Written questions by Cross.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the findings of the report entitled An impact analysis of APR reforms on commercial family farms, published by the National Farmers Union on 21 November 2024 on the acreage of land relating to Agricultural Property Relief claims on assets of less than £250,000 in the 2021-22 financial year.

That report draws on Defra analysis on asset value. Tax liabilities for individual farm businesses depend on personal circumstances. It is not possible to accurately infer a future inheritance tax liability from data on farm asset values. This is because asset value alone does not necessarily mean that the farm will be affected, as it depends on individual circumstances. From 6 April 2026, the full 100% relief from inheritance tax will be restricted to the first £1 million of combined agricultural and business property. Above this amount, landowners will access 50% relief from inheritance tax and will pay inheritance tax at a reduced effective rate up to 20%, rather than the standard 40%. This tax can be paid in instalments over 10 years interest free, rather than immediately, as with other types of inheritance tax. This is on top of all the other spousal exemptions and nil-rate bands that people can access for inheritance tax too. This means that two people with farmland, depending on their circumstances, can pass on up to £3 million without paying any inheritance tax. This is an assumption based on the £1 million limit and nil-rate bands and does not take into consideration the specific circumstances that may affect the tax calculation. Furthermore, if land is transferred 7 years before death, farmers pay no inheritance tax at all. With 73% of claims being for less than £1 million, the majority of estates will be unaffected, and they will be able to pass the family farm down to their children just as previous generations have always done. This is a fair and balanced approach that protects the family farm while also fixing the public services that we all rely on.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of removing VAT from defibrillator sales on (a) public access to defibrillators and (b) survival rates for cardiac arrest patients in areas where fewer than half of postcodes have access to a defibrillator within the recommended response time.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Government currently provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators. For example, when an AED is purchased with funds provided by a charity and then donated to an eligible body no VAT is charged. Furthermore, all state schools in England have been fitted with AEDs. The Government keeps all taxes under review including consideration of impacts. A key consideration for any potential VAT relief is whether savings would be passed on to the consumer, and evidence suggests that savings are not always passed on.VAT is, in addition, the UK's second largest tax forecast to raise £171 billion in 2024/25, and taxation is a vital source of revenue which helps to fund public services, including the NHS. While we keep all taxes under review, the Government has therefore no current plans to make changes to the VAT treatment of AEDs.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of developing a dedicated national brain tumour strategy within the Major Conditions Strategy framework to help improve (a) early diagnosis rates, (b) research funding allocation, (c) access to Clinical Nurse Specialists and (d) treatment outcomes for patients with brain tumours.

Plans to publish a final major conditions strategy were paused following the announcement of the general election. We are developing a 10-year plan to radically reform the National Health Service, and My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been clear that there needs to be a national cancer plan, which will include brain cancer. We are currently in discussions about this plan and its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider health mission.To improve early diagnosis rates for brain cancer, we have expanded general practice direct access to diagnostic scans, including brain magnetic resonance imaging.In September 2024, the Government announced new research opportunities, including a National Institute for Health Care and Research Brain Tumour Research Consortium and a funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support, and rehabilitation.To improve outcomes, NHS England is committed to ensuring that all cancer patients are offered Holistic Needs Assessment and Personalised Care and Support Planning, ensuring care is focused on what matters most to each person. As well as this, all patients, including those with secondary cancers, will have access to the right expertise and support, including a Clinical Nurse Specialist or other support worker.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the smart meter network in North East Scotland.

The Government recognises that too many households across GB are currently unable to send automatic readings to their energy suppliers, including meters without access to WAN coverage. We will set out new plans to improve the rollout and the consumer experience, alongside Ofgem, in due course.

Whether his Department is taking steps to tackle changes in the (a) number of flight services and (b) level of fares at Aberdeen International Airport.

Whilst the Government recognises the role that regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, play in acting as a gateway to international opportunities, maintaining social and family ties and strengthening bonds between the four nations, the UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. It is for AGS Airports Ltd as the owners of the airport to invest in infrastructure to attract passengers, and work with airlines to maintain and create new connections, including negotiating year-round services and fares.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the economic impact of seasonal flight reductions at Aberdeen International Airport; and whether he is taking steps to encourage year-round services.

Whilst the Government recognises the role that regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, play in acting as a gateway to international opportunities, maintaining social and family ties and strengthening bonds between the four nations, the UK aviation market operates predominantly in the private sector. It is for AGS Airports Ltd as the owners of the airport to invest in infrastructure to attract passengers, and work with airlines to maintain and create new connections, including negotiating year-round services and fares.

What steps his Department is taking to protect consumers on routes where a single airline operates the only available service.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has statutory competition functions in relation to airline markets. The CMA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) both have responsibilities for enforcing consumer protections relating to price transparency, contract terms and passenger rights, including those during flight disruption.Additionally, Public Service Obligations (PSOs) support vital domestic routes that are at risk of being lost, particularly those connecting remote areas, guaranteeing a reliable and consistent service. The Department is actively engaging with regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, to understand how Government can support and unlock opportunities for growth.

What steps his Department is taking to monitor pricing practices by airline operators on routes where there is (a) limited and (b) no competition (i) generally and (ii) at (A) Aberdeen International Airport and (B) other airports serving (1) remote and (2) rural areas.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has statutory competition functions in relation to airline markets. The CMA and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) both have responsibilities for enforcing consumer protections relating to price transparency, contract terms and passenger rights, including those during flight disruption.Additionally, Public Service Obligations (PSOs) support vital domestic routes that are at risk of being lost, particularly those connecting remote areas, guaranteeing a reliable and consistent service. The Department is actively engaging with regional airports, including Aberdeen Airport, to understand how Government can support and unlock opportunities for growth.

With reference to the policy paper entitled Jet Zero strategy: one year on, published on 20 July 2023, whether it is his policy to have five commercial-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel plants under construction in the UK by 2025.

The Labour Party Manifesto included a commitment to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Since July we have already brought in a SAF mandate and committed to legislating for a revenue certainty mechanism to support UK SAF producers. The Advanced Fuels Fund supports a range of SAF projects across the UK, and the Department closely monitors progress towards commercial-scale production to ensure there is sufficient supply of SAF to meet the SAF mandate.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of current shortages in the supply of Salbutamol nebules on patients with respiratory conditions; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle procurement and supply chain issues to ensure continuity of supply.

Supply of salbutamol nebules, used to treat asthma, has now improved, although there may still be some short intermittent interruptions in supply experienced. We are working with NHS England to manage the supply issues and mitigate risks to patients. Communications have been issued to the National Health Service to provide management advice for all pharmacy teams and prescribers with information on alternative treatments that are available.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that mobile network investment through the Shared Rural Network programme prioritises improving connectivity in rural communities; whether he has made an assessment of the potential (a) effectiveness and (b) environmental impact of the Total Not Spot initiative (i) in Scotland's National Parks and wildland areas and (ii) nationally; and whether he plans to review the allocation of resources between (A) addressing partial connectivity in populated rural areas and (B) installing infrastructure in remote, depopulated locations.

The Shared Rural Network is designed to improve connectivity where people live, work, travel and visit. In very rural parts of Scotland, digital connectivity is vital for visitors, emergency services, lone workers and businesses utilising new technology.To minimise environmental impact, publicly funded masts will be shared by all four mobile network operators and existing infrastructure utilised wherever possible. At each potential location, an individual assessment will consider a range of factors to strike a balance between improving connectivity and minimising impact on the surrounding landscape. All masts will comply with planning rules for these areas and go through the proper planning process, with local planning authorities responsible for reviewing applications. Achieving a perfect balance between enhanced connectivity and environmental protection will not be easy, but I am keen to see a more sympathetic approach that focuses most on where people really need a secure connection.