Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to ensure that television coverage of the Tour de France remains available to UK viewers.

The Government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France. Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, (men’s and women’s Tours) captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend. It is the responsibility of broadcasters and rights holders to think carefully about the balance between generating revenue and ensuring access to sports coverage for their viewers. While I have regular discussions with UK broadcasters on a range of issues, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder, independent of government.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Universal Credit on poverty levels.

The Department has published an updated assessment of the poverty impacts of the benefit changes announced at Spring Statement with revisions to reflect the proposed changes since tabled, which includes changes to Universal Credit. The assessment is available at Spring statement social security changes – updated impact on poverty levels in Great Britain, July 2025 - GOV.UK.

What assessment he has made of the merits of allowing the adoption of Limited Liability Partnerships for GPs.

Currently, Limited Liability Partnerships cannot hold General Medical Services and Personal Medical Services contracts. However, general practice (GP) partners can take steps to reduce their personal liability and financial risk. For example, limited companies can be used to manage risks in the partnership. GP partnerships can also manage different liabilities through indemnities and different forms of insurance. As independent contractors and small business owners, these are decisions that GP partners make, with legal and accounting advice.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of ceasing television coverage of the Tour de France in the UK on levels of interest in British cycling.

The Government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France. Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, (men’s and women’s Tours) captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend. It is the responsibility of broadcasters and rights holders to think carefully about the balance between generating revenue and ensuring access to sports coverage for their viewers. While I have regular discussions with UK broadcasters on a range of issues, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder, independent of government.

Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with UK broadcasters on ensuring that television coverage of the Tour de France remains available to UK viewers.

The Government recognises concerns raised about losing free-to-air coverage of the Tour de France. Ensuring live cycling can be enjoyed by a wide reaching audience is important to growing the sport and inspiring the next generation of cyclists. Professional cycling, in particular the Tour de France, (men’s and women’s Tours) captivates fans with its exciting races and inspires people across the country to get on their bikes every weekend. It is the responsibility of broadcasters and rights holders to think carefully about the balance between generating revenue and ensuring access to sports coverage for their viewers. While I have regular discussions with UK broadcasters on a range of issues, decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events - including the Tour de France - are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder, independent of government.

Whether he has reviewed the findings of the recent national four-day working week pilot; and whether he plans to respond to the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recommendation to establish a working time council.

We are aware of the findings of the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recent trial. A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. Currently, all employees have the right to request a flexible working arrangement, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that requests are accepted. We have no plans to mandate a four-day week, or any other working arrangement. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the delivery of these planned changes, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Whether he has considered the findings of the most recent four day week pilot; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure businesses have a structured forum in which to share insights on effective implementation.

We are aware of the findings of the 4 Day Week Foundation’s recent trial. A four-day week is an example of a flexible working arrangement. Currently, all employees have the right to request a flexible working arrangement, and we are changing legislation through the Employment Rights Bill to make it more likely that requests are accepted. We have no plans to mandate a four-day week, or any other working arrangement. Our priority is to consult with and support businesses and employees with the delivery of these planned changes, as part of the wider Plan to Make Work Pay.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to ensure that religious organisations’ assets are scrutinised before making decisions regarding an extension of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme offers grants towards the VAT incurred on eligible repairs and renovations and is open to all listed places of worship. The future of the grant scheme will be considered as we work through the output of the Spending Review and Departmental business planning process.Grants for the scheme are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the eligibility of submitted invoices for repair work. The focus is on the nature of the conservation and repair work undertaken on historic buildings, and an organisation's financial assets or standing are not considered in the decision-making process.

Whether he plans to issue new guidance to NHS Trusts advising them not to set up wholly owned subsidiary companies to avoid paying VAT.

The current NHS England guidance dated February 2024, titled Guidance for assuring and supporting complex change – subsidiaries guidance for trusts forming or changing a subsidiary, sets out the VAT position of wholly owned subsidiaries and confirms that “the commercial rationale is not dependent on the subsidiary enabling a VAT treatment that differs from the trust’s current arrangements”.There are no plans for this guidance to be updated.

Whether he plans to review the rules that allow private companies working in the NHS to avoid paying VAT.

HM Treasury is committed to implementing the Public Sector Value Added Tax (VAT) reform which will remove the current disparity for VAT recovery between National Health Service trusts and private companies working in the NHS.

Whether he plans to make an assessment of the potential merits of NHS Trusts setting up wholly owned subsidiary companies to avoid paying VAT.

The current NHS England guidance dated February 2024, titled Guidance for assuring and supporting complex change – subsidiaries guidance for trusts forming or changing a subsidiary, confirms that the Department “reminded all NHS provider finance directors in September 2017 of their responsibilities around tax, advising that tax avoidance arrangements should not be entered into under any circumstances. We expect all NHS providers to follow this guidance when considering any new arrangements or different ways of working”A perceived VAT advantage of setting up a wholly owned subsidiary cannot be the only reason for its creation. Subsidiary proposals should be driven by a robust commercial strategy that delivers clear financial, operational, and patient benefits.No assessment is planned or deemed necessary.

What current restrictions are placed upon tourist visitors from China.

Chinese nationals travelling to the UK as tourists are able to use the Standard Visitor route to come to the UK for up to six months, though they will need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa prior to travel. This requirement applies to all visa national countries designated under the UK’s Immigration Rules.The UK welcomes genuine visitors from across the world and the visitor conditions in the Immigration Rules apply to all visitors irrespective of nationality.The Immigration Rules Appendix V: Visitor sets out the requirements for visitors coming to the UK. Visitors must leave the UK at the end of their visit and must not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK their own home. A visitor must also intend to undertake one or more of the permitted visitor activities, such as visiting friends and family or coming to the UK for a holiday, and they must not intend to work or study except where this is specifically permitted.www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy review the level of fines that local authorities can levy in relation to illegal parking.

While councils are responsible for their own parking arrangements, we are determined to reduce costs for motorists which is why we keep a limit on the fines councils can give. These limits can be found in The Civil Enforcement of Road Traffic Contraventions (Approved Devices, Charging Guidelines and General Provisions) (England) Regulations 2022.In addition to those limits, government published statutory guidance on local authority parking contraventions which makes clear that parking charges should be proportionate, meaning authorities should not set them at unreasonable levels.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing new restrictions on developers who have a history of bankcruptcy on the housing sector.

No such specific assessment has been made by my Department. I refer the hon. Member to the information on restrictions for people who have declared bankruptcy available on gov.uk here.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of job losses at (a) Bournemouth University and (b) the wider higher education sector on the (i) quality of education and (ii) range of courses available to (A) existing and (B) future students.

The department recognises that some higher education (HE) providers are making difficult decisions around staffing in order to safeguard their financial sustainability. Ultimately the sector is independent from government and as such must continue to make the necessary and appropriate financial decisions to ensure their long-term sustainability.However, we expect providers to work with staff, using their knowledge and experience to help identify how best to operate efficiently. All efficiency measures taken by the sector should provide a better long-term future for students, staff and the country.The government provides funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant (SPG) on an annual basis to support teaching and students in HE. This includes funding to support teaching of expensive-to-deliver subjects such as science and engineering, access and participation of students from under-represented groups, and world-leading specialist providers.  The total SPG for the 2025/26 financial year will be £1.348 million in recurrent programme grant and £84 million for capital to support teaching and learning.

If she will make an updated assessment of the potential impact of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on the number of people who will lose their entitlement to PIP.

As I made clear in my statement to the House, Hansard, 1 July, col 219, any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, which I am leading, and which will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future. The review is expected to conclude in autumn 2026.

If she will publish an updated assessment of the potential impact of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on levels of poverty.

Updated analysis on the potential impact of Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on levels of poverty will be published shortly.

Where the 12 new F-35 A jets will be manufactured.

UK industry contributes approximately 15% by value of F-35 production, working with over 100 suppliers and supporting more than 20,000 jobs. Although final assembly of all F-35 aircraft takes place at Lockheed Martin's facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the UK plays a significant role in the programme through the manufacture of key components.The rear fuselage and tail surfaces of every F-35 are manufactured in Lancashire; the ejection seats are manufactured in Middlesex; and core avionics and electronics systems are also produced throughout the UK.

What the total cost of the 12 new F-35 A jets will be.

Final prices will be identified during contract negotiation.

What his planned timeline is for manufacturing 12 new F-35 A jets.

The UK will purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets and join NATO’s dual capable aircraft nuclear mission in a major boost for national security. The Secretary of State for Defence has said he expects those F-35As to start being delivered before the end of the decade.