Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the number of retail businesses that will be affected by the (a) business rates reduction for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure properties and (b) higher business rates multiplier in Leigh and Atherton constituency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026/27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government is sustainably funding this by introducing a higher tax rate on properties with RVs of £500,000 and above.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes and broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

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 introduce a National Development Management Policy for older people’s housing.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69042 on 24 July 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the continued inclusion of UK (a) film and (b) television content within the definition of European works in the forthcoming revision of the EU’s Audio-visual Media Services Directive.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

As the UK is no longer an EU Member State, it is not formally involved in the review of the EU’s Audiovisual & Media Services Directive. However, the Government routinely engages with European partners (EU institutions, EU Member States and non-EU countries) – for example, through DCMS Minister of State Ian Murray’s attendance at an EU Informal Council in Copenhagen of culture and media ministers on 3 and 4 November.

It is clear from this engagement that there is a solid understanding in Europe of the valuable contribution that the UK makes to the European audiovisual ecosystem and the benefits of working together. Through this engagement, we collaborate with our partners on shared policy challenges, celebrate our cultural diversity, drive growth in our respective sectors, and make the case for continued European works status for UK content.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of amending the Computer Misuse Act 1990 on (a) coordination between law enforcement agencies and (b) effectiveness of the cybersecurity industry in disrupting cybercrime.

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

The Government is conducting an ongoing review of the Computer Misuse Act. As part of the review, we are scoping several proposals to update the Act, including how we can better support legitimate cybersecurity researchers so they can operate within a clear and supportive legal framework, while maintaining robust safeguards.

Engagement, including with the cyber security industry, is underway to refine the approach and an update will be provided in due course.

We will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure any changes to the Act protect their ability to successfully investigate cybercrime.

Found: Labour; Croydon East) Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat; Eastleigh) Anneliese Midgley (Labour; Knowsley) Jo Platt