Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many non-VAT registered companies there are in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Information on companies that are not VAT registered is not centrally collated and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many non-VAT registered companies there are in the UK.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Information on companies that are not VAT registered is not centrally collated and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the estimated total turnover of non-VAT registered companies is.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Information on companies that are not VAT registered is not centrally collated and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the loss of tax revenue from non-VAT registered companies with turnover above the VAT threshold in the next five years.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics and details of the estimate methodologies are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps 2025 edition: tax gap estimates for 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

The latest estimate of the tax gap for VAT is 5.0% of theoretical VAT liability, or £8.9 billion in absolute terms, for tax year 2023 to 2024. This figure implicitly captures, alongside other sources of non-compliance, companies failing to register for VAT, however a separate breakdown is not separately published due to the methodological approach used to calculate it and the associated uncertainties.

HMRC does not make projections of the future loss of tax revenue due to companies failing to register for VAT. ‘Measuring tax gaps 2026 edition: tax gaps estimates for 2024 to 2025’ is scheduled for June 2026.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the projected annual loss of tax revenue is from non-VAT registered companies with turnover above the VAT threshold.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) estimates the size of the tax gap, which is the difference between the amount of tax that should, in theory, be paid to HMRC, and what is actually paid. The tax gap statistics and details of the estimate methodologies are published annually and are available at: Measuring tax gaps 2025 edition: tax gap estimates for 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

The latest estimate of the tax gap for VAT is 5.0% of theoretical VAT liability, or £8.9 billion in absolute terms, for tax year 2023 to 2024. This figure implicitly captures, alongside other sources of non-compliance, companies failing to register for VAT, however a separate breakdown is not separately published due to the methodological approach used to calculate it and the associated uncertainties.

HMRC does not make projections of the future loss of tax revenue due to companies failing to register for VAT. ‘Measuring tax gaps 2026 edition: tax gaps estimates for 2024 to 2025’ is scheduled for June 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of youth workers on levels of costs for (a) the NHS and (b) other public bodies providing services to young people.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential.

We have not made an assessment of the potential impact of youth workers on costs for the NHS or other relevant public bodies, instead, we utilise the wealth of external research indicating the positive impact youth work and youth services can have on young people’s health and other outcomes, including helping to reduce costs for a range of public services.

The new National Youth Strategy will better coordinate youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level, moving away from siloed working and driving efficiencies - ensuring we are better coordinated and more than the sum of our parts.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions she has had with (a) HMRC and (b) stakeholders on the VAT treatment of voluntary payments made to international carbon offsetting projects.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC engaged with stakeholders prior to clarifying the policy on the VAT treatment of voluntary carbon credits in 2024.

As of 1 September 2024, payments made to non-statutory carbon offsetting projects for the purchase of voluntary carbon credits are in the scope of VAT where the place of supply is the UK. Payments made to international carbon offsetting projects are outside the scope of UK VAT.

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 ensure youth work funding is distributed (a) across the country and (b) rural areas.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Local Authorities have a statutory duty to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people in their area. Local Authorities fund youth services from their Local Government Finance Settlement in line with local need. To support Local Authorities, we launched the £8 million Local Youth Transformation pilot this year, which will support local authorities across the country to build back capability to improve local youth offers. The selected local authorities for the pilot include a mix of urban and rural areas.

In addition, we are co-producing a new National Youth Strategy. The strategy will support better coordination of youth services across the country and will increase access to opportunities, in particular in underserved areas. The Strategy will be published in Autumn and will be supported by funding, across the SR period to develop new youth facilities and improve existing ones, as well as further funding to support local youth service provision.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of youth work on (a) the wellbeing of and (b) employment outcomes for young people.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. We know the impact that youth work has on young people’s life chances, including on their wellbeing and their employment outcomes. That is why we are co-producing an ambitious new National Youth Strategy, with young people, sector experts and cross-government colleagues.

The Strategy will better coordinate youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level, moving away from siloed working - ensuring we are better coordinated and more than the sum of our parts. We will publish the Strategy in the Autumn.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of (a) business rates and (b) VAT on the financial sustainability of hotels in (i) rural areas and (ii) West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality and tourism businesses, including those in rural areas, to economic growth and social life in the UK.

To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026/27, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including hotels, with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of these new multipliers being introduced, the Government recognises that businesses will need support in 2025/26. As such, we prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and we froze the small business multiplier.

When the new, permanently lower tax rates are set at Budget 2025, the Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. The UK’s VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent. The UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD, at £90,000. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing wine duty to 14 per cent on British wine producers.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The wine industry makes a vital contribution to our economy and society. We also know the sector has found economic conditions challenging over the past few years, in part due to the pandemic, energy costs, and the cost-of-living crisis.

As you know, a cut, or even a freeze, to alcohol duty represents a cost to the Exchequer. The baseline assumption is that alcohol duty will be increased annually, so that it does not fall in real terms. As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations from stakeholders to inform policy development.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to review duty relief schemes to support the growth of British wine production.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The wine industry makes a vital contribution to our economy and society.

Draught Relief allows products served on draught to benefit from a lower rate of alcohol duty, providing vital support to producers, pubs and other venues.

Small Producer Relief supports smaller firms and new entrants by providing a reduced duty rate for those who make 4,500 hectolitres or less of alcohol per year.

While wine producers can benefit from these reliefs, both are limited to products below 8.5 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), in line with the principle underpinning the reformed alcohol duty system that stronger alcoholic drinks should pay more duty.

The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and the Government welcomes representations from the wine sector in advance of the Budget.

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 support the marketing and export of wine produced in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Gareth Thomas

DBT supports wine producers in West Dorset and across the UK through a wide range of export initiatives and skills development programmes. The Business Academy offers free training and expert guidance to help businesses access international markets, complemented by one-to-one support from International Trade Advisors. The Export Support Service also provides direct assistance with customs, logistics, and regulatory advice. To boost global visibility, DBT facilitates trade missions to key international markets and champions the work of WineGB at major trade shows and Embassy tastings. This helps showcase award-winning wines including from West Dorset– such as Langham Wine Estate – to buyers and distributors around the world.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what support her Department is providing to local authorities facing financial strain in delivering SEND services in (a) the South West and (b) Dorset.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

The department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year. Total high needs funding for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is over £12 billion in 2025/26.

Of that total, the Southwest is being allocated over £983 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of £71 million on last year’s DSG high needs block, calculated using the high needs national funding formula. Of this amount, Dorset is being allocated over £60 million, an increase of £4 million on last year.

The department intends to set out plans for reforming the SEND system in further detail in a Schools White Paper in the autumn and are considering the funding for future years following the spending review that concluded in June. We will also set out later this year how the government will support local authorities to deal with their historic deficits.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of enabling people to Gift Aid donations made to certified carbon offsetting projects.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises the vital role played by the charity sector and the generosity of the British public. That is why we supported charitable giving with over £1.7billion in Gift Aid in tax year 2025.

Donations to UK registered charities recognised by HMRC, that are involved in or run certified carbon credit projects, are already allowable for Gift Aid, an example being ‘The Woodland Trust’.

The UK Government is a strong supporter of the responsible voluntary use of high-integrity carbon and nature credits as part of climate and nature strategies. This commitment is reflected in the launch of the Principles for Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market Integrity and the government consultation which closed in July on their operationalisation, which will further the UK's ambition to become the green finance capital of the world.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that statutory deadlines for SEND assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans are consistently upheld by local authorities.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell

I refer the hon. Member for West Dorset to the answer of 14 July 2025 to Question 65182.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve early diagnosis and treatment options for people with secondary breast cancer in rural areas such as West Dorset.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Improving early diagnosis, access to treatments, and support across England are key priorities for the Government for all cancer types, including for those living with secondary breast cancer in West Dorset and rural constituencies.

To ensure that people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer have timely access to new and innovative treatments, NHS England commissioned a National Audit of Metastatic Breast Cancer, which provides timely evidence for cancer service providers of where patterns of care in England may vary. The purpose of the audit was to identify information to increase the consistency of access to treatments and help stimulate improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes for patients. The National Health Service is now acting on those findings, including for patients in West Dorset.

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs), including those in Dorset and rural constituencies. This process is independent of Government, and NHS England takes advice on the underlying formula from the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. ICB’s are responsible for commissioning healthcare which best meets the needs of their local populations, including treatment and support for secondary breast cancer.

To improve early diagnosis rates all over the country, including in West Dorset and rural areas, the Department and NHS England are improving public awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, streamlining referral routes, and increasing the availability of diagnostic capacity through the roll-out of more community diagnostic centres. The Department is also committed to improving waiting times for cancer treatment, so that people with cancer, including secondary breast cancer, can get access to the care they need more quickly. The NHS is now delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, as the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and faster treatment.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to allocate additional funding to Integrated Care Boards to help improve (a) support and (b) treatment for people living with secondary breast cancer in (i) Dorset and (ii) rural constituencies.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Improving early diagnosis, access to treatments, and support across England are key priorities for the Government for all cancer types, including for those living with secondary breast cancer in West Dorset and rural constituencies.

To ensure that people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer have timely access to new and innovative treatments, NHS England commissioned a National Audit of Metastatic Breast Cancer, which provides timely evidence for cancer service providers of where patterns of care in England may vary. The purpose of the audit was to identify information to increase the consistency of access to treatments and help stimulate improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes for patients. The National Health Service is now acting on those findings, including for patients in West Dorset.

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs), including those in Dorset and rural constituencies. This process is independent of Government, and NHS England takes advice on the underlying formula from the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. ICB’s are responsible for commissioning healthcare which best meets the needs of their local populations, including treatment and support for secondary breast cancer.

To improve early diagnosis rates all over the country, including in West Dorset and rural areas, the Department and NHS England are improving public awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, streamlining referral routes, and increasing the availability of diagnostic capacity through the roll-out of more community diagnostic centres. The Department is also committed to improving waiting times for cancer treatment, so that people with cancer, including secondary breast cancer, can get access to the care they need more quickly. The NHS is now delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, as the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and faster treatment.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer have timely access to (a) new and (b) innovative treatments in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Improving early diagnosis, access to treatments, and support across England are key priorities for the Government for all cancer types, including for those living with secondary breast cancer in West Dorset and rural constituencies.

To ensure that people diagnosed with secondary breast cancer have timely access to new and innovative treatments, NHS England commissioned a National Audit of Metastatic Breast Cancer, which provides timely evidence for cancer service providers of where patterns of care in England may vary. The purpose of the audit was to identify information to increase the consistency of access to treatments and help stimulate improvements in cancer treatment and outcomes for patients. The National Health Service is now acting on those findings, including for patients in West Dorset.

NHS England is responsible for funding allocations to integrated care boards (ICBs), including those in Dorset and rural constituencies. This process is independent of Government, and NHS England takes advice on the underlying formula from the independent Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation. ICB’s are responsible for commissioning healthcare which best meets the needs of their local populations, including treatment and support for secondary breast cancer.

To improve early diagnosis rates all over the country, including in West Dorset and rural areas, the Department and NHS England are improving public awareness of cancer signs and symptoms, streamlining referral routes, and increasing the availability of diagnostic capacity through the roll-out of more community diagnostic centres. The Department is also committed to improving waiting times for cancer treatment, so that people with cancer, including secondary breast cancer, can get access to the care they need more quickly. The NHS is now delivering an extra 40,000 operations, scans, and appointments each week, as the first step to ensuring early diagnosis and faster treatment.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether research has been (a) commissioned and (b) supported by his Department on the potential impact of exposure to Debendox during pregnancy.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, is not currently funding research into the potential impact of exposure to Debendox during pregnancy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to develop a cross-departmental strategy on youth work.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

DCMS is leading a National Youth Strategy in collaboration with a number of other key departments to set out a new long-term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this. This strategy will cover youth services, provision and policy at local, regional and national levels. We are co-producing this National Youth Strategy with young people and cross-sector experts and so the breadth of issues will be shaped by our engagement.

The Strategy will better coordinate youth services and policy at a local, regional and national level, moving away from siloed working - ensuring we are better coordinated and more than the sum of our parts. We will publish the Strategy in the Autumn.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support people with visual impairments in (a) further education (b) higher education and (c) apprenticeships.

Answered by Janet Daby

Support for people with visual impairments in further education, higher education (HE), and apprenticeships is guided by legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and the special educational needs and disabilities code of practice, with tailored provisions depending on the setting and the needs of the individual.

All education and training providers and other related service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, including those with visual impairments, so they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to non-disabled students.

Reasonable adjustments can include adapting teaching methods (providing materials in accessible formats or using assistive technology), modifying assessments (offering extra time or alternative formats), ensuring physical accessibility (ramps or accessible accommodation), and offering personalised support services (including note-takers, interpreters, or mental health support).

In apprenticeships, learning support funding of £150 per month is available to training providers to make reasonable adjustments which support apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Disabled Students’ Allowance is available for eligible HE students for the provision of more specialist support, including specialist equipment, travel costs and non-medical helpers such as specialist note-takers or printing materials in large print or braille in addition to any reasonable adjustments made by their HE provider.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of moving from early years to primary school on children in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Starting school is a big step, and the department wants every child in reception to feel confident, supported and ready to learn. Preparing children for this transition should be a partnership between parents, early years settings, health services and schools.

Reception is a vital foundation year that sets children up for success. That’s why we are expanding support through tailored improvement offers, helping parents feel confident in their child’s progress, and strengthening teaching in early literacy and numeracy.

From September 2026, schools will benefit from specialist training and support, reaching around 10,000 more children. Our regional improvement for standards and excellence teams have made reception a national priority, offering universal, enhanced and intensive support to schools.

The department is also funding new partnerships between schools and nurseries to improve transitions, strengthen relationships and share best practice. This joined-up approach will help children feel ready and at home in the classroom.

Finally, the department is enhancing professional development, including more early years content in the national professional qualification (NPQ) for headship, new training for reception teachers, and more places on the NPQ in early years leadership.

Together, these measures will ensure every child gets the best possible start to their school journey.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to increase support for schools to assist children in the early stages of primary education in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Starting school is a big step, and the department wants every child in reception to feel confident, supported and ready to learn. Preparing children for this transition should be a partnership between parents, early years settings, health services and schools.

Reception is a vital foundation year that sets children up for success. That’s why we are expanding support through tailored improvement offers, helping parents feel confident in their child’s progress, and strengthening teaching in early literacy and numeracy.

From September 2026, schools will benefit from specialist training and support, reaching around 10,000 more children. Our regional improvement for standards and excellence teams have made reception a national priority, offering universal, enhanced and intensive support to schools.

The department is also funding new partnerships between schools and nurseries to improve transitions, strengthen relationships and share best practice. This joined-up approach will help children feel ready and at home in the classroom.

Finally, the department is enhancing professional development, including more early years content in the national professional qualification (NPQ) for headship, new training for reception teachers, and more places on the NPQ in early years leadership.

Together, these measures will ensure every child gets the best possible start to their school journey.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve support for children transitioning from early years education to primary school in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Starting school is a big step, and the department wants every child in reception to feel confident, supported and ready to learn. Preparing children for this transition should be a partnership between parents, early years settings, health services and schools.

Reception is a vital foundation year that sets children up for success. That’s why we are expanding support through tailored improvement offers, helping parents feel confident in their child’s progress, and strengthening teaching in early literacy and numeracy.

From September 2026, schools will benefit from specialist training and support, reaching around 10,000 more children. Our regional improvement for standards and excellence teams have made reception a national priority, offering universal, enhanced and intensive support to schools.

The department is also funding new partnerships between schools and nurseries to improve transitions, strengthen relationships and share best practice. This joined-up approach will help children feel ready and at home in the classroom.

Finally, the department is enhancing professional development, including more early years content in the national professional qualification (NPQ) for headship, new training for reception teachers, and more places on the NPQ in early years leadership.

Together, these measures will ensure every child gets the best possible start to their school journey.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the introduction of car parking charges on (a) access to outdoor walking spaces and (b) public health.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Car parking charges for publicly-owned car parks are primarily a matter for local authorities. Local actions can encourage sustainable travel choices and reduce car dependency, potentially enhancing air quality and promoting active lifestyles, and local authorities are responsible for assessing the impacts of their policies.

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing, and has committed to creating nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England, expanding access to the great outdoors.

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 help encourage girls to participate in grassroots rugby in (a) schools and (b) local clubs through its funding for the Impact 25 programme.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Since July 2024 the Government has invested £6.78m in Impact 25 the legacy programme for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Impact 25 supports women's and girls' clubs across England as part of the Rugby Football Union’s ambition to widen female participation. It has provided investment to 850 clubs to improve facilities and to train 3,385 new female coaches and match officials, making coaching sessions and matches more accessible contributing to a 35% increase in female age grade registrations in England rising from 17,700 places in 2022 to 23,900 in 2025.

The programme has provided direct support to clubs in the West Dorset constituency, providing £10,000 of funding to Bridport RFC , Dorchester RFC and Sherborne RFC. Each club received funding for a ‘Girls Activity Day Pack’ to introduce girls aged 6-12 to rugby with activities, merchandise, and prizes (such as tickets to a Women's Rugby World Cup match). All clubs also received sanitary product packages which are made freely available in club restrooms.

More broadly, we want as many girls as possible to get involved in sport and physical activity, including in schools. That is why on 19 June 2025, the Government announced a new School Sport Partnerships model and a new Enrichment Framework for schools to ensure all young people have equal access to high-quality sport and extracurricular activity. Girls will be given the same opportunity as boys to play sports at school.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps her Department has taken to promote the Women's Rugby World Cup.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

We are ambitious and want to make this the biggest Women’s World Cup (RWC) ever. Over 400,000 tickets have already been sold for the tournament, more than double the number bought for the previous tournament in New Zealand in 2022, including a sold out final at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham highlighting the demand for women’s sport in the country.

The Government is proud to have provided just under £18m of investment into the tournament since summer 2024 which will be used for all aspects of tournament delivery.

In addition to this DCMS Ministers have supported the promotion of the tournament directly with the Secretary of State Lisa Nandy appearing on the BBC at the 100 Days to go event which also coincided with the reveal of the new Women's RWC trophy. I was then delighted to represent the Department at the 50 Days to go Event held in Parliament and the England teams opening match of the tournament in Sunderland against the USA.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with supermarkets on (a) the adequacy of the prices they pay to producers and (b) the potential merits of buying more produce from vertical farms.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices.

We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice.

As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to prevent supermarkets from cancelling orders from vertical farms at short notice.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices.

We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice.

As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) experts and (b) representatives of (i) traditional and (ii) vertical farming sectors on improving the (A) fairness and (B) reliability of supermarket supply contracts.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

The Government is committed to tackling unfairness in the supply chain wherever it exists. Using the 'Fair Dealings' powers in the Agriculture Act 2020, we can introduce regulations to increase transparency and protect growers, across the range of horticultural production systems, from unfair commercial practices.

We are currently developing ‘Fair Dealing’ regulations for the fresh produce sector, which will cover growers that sell directly to retail. These regulations are designed to strengthen supply chain fairness and ensure all horticulture producers have clear and balanced contracts, which may include prohibiting practices such as cancelling orders at short notice.

As part of this work, we are engaging with retailers, producers, experts and other representatives of the horticulture sector to ensure the regulations are workable and effective.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of helipad accessibility on patient outcomes in air ambulance transfers.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such discussions have been held. Air ambulances form a vital part of the emergency response to patients in critical need. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with NHS England and the Department for Transport to ensure that there is appropriate helipad accessibility available for air ambulances across the country.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with NHS Trusts on improving access to helipads for emergency air ambulance services.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

No such discussions have been held. Air ambulances form a vital part of the emergency response to patients in critical need. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with NHS England and the Department for Transport to ensure that there is appropriate helipad accessibility available for air ambulances across the country.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps with Dorset Council to tackle the use of illegal e-bikes in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

E-bikes can only be legally used on the roads where they comply in full with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has a market surveillance unit and has the powers to act against retailers selling non-compliant e-bikes across the country, including in West Dorset.

Where such e-bikes are used on the roads, the police have powers to seize them. The powers for the police to act are being strengthened in the Crime and Policing Bill, so that the police will no longer be required to provide a warning before seizing any vehicle, including an e-bike, where it is being used anti-socially.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to protect the use of the title Child Psychotherapist.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions. The title of ’child psychotherapist’ is not currently protected in law in the United Kingdom and the Government has no plans to regulate child psychotherapists. No discussions have taken place with charities on protecting the title of ‘child psychotherapist’.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to allocate additional funding for flood prevention in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is investing record levels in flood protection. 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 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.

The list of projects to receive Government funding will be consented on an annual basis through Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, with local representation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with charities on the potential merits of protecting the title Child Psychotherapist.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Titles can only be protected for statutorily regulated professions. The title of ’child psychotherapist’ is not currently protected in law in the United Kingdom and the Government has no plans to regulate child psychotherapists. No discussions have taken place with charities on protecting the title of ‘child psychotherapist’.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of illegal e-bikes on levels of road safety.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Only e-bikes that are fully compliant with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 are legal to use on the roads. The Government agrees that the use of e-bikes that are not compliant with regulations has a negative impact on road safety.

The Government treats road safety very seriously, and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. My Department is developing our Road Safety Strategy and will set out more detail in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to support the development of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in collaboration with Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The UK and partners will continue to ensure we equip Ukraine as best we can in line with their priority needs to defend its sovereign territory to ensure we put them in the strongest possible position. This includes the provision of UGVs to Ukraine.

The UK and Ukraine signed a Framework Arrangement on Defence Material Cooperation, in April 2024, which will enable the UK and Ukraine to jointly develop, manufacture and upgrade battlefield winning capabilities that will sustain and enhance the defence industries of both countries. A number of these technologies will be applicable to UGVs as well as wider uncrewed systems.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to improve cross-border intelligence-sharing between regional counter-terrorism units and devolved Administrations.

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

Counter-terrorism – like all issues of national security – is a reserved matter. The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, outlines the importance of working together with the devolved governments on a shared strategic response to the threat of terrorism posed across the UK. Regional counter-terrorism units work around the clock with the UK intelligence agencies, local communities and partners to keep us safe. For security reasons, we do not comment on specifics of intelligence or operations.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what support is available for hotels in West Dorset constituency to transition to more energy-efficient (a) heating and (b) cooling systems.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is working with local government, businesses, and the private sector to develop options to ensure our commercial buildings are thermally efficient, clean and affordable to run with a clear, practical path to meet Net Zero. We are supporting a pilot for hospitality businesses with Zero Carbon Services to help hospitality SMEs reduce carbon and energy bills. And the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers businesses grants of £7500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing heat pumps, and £5000 towards a biomass boiler, to replace their existing fossil fuel systems.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when her Department last estimated the number of women born in the 1950s affected by State Pension age changes in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

All women born since 6 April 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age. No specific estimate has been made for the number of women born in the 1950s in West Dorset constituency. However, estimates can be made with 2021 census data.

ONS population estimates indicate that in 2021 there were approximately 8,500 females born in the 1950s resident in the West Dorset constituency in that year.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many women in West Dorset constituency born in the 1950s are impacted by changes to the State Pension age.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

All women born since 6 April 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age. No specific estimate has been made for the number of women born in the 1950s in West Dorset constituency. However, estimates can be made with 2021 census data.

ONS population estimates indicate that in 2021 there were approximately 8,500 females born in the 1950s resident in the West Dorset constituency in that year.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on reducing the level of disruption caused by gas mains maintenance in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities.

While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the condition of gas mains infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities.

While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available for women born in the 1950s impacted by State Pension age changes in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement.

The State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people. In 2025-26 we will spend £174.9 billion on benefits for pensioners in Great Britain, 5.8% of GDP. This includes spending on the State Pension which is forecast to be £145.6 billion in 2025-26

Through our commitment to protect the Triple Lock both the basic and new State Pensions increased by 4.1% in April, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £470. That’s up to £275 more than if pensions had been uprated by inflation.

From the end of this Parliament, spending on the State Pension as a result of our commitment to protect the Triple Lock is forecast to be around £31 billion more a year, compared with 2024/25. This will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £1,900.

Pension Credit provides vital financial support for pensioners, with 66% of those receiving support being women. It tops up state and private pensions to a guaranteed weekly minimum - the Standard Minimum Guarantee. This also increased by 4.1% in April and is now £227.10 pw for a single person and £346.60 pw for couples. Additional amounts can be paid in respect of disability, caring responsibilities and certain housing costs.

The Government wants all pensioners to get the support to which they are rightly entitled. That is why we ran the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, which included adverts on television, radio, social media, on YouTube, on advertising screens in post offices and GP surgeries as well as in the press. The next stage of the campaign starts this month and will run through to the end of the financial year.

The Government offers further direct financial help to low-income pensioners through the Warm Home Discount, providing eligible households across Great Britain with £150 off their winter energy bill. We have also extended the Household Support Fund for an additional year until 31 March 2026.

For those people who are unable to work but who are not yet eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age, financial support is available through the welfare system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the treatment of SSIP funds as savings rather than pensions by local authorities.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

DWP does not take into account the value of a pension fund (such as a SIPP) that someone and/or their employer has paid into, this protects investments for retirement. Monies drawn from a pension fund, either as a lump-sum, a pension/annuity or both will be taken into account in means-tested benefits in the usual way. This includes where someone reaches the age for state pension credit and has chosen to continue to defer their private/occupational or state pension, in which case this may be taken into account as notional income.

How SIPPs are treated by local authorities is a matter for them and MHCLG.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of drone technology on domestic defence capabilities.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century.

Both autonomous and uncrewed technologies features in both Current and Planned Force Testing events, to ensure we capture the impact of changing technology on our force design. The mix of weapons systems required to defeat different target sets has also been the subject of Force Variation Testing. The results of these assessments are militarily sensitive, so are not releasable.

The Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn, to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure this plan considers the capabilities we need to deliver a more lethal Integrated Force, alongside infrastructure and people. The plan will ensure Defence has the flexibility to seize new technological opportunities and maximise the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC defines SSIPs as pension assets for the purposes of (a) means-tested benefits and (b) financial assessments.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The treatment of Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) for the purposes of means-tested benefits and financial assessments does not fall within HMRC’s remit. HMRC’s role is to define and regulate pension schemes for tax purposes, including SIPPs, which may be registered pension schemes under the Finance Act 2004.

Decisions regarding the treatment of pension assets in means-tested benefits are a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), while financial assessments for adult social care are administered by local authorities under guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

HMRC does not define SIPPs as assets for the purposes of benefit entitlement or financial assessments. Any determination of how such pensions are treated in those contexts should be sought from the relevant departments.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the X53 Weymouth College to Axminster service.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the CR6 Bridport to Beaminster service.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the X51 Bridport to Axminster bus service.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the X53 Weymouth to Axminster service.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many businesses had energy efficiency measures installed in West Dorset constituency between 2010 and 2024.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government does not hold any information or statistics about this area. While a range of Government schemes and incentives have supported energy efficiency improvements across the commercial sector, detailed data is not collected at a national or constituency level.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that advice services can meet increased demand.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions provides a range of support to customers claiming Universal Credit. This includes a dedicated Universal Credit helpline, information on gov.uk, face to face support in Jobcentres as well as support from the Help to Claim service.

Help to Claim is delivered independently by Citizens Advice, in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland, to provide practical tailored support to enable individuals to make a new claim to Universal Credit or move from legacy benefits. Help to Claim is available to anyone making a claim to Universal Credit and is focussed on providing help that meets an individual’s needs at any time until the first full payment of Universal Credit is made.

The Department for Work and Pensions forecasts demand as part of its Grant Funding Agreement with Citizens Advice to ensure they have the resources required to deliver Help to Claim. Since April 2019, Help to Claim has supported over 1.1 million people, with 9 in 10 people rating their overall experience as good or very good and would recommend it to friends and family.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average administrative cost is of collecting VAT from a VAT-registered company.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC calculate annually the cost to collect £1 of VAT. In 2024-25, it cost 0.58 pence, i.e. less than one penny, to collect £1 of VAT on average. This ratio has been broadly stable over recent years.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Ofgem on reducing the level of disruption caused by gas mains repairs.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities.

While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to increase the number of businesses powered by green energy in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We are delivering on our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan to increase the number of businesses powered by green energy. We have lifted the onshore wind ban, established Great British Energy, consented almost 2GW of solar, delivered a record renewables auction, and launched carbon capture and hydrogen industries. In addition, we are driving forward vital planning and networks reforms to speed up clean power deployment.

The Government also is helping businesses to improve their energy efficiency and reduce the amount of energy they use by providing funding to upgrade their old boiler. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of £7500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing heat pumps, and £5000 towards a biomass boiler, for properties looking to replace their existing fossil fuel heating.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the enforcement of existing regulations on e-bike use.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

A modified e-cycle is only road-legal where it complies in full with the requirements set out in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. Where this is not the case, the e-cycle is classed as a motor vehicle and needs to be approved and registered with the DVLA, as well as being taxed and insured.

Enforcement of these requirements is a matter for the police, who already have powers to seize illegally modified e-cycles and to fine individuals who fail to stop when instructed to do so. While we have not carried out any formal review, the Government is providing the police with more powers to make it easier for them to seize any vehicle, including illegally modified e-cycles, where it is being used in an anti-social manner. Measures contained in the Crime and Policing Bill will allow the police to seize the vehicle without first being required to provide the rider with a warning.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people referred to the Prevent programme were identified as linked to far-right extremism in West Dorset constituency in the last 12 months.

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

The Home Office produces annual statistics setting out the number of individuals referred to Prevent by type of concern and region. The number of referrals made to the Prevent programme in the South West region, in which the area you ask is contained, is provided in the table below. These are the latest published figures, year ending March 2024.

This information, together with further information about Prevent referrals and Channel cases can be found on GOV.UK Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme statistics - GOV.UK.

Referrals for the period April 2024 to March 2025 will be released later this year in the upcoming publication "Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme: to March 2025". As per official statistics guidelines under the Code of Practice for Statistics, we are unable to release these statistics ahead of the formal publication date. More information on this forthcoming publication will be pre-announced on the statistics release calendar which can be found on the GOV.UK website: Statistics release calendar (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the expected costs are for consultancy services in relation to the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme in Charmouth.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme for Charmouth and Swanage is being delivered through Dorset Council as the lead authority, with support from the Environment Agency, under the ‘Future Coast Dorset’ project.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department plans to increase funding for technology to detect early online radicalisation in rural communities.

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

The Home Office is strengthening action to tackle online radicalisation and protect young people from harm. The Independent Prevent Commissioner, Lord Anderson, recommended that we explore how evidence of online activity can be used to identify potential subjects for Prevent. To fulfil this, we will take steps to strengthen our approach to tackling online radicalisation through working with tech companies, like-minded international partners, and consider new approaches to identifying and supporting susceptible individuals online. This includes developing new capabilities to better equip Prevent to manage online radicalisation risks across all of our communities.

This renewed focus on online threats reflects the fact that the threat posed by radicalisation is not confined to a relatively small number of local authorities and is in fact increasingly diffuse. A local authority does not need to be high threat to be high risk. In response to this, we have evolved our Prevent local delivery model to ensure every local authority, including those in rural areas, has ready access to expertise, best practice, and support in tackling local radicalisation risks. Even while we continue to provide additional support and direct funding to those with the highest risk.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people referred to the Prevent programme were identified as linked to far-right extremism in the last 12 months.

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

Prevent aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. It works to ensure that people who are susceptible to radicalisation are offered appropriate interventions and support, and that communities are protected against radicalising influences.

In the year ending March 2024, a total of 1,314 people were recorded as having been referred to Prevent due to extreme right-wing concerns. The Home Office produces annual statistics setting out the number of individuals referred to Prevent by type of concern. Below are the latest published figures, year ending March 2024.

This information, together with further information about Prevent referrals and Channel cases can be found on GOV.UK Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme statistics - GOV.UK.

Referrals for the period April 2024 to March 2025 will be released later this year in the upcoming publication “Individuals referred to and supported through the Prevent Programme: to March 2025”. As per official statistics guidelines under the Code of Practice for Statistics, we are unable to release these statistics ahead of the formal publication date. More information on this forthcoming publication will be pre-announced on the statistics release calendar which can be found on the GOV.UK website: Statistics release calendar (www.gov.uk).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure mental health services are included in the Prevent strategy.

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

The aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.

Healthcare professionals have a key role in Prevent because they will meet and treat people who may be susceptible to radicalisation and those working for the NHS play an important role under the Prevent duty.

Prevent works closely with DHSC and the NHS to ensure mental health services are actively involved in Prevent where appropriate, and the Prevent duty guidance encourages collaboration between local authorities, health services, and police to ensure coordinated support.

If a healthcare professional is concerned that a patient is being radicalised, a Prevent referral could allow the patient to get the help and support needed to prevent them being radicalised into terrorism.

Where a person is referred to Prevent due to radicalisation concerns, as part of a Channel panel, multi-agency partners can conduct an assessment and offer a tailored package of support. Mental health professionals are represented on Channel panels and provide advice and guidance to put a support plan in place.

In a written ministerial statement on 16 July 2025, the Home Secretary noted that: 'the first stage of the strategic policy review into how Prevent manages people with mental ill-health or who are neurodivergent has also concluded. Action is underway to implement those findings.' The Home Office is continuing to work with the DHSC and partners to ensure that mental health considerations are fully integrated into Prevent delivery.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the feasibility of extending the life of existing coastal defences in Charmouth.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The feasibility of extending the life of any coastal defences or constructing new ones is considered as part of the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) policy developed for every section of coastline. The Environment Agency is continuing to work with coastal groups on further improvements to SMPs, including updates to the management approaches where needed and providing new assessments of coastal flood and erosion risks.

Defra has committed to review national policy for shoreline management plans by 2026. This will be informed by the Environment Agency’s SMP refresh. Charmouth is part of SMP16 ‘Durlston Head to Rame Head’ developed in 2011, which was recently reviewed in the SMP refresh process and the latest action plan is currently in delivery by the SMP16 management group.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of threat from far-right extremism in (a) rural communities and (b) the South West.

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

The Home Office recognises the importance of this issue, and the Prevent Duty Guidance notes that “Extreme Right-Wing ideology is resurgent.”

Prevent tackles the ideological causes of terrorism and provides early intervention for people at risk of radicalisation. We work continually to ensure Prevent is ready to respond to all radicalisation risks. This includes developing our understanding of the range of factors that lead to someone being drawn into terrorism.

Prevent is run locally by experts who understand the risks and issues in their area, and how best to support their communities. These experts include local authorities, the Police, charities and community organisations.

Prevent provides funding for all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to address radicalisation risks through targeted projects, under the Preventing Radicalisation Fund.

In the year March 2023 to March 2024, 19% of Prevent funded projects focused solely on building resilience to Extreme Right-Wing (ERWT) ideology, and a further 57% focussed on both Islamist Extremist (IE) and ERWT ideology.

In the current funding year March 2025 to March 2026, the Home Office has received 78 project bids from local authorities. Of those bids, 15% solely focus on Extreme Right Wing ideology with a further 54% of bids covering both Islamist Extremism and Extreme Right Wing ideologies.

Our Prevent local delivery model ensures every local authority has ready access to expertise, guidance and support in tackling local radicalisation and extremism risks via a team of region-based expert Prevent Advisers, who work hand-in-hand with local partners across England, Scotland and Wales.

By working with and upskilling these local experts who best understand the risks and issues in their area, we are improving our ability to help frontline workers identify and protect those most susceptible to radicalisation.

Analytical teams within the Home Office assess all available information, including material from these local experts, in order to maintain the most up to date picture of the current risks and threats pertaining to radicalisation. This includes issues affecting rural areas and communities, and at a regional level across England, Scotland and Wales.

Due to operational and legal sensitivities, the Home Office does not publish specific details of the current intelligence assessment picture.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to commission new research into the drivers of far-right radicalisation among young men in rural areas.

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

The Home Office recognises the importance of this issue, and the Prevent Duty Guidance notes that “Extreme Right-Wing ideology is resurgent.”

Prevent tackles the ideological causes of terrorism and provides early intervention for people at risk of radicalisation. We work continually to ensure Prevent is ready to respond to all radicalisation risks. This includes developing our understanding of the range of factors that lead to someone being drawn into terrorism.

Prevent is run locally by experts who understand the risks and issues in their area, and how best to support their communities. These experts include local authorities, the Police, charities and community organisations.

Prevent provides funding for all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to address radicalisation risks through targeted projects, under the Preventing Radicalisation Fund.

In the year March 2023 to March 2024, 19% of Prevent funded projects focused solely on building resilience to Extreme Right-Wing (ERWT) ideology, and a further 57% focussed on both Islamist Extremist (IE) and ERWT ideology.

In the current funding year March 2025 to March 2026, the Home Office has received 78 project bids from local authorities. Of those bids, 15% solely focus on Extreme Right Wing ideology with a further 54% of bids covering both Islamist Extremism and Extreme Right Wing ideologies.

Our Prevent local delivery model ensures every local authority has ready access to expertise, guidance and support in tackling local radicalisation and extremism risks via a team of region-based expert Prevent Advisers, who work hand-in-hand with local partners across England, Scotland and Wales.

By working with and upskilling these local experts who best understand the risks and issues in their area, we are improving our ability to help frontline workers identify and protect those most susceptible to radicalisation.

Analytical teams within the Home Office assess all available information, including material from these local experts, in order to maintain the most up to date picture of the current risks and threats pertaining to radicalisation. This includes issues affecting rural areas and communities, and at a regional level across England, Scotland and Wales.

Due to operational and legal sensitivities, the Home Office does not publish specific details of the current intelligence assessment picture.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of Prevent-funded community resilience projects in the last three years have targeted far-right extremism.

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

The Home Office recognises the importance of this issue, and the Prevent Duty Guidance notes that “Extreme Right-Wing ideology is resurgent.”

Prevent tackles the ideological causes of terrorism and provides early intervention for people at risk of radicalisation. We work continually to ensure Prevent is ready to respond to all radicalisation risks. This includes developing our understanding of the range of factors that lead to someone being drawn into terrorism.

Prevent is run locally by experts who understand the risks and issues in their area, and how best to support their communities. These experts include local authorities, the Police, charities and community organisations.

Prevent provides funding for all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to address radicalisation risks through targeted projects, under the Preventing Radicalisation Fund.

In the year March 2023 to March 2024, 19% of Prevent funded projects focused solely on building resilience to Extreme Right-Wing (ERWT) ideology, and a further 57% focussed on both Islamist Extremist (IE) and ERWT ideology.

In the current funding year March 2025 to March 2026, the Home Office has received 78 project bids from local authorities. Of those bids, 15% solely focus on Extreme Right Wing ideology with a further 54% of bids covering both Islamist Extremism and Extreme Right Wing ideologies.

Our Prevent local delivery model ensures every local authority has ready access to expertise, guidance and support in tackling local radicalisation and extremism risks via a team of region-based expert Prevent Advisers, who work hand-in-hand with local partners across England, Scotland and Wales.

By working with and upskilling these local experts who best understand the risks and issues in their area, we are improving our ability to help frontline workers identify and protect those most susceptible to radicalisation.

Analytical teams within the Home Office assess all available information, including material from these local experts, in order to maintain the most up to date picture of the current risks and threats pertaining to radicalisation. This includes issues affecting rural areas and communities, and at a regional level across England, Scotland and Wales.

Due to operational and legal sensitivities, the Home Office does not publish specific details of the current intelligence assessment picture.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has issued guidance for local councils to deal with far-right extremism in community groups.

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

The Home Office recognises the importance of this issue, and the Prevent Duty Guidance notes that “Extreme Right-Wing ideology is resurgent.”

Prevent tackles the ideological causes of terrorism and provides early intervention for people at risk of radicalisation. We work continually to ensure Prevent is ready to respond to all radicalisation risks. This includes developing our understanding of the range of factors that lead to someone being drawn into terrorism.

Prevent is run locally by experts who understand the risks and issues in their area, and how best to support their communities. These experts include local authorities, the Police, charities and community organisations.

Prevent provides funding for all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to address radicalisation risks through targeted projects, under the Preventing Radicalisation Fund.

In the year March 2023 to March 2024, 19% of Prevent funded projects focused solely on building resilience to Extreme Right-Wing (ERWT) ideology, and a further 57% focussed on both Islamist Extremist (IE) and ERWT ideology.

In the current funding year March 2025 to March 2026, the Home Office has received 78 project bids from local authorities. Of those bids, 15% solely focus on Extreme Right Wing ideology with a further 54% of bids covering both Islamist Extremism and Extreme Right Wing ideologies.

Our Prevent local delivery model ensures every local authority has ready access to expertise, guidance and support in tackling local radicalisation and extremism risks via a team of region-based expert Prevent Advisers, who work hand-in-hand with local partners across England, Scotland and Wales.

By working with and upskilling these local experts who best understand the risks and issues in their area, we are improving our ability to help frontline workers identify and protect those most susceptible to radicalisation.

Analytical teams within the Home Office assess all available information, including material from these local experts, in order to maintain the most up to date picture of the current risks and threats pertaining to radicalisation. This includes issues affecting rural areas and communities, and at a regional level across England, Scotland and Wales.

Due to operational and legal sensitivities, the Home Office does not publish specific details of the current intelligence assessment picture.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the criteria used to select Charmouth as a location for the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme helps communities that cannot sustainably be defended from coastal erosion aiming to support residents and businesses prepare and plan for the long term.

In September 2023, Charmouth, West Dorset, was added to the programme, taking forward measures that will improve the resilience of local heritage and tourism assets. This was informed by an objective assessment from the Environment Agency (EA) of residential and non-residential properties at risk from coastal erosion. National and local EA coastal specialists also considered the capacity, capability, and willingness within the local authority and the actions needed for Charmouth.

As a UNESCO Jurassic World Heritage Site and Site of Special Scientific Interest, Charmouth represents a good opportunity to invest in and showcase coastal change resilience measures with the aim of benefiting the community, visitors and the local economy.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) Dorset Council and (b) the Environment Agency on potential alternatives to the no active intervention policy for the Charmouth coastline.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is investing £36 million in the Coastal Transition Accelerator Programme to support communities, including in Dorset, to explore innovative approaches to adapt to coastal change.

The Environment Agency has published updated National Coastal Erosion Risk Map data, including future climate change scenarios.

Shoreline Management Plans, developed by local councils, guide long-term strategies for managing flood and erosion risks. The SMP policies for Charmouth were considered during the development of SMP16 ‘Durlston Head to Rame Head’ and will be reviewed as part of the current SMP refresh process. Dorset Council and the Environment Agency are part of the SMP16 management group for South Devon & Dorset, who can consider any new data for this area which may have implications for the current SMP policies.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding his Department provides to support the development of sustainable coastal defences (a) by communities living in coastal areas at risk of erosion and (b) in Charmouth.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

As part of the £2.65 billion FCRM Investment programme for flood and coastal risk reduction, approximately £500 million is being invested in coastal projects across the country to better protect people and properties.

The Environment Agency manages the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes (FCIP) which runs between 2021-2027. £3 million is allocated to Future Coast Dorset, which includes Future Coast Charmouth. This will help communities to manage their changing coasts and become more resilient.

Defra’s Coastal Erosion Assistance Grant also provides financial assistance to local authorities to support them with the cost of demolishing properties at imminent risk of loss from coastal erosion.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the potential impact of coastal erosion on public safety when there are high numbers of visitors to the coast.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Local authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making around public safety near coastlines.

The National Coastal Monitoring Programme (NCMP) comprises of six regional programmes led by Coastal Authorities and the Environment Agency to optimise coastal investment and protect communities through the monitoring and analysis of existing coastal assets.

The new NCERM provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency has worked with local authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on flood resilience in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) works in partnership with Dorset Council to improve flood resilience across the county. Engagement on flood resilience takes place where the risk is highest and where the highest numbers of flooded properties are reported. Through an active flood warden programme, the EA engage regularly with volunteers and Town and Parish Councils and provide them with Flood Action Guides, flood resilience newsletters and additional information to help raise flood risk awareness, preparedness, and resilience. Recently 17 West Dorset Communities and Dorset Council were represented at lunch and learn sessions.

New targeted Flood Warning Areas (FWAs) are identified based on risk using overtopping rates and working with other organisations. Several properties have had Flood Defence Grant-in-Aid investment into Property Flood Resilience in West Dorset, including over 25 in Sydling St Nicholas where a community test event is planned in the autumn.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of counter-terrorism training provided to frontline emergency services in non-metropolitan areas.

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

Our emergency services regularly train together to test different scenarios. We keep our preparedness under constant review, and the response to a range of terrorist threats is exercised regularly at both local and national levels, allowing responder organisations to learn lessons and embed best practice.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what is his proposed timeline for implementing changes to the scope of practice for physician associates.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams. The Government has accepted all 18 of the review’s recommendations.

NHS England has published a letter and a Frequently Asked Questions document, setting out what the accepted recommendations mean for employees and employers, both in the immediate and longer term. The Frequently Asked Questions document is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/leng-review-nhs-england-faqs-on-actions-for-nhs-organisations.pdf

The Leng Review’s recommendations are far reaching and require cross-system partnership working to be considered, planned, and delivered effectively. We will work with NHS England, royal colleges, unions, and other relevant stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations. Further information on implementation will be set out in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve the UK’s domestic capability in drone technology production.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence routinely engages with industry to iterate, and spiral develop capability in close cooperation with allies. One of the key mechanisms to ensure that Defence is up to date with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics is learning lessons from global conflicts and through our support to Ukraine, where drone capabilities are developed and exploited in cooperation with drone component suppliers. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendation to establish a Defence Uncrewed System Centre (DUSC) at Initial Operating Capability by February 2026 will be an important cohering and directing component alongside the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority (DUxDA) for advancing the UK's domestic capability in drone technology production. Lessons have been learned with regard to developments in wired drone technology witnessed in the Ukraine conflict which will inform a broader understanding of where to focus Defence capability development as outlined in the SDR. Defence will continue to invest in drone technology to advance our capabilities in tandem with UK industry.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve domestic capability in wired drone technology production.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Defence routinely engages with industry to iterate, and spiral develop capability in close cooperation with allies. One of the key mechanisms to ensure that Defence is up to date with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics is learning lessons from global conflicts and through our support to Ukraine, where drone capabilities are developed and exploited in cooperation with drone component suppliers. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendation to establish a Defence Uncrewed System Centre (DUSC) at Initial Operating Capability by February 2026 will be an important cohering and directing component alongside the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority (DUxDA) for advancing the UK's domestic capability in drone technology production. Lessons have been learned with regard to developments in wired drone technology witnessed in the Ukraine conflict which will inform a broader understanding of where to focus Defence capability development as outlined in the SDR. Defence will continue to invest in drone technology to advance our capabilities in tandem with UK industry.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of legal aid reductions on the availability of advice services.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

Over the last decade we recognise there has been increased pressure on advice services.

Legal aid is intended to support those who need it most, while still delivering value for the taxpayer. However, the Government recognises it sits within a wider system of legal support and that the provision of legal support, provided by the advice sector, is important to help people assert their rights and resolve their legal problems, and enable those who are not eligible for legal aid to access justice.

Since coming into power, the Labour Government has made substantial investments in civil and criminal legal aid. We have recently consulted on funding of up to £92 million more a year for criminal legal aid solicitors, on top of the £24 million we implemented last year for criminal solicitors. We have also confirmed we will be uplifting fees for housing and immigration legal aid: an increase of £20 million a year once fully implemented.

In addition, the Ministry of Justice is providing over £6 million of grant funding in 2025-26 to 60 organisations to improve access to free legal support and information, both in-person and online. In addition, we are working with the advice sector and have established the Legal Support Strategy Delivery Group, which is comprised of key stakeholders from across the legal support and advice sector, to co-design a long-term plan to make the legal support system more sustainable, effective and efficient. The plan focuses on the themes of service delivery, data and evidence, and funding.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Environment Agency and (b) Dorset Council on improving safety around cliffs in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra works closely with Environment Agency officials at every level and provides constructive challenge and support on Environment Agency’s performance and delivery to protect and enhance the environment and serve the public.

The responsibility for public safety around cliffs and coastlines sits with the Local Authority. Local Authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making. The new National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency worked with Local Authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs, to produce this.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the scope of responsibilities for the revised physician associate role.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams. The Government has accepted all 18 of the review’s recommendations.

NHS England has published a letter and a Frequently Asked Questions document, setting out what the accepted recommendations mean for employees and employers, both in the immediate and longer term. The Frequently Asked Questions document is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/leng-review-nhs-england-faqs-on-actions-for-nhs-organisations.pdf

The Leng Review’s recommendations are far reaching and require cross-system partnership working to be considered, planned, and delivered effectively. We will work with NHS England, royal colleges, unions, and other relevant stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations. Further information on implementation will be set out in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she plans to take to ensure transparency in the modelling of the proposed Inheritance Tax changes.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government published information in the normal way at Autumn Budget 2024 about the assumptions and methodologies for the costing of reforms. These costings, including those relating to inheritance tax, were all certified by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The policy costings document is available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6721d2c54da1c0d41942a8d2/Policy_Costing_Document_-_Autumn_Budget_2024.pdf.

The OBR published more information in January 2025 on the modelling for the forthcoming reforms to inheritance tax. Information about the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief is available at https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/IHT-APR-and-BPR-supplementary-release-Jan-2025.pdf. Information about the reforms to the inheritance tax treatment of pensions is available at https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/IHT-on-pensions-supplementary-release-Jan-2025.pdf.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed Inheritance Tax changes on family (a) businesses and (b) farms.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government believes its reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

The Government has set out the reforms are expected to result in up to 520 estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those also claiming business property relief, paying more inheritance tax in 2026-27. Almost three-quarters of estates claiming agricultural property relief, including those that also claim for business property relief, will not pay any more tax as a result of the changes in 2026-27, based on the latest available data.

The Government has also set out that around 1,500 estates across the UK only claiming business property relief are expected to pay more inheritance tax in 2026-27, with around 1,000 of these expected to only hold shares designated as “not listed” on the markets of recognised stock exchanges, such as the Alternative Investment Market. The remaining 500 estates will include business assets from sectors across the economy that are eligible for business property relief. These reforms mean that around three-quarters of estates claiming business property relief in 2026-27 (excluding those estates only holding shares designated as “not listed”) will not pay any more inheritance tax in 2026-27.

The reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief are forecast to raise a combined £520 million in 2029-30. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility certified this costing at Autumn Budget 2024 and it does not expect the reforms to have a significant macroeconomic impact.

The Government published a tax information and impact note on 21 July 2025 alongside the draft legislation. This is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications/reforms-to-agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief/agricultural-property-relief-and-business-property-relief-reforms.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the treatment of Small Self-Invested Pensions in financial assessments.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must follow the Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, and they must act under the Care and Support Statutory (CASS) guidance.

The responsibility for interpreting and applying the law and the CASS guidance rests with local authorities.

The treatment of private pension income in financial assessments is set out in Annex C of the CASS guidance. Pension income is generally treated as part of a person’s income when conducting financial assessments for adult social care, unless the regulations specifically disregard it.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether funding is available to upgrade hospital helipads to enable night-time operation.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Hospital helipads can be funded via several routes, including by National Health Service trusts, charities, and donors. NHS trusts, working with integrated care systems, can use their local capital budgets to support investment in helipads where these are a local priority, either directly or as part of larger infrastructure projects. Decisions on upgrading hospital helipads are taken at a local level.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent steps her Department has taken to improve coordination between counter-terrorism policing units and local authorities in rural areas.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Counter-Terrorism Policing network stretches across the UK. There are eleven regional counter-terrorism units (CTUs) and intelligence units (CTIUs) that collaborate daily to confront the threat from terrorism. The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, outlines the importance of working together with partners, including local authorities and communities, to keep us safe. For security reasons, we do not comment on specifics of partnership or operations.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken since the spending review to improve broadband connectivity in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset.

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

The government has recently reconfirmed its commitment to achieving nationwide gigabit coverage and the government now expects 99% of premises to have access to a gigabit-capable connection by 2032.

Following the Spending Review, Building Digital UK (BDUK) is refreshing its delivery plans to meet the government’s new 2032 target.

Wessex Internet is delivering two Project Gigabit contracts: one in North Dorset, and another covering other parts of Dorset and South Somerset. Approximately 4,100 premises in the West Dorset constituency are currently included in these contracts. Build on the latter contract is expected to complete in 2029, while build in North Dorset is expected to complete shortly.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of poor internet access on West Dorset businesses.

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

We have not made any specific assessment regarding the potential impact of poor internet access on West Dorset businesses.

Wider government analysis has shown that fast and reliable connectivity contributes to increased economic growth and productivity. That is why the government is committed to ensuring at least 99% of premises, including businesses, receive gigabit broadband coverage by 2032, with over 88% already able to do so.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when his Department last made an assessment of ultrafast broadband coverage in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset constituency.

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

Three months ago, when Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2025 Spring reporting (published May 2025) assessed that 57% of rural UK premises and 58% of all West Dorset premises have access to ultrafast broadband (of 100 Mbps or faster).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to improve communications capabilities of flying drones.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The development of drone communication capabilities remains a dynamic and evolving area. While specific projects are underway, detailed information is withheld for security reasons.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect funding for UK-led global health research initiatives, following the reduction in the aid budget.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The transition to spending 0.3 per cent of Gross National Input on Official Development Assistance (ODA) demands significant shifts in the scale and shape of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) ODA Research and Development (R&D) portfolio. Our approach to R&D investments will be in line with the shifts underway across the FCDO as we modernise our approach to development. In line with broader reprioritisation of our ODA, ODA R&D will have a sharper focus on humanitarian, health and climate and nature, underpinned by work to develop partners' economies.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will commission an independent review of the proposed changes to Inheritance Tax.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has set out the rationale, analysis, and expected impact of all the reforms to inheritance tax announced at Autumn Budget 2024. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility certified the costings are reasonable and central for these reforms. This includes the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026, the reform to the inheritance tax treatment of pensions from 6 April 2027, and the fixing of the nil-rate band and residence nil-rate band at their current levels for a further two years in 2028-29 and 2029-30.

The Government has no plans to commission an independent review of the reforms.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing legislative safeguards to protect existing hospital helipads from closure.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Air ambulances form a vital part of the emergency response to patients in critical need. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with NHS England and the Department for Transport to ensure that there is appropriate helipad accessibility available for air ambulances across the country. However, there are no plans to make it national policy that all major trauma hospitals have access to 24-hour helipad facilities.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government to support and promote the interests of the health and care system throughout the planning process, including improving the participation of all relevant health stakeholders in the creation of local plans to ensure that necessary service provision is maintained.

Information on the proportion of major trauma hospitals that operate 24-hour hospital helipads in England is not held centrally.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help ensure that existing hospital helipads are protected from (a) planning and (b) operational restrictions.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Air ambulances form a vital part of the emergency response to patients in critical need. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with NHS England and the Department for Transport to ensure that there is appropriate helipad accessibility available for air ambulances across the country. However, there are no plans to make it national policy that all major trauma hospitals have access to 24-hour helipad facilities.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government to support and promote the interests of the health and care system throughout the planning process, including improving the participation of all relevant health stakeholders in the creation of local plans to ensure that necessary service provision is maintained.

Information on the proportion of major trauma hospitals that operate 24-hour hospital helipads in England is not held centrally.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy that all major trauma hospitals to have access to 24-hour helipad facilities.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Air ambulances form a vital part of the emergency response to patients in critical need. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with NHS England and the Department for Transport to ensure that there is appropriate helipad accessibility available for air ambulances across the country. However, there are no plans to make it national policy that all major trauma hospitals have access to 24-hour helipad facilities.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government to support and promote the interests of the health and care system throughout the planning process, including improving the participation of all relevant health stakeholders in the creation of local plans to ensure that necessary service provision is maintained.

Information on the proportion of major trauma hospitals that operate 24-hour hospital helipads in England is not held centrally.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how and what proportion of major trauma hospitals operate 24-hour hospital helipads in England.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Air ambulances form a vital part of the emergency response to patients in critical need. The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with NHS England and the Department for Transport to ensure that there is appropriate helipad accessibility available for air ambulances across the country. However, there are no plans to make it national policy that all major trauma hospitals have access to 24-hour helipad facilities.

The Department of Health and Social Care is working with the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government to support and promote the interests of the health and care system throughout the planning process, including improving the participation of all relevant health stakeholders in the creation of local plans to ensure that necessary service provision is maintained.

Information on the proportion of major trauma hospitals that operate 24-hour hospital helipads in England is not held centrally.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to increase access to specialist breast cancer nurses for patients with secondary breast cancer in West Dorset.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care will publish a refreshed Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service it will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. The Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people, including breast cancer nurses in West Dorset, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.

NHS England is investing in structured career development and education support. The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) programme provides a nationally agreed framework for capability, career development and education for nurses, allied health professionals and support workforce working in cancer care. This is also beneficial for the training and development of specialist nurses working in breast cancer care.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the potential loss of (a) the Global Surgery Network and (b) other National Institute for Health and Care Research funded global health research networks on the UK’s role in international health research.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care funds high quality applied global health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and in collaboration with UK and international funders. This funding is supported by the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget.

In February 2025, the Prime Minister made the announcement to reduce ODA to the equivalent of 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027. Following this announcement, and the outcome of the 2025 Spending Review, the Department has taken the decision to focus new ODA research funding on global health security and particular diseases of poverty.

The NIHR-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million in Global Health Research’s inaugural Units call in 2017 and, following a second NIHR funding competition, received a further award of £7 million in 2021 to establish a sustainable network of surgical research. This latest award is due to conclude in June 2026, and we have been clear that we will honour all ongoing research commitments.

No assessment has been made yet regarding the potential impact of the potential loss of the Global Surgery Network and other NIHR funded global health research networks on the UK’s role in international health research. The Department continues to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable. Any updates on our funding opportunities will be reflected on the NIHR website.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of lowering the VAT threshold on the economy.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Any change to the VAT threshold would have potential impacts on small businesses, the economy as a whole, and tax revenues, which the Government would need to consider carefully. The Government keeps all taxes under review and any changes are announced at fiscal events.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the (a) Axminster to Exeter train and (b) its connecting bus services from Bridport and Lyme Regis.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Following the successful introduction of the Arterio fleet elsewhere on the South Western Railway (SWR) network, there will be an opportunity to look at the South Western timetable in detail. Relevant stakeholders, such as Dorset council, will have the chance to comment.

The government knows that integrated public transport is vital to keeping communities connected. We also know that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing services, including other modes of transportation such as rail links. The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, including ensuring integration with other modes, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to decrease (a) National Insurance and (b) business rates costs for pubs (i) since the Spending Review and (ii) ahead of the Autumn Budget in (A) rural constituencies and (B) West Dorset.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has taken difficult but necessary decisions to deliver long-term growth. Fixing the public finances is critical to creating long-term stability in which businesses can invest and thrive.

The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest employers, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change this year. Businesses will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices.

From 2026-27, we intend to introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties in England with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of these changes being made, the Government recognises that business will need support in 2025-26. As such, we have extended the RHL relief for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Under the previous Government, RHL relief was due to end entirely in April 2025. By extending the relief, the Government has saved the average pub, with a RV of £16,800, over £3,300.

To ensure that key amenities are available, and that community assets are protected in rural areas, Rural Rates Relief provides 100% business rates relief for certain properties in eligible rural areas with populations below 3,000, including those that are the only public house, with a RV of up to £12,500.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many students from Gaza that were awarded UK scholarships in the 2024-25 academic year are unable to take up their places due to lack of access to biometric enrolment facilities.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office does not currently publish information on the number of Gaza students with UK scholarships for 2024-25 who are unable to enrol due to the absence of biometric facilities.

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival in the UK for all Chevening scholars from Gaza.  We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students in Gaza who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025. The Government is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK. The situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of the potential financial impact of aligning funding to the average per-patient spend of the top quarter most efficient hospitals on rural hospitals.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The basis of the funding allocated to providers is set out in the National Payment Scheme, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/pay-syst/nhs-payment-scheme/

This includes setting out the prices paid where funding varies with activity, and these prices are the same for all providers. They are based on average costs across National Health Service providers rather than top quarter performance. We have not directly assessed the impact of changing the payment scheme to set prices based on the top quarter of the most efficient providers. However, NHS England sends packs to all NHS providers quantifying productivity and efficiency opportunities based on metrics in the Model Health System dataset. This allows individual providers, including those in rural areas, to benchmark themselves against others, and measure the financial impact of improving performance.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of granting biometric deferrals for students from Gaza who have been awarded UK scholarships but are unable to access biometric facilities.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all Chevening Scholars from Gaza.

We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while accepting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to provide safe routes for students from Gaza who have secured UK scholarships but are currently unable to meet biometric requirements.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all Chevening Scholars from Gaza.

We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while accepting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on biometric processing for students from Gaza seeking to take up scholarships in the UK.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for all Chevening Scholars from Gaza.

We are in the process of doing the same for a group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships covering course fees and living costs at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn 2025.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is doing everything it can to support their safe exit and onward travel to the UK, while accepting that the situation on the ground in Gaza makes this extremely challenging.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken since the Spending Review to improve mobile data coverage in (a) rural constituencies and (b) West Dorset constituency.

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

The regulator, Ofcom, is responsible for reporting on the state of mobile network coverage across the UK.

Ofcom reports that as of January 2025, 4G is available across 78% of UK rural areas from all four mobile operators, while 5G, combined standalone and non-standalone, is available outside 82% of rural premises from at least one operator.

In West Dorset, 4G is available across 91% of the constituency from all four operators, while 5G is available outside 87% of premises in the constituency of West Dorset from at least one operator.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We work closely with the mobile network operators to improve mobile coverage right across the UK, including removing barriers to deployment where they exist. This included hosting a MP roundtable on 1 July attended by the mobile operators and Ofcom. We have also encouraged Ofcom to improve its reporting on mobile coverage, which has resulted in a much improved online checker.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when his Department last made an assessment of mobile data coverage in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset.

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

The regulator, Ofcom, is responsible for reporting on the state of mobile network coverage across the UK.

Ofcom reports that as of January 2025, 4G is available across 78% of UK rural areas from all four mobile operators, while 5G, combined standalone and non-standalone, is available outside 82% of rural premises from at least one operator.

In West Dorset, 4G is available across 91% of the constituency from all four operators, while 5G is available outside 87% of premises in the constituency of West Dorset from at least one operator.

Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We work closely with the mobile network operators to improve mobile coverage right across the UK, including removing barriers to deployment where they exist. This included hosting a MP roundtable on 1 July attended by the mobile operators and Ofcom. We have also encouraged Ofcom to improve its reporting on mobile coverage, which has resulted in a much improved online checker.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the level of Personal Independence Payments for people affected by long-term conditions associated with in utero exposure to Debendox.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition.

Entitlement to PIP focuses on the functional impacts of a person’s health condition or disability on their daily life. It is assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself, so is available to individuals when they meet the PIP qualifying criteria.

PIP is non-contributory, non-means-tested and can be worth up to £9,747.40 a year, tax free. Receiving a qualifying rate of PIP can act as a ‘passport’ to extra money or higher amounts of other means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit. It can also provide access to council tax reductions and a Disabled Person's Railcard.

Individuals can choose how to use the benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will review the adequacy of support available through disability benefits to people impacted by in utero exposure to Debendox.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition.

Entitlement to PIP focuses on the functional impacts of a person’s health condition or disability on their daily life. It is assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself, so is available to individuals when they meet the PIP qualifying criteria.

PIP is non-contributory, non-means-tested and can be worth up to £9,747.40 a year, tax free. Receiving a qualifying rate of PIP can act as a ‘passport’ to extra money or higher amounts of other means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit. It can also provide access to council tax reductions and a Disabled Person's Railcard.

Individuals can choose how to use the benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing targeted (a) visa and (b) relocation support for American scientists seeking to work in the UK in the fields of (i) cancer and (ii) Alzheimer’s research.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.

The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.

The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential economic impact of attracting American research scientists in (a) cancer and (b) Alzheimer's on UK research.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.

The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.

The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to provide funding support to support UK research institutions to recruit American scientists from US universities.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.

The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.

The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has held discussions with UK research bodies on opportunities to recruit American scientists impacted by US budget cuts.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.

The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.

The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to attract US Alzheimer’s research scientists to UK institutions.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.

The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.

The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to attract US cancer research scientists to UK institutions.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.

The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.

The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with (a) public landowners, (b) the National Trust and (c) Forestry England on the potential impact of cashless-only car parking systems on (i) older people and (ii) people without mobile phones.

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

No such discussions have taken place. Car parking charges for publicly-owned car parks are primarily a matter for local authorities.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that communities in (a) rural constituencies and (b) West Dorset constituency can easily access the SAFE European defence funds.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We are committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth in all regions across the UK, including West Dorset. Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will be a truly nationwide effort, ensuring that the benefits of every pound spent on defence will be felt across the UK.

Recognising the potential opportunities SAFE could provide for UK industry, we have set out our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to support organisations in West Dorset to access the SAFE European defence funds.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

We are committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth in all regions across the UK, including West Dorset. Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will be a truly nationwide effort, ensuring that the benefits of every pound spent on defence will be felt across the UK.

Recognising the potential opportunities SAFE could provide for UK industry, we have set out our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the UK has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to Ukraine as part of its military support package.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The UK and its partners remain committed to equipping Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to defend its sovereign territory, in line with its priority requirements. This includes the provision of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs).

We continue to work closely with the Government of Ukraine to ensure that the support we provide aligns with the evolving tactical demands of the conflict.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions his Department has had with private providers on patient protection from rapid increases in the cost of weight loss drugs.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As we shift the focus from treatment to prevention through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay.

NHS England has worked with Eli Lilly to ensure that the list price increase will not affect National Health Service commissioning of tirzepatide in England as a treatment for eligible patients, and we remain committed to the rollout of this medicine as a weight loss treatment based on clinical priority. This will enable 220,000 eligible people to access the medication over the first three years. Not everyone who wants tirzepatide will be able to access it at first, and the initial eligibility criteria will be for people with a body mass index of 40 or more in addition to four or more qualifying comorbidities.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also entered equivalent agreements to maintain their current commissioning approaches.

Pricing in the private market is a matter for Eli Lilly and for private providers. Private patients who are impacted by price increases should discuss any concerns with their private provider. This includes their options regarding payment plans, alternative treatments, and/or stopping or tapering off their current medication. Eli Lilly is working with private providers to support continued patient access.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to regulate sudden price increases in privately purchased weight loss drugs.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As we shift the focus from treatment to prevention through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay.

NHS England has worked with Eli Lilly to ensure that the list price increase will not affect National Health Service commissioning of tirzepatide in England as a treatment for eligible patients, and we remain committed to the rollout of this medicine as a weight loss treatment based on clinical priority. This will enable 220,000 eligible people to access the medication over the first three years. Not everyone who wants tirzepatide will be able to access it at first, and the initial eligibility criteria will be for people with a body mass index of 40 or more in addition to four or more qualifying comorbidities.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also entered equivalent agreements to maintain their current commissioning approaches.

Pricing in the private market is a matter for Eli Lilly and for private providers. Private patients who are impacted by price increases should discuss any concerns with their private provider. This includes their options regarding payment plans, alternative treatments, and/or stopping or tapering off their current medication. Eli Lilly is working with private providers to support continued patient access.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to exempt domestic wine producers from wine duty rates.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The wine industry makes a vital contribution to our economy and society. However, an exemption from alcohol duty that applied only to domestic wine producers is likely to be inconsistent with the UK’s legal obligations. 

Any cut, or even a freeze, to alcohol duty represents a cost to the Exchequer. The baseline assumption is that alcohol duty will be increased annually, so that it does not fall in real terms

As with all taxes, the Government welcomes representations from stakeholders to inform policy development.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of private providers increasing the cost of weight loss drugs by 170% with two weeks’ notice on patients.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As we shift the focus from treatment to prevention through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay.

NHS England has worked with Eli Lilly to ensure that the list price increase will not affect National Health Service commissioning of tirzepatide in England as a treatment for eligible patients, and we remain committed to the rollout of this medicine as a weight loss treatment based on clinical priority. This will enable 220,000 eligible people to access the medication over the first three years. Not everyone who wants tirzepatide will be able to access it at first, and the initial eligibility criteria will be for people with a body mass index of 40 or more in addition to four or more qualifying comorbidities.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also entered equivalent agreements to maintain their current commissioning approaches.

Pricing in the private market is a matter for Eli Lilly and for private providers. Private patients who are impacted by price increases should discuss any concerns with their private provider. This includes their options regarding payment plans, alternative treatments, and/or stopping or tapering off their current medication. Eli Lilly is working with private providers to support continued patient access.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of costs of (a) energy, (b) water and (c) business rates on the viability of pubs in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the significant pressures facing the hospitality sector, including pubs in West Dorset, due to rising costs and the Government is providing support through various measures to help ease these pressures.

We aim to permanently reduce business rates for RHL properties with a rateable value of less than 500,000 and we have announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality trial which aims for Pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels to receive free energy and carbon cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

Additionally, the Department will continue to engage with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council with an aim to co-create solutions to the issues impacting business performance.

Neurodivergent children at school

Final delivery plan on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Local authority funding

Dame Annette Brooke

Mental health care in Gaza

Air Ambulance Week 2025 (No. 2)

National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) grant

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