Written questions by Atkins.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many of the 88 recommendations proposed in the independent report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, published in July 2025, are included in her Department's policy paper entitled A new vision for water: white paper, published on 20 January 2026.

Defra thoroughly reviewed the Independent Water Commission’s final report in its entirety, and the White Paper sets out our overall response to the Commission’s recommendations. This Government’s priority is to deliver the best possible outcomes for customers, the environment and investors through this once-in-a-generation reform of the water sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, on which dates the Water Delivery Taskforce has met.

Defra has established a Water Delivery Taskforce to ensure that water companies deliver on their planned investments to provide water and wastewater capacity. It ensures that water availability and wastewater capacity are not a constraint on growth. The Water Delivery Taskforce first met in April 2025 and has convened on a six-weekly cycle since, including meetings in June, July, September, November, and December 2025. Its next meeting is scheduled for February 2026.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has assessed the potential impact of the Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 on the number of wildfires, including their incidence, scale, and severity.

Burning is damaging to peatlands and can increase their long-term vulnerability to wildfires, while wetter, healthy-functioning peatlands are more resilient to the impacts of wildfire. In developing the Amendments to The Heather and Grass etc. Burning (England) Regulations 2021, the Department considered the potential impacts of burning practices on wildfire risk, drawing on published evidence, responses to the public consultation and engagement with the National Fire Chiefs Council, and Fire and Rescue Services. The Regulations enhance protection of upland peatlands by expanding restrictions on burning practices, with the aim of reducing long‑term wildfire risk and improving landscape resilience.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled A New Vision for Water, published on 20 January 2026, if she plans to publish the Transition Plan on a sitting day of the House this year.

The Transition Plan will be published in 2026. It will set clear direction on priorities, sequencing, and engagement, giving the sector confidence as reforms begin and ahead of the introduction of an upcoming water bill.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled A New Vision for Water, published on 20 January 2026, what estimate she has made of the number of cattle farms that could be impacted by an extension of the environmental permit regime.

Government announced its intention to develop options for consultation on extension of environmental permitting to dairy and intensive beef farms through the Environmental Improvement Plan published in December last year. The Government is looking to develop a proportionate risk-based approach with requirements focussed on the most polluting farms.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's White Paper entitled A New Vision for Water, published on 20 January 2026, what estimate she has made of the average annual cost of complying with the environmental permit regime for an average cattle farm.

An environmental permit would require regulated businesses to apply measures to reduce pollution. The cost of complying with a permit would depend on which pollution measures they would be required to adopt, which would depend largely on the type of farm and the risk it poses to the environment.

Whether an impact assessment was carried out on changing the Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property to £2.5million.

Compared to Budget 2025, the expected number of estates claiming agricultural property relief (including those also claiming business property relief) affected by the reforms in 2026-27 halves from 375 to 185. Around 85% of estates claiming agricultural property relief in 2026-27, including those that also claim for business property relief, are forecast to pay no more inheritance tax on their estates under these changes. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are also now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This is a reduction from up to 325 such estates forecast to pay more at Budget 2025. This means just over 80% of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. Further information is available in the updated Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) which was published on 9 January: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief. As is normal practice, the Exchequer cost of these changes will be considered by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and published at the Spring Forecast.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of estates that will pay additional inheritance after the threshold changes to £2.5million from April 2026 who claim a) only Agricultural Property Relief b) only Business Property Relief and c) both Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.

Compared to Budget 2025, the expected number of estates claiming agricultural property relief (including those also claiming business property relief) affected by the reforms in 2026-27 halves from 375 to 185. Around 85% of estates claiming agricultural property relief in 2026-27, including those that also claim for business property relief, are forecast to pay no more inheritance tax on their estates under these changes. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are also now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This is a reduction from up to 325 such estates forecast to pay more at Budget 2025. This means just over 80% of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. Further information is available in the updated Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) which was published on 9 January: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief. As is normal practice, the Exchequer cost of these changes will be considered by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and published at the Spring Forecast.

Whether she plans to publish an impact assessment on the proposal to change the Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property threshold to £2.5million.

Compared to Budget 2025, the expected number of estates claiming agricultural property relief (including those also claiming business property relief) affected by the reforms in 2026-27 halves from 375 to 185. Around 85% of estates claiming agricultural property relief in 2026-27, including those that also claim for business property relief, are forecast to pay no more inheritance tax on their estates under these changes. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are also now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This is a reduction from up to 325 such estates forecast to pay more at Budget 2025. This means just over 80% of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. Further information is available in the updated Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) which was published on 9 January: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief. As is normal practice, the Exchequer cost of these changes will be considered by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and published at the Spring Forecast.

Whether the changes to the threshold for Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property to £2.5million has been scored by the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Compared to Budget 2025, the expected number of estates claiming agricultural property relief (including those also claiming business property relief) affected by the reforms in 2026-27 halves from 375 to 185. Around 85% of estates claiming agricultural property relief in 2026-27, including those that also claim for business property relief, are forecast to pay no more inheritance tax on their estates under these changes. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are also now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This is a reduction from up to 325 such estates forecast to pay more at Budget 2025. This means just over 80% of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. Further information is available in the updated Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) which was published on 9 January: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief. As is normal practice, the Exchequer cost of these changes will be considered by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and published at the Spring Forecast.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of a) farms b) agricultural businesses and c) non-agricultural businesses that will pay additional inheritance after April 2026 following proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.

Compared to Budget 2025, the expected number of estates claiming agricultural property relief (including those also claiming business property relief) affected by the reforms in 2026-27 halves from 375 to 185. Around 85% of estates claiming agricultural property relief in 2026-27, including those that also claim for business property relief, are forecast to pay no more inheritance tax on their estates under these changes. Excluding estates only holding shares designated as ‘not listed’ on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, the reforms are also now expected to result in up to 220 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. This is a reduction from up to 325 such estates forecast to pay more at Budget 2025. This means just over 80% of such estates making claims are forecast to not pay any more inheritance tax. Further information is available in the updated Tax Impact and Information Note (TIIN) which was published on 9 January: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief. As is normal practice, the Exchequer cost of these changes will be considered by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and published at the Spring Forecast.

How many pubs have closed since 5 July 2024 in Lincolnshire.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

How many pubs have closed since 5 July 2024 in Louth and Horncastle constituency.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

How many pubs have closed since 5 July 2024; and what steps his Department is taking to support (a) pubs and (b) other hospitality businesses.

There are no official statistics on the number of pub closures, however there were 37,875 UK public houses and bars in March 2024 and this fell to 37,805 in March 2025 The Government recognises the vital role of pubs and hospitality in our communities and economy, that’s why we are providing targeted support for the sector. In April, we launched a Taskforce to consider ways to create a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025). These reforms are part of the Small Business Strategy, which also tackles late payments, improves access to finance, and cuts red tape. We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents. We’re also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and continue to work closely with the sector to address challenges, including through the Hospitality Sector Council. Source for statistics: NOMIS UK Business Counts - local units by industry and employment size band

Whether Emma Reynolds MP has attended any meetings in her role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury on proposed changes to inheritance tax since 1 July 2024.

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios. As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Whether Emma Reynolds has (a) chaired and (b) deputised at any meetings on inheritance tax policy since 1 July 2024.

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios. As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Whether Emma Reynolds MP met with (a) farming, (b) estate planning, (c) tax advisory and (d) other external organisations to discuss inheritance tax changes when Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios. As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Whether Emma Reynolds MP has attended any Treasury meetings in her role as Economic Secretary to the Treasury on inheritance tax reforms on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief since 1 July 2024.

HM Treasury Ministers take part in internal and external meetings routinely on a range of subjects relating to the department’s responsibilities and their specific portfolios. As the Minister responsible for the UK tax system, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury’s portfolio of responsibilities includes inheritance tax. My rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has not been the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury. She was Parliamentary Secretary at HM Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions from 9 July 2024 to 14 January 2025. She was Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 35691 on Dover Port Health Authority: Finance, how much funding his Department plans to provide to Dover Port Health Authority in the 2025-26 financial year.

Defra remains committed to agreeing an appropriate funding model with Dover PHA to help tackle illegal imports. Officials are working with Dover Port Health Authority to agree funding for 2025/26.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the details of a potential UK-US trade deal.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, and Cabinet discussions are considered confidential.