Written questions by Dewhirst.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce regulation for the transport of live crustaceans from the UK to Europe.

The UK Government has secured a Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, which will remove routine SPS border checks with the EU Member States, and some technical barriers to trade such as food labelling, organics, marketing standards and pesticides. This deal will reduce costs and make the seafood exporting journey of live crustaceans to our biggest market simpler, cheaper and quicker.

With reference to the Written Statement of 22 May 2025 on NHS Workforce, HCWS663, what the evidential basis is for the reduction of NHS England costs by 50%; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that reduction on (a) patient care, (b) access to services and (c) regional health inequalities.

We are intending to reduce the headcount across the Department and NHS England, which will deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of savings each year which can be recycled into front line service delivery. Work is progressing to take forward the detailed design and operating model for the new integrated organisation, along with plans for the smooth transfer of people, functions, and responsibilities. The precise reduction agreed will be done through careful design, deliberation, and consultation, in the spirit of making sure that the set-up is right for the longer term.It is only right that with such significant reform, we commit to carefully assessing and understanding the potential impacts, as is due process. Evidence from these ongoing assessments will inform our programme as appropriate. Furthermore, the Government is committed to transparency, and will consider how best to ensure the public and parliamentarians are informed of the outcomes and impact of both the abolition of NHS England and the reduction in workforce.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will ensure a (a) sustainable and (b) supportive approach to the fishing industry.

We are committed to the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fleet and will continue to work closely with the fishing industry and coastal communities. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, we strive to improve the sustainability of our fisheries, and publish annual independent assessments of our progress. In addition, on 19 May 2025 we announced the £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund will help invest in the next generation of fishermen and on 9 June we reopened the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme, two schemes that will support the industry.

When she plans to publish a hate crime action plan.

There is no excuse for violence or abuse driven by hatred and discrimination and we support the police in taking the strongest action against the perpetrators of these appalling offences.This Government is carefully considering how best to strengthen the response to hate crime going forward so we can tackle this offending head on.The Government funds an online hate crime reporting portal called True Vision, designed so victims of all types of hate crime do not have to visit a police station to report. We are also continuing to fund the National Online Hate Crime Hub which supports individual local police forces in dealing specifically with online hate crime.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the safety of the Jewish community in the UK.

Antisemitism has no place in our society, and tackling it is a top priority for this government. We are particularly concerned about the steep increase in antisemitism we have seen since the abhorrent 7 October attacks. The government is committed to protecting the safety of the Jewish community in the UK and making our streets and communities safer. That is why funding of £72 million has been allocated for the Community Security Trust to continue their vital work from 2024/25 until 2027/28, providing security to schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings. The government works closely with the Independent Adviser on Antisemitism to provide independent advice to the Secretary of State on the most effective methods to tackle antisemitism and to ensure that the Jewish community’s concerns about antisemitism are heard and acted upon. We also work with the police to regularly review potential threats and ensure that everything is done to protect communities from hate crime.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of legacy PFI contracts where BSSL contractors are failing to carry out repairs and maintenance on schools in (a) Bridlington and The Wolds and (b) throughout the UK; and if she will publish the full PFI contract terms and survey information for the affected schools.

The department is not familiar with ‘BSSL’ however we assume this is the name of the private finance initiative (PFI) contractor on the Bridlington Group Schools Project. The PFI contractor for the Bridlington Group Schools Project contract will be a special purpose vehicle which will likely hold just one contract. We do not hold the details of the Bridlington Group Schools contract as this contract was entered into by the local authority. East Riding of Yorkshire Council will be able to assist further with this enquiry.

What steps he is taking to remove barriers to trade for UK seafood exporters.

The Government has secured a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement with the EU that will remove red tape for UK seafood exporters and businesses. This will make it easier to sell British fish to our largest trading partner, which will in turn drive growth.UK businesses, including those in the seafood industry, can access DBT’s wealth of export support via business.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers.In addition, we will shortly be publishing our Trade Strategy which will set out our plans to explore opportunities for further lowering barriers to trade.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of trends in the level of investment in fish processing infrastructure.

The Government works closely with the processing sector across the UK and recognises that it is integral to the success of the wider UK seafood supply chain. The Government has supported the processing sector through a variety of initiatives, including investments in infrastructure through funding schemes such as the UK Seafood Fund. These efforts aim to ensure the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the UK seafood supply chain. The Government monitors levels of investment through mechanisms such as Seafish’s annual surveys. We recognise that levels of private investment in the seafood processing sector can vary over time for a range of reasons.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he list the (a) tax reliefs and (b) grant schemes to support fishing vessel upgrades to adapt to changing (i) economic and (ii) environmental conditions.

Alongside existing tax reliefs, we are committed to supporting fishers through targeted financial schemes that enable vessel modernisation and adaptation. Available reliefs include Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA), Fuel Duty Relief, and Capital Allowances on plant and machinery. To further support the industry, Defra reopened the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme on 9 June 2025, allocating around £6 million to create a sustainable and resilient seafood sector. Additionally, the £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund will secure our fishing industry for decades to come and support our coastal communities and make it fit for the 21st century.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the report by Family Business UK entitled Taxing Futures: The economic and fiscal implications of changes to BPR & APR for UK family businesses and farms, published in June 2025.

The Government is confident that its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses and fixing the public finances in a fair way. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed reforms to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief on the rural economy.

The decision to reform agricultural property relief and business property relief was a difficult but necessary decision in order to restore economic stability, fix the public finances, and support public services, including in rural communities. The Government is confident that its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses and fixing the public finances in a fair way.

Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to support the development of fish processing facilities in coastal communities.

This Government supports the fishing industry and recognises their key role in food supply. As part of this support, Defra has reopened the Fisheries and Seafood Scheme on 9 June 2025, allocating around £6 million to create a sustainable and resilient seafood sector. In addition to this, the £360 million Fisheries and Coastal Growth Fund will support the next generation of fishermen and breathe new life into our coastal communities.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing compensation schemes for fishers affected by environmental designations.

In a written statement released in January 2025 by Minister Hardy, it was recognised that the accelerating development of marine activities, including environmental protection and restoration measures such as the designation of new Marine Protected Areas, is increasing marine spatial tensions. The Government will ensure that the fishing industry is supported to adapt to increased pressure on space, and we will work with the industry to maintain its viability into the future. We are looking at how to best support fishers and will work closely with them as part of this work.

Food and Rural Affairs, what representations he has received from (a) the NFU, (b) the CLA , (c) Historic Houses and (d) other rural stakeholders on the economic challenges posed by the proposed inheritance tax reforms.

Ministers from multiple Government departments have had several meetings with agricultural organisations on this matter since the Autumn Budget last year. In February, the Exchequer Secretary and Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs both met the National Farmers Union, the Tenant Farmers Association, the Country Land and Business Association, the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, the Ulster Farmers Union, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland and the Farmers Union of Wales. Ministers have participated in several debates in Parliament to listen to views. After listening, the Government is confident that the approach set out is an appropriate one.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has contributed to modelling on inheritance tax revenue expected to be raised by proposed reforms to (a) Agricultural Property Relief and (b) Business Property Relief.

HMT undertakes its own modelling on revenues raised by tax changes. See page 118 here Autumn Budget 2024 – HC 295. The expected revenue from changes to APR and BPR were based on HMRC data. This was independently assessed by the OBR. See page 58 here Economic and fiscal outlook – CP 1169.

What estimate he has made of the projected total cost of redundancy packages arising from the proposed changes to NHS England and DHSC; and what estimate he has made of the net financial benefit after these costs are accounted for.

The future Department will be smaller, more agile, and more efficient, delivering value for money for the public and empowering our health system to improve health and care for patients. We recognise that to achieve this, there will be some short-term upfront costs as we undertake the integration of NHS England and the Department, but these costs and more will be recouped in future years because of a smaller and leaner centre. By the end of the process, we estimate that these changes will save hundreds of millions of pounds a year, which will be reinvested in frontline services. At this stage it is too early to say what the upfront costs of integration are, including any redundancy, while transition planning is ongoing.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of proposed NHS workforce reductions on (a) East Yorkshire and (b) other (i) rural and (ii) coastal communities.

NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and reduce duplication of responsibilities within the health and care structure. All ICBs, including Humber and North Yorkshire ICB and other ICBs covering rural and coastal areas, have drafted and shared their delivery and resource plan in accordance with the guidance set out in Sir Jim Mackey's letter of 1 April 2025 and the Model ICB framework. NHS England is working with ICBs to review and implement these plans.NHS England is working closely with ICBs to ensure these changes do not compromise quality of care or the statutory responsibilities of ICBs. We expect ICBs to consider how these changes impact on staff and take the necessary steps to protect frontline staff. No specific assessment of impact has been made for rural and coastal communities.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposed changes to NHS staffing levels on the economy of local communities.

NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and reduce duplication of responsibilities within the health and care structure. To deliver on this commitment, ICBs have drafted and shared their delivery and resource plan including staffing management in accordance with the guidance set out in Sir Jim Mackey's letter of 1 April 2025 and the Model ICB framework. NHS England is working with ICBs to review and implement these plans.NHS England is also working closely with ICBs to ensure these changes do not compromise quality of care or the statutory responsibilities of ICBs. We expect ICBs to consider how these changes impact on staff and take the necessary steps to protect frontline staff. No specific assessment has been made in regard to the impact on the economy of the local communities.

What (a) analysis and (b) modelling he used for the target of 50% reduction in staff across (i) NHS England and (ii) his Department; and whether that target was based on (A) internal performance reviews, (B) external advice and (C) financial modelling.

The future Department will be smaller, more agile, and more efficient, delivering value for money for the public and empowering our health system to improve health and care for patients. To realise this vision, the new Department will be stripped of duplication and bureaucracy. It will also need to operate very differently from the current arrangement, making important decisions about what it does and does not do and transforming ways of working.As part of these changes, we are intending to reduce the headcount across the Department and NHS England which will deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of savings each year which can be recycled into front line service delivery. Work is progressing to now take forward the detailed design and operating model for the new integrated organisation, and plan for the smooth transfer of people, functions and responsibilities. The precise reduction agreed will be done through careful design, deliberation and consultation in the spirit of making sure that the set-up is right for the longer term.

What assessment his Department has made of the capacity of Integrated Care Boards to deliver services effectively (a) during and (b) after proposed structural reforms.

NHS England has asked integrated care boards (ICBs) to act primarily as strategic commissioners of health and care services and reduce duplication of responsibilities within the health and care structure. To deliver on this commitment, ICBs have drafted and shared their delivery and resource plan including staffing management in accordance with the guidance set out in Sir Jim Mackey's letter of 1 April 2025 and the Model ICB framework. NHS England is working with ICBs to review and implement these plans.NHS England is working closely with ICBs to ensure these changes do not compromise quality of care or the statutory responsibilities of ICBs.