Written questions by Wrigley.

With reference to the HM Revenue and Customs' Policy paper entitled Alcohol Duty uprating, published on 30 October 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the 3.4% increase in alcohol duties on the pub sector.

At Autumn Budget the Chancellor announced that she would uprate alcohol duty in line with RPI inflation on 1 February 2025. This decision weighed the impacts on businesses, cost-of-living pressures on people who drink moderately and responsibly, and the public health case for higher duties to tackle increasing alcohol-related deaths, as well as economic inactivity. However, in recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is reducing alcohol producers’ duty bills by over £85m a year and has cut 1p off the duty on an average strength pint. A Tax Information and Impact Note was published alongside this Budget announcement. This includes an assessment of the impact on businesses, including alcohol retailers. This is available here: Alcohol Duty uprating - GOV.UK

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Oral Statement of 24 February 2025 on Ukraine, Official Report, columns 513 to 515, what diplomatic steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help end the war in Ukraine.

We remain in close contact with the United States, our European partners, and Ukraine on how to achieve a just and lasting peace that safeguards Ukraine's security and sovereignty. The UK, alongside France, is leading efforts to build a 'Coalition of the Willing' to defend any peace deal and support Ukraine's future security. The Prime Minister recently hosted over 200 military planners from 30 countries in London and attended the subsequent leaders meeting in Paris on 27 March. The Foreign Secretary took forward these discussions with Weimar+ Foreign Ministers on 31 March, and the Defence Secretary will chair the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on 11 April.

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure all planning decisions do not impact the UK’s climate and nature targets.

As set out in Paragraph 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of homes, commercial development and supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner. The Framework makes clear that the planning system should support the transition to net zero by 2050 and take full account of all climate impacts including overheating, water scarcity, storm and flood risks and coastal change. The need to mitigate and adapt to climate change should also be considered in preparing and assessing planning applications, taking into account the full range of potential climate change impacts. The Framework also makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment. The revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024 included changes designed to enhance and protect the environment. For example, it expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including through incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats, and hedgehogs. Biodiversity Net Gain requires development to deliver improvements for nature, while the Nature Restoration Fund proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill would allow development to fund nature recovery in a simpler and more strategic manner, creating a win-win outcome for both the economy and nature.

If she will take steps to extend the application window for the Ukrainian Permission Extension scheme to three months.

The 28-day window for applications to be submitted enables effective operational planning across all visa routes and helps to ensure sufficient biometric enrolment capacity across all routes, which ultimately allows us to deliver the most efficient service for customers.Those who apply before their current permission expires will retain the conditions of their current visa while their application is under consideration, enabling them to continue to exercise their rights to work, study, and live in the UK. As with all aspects of our service delivery, we will keep the operation of this scheme under review.UPE processing is aligned with other routes which have SLAs of 8 weeks. Currently the team are processing applications around week 2.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact on local authorities' ability to meet special educational needs because of delays by local authorities in reviewing schools' funding requests for Education, Health and Care Plans.

Mainstream schools are funded through the formula set by their local authority. The funding formula is decided by each local authority in consultation with its schools and often uses factors such as low prior attainment and free school meals to give an estimate of the number of children with special educational needs (SEN) a school is likely to have. Local authorities are required to delegate funds to a level that enables schools to meet the additional cost of pupils with SEN up to £6,000 per annum.When a school can demonstrate that the costs of additional support required for a pupil with SEN exceed £6,000, the local authority should allocate additional funding to cover the excess costs. This may follow an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment and the creation of an EHC plan, though local authorities have discretion to provide top-up funding to pupils without an EHC plan.If a local authority issues an EHC plan, it is statutorily required to secure the special educational provision specified in the plan. Disagreements over the provision required and the associated costs should not stand in the way of a child or young person’s education.The department is clear that we expect commissioning local authorities and all types of schools/colleges to work together so that agreement can be reached on the level of top-up funding required to enable suitable provision to be made for individual pupils and students. More information is available in the GOV.UK guidance ‘High needs funding: 2024 to 2025 operational guide’, which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-needs-funding-arrangements-2024-to-2025/high-needs-funding-2024-to-2025-operational-guide#top-up-funding.As the statutory responsible body, the local authority is responsible for the final decision about the level of funding required to secure the necessary provision. In determining the funding level, the local authority should have consulted with the school or college and should ensure their decision is evidence-based and reasonable. However, even where provision is specified in an EHC plan, there is no statutory requirement that a local authority must pay top-up funding at a particular rate requested by a school or college.

With reference to the report by the Trussell Trust entitled Almost one in five people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits used a food bank in the last month, published on 7 March 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the finding that 19% of people claiming universal credit and disability benefits report using a food bank.

No one should have to turn to a food bank. This is why we are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we will target and tackle economic inactivity and unemployment and provide health and skills support to meet the needs of local communities. Alongside this, our plan to Make Work Pay will help more people stay in work, make work more secure, and improve living standards including by increasing the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour from April, boosting pay for 3 million workers. The Government recognises the critical role Universal Credit plays in tackling poverty and making work pay. Change is needed, which is why we are actively reviewing Universal Credit. We will introduce the Fair Repayment Rate in April, reducing the cap on deductions from 25% to 15%. The benefits rate will increase by a further 1.7% from April onwards, in line with inflation.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the article by the Trussell Trust entitled Almost one in five people receiving Universal Credit and disability benefits used a food bank in the last month, published on 7 March 2025.

No one should have to turn to a food bank. This is why we are committed to tackling poverty and ending mass dependence on emergency food parcels. We know that good work can significantly reduce the chances of people falling into poverty. As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we will target and tackle economic inactivity and unemployment and provide health and skills support to meet the needs of local communities. Alongside this, our plan to Make Work Pay will help more people stay in work, make work more secure, and improve living standards including by increasing the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour from April, boosting pay for 3 million workers. The Government recognises the critical role Universal Credit plays in tackling poverty and making work pay. Change is needed, which is why we are actively reviewing Universal Credit. We will introduce the Fair Repayment Rate in April, reducing the cap on deductions from 25% to 15%. The benefits rate will increase by a further 1.7% from April onwards, in line with inflation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to reduce dog bites in the UK.

Defra continues to work with the police, local authorities and animal welfare groups to explore measures to reduce dog attacks and promote responsible dog ownership across all breeds of dog.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of OBR forecasts on the percentage of GDP spent on social security benefits in the next four years.

The OBR forecast for welfare spending as a percentage of GDP is expected to be 10.8% in 2029-30 once Spring Statement 2025 policy measures have been factored in. This compares to 10.9% without the incorporation of policy measures. These figures exclude spending consequences for the Scottish Block Grant adjustment arising from Spring Statement 2025 policy measures. 2024/252025/262026/272027/282028/292029/30Spring 25 policy package (excluding impacts on Scottish Block Grant Adjustment)0.00.10.11.73.34.4 Welfare spending as a % of GDP (Excluding expenditure on Scottish Block Grant Adjustment)2024/252025/262026/272027/282028/292029/30Spending as a % of GDP (no measures)10.9%10.9%11.0%10.9%10.8%10.9%Spending as a % of GDP (with SS25 policy package)10.9%10.9%11.0%10.8%10.7%10.8%Difference0.0%0.0%0.0%-0.1%-0.1%-0.1%

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of agri-environmental scheme investment in Dartmoor National Park since 2015.

Data related to the boundaries of the Dartmoor National Park is not held. The Government’s commitment to our farmers remains steadfast. In the budget in October 2024, we committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years. This means more money than ever for sustainable food production and agri-environmental schemes across the country, including Dartmoor. We are funding around 38,000 live Sustainable Farming Incentive agreements, increased payments under Higher Level Stewardship, and Round 1 and 2 Landscape Recovery projects. We are also funding new Higher Tier agreements and Capital Grants, both of which open or re-open to applications later this year.

If he will publish details of all active export licences.

The status of an export license is subject to change at any time. Individual licences typically have expiry dates of 2 years (Standard Individual Export Licences) and 5 years (Open Individual Export Licences).Export licensing information is published in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls. They are available to view on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data. This currently includes information up to 30 September 2024.The next quarterly publication of official statistics in development covering export licensing decisions between 1 October 2024 to 31 December 2024 will take place in May 2025: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/strategic-export-controls-licensing-statistics-1-october-to-31-december-2024?cachebust=1740739985.

What equipment his Department has procured from the United States for the armed forces since 1 January 2024.

The Department does hold information relating to contract duration, spend to date, and total contract value, which could allow for basic modelling. However, information to identify projected spending over the next five years with US suppliers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What steps she is taking to ensure that disabled people are adequacy supported through the benefits assessment process.

It is important that all claimants to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) are able to access our services and that they do not face obstacles in applying and communicating with the Department and its providers. We have a variety of reasonable adjustments to make the claims process and communications easier for some of our most vulnerable customers. The process is kept under continual review to ensure it meets the needs of claimants and helps the Department provide an accurate assessment of an individual’s entitlement. Since PIP was created, the Department has introduced, for example, dial-in-for third parties, a digital PIP 2 questionnaire and evidence upload function, email as a reasonable adjustment and telephone and video assessments in addition to paper-based and face-to-face assessments. In the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working published on 18 March we outline plans to improve the experience for people who use the health and disability benefits system, including exploring ways to use evidence from eligibility for other services to reduce the need for some people with very severe conditions to undergo a full PIP functional assessment. Over the longer term, the Health Transformation Programme is modernising health and disability benefit services to improve the customer experience. The Programme will transform the entire PIP service, introducing an option to apply and track applications online.We are exploring a case management model - a personalised approach for customers from initial contact through to the end of the application, including signposting to other benefits and services. This approach will help the Programme to better understand our customers, tailor their service, and help to build customer confidence and trust that their case is being progressed appropriately.

Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to enable Ofcom to regulate poor customer service.

Ofcom’s principal duty, established by the Communications Act 2003, is to further the interests of citizens and consumers, and Ofcom sets its regulatory framework to promote good outcomes for consumers, in line with this duty.For telecoms, Ofcom has a duty to set General Conditions with which communications providers must comply. These are published on Ofcom’s website and include conditions on complaints handling and dispute resolution. In addition to this, for example, Ofcom has introduced requirements to send end-of-contract notifications and published guidance to help providers support vulnerable consumers. Ofcom also publishes the Comparing Customer Service (CCS) report to show how customer service levels compare across the telecoms industry.

What fiscal steps her Department is taking to support the growth of the (a) beer and (b) pub sector.

Pubs, brewers and distillers make a significant contribution to our economy, which is recognised in the tax system. According to the Office for National Statistics' 2023 Business Register and Employment Survey, there were a) 14,000 people employed in distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits, b) 21,000 people employed in the manufacture of beer and c) 474,000 people employed in public houses and bars across Great Britain. At Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85m a year and is equivalent to a 1p duty reduction on a typical pint. This reduction increased the relief available on draught products to 13.9%. The government will also consult on ways to encourage small brewers to retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and local economies, including through provisions to enable more ‘guest beers’. Generosity of the discount available for small producers has also been increased. Regarding Business Rates, the Chancellor confirmed her intention to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000, including pubs, from 2026-27. In the interim, the Government extended the current RHL relief for one year at 40%, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and freeze the small business multiplier for 2025-26.

What guidance her Department has issued on the use of third-party consultants by local authorities to (a) assess and (b) re-assess EHC plans.

Local authorities are responsible for ensuring that there is effective coordination of education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and the development process for an EHC plan.Practitioners in all services involved in the assessment and planning process need to be skilled in working with children, parents and young people who help them make informed decisions.The department has not issued specific guidance regarding the use of third-party consultants by local authorities to assess and re-assess EHC plans. This is because it is the responsibility of the local authority to determine the most appropriate way to obtain the relevant and required information and expertise for an EHC needs assessment whilst ensuring that they still adhere to criteria set out in existing legislation and guidance, such as the special educational needs and disability code of practice and in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014. The code of practice can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25. The Regulations can be accessed at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1530/contents.

Whether she plans to increase (a) Statutory Maternity Pay and (b) Maternity Allowance beyond the rate of inflation over the next four years.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is required by law to undertake an annual review of benefits and State Pensions, including Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance. She announced her decision from the latest review of benefits in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament on 30 October. From April 2025, the rate will increase by September 2024's CPI figure of 1.7%, from £184.03 to £187.18 per week.Government spends approximately £3 billion a year on parental payments. Any changes to the system would need to consider the needs of parents, the availability of resources and the impact on employers, and be made in consultation with businesses and stakeholders. Parental pay is only one element of the support available for parents. Depending on individual circumstances, additional financial support, for example, Universal Credit, Child Benefit and the Sure Start Maternity Grant (a lump sum payment of £500) may also be available.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of Q95 of the oral evidence given by the Chief of Policy of the Confederation of British Business to the Business and Trade Select Committee on 11 February 2025.

The EU is a significant trading partner for both goods and services. In the 12 months ending September 2024, the UK’s total trade with the EU was 5% below the level seen in 2018, after removing the effect of inflation and excluding precious metals. We will tackle barriers to trade to help drive investment, jobs and growth for both UK and EU economies, but we have been clear there will be no return to freedom of movement, the customs union or the single market.

What recent estimate her Department has made of the contribution of the (a) brewery, (b) distillery and (b) pub sector to the UK economy in the 2024-25 financial year.

Pubs, brewers and distillers make a significant contribution to our economy, which is recognised in the tax system. According to the Office for National Statistics' 2023 Business Register and Employment Survey, there were a) 14,000 people employed in distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits, b) 21,000 people employed in the manufacture of beer and c) 474,000 people employed in public houses and bars across Great Britain. At Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85m a year and is equivalent to a 1p duty reduction on a typical pint. This reduction increased the relief available on draught products to 13.9%. The government will also consult on ways to encourage small brewers to retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and local economies, including through provisions to enable more ‘guest beers’. Generosity of the discount available for small producers has also been increased. Regarding Business Rates, the Chancellor confirmed her intention to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000, including pubs, from 2026-27. In the interim, the Government extended the current RHL relief for one year at 40%, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and freeze the small business multiplier for 2025-26.

What guidance her Department issues to local authorities on determining the level of funding allocated for each EHC plan.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.If a pupil’s education, health and care plan requires a school to make provision that goes beyond the support that the school is expected to make available ordinarily from its core funding, the local authority provides the school with top-up funding from its high needs budget for the excess costs. The department provides operational guidance to local authorities on the arrangements for administering such high needs funding. The guidance for the 2025/26 financial year can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/high-needs-funding-arrangements-2025-to-2026.