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 assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of high property prices on the availability of social housing in rural constituencies.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.
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, whether her Department is providing support to local authorities in rural areas where demand for social housing exceeds supply.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.
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 & Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a new waste incinerator in Portland on (a) levels of traffic and (b) infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 8613 answered on 18 October 2024.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 merits of extending the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond March 2025.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Future Government spending is a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.
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 her Department is taking to ensure there is adequacy supply of social housing in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.
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 assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Portland Incinerator on local infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The full reasons for the decision to grant the permission in question are set out in the published decision letter and Inspector’s Report. The Inspector’s Report provides a complete list of the evidence which was before the Inquiry. Having issued this decision, the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of primary care facilities for the diagnosis of stages of breast cancer.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The two most common routes through which breast cancer is diagnosed is following an urgent referral from a general practitioner, on the basis of signs and symptoms, or via breast screening, which happens in fixed or mobile breast screening units.
In March 2024, NHS England published guidance for local systems on implementing a timed breast cancer diagnostic pathway, setting out how diagnosis within 28-days can be achieved for the suspected breast cancer pathway.
Urgent referral pathways for people with breast symptoms who cannot be managed in primary care are also in place across England. While not on a suspected cancer pathway, these referrals should still be able to expect an outcome within 28 days of initial referral.
Since March 2024, NHS England has also been implementing breast pain pathways across England, with more than 60% of secondary care providers having established a live service. Breast pain on its own is not a sign of breast cancer. Introducing the breast pain pathways helps to ensure that patients who are at low risk of cancer receive rapid reassurance, and also helps to ensure that the urgent pathways are available for those who need them. Breast pain pathways are mainly managed within primary care or community diagnostic centres.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to increase funding opportunities for grassroots sports facilities in rural constituencies.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is committed to expanding access to community and grassroots sport across the UK and believe it should be accessible to all people, in all parts of the country.
The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on bringing the health and sport sectors together at community level and to champion physical activity with local leaders to develop interventions tailored to communities.
Throughout 2024/25, the Government is investing £123 million to provide new and improved multi-sport grassroot facilities and pitches across the UK, including in rural areas. The Football Foundation plans their investment pipeline based on Local Football Facility Plans (LFFPs). These plans have been developed in partnership with local authorities and are in the process of being refreshed to reflect the current landscape. Should a constituent have an enquiry about prospective investment at a specific facility, they can get in touch with the Football Foundation directly via enquiries@footballfoundation.org.uk.
We will confirm details of future support following the upcoming Spending Review, including how we intend to distribute funding across communities in different areas of the United Kingdom.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) recruitment and (b) retention in rural police forces.
Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is important that all forces recruit and retain the skills they need. Decisions about police recruitment, including how recruitment and selection processes are run, are a matter for Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners and are therefore managed locally by forces.
We recognise the importance of tackling rural crime. We are committed to safeguarding rural communities, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing, and stronger laws to prevent farm theft and fly tippers.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
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 improve support for people living with secondary breast cancer in rural areas.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
Reducing unwarranted variation in cancer treatment is a strategic priority for NHS England’s Cancer Programme. The programme was commissioned by the Royal College of Surgeons and aims to deliver 10 cancer clinical audits, including two audits on primary and metastatic breast cancer.
To help improve outcomes and treatments for patients in all areas, NHS England funded an audit into primary and metastatic breast cancer. Using routine data collected on patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in a National Health Service setting as part of their care and treatment, the audit brings together information to look at what is being done well, where it’s being done well, and what needs to be done better. On 12 September 2024 the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre published their State of the Nation Report on primary and metastatic breast cancer.
The Department supports statutory integrated care systems (ICSs) in delivering NHS services across England. ICSs are partnerships of organisations which come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services, to improve the lives of the people who live and work in their area. This includes considering adequate healthcare provision for populations in towns and rural areas, and working collaboratively to plan for population change.
The organisations within an ICS include the NHS, local government, social care providers, charities, and other organisations working together to provide more joined up care for people, and to improve the outcomes for their populations.