Written questions by Mundell.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of zonal energy pricing in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency on household energy bills.

Through the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements (REMA), the government is continuing to assess options for strengthening locational and operational signals in the electricity market. This includes measures which could be implemented under national pricing, as well as a zonal pricing option. Zonal pricing has the potential to deliver large consumer benefits by creating a more efficient energy system. It would result in a smaller, more efficient power system reducing the need for new power stations and lower the amount of new network that needs to be built. However, we recognise that implementing zonal could also create uncertainty for investors.  We are considering the balance between potential consumer and system benefits from enabling greater demand-side flexibility, potential distributional impacts, and the future trajectory of network charging which already introduces regional variations in consumer bills.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of improving the nutritional content of foods through a Government Food Strategy.

Our ambitious food strategy will set and deliver clear long-term outcomes that create a healthier, fairer, and more resilient food system, and in doing so will consider elements of the food system that can contribute towards those outcomes

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential contribution of (a) science and (b) other innovation to the development of healthier staple food.

Science and innovation have a key role in developing a healthy, resilient and sustainable food system. Defra is contributing to a £47.5 million UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)-led research programme on food systems for both planetary and human health; and a £15 million UKRI-led ‘Diet and Health Open Innovation Research Club’ food sector innovation programme. In 2024, Defra launched a £15 million 5-year investment in breeding for crop improvement, the Genetic Improvement Networks, which includes enhancing the nutritional quality of UK staple crops. Innovative technologies such as precision breeding also have a key role to play in enhancing crop nutritional quality. Upcoming competitions within the Farming Innovation Programme include a competition to unlock the opportunities provided by the Precision Breeding Act.

How many households in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency remain dependent on the Radio Teleswitch Service for their energy meter connections.

The Department does not hold constituency level data on remaining RTS meters, but we are regularly engaging with energy suppliers, Ofgem and the industry body Energy UK to review local plans for the switch-off. Energy suppliers have contacted all premises with RTS meters and Ofgem is encouraging customers to book an appointment to ensure they are provided with a replacement meter ahead of the switch-off.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department has provided for research into nutrition in the last 12 months; and whether he has had recent discussions with UK Research and Innovation on nutrition research.

Ministers and official meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on a range of issues. UKRI funds a broad range of high-quality research relating to nutrition, spanning different research councils. During the last 5 years UKRI has spent £251 million on nutrition research, with £65 million spent during the most recent financial year for which full data is available (2023-24). In addition to this, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funds research, including on nutrition, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR spent £11.8 million on nutrition research in the last year and £23.3 million in the last 5 years across a broad spectrum of areas related to nutrition to inform Government policy to improve patient care and help people stay well for longer.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding the Government has provided for nutrition research in each of the last five years.

Ministers and official meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on a range of issues. UKRI funds a broad range of high-quality research relating to nutrition, spanning different research councils. During the last 5 years UKRI has spent £251 million on nutrition research, with £65 million spent during the most recent financial year for which full data is available (2023-24). In addition to this, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funds research, including on nutrition, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR spent £11.8 million on nutrition research in the last year and £23.3 million in the last 5 years across a broad spectrum of areas related to nutrition to inform Government policy to improve patient care and help people stay well for longer.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his sub-Saharan Africa aid policies of the US State Department's decision to halt nearly all foreign assistance funding; and whether the Government plans to take steps to replace any shortfall in HIV/AIDS funding.

The UK notes the US decision to pause foreign aid funding for 3 months, pending a review. This is a matter for the US. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals requires collective action, and the UK will continue to work with all international partnerships toward that vision. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world and promoting universal comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) remains steadfast.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to ensure the continuity of treatment and prevention services for global HIV/AIDS programs, in the context of the recent US State Department decision to halt nearly all existing foreign assistance funding.

The UK notes the US decision to pause foreign aid funding for 3 months, pending a review. This is a matter for the US. Progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals requires collective action, and the UK will continue to work with all international partnerships toward that vision. The UK's commitment to supporting both humanitarian aid and development across the world and promoting universal comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) remains steadfast.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the agreement with Mauritius on the sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory on global security.

For decades, Diego Garcia has played a critical role in global security. It is a critical enabler of our ability to respond to crises and counter complex, challenging security threats. This agreement will safeguard the strategic security interests of the United Kingdom, Mauritius, and the United States, as well as our other regional partners, well into the next century.

How many and what proportion of branches within the Post Office network are provided by mobile services.

There are over 11,500 post office branches in the UK. The Government-set Access Criteria ensures that however the network changes, services remain within local reach of all citizens. ​Due to lack of premises or retailers within particular areas, permanent solutions are however not always possible. In these communities, outreach branches ensure customers are not left behind and can continue to access Post Office services. Post Office's 2023 Annual Network Report shows that 16.5% (1,924) of the total 11,684 branches are outreach branches.

If he will take steps ensure that second-class Saturday deliveries remain part of the universal service obligation for Royal Mail.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, is responsible for ensuring the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service that meets users’ needs. Ofcom’s statement of 5 September set out potential reforms to the universal service obligation and its plans to carry out further in-depth research among postal users. Ofcom expects to publish any proposals for public consultation in early 2025, which will provide an opportunity for interested parties (including magazine publishers) to contribute their views. More information is available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-mail/securing-the-future-of-the-universal-postal-service.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the Global Fund’s programmes are (a) inclusive and (b) reach the most vulnerable people.

FCDO's Global Fund contributions are delivered in line with the Programme Operating Framework, which is intended to maximise UK aid's effectiveness and impact. This includes rules on aid transparency, value for money and equity to help reach the vulnerable.FCDO engages regularly with the Fund to monitor and drive progress against its mission and UK priorities, including regular assessments of performance. We do this through our Board and Committee representation, alongside others, and bilateral strategic and programmatic levers.5 per cent of UK funding is channelled through the Global Fund Accelerator programme, which acts as an additional lever to deliver UK priorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department takes with international counterparts to maximise the impact of contributions to the Global Fund.

FCDO's Global Fund contributions are delivered in line with the Programme Operating Framework, which is intended to maximise UK aid's effectiveness and impact. This includes rules on aid transparency, value for money and equity to help reach the vulnerable.FCDO engages regularly with the Fund to monitor and drive progress against its mission and UK priorities, including regular assessments of performance. We do this through our Board and Committee representation, alongside others, and bilateral strategic and programmatic levers.5 per cent of UK funding is channelled through the Global Fund Accelerator programme, which acts as an additional lever to deliver UK priorities.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the key challenges faced by the Global Fund in achieving its goals; and what steps his Department is taking to support efforts to overcome these challenges.

Through our Board and Committee representation and bilateral levers, the FCDO engages consistently with the Global Fund to monitor and drive progress against its goals and UK priorities. This includes making regular assessments of the risks to its operations and strategy.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with the Global Fund to (a) help tackle emerging global health threats and (b) ensure sustainable health systems.

The FCDO engages regularly with the Global Fund to monitor and drive progress against its mission and UK priorities, including global health security and sustainable health systems. The Global Fund is the world's largest grant funder of health systems, investing approximately $3.7 billion a year. This also supports countries to better tackle emerging global health threats, alongside the Covid-19 Response Mechanism. The Global Fund Strategy 2023-2028 sets out a clear ambition to do more to strengthen health systems and explicitly recognises the role the Fund plays in pandemic preparedness and response.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of changing levels of funding on the Global Fund’s ability to help tackle (a) HIV, (b) AIDS, (c) tuberculosis, and (d) malaria.

The UK wants to see a successful Global Fund 8th replenishment in 2025. We are considering all our health investments in the round to make strategic funding decisions and maximise impact. Effective coordination across Global Health Initiatives will be needed to secure sustainable resources and deliver for the global health challenges ahead.As an active Board and Strategy Committee member, the UK is playing a strong role, alongside others, in supporting the Global Fund to identify and manage risks ahead of the 8th replenishment. This includes planning for a range of funding scenarios.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the impact of the UK’s contributions to the Global Fund on global health outcomes.

The UK has disbursed over £5.5 billion to the Global Fund to date; previous UK pledges are as follows:Replenishment CycleUK pledge4th replenishment 2014-2016£1 billion5th replenishment 2017-2019£1.1 billion6th replenishment 2020-2022£1.4 billion7th replenishment 2023-2025£1 billionThe Global Fund is a high performing organisation that has saved 65 million lives, with combined deaths attributed to HIV, TB and malaria estimated as having been reduced by 61 per cent, because of Global Fund activities

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the UK's financial contribution to the Global Fund was in (a) the 2023-24 financial year and (b) each of the previous 10 financial years.

In November 2022 the UK pledged £1 billion to the 7th replenishment to support efforts to tackle malaria, TB and HIV and strengthen health systems between 2023 and 2025. This funding is being disbursed across three years; £850 million of the pledge was paid in financial year 2023/2024.The UK has disbursed over £5.5 billion to the Global Fund to date; previous UK pledges are as follows:Replenishment CycleUK pledge4th replenishment 2014-2016£1 billion5th replenishment 2017-2019£1.1 billion6th replenishment 2020-2022£1.4 billion7th replenishment 2023-2025£1 billion

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to Royal Mail’s universal service obligation on magazine publishers.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, is responsible for ensuring the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service that meets users’ needs. Ofcom’s statement of 5 September set out potential reforms to the universal service obligation and its plans to carry out further in-depth research among postal users. Ofcom expects to publish any proposals for public consultation in early 2025, which will provide an opportunity for interested parties (including magazine publishers) to contribute their views. More information is available on Ofcom’s website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-mail/securing-the-future-of-the-universal-postal-service.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of Royal Mail’s proposed stamp price increases on magazine publishers.

The Government does not have a role in Royal Mail’s commercial decisions, including the prices of stamps and other services. In setting its prices, Royal Mail must observe the regulatory framework set by Ofcom which imposes price controls, ‘safeguard caps’, on certain second-class products to ensure a basic universal service is available to all at affordable prices. Information on Ofcom’s decisions regarding retail price caps on Royal Mail’s universal postal services to apply from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027 is available on its website: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/deliveries-and-charges/consultation-review-of-second-class-safeguard-caps-2024.