Written questions by Mayhew.

Media and Sport, what financial support her Department will give to churches at risk of closure that cannot apply for VAT reclaims on repairs through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, since it has allocated its budget for 2025/26.

This government is launching a new capital fund to support listed places of worship, the Places of Worship Renewal Fund. This will have an annual budget of £23m starting in 2026/27. This is providing certainty for the remaining years of the Spending Review until 2029/30, providing £92m over the period. Support will be targeted at places of most need. Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process, will be published in due course.

Media and Sport, when her Department will announce the full details of the new Places of Renewal Fund.

Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process for the Places of Worship Renewal Fund will be published in due course.

Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to review the new Places of Worship Renewal Fund annually to consider its budget in line with inflation.

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund, a new capital fund announced on 22 January 2026, will have an annual budget of £23m starting in 2026/27. This is providing certainty for the remaining years of the Spending Review until 2029/30, providing £92m over the period.

Media and Sport, what financial support her Department will give to listed churches in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland once the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme has ended.

Heritage funding is a devolved matter. However, listed places of worship in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have benefitted from VAT rebate grants from the UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which ran from 2001 to 2026.At Spending Reviews, the Devolved Governments receive Barnett consequentials as a proportion of overall departmental settlements, not specific funding lines or programmes. In last year’s Spending Review, Barnett consequentials were confirmed for Devolved Governments in the usual way, taking into account the overall DCMS allocation, which includes capital funding for the England only Places of Worship Renewal Fund. Decisions on how this funding is spent are for the Devolved Governments to take.We are working closely with other funders in the sector to ensure that opportunities for funding places of worship throughout the UK are maximised. The NLHF already offers grants for places of worship across all the UK and is currently investing £100m over 3 years through National Lottery Heritage Grants and a strategic initiative designed to provide targeted support to build capacity.

Media and Sport, whether the new Places of Renewal Fund will function as a VAT reclaim scheme, in the same way as the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme previously worked.

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund is a new capital fund announced on 22 January 2026. This will have an annual budget of £23m starting in 2026/27. This is providing certainty for the remaining years of the Spending Review until 2029/30, providing £92m over the period. Support will be targeted at places of most need. Further details regarding the eligibility criteria and application process, will be published in due course. The Places of Worship Renewal Fund will award grants for projects to cover capital works, rather than just the VAT element of a project, as is the case with the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. In some cases the amount granted could be greater than just the VAT element currently funded.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to question 120645, whether an estimate has been made of the overall expected resource requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority’s Sustainability Taskforce over the Spending Review period.

The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) has not made an estimate of the overall expected resource requirements of its Sustainability Taskforce over the Spending Review period.In reference to the previous answer to question 120645, the CMA does not allocate specific multi-year funding to individual workstreams such as the Sustainability Taskforce, which remain subject to wider prioritisation decisions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of poster-based recruitment for driving examiner roles.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) advertises all driving examiner vacancies on Civil Service Jobs (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK. Over the last 12 months, DVSA has used the following online job sites to reach a wider pool of applicants:DfT Careers [careers.dft.gov.uk] – Driving Examiner role page The page explains role duties, skills, and recruitment process.GOV.UK [gov.uk] – Working for DVSA recruitment areaDVSA professions page on DfT Careers Lists Driving Examiner roles and links users to the appropriate recruitment routes; used during active campaigns.The agency also displays posters in driving test centres as part of a wider mix of recruitment activity. All driving test centres have access to a centrally produced recruitment campaign poster to be displayed in their waiting rooms. However, posters are displayed only if DVSA is actively recruiting in the area.For campaigns up to November 2025, DVSA used the data available from the Civil Service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates, however the information is limited and does not give 100% coverage. In December 2025, the agency introduced a DVSA specific survey. This is sent to everyone who is offered an interview. This is then followed by another survey sent to anyone who successfully moves onto training. The data will be crossed referenced, however DVSA currently has data for only one complete and one ongoing campaign. This survey might contain some data about how effective posters are in generating applications for driving examiner roles, but it is too early to say.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 119471 on Vehicle Certification Agency, what estimate she has made of the additional annual revenue generated from proposed fee increases; what proportion of the deficit that revenue will cover; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of those fee increases on businesses using the Agency’s services.

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) reported a net deficit of £8.8m in its accounts for the 2024/25 financial year. Potential fee increases, if implemented would support the managing down of the deficit, with any remaining deficits are expected to be covered by efficiencies and additional income in other areas. A consultation on the proposed fee increases has recently been completed, and the outputs are currently being evaluated.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, which online job sites the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has used to advertise driving examiner vacancies in the last 12 months.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) advertises all driving examiner vacancies on Civil Service Jobs (opens in a new tab) on GOV.UK. Over the last 12 months, DVSA has used the following online job sites to reach a wider pool of applicants:DfT Careers [careers.dft.gov.uk] – Driving Examiner role page The page explains role duties, skills, and recruitment process.GOV.UK [gov.uk] – Working for DVSA recruitment areaDVSA professions page on DfT Careers Lists Driving Examiner roles and links users to the appropriate recruitment routes; used during active campaigns.The agency also displays posters in driving test centres as part of a wider mix of recruitment activity. All driving test centres have access to a centrally produced recruitment campaign poster to be displayed in their waiting rooms. However, posters are displayed only if DVSA is actively recruiting in the area.For campaigns up to November 2025, DVSA used the data available from the Civil Service recruitment standard applicants survey. This shows which advertising routes generate candidates, however the information is limited and does not give 100% coverage. In December 2025, the agency introduced a DVSA specific survey. This is sent to everyone who is offered an interview. This is then followed by another survey sent to anyone who successfully moves onto training. The data will be crossed referenced, however DVSA currently has data for only one complete and one ongoing campaign. This survey might contain some data about how effective posters are in generating applications for driving examiner roles, but it is too early to say.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118043, how many applicants were appointed to driving examiner roles in each of the last three years.

The Government Recruitment Service does not hold information on whether an applicant was successful as a result of a referral, as such the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has had no discussions regarding this. The table below shows the number of applicants who successfully passed training, to become a driving examiner conducting tests, in each of the last three years: Successfully passed training202318020241212025327 The above is the total number for the calendar year, and does not necessarily represent when applicants entered the recruitment process. For example, an applicant might have been recruited onto a training course in 2022 but did not pass the training course until 2023.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2026 to Question 118042, whether she has had discussions with the Government Recruitment Service on enabling the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to access applicant referral source data.

The Government Recruitment Service does not hold information on whether an applicant was successful as a result of a referral, as such the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has had no discussions regarding this. The table below shows the number of applicants who successfully passed training, to become a driving examiner conducting tests, in each of the last three years: Successfully passed training202318020241212025327 The above is the total number for the calendar year, and does not necessarily represent when applicants entered the recruitment process. For example, an applicant might have been recruited onto a training course in 2022 but did not pass the training course until 2023.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120369, in which month he expects to publish the statutory Private Parking Code of Practice.

The government intends to lay the Private Parking Code of Practice in autumn 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 9 March 2026 to Question 116554, whether she plans to assess the effectiveness of the analysis conducted by Thatcham Research.

The Department has no current plans to undertake assessment of the effectiveness of the analysis conducted by Thatcham Research. Where assessment and research are necessary to support policy development and decisions the Government draws on a broad range of evidence. This includes using existing independent evidence, where it is sourced from robust and reliable research, alongside commissioning specific Government-funded studies when necessary to fill evidence gaps or complement and corroborate existing findings.

Whether the Government Fleet Commitment is achieving its intended objectives across all categories of departmental vehicle use.

Through the Government Fleet Commitment (GFC), departments have been encouraged to develop and deliver their own fleet transition plans, recognising the range of use cases departmental fleets serve. An exemptions process is in place for categories of vehicle use which may not be suitable for transitioning to zero emission vehicles during the GFC target period, for example for practical or operational reasons. Further details are available at: Government fleet commitment - GOV.UK

Pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120007, how much of the average annual real-terms reduction in HS2 capital spending between FY2025-26 and FY2029-30 is expected to be achieved through (a) efficiency savings, (b) reprofiling of expenditure, (c) changes to project scope and (d) changes to the delivery timetable.

The HS2 Spending Review settlement reflects the scope of work that the HS2 programme plans to deliver over the period 2026/27 to 2029/30. The average annual real-terms growth rate of -7.9% detailed in the Spending Review report reflects changes in annual spend over this period, based on the expenditure profiles HS2 Ltd agreed with the Department for Transport to deliver Phase 1 scope. It reflects the stages of the programme and supports the reset of the programme Mark Wild is conducting.

When the first East West Rail services are expected to operate from Bicester to Winslow.

The Department continues to work closely with Chiltern Railways and other partners to confirm a start date for the first East-West Rail services between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central via Winslow. For passenger services to commence, trains will need to have been modified and fully tested, and driver training will need to have been completed. Winslow Station also needs to be fully handed over, and future staffing arrangements also remain to be agreed. Appointment of Chiltern Railways as operator was delayed by the sudden General Election in July 2024, and consequently they were not appointed until March 2025.

What estimate has been made of the annual cost to ferry operators serving the Isle of Wight arising from inclusion in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

The expansion of the UK ETS to domestic maritime is designed to cut emissions and accelerate investment in cleaner vessels and technologies.The Impact Assessment that accompanies the UK ETS Authority’s final response to the “UK Emissions Trading Scheme Scope Expansion: maritime sector” consultation, presents analysis on the overall cost of the UK ETS to shipping operators. The cost to each individual operator will depend on their level of emissions, whether they choose to invest in measures to reduce these emissions, and the carbon price trajectory over time. Costs for individual operators, including Isle of Wight services, will reflect their emissions profile, how quickly they adopt fuel saving or low carbon measures, and the trajectory of the carbon price over time.

When Ministers in his Department first assessed the relevance of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to the inclusion of maritime emissions within the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

Neither the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) nor its EU equivalent applies to maritime emissions, and this instrument does not introduce any CBAM obligations for maritime operators. The Common Understanding, published in May 2025 sets out the parameters for a linking agreement between the UK and EU emissions trading schemes, including that the link should apply in respect of domestic and international maritime.Linking will facilitate an exemption from the EU CBAM, removing a major barrier to trade and lowering costs for UK businesses.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 16 March 2026 to Question 119491 on Transport: Nitrogen Dioxide, how the £478 million whole-life cost of the NO2 Programme referenced by the National Audit Office relates to the total programme budget of approximately £880 million; and what proportion of the total programme cost this represents.

The Department for Transport provides all capital funding and a small amount of resource funding.

What the average domestic electricity price per kWh was in each year since 2021.

The department publishes statistics on the cost of domestic electricity and gas.Annual domestic energy bills - GOV.UK This includes tables (2.2.4 for electricity and 2.3.4 for gas) outlining the average unit price in £/kWh and average fixed cost (standing charge) in £/year for the United Kingdom and by region. This also includes tables (2.2.3 for electricity and 2.3.3 for gas) outlining the average unit cost in p/kWh inclusive of fixed costs for the United Kingdom and by region. These are calculated using data supplied directly to the department by a sample of domestic energy suppliers.