Written questions by Fortune.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits to consumers of competition in fixed telecommunications infrastructure.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that competition in fixed telecommunications infrastructure is sustained and protects consumers’ long-term interests.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of increased competition in fixed telecommunications infrastructure on (a) household broadband bills, (b) service choice and (c) broadband speeds in the UK over the last five years.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of implementing a deferral mechanism for inheritance tax liabilities arising from the reduction of 100% Business Property Relief above £2.5 million where there is no effective means for family shareholders to fund the liability without disposal of the business.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship. More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the capacity of family-owned trading businesses to fund inheritance tax liabilities within six months of death, particularly where probate has not been granted.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship. More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the removal of full Business Property Relief above £2.5 million on levels of forced sales of large family-owned employers.

The reforms to business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting businesses, fixing the public finances, and funding public services. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992 when the rate of relief was a maximum of 50 per cent on all business assets, including the first £2.5 million. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This means just over 80 per cent of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. The rules for business property relief are longstanding and business assets do not qualify for 100 per cent relief under the current rules if they do not meet qualifying conditions, such as the minimum period of ownership test and the nature of the business. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free. Any liability can also be settled through the disposal of any assets within the estate where appropriate. Where share buybacks are used to fund a liability, special treatment has also existed in the system since 1982 for shares in unquoted companies when inheritance tax could not otherwise have been paid without undue hardship. More generally, HMRC recognises the difficulties that personal representatives may face when raising funds to pay inheritance tax and has a number of established ways to help tax payments be made. This includes the Direct Payment Scheme which can be used to transfer money electronically directly from the deceased’s account(s) to HMRC to settle the liability before probate is granted. There are also other options available if the inheritance tax cannot be paid before probate is granted, such as applying for a grant on credit. This allows payment of all or some of the tax and interest due to be postponed until after the grant of probate.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the regulatory dashboard, published on 21 October 2025, if she will publish the letters sent to 19 regulators on enabling safe AI-powered innovation.

On 28th January 2026, DSIT SoS wrote to 19 regulators as part of the AI Action Plan anniversary. These letters asked regulators to work with DSIT and their sponsor department to publish a plan setting out how they will enable safe AI-powered innovation by May 2026, including clear, ambitious goals to enable safe AI adoption and responsible innovation; and to report annually on how their regulatory approach has enabled innovation and growth driven by AI in their sector. A copy of the letter sent to regulators has been published on gov.uk.

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 28th January to PQ 106866

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

HM Treasury has not spent any money on X or xAI since July 2024.

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

Paid advertising on X was suspended in April 2023 following a SAFE Framework assessment. X is currently used only for organic (non-paid) content to communicate policies and public services. The Department for Transport has spent £783.30 with X since July 2024. This includes X Premium and X Premium +, for monitoring of news coverage and discourse, analytics and digital output.

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

The Communication Directorate has spent £0 on X and xAI since July 2024.

Communities and Local Government, how much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 106871 on 28 January 2026.

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member for Bromley and Biggin Hill to the answer of 5 February to Question 106861, an identical question asked by his colleague, the hon. Member for Windsor, on 19 January 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 January 2026 to the hon. Member for Windsor, UIN 106863.

How much their department spent on X and xAI since July 2024.

As of January 2026, total expenditure by the Department since July 2024 has been £69,384.94, inclusive of VAT, on X and zero on xAI.

What estimate she has made of the average annual cost to motorists of ending the temporary 5p fuel duty reduction.

At Budget 2025, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026. Rates will then gradually return to early 2022 levels. The planned increase in line with inflation for 2026-27 will not take place, with the government uprating fuel duty rates by RPI from April 2027. This will save the average car driver £49 next year compared to previous plans.

What support is available to small British manufacturers of natural stone products to help increase their role in the sustainable construction sector.

The Government is committed to the growth of a sustainable construction sector and to creating the right environment for small and medium sized businesses to thrive. Small British manufacturers of natural stone products can access support through the Business Growth Service, which offers online advice on issues such as decarbonisation and energy efficiency and services: for example, through connecting businesses to British Business Bank schemes such as a Business Finance Hub helping SMEs identify suitable finance options; and other support including access to the Department's International Trade Advisers.

Communities and Local Government, when his Department will make a decision on the funding of the ACM cladding remediation project at Northpoint Bromley.

MHCLG funded the cladding remediation project at Northpoint Bromley, including work required to remove the unsafe ACM, completed in 2024. Our delivery partner, the Greater London Authority, has since submitted a funding variation request related to the defects liability period. This is progressing this through the Department’s funding governance processes and a decision will be made in due course.

What HMRC's target timeline for paying out Construction Industry Scheme tax rebates to small businesses is; and what proportion of rebates are paid within that time.

HMRC recognise that repayments are important for customers. They prioritise them and work hard to ensure they are processed as quickly and securely as possible.Individuals can check when they are likely to receive a response by using HMRC’s ‘Where’s my reply’ tool which is available here:www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-expect-a-reply-from-hmrcIn relation to CIS repayments, HMRC are recruiting and training more colleagues to improve the service and issue CIS repayments more quickly. In cases of hardship, taxpayers can contact HMRC to look at their case and, where possible, make the repayment sooner.HMRC’s service standard is to respond to 80% of CIS repayment claims for limited companies within 15 working days. The department has a plan in place to clear existing backlogs and return to meeting the service level agreement by January 2026.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of installing ticket barriers at Hayes station in Kent to help tackle (a) fare evasion and (b) anti-social behaviour.

Since coming into public ownership in 2021, Southeastern Trains have invested significantly in actions to tackle fare evasion and anti-social behaviour, including extra security trained staff at key locations, intelligence led revenue protection exercises, increased onboard ticket checks and increased gate line hours. Southeastern now have one of the lowest levels of ticketless travel across the country.Installing a new gate line at an ungated station is expensive and therefore train operators prioritise stations that have higher levels of fare evasion and anti-social behaviour. Currently Southeastern Trains are focussing on projects to install gates at Ramsgate and Margate which will be delivered over the next 12-18 months. Southeastern Trains have conducted a high-level survey at Hayes which concluded that the station is suitable for the installation of ticket barriers, however further work is required over the coming months to develop the business case for future gating schemes.