Written questions by Snowden.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to reform water sector regulation to help tackle (a) water pollution, (b) water scarcity and (c) long-term infrastructure resilience.

The Government will respond to the recommendations in full via a White Paper, published later this year. The White Paper will outline the Government’s vision for the future of the water sector, marking the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation. Following this there will be a new water reform bill, which we will introduce during this Parliament, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, and the environment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the recommendations of the Cunliffe Review of the water regulatory system.

The Government will respond to the recommendations in full via a White Paper, published later this year. The White Paper will outline the Government’s vision for the future of the water sector, marking the most fundamental reset to our water system in a generation. Following this there will be a new water reform bill, which we will introduce during this Parliament, bringing forward root and branch reform to secure better outcomes for customers, and the environment.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations governing the use of Microgeneration Certification Scheme certification branding in subcontracted solar PV installations.

Under any DESNZ schemes, microgeneration technologies including rooftop solar must be installed by an MCS-certified installer or equivalent. The installer must use an MCS-approved product and carry out the installation to the relevant MCS installation standard. However, the Government inherited a fragmented consumer protection framework for installation of energy efficiency measures. We are currently reviewing the broader consumer protection landscape and will bring forward wider system reforms to ensure consumers can have confidence in the quality of installations and protections when upgrading their homes.

What discussions he has had with Trading Standards on the enforcement of rules pertaining to misleading use of certification logos, accreditations and compliance labels.

All products placed on the UK market must be safe and comply with relevant rules regarding certification, accreditation, or compliance. For example, for products that require UKCA marking, it is an offence to apply a mark that misleads or wrongly claims to show legal compliance.The Office for Product Safety and Standards, in my Department, and Local Authority Trading Standards have powers to enforce the rules and work together to protect consumers from unsafe or non-compliant products.In addition, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 also prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading consumers by falsely describing products or omitting material information.

If she will take steps to ensure that contractors have the same right to (a) settlement and (b) negotiated concession of their tax bills that are provided to large companies.

HMRC applies the law fairly and consistently in accordance with its published Litigation and Settlement Strategy (LSS). This ensures every taxpayer, no matter who they are, pays the tax due under the law.Central to the LSS is that HMRC will not settle a dispute by agreement for an amount which is less than it would reasonably expect to obtain from litigation.HMRC’s LSS can be found on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/publications/litigation-and-settlement-strategy-lss

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 89705 on Child Benefit, what steps HMRC will take to ensure that customers affected by the suspension of Child Benefit payments are formally notified of the apology issued and compensated for any financial hardship caused.

HMRC’s Chief Executive wrote to the Treasury Select Committee on 14 November 2025 about this matter including the corrective action that HMRC is taking. This letter was subsequently published by the Committee on 18 November 2025. There are no plans to publish a report.In the response to the Treasury Select Committee, HMRC provided figures for those customers subsequently confirmed as eligible through a PAYE check or customer contact up to and including 31 October 2025. This time period reflects that figures are only validated after the month end. Where there was evidence that customers had continued UK employment, HMRC reinstated payments automatically without any need for customer contact and those payments have been backdated. By the end of November 2025, HMRC will have written to all customers who have not yet contacted them to provide a further 4 weeks in which to make contact. HMRC holds information by postal address although HMRC would be unable to release to such a granular level due to the risk of breaching taxpayer confidentiality. HMRC’s pilot last year using international travel data prevented around £17m in incorrect payments. This led to a wider rollout and investment in an additional 180 counter-fraud staff, announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, which is expected to save around £350 million over the next five years.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 89705 on Child Benefit, how many of the 23,500 enquiries excluded from the PAYE check were found to be eligible for reinstatement after the checks were completed on 14 November 2025.

HMRC’s Chief Executive wrote to the Treasury Select Committee on 14 November 2025 about this matter including the corrective action that HMRC is taking. This letter was subsequently published by the Committee on 18 November 2025. There are no plans to publish a report.In the response to the Treasury Select Committee, HMRC provided figures for those customers subsequently confirmed as eligible through a PAYE check or customer contact up to and including 31 October 2025. This time period reflects that figures are only validated after the month end. Where there was evidence that customers had continued UK employment, HMRC reinstated payments automatically without any need for customer contact and those payments have been backdated. By the end of November 2025, HMRC will have written to all customers who have not yet contacted them to provide a further 4 weeks in which to make contact. HMRC holds information by postal address although HMRC would be unable to release to such a granular level due to the risk of breaching taxpayer confidentiality. HMRC’s pilot last year using international travel data prevented around £17m in incorrect payments. This led to a wider rollout and investment in an additional 180 counter-fraud staff, announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, which is expected to save around £350 million over the next five years.

What guidance her Department provides to local authorities on support for schools in cases of (a) snow and (b) other extreme weather.

It is for individual settings and responsible bodies to decide on closures based on their own risk assessment. Closures should be a last resort, and the priority is to keep settings open where it is safe to do so.The department’s emergency planning guidance outlines how schools should provide remote education when schools are closed due to snow and other forms of extreme weather, such as extreme heat, flooding and storms. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings#exam-and-assessment-disruption.We have also issued non-statutory guidance on providing remote education guidance for schools, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-guidance-for-schools/providing-remote-education-guidance-for-schools. Both sets of guidance are available online for local authorities to use.All schools and colleges must also have contingency plans to ensure exams and assessments proceed during disruption. Detailed guidance on managing exam or assessment disruption can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exam-system-contingency-plan-england-wales-and-northern-ireland/what-schools-and-colleges-should-do-if-exams-or-other-assessments-are-seriously-disrupted.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 89705 on Child Benefit, whether HMRC plans to publish a report on a) the circumstances of the error and b) lessons learned from the review into suspended Child Benefit claims, including methodology, criteria for suspension, and the results of PAYE checks.

HMRC’s Chief Executive wrote to the Treasury Select Committee on 14 November 2025 about this matter including the corrective action that HMRC is taking. This letter was subsequently published by the Committee on 18 November 2025. There are no plans to publish a report.In the response to the Treasury Select Committee, HMRC provided figures for those customers subsequently confirmed as eligible through a PAYE check or customer contact up to and including 31 October 2025. This time period reflects that figures are only validated after the month end. Where there was evidence that customers had continued UK employment, HMRC reinstated payments automatically without any need for customer contact and those payments have been backdated. By the end of November 2025, HMRC will have written to all customers who have not yet contacted them to provide a further 4 weeks in which to make contact. HMRC holds information by postal address although HMRC would be unable to release to such a granular level due to the risk of breaching taxpayer confidentiality. HMRC’s pilot last year using international travel data prevented around £17m in incorrect payments. This led to a wider rollout and investment in an additional 180 counter-fraud staff, announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, which is expected to save around £350 million over the next five years.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 89703 on Child Benefit, if she can advise what is the most localised level for which data is available.

HMRC’s Chief Executive wrote to the Treasury Select Committee on 14 November 2025 about this matter including the corrective action that HMRC is taking. This letter was subsequently published by the Committee on 18 November 2025. There are no plans to publish a report.In the response to the Treasury Select Committee, HMRC provided figures for those customers subsequently confirmed as eligible through a PAYE check or customer contact up to and including 31 October 2025. This time period reflects that figures are only validated after the month end. Where there was evidence that customers had continued UK employment, HMRC reinstated payments automatically without any need for customer contact and those payments have been backdated. By the end of November 2025, HMRC will have written to all customers who have not yet contacted them to provide a further 4 weeks in which to make contact. HMRC holds information by postal address although HMRC would be unable to release to such a granular level due to the risk of breaching taxpayer confidentiality. HMRC’s pilot last year using international travel data prevented around £17m in incorrect payments. This led to a wider rollout and investment in an additional 180 counter-fraud staff, announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, which is expected to save around £350 million over the next five years.

What proportion of the £400 million allocated to UK Defence Innovation in 2025-26 will be available to firms outside the designated factory locations, including in the North West.

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will support high-tech businesses across the UK, including the North west. The ringfenced budget of £400 million for 2025-26 will focus on novel technologies, including dual-use systems. UKDI will invest in structures to support business growth and to increase investment into SMEs, start-ups, and non-traditional defence suppliers to support a diverse and agile supply chain across the UK.

What steps she is taking to ensure school closures due to extreme weather do not affect educational outcomes.

It is for individual settings and responsible bodies to decide on closures based on their own risk assessment. Closures should be a last resort, and the priority is to keep settings open where safe. The department’s guidance for schools includes information on remote education when pupils cannot attend. Remote learning should only be used when attendance is impossible but learning can continue. The department’s emergency planning guidance outlines how schools should provide remote education, and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings#exam-and-assessment-disruption. The department has also issued non-statutory guidance on providing remote education guidance for schools which is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-guidance-for-schools/providing-remote-education-guidance-for-schools. Guidance for parents on remote education is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-remote-education-information-to-parents-template. Schools can make use of free resources provided by Oak National Academy, which includes comprehensive, curriculum-aligned lesson materials across all key stages and subjects. These can be accessed online and adapted by teachers. More information is available at: https://www.thenational.academy. All schools and colleges must have contingency plans to ensure exams and assessments proceed during disruption. Detailed guidance on managing exam or assessment disruption can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/exam-system-contingency-plan-england-wales-and-northern-ireland/what-schools-and-colleges-should-do-if-exams-or-other-assessments-are-seriously-disrupted.

Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of banning property management companies from charging disproportionate fees for homeowners to obtain documentation relating to the sale of their properties.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 62778 on 4 July 2025.

How many applications for air-to-air heat pump grants have been received since the expansion of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme currently offers grants of £7,500 for hydronic heat pumps only – air and ground source. On 18 November, the Government published the response to the consultation, which closed on 11 June, on proposed amendments to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The Government will begin to provide grants with a value of £2,500, to support the installation of air-to-air heat pumps in domestic properties from next year.

What is the passenger entry and exit data referred to in the Data Usage Agreement the Home Office made with HMRC for the customer left UK data share pilot.

The passenger entry and exit data referred to in the Data Usage Agreement (DUA) between the Home Office and HMRC is Advance Passenger Information. This is essentially the passenger manifest for each flight or voyage, setting out the names and travel document details of individuals onboard aircraft or ships which depart from or to the UK. The Data Usage Agreement is covered by the Digital Economy Act 2017 to prevent fraud in the Child Benefit system.No Passenger Name Record (PNR) data has been re-personalised or shared with HMRC under the DUA. The Home Office Initial Status Analysis is not used to monitor departures of British Citizens from the UK.

What discussions she has had with (a) HMRC and (b) the Department for Work and Pension on the use of passenger name records.

The passenger entry and exit data referred to in the Data Usage Agreement (DUA) between the Home Office and HMRC is Advance Passenger Information. This is essentially the passenger manifest for each flight or voyage, setting out the names and travel document details of individuals onboard aircraft or ships which depart from or to the UK. The Data Usage Agreement is covered by the Digital Economy Act 2017 to prevent fraud in the Child Benefit system.No Passenger Name Record (PNR) data has been re-personalised or shared with HMRC under the DUA. The Home Office Initial Status Analysis is not used to monitor departures of British Citizens from the UK.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that patients are not adversely affected by strike action.

Our priority is to keep patients as safe as possible during any industrial action. The National Health Service makes every effort through rigorous contingency planning to minimise the disruption of industrial action and its impact on patients and the public. Assessments are made by local trusts on the levels of resourcing available, and they can escalate concerns via regions and nationally, where appropriate.The NHS works hard to prioritise resources to protect all patients using its services during the period of strike action, in particular emergency treatment, critical care, neonatal care, maternity, and trauma, and to ensure we prioritise patients who have waited the longest for elective care and cancer surgery.Due to the dedication of NHS staff and a different operational approach from previous strikes, the NHS in England significantly reduced disruption to patients during resident doctor strikes in July, with data showing that 11,000 extra patients received care compared to the previous period of strike action.

On what basis her Department re-personalised passenger name record data to share it with HMRC under the Data Usage Agreement: customer left UK data share pilot, published on 5 September 2024.

The passenger entry and exit data referred to in the Data Usage Agreement (DUA) between the Home Office and HMRC is Advance Passenger Information. This is essentially the passenger manifest for each flight or voyage, setting out the names and travel document details of individuals onboard aircraft or ships which depart from or to the UK. The Data Usage Agreement is covered by the Digital Economy Act 2017 to prevent fraud in the Child Benefit system.No Passenger Name Record (PNR) data has been re-personalised or shared with HMRC under the DUA. The Home Office Initial Status Analysis is not used to monitor departures of British Citizens from the UK.

Whether the government uses its Initial Status Analysis system to monitor the departure of British citizens from the UK, as well as non-citizens.

The passenger entry and exit data referred to in the Data Usage Agreement (DUA) between the Home Office and HMRC is Advance Passenger Information. This is essentially the passenger manifest for each flight or voyage, setting out the names and travel document details of individuals onboard aircraft or ships which depart from or to the UK. The Data Usage Agreement is covered by the Digital Economy Act 2017 to prevent fraud in the Child Benefit system.No Passenger Name Record (PNR) data has been re-personalised or shared with HMRC under the DUA. The Home Office Initial Status Analysis is not used to monitor departures of British Citizens from the UK.

What assessment he has made of the value for money of expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps and heat batteries compared to other low-carbon heating options.

The Government recognise that hydronic heat pumps may not be the most appropriate solution for all properties, especially those that currently have ‘dry’ (non-hydronic) space heating. Therefore, we are supporting air-to-air heat pumps under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to increase consumer choice and flexibility. The value for money, costs and benefits of expanding the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to include air-to-air heat pumps will be included in a published Impact Assessment covering the period 2025/6 to 2029/30. This analysis will be updated to incorporate heat batteries closer to the point when they become eligible under the scheme. An Impact Assessment for period 2022/23 to 2024/25 is already published.