Written questions by Maguire.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the consultation undertaken on proposed changes to Motability mileage allowances.

Responsibility for the terms and administration of the Scheme sits with Motability Foundation and its Board of Governors. The changes to the leasing package were announced on 26 March and include reducing the mileage allowance from 20,000 per year to 10,000 per year. Changes only apply to new leases and there are no changes to the mileage allowance of existing leases. Motability Foundation have advised that approximately 75% of customers on the Scheme already use less miles than the proposed new mileage allowance. They have acknowledged that there will be an impact on some customers and are considering if the impact can be mitigated in some limited circumstances.

Food and Rural Affairs, what process her Department will use to invite and assess bids for the proposed new national river walks.

The Government continues to progress plans to deliver nine new National River Walks across England, one in each region, to enhance access to nature. We will identify locations for the next tranche of river walks through a competition that will be launched before the end of 2026. We will give further details relating to the competition, selection and assessment criteria in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of slurry storage technologies on reducing agricultural methane emissions.

Defra has assessed slurry storage systems and their ability to reduce agricultural methane emissions, including retrofitted permeable and impermeable covers. These are detailed in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan (2025). Available scientific evidence found that the methane reduction potential of slurry storage technologies is variable depending on the technique deployed. Defra is currently reviewing the scientific evidence relating to other slurry storage technologies, including biogas capture.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing funding to support the installation of sustainable slurry systems on farms.

The Slurry Infrastructure Grant first opened in 2022 and has run for two rounds. The grant supports farmers to build 6-month slurry storage and to cover stores with impermeable covers to reduce ammonia emissions. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund 2026 grant supports farmers, growers, foresters and contractors to buy equipment and technology that improves productivity, animal health and welfare, and slurry management. Through the Environmental Improvement Plan, published last year, the Government has committed to work with stakeholders to reduce water pollution and ammonia emissions from farming through streamlined regulation and develop detailed proposals on the extension of environmental permitting for dairy and intensive beef farms for consultation. Slurry covers are one of the mitigation measures that will be considered as we develop these regulatory proposals.

Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department expects to make decisions on the allocation of new national river walk routes following the planned bidding process.

The Government continues to progress plans to deliver nine new National River Walks across England, one in each region, to enhance access to nature. We will identify locations for the next tranche of river walks through a competition that will be launched before the end of 2026. We will give further details relating to the competition, selection and assessment criteria in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria her Department will use to evaluate proposals for the nine new propossed national river walks.

The Government continues to progress plans to deliver nine new National River Walks across England, one in each region, to enhance access to nature. We will identify locations for the next tranche of river walks through a competition that will be launched before the end of 2026. We will give further details relating to the competition, selection and assessment criteria in due course.

What assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of price gouging for (a) domestic heating oil and (b) liquefied petroleum gas.

Price gouging will not be tolerated. That is why the Chancellor has written to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to ask it to remain vigilant on heating oil prices and support action to tackle unjustified price increases. Wholesale prices for heating oil have risen more sharply than for LPG and concerns in the heating oil sector were raised immediately. The CMA will apply its person-centred, needs-based approach as appropriate, and its general operating principles extend to addressing any potential concerns in the LPG market. The Government and the CMA will not hesitate to take action if companies are found to have breached consumer protection laws.

What recent steps he has taken towards beginning the process of ratifying the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, including any regulatory blocks that have led to the current delay; and what his planned timetable is for ratification.

The UK was proud to be among the first signatories to the Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer in May 2025, demonstrating our strong and longstanding commitment to the rule of law, the independence of the legal profession, and access to justice.My Department is considering our next steps to prepare for ratification. This includes ongoing work across Government to assess the steps required to ensure compliance with the Convention’s provisions, including its application across the UK’s jurisdictions as well as any potential extension to the Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, in line with usual treaty practice.

When her Department expects all eligible retired members of public service pension schemes under its responsibility to receive their McCloud remedy payments; and what steps she is taking to expedite payments to affected pensioners.

Scheme managers of the individual public service pension schemes are responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the McCloud remedy to affected members. I have written to scheme managers to remind them of their responsibilities to implement the remedy as quickly as possible and ensure that scheme members and the Pensions Regulator are kept informed of progress and plans.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure fair pricing practices for (a) domestic heating oil and (b) liquefied petroleum gas.

The Government remains committed to supporting those households most affected and to addressing the rising costs linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The Energy Secretary welcomes the Competition and Market Authority’s comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry to ensure customers are treated fairly. Wholesale prices for heating oil have risen more sharply than for LPG and concerns in the heating oil sector were raised immediately. The CMA will apply its person-centred, needs-based approach as appropriate, and its general operating principles extend to addressing any potential concerns in the LPG market. The Government will continue to monitor the situation and will not tolerate profiteering or unfair practices. As part of the Chancellors announcement on 16 March, £53 million has been made available to assist low-income families facing rising fuel costs. Households using LPG will be eligible for the £27 million of this support available in England, which will be distributed by local authorities through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) from 1 April.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to ensure that details of (a) the geographical location of production and (b) ownership of brands is included on (i) labels and (ii) point of sale materials for (1) beer and (2) other food and drink products.

The UK aims to maintain high standards on the information that is provided on food labels. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules, which include the requirement for the name and address of the food business operator that is responsible for the food. Food origin information is mandatory for some, but not all foods. It is not required for beer products, but many producers in the UK state where the beer is brewed. If there is a recognised regional style of beer, it may be possible to protect that heritage through the geographical indications scheme. In any case, where an indication of origin or provenance is given on food and drink, either in words or pictures, this must be accurate. The Government has no current plans change country of origin rules. The ownership of brand is not required under food labelling rules.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact on consumers of breweries (a) stating and (b) implying that their products are being brewed in one location when they are produced in another location.

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact on consumers of breweries misleading them on where their products are brewed.The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions, that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decision. This could include breweries misrepresenting where their products are produced. Misrepresentation may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the level of prevalence of multinational companies marketing (a) beers and (b) brewery brands as being from (i) small and independent brewers and (ii) from a specific geographical location.

The Department for Business and Trade has not made a specific assessment of the level of prevalence of multinational companies marketing beers and brewery brands as being from small and independent brewers or from a specific geographical location. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decision. This could include multinational beverage companies misrepresenting where their alcohol products are produced. Misrepresentation may be taken as an unfair trading practice and constitute an offence.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of local and regional (a) breweries and (b) beer brands on the tourism economy in (i) Cornwall and (ii) England.

The Government recognises the vital role of breweries and beer brands in both local communities and the attractiveness of the UK as a visitor destination. While DCMS has not made a formal assessment, we continue working with other Government departments to ensure that targeted support is provided for the sector.The Government is committed to helping breweries grow through exports and supports all businesses, including exporters, via the new Business Growth Service (Business.gov.uk) which has integrated our support in a single, accessible platform, designed to help businesses across the UK start, scale, and succeed globally. The Chancellor also announced in January that pubs will get a 15% cut to new Business Rates bills from April followed by a two-year real-terms freeze.The Government also provides showcase opportunities for the British Beers such as at embassy tastings, trade missions and global trade shows that connect producers directly with buyers and distributors. Breweries of all sizes can also access UK Export Finance (UKEF), which offers a wide range of financial products to support exporters and export-ready businesses.The forthcoming Visitor Economy Growth Strategy will set out a long-term plan to increase visitor flows across the UK, boost value, and deliver sustainable growth. Central to this strategy is the delivery of greater regional dispersal, ensuring that visitor income is spread effectively across regional destinations, including rural and coastal communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed closure of Sharp's brewery in Rock, North Cornwall on (a) jobs, (b) the local economy and (c) consumer choice.

Defra has not completed an impact assessment regarding the proposed closure of Sharp’s brewery. Molson Coors are conducting a consultation process on this proposed closure, and no further decisions will be made until this has finished. The department remains in regular contact with Molson Coors on this matter.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a geographic indication scheme for beers traditionally brewed in a specific location.

The Government recognises the economic and cultural importance of geographical indications (GIs) and remains committed to ensuring their continued protection. The family of UK produced GIs already includes beer - Kentish Ale, Kentish Strong Ale, and Rutland Bitter, in addition to East Kent Goldings, a variety of hops used in the production of beers and ales. Those are proudly produced to specific recipes and processes in a defined place, and the Government welcome applications for GI protection from producers of other beers.

Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department is supporting farmers who cannot afford the costs of feasibility studies (e.g. PA2 for a feasibility study) which prevents them from accessing the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier offer.

Payment for completion of feasibility studies can be claimed as soon as the work has been completed. The PA2 grant funds 100% of the costs of completing the study and so farmers and land managers will receive payments back for all costs incurred.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether underspend in the current financial year’s Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier budget will be (a) protected, and (b) carried forward into next year’s allocation.

Defra expects to increase both the numbers of farmers and land managers coming into the scheme and related spend on the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme over the course of the coming year. The scale of ambition for the number of agreements in this first phase remains unchanged. To support this, Defra has been carefully rolling out Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier over the course of 2025 and into 2026. Since January 2025, Natural England and the Forestry Commission have offered pre-application advice to over 2,400 farmers and land managers. The application service opened on 18 September 2025, and so far over 650 sites have been invited to apply. Defra is continuing to work with farmers and land managers to support completion of their pre-application advice and, where agreed, invite them into the service to apply over the coming months.

Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to confirm the date from which farmers currently in legacy Higher Level Stewardship agreements will be able to exit those agreements and enter Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier without repayment.

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) customers can submit a request to end their existing agreement at any time during the calendar year, but they may need to repay any money received. Defra will work with customers whose HLS agreements will expire over the next 2-3 years to support them to continue management of key habitats and to look at how delivery of these sites can be further enhanced. More details about the further roll out of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) will be confirmed in due course, including which cohorts will be invited into CSHT next.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans adjustments to ensure parity between (a) legacy Higher Level Stewardship agreements, and (b) current Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreements, for those delivering equivalent environmental outcomes above the moorland line.

In February last year, Defra recognised that Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) payment rates had fallen behind the rates offered through other schemes including Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). Defra invested £30 million to increase payment rates so farmers in HLS agreements can continue to restore habitats, support rare species, preserve historic features and maintain traditional landscape features in our iconic countryside. Defra raised 157 options by 34.4% of the difference between the HLS rate set out in an agreement holder's document and the equivalent CSHT or Sustainable Farming Incentive action, to bring them more in line with those schemes. This includes equivalent payment rates for agreements above the moorland line.