Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the average length of time that judicial reviews took to complete for road infrastructure projects between 2015 and 2025.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Between 2015 and 2025, 11 judicial reviews were submitted in relation to Development Consent Orders for road infrastructure projects. The Department successfully defended 9 of these, highlighting the fair, legally robust decisions the Department makes to deliver major infrastructure.

Judicial reviews must be lodged within six weeks of a decision being issued. The length of the process is entirely in the hands of courts. The average length of time between a decision and legal proceedings concluding for these 11 cases was 437 days.

The Planning & Infrastructure Bill will streamline legal challenges to major infrastructure projects, reducing delays from unmerited claims and supporting faster delivery of nationally significant projects.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an estimate of the number of businesses that have ceased trading in Mid-Bedfordshire constituency since the Autumn Budget 2024.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 7th May is attached.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to continue approving permits for British trophy hunters who shoot Cheetahs to bring the trophies back to the UK.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an executive agency of Defra, is responsible for issuing import permits for hunting trophies. APHA will continue to issue import permits only when the strict criteria set out in the UK Wildlife Trade Regulations are satisfied, including that the import does not have a detrimental impact on the conservation status of a species.

This Government has also committed to a ban on the import of hunting trophies of species of conservation concern in its manifesto and will deliver on this. DEFRA is currently engaging with a range of stakeholders in order to decide on the most effective approach.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 4 April 2025 to Question 42689 on Environment Protection: Planning, if he will publish the stakeholders with which his Department has consulted.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 31 March 2025, UIN 42689. We have no plans to publish the recommendations or stakeholders engaged.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps with local leaders to establish a Local Visitor Economy Partnership in Bedfordshire in the context of the proposed Universal theme park.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are a vital part of the Government’s strategy to support a more sustainable and resilient visitor economy across England. The LVEP programme, in partnership with VisitEngland, provides a clear framework for collaboration between local leaders, tourism businesses, and national bodies.

VisitEngland continues to work on growing the LVEP network, and stands ready to support areas that meet the criteria and can demonstrate strong local coordination and ambition, including Bedfordshire.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps with local authorities in Bedfordshire to plan for increased guest accommodation in the context of the proposed Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the visitor economy across the country, including in Bedfordshire. Responsibility for local planning and accommodation provision rests with local authorities, but of course DCMS works closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, VisitEngland, and other partners to ensure that areas are equipped to respond to major tourism developments, and will do so as this project develops.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the planning system in Bedfordshire to manage planning applications for (a) accommodation, (b) hospitality and leisure and (c) other development types resulting from the proposed Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.

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

On 9 April 2025, the Prime Minister announced that a multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford had been agreed between Universal Studios, the UK Government, and Bedford Borough Council.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has agreed, in principle, to consider any proposal.

Given the proposals remain subject to a planning decision, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Ministers cannot comment on any proposal, as to do so could prejudice the position of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Should the Department receive such a request, it will carry out a proper and impartial consideration of the planning merits of the proposed development.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the renewables industry on its reliance on imports of batteries from China.

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

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support van manufacturers in the context of US tariffs.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

A landmark economic deal with the US, announced on 8 May, protects jobs in key sectors including automotive, directly supporting over 320,000 jobs across the UK. The Government also continues to support van manufacturing through the Automotive Transformation Fund, aiming to build a competitive electric vehicle supply chain. The 2024 Autumn Budget allocated over £2 billion for zero-emission vehicle manufacturing and supply chains, including £120 million to extend the Plug-in Van Grant (PIVG) until 2025/26. In addition, following the recent ZEV support consultation, fine levels for vans will also decrease by £3,000 to £15,000, and a bidirectional mechanism will be implemented for credit exchange between car and van schemes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate on automotive manufacturing.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government recognises the importance of reviewing the impacts of this significant legislation. The Government has committed to publish reviews in 2027 and 2029 to assess the overall impact of the ZEV Mandate. The Government will continue to work with stakeholders to increase the uptake of ZEVs, deliver green growth, protect and sustain UK manufacturing jobs, and provide confidence to infrastructure investors. This is especially important now as recent geopolitical challenges have created marked instability for the automotive sector. The Government has committed £2 billion through the Automotive Transformation Fund to help manufacturers make the switch to EVs, supporting manufacturing, giga factories, and supply chain alongside £320 million to support consumers through targeted grants and support for charging infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to defer the ban on the sale of new (a) petrol and (b) diesel vehicles; and whether she will make an assessment of the potential impact of deferring the ban on the sale of new (a) petrol and (b) diesel vehicles on carbon emissions.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

On 7 April the Government confirmed that we are committed to phasing out the sale of new cars that rely solely on a petrol or diesel engine by 2030 and phasing out all new non-zero emission cars and vans by 2035. We are providing industry with the clear direction it needs to invest in the transition, which will drive growth and create jobs as we cut carbon emissions.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it remains his policy to reduce energy bills by £300 a year.

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

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently.

It remains our ambition to cut energy bills by up to £300 by 2030.

The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy and have less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we are delivering the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households this winter. On 25 February, we published a consultation on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The consultation has now closed and the Department is evaluating the responses.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the vehicle manufacturing industry.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This package provides analysis of the potential sectoral impacts of the Bill.

It shows the majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill and our assessment finds that workers in low-paying sectors, including social care, hospitality, retail, transport, and some manufacturing sectors will benefit the most.

The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her Department’s policies on organised immigration crime on trends in the number of migrants that have arrived in small boats since 1 January 2025.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Border Security Command (BSC) continues to focus on tackling the organised immigration crime gangs that are facilitating small boat crossings, working with domestic partners such as the National Crime Agency, and overseas counterparts in a range of countries, to dismantle the gangs and disrupt their supply chains. This work has already led to a number of widely publicised raids and arrests, as well as agreements with France, Germany, Italy, Iraq and other key partners which will increase enforcement activity and cooperation further over the coming months.

The Home Office will shortly publish an official statistical note analysing the impact of weather conditions in the Channel on the level of small boat arrivals in recent years, including since 1 January 2025. That analysis will reinforce the commitment of this Government to tackle the smuggling gangs at every level, and disrupt their ability to exploit good weather conditions in future to undermine our border security.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what individual investments have been made by the National Wealth Fund since July 2024; and how many jobs each investment is expected to support.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The National Wealth Fund and its predecessor the UK Infrastructure Bank have announced 19 deals since July 2024, committing nearly £3bn, and estimate creating or supporting over 12,400 jobs. The National Wealth Fund sets out details of the investments which it makes, including estimate jobs created, on its website at https://www.nationalwealthfund.org.uk/.

The following list provides the project client, the amount committed by the National Wealth Fund and the estimated number of jobs created or supported by those commitments at the time of their announcement.

• Scottish Power/Iberdrola - £600m - 57 jobs
• AESC - £272m - 176 jobs
• NatWest plc - £400m - 2,207 jobs
• The Housing Finance Corp Ltd - £150m - 1,226 jobs
• Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council - £10m - 3 jobs
• Pulpex - £42m - 29 jobs
• Cornish Metals - £29m - 35 jobs
• Connected Kerb - £55m – 48 jobs
• Denbighshire County Council - £92m - 76 jobs
• Netomnia - £25m - 61 jobs
• Lloyds Social Housing - £400m - 3,489 jobs
• Barclays - £350m - 3,053 jobs
• XLCC Ltd - £20m - 10 jobs
• Fibrus - £55m - 129 jobs
• Ceredigion County Council - £25m - 20 jobs
• West Suffolk Council - £17m - 54 jobs
• Quickline - £225m - 121 jobs
• Wildanet - £35m – 171 jobs
• Hyperoptic - £150m - 1,445 jobs

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of not replacing Challenger 2 tanks.

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

The Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank (MBT) upgrade has been developed to deliver multiple improvements to the existing Challenger 2 platform. Challenger 3 MBT will upgrade and replace 148 Challenger 2 platforms from 2027.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to increase the number of available dental appointments in (a) Mid Bedfordshire and (b) the UK.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including NHS dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Mid Bedfordshire constituency, this is the Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes ICB. ICBs have been asked to start making extra urgent dental appointments available from April 2025. The Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes ICB is expected to deliver 6,041 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.

ICBs have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years. As of 10 April 2025, in England, there are 53 dentists in post with a further 44 dentists who have been recruited but are yet to start in post. Another 256 posts are currently advertised.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the target to reach net zero on the number of imports of electric vehicles from China in each of the next ten years.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Secretary of State and I regularly meet stakeholders from the Auto sector to discuss net zero related issues, including imports of electric vehicles from China. China has rapidly become a major automotive manufacturer and brings competitive challenges for the sector. Government is closely monitoring the monthly data and analysing how this impacts the UK automotive sector, especially given our ambitious policies on Zero Emission Vehicles.

To ease the transition to Electric Vehicles, we announced significant changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate on 7 April, allowing for greater flexibility in meeting ZEV targets and extending the sale of hybrid vehicles.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the press release entitled Crack teams get patients off waiting lists at twice the speed, published on 16 March 2025, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of sending doctors into areas of highest economic inactivity on waiting lists in areas from which the doctors were seconded.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment is currently planned regarding the potential impact of sending doctors into areas with the highest economic inactivity on waiting lists in the areas from which the doctors were seconded.

As set out in the Elective Reform Plan, we continue to target waiting list performance across the country, so that 92% of patients return to waiting no longer than 18 weeks from referral to treatment by March 2029. In March 2025, performance against this standard was 59.8%, 2.6% higher than a year earlier.

The Further Faster 20 programme is supporting these efforts by ensuring that this improvement is seen in areas that can benefit the most. The positive progress made from October 2024 to March 2025, with waiting lists across these areas being reduced by over 57,000, means that almost half, specifically 47.9%, of the national reduction in the overall waiting list between those months has come from the 20 hospitals involved in the scheme.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43284 on Schools: Broadband, whether any of the 343 schools are in Bedfordshire.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2025, five of the 343 schools due to receive a funded upgrade to fibre this year are in Bedfordshire. One of these schools has already been upgraded, with the school benefitting from the new high-speed connection.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an estimate of the potential impact of (a) manufacturing vehicles in and (b) importing vehicles from China on global carbon emissions.

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

The UK follows the agreed international approach for estimating and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, which is for countries to report emissions produced within their territories.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs publishes consumption-based emissions statistics, including emissions from imported goods and services, which can be found here: Carbon footprint for the UK and England to 2022 - GOV.UK. The latest data show that emissions associated with goods and services imported from China were 85 MtCO2e in 2022, however this is not broken down by product type.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK leaving the EU on the level of tariffs applied to the UK by the US.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with the US worth £315 billion. Investment supports around 2.5 million jobs across both countries. Trade is second only to the EU where our trading relationship is worth £813 billion. The level of tariff applied to any country, including the UK, by the US is determined by the US government.

On 8 May, the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the US, making the UK the first country to reach an agreement with President Trump. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 April 2025 to Question 44055 on Govia Thameslink Railway: Fares, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the annual increases in fares on service experience for passengers.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

As much as we appreciate the impact of fares increases on passengers, we need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal. Delivering better quality services, and increased reliability of trains, alongside a clearer fares offer will ensure an enhanced passenger experience. A proportionate, annual increase in fares is necessary to support crucial investment and to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the railway.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help encourage investment into science and technology companies that are based outside of (a) Oxford, (b) Cambridge and (c) London.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Increasing investment into science and technology firms across the UK will be critical to delivering growth.

In 2023-24, UKRI invested £4,614 million outside the Greater Southeast; over half its total investment. Specific programme supporting regional innovation include; £80 million for twelve Innovate UK Launchpads, £130 million for Innovation Accelerators in three pilot city-regions, and £316 million for twelve Strength in Places Fund programmes.

These are complemented by the British Business Bank’s programmes, including £660 million in northern England through its Nations and Regions Investment Funds.

As part of the Spending Review process, DSIT is working with regions across the UK to develop a new approach to growing high-potential clusters in all regions of the UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of beekeeping practices on global food security.

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

Beekeepers are encouraged to adopt good beekeeping practices and there are also worldwide policies on controlling pests and diseases in honeybees. These actions will help to ensure healthy sustainable populations of honeybees which will support food production by contributing to insect pollination of crops.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the definition of honey included in the 2015 Honey England Regulations.

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

The Honey (England) Regulations 2015 lay down detailed specifications for honey in terms of its composition and quality criteria. One of the aims of these is to protect the use of the reserved description “honey” by setting a minimum expected compositional standard for our market, in order to protect consumers, instil consumer confidence that the honey is what it says it is, create a level playing field for industry, and prevent misleading and fraudulent practices on our market.

Defra periodically reviews food compositional standards legislation to ensure regulations remain fit for purpose. A post-implementation review of the Honey (England) Regulations 2015 in 2021 found that the policy objectives stated in the regulations have been fully realised.

As a result of the review, the definition of honey as a reserved description, the description of different types of honey, and the listing of its minimum compositional standards have remained in place.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make a comparative assessment of the number of houses at risk of (a) surface water and (b) all other flooding in (i) the UK and (ii) the G7 in the last 10 years.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Flood risk management is a devolved matter. In England, the Environment Agency’s latest National Flood Risk Assessment published in 2024 estimates that around 6.3 million properties are in areas at risk of flooding from one or a combination of sources: rivers, the sea, and surface water. Around 4.6 million properties are in areas at risk of surface water flooding, of which 1.1 million properties are in areas at high risk. Around 2.4 million properties are in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, of which 367,900 properties are in areas at high risk. Some properties are at risk from more than one source of floods.

The data from the latest National Flood Risk Assessment is not directly comparable with previous assessments due to changes in modelling methodologies.

There are different approaches in defining and managing flood risk, and in recording residential and non-residential developments between nations.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the return on investment of GREAT campaign funding in each year since it was introduced.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Since 2011, the GREAT campaign has developed a robust approach to evaluation, which has been validated by multiple external organisations, and consistently reported strong returns to the UK economy. The methodologies used continue to be reviewed and refined to support regular reporting, ensuring the campaign consistently drives good impact and value for money for the taxpayer.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the press release entitled PM: North will no longer be held to ransom by broken transport system, published on 28 March 2025, how these projects will be funded.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Where these projects required funding in 25/26, this funding has already been allocated to the Department for Transport. Funding allocations for future years will be set out at the upcoming spending review on June 11th.

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 Air Passenger Duty exemption for children under 16 years old to include those travelling in (a) Premium Economy and (b) any other cabin class.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt from Air Passenger Duty (APD). If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class (such as premium economy) or in business jets, they are not exempt. Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty for all classes of travel.

Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. They do not break down chargeable passengers by age, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects. The government has published annual statistics and analysis on airline passenger numbers and Air Passenger Duty (APD) receipts in the UK which are administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-passenger-duty-bulletin.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of total revenue generated by Air Passenger Duty from children aged under 16 years old who travelled in Premium Economy in each of the last three years.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Children under 16 years old on the date of the flight, and in the lowest class of travel, are exempt from Air Passenger Duty (APD). If children under 16 years old are travelling in any other class (such as premium economy) or in business jets, they are not exempt. Children under 2 years old without a seat are exempt from Air Passenger Duty for all classes of travel.

Airline operators declare the number of chargeable passengers by destination band and by rate. They do not break down chargeable passengers by age, and therefore this is not information that HMRC collects. The government has published annual statistics and analysis on airline passenger numbers and Air Passenger Duty (APD) receipts in the UK which are administered by HM Revenue and Customs. It is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-passenger-duty-bulletin.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made a comparative assessment of the Standard Rate of Air Passenger Duty in (a) the UK, (b) Germany, (c) France, (d) Italy and (e) Spain.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Air Passenger Duty (APD) applies to airlines and is the principal tax on the aviation sector. For a given distance-based band, the standard rate applies to travel in any non-economy class of travel or where the seat pitch is more than 1.016 metres (40 inches). This includes premium economy, as well as first class and business class.

The Government is clear that APD is an appropriate tax that ensures airlines make a fair contribution to the public finances, particularly given that tickets are VAT free and aviation fuel incurs no duty. Other countries also have different forms of aviation taxes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the potential disruption to the education sector of introducing the VAT levy on independent school fees in the middle of the academic year.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government carefully considered the timing of implementation of VAT on private school fees and decided to apply VATfrom January 2025, in order to raise the funding needed to help deliver its education priorities. As a result of the January start date, the VAT policy is forecast to raise £460 million in 2024/25.

Schools and parents had five months to prepare for these changes, and HMRC put in place measures to support schools, including bespoke guidance, updated registration systems, and additional resources to process applications.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of future rates of Air Passenger Duty on the government’s ambition for the United Kingdom to welcome 50 million international visitors per year by 2030.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Air Passenger Duty (APD) only applies to UK-departing flights. The Government has published Tax Impact and Information Notes (TIINs) assessing the impacts of the 2025/26 and 2026/27 Air Passenger Duty (APD) rates, which can be found at GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2025/air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2025-to-31-march-2026

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2026/air-passenger-duty-rates-from-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2027

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she plans to take to help prevent Hashem Abedi from endangering other people in prison.

Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) has a variety of methods to keep those who live and work in our prisons safe.

We are reviewing how the attack happened, and the guidance shows we have suspended use of kitchens in separation centres and close supervision centres.

It is not appropriate to comment on the management of a specific individual within the prison system. The safe and secure management of every prisoner within the prison system is a top priority for HMPPS.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reason the change in the VAT status of private school fees was introduced during the school year.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Tax policy is a matter for HM Treasury.

As set out in the government response to the technical note on applying VAT to private school fees, the government believes it was right to introduce these changes as soon as possible in order to raise the funding needed to help deliver our education priorities for the 94% of children who attend state schools in the UK. This response is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees-removing-the-charitable-rates-relief-for-private-schools.

As a result of the January 2025 start date, the VAT policy is forecast to raise £460 million in the 2024/25 financial year.

The January 2025 start date gave schools and parents five months to prepare from the date the policy was announced.

HMRC has taken action to support private schools through the change, including providing detailed guidance, running webinars and allocating additional resource to process VAT registration applications.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an estimate of the number of SME owners that have left the UK since 5 July 2024.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Business Population Estimates show trends in the number of businesses in the UK by size, alongside sectoral and regional distribution: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/business-population-estimates-2024/business-population-estimates-for-the-uk-and-regions-2024-statistical-release.

The ONS also publishes data on business demography, showing the annual change in the number of UK businesses (“birth” and “death” rates): https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/activitysizeandlocation/bulletins/businessdemography/latest.

At Autum Budget 2024, the Government announced generous tax reforms to support small businesses including: more than doubling the employment allowance to £10,500; commitments in the Corporate Tax Roadmap to maintain the Small Profits Rate and marginal relief at their current rates and thresholds; and freezing the small businesses multiplier for 2025/26.

The Government has also committed £250m in 25-26 for the British Business Bank’s small business loans programmes, including Start Up Loans and the Growth Guarantee Scheme.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the press release entitled Government steps in to back British business in changing world, published on 14 April 2025, whether any of the funding is additional to funding provided at the Spring Statement 2025.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to supporting British businesses as the world enters a new era of global trade. The government has increased the capacity of UK Export Finance (UKEF) to provide support for exporters by £20 billion and has expanded the British Business Bank (BBB) Growth Guarantee Scheme. UKEF operates at no net cost to the taxpayer and increasing its limits does not have a fiscal cost. BBB support is funded within the overall spending plans set out at Spring Statement 2025.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the press release entitled Multi-billion pound investment secured as Universal theme park and resort set to be built in Bedford, published on 9 April 2025, if she will request that East West Rail add an additional station to their consolidated plan on the Marston Vale line.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

East West Rail Company consulted on options for stations and services along the Marston Vale Line as part of its 2024 non-statutory consultation. It is now considering feedback to this as well as the recent Government announcement of a new Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire. Further details on serving Universal’s site will be presented at a future statutory consultation on East West Rail.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled Children embrace the future with humanoid school project, published on 14 April 2025, how much (a) time and (b) money the Government has spent developing this project.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The humanoid robots school outreach project was part of the Government Office for Science's work to build scientific and technical literacy across the Government and the UK. It was part of a wider project developing advice for government assessing recent developments in humanoid robotics and the potential implications which took place between May 2024 and March 2025. The outreach elements including in depth evaluation - delivered in partnership with the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres – with a total contribution of under £12,000.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to allocate a multi-year funding settlement for (a) revenue and (b) capital to Great British Railways.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The recent consultation on reforming our railways proposed that the Secretary of State will be required to issue a High-Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) for GBR’s Infrastructure Operations, Maintenance and Renewals. GBR would be required to create a business plan in response to the HLOS and SoFA, setting out its proposed activity over the next 5 years. Passenger services and enhancements would continue to be funded through the spending review process when these occur. The consultation has now closed, and Government will publish a response in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate she has made of the amount of new rolling stock required to be purchased to deliver East West Rail services.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Work is ongoing to establish demand levels and the optimal Train Service Specification (TSS) between Oxford & Cambridge, this details the frequency and stopping pattern of the proposed services and rolling stock requirements. These factors continue to evolve and develop as East West Rail Company refines the proposals for the scheme which will be set out in a Statutory Consultation

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an estimate of the average impact of judicial reviews on the cost of road infrastructure projects between 2015 and 2025.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The impact of judicial reviews on the cost of road infrastructure projects will vary by scheme. National Highways has calculated that the increase in costs to its schemes, caused by legal challenges, is between £66 million and £121 million per scheme.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate on employment in the automotive industry in (a) Bedfordshire and (b) the UK.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In 2024, 132,000 people were employed in automotive manufacturing in the UK, and 3,570 businesses were operating across the sector. While the government does not hold data on how the Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate has affected automotive employment in Bedfordshire or the UK more widely, we speak regularly to all the major UK automotive stakeholders to understand the health of the sector and factors impacting competitiveness. Government is committed to ensuring the transition to zero emissions works for industry. That is why we introduced significant changes to the Mandate, allowing for greater flexibility in meeting ZEV targets and extending the sale of hybrid vehicles.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the UK’s target to protect at least 30 per cent of its land and sea for nature by 2030.

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

The Departmernt published an Impact Assessment (IA) for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on 6 May 2025. It can be found here.

The IA received a ‘Green’ rating from the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC), indicating that it is ‘fit for purpose’.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 10 April 2025 to Question 43285 on Schools: Solar Power, whether any schools in Bedfordshire are on the long list.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

​​Pursuant to my answer of 10 April 2025, work is still progressing on finalising the long and short lists of projects in the East of England region to participate in this first year of the Great British Energy Solar Partnership programme. The department hopes to have finalised the selection before the summer break. ​

In the interim, we are providing support for all schools and colleges to start on their journey towards net zero via our new online sustainability support for education platform and our climate ambassador programme. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sustainability-leadership-and-climate-action-plans-in-education.

Where schools are considering the purchase of solar panels or other sustainable systems, our ‘Get help for buying’ service provides support to ensure that schemes procured are of high quality and value to the sector. More information can be found here: https://gethelpbuyingforschools.campaign.gov.uk/.

​Details of other government funding available to public bodies for sustainability can also be found at this website, prepared by the Crown Commercial Service: https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/social-value/carbon-net-zero/funding-and-grants.

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 support British filmmaking businesses, in the context of the announcement of 100% tariffs on films produced in the UK by the US President on 5 May 2025.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Although an authorisation for the Dept of Commerce to introduce tariffs on films produced outside the US was announced on 5 May, no such tariffs have so far been introduced.

The deep ties between the US and UK film industries provide mutual economic and cultural benefits to both countries as film production is an inherently international business with global audiences. .

The UK agreed a landmark economic deal with the US on 8 May, and we are committed to maintaining our strong partnership.

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 support the film industry, in the context of President Trump’s announcement of 100% tariffs in the US on films produced in the UK.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Although an authorisation for the Dept of Commerce to introduce tariffs on films produced outside the US was announced on 5 May, no such tariffs have so far been introduced.

The deep ties between the US and UK film industries provide mutual economic and cultural benefits to both countries as film production is an inherently international business with global audiences. .

The UK agreed a landmark economic deal with the US on 8 May, and we are committed to maintaining our strong partnership.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make it his policy to include the beer and pub sector in his Department's forthcoming industrial strategy.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Industrial Strategy Green Paper identified eight growth-driving sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences and Professional and Business Services.

Sector Plans for the eight growth-driving sectors will be published alongside the Industrial Strategy in Spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review. The Sector Plans will set out the specific sub-sectors of focus, identify key barriers to growth, and describe how government and industry intend to achieve long-term growth for the sector.

All sectors will benefit from wider policy reform through the Industrial Strategy’s cross-cutting policies alongside the broader Growth Mission. This will create the pro-business environment for all businesses to invest and employ, and consumers to spend with confidence.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral contribution by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury of 3 March 2025, Official Report, column 40WH, on what evidential basis she estimated that 100 additional private schools would close over three years.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At Autumn Budget 2024, the Government published the following Policy Paper Private school fees — VAT measure - GOV.UK . The basis for the estimate of school closures is set out in this paper under the heading ‘Impact on business including civil society organisations’.

Further explanation of the methodology behind the estimate of the demand reduction referred to in the above Paper is set out in the Annex to the Government_Response_to_the_Technical_Note_on_Applying_VAT_to_Private_School_Fees_and_Removing_the_Business_Rates_Charitable_Rate_Relief.pdf, under the heading ‘Demand’. This was also published at the Autumn Budget.

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