Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of replacing EHCPs under SEND reform plans on children with complex needs.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
This government inherited a special educational needs and disability (SEND) system that has been failing to meet the needs of children and families for far too long. The department knows that families face real challenges getting education, health and care (EHC) plans where their children need them and ultimately, even after fighting to secure the entitlement, a plan does not guarantee that the right support will be delivered.
That is why the department is currently considering reforms to the SEND system and will be setting out proposals in a White Paper in the autumn. Our priority is improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, so that they can achieve and thrive. This means addressing the overall systemic issues that make SEND support so hard to access. As part of the work leading up to the White Paper, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has met a range of children, families and campaigners to explore how the SEND system can be improved.
At this stage the department has not made any decisions about the future of EHC plans. As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has said, there will always be a legal right to the additional support that children with SEND need.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - 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 recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of a national rainwater management strategy.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
We recognise that recycling rainwater plays a key role in balancing water supply and demand. Implementing rainwater management systems is a key part of existing Government strategy to review Building Regulations and water regulation, to meet the statutory Water Demand Target to reduce water usage by 20% by 2038.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to update existing legislation on the use of high-weight agricultural vehicles on public roads to reflect modern vehicle (a) sizes, (b) traffic conditions and (c) safety standards.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State for Transport has not had discussions with road safety experts on updating legislation for the use of high-weight agricultural vehicles on public roads.
Legislative updates to the speed and weight limits of agricultural tractors were made in 2015. This increased the maximum weight limit for tractor-trailer combinations to 31 tonnes.
The government is not currently considering updates to the existing legislation on the use of high-weight agricultural vehicles but has engaged with the sector on this topic.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with road safety experts on updating legislation relating to the use of high-weight agricultural vehicles on public roads.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Secretary of State for Transport has not had discussions with road safety experts on updating legislation for the use of high-weight agricultural vehicles on public roads.
Legislative updates to the speed and weight limits of agricultural tractors were made in 2015. This increased the maximum weight limit for tractor-trailer combinations to 31 tonnes.
The government is not currently considering updates to the existing legislation on the use of high-weight agricultural vehicles but has engaged with the sector on this topic.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department has consulted families and local authorities on the future of EHCPs as part of SEND system reform.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
This government inherited a special educational needs and disability (SEND) system that has been failing to meet the needs of children and families for far too long. The department knows that families face real challenges getting education, health and care (EHC) plans where their children need them and ultimately, even after fighting to secure the entitlement, a plan does not guarantee that the right support will be delivered.
That is why the department is currently considering reforms to the SEND system and will be setting out proposals in a White Paper in the autumn. Our priority is improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, so that they can achieve and thrive. This means addressing the overall systemic issues that make SEND support so hard to access. As part of the work leading up to the White Paper, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has met a range of children, families and campaigners to explore how the SEND system can be improved.
At this stage the department has not made any decisions about the future of EHC plans. As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has said, there will always be a legal right to the additional support that children with SEND need.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to phase out Education, Health and Care Plans as part of its SEND reform proposals.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
This government inherited a special educational needs and disability (SEND) system that has been failing to meet the needs of children and families for far too long. The department knows that families face real challenges getting education, health and care (EHC) plans where their children need them and ultimately, even after fighting to secure the entitlement, a plan does not guarantee that the right support will be delivered.
That is why the department is currently considering reforms to the SEND system and will be setting out proposals in a White Paper in the autumn. Our priority is improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND, so that they can achieve and thrive. This means addressing the overall systemic issues that make SEND support so hard to access. As part of the work leading up to the White Paper, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has met a range of children, families and campaigners to explore how the SEND system can be improved.
At this stage the department has not made any decisions about the future of EHC plans. As my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has said, there will always be a legal right to the additional support that children with SEND need.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of anti-money laundering compliance requirements on the financial viability of small and medium-sized law firms.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer to UIN 67269.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to strengthen Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 to prevent its circumvention through legal or administrative loopholes.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In November 2024, the government consulted on further reforms to the Right to Buy.
A formal response to that consultation was published on 2 July 2025 and can be found on gov.uk here.
As part of that response, the government noted arguments put forward by local authorities and their representative groups to exempt properties in rural areas or areas with populations of 3,000 or less.
We will explore whether changes should be made to Section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 to better protect social and affordable housing in rural communities.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on measures to hold parcel delivery companies to account for (a) delayed and (b) failed deliveries in rural areas.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.
Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf
Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on the adequacy of parcel delivery firms in ensuring consistent delivery standards in rural communities.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.
Ofcom engages regularly with parcel operators to understand their approach to implementation of Ofcom’s consumer protection measures. The results of its most recent survey research on consumer satisfaction with parcel delivery services is published in Ofcom’s 2023-24 Post Monitoring Report: www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/postal-services/monitoring-reports/2023-2024/post-monitoring-report-2023-24.pdf
Ofcom is committed to ongoing monitoring of market performance and will consider enforcement action if appropriate to do so.