Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what proportion of Government procurement spending went to SMEs in the South West in the last financial year.

Answered by Chris Ward

The Cabinet Office does not hold a central record of regional procurement spending for SMEs, meaning the figure for spend to SMEs in the South West last year is unavailable.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many publicly-funded adult education classes were provided in each year since 2023.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The number of publicly funded adult education classes is not held by the department.

The number of adult learners undertaking education and training learning in England is published in the Further education and skills accredited official statistics publication, available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/further-education-and-skills/2025-26. Whilst there is a requirement for how many hours of learning that must be given to each learner, it is up to the individual providers how many ‘classes’ they run.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will introduce a respiratory Modern Service Framework.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson

The Government will consider long-term conditions for future waves of modern service frameworks (MSFs), including respiratory conditions. The criteria for determining other conditions for future MSFs will be based on where there is potential for rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. After the initial wave of MSFs is complete, the National Quality Board will determine the conditions to prioritise for new MSFs as part of its work programme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress her Department has made on reducing deaths and serious injuries caused by drink-driving.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government is committed to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

The latest available statistics show that, in 2023, there was a central estimate of 260 fatalities and around 1,860 people killed or seriously injured in collisions involving at least one driver or rider over the legal alcohol limit. Both figures decreased compared with 2022 but remained higher than in 2013.

In January 2026, the Government published its Road Safety Strategy, setting an ambition to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035. As part of this, we have consulted on measures to tackle drink‑driving, including lowering the legal alcohol limit and strengthening enforcement. We are currently considering the responses received.

The Government also continues to run THINK! campaigns and work with police, the hospitality sector and other partners to reinforce the message that drivers should not drink before getting behind the wheel.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding Sports England has provided to Development Sports; and what estimate has been made of how many people will use this programme.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Sport for Development Coalition received Sport England National Lottery funding between March 2022 and December 2025 totalling £773,334.

Rather than delivering programmes itself, the Coalition acts as the collective voice for the sport-for-development sector. As a result, it is not possible to quantify direct programme participation or user numbers attributable to the Coalition itself.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what demographic data her Department plans to collect on the number of Respect Orders issued.

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

Through the Crime and Policing Act 2026, The Home Office is introducing a mandatory anti-social behaviour (ASB) data reporting duty to improve our understanding of ASB and how it is being tackled locally, which will include use of Respect Orders. The first set of regulations will require local authorities to report data on ASB incident volumes, the use of ASB powers and interventions, and ASB Case Review numbers and outcomes.

The Home Office is currently developing arrangements for the monitoring and evaluation of Respect Orders, including the data that will be collected. Further information will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of heritage railways on the economy.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government does not hold data on the economic impact of heritage railways on the UK economy.

DCMS official statistics currently uses the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code 91.03 Operation of historic sites and similar visitor attractions as a narrow proxy for the heritage sector. In 2024, the SIC code Operation of historic sites and similar visitor attractions contributed an estimated 10,000 jobs with a Gross Value Added estimated at £0.8 billion.

Historic England, Government statutory advisors on the historic environment, estimated England's heritage sector overall contributed £15.3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy in 2022, with a total estimated employment of 201,000 workers.

The Heritage Railway Association, the largest heritage rail trade body, values the economic contribution of the UK's heritage rail sector at roughly £600 million annually. This sum is generated through tourism, local business spending, and the support of thousands of jobs and volunteers across the country.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of digital exclusion among older people.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Government’s ambition is simple: everyone, whatever their circumstances, should be able to get connected and get online, safely and with confidence

In 2025, 20% of those aged 75+ do not have home internet access compared to 5% across all age groups. Those aged 75+ are also less likely to have the foundational level of digital skills (54%) compared to the general population (85%). This has however improved by 23 percentage points since 2022, when only 31% of those aged 75+ had foundational level digital skills.

In the year since the Digital Inclusion Action Plan was published in 2025, over a million people have been connected or supported to get online, more than 22,000 people have received a free device, and communities across the UK have benefited from the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund. This includes Age UK’s Digital Champion Programme providing digital skills and devices across England.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many responses to the Timms Review have been received from people living in the South West.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Timms Review Call for Evidence was open to anyone who wished to contribute and received over 38,000 responses. The response form did not ask participants to provide information about their geographic location. Therefore, we do not hold the data requested in relation to the Call for Evidence.

While we cannot provide a figure on participation from different regions, the Review encouraged responses from disabled people and representative organisations across the United Kingdom.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of local infrastructure to support new housing developments like those at the former Grange school site in Warmley, and what guidance is given to local councils on assessing infrastructure impact when approving developments of this scale.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112724 on 3 March 2026.

The consultation on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which can be found on gov.uk here, closed on 10 March 2026. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in the summer.

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 potential merits geothermal heat systems which use the water in flooded former coalmines.

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

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to him on 20^th October 2025 to Question UIN 7797.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has withdrawn driving licences after receiving notification that the licence holder was medically unfit to drive in the last 5 years.

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

It is vital for road safety that, when the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is made aware of a condition that could affect an individual’s ability to drive safely, they ensure that the required medical standards are met before a licence is issued.

The table below shows the number of Group 1 (car and motorcycle) and Group 2 (bus and lorry) driving licences that were revoked or an application refused between 2021 and 2025. Driving licences can be revoked or an application refused following a medical investigation carried out when the DVLA is informed of a medical condition by either the licence holder or a third party. A licence holder who had both Group 1 and Group 2 driving entitlements revoked or refused will be included in the figures for both groups.

Please note that the figures for 2025 are currently incomplete. The figure in the table above reflects those cases that can currently be accurately categorised as revoked or refused in 2025.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many fixed penalty notices for school absences were issued in Bath, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire in the last academic year.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

For unauthorised school absences during the 2024/25 academic year, Bath and North East Somerset issued 1,014 penalty notices and South Gloucestershire issued 2,043 penalty notices.

A new national framework for penalty notices came into effect from August 2024 designed to embed our support-first approach and improve consistency and fairness across the country.

Our statutory guidance on attendance makes clear that legal intervention, including prosecution, should only be considered where support has been exhausted, not engaged with or, in the cases of term-time holidays, is not appropriate. The guidance sets out clear expectations on how schools, local authorities and wider services should work together to support attendance for all children.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of persistent absence in schools in South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.

Answered by Paul Waugh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Absence is a key barrier to opportunity. For children to achieve and thrive they need to be in school. The department is committed to improving the attendance of all pupils. Thanks to the efforts of the sector, we saw record improvements in 2024/25 with around 150,000 fewer children persistently absent nationally.

The department publishes figures from the school census on pupil absence in England. The latest data covers the 2024/25 academic year and is published here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england/2024-25.

Published data for the percentage of pupils classified as persistent absentees (defined as missing 10% or more of possible sessions) in schools in South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset since the 2018/19 academic year is available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/87184f2c-0671-4abc-c9f4-08dee0eeb30d.

Full year absence statistics for 2019/20 were not published due to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of mobile signal coverage on GWR trains.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the adequacy of mobile signal coverage on Great Western Railway (GWR) services. However, the Department has secured funding to deploy low earth orbit satellite technology on mainline trains which will significantly improve the on-train Wi-Fi for rail passengers, this will include long-distance services across GWR. Pending final Treasury approval, Officials at the Department for Transport Operator (DFTO) are planning to begin the procurement and design work for this in the second half of this year. DFTO is also repeating an exercise to capture the measurement of 4G and 5G signal strength across the rail corridor and expects the full data to be available early in the new year. This will be published online.

The Peninsula Taskforce and GWR successfully trialled enhanced Wi-Fi on an Intercity Express train, using low earth orbit satellite technology. The trial demonstrated significantly stronger Wi-Fi connectivity, higher data capacity and received positive feedback from passengers.

Network Rail’s Project Reach will also address mobile coverage in 57 tunnels across the rail network.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of modern capital instruments to enable non-member investment in co-operatives.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government wants to ensure that the law governing co-operatives and community benefit societies supports their growth. That is why the Government is funding the Law Commission’s independent review of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. The review is considering ways to update and modernise the legislation, ensuring that it fits the nature and needs of these societies and that regulation is proportionate and effective. This includes consideration of whether shares may be issued with varying rights and to non-user investors.

Once published, the Government will carefully consider the Law Commission’s recommendations to understand whether reform is needed to support these businesses to grow and succeed in the future. The Government is committed to unlocking the full potential of the mutual and co-operative sector to support inclusive growth and we continue to engage regularly with the sector to address the barriers to the sector’s growth

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to support the growth of co-operatives in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to supporting the growth of the co-operatives and mutuals sector and recognises its important role in driving competition, financial inclusion and consumer choice. Since Mansion House 2024, the Government has been delivering a multi-year programme of reforms to support its ambition to double the size of the sector over the long term, including in North East Somerset and Hanham.

This includes supporting the sector’s long-term development through the Law Commission’s independent review of co-operative legislation and ongoing engagement with the industry-led Mutual and Co-operative Sector Business Council. The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is also considering responses to its call for evidence on how the government can continue to support co-operatives and non-financial mutuals to start, grow and sustain, as well as support existing businesses transition into a co-operative or mutual model. The Government’s approach focuses on removing barriers to growth and creating the conditions for sustainable expansion across the sector.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress the Co-operative Development Unit has made in promoting co-operative and community ownership in the West of England.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department is working across government to deliver our manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, following the commitment to establish a Co-operatives Development Unit in the Pride in Place Strategy.

The government has also introduced a new Pride in Place Community Right to Buy Fund that will support communities in taking advantage of the Community Right to Buy, created by our English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act.

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 support community ownership of local assets in the West of England.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Community spaces have a significant role to play in developing social networks, encouraging community participation, and promoting civic pride. Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, we are empowering communities with the introduction of a new Community Right to Buy, giving them the first opportunity to purchase Assets of Community Value when they are put up for sale by their owner.

We are currently developing the wider regulatory framework to implement the new powers and more information will be announced in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the development of the National Care Service meets the needs of autistic adults who require long-term social care support.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 29 July, the Prime Minister set out his objectives to reform the social care system, and brought forward the timetable for Baroness Casey’s commission to inform that reform programme. More information is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-sets-out-new-path-to-fix-social-care-together-29-july-2026

All aspects of the current system will be reviewed as part of that process, and we will continue to update Parliament on a regular basis.

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 support high streets in North East Somerset and Hanham constituency.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

To restore high streets, we have announced measures to tackle organised crime, cut business rates for pubs, and stop the spread of vape shops and gambling outlets.

Later this year, we will publish a High Streets Strategy, setting out the longer-term plan for bringing life back to our town centres.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the redeployment opportunities available to long-serving Skill Zone 1 employees in the West of England, including older members of staff.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Ministry of Defence has not conducted a specific assessment of redeployment opportunities for long-serving Skill Zone 1 (SZ1) employees in the West of England, including older members of staff.

Opportunities for redeployment are available through vacancies advertised on Civil Service Jobs. In the past two years, one SZ1 vacancy has been advertised in the West of England. There have been nine SZ1 vacancies advertised across the UK over the same period.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support will be provided to caretakers across the Army Reserve and University Officers’ Training Corps estate who need to secure alternative accommodation.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

The Army Caretaker Review remains ongoing and no final decisions have been made. Consultation on the proposed implementation plan is taking place with the recognised trade unions. Affected employees have been informed of the proposal and indicative timeline and will be updated following consultation.

Of the 123 caretakers currently in scope of the review, 89% occupy accommodation linked to their caretaker role. This data is correct as at 1 September 2026. The proposed timetable for vacating linked accommodation, including cases where employment may continue beyond 31 March 2027, remains subject to consultation and implementation planning.

The Department recognises the uncertainty and potential impact on affected caretakers and their families. Housing-related issues, including transitional arrangements and the proposed timetable for vacating tied accommodation, are being considered as part of implementation planning. Requests to remain in accommodation beyond the end of the role, under a different rental agreement, would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the property owner, taking account of Defence requirements, site security, estate plans and individual circumstances.

Affected employees will receive support through line management, Human Resources , trades union representatives and the Employee Assistance Programme. Army caretakers across the UK, will also be encouraged to engage early with local housing authorities and relevant independent advice services where they may need support to secure alternative accommodation.

Work is underway to identify suitable redeployment opportunities within Defence and the wider Civil Service. Redundancy would only be considered where suitable redeployment cannot be secured. Any financial assistance or compensation would be considered in line with the relevant Civil Service compensation scheme provisions and wider departmental policy.

Found: Innovation, growth and the regions Mayor Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England; Cllr.