Written questions by Stainbank.

What proportion of Short-Term Student (English Language) Route Visa applications refusals were due to belief that the applicant was applying to use the route without the intention to study.

Published data on short term student visas can be found here, Immigration system statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK including refusal volumes.Visa applications can be refused for a variety of reasons, and we do not publish data detailing these. Short term student visa applications must meet the criteria as published here; Short-term students caseworker guidance (accessible) - GOV.UK.

What engagement she has had with the Federation of Small Businesses on small businesses awareness of the change in eligibility for employment allowance announced in the Autumn Budget 2024.

Since announcement at Autumn Budget 2024, HMRC have undertaken a wide range of stakeholder engagement and employer communications through a variety of channels in advance of the significant increase to the Employment Allowance to £10,500 and removal of the threshold which prevented some larger employers from claiming. This includes webinars highlighting important changes for the new tax year for employers, and written articles in numerous editions of HMRC’s Employer Bulletin, Agent Update and Stakeholder Digest. In addition, HMRC has a range of channels to raise awareness of changes in tax policy. These include communications issued directly to stakeholders or published on gov.uk, and engagement with stakeholders through established forums such as the Employment and Payroll Group, which the Federation of Small Businesses attend.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of expanding the eligibility of feedstocks in the SAF mandate to include dedicated energy crops.

We have been clear that fuel supplied under the SAF Mandate must have the highest sustainability credentials. This is why SAF derived from biomass must be made from wastes or residues, as these offer high greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential, whilst also minimising negative environmental impacts. This means that SAF produced from food, feed or energy crops are not eligible under the Mandate. We are continuing to examine the direct and indirect impacts of non-food crop use, including impacts on the environment and on food production.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to end animal testing; and what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of progress towards the (a) development and (b) adoption of non-animal testing methods.

The Government is committed to supporting the uptake and development of alternative methods to the use of animals in science. The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing, which is a long-term goal. Progress has been made towards the development and adoption of non-animal test methods within the OECD’s Environmental Health and Safety Programme. The UK leads on and supports numerous projects producing internationally harmonised tools and guidance for ‘New Approach Methodologies’ based regulatory chemical assessment across a number of working groups. This includes the Test Guidelines Programme, where the UK recently contributed to the development of the first internationally harmonised guideline to describe a non-animal defined approach that can be used to replace completely replace animal tests to identify skin sensitizsers and predict potency. In line with the Government’s Manifesto commitment, Defra, along with partners from sectors with interests in animal science and on a cross-Government level are currently engaging with DSIT to develop a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods to animal testing. We expect the publication of this strategy later this year.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department provides for solar radiation management experiments.

The Advanced Research and Invention Agency’s (ARIA) ‘Exploring Climate Cooling’ programme, backed by £56.8 million, has been designed to build an evidence base which will enable scientists to better understand and properly assess whether or not Earth cooling approaches could help to mitigate climate change safely.ARIA is an independent research body, and they are conducting cautious, controlled research aimed at improving understanding of the risks and impacts of Solar Radiation Modification. This will produce important information for decisions around the world.ARIA have put in place an independent oversight committee, made up of international experts, to support effective governance of outdoor experiments and communication of their findings. Projects with field trial components will be subjected to risk and impact assessment by an independent team of experts and subjected to a degree of co-design with local communities; the results of both exercises will be publicly available prior to any outdoor experiment taking place. An independent assessment will also take place on completion of any outdoor experiment, also to be made publicly available.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to consult farmers prior to the commencement of Aria Solar Radiation Management experiments.

The Advanced Research and Invention Agency’s (ARIA) ‘Exploring Climate Cooling’ programme, backed by £56.8 million, has been designed to build an evidence base which will enable scientists to better understand and properly assess whether or not Earth cooling approaches could help to mitigate climate change safely.ARIA is an independent research body, and they are conducting cautious, controlled research aimed at improving understanding of the risks and impacts of Solar Radiation Modification. This will produce important information for decisions around the world.ARIA have put in place an independent oversight committee, made up of international experts, to support effective governance of outdoor experiments and communication of their findings. Projects with field trial components will be subjected to risk and impact assessment by an independent team of experts and subjected to a degree of co-design with local communities; the results of both exercises will be publicly available prior to any outdoor experiment taking place. An independent assessment will also take place on completion of any outdoor experiment, also to be made publicly available.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will review the ranking of the use of municipal solid waste to produce sustainable aviation fuel in the waste hierarchy.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 May 2024 to Question 49143.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on proposed changes to the hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) cap.

There are no proposals to change the HEFA cap which forms part of the SAF mandate scheme introduced on January 1 this year. It is recognised that HEFA will play an important role in the global SAF sector, particularly in the early years of the scheme. To this end there is no cap on HEFA supplied under the SAF mandate this year or next, and thereafter the cap is applied gradually decreasing the contribution of HEFA to 71% in 2030. The SAF mandate does not cap the production of SAF in the UK. It enables more advanced sustainable aviation fuels to be developed whilst supporting a UK market for HEFA in a way which recognises sustainable feedstocks used to produce HEFA are finite. Any proposals to amend or remove the cap would require legislation. They would be subject to public consultation and cabinet committee clearances.

Whether his Department considered Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil production facility within the recommendations of Project Willow.

Project Willow – an independent feasibility study led by Ernst and Young and jointly funded by the UK and the Scottish Governments – evaluated over 300 technologies to identify those that could be effectively deployed in Grangemouth. This included options to produce hydrogenated vegetable oil products, such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. We are now ready to take these opportunities forward. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our UK and Scottish Government investment agencies are working together to find investors for clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area.

Whether the funding provided to Grangemouth through the National Wealth Fund must be spent on recommendations made through Project Willow.

The National Wealth Fund has made financing available for new investment projects in Grangemouth, subject to viable proposals that satisfy its investment principles coming forward. Project Willow identified numerous credible long-term industrial options for the Grangemouth site. The National Wealth Fund will consider providing financing to any projects being developed in the Grangemouth area that align with their strategic priorities. This includes but is not limited to those identified by Project Willow.

What discussions she has had with prospective Sustainable Aviation Fuel producers on the viability of first mover projects.

Thirteen projects have been supported through the Advanced Fuels Fund, which aims to support first-of-a-kind sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plants through the project pipeline to reach investment ready stage and achieve commercial scale. Ministers and officials engage regularly with stakeholders across the SAF industry including producers and investors. The government is working at pace to introduce the legislation for the Revenue Certainty Mechanism in the first session of this Parliament and expects the legislation for the Revenue Certainty Mechanism to be in place by the end of 2026. No final decisions have been made on the approach to contract allocation for support under the scheme. We will continue to assess how the delivery of the Revenue Certainty Mechanism can be accelerated by working with industry in parallel with legislative processes.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of commencing negotiations with prospective Sustainable Aviation Fuel producers prior to the anticipated introduction of the Revenue Certainty Mechanism in Q4 2026.

Thirteen projects have been supported through the Advanced Fuels Fund, which aims to support first-of-a-kind sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production plants through the project pipeline to reach investment ready stage and achieve commercial scale. Ministers and officials engage regularly with stakeholders across the SAF industry including producers and investors. The government is working at pace to introduce the legislation for the Revenue Certainty Mechanism in the first session of this Parliament and expects the legislation for the Revenue Certainty Mechanism to be in place by the end of 2026. No final decisions have been made on the approach to contract allocation for support under the scheme. We will continue to assess how the delivery of the Revenue Certainty Mechanism can be accelerated by working with industry in parallel with legislative processes.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Waste Hierachy to place Sustainable Aviation Fuel produced by waste-to-liquid above that produced by energy-from-waste.

The waste hierarchy sets out a priority order in which waste should be managed (prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling, recovery, disposal). The process of converting waste (both biogenic and fossil fractions) into fuels/energy is a recovery operation for the purposes of the waste hierarchy. This is because once combusted, material is lost from the circular economy. Whilst we have no plans to change the waste hierarchy, Defra’s position is that we welcome innovative and new measures to manage residual waste and that there is nothing to stop the production of fuel from residual waste if this is determined, by local authorities or other waste producers, to be the best overall environmental outcome for such waste.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a renewable liquid heating fuel obligation for off-grid heating fuel suppliers.

As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government expect to prioritise its use in sectors like aviation, which have fewest options to decarbonise. Renewable liquid heating fuels are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of instructing the Valuation Office Agency to carry out a revaluation of commercial properties in this Parliament.

The Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023 and Local Government finance (Wales) Bill legislated for three yearly business rates revaluations in England and Wales from 2023. The date of completion for the next revaluation is 1 April 2026. The VOA are responsible for assessing the rateable value of non-domestic properties in England and Wales. Scottish Assessors are responsible for the policy and legislative framework, and set the tax rates in Scotland.

What his Department's timetable is for bringing section 159 of the Energy Act 2023 into force.

As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government expect to prioritise its use in sectors like aviation, which have fewest options to decarbonise. Renewable liquid heating fuels are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.

If his Department will take steps to support advanced manufacturing following the introduction of US tariffs.

Advanced manufacturing is critical to UK prosperity. This Government will continue to support the sector through our forthcoming Industrial Strategy, where advanced manufacturing has been selected as one of eight growth-driving sectors. We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal that works both for the UK and the US but nothing is off the table - we will do what is necessary to defend the UK’s national interest. That is why on 3 April, we launched a Request for Input to give businesses the chance to have their say and influence the UK response.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of Grangemouth oil refinery on national security.

Before July, there was no overall plan for the future of the Grangemouth refinery. Within weeks, we worked with the Scottish Government to put together a £100m package to support the community and invest in the local workforce, along with tailored support to secure good, alternative jobs. We launched Project Willow to find an industrial future for the site – identifying nine low-carbon and renewable energy business models that could create 800 jobs by 2040. We are ready to take these forward as co-investment projects with the private sector. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our investment agencies are working to find investors for these proposals and other low carbon and clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area. After the refinery closes, Grangemouth will supply Scotland with imported fuel. We have rigorously assessed Petroineos’ import terminal model to ensure it will provide energy security and resilience for Scotland, and we will continue monitoring to ensure long term confidence for Scottish consumers and businesses.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of using (a) debt and (b) equity from the National Wealth Fund to develop a business case for investment in Project Willow.

Before July, there was no overall plan for the future of the Grangemouth refinery. Within weeks, we worked with the Scottish Government to put together a £100m package to support the community and invest in the local workforce, along with tailored support to secure good, alternative jobs. We launched Project Willow to find an industrial future for the site – identifying nine low-carbon and renewable energy business models that could create 800 jobs by 2040. We are ready to take these forward as co-investment projects with the private sector. Backed by £200 million from the National Wealth Fund, our investment agencies are working to find investors for these proposals and other low carbon and clean energy proposals in the Grangemouth area. After the refinery closes, Grangemouth will supply Scotland with imported fuel. We have rigorously assessed Petroineos’ import terminal model to ensure it will provide energy security and resilience for Scotland, and we will continue monitoring to ensure long term confidence for Scottish consumers and businesses.

What recent discussions his Department has had with the Grangemouth future industry board.

As per my answer on 8 October 2024, since taking office in July 2024, the Secretary of State and I have taken joint action with the Scottish Government to urgently engage with the company and its shareholders. This included discussions with PetroChina and INEOS, the shareholders. Details of Ministers’ meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.