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 help support communities in rural areas to access (a) funding and (b) other incentives for net-zero projects.

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

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.

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 provide (a) administrative and (b) financial support to help rural off-grid households switch to low-carbon heating solutions in West Dorset.

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

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.

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 local businesses in West Dorset Constituency to access (a) funding and (b) incentives for local net-zero projects.

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

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to increase the availability of GP appointments in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We know that patients are finding it harder than ever to see a general practitioner (GP), we know that this applies to the constituents of West Dorset, and we are committed to fixing the crisis in GPs.

West Dorset sits within the NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board, where the number of appointments delivered in August 2024 was 396,000. In August 2023, 409,000 appointments were delivered. This is a decrease of 3.2%.

Our plan will require both investment and reform. Firstly, we will increase the proportion of funding for GPs, starting with a commitment to recruit over 1,000 newly qualified GPs through an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. This will increase the number of appointments delivered in GPs, secure the future pipeline of GPs, and take pressure off those currently working in the system.

Additionally, we will deliver a modern booking system to end the 8:00am scramble for GP appointments and will bring back the family doctor by incentivising GPs to see the same patient.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage afforestation projects to (a) enhance biodiversity and (b) reduce carbon emissions.

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

Total tree planting and woodland creation reached over 5,500 hectares in England in 2023/24.

All publicly subsidised afforestation projects must comply with the UK Forestry Standards (UKFS) requirements. The UKFS has been developed specifically for forestry in the UK and is based on applying internationally agreed criteria which support the delivery of sustainable forest management and recognise the need to balance environmental, economic and social objectives.

The England Woodland Creation Offer includes supplements that incentivise the creation of native woodland with high biodiversity potential. Biodiversity Net Gain also offers opportunities to create new woodlands that enhance biodiversity.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the risk of coastal erosion on (a) agricultural land and (b) rural infrastructure.

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

England has some of the most rapidly eroding coast in Europe due to natural processes. Climate change, sea level rise and increased storminess will increase the rate of change, which will threaten the resilience of coastal communities if no action is taken.

In January 2025, the Environment Agency (EA) will publish the updated National Coastal Erosion Risk Map for England. This is based on a further ten years of coastal monitoring data, the latest climate change evidence and technical input from coastal local authorities. It will provide the best available information on coastal erosion risk and be used by coastal local authorities and the EA to inform coastal management investment and local planning decisions.

The new data and map will include coastal erosion projections through this century, including the effects of climate change and provide an updated assessment of properties, infrastructure and agricultural land at risk. It takes account of the latest coastal management approaches set out in Shoreline Management Plans.

To ensure we protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, we will invest £2.4 billion over the next two years to improve flood resilience, by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences. We are investing £36 million supporting local authorities in East Riding of Yorkshire, North Norfolk and Dorset to explore innovative approaches in adapting to the effects of coastal erosion.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of coastal erosion on (a) agricultural land and (b) rural infrastructure.

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

England has some of the most rapidly eroding coast in Europe due to natural processes. Climate change, sea level rise and increased storminess will increase the rate of change, which will threaten the resilience of coastal communities if no action is taken.

In January 2025, the Environment Agency (EA) will publish the updated National Coastal Erosion Risk Map for England. This is based on a further ten years of coastal monitoring data, the latest climate change evidence and technical input from coastal local authorities. It will provide the best available information on coastal erosion risk and be used by coastal local authorities and the EA to inform coastal management investment and local planning decisions.

The new data and map will include coastal erosion projections through this century, including the effects of climate change and provide an updated assessment of properties, infrastructure and agricultural land at risk. It takes account of the latest coastal management approaches set out in Shoreline Management Plans.

To ensure we protect the country from the devastating impacts of flooding, we will invest £2.4 billion over the next two years to improve flood resilience, by maintaining, repairing and building flood defences. We are investing £36 million supporting local authorities in East Riding of Yorkshire, North Norfolk and Dorset to explore innovative approaches in adapting to the effects of coastal erosion.

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 people in rural communities to (a) transition to renewable energy sources and (b) maintain local environmental protections.

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

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will conduct a review of arts centres to ensure that buildings are (a) safe and (b) sustainable.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

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.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to provide health services for disabled people in isolated areas.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Under the NHS Act 2006, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care must promote a comprehensive health service in England.

Integrated care systems (ICSs) are responsible for the planning and delivery of health and care services in their local area, including meeting the needs of disabled people in rural communities. Local priorities are set out in the integrated care strategy, which must be informed by local assessments of need. The Department published updated statutory guidance on integrated care strategies in February 2024.

The importance of supporting rural communities has been recognised by the Chief Medical Officer in his reports, which also recognised the role played by ICSs in understanding local needs and arranging services to meet these needs.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support rural (a) arts venues, (b) museums and (c) community centres in West Dorset constituency.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with representatives of arts centres on the potential impact of their finances on their ability to provide employment for young people.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what steps her Department is taking to balance requirements for new housing developments with the protection of heritage sites.

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

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.

Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the owners of listed buildings that are seeking to adapt their buildings to modern energy efficiency standards.

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

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.

Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of those proposed reforms on the owners of listed buildings in rural areas.

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

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.

Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential economic impact of sewage discharges into the sea on businesses in constituencies who rely on the tourism industry.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, of the potential impact of a lack of nest sites, including buildings, on Red Listed cavity-nesting birds.

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

Cavity nesting birds in England that use buildings, and which are on the Red List (Birds of Conservation Concern), are the house sparrow, house martin, swift and starling. While Defra has not made an assessment of the potential impact of a lack of nest sites, Natural England, working with its partners, has identified that the lack of nest sites is one of the pressures on these species. Therefore, provision of nest boxes may aid recovery alongside other actions, such as to increase food resources.

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 rural off-grid households to switch to low-carbon heating solutions in West Dorset constituency.

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

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.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) funding and (b) other support his Department is providing to farmers to transition to more sustainable agricultural practices in West Dorset constituency.

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

Defra’s farming budget will be £2.4 billion in 2025/26. This will include the largest ever budget directed at sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history: £1.8 billion for environmental land management schemes. This funding will deliver improvements to food security, biodiversity, carbon emissions, water quality, air quality and flood resilience.

Environmental Land Management schemes will remain at the centre of our offer for farmers, with the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier and Landscape Recovery all continuing. These offer funding streams for farmers to make their businesses more sustainable and resilient, including those who have been often ignored such as small, grassland, upland and tenant farmers.

We will work with the sector to continue to roll out, improve and evolve these schemes, to make them work for farming and nature.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 24 September 2024, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including proposals to reduce the administrative requirements for the owners of listed buildings who are seeking planning permissions.

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

Further to my answer to Question UIN 10200 on 29 October 2024, as the Government takes forward its programme of planning reform we will consider the need for guidance to support listed building owners and look for opportunities to improve the heritage planning process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will take steps to provide additional (a) support and (b) guidance to the owners of listed buildings in West Dorset constituency on her proposed changes to the planning framework.

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

Further to my answer to Question UIN 10200 on 29 October 2024, as the Government takes forward its programme of planning reform we will consider the need for guidance to support listed building owners and look for opportunities to improve the heritage planning process.

Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Social care workers and National Insurance

Visually impaired cricket team Australia tour

Cuts to the International Development Budget

Access to banking hubs

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication shortages

360 years of the Royal Marines in the South West

Found: Gideon Amos Alex Ballinger John McDonnell Mrs Sureena Brackenridge Claire Hanna Sammy Wilson Edward

Found: Gideon Amos Alex Ballinger John McDonnell Mrs Sureena Brackenridge Claire Hanna Sammy Wilson Edward

Found: Hamilton Alex Ballinger John McDonnell Mrs Sureena Brackenridge Claire Hanna Sammy Wilson Edward

Found: Hamilton Alex Ballinger John McDonnell Mrs Sureena Brackenridge Claire Hanna Sammy Wilson Edward

Found: Hamilton Alex Ballinger John McDonnell Mrs Sureena Brackenridge Claire Hanna Sammy Wilson Edward

Found: Hamilton Alex Ballinger John McDonnell Mrs Sureena Brackenridge Claire Hanna Sammy Wilson Edward

Found: Chambers Manuela Perteghella Anna Sabine Ann Davies Munira Wilson Susan Murray Alison Bennett Edward

Found: Chambers Manuela Perteghella Anna Sabine Ann Davies Munira Wilson Susan Murray Alison Bennett Edward

The Committee periodically questions the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and the Permanent Under-Secretary, alongside other relevant officials on the overall management of the FCDO, topical or urgent matters and the Committee’s inquiry work.

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