Written questions by Anderson.

Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to implement the (a) ethanol and (b) beef quotas agreed as part of the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal.

On 16 June, we announced concrete progress towards the implementation of the UK-US trade deal as agreed on 8 May. The US Executive Order confirmed that the US will put in place the agreed quota for car exports to the US, reducing US tariffs from 27.5% to 10%. The UK will lay legislation to create our agreed beef and ethanol quotas in line with US implementation. The government remains focused on making sure British businesses can secure the benefits of the deal as soon as possible. The Economic Prosperity Deal and any implementing legislation will be presented to Parliament in due course.

What the Government’s planned timetable is for laying legislation to implement the preferential duty-free quota for US beef imports under the Economic Prosperity Deal.

On 16 June, we announced concrete progress towards the implementation of the UK-US trade deal as agreed on 8 May. The US Executive Order confirmed that the US will put in place the agreed quota for car exports to the US, reducing US tariffs from 27.5% to 10%. The UK will lay legislation to create our agreed beef and ethanol quotas in line with US implementation. The government remains focused on making sure British businesses can secure the benefits of the deal as soon as possible. The Economic Prosperity Deal and any implementing legislation will be presented to Parliament in due course.

How the Windrush Commissioner will provide regular progress updates on the implementation of the Government’s response to the Windrush scandal to Parliament.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

Food and Rural Affairs, what mechanisms have been agreed with the United States to monitor compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards under paragraph 2(a) of the General Terms.

On 8 May, the UK Government announced a landmark economic deal with the United States, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump. This delivers on the commitment by the Prime Minister and the President on 27 February to agree an economic deal in our respective national interests. All food imports into the UK, including those via the new reciprocal quotas for beef agreed with the US, must comply with all of the UK’s import requirements, including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules. That means that hormone-treated beef will remain banned in the UK and will not be permitted under the economic deal with the US. The UK has effective systems and checks in place to monitor compliance with our SPS rules. Nothing has changed in this agreement with regards to how the UK controls the safety of food imported from the US. Each consignment of beef must have an export health certificate, certified by a veterinarian as compliant with British legislation, including the ban on hormone-treated beef. There are also regular checks at the UK border, including taking samples of products to look for any contaminants and drug residues. We have always been clear that this Government will protect British farmers, secure our food security and uphold our high food, animal welfare and environmental standards in trade deals. That is exactly what we have done and will continue to do. Any agricultural imports coming into the UK will have to meet our high SPS standards.

Whether the Windrush Commissioner is expected to make recommendations to government on future policy relating to affected communities.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

Whether the Windrush Commissioner’s role includes oversight of cultural change initiatives within her Department.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

What the reporting arrangements are between the Windrush Commissioner and ministers.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

Whether the Windrush Commissioner will have access to departmental data relating to the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

What formal mechanisms have been established to enable the Windrush Commissioner to engage with affected individuals and community organisations.

On 18 June we announced Rev Clive Foster MBE as the new Windrush Commissioner. Rev Foster is a senior pastor at the Pilgrim Church in Nottingham with deep personal connections to the Windrush generations through his parents who migrated from Jamaica in 1959, so brings both lived experience and professional expertise to this crucial role.Once the Commissioner formally starts his role, we will work with him as he establishes his office, sets his priorities, agrees the mechanisms by which he will interact with both the Home Office and wider government.It is expected that the Commissioner’s reporting arrangements will mirror those already in place for existing Home Office appointed Commissioners.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee's decisions on food and drink exporters from Buckinghamshire.

The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee which met on 03/06/2025, did not include decisions specific to food and drinks exports; no assessment has therefore been made of its impact on food and drink exporters from Buckinghamshire.The Joint Statement (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/australia-uk-free-trade-agreement-joint-committee-statement) issued following the committee provides an overview of the discussion undertaken as part of the Joint Committee.The total value of UK exports of food and drink products to Australia was £429.5m in 2024, up 8.9% on 2023.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK-US trade agreement on UK aerospace supply chains.

On 16 June the US confirmed that certain UK aerospace products will no longer be subject to US tariffs. This deal is a win for the UK's world-class aerospace sector which was facing additional 10% tariffs, helping make companies more competitive and allowing them to continue to be at the cutting edge of innovation. The removal of US tariffs helps suppliers continue to do business in the US and deliver growth in the UK.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of new Infrastructure Levy rules on (a) housing delivery and (b) developer contributions in high-growth areas.

The government has made clear that it does not intend to implement the Infrastructure Levy as introduced in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.Instead, we intend to focus on strengthening the existing system of developer contributions. Further details will be set out in due course.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of increasing the Public Works Loan Board lending cap on local authority investment strategies.

The government increased the aggregate limit for Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) lending to £135 billion in November 2024. The increase in the limit has ensured that local authorities (LA) can continue to access loans to support their investment strategies in line with the PWLB lending guidance and the Prudential Framework for local government capital finance.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms available to the Small Business Commissioner for resolving payment disputes.

The Small Business Commissioner has played a crucial role in helping small businesses get paid on time since the role was introduced in 2016. However, this Government is aware of the challenges that small businesses continue to face with regards to late payment.The Government is committed to consulting on proposals that would increase the powers available to the Small Business Commissioner in order to improve its effectiveness in tackling late payments and poor payment practices. The consultation outcome will be published shortly.

What steps his Department is taking to support British aerospace manufacturers to utilise UK-US defence trade cooperation arrangements.

My Department welcomes the opportunities that come from the Government’s recent announcements on trade arrangements with the USA, alongside those from our longstanding defence cooperation agreements, which support our growth ambitions. We work directly with British Industry and trade associations to provide appropriate support to UK business including the aerospace sector, to access opportunities, including at trade shows in the US and globally, such as the recent Paris Air Show and DSEI later this year.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the provision of financial education in schools in Buckingham and Bletchley constituency.

Financial education forms a compulsory part of the national curriculum for mathematics at key stages 1 to 4, and citizenship at key stages 3 and 4. Together these cover personal budgeting, saving for the future, managing credit and debt, and calculating interest.The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of key knowledge and skills, including financial education, to prepare children and young people for future life and to thrive in a fast-changing world.The interim report highlighted that the Review has heard consistently from children and young people and their parents that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education.The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn with the government’s response.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of limited capital access on scale-up firms outside of (a) London and (b) the South East.

Businesses in shallower finance markets outside London and the South East are less likely to be able to access growth capital, meaning high-potential businesses may be forced to relocate or else accept slower growth. The British Business Bank’s Nations and Regions Investment Funds help close the gap by providing finance for businesses to invest and grow across the UK, meaning the growth and jobs created by businesses benefit local communities. In the longer term, the Funds will create more dynamic ecosystems made up of investment-savvy business owners and private investors who know there are good investment propositions available.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of companies requiring additional funding to help scale-up.

The estimated equity finance gap (the difference between actual equity investment and potential equity investment) for all but established companies was £7.5 billion in 2021. [1] There is an equity finance gap in every region and nation of the UK; London has the largest absolute equity finance gap, while Yorkshire and Humber has the largest relative gap. [2] The British Business Bank is helping to close that gap through its Nations and Regions Investment Funds and the Regional Angels Programme, which also attract additional private investment for businesses outside London and the South East. [1] Supporting Innovative Start-Up and Growing Businesses: Equity Finance Provision through the Pandemic: Interim Report by Marek Kacer, Nick Wilson :: SSRN (DBT commissioned and funded)[2] Equity Finance and the UK Regions (BEIS research paper)

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of UK companies remaining private for longer on the capital raising lifecycle.

The UK’s vibrant and dynamic capital markets play a key role in supporting growth as identified in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy Call for Evidence - and the Government committed to strengthening UK capital markets and taking forward an ambitious programme of reforms. The Government will publish the strategy in July. As part of these reforms, the government has also recently delivered legislation to establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox (PISCES) to respond to companies staying private for longer and at scale. It aims to make private secondary markets more efficient with a bespoke regulatory framework, while also providing a steppingstone to public markets.

What estimate her Department has made of the proportion of private capital funding in the UK provided by international sources.

The UK’s vibrant and dynamic capital markets play a key role in supporting growth as identified in the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy Call for Evidence - and the Government committed to strengthening UK capital markets and taking forward an ambitious programme of reforms. The Government will publish the strategy in July. As part of these reforms, the government has also recently delivered legislation to establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox (PISCES) to respond to companies staying private for longer and at scale. It aims to make private secondary markets more efficient with a bespoke regulatory framework, while also providing a steppingstone to public markets.