Written questions by Wrigley.

How many SMEs there are in Newton Abbot constituency.

Awaiting answer.

If he will take steps to ensure any future trade deal does not impact the UK's ban on the fur trade.

Awaiting answer.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increased flexible working rights for workers in Devon.

We are making changes through the Employment Rights Act to make it more likely that flexible working requests are accepted. The impacts of the Employment Rights Act have been assessed through a comprehensive package of published analysis. This includes an assessment of regional impacts, which is available here: Employment Rights Act 2025: economic analysis. In addition, this package features the Impact Assessment ‘Making flexible working the default’, available here: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments From 2027, employers will have to discuss challenges in accommodating requests with employees and consider alternative options, and, if they can’t agree an arrangement, to explain their reasoning.

What criteria is being used to identify areas as critical mineral areas in Cornwall.

“Potential for Critical Raw Material Prospectivity in the UK” was a 2023 study undertaken by the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre, sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by the British Geological Survey. This report identifies target areas of potential for critical minerals within the UK, including in Cornwall. As a preliminary assessment, its findings do not mean that the prospective areas identified will necessarily be targeted for exploration and mining. The Government is working with the British Geological Survey to understand any possible next steps.

Whether he plans to bring forwards an alternative to the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill.

The UK is a world leader in audit quality and corporate governance. We will bolster this further by launching a consultation to modernise, simplify and streamline the UK's corporate reporting framework, with the ambition to make the UK's reporting regime the most proportionate in the world. We also intend to legislate to put the Financial Reporting Council on a proper statutory footing when parliamentary time allows.

Whether pubs that are (a) derelict or (b) under are eligible to access and use the new hospitality support fund.

We are currently finalising plans for the new grants scheme ahead of its launch in April. Its primary purpose is to support hospitality businesses to improve their long‑term viability, including through diversification. The fund will also aim to improve productivity through innovation and to help those furthest from the labour market move into hospitality roles.Eligibility criteria are still being developed. Any organisation that meets those criteria will be able to apply for support once the scheme opens, which will determine whether pubs that are derelict or currently not trading are eligible.

What (a) products and (b) geographic areas have been allocated funding as designated critical minerals sites in Devon.

The Department for Business and Trade does not designate any products or geographic areas as dedicated critical mineral sites.Following Spending Review 2025, new funding of up to £50 million will be made available by DBT to support critical mineral projects, to expand research and innovation as well as supporting commercialisation. Further details will be announced later this year.This new funding is in addition to over £165m already provided for critical minerals supply chains, including through the National Wealth Fund and grant programmes like DRIVE35.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of preventing (a) housing developers, (b) management companies and (c) housing associations from imposing blanket bans on amateur radio antennas.

The Department for Business and Trade has no plans to make an assessment on preventing companies from imposing blanket bans on amateur radio antennas.

When he plans to respond to the correspondence of 26 September 2025 submitted by the hon. member for Newton Abbot with case ref MW10473.

The Department of Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days. I have instructed officials at the department to investigate the delay and expect a response to be issued in the coming days.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending paternity leave for the residents of Newton Abbot constituency.

We recognise that more can be done to support working families. That is why, through the Employment Rights Bill, we are making Paternity Leave a ‘day one’ right, which will bring an extra 32,000 fathers and partners into scope of the entitlement.On 1 July we launched the Parental Leave and Pay Review, which will consider all existing and upcoming parental leave entitlements, including Paternity Leave and Pay. When considering calls to increase entitlements for parents, the Government will balance the needs of parents, the impact on employers, and affordability for taxpayers.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of reducing the permissible noise limits of fireworks used for (a) public and (b) private functions.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of reducing the permissible noise limits of fireworks used for public and private functions. However, the Government is continuing to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks to inform any future action.The Government has also launched a public campaign on fireworks safety for this year’s fireworks season. The campaign includes new guidance for those running community fireworks events, and new social media posts that emphasise the risks from the misuse of fireworks.

Whether he plans to present the Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill during this parliamentary session.

Due to the current volume of legislation before Parliament, the Government will not publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill this session. We will improve our proposals further through consultation on the details with stakeholders in the Autumn.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that public services do not use non-disclosure agreements on whistleblowers.

There are existing legal limitations to what NDAs can be used for, and an NDA would be unenforceable if it attempted to prevent a worker from making a protected disclosure, i.e., whistleblowing.However, we have heard calls for change and taken action. We have tabled an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill which will further limit the use of NDAs by voiding NDAs between employers and workers that prevent a worker from speaking out about relevant harassment and discrimination in the workplace. This will give millions of workers confidence that inappropriate behaviour in the workplace will not be hidden.

Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals on corporate governance.

The Government intends to upgrade the existing reporting and audit regulator, to expand the regulator’s scrutiny to the largest private companies and to hold company directors to account for serious failures in their duties connected with company accounts. It will bring forward its planned legislation when Parliamentary time allows.

If he will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Newton Abbot on the Corporate Governance Bill.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member to discuss his Private Member’s Bill (the Company Directors (Duties) Bill) and the Government’s plans to publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill.

If he will hold discussions with the hon. Member for Newton Abbot on the Company Directors (Duties) Bill.

I would be pleased to meet with the Honourable Member to discuss his Private Member’s Bill (the Company Directors (Duties) Bill) and the Government’s plans to publish a draft Audit Reform and Corporate Governance Bill.

If he will bring forward legislative proposals to introduce a legal requirement for manufacturers to list (a) the components and (b) any trace toxic chemicals in period products.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13th June 2025 to question 57485 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing testing for period products to ensure they are free from toxic chemical residues.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13th June 2025 to question 57485 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

If he will take steps bring forward regulations to ban period products which include pesticide residues.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13th June 2025 to question 57485 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).

Pursuant to the Answer 13 June 2025 to Question 57485 on Chemicals: Sanitary Products, which groups his Department plans to consult.

In February, the Government published a draft Code of Conduct setting out how we intend to consult when using the new powers in the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill - Product safety: checks and balances on developing policy and legislation - GOV.UK. It is this approach that the Government will take in relation to period products.Officials are currently reviewing the evidence base concerning the safety of these products, from which any evidence gaps will be identified, and appropriate expert evidence or further research will be sought. The Department welcomes continued engagement on this important matter from relevant external organisations.