Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on what date his Department submitted the Impact Assessment relating to the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 to the Regulatory Policy Committee for review.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The request for formal review of the Impact Assessment was submitted on 3 November 2025. The Regulatory Policy Committee responded earlier this week, and the final Impact Assessment will be published in January 2026.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress he has made on negotiations towards a UK–Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement; and what issues remain outstanding.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Free Trade Agreement negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are at an advanced stage with a focus on getting a deal that supports economic growth and delivers real value to business. Through ministerial and official-led engagement, we have made significant progress across a wide range of chapters. Outcomes in areas such as goods, services, investment and sustainability remain under active negotiation, and we are working closely with our GCC counterparts to resolve outstanding issues.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
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 expand UK participation in global supply chains for semiconductors and critical minerals.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DBT is strengthening UK participation in global critical mineral supply chains by leveraging domestic processing and recycling capabilities, expanding international partnerships through trade agreements and financing tools, and mobilising investment to diversify sources and build resilience.
As part of the Industrial Strategy’s Digital and Technologies sector plan, the Government is prioritising measures to enhance national security and strengthen semiconductor supply chain resilience, while positioning the UK as a trusted global partner. We work with international partners through initiatives such as the OECD Semiconductor Informal Exchange Network and the G7 Point of Contact Group on Semiconductors to develop shared approaches and solutions that improve global supply chain resilience.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the estimated impact of the proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on the competitiveness of UK steel exports.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
From 1 January 2027, the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will apply to specific goods imported from the aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, and iron & steel sectors.
The UK CBAM is designed to address the risk of carbon leakage and to ensure that CBAM goods which are imported from overseas face a comparable carbon price to what is paid by manufacturers producing the same goods in the UK.
The UK CBAM does not apply to UK exports. Therefore, the UK CBAM is not expected to have an impact on the competitiveness of UK steel exports.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 10 December 2025 to Question 96648, if she will set a target date for announcing the split between capital and revenue funding.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The detailed split of the Floods budget into resource and capital budgets is agreed during departmental business planning.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to extend the Fruit and Vegetable Growers Scheme beyond December 31st 2025.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Legislation introduced in July 2023 permanently closes the legacy EU Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme in England at the end of December 2025, The scheme was designed to help fresh fruit and vegetable growers increase their power in the supply chain, but it was only available to Producer Organisations, with around just over 20% of the sector accessing it and the vast majority not benefitting.
Future support for the sector is being considered alongside Defra’s work to simplify and rationalise agricultural grant funding, ensuring that grants deliver the most benefit for food security and value for money for the taxpayer.
The Government is committed to our excellent horticulture sector and the vital role that it plays in strengthening food security by ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of fresh home-grown produce. Of at least £200 million allocated to The Farming Innovation Programme through to 2030, to date nearly £40 million—representing 26% of total awards—has been granted to research projects benefiting the horticulture sector offering targeted opportunities for fruit and vegetable businesses to become more profitable, resilient, and sustainable. Wider Government support that we are providing for horticulture includes: our five-year extension to the Seasonal Worker visa route, providing much needed stability and certainty to businesses; as well as extending the easement on import checks on medium risk fruit and vegetables ahead of the new SPS agreement deal with the EU.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, further to her answer to Q92990 if she can break down the annual expenditure and the total £4.2 billion into capital and revenue.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we are investing £4.2 billion over three years (2026/27 to 2028/29) to construct new flood and coastal erosion schemes and maintain and repair existing defences across the country.
This is £1.4 billion on average each year – a 5% increase on the current average of £1.33 billion over 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Further details will be published in due course, including the split between capital and revenue funding.
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to Question 93370, if she will commission from HMRC an analysis of the tax contribution of the British nationals the ONS estimates have left the UK since July 2024.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
HMRC does not hold data on all income sources of all individuals that have left the UK, and incomes of individuals vary each year. Individuals who have chosen to leave the UK may still be liable to pay tax in the UK.
HMRC published analysis on Income Tax Liabilities and Statistics annually. Income Tax statistics and distributions - GOV.UK
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 26 June to Question 61930, how many P85 forms have been submitted in each month from May 2025 to date.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The table below shows the number of P85 forms submitted to HMRC electronically from May 2025 to September 2025.
Month | P85 iForms |
May 2025 | 4,500 |
June 2025 | 4,500 |
July 2025 | 4,900 |
August 2025 | 5,200 |
September 2025 | 6,300 |
Figures rounded to 100
Asked by: Harriett Baldwin (Conservative - West Worcestershire)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to devolve the District Council power to evict travellers and illegal encampments from council-owned land to Town and Parish councils.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government currently has no such plans. Policy announcements will be made in the usual way.