Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what consideration has been given to roll out British Standard BS 30416 to the civil service workforce.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The Civil Service is committed to being an inclusive employer. The adoption for British Standard BS 30416, is delegated to departments as individual employers.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of how the public will receive critical information in the event of widespread and prolonged broadband or power outages.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
There are plans in place for the public to receive critical information in both of these scenarios. This includes the use of both BBC Radio 2 and Radio 4 which will continue to broadcast key advice to the public.
In a prolonged broadband outage there are other ways to send critical information, such as emergency alerts, which do not require broadband connection to function.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when she last met with representatives of the glass sector to discuss the Deposit Return Scheme.
Answered by Jo Stevens
I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave her on 18 June 2026 (UIN 8620).
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what recent discussions she has had with stakeholders on Welsh livestock numbers.
Answered by Anna McMorrin - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)
I have regular discussions with the farming unions on a range of matters. While agriculture is devolved to the Welsh Government, the farming unions are a key partner for the Wales Office and both the Secretary of State and I are committed to working with them and maintaining an active dialogue.
In April of this year, I met with the National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru and I joined the then Farming Minister in a meeting with the Farmers Union of Wales (FUW). Separately, I met with the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) in May.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether (a) her Department and (b) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs is informed when Welsh Government ministers meet foreign diplomats; whether permission is sought for such meetings; and whether (i) her Department and (ii) the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs are informed of the content of those meetings.
Answered by Jo Stevens
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Wales Office to monitor and support the Welsh Government’s international engagement on devolved matters.
The FCDO provides support and guidance when the Welsh Government chooses to advise UK Government of these meetings, and where it is appropriate to do so. The FCDO also works to ensure that foreign diplomats are aware of the respective responsibilities of the UK and Devolved Governments.
The Wales Office also engages directly with the FCDO overseas network to support ministerial and official investment missions. For the second year in a row, the UK Government has overseen an increase in the number of foreign investments coming into Wales, alongside a rise in the number of jobs created or protected. The new £2.4m Brand Wales programme will enhance our promotion of Wales' Trade and Investment opportunities.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions she has had with the Welsh Government on their meetings with foreign ambassadors.
Answered by Jo Stevens
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) works closely with the Wales Office to monitor and support the Welsh Government’s international engagement on devolved matters.
The FCDO provides support and guidance when the Welsh Government chooses to advise UK Government of these meetings, and where it is appropriate to do so. The FCDO also works to ensure that foreign diplomats are aware of the respective responsibilities of the UK and Devolved Governments.
The Wales Office also engages directly with the FCDO overseas network to support ministerial and official investment missions. For the second year in a row, the UK Government has overseen an increase in the number of foreign investments coming into Wales, alongside a rise in the number of jobs created or protected. The new £2.4m Brand Wales programme will enhance our promotion of Wales' Trade and Investment opportunities.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help prevent pub closures in East Grinstead and Uckfield constituency.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises the pressures facing pubs and the important role they play in communities across the UK. That is why we have introduced targeted support, including a 15% reduction in business rates bills for pubs from April 2026, followed by a two-year real-terms freeze, alongside permanently lower business rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties. We have also increased the Hospitality Support Fund to £10 million over three years to help pubs diversify and remain financially sustainable.
In addition, the Great British Summer Savings scheme is reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on selected hospitality, leisure and visitor economy activities between 25 June and 1 September 2026, helping to drive customer demand and support hospitality businesses during the busy summer period.
Asked by: Mims Davies (Conservative - East Grinstead and Uckfield)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many MP surgeries have Ministers in her Department had with MPs since July 2024.
Answered by Jo Stevens
Wales Office Ministers spend significant time engaging with Welsh and other MPs on a wide range of issues, hosting MPs at Wales Office events, and holding dedicated meetings with MPs on a regular basis.