Written questions by Chadwick.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Business Secretary fortifies UK steel industry, published on 16 February 2026, how much of the £2.5 billion fund has been (a) allocated and (b) released.

The government is committed to providing up to £2.5 billon to support the UK steel industry, which is being delivered in part through the NWF and in part through direct support for companies. This is in addition to the £500 million investment for Tata Steel in Port Talbot, bringing the total investment in the steel industry to up to £3 billion.Funding for the sector is already being released through direct support for companies. This includes the grant to Tata Steel at Port Talbot, support for the Official Receiver’s sale process for Speciality Steels UK sites including Rotherham and Stocksbridge, and in securing the capabilities of British Steel at Scunthorpe. To date, funding of approximately £370 million has been provided to British Steel.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the time taken for Access to Work award decisions and reimbursements payments on access to jobs for disabled people, including people living with multiple sclerosis.

We recognise the importance of clearing the backlog, which is why last year we increased the number of staff working in this area by 27% and we have continued to streamline delivery practices. To protect employment opportunities, case managers prioritise Access to Work applications where the customer is due to start a job within four weeks, or cases that are up for renewal. In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of Access to Work and how to improve the scheme so that it helps more disabled people in work. We are considering all aspects of the scheme as we develop plans for reform following the conclusion of the consultation.

Whether he plans to take steps in response to the CMA Road Fuel Monitoring Annual report 2025.

The Government notes the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) annual road fuel monitoring report, which found that competition hasn’t strengthened since the CMA’s Market Study published in July 2023, and that fuel margins remain consistently high and are not explained by operating costs. The Government has implemented the recommendations made by the CMA, including the launch of Fuel Finder, which now requires all petrol stations in the UK to report their prices within 30 minutes of a change. This scheme aims to increase price transparency and help drivers to compare prices easily and make more informed decisions on where to buy their fuel.

What assessment he has made of the powers given to the Competitions and Marketing Authority on the adequacy of competition in the fuel market sector for rural communities consumer.

The Government provided statutory powers to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to monitor the road fuel market and assess whether competition is working effectively for consumers, including those in rural communities. The CMA’s recent annual report found that fuel margins remain high and are not explained by operating costs. In line with the CMA’s recommendations, the Government has implemented the statutory Fuel Finder scheme, which requires all petrol stations in the UK to report their fuel prices within 30 minutes of a change, and is intended to improve price transparency, increase competition and lower prices across the UK including for rural consumers.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many lorries of perishable goods have been refused entry into Europe at the French border under the sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements in the last year.

Data on UK consignments refused entry at French Border Control Posts is generated and owned by the competent authorities in France, who are responsible for any publication or wider disclosure. We recognise that some GB exporters have seen an increase in rejections over the past year, reflecting the EU’s decision to reinforce sanitary and phytosanitary controls on commodities entering the EU. Our priority is to ensure that UK goods exported to the EU meet all relevant EU SPS requirements, and we continue to support businesses in doing so. The UK has begun negotiations with the EU on an SPS agreement to make agrifood trade cheaper and easier for producers and retailers.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the Child Maintenance Service policy in establishing the Paying Parent, in the context of changes in societal norms and the increase in co-parenting and shared parenting arrangements.

The person providing primary care of the child and with whom the child lives is entitled to make an application for child maintenance. This is known as the receiving parent. The receiving parent is determined by which parent looks after the child most of the time. For example, with whom the child has their home and who usually provides day to day care for the child. The Child Maintenance Calculation can be amended to reflect co-parenting and shared parenting arrangements. A paying parent’s maintenance liability can be reduced where they have overnight care of a child for whom they pay maintenance. This reduction is intended to broadly reflect the cost associated with any overnight care given. The paying parent must have overnight care of any qualifying children for at least 52 nights a year, equivalent to 1 night per week. The amount payable is reduced to a maximum of 50 per cent within bands based on the number of days overnight care is provided over a 12-month period. The CMS uses bands based on the number of days overnight care is provided, to ensure a fair, consistent, and administratively efficient method of accounting for the costs borne by each parent. If the CMS is satisfied that both parents have equal day-to-day care for the child, in addition to sharing overnight care, there is no requirement for either parent to pay child maintenance. There is no statutory definition of day-to-day care, our definition is broadly aligned with that of Child Benefit, where an ‘overall care test’ is used. This provides consistency across government and receipt of Child Benefit is regarded as a good indicator of who is entitled to child maintenance payments.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposals for the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the competitiveness and decarbonisation of the UK steel sector.

We are monitoring the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). As UK steel is covered by a domestic carbon price under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the sector is expected to face lower CBAM liabilities compared with goods from jurisdictions which do not incur a domestic carbon price.The sector may still face costs of providing emissions data to EU importers to support compliance. We are engaging with the European Commission on ETS linking, to facilitate a mutual UK-EU CBAM exemption in due course.The Government will introduce its own CBAM from January 2027 to protect against carbon leakage.

What estimate she has made of the number of Plan 2 student loan borrowers residing in Wales who will repay at the higher interest threshold as a result of the freeze to the Plan 2 repayment threshold.

Education is a devolved matter. It is for the Welsh government to confirm threshold levels in Wales.

What estimate she has made of the number of Plan 2 student loan borrowers residing in Wales who will begin making repayments as a result of the freeze to the Plan 2 repayment threshold.

Education is a devolved matter. It is for the Welsh government to confirm threshold levels in Wales.