Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to improve access to cash in rural areas.

Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The most recent data from the Financial Conduct Authority shows 98 per cent of people in rural areas live within 3 miles of a free-to-use cash access point offering withdrawals.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash. and its rules went live on 18 September. These rules require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary.

Where a consumer, or anyone with a strong connection to a local area, feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found at the following link: https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cash

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of consumers shopping locally; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact on net zero targets if consumers are unable to shop locally.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Secretary of State recognises the importance of consumers having access to local shops for environmental sustainability and for supporting net zero goals. The Secretary of State, Defra Ministers and officials meet regularly with retailers where discussions have included to understand initiatives to support efforts that enable consumers to shop locally.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support farmers to increase the (a) volume and (b) variety of fruit and vegetables they produce.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government appreciates and values the vital work of the horticulture industry and recognises its role in maintaining a secure food supply.  As part of our mission-driven government, and in partnership with the sector, we are considering how best to support our fruit and vegetable growers in the future to achieve our ambitious, measurable, and long-term goals for the sector.

Innovation, such as the development of new crop varieties and growing systems, has added to the huge range of top quality and nutritious fruit and vegetables already grown in the UK, and has allowed our growers to extend the growing seasons of a variety of crops, for example strawberries.

We also continue to support long-term Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs) to improve crop varieties by developing traits to improve their nutritional quality, and enhance productivity levels, sustainability and resilience.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a ring-fenced, multi-annual improved funding settlement for the agricultural sector.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The first phase of the Spending Review 2025, which concluded alongside Autumn Budget 2024, has set budgets for 24-25 and 25-26.

As agricultural policy is devolved, it is for the Devolved Governments to allocate their funding as they choose. This is a key principle of devolution, and we are respecting that by not ringfencing funding for agriculture.

The second phase of Spending Review 2025 which will conclude next year, will set multi-year budgets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make it her policy to not raise alcohol duty.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to price their on-trade products more competitively.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to protect pubs.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to price their on-trade products more competitively.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies on alcohol duty of the potential impact of having access to a (a) pub and (b) other community third space on mental health.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to price their on-trade products more competitively.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of introducing an alcohol duty (a) exemption and (b) reduction for drinks that have a 15% or weaker alcohol by volume on community third places.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pubs and breweries make an enormous contribution to our economy and society, and this is recognised in the tax system.

The current alcohol duty system supports pubs and breweries through Draught Relief, which ensures eligible products served on draught pay less duty. Draught Relief helps to level the playing field between pubs and supermarkets, allowing pubs and brewers to price their on-trade products more competitively.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of the recent reforms and rates that took effect on 1 August 2023. As with all taxes, the Government keeps the alcohol duty system under review during its Budget process.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the oral answer of 14 October 2024 from the Minister for Veterans and People, Official Report, column 574, if he will clarify what the correct (a) welfare and (b) legal support are for veterans that are required to undergo legal proceedings relating to their service during the troubles in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The Government recognises the important service of veterans and serving personnel and the sacrifices they made to keep us all safe in Northern Ireland during the troubles. We will provide any former or current member of the Armed Forces involved in legal proceedings relating to their official duties with the appropriate welfare and legal support.

Welfare support is tailored to individual veterans’ needs and circumstances and given on an opt-in basis. The MOD delivers this support through the most appropriate agency depending on the nature of the veteran’s service. In many cases, this would be the Army Operational Legacy Branch, who have a team of dedicated military support officers.

Legal support too is tailored to the circumstances, including in what capacity veterans are involved in legal proceedings. Veterans are offered independent legal support at public expense where they are at risk of prosecution relating to actions taken during their employment.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure the financial viability of community third spaces.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has policy responsibility for a number of spaces in which communities may meet for social, cultural and sporting activities.

In particular, DCMS leads government’s work with Civil Society, including voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs), which often run community centres and hubs. The department continues to support VCSEs with their financial viability by running grant programmes, growing the social investment market and through funding delivered by our Arm’s Length Bodies.

Through the English Devolution Bill, MHCLG will introduce a strong new ‘right to buy’ to help local people acquire valued community assets, such as empty shops, pubs and community spaces.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the /25 Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief scheme into 2025/26.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced that Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief will be extended for 2025-26 at 40% up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact on the economy of raising the threshold of Rural Rates Relief above the rateable value of (a) £8,500 for (i) village general stores, (ii) food shops and (iii) post offices and (b) £12,500 for (A) public houses and (B) petrol stations.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Rural Rate Relief aims to ensure that key amenities are available, and community assets protected in rural areas. It provides 100% rate relief for properties that are based in eligible rural areas with populations below 3,000. To be eligible, the business must also be: the only village general store, food shop or post office, with a rateable value of up to £8,500; or the only public house or petrol station, with a rateable value of up to £12,500.

The government is committed to creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high-street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. At Autumn Budget 2024, the government published a discussion paper which sets out priority areas for further reform and invites stakeholders to a conversation about transforming the system over the Parliament.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what definition his Department uses of Sovereign Capability.

Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is committed to bringing forward a Defence Industrial Strategy which ensures the imperatives of national security and a high-growth economy are aligned. As part of the strategy it is expected the categorisation of sovereign production capacity will be considered, working closely with industry.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support (a) advanced reactors, (b) nuclear fusion and (c) other innovation in nuclear technology.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Advanced Modular Reactors have the potential to help tackle hard-to-abate emissions in energy intensive industries. The Government continues to fund research and innovation to develop High Temperature Gas Reactor technology and their advanced fuels through the Advanced Nuclear Fund. The current programme is also providing funding to the UK’s nuclear regulators to ensure they can develop capabilities to regulate novel reactor types.

The STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship fusion programme, which aims to deliver a commercially viable fusion power plant prototype by the 2040s.

The commercial process for the STEP powerplant is underway, we are investing in cutting-edge fusion research programmes and facilities and are implementing the UK’s proportionate regulatory framework to encourage investment.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to support collaboration between local businesses and schools on work experience and apprenticeship placements in rural areas.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department wants to support all young people to access education and training opportunities, to break down the barriers to opportunity and support economic growth.

That is why young people in rural areas can benefit from the high quality training that apprenticeships offer. Apprentices in England can choose from apprenticeships in a wide range of sectors including agriculture, environmental and animal care, engineering and manufacturing, and business and administration. The department is introducing new foundation apprenticeships, a pre-apprenticeship training offer, that will give more young people a foot in the door and support clear pathways into work-based training and employment.

The department is also taking steps towards introducing two weeks’ worth of high quality work experience to all young people, irrespective of their background. This will open doors to a wider range of employers and businesses and give young people a greater insight into the labour market.

The department recognises that young people need support to capitalise on these workplace experiences, reflect on what they have learned and set future career goals. The department will therefore train 1,000 new careers advisers so that young people can get the expert advice they need.

Found: _NC1 Claire Coutinho Andrew Bowie Joy Morrissey Mark Garnier .

Found: Withdrawn after debate _NC1 Claire Coutinho Andrew Bowie Joy Morrissey Mark Garnier .