Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to make enrichment activities, including residential trips, (a) affordable and (b) accessible for children on free school meals in Yeovil constituency.
Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)
The government is committed to ensuring that all children and young people across England can access a variety of enrichment opportunities at school as part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity.
A new Enrichment Framework will be published this academic year. It will set out benchmarks to help schools and colleges plan high-quality enrichment more strategically, with case studies and signposting to tools and resources. The framework will support schools to provide accessible and inclusive enrichment opportunities to those less likely to participate, such as pupils on free school meals.
We are also working with the Department of Culture Media and Sport to deliver a £22.5 million programme to create tailored enrichment offers in up to 400 schools over 3 years, with a particular focus on underserved pupils, and will confirm the schools which will be involved in due course.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer received on the 27 January 2026 on Cystic Fibrosis: Prescriptions [Question 107568], what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reviewing the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate which exempts the holder from paying the National Health Service prescription charge.
Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
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 NHS Somerset to increase participation in bowel cancer screening in Yeovil constituency.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
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 role community pharmacy could play in providing a Meningitis B vaccine catch-up service to students and young people from Yeovil constituency at risk.
Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to introduce regulations to apply forensic marking to new GPS units for use in agricultural and commercial settings.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Equipment theft, including the theft of GPS systems, can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector.
That is why we are committed to the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 and fully support its intentions to prevent the theft and re-sale of All-Terrain Vehicles, quad bikes and GPS systems.
The legislation will require new ATVs, quad bikes and GPS systems to be forensically marked and registered on an appropriate database. We will introduce the necessary secondary legislation when parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her timeline is for the implementation of regulations to apply forensic marking to new GPS units for use in agricultural and commercial settings.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Equipment theft, including the theft of GPS systems, can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector.
That is why we are committed to the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 and fully support its intentions to prevent the theft and re-sale of All-Terrain Vehicles, quad bikes and GPS systems.
The legislation will require new ATVs, quad bikes and GPS systems to be forensically marked and registered on an appropriate database. We will introduce the necessary secondary legislation when parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department holds data on the amount of oil stock purchased by petrol stations in Yeovil constituency at prices before the outbreak of the current conflict in Iran.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero closely monitors live fuel stock levels to ensure we have an accurate picture of the supply situation, and current indications show that petrol station forecourts across the UK remain well stocked. We also maintain regular engagement with industry, who confirm that the road fuel supply chain is operating across the UK as normal.
The Government does not measure stock levels at individual forecourts so localised concerns will not always show on our data. However, the government continues to liaise with industry to closely monitor the situation and will act should the situation require it.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
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 help protect consumers from inflated prices at petrol stations in Yeovil constituency.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Fuel markets are governed by competition and consumer protection law, overseen by the Competition Market Authority (CMA). The Government and the CMA are closely monitoring petrol and diesel prices in light of instability in the Middle East, and the Chancellor and Secretary of State recently met with fuel retailers to set out a clear message: unfair practices will not be tolerated.
We are also engaging regularly with refiners, importers and distributors to ensure any emerging risks are identified and managed promptly. The UK benefits from strong and diverse security of energy supplies, and there are no issues with fuel supply.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the absence of in-person banking services in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) the United Kingdom on individuals with mental health conditions.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises that access to in‑person banking services can be particularly important for some customers, including blind and partially sighted people, individuals with learning disabilities, and those with mental health conditions.
The Government is committed to maintaining high standards of financial inclusion across the financial services sector, including in the Yeovil constituency, Somerset and the United Kingdom as a whole.
Where banks make commercial decisions to reduce their branch network, they are required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to carefully consider the impact on customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, including the needs of vulnerable customers, and to put appropriate alternative arrangements in place.
The Government understands the importance of banking services to communities and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 270 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 225 are already open. Banking hubs offer everyday counter services provided by Post Office staff, enabling people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services.
In addition, customers can access everyday banking services through the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check balances and pay bills at over 10,000 Post Office branches across the UK.
Some firms also provide additional in‑person access through services such as mobile banking vans or pop‑up locations in community venues, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Financial services provided by banks and building societies must comply with the FCA’s rules, which require firms to provide a prompt, efficient and fair service to all customers. The FCA’s Consumer Duty further requires firms to act in good faith, avoid foreseeable harm and support customers to pursue their financial objectives, including by ensuring that information and services are accessible. The FCA’s Handbook requires firms to identify particularly vulnerable customers, and to consider the needs of these customers appropriately. This includes blind and partially sighted people, individuals with learning disabilities, and those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Banks and building societies are also subject to the Equality Act 2010, which requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can access services on an equal basis.
More broadly, the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published in November, sets out an ambitious programme of work to improve access to financial services for underserved groups across the UK. This includes a key focus on access to banking and digital inclusion, with interventions to make financial products and services more accessible, support in-person banking services, and make it easier for individuals to access a bank account.
The Government keeps the effectiveness of current arrangements under review through regular engagement with stakeholders to ensure they meet the needs of local communities.
Asked by: Adam Dance (Liberal Democrat - Yeovil)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the absence of in-person banking services in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) the United Kingdom on individuals with learning disabilities.
Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government recognises that access to in‑person banking services can be particularly important for some customers, including blind and partially sighted people, individuals with learning disabilities, and those with mental health conditions.
The Government is committed to maintaining high standards of financial inclusion across the financial services sector, including in the Yeovil constituency, Somerset and the United Kingdom as a whole.
Where banks make commercial decisions to reduce their branch network, they are required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to carefully consider the impact on customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, including the needs of vulnerable customers, and to put appropriate alternative arrangements in place.
The Government understands the importance of banking services to communities and is committed to supporting the financial services industry’s roll-out of 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 270 hubs have been announced so far, and more than 225 are already open. Banking hubs offer everyday counter services provided by Post Office staff, enabling people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services.
In addition, customers can access everyday banking services through the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check balances and pay bills at over 10,000 Post Office branches across the UK.
Some firms also provide additional in‑person access through services such as mobile banking vans or pop‑up locations in community venues, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Financial services provided by banks and building societies must comply with the FCA’s rules, which require firms to provide a prompt, efficient and fair service to all customers. The FCA’s Consumer Duty further requires firms to act in good faith, avoid foreseeable harm and support customers to pursue their financial objectives, including by ensuring that information and services are accessible. The FCA’s Handbook requires firms to identify particularly vulnerable customers, and to consider the needs of these customers appropriately. This includes blind and partially sighted people, individuals with learning disabilities, and those experiencing mental health difficulties.
Banks and building societies are also subject to the Equality Act 2010, which requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people can access services on an equal basis.
More broadly, the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published in November, sets out an ambitious programme of work to improve access to financial services for underserved groups across the UK. This includes a key focus on access to banking and digital inclusion, with interventions to make financial products and services more accessible, support in-person banking services, and make it easier for individuals to access a bank account.
The Government keeps the effectiveness of current arrangements under review through regular engagement with stakeholders to ensure they meet the needs of local communities.