Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress Network Rail has made in carrying out rail infrastructure safety assessments required by the Office of Rail and Road.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The department looks to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), as the independent rail safety regulator, to ensure that Network Rail is held to account for safety-related matters. ORR has assessed Network Rail’s progress in carrying out structural assessments and is assured that it is on target to complete most of the first phase by the deadline agreed with ORR. A small number of these assessments are not expected to be completed by the deadline and will be monitored on a case-by-case basis.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will publish a strategy for new rolling stock to be procured by passenger train operators contracted by her Department.

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

The Government has begun work to develop a long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy, the first for more than three decades and we expect to publish it next year. The strategy will place the needs of passengers at its heart and will pursue modern standards of carbon-friendly traction, passenger comfort and accessibility.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of industrial livestock farming in the UK on (a) climate change, (b) deforestation of the Amazon and (c) national food security.

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

The Government promotes efficient, competitive farming, but does not seek to favour large, or small-scale farming operations, which each have a role to play in promoting sustainable UK agriculture and supporting our national food security. We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British farmers and food producers. As part of the Government’s international and domestic commitments, Defra produces an annual inventory of UK agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including those from the rearing of livestock. We are committed to addressing how UK consumption of forest risk commodities drives deforestation in key ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest. This work includes consideration of the role of imported commodities such as soy and palm oil that are used in feed for UK livestock farming.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress his Department is making on negotiating free-trade agreements.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The government has signed a trade deal with India, the fastest-growing economy in the G20. We have also agreed the General Terms for an Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) with the United States and agreed a new Strategic Partnership with the European Union.

We are continuing to make good progress in our negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Turkey. We will ensure that our trade deals are aligned with our Trade and Industrial Strategies, to bring prosperity to communities across the country, and fulfil our mission of securing the highest sustained growth in the G7.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress he has made on supporting small and medium-sized businesses in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Plan for Small Businesses, published in July, sets out the measures that the government is taking to support small businesses across the UK. This includes tackling late payments, boosting access to finance, and removing red tape to enable small businesses, including those in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency, to grow and thrive. SMEs can access DBT’s wealth of business and export support via business.gov.uk.

The West of England Growth Hub is where SMEs in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency can benefit from specialist business advice and help on how to grow and access new markets.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps her department is taking to minimise barriers for international firms to invest in the UK.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Restoring sustainable, long-term economic growth remains the number one priority of this government. This is the foundation for the prosperity that families throughout the UK expect, and it is essential to creating the conditions that attract investment across sectors such advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital technologies.

The UK continues to champion free trade and global investment. We are supported by over 70 international trade agreements and have more than doubled the government’s budget headroom, strengthening our resilience and capacity to respond to future challenges. Our stable fiscal framework and pro‑investment tax system give international firms the confidence to invest. Consistent with the commitments set out in the 2024 Corporate Tax Roadmap, the government is maintaining the elements of the UK’s corporate tax offer that matter most for new investment:

• a main rate of Corporation Tax at 25% – the lowest in the G7;
• a flexible and competitive regime for intangible assets;
• the Patent Box; and
• one of the most generous and competitive capital allowances regimes in the world.

The UK is also an attractive location for groups to locate their headquarters or holding companies, offering broad exemptions for gains on disposals of substantial shareholdings and a broad exemption for dividends paid to UK companies. There are also limited withholding taxes on outbound payments such as dividends, interest and royalties.

These measures are delivering results. We are set to be the second fastest growing economy in the G7 this year; PWC last year named the UK as the second most attractive country for investment in the world among CEOs, behind only the US and since coming into government we have seen companies from across the globe commit over £325bn worth of private investment into the UK.