First elected: 4th July 2024
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
These initiatives were driven by Edward Morello, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Edward Morello has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Edward Morello has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
Edward Morello has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (Guidance) Bill 2024-26
Sponsor - Munira Wilson (LD)
The Department for Business and Trade recognises the economic value of traditional boat building, particularly in areas like West Dorset. Training in traditional methods can contribute transferable skills for preserving cultural heritage, promoting sustainability and growing businesses.
Traditional boat building forms part of the wider leisure marine sector which contributed £1.4 billion in GVA and supported 29,000 jobs in 2019 [1]. The South West region alone generated £4 billion in turnover [2]. We continue to support the sector through events like the Southampton Boat Show and METSTRADE and promote its heritage and skills as vital to the UK’s maritime economy.
[1] State of the Maritime Nation, 2022
[2] State of the Maritime Nation, 2022
DBT works closely with the Department for Transport and industry to capitalise on the opportunity across the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market. It is estimated that by 2050, up to 15,000 jobs and £5bn GVA in the UK could be supported with future low carbon fuel production for the domestic and international markets. Government has already introduced strong incentives to support the SAF industry in the UK including: the SAF Mandate (effective 1 January 2025), the forthcoming Revenue Certainty Mechanism, and the Advanced Fuels Fund, which is extended for a further year with an additional £63m of funding.
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.
Ofcom’s approach to protecting consumers is to include a condition that all postal operators must establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.
Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of operators’ performance and will consider enforcement action or further regulation to protect consumers.
We want more trade opportunities for British farmers to grow their businesses, including for the more than 1,000 commercial farm holdings in West Dorset. Our FTAs will help open new long term potential export markets. For example, we are pressing ahead with our accession to the CPTPP which enters into force on 15 December. This will facilitate easier market access for agriculture products for which Dorset is celebrated, such as by reducing tariffs on UK dairy in countries such as Chile and Japan.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) promotes and supports investment opportunities across all of the UK. In Dorset, DBT has a strong relationship with Dorset Council and proactively promotes the county’s sector strengths, particularly in areas such as AgriTech, Advanced Manufacturing and Defence.
The Government confirmed in the Autumn Budget that it will continue to fund Growth Hubs, including the Dorset Growth Hub, in 2025/26. This will provide key support for local businesses, including those in West Dorset. The forthcoming Industrial Strategy will also help guide investment in areas across the UK based on unique economic opportunities and advantages.
DBT is supporting companies like Baboo Gelato, based just outside Dorchester, to take their first steps into exporting.
UK businesses, including those in West Dorset constituency, can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises a online support offer and our wider network of support, including Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network, and UK Export Finance. Alongside this, our International Trade Advisers use their extensive experience of exporting and knowledge of the needs of SMEs in their sectors and regions to provide one-to-one tailored support to businesses.
Pubs, including in West Dorset, are at the heart of our communities and play a vital role in supporting economic growth across the UK. That’s why it is important for us to act on the challenges that they face, by reforming business rates to level the playing field for all businesses from hospitality to the high street. The Chancellor has confirmed that she will be making decisions on tax policy at the Budget on 30 October.
We have established Skills England, a new partnership with employers at its heart and will transform the existing Apprenticeship Levy into a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy to support business and boost opportunity.
Invitations to meet should be sent in the normal way by post or by email.
Greenhouse Gas Removal technologies will be important for reaching net zero. The Government has been developing Business Models to incentivise private investment into large-scale removal projects, commissioned the British Standards Institution to develop a Greenhouse Gas Removal Standard, has delivered £100 million in innovation funding, including through the Direct Air Capture and Greenhouse Gas Removal Innovation Programme and published a consultation on the inclusion of Greenhouse Gas Removals in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. Greenhouse Gas Removal and Power Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage projects were allowed to apply to the HyNet Track-1 expansion cluster.
Under the Warm Homes Plan, officials are exploring the role of incentives and private finance for households to support homeowners with the upfront costs of energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating.
The Government has launched the ‘Warm and Fuzzy’ campaign to promote the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). The campaign seeks to build consumer awareness and understanding of heat pumps, as well as publicising the £7,500 government grant. The BUS is available to homeowners in England and Wales, including West Dorset.
There is also a zero-rate of VAT until March 2027 on energy saving measures, such as insulation and low-carbon heating.
Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.
The UK Government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the transition to Net Zero, supplying solutions that work for all buildings, income groups, and housing types such as farmhouses. As part of the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed initial £3.4 billion over the next three years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency.
There are various schemes currently delivering home energy efficiency improvements including the Energy Company Obligation, the Great British Insulation Scheme, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The new Warm Homes: Local Grant will support low-income homeowners and private tenants with insulation measures, with delivery beginning this year.
Households can also use the home retrofit tool on GOV.UK, ‘Find ways to save energy in your home’ (www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency) which allows users to get tailored recommendations for home improvements that could make their property cheaper to heat and keep warm.
The Government recognises the importance of time of use tariffs, and we are putting in place reforms such as Smart Metering and the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement to support the growth of these products. Tariff setting is a matter for suppliers, including the setting of peak and off-peak tariffs, and is regulated by Ofgem, including through the price cap which already has a variant to accommodate multi-rate tariffs such as Economy 7.
I regularly engage with stakeholders, including consumer groups and energy suppliers, to ensure that the sector meets the differing needs of consumers.
The Government recognises the importance of time of use tariffs, and we are putting in place reforms such as Smart Metering and the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement to support the growth of these products. Tariff setting is a matter for suppliers, and is regulated by Ofgem, including through the price cap which already has a variant to accommodate multi-rate tariffs such as Economy 7.
I regularly engage with stakeholders, including consumer groups and energy suppliers, to ensure that the sector meets the differing needs of consumers.
Technology and innovation are essential to reaching clean power by 2030 and are a critical part of the Government’s deployment plans for achieving the Clean Energy Superpower Mission.
The Southwest of England is playing an important role in advancing clean technologies, with over £120m committed to the region through our Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).
Government recognises the important role community groups play in our efforts to tackle climate change and offers support for the sector. Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will support communities to roll out small and medium scale renewable energy projects, providing commercial, technical and project‑planning assistance, increasing their capability and capacity to build a pipeline of successful projects in their local areas. Government also supports the sector through the £10 million Community Energy Fund, which allows both rural and urban communities across England to access grant funding to develop local renewable energy projects for investment.
The ‘Find Ways to Save Energy in Your Home’ tool on Gov.uk provides homeowners, including those living off the gas grid, with impartial and tailored advice on how to retrofit their homes. The website can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.uk/improve-energy-efficiency.
Regarding financial support for upgrades, there are a number of schemes providing financial assistance to help rural off-grid households switch to low carbon heating including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Home Upgrade Grant, Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation scheme. We have also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant, with delivery expected in 2025.
Small and medium-sized businesses can visit the UK Business Climate Hub, which is run in partnership with Government, for advice and support on reducing emissions.
Climate Change Agreements provide tax discounts for businesses reducing their emissions, and the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund supports industrial sites with high energy use to transition.
Great British Energy’s Local Power Plan will support both rural and urban communities to roll out small and medium scale renewable energy projects, providing commercial, technical and project‑planning assistance, increasing their capability and capacity to build a pipeline of successful projects in their local areas.
Renewable projects are subject to planning controls to protect local communities and the environment.
The Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills across the UK, including in West Dorset. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to property owners, including to those living off the gas grid, to enable them to transition away from fossil fuel to low carbon heating.
Support for boosting energy efficiency in off-grid homes is also available through the Home Upgrade Grant, Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation scheme. We have also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant, with delivery expected in 2025.
Information on the number of homes that have had energy efficiency measures installed in West Dorset constituency from 2013 onwards can be found in the tables accompanying the following scheme statistical releases:
Prior to 2013, Government support for energy efficiency measures was provided via the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and Community Energy Saving Programme.
As part of our clean power mission, we will work with the private sector to radically increase the deployment of onshore wind, solar and offshore wind by 2030. We will invest in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and marine energy, and ensure we have the long-term energy storage required.
This will significantly increase the number of homes powered by clean energy across the country, including in West Dorset. Steps we have taken include the immediate removal of the de facto ban on onshore wind in England, establishing an Onshore Wind Industry Taskforce, the re-establishment of the Solar Taskforce, and securing 131 new projects through the AR6 auction.
All Project Gigabit contracts include measures and obligations regarding time and budget against which suppliers’ performance is monitored. These include measures to manage effective build plans, milestones, risks and issues.
Building Digital UK (BDUK) holds regular meetings with suppliers to discuss their progress. Each supplier’s performance is measured using monthly contractual reporting, reviewing the build progress and payment claims on each contract.
Failure to deliver to a contract milestone on any build phase of a contract can result in the trigger of a rectification plan process and cessation of payments until the milestone is achieved.
According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 86% of premises in England have access to gigabit-capable broadband. To improve broadband connectivity further, we have put in place over 30 Project Gigabit contracts that are set to deliver fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million rural and hard-to-reach premises that would otherwise not be reached by the commercial market alone.
There are multiple contracts being delivered across the South West, including in Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We recently announced new Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach that will also bring gigabit-capable broadband to premises in Devon and Somerset.
According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 86% of premises in England have access to gigabit-capable broadband. To improve broadband connectivity further, we have put in place over 30 Project Gigabit contracts that are set to deliver fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million rural and hard-to-reach premises that would otherwise not be reached by the commercial market alone.
There are multiple contracts being delivered across the South West, including in Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We recently announced new Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach that will also bring gigabit-capable broadband to premises in Devon and Somerset.
This government wants people across the UK to benefit from reliable and good quality mobile coverage.
Through the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage at all. Our ambition goes beyond this, and is for all populated areas, including rural areas, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030 – and we want to support the industry to deliver this.
DSIT is accelerating innovation through initiatives like the Higher Education Innovation Funding, currently £280m a year, enabling universities across England to support innovative new businesses in their local areas. Additionally, through the £12.2m Digital Growth Grant, DSIT supports the Ecosystem Partnership Programme which awards funding to regional organisations delivering support in their local ecosystems. This grant also supports a cohort of AgriTech businesses as part of the Industry Bridge programme, connecting startups with corporate partners, delivered by Codebase.
Poor internet access can have a devastating impact on rural and urban communities alike, which is why the government is determined to improve access and tackle digital exclusion. Digital connectivity is an important driver of economic growth. In 2022, productivity in rural areas was 86% of the average for England, a gap which improved internet access could reduce.
The Government is committed to improving broadband access in rural areas. Government’s £5 billion programme, Project Gigabit, is delivering gigabit capable connectivity for millions of rural homes.
Government is committed to achieving nationwide gigabit broadband, removing barriers to commercial deployment and, where necessary, providing subsidy for hard-to-reach premises through Project Gigabit. According to the independent website ThinkBroadband, 85% of UK premises have access to gigabit-capable connections.
Government wants rural areas to benefit from mobile connectivity. The Shared Rural Network is improving coverage in rural areas, with 94.9% of the UK landmass having 4G coverage from at least one operator.
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have high-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We are committed to having the right policy and regulatory framework to support this.
I am aware that people’s experience on the ground does not always match Ofcom’s version of mobile signal, and I recently wrote to Ofcom, asking them to set out steps to improve their reporting.
We recognise how important our craft industry is and we are committed to supporting future growth in the sector. The creative industries have been identified as one of the governments eight growth-driving sectors, with the craft industry a contributor.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports traditional craft skills and training in a variety of ways, including funding projects that train people in traditional crafts and skills. It also runs a Heritage Crafts programme which offers bursaries to help people train in heritage crafts or develop their skills.
The importance of the crafts sector was a key driver for the Government in ratifying the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage last year. Our first step in implementing the Convention is to create inventories of living heritage in the UK which will help promote items that could include traditional boat building. We will open the public call for submissions to the inventories later this year.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and our arm’s-length bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, do not provide direct funding to professional rugby union clubs.
Since 2020, DCMS has provided loans to rugby union clubs via the Sport Survival Package (SSP). This package of emergency funding was provided to support organisations who were negatively impacted by Covid-19 restrictions to fulfil their sporting commitments, including Premiership Rugby League and RFU Championship clubs.
SSP loans were distributed to 13 Premiership rugby clubs (total value of £123.81 million) and seven Championship clubs (total value of £4.84 million).
DCMS is not able to comment on repayments of individual borrowers or leagues given the commercial sensitivity.
As well as loans, DCMS provides the majority of support for grassroots rugby through Sport England. Sport England has awarded the Rugby Football Union, the governing body for rugby union in England, £13.86 million for the period 2022-27 as one of Sport England’s long-term system partners to support grassroots rugby union.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) does not make assessments of the financial situation of rugby clubs post ceasing operations.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is independent of the Government and is responsible for the regulation of rugby union, and for protecting and promoting the financial sustainability of the sport.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and our arm’s-length bodies, Sport England and UK Sport, do not provide direct funding to professional rugby union clubs.
Since 2020, DCMS has provided loans to rugby union clubs via the Sport Survival Package (SSP). This package of emergency funding was provided to support organisations who were negatively impacted by Covid-19 restrictions to fulfil their sporting commitments, including Premiership Rugby League and RFU Championship clubs.
SSP loans were distributed to 13 Premiership rugby clubs (total value of £123.81 million) and seven Championship clubs (total value of £4.84 million).
DCMS is not able to comment on repayments of individual borrowers or leagues given the commercial sensitivity.
As well as loans, DCMS provides the majority of support for grassroots rugby through Sport England. Sport England has awarded the Rugby Football Union, the governing body for rugby union in England, £13.86 million for the period 2022-27 as one of Sport England’s long-term system partners to support grassroots rugby union.
The governance of rugby union is a matter for the Rugby Football Union (the national governing body for rugby union), which is independent of government.
The revised Code for Sports Governance sets out the levels of transparency, diversity and inclusion, accountability and integrity that are required from sporting governing bodies, including the RFU, who seek – and are in receipt of – DCMS and National Lottery funding from UK Sport and/or Sport England (DCMS’ arm’s-length bodies). This is kept under review.
We provide the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England – which annually invests over £250 million of National Lottery and government money. Sport England has awarded the RFU £13,859,000 for the period 2022-27 as one of Sport England’s long-term system partners to support grassroots rugby union.
This Government is committed to supporting every aspect of women’s sport, including grassroots football, and ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, have access to high quality sport.
The Government is providing £123 million of funding for the UK-wide Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme in 2024/25 alongside our ongoing investment into Sport England. This includes long term investment of £26.1 million into the FA to invest in community football initiatives that will benefit everyone, including women and girls, across the country, including in West Dorset.
My officials and I have met with a range of heritage bodies since July and this has included discussions on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
The Department has received correspondence from religious organisations regarding the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and the views of their congregations and communities as a result of funding. A couple of Church of England bishops have also approached me at events and mentioned the scheme.
My officials and I have met with a range of heritage bodies since July and this has included discussions on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
The Department has received correspondence from religious organisations regarding the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and the views of their congregations and communities as a result of funding. A couple of Church of England bishops have also approached me at events and mentioned the scheme.
The Government is committed to improving access to high quality sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone, including those with disabilities. This is central to achieving the aims set out in the Government’s manifesto around the Health and Opportunity Missions. The Government will support more people to be active wherever they live, whether in cities or the countryside.
We recognise that grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of communities up and down the country. These provide important places for people of all ages to be active, bring communities together and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
That is why this Government has committed to continue funding for grassroots facilities. £123 million will be invested UK-wide in grassroots facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25, working with our delivery partner, the Football Foundation.
The Government is committed to improving access to high quality sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone, including those with disabilities. This is central to achieving the aims set out in the Government’s manifesto around the Health and Opportunity Missions. The Government will support more people to be active wherever they live, whether in cities or the countryside.
We recognise that grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of communities up and down the country. These provide important places for people of all ages to be active, bring communities together and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
That is why this Government has committed to continue funding for grassroots facilities. £123 million will be invested UK-wide in grassroots facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25, working with our delivery partner, the Football Foundation.
The Government is committed to improving access to high quality sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone, including those with disabilities. This is central to achieving the aims set out in the Government’s manifesto around the Health and Opportunity Missions. The Government will support more people to be active wherever they live, whether in cities or the countryside.
We recognise that grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of communities up and down the country. These provide important places for people of all ages to be active, bring communities together and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
That is why this Government has committed to continue funding for grassroots facilities. £123 million will be invested UK-wide in grassroots facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25, working with our delivery partner, the Football Foundation.
The Secretary of State meets with a range of cultural and arts organisations and discusses the issues facing them - including financial stability and their workforce issues.
After 14 years of indifference and cultural vandalism, this government is committed to making sure that the arts and culture will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors. We know that Art Centres are a key part of the Arts sector more widely and we will of course include them as we continue to engage with the sector to understand the whole picture, including employment opportunities.
The Government is also transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy, which will give employers more flexibility to spend levy funds on training for the skills they need. We have started engaging with the sector to gather feedback and will continue to do so as we develop Skills England over the next 9 to 12 months.
After 14 years of indifference and cultural vandalism, this government is committed to making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few.
Local Authorities are one of the largest funders of arts and culture in England, and DCMS will continue to work with local partners to collectively champion the benefits that the arts can bring. The government also supports the arts through Arts Council England (ACE). They play a hugely important role in developing the arts in England and are also responsible for funding and promoting the arts. ACE’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is currently accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in West Dorset. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.
DCMS has responsibility for government’s work with Civil Society, including voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs), which often run community centres and hubs. We are supporting VCSEs with their financial viability by delivering grant programmes, growing the social investment market and through the activities and services delivered by our Arm’s Length Bodies such as the National Lottery Community Fund.
We have no plans to commission expensive impact surveys, given it is well established that sewage discharges into the sea at tourist sites are extremely likely to hit tourism. Instead, the Government is focused on protecting and enhancing the environment.
VisitBritain/VisitEngland are working with the tourism sector to celebrate and amplify best practice, and to coordinate an industry response that promotes the UK as a leader in sustainable tourism and puts the UK’s natural landscapes and communities at the heart of the country’s brand proposition.
Where water safety is at risk, we will work closely with the UK Health Security Agency, water companies and the Environment Agency to mitigate any adverse impacts on the tourism sector and our natural environment from sewage leaks.
This government is committed to supporting culture, and making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors.
The government supports the arts predominantly through Arts Council England (ACE) funding. They play a hugely important role in developing the arts in England and are also responsible for funding and promoting the arts. ACE’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is currently accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in West Dorset. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.
In addition, Local Authorities remain one of the largest funders of arts and culture in England, and DCMS will continue to advocate and help local decision-makers understand and recognise the benefits that the arts can bring.
This government is committed to supporting culture, and making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors.
The government supports the arts predominantly through Arts Council England (ACE) funding. They play a hugely important role in developing the arts in England and are also responsible for funding and promoting the arts. ACE’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is currently accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in West Dorset. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.
In addition, Local Authorities remain one of the largest funders of arts and culture in England, and DCMS will continue to advocate and help local decision-makers understand and recognise the benefits that the arts can bring.
Cultural infrastructure, including arts centres, are important parts of our cultural and creative ecosystem. We are aware of challenges with maintaining arts infrastructure and are looking carefully at the issue.
Additionally, the Theatres Trust, an arm’s-length body of DCMS, produces the Theatre Green Book with partners which provides guidance to all theatres and performing arts venues across the country, sharing advice and resources to improve sustainability. The Theatre Green book includes a ‘Building Survey Tool’ to support organisations to assess the sustainability of their buildings.