Written questions by Chadwick.

Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a rural Passive Infrastructure Access pricing model aligned with Ofcom’s existing per-customer wholesale pricing framework for national internet service providers.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.For this reason, while we are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, the Department has not made any formal assessment of the impact of the current PIA pricing structure on the economic viability of rural operators. We have also not made any formal assessment of the merits of a distinct rural pricing model for the PIA product nor have made any assessment of changes to PIA pricing on Project Gigabit.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of current Ofcom Passive Infrastructure Access pricing on the economic viability of rural broadband deployment by alternative network providers.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.For this reason, while we are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, the Department has not made any formal assessment of the impact of the current PIA pricing structure on the economic viability of rural operators. We have also not made any formal assessment of the merits of a distinct rural pricing model for the PIA product nor have made any assessment of changes to PIA pricing on Project Gigabit.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that Ofcom’s regulatory framework for Passive Infrastructure Access promotes fair competition between Openreach and alternative network providers in rural areas.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product. The Department regularly engages with Ofcom and industry stakeholders on these and related issues.We provide steers to Ofcom through our Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services. Ofcom must have regard to this when making regulatory decisions, including in the context of the Telecoms Access Review.In July, we published a consultation on a draft updated SSP that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing and the key role of competition to promote investment and the fibre roll-out. We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department made of the potential impact of changes to the Passive Infrastructure Access pricing on the (a) efficiency and (b) reach of public investment under Project Gigabit.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.For this reason, while we are engaging with Ofcom on this issue, the Department has not made any formal assessment of the impact of the current PIA pricing structure on the economic viability of rural operators. We have also not made any formal assessment of the merits of a distinct rural pricing model for the PIA product nor have made any assessment of changes to PIA pricing on Project Gigabit.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to make representations to Ofcom during the Telecoms Access Review to ensure that PIA pricing supports the roll-out of full-fibre broadband in rural areas.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product. The Department regularly engages with Ofcom and industry stakeholders on these and related issues.We provide steers to Ofcom through our Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services. Ofcom must have regard to this when making regulatory decisions, including in the context of the Telecoms Access Review.In July, we published a consultation on a draft updated SSP that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing and the key role of competition to promote investment and the fibre roll-out. We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the French model for broadband infrastructure pricing.

The Department has not made any assessment of the effectiveness of the French model for broadband infrastructure pricing.As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product. We expect the regulator to assess other countries’ regulatory regime as necessary to inform its thinking.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has held discussions with (a) Ofcom and (b) industry stakeholders on the potential impact of current Passive Infrastructure Access charges on investor confidence in rural broadband networks.

As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product. The Department regularly engages with Ofcom and industry stakeholders on these and related issues.We provide steers to Ofcom through our Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services. Ofcom must have regard to this when making regulatory decisions, including in the context of the Telecoms Access Review.In July, we published a consultation on a draft updated SSP that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing and the key role of competition to promote investment and the fibre roll-out. We are currently reviewing responses to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.

For what reason the value of the Local Growth Fund being provided to Wales was listed as £547 million on 10 October 2025 and as £633 million on 16 June 2025.

The Local Growth Fund will invest £547 million in Wales over the next three years, more than half a billion pounds of much needed investment in Wales. This funding will drive economic growth, create jobs and raise living standards as part of the UK Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and break down barriers to opportunity. The Local Growth Fund at £547 million is just one element of our wider package of targeted, long-term local growth funding referred to in June, which also includes the new Pride in Place initiative. Communities across Wales will benefit from the Pride in Place Programme and Pride in Place Impact Fund, supporting projects that will build stronger communities, create thriving places, and empower local people.

Whether US nuclear weapons based in the UK are under the sole command of US military authorities.

It remains longstanding UK, US and NATO policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at any location. US nuclear weapons forward-deployed in Europe remain under US custody and control, in full compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

When his Department plans to publish a plan for improving the Access to Work Scheme.

Following the close of the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation,we are considering responses to the consultation and continuing to work closely with stakeholders, and in particular disabled people and their representatives.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department plans to raise any concerns about the text of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons with the Treaty secretariat.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 December 2024 to Question 18645.

Whether she plans to extend the list of accepted occupations for counter signatories of passports.

The current list of recognised professions is set out in guidance here: Confirming ID: referees (accessible) - GOV.UK. The guidance explains that these are examples of accepted professions rather than a definitive list. Similar professions will be considered.Customers can call the Passport Adviceline if they have questions about a passport application.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department has undertaken a detailed examination of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 18 December 2024 to Question 18645.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the effectiveness of the Small Producer Exemption under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme.

To ensure the effectiveness of the small producer exemption under the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme, we will keep these thresholds under review, noting that any changes, such as raising the exemption threshold, would impact on disposal fees and recycling obligations for those producers who remain obligated. We will conduct a proactive review of this after two years, allowing time to assess the impact of the scheme and ensure that it remains fair, proportionate, and effective in driving environmental outcomes without placing undue burden on small businesses.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that housing repairs work is integrated into the upgrades that are required as part of the Warm Homes Plan.

Consumers considering home retrofit work are encouraged to engage with installers who take a ‘whole house’ approach considering the needs of the individual property, including where repairs may need to be made. The Government’s Warm Homes Plan will outline the policy proposals it will bring forward to improve up to 5 million homes. We will publish more details soon.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of support offered by the Access to Work Scheme for people that wish to be self-employed.

Access to Work (AtW) is a personalised grant which supports the recruitment and retention of disabled people in employment including providing support for people who are self-employed. In 2024/5 Access to Work supported 7,080 self-employed customers. We will be reviewing all aspects of the Scheme now that the consultation has closed. We are continuing to work closely with stakeholders, and in particular disabled people and their representatives, on all aspects of our proposals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department is taking steps to encourage the USA and Russia to enter discussions on a new nuclear weapon treaty to replace the NEW START Treaty.

The New START Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the United States and Russian Federation; any replacement treaty is a matter for the US and Russia. The UK regularly raises issues related to strategic risk reduction, including arms control with the USA and Russia through the expert-level P5 process. Genuine and verifiable strategic arms control among the largest Nuclear Weapons States can be a positive step for global security. However, following Russia's decision to suspend participation in New START verification measures in 2023, future approaches need to be based on concrete, and verifiable actions.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the final report of the Independent Water Commission, published on 21 July 2025, what progress he has made on implementing the recommendations of that report.

The Government is immediately taking forward a number of Sir Jon’s recommendations. We will establish a new statutory water ombudsman, end operator self-monitoring and introduce Open Monitoring.Subject to consultation this autumn, the Government will abolish Ofwat and merge its functions to form a single new regulator, which will include a regional element to ensure greater local involvement in water planning. Until the new regulator is fully established, existing regulators will continue to carry out their functions.The Government will clarify its expectations through a Strategic Policy Statement and ministerial direction, expected to be published later this year. The full response to Sir Jon’s recommendations will be set out in a White Paper for consultation this autumn and a new water reform bill to be introduced early this Parliament.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he expects Ofwat's replacement to be in place.

The Government will respond to Sir Jon Cunliffe’s recommendations in full via a White Paper, published for consultation this autumn, and a new water reform bill that we will introduce early this Parliament. This Government has confirmed that it will abolish Ofwat and bring water functions from four different regulators into one – a single regulator responsible for the entire water sector. Until the single water regulator is fully established, the existing regulators will continue to carry out their functions and enforcement responsibilities in full.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle covid-19 small business loan fraud.

The Government is committed to recouping public money lost in pandemic related fraud whilst also taking steps to provide value for money for UK taxpayers, working closely with law enforcement, counter-fraud agencies and commercial lenders. We are clear that fraud is not acceptable within these schemes, and businesses continue to be responsible for the loans they took out under any of the Covid loan guarantee schemes.We are providing significant funding to the British Business Bank and the Insolvency Service to combat loan fraud, including £10.9 million for the British Business Bank over three years to boost their counter fraud and assurance programme. The Insolvency Service has a proven track record in handling complex fraud and financial misconduct investigations. By the end of March 2025, its work had resulted in more than 2,000 director disqualifications, bankruptcy restrictions, 62 criminal convictions, and more than £6 million recoveries related to Covid loan guarantee scheme abuse.We have also appointed a fixed-term Covid Counter-Fraud Commissioner, Tom Hayhoe, to look at the issue of Covid fraud and recoveries at large, as we use every means possible to recoup public money lost in pandemic-related fraud. The Commissioner will be completing his work by the end of this year and will provide a report to be presented to Parliament.In the interests of transparency, the Government also publishes Covid loan guarantee performance data, which includes total values lent and repayment data. The latest version of this data was published in August 2025 and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-loan-guarantee-schemes-repayment-data-march-2025