Written questions by Chadwick.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that British steel is not undercut by high-emission imports.

As set out in the steel strategy, the government is committed to creating a fair and competitive market for UK steel by addressing carbon leakage. The Government will introduce the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from January 2027. The UK CBAM is an environmental measure designed to tackle the risk of carbon leakage by ensuring that some of the most emissions intensive industrial goods imported to the UK face a comparable carbon price to what is paid domestically. UK CBAM is led by HM Treasury, and the Department for Business and Trade are engaging with them on this measure.

What steps his Department is taking to strengthen domestic supply chains for steel, following the publication of the Defence Industrial Strategy.

This Government is committed to creating the right conditions in the UK for a competitive and sustainable steel industry. The sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities, including specialist cast and forged steel components for a range of defence programmes. The department publishes its future pipeline for steel requirements, enabling UK steel manufacturers to better plan and bid for upcoming contracts. The National Security Strategy, Strategic Defence Review, and Defence Industrial Strategy set out how a strong industrial base is critical for maintaining our national security infrastructure. While steel used in our major Defence programmes is generally sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, MOD procurement activity will continue to apply PPN 022, a policy aimed at increasing the use of British-produced steel in public contracts. The MOD also supports the recently published UK Steel Strategy which sets out a long-term plan to revitalise the UK steel sector and restore domestic production to sustainable levels.

If he will make it his policy to extend the trade protection measures for steelmakers to their customers in the steel intensive manufacturing supply chain.

This Government recognises the distinct value of downstream users, including in the manufacturing supply chain, alongside the importance of maintaining a resilient domestic steel sector. The steel trade measure has been designed to addresses the serious threat posed by global steel overcapacity, which undermines the viability of UK steelmaking and, in turn, our critical national infrastructure and defence.We have carefully balanced the needs of producers and downstream industry, and the product scope of the measure reflects this. There are no current plans to extend this scope, but we will continue to engage with downstream industry as the measure is implemented.

If he will consider bringing the Contracts for Difference Scheme under the remit of the Procurement Policy Note for Steel, and the national security clauses of the Procurement Act 2023.

As set out in the recent UK Steel Strategy, the Clean Industry Bonus element of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme rewards offshore wind developers if they use UK steel in their projects. There are currently no plans to bring the CfD scheme under the remit of the Procurement policy note for steel, and the National clauses of the Procurement Act 2023. The department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on ensuring adequate veterinary staffing at ports.

The Home Office is not responsible for veterinary staffing at ports and therefore the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has not had recent discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on this. Defra is working with the Home Office, Border Force, the Food Standards Agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Dover Port Health Authority to improve the interception of illegal meat entering England, this includes considering capacity and capabilities.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure Wales benefits equitably from green hydrogen funding.

The UK Government remains firmly committed to establishing a thriving hydrogen sector across the UK, including in Wales. The Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HARs) are a flagship government funding mechanism to support low carbon hydrogen across the UK. Under Hydrogen Allocation Round 1 (HAR1), two out of the eleven successful projects were awarded in Wales. These include the HyBont project in Bridgend and the West Wales Hydrogen project in Milford Haven. I was pleased to recently host an event with Minister Shanks to mark the West Wales Hydrogen Project reaching its Final Investment Decision. As part of Hydrogen Allocation Round 2 (HAR2), three Welsh projects were shortlisted in April 2025, located in Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Magor. I will continue to work with colleagues across government to ensure that Wales is positioned at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy mission to secure the maximum economic benefits and high-quality jobs.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the regional distribution of hydrogen infrastructure funding; and what steps he is taking to help ensure Wales receives a proportionate share of funding.

In the 2025 Spending Review, Government allocated over £500m for development of the first regional hydrogen network. Government is not prescriptive regarding support provision location, and will assess transport & storage project applications on merit against strategic objectives criteria (e.g. deliverability, decarbonisation potential, and value for money), before contract negotiations with highest-scoring projects. Hydrogen Transport & Storage Business Models support recipients will have had to demonstrate ability to deliver VfM infrastructure, and agreed scope of deliverables with Government. Provided projects meet eligibility criteria, they can apply regardless of location within Great Britain. We welcome applications from Wales on launching.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential role of industrial clusters in South Wales in the UK’s hydrogen economy.

Industrial clusters, such as in South Wales, can support hydrogen production and use by co-locating supply with demand, which helps reduce infrastructure costs, transport requirements, and system risks during market scaleup. Across the South Wales industrial cluster region, two hydrogen production projects, West Wales Hydrogen in Milford Haven and HyBont in Bridgend, have been awarded funding in the first Hydrogen Allocation Round. The West Wales project recently announced its Final Investment Decision. Together, they will supply local industry, supporting decarbonisation, create skilled jobs and encourage regional economic growth across the South Wales industrial cluster.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the change in the UK's position in the Global Hydrogen Potential Index since 2021; and what steps he is taking to improve the UK’s international competitiveness.

The UK’s standing as a current global leader in hydrogen is reflected in our comprehensive investible policy framework and the number of hydrogen businesses that are based in the UK and developing world-leading technologies for export.Government is delivering real projects to kickstart the UK hydrogen economy, with contract signings for successful projects from the first Hydrogen Allocation round, with £2.3bn of revenue funding confirmed and a further £500m confirmed for a hydrogen transport and storage network.The 10 Year Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan (2025) announced new investment to turbocharge growth in the sector and our renewed Hydrogen Strategy, which we plan to publish soon, will set out how we intend to work together with industry to continue to transform ambition into action.

Whether he plans to reform Ofgem’s network investment appraisal processes to better reflect regional economic development and decarbonisation potential.

The Government supports Ofgem in ensuring through its regulation that grid investment benefits communities across Great Britain. In the next electricity distribution price control, ED3 (2028–2033), Ofgem is requiring distribution network operators to develop long term, integrated network development plans informed by Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs). This will help ensure network investment appraisal better reflects regional economic development and decarbonisation potential, while continuing to protect consumers’ interests.

What discussions he has had with Ofgem on the decision not to fund the HyLine Cymru project; and whether he plans to revisit that decision.

HyLine Cymru applied for development expenditure funding under Ofgem's RIIO2 reopener mechanism. Government subsequently discussed the strategic value of this project with Ofgem who decided not to fund Hyline Cymru due to its lack of large-scale geological storage, which will be needed for the development of a regional hydrogen network. Decisions regarding funding provided under RIIO2 sit with Ofgem and therefore Government does not intend to revisit this decision.

What estimate he has made of the potential economic impact of hydrogen investment in Wales, including on the level of (a) Gross Value Added and (b) job creation.

Our Hydrogen Allocation Rounds (HARs) are stimulating private investment in hydrogen projects across the UK, including in Wales. Two of the successful HAR1 projects are in Wales – the HyBont project in Bridgend and West Wales Hydrogen in Milford Haven. The latter recently announced its Final Investment Decision, which I was pleased to mark alongside the Secretary of State for Wales. This project alone represents an investment of over £50 million and is forecast to support over 60 jobs during construction and its operational phase. It will also strengthen domestic supply chains, by choosing Sheffield-based ITM Power to supply its electrolysers.

What steps his Department is taking to help unlock private investment in hydrogen infrastructure in Wales.

Wales plays a key role in the development of the UK's hydrogen economy, and I welcome the Milford Haven HAR1 project reaching FID in March this year, with three further shortlisted HAR2 projects in Wales.The Industrial Strategy set out our public finance offer to crowd private investment into clean energy industries, such as hydrogen, across the UK including in Wales. This includes £500m support for hydrogen infrastructure to establish the UK's first regional hydrogen network from 2031, connecting producers with end users. The Government also aims to launch the first hydrogen transport and storage allocation rounds this year.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on how its cost-benefit methodology accounts for regions with lower population density such as Wales.

Distribution charges - which in part make up the standing charge paid for by all consumers - are designed to be cost reflective and vary by region to reflect local factors in that area, such as geography, network topology and weather conditions. The principle of cost reflectivity is an important means by which to drive down overall system costs as it helps to guide efficient investment decisions. Government is working with Ofgem on examining how the costs of building and running the energy system are shared across consumers, aiming to find fairer, more efficient ways of charging, while supporting clean home-grown power and economic growth.

What assessment he has made with the the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the equity and effectiveness of the regional distribution of public funding for hydrogen infrastructure.

Government is not prescriptive regarding the location of support provision for hydrogen infrastructure, and will assess transport & storage project applications on individual merit against criteria reflecting strategic objectives (e.g. deliverability, decarbonisation potential, and value for money), before contract negotiations with highest-scoring projects. Hydrogen Transport & Storage Business Models support recipients will have had to demonstrate ability to deliver value for money infrastructure, and will have agreed scale & cost of deliverables with Government. As long as projects meet eligibility criteria for the regional hydrogen network competition, they will be able to apply regardless of their location within Great Britain.

What methodology was used to determine the distribution of funding of the Heating Oil Support Scheme between the four nations.

The government has acted quickly to provide timely, targeted support to low-income households struggling with the rising price of heating oils, based on the latest census data. This means the funding is distributed in line where the most vulnerable oil-heated homes are concentrated.

Whether the CMA has provided guidance to his Department on the regulation of pricing for heating oil and or LPG.

Following discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority, we welcome its comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry. It is vital that customers are treated fairly and any price manipulation will not be tolerated. We are working closely with the CMA to understand their findings and develop options to increase consumer protections in this sector, including potential regulatory measures. While this work is ongoing, the Chancellor has announced £53m for low-income households that heat their homes with oil. This funding is available across the UK and Northern Ireland.

What percentage of reports of suspected tax-fraud made to HMRC by members of the public (a) result in an investigation, (b) result in the recovery of money, (c) result in a criminal conviction.

HMRC does not hold this data.

Whether eligible Claimants that have existing applications for the LCWRA element of Universal Credit and are currently waiting for their Work Capability Assessment (WCA) will upon completion receive (a) the current rate of payment or (b) the rate of payment in place when their WCA is completed.

The Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (Rates of Allowances) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 were laid in Parliament on 09 February 2026. The Regulations provide further detail on the application of the Universal Credit Act 2025 including the definition of a pre-6 April 2026 Claimant confirming that claimants who declare a health condition or disability on or before 5 April 2026 and are found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) will receive the higher rate of LCWRA. This applies even if their decision on entitlement is made on or after 6 April 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2026 to Question 108679 on Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment, what estimate his Department has made of the reasons for the reduction in the number of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessments completed in December 2025 compared to each of the previous four months; and what steps his Department plans to take to increase capacity.

Work Capability Assessments reduced in December 2025 compared to the previous four months due to fewer working days over Christmas and an increase of staff on annual leave, again due to the festive period.