Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when his Department plans to publish the National Cyber Strategy.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
I refer the Honourable Gentleman to the response given to Question 80985, tabled on 10th October 2025.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Cabinet Office's policy paper entitled National security strategy 2025: security for the British people in a dangerous world, updated on 29 August 2025, when her Department will publish the Research Security Strategy.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Research Security Strategy, led by my Department, will for the first time present a single, coordinated Government view on research security and set out a clear narrative on how a thriving R&D sector, supported by a strong research security culture, is fundamental to secure national security, resilience and economic growth.
Work is progressing and the Strategy will be published when it is complete.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 59879 on Cybersecurity: Public Sector, what recent progress she has made on the development of an implementation plan to support the delivery of the Government Cyber Security Strategy.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
DSIT expects to publish the Government Cyber Action Plan later this Winter. The plan sets out how we will adopt a radical shift in our approach to cyber and digital resilience risks across the public sector, strengthening accountability and investing in central capabilities to mitigate the most severe and systemic risks. It sets out the underlying milestones and a performance framework for measuring Government’s progress towards these goals.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when his Department plans to launch the steel strategy.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is developing a Steel Strategy to be published in 2025 that will set out a long-term vision for a bright and sustainable steel sector in the UK and the actions needed to get there.
The strategy will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure and expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity which is aligned with our Net Zero goals.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing exemptions to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (2024) to enable people who pay for charity subscriptions to continue to claim gift aid on membership subscriptions.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government understands the vital role that Gift Aid income provides for charities. The government intends that charities will be able to comply with both the consumer protections in the subscription chapter of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and, where eligible, continue to claim Gift Aid. HM Revenue and Customs are working through the technical details and will continue to engage with the charity sector as this work progresses. Individuals, where eligible, will also be able to continue to complete Gift Aid declarations.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it remains her Department's policy to (a) phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and (b) ensure that all new car sales are for Zero Emission Vehicles by 2035.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
On 7 April the Government confirmed it is committed to phasing out the sale of new cars that rely solely on a petrol or diesel engine by 2030, and phasing out all new non-zero emission cars and vans by 2035.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) reducing VAT rates on hospitality businesses during the covid-19 pandemic on that sector and (b) reducing VAT to 12.5% on the hospitality sector on the economy.
Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
VAT is the UK’s third largest tax. It is forecast to raise £180 billion in 2025/26, which funds public services. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations.
The exceptional VAT relief for tourism and hospitality during the Covid-19 pandemic cost over £8 billion. The Covid Inquiry is investigating the UK’s response to and impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government is cooperating fully with the Inquiry in its extensive and detailed work.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, whether the National Security Strategy is being developed in consultation with (a) external stakeholders and (b) UK allies.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare
The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, which departments have been consulted in the development of the National Security Strategy.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare
The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.
Asked by: Matt Western (Labour - Warwick and Leamington)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46758 on Integrated Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy Review, which Department is leading on drafting the National Security Strategy.
Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare
The National Security Strategy is being developed by the National Security Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, led by the National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, with support from academic and technical experts. The Cabinet Office has engaged a broad spectrum of stakeholders including our allies, additionally considering assessments and analytical products from think tanks, academics, and industry experts. Departments have been engaged throughout the process.