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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when she last met with her preferred candidate for the Chair of the Independent Football Regulator; and when she next plans to meet with him.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

David Kogan has now been appointed as Chair of the Independent Football Regulator and the Secretary of State and I had a formal introductory meeting with him on 14 October.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support she is providing to the (a) horseracing industry, (b) equine sector and (c) rural economy.

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

Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport.

This year’s levy yield is set to be around £108 million which, if confirmed, exceeds the previous year's figure of £105 million.

The Secretary of State recently approved the request to put £1.15 million of levy funds towards the production costs of “Champions: Full Gallop” Series 2, which is designed to attract new fans to the sport. This sits alongside Great British Racing’s “The Going is Good” campaign which also received £3.62 million from the Levy Board.

There has been ministerial engagement between Defra and His Majesty’s Treasury to ensure that they are aware of the specific way British horseracing is funded and the potential implications of any changes to taxation.

Defra recognises the importance of the equine sector to the UK economy and acknowledges the value of a robust equine identification and traceability regime. The current system supports public health, disease outbreak management, and biosecurity. Biosecurity is also protected by the UK’s imports requirements and imports health certificates for equines.

The SPS agreement, outlined at the UK-EU Leader’s Summit on 19th May 2025, will establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area, aimed at facilitating the safe and efficient movement of trade. The SPS Agreement will cover sanitary rules and the regulation of live animals, including animal health conditions governing the movement and importation of Equidae. The SPS Agreement is built on a commitment for the UK to regulate consistently with the EU on specific SPS rules. Defra is currently working to establish what implementation of the SPS Agreement will involve for equines.

We know that rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy, contributing over £240 billion a year to England alone. This government is committed to improving the quality of life for people living and working in rural areas, so that we can realise the full potential of rural business and communities.

The Spending Review settlement outlined support for the rural economy and protect the countryside. In addition to funding for sustainable farming and nature recovery, the government confirmed investment of over £1.9 billion over four years into broadband and 4G connectivity, and £2.3 billion of Local Transport Grant funding for smaller cities, towns and rural area. This funding addresses the key blockers to growth in rural areas.

Separately, Defra will confirm detailed allocations for other programmes through this round of business planning.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether charities paying non-commercial rates will pay the Nuclear regulated asset base charges.

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

The Nuclear Regulated Asset Base (RAB) Model (Revenue Collection) Regulations 2023 set out how RAB levies for nuclear projects will be implemented; electricity suppliers are levied for the RAB allowed revenue, which we expect to be passed on to non-exempt domestic and non-domestic consumers.

By allowing revenue from the start of the project’s construction, we expect to bring down project cost of capital and avoid the roll up of interest, the cost of which could otherwise be passed on to consumers.

Once operational, analysis shows Sizewell C could create savings of £2 billion a year across the future low-carbon electricity system, leading to cheaper power for consumers.

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 support hospitality businesses that are (a) reducing their workforce and (b) operating at reduced capacity due to cost pressures.

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

The Government recognises the vital role hospitality businesses play in local economies and communities. We also recognise the pressures they face.

That's why creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 and protecting the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500, so that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all and can hire up to four full-time workers on the National Living Wage without incurring employer NIC costs.

We also work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues including cost and employment pressures.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what governance mechanisms her Department plans to introduce to ensure that the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling is able to operate (a) independently, (b) transparently and (c) on the basis of evidence-based commissioning.

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

The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives. The Programme Board is chaired by DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling, and its membership consists of government officials from relevant departments across government, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. The Board's membership is currently limited to government officials as its focus is on the operational aspects of the levy system to ensure a smooth transition to and successful implementation of the new system.

We have also established the Gambling Levy Advisory Group. It is chaired by a DCMS official and membership consists of working level representation from UK Research and Innovation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, and the Gambling Commission. The Advisory Group brings together the research, prevention and treatment strands of the levy at a working level, facilitating appropriate integration and collaboration between commissioning leads. Funding decisions will be taken by the appropriate bodies, with scrutiny provided by relevant governance structures.

We will continue to regularly monitor the levy’s governance arrangements to ensure that there is effective oversight of delivery against objectives. We will publish the Terms of Reference for the Levy Board and Advisory Group in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish the (a) governance framework, (b) remit, (c) terms of reference and (d) operating rules for (i) the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling and (ii) its associated advisory groups.

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

The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives. The Programme Board is chaired by DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling, and its membership consists of government officials from relevant departments across government, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. The Board's membership is currently limited to government officials as its focus is on the operational aspects of the levy system to ensure a smooth transition to and successful implementation of the new system.

We have also established the Gambling Levy Advisory Group. It is chaired by a DCMS official and membership consists of working level representation from UK Research and Innovation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, and the Gambling Commission. The Advisory Group brings together the research, prevention and treatment strands of the levy at a working level, facilitating appropriate integration and collaboration between commissioning leads. Funding decisions will be taken by the appropriate bodies, with scrutiny provided by relevant governance structures.

We will continue to regularly monitor the levy’s governance arrangements to ensure that there is effective oversight of delivery against objectives. We will publish the Terms of Reference for the Levy Board and Advisory Group in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of organised protests on (a) tourism to and (b) businesses in London.

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

The Home Office has not made a formal assessment of the potential economic impact of organised protests on tourism or businesses in London. Responsibility for tourism policy rests primarily with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, while business resilience and economic analysis are led by the Department for Business and Trade.

We continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and to ensure that lawful protest is facilitated while minimising disruption to the public and economic activity.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help ensure the continuity of the (a) National Gambling Helpline and (b) other national gambling harms charities.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The introduction of the new statutory levy on gambling operators, which came into effect in April 2025, guarantees independent, sustainable funding for the research, prevention, and treatment of gambling-related harms.

The Government recognises the important role national gambling harm charities play in providing help and support for those experiencing gambling-related harms. To ensure the continuity of these services during the transition to the levy system, GambleAware will continue to commission existing treatment and support services until 31 March 2026.

From 1 April 2026, NHS England will assume responsibility for commissioning the full gambling harms treatment pathway in England. Organisations, including those who operate the National Gambling Helpline, will be permitted to apply for ringfenced levy funding, provided they comply with the stated eligibility requirements. NHS England is actively working to confirm future commissioning arrangements and is committed to keeping stakeholders informed, with a further update expected in November.

The Office for Improvement and Disparities, as the prevention commissioner for England under the levy, intends to launch a competitive grant process for 2026/27 to provide funding for the voluntary sector to deliver effective prevention activity. Further details will be confirmed in November 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the (a) names, (b) job titles and (c) names of associated organisations are of the people appointed to (i) the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling and (ii) its associated advisory bodies; and what criteria were used in their selection.

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

The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives. The Programme Board is chaired by DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling, and its membership consists of government officials from relevant departments across government, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. The Board's membership is currently limited to government officials as its focus is on the operational aspects of the levy system to ensure a smooth transition to and successful implementation of the new system.

We have also established the Gambling Levy Advisory Group. It is chaired by a DCMS official and membership consists of working level representation from UK Research and Innovation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, and the Gambling Commission. The Advisory Group brings together the research, prevention and treatment strands of the levy at a working level, facilitating appropriate integration and collaboration between commissioning leads. Funding decisions will be taken by the appropriate bodies, with scrutiny provided by relevant governance structures.

We will continue to regularly monitor the levy’s governance arrangements to ensure that there is effective oversight of delivery against objectives. We will publish the Terms of Reference for the Levy Board and Advisory Group in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 77715 on Betting: Excise Duties, which stakeholders her Department has engaged with through the consultation process.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government launched a consultation on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system, which closed on 21 July 2025. Responses are now being analysed and a response to the consultation will be published at Autumn Budget 2025.

As part of the consultation process, the Government engaged with a wide range of stakeholders including, the British Horseracing Authority, the Jockey Club and Betting & Gaming Council as well as gambling businesses and charities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much the Women’s Sport Taskforce (a) has cost her Department since 4 July 2025 and (b) will cost annually.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

There is no additional cost to the department as a result of the Women’s Sport Taskforce, however, officials within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are allocated to support the Taskforce.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of the 2026 business rates revaluation for hospitality businesses on (a) the number of businesses subject to the surcharge on businesses over £500,000 and (b) the total level of taxes paid by the hospitality sector; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the 2026 business rates revaluation on the number of jobs in the hospitality business 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.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government is sustainably funding this by introducing a higher tax rate on properties with RVs of £500,000 and above.

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 and 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.

The Government will support those seeing the biggest increases at the revaluation. The Government will announce details at Budget 2025, in light of the revaluation outcomes.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has met the Police Federation since her appointment.

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

Home Office Ministers have regular meetings as part of the process of policy development and delivery.

As part of Government transparency information about meetings is published on a quarterly basis on gov.uk

The Police Act 1996 establishes the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) as the representative body for police officers in the federated ranks in England and Wales.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make establish a National Police Trust funded from money seized from the proceeds of crime.

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

The allocation of criminal funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) is governed by the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS). The Scheme is designed to incentivise all agencies involved in asset recovery, including the police, to pursue criminal proceeds with the overarching aim of reducing crime and delivering justice.

Under ARIS, a proportion of the assets recovered using POCA powers is redistributed to the agencies involved in the recovery, based on their relative contributions. Currently, up to 50% of ARIS receipts are returned to operational partners depending on their contribution. The Scheme also supports the development of regional and national asset recovery capabilities through the ARIS Top Slice Fund, which ringfences £13.9 million annually for this purpose.

In line with the spirit of the Scheme, the Government encourages agencies to invest their ARIS funds to enhance asset recovery and, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities that benefit communities. The use of ARIS allocations is at the discretion of each agency, ensuring they retain flexibility to direct funds in line with local priorities and operational needs. As such, these funds may be eligible for donation to support a National Police Trust, should agencies choose to do so.

More detail on the breakdown of ARIS funding can be found in the Asset Recovery Statistical Bulletin (ASB) at section 7: Asset recovery statistical bulletin: financial years ending 2020 to 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of a mandatory extension of the £30 away-ticket cap beyond the Premier League on the finances of (a) lower-league and (b) non-league football clubs.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs.

However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the independent football regulator on the feasibility of extending the £30 away-ticket cap to (a) the Championship, (b) League One, (c) League Two and (d) the National League.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs.

However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the independent football regulator on the potential impact of ticket pricing policies on (a) supporter experience and (b) club-community relations.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs.

However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the (a) Independent Football Regulator and (b) Football Association on the conduct of (i) Manchester City and (ii) Chelsea.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs.

However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the independent football regulator on engagement with supporters’ groups on away-ticket pricing.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Independent Football Regulator has a tightly defined scope focusing on the financial sustainability of clubs, the systemic stability of the football pyramid and protecting club heritage. Football ticket price caps are commercial decisions and a matter for football clubs.

However, fan consultation is a key part of the licensing regime within the Football Governance Act and the Regulator will require clubs to consult fans on a range of specified relevant matters, including ticket pricing.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support entry-level employment opportunities for young people in the hospitality sector.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP delivers Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which are fully funded by government and offer training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview to those ready to start a job, as well as those who are seeking to retrain and change career.

In the last financial year, there were 5,620 SWAP starts in hospitality, which have helped people of all ages gain the relevant skills to move into work.

DWP are focusing on the hospitality sector by delivering a hospitality SWAP pilot, launched in partnership with the trade body UKHospitality. This pilot is being rolled out to 26 new areas in need of jobs and opportunity, including 13 coastal towns such as Scarborough and Blackpool. As part of the pilot, participants are supported to gain accreditation for a digital Hospitality Skills Passport, which is designed to provide proof that they are qualified to perform their job effectively and safely, giving them a universal entry standard into the sector.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to employers' National Insurance contributions on seasonal hospitality-based businesses following the 2025 summer season.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government closely monitors the health of different sectors across the UK economy and regularly engages with the hospitality sector.

The Government protected the smallest hospitality businesses from the recent changes to employer National Insurance through increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500.

We have also taken a number of other steps to support the hospitality industry. This includes:

• Introducing a permanently lower business rates multiplier for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27. Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the government extended the RHL relief for 2025-26 at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier.
• Establishing the Licensing Taskforce and issuing a call for evidence on a National Licensing Policy Framework which will set out national direction for licensing authorities to consider economic growth and cultural value,
• Protecting hospitality businesses from upward only rent clauses through the English Devolution Bill, and;
• Introducing a strong new ‘Community Right to Buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets – such as pubs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employers' National Insurance contributions on the availability of jobs for (a) young people and (b) young people not in education, employment and training.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

The Office for Budget Responsibility also published the Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), which sets out a detailed forecast of the economy and public finances.  With all policies considered, the OBR's March 2025 EFO forecasts the employment level to increase from 33.6 million in 2024 to 34.8 million in 2029.

The Government is committed to supporting young people to earn and learn. That is why we have recently announced that we will offer a guaranteed job to young people on Universal Credit, who are unemployed for over 18 months. This will provide an opportunity for young people to gain essential skills and experience and prevent the damaging effects of long-term unemployment. This initiative forms a key part of the Government’s Youth Guarantee and will build upon existing employment support and sector-based work academies (SWAPs) currently being delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Further details will be announced at the Budget 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions (a) she and (b) Ministers have had with (a) the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on the introduction of a ticket resale cap since 6 September 2025.

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

This Government is committed to introducing new protections for consumers on ticket resales, which is why we launched the Putting Fans First consultation on the resale of live events tickets earlier this year.

Policy responsibility for live event ticket resale is shared between DCMS and the Department for Business and Trade. Our Departments have been speaking regularly and engaging with all other relevant Departments as we consider the response to our consultation, which will be published shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Government teams up with experts to supercharge women’s sport by the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, published on 8 September 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure those objectives are met by 2035.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Women's Sport Taskforce was recently launched to drive a Decade of Change in women’s sport.

The Government is working across five key pillars in order to ensure this objective is met. We are ensuring equal access to sport, with an independent expert-led review of the curriculum to ensure all children engage with PE and sport, a new School Sport Partnerships model, and the This Girl Can campaign by Sport England.

We are committed to delivering best in class facilities, with the significant investment of £98 million in 2025/26 and a further £400 million in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, doubling priority slots for women and girls.

We are acting on recommendations from the Karen Carney Review of Women's Football and utilising the Women's Football Taskforce and Women’s Sport Taskforce to support world-leading professional environments. Further to this, we are increasing visibility of women’s sport, including delivering a drumbeat of UK hosted major events, with the recent Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, Women's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, and the Tour de France/Tour de Femmes 2027, while also supporting the bid for the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) horseracing, (b) the equine sector and (c) the rural economy.

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

Defra regularly engages with other Departments including The Treasury to ensure our interests, including in rural areas, are not overlooked. The Spending Review settlement outlined the Government’s support for the rural economy and to protect the countryside. Defra will confirm detailed allocations for other programmes through this round of business planning.

We know that rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy, contributing over £259 billion a year to England alone. This Government is committed to improving quality of life for people in rural areas, to realise the full potential of rural business and communities.

Defra recognises the importance of the equine sector to the economy. Defra engages with the industry on protecting public health, managing disease outbreak, and ensuring welfare and biosecurity, and works across Government on broader issues, such as domestic business and international trade.

DCMS lead on engagement with the Treasury on support for the horseracing sector. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct Government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. This year’s levy yield is set to be around £108 million which, if confirmed, exceeds the previous year's figure of £105 million.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group next plans to consider funding for Abiraterone in a prioritsation round.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS England considered abiraterone as an off-label treatment for hormone sensitive, non-metastatic prostate cancer through its clinical policy development process in 2024/25. Through this process, NHS England confirmed that there was sufficient supporting evidence to support the routine commissioning of abiraterone in this indication and it was ranked as the top priority for routine commissioning. This position is being kept under review, although currently there is no requirement for another meeting of the Clinical Priorities Advisory Group to reprioritise this policy, and the policy will be progressed as soon as recurrent funding is identified.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with local newspaper companies on the potential impact of Recommendation 4 of the Licensing policy sprint: joint industry and HM government taskforce report, published on 31 July 2025, on local newspapers.

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

Following the Licensing taskforce report, the Government published a Call for Evidence on reforming the licensing system on 7 October, which closes on 6 November. The Call for Evidence invites views on licensing reforms, including in relation to Recommendation 4 of the taskforce on ending the requirement for printed statutory notices in local newspapers for alcohol licences. The reforms collectively aim to create a modern, proportionate, and enabling system that supports economic growth, revitalises high streets and fosters vibrant communities.

More broadly, the Government is concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We also recognise that local press continues to play a central role in informing local communities, and that public notices can be important in helping inform the public of decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property. We are planning a review of all types of public notice as part of the Local Media Strategy, which will more broadly consider the merits of making changes to existing requirements to place public notices in print local newspapers and also take forward final decisions on the future of alcohol licence notices.

We regularly engage with industry stakeholders on this and other key issues, including through our Local Media Strategy working group set up earlier this year to consider our overall plans for the Strategy in more detail, and welcome the industry’s input into the Call for Evidence. More will be announced on the Strategy and review in the coming months.

Jammu and Kashmir Accession Day

Attendance of the Attorney General at the Bar of the House on the Chinese espionage case