Written questions by French.

Whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of changes to Soft Drinks Industry Levy thresholds on trade with the Republic of Ireland.

An assessment of economic and other impacts is included as part of the ‘Strengthening the Soft Drinks Industry Levy’ consultation document. This is available athttps://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-the-soft-drinks-industry-levy. The indicative Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) analysis estimates that the changes would reduce calories, across the UK population, by around 15 million kcal per day in children and 46 million kcal per day in adults. These calorie reductions could achieve health and economic benefits of around £4.2 billion over 25 years. The proposed changes were subject to a consultation, which was open until 21 July 2025. The Government will consider the consultation responses closely prior to making any decision at a future Budget. If the Government decides to make changes to the levy, it will publish an updated assessment of the confirmed policy’s impacts.

What steps she is taking to reduce the tax burden on the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.

The Government is committed to supporting the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector, which is largely made up of small businesses. At the Autumn Budget, a range of measures were announced to reduce the tax burden on these sectors. The Employment Allowance has been more than doubled to £10,500, ensuring that over half of businesses with National Insurance liabilities will either gain or see no change this year. The Small Profits Rate of Corporation Tax and marginal relief have been maintained at current rates and thresholds. The £1 million Annual Investment Allowance has been retained to support investment. Duty on qualifying draught products has been reduced, supporting pubs and smaller brewers. The Government intends to introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. Until these new multipliers come into force, business rates RHL relief has been extended for one year at 40% up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. The Government keeps all areas of the tax system under review and changes to the tax system are made at fiscal events, in line with usual practice.

Food and Rural Affairs, what support she is providing to the (a) horseracing industry, (b) equine sector and (c) rural economy.

Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport.This year’s levy yield is set to be around £108 million which, if confirmed, exceeds the previous year's figure of £105 million.The Secretary of State recently approved the request to put £1.15 million of levy funds towards the production costs of “Champions: Full Gallop” Series 2, which is designed to attract new fans to the sport. This sits alongside Great British Racing’s “The Going is Good” campaign which also received £3.62 million from the Levy Board.There has been ministerial engagement between Defra and His Majesty’s Treasury to ensure that they are aware of the specific way British horseracing is funded and the potential implications of any changes to taxation.Defra recognises the importance of the equine sector to the UK economy and acknowledges the value of a robust equine identification and traceability regime. The current system supports public health, disease outbreak management, and biosecurity. Biosecurity is also protected by the UK’s imports requirements and imports health certificates for equines.The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19th May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient movement of trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of live animals, including animal health conditions governing the movement and importation of Equidae. The SPS Agreement is built on a commitment for the UK to regulate consistently with the EU on specific SPS rules. Defra is currently working to establish what implementation of the SPS Agreement will involve for equines.We know that rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy, contributing over £240 billion a year to England alone. This government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural business and communities.The Spending Review settlement outlined support for the rural economy and protect the countryside. In addition to funding for sustainable farming and nature recovery, the government confirmed investment of over £1.9 billion over four years into broadband and 4G connectivity, and £2.3 billion of Local Transport Grant funding for smaller cities, towns and rural area. This funding addresses the key blockers to growth in rural areas.Separately, Defra will confirm detailed allocations for other programmes through this round of business planning.

Whether charities paying non-commercial rates will pay the Nuclear regulated asset base charges.

The Nuclear Regulated Asset Base (RAB) Model (Revenue Collection) Regulations 2023 set out how RAB levies for nuclear projects will be implemented; electricity suppliers are levied for the RAB allowed revenue, which we expect to be passed on to non-exempt domestic and non-domestic consumers. By allowing revenue from the start of the project’s construction, we expect to bring down project cost of capital and avoid the roll up of interest, the cost of which could otherwise be passed on to consumers. Once operational, analysis shows Sizewell C could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system, leading to cheaper power for consumers.

What steps his Department is taking to support hospitality businesses that are (a) reducing their workforce and (b) operating at reduced capacity due to cost pressures.

The Government recognises the vital role hospitality businesses play in local economies and communities. We also recognise the pressures they face.That's why creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 and protecting the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500, so that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all and can hire up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without incurring employer NIC costs.We also work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues including cost and employment pressures.

Whether she has met the Police Federation since her appointment.

Home Office Ministers have regular meetings as part of the process of policy development and delivery.As part of Government transparency information about meetings is published on a quarterly basis on gov.ukThe Police Act 1996 establishes the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) as the representative body for police officers in the federated ranks in England and Wales.

If she will make establish a National Police Trust funded from money seized from the proceeds of crime.

The allocation of criminal funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) is governed by the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS). The Scheme is designed to incentivise all agencies involved in asset recovery, including the police, to pursue criminal proceeds with the overarching aim of reducing crime and delivering justice.Under ARIS, a proportion of the assets recovered using POCA powers is redistributed to the agencies involved in the recovery, based on their relative contributions. Currently, up to 50% of ARIS receipts are returned to operational partners depending on their contribution. The Scheme also supports the development of regional and national asset recovery capabilities through the ARIS Top Slice Fund, which ringfences £13.9 million annually for this purpose.In line with the spirit of the Scheme, the Government encourages agencies to invest their ARIS funds to enhance asset recovery and, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities that benefit communities. The use of ARIS allocations is at the discretion of each agency, ensuring they retain flexibility to direct funds in line with local priorities and operational needs. As such, these funds may be eligible for donation to support a National Police Trust, should agencies choose to do so.More detail on the breakdown of ARIS funding can be found in the Asset Recovery Statistical Bulletin (ASB) at section 7: Asset recovery statistical bulletin: financial years ending 2020 to 2025.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the (a) Independent Football Regulator and (b) Football Association on the conduct of (i) Manchester City and (ii) Chelsea.

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs. However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the independent football regulator on the feasibility of extending the £30 away-ticket cap to (a) the Championship, (b) League One, (c) League Two and (d) the National League.

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs. However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

Media and Sport, how much the Women’s Sport Taskforce (a) has cost her Department since 4 July 2025 and (b) will cost annually.

There is no additional cost to the department as a result of the Women’s Sport Taskforce, however, officials within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are allocated to support the Taskforce.

Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of a mandatory extension of the £30 away-ticket cap beyond the Premier League on the finances of (a) lower-league and (b) non-league football clubs.

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs. However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the independent football regulator on engagement with supporters’ groups on away-ticket pricing.

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs. However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the independent football regulator on the potential impact of ticket pricing policies on (a) supporter experience and (b) club-community relations.

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs. However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Government teams up with experts to supercharge women’s sport by the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, published on 8 September 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure those objectives are met by 2035.

The Women's Sport Taskforce was recently launched to drive a Decade of Change in women’s sport.The Government is working across five key pillars in order to ensure this objective is met. We are ensuring equal access to sport, with an independent expert-led review of the curriculum to ensure all children engage with PE and sport, a new School Sport Partnerships model, and the This Girl Can campaign by Sport England.We are committed to delivering best in class facilities, with the significant investment of £98 million in 2025/26 and a further £400 million in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, doubling priority slots for women and girls.We are acting on recommendations from the Karen Carney Review of Women's Football and utilising the Women's Football Taskforce and Women’s Sport Taskforce to support world-leading professional environments. Further to this, we are increasing visibility of women’s sport, including delivering a drumbeat of UK hosted major events, with the recent Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, Women's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, and the Tour de France/Tour de Femmes 2027, while also supporting the bid for the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the Impact 25 legacy programme.

Since July 2024 the Government has invested £6.7m into the £14.5m Impact 25 programme which is pivotal in cementing rugby as a game for all. The programme has reached 850 clubs as more female-friendly facilities have been built all over the country encouraging female participation in rugby. The programme has trained 3,385 new female coaches and match officials, making coaching sessions and matches more accessible. Impact 25 has contributed to a 35% increase in female age grade registrations in England rising from 17,700 places in 2022 to 23,900 in 2025. To assess progress against Impact 25’s outcomes the RFU uses a range of data sources which are reported on as part of the programme. We will work with the RFU, Sport England and UK Sport to monitor progress against these outcomes and the RFU’s long term goal of having 100,000 female players in England. The programme has provided over £5,000 of investment to Dartfordians RFC and Sidcup RFC in Old Bexley and Sidcup. Both clubs have received sanitary product packages which are made freely available in club restrooms as well as kits for their u12s team and access to coaching and match official courses for their members.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) horseracing, (b) the equine sector and (c) the rural economy.

Defra regularly engages with other Departments including The Treasury to ensure our interests, including in rural areas, are not overlooked. The Spending Review settlement outlined the Government’s support for the rural economy and to protect the countryside. Defra will confirm detailed allocations for other programmes through this round of business planning. We know that rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy, contributing over £259 billion a year to England alone. This Government is committed to improving quality of life for people in rural areas, to realise the full potential of rural business and communities. Defra recognises the importance of the equine sector to the economy. Defra engages with the industry on protecting public health, managing disease outbreak, and ensuring welfare and biosecurity, and works across Government on broader issues, such as domestic business and international trade. DCMS lead on engagement with the Treasury on support for the horseracing sector. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct Government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. This year’s levy yield is set to be around £108 million which, if confirmed, exceeds the previous year's figure of £105 million.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Independent Football Regulator on (a) the regulation of away ticket prices and (b) the potential impacts of regulating away ticket pricing.

Football ticket price limits are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs. The Independent Football Regulator will consider the pertinent factors to club sustainability as part of its first State of the Game report. This report must be completed within 18 months of the Secretary of State laying secondary legislation specificing the competitions in scope of the regime.

How many meetings Ministers in her Department have had with the Police Federation since 4 July 2024; and when she plans to meet the Police Federation.

Home Office Ministers have regular meetings as part of the process of policy development and delivery.As part of Government transparency they are published on a quarterly basis on gov.ukThe Police Act 1996 establishes the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) as the representative body for police officers in the federated ranks in England and Wales.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ticket price limits on the sustainability of football in England.

Football ticket price limits are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs. The Independent Football Regulator will consider the pertinent factors to club sustainability as part of its first State of the Game report. This report must be completed within 18 months of the Secretary of State laying secondary legislation specificing the competitions in scope of the regime.

What support she is providing for the rehabilitation of injured police officers.

This Government greatly values the service and sacrifices made by our police officers and it is vital that they receive the right support when injured in the line of duty.The Government is committed to supporting the mental and physical health and wellbeing of those who work in policing through the Police Covenant and has provided ongoing funding for the National Police Wellbeing Service (NPWS). The NPWS ensures police officers and staff have access to the health and wellbeing support they need. This includes measures to ensure that all forces meet national standards for occupational health provision and that they continually develop and improve upon those standards. The wellbeing service has also developed an evidenced-based trauma support model which is now available to forces.It is the responsibility of individual Chief Officers to effectively manage their workforce, ensuring the appropriate health and wellbeing provisions are in place for their officers and staff.