Written questions by Stephenson.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of wealthy taxpayers leaving the UK on levels of (a) economic growth and (b) tax receipts.

The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible. As part of this, the Government is increasing the main rates of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to 18 and 24 per cent, while ensuring the UK tax system remains internationally competitive. At the Budget, the Government also confirmed its plans to remove the outdated concept of domicile status from the tax system and to replace it with a new residence-based regime from 6 April 2025, which is internationally competitive and focused on attracting the best talent and investment to the UK. The OBR have certified that the package of non-dom reforms the Government is legislating will raise £33.8bn in total revenue over the five-year forecast period. These reforms will ensure that everyone who makes their home in the UK pays their taxes here. These and other decisions announced at the Budget will help repair the public finances and fund public services such as the NHS and education.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the potential impact of increases to employers’ National Insurance for (a) Bedford Borough Council and (b) Central Bedfordshire Council.

The government has announced an additional £515 million of support for local government in England specifically to manage the impact of changes to employer NICs announced at the Autumn Budget.Final allocations to local authorities will be published alongside final positions on methodology as part of the final Local Government Finance Settlement in early February 2025.

Communities and Local Government, how much funding her Department is providing to (a) Bedford Borough Council and (b) Central Bedfordshire Council to cover the increased cost of employers’ National Insurance.

The government has announced an additional £515 million of support for local government in England specifically to manage the impact of changes to employer NICs announced at the Autumn Budget.Final allocations to local authorities will be published alongside final positions on methodology as part of the final Local Government Finance Settlement in early February 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Spanish counterpart.

The Foreign Secretary last met with his Spanish counterpart Foreign Minister José-Manuel Albares in the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Luxembourg in October 2024 and was in touch with Mr Albares to express the UK's condolences and offer our support after the heavy flooding in Valencia later in October. I visited Madrid on 17th January 2025 where I had discussions with Foreign Minister Albares and my Spanish counterpart, Minister for Europe Fernando Sampedro.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of resources available to the planning inspectorate.

The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including by means of ensuring there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate to support such activity. The Inspectorate regularly publishes updates on its performance.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the performance of the planning inspectorate.

The government is committed to the efficient handling of planning casework, including by means of ensuring there is sufficient resourcing in the Planning Inspectorate to support such activity. The Inspectorate regularly publishes updates on its performance.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an estimate of the number of (a) ancient and (b) veteran trees not covered by Tree Protection Orders in Bedfordshire.

Defra recognises the importance of ancient and veteran trees, which provide irreplaceable habitats and a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits to communities across the country. The value of ancient woodlands and ancient and veteran trees is recognised through the National Planning Policy Framework where these habitats are identified as irreplaceable. We do not have the data to estimate of the number of these trees not covered by Tree Protection Orders in Bedfordshire.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an estimate of the annual difference between (a) the current cost of administering the British Indian Ocean Territory and (b) the proposed cost of leasing the Diego Garcia base from Mauritius.

It is established practice not to publish payments made for overseas military bases.The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office provides funding to the BIOT Administration to help support the good governance of the Territory. In FY 23/24, the FCDO provided £29.3 million of funding.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the owners of Scheduled Monuments on their potential role in British tourism.

Scheduled Monuments are extremely diverse and range from the 17th century Houghton House, which is managed by English Heritage, to Metchley Roman fort in Birmingham, much of which lies on private land. The Secretary of State regularly engages with heritage organisations to discuss their role in British tourism. These discussions highlight the contribution of a wide range of heritage assets, including scheduled monuments, to the Visitor Economy, focusing on sustainable use, preservation, access, and promotion. The Government recognises the importance of heritage in showcasing the UK’s culture and works closely with stakeholders to support sustainable tourism initiatives that enhance visitor experiences while protecting these culturally significant sites for future generations.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential contribution of Scheduled Monuments to the tourism industry.

We have made no such formal assessment, but many of the nearly 20,000 Scheduled Monuments in England, including Stonehenge, Appleby Castle and Barnard Castle, as well as those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are important visitor attractions. We remain committed to promoting heritage to drive sustainable growth, foster cultural engagement, and ensure it remains accessible for future generations.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with President Trump about the future of the British Indian Ocean Territory.

The Foreign Secretary last spoke to President Trump in September, when they had a private dinner in New York with the Prime Minister. We do not disclose the details of private conversations. Regarding the future of Diego Garcia, it is right that the new US Administration has time to consider the detail of the Treaty in full and we will continue to engage closely.

Representing the Church Commissioners, what steps the Church is taking to support the tourism industry.

Churches, cathedrals and other historic sites are at the heart of England's cultural and spiritual heritage, attracting millions of visitors annually. The Church of England operates 16,000 churches and 42 cathedrals. Cathedrals alone add over 6,000 jobs to the economy, and contribute over £230m to their local economies. Over 9.35 million people visited a cathedral in 2023, a 17% increase on 2022. Cathedrals also benefit from over 15,000 volunteers who contribute over a million hours a year to the welcome, services and special events taking place. Further information is available at: https://www.ecorys.com/case-studies/the-economic-and-social-impacts-of-englands-cathedrals/#:~:text=Significant%20impacts%20were%20also%20generated,of%20this%20visitor%2Drelated%20spend The Church of England has developed the Church Heritage Record: https://facultyonline.churchofengland.org/churches, which provides geo-located data on every Church of England church, including information on the history of the building where it is available. Local congregations are encouraged to add details of their church to this. The National Church Institutions are partnered with local churches to develop ‘A Church Near You’: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/, which provides online space for every church in the country to have a website for the public to find out about services, events and the history of the buildingsChurches and cathedrals will often contain great artworks and architecture, and will support artists and musicians by commissioning new works and special installations. Recent examples include the successful Luxmuralis light shows, the Peterborough Cathedral Catherine of Aragon festival, and nationally important commemorative memorials such as the Covid19 ‘Remember Me’ memorial in St Pauls Cathedral https://www.stpauls.co.uk/remember-me-memorial In the St Albans Diocese, which covers Mid Bedfordshire, the Cathedral is currently hosting the Museum of the Moon. More information about the Cathedral events programme can be found here: https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/Pages/Events/Category/events?Take=12 Cathedrals and churches form a network across the country for pilgrimages and walking tours, which are growing in popularity. The Church has reestablished several ancient walkways, such as St Cuthbert's Way, the Canterbury Pilgrimage, and St Albans Pilgrimage. Details of the many walkways can be found here: https://www.britishpilgrimage.org/routesCathedrals and churches will often host their own choirs, but also provide space for local choirs, orchestras, and theatre groups to put on performances. Notable examples include The Three Choirs Festival (involving Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester Cathedrals) and the International Organ Festival in St Albans. In addition, churches play host to many fairs, markets, and seasonal festivals and exhibitions, all of which boost local tourismMany churchyards are biodiversity hotspots and churches are looking at how to better engage with growing trends towards sustainable and eco-tourism. Visit England also works with churches to promote them as key parts of the national heritage network. Many churches, cathedrals, palaces and vicarages also open their doors for the National Garden Scheme and other open house days, raising money for local charities, initiatives and events.

What target her Department set for the number of new sign ups to Pension Credit between July and December 2024.

No targets for new awards or applications have been set, but the Government wants everyone eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming it to receive the benefits they are entitled to. That’s why we have been taking significant steps to maximise the take-up of Pension Credit. The Department’s campaign to promote Pension Credit has been running since September on TV, radio, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, on YouTube, on advertising screens, including on GP and Post Office screens as well as in the press. The latest phase of the campaign was aimed at friends and family - especially adult children of eligible pensioners - asking them to tell people they know about Pension Credit, encourage them to check their eligibility, as well as help them make a claim. In order to promote Pension Credit through as many channels as possible, we have also engaged with key stakeholders and partners, including other government departments, local councils, housing associations, community groups, local libraries and service providers as well as charities and third sector organisations.

If she will make an estimate of the proportion of Household Support Fund funding allocated to pensioners in 2024-25.

The Department for Work and Pensions publishes Management Information on the Household Support Fund, including details on the proportion of funding spent on households with pensioners. The latest Management Information covering the scheme running from April 2023-March 2024 is available here: Household Support Fund management information - GOV.UK. Data that includes winter 2024-25 is still being collected and will be published later in 2025. Local Authorities have the discretion to design their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out for the fund. This is because they have the ties and the knowledge to best determine how support should be provided in their local communities. The Department for Work and Pensions conducted an evaluation of the fourth iteration of the Household Support Fund, that ran from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, to understand the benefits of the awards made across England during this period. This will be published shortly.

If she will make an estimate of the number of pensioners earning less than the Pension Credit threshold who did not receive winter fuel payment in winter 2024-25.

The Department does not yet have data on households who did not receive a Winter Fuel Payment in Winter 2024/25. The latest data on Winter Fuel Payment caseload is available here: Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

How many people signed up for Pension Credit between July and December 2024.

Statistics on Pension Credit application volumes were published on 28 November 2024. This includes numbers of applications that were received, awarded and not awarded, up to 17 November 2024. Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2024 - GOV.UK Please note, the next publication of Pension Credit application statistics is due around the end of February 2025 and will cover the data up to week commencing 10 February 2025.

What estimate she has made of the number of pensioners in poverty in winter (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2023-24.

Statistics on the number of people living in relative and absolute poverty both before and after housing costs are produced on an annual basis and published in the Households Below Average Income statistics. The latest available data covers financial year ending 2023, and is published by the Department here Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2023 - GOV.UK

If she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Household Support Fund in supporting pensioners in winter 2024-25.

The Department for Work and Pensions publishes Management Information on the Household Support Fund, including details on the proportion of funding spent on households with pensioners. The latest Management Information covering the scheme running from April 2023-March 2024 is available here: Household Support Fund management information - GOV.UK. Data that includes winter 2024-25 is still being collected and will be published later in 2025. Local Authorities have the discretion to design their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out for the fund. This is because they have the ties and the knowledge to best determine how support should be provided in their local communities. The Department for Work and Pensions conducted an evaluation of the fourth iteration of the Household Support Fund, that ran from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, to understand the benefits of the awards made across England during this period. This will be published shortly.

Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of a transient visitor levy on UK tourism.

Tax policy is a matter for HM Treasury and there are no plans to introduce a visitor levy in England. Levies either have been or are being introduced in Scotland, Wales and some English cities and DCMS continues to monitor their impact on the visitor economy.

If he will make an estimate of trends in the level of consumer spending amongst pensioners in quarter four of (a) 2024 and (b) 2023.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 15 January is attached.