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 help increase the number of agricultural co-operatives and mutuals.

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

The Government strongly supports the benefits co-operatives, producer organisations and mutuals can bring in buying inputs, coordinating production, and selling outputs, and recognises the important role they play in promoting sustainable farming and supporting rural communities, as set out in the recently published Farming Roadmap. The Government will ensure supply chains work fairly, including supporting co-operatives so farmers strengthen their bargaining power. Defra is also developing the new Farmer Collaboration Fund to support farmers working together to become more profitable, resilient and environmentally sustainable.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cases have been referred to HMRC for civil sanctions by Trading Standards teams for non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system since July 2023; how many of those referrals resulted in a civil sanction; and what the value was of those civil sanctions.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has received 1,034 referrals from Trading Standards relating to non-compliance with the UK Tobacco Track and Trace system. To date, 569 referrals have resulted in financial penalties being issued, with a total value of £3,497,500. This reflects cases where HMRC's casework has concluded; other referrals remain under review or are continuing through the compliance process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress is being made on the establishment of a Co-operative Development Unit.

Answered by Nesil Caliskan

MHCLG is working across Government to deliver our manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, following the commitment to establish a Co-operatives Development Unit in the Pride in Place Strategy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he expects the Community Ownership Fund to be open for applications.

Answered by Nesil Caliskan

The newly announced Pride in Place Community Right to Buy Fund, backed by £61 million, will help communities buy and run the buildings and spaces they value most, including pubs, shops, community centres, sports facilities and cultural venues.

The Fund will be a targeted and strategic offer, designed to support the new Community Right to Buy and focusing on communities in the most deprived areas. The details of this Fund, including timelines, will be set out in due course.

Found: In response, on 3 April 2025, the then Minister, Jim McMahon, issued TVCA with a best value notice:

Found: Oldham’s local MPs Jim McMahon and Debbie Abrahams and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham have been

Found: department during 2025-26 • The Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP • Rushanara Ali MP • Alex Norris MP • Jim McMahon

Found: department during 2025-26 • The Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP • Rushanara Ali MP • Alex Norris MP • Jim McMahon

Found: Frith MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care Jim McMahon