Written questions by Antoniazzi.

Whether he has considered implementing new terms of reference for the Hospitality Sector Council to include a) ensuring early-stage discussion with Government departments and b) fully integrating the growth strategy, tourism strategy, high street strategy and small business strategy.

The Government recognises the hospitality sector’s vital contribution to growth, tourism, high streets and small businesses. To support this, the Hospitality Sector Council (HSC) was established to co-create solutions and deliver the Hospitality Strategy. The Council works closely with other Government departments, including DCMS, and industry representatives to ensure the sector’s needs are well represented and to maintain a coherent vision for driving growth across multiple strategies. Its Terms of Reference already enable early engagement on strategic issues and alignment with wider Government priorities While the sector is integral to growth, high streets and small businesses – these all depend of course on more than just the hospitality sector. However, I would like to assure you that during the development of these strategies the sector’s needs and concerns were fully represented.

What assessment he has made of the safety of talc used in medical products.

The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.Additives in medicines, termed excipients, are required to comply with the standards laid down in pharmacopeial monographs and can only be included in medicinal products at levels that are considered to be safe.The MHRA is aware of general concerns in relation to the presence of asbestos in talcum powder, however, pharmaceutical grade talc has strict controls on the presence of asbestos. The British Pharmacopeia monograph for Purified Talc states that “Talc derived from deposits that are known to contain associated asbestos is not suitable for pharmaceutical use”. Furthermore, testing is required to confirm the absence of asbestos.

What assessment he has made of the safety of talc in medicines.

The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the Government agency responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work and are acceptably safe.Additives in medicines, termed excipients, are required to comply with the standards laid down in pharmacopeial monographs and can only be included in medicinal products at levels that are considered to be safe.The MHRA is aware of general concerns in relation to the presence of asbestos in talcum powder, however, pharmaceutical grade talc has strict controls on the presence of asbestos. The British Pharmacopeia monograph for Purified Talc states that “Talc derived from deposits that are known to contain associated asbestos is not suitable for pharmaceutical use”. Furthermore, testing is required to confirm the absence of asbestos.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of an increase in fuel duty on the competitiveness of (a) haulage and (b) coach operators based in Wales.

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government announced continued support for people and businesses by extending the temporary 5p fuel duty cut and cancelling the planned increase in line with inflation for 2025/26. The temporary 5p cut is scheduled to expire in March 2026. The Government considers the impact of fuel duty on households and businesses across the country, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.

What discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on enabling (a) hauliers and (b) coach operators in Wales to access the National Wealth Fund for investment in zero-emission vehicles and refuelling infrastructure.

The National Wealth Fund is committed to ensuring the benefits of its investments are felt in all four nations of the UK. It is actively engaging with stakeholders in Wales, including with the Welsh Government and Wales Office, to identify opportunities for investment. As set out in the Chancellor’s Statement of Strategic Priorities to the National Wealth Fund in March 2025, clean energy and transport are priority sectors, this includes supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles and associated refuelling infrastructure. The National Wealth Fund will continue to explore investible propositions that satisfy its investment principles.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Taliban's decision to shut down the internet in at least 11 provinces in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's decision to shut down internet services from 29 September to 1 October was deeply concerning. It risked crippling Afghanistan's economy, causing significant issues with the delivery of vital UK aid, and cutting off vulnerable communities. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) officials continue to assess the impact that any future connectivity restrictions in-country would have on UK interests, including on our resettlement and relocations work and our ability to deliver life-saving aid.The UK Government is committed to using its prominent position in multilateral forums to hold the Taliban to account for their repressive policies. Last month, the UK hosted a meeting of G7+ Special Representatives for Afghanistan: this provided an important opportunity for the UK to discuss vital issues of shared concern with key partners and highlight publicly our deep concern about the Taliban's continued denial of the Afghan people's most basic human rights.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of taxation on the hospitality sector.

Businesses in our retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are foundational to our economy and our high streets, and we are supporting them to succeed.From 2026-27, we will introduce a permanently lower business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with rateable values under £500,000.We have increased the Employment Allowance to £10,500, pledged to cut business admin costs by 25% during this parliament, and introduced tougher retail crime measures, including a new offence for assaulting retail workers and ending immunity for shop theft under £200.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers of 16 April 2025 on Northern Ireland.

Equal opportunities and anti-discrimination law remain devolved matters in Northern Ireland, and the Equality Act 2010 does not apply in Northern Ireland (save in some very limited areas).We expect those affected by the Supreme Court judgment in the ‘For Women Scotland’ case to comply with this ruling, together with any other relevant legislation and guidance. As they always have, courts across the UK should continue to give full and proper regard to the jurisprudence from higher courts.As equalities is transferred, whether the Executive chooses to implement policies or legislation to respond to the judgment remains a matter for the Executive.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the Lawn Tennis Association on the provision of funding for (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed at least £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the nation following the Spending Review. We will now work closely with sporting bodies - including the Lawn Tennis Association - and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans. The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England provides long term investment to the LTA, which receives up to £10.2 million for 5 years from 2022 to invest in tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit as many people as possible.

What steps he plans to take to help tackle chronic oil pollution in UK seas.

The UK has a comprehensive environmental regulatory regime for the offshore oil and gas sector which is administered by the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED). The regime ensures that provisions are in place to minimise and, if required, respond to oil pollution. Non-compliance with regulations and permits is investigated by OPRED and if required enforcement action can be taken. OPRED continues to work with industry to improve their performance and further reduce the potential for oil pollution.

Whether she plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of new (a) policy and (b) legislation on (i) Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland and (ii) Great Britain-Northern Ireland trade and cooperation.

The development of all UK Government policy and legislation will always consider possible impacts, including where required the completion of an impact assessment. As set out in the Safeguarding the Union command paper, public authorities must also include an explicit Internal Market Assessment as part of any Regulatory Impact Assessments that they are carrying out, to consider whether measures would have an adverse impact on the UK’s internal market, including in respect of Northern Ireland.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to Tofersen through the Early Access Programme for people with SOD1 motor neurone disease.

Companies may put in place Early Access Programmes (EAPs) to allow for early access to new medicines that do not yet have a marketing authorisation. Participation in EAPs is decided at an individual National Health Service trust level, and under these programmes the cost of the drug is free, both to patients taking part in it and to the NHS, although NHS trusts must still cover administration costs and provide clinical resources to deliver the EAP.NHS England does not undertake any initiatives to encourage participation in EAPs, which are the responsibility of individual pharmaceutical companies and subject to decision-making by individual NHS trusts.There are no common clinical, data, or regulatory standards for company-sponsored EAPs, meaning each one demands a new protocol to be devised and delivered by each participating trust. Doing so can create significant pressures on clinical and financial resources. Companies providing a sponsored EAP also reserve the right to limit or to close the registration of new patients at any time, meaning that any financial and clinical investment made by trusts to establish an EAP is done at their own risk, in advance of decisions by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge (FoC) medicine schemes, including EAPs, providing advice on potential financial, resourcing, and clinical risks. ICSs should use the guidance to help determine whether to implement any FoC scheme, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/

When he most recently met with (a) Airbus and (b) other relevant stakeholders to discuss the future of Spirit AeroSystems; and what was discussed at each meeting.

I discussed the future of Spirit Aerosystems in meetings with Airbus on 25 November 2024 and 23 April 2025, the trade unions on 29 January 2025, and the Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald MLA, on 3 March 2025. My officials are continuing to collaborate with the Department for Business and Trade to monitor the latest developments and provide updates. The Government has worked with the Northern Ireland Executive to secure the future for Spirit Aerosystems’s operation in Belfast, its workforce, and the wider aerospace sector. The Department for Business and Trade has continued to be in contact with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing, and other potential buyers to ensure the best outcome whereby the new owners commit to invest and grow the businesses, thereby sustaining jobs and safeguarding the aerospace sector in Northern Ireland. On 28 April 2025, Airbus publicly announced that it had signed a definitive agreement with Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems to acquire specific Spirit operations directly related to Airbus programmes in the UK. In Belfast, Airbus will take ownership of the A220 wing manufacturing and assembly facility. The A220 mid-fuselage work package will also transfer to Airbus if a buyer for the remainder of the Belfast site is not found prior to closing of the deal later this year.

What assessment he has made with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the potential impact of extended producer responsibility levies on business (a) competitiveness and (b) operating costs.

The Government has listened to feedback from small businesses and introduced support measures to help compliance with EPR, including: exemptions from fee obligations for producers with annual turnover below £2 million and packaging tonnage below 50 tonnes; exemptions from reporting for businesses with turnover below £1 million and packaging tonnage below 25 tonnes; and flexibility for those with obligations to pay in quarterly instalments.Both Secretaries of State will shortly be meeting representatives from across the impacted sectors, from Small and Medium Enterprises to larger companies alike, to discuss the economic impact of EPR in more detail.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the extended producer responsibility scheme on local economic growth.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) and the packaging reforms more broadly.These reforms, pEPR, Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme, will deliver positive environmental and economic benefits, creating 21,000 new jobs in our nations and regions, and stimulating more than £ 10 billion investment in recycling capability over the next decade.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the classification by the Office for Budget Responsibility of the extended producer responsibility scheme as a tax on production.

Whilst pEPR was announced a few years ago, Defra has now built a modelling framework to calculate local authority costs and producer fees that was used for the first time by the OBR to include pEPR in their forecast. Pending a decision by the ONS, the OBR have recorded pEPR disposal fees as a tax in their forecast on the advice of Treasury classification experts, whose indicative views is that the ONS will likely classify the income stream as a tax when they formally classify the scheme. This technical classification does not affect the distribution of revenue to local authorities. Revenue from pEPR will be distributed directly by PackUK, the scheme administrator, to local authorities. It will not be diverted to the Treasury or central government finances.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, if he will have discussions with the Scottish Government on the potential implications for their policies of the recommendations of the Sullivan Review.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.Officials and Ministers engage frequently with Scottish Government counterparts on a range of issues that matter to the people of Scotland.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review.

The Government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous Government.We will consider the findings of the review alongside our existing data collections and publications, many of which already contain detailed demographic dimensions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2025 to Question 40390 on Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent Review, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Sullivan Review.

The Government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous Government.We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.The Home Office recognises the contribution of this review to the important issues of accurate and consistent recording of data on sex and gender in statistics and research. We are considering the recommendations and the implications for policing and across the Criminal Justice System.