Written questions by MacNae.

What progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review.

Seven of the nine recommendations of the review have been previously accepted in full, in part, or in principle. Four of these have been successfully implemented, including:issuing an unreserved apology on behalf of the healthcare system;appointing Dr Henrietta Hughes as the first ever Patient Safety Commissioner in England in respect of medicines and medical devices; andestablishing nine specialist mesh centres, which are in operation across England.Work is ongoing in respect of the remaining recommendations, including working across the Government to consider the recommendations in the Hughes Report, which looked into, and provided advice on, redress for those affected by sodium valproate and pelvic mesh.

What steps she is taking to tackle tax evasion in hair salons.

The Government recognises that sometimes businesses do not declare all of their income and thereby conceal their true earnings. We are committed to creating a level playing field for all, by ensuring that everyone pays the right amount of tax at the right time, to ensure trust and fairness in the tax system. Most taxpayers pay what they owe, but a small minority fail to register with HMRC or only declare a portion of their earnings. This small minority deprive our vital public services of funding, affect fair competition between businesses, and place unfair burdens on everyone else. It is vital these revenues are collected to fund our essential public services. Closing the tax gap and making sure that more of the tax that is owed is correctly paid, is one of the Government’s top priorities for HMRC. HMRC is making it increasingly difficult for businesses to hide their earnings and have an extensive range of powers, including information gathering powers, that help build a picture of risk and identify those who are trying to abuse the system. HMRC’s approach to tax evasion aims to tackle current non-compliance and change future behaviours. Their activities include national campaigns and specialist task forces that incorporate intensive bursts of activity in targeted sectors, such as the hair and beauty sector, and locations across the UK. This includes providing customer education highlighting the importance of keeping accurate records. We recognise that some customers can find it hard to understand their tax obligations, so HMRC are developing and testing new educational material to better explain the rent a chair model. This is planned to be ready for publication on GOV.UK in the spring.

What steps she is taking to support the hospitality industry; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of amending VAT for that sector.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. Ahead of these changes being made, the Government has extended the current RHL relief for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and frozen the small business multiplier. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for vital public services and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. HMRC estimate that the cost of a 5 per cent reduced VAT rate for accommodation, hospitality and tourist attractions would be around £10 billion this financial year. If the scope were also to include alcoholic beverages, the cost would be approximately £3 billion greater.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing the requirement for a national insurance number on postal vote registration forms.

The requirement to provide a National Insurance Number when applying for a postal vote acts to ensure that the person making the application is the same individual entitled to apply for the postal vote and mirrors the longstanding practice when registering to vote. There are no plans to change the requirements for an absent vote application.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing protections for buyers in the final stages of purchasing a home whereby the formal acceptance of an offer creates a legally binding contract between buyer and seller.

We recognise that the home buying and selling process in England and Wales is inefficient and costly for consumers and professionals with one in three property transactions falling through. We continue to review evidence from other jurisdictions, including on protections such as reservation agreements, as we consider next steps.

What steps he is taking to ensure the (a) safety and (b) regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry.

All doctors performing cosmetic surgery in the United Kingdom are required to be registered and licensed to practise by the General Medical Council. The Care Quality Commission regulates cosmetic treatments carried out by healthcare professionals in England that involve surgical procedures.The Government is currently considering what further steps may need to be taken in relation to the safety of the cosmetics sector and will set out its position at the earliest opportunity.

Whether she plans to publish the outcome of her Department's consultation entitled Street works: fines and lane rental surplus funds’ consultation, published on 15 January 2024.

The Department plans to publish the Government’s response to the consultation in due course.