Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evaluation has been undertaken of the adequacy of existing (a) mental health emergency departments and (b) community mental health centres and their impact on waiting times, hospital admissions and patient outcomes.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We keep all existing programmes under review. Early implementer mental health emergency departments have provided learning which is informing the next phase of rollout. In addition, the pilot programme for community mental health centres is being evaluated, with a final report expected in October 2026. Further details on the rollout of community mental health centres and mental health emergency departments will be published in due course.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what metrics will be used to determine whether the proposed expansion of community mental health services represents value for money.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
We keep all existing programmes under review. Early implementer mental health emergency departments have provided learning which is informing the next phase of rollout. In addition, the pilot programme for community mental health centres is being evaluated, with a final report expected in October 2026. Further details on the rollout of community mental health centres and mental health emergency departments will be published in due course.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 13604 answered on 2 July 2026 on Fires, what discussions she has had with executive agencies and ALBs about the effectiveness of wildfire management plans in the context of effective mitigations during the large-scale wildfires in Summer 2026.
Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Land managers have an important role in assessing and managing wildfire risk. Defra is supporting land managers to manage risk and put in place proportionate wildfire management plans, reflecting local risks and circumstances. These plans may include considerations of risk, control measures and monitoring mechanisms.
Defra officials are working with ALBs to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. Defra’s agencies have a central role in resilience and preparedness, and officials in Defra’s agencies are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Defra to ensure an aligned and coherent approach to wildfire policy. The Forestry Commission supports wildfire resilience through forest and land management, risk assessment and operational preparedness, and Natural England provides evidence-based advice on environmental impacts, habitat management and nature recovery, including burning licence applications.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, as part of the full review of the local government reorganisation programme announced on 7 September 2026, what steps she is taking to ensure that the strategic priorities facing rural communities are considered as part of any future changes to local government structures.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On 7 September 2026 the Secretary of State announced to Parliament that a review of the local government reorganisation programme would be undertaken and that reorganisation activity in affected areas should be paused while the Government considers next steps. The Government wants to ensure that the programme is aligned with its wider ambitions for effective and sustainable local government and the devolution of power to local areas, including in rural areas.
In light of that position and the review, the Government is not currently progressing work on interim warding arrangements and will set out any future requirements relating to local government reorganisation following consideration of these matters. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body responsible for electoral arrangements for local authorities. It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to WPQ 13718 answered on 1 July 2026 about Fires, if she will undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the New Dimensions 2 programme and the impact of the programme on tackling the wildfires in 2026.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is investing approximately £97m under the New Dimensions 2 programme to uplift and replace national resilience assets. This is the largest scale upgrade of these assets in almost twenty years.
This investment includes a pilot national wildfire response capability with specialist firefighters, equipment and training positioned across England to support fire and rescue services during major incidents.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) funds the national resilience lead authority in Merseyside to deliver a range of services, including capability assurance, to ensure National Resilience Capabilities operate effectively across the country.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to WPQ 21883 answered on 7 September 2026 about Fruit Horticulture, will she hold imminent discussions with the British Berry Growers Association to discuss [i] the challenges faced by the drought of Summer 2026 and [ii] the current challenges faced by growers in irrigating their crops.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra has frequent engagement with key horticulture stakeholders including berry growers on the range of matters impacting the horticulture sector. Additionally, through the National Drought Group, ministers engage specifically with the National Farmers' Union and Horticulture Trades Association to assess drought impacts and to coordinate action across all sectors, helping to inform planning, response and resilience measures. This engagement informed the Government’s package of support for farmers affected by drought, announced in August.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
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 she has had with the farming community on the prospect of higher inheritance tax bills if a farm invests in a new farm reservoir or an irrigation system.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Ministers and officials meet regularly with representatives of the farming sector, to discuss a range of issues.
The Government is taking action to make it easier to build reservoirs. This includes reducing unnecessary barriers, updating planning guidance, and funding up to £15 million to build on-farm reservoirs, helping farmers store water and become more resilient to future droughts.
The Government continues to provide very significant relief from inheritance tax for agricultural and business assets. A couple are able to pass on up to £5 million of such assets tax-free between them, on top of the existing allowances such as the nil-rate band.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will have conversations with animal welfare charities about the possible number of dog owners who may seek withdrawal of their certificate of exemption because they do not believe that their dog is an XL Bully type.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra have continued to engage with animal welfare charities, including on the withdrawal of certificates of exemption.
Defra are still working to develop this process, so that owners who no longer believe that their dog meets the legal definition of an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn. Further details will be shared once the process has been finalised.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
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 she has had with dog welfare charities on issues for dog owners seeking a withdrawal of a certificate of exemption.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra have continued to engage with animal welfare charities, including on the withdrawal of certificates of exemption.
Defra are still working to develop this process, so that owners who no longer believe that their dog meets the legal definition of an XL Bully type can apply to have their certificate of exemption withdrawn. Further details will be shared once the process has been finalised.
Asked by: Luke Evans (Conservative - Hinckley and Bosworth)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Policy Paper dated 31 July 2026, Rewiring the State- Cabinet Statement, what recent discussions has she had about the role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and councillors.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement committed to ensuring there is a clear role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and local councillors. As part of the development of the Devolution White Paper, Ministers and officials are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including mayors and local government representatives on the co-design and implementation of these reforms. Further details will be set out in due course.