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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made on the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan.

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

The Farming and Food Partnership Board has now held its second meeting, with continued progress being made on the development of the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan.

Meetings with horticulture sector experts are helping shape an industry-led, sector- driven plan that brings together government and industry expertise. These meetings provide a key opportunity for the sector to influence the plan’s direction, highlighting major challenges and opportunities to boost productivity and profitability

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to improve the resilience of UK food supply chains.

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

The Food Sector is one of the UK's 13 Critical National Infrastructure sectors. Defra works with industry and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Chief Executive of HMRC is informed of the outcome of investigations into the tax affairs of politically exposed persons.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chief Executive of HMRC will be informed of investigation outcomes when it is appropriate to do so, for example, if there are areas of particular complexity.

HMRC also publishes their Code of Governance for Resolving Tax Disputes. This covers the role of HMRC Commissioners, which includes the Chief Executive of HMRC. This can be found here - Code of Governance for Resolving Tax Disputes - GOV.UK.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral response of the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury during the debate on Draft Vaping Duty Stamps (Requirements, Reviews and Appeals) Regulations 2026, on 27 April 2026, Official Report, column 6, for what reasons SICPA is not listed as a supplier in the HMRC Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme contract published on 10 February 2026.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) awarded the contract for the Vaping Duty Stamps (VDS) Scheme following a competitive procurement process conducted in line with the Procurement Act 2023 and wider government procurement rules.

As a result of this process, the contract was awarded to Cartor Security Printers as the lead bidder of a consortium, which also included SICPA. SICPA is accordingly named in the contract as a key subcontractor rather than as the supplier.

All bids were subject to a robust evaluation and assurance process to ensure compliance with these rules and to secure value for money for taxpayers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what HMRC's policy is on commenting on the outcome of tax investigations where a member of the public has publicly referred to the findings.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC cannot comment on the tax affairs of individuals or businesses. This includes confirming or denying whether investigations are taking place or providing details of their outcome. It also includes circumstances where the tax affairs of an individual or business are being commented on in the public domain.

HMRC is a statutory body with statutory functions and a statutory duty of confidentiality which are set out in legislation in the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act, (CRCA) 2005. Section 18 of CRCA makes clear that HMRC must not disclose information to anyone, unless they have lawful authority to do so.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he intends to respond to the correspondence from the hon. members for North West Norfolk and Brigg and Immingham of 17 March 2026 regarding tariffs on imports of UAN.

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

The Government received correspondence regarding an application for a duty suspension as part of the 2025-2026 business suspension application window. We cannot comment on the application as the assessment process is currently ongoing, but we expect to announce the outcome as soon as possible.

The Government can confirm receipt of the correspondence and will respond when the suspensions process is complete.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the Written Statement of 18 May 2026 titled HM Treasury Review of the Ring-Fencing Regime, if she will publish any correspondence or representations received from banks or banking representatives regarding the future of the ring-fencing regime.

Answered by Rachel Blake - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government collaborated closely with the Bank of England in the development of the reforms and engaged with ring-fenced banks and other stakeholders during the Ring-Fencing Review. HM Treasury does not routinely publish correspondence it has with industry or other stakeholders.

HM Treasury and the Bank of England will consult publicly on the detailed proposals being taken forward following the Review and will publish summaries of responses in the normal way.