Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61229 on Cabinet Office: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2025 to Question 61217 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in his department were considered as part of the zero based review.

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

The 2025 Spending Review included a zero-based review of spending. The Department scrutinised every line of spending to ensure that it is delivering value for money. The review covered resource budgets across the full Department Group, defined as the Department and all its arm’s length bodies.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she expects to make a decision on proposals for improvements to the A17 Pullover Junction in King’s Lynn; and what the next stages are in the consideration of those proposals.

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

The A17 Pullover Junction scheme forms part of the Department’s Major Road Network (MRN) programme. The Secretary of State announced a review of the programme in July 2025, as part of which local authorities were asked to confirm whether or not they wished to proceed with each individual scheme. In its response to the review, Norfolk County Council has said that it will have to withdraw the scheme from the programme, because it can longer afford its local funding contribution to the scheme and because of impending local government reorganisation.

Henceforth any decision on the future of the scheme is likely to become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, following the election in May 2026, or the successor unitary authority covering King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her planned timetable is for improvements to the A17 Pullover Junction in King’s Lynn.

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

The A17 Pullover Junction scheme forms part of the Department’s Major Road Network (MRN) programme. The Secretary of State announced a review of the programme in July 2025, as part of which local authorities were asked to confirm whether or not they wished to proceed with each individual scheme. In its response to the review, Norfolk County Council has said that it will have to withdraw the scheme from the programme, because it can longer afford its local funding contribution to the scheme and because of impending local government reorganisation.

Henceforth any decision on the future of the scheme is likely to become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, following the election in May 2026, or the successor unitary authority covering King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether funding has been allocated for improvements to the A17 Pullover Junction in King’s Lynn.

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

The A17 Pullover Junction scheme forms part of the Department’s Major Road Network (MRN) programme. The Secretary of State announced a review of the programme in July 2025, as part of which local authorities were asked to confirm whether or not they wished to proceed with each individual scheme. In its response to the review, Norfolk County Council has said that it will have to withdraw the scheme from the programme, because it can longer afford its local funding contribution to the scheme and because of impending local government reorganisation.

Henceforth any decision on the future of the scheme is likely to become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, following the election in May 2026, or the successor unitary authority covering King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of grade separation to alleviate congestion at the A17 Pullover Junction in King’s Lynn.

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

The A17 Pullover Junction scheme forms part of the Department’s Major Road Network (MRN) programme. The Secretary of State announced a review of the programme in July 2025, as part of which local authorities were asked to confirm whether or not they wished to proceed with each individual scheme. In its response to the review, Norfolk County Council has said that it will have to withdraw the scheme from the programme, because it can longer afford its local funding contribution to the scheme and because of impending local government reorganisation.

Henceforth any decision on the future of the scheme is likely to become the responsibility of the new Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk, following the election in May 2026, or the successor unitary authority covering King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61228 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, the Department for Work and Pensions carried out a line by line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61226 on Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

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

The Zero Based Review covered all of RDEL spending which encompassed 75 lines of activity.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61220 on Ministry of Defence: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

At Spending Review 2025, the Government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 59412 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

As with all departments, HM Treasury undertook a line-by-line review of all activity within the Department.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61223 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, DCMS carried out a line by line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government’s commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85901 on Prisoners' Release, for what reason he did not state how many of the 262 prisoners released in error in 2024-25 were returned to custody.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice is taking robust action to prevent release inaccuracies. Releases inaccuracy has been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government.

On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps which includes strengthening release checks across prisons and an independent inquiry will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies.

A joint protocol between HMPPS and NPCC is in place, to ensure effective and timely communication between partner agencies when an individual is released in error to rearrest them as quickly as possible.

The Government is determined to fix release inaccuracies and ensure the public is properly protected.

The data requested comes from internal management information and is therefore not fully Quality Assured and does not meet the standard required for public consumption.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 5 November 2025 to Question 85902 on Prisoners, for what reason he did not provide an estimate of the number of prisoners detained beyond their release date in 2024-25.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

The Ministry of Justice is taking robust action to prevent release inaccuracies. Releases inaccuracy has been increasing for several years and are another symptom of the prison system crisis inherited by this Government.

On 11 November, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a five-point action plan setting out initial steps which includes strengthening release checks across prisons and an independent inquiry will report its recommendations to prevent further inaccuracies.

A joint protocol between HMPPS and NPCC is in place, to ensure effective and timely communication between partner agencies when an individual is released in error to rearrest them as quickly as possible.

The Government is determined to fix release inaccuracies and ensure the public is properly protected.

The data requested comes from internal management information and is therefore not fully Quality Assured and does not meet the standard required for public consumption.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of removing the quarry exemption and lower rate of Landfill Tax on (a) the cost of nature restoration projects at former quarry sites and (b) levels of biodiversity.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill

Tax following a call for evidence in 2021 under the previous government, to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the government’s circular economy objectives. The consultation closed on 28 July and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.

As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the mineral products and aggregates sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the quarry exemption and lower rate of Landfill Tax on the replenishment rate of permitted reserves of (a) crushed rock and (b) sand and gravel.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill

Tax following a call for evidence in 2021 under the previous government, to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the government’s circular economy objectives. The consultation closed on 28 July and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.

As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the mineral products and aggregates sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the quarry exemption and lower rate of Landfill Tax on revenue from the aggregates sector from (a) Corporation Tax and (b) other taxes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill

Tax following a call for evidence in 2021 under the previous government, to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the government’s circular economy objectives. The consultation closed on 28 July and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.

As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the mineral products and aggregates sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the quarry exemption and lower rate of Landfill Tax on levels of cost of UK construction materials.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill

Tax following a call for evidence in 2021 under the previous government, to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the government’s circular economy objectives. The consultation closed on 28 July and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.

As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the mineral products and aggregates sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed Landfill Tax reforms on (a) the supply of UK-produced titanium dioxide and (b) the resilience of UK supply chains.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill

Tax following a call for evidence in 2021 under the previous government, to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the government’s circular economy objectives. The consultation closed on 28 July and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.

As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the titanium dioxide production sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the quarry exemption and lower rate of Landfill Tax on the number of (a) operating quarries in England and (b) people employed in the aggregates sector in England.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill

Tax following a call for evidence in 2021 under the previous government, to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the government’s circular economy objectives. The consultation closed on 28 July and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.

As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the mineral products and aggregates sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has conducted an impact assessment on the potential impact of removing the quarry exemption for Landfill Tax on the (a) aggregates and (b) mineral products sectors.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recently consulted on proposals to reform Landfill

Tax following a call for evidence in 2021 under the previous government, to ensure the regime remains effective in encouraging waste to be diverted away from landfill and to support the government’s circular economy objectives. The consultation closed on 28 July and the government is considering responses and will set out next steps in due course.

As part of the consultation, the Government has received a wide range of views from stakeholders, including representatives from the mineral products and aggregates sector.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 61222 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government carried out a line-by-line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61224 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

• At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.
• Through the zero-based review, DSIT carried out a line by line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.
• To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.
• Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 61221 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each zero based review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure - at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1 million per annum.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61227 on Department for Business and Trade: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in his Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

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

At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, the Department for Business and Trade carried out a line-by-line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure - at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, when he expects the HousePapers mobile app to be replaced.

Answered by Nick Smith

The HousePapers mobile app is being replaced by improved web apps for both Houses, offering a seamless way to access all parliamentary business papers on the go.

The new web apps will operate on any device, including desktops, mobiles and tablets, and should ensure that more Members, their staff, and anyone interested in the work of Parliament, are able to access the information they need more readily.

The new web apps will be launched by Tuesday 13 January 2026. They will allow users to access:

• House of Commons and House of Lords business papers;
• Hansard;
• Bills and any other papers being debated on the floor of either House and in Westminster Hall or Grand Committee;
• Full texts of Oral and Written Statements as they are made in the House of Commons.

There will be no gap in service for existing users of the HousePapers app, which will continue to provide parliamentary papers until after the launch of the new web apps, and all the documents are also available from the Commons Business and Lords Business webpages.

More information will be available at the House Services Fair for Members and their staff on 9 and 10 December, and further communications will follow nearer to the launch.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 87415 on Solar Power, how much solar power generating capacity from installations smaller than 150kW capacity are (a) operational, (b) under construction and (c) awaiting a planning decision.

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

The Government does not hold this information.

The monthly deployment statistics I cited in my previous answer use different capacity thresholds but indicate that, as of September 2025, 7.72GW of capacity was available from installations smaller than 50kW.

We do not have data about the number of projects below 150kW under construction or awaiting planning decisions. Most installations smaller than 150kW will be on rooftops. These installations can generally be constructed quickly. Typically, they do not require an application for planning permission as they fall under permitted development rights.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures are being taken to ensure that the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act supports research and field trials involving the genetic editing of sugar beet to improve resistance to Virus Yellows disease.

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

The secondary legislation needed to implement The Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants in England commenced on 13 November 2025. This marks a major milestone, enabling research trials to take place and providing a route to market for precision bred products.

Through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme (FIP), we are funding innovative research projects and earlier this year, the Department announced a £12.5 million competition focused specifically on precision breeding. Previous projects funded under FIP includes a research project by Tropic, British Sugar and the John Innes Centre to develop sugar beets through precision breeding that are resistant against Virus Yellows.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June 2025 to Question 61225 on Department for Transport: Public Expenditure, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

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

At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61219 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

At Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the zero-based review, the Home Office carried out a line by line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure – at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1m per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028-29.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of regulatory costs on the pub sector.

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

The Government is committed to easing regulatory burdens for businesses like pubs in the UK, creating the space they need to grow, innovate and thrive. We work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance.

This is why we launched the licensing taskforce last April, a joint effort between Government and Industry with aims to reduce the administrative burdens the UK licensing regime places on our highstreets. The Government invited views to help shape these reforms and the Call for evidence ran for 4 weeks and ended on the 6 November. This attracted a significant number of responses and work is now underway to analyse these.

Additionally, to help ease cost pressures on pubs, from April 2026, eligible retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below £500,000 will benefit from permanently lower business rates multipliers and alcohol duty has been reduced on qualifying draught products which is approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill on the protection of chalk streams in North West Norfolk constituency.

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

Chalk streams are incredible source of national pride. As one of Britain’s most nature rich habitats, they support some of our rarest wildlife – from chalk salmon to trout, they are home to beloved and endangered species.

The Government recognises the importance of protecting these globally rare habitats.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to encourage economic growth in the (a) pubs and (b) hospitality sectors.

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

The Government recognises the vital role that hospitality businesses play in local communities and the economy. That’s why we’re investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services.

The Government invited views and evidence to aid development of a modern, proportionate and enabling licensing system. A Call for Evidence ran for four weeks until 6 November. This attracted a significant number of responses and work is now underway to analyse these. These reforms form part of the Small Business Strategy, which is designed to tackle late payments, improve access to finance and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.

We are also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000. We continue to work closely with the sector through the Hospitality Sector Council to address challenges.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to implement the Chalk Stream Restoration Implementation Plan.

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

Chalk streams are embedded in our plan to reform the water sector. The Government has announced an ambitious programme of reforms to clean up our rivers, lakes, and seas for good. Our focus is now on delivering this revolution across the entire water sector, ensuring chalk streams, alongside all our rivers, lakes, and seas, benefit from this era of reform.

As such, the Chalk Stream Recovery Pack, which was announced by the previous government, falls short of these wider ambitions and is no longer being taken forward.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment has been made of the potential impact of her Department's planned changes to retail, hospitality, and leisure sector multipliers on the pub sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible properties, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context, into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Under the previous Government, RHL relief was due to end entirely in April 2025, and so by extending it, the Government has saved the average pub, with a ratable value of £16,800, over £3,300.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 27 June 2025 to Question 61218 on Government Departments: Reviews, how many lines of activity in her Department were considered as part of the zero based review.

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

At the Spending Review 2025, the government conducted the first zero-based review (ZBR) of department budgets in 18 years, with every line of spending scrutinised to ensure value for money.

Through the ZBR, the department carried out a line-by-line review of its current budgets. The review involved differing levels of granularity depending on the type and size of expenditure under review.

To ensure consistency in approach, cross-government guidance set expectations for the level of granularity each review should consider, recommending that departments review all spending within individual programme expenditure, at a minimum reflecting any lines of spending in excess of £1 million per annum.

Savings identified through this process will support delivery of the government's commitment for all departments to deliver at least 5% savings and efficiencies by 2028/29.