Written questions by Chadwick.

Whether he plans to revoke the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

The Government has already begun the process of repealing and replacing the previous Government's Legacy Act. On 4 December 2024, I laid a proposed draft remedial order before Parliament that, if adopted, will remove from the Act a number of provisions that have been found by the NI courts to be incompatible with the UK’s human rights obligations. These include all those relating to the immunity scheme, and the bar on new civil cases. The Government will introduce primary legislation when Parliamentary time allows. While we want to make progress as swiftly as possible, we remain committed to engaging widely with all interested parties to help determine what provisions should be included in that legislation.

On what dates his Department has met with trustees of the (a) British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme and (b) Mineworkers' Pension Scheme since 4 July 2024.

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

If he will publish a timeline for the release of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme investment reserve.

The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) has some differences to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, but we will be working with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals. Any outcome will need to be agreed with the Trustees and the Treasury following analysis of the potential impacts.

When the Minister for Industry last met trustees of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.

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

What steps he plans to take to ensure there is regular and reliable economic growth data published for the nations and regions of the UK, in the context of the ONS decision to end its regional Quarterly Country and Regional Gross Domestic Product in July 2023.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 14th March is attached.

What steps she is taking to help ensure electricity bills do not increase in Wales, in the context of proposals for zonal energy pricing.

No decision has been taken on Zonal or Reformed National pricing. The Government are currently conducting analysis to understand the impacts of zonal pricing on consumers, including those in Wales. The Government will ultimately develop proposals that minimise costs and ensure a fair outcome for consumers, as part of our Plan for Change to lower bills and improve living standards. The Government is working closely with the Welsh Government to understand how any potential review of electricity market arrangements (REMA) reforms could impact Welsh consumers and industry, and this will be taken into account as part of the final decision-making process.

How many and what proportion of prisoners (a) have served their original sentence and (b) maintain their innocence.

Data regarding how many and what proportions of prisoners have served their original sentence and maintain their innocence is not collated by the Ministry of Justice.Innocence is a matter for the courts, so HM Prison and Probation Service and the Parole Board must treat the individual as being guilty of the crimes they have been convicted of but maintaining innocence does not prevent prisoners being released from custody. Most prisoners are released automatically and so their attitude to the index offence has no bearing on their release date. Where release is subject to review by the independent Parole Board, the Board take a range of factors into account, and they must direct an offender’s release where they are satisfied that the statutory release test has been met regardless of whether the prisoner maintains their innocence.

What discussions his Department has had with the farming sector on a trade deal with the United States.

The UK-US relationship is already very strong, with trade of around £300 billion, and shared investment of over £1.2 trillion at the end of 2023. The Prime Minister and President Trump met on 27 February and agreed to deepen this relationship and to work together on a trade deal focused on tech. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has also been engaging with the US Administration including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, to make the case for stronger UK-US trade that benefits both our countries, and will continue to make every effort to support British business.

Which towns in Wales were considered for funding through the Plan for Neighbourhoods; and on what evidential basis the successful towns were chosen.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 17 March 2025 (UIN 37472).

Whether his Department has plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK's free trade agreements with (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand on Welsh agriculture.

The UK Government assessed the environmental impacts of the UK-Australia FTA and the UK-New Zealand FTA within the independently scrutinised impact assessments which were published in December 2021 and February 2022 respectively when the FTAs were signed. These covered both the economic and environmental impacts. In addition, the independent Trade Agriculture Commission gave both the UK-Australia FTA and the UK-New Zealand FTA a clean bill of health, concluding both FTAs are consistent with the maintenance of UK statutory protections in relation to animal or plant life or health, animal welfare and environmental protection.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason her Department is setting up new neighbourhood boards to decide how to spend funding from the new Plan for Neighbourhoods.

The new £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods will deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities across the UK, a long-term commitment to building the foundations to kickstart local growth and drive-up living standards. Communities are at the heart of this programme, and Neighbourhood Boards should therefore comprise of members with a deep connection to their area to consult the wider community and work with the local authority to develop their Regeneration Plan. As outlined in the Plan for Neighbourhoods’ governance and boundary guidance, published on 12 March, Neighbourhood Boards should comprise representatives from a cross-section of the local community to promote community leadership.

Whether future trade deals will include impact assessments for (a) Scotland, (b) Wales, (c) Northern Ireland and (d) the regions of England.

For new free trade agreements (FTAs), the Government publishes impact assessments to support the parliamentary scrutiny process of FTAs. The analysis will include an assessment on the UK's regions and nations as well as UK growth and trade.

Whether his Department has plans to review the UK's free trade agreements with (a) Australia and (b) New Zealand.

The UK Government continually assesses the implementation of free trade agreements to maximise their benefit and to support economic growth. The Department is working to ensure the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreements continue to work well for business.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on levels of unemployment.

The Office for Budget Responsibility’s October 2024 Economic and Fiscal Outlook, which takes into account tax measures announced in the Budget, expects the unemployment rate will fall to 4.1% next year and remain low until 2029.

What criteria was used to select the five areas in Wales set to receive funding through the Plan for Neighbourhoods.

These areas were identified based on a clear and transparent methodology, which considered a range of socio-economic factors, including:Indices of multiple deprivationPopulation sizeHealthy life expectancyGross Value Added (GVA) per hour workedSkill levelsA detailed methodology note outlining the selection criteria is publicly available on the GOV.UK website.The long-term Plan for Towns programme was not fully funded by the previous government. As part of its Plan for Neighbourhoods, this Government is committed to ensuring that each of the five selected towns in Wales will receive up to £20 million in funding and support over the next decade.We will work in partnership with the Welsh Government on the Plan for Neighbourhoods to make sure it aligns with the Welsh Governments work to regenerate neighbourhoods. This funding will be used to revitalise high streets, enhance local parks, support libraries, cultural venues, and youth clubs, and invest in essential community services to create thriving, well-connected neighbourhoods.

How many active businesses were registered in (a) Powys and (b) Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe constituency on the Companies House register in each of the last five financial years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th March is attached.

How many active businesses were registered in Wales on the Companies House register in each of the last five financial years.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 11th March is attached.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to (a) continue and (b) expand to more towns the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.

The new £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods will deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities across the UK, a long-term commitment to building the foundations to kickstart local growth and drive-up living standards. There are no plans to expand the programme at this time, this would be a decision for the upcoming Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, what her plans are for the future of the UK Levelling Up Fund.

The Levelling Up Fund is now fully committed. We (MHCLG and DfT) have awarded £4.8 billion across three rounds of the Levelling Up Fund to 271 projects across the UK. We are working with the successful applicants to help deliver the benefits of these projects to communities across the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Welsh government on the provision of support for the cost of water supplied by Dŵr Cymru for the Monmouth and Brecon canal.

Water abstraction licensing in Wales, and conditions that may be attached to licences, are a devolved matter for Natural Resources Wales and the Welsh Government. Defra and the Environment Agency do not have a role in that. Issues of concern about the supply of water for the Monmouth and Brecon Canal are an operational matter for the Canal and River Trust, as the independent charity owning the canal, to resolve with Natural Resources Wales.