Written questions by Lamont.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 14 April 2026 to Question 123660 on Television: Internet, whether her Department’s definition of universal access to free-to-air television requires that households be able to receive television services without taking up a fixed broadband subscription.

There is no single agreed definition of what it means for audiences to have universal access to free-to-air television, but – supported by the work of the Future of TV Distribution Stakeholder Forum in particular – the Government has been considering a number of important elements, including the availability, affordability and accessibility of the different methods by which audiences can receive television services at present and how these are likely to evolve in the future.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the levels of imported chicken products from China since July 2024.

All agri-food products must comply with our sanitary and phytosanitary standards and wider import requirements in order to be placed on the UK market. While poultry imports from China to the UK are permitted they are subject to stricter, updated certification requirements as of December 2024, requiring approved premises.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of whether chicken products imported from China comply with UK food standards.

Imports into the UK must comply with our existing import requirements. While poultry imports from China to the UK are permitted they are subject to stricter, updated certification requirements as of December 2024, requiring approved premises. Products produced to different environmental and animal welfare standards can be placed on the UK market if they comply with these requirements. This has always been the case and includes products from the EU and other longstanding trading partners. While production methods vary in line with different climates, diseases, and other contextual reasons, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, this Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal to protect the UK’s most sensitive sectors

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department holds data on the quantity of chicken products imported from China in each month since July 2024.

DateNumber of ConsignmentsTotal Net WeightJul-241702,585,700.29Aug-242614,015,899.31Sep-242803,961,455.90Oct-242143,053,346.90Nov-242504,052,208.76Dec-241972,879,896.97Jan-252503,656,965.02Feb-252153,081,240.87Mar-252904,255,461.46Apr-252393,765,926.54May-252633,998,849.32Jun-252834,172,640.20Jul-253004,270,514.57Aug-253735,353,145.81Sep-253204,173,131.59Oct-252934,314,525.73Nov-253815,222,383.73Dec-252974,171,925.29Jan-263535,139,804.74Feb-263915,754,842.52Mar-264747,055,846.71 The data provided relates to imports from China where the species is recorded as either Aves or Gallus. Where the species has been recorded as Aves, it is not possible to confirm that the product is chicken, due to the way species information is captured in the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS).

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the extent to which chicken products from China are used to fulfil public procurement contracts in the UK.

The Government remains committed to its ambition that half of all food served in public settings is either locally sourced or certified to higher environmental standards and is open to considering all lawful means of achieving this. The Government recognises that there is limited existing data about the origin and sustainability of food in the public sector supply chain and the data landscape is complex and fragmented. Public bodies are not required to report on the origin of the food they procure. However, the Government is currently assessing what food the public sector buys and where it comes from. In due course, this will provide us with detailed insights on the extent to which public sector settings are serving food, including chicken, from local and sustainable sources, and what more can be done.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of whether chicken products from China have been produced in compliance with UK animal welfare standards.

Imports into the UK must comply with our existing import requirements. While poultry imports from China to the UK are permitted they are subject to stricter, updated certification requirements as of December 2024, requiring approved premises. Products produced to different environmental and animal welfare standards can be placed on the UK market if they comply with these requirements. This has always been the case and includes products from the EU and other longstanding trading partners. While production methods vary in line with different climates, diseases, and other contextual reasons, the Government will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and any impact that may have. Where necessary, this Government will be prepared to use the full range of powers at the Government’s disposal to protect the UK’s most sensitive sectors

How much of the funding allocated to the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal remains to be spent.

The UK Government has committed £65 million to the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. Across Scottish and UK Government investment into the deal, around 6% of Government funding has been drawn down by Deal partners so far.The slow start to spending is a result of supply chain issues, inflationary and other pressures driven by external factors such as the Covid pandemic or cost increases of raw material.To boost delivery progress, the UK and Scottish Government approved a reset of the Deal in March - confirming a more affordable and deliverable financial profile for projects.As a result of this, drawdown will significantly accelerate this financial year.All of this means the Borderlands Growth Deal is now well placed to deliver an additional 5,500 jobs and attract over 4 million new visitors to the region.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding to support households with broadband connectivity costs in a transition from digital terrestrial television to IPTV.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that television services remain affordable, reliable, and accessible to all households. The Government’s Future of TV Distribution project is undertaking work to assess the future of digital terrestrial television after 2034 and no decisions have been made at this time.As part of the project, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are working closely together to consider the range of issues that could arise under different long‑term scenarios, including implications for how households access television and questions of affordability, reliability and accessibility.Through commercial and subsidised delivery, the Government is ensuring future-proofed and reliable, gigabit-capable connections are available to 99% of UK premises, and are monitoring and supporting market development for alternative technologies to deliver reliable broadband to more remote premises.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact on household costs of a transition from digital terrestrial television to IPTV, in the context of the requirement for broadband subscriptions to access television services.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that television services remain affordable and accessible to all households, and that universal access to free-to-air public service broadcasting is maintained.No decisions have been taken on the future of TV distribution. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to consider the full range of factors relevant to the future of digital terrestrial television.Any future decisions would take into account the impact on household costs, including in the context of broadband requirements, and the need to ensure that audiences can continue to access public service content easily and affordably, while maintaining universal access to free-to-air television.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of how universal access to free-to-air television would be guaranteed under any IPTV-only system.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that television services remain affordable and accessible to all households, and that universal access to free-to-air public service broadcasting is maintained.No decisions have been taken on the future of TV distribution. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to consider the full range of factors relevant to the future of digital terrestrial television.Any future decisions would take into account the impact on household costs, including in the context of broadband requirements, and the need to ensure that audiences can continue to access public service content easily and affordably, while maintaining universal access to free-to-air television.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the reliability of broadband networks, including the frequency and duration of outages, for the delivery of television services compared to terrestrial broadcast networks.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that television services remain affordable, reliable, and accessible to all households. The Government’s Future of TV Distribution project is undertaking work to assess the future of digital terrestrial television after 2034 and no decisions have been made at this time.As part of the project, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are working closely together to consider the range of issues that could arise under different long‑term scenarios, including implications for how households access television and questions of affordability, reliability and accessibility.Through commercial and subsidised delivery, the Government is ensuring future-proofed and reliable, gigabit-capable connections are available to 99% of UK premises, and are monitoring and supporting market development for alternative technologies to deliver reliable broadband to more remote premises.

Media and Sport, whether her Department has assessed the extent to which switching off digital terrestrial television could require households to take out broadband subscriptions in order to access television services.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that television services remain affordable, reliable, and accessible to all households. The Government’s Future of TV Distribution project is undertaking work to assess the future of digital terrestrial television after 2034 and no decisions have been made at this time.As part of the project, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are working closely together to consider the range of issues that could arise under different long‑term scenarios, including implications for how households access television and questions of affordability, reliability and accessibility.Through commercial and subsidised delivery, the Government is ensuring future-proofed and reliable, gigabit-capable connections are available to 99% of UK premises, and are monitoring and supporting market development for alternative technologies to deliver reliable broadband to more remote premises.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of the gap between broadband availability and household take-up in the context of a transition from digital terrestrial television to IPTV.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that television services remain affordable, reliable, and accessible to all households. The Government’s Future of TV Distribution project is undertaking work to assess the future of digital terrestrial television after 2034 and no decisions have been made at this time.As part of the project, officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology are working closely together to consider the range of issues that could arise under different long‑term scenarios, including implications for how households access television and questions of affordability, reliability and accessibility.Through commercial and subsidised delivery, the Government is ensuring future-proofed and reliable, gigabit-capable connections are available to 99% of UK premises, and are monitoring and supporting market development for alternative technologies to deliver reliable broadband to more remote premises.

What steps his Department is taking ensure that people convicted of charges related to grooming gangs receive adequate sentences.

The Government is determined to ensure that grooming gang members face the toughest possible sentences for their crimes. This is why we are introducing a new statutory aggravating factor requiring courts to consider grooming when sentencing for specified sexual offences committed against those under 18.

What discussions his Department has had with the (a) Scotland Office and (b) Scottish Government on the promotion of new nuclear development in Scotland.

Whilst the Scottish Government opposes the building of new nuclear power stations in Scotland, the UK Government is kickstarting the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation in the rest of the UK, creating thousands of good jobs and driving investment into communities. In response to growing cross-party interest in new nuclear power in Scotland, UK Ministers have asked Great British Energy - Nuclear to assess Scotland’s potential for new nuclear development. UK Ministers recently engaged with Scottish Government Ministers and remain open to discussions on opportunities for new nuclear in Scotland.

What estimate she has made of taxation levels in each of the next five years.

The Office for Budget Responsibility produce forecasts of future tax receipts as part of its Economic and Fiscal Outlook. The latest Economic and Fiscal outlook was published at the Spring Forecast and it included forecast tax receipts for the next five years.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed uniform cap on the overall cost of school uniform for parents.

Assessments made in relation to the limit on branded school uniform and physical education kit contained in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (CWSB) have been published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-wellbeing-and-schools-bill-impact-assessments.The department has also assessed the impact of a cost cap versus a numeric limit on branded uniform items and found a cost cap would be complex, difficult to enforce and burdensome for schools. In contrast a numeric limit is clear, simpler, and will deliver savings for parents more quickly. It remains the best approach for driving down the costs of uniform.The department published statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms last autumn to allow schools to prepare for September 2026 and have committed to updating it following Royal Assent for the CWSB. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms.This measure does not remove the ability for schools to set their own uniform requirements. We strongly encourage schools to have a uniform, as it can play a key role in promoting the ethos of a school, providing a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for education.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of time available to schools to implement the recent changes to school uniform guidance ahead of the proposed legislative cap.

Assessments made in relation to the limit on branded school uniform and physical education kit contained in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (CWSB) have been published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-wellbeing-and-schools-bill-impact-assessments.The department has also assessed the impact of a cost cap versus a numeric limit on branded uniform items and found a cost cap would be complex, difficult to enforce and burdensome for schools. In contrast a numeric limit is clear, simpler, and will deliver savings for parents more quickly. It remains the best approach for driving down the costs of uniform.The department published statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms last autumn to allow schools to prepare for September 2026 and have committed to updating it following Royal Assent for the CWSB. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms.This measure does not remove the ability for schools to set their own uniform requirements. We strongly encourage schools to have a uniform, as it can play a key role in promoting the ethos of a school, providing a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for education.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the implementation timetable for school uniform guidance on school procurement cycles and existing supplier arrangements.

Assessments made in relation to the limit on branded school uniform and physical education kit contained in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (CWSB) have been published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-wellbeing-and-schools-bill-impact-assessments.The department has also assessed the impact of a cost cap versus a numeric limit on branded uniform items and found a cost cap would be complex, difficult to enforce and burdensome for schools. In contrast a numeric limit is clear, simpler, and will deliver savings for parents more quickly. It remains the best approach for driving down the costs of uniform.The department published statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms last autumn to allow schools to prepare for September 2026 and have committed to updating it following Royal Assent for the CWSB. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms.This measure does not remove the ability for schools to set their own uniform requirements. We strongly encourage schools to have a uniform, as it can play a key role in promoting the ethos of a school, providing a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for education.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed cap on branded uniform items on curricular and extracurricular PE participation.

Assessments made in relation to the limit on branded school uniform and physical education kit contained in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (CWSB) have been published at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childrens-wellbeing-and-schools-bill-impact-assessments.The department has also assessed the impact of a cost cap versus a numeric limit on branded uniform items and found a cost cap would be complex, difficult to enforce and burdensome for schools. In contrast a numeric limit is clear, simpler, and will deliver savings for parents more quickly. It remains the best approach for driving down the costs of uniform.The department published statutory guidance on the cost of school uniforms last autumn to allow schools to prepare for September 2026 and have committed to updating it following Royal Assent for the CWSB. The guidance is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms.This measure does not remove the ability for schools to set their own uniform requirements. We strongly encourage schools to have a uniform, as it can play a key role in promoting the ethos of a school, providing a sense of belonging and identity and setting an appropriate tone for education.