Written questions by Stephenson.

If she will make an estimate of the average length of time that judicial reviews took to complete for road infrastructure projects between 2015 and 2025.

Between 2015 and 2025, 11 judicial reviews were submitted in relation to Development Consent Orders for road infrastructure projects. The Department successfully defended 9 of these, highlighting the fair, legally robust decisions the Department makes to deliver major infrastructure. Judicial reviews must be lodged within six weeks of a decision being issued. The length of the process is entirely in the hands of courts. The average length of time between a decision and legal proceedings concluding for these 11 cases was 437 days. The Planning & Infrastructure Bill will streamline legal challenges to major infrastructure projects, reducing delays from unmerited claims and supporting faster delivery of nationally significant projects.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled Leisure travel tops charts for reasons people choose rail, published on 9 April 2025, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for the tourism industry of this research.

The Department has not made an assessment of the potential implications for the tourism industry of the recent research findings. The research provides a snapshot of rail travel in England at the time of fieldwork, and the data will help inform DfT’s modelling and forecasting. Implications for the wider tourism industry have not been formally evaluated.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of increased employer National Insurance contributions on the British vehicle manufacturing industry.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

What individual investments have been made by the National Wealth Fund since July 2024; and how many jobs each investment is expected to support.

The National Wealth Fund and its predecessor the UK Infrastructure Bank have announced 19 deals since July 2024, committing nearly £3bn, and estimate creating or supporting over 12,400 jobs. The National Wealth Fund sets out details of the investments which it makes, including estimate jobs created, on its website at https://www.nationalwealthfund.org.uk/. The following list provides the project client, the amount committed by the National Wealth Fund and the estimated number of jobs created or supported by those commitments at the time of their announcement. Scottish Power/Iberdrola - £600m - 57 jobsAESC - £272m - 176 jobsNatWest plc - £400m - 2,207 jobsThe Housing Finance Corp Ltd - £150m - 1,226 jobsSolihull Metropolitan Borough Council - £10m - 3 jobsPulpex - £42m - 29 jobsCornish Metals - £29m - 35 jobsConnected Kerb - £55m – 48 jobsDenbighshire County Council - £92m - 76 jobsNetomnia - £25m - 61 jobsLloyds Social Housing - £400m - 3,489 jobsBarclays - £350m - 3,053 jobsXLCC Ltd - £20m - 10 jobsFibrus - £55m - 129 jobsCeredigion County Council - £25m - 20 jobsWest Suffolk Council - £17m - 54 jobsQuickline - £225m - 121 jobsWildanet - £35m – 171 jobsHyperoptic - £150m - 1,445 jobs

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 42689 on Environment Protection: Planning, if he will publish the stakeholders with which his Department has consulted.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 31 March 2025, UIN 42689. We have no plans to publish the recommendations or stakeholders engaged.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of a 10% tariff on UK exports to the US on her Department's fiscal headroom.

On 8 May 2025, the government concluded a landmark economic deal with the United States. The Economic Prosperity Deal will reduce tariffs for UK exporters in critical sectors, will protect thousands of jobs in key British industries, and help drive economic growth. This is just the beginning of the process – with the US agreeing to deepen transatlantic trade and investment further. The Chancellor has always been clear that the fiscal rules are non-negotiable and the OBR confirmed in their March forecast that the government is on track to meet them.

What recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on negotiating a free trade agreement with that country.

We have concluded a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to get an agreement with President Trump.This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors – sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK.We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains. The US has committed to further negotiations, including on the 10% tariffs introduced on 2nd April across our economy.

If he will make an estimate of the number of businesses that have ceased trading in Mid-Bedfordshire constituency since the Autumn Budget 2024.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th May is attached.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps with local leaders to establish a Local Visitor Economy Partnership in Bedfordshire in the context of the proposed Universal theme park.

Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are a vital part of the Government’s strategy to support a more sustainable and resilient visitor economy across England. The LVEP programme, in partnership with VisitEngland, provides a clear framework for collaboration between local leaders, tourism businesses, and national bodies.VisitEngland continues to work on growing the LVEP network, and stands ready to support areas that meet the criteria and can demonstrate strong local coordination and ambition, including Bedfordshire.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43284 on Schools: Broadband, whether any of the 343 schools are in Bedfordshire.

Pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2025, five of the 343 schools due to receive a funded upgrade to fibre this year are in Bedfordshire. One of these schools has already been upgraded, with the school benefitting from the new high-speed connection.

What discussions he has had with the renewables industry on its reliance on imports of batteries from China.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the planning system in Bedfordshire to manage planning applications for (a) accommodation, (b) hospitality and leisure and (c) other development types resulting from the proposed Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.

On 9 April 2025, the Prime Minister announced that a multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford had been agreed between Universal Studios, the UK Government, and Bedford Borough Council. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has agreed, in principle, to consider any proposal. Given the proposals remain subject to a planning decision, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Ministers cannot comment on any proposal, as to do so could prejudice the position of the Deputy Prime Minister. Should the Department receive such a request, it will carry out a proper and impartial consideration of the planning merits of the proposed development.

Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps with local authorities in Bedfordshire to plan for increased guest accommodation in the context of the proposed Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.

DCMS is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the visitor economy across the country, including in Bedfordshire. Responsibility for local planning and accommodation provision rests with local authorities, but of course DCMS works closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, VisitEngland, and other partners to ensure that areas are equipped to respond to major tourism developments, and will do so as this project develops.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the definition of honey included in the 2015 Honey England Regulations.

The Honey (England) Regulations 2015 lay down detailed specifications for honey in terms of its composition and quality criteria. One of the aims of these is to protect the use of the reserved description “honey” by setting a minimum expected compositional standard for our market, in order to protect consumers, instil consumer confidence that the honey is what it says it is, create a level playing field for industry, and prevent misleading and fraudulent practices on our market. Defra periodically reviews food compositional standards legislation to ensure regulations remain fit for purpose. A post-implementation review of the Honey (England) Regulations 2015 in 2021 found that the policy objectives stated in the regulations have been fully realised. As a result of the review, the definition of honey as a reserved description, the description of different types of honey, and the listing of its minimum compositional standards have remained in place.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43285 on Schools: Solar Power, whether any schools in Bedfordshire are on the long list.

​​Pursuant to my answer of 10 April 2025, work is still progressing on finalising the long and short lists of projects in the East of England region to participate in this first year of the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme. The department hopes to have finalised the selection before the summer break. ​In the interim, we are providing support for all schools and colleges to start on their journey towards net zero via our new online sustainability support for education platform and our climate ambassador programme. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sustainability-leadership-and-climate-action-plans-in-education.Where schools are considering the purchase of solar panels or other sustainable systems, our ‘Get help for buying’ service provides support to ensure that schemes procured are of high quality and value to the sector. More information can be found here: https://gethelpbuyingforschools.campaign.gov.uk/.​Details of other government funding available to public bodies for sustainability can also be found at this website, prepared by the Crown Commercial Service: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/social-value/carbon-net-zero/funding-and-grants.

What steps he is taking to support growth in the UK steel industry.

Steel is one of the Government’s top priorities. We are continuing to develop our upcoming steel strategy which will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment.We remain committed to providing up to £2.5bn for the steel sector, which will be delivered though the National Wealth Fund and other routes. We are developing our thinking on how this funding will be aligned with the steel strategy.The National Wealth Fund is operationally independent, and financing is already accessible to projects that meet the investment principles.

What steps he is taking to increase (a) support for and (b) resilience of the vehicle manufacturing industry.

The Budget committed over £2 billion of funding support to 2030 to unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicle manufacturing and supply chains. This funding will ensure the resilience of the sector and boost competitiveness. We’ve also listened to business on regulations, and the changes announced by the Prime Minister on 7 April introduced significant extra flexibility into the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate. And we continue to open up markets - and have protected British carmakers jobs - as our new deal with India and our landmark deal with the US clearly demonstrate.

If she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of judicial reviews in relation to road infrastructure projects in the East of England in the 2023-24 financial year.

The total cost to the public purse (National Highways and Department for Transport) of judicial reviews in relation to road infrastructure projects on the strategic road network in the East of England during the 2023-24 financial year is estimated to be approximately £351,700.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate on automotive manufacturers in the context of Stellantis closing its Luton plant.

Stellantis’ decision to close its diesel van plant in Luton was a commercial decision taken as part of its response to wider challenges. Regrettably, despite active engagement from Government, we were unable to reverse the company’s decision. My Department has regular engagement with automotive manufacturers around the transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). Having heard from industry and other stakeholders, in April the Government announced changes to the ZEV Mandate by significantly increasing flexibilities for manufacturers up to 2030. This allows them to comply with requirements in the way most suitable to their business and consumer demand, avoid fines and not need to buy credits from competitors.

Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled Cuts to red tape to make great British staycations cheaper published on 7 April 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential role of Local Visitor Economy Partnerships in creating local tourism packages.

Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) have an important role to play in supporting the development of local tourism products and packages that meet the needs of visitors and benefit local communities. As business-led and strategically coordinated partnerships, LVEPs are well placed to bring together local stakeholders, such as accommodation providers, attractions, transport operators, and cultural venues to create compelling, joined-up visitor offers.As part of our Plan for Change, the Government’s reforms announced on 7 April 2025 aim to make it easier for domestic visitors to access high quality ‘staycation’ experiences. These measures complement the work of LVEPs, which are supported by DCMS and VisitEngland, to strengthen destination management, encourage innovation, and drive year-round visitor demand.Through the LVEP programme, DCMS and VisitEngland will continue to support local areas to develop coordinated visitor experiences that reflect local distinctiveness and deliver economic and social benefits for communities.