Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of base fees for steel packaging under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme on plastic use; and whether she plans to review those fees.
Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole, pre base fees calculation. This assessment did not split the assessment by material sector impact. Since, Defra and PackUK have engaged extensively with waste management experts and the packaging industry across all materials to ensure that the modelling of local authority costs underpinning the pEPR scheme base fees fairly reflects the costs on-the-ground in reality of waste management operations. From year 2 of EPR (2026/27) onwards, fees will be modulated to ensure that less recyclable packaging materials incur higher fees, and more recyclable packaging materials incur lower. The fee modulation policy will be reviewed every 3 years.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a visitor levy on (a) the economy, (b) domestic tourism activity and (c) associated business tax revenues.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.
The Government recognises the important role our tourism-dependent communities, including South-West Devon, play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of a visitor levy. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and a response will be published in due course. The Government has engaged with the tourism and hospitality sectors throughout the consultation process.
The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggested modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers.
Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals, including how the revenue should be invested to drive economic growth in their region. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the implications for her policies of international evidence regarding the impact of visitor levies on (a) visitor numbers, (b) local businesses and (c) regional economies.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.
The Government recognises the important role our tourism-dependent communities, including South-West Devon, play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of a visitor levy. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and a response will be published in due course. The Government has engaged with the tourism and hospitality sectors throughout the consultation process.
The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggested modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers.
Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals, including how the revenue should be invested to drive economic growth in their region. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with the tourism and hospitality sector on the potential introduction of a visitor levy.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.
The Government recognises the important role our tourism-dependent communities, including South-West Devon, play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of a visitor levy. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and a response will be published in due course. The Government has engaged with the tourism and hospitality sectors throughout the consultation process.
The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggested modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers.
Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals, including how the revenue should be invested to drive economic growth in their region. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of a visitor levy on (a) South West Devon and (b) other tourism-dependent communities.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy.
The Government recognises the important role our tourism-dependent communities, including South-West Devon, play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of a visitor levy. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and a response will be published in due course. The Government has engaged with the tourism and hospitality sectors throughout the consultation process.
The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggested modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers.
Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals, including how the revenue should be invested to drive economic growth in their region. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress LNER has made on replacing passenger information screens at York and Newcastle stations since 17 December 2025; and what steps she is taking to enhance passenger information across LNER-managed stations.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has completed the roll out of the very latest colour customer information screens, that also feature British Sign Language, on the main departure boards at York and Newcastle stations. LNER will replace customer information screens on platforms throughout these stations over the next two years. In addition, new ticket vending machines will transform how information is delivered, featuring dual-screen technology for an improved customer experience. This remains on track to be delivered by Spring 2027.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent analysis her Department has undertaken of prevailing EV market demand and trajectories required under the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate sets ambitious trajectories through headline annual targets. These are supported by a range of flexibilities to help manufacturers comply. These tools are designed to accommodate different product portfolios and compliance strategies. More generous flexibilities were introduced in legislation at the start of this year to help ease industry pressures.
The UK electric vehicle (EV) market is growing fast. According to industry figures, in 2025 the UK had the largest EV market share of any major European economy, with 23.4% of new cars being zero emission. In April 2026, battery EVs represented over a quarter (26.2%) of new car sales in the UK.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with stakeholders on (a) the location, (b) the timetable for implementation, and (c) the delivery and operational framework for the proposed sandbox for marine autonomy.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As announced in the King’s Speech, the Regulating for Growth Bill will create cross-economy “sandboxing powers”. The Department for Transport will explore the use of these powers to establish a regulatory sandbox for maritime autonomy.
The sandbox is not a physical location. The intention of the sandbox is to enable controlled, live‑market trials where existing laws can be modified or suspended to allow experimentation, while generating robust evidence on safety, security and environmental protection.
The Regulating for Growth Bill is planned for the second session, and Government will work in collaboration with industry, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, to ensure the sandbox delivers real change that responds to the sector’s needs.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a sandbox for marine autonomy on innovation and growth among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
As announced in the King’s Speech, the Regulating for Growth Bill will create cross-economy “sandboxing powers”. The Department for Transport will explore the use of these powers to establish a regulatory sandbox for maritime autonomy.
The sandbox is not a physical location. The intention of the sandbox is to enable controlled, live‑market trials where existing laws can be modified or suspended to allow experimentation, while generating robust evidence on safety, security and environmental protection.
The Regulating for Growth Bill is planned for the second session, and Government will work in collaboration with industry, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, to ensure the sandbox delivers real change that responds to the sector’s needs.
Asked by: Rebecca Smith (Conservative - South West Devon)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of taxation, energy costs and wider ownership costs on the transition to zero emission vehicles.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
This Government remains fully committed to the EV transition and there are now over 2 million licensed EVs in the UK. The transition to EVs will drive economic growth, help the country meet its climate change obligations, and improve air quality. The most recent data shows that motorists can save up to £1,500 per year when driving electric compared to petrol and diesel if they mostly charge at home.
The upcoming implementation of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty – or eVED – for electric and plug-in hybrid cars will see EVs pay 3p per mile, or half of the fuel duty average, ensuring EVs remain attractive for motorists as HM Treasury safeguards revenue for maintaining roads in the future.
The government is also taking action to bring down energy costs for consumers and businesses, including by reviewing the cost of public electric vehicle charging, looking at the impact of energy prices, wider cost contributors, and options for lowering these costs for consumers. The Department for Transport is also providing consumers with support for the upfront cost of transitioning to an electric vehicle. Through £2 billion of investment, the Electric Car Grant has already helped over 110,000 drivers with up to £3,750 off a new, sustainably manufactured, and affordable EV.