innovation and investment in new recycling technologies within the UK. The Budget also announced continued support for Energy Intensive Industries through around £350M of funding across 2024-25 and 2025-26 – this includes chemicals and plastics companies.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the defence sector.

The Budget increased defence spending in real terms by £2.9 billion for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5% of GDP on defence. The Department's Statement of Intent regarding the Defence Industrial Strategy was published on 2 December. This will ensure the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned.

If she will make it her policy to not include hybrid cars in the 2030 phase-out of vehicles with internal combustion engines.

The commitment to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new cars with internal combustion engines has always meant that some hybrids will be allowed until 2035, when all new cars will be required to be zero emission. Further details will be set out in the upcoming consultation.

What recent assessment he has made of trends in the (a) number of factory closures and (b) levels of employment in the automotive industry.

The number of registered business births (registrations), deaths (de-registrations) and stock of active automotive manufacturing businesses from 2018 to 2023 were as follows: 201820192020202120222023Births510445395570435320Deaths390365425440480400Stock3,8203,8303,8754,0804,0053,890Source: ONS Business Demography Employment levels (employees and self-employed) in automotive manufacturing between 2018 and 2023 were as follows: 201820192020202120222023Employment (‘000s)168167166165151152Source: ONS Employee Jobs and Self-employed Jobs

How many thefts of motor vehicle from Network Rail owned car parks there were in each of the last five years; and how many of these resulted in a criminal prosecution.

According to British Transport Police (BTP) data, there have been 68 thefts of motor vehicles at the 20 Network Rail managed stations between January 2020 and up to and including the 2nd December 2024. Of these, 5 have resulted in criminal prosecution. YearBTP Recorded Number of Theft of Motor Vehicle OffencesRecorded Crime that led to prosecution at court (correct as of 03/12/2024)202071202171202220220231702024 (up to 02/12/2024 only)171 During 2020 and 2021 passenger numbers were reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so train station car parks were also likely less occupied during this time.

How many officials in his Department have travelled to the United States of America (a) in the last 3 months and (b) since 5 November 2024.

We look forward to continuing to engage with the current and incoming US Administrations in the usual way. This includes through officials in the British Embassy in Washington DC, and our eight consulates around the United States, who continue to engage businesses and investors to champion UK interests and encourage collaboration and investment to help grow the UK economy.

With reference to the Regulatory Policy Committee's report on the Employment Rights Bill, published on 21 November 2024, if he will carry out new impact assessments to replace those rated not fit for purpose.

The Government has noted the Regulatory Policy Committee’s opinion on the Impact Assessment for the Employment Rights Bill.It has always been the Government’s intention to refine our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses, trade unions and the Regulatory Policy Committee.As is standard, Government will publish updated Option Assessments and Impact Assessments alongside future consultations and secondary legislation to meet our Better Regulation requirements.

With reference to his Department’s Corporate report entitled Public Bodies 2020, published on 15 July 2021, if he will update the data on non-departmental public bodies, executive agencies and non-ministerial departments.

The last public bodies landscape, a publication showing spend and headcount data of arms length bodies, was last published for 2019/20. An updated version of this publication, covering data from 2022-23, will be published on gov.uk in due course.

What meetings he has had with representatives of (a) the automotive industry and (b) automotive companies.

My Department has had regular and frequent engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.My officials and I also engage with the Automotive Council and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on a regular basis.

Whether staff in his Department receive protections from unfair dismissal from their first working day.

Around 9 million employees have been working for their employer for less than two years, so have only very limited statutory protection against unfair dismissal.   Our Employment Rights Bill will provide a new baseline of security for employees, including day one protection from unfair dismissal.Department for Business and Trade (DBT) employees working in England, Scotland and Wales are subject to a two year qualifying period before they receive legal protection from unfair dismissal. Employment Law is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and DBT employees working there are subject to a one year qualifying period.