Written questions by Olney.

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.

With reference to Table 9.2 of her Department's report entitled Updated Appraisal Report: Airport Capacity in the South East, published in October 2017, whether it remains her Department's estimate that the net present value of a Heathrow northwest runway has a high of £3.3billion and a low of minus £2.2billion.

The latest published information on the net present value of a Heathrow Northwest runway is contained in the “Addendum to the Updated Appraisal Report” published June 2018 which updated the Department’s estimate to a net present value of £2.9bn to minus £2.5bn in 2014 prices[1]. Economic benefits as reported in the Updated Appraisal Report also fed into the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS). The Department has committed to reviewing and updating the ANPS, and has invited proposals for a third runway to be brought forward by the summer. Once proposals are received, the government will review the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) which provides the basis for decision making on granting development consent for a new runway at Heathrow. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/airport-expansion-updated-cost-and-benefits-appraisal.

What assessment she has made of the implications for her Department’s policies of the UK Climate Change Committee's report entitled the Sixth Carbon budget, published in December 2020.

As the UK’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, transport has an important role in the UK economy meeting the Sixth Carbon Budget. Transport emissions reduced by 10% between 2019 and 2023, but must fall faster to achieve our legal targets. The Government is committed to achieving this through turbocharging the rollout of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, overhauling public transport services to make sustainable choices more convenient for more users, making the UK a world-leader in the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels, and delivering our Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy. The Government will produce an updated delivery plan for meeting legislated carbon budgets later this year, with policy detail for all sectors provided up to the end of the Sixth Carbon Budget.

With reference to p.30 of The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025, what steps his Department is taking to support manufacturing industry before the British industrial competitiveness strategy is published in 2027.

This government recognises that high electricity costs are a key challenge for British businesses.Alongside commitments set out in the Industrial Strategy, our clean power mission is the key to long-term sustainable price reductions. Our Clean Power 2030 Plan published in December 2024 outlines how we will make Britain a clean energy superpower - clean homegrown energy that we control will protect households and businesses alike from the rollercoaster of global energy prices.We will set out further details on plans to decarbonise and electrify our manufacturing sector, in the forthcoming Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October.

With reference to p.30 of The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025, what his Department's timetable is for publishing its consultation on a new British industrial competitiveness scheme.

From 2027, the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by up to £40 per megawatt hour, which could benefit over 7,000 electricity-intensive businesses in manufacturing sectors, like automotive, and foundational manufacturing industries in the supply chains, like chemicals. Eligible businesses will be exempt from paying the costs of the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market. My department is working towards launching a consultation to determine eligibility which will open shortly. The scheme is subject to review in 2030.

With reference to p.30 of The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy, published on 23 June 2025, what steps he plans to take to support manufacturing businesses with high energy costs that are not part of the British industrial competitiveness scheme after it launches in 2027.

This government recognises that high electricity costs are a key challenge for British businesses.Alongside commitments set out in the Industrial Strategy, our clean power mission is the key to long-term sustainable price reductions. Our Clean Power 2030 Plan published in December 2024 outlines how we will make Britain a clean energy superpower - clean homegrown energy that we control will protect households and businesses alike from the rollercoaster of global energy prices.We will set out further details on plans to decarbonise and electrify our manufacturing sector, in the forthcoming Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan in October.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help ensure the provision of accessible housing for disabled Ukrainian refugees.

We provide a tariff of £5,900 per Ukrainian arrival to councils. Councils can use this funding flexibly to support households as best suits the local area, including using the funding for measures to support guests to access secure and appropriate accommodation in the private rental sector. All Ukrainian guests have access to public services, including benefits to support the costs of private rented housing. The Citizens Advice Bureau can advise on which benefits individuals may be eligible for and how to apply for those. Council housing teams can also offer advice to Ukrainians about the range of housing options available locally.

What steps she is taking to increase (a) translation and (b) levels of information support on the benefits system for disabled refugees.

Under the Equality Act 2010, DWP must make suitable provision to communicate with claimants where English is not their first language or who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. DWP provide Telephone Interpreting, Face-to-face interpreting, BSL interpreting service, Video Remote Services, and written translation to meet this requirement. The Language Service Provision is on-demand, and our supplier is suitably resourced to meet our various language demands against our Performance Expectations. We have a designated Language Services team that work closely with our supplier to ensure current service delivery is met and accounted for, and to ensure future demand is anticipated and planned for accordingly.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that Jobcentre Plus services meet the needs of disabled refugees.

DWP works with partners and services to meet the needs of disabled refugees. This includes working with Migrant Help, the Refugee Employment Network; Home Office refugee liaison officers; referring to alternative provisions including English language provision; and sign posting to the Home Office Refugee Employability Programme. The Department is committed to promoting a just, equal, and inclusive society, ensuring independence and control for all customers, including disabled individuals and those with complex needs. DWP provides a range of support to help refugees and those on Afghan and Ukraine Schemes to settle in the community and find work, including access to mainstream Jobcentre services which provide individually tailored benefit and work support. Jobcentres also work locally with partners and employers to support this group into work. Connect to Work, part of the Government’s Get Britain Working strategy, will provide support to disabled people, people with health conditions and those with complex barriers to employment, including refugees and those on resettlement schemes, to get into work. The Government is dedicated to championing the rights of disabled people and involving them in designing our reforms. All new Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisors receive training to support all claimants, with specialist support available from Disability Employment Advisers to tailor assistance for disabled customers. These advisers also offer direct support to those with long-term health conditions needing bespoke assistance In addition, the Department will launch a new coaching academy to enhance the skills of Work Coaches and provide further support to customers, including those with disabilities. This initiative will be evaluated and reviewed regularly to ensure training remains relevant and effective. Additional Work Coach Support provides disabled people and people with health conditions, with increased one-to-one personalised support from their work coach to help them move towards, and into work. Support is now available in all Jobcentres across England, Scotland and Wales. This personalised support from Work Coaches aims to enable disabled people to access employment, wider support including our employment programmes earlier.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of redundancy plans for civil servants working at grades (a) AA/AO, (b) EO, (c) HEO/SEO, (d) G6/G7 and (e) SCS in each Government department.

Each department will take a decision on its individual size and shape as per the financial settlements that have now been agreed with HMT in the Spending Review.

Innovation and Technology, how many households in the UK do not have access to broadband.

According to Ofcom, as of January 2025, 48,000 UK premises were unable to access decent broadband (defined as 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speed) from a fixed line or fixed wireless connection. Ofcom estimates that after rollout of publicly funded schemes, by May 2026 this number would be 41,000, falling to 19,000 by January 2028. In addition, even where broadband is available, many households choose not to sign up for a variety of financial, personal and social reasons.Through Project Gigabit, we are delivering future-proof, gigabit-capable connections to premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. According to independent website Thinkbroadband, over 88% of UK premises can now access a gigabit-capable connection.

Whether her Department has had discussions with Heathrow Airport on flights being held in a holding pattern over residents' houses between 5:30 and 6:00am.

NATS is responsible for providing air traffic services at Heathrow Airport. There are defined flight routes and procedures for aircraft landing at Heathrow but for operational and safety reasons aircraft may be held in a holding pattern prior to landing. These reasons can include the need to ensure safe separation between aircraft as well as weather conditions.

If she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of increasing the Trading Allowance to £3,000.

The Trading Allowance allows individuals to earn up to £1,000 a year in trading or miscellaneous income tax-free, and this has not changed. The Government is increasing the Income Tax Self-Assessment reporting threshold from £1,000 to £3,000 gross within this parliament. Individuals will still owe tax on anything above £1,000, but if below £3,000 they will be able to report their income through a new HMRC online service rather than Self-Assessment. This will reduce administrative burdens for up to 300,000 traders. The Government must ensure the tax system supports strong public finances whilst targeting support where it is most needed. As with all aspects of the tax system, the Government keeps the taxation of trading income under review. Any decisions on future changes will be taken by the Chancellor in the context of the wider public finances.

Innovation and Technology, when he plans to publish a consultation on the regulation of frontier AI systems.

Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction and support them on their AI capability needs. Through well-designed and implemented regulation, we can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI.

Whether he plans to provide additional funding for the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

The Government is neutral on the passing of this Bill and the principle of assisted dying. Should it be the will of Parliament for this legislation to pass, the Government would address the issue of funding at the appropriate time.In the meantime, I refer the hon. Member to the published impact assessment, which provides a range of potential cost estimates.

What discussions he has had with the (a) Financial Conduct Authority and (b) Prudential Regulation Authority on (i) monitoring and (ii) supporting equitable outcomes for ethnic minority businesses.

The government’s approach to support equitable outcomes for businesses led by ethnic minorities and other underserved groups is to work with the financial services sector, building on a shared commitment to fairness and equality and exchanging knowledge of good practice.Earlier this year the government published a Call for Evidence on small business access to finance, which included the experiences of ethnic minority-led businesses and other underserved groups, and will be publishing our response to this in the Autumn and the further steps we will take.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the increase in the bus fare cap on (a) small businesses and (b) workers in rural areas.

The government recognises the importance of affordable public transport in keeping people connected and ensuring they can access their local towns.On 1 January, the government introduced a £3 cap on single bus fares in England outside London until 31 December 2025. As part of the Spending Review, the government announced further funding to extend the £3 cap to March 2027. This will ensure millions of people, including those in rural areas, can continue to access affordable bus fares and better opportunities all over the country.If the government had not taken action, the bus fare cap would have ended and fares would have jumped back up to their previous levels on 1 January which could have meant fares soaring above £10 on the most expensive routes.The final monitoring and evaluation report into the impact of the £2 bus fare cap was published on 12 February. An evaluation of the £3 fare cap is due to be commissioned shortly.

Whether he has considered convening a cross-agency taskforce with the (a) Financial Conduct Authority, (b) Prudential Regulation Authority, (c) British Business Bank, (d) HM Treasury and (e) Lending Standards Board to develop a joined-up strategy to embed the ethnicity code across the financial system.

The government’s approach to support equitable outcomes for businesses led by ethnic minorities and other underserved groups is to work with the financial services sector, building on a shared commitment to fairness and equality and exchanging knowledge of good practice.Earlier this year the government published a Call for Evidence on small business access to finance, which included the experiences of ethnic minority-led businesses and other underserved groups, and will be publishing our response to this in the Autumn and the further steps we will take.

When he expects the UK will be ready to enter the carbon market linking the UK’s emissions trading scheme with that of the EU.

The UK and the EU have agreed to work towards linking the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) as announced at the Sumit on 19 May. To that end the UK and the EU have agreed the parameters for linking agreement, which will be subject to upcoming negotiations. The UK is now working closely with the EU to agree a timetable for negotiations.

If she will make it his policy to reconstitute Skills England as an independent body.

Skills England has been established as an executive agency of the Department for Education, a model of arm’s length body with a clearly defined status, established and governed in line with Cabinet Office guidance. As an executive agency, Skills England will be sufficiently independent so that it can focus on the delivery of its functions, at arm’s length from the department, while also ensuring sufficient proximity to inform decisions on skills policy and delivery quickly and efficiently. In carrying out its functions, Skills England will be scrutinised and supported by its independent chair and board.In line with good practice for new arm’s length bodies, the government has committed to review Skills England between 18 and 24 months after it is set up. This review will include an assessment of whether the executive agency model is enabling Skills England to deliver its objectives.