Written questions by Hayes.

Media and Sport, whether she has made a recent assessment the effectiveness of self-regulation by the gambling industry with regard to gambling advertising.

There are a range of robust rules in place to ensure that gambling adverts, wherever they appear, are socially responsible. However, as the Gambling Minister set out in her speech at the GambleAware conference on 4 December, more needs to be done to improve protections. The industry now has a clear task to further raise standards to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm, and this work will be monitored closely.

What steps his Department is taking to help small and medium sized businesses with energy costs in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The Government believes the only way to protect billpayers in Lincolnshire permanently, including businesses and non-domestic organisations, is to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels and towards homegrown clean energy. The Government recently published the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan which details our approach to boosting our energy security, creating good jobs, protecting consumers and tackling climate change. The Government recently launched a consultation on regulating Third-Party Intermediaries, such as energy brokers, in the retail energy market which closed on 15 November, aimed at enhancing consumer protection, particularly for non-domestic customers. A government response will follow in due course once we have reviewed the feedback received. On 19 December last year, the Government also expanded the remit of the Energy Ombudsman services so that small business consumers with fewer than 50 employees can resolve issues with their supplier through this service. This expands the level of support to 99% of businesses in Great Britain. In September we also launched a public consultation on regulating Third Party Intermediaries for non-domestic consumers, seeking views on different potential regulatory options for this market.

What information her Department holds on the number of children that were home-schooled in Lincolnshire in the (a) 2022-23 and (b) 2023-2024 academic years.

The department collects data on children in elective home education (EHE) from local authorities. The latest data, including at the local authority level, is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/elective-home-education.In Lincolnshire, the number of EHE children at any point during the 2022/23 academic year was 2,280 and 2,040 in 2023/24.The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, introduced on 17 December, will place a duty on all local authorities in England to hold and maintain registers of children not in school in their area. Parents and certain providers of out-of-school education will be required to provide the local authority with the information needed for the registers and there will be sanctions for failing to do so. The Bill also includes a new requirement for parents to obtain local authority consent before they can home educate if their child is subject to a child protection enquiry or has a child protection plan. Local authorities will have new powers to require any home educated child to attend school if their home or learning environment is unsuitable. These proposals will strengthen the existing system of oversight for these children.

How many (a) new and (b) replacement passports were issued in 2024.

In 2024, the number of passports issued to customers applying for their first British passport was 1,277,216.A further 6,442,605 British passports were issued in 2024. This figure includes renewals, and the replacement of passports that were lost, stolen or damaged.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed Grimsby to Walpole pylon project on the availability of farmland.

Developers of the Grimsby to Walpole project, like all nationally significant infrastructure projects in England and Wales, must assess the impacts of their proposals. This includes conducting assessments of the project's impacts on the environment, habitats, and farmland through Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA). Additionally, developers engage with statutory and non-statutory stakeholders, including farmers, through consultations to ensure their feedback is considered and incorporated into project proposals. The Government does not make assessments for specific projects until they come to the Secretary of State for final planning decision.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the ban on the use of neonicotinoids on agricultural crops on (a) bee and (b) butterfly population trends.

Three neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam – have not been authorised for general use since 2018. It has remained possible to consider short-term emergency authorisations for particular uses, and emergency authorisation for use on sugar beet was granted each year from 2021 to 2024. This Government is committed to restoring and protecting nature, including pollinator species such as bees and butterflies. We have given a commitment to end these emergency authorisations and the next steps towards delivering that commitment were set out in a published policy statement and in a written statement to Parliament made on 6 January. There is clear and abundant evidence that neonicotinoids are harmful to species other than those they are intended to control, and particularly to insect pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Given the complex range of threats faced by pollinators, it is not possible to quantify the benefit of turning the current restrictions on the three neonicotinoids into a complete ban.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to support new FM licences for radio stations in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The growth and development of digital radio and changes in listener behaviour have resulted in a clear shift away from analogue listening – digital listening now accounts for 74% of all radio listening (RAJAR Q3 2024). Although AM/FM platforms remain important for smaller commercial and community stations, significant numbers of listeners are migrating to digital platforms.The licensing of AM/FM radio services is a matter for Ofcom, and in October Ofcom set out its current approach to licensing in a progress report on the rollout of small-scale DAB (SSDAB) technology. This report set out Ofcom’s current view that SSDAB offers audiences a wider range of services and makes a more efficient use of spectrum than FM, and committed to at least two further rounds of SSDAB licensing before considering the possibility of any further analogue licensing in the future.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to align future application windows of the Farm Equipment and Technology Fund with the agricultural calendar.

Defra is working to simplify and rationalise its grant funding offers including the Farming Investment Fund, ensuring that grants are targeted towards those who need them most and where they can deliver the most benefit for food security and nature. The timings of any future grant offers will be confirmed in due course and is subject to the outcome of Phase 2 of the Spending Review. Defra continues to support farmers with £5 billion to the farming budget over two years – more money than ever for sustainable food production and to boost rural economic growth. In the long term, Defra will support farmers and farming businesses to become sustainable and self-reliant.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support SME manufacturers of farm equipment in cases where demand has fallen, in the context of funding provided by the Farming Investment Fund.

Defra recognises that farmers and the agricultural supply sector need clarity and certainty. Defra continues to roll out schemes and will optimise them in an orderly way over time so that farmers can plan. The budget for future years will be set in Phase 2 of the Spending Review, and details of future grant rounds will be confirmed in due course. Defra is supporting farmers with £5 billion to the farming budget over two years – more money than ever for sustainable food production and to boost rural economic growth. In the long term, Defra will support farmers and farming businesses to become sustainable and self-reliant.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to announce his decision on the future of the Farming Investment Fund.

Defra is working to simplify and rationalise its grant funding offer, including the Farming Investment Fund, ensuring that grants are targeted towards those who need them most and where they can deliver the most benefit for food security and nature. The timings of any future grant offers will be confirmed in due course and is subject to the outcome of the Phase 2 of the Spending Review.Defra continues to support farmers with £5 billion to the farming budget over two years – more money than ever for sustainable food production and to boost rural economic growth. In the long term, Defra will support farmers and farming businesses to become sustainable and self-reliant.

What estimate he has made of the annual running costs of the National Energy System Operator.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO), established on 1 October 2024, is regulated by Ofgem which has responsibility for scrutinising and approving NESO's operational costs. NESO recently launched a consultation on its regulatory Business Plan for Financial Year 2025/26 which sets out forecasted costs of £690m. Note that this includes NESO's set up costs, therefore will be higher than normal.

What estimate she has made of the annual running costs of the Jet Zero Taskforce.

The Jet Zero Taskforce convenes government and stakeholders from across the UK aviation sector to identify, and advise on, unblocking the key barriers in delivering greener aviation. Membership of the Taskforce is on a voluntary basis and there are no paid positions. Administrative running costs are minimal.

Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the annual running costs of the Regulatory Innovation Office.

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) is the Government’s key tool for advancing regulatory innovation. The RIO draws on from core existing functions like the Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) and the Regulators’ Pioneers Fund (RPF). The Government will continue to evaluate timelines, costs, legal considerations, and objectives to ensure the RIO aligns with our transformative goals and delivers effective regulatory solutions.

What estimate he has made of the annual running costs of the Global Clean Power Alliance.

The Global Clean Power Alliance aims to accelerate the delivery of the global clean power transition, bringing together a coalition of countries who share ambition and are ready to take action to overcome the biggest challenges in delivering clean power globally. The initiative is being delivered through existing resources, including by streamlining existing efforts, in collaboration with other countries and international organisations. The running costs of the Global Clean Power Alliance are met within the Department’s resource spending, as set out in the recent Spending Review. The Department accounts for its spending in its annual report and accounts.

What estimate he has made of the annual running costs of the Child Poverty Taskforce.

Due to the cross-cutting nature of the Taskforce's work to develop an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy, the Taskforce is funded from existing departmental budgets.

What estimate he has made of the annual running costs of Mission Control.

The running costs of Mission control are met within the Department’s resource spending, as set out in the recent Spending Review. The Department accounts for its spending in its annual report and accounts.

What estimate he has made of the annual running costs of the Solar Taskforce.

There is no dedicated funding stream for the Solar Taskforce, and external Taskforce members participate without financial reimbursement. As a result, the costs of the Solar Taskforce are negligible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what additional funding his Department has provided to (a) communities and (b) local authorities affected by recent flooding in Lincolnshire.

Protecting communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. To ensure we protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, the Government will invest £2.4 billion in 2024/25 and 2025/26 to improve flood resilience by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences. In addition, the Government’s new Floods Resilience Taskforce sets out a new approach to preparing for flooding by working cross-Government and with external stakeholders. It plans to meet again in January 2025 and will discuss the recent flooding. During the recent flooding the Environment Agency has focussed on warning and informing communities of risks, liaising with Local Resilience Forum partners and undertaking initial investigations into the causes and impacts of the flooding. The list of projects to receive Government funding in 2025/26 will be consented over the coming months in the usual way through Regional Flood and Coastal Committees with local representation.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the annual running costs of the New Towns Taskforce.

The New Towns Taskforce is an independent expert advisory panel established in September 2024 to support the government to deliver the next generation of new towns.The Taskforce consists of 10 sector experts in relevant fields such as planning, infrastructure delivery, architecture and urban regeneration. The estimated running costs of the Taskforce, including remuneration, is around £200,000.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of prostate cancer services in (a) South Holland and The Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The Department is committed to improving the adequacy of all cancer services including for prostate cancer, this includes cancer services in South Holland and The Deepings and Lincolnshire. NHS England has funded 10 clinical audits, including a national prostate cancer audit. Using routine data, collected on patients diagnosed with cancer in a National Health Service setting, the audit is looking at what is being done well, where it is being done well, and what needs to be done better. This will seek to reduce unwarranted variation in treatment and reduce inequalities across different groups. The Government recognises that a cancer-specific approach is needed to meet the challenges in cancer care, and to improve all cancer services and outcomes for people living with cancer including those with prostate cancer. Following publication of the 10-Year Health Plan, we will publish a new national cancer plan, which will include further details on how we will improve cancer services across England. We are now in discussions about what form that plan should take, and what its relationship to the 10-Year Health Plan and the Government’s wider Health Mission should be and will provide updates on this in due course.