Written questions by Olney.

What economic analysis she has carried out on construction of a third runway at Heathrow.

My department has recently commenced the ANPS review. As there have been significant changes since the ANPS was designated in 2018 the review is being undertaken to reflect changes in legislation, policy and data and to ensure any proposed scheme meets the Government’s four tests. One of these tests is that it contributes to economic growth across the country, as such economic analysis will form part of the ANPS review.The currently published economic analysis undertaken as part of the designation of the ANPS in 2018 can be found in the Updated Appraisal Report https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/airport-expansion-updated-cost-and-benefits-appraisal.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of ending the use of (a) cages for hens and (b) farrowing crates for pigs.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 April 2025 to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole, PQ UIN 47556

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the UK's franchising framework.

The self-regulation of franchising through the British Franchise Association has generally served the UK well, with the franchise sector contributing significantly to our economy.However, the government is not complacent and is concerned to maintain fairness in business relationships and will continue to monitor developments in this area. Government is dedicated to implementing an ambitious regulatory reform agenda. In March we published our Action Plan for Regulation outlining changes to streamline rules and regulations to support growth. Our modern Industrial Strategy also includes an ambitious package of regulatory reforms that will support our growth-driving sectors and the wider economy.

How many stage (a) one, and (b) two, complaints were submitted to HM Courts and Tribunals Service in (i) 2024 and (ii) 2025.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service holds the following data on how many stage (a) one and (b) two complaints were submitted in 2024 and 2025. For context, the annual HMCTS report published for the period 2024/5 reports states HMCTS received over 4.2 million cases.YearStage One (First Contact)Stage Two (Review)202433,5524,3732025*26,4113,974*Data for 2025 is for the period 1 January – 30 September inclusive

With reference to the Competition and Markets Authority's press release entitled CMA confirms Apple and Google have strategic market status in mobile platforms, published on 22 October 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure that third-party providers are able to access (a) contactless payment and (b) digital wallet services.

The Government has ensured that the Competition and Markets Authority has bespoke powers to impose remedies and increase competition in digital markets. As the UK’s independent competition authority, the CMA is responsible for operating the digital markets regime, including deciding which remedies to impose.

What recent discussions he has had with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence on approval of Skyclarys; and if he will consider the urgent provision of Skyclarys for patients on an interim basis.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) initiated the appraisal of Skyclarys (omaveloxolone) for the treatment of Friedrich’s Ataxia for people aged 16 years old and over in anticipation of a licence bring granted by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA is the independent agency responsible for licensing medicines for use in the United Kingdom based on an assessment of their safety, quality, and efficacy.Although now licensed, following an update from the company, Biogen, NICE has had to terminate its appraisal of this medicine as the company has withdrawn its evidence submission. NICE will review its decision if the company decides to make a new submission. Further information can be found at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/TA1061To avoid the possibility of creating a way to circumvent the appraisal process, NHS England is unable to fund medicines where companies have not engaged with NICE.

Whether he plans to amend the presumption of parental involvement when a parent has been convicted of abuse or violent crimes.

The Government has announced that it will repeal the presumption of parental involvement from the Children Act 1989 when Parliamentary time allows.We are committed to ensuring that the child’s welfare remains at the heart of the courts’ decision-making, and that each case considers the individual child and their family circumstances. Courts will continue to make decisions in line with the remaining provisions in the Children Act, the Human Rights Act 1998, ECHR considerations, and caselaw, with the child’s welfare remaining the paramount consideration.The measure to repeal the presumption forms a key part of broader family court reforms, which include the expansion of the Pathfinder courts. These reforms aim to ensure that any decisions centre the child’s welfare and are based on a robust assessment of potential risks.Alongside this announcement, we have published the Review of the Presumption of Parental Involvement and the accompanying reports from the three commissioned research projects.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question 67936 on Manufacturing Industries: Electricity, when he will publish his Department's consultation on a new British industrial competitiveness scheme.

The Department for Business and Trade will launch a consultation on the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme before the end of this year.

Whether the next Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce Meeting will occur before 2026.

The Government intends to convene a further meeting of the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce in the near future. Officials will be in touch to arrange the specifics of this in due course.

What discussions her Department had with the Mayor of London on the planned closure of front counters in police stations in London.

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, is a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents).They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience.

Whether he plans to publish a response to the report by the National Audit Office entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, published on 16 June 2025, HC 951.

The government does not plan to publish a formal, separate response to the National Audit Office (NAO) report, Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, HC 951, published on 16 June 2025. The government has acknowledged and accepted the findings of the report. The report is also being reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee who will provide their recommendations in due course. It should be noted that the government has taken significant steps to improve both the oversight and enforcement of performance standards in the Civil Service Pension Scheme administration, primarily through the new contract with Capita and enhanced internal controls. Capita has been contracted to assume full administrative responsibilities from 1 December 2025.

When the Hammersmith Bridge Taskforce next plans to meet.

I intend to convene a further meeting of the Taskforce in the near future to discuss next steps. My officials will be in touch to arrange the specifics of this in due course.

Communities and Local Government, in what way compliance with accessibility regulations for new build homes is monitored.

In the initial stages, a building control application is required for new build homes. This is reviewed by building control bodies to ensure compliance with building regulations, including Part M – Access to and use of buildings.During the build process, progress on site may be checked and monitored, using a number of methods, including on site visits, where the inspector may ask the builders on site to open up parts of the build in order to check compliance, and give advice if needed.At the end of the build process, if a building complies with relevant regulations, a completion certificate will be issued.

Whether he plans to conduct a review of blood donation rules for people over the age of 70.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is responsible for blood donation in England, and blood donor selection guidelines are prepared by the Joint United Kingdom Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC), with further information available at the following link:https://www.transfusionguidelines.org/JPAC is due to conduct a review of the upper age limit for new and returning donors in 2026, following analysis of adverse events over the preceding 12 months since NHSBT, and other UK blood services, adopted its updated guidelines for returning donors in 2024. A copy of the guidelines is attached.The current maximum age of first-time donors was extended from 60 to 65 years old in line with Blood Safety and Quality Regulations 2005 limits on the safe age range for new donors, with further information available at the following link:https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/50/contentsThere is no age limit for regular donors, who may continue to give blood over the age of 72 years old if they remain in good health and have made at least one full donation in the last two years.Returning donors, those who have given blood anywhere in the world without an adverse reaction, can return to donating up to, and on, their 72nd birthday, and then can continue to donate as long as they remain healthy

When she expects the Legal Aid Agency's digital services covering civil legal aid will return online; and what recent discussions she has had with the Legal Aid Agency on this matter.

We expect that the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) digital platform and services will begin to be restored from early September onwards and this will be a phased return. The LAA has written to representative bodies and providers to update them that the old Portal will be replaced by a new, secure single sign-in tool for LAA online services (SiLAS). This represents a recovery and transformation model which has been subject to testing by a small pilot group throughout August. This is subject to testing, security and legal criteria being met.The expected phased restoration is as follows:In mid-September, Crime systems (Crime Apply, and Submit a Crime Form) will be available for access.From mid to late September, Civil systems (Civil Apply, and the Client and Cost Management System (CCMS)) will be available for access.Services relating to functionality previously provided by the Controlled Work Administration (CWA) system are expected to return from October.The LAA continues to engage with representative bodies to help shape the steps to service restoration in a way which supports legal aid providers most effectively. Regular updates are being provided to providers. The LAA continues to publish information and updates about SiLAS on its FAQ page: Legal Aid Agency cyber security incident: frequently asked questions - GOV.UK.

Communities and Local Government, what are the delivery rates of M4(2) accessible and adaptable homes.

The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to mandate higher accessibility standards for new build homes.

Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities. Everyone deserves to live in a decent home that is suitable for them and meets their needs. The revised National Planning Policy Framework, published on 12 December 2024, requires local planning authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those of older and disabled people, and to reflect this in planning policies. Where an identified need exists, plans are expected to help bring forward an adequate supply of accessible housing. The Government will shortly set out its policies on accessible new build housing, reinforcing our commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, suitable home.

What recent progress she has made in drafting the Equality and Human Rights Commission's draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations; and what discussions she has had with relevant organisations on this.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the six week consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities. The EHRC has sought views from a wide range of affected stakeholders on their proposed changes to the Code. The Government was clear that there should be sufficient time for the consultation to be conducted widely and broadly, listening to diverse voices. The Government will consider the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the minister will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the Code, at which point it will be published.

What information her Department holds on the proportion of businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector that will (a) not qualify for retail, hospitality and leisure relief and (b) pay a higher multiplier due to business properties with rateable values above £500,000.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government published a Discussion Paper setting out priority areas for business rates reform and invited industry to co-design a fairer business rates system. In summer, the Government will publish an interim report that sets out a clear direction of travel for the business rates system, with further policy detail to follow at Budget 2025. To deliver our manifesto pledge, from April 2026, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that RHL businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we also intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties from April 2026 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. This represents less than one per cent of all properties. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) have published data on properties with RVs above £500,000 based on the previous valuation, broken down by sector online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-domestic-rating-property-counts-and-rateable-value-rv-for-properties-in-england-with-rv-over-500000. The VOA also routinely publish data on the whole commercial property stock by sector online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rating-stock-of-properties-2024. Every three years, all commercial properties are revalued by the VOA. The 2026 revaluation, which will take effect from April 2026, will update RVs and may, therefore, affect which businesses are within scope of the new higher rate. The revaluation process is ongoing. The VOA are required to publish a draft of all properties’ new RVs this year.The rates for the new business rate multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the upcoming revaluation outcomes as well as the economic and fiscal context. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the expected effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

What her planned timeline is for the publication of the interim report on business rates.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government published a Discussion Paper setting out priority areas for business rates reform and invited industry to co-design a fairer business rates system. In summer, the Government will publish an interim report that sets out a clear direction of travel for the business rates system, with further policy detail to follow at Budget 2025. To deliver our manifesto pledge, from April 2026, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that RHL businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we also intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties from April 2026 - those with RVs of £500,000 and above. This represents less than one per cent of all properties. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) have published data on properties with RVs above £500,000 based on the previous valuation, broken down by sector online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/non-domestic-rating-property-counts-and-rateable-value-rv-for-properties-in-england-with-rv-over-500000. The VOA also routinely publish data on the whole commercial property stock by sector online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rating-stock-of-properties-2024. Every three years, all commercial properties are revalued by the VOA. The 2026 revaluation, which will take effect from April 2026, will update RVs and may, therefore, affect which businesses are within scope of the new higher rate. The revaluation process is ongoing. The VOA are required to publish a draft of all properties’ new RVs this year.The rates for the new business rate multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the upcoming revaluation outcomes as well as the economic and fiscal context. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the expected effects of the new multiplier arrangements.