Written questions by Vickers.

What recent discussions she has had with representatives of the (a) brewing and (b) pub sectors on beer duty rates.

Pubs and brewers make a significant contribution to our economy and society, including through supporting jobs, and this is reflected in the tax system. The alcohol duty system supports pubs and hospitality businesses through Draught Relief (DR), which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. This recognises the cultural importance of pubs and other on-trade venues as community hubs that play a role in encouraging responsible drinking in supervised settings. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is the equivalent to a 1p reduction on a typical pint, and means draught beer now pays 13.9% less in duty than its packaged equivalents – an increase of over 50% on the previous draught discount of 9.2%. The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on this measure is published here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the 2023 alcohol duty reforms, including DR, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. This allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and, as with all taxes, the Government keeps alcohol duty under review as part of its Budget process. The Government welcomes representations from the beer and pub sectors in advance of the Budget. Treasury ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-traveL

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of beer duty reforms on the growth of (a) microbreweries and (b) regional brewing clusters.

A new duty structure for alcoholic products was introduced in August 2023. This included a new Small Producer Relief (SPR) which replaced and extended the previous Small Brewers Relief. SPR provides vital support to smaller producers making 4500 hectolitres or less of alcohol per year by providing reduced rates of duty on all alcoholic products below 8.5 per cent ABV. HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the new alcohol duty rates and structures, including SPR, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. Three years allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the reduced rate of beer duty for draught products on the (a) on-trade and (b) off-trade sectors.

Pubs and brewers make a significant contribution to our economy and society, including through supporting jobs, and this is reflected in the tax system. The alcohol duty system supports pubs and hospitality businesses through Draught Relief (DR), which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. This recognises the cultural importance of pubs and other on-trade venues as community hubs that play a role in encouraging responsible drinking in supervised settings. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is the equivalent to a 1p reduction on a typical pint, and means draught beer now pays 13.9% less in duty than its packaged equivalents – an increase of over 50% on the previous draught discount of 9.2%. The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on this measure is published here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the 2023 alcohol duty reforms, including DR, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. This allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and, as with all taxes, the Government keeps alcohol duty under review as part of its Budget process. The Government welcomes representations from the beer and pub sectors in advance of the Budget. Treasury ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-traveL

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the beer duty rate on (a) pubs and (b) hospitality businesses in (i) rural and (ii) coastal communities.

Pubs and brewers make a significant contribution to our economy and society, including through supporting jobs, and this is reflected in the tax system. The alcohol duty system supports pubs and hospitality businesses through Draught Relief (DR), which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. This recognises the cultural importance of pubs and other on-trade venues as community hubs that play a role in encouraging responsible drinking in supervised settings. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is the equivalent to a 1p reduction on a typical pint, and means draught beer now pays 13.9% less in duty than its packaged equivalents – an increase of over 50% on the previous draught discount of 9.2%. The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on this measure is published here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the 2023 alcohol duty reforms, including DR, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. This allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and, as with all taxes, the Government keeps alcohol duty under review as part of its Budget process. The Government welcomes representations from the beer and pub sectors in advance of the Budget. Treasury ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-traveL

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of reforms to beer duty on (a) consumer prices and (b) inflation.

A new duty structure for alcoholic products was introduced in August 2023. This included a new Draught Relief which is a reduced rate of Alcohol Duty applied to qualifying alcoholic products sold in the on-trade (e.g. pubs, bars) under 8.5% ABV. The government estimated the cost of Draught Relief as £145m for 24-25 and published it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor also announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is the equivalent to a 1p reduction on a typical pint, and means draught beer now pays 13.9% less in duty than its packaged equivalents. HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the new alcohol duty rates and structures, including Draught Relief, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. Three years allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

What recent discussions she has had with HMRC on the potential impact of (a) the administration of and (b) compliance with the beer duty system on small producers.

A new duty structure for alcoholic products was introduced in August 2023. This included a new Small Producer Relief (SPR) which replaced and extended the previous Small Brewers Relief. SPR provides vital support to smaller producers making 4500 hectolitres or less of alcohol per year by providing reduced rates of duty on all alcoholic products below 8.5 per cent ABV. HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the new alcohol duty rates and structures, including SPR, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. Three years allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to beer duty on the financial sustainability of (a) small and (b) independent breweries.

A new duty structure for alcoholic products was introduced in August 2023. This included a new Small Producer Relief (SPR) which replaced and extended the previous Small Brewers Relief. SPR provides vital support to smaller producers making 4500 hectolitres or less of alcohol per year by providing reduced rates of duty on all alcoholic products below 8.5 per cent ABV. HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the new alcohol duty rates and structures, including SPR, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. Three years allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

What estimate she has made of the potential fiscal impact of draught beer relief since its introduction.

A new duty structure for alcoholic products was introduced in August 2023. This included a new Draught Relief which is a reduced rate of Alcohol Duty applied to qualifying alcoholic products sold in the on-trade (e.g. pubs, bars) under 8.5% ABV. The government estimated the cost of Draught Relief as £145m for 24-25 and published it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor also announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is the equivalent to a 1p reduction on a typical pint, and means draught beer now pays 13.9% less in duty than its packaged equivalents. HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the new alcohol duty rates and structures, including Draught Relief, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. Three years allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that the beer duty structure supports (a) growth and (b) job creation in the brewing industry.

Pubs and brewers make a significant contribution to our economy and society, including through supporting jobs, and this is reflected in the tax system. The alcohol duty system supports pubs and hospitality businesses through Draught Relief (DR), which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. This recognises the cultural importance of pubs and other on-trade venues as community hubs that play a role in encouraging responsible drinking in supervised settings. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is the equivalent to a 1p reduction on a typical pint, and means draught beer now pays 13.9% less in duty than its packaged equivalents – an increase of over 50% on the previous draught discount of 9.2%. The Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on this measure is published here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-the-rates-of-alcohol-duty/alcohol-duty-uprating HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the 2023 alcohol duty reforms, including DR, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. This allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far. The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and, as with all taxes, the Government keeps alcohol duty under review as part of its Budget process. The Government welcomes representations from the beer and pub sectors in advance of the Budget. Treasury ministers have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. Details of ministerial and permanent secretary meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-traveL

What steps her Department is taking to monitor whether reductions in beer duty are being passed on to (a) consumers and (b) publicans.

A new duty structure for alcoholic products was introduced in August 2023. This included a new Draught Relief which is a reduced rate of Alcohol Duty applied to qualifying alcoholic products sold in the on-trade (e.g. pubs, bars) under 8.5% ABV. The government estimated the cost of Draught Relief as £145m for 24-25 and published it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/main-tax-expenditures-and-structural-reliefs. At Autumn Budget 2024, the Chancellor also announced a duty cut on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This is the equivalent to a 1p reduction on a typical pint, and means draught beer now pays 13.9% less in duty than its packaged equivalents. HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the new alcohol duty rates and structures, including Draught Relief, three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. Three years allows time for HMRC to gather a broad range of data to properly evaluate the impacts. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

What steps her Department is taking to improve prosecution rates for grooming gang offences.

This Government is committed to tackling all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, including grooming gangs, by stamping out these abhorrent crimes and bringing perpetrators to justice.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will always prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children whenever its legal test is met, regardless of how much time has passed since the offending took place.Between 2021/22 and 2024/25, the CPS has seen a 25% increase in prosecutions for child sexual abuse. These efforts have been grounded in a commitment to safeguarding victims and holding offenders to account. CPS prosecutors who deal with contact child sexual abuse cases receive specialist training which emphasises a trauma-informed and suspect-focused approach to decision-making.The CPS has a dedicated national Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit (OCSAU) with highly experienced prosecutors leading on the most complex and high-risk cases of child sexual abuse, including those involving grooming gangs. As of June 2025, OCSAU has secured 85 convictions, with a conviction rate of 82.5%. This includes convictions arising from Operation Stovewood, which is the investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. Each single prosecution represents justice for multiple victims.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of sentencing outcomes in grooming gang cases.

This Government recognises the profound harm caused by grooming gangs and is committed to ensuring that victims receive justice, support and redress through a robust and victim centred justice system that brings all perpetrators of this heinous crime before the courts.My Department continues to assess and improve court processes to ensure they are effective and responsive in all cases, including those involving grooming gangs. Where possible, judges prioritise serious sexual offences, and cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses. HMCTS staff support the delivering of fair and efficient hearings, with special measures available to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. Recent reforms include new powers to compel offenders to attend sentencing hearings and enhanced training across the justice system to ensure victims are treated with fairness and dignity.The Government acknowledges the impact of delays in the justice system on victims, and Sir Brian Leverson continues to lead a comprehensive review of the criminal courts to deliver swifter justice. In the meantime, we have increased funding to ensure Crown Courts operate at their highest capacity in nearly a decade, 110,000 sitting days, and doubled magistrates’ sentencing powers.Victims are supported through Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) during court proceedings. Also, the Ministry of Justice funds the CSA Centre to develop evidence-based training and resources to professionals across the voluntary statutory sector workforce, as well as continuing to invest in specialist support services via the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund that awards ringfenced grants to Police and Crime Commissioners.  Additionally, the Home Office has invested £1.6 million in the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund and an extra £1.6 million for national services for adult victims.To support victims in seeking redress, we are removing the three-year limitation period for civil claims in cases of child sexual abuse. The Government is also working to improve awareness of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme through campaigns and consultations.Parliament has legislated for robust custodial sentences for child sex offences, though sentencing decisions are made by independent courts. Recognising the severity of grooming, the Government has introduced legislation through the Crime and Policing Bill to make grooming an aggravating factor in sentencing for child sexual offences, ensuring this behaviour is appropriately reflected in sentencing outcomes.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that victims of grooming gangs have timely access to (a) justice and (b) compensation.

This Government recognises the profound harm caused by grooming gangs and is committed to ensuring that victims receive justice, support and redress through a robust and victim centred justice system that brings all perpetrators of this heinous crime before the courts.My Department continues to assess and improve court processes to ensure they are effective and responsive in all cases, including those involving grooming gangs. Where possible, judges prioritise serious sexual offences, and cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses. HMCTS staff support the delivering of fair and efficient hearings, with special measures available to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. Recent reforms include new powers to compel offenders to attend sentencing hearings and enhanced training across the justice system to ensure victims are treated with fairness and dignity.The Government acknowledges the impact of delays in the justice system on victims, and Sir Brian Leverson continues to lead a comprehensive review of the criminal courts to deliver swifter justice. In the meantime, we have increased funding to ensure Crown Courts operate at their highest capacity in nearly a decade, 110,000 sitting days, and doubled magistrates’ sentencing powers.Victims are supported through Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) during court proceedings. Also, the Ministry of Justice funds the CSA Centre to develop evidence-based training and resources to professionals across the voluntary statutory sector workforce, as well as continuing to invest in specialist support services via the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund that awards ringfenced grants to Police and Crime Commissioners.  Additionally, the Home Office has invested £1.6 million in the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund and an extra £1.6 million for national services for adult victims.To support victims in seeking redress, we are removing the three-year limitation period for civil claims in cases of child sexual abuse. The Government is also working to improve awareness of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme through campaigns and consultations.Parliament has legislated for robust custodial sentences for child sex offences, though sentencing decisions are made by independent courts. Recognising the severity of grooming, the Government has introduced legislation through the Crime and Policing Bill to make grooming an aggravating factor in sentencing for child sexual offences, ensuring this behaviour is appropriately reflected in sentencing outcomes.

What steps he is taking to implement the Women's Health Strategy for England.

We are turning the commitments in the Women's Health Strategy into tangible action by delivering 5.2 million extra appointments, tackling gynaecology waiting lists by using the private sector, and by shortly making emergency hormonal contraception free in pharmacies.The 2022 Women's Health Strategy identified many important issues which remain valid, so we now need to align the strategy with the 10-Year Health Plan and identify areas where we need to go further, which is why we are renewing the Women’s Health Strategy, to assess the progress that has been made so far and to continue progressing delivery.

What steps he is taking to ensure access to affordable medicines on the NHS.

We recognise that the pharmaceutical sector, and the innovative medicines it produces, is critical to our National Health Service, our economy, and the Plan for Change. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will continue to support the adoption of new medicines in a way that provides the most health benefit for society and which represents value to the taxpayer through the development of authoritative, evidence-based guidance for the NHS on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS.The voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access, and growth continues to help improve access to cutting-edge treatments for NHS patients while keeping the medicines bill sustainable for taxpayers. Meanwhile, through our Life Sciences Sector Plan, we have committed to the United Kingdom becoming one of the top three fastest places in Europe for patient access to medicines by 2030. To support this, we will work with industry to accelerate growth in spending on innovative medicines compared to the previous decade.We have also committed to becoming a leader in the uptake of off-patent medicines, with an opportunity to save £1 billion over five years by driving early and widespread uptake of new biosimilar drugs.

Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's timetable is for introducing the activity regulations required to bring the Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023 fully into force.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the implementation Animal (Low Welfare Activities Abroad) Act 2023, what discussions she had has with travel and tourism sector on preventing UK-based companies from (a) advertising an (b) profiting from low-welfare animal attractions overseas.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to raise public awareness of (a) the potential impact of low-welfare animal attractions abroad and (b) encourage responsible tourism through (i) education and (ii) regulation.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply previously given to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire, Pippa Heylings on 23 September 2025 PQ UIN 73101.

What steps his Department is taking to support victims of grooming gangs throughout the criminal justice process.

This Government recognises the profound harm caused by grooming gangs and is committed to ensuring that victims receive justice, support and redress through a robust and victim centred justice system that brings all perpetrators of this heinous crime before the courts.My Department continues to assess and improve court processes to ensure they are effective and responsive in all cases, including those involving grooming gangs. Where possible, judges prioritise serious sexual offences, and cases involving vulnerable complainants and witnesses. HMCTS staff support the delivering of fair and efficient hearings, with special measures available to vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. Recent reforms include new powers to compel offenders to attend sentencing hearings and enhanced training across the justice system to ensure victims are treated with fairness and dignity.The Government acknowledges the impact of delays in the justice system on victims, and Sir Brian Leverson continues to lead a comprehensive review of the criminal courts to deliver swifter justice. In the meantime, we have increased funding to ensure Crown Courts operate at their highest capacity in nearly a decade, 110,000 sitting days, and doubled magistrates’ sentencing powers.Victims are supported through Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs) during court proceedings. Also, the Ministry of Justice funds the CSA Centre to develop evidence-based training and resources to professionals across the voluntary statutory sector workforce, as well as continuing to invest in specialist support services via the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund that awards ringfenced grants to Police and Crime Commissioners.  Additionally, the Home Office has invested £1.6 million in the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Fund and an extra £1.6 million for national services for adult victims.To support victims in seeking redress, we are removing the three-year limitation period for civil claims in cases of child sexual abuse. The Government is also working to improve awareness of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme through campaigns and consultations.Parliament has legislated for robust custodial sentences for child sex offences, though sentencing decisions are made by independent courts. Recognising the severity of grooming, the Government has introduced legislation through the Crime and Policing Bill to make grooming an aggravating factor in sentencing for child sexual offences, ensuring this behaviour is appropriately reflected in sentencing outcomes.

What steps he is taking to improve cancer outcomes.

We are committed to transforming cancer services. The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and improving this country’s cancer survival rates. Having consulted with key stakeholders and patient groups, I confirm that the plan will be published early in the new year.We will support the National Health Service to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment in new magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners. We have already invested £70 million in new radiotherapy machines. The Government is investing an extra £26 billion in the NHS and is opening up community diagnostic centres at evening and weekends, to help catch cancer earlier.Furthermore, NHS England has completed the national roll-out of non-specific symptom pathways to support faster diagnosis of cancer in patients who present with symptoms that do not align with a single cancer site.The NHS has exceeded its pledge to deliver an extra two million appointments, having now delivered over five million more appointments as the first step to ensuring earlier and faster access to treatment.Additionally, reducing inequalities is a key priority for the National Cancer Plan, which will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival. This includes looking at protected characteristics, such as ethnicity, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, and geographic location.