Written questions by Wrigley.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of digital exclusion on (a) elderly and (b) disabled people who do not have a reliable internet connection.

Those who don’t have access to, or cannot use digital technologies, including older people and disabled people, are likely to pay more for certain transactions, have worse health outcomes, and find it more difficult to manage their finances. Knock-on effects of digital exclusion can include difficulty accessing essential services and isolation from their community.That’s why in February, we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion. One of these actions was to launch the £9.5mn Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online, which we did in August. All funded projects will support at least one of the focus demographic groups, which include older and disabled people.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of digital exclusion on elderly people.

Those who don’t have access to, or cannot use digital technologies, including older people and disabled people, are likely to pay more for certain transactions, have worse health outcomes, and find it more difficult to manage their finances. Knock-on effects of digital exclusion can include difficulty accessing essential services and isolation from their community.That’s why in February, we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year on digital inclusion. One of these actions was to launch the £9.5mn Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online, which we did in August. All funded projects will support at least one of the focus demographic groups, which include older and disabled people.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the planned £8.5 million reduction in funding for the British Transport Police Funding on the policing of crime on the rail network.

The budget for the British Transport Police for the financial year 2025/26 is £415m - a 5.9% increase on the year before. The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. BTP work closely with BTPA and industry operators to make final resourcing decisions with their agreed budget.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with business representatives on ensuring that elderly people are not prevented from using businesses that choose to move to digital-only services.

The government does not generally intervene in how businesses choose to conduct their activities or offer their products and services. However, the Government expects all businesses to treat all consumers fairly.Having said that, everyone has a role to play in realising a shared vision for a digitally inclusive UK to ensure everyone, including the elderly, can participate in our modern digital society. That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February, which sets out the first actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion.

What recent discussions she has had with the Transport Salaried Staff Association on the British Transport Police's funding.

The Secretary of State for Transport met with the General Secretary of the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA), Maryam Eslamdoust on 2nd April 2025, following a meeting with the Rail Minister on 12 March. These were productive introductory meetings between the General Secretary of TSSA and the Secretary of State for Transport and Rail Minister. Whilst funding was discussed at these meetings, the British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA). It is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry.

When his Department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 4 August 2025, reference MW9109.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member by the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, on behalf of the Secretary of State, on 10 September 2025.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding levels for the British Transport Police in Devon.

The British Transport Police’s (BTP) budget is set by the British Transport Police Authority (BTPA) which is the executive non-departmental public body that oversees the Force and is their employer. BTPA sets the BTP’s budget annually following proposals from the Force and views from industry. Like other police forces the BTP have operational independence, so the BTP Chief Constable and Chief Officers use a variety of data to inform the deployment of officers and other resources, including demand for their presence in Devon. This capacity planning process ensures that BTP has the best information to ensure officers across the network, including in Devon, are in the right place at the right time.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 July 2025 to Question 68534 on Members: Correspondence, when the hon. Member will receive a reply to the correspondence with reference MW07790.

A response was sent to the Honourable Member on 25 September 2025. I apologise for the delay.

When he plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot sent on 24 July 2025.

A reply was sent to the hon. Member by the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability, on behalf of the Secretary of State, on 17 September 2025.

Innovation and Technology, when she plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot, dated 2 July 2025, on behalf of his constituent L Coombes.

The Department places significant importance on providing timely responses to correspondence. We sincerely apologise for the delay in this instance and assure the Member that a full response will be provided as soon as possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of bottom trawling on coastlines in Teignmouth.

The Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority assesses the impacts of fishing in its district. It has byelaws in place to restrict damaging fishing activity in Marine Protected Areas. As a result of these byelaws, over 40% of the South Devon coast is closed to bottom-towed fishing gear.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when her Department plans to respond to the correspondence of 25 June 2025 from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot in the name of his constituent L. Clowes.

I apologise for the delay in responding to the Hon. Member's correspondence. I issued a response to the Hon. Member on 9 September.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Equality Act to add socio-economic status as a protected characteristic.

The Government has no plans to add to the list of protected characteristics in the 2010 Act. The Government committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in England in our manifesto, as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of people in Britain.

With reference to the oral contribution to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam on 31 March 2025, Vol. 765, column 25, page 23, if she will update the House on developments in relation to arrests made at the Quaker meeting house in Westminster.

Decisions relating to police operations, including arrests, are made independently by the police.Ministers do not intervene in individual cases or operational matters, not because of any lack of concern, but to respect and uphold the principle of policing free from political influence.

If she will set out a timeline for the Timms review.

We are committed to co-producing the review with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to ensure that a wide range of views and voices are heard. We have engaged over the summer to consider the process for the work of the review and consider how it can best be co-produced to ensure that expertise from a range of different perspectives is drawn upon. We will share more details on this and how disabled people and other stakeholders will be involved in the review as plans progress. We are committed to concluding the review by Autumn 2026 and reporting to Parliament.

If her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the time taken by HMRC to issue (a) Corporation Tax Authentication Codes and (b) VAT registration numbers on small businesses; and what steps she is taking to reduce that time.

HMRC aim to process 80% of VAT registration applications within 40 working days of receipt.They processed 80.25% of VAT registrations within 40 days of receipt in 2022/23, 88.08% in 2023/24 and 94.73% in 2024/25.Improving day-to-day performance is a key priority for HMRC. The HMRC Transformation Roadmap, published in July, sets out how they will deliver improved services which will mean a better experience for taxpayers, agents, and businesses.There is no authentication code for Corporation Tax registration. For customers who register with Companies House, registration for Corporation Tax is automated. Information sharing means that HMRC systems create a customer record within 48 hours, without the need for any additional customer input. The customer’s unique taxpayer record is then sent to them by post. When a customer enrols to the Government Gateway for Corporation Tax, an activation code is issued automatically by post.

What performance indicators are used by the HMRC for the registration of (a) VAT registration numbers and (b) corporation tax authentication codes; and how often such targets were met in each of the last three years.

HMRC aim to process 80% of VAT registration applications within 40 working days of receipt.They processed 80.25% of VAT registrations within 40 days of receipt in 2022/23, 88.08% in 2023/24 and 94.73% in 2024/25.Improving day-to-day performance is a key priority for HMRC. The HMRC Transformation Roadmap, published in July, sets out how they will deliver improved services which will mean a better experience for taxpayers, agents, and businesses.There is no authentication code for Corporation Tax registration. For customers who register with Companies House, registration for Corporation Tax is automated. Information sharing means that HMRC systems create a customer record within 48 hours, without the need for any additional customer input. The customer’s unique taxpayer record is then sent to them by post. When a customer enrols to the Government Gateway for Corporation Tax, an activation code is issued automatically by post.

How many (a) individuals, (b) businesses and (c) disability rights groups will the Timms review consult.

We are committed to co-producing the review with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to ensure that a wide range of views and voices are heard. We have engaged over the summer to consider the process for the work of the review and consider how it can best be co-produced to ensure that expertise from a range of different perspectives is drawn upon. We will share more details on this and how disabled people and other stakeholders will be involved in the review as plans progress. We are committed to concluding the review by Autumn 2026 and reporting to Parliament.

How many disabled people will be consulted on the Timms review plan in Devon.

We are committed to co-producing the review with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to ensure that a wide range of views and voices are heard. We have engaged over the summer to consider the process for the work of the review and consider how it can best be co-produced to ensure that expertise from a range of different perspectives is drawn upon. We will share more details on this and how disabled people and other stakeholders will be involved in the review as plans progress. We are committed to concluding the review by Autumn 2026 and reporting to Parliament.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when his Department plans to respond to the correspondence of 24 July 2025 from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot.

I issued a response to the Hon. Member on 18 August.