Written questions by Jones.

What data his Department holds on the number of utility companies that charge for paper copies of bills; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this practice on customers; and whether he plans to take steps to monitor this practice.

The Department does not hold this data. Ofgem’s Standard Licence Condition 21B.8 explicitly states that “the licensee must not make a specific charge for the provision of a Bill or statement of account or for access in an appropriate way to the consumption data used to calculate that Bill or statement of account. This paragraph does not apply in respect of providing additional copies of a Bill or statement of account to a Customer.” The Government is aware that not everyone can manage their account online and will continue to work with Ofgem and suppliers to understand where improvements are needed, and to ensure all consumers, including the elderly and vulnerable, receive the standard of service they deserve.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing (a) free and (b) reduced-price sanitary products for women with PCOS and similar conditions.

There are no current plans to carry out an assessment of the potential merits of providing free or reduced-price sanitary products for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other gynaecological conditions. The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health and improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions, including PCOS.Since 2019, the National Health Service has offered period products to every hospital patient who needs them. In January 2020, the Department for Education launched a scheme which makes free period products available for state-funded primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges in England. Since 1 January 2021, a zero rate of VAT has applied to all period products.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the (a) quality and (b) total area coverage area for (i) 5G and (ii) other wireless data reception in (A) Wokingham and (B) along intercity transport routes; and what steps he is taking to improve in 5G coverage in those areas.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030, and 95% 4G geographic coverage by the end of 2025. We are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition, alongside improving mobile connectivity for rail passengers.Although I am conscious that reports of mobile coverage often do not accurately represent people’s lived experience and have written to Ofcom to urge them to review their reporting, they state that 98% of the Wokingham constituency area has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile operators, and 93% of all roads have in-vehicle 4G coverage from all four operators. Also according to Ofcom, basic (non-standalone) 5G is available from at least one mobile operator outside 91% of premises. Ofcom does not currently publish data on 5G in-vehicle coverage, or coverage data for the rail network, but my own anecdotal experience suggests that 5G coverage along inter city routes is intermittent, poor and at times nonexistent.The Shared Rural Network programme will improve mobile connectivity on an additional 16,000 kilometres of roads across the UK.

If he will make it his policy to increase the variety of ownership amongst large breweries in the public sector.

The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition. The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

What steps his Department is taking to increase competition in the (a) pub and (b) breweries sector in Wokingham constituency.

The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition. The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to small brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers. The Government will also consult on ways to encourage small brewers to retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and local economies, including through provisions to enable more ‘guest beers’ Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

What steps his Department is taking to help promote the growth of independent brewers in Wokingham constituency.

The government will consult on ways to ensure that independent brewers can retain and expand their access to UK pubs, and maximise drinkers’ choice, including through provisions to enable ‘guest beers’. In recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”, the Government is reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85m a year. This Government remains committed to helping small businesses and independent brewers thrive and will be publishing our Small Business Strategy next year. This will set out our vision for all small businesses, from boosting scale-ups to growing the co-operative economy. Support is also available via the Business Support Service, Gov.uk and the network of local Growth Hubs across England. The Government-backed British Business Bank also improves access to finance to help businesses grow. Businesses who want to start exporting or expand into new markets can access support through our digital GREAT.gov.uk platform and Export Support Service. We are supporting businesses to build their exporting knowledge and capability through our online Export Academy programme and series of ‘peer to peer’ networking events around the UK. Additionally, The Department for Business and Trade has a network of international trade advisers offering one to one support across England including Wokingham where we directly support three local craft breweries in the area.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that there are sufficient breast cancer clinical nurse specialists.

We are committed to training the staff we need, including clinical nurse specialists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places, including those involved in diagnosing and treating cancer, meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.The Government has set out plans to publish a ten-year plan to reform the National Health Service. The plan will be informed by Lord Darzi’s report and will include further details on how we will improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, including for breast cancer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of leaving the European (a) Union, (b) Customs Union and (c) Single Market on (i) imports and (ii) exports.

The OBR has estimated the difference in level of imports and exports had the UK not withdrawn from the EU. That estimate is available at this link: OBR Economic and fiscal report March 2021. The most recent report is the Economic and fiscal report October 2024. Additional OBR Economic and fiscal reports can be found here.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that people diagnosed with (a) triple negative breast cancer and (b) the BRCA gene mutation are offered genetic counselling.

Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs. Individuals should discuss with their healthcare professional whether genomic testing is appropriate for them. Following review, the healthcare professional will then make a decision whether to refer the individual either directly or via an NHS Clinical Genomics Service (CGS), or other relevant clinical speciality for genomic testing. The 17 NHS CGSs, commissioned by NHS England, deliver a comprehensive clinical genomic and counselling service that directs the diagnosis, risk assessment, and lifelong clinical management of patients of all ages and their families who have, or are at risk of having, a rare genetic or genomic condition.

If he will make it his policy to test people diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer for the BRCA gene mutation.

Genomic testing in the National Health Service in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, and delivered by a national genomic testing network of seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs). The NHS GLHs deliver testing as directed by the National Genomic Test Directory (NGTD), which includes tests for over 7,000 rare diseases and over 200 cancer clinical indications, including both whole genome sequencing (WGS) and non-WGS testing. The NGTD is updated regularly and sets out the eligibility criteria for patients to access testing.Genomic testing for inherited breast cancer is covered in the NGTD under clinical indications R208 and R444, and includes testing for a range of patients with triple negative breast cancer.

For what reason his Department is pursuing a multilateral free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council rather than bilateral agreements with the member states.

The UK and GCC Member States have agreed to negotiate a GCC-wide FTA, reflecting the opportunities this presents to increase trade and investment with all parties. The GCC is equivalent to the UK’s 9th largest trading partner. During the Call for Input launched in advance of negotiations and subsequently, businesses and stakeholders expressed a preference for a UK-GCC FTA. An FTA will enable UK businesses to benefit from preferential access with all six GCC markets, unlocking new opportunities and giving them an advantage over international competitors. We are committed to further deepening the bilateral trade and investment relationship through formal and informal dialogue with Gulf partners.

If he will make it his policy to ensure that people with triple negative breast cancer have access to a clinical nurse specialist at the point of diagnosis.

We are committed to training the staff we need, including clinical nurse specialists, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.We will ensure that the number of medical specialty training places, including those involved in diagnosing and treating cancer, meets the demands of the National Health Service in the future. NHS England will work with stakeholders to ensure that any growth is sustainable and focused in the service areas where need is greatest.The Government has set out plans to publish a ten-year plan to reform the National Health Service. The plan will be informed by Lord Darzi’s report and will include further details on how we will improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, including for breast cancer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council on human rights in member states of that council.

We’re proud of the UK’s role as a leading human rights advocate worldwide. This work takes place separately to trade negotiations, but growing our trading relationships is one way to promote British values abroad while boosting our economy. The GCC is an economically and strategically important group of countries and an ambitious trade deal is firmly in the UK’s national interest, helping to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7. Strengthening our trading relationships increases UK influence, enabling open discussions with partners on a range of issues. Our close relationship with our partners in the Gulf allows us to discuss important issues such as human rights at official and Ministerial level.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of leaving the European (a) Union, (b) Customs Union and (c) Single Market on food prices.

This Government cares deeply about the cost of living and food security; therefore, it closely monitors factors impacting food prices. Defra modelling shows that consumer food prices are driven by farmgate prices, import prices, exchange rates, labour costs in food manufacturing and non-labour costs in food manufacturing. We are working to reset our relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties and tackle barriers to boost UK-EU trade. We will seek to negotiate a veterinary/SPS agreement to boost trade and deliver benefits to businesses and consumers in the UK and the EU. We have been clear that we are ambitious to improve our trading relationship but we are not rejoining the single market or customs union, and we will not return to freedom of movement.

If he will include dispute settlement mechanisms on (a) human rights and (b) labour into any Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

We do not comment on the details of live negotiations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question 11148 on Local Plans, if she will write to leaders of local authorities to ask for Local Growth Plans.

As places with the leaders with the widest range of powers, functions, and funding, we are working with each of the Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Greater London Authority to produce a Local Growth Plan. But everywhere has an important role to play in driving local growth, with many local authorities having or developing local economic strategies, and we will set out the role of these strategies in supporting growth shortly.

Whether UK Export Finance is taking steps to support companies in Wokingham constituency sell their goods and services overseas.

In its role as the UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance has a range of products designed to support exporters or businesses with export potential. In 2023/24, UKEF provided £8.8 billion in support for UK exports, including the extension of a £200,000 General Export Facility for a company based in Wokingham. UKEF’s full product suite can be found at: www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk/products-and-services/. UKEF also has a network of export finance managers around the whole country who are valuable points of contact for local businesses and can provide information on the range of support available. Contact details for the EFMs can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager. Businesses in Wokingham and across the country seeking to sell overseas can also access support from the Department and Business and Trade, such as our network of International Trade Advisors and guidance on GREAT.GOV.UK

With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport in response to the question from the hon. Member for Wokingham of 10 October 2024, Official Report, column 441, when further information in writing will be provided.

Given the complex issues, my officials have worked closely with Network Rail to ensure a clear and helpful response, which I understand has been sent to the Hon. member today.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of a free trade agreement with India on the egg industry in the UK.

The first mission of this Government is to drive economic growth, Free Trade Agreements have a critical role to play in delivering that mission.The Secretary of State announced the Government’s intention to deliver the UK’s Free Trade Agreement programme, including India in July 2024. Our trade programme is driven by stakeholder engagement, including with egg producers and their representative organisations.In line with our parliamentary commitments, we will publish an independently scrutinised Impact Assessment once the agreement has been signed which will cover the economic impacts of the deal.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to legislate to ensure that imported egg products meet welfare standards equivalent to the UK.

The Government recognises farmers’ concerns about imports produced using methods not permitted in the UK. We have been clear that we will use our Trade Strategy to promote the highest food production standards.