Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what avenues are available to members of the public wishing to challenge a police decision to refer a serious dog attack to a local authority dog warden.

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

Any member of the public can use the statutory police complaints system to express dissatisfaction with the actions of the police or a police officer, providing they have been directly affected by those actions or lack of action.

They can do so by making a complaint to the police force directly or via the portal on the website of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which also includes more information on the police complaints system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action can be taken by his Department where there is evidence that a self-employed parent has deliberately understated their income to reduce their child maintenance liability.

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

People who are self-employed are required to keep accurate records of their business income and expenses for tax purposes. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can charge penalties for inaccurate reporting where it results in tax being unpaid. Information about a self-employed paying parent's income is normally obtained from HMRC.

Every year the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) conduct a review to determine what should be paid for the forthcoming year and gather new earnings information from HMRC. If a paying parent reports a change in their earnings, or challenges the income provided, CMS require a fully complete and verified Self-Assessment Tax Return, of a more current tax year than that provided previously by HMRC.

Where there is evidence that income has not been fully reflected in a child maintenance calculation, either parent may apply for a variation. Cases involving complex income, suspected misrepresentation or fraudulent behaviour may be referred to the CMS Financial Investigation Unit, which can obtain information from financial institutions to verify income and assets. Where discrepancies are identified, the CMS can recalculate maintenance and implement the correct liability in accordance with legislation.

This approach helps ensure that child maintenance calculations are based on accurate income information and that paying parents meet their responsibilities towards their children.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department takes to ensure that self-employed parents accurately declare income for the purposes of calculating child maintenance payments.

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

People who are self-employed are required to keep accurate records of their business income and expenses for tax purposes. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) can charge penalties for inaccurate reporting where it results in tax being unpaid. Information about a self-employed paying parent's income is normally obtained from HMRC.

Every year the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) conduct a review to determine what should be paid for the forthcoming year and gather new earnings information from HMRC. If a paying parent reports a change in their earnings, or challenges the income provided, CMS require a fully complete and verified Self-Assessment Tax Return, of a more current tax year than that provided previously by HMRC.

Where there is evidence that income has not been fully reflected in a child maintenance calculation, either parent may apply for a variation. Cases involving complex income, suspected misrepresentation or fraudulent behaviour may be referred to the CMS Financial Investigation Unit, which can obtain information from financial institutions to verify income and assets. Where discrepancies are identified, the CMS can recalculate maintenance and implement the correct liability in accordance with legislation.

This approach helps ensure that child maintenance calculations are based on accurate income information and that paying parents meet their responsibilities towards their children.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve access to and the timeliness of Child Maintenance Service cases for parents in West Dorset.

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

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is delivering a Modernisation Programme to improve customer access, efficiency and transparency. This includes integrated online application services, the My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC) service, which provides customers with online access to case information and payment schedules, and Customer Connect, which enables secure online communication between parents and caseworkers. Telephone and assisted digital support remain available for customers who need additional assistance.

The programme has also introduced improved digital communications, enhanced data sharing to support faster and more accurate maintenance calculations, and predictive analytics to help identify cases at risk of non-compliance, which allows us to review the cases more swiftly and take action to ensure compliance is maintained

The Department continually monitors the effectiveness of the CMS through published statistics and operational performance measures. CMS services are delivered nationally and the Department does not routinely assess effectiveness or performance at parliamentary constituency level.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service in supporting parents and children in West Dorset.

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

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is delivering a Modernisation Programme to improve customer access, efficiency and transparency. This includes integrated online application services, the My Child Maintenance Case (MCMC) service, which provides customers with online access to case information and payment schedules, and Customer Connect, which enables secure online communication between parents and caseworkers. Telephone and assisted digital support remain available for customers who need additional assistance.

The programme has also introduced improved digital communications, enhanced data sharing to support faster and more accurate maintenance calculations, and predictive analytics to help identify cases at risk of non-compliance, which allows us to review the cases more swiftly and take action to ensure compliance is maintained

The Department continually monitors the effectiveness of the CMS through published statistics and operational performance measures. CMS services are delivered nationally and the Department does not routinely assess effectiveness or performance at parliamentary constituency level.

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 adequacy of the budget for Environmental Land Management schemes in the 2026–27 financial year.

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

This year's budget for Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes is £1.9 billion. This has increased by more than fourfold since 2020, when we spent £433 million. This is rising further still, and by 2028/29, we plan to spend £2 billion on ELM schemes, making a total of £2.7 billion of investment into farming and nature.

We have also recently published our Annual Report for 2025/26, which sets out that we spent £1.8bn on ELM schemes which includes the Sustainable Farming Incentive, CS Higher Tier and ELM Capital.

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 changes to farm support payments on farm businesses in West Dorset constituency.

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

Supporting British farmers and boosting the nation’s food security are key priorities for the government. As set out in the Farming Roadmap, food security and restoring nature are not competing aims. They are, over the long term, inseparable. The most resilient farms are profitable precisely because they work with the environment, which is why Government is backing a shift towards lower input, more sustainable farming systems.

There are now 4,165 live SFI agreements and 658 live CS agreements within the West Dorset constituency. This uptake by farm businesses and land managers in the constituency is supporting them to build nature‑friendly farming systems that can sustain or enhance production while strengthening resilience and reducing input dependency.

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 changes to farm support schemes on participation in Countryside Stewardship agreements.

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

The Government's environmental land management schemes have been developed to support delivery of the ambitious goals set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan, with farmers and land managers playing a critical role in achieving these outcomes.

To support the continued delivery of Environmental Land Management agreements, including Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, Defra has introduced temporary adjustments that provide additional flexibility to support the delivery of CSHT. Agreement holders using these temporary measures must continue to meet all other scheme and legal requirements and return to the original requirements once conditions allow.

We do not expect recent changes to farm support schemes to reduce participation in Countryside Stewardship agreements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much and what proportion of the agriculture budget is being paid directly to farmers in the 2026–27 financial year.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (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. On 16 June 2025, following the 2025 Spending Review, Defra set out indicative funding figures (https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/16/spending-review-2025-a-commitment-to-farming/ ) for the 2026-27 to 2028-29 financial years, including plans to increase the amount of money paid to farmers under Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes from £800m in 2023/24 towards £2bn by 2028/29.

We have also recently published our Annual Report for 2025/26, which sets out that we spent £1.8bn on ELM schemes. This includes the Sustainable Farming Incentive, CS Higher Tier and ELM Capital.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to restore confidence among farmers in environmental land management and stewardship schemes.

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

Defra remains committed to supporting farmers through Environmental Land Management and stewardship schemes. We are working with the RPA to improve scheme delivery. We are also strengthening our communications with farmers, providing clearer information and greater certainty where possible. We are focused on ensuring these schemes support both profitable farm businesses and environmental outcomes.

Defra is committing £1.8bn for Environmental Land Management schemes in 25/26 rising to £2bn by 28/29.

Recent levels of uptake in both Countryside Stewardship capital offers, and the Sustainable Farming Incentive demonstrate continued farmer confidence in these schemes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much of the dentistry budget allocated to the South West has been underspent in each of the last five funding cycles.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information requested is not available as it has not been centrally validated.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much of the dentistry budget allocated to Dorset has been underspent in each of the last five funding cycles.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The information requested is not available as it has not been centrally validated.

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 drought and bluetongue on the viability of beef farms in West Dorset.

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

The Government recognises how hard this summer has been for farmers, including with regard to drought and bluetongue.

As announced in August 2026, the Government is supporting farmers through a range of measures. These include temporary Environmental Land Management flexibilities and up to £15m in funding million for on-farm reservoirs.

Defra has announced an extra £50 million for Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 Window 2, which opens later this month. This takes SFI26’s total budget to £290 million and helps more farmers access support.

The Environment Agency is prioritising short-term abstraction licence variations, and the Government is committed to continue working with the farming sector to improve resilience of on-farm water supply to ensure farmers can invest with confidence.

Defra continues to monitor the effects of the disease through surveillance, including information on fallen stock, and ongoing engagement with farmers, veterinary professionals and industry representatives. Defra is also monitoring impacts of dry conditions which vary by farm type, geography and access to water.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support is available to beef farmers in West Dorset for costs and livestock losses as a result of drought and bluetongue.

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

Defra recognises the significant challenges posed by bluetongue and drought, including for farmers in West Dorset, alongside other pressures facing farmers and veterinary professionals. On 15 August, Defra announced a £65 million package to support farmers and strengthen long-term resilience. This includes an additional £50 million for the Sustainable Farming Incentive, up to £15 million through the Water Management Grant, and temporary adjustments to Environmental Land Management agreements. Farmers can access support through GOV.UK bluetongue guidance, the Rural Services Helpline and Farming Help. Keepers can access the animal health and welfare pathway, including an annual funded visit by a veterinarian.

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 adequacy of police powers where a dog has attacked and killed a domestic cat.

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

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. Crown Prosecution Service guidance indicates that attacks on other animals, including cats, may amount to a dog being dangerously out of control, particularly where a person is injured or may be injured. The police have the powers to seize dogs and owners may face imprisonment for up to 14 years and be banned from owning a dog. Enforcement following dog attacks is a matter for the police.

This Government keeps dog control legislation including police powers under review and works with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to promote responsible ownership, support enforcement, improve public education and strengthen data on dog attacks.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of increased prices for specialist free from foods on the health and wellbeing of people with medically diagnosed food intolerances and allergies.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to the Hon Member for Rushcliffe on 3 July 2026 to Question 13254.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is available to people with coeliac disease in West Dorset to help meet the additional cost of a gluten-free diet.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to the Hon Member for Rushcliffe on 3 July 2026 to Question 13254.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the cost of gluten-free food on people with coeliac disease in West Dorset.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to the Hon Member for Rushcliffe on 3 July 2026 to Question 13254.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she has considered the potential merits of introducing additional support for households with medically diagnosed coeliac disease to help meet the additional cost of gluten-free food.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to the Hon Member for Rushcliffe on 3 July 2026 to Question 13254.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the affordability of gluten-free foods for people with coeliac disease in West Dorset.

Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to the Hon Member for Rushcliffe on 3 July 2026 to Question 13254.

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 protections for domestic pets following serious dog attacks in West Dorset.

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

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. Crown Prosecution Service guidance indicates that attacks on other animals, including cats, may amount to a dog being dangerously out of control, particularly where a person is injured or may be injured. Owners may face imprisonment for up to 14 years and be banned from owning a dog. Enforcement following dog attacks is a matter for the police.

This Government keeps dog control legislation under review and works with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to promote responsible ownership, support enforcement, improve public education and strengthen data on dog attacks.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of strengthening the law to protect domestic cats from dog attacks.

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

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. Crown Prosecution Service guidance indicates that attacks on other animals, including cats, may amount to a dog being dangerously out of control, particularly where a person is injured or may be injured. Owners may face imprisonment for up to 14 years and be banned from owning a dog. Enforcement following dog attacks is a matter for the police.

This Government keeps dog control legislation under review and works with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to promote responsible ownership, support enforcement, improve public education and strengthen data on dog attacks.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what criteria are used to determine whether a dog that has (a) attacked and (b) killed another animal should be considered dangerous.

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

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. Crown Prosecution Service guidance indicates that attacks on other animals, including cats, may amount to a dog being dangerously out of control, particularly where a person is injured or may be injured. Owners may face imprisonment for up to 14 years and be banned from owning a dog. Enforcement following dog attacks is a matter for the police.

This Government keeps dog control legislation under review and works with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to promote responsible ownership, support enforcement, improve public education and strengthen data on dog attacks.

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 adequacy of legislation protecting domestic cats from dangerous dogs.

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

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence for any dog to be dangerously out of control in any place. Crown Prosecution Service guidance indicates that attacks on other animals, including cats, may amount to a dog being dangerously out of control, particularly where a person is injured or may be injured. Owners may face imprisonment for up to 14 years and be banned from owning a dog. Enforcement following dog attacks is a matter for the police.

This Government keeps dog control legislation under review and works with the police, local authorities and animal welfare organisations to promote responsible ownership, support enforcement, improve public education and strengthen data on dog attacks.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to protect the UK beef industry from increased imports from countries with different production costs and regulatory requirements.

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

Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.

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 levels of Brazilian beef imports on farm incomes and the long-term viability of the UK beef sector.

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

Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what safeguards are in place to prevent Brazilian beef imports adversely impacting British beef producers.

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

Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.

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 levels of Brazilian beef imports on UK beef farmers.

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

Based on current evidence, Defra does not consider it likely that there will be significant diversion of Brazilian meat into Great Britain. In 2025, UK imports from Brazil accounted for only 1.4% of UK beef supply and 1.5% of poultry meat supply, excluding imports of processed meat (e.g. corned beef). Brazilian exporters have a wide range of established alternative markets. Defra will continue to monitor developments closely.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential risk of wildfires in West Dorset during the summer of 2026.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Fire and Rescue Authorities are responsible for assessing and planning for wildfire risk locally through their Community Risk Management Plans and work with other responders to ensure appropriate preparedness.

However, to strengthen resilience more broadly, MHCLG and Defra have established joint governance arrangements with partners across government and the resilience sector to drive coordinated action on prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This work is helping to inform the development of a cross-government Wildfire Action Plan to improve resilience over the short, medium and long term.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of fires caused by disposable barbecues in Dorset in each of the last five years.

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

Information on fires caused by barbecues is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (table FIRE0602) and can be filtered by Fire and Rescue Authority area, including Dorset. Data on fires specifically caused by disposable barbecues is not included, but data collection is being improved through the Fire and Rescue Data Platform.

Prosecution of parents of children with SEND for school absence

Administration of PAPYRUS

World Suicide Prevention Day 2026

English Wine Week 2026

Civil Service pensions

Political donations and campaign finance regulation

Second Reading of the Mental Capacity (Duty to Assess) Bill

Royal National Lifeboat Institution (No. 2)

Found: Atkins from the Cabinet Office; • on 3 June 2026, from Ben Obese-Jecty MP, Charlie Dewhirst MP, Edward Morello