Rachael Maskell

The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010. The duty will require specified public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to consider actively how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage.

We will work in partnership with public authorities, civil society and others in order to ensure that the implementation of the duty is as effective as possible. As part of this, we have included questions in relation to the socio-economic duty in a call for evidence on equality law, which was launched on 7 April and will be open until 30 June. This will enable public authorities and others to input into plans in relation to the socio-economic duty at an early stage.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

I would be happy to meet with the hon. Member for York Central to discuss the proposed Hub in York Central.

The Hub in York Central is expected to open late 2027/early 2028 although this remains subject to final commercial agreements and progress of the wider site infrastructure and Public Realm. The GPA is working in partnership with Homes England, Network Rail and the development partners McLaren and Arlington Real Estate to ensure the masterplan development programme works for all parties.

In support of the recent successful planning application there has been a significant amount of public consultation. This consultation informed the final design to meet local stakeholder feedback. Including:

Public Consultation 01 (17/11/2022-19/11/2022)

Public Consultation 03 (02/03/2023-04/03/2023)

Public Webinar 01 (22/11/2022)

Public Webinar 02 (08/03/2023)

York Central Design Review Panel (12/12/2022)

For the duration of the design development and leading up to the planning application submission there has been extensive discussions with the planning officers at the City of York Council (CYC) along with the relevant design and technical advisors. This proactive engagement through the pre-application process has included the following meetings:

PreApplication Meeting 01 (08/07/2022) - Massing Discussion

PreApplication Meeting 02 (13/09/2022) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 03 (21/09/2022) - Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 04 (21/10/2022 - Highways and Drainage

PreApplication Meeting 05 (22/11/2022)- Design Development

PreApplication Meeting 06 (07/12/2022) - Heritage Impact

PreApplication Meeting 07 (27/02/2023) - Planning focus

PreApplication Meeting 07 (28/06/2023) - Design and Planning Focus

The above meetings sought to discuss the emerging massing, scale and materiality of the Proposed Development. The team held open conversations regarding design development and heritage impact, and planning officers have been supportive of the proposal. The Proposed Development has been sympathetically designed in line with the York Central Outline Planning Application’s approved parameters and design guidance. The comments and observations of the CYC officers have informed the development of the designs throughout the pre-application process.

The Hub has been designed with York at the forefront of the scheme and has been a

collaborative effort between all partners, including CYC and the York Design Review Panel. In particular, the detailed articulation of the façade design celebrates the railway history of the site and the character of its setting, whilst also considering the views from the station platforms and the city walls. The design has also been endorsed by Heritage England and the York Design Trust.

Key highlights include:

• Contextual design: Near some of the key historic assets within the City of York such as the City Walls (grade I), the adjacent York Railway Station (grade II*) and the National Rail Museum (grade II). Sustainability and Environmental Considerations: a genuine commitment to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, NABERS UK 5* and EPC A.

• Community Involvement: 2 sessions of public engagement and 2 webinars held.

• Building Design and Functionality: Innovative, functional well- considered design intended to feel timeless, and dynamic whilst allowing flexible spaces that meet the diverse needs of government departments.

• Digital Innovation: Façade patterns optimised through rapid climate assessment and development of a new core distances evaluation tool at the feasibility/massing stage.

The Hub will be a multi-occupied building, made up from over 10 different

government departments and agencies, totalling approximately 2,600 FTE. The two

main anchor departments are the Cabinet Office (CO) and DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs); both are committed in principle to the

project. CO are expected to recruit in the region of 300 roles into York, some of

which have already been recruited and are based at the existing office at York Kingspool which was part- refurbished in 2024 to ensure a suitable home for Civil Servants prior to the new Government Hub being built. Kingspool already houses circa 1,600 FTE who are all expected to move across to the Hub when ready.

The Hub will also generate a number of roles in facilities management, catering and security.

Once parts are exported from the UK to the F-35 global spares pool and aircraft assembly facilities, due to the design of the programme, the UK does not have control over whether components are used for specific customer nations or not.

The UK cannot make changes to the F-35 programme unilaterally – it requires agreement across all the Partner Nations.

The only way to prevent UK-produced parts reaching Israel would be for the UK Government to stop the export of parts to the entire F-35 programme, which would prejudice the security of the UK and our allies.

Facing a critical moment for European security and war on our continent, the Government has a solemn responsibility to consider the full implications of our decisions. Undermining the F35 programme would disrupt international peace and security, NATO deterrence and European defence.

Once parts are exported from the UK to the F-35 global spares pool and aircraft assembly facilities, due to the design of the programme, the UK does not have control over whether components are used for specific customer nations or not.

The UK cannot make changes to the F-35 programme unilaterally – it requires agreement across all the Partner Nations.

The only way to prevent UK-produced parts reaching Israel would be for the UK Government to stop the export of parts to the entire F-35 programme, which would prejudice the security of the UK and our allies.

Facing a critical moment for European security and war on our continent, the Government has a solemn responsibility to consider the full implications of our decisions. Undermining the F35 programme would disrupt international peace and security, NATO deterrence and European defence.

Once parts are exported from the UK to the F-35 global spares pool and aircraft assembly facilities, due to the design of the programme, the UK does not have control over whether components are used for specific customer nations or not.

The UK cannot make changes to the F-35 programme unilaterally – it requires agreement across all the Partner Nations.

The only way to prevent UK-produced parts reaching Israel would be for the UK Government to stop the export of parts to the entire F-35 programme, which would prejudice the security of the UK and our allies.

Facing a critical moment for European security and war on our continent, the Government has a solemn responsibility to consider the full implications of our decisions. Undermining the F35 programme would disrupt international peace and security, NATO deterrence and European defence.

The Department for Business and Trade does not hold information on the quantity of goods exported under Open General Export Licences. The principle of such licences – such as those for UK suppliers to the F-35 programme – is that they allow registered companies to export an unrestricted quantity of permitted items.

Due to the design of the programme, the UK Government also does not have access to information about the movement of specific F-35 components around the F-35 global programme, including the provision of parts to specific customers.

The UK Government does not sell F-35 components directly, but licences the export of components to the F-35 global programme from a number of UK suppliers.

The Department for Business and Trade does not hold information on the revenue of companies generated from sales to the F-35 global spares pool.

The Government is committed to supporting those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, including the most vulnerable households. We are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households. Last month I met with energy suppliers to urge them to do everything they can to support consumers struggling to pay their bills, and to sign up to an ambitious set of commitments to take proactive steps to stop further households from getting into debt.

Tax is a matter for HM Treasury.

Current Government energy efficiency schemes are targeted at low-income consumers and those in the least energy efficient households. Eligibility requirements can be found on gov.uk, www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat.

Through the Warm Homes Plan, we will invest an extra £6.6 billion over the next five years in clean heat and energy efficiency, upgrading five million homes through solutions like low carbon heating and improved insulation. We will set out the full details of our Warm Homes Plan, and the approach to Net Zero Buildings more broadly, after the completion of the Spending Review Process.

The Government is committed to supporting those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, including the most vulnerable households. We are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households.

Last month I met with energy suppliers to urge them to do everything they can to support consumers struggling to pay their bills, and to sign up to an ambitious set of commitments to take proactive steps to stop further households from getting into debt.

Government is supporting households through our Warm Homes Plan, including energy efficiency schemes such as ECO4 and GBIS, which are legal obligations placed on energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to eligible households, making homes warmer and cheaper to heat.

Whilst State Pension is not an eligible benefit, households may still qualify where a member of the household receives a means-tested benefit, or through the Flexible Eligibility element of both schemes.

I intend to meet regularly with energy suppliers to outline my expectations for the standard of service that should be provided, including supporting vulnerable consumers and those struggling to pay their bills.

It is a commercial matter for energy suppliers and their customers to determine which payment method customers should use. Any consumer who wishes to change their payment method or amend their contract should speak to their supplier. It is worth noting that some consumers may choose to have a prepayment meter as it can help them to budget their energy more effectively.

Last year, Ofgem introduced stringent rules for the installation of involuntary prepayment meters, to improve protections for vulnerable consumers. The Government will continue to work with Ofgem to ensure that suppliers only install involuntary prepayment meters as a last resort.

The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal.

While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements, we support the development and application of approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research (the 3Rs). The Government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year, which will set out clear objectives and measurable milestones.

We are actively supporting the life sciences sector to ensure that businesses investing in research can access the capital they need to scale up in the UK.

Through initiatives like the £400 million VPAG investment programme, we will expand the UK's capacity for commercial clinical trials and manufacturing, enabling research to have the impact that it deserves.

In addition, UKRI's £118m fund will create five new research hubs across the country, from Glasgow to Bristol, to develop new health technologies in partnership with the life sciences sector.

I welcome the representations from the University of York setting out the opportunities from BioYorkshire. Science and Technology is key for creating growth and prosperity across the UK. DSIT and UKRI continue to support BioYorkshire to explore opportunities for innovation-led growth in this cluster.

Ministers continue to discuss a distributions deal with the Premier League and EFL on a regular basis, with a clear expectation that any agreement should provide meaningful support across the football pyramid, including grassroots football. While the Football Governance Bill includes a backstop power for the independent regulator to intervene if a deal cannot be reached, this would only apply to distributions between the leagues. As such, Ministers continue to emphasise the importance of a voluntary agreement that delivers broader benefits, including investment in grassroots facilities and programmes.

We recognise the strength of feeling within the National League regarding promotion arrangements to the EFL and understand the desire for greater opportunities for clubs to progress through the football pyramid. The competitiveness and sustainability of the league system are important considerations, and we appreciate the views of all stakeholders on this issue.

While promotion and relegation structures are ultimately a matter for the leagues themselves, we remain engaged with the football authorities on broader discussions about the future of the game.

DCMS recognises the importance of local communities and their representatives in shaping a thriving, sustainable visitor economy and the need for their voices to be reflected in local and national decision-making.

The government expects local authorities and tourist boards to engage a broad range of stakeholders (including residents, businesses, and cultural institutions) when developing tourism strategies. This principle of broad representation is embedded in the accreditation criteria for Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), which are designed to support more coordinated, inclusive and resilient tourism leadership across England.

DCMS recently established the Visitor Economy Advisory Council to bring together industry leaders, regional voices and expert advisers to inform policy and ensure that the sector's growth is inclusive and sustainable. DCMS’ upcoming Growth Strategy for the visitor economy will consider how best to support the sector’s development, including the role of LVEPs - ensuring a coordinated approach to driving growth across destinations and sectors.

DCMS recognises the importance of local communities and their representatives in shaping a thriving, sustainable visitor economy and the need for their voices to be reflected in local and national decision-making.

The government expects local authorities and tourist boards to engage a broad range of stakeholders (including residents, businesses, and cultural institutions) when developing tourism strategies. This principle of broad representation is embedded in the accreditation criteria for Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), which are designed to support more coordinated, inclusive and resilient tourism leadership across England.

DCMS recently established the Visitor Economy Advisory Council to bring together industry leaders, regional voices and expert advisers to inform policy and ensure that the sector's growth is inclusive and sustainable. DCMS’ upcoming Growth Strategy for the visitor economy will consider how best to support the sector’s development, including the role of LVEPs - ensuring a coordinated approach to driving growth across destinations and sectors.

DCMS recognises the interest from local areas in exploring ways to support and sustain their visitor economies, including through the use of voluntary tourist levies.

Tourist levies organised by Accommodation Business Improvement Districts, such as those piloted in Manchester and being explored in other parts of the country, are locally driven initiatives that enable participating businesses to pool resources to fund tourism-related services and improvements. While these schemes are still relatively new, DCMS is monitoring their development and engaging with stakeholders to understand their impact.

DCMS has had a range of discussions with local leaders, including directly elected Mayors, about the tools available to support tourism. While the introduction of statutory tourist levies would be a matter for wider cross-government consideration, DCMS is continuing to engage with local authorities and Combined Authorities to understand their ambitions and ensure the sector remains sustainable and competitive.

Currently, there are 10 regional fostering programmes active across England, collaborating with over 60% of all local authorities to recruit and retain foster carers. This government is committed to working in partnership with local authorities to recruit more foster carers.

As part of my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Transformation Fund announced in the Spring Statement, we will provide an additional £25 million over two years (beginning in 2026/27 and 2027/28) for foster care, as part of children’s social care reform. This is on top of the £15 million of fostering investment that was announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, to cover investment taking place in 2025/26. This funding is to start work to ensure every local authority has the offer of access to a hub and to embed the existing regional fostering recruitment and retention hubs.

The hubs will transform the way people who are interested in fostering are supported and rollout the Mockingbird programme, which offers peer-support to foster carers and the children in their care. The department is also funding ‘Fosterlink’, a support service for local authority fostering services.