Written questions by Davies.

Food and Rural Affairs, what progress she has made on the consultation on banning the use of carbon dioxide gas stunning of pigs.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department has undertaken an Equality Impact Assessment for recent changes to the Motability Scheme.

Changes to the Motability Scheme were announced as part of the Autumn Budget. An Equality Impact Assessment including consideration of the impact on affected individuals was undertaken and published by HMT at that time and can be found here: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Farming & Food Partnership Board will consider stakeholders in (a) Wales and (b) other devolved nations when compiling sector growth plans, in the context of the operation of cross-border food supply chains.

The Board will oversee Sector Growth Plans, which will be owned and delivered by each farming sector and will focus on achieving good growth in the farming sector by improving farm productivity, increasing profitability, and strengthening the contribution of domestically produced food for national security. Defra has established the Board on an England-only basis, reflecting the scope of the Farming Profitability Review. This means that the Sector Growth Plans will focus on the agricultural sectors in England. Sector expert groups, who are leading the development of Sector Growth Plans, may wish to engage with stakeholders in devolved nations where relevant, including regarding cross-border supply chains. Defra will continue to consider the scope of the Board, including its relationship with Devolved Administrations, as its work evolves.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the remit of the Farming & Food Partnership Board refers to UK or England-only agricultural sectors.

Defra has established the Board on an England-only basis, reflecting the scope of the Farming Profitability Review. While the Farming Profitability Review applied to England only, some of the recommendations relating to the Board envisaged involvement across the four nations. In the longer term, to achieve its full potential, it is expected that the scope of the Board will evolve.  Close working will be fostered with Government and sectoral leads across the four nations, reflecting the interconnection of the UK food system.

For what reason a non-metropolitan county council in England is defined as exempt accommodation under housing benefit regulation.

Housing Benefit regulations contain a landlord definition used to determine whether supported housing and supported living qualifies as specified accommodation. Non-metropolitan county councils in England were included in the definition because these authorities were the only ones who did not administer Housing Benefit. We continue to keep this under review and are considering ways in which this definition could be improved as we progress work with MHCLG to implement the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act. Any future decision on whether the definition should be changed will be considered in the context of the Government’s missions, including Local Government Reorganisation, as well as goals on housing and the financial environment.

Whether his Department plans to introduce alternative methods of calculating the minimum income floor for self-employed people.

The government has committed to reviewing Universal Credit. I have spoken to many stakeholders on many different parts of UC, including how the system supports self-employed customers. We have engaged extensively with stakeholders, frontline staff and customers, including a large-scale survey of nearly 10,000 Universal Credit customers.

For what reason supported living provided by local authorities in Wales is not recognised as exempt accommodation for the purposes of housing benefit.

Housing Benefit regulations contain a landlord definition used to determine whether supported housing and supported living qualifies as specified accommodation. Exempt accommodation is one of four categories of specified accommodation. Exempt accommodation can only be provided by non-metropolitan county councils in England, housing associations, registered charities and voluntary organisations where that body, or person acting on its behalf, also provides the claimants with care, support or supervision. Non-metropolitan county councils in England were included in the definition because these authorities were the only ones who did not administer Housing Benefit. We continue to keep this under review and are considering ways in which this definition could be improved as we progress work with MHCLG to implement the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act. Any future decision on whether the definition should be changed will be considered in the context of the Government’s missions, including Local Government Reorganisation, as well as goals on housing and the financial environment.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Minimum Income Floor for self‑employed Universal Credit claimants with caring responsibilities.

Universal Credit for self-employed individuals aims to encourage sustainable work choices and support self-employment where it is a realistic route to financial self-sufficiency. The Minimum Income Floor is designed to encourage low-earning customers to increase their earnings and grow their business. The level of the Minimum Income Floor is calculated using the number of hours per week that a customer is expected to work, tailored specifically to customers individual circumstances, including for health conditions and caring responsibilities. It is set at a maximum of 35 hours for individuals with no limitations on their expected working hours. To align with the offer of 30 hours of free childcare for working parents, self-employed individuals with children aged 3-12 typically have their Minimum Income Floor set using a maximum of 30 hours per week.

Innovation and Technology, whether address‑level coverage data will be published for the rollout of Project Gigabit Type C contracts in Caerfyrddin.

Building Digital UK publishes data providing premises-level information on the premises included in Project Gigabit contracts every four months. Approximately 5,600 premises in the Caerfyrddin constituency are currently included in the scope of Project Gigabit contracts being delivered by Openreach. These contracts are expected to complete by 2030.On 13 March, we also launched the gigabit broadband availability checker on GOV.UK, which allows residents and businesses in England and Wales to see whether gigabit-capable broadband is available at, or planned for, their address, including through Project Gigabit.While this data provides transparency on which premises are included in subsidised plans, Project Gigabit suppliers are responsible for determining local delivery schedules. Communities are therefore encouraged to register their details with suppliers to receive the latest updates as build progresses.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the conflict between the US and Iran on (a) the cost and (b) supply of fertilizer to farmers in Wales.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The fertiliser market is a global market, and while there is no immediate risk to UK supply, the market price in the UK is strongly influenced by international prices for fertiliser and by the value of the pound. The Government is aware of the current price increase for fertiliser due to the conflict in the Gulf. Defra is in close contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and is monitoring overall supply to the UK. The Government remains ready to support businesses as effectively as possible in these challenging times.

How reforms to the electricity connections process will take account of the wider social, economic and community value of Welsh community energy projects, particularly in rural areas, when assessing readiness and need.

Reforms to the electricity connections process are designed to connect viable projects that align with our Clean Power mission, including Welsh community energy schemes in rural areas. The reformed process has objective and transparent criteria for assessing projects, approved by Ofgem, with the focus on meeting our decarbonisation goals. The Department does also recognise that community energy projects in Wales may need greater support in the connections process. DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, GBE, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects.

Pursuant to answer to the question 118015, what are the timescales for the publication of the government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km.

The study on costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines is being prepared for publication shortly and in line with Cabinet Office May 2026 pre-election guidance.

What steps he is taking to ensure that any community energy (a) definition and (b) register developed for England does not prevent Distribution Network Operators from prioritising grid connections for Welsh community energy projects that contribute to Welsh Government targets for locally owned energy.

The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation. The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process. DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.

Whether he will take steps with the Welsh Government to define the term community energy for the specific purpose of enabling Distribution Network Operators to apply differentiated treatment in the grid connections process for genuinely community-owned projects in Wales.

DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions. While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.

Whether any definition or register of community energy organisations established under the Local Power Plan will allow Distribution Network Operators to identify eligible Welsh community energy projects and apply proportionate flexibility in the connections pipeline without breaching existing licence obligations.

The Department is in the process of creating a definition of ‘Community Energy Group’ to provide clarity for communities seeking to form community energy groups and prevent the misuse of the designation. The Department also recognises that community energy projects may need greater support in the connections process. DESNZ is working alongside Ofgem, Great British Energy, the National Energy System Operator (NESO), network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore grid connection regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers, including community energy projects across the UK.

What assessment he has made of the extent to which the current requirement for Distribution Network Operators to treat all connection applicants identically limits their ability to support Welsh community energy projects; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of a defined community energy status on creating a lawful basis for different treatment.

DESNZ is working with Ofgem, Great British Energy, NESO, network operators and community energy stakeholders to explore regulatory and policy initiatives that will improve the experience of connecting customers to the grid, including community energy projects. These reforms will support community schemes where they are viable and aligned with our Clean Power 2030 ambitions. While we must ensure fair access for all projects, our focus is on creating a system that delivers the greatest overall contribution to decarbonisation. For now, defining community energy aims to give communities clarity and prevent misuse of the designation rather than prioritisation.

With reference to the National Policy Statement for Electricity Networks Infrastructure (EN-5), on what evidential basis his Department has determined that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity network developments in general.

The starting presumption for electricity network developments set out in EN-5 is based on several factors including cost, environmental and technical points. Overhead lines are quicker and easier to construct, cause less environmental disturbance during construction, are easier to maintain and repair, and are simpler to connect to existing circuits. Evidence indicates that overhead lines are significantly cheaper than undergrounding, with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) estimating undergrounding costs around four and a half times more. As these costs are ultimately borne by electricity bill payers, overhead lines remain the Government’s starting presumption.

What estimate he has made of the costs of (a) undergrounding electricity transmission infrastructure and (b) developing overhead transmission lines.

Evidence published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (April 2025) shows that the lifetime cost of underground transmission cables is around four and a half times higher than overhead lines. As costs are borne by the electricity bill payer, the Government’s starting presumption for new transmission infrastructure is overhead lines. In nationally designated landscapes, undergrounding is the starting presumption. A government commissioned study on the costs of innovative undergrounding methods for transmission lines over distances of 20km to 50km will be published in the near future.

Media and Sport, what discussions sha has had with the with the Welsh Government in developing the BBC Charter Review Green Paper.

The Government launched the BBC Charter Review on 16 December, including the publication of a Green paper.DCMS consulted the Welsh Government on the Terms of Reference for Charter Review, and had multiple discussions as the Green Paper was being developed. We are continuing to engage with the Welsh Government, and the other Devolved Governments, as we progress the Charter Review.

Whether travel fund for children and young people included in the National Cancer Plan for England will be available to any young cancer patients in Wales, in particular those who receive their cancer treatment in hospitals in England; and whether any Barnett formula consequentials will result from that funding.

The Department knows that the cost of travel is an important issue for many young cancer patients and their families across the United Kingdom. Through the National Cancer Plan, the Government is committing up to £10 million a year to a new fund open to all children and young people in England with cancer and their families regardless of income, to support them with the cost of travelling to and from principal treatment centres. This commitment sits alongside wider action to transform cancer care for children and young people. The Department is currently working with its partners in the health system to develop the scope and remit of the fund. Further details will be set out in due course. Health is predominately devolved. Devolved administrations receive funding through the Barnett Formula, and it is ultimately for them to allocate, prioritise, and manage their budgets. However, the Department does work closely with our counterparts in the devolved administrations to share expertise and identify new opportunities to improve health and social care delivery across the United Kingdom.