Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he plans to publish guidance on diversity networks.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Government Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) networks are internal, volunteer staff networks and so any guidance would not routinely be published. The Civil Service Code, which is published and available here, sets out the standards of behaviour expected of all civil servants.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of proscribing membership of the Polisario Front.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

Whilst the Government keeps the list of proscribed organisations under constant review, we do not routinely comment on intelligence and security matters, including whether or not an organisation is under consideration for proscription.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential economic impact of the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions on (a) fish and chip shops and (b) other small businesses.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the Small Business Strategy will consider the cost of full electrification of commercial properties for SMEs.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We will launch the Small Business Strategy later this year complementing the Government’s forthcoming Industrial and Trade Strategies as part of our economic growth mission.

The strategy will help drive small business growth and productivity, for example – from boosting scale-ups to supporting budding entrepreneurs. It will cover a number of key policy areas, including creating thriving high streets, making it easier to access finance, opening up overseas markets, building business capabilities and supporting entrepreneurship. Although the full electrification of commercial properties is not a policy proposal we expect to be covered in the Small Business Strategy, we remain committed to a Net Zero economy by 2050.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the policies of the Moroccan government on providing aid for (a) security and (b) development to help tackle fragility in the wider Sahel region.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK and Morocco share concern about the security and development issues faced by Sahelian countries. In the Sahel, the UK provided £177 million in bilateral Official Developmental Assistance in the financial year ending in 2025, including £46 million on health, £83 million on humanitarian, and £12 million on promoting stability and conflict prevention. UK embassies and aid programmes in Mali, Niger, Chad and Mauritania and aid programmes in Burkina Faso promote UK interests and seek to address the root causes of recurrent crises in the Sahel, working with international partners including Morocco. The UK's continued engagement and humanitarian aid helps reduce instability in the Sahel and impact on neighbouring states including Morocco and manage threats to our national security.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with regional allies on tackling Iran's alleged (a) involvement in training Polisario militias and (b) strategy to destabilise the region.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK has not seen requisite evidence to raise concerns with allies regarding the allegation of Iranian involvement in training of Polisario Front. However, we continue to monitor Iranian activity in the region. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regards the Polisario Front as a pro-independence movement and party to a UN-mediated dispute. The UK continues to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on whether (a) the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and (b) Hezbollah have provided military training and drone technology to the Polisario Front; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of this alleged collaboration on UK interests in (i) north and (ii) west Africa.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We do not have information to confirm the allegation of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or Hezbollah provision of military training and drone technology to the Polisario Front. We continue to support UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

The UK has long condemned the destabilising activity of the IRGC and its regional partners and proxies, including Lebanese Hezbollah. We will continue to work with partners to tackle Iran's destabilising activity.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to encourage UK companies to invest in Morocco’s Western Sahara region, in the context of (a) levels of (i) economic growth and (ii) infrastructure development in the region and (b) the UK-Morocco association agreement.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

It is for companies to make their own decisions regarding investments in Western Sahara, as in any other region, based on the information available to them including from the Department of Business and Trade.

Products originating in Western Sahara, subject to controls by customs authorities of Morocco, benefit from the same trade preferences as those granted by the United Kingdom to products covered by the UK-Morocco Association Agreement. The application of the Agreement is without prejudice to our position on the status of Western Sahara. The UK supports UN-led efforts to reach a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on businesses’ reliance on gas for profitable commercial operations.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Secretary of State works closely with all of Cabinet, discussing a wide range of issues. He is committed to this Government's growth mission and ensuring the UK is a place where businesses can thrive.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether (a) fish and chip shops and (b) other catering businesses will be required to replace existing gas cooking equipment.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Fuel switching from fossil fuels to electricity has the potential to significantly reduce emissions, making a central contribution to our carbon budget commitments. Clean, homegrown energy is the best way to protect billpayers and boost Britain's energy independence. This will allow the UK to build an energy system that can bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

Many electric technologies are more efficient than their gas counterparts, and therefore electrification has the potential to lower energy requirements for sites. The Government remains committed to supporting electrification and addressing the barriers to investment in electric technology. This includes further development of policy options to address the high cost of electricity relative to natural gas, and the implementation of planning reforms to speed up infrastructure development and unblock issues on grid connection delays.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of full electrification on (a) fish and chip shops, (b) other businesses and (c) economic growth.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Fuel switching from fossil fuels to electricity has the potential to significantly reduce emissions, making a central contribution to our carbon budget commitments. Clean, homegrown energy is the best way to protect billpayers and boost Britain's energy independence. This will allow the UK to build an energy system that can bring down bills for households and businesses for good.

Many electric technologies are more efficient than their gas counterparts, and therefore electrification has the potential to lower energy requirements for sites. The Government remains committed to supporting electrification and addressing the barriers to investment in electric technology. This includes further development of policy options to address the high cost of electricity relative to natural gas, and the implementation of planning reforms to speed up infrastructure development and unblock issues on grid connection delays.

Taking the points specified in the hon Member’s question in turn:

A) Fish & chip shops: Alongside the electrification of heating and cooling, a key approach for full electrification of a fish & chip shop could be switching from a gas fryer to an electric fryer. An electric fryer is more energy efficient and generally requires less maintenance than a gas fryer, but also tends to require higher upfront costs, and currently results in higher operating costs due to the higher price of electricity compared to gas.

B) Businesses: For many businesses based in commercial units or offices, full electrification would require an electric source of heating and cooling, such as heat pumps or electric boilers. Heat pumps are highly efficient, reducing carbon emission significantly, and can provide both heating and cooling. As with the gas fryer, greater energy efficiency from heat pumps and electric boilers would reduce energy consumption, however upfront costs and operating costs are generally higher than gas alternatives. Some businesses with high temperature heat requirements, such as those involved in manufacturing, amy also require more specialised electrification technologies.

C) Economic growth Electrification is the future for most UK industries, and brings with it a range of economic benefits. These include boosting the domestic supply chain, and supporting UK businesses to be more productive. Electrification will reduce the UK’s reliance on volatile fossil fuel prices, making the UK a more attractive place to do business leading to increased growth and jobs.

At present, government provides grants of up to £7,500 for low carbon heating systems through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which are available to small commercial buildings.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many retailers with a retail value of under £51,000 are based on retail parks.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency does not hold information specific to retail parks.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the potential impact of charging overseas tourists £10 to visit museums on the public purse.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

No.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what budget her Department has allocated to public sector pay rises for 2025-26 and 2026-27.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Public Sector pay rises will be funded from Departmental Budgets across the Parliament – there is no centrally provided funding available for pay rises.

Departments have set out in their evidence to the Pay Review Bodies (PRBs) what is affordable for 2025-26 pay awards for their workforces. Departmental budgets for 2026-27 onwards are subject to the ongoing Spending Review.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing business rates relief for retailers that choose to leave the high street and move their businesses to retail parks.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for all retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 from 2026-27.

The Government intends to fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above.

The rates for any new business rate multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the upcoming revaluation outcomes as well as the economic and fiscal context.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what budget her Department has allocated to public sector equality, diversity and inclusion roles for (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury has fewer than 5 staff in equality, diversity and inclusion roles for 2025/26. As the total number of individuals is less than 5, HM Treasury is unable to release salary information as doing so would mean these individuals may be identifiable. This is in line with HM Treasury's data reporting policy.

The Department's budget for 2026/27 has not yet been finalised.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much funding her Department has allocated to Stonewall for (a) 2025/26 and (b) 2026/27.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Treasury has not allocated any funding for Stonewall for 2025/26 and does not anticipate allocating any funding for Stonewall in 2026/27.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what budget her Department has allocated to local government arts financing for (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Local authorities play a vital role in supporting arts and cultural institutions, but they operate independently of central government and make their own decisions about expenditure on the arts.

The Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is not ringfenced, recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

The Arts Council England, which is supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, also has multiple funding programmes where Local Authorities can apply on behalf of their cultural assets, including the National Portfolio Investment Programme, National Lottery Project Grants and the Museum Estate and Development Fund.

Spending decisions beyond 2025-26 are a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the amount of funding that has been allocated for equality, diversity and inclusion roles in each police force in the (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The requested information is not centrally collated by the Home Office.

Decisions on how funding and resources are utilised are an operational matter for Chief Constables and locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions his Department has had with (a) fish and chip and (b) other commercial food providers on pressures faced by SMEs due to (i) taxation, (ii) the price of fish and (iii) the expense of full electrification.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Fish and chip shops are integral to our high streets, communities and culture. Commercial food providers more broadly play a key role in supporting economic growth in every corner of the UK.

I recognise that these businesses are being challenged by rising costs, but we are protecting the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance and creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street.

The Government remains committed to supporting electrification and addressing the barriers to investment in electric technology. This includes further development of policy options to address the high cost of electricity relative to natural gas, and the implementation of planning reforms to speed up infrastructure development and unblock issues on grid connection delays.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Business and Trade of 31 October 2024, Official Report, column 927, what his Department's timetable is for publishing a Command Paper on support for small businesses.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government expects to publish the SME strategy later this year.

This will set out the Government’s vision for SMEs, from encouraging entrepreneurship to boosting scale-ups, across key policy areas such as creating thriving high streets, making it easier to access finance, opening up overseas and domestic markets, building business capabilities, and providing a strong business environment.

The paper will complement the Government’s forthcoming Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the press notice entitled Home Secretary to announce major policing reforms, published on 17 November 2024, what her Department's timetable is for establishing a unit to monitor police performance.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Since 19 November 2024, when My Rt Hon Friend, the Home Secretary, announced her plans for policing reform, we have been working closely with the sector to draw up a new Police Performance Framework to ensure standards are upheld across the country, and to establish a new Unit within the Home Office which will identify and support force-level improvements.

Further details will be published in the forthcoming Police Reform White Paper.

Service with the British Commanders’-In-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany, 1946-1990

Imprisonment of Lucy Connolly

Mauritius Treaty

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Alistair Carmichael (Chair); Sarah Bool; Charlie Dewhirst; Helena

Found: Liberal Democrat; Orkney and Shetland) (Chair) Sarah Bool (Conservative; South Northamptonshire) Charlie Dewhirst

Found: Library Debate Pack, 23 May 2025 Parliamentary Questions PQ HC 51649 2024-25, 20 May 2025 Charlie Dewhirst

Found: Presented by Ben Obese-Jecty supported by Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Sir Roger Gale, Sir Ashley Fox, Charlie Dewhirst

Found: Not called_1 Charlie Dewhirst Dr Neil Hudson .

Submit Evidence (by 18 Jun 2025)

Much of the UK economy is still linear, based on the principles of using and disposing of products and the resources used to make them. This wastage leads to widespread environmental pollution and the continual and unsustainable need to extract finite resources.