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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the impact of avian influenza-related restrictions on the operation of the aviculture and caged bird sector will be considered at her next meeting with the APHA.

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

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities.

The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.

Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the aviculture and caged bird sector on the impact of avian influenza- related restrictions on the operation of that sector.

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

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities.

The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.

Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the frequency is of the review process for her Department and the APHA to monitor the impact of avian influenza-related restrictions on the aviculture and caged bird sector.

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

Defra officials have engaged with the aviculture and caged bird sector, including regional bird clubs and other avicultural organisations, via stakeholder forums and individual discussions as appropriate to understand the impacts of the changes in bird gathering licences on their activities.

The Great Britain wild bird and poultry risk levels are reviewed weekly. The avian influenza disease control and prevention measures are kept under regular review and informed by the latest scientific and ornithological evidence and veterinary advice.

Defra Ministers regularly meet with APHA on a range of issues including the Government's response to exotic disease outbreaks.

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 farming sector on the financial impact of changes in the costs of fertiliser due to the conflict in the Middle East on UK farmers.

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

Defra recognises the recent increase in fertiliser prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East. We are in close contact with domestic fertiliser suppliers and farming unions and are monitoring overall supply to the UK.

Defra will continue to engage with industry and farmers to understand potential pressures and options to mitigate any risks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the road haulage sector on the financial impact of [i] forthcoming changes to fuel duty and [ii] changes in oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East on road hauliers.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the key role the haulage sector plays in the UK economy. The Government is taking action to ensure that fuel at the pump remains affordable. At Budget 2025, the Government extended the 5p-per-litre cut for a further five months, until the end of August this year. The Government has also cancelled the increase in line with inflation for 2026/27; instead, rates will only gradually return to early 2022 levels by March 2027.

The Government's action on fuel duty will save an average heavy goods vehicle more than £800 in 2026/27 compared to previous plans, and follows an extended period where freezes to fuel duty have resulted in substantial savings for the haulage industry.

As the Chancellor has set out, a rapid de-escalation in the Middle East remains the best way to keep prices low at the pump.

As with all taxes, the Government keeps fuel duty under review; and any changes are announced at fiscal events.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to WPQ 112096 answered on 23 February 2026 about 'VAT Fraud,' what recent discussions he has had with HMRC about trends in the levels of cases of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system.

Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice.

HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112096 on VAT Fraud, how many cases are being investigated by HMRC of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using genuine customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system.

Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice.

HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of HMRC's (a) investigative powers and (b) human resources to investigate cases of organised criminals accessing VAT accounts using genuine customers' registration details and claiming VAT refunds.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC has active investigations into organised crime VAT fraud. However, live case information isn’t routinely published, and disclosing the number of ongoing investigations would risk alerting or enabling those seeking to exploit the tax system.

Further to answer UIN 112096, HMRC have implemented additional controls over recent months to strengthen its systems and ensure access is limited to legitimate customers. As part of this, HMRC has established the Fraud Prevention Centre (FPC), a multi-functional team led by HMRC's Security directorate, focused on the protection, detection and response to identity-related security threats. The FPC also provides enhanced, direct support to customers and manages fraud in line with industry best practice.

HMRC has wide ranging criminal investigation powers, as set out on GOV.UK, and is resourced to investigate serious fraud, deploying compliance and enforcement capability to protect the integrity of the tax system. At Spring Statement 2025, the Government set out plans to expand HMRC's counter-fraud capability, including strengthening its response to organised criminal attacks.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made on the potential impact of changes to Part 2 student loan repayments and the freezing of interest thresholds on the (a) degree and (b) course choices of young people.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Plan 2 loans were designed and implemented by previous governments. Students in England starting degrees under this government have different arrangements. As these loans are not available for prospective students in England, there is no impact on degree and course choices.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent progress she has made on supporting the development of alternative methodologies to the use of animals in science.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25th November 2025 to Question UIN 91769 https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-17/91769

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what is the frequency of the updates that he is receiving from the Fuel Distribution Association about challenges in the supply chain of heating oil for [i] domestic and [ii] business customers.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is in frequent communication with the UK and Ireland Fuel Distribution Association (UKIFDA) to monitor heating oil supply and pricing. We are aware that some customers are experiencing delays or difficulties in receiving heating oil deliveries; this was due to an increase in demand. This has now reduced, and industry are reporting that demand has returned to the normal level expected for this time of year.

The Prime Minister confirmed £53 million of immediate support for those most exposed to changing heating oil prices on Monday 16 March.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when will he receive the next update from the Fuel Distribution Association about the work of heating oil providers to ensure that customers have flexibility on delivery size.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Energy Minister has been in contact with the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) and continues to work with them and other suppliers to ensure vulnerable households are treated fairly, including in relation to delivery sizes. DESNZ has held regular discussions with UKIFDA to emphasise that members should follow the industry Code of Practice to provide their customers with flexibility on delivery size.

On Monday 16 March the Government announced the intention to regulate the heating oil sector to introduce new customer protections along-side securing agreements with industry to quickly improve customer experience and ensure households are better protected. In this context the Energy Secretary welcomes the Competition and Market Authority’s comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of mental health support for senior leaders in non-clinical NHS roles.

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

The Department does not hold data on the level of suicides amongst the National Health Service workforce.

Data relating to numbers of suicides in England and Wales is published regularly by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). ONS occasionally also publishes ad hoc analysis of suicide numbers by standard occupational classifications. Whilst this data does not allow identification of the employer, such as the NHS, it does present suicide numbers by broad occupation categories. The latest ad hoc publication can be found at the following link:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/adhocs/2726suicidebyoccupationinenglandandwales2023and2024provisional

There is a wide range of mental health support for all NHS staff. Staff are able to access mental health support through their general practice but can also access support provided by their employer through employee assistance programmes or occupational health. NHS England also offers a range of health and wellbeing resources, including health and wellbeing apps and text support services, and NHS leaders can access the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service which is available to both clinical and non-clinical staff and is in place to help those with more complex mental health needs. Further information on the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service is available at the following link:

https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/

The service is designed to offer confidential support to NHS professionals, who cannot access confidential support locally.

NHS England has also published a national suicide prevention toolkit and postvention toolkit to help organisations introduce prevention strategies and support their workforce, both of which are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/working-together-to-prevent-suicide-in-the-nhs/

https://www.nhsconfed.org/system/files/2023-03/NHS-employee-suicide-postvention-toolkit.pdf

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what data his Department holds on trends in the level of suicides amongst senior leaders in non-clinical roles in the NHS.

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

The Department does not hold data on the level of suicides amongst the National Health Service workforce.

Data relating to numbers of suicides in England and Wales is published regularly by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). ONS occasionally also publishes ad hoc analysis of suicide numbers by standard occupational classifications. Whilst this data does not allow identification of the employer, such as the NHS, it does present suicide numbers by broad occupation categories. The latest ad hoc publication can be found at the following link:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/adhocs/2726suicidebyoccupationinenglandandwales2023and2024provisional

There is a wide range of mental health support for all NHS staff. Staff are able to access mental health support through their general practice but can also access support provided by their employer through employee assistance programmes or occupational health. NHS England also offers a range of health and wellbeing resources, including health and wellbeing apps and text support services, and NHS leaders can access the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service which is available to both clinical and non-clinical staff and is in place to help those with more complex mental health needs. Further information on the National Staff Mental Health Treatment Service is available at the following link:

https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk/

The service is designed to offer confidential support to NHS professionals, who cannot access confidential support locally.

NHS England has also published a national suicide prevention toolkit and postvention toolkit to help organisations introduce prevention strategies and support their workforce, both of which are available, respectively, at the following two links:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/working-together-to-prevent-suicide-in-the-nhs/

https://www.nhsconfed.org/system/files/2023-03/NHS-employee-suicide-postvention-toolkit.pdf

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of NHS England's policy of mandatory Advice and Guidance and Elective Single Point of Access with NHS England's Patient Choice Guidance published December 2023.

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

The policy intention for Advice and Guidance (A&G) and the Elective Single Point of Access (SPoA) model is fully compatible with NHS England’s Patient Choice Guidance, published December 2023. Patients must continue to be offered a choice of provider at the appropriate point in the pathway, and local pathways should be designed to ensure that choice rights operate in practice.

The purpose of A&G is to support decision‑making, reduce unnecessary referrals, and deliver more care closer to home. SPoA acts as a single ‘front door’ to support clinical triage to the most appropriate service or outcome, meaning timelier, more joined-up care for patients, without altering patients’ statutory right to choice.

NHS England has published system guidance The Elective Single Point of Access: Technical Guidance for 2026/27, which specifies that patients must continue to be offered choice of provider and team at the appropriate point in the pathway when they can make an informed choice. An elective SPoA diagram showing touchpoints of choice is included in the technical guidance annex.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether assessments of trends in the level of provision of mental health support for (a) senior NHS England leaders and (b) wider staff teams as the closure of NHS England is taking place.

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

NHS England has robust people management infrastructure in place. This includes an annual appraisal process which incorporates risk assessments for all colleagues. There is a broad set of provisions for mental health support which includes an independent external Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Services, and the in-house provision of Mental Health First Aiders.

This provision is supplemented by a bespoke well-being programme which was developed and implemented in response to the Government’s announcement regarding the closure of NHS England last year and includes webinars and workshops delivered by external and internal mental health experts, the provision of change management, and stress management interventions and toolkits, including Maximum and Able Futures workplace mental health services.

Regular reports, including trend data and insights from the providers of mental health services, are regularly reviewed through routine reviews with the providers of the services and established governance arrangements, including the Health and Safety Committee, to ensure that the provision is meeting existing demand and forecast projections.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the trends in the level of (a) staff take-up and (b) trends in staff feedback to the mental health support offered to NHS England staff teams as the closure of NHS England takes place.

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

In addition to the routine review of mental health services, and specifically the employee assistance and occupational health services which highlight needs of colleagues that are mental health related, the engagement level for both services is tracked. Trends in the level of colleague uptake of services, by type and satisfaction levels, and trends in staff feedback to the mental health support offered to NHS England colleagues is monitored and reviewed through established governance arrangements, including feedback provided from trade union partnerships and staff networks, to ensure that the provision is meeting existing demand and forecast projections.

An expert panel has been recently engaged to assess the trends, including the level of colleague uptake and feedback, to make recommendations within the context of the closure of NHS England and potential impact on colleagues. The panel will inform decisions on whether further support for colleagues should be put in place in 2026/27.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with the leisure centre and gym sector on the impact of business rates on the financial sustainability of that sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government published information on the effects of the changes to business rates made at Budget 2025 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier#multipliers

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the impact of business rate costs on the ability of the gym and leisure centre sector to provide services for the health and wellbeing of communities.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government published information on the effects of the changes to business rates made at Budget 2025 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier#multipliers

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will introduce updated guidance for the inclusion of community and independent gym and leisure facilities within RHL relief categories.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government published information on the effects of the changes to business rates made at Budget 2025 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier#multipliers

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of business rates on the sustainability of the leisure centre and gym sector.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At the Budget, the VOA announced updated property values from the 2026 revaluation. This revaluation is the first since the pandemic, which has led to significant increases in rateable values for some properties as they recover from the pandemic.

To respond to those who are seeing large increases, Government has already acted to limit increases in bills, announcing a support package worth £4.3 billion package at the Budget.

The Government is also introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new tax rates are worth nearly £1 billion per year and will benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government published information on the effects of the changes to business rates made at Budget 2025 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier/effects-of-the-business-rates-retail-hospitality-and-leisure-multipliers-and-high-value-multiplier#multipliers

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will conduct focus groups in the East Midlands with individuals who need equality adjustments to share their opinions in a non-written manner on the SEND Reform White Paper.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

On Monday 23 February, we launched a full 12‑week consultation on our special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms because we want to hear directly from people across the country who have an interest in these reforms.

To do that, we are building on our national conversation and delivering one of the widest engagement programmes we have ever run, reaching professionals, families, and children and young people to help shape these reforms together.

We are hosting a series of in‑person events and online opportunities throughout the 12-week consultation period in every region, including the East Midlands, with some sessions delivered in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children.

The department has a dedicated mailbox for SEND reform consultation responses and is accepting both written and non-written responses to consultation questions. The mailbox is available at: SENDreform.CONSULTATION@education.gov.uk.

The consultation, including accessible versions, can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/send-reform-putting-children-and-young-people-first.

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