Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have assessed the costs already incurred by supermarkets and manufacturers in preparing for products high in fat, sugar or salt location, volume price and advertising restrictions before proposing to apply the Nutrient Profiling Model 2018.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The current Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) is over 20 years out of date and does not reflect the latest evidence, particularly on free sugars, which are more strongly correlated with poor health outcomes, including obesity. The Government has committed to updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink by applying the new NPM.
The Government published the new NPM on 27 January 2026 alongside technical guidance to support business to understand the new NPM and apply it to their products, including worked examples on how to calculate free sugars and NPM scores in a range of products. Since publication of the new NPM, we are continuing to engage with industry on what further support would be helpful.
We have launched a consultation on the proposed application of the new NPM to the advertising and promotions restrictions, which is open until 17 June 2026. The consultation seeks feedback on the impact and challenges associated with the proposal for industry and enforcement authorities and gathers views on what further support is needed to help businesses and enforcement authorities to adapt to the requirements of the new NPM. We will consider whether further guidance is needed following feedback to the consultation.
A consultation-stage impact assessment, setting out the direct costs to businesses for the proposed application of the new NPM to these restrictions, was published alongside the consultation. We will use evidence from the consultation to inform the final impact assessment which, subject to the outcome of the consultation, would be published ahead of any changes being made.
Detailed impact assessments for the current advertising and promotions restrictions, which set out the costs to industry can also be found on GOV.UK. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the restrictions and will publish a Post Implementation Review within five years of the restrictions taking legal effect.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the practicality for food businesses of calculating free sugars under the Nutrient Profiling Model 2018 for products containing fruit or vegetable juice, purée or paste ingredients.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The current Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) is over 20 years out of date and does not reflect the latest evidence, particularly on free sugars, which are more strongly correlated with poor health outcomes, including obesity. The Government has committed to updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink by applying the new NPM.
The Government published the new NPM on 27 January 2026 alongside technical guidance to support business to understand the new NPM and apply it to their products, including worked examples on how to calculate free sugars and NPM scores in a range of products. Since publication of the new NPM, we are continuing to engage with industry on what further support would be helpful.
We have launched a consultation on the proposed application of the new NPM to the advertising and promotions restrictions, which is open until 17 June 2026. The consultation seeks feedback on the impact and challenges associated with the proposal for industry and enforcement authorities and gathers views on what further support is needed to help businesses and enforcement authorities to adapt to the requirements of the new NPM. We will consider whether further guidance is needed following feedback to the consultation.
A consultation-stage impact assessment, setting out the direct costs to businesses for the proposed application of the new NPM to these restrictions, was published alongside the consultation. We will use evidence from the consultation to inform the final impact assessment which, subject to the outcome of the consultation, would be published ahead of any changes being made.
Detailed impact assessments for the current advertising and promotions restrictions, which set out the costs to industry can also be found on GOV.UK. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the restrictions and will publish a Post Implementation Review within five years of the restrictions taking legal effect.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the ability of enforcement authorities to verify businesses' calculations of free sugars under the Nutrient Profiling Model 2018.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The current Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) is over 20 years out of date and does not reflect the latest evidence, particularly on free sugars, which are more strongly correlated with poor health outcomes, including obesity. The Government has committed to updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink by applying the new NPM.
The Government published the new NPM on 27 January 2026 alongside technical guidance to support business to understand the new NPM and apply it to their products, including worked examples on how to calculate free sugars and NPM scores in a range of products. Since publication of the new NPM, we are continuing to engage with industry on what further support would be helpful.
We have launched a consultation on the proposed application of the new NPM to the advertising and promotions restrictions, which is open until 17 June 2026. The consultation seeks feedback on the impact and challenges associated with the proposal for industry and enforcement authorities and gathers views on what further support is needed to help businesses and enforcement authorities to adapt to the requirements of the new NPM. We will consider whether further guidance is needed following feedback to the consultation.
A consultation-stage impact assessment, setting out the direct costs to businesses for the proposed application of the new NPM to these restrictions, was published alongside the consultation. We will use evidence from the consultation to inform the final impact assessment which, subject to the outcome of the consultation, would be published ahead of any changes being made.
Detailed impact assessments for the current advertising and promotions restrictions, which set out the costs to industry can also be found on GOV.UK. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the restrictions and will publish a Post Implementation Review within five years of the restrictions taking legal effect.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the administrative burden on retailers and manufacturers of applying the Nutrient Profiling Model 2018 to in-store promotions.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The current Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) is over 20 years out of date and does not reflect the latest evidence, particularly on free sugars, which are more strongly correlated with poor health outcomes, including obesity. The Government has committed to updating the standards behind the advertising and promotions restrictions on ‘less healthy’ food and drink by applying the new NPM.
The Government published the new NPM on 27 January 2026 alongside technical guidance to support business to understand the new NPM and apply it to their products, including worked examples on how to calculate free sugars and NPM scores in a range of products. Since publication of the new NPM, we are continuing to engage with industry on what further support would be helpful.
We have launched a consultation on the proposed application of the new NPM to the advertising and promotions restrictions, which is open until 17 June 2026. The consultation seeks feedback on the impact and challenges associated with the proposal for industry and enforcement authorities and gathers views on what further support is needed to help businesses and enforcement authorities to adapt to the requirements of the new NPM. We will consider whether further guidance is needed following feedback to the consultation.
A consultation-stage impact assessment, setting out the direct costs to businesses for the proposed application of the new NPM to these restrictions, was published alongside the consultation. We will use evidence from the consultation to inform the final impact assessment which, subject to the outcome of the consultation, would be published ahead of any changes being made.
Detailed impact assessments for the current advertising and promotions restrictions, which set out the costs to industry can also be found on GOV.UK. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the restrictions and will publish a Post Implementation Review within five years of the restrictions taking legal effect.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the cumulative financial impact on food and drinks businesses of (1) the extended producer responsibility for packaging, (2) the plastic packaging tax, and (3) the packaging recovery note system.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In autumn 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR). This assessed impacts on packaging producers as a whole but was not sector specific. The impact of the introduction of pEPR on overall inflation was estimated to be small (approximately 0.07%).
Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) apply to all packaging waste. Overall, the system generated £322m in revenue from the sale of PRN/PERNs in 2025, spread across all sectors.
Defra continues to engage with industry to monitor and support implementation of the Regulations.
The Plastic Packaging Tax was introduced in April 2022 to provide a clear incentive for businesses to use recycled plastic in packaging, supporting increased recycling and reducing plastic waste. HM Revenue & Customs is undertaking an evaluation of the tax, including its impacts on businesses, and is set to conclude in 2026.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons why British Steel has not filed statutory accounts for the year ending 31 December 2024; what discussions they have had with (1) the company, (2) its directors, (3) Companies House, or (4) the Financial Reporting Council, about the delay; and when they expect those accounts to be filed.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what arrangements are in place to enable the directors of British Steel to prepare and approve company accounts.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have provided British Steel, its directors, auditors or creditors with any formal or informal assurance, comfort letter, guarantee, indemnity, undertaking or other indication of continuing financial support for the company; and if so, what is the (1) nature, (2) duration, and (3) legal basis, of that support.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total amount of funding provided to British Steel since 12 April 2025; what proportion of that funding is classified as debt to the Crown; and whether any formal loan agreement, interest rate, repayment scheme, security or repayment trigger has been agreed.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.
Asked by: Lord Sharpe of Epsom (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether British Steel is currently trading on a going concern basis; and if so, whether trading on that basis relies on financial support from (1) HM Government, (2) Jingye, (3) another third party, or (4) a combination of those sources.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
To date, funding of £484m has been provided to British Steel Limited under the provisions of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, and the full amount is recoverable as a debt due to the Crown, as set out in section 3(6) of the Act. There are no conditions attached save the requirement for the funds to be used in accordance with the purpose set out in legislation. All funding released to British Steel is reviewed and approved in advance. Recoverability of this debt is currently being assessed, and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.
HMG has set out its policy and operational intent to British Steel’s auditors under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025. This does not constitute a financial guarantee, indemnity or underwriting of liabilities and reflects material already in the public domain.
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and HMG’s powers to intervene under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 are designed to maintain steelmaking and avoid a disorderly closure of the blast furnaces. We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel.
The preparation and filing of statutory accounts are a matter for the company and its directors. The arrangements for preparing and approving company accounts are a matter for British Steel and its directors, in line with their statutory responsibilities.