Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Science and Innovation on new surveillance technologies being used on workers in the course of their duties.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Ministers in the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology work closely on issues and policy relating to workplace surveillance and emerging technologies. This ensures policy is informed by evidence and reflects both innovation and employment considerations. In March both ministers jointly led sessions with leading experts on technology and the workplace at Wilton Park.

The government will launch a public consultation on workplace monitoring technologies. This will ensure that business practice and workers’ rights in this area are fit for a modern labour market and support the growth of the UK economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has undertaken an assessment of the expected impact on consumer food prices of the temporary suspension of tariffs on agricultural and food products announced on 30 April 2026.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor appreciates that the weekly shop is one of the biggest worries for families and is taking action on the cost of living, by suspending tariffs on a range of agri-food products.

The Government announced a package of temporary tariff suspensions on 30 April with a detailed list published on 20 May. These suspensions will reduce import costs for these items. The benefit to consumers is estimated to be around £100m to £400m annually.

The Chancellor also announced a consultation on a further list of products on 21 May. Taking account of all the items on the second list of products, published on 27 May, and currently subject to the call for input, would increase the estimated consumer benefit to a total of around £330m to £770m.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of tariff savings that will be passed through to consumers in retail food prices.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor appreciates that the weekly shop is one of the biggest worries for families. She is taking action on the cost of living, including by suspending tariffs on a range of agri-food products. The UK grocery market is highly competitive, and we fully expect that retailers will pass on the entirety of cost savings to consumers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate her Department has made of the average annual saving to households arising from the temporary suspension of tariffs on agricultural and food products announced on 30 April 2026.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor appreciates that the weekly shop is one of the biggest worries for families and is taking action on the cost of living, by suspending tariffs on a range of agri-food products.

The Government announced a package of temporary tariff suspensions on 30 April with a detailed list published on 20 May. These suspensions will reduce import costs for these items. The benefit to consumers is estimated to be around £100m to £400m annually.

The Chancellor also announced a consultation on a further list of products on 21 May. Taking account of all the items on the second list of products, published on 27 May, and currently subject to the call for input, would increase the estimated consumer benefit to a total of around £330m to £770m.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department intends to publish an assessment of the expected consumer benefits of any tariff suspensions implemented following the Call for Input on goods for cost of living tariff suspensions.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government will be setting out next steps after the Call for Input closes on 24 June.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken comparative modelling of the costs of financing infrastructure supporting new towns through (a) private investment arrangements and (b) direct government borrowing.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The precise funding offer for each new town location will be confirmed once final decisions have been made on the programme.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department intends to publish any assessment comparing the costs of alternative financing models for infrastructure supporting new towns.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The precise funding offer for each new town location will be confirmed once final decisions have been made on the programme.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has undertaken an assessment of the estimated lifetime cost to the public sector of financing infrastructure supporting new towns through private investment arrangements.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Between 23 March and 19 May 2026, we consulted on the Draft New Towns Programme. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, sought views on a range of issues, including in respect of financing the programme.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The precise funding offer for each new town location will be confirmed once final decisions have been made on the programme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of advanced surveillance technologies being used in the workplace.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The use of workplace surveillance has increased due to growth in remote working, advancement in monitoring technologies and changes to employment relationships. This is why the Plan to Make Work Pay set out the government’s aim to put worker voice at the heart of Britain’s digital transition and promote best practice in safeguarding against invasion of privacy.

The government will launch a public consultation on workplace monitoring technologies. This will ensure that business practice and workers’ rights in this area are fit for a modern labour market and support the growth of the UK economy.

Pet-inclusive homelessness and temporary accommodation

Action Mesothelioma Day 2026

Five-year indefinite leave to remain pathway for Skilled Worker visa holders (No. 2)

Technology companies and crimes against Palestinians

Release of Venezuela's gold reserves held at the Bank of England

Ownership and regulation of water

Working in high temperatures

Food prices

Civil Service Pension Scheme

Parliament Education and Engagement Outreach Service

Communications blackout and human rights in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Retirement of Tracy Thirlwall