Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support collaboration between police forces.

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

We are making sure that every penny spent within policing delivers improvement for the public through a Collaboration and Efficiencies Programme. Force-to-force collaboration remains an important part of this work.

In addition, an ambitious White Paper published later this year will outline significant reforms to allow policing to collaborate further to deal with the changing threats we face.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43700 on Access to Work Programme, what progress her Department has made on clearing outstanding payments through the streamlined process for payments for the Access to Work Plus scheme; and if she will make an estimate of the total amount of (a) outstanding payments and (b) outstanding payments for applicants in North East Hampshire constituency.

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

Significant progress has been made to clear outstanding payments through the streamlined payments process for the Access to Work Plus scheme.

The majority of Access to Work Plus applications have been processed and awards have been made. There are two outstanding claims from 13 and 14 August 2025 currently being processed.

Information on the total outstanding payments by region is not recorded, therefore estimates cannot be provided.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to provide support for communities that host (a) battery storage facilities and (b) other energy infrastructure.

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

The Government believes that communities are providing a service to the country when they host clean energy infrastructure, so there needs to be benefit for them. On 21 May, the Government published a working paper on community benefits and shared ownership of low carbon energy infrastructure and is the process of reviewing responses. We will consider the appropriate technological scope of a mandatory scheme for community benefits, including whether such a scheme should cover grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the (a) potential merits and the (b) feasibility of installing solar panels on government-owned (a) buildings and (b) land.

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

The Government strongly supports the installation of solar panels on public sector buildings. These can generate clean power close to demand, and bring down public spending on energy costs. This includes £180 million investment from the UK government and GBE to install rooftop solar panels on schools and hospitals in England, which could see millions invested back into frontline services.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using biodigesters to convert waste materials into organic fertilisers.

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

The Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms require the collection of food waste in England from all workplaces from 31^st March 2025, all households by 31^st March 2026 and all micro-firms (with fewer than 10 staff) by 31^st March 2027. These reforms will increase the quality of materials collected for recycling and make the separate collection of food waste mandatory, ensuring that food waste can be treated through composting and anaerobic digestion (AD) – producing biogas (at AD) and significant greenhouse gas savings rather than sending food waste to landfill. Anaerobic digestion plays an important role in creating a circular economy by displacing fossil-fuel based fertilisers with digestate, an organic fertiliser and by-product of the AD process.

In February 2025, Defra and WRAP published the Recycling Infrastructure Capacity Analysis. This provided a forecast of investment opportunities, including the potential to invest in 1.375Mt/pa of anaerobic digestion capacity in England from 2035.

The Green Gas Support Scheme (GGSS) run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) provides tariff-support for biomethane produced via anaerobic digestion and injected into the gas grid. The scheme requires 50% of biomethane (by energy content) to be produced from wastes and residues, which is expected to support treatment of increased tonnage of food waste. In February 2024 DESNZ issued a call for evidence (CfE) to assess the barriers to growth in the sector and the options available to address them. DESNZ is considering the responses received and are developing policy options on a future framework that supports growth in the sector while managing environmental risks effectively.

Furthermore, as Defra develops the Circular Economy Strategy for England, and the agrifood roadmap therein, we are considering the evidence for interventions right across the economy. That includes exploring the circularity impacts of a wide range of levers, such as how to manage biowaste and the sustainable use of digestate. The Strategy will be published for consultation in the coming autumn.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of heavy and large goods vehicles on (a) rural roads and (b) the surrounding natural environment.

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

Local traffic authorities have powers under Sections 1 & 2 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which allow for the restriction or prohibition of the use of HGVs on any road, for a wide range of safety and environmental reasons. These measures can be implemented by making Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) without reference to the Department for Transport.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 provide various signs for authorities to consider if they choose to do this, including signs informing motorists that certain roads are unsuitable for HGVs or if a weight limit is in place. The restrictions are then enforceable by the police.

Local authorities can also introduce extra controls on emissions if there are air quality problems in their area. If air quality falls below required standards, the council should declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and make plans for improvements.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the prevalence of speeding in rural areas in Hampshire; and what assessment she made of the potential impact of speeding on pedestrians and cyclists' usage of roads in rural areas in Hampshire.

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

The Department for Transport recognises that speeding in rural areas, including those in Hampshire, can have a significant impact on road safety and the confidence of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. While the Department has not conducted a specific assessment of prevalence of speeding or its impact on pedestrian and cyclist road usage in rural Hampshire, the latest statistics show there were 686 speed-related collisions in the county in 2023. This represents a slight increase from 660 in 2022. (Note: Rural-specific data isn’t available.)

The DfT issues best practice guidance on setting local speed limits. This is designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set, whilst allowing for flexibility to deal with local needs and circumstances.

The guidance can be viewed at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. To this end, my Department is developing its Road Safety Strategy and will set out more details in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of housebuilding targets on the availability of school places in North East Hampshire constituency.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

Local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure and identify what infrastructure is required and how it can be funded and brought forward. When preparing a Local Plan, Planning Practice Guidance recommends that local planning authorities use available evidence of infrastructure requirements to prepare an Infrastructure Funding Statement. Such Statements can be used to demonstrate the delivery of infrastructure throughout the plan-period.

The government provides financial support for essential infrastructure in areas of greatest housing demand through Land and Infrastructure funding programmes, such as the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 will also support the increased provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure.

The government is also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

Our Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes various provisions designed to streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure.

My Department engages on a regular and ongoing basis with other government departments to ensure that the planning system supports the provision of necessary infrastructure, including in respect of healthcare and education, alongside new housing development.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the planned vape tax increase on (a) cigarette consumption and (b) illicit tobacco sales.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chief Medical Officer has been clear that vaping is not risk free and those who don't smoke shouldn't vape.

The Vaping Products Duty (VPD) will take effect from 1 October 2026 at £2.20 per 10ml. This will be accompanied by an equivalent one-off increase in Tobacco Duty to maintain the financial incentive to switch from tobacco to vaping.

Reducing affordability forms part of the Government’s wider strategy to influence behaviour, especially given the addictive nature of these products. VPD will also raise revenue to fund vital public services such as the NHS, defence, education and stop-smoking initiatives supporting a smoke-free UK.

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 ensure that parents receive (a) up to date and (b) relevant advice for feeding infants.

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

The Department undertakes a range of activities to ensure that parents receive up-to-date and relevant advice on infant feeding. We are investing £18.5 million in 2025/26 for infant feeding support across 75 local authorities in England through the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme. We have also extended the National Breastfeeding Helpline so that more families across the United Kingdom can access evidence-based information and support 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

The Best Start in Life and NHS websites both provide trusted information on breastfeeding, formula feeding and introducing solid food, and are regularly updated in line with guidance from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Recent updates include advice on the use of shop-bought baby food.

Voluntary industry guidelines for commercial baby food and drink aimed at babies and young children aged up to 36 months old have also been published. The guidelines encourage manufacturers to reduce levels of sugar and salt in, and improve the labelling and marketing of, these products. This will make it easier for parents and carers to make healthier and more informed choices.

To ensure information reaches families at the right time, targeted advertising campaigns are run primarily on social media to engage parents whose babies are approaching weaning age, providing them with timely and relevant advice. In addition, most families receive infant feeding information and support from midwives and health visitors, who deliver targeted interventions as appropriate and support families in accessing specialist services where needed.

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 make an assessment of the potential impact of (a) wider reform one and (b) other proposed changes to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 on the ecology of bathing waters; and what steps she is taking to help (i) support anglers, (ii) protect aquatic habitats and (iii) encourage payments by water companies for environmental improvements.

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

Bathing waters are a vital public amenity. This Government is committed to improving the quality of our coastal waters, rivers and lakes for the benefit of the environment and everyone who uses it.

We have begun policy development and research to determine how best to implement both the wider reforms detailed in the Government’s consultation response published in March 2025. As part of the policy development, we are currently scoping appropriate studies to take into account any potential environmental, societal and access impacts of these reforms. We are keen to work closely with stakeholders as we develop our policy, including groups who represent anglers and other water users.

Additionally, PR24 WINEP will be the most ambitious programme yet, with a total expenditure commitment of £22 billion secured under the scheme to fund ‘targeted interventions’ which will lead to improvements in water infrastructure to secure habitats, biodiversity and water quality, including bathing waters.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to (a) support bus services in (i) North East Hampshire constituency and (ii) other rural areas and b) reinstate bus routes that have been cancelled.

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

The Government knows how important, reliable and affordable bus services are enabling people to access education, work and vital services. The Government is committed to delivering better bus services across the country, including North East Hampshire and rural areas right across England.

The government introduced the Bus Services (No. 2) Bill on 17 December as part of our ambitious plan for bus reform. The Bill will put passenger needs, reliable services and local accountability at the heart of the industry by putting the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders.

As part of the Autumn 2024 Budget, the government allocated £955 million to support and improve bus services in 2025/26. This includes £712 million for local authorities that can be used to expand services and improve reliability, which are currently massive obstacles for too many people. Hampshire County Council was allocated £14 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to deliver better bus services can be used in whichever way they wish to improve services for passengers, including expanding services and improving reliability.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to investing in bus services long-term in this Spending Review. On 11 June, the government confirmed additional £900m funding per year from 2026/27 to maintain and improve bus services, including taking forward franchising pilots and extending the £3 bus fare cap until March 2027.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to review the threshold at which councils have to act upon road safety concerns.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Local government is the main delivery agent of road safety. The responsibility to implement, fund, deliver, promote and enforce local road safety initiatives remains with the Local Authorities under the 1988 Road Traffic Act. They will decide what measures may be appropriate to “take steps both to reduce and prevent accidents” and they are also responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government, including setting local speed limits where the national limit would not be appropriate.

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the value for money of patching potholes rather than providing a permanent fix.

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

The department published a review into the value for money of investment in local highways maintenance, which also set out the cost benefits of proactive and preventative maintenance. The review is available online, at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/economic-appraisal-for-investing-in-local-highways-maintenance

This year, the Government made available an additional £500 million for local highway authorities to maintain their highway network, bringing the total to a record investment of £1.6 billion. 25% of the additional funding is contingent upon local highway authorities complying with certain criteria aimed at driving best practice and continual improvement in highways maintenance. This includes local highway authorities having to demonstrate to Government how much they are spending on highways maintenance, incl. the balance of spend between preventative and reactive maintenance. In this context, the department has written to all local highway authorities to emphasise that when determining the balance between preventative and reactive maintenance, authorities should adopt the principle that prevention is better than cure, as also set out in the Code of Practice for well-managed highway infrastructure, available online, at: https://www.ciht.org.uk/ukrlg-home/code-of-practice/.

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 ensure that the NHS provides adequate support to (a) digitally excluded and (b) vulnerable people in (i) North East Hampshire constituency and (ii) other rural areas.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are working to improve access to digital services, outcomes, and experience for the widest range of people, based on their preferences. Digital health tools should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.

NHS England has successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: the Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online; the Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation and means to access health information and services online; and the NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting National Health Service digital health products and services in languages other than English.

NHS England has published a framework for NHS action offering support to vulnerable people and those digitally excluded in rural areas and is developing further resources and practical actions including one-to-one support to improve digital literacy and access to NHS tools. All programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion.

We know that some patients may struggle or prefer not to use digital options. That is why we have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive. We will also continue to provide high quality, non-digital options for those who want and need them.

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 impact of the digitalisation of NHS services on people who are digitally excluded.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We are working to improve access to digital services, outcomes, and experience for the widest range of people, based on their preferences. Digital health tools should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.

NHS England has successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: the Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online; the Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation and means to access health information and services online; and the NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting National Health Service digital health products and services in languages other than English.

NHS England has published a framework for NHS action offering support to vulnerable people and those digitally excluded in rural areas and is developing further resources and practical actions including one-to-one support to improve digital literacy and access to NHS tools. All programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion.

We know that some patients may struggle or prefer not to use digital options. That is why we have also committed to work with digital transformation teams in integrated care boards and with groups at risk of digital exclusion to ensure digital solutions are inclusive. We will also continue to provide high quality, non-digital options for those who want and need them.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that music remains central to mainstream school curriculum; and what assessments she has made of the potential merits of music education on students achievement's in (a) Maths, (b) English and (c) other disciplines.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Creative subjects like music are important elements of the rich and broad curriculum every child deserves. Music is in the national curriculum from the age of 5 to 14 years (key stages 1-3). The independent Curriculum and Assessment Review is looking at all subjects, including music, and any subject-specific findings will be included in the final report this autumn. The department also supports music education through a national network of Music Hubs.

Participation in the arts, including music, is valuable in and of itself but can also bring wider benefits for children and young people. The Education Endowment Foundation reports positive impacts on academic outcomes in areas including maths and English, as well as for wellbeing and engagement with learning.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to protect hares; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of the introduction of a closed season for hare hunting.

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

This Government recognises the need to protect hares and the importance of tackling rural crimes such as hare coursing. Hare coursing and wider poaching activity is a UK wildlife crime priority, and a national police-led group is in place to help tackle this illegal activity. Defra is providing £424,000 in 2024-2025 for the National Wildlife Crime Unit, which helps prevent and detect crime against hares by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations.

Where a close season for hares is concerned, the Government considers the need for this measure is justified by animal welfare as well as biodiversity and species conservation. In short, a close season should reduce the number of adult hares being shot in the breeding season, which runs from February to October, meaning fewer leverets are left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predation. A close season is consistent with Natural England's advice on wildlife management that controlling species in their peak breeding season should be avoided unless genuinely essential. Defra Ministers support the ambition to introduce a close season for hares in England and are considering how this can be brought forward.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of catapults on wildlife; and what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that wildlife is not (a) maimed and (b) killed by catapults.

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

The Government takes crimes against wildlife seriously and is aware of the ongoing misuse of catapults against wildlife.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and some wild animals in England and Wales. While the Act does not specifically include catapults in the list of weapons that a person must not use to kill wildlife, it is still illegal under this Act to deliberately attempt to kill, injure, or harm protected species. There are a range of other offences found in further legislation to protect animals from cruelty such as the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Significant sanctions are available to judges to hand down to those convicted of crimes under these Acts.

The Government is of the view there is already sufficient legislation in place which protects wild animals from targeted use of catapults. Defra therefore has no current plans to take further legislative steps to ensure that wildlife is not (a) maimed and (b) killed by catapults though my officials are holding discussions with Home Office on this issue in an effort to tackle these horrific crimes.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) safeguards and (b) other provisions her Department has put in place to help protect (i) police officers and (ii) the public from exposure to asbestos during (A) operational duties when attending incidents in (1) older and (2) derelict buildings where asbestos contamination may be present and (B) other circumstances; and what guidance her Department has issued to the police on ensuring appropriate (a) risk assessments and (b) protective measures are undertaken in such environments.

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

All police forces in England and Wales are subject to the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA) which requires employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees and to ensure their activities do not adversely affect the health and safety of other people. Since 1998, Chief Constables are deemed the employers of police officers and police staff and it is therefore their responsibility to ensure their force complies with the HSWA.

The HSWA places a duty on the police to carry out robust risk assessments which identify significant risks to both policing personnel and the public and set out safe systems of work which specify appropriate control measures, equipment and competencies. This duty applies to police operations in older and derelict buildings where asbestos may be present.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support rural pubs in North East Hampshire constituency.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the vital role that rural pubs, including those in North East Hampshire constituency play in supporting local communities.

In April, the Government established the Licensing Taskforce, bringing together representatives from the hospitality industry to help shape reform. The Government’s response published on 31 July sets out proposals for a new National Licensing Policy Framework designed to simplify outdated licensing rules and protect long-standing venues from noise complaints.

We’re reforming the business rates system to support high streets, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000. We’ve also launched a Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects aligned with DBT and Hospitality Sector Council priorities such as Pub is The Hub to encourage local investment.

Equitable national prostate cancer screening

Ban trophy hunting imports

Found: Current membership Sarah Owen (Labour; Luton North) (Chair) Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat; North East

Found: Current membership Sarah Owen (Labour; Luton North) (Chair) Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat; North East

Found: Current membership Sarah Owen (Labour; Luton North) (Chair) Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat; North East

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Owen (Chair); Alex Brewer; David Burton-Sampson; Kirith Entwistle

Found: Current membership Sarah Owen (Labour; Luton North) (Chair) Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat; North East

Found: Current membership Sarah Owen (Labour; Luton North) (Chair) Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat; North East

Found: Q27 Alex Brewer: When was that rolled out?

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Found: Carmichael Tessa Munt Ian Roome Caroline VoadenVikki Slade Josh Babarinde Lisa SmartWera Hobhouse Alex Brewer

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Found: MoranSteve Darling Vikki SladeManuela PerteghellaLiz Jarvis Gideon AmosTom MorrisonAndrew George Alex Brewer

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