Written questions by Lake.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026 to question 125033, what is her Department's estimate of the number of premises in (a) Ceredigion Preseli constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK that will still be without access to adequate mobile coverage from any mobile network operator when the UK's Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) are switched off.

The estimated number of premises currently without access to good mobile coverage for each of these areas based on the latest Ofcom data was provided in our answer to question 125033.The Government is committed to ensuring that any risks from the industry-led migration of the copper based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for everyone across the UK, including in Ceredigion Preseli. The Government has had confirmation from major communication providers that no existing PSTN customers will be left without a landline alternative.All network operator’s have committed significant investment in line with Government's ambition for standalone 5G to be available in all populated areas by 2030. In addition, the Shared Rural Network, jointly funded by the Government and the UK’s mobile network operators (MNOs), is utilising Government funding to incentivise mobile network operators to deliver commercial outdoor mobile coverage in rural areas, where there was previously limited or no 4G coverage at all. The programme has been successful in helping to achieve 96% 4G coverage from at least one operator across the UK landmass.Government does not hold data on MNO’s future deployment plans. Along with the emergence of Direct to Device connectivity, this means that we cannot provide a reliable estimate of how many premises would be left without adequate mobile coverage from any operator at the point in time when the PSTN and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) are switched off. No existing PSTN customers will be left without a landline alternative.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of co-locating community banking representatives within post offices.

Banks provide access to in‑person banking services through a range of channels, including branches, banking hubs and post offices. Some banks also provide access to community bankers through pop‑up services in locations such as libraries and community centres, or via mobile banking vans serving rural and remote areas. Community bankers are bank employees who provide face-to-face support to customers in local communities outside a traditional branch, helping with banking queries and access to further support as needed. Decisions about where such services are located are commercial matters for individual banks. The retail banking sector provides everyday banking services at post offices through the Banking Framework, a commercial agreement that enables personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check balances and pay bills at over 10,500 Post Office branches across the UK. The Government supports initiatives that help customers access banking services in ways that reflect local needs, alongside digital provision. In January, the Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation and the Economic Secretary to the Treasury convened a roundtable with the Post Office and the banking sector to facilitate discussion on where further collaboration would allow all parties to better meet the needs of people and businesses. The Government supports collaboration between banks and the Post Office, while being clear that this must be achieved on a voluntary and commercial basis.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the upcoming trial of Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek; and what representations she has made to her Egyptian counterpart on that case.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 11 March in response to Question 116214.

If she will introduce a time-limited rebate on fuel duty for public transport providers and essential users in the road haulage sector.

The Government is taking action on fuel affordability at the pump. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027. The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry. As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review.

How much public funding is allocated to support UK-based research into methods to treat and cure long Covid.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between 2020/2021 and 2024/25, the NIHR invested nearly £51 million into Long Covid research, including research into treatments. As well as funding research itself, the Department invests significantly in research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, support services, and collaborations to support and deliver research in England, known as NIHR infrastructure.While there has been no formal assessment of the progress of United Kingdom based research into Long Covid, it is clear that NIHR-funded research has delivered important findings. The REGAIN trial provided the first high quality evidence confirming the sustained clinical benefit and lack of harm with rehabilitation programmes for Long Covid. The NIHR has also funded research to test and compare different treatments such as antihistamines, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory medicines through the STIMULATE-ICP trial. The NIHR has also provided £1.1 million in funding towards the LISTEN trial, which found that the participants who received the LISTEN self-management tool intervention had greater capacity for daily activities, improved mental health, reduced fatigue impact, and increased self-efficacy. However, there is more work to be done to find the most promising treatments, and we are actively exploring next steps for long COVID research. This includes a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed and new interventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including long COVID. Two projects have recently been awarded funding.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Competition and Markets Authority on the potential impact of software licensing practices on (a) Small to Medium Enterprises in Wales and (b) the Welsh economy.

The Government engages regularly with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on the effective operation of the UK’s competition framework, including how it supports competitive digital markets across all parts of the UK, including Wales.While the CMA operates independently of Government in its investigations and decision making, the Government gave a clear steer for the CMA to use its new powers in digital markets collaboratively and proportionately.In March, the CMA announced a package of actions to strengthen competition in business software and cloud services. This includes a Strategic Market Status investigation into Microsoft’s business software under the UK’s digital markets regime, alongside voluntary actions from Amazon and Microsoft in cloud services. These actions taken together will support SMEs and businesses in Wales and the rest of the UK by lowering barriers to competition, increasing choice and helping firms access digital tools on fairer terms.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) drug prices, (b) appliance prices and (c) fees paid to pharmacy contractors in the NHS Drug Tariff.

The Department undertakes a quarterly assessment of the adequacy of drug prices paid to community pharmacies through the ‘medicine margin survey’. The survey samples independent pharmacy contractors’ sales invoices for the medicines they dispense and compares the amount paid with the amount reimbursed by the National Health Service. This has found that more than the amount agreed as part of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework has been delivered in totality across the previous four financial years.Appliances are not included in the medicine margin survey. Pharmacy contractors are reimbursed in line with the listed appliance prices on Part IX of the NHS Drug Tariff. Suppliers should adhere to these prices as per the terms of their listing. Where the Department is made aware that a supplier is not adhering to the agreed price this is addressed with the supplier or the product is delisted from the NHS Drug Tariff.Fees paid for the delivery of services outlined in the Drug Tariff have been agreed with Community Pharmacy England. On 25 February, the Department began the 2026/27 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework consultation with Community Pharmacy England, to consider any proposed changes to the reimbursement and remuneration of pharmacy contractors in 2026/27. An update will be provided once the consultation has been concluded.

What assessment he has made of progress made by UK-based researchers funded by his Department on finding methods to treat the symptoms of long Covid.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between 2020/2021 and 2024/25, the NIHR invested nearly £51 million into Long Covid research, including research into treatments. As well as funding research itself, the Department invests significantly in research expertise and capacity, specialist facilities, support services, and collaborations to support and deliver research in England, known as NIHR infrastructure.While there has been no formal assessment of the progress of United Kingdom based research into Long Covid, it is clear that NIHR-funded research has delivered important findings. The REGAIN trial provided the first high quality evidence confirming the sustained clinical benefit and lack of harm with rehabilitation programmes for Long Covid. The NIHR has also funded research to test and compare different treatments such as antihistamines, anticoagulants, and anti-inflammatory medicines through the STIMULATE-ICP trial. The NIHR has also provided £1.1 million in funding towards the LISTEN trial, which found that the participants who received the LISTEN self-management tool intervention had greater capacity for daily activities, improved mental health, reduced fatigue impact, and increased self-efficacy. However, there is more work to be done to find the most promising treatments, and we are actively exploring next steps for long COVID research. This includes a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed and new interventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including long COVID. Two projects have recently been awarded funding.

Innovation and Technology, what estimate her Department has made of the number of households in (a) Ceredigion Preseli constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK without access to a broadband connection speed greater than 10 Mbps.

Customers can access home broadband via fixed-wired (copper/fibre) and fixed-wireless access connections. For the 10Mbps download speed criterion alone, Ofcom only publish data for fixed-wired network types. However, data gathered by Ofcom for the Broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO) measuring both 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload from both fixed-wired and fixed-wireless networks indicates that, as of July 2025 this threshold is not met for;769 residential premises in Ceredigion Preseli5,035 residential premises in Wales34,760 residential premises in UKThe Broadband USO provides consumers with a right to request a decent broadband service of at least 10 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed (as well as several other specific technical characteristics).According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2025 report, as of July 2025, 769 residential premises in the Ceredigion Preseli constituency, 5,035 residential premises in Wales and 34,760 residential premises in the UK are potentially eligible for the Broadband USO.The Government is committed to ensuring at least 99% of premises receive gigabit-capable broadband coverage by 2032. Premises may be able to receive improved connectivity via government interventions such as Project Gigabit, local government schemes such as Access Broadband Cymru Grant scheme or via the Broadband USO.Through Project Gigabit, we are delivering gigabit-capable broadband to parts of the UK that are unlikely to be reached by the commercial market alone. Around 60,000 premises across Wales, including approximately 5,790 premises in Ceredigion Preseli constituency, are expected to benefit from gigabit coverage through Project Gigabit’s cross-regional framework with Openreach. Across the UK, more than one million premises are included within £2.4 billion worth of signed Project Gigabit contracts.In the meantime, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite broadband services are available to most remaining premises in Wales.

With reference to section 48(1) of the Value Added Tax Act 1994, how many times HMRC exercised the power to direct a non-established taxable person to appoint a UK-based VAT representative in each of the last five financial years.

HMRC does not routinely record the requested information and therefore is unable to provide data on the number of directions made to non‑established taxable persons to appoint a VAT representative.

What is the total number of import declarations made by express operators for consignments with a value of a) £135 or less and b) greater than £135 in each year since 2021.

The information requested is not available.

Innovation and Technology, what estimate Department estimate of the total number of households in (a) Ceredigion Preseli constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the UK without access to good mobile signal strength as defined by Ofcom.

Ofcom publishes mobile coverage data in its Connected Nations reports at the premises level, but this does not distinguish between premises type. This means there is no differentiation between households and places of work for example.Following the launch of the Map Your Mobile tool in June 2025, Ofcom’s threshold for good mobile coverage, combining 4G and 5G, is a predicted received signal strength of −95dBm. Predicted coverage at this threshold is also now included in Ofcom’s Connected Nations report.Our estimated number of premises without access to good mobile coverage for each area is provided in the table below. Data for total number of premises and the percentage of premises with good mobile coverage is presented as in Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report 2025.AreaTotal number of premisesPercentage of premises with access to good mobile coverage from any mobile network operatorEstimated number of premises without access to good mobile coverage from any mobile network operatorCeredigion Preseli51,74195.31%2,427Wales1,569,27599.08%14,437UK32,355,39799.64%116,479

When the UK National Screening Committee will complete its review of its recommendation not to screen children for lead poisoning.

The Government recognises how concerning lead exposure can be for parents and carers and remains committed to reducing the risk to children. Lead levels are therefore kept under stringent control, and exposures to lead in water, air, and/or food are reduced to the lowest practical level to minimise any risk to health.The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) will only make a positive recommendation to screen where it is confident there is robust evidence that screening provides more good than harm. In 2018, the committee reviewed the evidence for screening children for lead poisoning and recommended not to screen at that time because:- treatments for children with mild symptoms have not been proven to be effective and may also cause harm;- the number of children affected in the United Kingdom is currently not known; and- the test was not reliable enough. The UK NSC is planning to review the evidence for screening children for lead poisoning and will undertake an evidence map, which is the first step in the evidence review process. This work is on the UK NSC’s 2026/27 workplan.Anyone who is worried that they or their child may have been exposed to a high level of lead is advised to speak to their doctor. The local public health team can also offer advice, including practical steps to avoid further lead exposure and information on any treatment that may be needed.

What assessment the UK Health Security Agency has made of the levels of lead exposure of populations living near historic lead mines.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not specifically assessed exposures to lead in communities living near historic lead mines in England. This is because the UKHSA advises regulators and other stakeholders on the overall health risk assessment process but does not have a statutory role in relation to contaminated land.The UKHSA is a partner in the Elevated Childhood Lead Interagency Prevalence Study, which was set up to determine the prevalence of elevated levels of lead in children in Leeds. It is envisaged that this study may inform the feasibility of a lead screening programme in children.The UKHSA is also evaluating current background exposure to lead and other environmental pollutants. A human biomonitoring module was implemented into the NHS Health Survey for England 2022 to 2023 programme. Data on background levels of heavy metals, including lead, in the population samples are expected to be published in Autumn 2026. These data may allow us to determine if there are areas of England where exposures are above average.

What discussions his Department has had with the Competition and Markets Authority regarding opening a strategic market status investigation into Microsoft and its software licensing practices.

The Department for Business and Trade engages regularly with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on competition issues. The CMA is independent of Government, and decisions on initiating strategic market status investigations (SMS) are a matter for the CMA Board. The CMA has announced that it will open a SMS investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem, expected to launch in May 2026.

How much of the £2.5 billion fund to develop the steel industry as set out under the UK Steel Strategy will be spent in Wales.

The steel strategy reaffirms the government’s intention to spend up to £2.5 billion on the steel sector. This is in addition to the £500 million for Port Talbot. Building on the direct financial support the government has provided to the sector so far, the National Wealth Fund will be the UK government’s main mechanism for providing financing for investment in the steel sector. Investment decisions are made by the National Wealth Fund on a case-by-case basis and it supports promising projects across the United Kingdom Specifically for Wales, the Secretary of State for Wales will convene the National Wealth Fund and the private sector in a new initiative to help attract investment to Welsh steel projects, to support communities across Wales that rely on the industry.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of safeguards implemented by the telecoms sector to ensure that risks arising from the migration of the Public Switched Telephone Network to Voice over Internet Protocol are mitigated for people, including rural communities.

The Government is committed to ensuring that any risks from the industry-led migration of the copper based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for everyone across the UK, including rural communities. In 2024/25, there were over 2,600 major incidents on the PSTN, each affecting 500 or more customers.In November 2024, the Government secured additional safeguards from the telecoms industry. These include the provision of free battery back-ups for vulnerable and landline dependent customers to ensure access to emergency services for at least one hour in a power outage. Many communication providers have gone further, providing battery back-ups of 4-7 hours.In March 2026, the Government and industry agreed a new Fixed Telecoms Charter to extend these safeguards to all future fixed telecoms modernisation programmes.

Whether he has considered the potential merits of extending the range of offences that can be considered under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

The Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme is an exceptional power. It includes all indictable-only offences (e.g. murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery) and certain triable-either way offences sentenced in the Crown Court (e.g. threats to kill, stalking, most child sex offences).Parliament intended this to be an exceptional power, and any expansion of the scheme must be carefully considered. While we understand calls for expansion, it is important for both victims and offenders that there is finality in sentencing. The general rule is that a person should expect to serve the sentence a judge has imposed upon them.The Law Commission is undertaking a review of criminal appeals and it held a public consultation inviting views on a range of reforms to the ULS scheme, including offences in scope. The consultation closed on 27 June 2025 and the Law Commission is expected to publish its report in 2026.The Government will carefully and holistically consider the Law Commission review’s final recommendations on the wider reforms to the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme in due course.

With reference to the Welsh Government's written statement entitled Agreement to consult on devolution of powers for a Vacant Land Tax in Wales, published on 11 February 2026, when the consultation on the devolution of powers for a Vacant Land Tax in Wales will be launched.

To avoid the pre-election period, the public consultation will be launched at an appropriate point after the formation of the next Welsh administration.

Whether the actions under the Agenda for Change uplift and a fairer deal for nurses statement for NHS England published on on 12 February 2026 will lead to additional funding for the Welsh Government through the Barnett Formula.

The Department for Health and Social Care received funding to deliver the actions under the Agenda for Change uplift and a fairer deal for nurses statement at Spending Review 2025, with the Barnett formula applying in the usual way, as set out in the Statement of Funding Policy.