Tonia Antoniazzi

The Government has listened to feedback from small businesses and introduced support measures to help compliance with EPR, including: exemptions from fee obligations for producers with annual turnover below £2 million and packaging tonnage below 50 tonnes; exemptions from reporting for businesses with turnover below £1 million and packaging tonnage below 25 tonnes; and flexibility for those with obligations to pay in quarterly instalments.

Both Secretaries of State will shortly be meeting representatives from across the impacted sectors, from Small and Medium Enterprises to larger companies alike, to discuss the economic impact of EPR in more detail.

Ferry travel between Dublin and Holyhead continues to be severely affected by closure due to damage inflicted by Storm Darragh on Holyhead until it reopens early next year. The direct effect is on crossings between the UK and the Republic of Ireland though alternative routes from Liverpool and Cairnryan to Belfast and Larne are available and capacity is being reinforced. There are onward effects on UK services, but these are manageable. Government is concerned about the impact on local businesses and communities and are in close contact with the Welsh Government, who lead, together with port and ferry operators.

The Government is committed to ensuring energy bills are affordable for all consumers, especially the most vulnerable. The Government is continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills to eligible low-income households.

I recently met with suppliers and encouraged them to build on the Voluntary Debt Commitment from last year and go further in supporting vulnerable customers this winter.

The Government has also extended the Household Support Fund for an additional six months until 31 March 2025 with an extra £500 million in funding, and I encourage any vulnerable individual who is struggling to pay their bills contacts their local authority to see if they are eligible for this support.

The Warm Home Discount is a rebate on energy bills received by over 3m households where an eligible individual, their partner or their legal representative is named on the energy account. To provide support on this scale, it is paid directly into energy accounts in the majority of cases. Those who are not eligible for the Warm Home Discount may be eligible for support from other government schemes or the wider support offered through the Warm Home Discount.

The Warm Home Discount is a rebate on energy bills, usually paid into the bill payer’s account. Where an individual is not named on the bill, the rebate may still be paid if their partner or legal representative is named. The scheme also funds wider support, including a grant scheme for occupiers of park homes and programmes providing energy efficiency advice and measures. Those not benefiting from the rebate may be eligible for other government programmes, current schemes include the Energy Company Obligation, the Great British Insulation Scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and the Home Upgrade Grant.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.

We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Sex and gender in data, statistics and research is an important area of discussion, and this review contributes to this ongoing dialogue. Given the wide breadth of recommendations, the government has ensured that the review has been shared with all the relevant departments and policy teams, who will consider the findings in light of their ongoing policy work.

The Independent Pornography Review is an important area of interest for this government. The Review has now concluded, the government is assessing its findings and the report will be published in due course.

In line with the Concordat to Support Research Integrity, the government recognises the importance of transparency with publicly-funded research. As such, we expect the report to be published shortly.

The digital verification services (DVS) framework seeks to create rules for how those services operate. The DVS framework doesn’t create new ways to determine a person’s sex or gender. Nor does it intervene with how government departments record and store this and other identity data. Under data protection law, personal data which is processed must be accurate.

Government believes processing accurate data is essential to deliver services meeting citizens’ needs. Public sector data about sex and gender is collected based on user and departmental needs and in compliance with any applicable legislation.

The Government Statistical Service published a work plan for updated, harmonised standards and guidance on sex and gender in December 2024. This will align with the Office for Statistics Regulation guidance on collecting and reporting data about sex and gender identity, which was published in February 2024.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government. We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

We want to break down the barriers that prevent women and girls from being active, including but not limited to kit, facilities, time and cost. As a government, we are investing £123 million in inclusive grassroots sport facilities that will support more women and girls to take part in the sports that they love.

Sporting bodies have a responsibility to protect the integrity and fairness of women's sport and the safety of all participants, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.

National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our UK sports councils have produced guidance to help domestic sports bodies determine the right position for their sport.

The UK Government condemns the appalling erosion of women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. Sport operates independently of government, and participation in the ICC Champion’s Trophy match is a matter for the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council.

My officials are in contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board on the wider issue of the Afghanistan women’s cricket team. We welcome the fact that the ECB are making strong representations to the ICC on this issue and what support can be given.

We note the UN Special Rapporteurs's report and support the aim of promoting safe sporting environments for women and girls. We are dedicated to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, have access to high quality sport.

The Government has been clear that sporting bodies have a responsibility to protect the integrity and fairness of women's sport and the safety of all participants, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.

With respect to eligibility, National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions, and rules for international competitions are set by International Federations. To help, in the UK, our Sports Councils have produced guidance, which is clear that inclusion, fairness and safety cannot be balanced in gender-affected sport.

Independent and effective self-regulation of the press empowers the public to have trust in what is reported, which is vital to a strong and functioning democracy.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.

We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) and the packaging reforms more broadly.

These reforms, pEPR, Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme, will deliver positive environmental and economic benefits, creating 21,000 new jobs in our nations and regions, and stimulating more than £ 10 billion investment in recycling capability over the next decade.

Whilst pEPR was announced a few years ago, Defra has now built a modelling framework to calculate local authority costs and producer fees that was used for the first time by the OBR to include pEPR in their forecast. Pending a decision by the ONS, the OBR have recorded pEPR disposal fees as a tax in their forecast on the advice of Treasury classification experts, whose indicative views is that the ONS will likely classify the income stream as a tax when they formally classify the scheme.

This technical classification does not affect the distribution of revenue to local authorities. Revenue from pEPR will be distributed directly by PackUK, the scheme administrator, to local authorities. It will not be diverted to the Treasury or central government finances.

The Department has assessed the impact of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on both producers and consumers, including the potential effect on the affordability of food and drink. This assessment is included in Section 8 of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024: The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024.

We are closely monitoring the potential impact of these costs on consumer prices and remain committed to balancing environmental goals with economic considerations.

International comparisons of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are challenging due to differences in waste infrastructure across countries. The UK’s pEPR scheme covers more costs than those in other countries. For example, many European countries rely on 'bring sites' for glass recycling, which lowers collection costs. Furthermore, UK glass fees are likely to be higher due to the full inclusion of the costs associated with managing residual waste—waste not disposed of by consumers in recycling bins—something not included in the pEPR schemes of other countries. While the costs for different materials are apportioned accordingly, the UK aims to balance environmental objectives with the interests of all sectors, including the beer and pub industry.

PackUK calculates the pEPR fees based on the full net cost of efficient and effective collection systems. Therefore, fees must be collected from producers in Year 1 of the scheme, it should be noted that the fees can be paid in quarterly to spread the cost. The UK’s pEPR policy has been under development since 2019, with extensive engagement and consultation providing businesses with a clear indication of the scheme’s design and implementation. This policy underwent consultations in 2019, 2021, and a final consultation on reforms to the Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) system in 2022. Additionally, in 2023, the four nations of the UK consulted on the operability of the draft Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, and further amendments were made to address stakeholder concerns prior to final regulations being introduced.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency sends reminders for vocational licences and ten-year photocard licence renewals 56 days before the licence is due to expire. For those renewing their licence at the age of 70 and those renewing a short-period medical licence, reminders are sent 90 days before the licence is due to expire. There are no plans to change these timescales.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) advises customers to use GOV.UK as the official and only website when seeking information or completing applications.

All DVLA literature directs customers to the official GOV.UK website. The DVLA also uses its external communication channels, including social media, to publish advice and to remind motorists that GOV.UK is the only website for government motoring services. Since April 2024, the DVLA has issued guidance to the public via X and Facebook, directing them to GOV.UK services, on sixteen occasions.

The DVLA investigates reports of organisations which act illegally or are actively misleading users about their services. Where appropriate such sites can be and are taken down promptly.

The decision taken in 2017 to not electrify the railway between Cardiff and Swansea was based on it not delivering significant journey time savings and this remains the case. Enhancements to the railway in Wales that deliver passenger benefits, including proposed electrification, are considered by the Wales Rail Board.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government. We are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Companies may put in place Early Access Programmes (EAPs) to allow for early access to new medicines that do not yet have a marketing authorisation. Participation in EAPs is decided at an individual National Health Service trust level, and under these programmes the cost of the drug is free, both to patients taking part in it and to the NHS, although NHS trusts must still cover administration costs and provide clinical resources to deliver the EAP.

NHS England does not undertake any initiatives to encourage participation in EAPs, which are the responsibility of individual pharmaceutical companies and subject to decision-making by individual NHS trusts.

There are no common clinical, data, or regulatory standards for company-sponsored EAPs, meaning each one demands a new protocol to be devised and delivered by each participating trust. Doing so can create significant pressures on clinical and financial resources. Companies providing a sponsored EAP also reserve the right to limit or to close the registration of new patients at any time, meaning that any financial and clinical investment made by trusts to establish an EAP is done at their own risk, in advance of decisions by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge (FoC) medicine schemes, including EAPs, providing advice on potential financial, resourcing, and clinical risks. ICSs should use the guidance to help determine whether to implement any FoC scheme, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/

The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including exploring the potential opportunities presented by No and Low alcohol alternative drinks. While the department has not made a specific assessment of the economic impact of the United Kingdom’s 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold on British brewers we will continue to consider how alcohol labelling can be improved to support consumers make informed decisions about the products they are purchasing, whilst also promoting responsible consumption.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including exploring the potential opportunities presented by No and Low alcohol alternative drinks. While the department has not made a specific assessment of the economic impact of the United Kingdom’s 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold on British brewers we will continue to consider how alcohol labelling can be improved to support consumers make informed decisions about the products they are purchasing, whilst also promoting responsible consumption.

Under our Health Mission, the Government is committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

The Department will continue to work across Government to better understand how we can best reduce alcohol-related harms, including exploring the potential opportunities presented by No and Low alcohol alternative drinks. While the department has not made a specific assessment of the economic impact of the United Kingdom’s 0.05% alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold on British brewers we will continue to consider how alcohol labelling can be improved to support consumers make informed decisions about the products they are purchasing, whilst also promoting responsible consumption.