Written questions by Newbury.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement on farmers in Northern Ireland.

I understand that the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement will apply provisionally from May 2026, and we will monitor its effects on trade and our imports closely. While Northern Ireland has access to the EU Single Market in agricultural goods alongside the UK internal market, it is UK trade agreements that Northern Ireland exporters benefit from. This includes farmers and those in the food and drink sector.

What recent meetings her Department has had with victims of forced adoptions in England.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has met with members of the Movement for an Adoption Apology, and the Adult Adoptee Movement, to hear first hand the experiences of those affected by historical adoption practices. Their testimonies and insights are vital, and they are helping to shape the government’s ongoing work in this area. The department continues to engage proactively with a range of organisations to understand fully the implications of past practice and to consider the most appropriate steps forward.

Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of funding under the (a) Landscape Recovery and (b) Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme has been received by farms smaller than 200 acres.

The Landscape Recovery (LR) scheme does not directly award funding to participant land managers. Rather, the scheme awards funding to Projects, when in their development phase, and to a Single Legal Entity when they are in their implementation phase. This funding is then disbursed as per their project plans. The two pilot rounds of LR has seen in excess of 1400 land managers participating in LR projects with a range of holding sizes, with some choosing to enter whole farms into the project and others entering only part of their holdings. It should be noted that due to the dynamic nature of development proposals, this participation figure is subject to change. The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme pays farmers and land managers to manage land in a way that: protects, restores, or enhances the environment and mitigates the effects of climate change. The table below shows the total value claimed under the CSHT scheme and the percentage paid to farm businesses which were 200 Acre and under. CSHT Claim YearTotal Value Paid to Farm Businesses with a CSHT Claim% of the Total Fund Paid to Farm Businesses who are 200 acres and under2021£68,340,6199%2022£100,077,4429%2023£125,409,3918%2024£226,289,9597%2025£174,616,7348%** This includes woodland management and woodland creation plans and is based on land recorded as linked in the Rural Payments Portal. To Note -The New improved CSHT opened in September 2025 and is being rolled out by invitation only - no annual payments will be due until the payment window opens in December 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress her Department has made on digitising the catch certificate scheme.

UK catch certificates for export are already available digitally through the Fish Export Service. Catch certificates the Government receive from third countries are generally paper-based documents. The Government will consider any opportunities to move to a more digital-based system as they arise.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including wraparound extensions within permitted development rights for householders.

The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress her Department has made on aligning the Fish Export Service with the EU CATCH system.

Following the entry into force of the EU’s new CATCH system on 10 January, we have successfully updated the UK’s Fish Exports Service to allow UK exporters to generate compliant documentation. UK Government has engaged extensively with both UK industry and the EU Commission and continues to support industry to adjust to the new requirements, ensuring the smooth flow of trade. We are working to integrate the UK's Fish Export Service with the EU's CATCH platform to facilitate the automatic digital transfer of information. This will remove the need for manual entry of information, ensuring UK seafood exports remain competitive.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of salary differences between college lecturers and school teachers on recruitment to further education teaching posts for (a) construction and (b) electrical engineering courses.

Further education (FE) colleges are responsible for setting and negotiating staff pay and terms and conditions within colleges. The government recognises that colleges are facing recruitment challenges in construction and engineering. That is why our targeted retention incentive scheme gives eligible early career college teachers in priority subjects, including building and construction and engineering, up to £6,000 after tax annually. In the 2024/25 academic year, almost 6,000 teachers received payments. In addition, we have announced that areas with Local Skills Improvement Plans will benefit from £20 million to form partnerships between FE providers and construction employers. This will help to build links between colleges and industry and boost the number of teachers with construction experience in FE. Across the spending review period, we will provide £1.2 billion of additional investment per year in skills by 2028/2029. This significant investment will ensure there is increased funding to colleges and other 16 to19 providers to enable the recruitment and retention of expert teachers in high value subject areas, and interventions to retain top teaching talent.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of the automatic wear-and-tear allowance on (a) growth in the childminding sector and (b) the number of childcare places available to parents.

Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers. At Budget 2025 the Government confirmed that the standard rules for calculating income tax would apply to childminders who are mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD). We will phase in this change between 2026 and 2028, in line with the MTD income thresholds. The threshold from April 2026 is £50,000 of qualifying income, reducing to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. Childminders can continue to claim tax relief for wear and tear by deducting the actual cost of buying, repairing or replacing items. They can also deduct the cost of business expenses such as utilities, cleaning and equipment. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

With reference to the removal of the automatic wear-and-tear allowance for childminders as part of the Making Tax Digital reforms, what steps she will take to ensure childminders receive tax relief for incidental expenses arising from the use of their home for their business.

Childminders play a vital role in childcare. The Government has eased rules on working from schools and community centres and increased early years funding rates above 2023 average fees. These increases reflect increased costs, and from April 2026, local authorities must pass at least 97 per cent of funding to providers. At Budget 2025 the Government confirmed that the standard rules for calculating income tax would apply to childminders who are mandated into Making Tax Digital (MTD). We will phase in this change between 2026 and 2028, in line with the MTD income thresholds. The threshold from April 2026 is £50,000 of qualifying income, reducing to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. Childminders can continue to claim tax relief for wear and tear by deducting the actual cost of buying, repairing or replacing items. They can also deduct the cost of business expenses such as utilities, cleaning and equipment. This ensures childminders receive tax relief for all of the costs that they incur in relation to their childminding business.

What representations she has received on the potential impact of the planned rise in fuel duty on motorists.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to early 2022 levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average car driver £49 next year compared to previous plans. The Government received and considered a wide variety of representations in the approach to Budget 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of mandating a minimum aftercare period for trees planted as a condition of planning permissions for new homes.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that appropriate measures are in place to secure the long-term maintenance of newly-planted trees. The National Design Guide, which supports the Framework, adds that management and maintenance regimes should be considered from the early stages of the design process and documented in a management plan. A Local Planning Authority can attach conditions to the grant of planning permission. These could be used to secure the implementation and protection of trees within a development. If a development has been carried out without complying with any associated planning conditions, local planning authorities have a range of planning enforcement powers which they can use to tackle alleged breaches of planning control. Planning authorities can also use planning obligations to restrict or prescribe the use of land, require specific activities to be carried out in relation to a development, and require payment to a local authority. Planning obligations could include requiring a developer to make payments towards the management and maintenance of trees.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help protect kelp forests in UK waters.

The UK recognises the important role that habitats such as kelp can play in preventing biodiversity loss, supporting healthy ecosystems and adaptation to climate change. In England, we have a comprehensive network of 181 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and kelp can be found in some of these making up part of our key reef biotopes. Our focus is on ensuring these MPAs are effectively managed to allow the designated features, including those covering kelp, to achieve favourable condition. Natural England are actively involved in the study and conservation of kelp forests in England. This work includes conducting dive surveys to monitor the condition of kelp forests, which can inform conservation action and help safeguard the long-term health of these ecosystems. Defra set up the UK Blue Carbon Evidence Partnership in partnership with DESNZ and the Devolved Governments to address evidence gaps around blue carbon habitats, including kelp. Defra is providing over £600,000 this financial year towards research into blue carbon, £36,000 of which is specifically directed towards macroalgae, including kelp. Defra also worked with a number of partners to produce regulatory guidance for seaweed aquaculture in England for those considering kelp aquaculture.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the number of new trees required as part of planning permissions which are (a) never planted and (b) not maintained for the required period of time.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should ensure that appropriate measures are in place to secure the long-term maintenance of newly-planted trees. The National Design Guide, which supports the Framework, adds that management and maintenance regimes should be considered from the early stages of the design process and documented in a management plan. A Local Planning Authority can attach conditions to the grant of planning permission. These could be used to secure the implementation and protection of trees within a development. If a development has been carried out without complying with any associated planning conditions, local planning authorities have a range of planning enforcement powers which they can use to tackle alleged breaches of planning control. Planning authorities can also use planning obligations to restrict or prescribe the use of land, require specific activities to be carried out in relation to a development, and require payment to a local authority. Planning obligations could include requiring a developer to make payments towards the management and maintenance of trees.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of rhododendron sales on woodland (a) management and (b) restoration.

Defra has not conducted a formal assessment specifically regarding the impact of rhododendron sales on woodland management or restoration. However, the Department recognises that Rhododendron ponticum is a highly invasive non-native species that poses a serious threat to woodland ecosystems. Its dense growth suppresses native vegetation, inhibits natural regeneration, and acts as a host for Phytophthora ramorum, a tree disease that affects a wide range of species. These ecological impacts significantly complicate woodland management and restoration efforts. To support woodland owners in controlling and removing rhododendron, Defra provides funding through the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme, specifically the SB6: Rhododendron Control capital item. This offers payments of up to £5,500 per hectare, depending on site conditions, to cover the cost of cutting, treating, and disposing of rhododendron. Applicants must submit a management plan and follow strict protocols to prevent regrowth and disease spread.

Whether he has had discussions with private fertility clinics on their profit levels.

No such discussions have taken place with private fertility clinics.The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is the UK-wide regulator for fertility treatment but has no powers over the commissioning of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or the cost of fertility treatment. All fertility clinics are free to set their own costs.The Competition and Markets Authority produced guidance for patients and clinics explaining more about the costs of fertility treatment. It states that costs should be clearly set out to a patient before starting treatment, in order to comply with consumer law. More information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fertility-clinics-compliance-with-consumer-law-findings-published

What steps he is taking to improve access to mental health support for people undergoing fertility treatment.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services.The 2025 Spending Review confirmed over £6 billion in additional capital investment over five years across new diagnostic, elective, and urgent care capacity. Further details and allocations will be set out in due course.No assessment has been made of the potential merits of routine sperm health testing as an indicator of wider physiological health conditions.All people undergoing fertility treatment in a United Kingdom licenced fertility clinic must, by law, be offered a suitable opportunity for counselling before they begin treatment. Further information can be found on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology website, at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/getting-emotional-support/

What steps he is taking to ensure that men accessing fertility services are routinely offered comprehensive diagnostic testing.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services.The 2025 Spending Review confirmed over £6 billion in additional capital investment over five years across new diagnostic, elective, and urgent care capacity. Further details and allocations will be set out in due course.No assessment has been made of the potential merits of routine sperm health testing as an indicator of wider physiological health conditions.All people undergoing fertility treatment in a United Kingdom licenced fertility clinic must, by law, be offered a suitable opportunity for counselling before they begin treatment. Further information can be found on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology website, at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/getting-emotional-support/

What recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the performance of NHS-commissioned fertility clinics.

The Government recognises that fertility treatment across the National Health Service in England is subject to variation in access. Work continues between the Department and NHS England to better understand NHS-funded fertility services and the effectiveness of these services.All fertility clinics offering licensed fertility treatment are regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and must comply with related legislation and guidance. All licensed clinics must be physically inspected every two years to assess their compliance with the law and guidance and inspections ensure the clinic’s services are up to standard. The success rates of HFEA-licensed clinics are published by the HFEA.Following each inspection, a report identifying both areas of good practice and those that require improvement is presented to a separate licensing committee, to review and make a final decision. The report and committee decision is then published on the HFEA website, on the clinic’s individual Choose a Fertility Clinic webpage, available at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/choose-a-clinic/clinic-search/The HFEA publishes an annual snapshot of regulatory work for the year. The most recent report is available at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/about-us/publications/research-and-data/state-of-the-fertility-sector-2023-2024/

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of routine sperm health testing as an indicator of wider physiological health conditions.

The Government is committed to putting patients first. This means making sure that patients are seen on time and ensuring that people have the best possible experience during their care. We are committed to transforming diagnostic services and will support the National Health Service to increase diagnostic capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services.The 2025 Spending Review confirmed over £6 billion in additional capital investment over five years across new diagnostic, elective, and urgent care capacity. Further details and allocations will be set out in due course.No assessment has been made of the potential merits of routine sperm health testing as an indicator of wider physiological health conditions.All people undergoing fertility treatment in a United Kingdom licenced fertility clinic must, by law, be offered a suitable opportunity for counselling before they begin treatment. Further information can be found on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology website, at the following link:https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/getting-emotional-support/

What recent progress her Department has made on increasing international cooperation to help tackle organised immigration crime.

This government has strengthened co-operation on organised immigration crime with countries near and far – forging new and deeper partnerships through action such as our landmark border security statement with Iraq.Deals have been struck that no other government thought possible, including the returns deal with France and new agreements with Germany to stop the warehousing of small boats by criminal gangs.