Written questions by Race.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Table 10 of the technical annex entitled The combined environmental land management offer, published on 19 March 2024, whether graziers grazing (a) cattle, (b) ponies and (c) native breeds at risk on moorland with a grazing density higher than that of designated low grazing areas due to (i) their geomorphology, (ii) climate and (iii) historic management practices are eligible for payments for actions for moorland and upland peat through the Environmental Land Management scheme.

The publication cited has been superseded by the following: Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme: expanded offer for 2024 - GOV.UKCountryside Stewardship Higher Tier: get ready to apply - GOV.UK The moorland offer is designed to help deliver our environmental objectives on moorland whilst supporting sustainable food production. Fundamental to sustainable grazing levels on moorland is the level of grazing pressure on that habitat over time. If this is right, then the grazing by preferential livestock (cattle and ponies) gives additional environmental outcomes. The cattle and pony grazing supplemental actions in the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and in Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier are designed to support this and provide tiered payments which reward their level of delivery. They are only eligible with the livestock grazing on moorland actions (UPL1-3) to ensure the benefits of grazing with preferential livestock are not lost. These actions specify a grazing livestock density that cannot be exceeded. Supplemental actions supporting native breeds as risk on moorland aim to maintain or increase the number of rare native breed grazing livestock. These supplemental actions are only eligible with a base action. In SFI, applicants can choose to undertake a base action which does not limit grazing levels, for example Shepherding livestock on moorland actions (UPL7-UPL10).

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025 to Question 43103 on Livestock: Moorland, what sources of (a) qualitative and (b) quantitative data his Department considered when setting the tiers of grazing densities in the Low Grazing Moorland options of the Environmental Land Management schemes.

All prospective Environmental Land Management scheme offers have been assessed for their potential impact against a range of environmental and cultural services, including carbon sequestration and biodiversity indicators. These have included qualitative assessments, drawing upon expert opinion and evidence reviews, as well as quantitative assessments, drawing upon published datasets.

What proportion of GP surgeries have signposted patients to the Pharmacy First scheme.

Every month approximately 75% of general practices refer at least one patient to a pharmacy under Pharmacy First.

Food and Rural Affairs, what evidential basis was used to underpin his Department's policy on Moorland grazing densities (grazing livestock units per hectare).

The Environmental Land Management scheme actions were designed and appraised using a variety of qualitative and quantitative data. Geomorphology, climate and historic management practices all combine to make each moorland unique. The offer therefore includes a range of actions that can be selected based on the needs of each moorland. This includes an annual moorland assessment to assess the habitats on each moorland and their condition to inform the choice of grazing actions.

Food and Rural Affairs, what consultation took place before setting the grazing densities (Livestock Grazing Unit Per Hectare) for all tiers of the Moorland Low Grazing Actions in Environmental Land Management schemes.

The actions were developed in consultation with stakeholder organisations from the agricultural and environmental sectors and through workshops with groups of farmers as well as with Arm’s Length Bodies (Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Historic England and the Rural Payments Agency).

Food and Rural Affairs, what data analysis took place before Environmental Land Management scheme Low Grazing densities were published, to measure the difference or similarity in biodiversity enhancement achieved when an identical grazing density (grazing livestock unit per hectare) is applied to Moorland areas in different geographical and climatic regions of England.

The Environmental Land Management scheme actions were designed and appraised using a variety of qualitative and quantitative data. Geomorphology, climate and historic management practices all combine to make each moorland unique. The offer therefore includes a range of actions that can be selected based on the needs of each moorland. This includes an annual moorland assessment to assess the habitats on each moorland and their condition to inform the choice of grazing actions.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the efficacy of the grazing densities (Livestock Grazing Unit Per Hectare) on the enhancement of Moorland biodiversity was discussed with Natural England's expert Science Advisory Committees before publication.

The actions were developed in liaison with specialists from Arms Lengths Bodies (Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, Historic England and the Rural Payments Agency) and were assured by Arm’s Lengths Bodies to ensure they are effective in contributing to environmental targets and offer value for money.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to add specific protections for young people to the Homelessness Code of Guidance.

Our Homelessness Code of Guidance provides a summary of the homelessness legislation duties, powers and obligations on housing authorities and others towards people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, including young people. We keep the Homelessness Code of Guidance under review and update it regularly following changes to legislation and feedback from our Homelessness Advice and Support Team of advisors who meet frequently with local authorities.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that the transport system supports economic growth.

Growth is the priority Mission of this government. Transport provides the connectivity needed to achieve it. We are improving connectivity through infrastructure programmes such as HS2, East West Rail, and the Transpennine Route Upgrade. We are empowering leaders, improving bus services, and better integrating networks to improve access to opportunities.

What steps her Department is taking to expand AI apprenticeships.

The government is committed to ensuring both learners and employers have access to crucial digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills that have the potential to increase productivity and create new high value jobs in the UK economy. To achieve this, the government is reforming the skills system.The government has established Skills England to form a coherent national picture of skills gaps and to help shape the technical education system so that it is responsive to skills needs.In addition, the government’s new Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors. Digital and Technologies has been identified as one of the eight growth-driving sectors and the department is considering how it supports this sector to develop the skills needed now and in the future.The government is also reforming the apprenticeships levy into a growth and skills levy which will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers. As a key first step toward greater flexibility, we are introducing new foundation apprenticeships for young people, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships in targeted sectors. The minimum duration of an apprenticeship will be reduced to eight months, down from the current minimum of 12 months from August 2025. Three trailblazers in the key priority sectors of green energy, healthcare and film/TV production will be among the first to pioneer, and benefit from, the flexibilities that the new shorter duration apprenticeships offer. These will support more people to gain high quality skills at work, fuelling innovation in businesses across the country.Apprenticeships are a great way for individuals to begin, or progress in, a successful career in the digital sector. Employers have developed more than 30 digital apprenticeships, including Level 3 Digital Support Technician and Level 5 Data Engineer.The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s Digital Skills and Characteristics Framework also supports the inclusion of appropriate digital content such as AI and data driven technologies in new and revised occupational standards at all levels, ensuring that occupational standards keep pace with technological advancements and market trends.

What recent discussions she has had with Skills England on the use of the growth and skills levy to support people to reskill in the technical and digital fields.

The government is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills to break down barriers to opportunity and support employers to develop the skilled workforces they need to help drive economic growth.Skills England has been established to form a coherent national picture of skills gaps and to help shape the technical education system so that it is responsive to skills needs. It will work closely with the Industrial Strategy Council and the Migration Advisory Committee to achieve this.The government’s new Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors. Digital and Technologies has been identified as one of the eight growth-driving sectors and the department is considering how it supports this sector to develop the skills needed now and in the future.Additionally, the government is reforming the apprenticeship levy into a new growth and skills levy that will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers in England, aligned with the Industrial Strategy. As a first step, this will include shorter duration and foundation apprenticeships in targeted sectors, helping more people learn new high quality skills at work, fuelling innovation in businesses across the country and providing high quality entry pathways for young people.Skills England was asked to engage with employers and other key partners regarding early priorities for the new growth and skills offer over the autumn. It has spoken to over 700 stakeholders, including representatives in the digital and technology sector, and has shared its findings with the department. Skills England will publish its findings from this engagement process in early 2025.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on improving multi-agency teams to improve (a) early intervention and (b) support for young people.

Effective joint working, at both a cross-Government and local agency level, is critical to ensuring that effective early intervention and support for young people is delivered.These values are at the heart of the Young Futures Programme, which is bringing departments together from across Government (including the Department for Education, Department for Health and Social Care, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office), to establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships.The Young Futures Programme will bring local partners together across England and Wales to intervene earlier, ensuring vulnerable children and young people are identified and offered support in a more systematic way, as well as creating opportunities for young people in their communities, through the provision of open access to mental health and careers support.Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will look to build on the excellent multi-agency working delivered through Violence Reduction Units and the Serious Violence Duty, and using the strong networks that have been created to improve how we identify, reach, and support young people at risk of being drawn into crime.

What steps her Department is taking through Young Futures Hubs to help tackle violence against women and girls.

The government has set an ambitious target to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. To achieve this, we plan to reduce the current levels of offending and reoffending and prevent abuse from happening altogether.This focus on prevention also sits at the heart of the Young Futures programme, which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures prevention partnerships.Young Futures Hubs will be set up across the country, bringing together services to improve access to opportunities and support for young people at community level, promoting positive outcomes and enabling young people to thrive.Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will bring local partners together to intervene earlier to ensure that vulnerable children at-risk of being drawn into a variety of crime types (including anti-social behaviour, knife crime and violence against women and girls) are identified and offered support in a more systematic way.Officials from across government, including my department, the Home Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Department for Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice are working together using their various bodies of evidence of what works to shape Young Futures Hubs.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that company directors consider the interests of (a) workers and (b) the environment.

Under section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006, company directors are required to have regard to the interests of the company’s employees and the impact of the company’s operations on the environment. Since 2019, directors of large companies have been required to report annually on how they have met this duty. The Government will consult this year on requirements for economically significant companies to report on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities via UK Sustainability Reporting Standards, and on how best to take forward the Government’s manifesto commitment on climate transition plan requirements.

What support his Department is offering to businesses to alter articles of association to align the interests of (a) people, (b) the planet and (c) profit.

Under section 21 of the Companies Act 2006, a company may alter its articles of association by special resolution (requiring 75% approval of its shareholders), and under section 172(2) of the Act, a company may set out a distinctive purpose that its directors must lawfully follow. Many businesses already use these provisions to set out how their directors should consider the interests of shareholders, employees and the environment.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio on the economy.

The Government has provided innovation funding through the £1.3 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) and Advanced Nuclear Fund (ANF) to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative, low-carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings and industry. The NZIP and ANF have supported over 600 projects, which has in turn supported 5,500 jobs and leveraged a further £750 million of private sector match funding in the UK. The portfolio funds a range of programmes from small scale grants with SMEs to large-scale programmes, such as the Low-Cost Nuclear Programme with Rolls Royce SMR Ltd. To date, £1.1 billion has been allocated from the portfolio with around half allocated to small businesses in the UK. A final Progress Report on the performance of the NZIP is expected to be published later this year.

How much and what proportion of Net Zero Innovation Portfolio funding has been allocated to small businesses.

The Government has provided innovation funding through the £1.3 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) and Advanced Nuclear Fund (ANF) to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative, low-carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings and industry. The NZIP and ANF have supported over 600 projects, which has in turn supported 5,500 jobs and leveraged a further £750 million of private sector match funding in the UK. The portfolio funds a range of programmes from small scale grants with SMEs to large-scale programmes, such as the Low-Cost Nuclear Programme with Rolls Royce SMR Ltd. To date, £1.1 billion has been allocated from the portfolio with around half allocated to small businesses in the UK. A final Progress Report on the performance of the NZIP is expected to be published later this year.

What the spend per grant recipient is from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

The Government has provided innovation funding through the £1.3 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) and Advanced Nuclear Fund (ANF) to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative, low-carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings and industry. The NZIP and ANF have supported over 600 projects, which has in turn supported 5,500 jobs and leveraged a further £750 million of private sector match funding in the UK. The portfolio funds a range of programmes from small scale grants with SMEs to large-scale programmes, such as the Low-Cost Nuclear Programme with Rolls Royce SMR Ltd. To date, £1.1 billion has been allocated from the portfolio with around half allocated to small businesses in the UK. A final Progress Report on the performance of the NZIP is expected to be published later this year.

How much money has been allocated from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.

The Government has provided innovation funding through the £1.3 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP) and Advanced Nuclear Fund (ANF) to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative, low-carbon technologies, systems and business models in power, buildings and industry. The NZIP and ANF have supported over 600 projects, which has in turn supported 5,500 jobs and leveraged a further £750 million of private sector match funding in the UK. The portfolio funds a range of programmes from small scale grants with SMEs to large-scale programmes, such as the Low-Cost Nuclear Programme with Rolls Royce SMR Ltd. To date, £1.1 billion has been allocated from the portfolio with around half allocated to small businesses in the UK. A final Progress Report on the performance of the NZIP is expected to be published later this year.

What plans she has for funding the (a) Revenge Porn Helpline and (b) StopNCII.org website in the next five years.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG), including so-called ‘revenge porn’ can have devastating consequences on victims. We have set out an unprecedented mission to halve VAWG in a decade, and we have committed to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes, ensuring that those who create these images without consent face appropriate punishment.Following the spending review announcements in October, the Home Office is now deciding how the total funding settlement is allocated across the organisation, to deliver the Government’s priorities.