Written questions by Stephenson.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the use of sustainable aviation fuels on carbon emissions.

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one of the key ways to decarbonise air travel. We have a comprehensive plan in place for SAF. We have set ambitious targets in the SAF Mandate, are providing grant funding to support investment in a UK SAF industry and are working to deliver a Revenue Certainty Mechanism.The Revenue Certainty Mechanism will encourage investment in the construction of SAF plants across the UK. Supporting domestic SAF production will ensure the UK is less reliant on imported SAF.Government analysis suggests that the use of SAF could deliver up to 54 million tonnes of net additional CO2 savings in the UK by 2040. We will continue to monitor the potential impacts of SAF as the technologies and our policies develop.There is nothing preventing the production of fuel from non-recyclable (‘black bin’) waste if this is determined, by local authorities or other waste producers, to be the best overall value for money and environmental outcome for such waste. The UK has a thriving competitive market for waste management services and new players are welcome to join the field. There are a range of recovery options - both established and emerging - available to waste handling operators, which will be selected according to market conditions and local needs, taking account of the waste hierarchy and the need to ensure the best available environmental outcome for the waste. We are working closely with Defra on this issue, including through the Circular Economy Taskforce.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of National Landscape status on biodiversity.

Natural England has the statutory responsibility for identifying areas for new or extended National Landscape designations. National Landscapes have a statutory purpose to conserve and enhance natural beauty, and biodiversity is a key consideration within this purpose. The Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework is supporting delivery of our EIP and statutory biodiversity targets in Protected Landscapes, empowering Protected Landscape bodies, relevant authorities, farmers, land managers and other organisations to work together in planning and targeting resources and activity. We have also extended our Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, providing £30 million to support nature recovery and other projects in our National Landscapes and National Parks, until March 2026.

With reference to her Department's press release published on 22 May 2025 entitled Teachers to benefit from pay boost, what guidance she has issued to schools on steps to make savings through increased productivity.

Schools are receiving £615 million to support them with the costs of the 2025 pay awards, over and above the funding already being provided to schools in financial year 2025/26. The increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) costs were considered when calculating this additional funding.The department has asked that schools fund, on average, the first 1% of the 2025 pay awards. The impact of this will vary for individual schools based on their circumstances, as they have autonomy over how they use their funding, including any decisions on staffing.Schools in Central Bedfordshire are receiving £4 million to support them with their NICs costs; we will publish allocations for the 2025 pay grant in the autumn. From 2026/27, funding in respect of both NICs costs, and the 2025 pay awards, will be incorporated into schools’ core budgets through the national funding formula.The department provides a suite of free tools, guidance and support, developed in partnership with the sector, to help schools better manage their spending. Schools are already making savings and bringing core operating costs down: for example, the 400 schools who participated in the department’s new energy for schools pilot will save 36% on average compared to their previous contracts, which will free up vital funding to deliver for children and young people. We are also making plans to secure better banking solutions for schools, getting them better returns on their cash balances.Additionally, all schools can access services such as the get help buying for schools service to get best value when procuring goods and our teaching vacancies service to save recruitment costs. Since, workforce deployment is the biggest component of school budgets, we will support schools to benefit fully from the tools we offer to benchmark and integrate resourcing and curriculum planning, such as the financial benchmarking and insights tool. We will also introduce a new toolkit to support schools to adopt evidence-based deployment models. This will focus on data that helps schools identify areas for improvement and support to learn from best practice peers who are delivering strong outcomes for pupils with an efficient deployment model.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his international counterparts on best practice in flooding mitigation.

The Secretary of State and Ministers regularly speak to international partners on a range of topics, including climate change risks and how to mitigate them. The Environment Agency (EA) has worked with international partners such as the Dutch flood agency - Rijkswaterstaat, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers for many years. This work includes exchanging knowledge, research, and technical expertise in flood and coastal risk management. The EA also regularly contributes to broad, multi-partner international networks such as KRING, I-STORM, ICold (the international conference on dams) and the International Nature Based Solutions Working Group. These enable partners to share knowledge and experience on common issues such as responding to climate change, sea level rise, and innovating flood warning systems.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to funding for Level 7 apprenticeships on learners aged 22 and above.

I refer the hon. Member for Mid Bedfordshire to the answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57098.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Next generation of builders and carers set to rebuild Britain, published on 27 May 2025, whether Technical Excellence Colleges will be able to provide Level 7 apprenticeships.

The department is introducing technical excellence colleges (TECs) to specialise in training the skilled workforces which industry needs in priority sectors. This starts with the launch of 10 construction TECs from September 2025. TECs will provide the critical skills employers need across all qualification levels, including via apprenticeships. TECs will be able to deliver apprenticeships training at all levels where they are listed as an apprenticeships training provider on the department’s apprenticeship provider and assessment register.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52390 on Motor Vehicles: Carbon Emissions, how many automotive manufacturing businesses are operating in the sector.

In 2024, there were 3,570 businesses operating across UK automotive, of which the vast majority are small and medium sized businesses. Our Industrial Strategy aims to significantly increase investment and jobs in eight high-growth sectors - including automotive - by capturing a greater share of internationally mobile capital, encouraging domestic businesses to scale up, and creating resilient supply chains.

Pursuant to Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 52390 on Motor Vehicles: Carbon Emissions, how many people are employed in the automotive industry.

132,000 people were employed in automotive manufacturing in the UK in 2024, 5.1% of total UK manufacturing employment, around half in manufacturing finished vehicles and half in manufacturing car bodies, parts and accessories. In addition, a further 263,000 jobs are estimated to be supported by the industry in the wider economy through its purchases of goods and services such as sales and maintenance, machinery and materials and financial services.

Whether the UK will need permission from Mauritius to alter operations at Diego Garcia under the terms of the UK-Mauritius agreement on the British Indian Ocean Territory.

No permission is required as a result of the treaty. Annex 1, paragraph 1(b)(i) of the treaty sets out that the United Kingdom will have unrestricted ability to control the conduct and deployment of armed operations.

With reference to the press release entitled UK to deliver pioneering battlefield system and bolster cyber warfare capabilities under Strategic Defence Review, published on 29 May 2025, how the starting salary for the Cyber Direct Entry programme compares with starting salaries in (a) cyber security roles in the private sector and (b) international cyber security roles.

There is no exact private sector equivalent for Cyber Operators in the Armed Forces, and private sector cyber salaries vary significantly. Cyber Direct Entrants are offered a starting salary exceeding £40,000, with the opportunity to earn up to an additional £25,000 through skills pay. This compensation package is complemented by the broader Armed Forces benefits package.

When her Department plans to publish the income generated from applying VAT to school fees in 2024-25.

The Annex to the Government Response to the Technical Note, Government_Response_to_the_Technical_Note_on_Applying_VAT_to_Private_School_Fees_and_Removing_the_Business_Rates_Charitable_Rate_Relief.pdf, sets out the expected VAT revenue resulting from this measure and the costing methodology. The Government’s estimate of the revenue is £460 million in 2024/25, rising to £1,725 million in 2029/30.This costing has been certified by the Office for Budget Responsibility. VAT revenue overall is recognised in the National Accounts on an accruals basis. As set out in the above Annex, the VAT liability in 2024/25 is time apportioned for the implementation date of 1 January 2025. The actual VAT liability reported on VAT returns for any month or quarter will depend on various factors, including the date when schools meet the requirement to register for VAT (if not already registered), and which of the staggered quarterly accounting periods apply to the business.

If she will make an estimate of the average amount of tax paid by each person in (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26.

In 2024-25, HMRC expect the average amount of Income Tax paid by income tax payers to be £7,950.In 2025-26, HMRC expect the average amount of Income Tax paid by income tax payers to be £8,270.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reductions to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund on (a) adoptive parents, (b) special guardians, (c) kinship carers and (d) the children they support.

The new criteria for the adoption and special guardianship support fund enable as many children and families as possible to access the available funding. The department always assesses the impact of changes on children and their families. This includes reviewing the equalities impact assessment on children, which will be made available in the House Libraries in due course.

With reference to his Department’s press release Largest ever UK defence AI trial conducted across land, sea and air, published on 25 May 2025, whether he has made an assessment of the cyber security risks of increased reliance on AI in defence.

The process of understanding threat informs the functioning of our entire enterprise, from intelligence and military operations through to what technologies we adopt and why. AI naturally features as one of the many technologies that the Ministry of Defence (MOD) monitors for both opportunity and risk. The MOD takes all aspects of cyber security very seriously, and our AI, Security, and Policy teams are working closely to ensure the impact of AI on our work delivers opportunities while not adversely impacting cyber security. We have a long history of incorporating new technologies into military capability and are leveraging our long-established legal, safety and regulatory regimes as we incorporate AI into military capability.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52391 on Private Education: VAT, if she will provide a breakdown of how the additional £460m will be spent.

The government believes it is right these changes were introduced as soon as possible in order to raise the funding needed to help deliver our commitments to public services, including those relating to education and young people. Together, the VAT and business rates reforms are expected to raise £1.8 billion per year by the 2029/30 financial year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52040 on Private Education: VAT, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the five month preparation period for private schools.

The government believes it is right these changes were introduced as soon as possible in order to raise the funding needed to help deliver our commitments to public services, including those relating to education and young people. Together, the VAT and business rates reforms are expected to raise £1.8 billion per year by the 2029/30 financial year.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 50632 on Schools: Broadband, if she will list the five schools in Bedfordshire.

The five schools due to receive a funded update to fibre this year in Bedfordshire are:Derwent Primary School, Central Bedfordshire, SG16 6BA.Eaton Bray Academy, Central Bedfordshire, LU6 2DT (completed).Milton Ernest CofE Primary School, Bedford, MK44 1RF (completed).Sheerhatch Primary School, Bedford, MK44 3TH.Slip End Village School, Central Bedfordshire, LU1 4DD.

With reference to his Department’s press release Major investment partnership worth £24 billion to transform key growth sectors and deliver affordable housing across UK, published on 19 May 2025, if he will publish a full list of sites to be developed.

We can disclose the sites of the development as released by TCE on 19 May 2025:60 acres above and around Euston Station in London, to deliver 4.3 million square foot of commercial space, 2,000 new homes.60 acres in Silvertown in London, to deliver 1.3 million square foot of commercial, 6,300 new homes.40 acres in Smithfield in Birmingham, to deliver 2 million square foot of commercial space, 3,400 new homes.Three land plots in Stratford Cross, London, to deliver 1.6 million square foot of commercial space.250 acres of residential space in Thamesmead Waterfront, London, to deliver 11,000 new homes.27 acres in High Road West in Haringey, London, to deliver 100,000 square foot commercial space, 2,800 new homes.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press notice entitled Huge mobile signal boost across UK countryside now covering area larger than 66,000 football pitches, published on 28 May 2025, which sites have had their mobile masts upgraded.

The location of Home Office masts that have been upgraded for the Shared Rural Network (SRN), including six additional masts activated for the programme since the press notice was published, can be found in the table below. We plan to upgrade over 40 more sites in England, Wales and Scotland by March 2026, but the details of these masts cannot be shared until a site is confirmed to form part of the programme. Location1Farmland and Buildings, West of Millrigg Farm, Lockerbie, DG11 2PA2Rhosrhiw, Pontrhydygreous Ystar, Meurig, SY25 6DX3Wenalt Farm off B4340, Llanafan, SY23 4AX4West Fedw Tylwch, Llanidloes, SY18 6QU5Esgair Maen- Y-Fan, Llandidloes, SY18 6NT6Bron Felin Old Hall, Llanidloes, SY18 6PW7Land at Bridge End Farm, Thirlmere, Keswick, CA12 4TG8Kilgwrrwg, Devauden, Chepstow, NP16 6PN9Bailey Hill. Bailey Bog Farm, Bwlch-y-Sarnau, Rhayader, LD6 5NF10Pwllan Farm, Tregynon, Powys, SY16 3ER11Land at Alltcerrig Farm, Pont Faen, Brecon, LD3 9RY12Garn Rock Newcastle, Craven Arms, SY7 8PD13Tyn Y Celyn, Rhiw Fawr, Llanfyllin, SY22 5JQ14he Hendre Felindre, Knighton, LD7 1YT15Tynypant Llananno, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 6TT16Plas-yn-Dinam, Llandrillo, Corwen, LL10 0TE17Land at Allt Goch Llandovery SA20 0PP18Ty Isaf Hafod Elwy Bylchau LL16 5SP19Land at Dolgledr Abergwynant Farm Penmaenpool Dolgellau LL40 1YF20Pen-rhiwcul Mallwyd SY20 9HR21Near Solway View Roadhead Carlisle CA6 6NE22Glas Aber Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog Wrexham LL20 7LH23Cossarshill Farm, Ettrick Valley, TD7 5JB24Maes Farm Maengwynedd Oswestry SY10 0DE25Genoch Farm, Straiton, Ayrshire, KA19 7NW26Cae Llyn Field Winllan Talybont Ceredigion SY24 5DJ27Tushielaw Farm off B709, Crosslee, Selkirk, Scottish Borders, TD7 5HT28Newgate Foot Newgate Bank Pockley YO62 7TF29Springhill Farm Selattyn Oswestry SY10 7NZ30Brynceiro Ponterwyd Aberystwyth SY23 3LB31Land at Mynydd Eithaf, Unnamed Road, Glaspwll32Land North Of Grange Moor Farm Cottages, Scots Gap, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 4EE33Barnside Hill, Southern Upland Way, Duns, TD11 3SG34Sharplaw Farm, Hownam, Kelso, Roxburghshire, NF6635Off B7068, Paddockhole, Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway, DG11 2QF36Amod Farm Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, PA28 6RN37West Buccleuch. Tushielaw, Nr Hawick, TD9 7NF38East Friars Farm Bowlees Middleton-in-Teesdale DL12 0XG39Hillcrest NW of B8007 , B8007 Acharacle , Argyll and Bute , PH36 4JG40Kildavie Farm, Southend, Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6RF41Brownknowe Farm Tarest Hexham NE48 1PS42A849, Rossal Estate, Isle of Mull, Argyll and Bute PA70 6HG43Minor road from A848, Glenaros Estate, near Salen, Isle of Mull, Argyll PA72 6JP44Land at Westmains Farm, Penton, Carlisle, CA6 5QH45Land at Coal Pit Farm, Penwyrlod Forest, Coal Pit Abergavenny, NP7 7LY.46Pen Y Fron, Gwytherin Abergele, LL22 8US.47Tyn-yWern Commins Llanrhaedr ym Mochnant, SY10 0BZ48Revolution Bike Park off B4391 Llangynog SY10 0EP49Land at Fangs Brow Farm, Loweswater, Allerdale, Cumbria CA13 0SU50Pontmaendu Farm, Upper Chapel, Brecon, Powys, LD3 9RG51Latterbarrow Nether Wasdale CA20 1ET52Land Adjacent to Ivy Cottage, Tarfside, Brechin, DD9 7YU53Coed Dolchenog, Cwmystwyth, SY23 4AD54Coed Cae, Llanymawddwy, Machynlith, SY20 9AQ55Land at Ashton Manor, Lower Ashton, EX6 7QW56Land at Hall Dunnerdale Farm, Seathwaite, Broughton in Furness, LA20 6ED

What estimate his Department has made of the average (a) capital and (b) revenue funding that is required to maintain a newly built hospital over the next fifteen years.

The capital and revenue funding required to maintain a newly built hospital varies widely depending on the size and type of the facility, and is subject to a number of further uncertainties around operational costs and demand. There is no standard cost that reflects this variation.