Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to prevent a reduction in apprenticeship starts among employers who pay into the levy but whose levy funds do not cover full training costs.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 9 February 2026 to Question UIN 109925.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the August 2025 apprenticeship funding changes on employer participation in engineering and other high-cost apprenticeship standards.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 9 February 2026 to Question UIN 109925.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding will be available for new applications to the Landscape Recovery Scheme in the next application round.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Defra has set out how it plans to spend this budget on its farming blog here and here.

Landscape Recovery is part of the Environmental Land Management offer. Projects run over multiple years. In December 2025, Defra announced plans to spend £500m on the implementation of the first tranche of Round 1 agreements over the next 25 years. Further details on the timing of future rounds, and their funding, will follow in due course.

In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year, including Farming and Countryside Programme spend broken down by each scheme. The latest report, covering financial year 2024/25, can be accessed here: Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2024 to 2025 (HTML version) - GOV.UK

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much is the total annual funding allocation for the Landscape Recovery Scheme for the current and next financial year.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament. Defra has set out how it plans to spend this budget on its farming blog here and here.

Landscape Recovery is part of the Environmental Land Management offer. Projects run over multiple years. In December 2025, Defra announced plans to spend £500m on the implementation of the first tranche of Round 1 agreements over the next 25 years. Further details on the timing of future rounds, and their funding, will follow in due course.

In line with its obligations under the Agriculture Act 2020, Defra regularly publishes an annual report, setting out commitments in the previous financial year, including Farming and Countryside Programme spend broken down by each scheme. The latest report, covering financial year 2024/25, can be accessed here: Farming and Countryside Programme annual report 2024 to 2025 (HTML version) - GOV.UK

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 combined sewage overflows discharging into the South Winterborne at Martinstown on the environment.

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

The Environment Agency regularly assess the impact of storm overflows on the environment, including those discharging into the South Winterborne at Martinstown.

Water companies are installing continuous water quality monitors to quantify the impacts of sewerage undertaker assets, including storm overflows, on the quality of receiving watercourses.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration his Department has given to the potential merits of increasing incentive grants to offset higher employer contributions under the revised apprenticeship funding rules.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

As we introduce new products, such as apprenticeship units and foundation apprenticeships, we are also simplifying the Growth and Skills Levy, improving its transparency and making it more efficient.

From August, we are changing the employer’s co-investment rate from 5% to 25% for levy-paying employers once they have exhausted all their levy funds. Levy-paying employers will still be able to benefit from a very generous 75% government contribution once their funds are exhausted, but it is right that employers who utilise all their levy funds contribute more to apprenticeship training and assessment. This will support greater employer investment in skills overall and ensure funding is available to roll out further flexibility for business and increase opportunities for young people.

We have undertaken extensive engagement with businesses and other key stakeholders in the design of these reforms and will continue to work closely with key partners as we develop the detail of any planned changes

To support employers of all sizes to take on apprentices the government pays £1,000 to both employers and providers for apprentices aged 16-18, and for apprentices aged 19-24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in local authority care. On top of this, employers will receive additional payments of up to £2,000 for eligible foundation apprenticeships. Additionally, employers are not required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25 (when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year).

The government is also supporting non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) meet the additional costs of taking on young people by introducing a new £2,000 incentive payment when they hire apprentices under the aged of 25 as new employees.

We will carefully monitor the impact of these changes once they take effect.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has consulted levy-paying employers on the potential impact of the revised co-investment rates on future apprenticeship recruitment decisions.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

As we introduce new products, such as apprenticeship units and foundation apprenticeships, we are also simplifying the Growth and Skills Levy, improving its transparency and making it more efficient.

From August, we are changing the employer’s co-investment rate from 5% to 25% for levy-paying employers once they have exhausted all their levy funds. Levy-paying employers will still be able to benefit from a very generous 75% government contribution once their funds are exhausted, but it is right that employers who utilise all their levy funds contribute more to apprenticeship training and assessment. This will support greater employer investment in skills overall and ensure funding is available to roll out further flexibility for business and increase opportunities for young people.

We have undertaken extensive engagement with businesses and other key stakeholders in the design of these reforms and will continue to work closely with key partners as we develop the detail of any planned changes

To support employers of all sizes to take on apprentices the government pays £1,000 to both employers and providers for apprentices aged 16-18, and for apprentices aged 19-24 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or have been, or are, in local authority care. On top of this, employers will receive additional payments of up to £2,000 for eligible foundation apprenticeships. Additionally, employers are not required to pay anything towards employees’ National Insurance for all apprentices aged up to age 25 (when the employee’s wage is below £50,270 a year).

The government is also supporting non-levy paying employers (essentially SMEs) meet the additional costs of taking on young people by introducing a new £2,000 incentive payment when they hire apprentices under the aged of 25 as new employees.

We will carefully monitor the impact of these changes once they take effect.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support her Department provides to communities affected by flooding in West Dorset constituency.

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

Defra provides a wide range of support to rural communities affected by flooding. Typically, in response to flooding there will be a multi-partner strategic command, at which the Environment Agency (EA) and Dorset Council play a lead coordination role. The Department also funds long term resilience measures, including individual property flood resilience.

During the recent flooding, the EA launched a new bespoke online engagement site for Dorset to give clear guidance, real time updates, and recovery support for communities facing groundwater impacts. The EA operates and maintains several flood alleviation schemes across West Dorset and has planned engagement events for Spring/Summer 2026 with professional partners to help strengthen community resilience.

Across England, Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences. This record investment will benefit nearly 900,000 properties over ten years.

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 increased riparian ownership on the recent flooding in West Dorset constituency.

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

We are not aware of an increase or change in riparian ownership within West Dorset. The riparian rights and responsibilities, including duties to maintain watercourses, will remain unchanged even if there is a change in landownership.

The recent flooding was caused by meteorological and hydrological factors rather than land ownership. The primary causes were exceptionally high rainfall, 55mm in 24 hours in Storm Chandra, and saturated ground conditions as January was the second wettest since 1871. These conditions led to watercourses exceeding capacity and local drainage systems becoming overwhelmed, as well as rapidly rising and prolonged high groundwater levels.

The Environment Agency continues to work with Dorset Council, landowners and local communities to ensure responsibilities are understood and that watercourses are maintained appropriately. This collaborative approach supports long-term resilience and helps reduce flood risk across rural communities in West Dorset.

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 causes of recent flooding in West Dorset constituency.

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

The recent flooding in West Dorset was caused by a combination of exceptionally high rainfall totals, leading to saturated ground conditions. January was the second-wettest winter on record since 1871. Groundwater levels across the county rose significantly, leading to flooding of low-lying land, roads and some properties as the water table exceeded normal winter levels.

When significant flooding occurs Dorset Council produce Section 19 flood reports investigating the flooding issues experienced. The Environment Agency (EA) will provide information and evidence for these reports, including assessment of impacts on its assets. When there are impacts, the EA will undertake work to restore them to required condition as soon as possible.

The EA is working with Dorset Council, including the Dorset Rural Runoff project, to improve understanding of the causes of flooding and look for potential interventions to reduce the impacts of this type of flood event.

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 improve flood resilience in rural constituencies such as West Dorset constituency.

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

The Environment Agency (EA) has planned engagement events with professional partners across Dorset for Spring/Summer 2026 to promote individual and community resilience. The EA works closely with Dorset Council, parish councils and flood wardens to raise awareness, share guidance and strengthen community-level resilience across the highest-risk rural areas.

The EA is delivering the Government’s flood and coastal risk management (FCRM) Investment Programme, investing £2.65 billion over 2024/25 and 2025/26 to better protect 52,000 properties. A new 3-year £4.2 billion FCRM Investment Programme will start in April 2026, allocating investment where flood and coastal risk and vulnerability are greatest, using the Government’s new funding rules. This week the EA published information on schemes that will receive funding for the first year of the new Programme, between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent increases in domestic heating oil prices on people living in rural areas including West Dorset.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government understands that many households, particularly in rural and off‑gas‑grid areas, rely on heating oil as their primary source of heat. Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil is bought on the spot market, making it more exposed to short-term volatility in global oil prices, which we recognise is a significant concern for those reliant on it.

The Chancellor has announced £53m for low income families, who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices. This funding is allocated as part of the Crisis Resilience fund, and will be distributed by Local Authorities. More information can be found here: Over £50 million to help families struggling with soaring heating oil costs - GOV.UK.

In addition, the measures taken in the Autumn Budget reduce the cost of electricity and therefore benefit all households with a domestic electricity meter, including those not on the gas grid. On 30 January, we also announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme until 2030/31, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills each winter.

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 support households reliant on heating oil in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) rural constituencies.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government understands that many households, particularly in rural and off‑gas‑grid areas, rely on heating oil as their primary source of heat. Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil is bought on the spot market, making it more exposed to short-term volatility in global oil prices, which we recognise is a significant concern for those reliant on it.

The Chancellor has announced £53m for low income families, who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices. This funding is allocated as part of the Crisis Resilience fund, and will be distributed by Local Authorities. More information can be found here: Over £50 million to help families struggling with soaring heating oil costs - GOV.UK.

In addition, the measures taken in the Autumn Budget reduce the cost of electricity and therefore benefit all households with a domestic electricity meter, including those not on the gas grid. On 30 January, we also announced the continuation of the Warm Home Discount scheme until 2030/31, providing around 6 million eligible households with the £150 rebate on their energy bills each winter.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a national energy debt relief scheme on energy affordability and consumer protection.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government knows that more needs to be done to tackle the problem of energy debt. Too many families paid the price of our dependence on fossil fuels during the energy price crisis, and its impacts are still being felt – both by consumers who are in debt and those who are not.

In November 2025, Ofgem published an update of its Debt Strategy, setting out its near-term actions and priorities to support suppliers to reduce the level of debt in the sector and drive better engagement between consumers and suppliers to ensure that consumers in payment difficulty receive adequate support.

This included an update on its proposals for introducing a Debt Relief Scheme, which aims to tackle around £1bn of debt built up by some consumers during the energy crisis. Ofgem is currently considering responses to its latest consultation on the scheme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress his Department has made on (a) developing and (b) implementing a debt relief scheme for households experiencing energy debt.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government knows that more needs to be done to tackle the problem of energy debt. Too many families paid the price of our dependence on fossil fuels during the energy price crisis, and its impacts are still being felt – both by consumers who are in debt and those who are not.

In November 2025, Ofgem published an update of its Debt Strategy, setting out its near-term actions and priorities to support suppliers to reduce the level of debt in the sector and drive better engagement between consumers and suppliers to ensure that consumers in payment difficulty receive adequate support.

This included an update on its proposals for introducing a Debt Relief Scheme, which aims to tackle around £1bn of debt built up by some consumers during the energy crisis. Ofgem is currently considering responses to its latest consultation on the scheme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions he has had with energy suppliers on stabilising the level of heating oil prices for off-grid households in the South West of England.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is aware that off-grid households have seen a sharp increase in heating oil prices due to volatility in international markets. Suppliers often have limited storage, buying daily on the spot market. These changes are then reflected immediately in the price consumers pay.

The Secretary of State has written to the industry reminding heating oil suppliers of their commitments under the UKIFDA Code of Practice, including the need for fair, transparent and justifiable pricing.

Following discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority, the CMA are launching a comprehensive examination of the heating oil industry. We will work closely with the CMA to understand findings and develop options to increase consumer protections in this sector.

The chancellor has announced £53m for low-income families, who heat their homes with oil to help tackle surging prices. £27 million of this support is being provided to England, which will be distributed by Local Authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to review the apprenticeship levy threshold in light of changes that increase costs for small levy-paying employers.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Apprenticeship Levy was introduced in 2017 and is only paid by large employers with a total annual pay bill of over £3 million.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce delays at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in processing driving licence decisions where medical evidence has been submitted.

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

No specific assessment has been undertaken on delays affecting drivers from West Dorset or the South West. There are no delays in applications for a licence where there is no medical condition involved. The DVLA’s target for driving licence applications is to dispatch 95 per cent within three working days for straightforward online applications and 90 per cent within ten working days for straightforward paper applications. In the current financial year, the DVLA has achieved 100 per cent for online applications and 99.9 per cent for paper applications.

Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. For 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued to 16 March is 56.67 days.

The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and is launching a new casework system that will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average processing time is for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to assess driving licence applications following the submission of medical information.

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

No specific assessment has been undertaken on delays affecting drivers from West Dorset or the South West. There are no delays in applications for a licence where there is no medical condition involved. The DVLA’s target for driving licence applications is to dispatch 95 per cent within three working days for straightforward online applications and 90 per cent within ten working days for straightforward paper applications. In the current financial year, the DVLA has achieved 100 per cent for online applications and 99.9 per cent for paper applications.

Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. For 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued to 16 March is 56.67 days.

The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and is launching a new casework system that will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to reduce processing delays at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for drivers in the South West.

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

No specific assessment has been undertaken on delays affecting drivers from West Dorset or the South West. There are no delays in applications for a licence where there is no medical condition involved. The DVLA’s target for driving licence applications is to dispatch 95 per cent within three working days for straightforward online applications and 90 per cent within ten working days for straightforward paper applications. In the current financial year, the DVLA has achieved 100 per cent for online applications and 99.9 per cent for paper applications.

Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. For 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued to 16 March is 56.67 days.

The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and is launching a new casework system that will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of processing delays at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on drivers in West Dorset.

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

No specific assessment has been undertaken on delays affecting drivers from West Dorset or the South West. There are no delays in applications for a licence where there is no medical condition involved. The DVLA’s target for driving licence applications is to dispatch 95 per cent within three working days for straightforward online applications and 90 per cent within ten working days for straightforward paper applications. In the current financial year, the DVLA has achieved 100 per cent for online applications and 99.9 per cent for paper applications.

Driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence can be issued can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued. For 2025/26 the average time to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition(s) must be investigated before a licence could be issued to 16 March is 56.67 days.

The DVLA is currently experiencing an increase in both the volume and complexity of driving licence applications from people with one or more medical conditions. To keep up with growing customer demand and to offer a better service, the DVLA is updating its online service and is launching a new casework system that will deliver significant improvements to drivers with medical conditions. These enhancements, alongside the recruitment of additional staff to deal with medical applications and answer telephone calls, will deliver real improvements for customers.

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 potential merits of mandating technologies such as solar panels or electric vehicle chargers in the Future Homes Standard.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026.

The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets.

Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Future Homes Standard will require new homes to be built with solar panels installed.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026.

The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets.

Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to include solar panels as a default requirement in the Future Homes Standard.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026.

The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets.

Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

Funding for rural Britain

Online abuse and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees

NHS funding for mental health services

Found: Slough)Bill Esterson (Labour; Sefton Central) Mike Martin (Liberal Democrat; Tunbridge Wells) Edward Morello

Found: Sidmouth) Uma Kumaran (Labour; Stratford and Bow) Abtisam Mohamed (Labour; Sheffield Central) Edward Morello