Written questions by Hudson.

What steps they are taking to support access to in-person banking services in Epping Forest.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of VAT liability on further education colleges’ capacity to deliver the skills priorities set out in the Industrial Strategy; and whether her Department plans to extend VAT exemption to further education colleges.

Further Education (FE) funding is vital to ensure people are being trained in the skills they need to thrive in the modern labour market. The 2025 Spending Review provided an additional £1.2 billion per year by 2028-29 for skills and £1.7 billion of capital funding to help colleges maintain the condition of their estate. In addition, the Government is providing £375 million of capital investment to support the FE system to accommodate increasing student numbers. For their non-business activity, FE colleges are unable to reclaim VAT incurred. We operate several VAT refund schemes for schools and academies which are designed variously to ensure that VAT is not a burden on local taxation, and that academies are not disincentivised to leave LA control. FE colleges do not meet the criteria for either scheme. In relation to business activity, FE colleges enjoy an exemption from VAT which means that they do not have to charge VAT to students but cannot recover it either.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of inflation on (a) businesses, (b) farmers and (c) consumers in Epping Forest constituency.

The Office for National Statistics does not publish inflation statistics at the level of individual constituencies such as Epping Forest. However, the Government understands that inflation remains a challenge for businesses, including farmers, and consumers. This is why the Chancellor has asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions support stability and long-term growth.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of her economic policies on inflation for food and drink.

HM Treasury does not produce forecasts for the UK economy. Forecasting the economy, including the impact of Government policy decisions, is the responsibility of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which published its latest forecast on 26 March 2025. The OBR does not publish estimates of the impact of policy decisions on levels of food and drink inflation. The Chancellor has asked departments to prioritise reducing inflation when developing policies for the Autumn Budget, ensuring decisions support stability and long-term growth.

Whether she plans to hold discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of measures in the Autumn Budget 2025 on the farming sector.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer holds regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a range of issues.

Whether the funding allocated to rebuild the APHA site in Weybridge is part of the Government's commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security by 2035.

NATO provides reporting guidelines for the 1.5% defence and security related spending. It will include investments that raise the overall resilience of our societies, such as energy security, telecommunications, and infrastructure, as well as the execution of defence plans, expanding industrial capacity and innovation and counter hybrid actions. Our National Security Strategy confirms our belief that these types of investment are vital to national security and we are pleased that this is now recognised by NATO. As set out in the Spending Review 2025, this government is making significant investment into these areas and we are confident we will meet the 1.5% target on defence and security related spending. Along with all other NATO allies, the UK will report against the new categories of defence spending at the next NATO reporting deadline.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the National Insurance measures in the Autumn Budget 2024 on businesses in (a) Epping Forest and (b) England.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts. Estimates of the impact on businesses in Epping Forest from changes to Employer NICs announced at Autumn Budget 2024 are not available.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the level of Government funding to (a) hospices and (b) the palliative care sector.

The Chancellor and I work closely with the Health Secretary on issues related to health and social care funding. The Government announced in December 2024 that we are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for adult and children’s hospices to ensure they have the best physical environment for care, as well as £26 million in revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices. This will help to ensure that hospices in England can continue to deliver the highest quality end of life care possible for their patients, families, and loved ones. In England, integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services to meet the needs of their local populations. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increases in employer National Insurance contributions on small businesses in Epping Forest constituency.

Estimates of the impact on businesses in Epping Forest from changes to Employer NICs announced at Autumn Budget 2024 are not available.