Written questions by Savage.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of business rates revaluation on village pubs and hospitality venues in rural areas.

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic. In recognition of the impact of the revaluation on bills, the Government introduced a support package worth £4.3 billion, to protect against ratepayers seeing large overnight increases in bills. The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties. From April, every pub will also get 15% off its new business rates bill on top of the support announced at Budget and then bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years. Three-quarters of pubs will see bills flat or falling in April. The new relief is worth £1,650 for the average pub next year. As a sector pubs will pay 8% less in business rates in 2029 than they do right now. Rural Rate Relief also continues to be available for key amenities and community assets in rural areas. It provides 100% rate relief for properties that are based in eligible rural areas with populations below 3,000.

What assessment she has made of the potential cumulative impact of business rates, minimum wage increases, VAT, energy costs and alcohol duty on the viability of small and independently owned pubs.

The Government recognises the important contribution that small and independently owned pubs make to local communities, the high street and the wider economy. The potential impacts of changes on this sector are carefully considered as part of policy development. Where changes are made, relevant impact notes and assessments are published at fiscal events and otherwise as necessary, in line with the Government’s usual practice. The Treasury also engages regularly with the pub and wider hospitality sector to understand the challenges they face. The Government continues to provide targeted support to the pub sector through the tax system and other policies, and keeps all areas of the tax system under review, with future decisions taken at fiscal events under the normal process.

If her Department will issue guidance to Ofsted and local authorities on recognising the operational challenges faced by early years providers operating from shared community buildings.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.The government has committed to working with the sector to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. The department has announced over £400 million of funding to create tens of thousands of places in new and expanded school-based nurseries to help ensure more children can access quality early education where it is needed and get the best start in life. The first phase of the programme is creating up to 6,000 new nursery places, with schools reporting over 5,000 have been made available from September 2025.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.The department does not hold data on how many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years and the proportion of those that were operating from shared or temporary premises. The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. There is no published national statistic (for the UK or individual nations) that gives a numerical proportion of rural childcare providers operating specifically from shared or temporary premises. Neither the England Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers nor Ofsted statistical releases break down premises type in this way for rural settings.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England.

What assessment her Department has made of the financial viability of rural early years providers operating from (a) village halls and (b) any other shared community premises where daily set-up and pack-down costs are not reflected in current funding rates.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.The government has committed to working with the sector to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. The department has announced over £400 million of funding to create tens of thousands of places in new and expanded school-based nurseries to help ensure more children can access quality early education where it is needed and get the best start in life. The first phase of the programme is creating up to 6,000 new nursery places, with schools reporting over 5,000 have been made available from September 2025.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.The department does not hold data on how many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years and the proportion of those that were operating from shared or temporary premises. The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. There is no published national statistic (for the UK or individual nations) that gives a numerical proportion of rural childcare providers operating specifically from shared or temporary premises. Neither the England Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers nor Ofsted statistical releases break down premises type in this way for rural settings.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England.

Whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on supporting early years provision delivered through village halls and other community assets.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.The government has committed to working with the sector to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. The department has announced over £400 million of funding to create tens of thousands of places in new and expanded school-based nurseries to help ensure more children can access quality early education where it is needed and get the best start in life. The first phase of the programme is creating up to 6,000 new nursery places, with schools reporting over 5,000 have been made available from September 2025.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.The department does not hold data on how many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years and the proportion of those that were operating from shared or temporary premises. The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. There is no published national statistic (for the UK or individual nations) that gives a numerical proportion of rural childcare providers operating specifically from shared or temporary premises. Neither the England Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers nor Ofsted statistical releases break down premises type in this way for rural settings.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England.

What steps she is taking to help support recruitment and retention of early years staff in rural areas, including consideration of travel costs, wage supplements, and shared staffing models.

The Best Start in Life strategy lays the foundation for long-term improvements to recruitment and retention in early years. The department is building a stronger, more skilled workforce to meet rising demand through new routes into the workforce, targeted recruitment campaigns and operational flexibilities for childminders. We are championing early years teachers, with plans to more than double the number of training places on Early Years Initial Teacher Training by 2028, a new degree apprenticeship route with financial support to deliver this, and financial incentive to attract and keep early years teachers in nurseries serving the most disadvantaged communities. In 2026/27, we expect to provide over £9.5 billion, more than doubling the government’s commitment to funded childcare since 2023/24 and reflecting above inflation increase to funding rates and National Living Wage increases. To go further, we will review early years funding, including the national funding formulae, and consult the sector on changes by summer 2026.

Whether she plans to introduce a (a) rurality and (b) sparsity weighting within the Early Years National Funding Formula.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we help deliver the government’s Plan for Change and the ambition for a record proportion of children to be starting school ready by 2028.To ensure that the early years funding system is hardwired to benefit those children and parts of the country that have higher levels of additional need, the department will review early years funding, including national funding formulae, and consult the sector on changes by Summer 2026.As part of their local formulae, local authorities can make use of supplements for up to 12% of the total value of planned formula funding to providers for each of the entitlements. This means that local authorities can tilt part of the hourly rate to different providers in an area to reflect different needs and circumstances at provider level. The allowable supplements include a rurality and sparsity supplement that local authorities have the discretion to use.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications of rural early years provision in sustaining village communities and preventing rural depopulation on her Department's funding policy for early years.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.The government has committed to working with the sector to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. The department has announced over £400 million of funding to create tens of thousands of places in new and expanded school-based nurseries to help ensure more children can access quality early education where it is needed and get the best start in life. The first phase of the programme is creating up to 6,000 new nursery places, with schools reporting over 5,000 have been made available from September 2025.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.The department does not hold data on how many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years and the proportion of those that were operating from shared or temporary premises. The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. There is no published national statistic (for the UK or individual nations) that gives a numerical proportion of rural childcare providers operating specifically from shared or temporary premises. Neither the England Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers nor Ofsted statistical releases break down premises type in this way for rural settings.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England.

How many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years; and what proportion of those were operating from shared or temporary premises.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.The government has committed to working with the sector to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. The department has announced over £400 million of funding to create tens of thousands of places in new and expanded school-based nurseries to help ensure more children can access quality early education where it is needed and get the best start in life. The first phase of the programme is creating up to 6,000 new nursery places, with schools reporting over 5,000 have been made available from September 2025.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.The department does not hold data on how many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years and the proportion of those that were operating from shared or temporary premises. The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. There is no published national statistic (for the UK or individual nations) that gives a numerical proportion of rural childcare providers operating specifically from shared or temporary premises. Neither the England Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers nor Ofsted statistical releases break down premises type in this way for rural settings.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of rural early years setting closures on (a) low-income, (b) part-time and (c) any other parental workers.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.The government has committed to working with the sector to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. The department has announced over £400 million of funding to create tens of thousands of places in new and expanded school-based nurseries to help ensure more children can access quality early education where it is needed and get the best start in life. The first phase of the programme is creating up to 6,000 new nursery places, with schools reporting over 5,000 have been made available from September 2025.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.The department does not hold data on how many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years and the proportion of those that were operating from shared or temporary premises. The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. There is no published national statistic (for the UK or individual nations) that gives a numerical proportion of rural childcare providers operating specifically from shared or temporary premises. Neither the England Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers nor Ofsted statistical releases break down premises type in this way for rural settings.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England.

What guidance her Department provides to local authorities on the use of (a) sustainability and (b) contingency funding to prevent the closure of sole early years providers in rural villages.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we have successfully rolled out the expansion of government-funded childcare for working parents.The government has committed to working with the sector to better support parents in poorer and rural areas. The department has announced over £400 million of funding to create tens of thousands of places in new and expanded school-based nurseries to help ensure more children can access quality early education where it is needed and get the best start in life. The first phase of the programme is creating up to 6,000 new nursery places, with schools reporting over 5,000 have been made available from September 2025.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England about their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action they are taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract.The department does not hold data on how many rural early years settings have closed in each of the last five years and the proportion of those that were operating from shared or temporary premises. The department sets the standards and statutory requirements that all early years providers in England must meet. There is no published national statistic (for the UK or individual nations) that gives a numerical proportion of rural childcare providers operating specifically from shared or temporary premises. Neither the England Survey of Childcare and Early Years Providers nor Ofsted statistical releases break down premises type in this way for rural settings.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England.

What plans she has to review early years funding policy to help ensure it is fit for purpose for rural and shared-setting providers.

In 2026/27, the department expects to provide over £9.5 billion for the early years entitlements, more than doubling annual public investment in the early years sector compared to 2023/24, as we help deliver the government’s Plan for Change and the ambition for a record proportion of children to be starting school ready by 2028.To ensure that the early years funding system is hardwired to benefit those children and parts of the country that have higher levels of additional need, the department will review early years funding, including national funding formulae, and consult the sector on changes by Summer 2026.As part of their local formulae, local authorities can make use of supplements for up to 12% of the total value of planned formula funding to providers for each of the entitlements. This means that local authorities can tilt part of the hourly rate to different providers in an area to reflect different needs and circumstances at provider level. The allowable supplements include a rurality and sparsity supplement that local authorities have the discretion to use.

What steps his Department is taking to support community energy projects.

My Department and Great British Energy have engaged extensively with the community energy sector in developing the Local Power Plan.I will shortly be making a statement to this House about the Local Power Plan which represents an unprecedented £1bn investment in community energy across our country.

What assessment has been made of passenger demand and capacity on Great Western Railway services between Kemble and London Paddington, and what steps are being taken to ensure that service provision reflects demand on this route.

Great Western Railway (GWR) is responsible for ensuring sufficient allocation of capacity to meet demand on its rail services. Departmental officials monitor this carefully using available industry data. Officials hold regular discussions with GWR to ensure service levels and capacity provision is optimised to accommodate demand between Kemble and London Paddington. GWR has experienced an increase in short formations on services across its intercity train fleet in recent periods, including on services between Kemble and Paddington, due to issues with the diesel engines. These issues have now stabilised, with a noticeable reduction in recent weeks, and the Department continues to monitor this closely.

How many recipients of the pre-2016 State Pension have been issued with a simple assessment tax demand in each of the last three tax years.

Revenue estimates from, and individuals impacted by frozen thresholds are set out by the Office for Budget Responsibility in Table A of their November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook, and Table 3.19 of the detailed forecast table of receipts: Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2025 Office for Budget Responsibility - Economic and fiscal outlook detailed forecast tables: receipts Those whose sole income is the basic or full new State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax in 2026/27.

How many pre-April 2016 state pensioners have been issued with simple assessment tax demands in each of the last three tax years.

Revenue estimates from, and individuals impacted by frozen thresholds are set out by the Office for Budget Responsibility in Table A of their November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook, and Table 3.19 of the detailed forecast table of receipts: Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2025 Office for Budget Responsibility - Economic and fiscal outlook detailed forecast tables: receipts Those whose sole income is the basic or full new State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax in 2026/27.

What estimate the Treasury has made of the additional income tax collected from pre-2016 State Pensioners as a result of the frozen personal allowance.

Revenue estimates from, and individuals impacted by frozen thresholds are set out by the Office for Budget Responsibility in Table A of their November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook, and Table 3.19 of the detailed forecast table of receipts: Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2025 Office for Budget Responsibility - Economic and fiscal outlook detailed forecast tables: receipts Those whose sole income is the basic or full new State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax in 2026/27.

How many people in receipt of a pre-April 2016 State Pension have become liable for Income Tax since the freeze in the Income Tax personal allowance threshold.

Revenue estimates from, and individuals impacted by frozen thresholds are set out by the Office for Budget Responsibility in Table A of their November 2025 Economic and fiscal outlook, and Table 3.19 of the detailed forecast table of receipts: Office for Budget Responsibility – Economic and fiscal outlook – November 2025 Office for Budget Responsibility - Economic and fiscal outlook detailed forecast tables: receipts Those whose sole income is the basic or full new State Pension without any increments will not pay any income tax in 2026/27.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of mitigating the combined impact of increased taxation and reduced benefit entitlement on low-income pensioners with no additional earnings or savings.

It is a key priority for this Government to ease pressures on the cost of living. We remain firmly committed to protecting the most vulnerable pensioners and ensuring financial security in retirement. The State Pension will remain the foundation of retirement income . In line with the Government’s commitment to the Triple Lock for the duration of this parliament, over 12 million pensioners will benefit from a 4.8% increase to their basic or new State Pension in April 2026, worth up to £575 a year. This follows a substantial increase in 2025/26, when those on the full new State Pension received a £360 boost. Furthermore, the Chancellor has said that those whose only income is the basic or new State Pension without any increments will not have to pay income tax over this Parliament. At the Budget, the Government announced that it will achieve this by easing the administrative burden for pensioners so that they do not have to pay small amounts of tax via Simple Assessment from 2027/28. The Government will set out more details next year. The Pension Credit Standard Minimum Guarantee will also increase by 4.8% in April 2026, from £227.10 to £238 a week for single pensioners and from £346.60 to £363.25 for couples, protecting the poorest pensioners. Over three quarters of pensioners will benefit from the Winter Fuel Payment for the duration of this Parliament, targeting help at those on lower and middle incomes while ensuring fairness for taxpayers. Pensioners also benefit from free eye tests, NHS prescriptions and bus passes, and some may qualify for means tested benefits such as Housing Benefit and Cold Weather Payments.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance has been issued to local authorities to ensure they are aware of, and are actively reassessing, potential underpayment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction for pensioners affected by new income tax liabilities.

Billing authorities are responsible for assessing the income and circumstances of pensioners in receipt of a council tax reduction in accordance with the legislation and for ensuring that they are billed correctly. As with pension age council tax reduction, entitlement to Housing Benefit is calculated on the basis of the net income an individual receives from earnings, self-employment, occupational pensions and the actual value of DWP benefits which are received. The Government reviews and uprates benefits each year and updates the eligibility criteria for pension-age Local Council Tax Support to reflect this.