Written questions by Stephenson.

With reference to the press release entitled Patients and pupils to benefit from school and hospital repairs, published on 30 May 2025, whether any schools in Bedfordshire will be included.

This government has increased investment for improving school buildings to £2.1 billion for the 2025/26 financial year, almost £300 million more than last year. As part of that, close to £470 million has been made available to eligible schools and sixth-form colleges through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).The department has published details of successful projects and applicants to the CIF for the 2025/26 financial year, including the local authority, and constituency. We can confirm that 11 schools in the county of Bedfordshire were successful.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 54102 on Schools: Flood Control, whether her Department has had discussions with Kimberley College in Stewartby on flood protections.

To date no correspondence has been received from the college on this matter, therefore my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education can confirm the department’s Schools Water Strategy has not held discussions with Kimberley College on flood protections.The department has invested in measures to reduce risk to flooding at over 600 schools to the end of 2024/25 and through the Schools Water Strategy, we continue to invest in flood prevention in schools at risk of flooding in line with our published Sustainability and Climate Change strategy.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of apprenticeships on increasing the environmental health workforce.

Employers operating in environmental health have developed the environmental health practitioner level 6 degree apprenticeship to help them develop their workforces. Further detail about the apprenticeship can be found on the Skills England website at: https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0714-v1-0. The government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy. In August the department introduced new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country. Skills England is working closely with employers to identify priority skills gaps, helping ensure that the levy-funded growth and skills offer delivers value for money, meets the needs of business and helps kick-start economic growth.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending Eurostar services to Bedford in the context of the Universal UK theme park.

The Government fully supports the growth and expansion of international rail services given the benefits they provide, including more sustainable connections to Europe. Whilst it is a commercial decision for operators, the Government stands ready to engage with industry where there is a commercial proposition, particularly given the unique requirements of operating through the Channel Tunnel, including establishing juxtaposed border and security controls. There would be significant technical changes to extend the international gauge to serve Bedford station and would require the establishment of significant border controls requiring a change to the Treaty arrangements with France. These changes are not currently being considered.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Government completes exit from NatWest, published on 30 May 2025, if she will publish Departmental analysis of the (a) chosen and (b) retail model of sale.

On 30 May 2025, the government sold its remaining shares in NatWest Group, bringing to an end the public ownership of banks resulting from the 2007-2009 global financial crisis. The government focused on ensuring sales of NatWest shares were delivered in a way that achieved value for money for taxpayers. This included undertaking sales via Directed Buybacks and the Trading Plan, whereby any sales were undertaken at market price. UK Government Investments regularly conducted fair value assessments of the bank, with support from advisors, to determine a price per share above which it represented value for money for the government to sell at that point in time. Further details of the sales, including amounts raised, were included in the Economic Secretary’s Written Ministerial Statement of 3 June 2025. As the Chancellor set out in the July 2024 Spending Audit, the government does not believe that a retail offer represented value for money for taxpayers, given the likely incentives needed, which precedent suggests could have cost the public hundreds of millions more than selling via established disposal methods.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of business rates on pub closures.

To deliver our manifesto pledge, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure that RHL businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Eligibility for the new RHL multipliers is intended to broadly reflect the scope of the existing RHL relief scheme, and will be set out in legislation later this year. Ahead of these changes being made, the Government recognises that business will need support in 2025/26. As such, we have extended the RHL relief for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Under the previous Government, RHL relief was due to end entirely in April 2025. By extending the relief, the Government has saved the average pub, with a ratable value of £16,800, over £3,300. Tax policy and legislation is not subject to the Better Regulation Framework Guidance, which requires an Impact Assessment to accompany policy decisions. Nevertheless, when the new multipliers are set at Budget 2025, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

If she will make an assessment of recent trends in the level of business confidence.

The Government monitors a wide range of indicators to assess the UK’s economic performance, including measures of business confidence. Many of these are volatile and can move materially from month to month. Official economic forecasts and assessments of policy impacts are set out in the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook documents, the most recent of which was published in March 2025. Kickstarting economic growth is the Government’s primary mission and businesses are central to this. The Government is committed to going further and faster to drive growth and raise living standards, working in close partnership with business to design and delivery policy.

What steps she is taking to ensure that savers have access to high return investment options.

The Government wants to see more people benefit from the higher returns and long-term financial resilience that investing can provide. That is why the Chancellor’s Leeds Reforms included bold actions to boost retail investment.In particular, the Treasury is working closely with the FCA to roll out a system of targeted support in time for ISA season next year. This represents the biggest reform of the financial advice and guidance landscape in more than a decade, and will be a step change in the support available to consumers.The Government will also move Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs) from the Innovative Finance ISA to the Stocks & Shares ISA from April 2026. This should give more consumers access to the higher returns available from less liquid assets, while directing investment into productive assets that will drive economic growth.In addition, the Government welcomes the industry-led initiatives to promote the benefits of investing to the public, and to reform how firms talk about the risks and benefits of investing.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing Sustainable Aviation Fuel production in the UK.

The Government is clear on the merits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and that increasing its use is a key measure to decarbonising aviation. We want the UK to capture its share of the global SAF market and are helping businesses in the UK play a leading role in SAF’s development, production and use. To that end we are building demand through the SAF Mandate introduced on 1 January. We are supporting the growth of UK SAF production through the Advanced Fuels Fund, under which £63 million has been allocated across 17 UK projects for this financial year. In addition, the SAF Bill, currently before the House, will deliver a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism that will help unlock investment in UK SAF production. We will continue to work across government on increasing UK SAF production, including with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). We are similarly working with lead departments including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on policies to increase the uptake of SAF produced from waste. This includes SAF made from non-recyclable municipal solid waste, which has been backed through the Advanced Fuels Fund. We are also working with other government departments on waste feedstock availability, including through the Circular Economy taskforce.

What her planned thresholds are for income tax in 2029-30.

The Government is committed to keeping taxes for working people as low as possible while ensuring fiscal responsibility and so, at our first Budget, we decided not to extend the freeze on personal tax thresholds.

If he will make an assessment of the potential cyber security implications of his policy to make the NHS the most artificial intelligence enabled care system in the world, as set out in the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

The 10-Year Health Plan and the Life Sciences Sector Plan commit the Government to making the National Health Service become the most artificial intelligence (AI)-ready healthcare system in the world.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will review regulations, and in 2026 we will publish a new regulatory framework for medical devices, including AI. This will create faster and more predictable routes to market, taking a proportionate approach to risk.To mitigate the likelihood and severity of any potential harm to individuals arising from use of data in AI, the Information Commissioner’s Office has developed detailed AI guidance which provides an overarching view of data protection, including Data Protection Impact Assessments and United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulations. It has also produced an AI toolkit to support organisations auditing compliance of their AI-based technologies.On cyber security more widely, in the past year we have invested £37.6 million across health and social care, building on the £338 million invested since 2017. Through our ambitious Cyber Improvement Programme, we are tackling the changing cyber risk head-on, expanding protection and services to better protect the health and care system.Through the Data Security and Protection Toolkit, there are already robust cyber standards which all NHS organisations are expected to meet. These standards will apply to the deployment of artificial intelligence capabilities, as with any other new technology. These standards will continue to evolve in line with the threat over the next ten years.

If she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on sourcing black bin waste from councils for use in the production of sustainable aviation fuels.

The Government is clear on the merits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and that increasing its use is a key measure to decarbonising aviation. We want the UK to capture its share of the global SAF market and are helping businesses in the UK play a leading role in SAF’s development, production and use. To that end we are building demand through the SAF Mandate introduced on 1 January. We are supporting the growth of UK SAF production through the Advanced Fuels Fund, under which £63 million has been allocated across 17 UK projects for this financial year. In addition, the SAF Bill, currently before the House, will deliver a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism that will help unlock investment in UK SAF production. We will continue to work across government on increasing UK SAF production, including with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). We are similarly working with lead departments including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on policies to increase the uptake of SAF produced from waste. This includes SAF made from non-recyclable municipal solid waste, which has been backed through the Advanced Fuels Fund. We are also working with other government departments on waste feedstock availability, including through the Circular Economy taskforce.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on increasing sustainable aviation fuel production in the UK.

The Government is clear on the merits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and that increasing its use is a key measure to decarbonising aviation. We want the UK to capture its share of the global SAF market and are helping businesses in the UK play a leading role in SAF’s development, production and use. To that end we are building demand through the SAF Mandate introduced on 1 January. We are supporting the growth of UK SAF production through the Advanced Fuels Fund, under which £63 million has been allocated across 17 UK projects for this financial year. In addition, the SAF Bill, currently before the House, will deliver a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism that will help unlock investment in UK SAF production. We will continue to work across government on increasing UK SAF production, including with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). We are similarly working with lead departments including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on policies to increase the uptake of SAF produced from waste. This includes SAF made from non-recyclable municipal solid waste, which has been backed through the Advanced Fuels Fund. We are also working with other government departments on waste feedstock availability, including through the Circular Economy taskforce.

Whether she plans to introduce incentives for British businesses that produce Sustainable Aviation Fuels.

The Government is clear on the merits of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and that increasing its use is a key measure to decarbonising aviation. We want the UK to capture its share of the global SAF market and are helping businesses in the UK play a leading role in SAF’s development, production and use. To that end we are building demand through the SAF Mandate introduced on 1 January. We are supporting the growth of UK SAF production through the Advanced Fuels Fund, under which £63 million has been allocated across 17 UK projects for this financial year. In addition, the SAF Bill, currently before the House, will deliver a SAF Revenue Certainty Mechanism that will help unlock investment in UK SAF production. We will continue to work across government on increasing UK SAF production, including with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). We are similarly working with lead departments including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on policies to increase the uptake of SAF produced from waste. This includes SAF made from non-recyclable municipal solid waste, which has been backed through the Advanced Fuels Fund. We are also working with other government departments on waste feedstock availability, including through the Circular Economy taskforce.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the sectoral economic impact of US tariffs.

My department has been assessing the impact of US tariffs on the economy. This includes sector-by-sector impact assessments and scenario modelling. We are constantly engaging directly with businesses from across all sectors to gather real time intelligence on the impact of tariffs to directly inform our discussions with the US and the ways that we support UK businesses in this rapidly changing environment.This analysis underpinned our agreement of the Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), which protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK.

Whether he has conducted an impact assessment for the UK-India trade deal.

I refer the member for Mid Bedfordshire to the answer my predecessor gave to UIN 73978 on 5 September 2025.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of US tariffs on economic growth.

My department has been assessing the impact of US tariffs on the UK economy, in a rapidly changing global trading environment. We are constantly engaging directly with businesses from across all sectors to gather real time intelligence on the impact of tariffs to directly inform our discussions with the US. This analysis underpinned our agreement of the Economic Prosperity Deal, which protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK.By securing and implementing this deal, we are supporting the conditions necessary for economic growth.

If she will make an assessment of the impact of her Budget in 2024 on the performance of AIM shares.

The UK’s capital markets play a key role in delivering on the government’s growth mission. We have already delivered an ambitious set of reforms to make it easier for firms to start, scale, list and stay on UK markets, and capital markets are a core pillar of the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, launched at Mansion House. The Government maintains a range of targeted tax reliefs for AIM shares, supporting capital raising for business listed on AIM, and investors in AIM shares. This supports growth on the broader UK economy.

If she will conduct a lessons learned review from the initial period of the decision to withdraw universal Winter Fuel Payments.

The Government linked eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments to receipt of Pension Credit or certain other benefits for winter 2024/25 to help address immediate fiscal pressures, and to focus them on those with the lowest incomes. From this winter (2025/26), the vast majority of pensioners in England and Wales – over three quarters – will now benefit from Winter Fuel Payments. Payments will be made to all pensioners in England and Wales. As in previous years, these will be payments of between £100 and £300, depending on age and whether the pensioner is living alone or in a household with another pensioner. Pensioners with a total income over £35,000 (excluding disability benefits), and who are not in receipt of Pension Credit or other relevant means-tested benefit, will have the Winter Fuel Payment recovered through the tax system.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the pension credit threshold.

The rates of Pension Credit are reviewed annually as part of the Secretary of State’s statutory review of State pension and benefit rates. Following the last review in Autumn 2024, the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit increased by 4.1% in line with average earnings. This raised it to £227.10 a week for a single pensioner and £346.60 a week for a couple from 7 April 2025. The next review will be undertaken following confirmation in October by the Office of National Statistics of the earnings and prices indices which are used to inform the review.