Written questions by Braverman.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of health and safety regulations on the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises to take on apprentices aged between 16 and 18.

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices. Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

What steps her Department is taking to issue guidance to employers on allowing apprentices aged under 18 to access industrial and commercial worksites.

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices. Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

What guidance the Health and Safety Executive has provided to employers on managing risk for apprentices aged 16 to 18; and whether the Health and Safety Executive plans to review this guidance.

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices. Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

Whether her Department is taking steps to (a) simplify and (b) clarify health and safety guidance for firms wishing to employ apprentices under the age of 18.

Under health and safety law, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practical, the health and safety of all employees, of any age. As part of this, there are certain considerations that should be made for young people, including apprentices. Regulation 19 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, deals specifically with employers' responsibilities to protect the health and safety of young people at work. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides extensive guidance on its website, to help employers support the important contribution that apprentices make to the world of work, whilst ensuring that risks to their health and safety are properly assessed and controlled. The guidance was last updated in 2022 under the previous administration.

What steps her Department taking to ensure that retail employers comply with health and safety regulations in relation to lone working.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for workplace health and safety in Great Britain. However, the primary responsibility for managing risk to health and safety lies with employers. An employer is the person or organisation that is legally responsible, under health and safety law, for managing and controlling risks created by their work activities. It is for the employer to determine the best way to manage those risks taking account of the circumstances of their business and work activity and to take appropriate action if employees report any health and safety concerns. Local authorities are responsible for the regulation of health and safety in most retail businesses. They can use criteria such as injury rates, trends, numbers and demographics of people at risk and implementation of effective control measures to inform their interventions, and ensure compliance with regulations. HSE does not collect this data centrally. There may be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or someone to help them if things go wrong, and an employer must identify the risks to lone workers and put control measures in place to protect them. HSE provide guidance on lone working: Lone working: Protect those working alone - HSE which includes advice on violence in the workplace. This guidance was updated in 2022 and remains fit for purpose. HSE has no plans to commission a review or discuss with retailers the safety of lone workers in stores.

Whether she has considered commissioning a review into the (a) prevalence and (b) potential risks of lone working in the retail sector.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for workplace health and safety in Great Britain. However, the primary responsibility for managing risk to health and safety lies with employers. An employer is the person or organisation that is legally responsible, under health and safety law, for managing and controlling risks created by their work activities. It is for the employer to determine the best way to manage those risks taking account of the circumstances of their business and work activity and to take appropriate action if employees report any health and safety concerns. Local authorities are responsible for the regulation of health and safety in most retail businesses. They can use criteria such as injury rates, trends, numbers and demographics of people at risk and implementation of effective control measures to inform their interventions, and ensure compliance with regulations. HSE does not collect this data centrally. There may be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or someone to help them if things go wrong, and an employer must identify the risks to lone workers and put control measures in place to protect them. HSE provide guidance on lone working: Lone working: Protect those working alone - HSE which includes advice on violence in the workplace. This guidance was updated in 2022 and remains fit for purpose. HSE has no plans to commission a review or discuss with retailers the safety of lone workers in stores.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of existing guidance issued to retailers on lone working.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for workplace health and safety in Great Britain. However, the primary responsibility for managing risk to health and safety lies with employers. An employer is the person or organisation that is legally responsible, under health and safety law, for managing and controlling risks created by their work activities. It is for the employer to determine the best way to manage those risks taking account of the circumstances of their business and work activity and to take appropriate action if employees report any health and safety concerns. Local authorities are responsible for the regulation of health and safety in most retail businesses. They can use criteria such as injury rates, trends, numbers and demographics of people at risk and implementation of effective control measures to inform their interventions, and ensure compliance with regulations. HSE does not collect this data centrally. There may be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or someone to help them if things go wrong, and an employer must identify the risks to lone workers and put control measures in place to protect them. HSE provide guidance on lone working: Lone working: Protect those working alone - HSE which includes advice on violence in the workplace. This guidance was updated in 2022 and remains fit for purpose. HSE has no plans to commission a review or discuss with retailers the safety of lone workers in stores.

Whether her Department is taking steps to support retail workers who report abuse while working alone.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for workplace health and safety in Great Britain. However, the primary responsibility for managing risk to health and safety lies with employers. An employer is the person or organisation that is legally responsible, under health and safety law, for managing and controlling risks created by their work activities. It is for the employer to determine the best way to manage those risks taking account of the circumstances of their business and work activity and to take appropriate action if employees report any health and safety concerns. Local authorities are responsible for the regulation of health and safety in most retail businesses. They can use criteria such as injury rates, trends, numbers and demographics of people at risk and implementation of effective control measures to inform their interventions, and ensure compliance with regulations. HSE does not collect this data centrally. There may be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or someone to help them if things go wrong, and an employer must identify the risks to lone workers and put control measures in place to protect them. HSE provide guidance on lone working: Lone working: Protect those working alone - HSE which includes advice on violence in the workplace. This guidance was updated in 2022 and remains fit for purpose. HSE has no plans to commission a review or discuss with retailers the safety of lone workers in stores.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has had discussions with the insurance industry on the potential feasibility of a per-policy contribution to fire service funding.

Fire and rescue services in England receive funding from several sources, including a central government grant, local council tax income (precept), and retained business rates allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This funding is distributed through the Local Government Finance Settlement.Any introduction of a statutory levy on home and vehicle insurance as a source of funding to fire and rescue services would require further consideration.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has considered introducing a statutory levy on (a) home and (b) vehicle insurance policies to provide direct funding to fire and rescue services.

Fire and rescue services in England receive funding from several sources, including a central government grant, local council tax income (precept), and retained business rates allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This funding is distributed through the Local Government Finance Settlement.Any introduction of a statutory levy on home and vehicle insurance as a source of funding to fire and rescue services would require further consideration.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of climate-related wildfires on fire service budgets; and what steps she is taking to ensure sustainable funding for fire (a) response and (b) prevention.

In 2024/25, the Government funded a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor to assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to wildfire risk and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector. Preparing for the future not only means tackling climate and nature emergencies but also adapting to the changes they will bring to our environment. A coordinated approach is essential to mitigate the impact on people, property, habitats, livestock, natural capital and wildlife, and to plan the most effective response to incidents. The Ministry maintains close working relationships with the National Fire Chiefs Council and England and Wales Wildfire Forum, and will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure fire and rescue services have the resources they need to protect communities.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an estimate of the potential annual revenue that could be generated by a £1 to £2 levy on all (a) home and (b) vehicle insurance policies for provision to fire and rescue services.

Fire and rescue services in England receive funding from several sources, including a central government grant, local council tax income (precept), and retained business rates allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This funding is distributed through the Local Government Finance Settlement.Any introduction of a statutory levy on home and vehicle insurance as a source of funding to fire and rescue services would require further consideration.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to consult (a) fire authorities, (b) local councils and (c) the insurance sector on potential alternative funding mechanisms for fire services.

This Government recognises that the current funding formula for fire and rescue services is considered outdated. As such, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is committed to reforming the way funding is allocated to local authorities and fire and rescue authorities. In the summer of 2025, the Ministry launched the Fair Funding Review 2.0, seeking views on the approach to determining new funding allocations for local authorities and fire and rescue authorities. The public consultation closed on 15 August 2025; and the response to which will be published in the autumn, followed by the publication of the provisional multi-year Settlement. The Ministry will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure fire and rescue services have the resources they need to protect communities.

If he will have discussions with the Co-operative Group on Project Lunar.

Project Lunar is an internal policy that the Co-op is introducing and is not a matter that DBT can comment on.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the policy lead for regulation of workplace health and safety in Great Britain. The primary responsibility for managing risk to health and safety lies with employers. An employer is the person or organisation that is legally responsible, under health and safety law, for managing and controlling risks created by their work activities. It is for the employer to determine the best way to manage those risks taking account of the circumstances of their business and work activity. There may be greater risks for lone workers without direct supervision or someone to help them if things go wrong, and an employer must identify the risks to lone workers and put control measures in place to protect them.HSE provide guidance on lone working: Lone working: Protect those working alone - HSE.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent increases in the National Living Wage on the financial sustainability of small businesses in (a) hospitality, (b) retail and (c) other sectors.

The Government considers the expert and independent advice of the Low Pay Commission (LPC) when setting the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. Each year, the Government’s remit to the LPC asks it to take into account the impact on businesses, including small businesses, as well as the wider economy. To inform its recommendations, the LPC undertakes extensive consultation, research and data analysis.The Government has published an Impact Assessment for the 2025 rates, which sets out the potential impacts on small businesses and the range of mitigations and policy measures in place to support them.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of relying on pre-booked taxi services from Portchester to nearby stations in order to access rail travel on disabled passengers.

This Government remains committed to improving railway accessibility and recognises the social and economic benefits it brings to communities. There are no immediate plans to improve step-free access at Porchester station. Train operators are required to provide assistance, free of charge, to enable disabled passengers to travel to and from every station in Great Britain that they have identified as accessible to them.

Whether Portchester train station will be considered for funding in the next round of the Access for All programme.

All funding available for the Access for All programme in the current Spending Review period has been allocated to projects. Nominations for future rounds of funding will benefit from strong industry support and a proportion of third party match funding.

What steps her Department is taking to improve disabled access at Portchester train station.

This Government remains committed to improving railway accessibility and recognises the social and economic benefits it brings to communities. There are no immediate plans to improve step-free access at Porchester station and all current funding under the government’s Access for All programme has been allocated to existing projects. Nominations for future funding rounds will be strengthened by strong industry support and third-party match funding. In the meantime, passengers unable to use the station can book assistance through South Western Railway.

Whether she plans to review the £85,000 VAT registration threshold.

At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether. Any change to the threshold would have potential impacts on small businesses, the economy as a whole, and tax revenues, which the Government would need to consider carefully. The Government keeps all taxes under review and any changes are announced at fiscal events.

What criteria she uses to assess bids under the Access for All scheme; and how stations can qualify for accessibility improvements.

As with all taxpayer funded programmes Access for All needs to demonstrate value for money. The criteria used to assess nominations include station footfall, weighted by incidence of disability in the area, industry priorities, and the availability of third-party funding.  We also consider local factors, for example proximity to hospitals or stations with especially high numbers of interchange passengers. We also ensure that selected stations represent a fair geographical spread of projects across the national network.