Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle the effects of land banking by property developers in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60243 on 24 June 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's decision to cease using fire co-responders in category on cardiac medical emergencies on the viability of fire stations in the South West.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Collaboration between emergency services has a vital role to play in keeping the public safe in a way that optimises efficiency and effectiveness. However, it is for local emergency service providers to decide what collaborative activities will best serve their communities’ needs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to increase transparency in the private pension sector.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is developing pensions dashboards which will allow people to view their pensions picture, including State Pension, securely and in one place online.

Relevant occupational, personal and stakeholder pension schemes are legally required to connect to pensions dashboards and provide pensions information upon request. This will help people to reconnect with their pension pots and better plan for retirement.

The Value for Money measures in the Pension Schemes Bill will also drive transparency across the Defined Contributions pensions sector by requiring schemes to provide standardised metrics across three core pillars of value: costs and charges; investments; and quality of service. DWP are working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority and The Pensions Regulator to ensure we design a framework and regulatory regime that increases comparability, transparency and competition across DC pension schemes, delivering better outcomes for pension savers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of exempting people with cystic fibrosis from prescription charges.

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

The Department has no plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate, for exemption from prescription charges.

Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there are a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with cystic fibrosis may be eligible.

Eligibility for these exemptions depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.

People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. To help spread the cost, people can pay for an annual PPC by ten monthly direct debits. A holder of a 12-month certificate can get all the prescriptions they need for just over £2 per week.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure pension holders in Yeovil constituency receive (a) up-to-date and (b) easily accessible online valuations from their pension providers.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is developing pensions dashboards which will allow people to view their pensions picture, including State Pension, securely and in one place online.

Relevant occupational, personal and stakeholder pension schemes are legally required to connect to pensions dashboards and provide pensions information upon request. This includes information about the value of their pensions. This will help people to reconnect with their pension pots and better plan for retirement.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandating three point seatbelts to be fitted on coaches in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) other rural areas.

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

The Department for Transport is committed to improving road safety and incidents involving buses and coaches are rare – national casualty statistics indicate that they are one of the safest forms of road transport.

Vehicle construction regulations are applied nationally, rather than on a constituency or other geographic basis, and have required all buses and coaches to be fitted with seat belts since 2001, except for those designed and authorised to carry standing passengers.

In large vehicles where the deceleration forces of a collision are generally lower than for smaller vehicles, a lap belt only is permitted providing other design criteria are met to prevent or limit injury. In smaller vehicles, or where these other design criteria cannot be met, a three-point belt is required.

International vehicle construction requirements, including those covering seat belts, are developed through the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, where they are kept under review to ensure they evolve to continuously drive forward vehicle safety.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the weekly State Pension rate for people in (a) rural communities and (b) Yeovil constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

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

Several benefits provide supplementary support for those on low incomes. This includes direct financial help to low-income pensioners through Pension Credit, the Warm Home Discount and (in England & Wales) Cold Weather Payments. The Household Support Fund in England also provides discretionary support towards the cost of essentials.

All pensioners also continue to benefit from free eye tests, free NHS prescriptions and free bus passes.

The Department continues to monitor pensioner outcomes and benefit take-up to ensure support reaches those who need it most.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to address the barriers faced by pension holders in Yeovil constituency seeking to access their financial data from private pension providers.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is developing pensions dashboards which will allow people to view their pensions picture, including State Pension, securely and in one place online.

Relevant occupational, personal and stakeholder pension schemes are legally required to connect to pensions dashboards and provide pensions information upon request. This will help people to reconnect with their pension pots and better plan for retirement.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration the Curriculum and Assessment Review will give to the (a) needs of and (b) challenges faced by students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

​​The Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, is actively considering the needs and challenges faced by all pupils in accessing the national curriculum and making sure that they are all able to achieve high and rising standards.

​The review is thoroughly examining the key challenges to attainment faced by children and young people in mainstream education, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The Review is committed to ensuring all pupils have access to a broad curriculum and achieve positive outcomes.

​This government remains committed to enhancing inclusivity within mainstream schools and the review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn, at which point the government will respond.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration the Curriculum and Assessment Review will give to the (a) needs of and (b) challenges faced by students with dyslexia.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

​​The Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, is actively considering the needs and challenges faced by all pupils in accessing the national curriculum and making sure that they are all able to achieve high and rising standards.

​The review is thoroughly examining the key challenges to attainment faced by children and young people in mainstream education, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The Review is committed to ensuring all pupils have access to a broad curriculum and achieve positive outcomes.

​This government remains committed to enhancing inclusivity within mainstream schools and the review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn, at which point the government will respond.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what consideration the Curriculum and Assessment Review will give to the (a) needs of and (b) challenges faced by students with dyscalculia.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

​​The Curriculum and Assessment Review, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE, is actively considering the needs and challenges faced by all pupils in accessing the national curriculum and making sure that they are all able to achieve high and rising standards.

​The review is thoroughly examining the key challenges to attainment faced by children and young people in mainstream education, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The Review is committed to ensuring all pupils have access to a broad curriculum and achieve positive outcomes.

​This government remains committed to enhancing inclusivity within mainstream schools and the review’s final report and recommendations will be published in autumn, at which point the government will respond.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment NHS England has made of the potential risks of dopamine agonists as a treatment for restless leg syndrome.

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

NHS England has made no assessment. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) assesses all medicines before they are licensed in the United Kingdom, with regard to quality, safety, and efficacy. The licensed dopamine agonist medicines that are indicated for the treatment of restless leg syndrome (RLS) are ropinirole, pramipexole, and rotigotine.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recently revised its Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) on the diagnosis and clinical management of RLS, which was updated in February 2025, and which can be used as a source of information for healthcare professionals. This CKS is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/

Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for that part of the patient’s care. Prescribers are accountable for their prescribing decisions. Prescribers must always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed, and that they take account of appropriate national guidance on clinical effectiveness, as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to reduce the rate of child poverty in Yeovil constituency.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty is a priority for this Government. The Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in autumn that will deliver fully funded measures to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty.

The Strategy will look at levers across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience; and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.

As a significant downpayment ahead of Strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1 billion a year (including Barnett impact), investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. We also announced the biggest boost to social and affordable housing investment in a generation and £13.2 billion including Barnett impact across the Parliament for the Warm Homes Plan.

Our commitments at the 2025 Spending Review come on top of the existing action we have taken which includes expanding free breakfast clubs, capping the number of branded school uniform items children are expected to wear, increasing the national minimum wage for those on the lowest incomes and supporting 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a Fair Repayment Rate on Universal Credit deductions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with NICE on the adequacy of treatments available for restless leg syndrome through the NHS in (a) Yeovil constituency (b) Somerset and (c) England.

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

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not developed any guidelines on the diagnosis and/or management of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and has not evaluated any treatments for this condition. NICE has, however, commissioned a Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) on the diagnosis and clinical management of RLS, which was updated in February 2025, and which can be used as a source of information for healthcare professionals. This CKS is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/

There are currently no plans to develop a NICE guideline on RLS. NICE has an established prioritisation process overseen by a prioritisation board, for the identification of priorities for guidance development. Anyone is able to suggest a topic through the NICE website, at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/forms/topic-suggestion

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of NICE guidelines on treatments for restless leg syndrome.

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

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has not developed any guidelines on the diagnosis and/or management of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and has not evaluated any treatments for this condition. NICE has, however, commissioned a Clinical Knowledge Summary (CKS) on the diagnosis and clinical management of RLS, which was updated in February 2025, and which can be used as a source of information for healthcare professionals. This CKS is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/

There are currently no plans to develop a NICE guideline on RLS. NICE has an established prioritisation process overseen by a prioritisation board, for the identification of priorities for guidance development. Anyone is able to suggest a topic through the NICE website, at the following link:

https://www.nice.org.uk/forms/topic-suggestion

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support secondary school children with dyscalculia in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

​​This government’s ambition is to deliver an excellent, inclusive education for every child with a world class curriculum and highly trained, expert teachers. In November 2024, the department established the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group, who will make recommendations on the best ways to support and meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people in mainstream education settings. We have also commissioned evidence reviews from University College London, which will highlight the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff in mainstream settings to identify and support children and young people with different types of needs.

​The Maths Hubs programme, which is funded by the department, is a school-led network aimed at improving the teaching of mathematics for all pupils in publicly-funded schools. It covers primary, secondary and special schools and uses a mastery-based teaching approach, which aims to secure understanding of key concepts. This includes training for teachers on techniques such as avoiding cognitive overload by breaking the learning down into small manageable steps, using representations to expose mathematical structure and ensuring that learning is sequenced in a coherent manner so it makes sense to pupils. Boolean Maths Hub works with schools, academies and colleges to support the continuous improvement of mathematics education across the west of England, including Somerset.

​The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics offers a Further Education Mastery Specialist Programme for post-16 GCSE mathematics resit and Functional Skills Maths teachers. This programme, delivered through Maths Hubs, aims to develop teachers' expertise in teaching for mastery approaches and enable them to support others in their institutions.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support primary school children with dyscalculia in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

​​This government’s ambition is to deliver an excellent, inclusive education for every child with a world class curriculum and highly trained, expert teachers. In November 2024, the department established the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group, who will make recommendations on the best ways to support and meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people in mainstream education settings. We have also commissioned evidence reviews from University College London, which will highlight the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff in mainstream settings to identify and support children and young people with different types of needs.

​The Maths Hubs programme, which is funded by the department, is a school-led network aimed at improving the teaching of mathematics for all pupils in publicly-funded schools. It covers primary, secondary and special schools and uses a mastery-based teaching approach, which aims to secure understanding of key concepts. This includes training for teachers on techniques such as avoiding cognitive overload by breaking the learning down into small manageable steps, using representations to expose mathematical structure and ensuring that learning is sequenced in a coherent manner so it makes sense to pupils. Boolean Maths Hub works with schools, academies and colleges to support the continuous improvement of mathematics education across the west of England, including Somerset.

​The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics offers a Further Education Mastery Specialist Programme for post-16 GCSE mathematics resit and Functional Skills Maths teachers. This programme, delivered through Maths Hubs, aims to develop teachers' expertise in teaching for mastery approaches and enable them to support others in their institutions.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support students with dyscalculia in further education settings.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

​​This government’s ambition is to deliver an excellent, inclusive education for every child with a world class curriculum and highly trained, expert teachers. In November 2024, the department established the Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group, who will make recommendations on the best ways to support and meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people in mainstream education settings. We have also commissioned evidence reviews from University College London, which will highlight the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff in mainstream settings to identify and support children and young people with different types of needs.

​The Maths Hubs programme, which is funded by the department, is a school-led network aimed at improving the teaching of mathematics for all pupils in publicly-funded schools. It covers primary, secondary and special schools and uses a mastery-based teaching approach, which aims to secure understanding of key concepts. This includes training for teachers on techniques such as avoiding cognitive overload by breaking the learning down into small manageable steps, using representations to expose mathematical structure and ensuring that learning is sequenced in a coherent manner so it makes sense to pupils. Boolean Maths Hub works with schools, academies and colleges to support the continuous improvement of mathematics education across the west of England, including Somerset.

​The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics offers a Further Education Mastery Specialist Programme for post-16 GCSE mathematics resit and Functional Skills Maths teachers. This programme, delivered through Maths Hubs, aims to develop teachers' expertise in teaching for mastery approaches and enable them to support others in their institutions.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the time taken for restless leg syndrome to be identified in patients who present relevant symptoms in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset, and (c) England.

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

We are committed to supporting people with restless leg syndrome and ensuring they receive the support that they need, including referral to specialist services as appropriate.

Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy and care plan in place, the majority of people with restless leg syndrome can be cared for through routine access to primary, secondary, and community care services. Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB which covers the Yeovil constituency, are responsible for commissioning most services for people with restless leg syndrome. ICBs are best placed to plan the provision of services to meet the needs of their local population.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical knowledge summary (CKS) on restless leg syndrome, which is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/

CKS’ are designed to collate and summarise all the guidance and evidence on specific topics and they are a source of supporting information mainly for National Health Service staff working in primary care. The CKS for restless leg syndrome recognises that iron deficiency and dysfunction of iron metabolism are likely causes of restless leg syndrome, and states that a full iron assessment, including ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage transferrin saturation, should be requested for patients with restless leg syndrome. If iron deficiency anaemia is found, or serum ferritin levels are less than 50 to 75 micrograms per litre, clinicians should investigate to identify a cause of iron deficiency and prescribe iron supplements.

We do not hold data on the time taken for patients to receive a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome after first presenting with relevant symptoms.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing access to iron infusions for patients with restless leg syndrome in (a) Yeovil constituency (b) Somerset and (c) England.

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

We are committed to supporting people with restless leg syndrome and ensuring they receive the support that they need, including referral to specialist services as appropriate.

Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy and care plan in place, the majority of people with restless leg syndrome can be cared for through routine access to primary, secondary, and community care services. Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB which covers the Yeovil constituency, are responsible for commissioning most services for people with restless leg syndrome. ICBs are best placed to plan the provision of services to meet the needs of their local population.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical knowledge summary (CKS) on restless leg syndrome, which is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/

CKS’ are designed to collate and summarise all the guidance and evidence on specific topics and they are a source of supporting information mainly for National Health Service staff working in primary care. The CKS for restless leg syndrome recognises that iron deficiency and dysfunction of iron metabolism are likely causes of restless leg syndrome, and states that a full iron assessment, including ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage transferrin saturation, should be requested for patients with restless leg syndrome. If iron deficiency anaemia is found, or serum ferritin levels are less than 50 to 75 micrograms per litre, clinicians should investigate to identify a cause of iron deficiency and prescribe iron supplements.

We do not hold data on the time taken for patients to receive a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome after first presenting with relevant symptoms.

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 support people in Yeovil constituency with restless leg syndrome.

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

We are committed to supporting people with restless leg syndrome and ensuring they receive the support that they need, including referral to specialist services as appropriate.

Once diagnosed, and with a management strategy and care plan in place, the majority of people with restless leg syndrome can be cared for through routine access to primary, secondary, and community care services. Integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB which covers the Yeovil constituency, are responsible for commissioning most services for people with restless leg syndrome. ICBs are best placed to plan the provision of services to meet the needs of their local population.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a clinical knowledge summary (CKS) on restless leg syndrome, which is available at the following link:

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/restless-legs-syndrome/

CKS’ are designed to collate and summarise all the guidance and evidence on specific topics and they are a source of supporting information mainly for National Health Service staff working in primary care. The CKS for restless leg syndrome recognises that iron deficiency and dysfunction of iron metabolism are likely causes of restless leg syndrome, and states that a full iron assessment, including ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage transferrin saturation, should be requested for patients with restless leg syndrome. If iron deficiency anaemia is found, or serum ferritin levels are less than 50 to 75 micrograms per litre, clinicians should investigate to identify a cause of iron deficiency and prescribe iron supplements.

We do not hold data on the time taken for patients to receive a diagnosis of restless leg syndrome after first presenting with relevant symptoms.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to prevent land banking in rural communities by property developers in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset.

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

The government wants to see homes built faster and we recognise the frustrations that stalled or delayed sites can cause to communities.

Once housebuilders have been granted permission for residential development, meeting local housing needs and preferences, we expect to see them built out as quickly as possible.

Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice to require a developer to complete their development if it is stalled. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will lapse.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes policies designed to support increased build out rates, including the promotion of mixed tenure development.

On 25 May, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out (which can be found on gov.uk here) inviting views on further action the government should take to speed up homes being built.

On the same day, we launched a technical consultation on implementing measures to improve the transparency of build rates from new residential development, which includes proposals to implement provisions in Section 113 of the LURA on the power to decline to determine applications. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the government intends bring forward the regulations to implement these measures at the earliest practical opportunity with the new build out reporting framework coming into force from 2026.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to deter land banking in Yeovil constituency.

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

The government wants to see homes built faster and we recognise the frustrations that stalled or delayed sites can cause to communities.

Once housebuilders have been granted permission for residential development, meeting local housing needs and preferences, we expect to see them built out as quickly as possible.

Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice to require a developer to complete their development if it is stalled. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will lapse.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes policies designed to support increased build out rates, including the promotion of mixed tenure development.

On 25 May, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out (which can be found on gov.uk here) inviting views on further action the government should take to speed up homes being built.

On the same day, we launched a technical consultation on implementing measures to improve the transparency of build rates from new residential development, which includes proposals to implement provisions in Section 113 of the LURA on the power to decline to determine applications. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. Subject to the outcome of the consultation, the government intends bring forward the regulations to implement these measures at the earliest practical opportunity with the new build out reporting framework coming into force from 2026.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of recognising (a) mental health conditions and (b) learning difficulties as distinct protected characteristics.

Answered by Nia Griffith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Wales Office)

The Government is fully committed to the Equality Act 2010 (the Act), and to championing the rights of individuals with mental health issues and learning difficulties who are afforded protection in relation to the protected characteristic of disability, where their condition meets the Act’s definition of disability.

The Act defines disability as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on a person’s ability to do normal daily activities.

The Act makes it clear that businesses and public bodies that provide goods and services must not unlawfully discriminate against disabled people, including those who may not have physical disabilities.

The Act places an anticipatory duty on service providers to make reasonable adjustments to improve access to premises, buildings and services. The Act is clear that the failure by a service provider to make reasonable adjustments for a disabled person could amount to disability discrimination.

Similar strong protections apply in employment, where a reasonable adjustment applies where an employer is recruiting or already employing disabled people. Failure to make adjustments or generally treating disabled applicants or employees less favourably than others would amount to unlawful disability discrimination. Where the law is breached, disabled people may enforce their rights in court or at an employment tribunal.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support research into dyscalculia.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

High-quality teaching is the most important in-school factor for improving outcomes for all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and we are committed to ensuring that all pupils receive excellent support from their teachers, including those with dyscalculia.

We have commissioned evidence reviews from University College London to identify the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff in mainstream settings to identify and support children and young people (age 0-25) with different types of needs, including cognition and learning needs such as dyscalculia.

The ‘What Works in SEND’ programme will soon begin researching educational needs assessment tools used by schools to identify the needs of neurodivergent children.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to improve the (a) identification and (b) support for neurodivergent girls at school.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

This government’s ambition is that all children with special educational needs receive the right support to succeed in their education.

We have established a neurodivergence task and finish group, chaired by Professor Karen Guldberg from Birmingham University, to provide an expert view and make recommendations on how to best meet the needs of neurodivergent children and young people within mainstream education settings. Additionally, the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) for inclusion, led by Tom Rees, is providing sector-led advice on inclusive education practice.

The department introduced the Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme in 2024. The programme deploys health and education specialists to build teacher and staff capacity to identify and better meet the needs of neurodivergent children in mainstream primary schools and was delivered in over 1650 (around 10%) of all mainstream primary schools in its first year.

Building on this success, the programme has been extended for the 2025/26 financial year to a further cohort of around 1200 additional mainstream primary schools.

The programme is being evaluated, and learning from delivery of PINS approach is informing policy development around how schools support neurodivergent children.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 61101 on Darwin Plus: Finance, when he plans to announce the amount of future funding for Darwin Plus.

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

Defra is committed to continuing the support made available to the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. The department recognises the unique environmental importance of the territories and the positive impact of the programme in protecting biodiversity.

As set out in my earlier answer, the department has secured a multi-year commitment from HM Treasury and will therefore look to provide an update on Darwin Plus following departmental business planning.

Funding commitments for grants awarded through the Darwin Plus programme can cover up to 5 years of activity through schemes such as Darwin Plus Strategic.

Updates regarding Darwin Plus will be made in the usual way, as soon as they are available.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 61101 on Darwin Plus: Finance, how many years the funding commitment is for.

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

Defra is committed to continuing the support made available to the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. The department recognises the unique environmental importance of the territories and the positive impact of the programme in protecting biodiversity.

As set out in my earlier answer, the department has secured a multi-year commitment from HM Treasury and will therefore look to provide an update on Darwin Plus following departmental business planning.

Funding commitments for grants awarded through the Darwin Plus programme can cover up to 5 years of activity through schemes such as Darwin Plus Strategic.

Updates regarding Darwin Plus will be made in the usual way, as soon as they are available.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of recent trends in the number of referrals to the Pensions Ombudsman in Yeovil constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

There has been no direct assessment of the potential implications for policies of recent trends in the number of referrals to the Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) in the Yeovil constituency. The implications of trends in referrals to TPO more widely are kept under review and taken into consideration when agreeing TPO annual resource requirements.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for referrals to the Pensions Ombudsman for people in Yeovil constituency.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Pension Ombudsman (TPO) has been experiencing over several years a significant increase in customers complaining about their pensions or schemes and this trend is continuing. This has impacted on waiting times. TPO does not hold specific information on referrals received from people in the Yeovil constituency.

DWP has allocated additional funding to TPO to reduce waiting times. TPO has also implemented an Operating Model Review (OMR) programme to improve the efficiency of its operations. This is beginning to have a positive impact on waiting times.

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 support research into how neurodiverse conditions manifest in women.

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

The Department invests over £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The NIHR is funding a number of research projects on neurodiverse conditions including research into a new psychometric tool assessing the presentation of autism in women.

The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and social care, including neurodiverse conditions. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.

Welcoming applications on neurodiverse conditions to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility, both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of protecting funding for the Darwin Plus scheme beyond 2030.

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

Defra is committed to continuing the support made available to the UK Overseas Territories through Darwin Plus. The department recognises the unique environmental importance of the territories and the positive impact of the programme in protecting biodiversity.

As set out in my earlier answer, the department has secured a multi-year commitment from HM Treasury and will therefore look to provide an update on Darwin Plus following departmental business planning.

Funding commitments for grants awarded through the Darwin Plus programme can cover up to 5 years of activity through schemes such as Darwin Plus Strategic.

Updates regarding Darwin Plus will be made in the usual way, as soon as they are available.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate on (a) car dealerships and (b) the automotive sector in (i) rural areas and (ii) Yeovil constituency.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The ZEV Mandate requirements only apply to vehicle manufacturers and not to car dealerships. However, we continue to consider views from dealership representatives on the transition.

I am aware that one of the UK’s micro volume manufacturers is based in Yeovil. The Government recognises that micro volume manufacturers face additional challenges in decarbonising at the pace of the ZEV Mandate trajectory, and exemptions are in place for these manufacturers until 2035.

Support for people with dyscalculia

Funding and support for SEND

Provision of trained Family Liaison Officers

Food waste

Joe's Day campaign

Statutory consultees for sustainable development

Carers and social care reform

Fairtrade tea campaign

Protection of survivors of domestic abuse under the Hague Convention

Antisemitism and Holocaust inversion

Accessible facilities and responsible use of RADAR keys

Brian Standring’s fundraising and campaigning in Wellington

UK-based medical charities in Palestine

Mental health in farming (No. 2)

Access to care and support for people living with arthritis

Cool hubs

Recognition of Wiltshire schools achieving the Dyslexia-Friendly Quality Mark

Reform of the special educational needs and disabilities system

Small businesses in North Cornwall

Post Offices in rural areas

Pavement parking

Equitable national prostate cancer screening

200 year anniversary of the North Devon Infirmary

Access to dentistry

Investment in General Practice

Tackling food waste

Stampede by the Sea

Methanol poisoning, UK traveller risk, awareness and education in schools

Import of goods from Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Waiting times for child and adolescent mental health services in Wiltshire

Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk MBE

Contribution of technical colleges

Summer solstice at Glastonbury Tor

International Women in Engineering Day

Role of relationship education in preventing violence against women and girls

Local authority funding

Visas and access to education for Ukrainian refugee children

Gurkha pensions

Residential estate management companies

Press ownership by foreign states

Found: Mr Will Forster Andrew Lewin Melanie Onn Samantha Niblett Alison Hume Bambos Charalambous Adam Dance