Mike Reader

The Government recognises the importance of the food and drink sector as the largest manufacturing industry in the UK. The Industrial Strategy will support the whole economy, including businesses outside the eight growth-driving sectors, through an improved operating environment and long-term stability.

The Advanced Manufacturing sector operates as an ecosystem of complex supply chains and outputs, not as a set of siloed industries. It therefore includes a range of cross cutting interventions that have wide-spread benefits across the sector including for food and drink manufacturers such as innovation, tech adoption and broader business environment measures such as planning.

We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, from 2026-27. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties - those with a Rateable Value of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but include the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants.

Ahead of these changes being made, we have prevented RHL relief from ending in April 2025 by extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier.

We are also working with businesses to understand their barriers to growth and High Streets will be a key pillar of our forthcoming Small Business Strategy.

The Trade Strategy will support businesses trade and drive economic growth. Further details on this will be published in due course.

This Government continues to follow EU regulatory developments with interest, engaging with the EU on key regulatory developments via TCA structures. I also recognise the importance of maintaining an effective dialogue with UK industry leaders and civil society to understand the passive impacts.

DBT’s Assimilated Law Dashboard and Report captures changes to UK legislation inherited from the EU which will create active UK-EU divergence. These are updated biannually per requirements of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

Government departments proposing regulatory reform consider the impact of those changes through impact assessments or proportionate analysis.

Our Strategy is unreservedly pro-business, engaging on complex issues that are barriers to investment, like skills, recruitment of international talent, data, R&D, technology adoption, access to finance, competition, regulation, energy prices, grid connections, infrastructure, and planning – all through the lens of promoting investment.

Our Industrial Strategy will channel support to eight growth-driving sectors – those in which the UK excels today and will excel tomorrow, and which present the greatest opportunity for output and productivity growth over the long-term.

We will also look across the growth-driving sectors, progressing value chain analysis to identify ‘foundational’ sectors which are critical to a growth-driving sector’s value chain.

Government is aware that Renewables Obligation (RO) support for existing landfill gas generators will begin to end in 2027, and that this could affect their commercial viability. We have also considered the implications that the end of RO support will have on methane emissions.

That is why, as set out in the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, Government is exploring the implementation of a long-term methane capture scheme, with suitable transitional arrangements.

We will provide an update in due course.

The Department engages regularly with institutional investors and industry associations through bilateral meetings, roundtables and targeted events to better understand and address investment barriers. Insights from these interactions inform policy and regulatory reform to best mobilise private investment into the Clean Energy Mission. For example, investors were actively engaged in the Review of Electricity Market Arrangements. Engagement also informs planning reform, and changes to investment mechanisms such as recent Contracts for Difference reform. The Department works alongside public finance institutions to develop targeted interventions that crowd in private investment.

This Government supports significant growth in consumer-led flexibility, as set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. In our Action Plan, Government committed to publishing a Flexibility Roadmap in 2025. The Roadmap will set out further detail on how the benefits of clean flexibility can be unlocked for consumers across all parliamentary constituencies in Great Britain, including Northampton South. The government will continue to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, including with local authorities to support greater uptake of public on-street EV charging.

On 8 July 2025, DESNZ launched a public consultation on consents, land access, and rights for electricity network infrastructure. This consultation includes proposals related to the expansion of permitted development rights for electricity infrastructure, as referenced on page 82 of ‘The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.’

This consultation also addresses a range of related matters such as land access rights, tree lopping, permitted development for substations, Section 37 consents, and thresholds for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. These broader reforms are intended to streamline the system, reduce burdens, and accelerate network deployment while ensuring appropriate protections for landowners, communities, and the environment.

The Warm Homes Plan will help households take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The government expect most properties will switch to heat pumps.

The government is analysing responses to the consultation on potential changes to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which included proposals to support air-to-air heat pumps and alternative electric heating technologies. The government will continue to review their position on alternative electric heating technologies as the supporting evidence base develops.

Further detail on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October.

Gaming platforms that allow users to post or interact, such as Roblox, are in scope of the Online Safety Act. They are required to protect children from illegal and harmful content on their service, including using highly effective age assurance to prevent children encountering the most harmful types of content.

Ofcom is the regulator of the Act and has powers to take robust enforcement action. Ofcom has already used these powers, effectively enforcing against non-compliant services.

We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Act, and on 20 January, the government announced a short, swift consultation on further measures to enhance children's wellbeing and ensuring they have a healthy relationship with social media accompanied by a national conversation.

DCMS Ministers and officials have had no discussions with the Gambling Commission on the ownership arrangements of the Health Lottery.

The National Lottery is a national institution and a unique source of national pride and funding for good causes. It is a huge contributor to the Government’s Plan for Change, providing £1.9 billion in 2024/25 to the arts, heritage, sport and community sectors.

Allwyn, the operator of the 4th National Lottery licence, has successfully delivered its technical transformation. This modernisation will ensure the National Lottery continues to enrich lives and support communities across the country for generations to come.

The appointment of a permanent Chief Executive is a matter for the Gambling Commission. The Commission will identify a preferred candidate, with the appointment subject to the Secretary of State approving the terms and conditions. Officials are in regular contact with the Gambling Commission in relation to this appointment.

Allwyn, as the new operator of the National Lottery, has successfully delivered its technical transformation programme. This marks the biggest investment in the National Lottery since 2009, and will support Allwyn’s commitment to double weekly good cause returns by 2034.

In 2024/5, good cause returns were £1.9 billion, which is consistent with returns over the last 5 years (£1.8 billion in 2023/4). In 2024/5, the National Lottery Community Fund’s share of the good cause returns was £760m, up from £728m in 2023/24.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Northampton South to the answer of 09 June 2025 to Question 55359.

The department knows that using mobile phones in schools can lead to online bullying, distraction and classroom disruption, which can lead to lost learning time, while research also suggests that excessive screentime can have a negative impact on children’s wellbeing.

Schools are required by law to have a behaviour policy that sets out what is expected of all pupils, including what items are banned from school premises. In February 2024, the department published non-statutory guidance for schools on how to develop, implement and maintain a policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime. As has been the longstanding policy of successive governments, headteachers remain responsible for deciding how they choose to implement this policy, including choosing to prohibit children from bringing mobile phones on site entirely.

The Government recognises the importance of improving food waste data to help reduce food waste and improve resource efficiency. The Department is engaging with industry to improve reporting and data quality, while considering a range of policy options. Potential reporting requirements for larger businesses, including mandatory reporting, remain under consideration.

We recognise the important role timber can play in supporting Net Zero, including through reducing embodied emissions in construction and storing carbon. The Government relaunched a more ambitious Timber in Construction Roadmap in February 2025 to increase sustainable timber use. The UK currently meets only around a fifth of its timber demand from domestic production, and even with increased planting and improved management, imports will continue to be essential to meet demand and balance wider land use priorities. Using a combination of domestic and imported timber, as well as other construction materials will allow the Government to meet its housing delivery ambitions.

We recognise the important role timber can play in supporting Net Zero, including through reducing embodied emissions in construction and storing carbon. The Government relaunched a more ambitious Timber in Construction Roadmap in February 2025 to increase sustainable timber use. The UK currently meets only around a fifth of its timber demand from domestic production, and even with increased planting and improved management, imports will continue to be essential to meet demand and balance wider land use priorities. Using a combination of domestic and imported timber, as well as other construction materials will allow the Government to meet its housing delivery ambitions.

We recognise the important role timber can play in supporting Net Zero, including through reducing embodied emissions in construction and storing carbon. The Government relaunched a more ambitious Timber in Construction Roadmap in February 2025 to increase sustainable timber use. The UK currently meets only around a fifth of its timber demand from domestic production, and even with increased planting and improved management, imports will continue to be essential to meet demand and balance wider land use priorities. Using a combination of domestic and imported timber, as well as other construction materials will allow the Government to meet its housing delivery ambitions.

The National Procurement Policy Statement underscores the government’s commitment to increasing procurement of food that meets higher environmental standards, supporting local suppliers and upholding ethical sourcing practises, including sourcing products raised to high UK welfare standards.

While Defra has begun collecting new data to understand public sector food sourcing, the Government is open to considering all lawful means to increase sustainable and locally sourced food.

The Government is also considering policy options including the potential for updating the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025 at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-review

VCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads. A temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) that was put in place to allow operators and manufacturers time to adapt, will end in 2028, as planned. Existing VCMs will be able to continue operating, but only within the applicable weight limits.

The Strategy will set the high-level direction for how transport should change to better serve people and is currently in early development. Government recognises the importance of the logistics sector in delivering its missions and transport priorities, including driving economic growth and achieving net zero. We are committed to working with the sector to achieve this and will set out next steps in due course.

The UK has a complex national freight system handling millions of transactions every day. The merits of increasing our understanding of this system to inform policy making, regulation and investment interventions are well understood, and this Government is improving its data and analytical capabilities to do so. This will enable stronger interventions, including those that may be delivered through spatial corridor and network approaches.

The Government has no current plans to legislate in this space. However, we are determined to seize the opportunities of emerging micromobility and tackle any negative impacts which may arise. We are actively monitoring the industry, new vehicle types, and new business models, and we will keep under review the case for legislative change.

This government is determined to seize the opportunities of emerging micromobility and tackle any negative impacts which may arise. We actively monitor the industry and the new vehicle types and business models being developed while carefully considering policy steps to ensure these are operating safely and in the interests of our communities.

The O'Donnell judgment concerned Northern Ireland legislation administered by the Department for Communities, so responsibility for responding to that judgment rested with the Northern Ireland authorities. Following the judgment, certain surviving partners in Northern Ireland could qualify for Bereavement Support Payment where the deceased had been unable to meet the contribution condition because of disability. Entitlement in Great Britain continued to be determined under the Great Britain legislative framework.

On 20 November 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the Secretary of State's appeal in R (Jwanczuk) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] UKSC 42. The Court held that the Bereavement Support Payment contribution condition does not unlawfully discriminate against surviving partners of people who were unable to work because of disability. The approach adopted in Northern Ireland following O'Donnell no longer applies in Northern Ireland as a result of that judgement.

The Department has not carried out an equality impact assessment following the judgment in the Jwanczuk Supreme Court case. The Department is not proposing changes to the policy as a result of that judgment.

The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the merits of introducing a disability exception to the Bereavement Support Payment contribution condition. Whilst there are no current plans to amend the contribution conditions, the Department keeps bereavement support policy under review.

Producing robust estimates suitable for publication of the number of people who would become eligible for Bereavement Support Payment, or the associated annual cost to the public purse, in the circumstances described would require the Department to link several complex datasets and undertake extensive quality assurance and would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold.

The O'Donnell judgment concerned Northern Ireland legislation administered by the Department for Communities, so responsibility for responding to that judgment rested with the Northern Ireland authorities. Following the judgment, certain surviving partners in Northern Ireland could qualify for Bereavement Support Payment where the deceased had been unable to meet the contribution condition because of disability. Entitlement in Great Britain continued to be determined under the Great Britain legislative framework.

On 20 November 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the Secretary of State's appeal in R (Jwanczuk) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] UKSC 42. The Court held that the Bereavement Support Payment contribution condition does not unlawfully discriminate against surviving partners of people who were unable to work because of disability. The approach adopted in Northern Ireland following O'Donnell no longer applies in Northern Ireland as a result of that judgement.

The Department has not carried out an equality impact assessment following the judgment in the Jwanczuk Supreme Court case. The Department is not proposing changes to the policy as a result of that judgment.

The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the merits of introducing a disability exception to the Bereavement Support Payment contribution condition. Whilst there are no current plans to amend the contribution conditions, the Department keeps bereavement support policy under review.

The O'Donnell judgment concerned Northern Ireland legislation administered by the Department for Communities, so responsibility for responding to that judgment rested with the Northern Ireland authorities. Following the judgment, certain surviving partners in Northern Ireland could qualify for Bereavement Support Payment where the deceased had been unable to meet the contribution condition because of disability. Entitlement in Great Britain continued to be determined under the Great Britain legislative framework.

On 20 November 2025, the Supreme Court allowed the Secretary of State's appeal in R (Jwanczuk) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] UKSC 42. The Court held that the Bereavement Support Payment contribution condition does not unlawfully discriminate against surviving partners of people who were unable to work because of disability. The approach adopted in Northern Ireland following O'Donnell no longer applies in Northern Ireland as a result of that judgement.

The Department has not carried out an equality impact assessment following the judgment in the Jwanczuk Supreme Court case. The Department is not proposing changes to the policy as a result of that judgment.

The Department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the merits of introducing a disability exception to the Bereavement Support Payment contribution condition. Whilst there are no current plans to amend the contribution conditions, the Department keeps bereavement support policy under review.

Information on Bereavement Support Payment including the number of claims that were refused because the National Insurance contribution conditions were not met is available via Stat-Xplore.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to the Hon Member for North Devon on 18 August in response to Question 18253.

No specific estimates regarding this matter have been made.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to the Hon Member for North Devon on 18 August in response to Question 18253.

No specific estimates regarding this matter have been made.