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 introducing a right of responsible access to the English countryside.

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

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure that this access is safe and appropriate. We are committed to increasing access to nature, and have already set out several ambitious manifesto commitments to expand opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors, including the creation of nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England.

We are currently developing policy to improve access to nature, working closely with other government departments and key stakeholders, with further announcements expected in due course. In addition, we are already delivering key initiatives aimed at increasing access to green spaces and the countryside, including:

• Completing the King Charles III England Coast Path, which will become the longest waymarked and maintained coastal walking route in the world. With over 2,400 miles of the route now approved and 1,430 miles already open, this will also create 250,000 hectares of new open access land within the coastal margin.
• Designating Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route as a National Trail across the north of England.
• Delivering the £16 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which is designed to make our protected landscapes, national trails, forests, and the wider countryside more inclusive and accessible to all.

In addition, the Government has made the decision to repeal the cut-off date for the registration of historic rights of way, preventing the loss of hundreds of miles of unregistered paths. This will ensure that these paths remain available to the public for future generations. This change will be formally enacted when parliamentary time allows.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to increase access to the countryside.

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

The Government recognises the importance of providing access to the outdoors for people’s health and wellbeing and is working to ensure that this access is safe and appropriate. We are committed to increasing access to nature, and have already set out several ambitious manifesto commitments to expand opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors, including the creation of nine new national river walks and three new national forests in England.

We are currently developing policy to improve access to nature, working closely with other government departments and key stakeholders, with further announcements expected in due course. In addition, we are already delivering key initiatives aimed at increasing access to green spaces and the countryside, including:

• Completing the King Charles III England Coast Path, which will become the longest waymarked and maintained coastal walking route in the world. With over 2,400 miles of the route now approved and 1,430 miles already open, this will also create 250,000 hectares of new open access land within the coastal margin.
• Designating Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route as a National Trail across the north of England.
• Delivering the £16 million ‘Access for All’ programme, which is designed to make our protected landscapes, national trails, forests, and the wider countryside more inclusive and accessible to all.

In addition, the Government has made the decision to repeal the cut-off date for the registration of historic rights of way, preventing the loss of hundreds of miles of unregistered paths. This will ensure that these paths remain available to the public for future generations. This change will be formally enacted when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that parents of deceased children can (a) access and (b) stop (i) direct debits and (ii) standing orders.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In recent years banks and building societies have sought to make the bereavement process easier by increasing the amount they will release without needing a grant of probate. As such the threshold varies between different firms. The nominal threshold in legislation is to require probate to be obtained for estates above £5000 in value (The Administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act 1965), although in practice many financial institutions operate a threshold of £20,000. Banks also differ on issues such as whether they are willing to release funds for funeral and other essential expenses ahead of probate being granted. These are commercial decisions.

Where a bank or building society offers Direct Debits, these are covered by the Direct Debit guarantee. Under the guarantee, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider. Details of the guarantee can be found here: https://www.directdebit.co.uk/direct-debit-guarantee/

The Government is also supportive of previous industry efforts to improve handling of these sensitive cases, including the Financial Services Death Notification Service developed by UK Finance.

UK banks and building societies are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA does not have specific rules or guidance regarding probate in its rules. Nonetheless, banks are bound by the FCA’s Consumer Duty which requires firms to act to deliver good outcomes and avoid causing harm to customers. The FCA also provides guidance on firms providing fair treatment for vulnerable customers, which includes those going through a bereavement. If an executor is having a dispute with a bank, then they will be able to raise a formal complaint. The FCA’s rules require firms to properly investigate all complaints, and it continues to monitor firms’ complaint handling processes.

The main current account providers also publish information about the additional services they offer all consumers, including information on the bereavement services they offer. More information can be found on the FCA website: https://www.fca.org.uk/data/mandated-voluntary-information-current-account-services/providers-links#voluntary

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that online retailers act on the requests of parents of deceased children regarding online (a) accounts and (b) payments.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In recent years banks and building societies have sought to make the bereavement process easier by increasing the amount they will release without needing a grant of probate. As such the threshold varies between different firms. The nominal threshold in legislation is to require probate to be obtained for estates above £5000 in value (The Administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act 1965), although in practice many financial institutions operate a threshold of £20,000. Banks also differ on issues such as whether they are willing to release funds for funeral and other essential expenses ahead of probate being granted. These are commercial decisions.

Where a bank or building society offers Direct Debits, these are covered by the Direct Debit guarantee. Under the guarantee, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider. Details of the guarantee can be found here: https://www.directdebit.co.uk/direct-debit-guarantee/

The Government is also supportive of previous industry efforts to improve handling of these sensitive cases, including the Financial Services Death Notification Service developed by UK Finance.

UK banks and building societies are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA does not have specific rules or guidance regarding probate in its rules. Nonetheless, banks are bound by the FCA’s Consumer Duty which requires firms to act to deliver good outcomes and avoid causing harm to customers. The FCA also provides guidance on firms providing fair treatment for vulnerable customers, which includes those going through a bereavement. If an executor is having a dispute with a bank, then they will be able to raise a formal complaint. The FCA’s rules require firms to properly investigate all complaints, and it continues to monitor firms’ complaint handling processes.

The main current account providers also publish information about the additional services they offer all consumers, including information on the bereavement services they offer. More information can be found on the FCA website: https://www.fca.org.uk/data/mandated-voluntary-information-current-account-services/providers-links#voluntary

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure that parents of deceased children can access bank accounts without probate.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

In recent years banks and building societies have sought to make the bereavement process easier by increasing the amount they will release without needing a grant of probate. As such the threshold varies between different firms. The nominal threshold in legislation is to require probate to be obtained for estates above £5000 in value (The Administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act 1965), although in practice many financial institutions operate a threshold of £20,000. Banks also differ on issues such as whether they are willing to release funds for funeral and other essential expenses ahead of probate being granted. These are commercial decisions.

Where a bank or building society offers Direct Debits, these are covered by the Direct Debit guarantee. Under the guarantee, the account holder is entitled to an immediate refund of any unauthorised amounts collected from their account provider. Details of the guarantee can be found here: https://www.directdebit.co.uk/direct-debit-guarantee/

The Government is also supportive of previous industry efforts to improve handling of these sensitive cases, including the Financial Services Death Notification Service developed by UK Finance.

UK banks and building societies are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA does not have specific rules or guidance regarding probate in its rules. Nonetheless, banks are bound by the FCA’s Consumer Duty which requires firms to act to deliver good outcomes and avoid causing harm to customers. The FCA also provides guidance on firms providing fair treatment for vulnerable customers, which includes those going through a bereavement. If an executor is having a dispute with a bank, then they will be able to raise a formal complaint. The FCA’s rules require firms to properly investigate all complaints, and it continues to monitor firms’ complaint handling processes.

The main current account providers also publish information about the additional services they offer all consumers, including information on the bereavement services they offer. More information can be found on the FCA website: https://www.fca.org.uk/data/mandated-voluntary-information-current-account-services/providers-links#voluntary

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to support teachers' mental health.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer the hon. Member for Frome and East Somerset to the answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29516.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to reduce the number of HGV using small rural roads.

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

Local authorities have powers under Sections 1 & 2 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to restrict or prohibit 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 council can then use signs outlined in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 and work with the police to enforce the restrictions.

Non-complaint vehicle operators or drivers can be reported to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). DVSA has the power to make a referral to the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain, who are responsible for the licensing and regulation of those who operate heavy goods vehicles.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to require HGV drivers to use HGV-specific satellite navigation systems.

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

There is currently no legal requirement for drivers of any vehicle to have or use satellite navigation equipment. It is important that HGV drivers do not use satellite navigation equipment designed for cars as they may be directed on routes that are unsuitable for the size and weight of their vehicle.

While these systems can be useful, they cannot replace a driver’s knowledge or skill, especially in the case of diversions due to road traffic collisions or roadworks. Therefore, the Government has no plans to mandate their use.

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 impact of greater access to the countryside on (a) mental and (b) physical health.

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

The Government recognises the significant mental and physical health benefits that greater access to the countryside can provide. Spending time in nature is associated with improved mental and physical health, including lowering the risk of obesity and type two diabetes, reducing blood pressure and increasing levels of physical activity. There is also evidence to suggest that nature-based interventions are effective in the treatment and prevention of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety; this was demonstrated in the first phase of our Green Social Prescribing programme, which showed significant increases in participants’ wellbeing scores.

These health benefits in turn deliver economic benefit and reduce pressure on the NHS. In 2020, the estimated value of health benefits associated with outdoor recreation in the UK ranged from £6.2 billion to £8.4 billion (ONS, 2022), and it has been estimated that £2.1 billion in health costs could be saved annually if everyone in England had good access to greenspace (Natural England, 2009).

In recognition of these benefits, this Government has committed to improving the public’s access to green and blue spaces, including through initiatives such as our National River Walks.

Coal mining in Radstock

Access to football pitches for women and girls

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance 25th anniversary

Injury on Duty Award Scheme

Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025

Rail fare increase

Impact Assessments of changes to Official Development Assistance

Social care day of action

West Bank

Changes to Overseas Development Assistance

Treatment of Israeli hostages

Wellbeing of home educated children

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Status of Scotch Whisky

Democracy and human rights in Myanmar

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide charity

Citizenship for refugees

Royal Horticultural Society and A3/M25 roadworks

Refusal of Citizenship to refugees who have made irregular crossings

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Found: Paula Barker Siân Berry Natalie Fleet Chris Webb Mrs Sharon Hodgson Cat Eccles Jon Trickett Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

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Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Not called_234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine Rachel Hopkins Neil Duncan-Jordan

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Not called_234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine Rachel Hopkins Neil Duncan-Jordan

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: Not called_234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine Rachel Hopkins Neil Duncan-Jordan

Found: _234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine Rachel Hopkins Neil Duncan-Jordan Vikki

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: the Act. 3 COMMITTEE STAGE Monday 24 February 2025 _234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine

Found: the Act. 3 COMMITTEE STAGE Friday 21 February 2025 _234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine

Found: _234 Tom Gordon Siân Berry Alicia Kearns Anna Sabine Rachel Hopkins Neil Duncan-Jordan Vikki

Found: Jess Asato Clive Lewis Daniel Francis Ben Lake Kirith Entwistle Mr Luke Charters Afzal Khan Anna Sabine