Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) he and (b) his Ministers have had recent discussions with dental schools in the South West on encouraging newly qualified dentists to work in NHS‑providing dental practices in rural communities, such as Torridge.

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

On 10 December, I met with several Members of Parliament from the South West to discuss their proposal to expand the number of Government-funded places provided to Peninsula Dental School. Tackling the geographical disparities in access to National Health Service dentistry is vital, and I welcome efforts which strive to help deliver this ambition.

As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will make it a requirement for newly qualified dentists to practice in the NHS for a minimum period. We intend this minimum period to be at least three years. That will mean more NHS dentists, more NHS appointments, and better oral health.

Integrated care boards are continuing to recruit dentists through the Golden Hello scheme. The scheme offers a £20,000 recruitment incentive payment to dentists to work in those areas that need them most. The scheme remains a national priority.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Devon Integrated Care Board on access to non-emergency NHS dental appointments for (a) children and (b) elderly people in Torridge.

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

We are aware of the challenges faced in accessing a National Health Service dentist across the country, and we are taking steps to address this, including by increasing the availability of urgent dental care and reforming the dental contract.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population is delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. There are a number of forums for engagement, and NHS England regions lead on engagement with ICBs. For Torridge, this is NHS England South West.

We have asked ICBs to commission extra urgent, non-emergency, dental appointments to make sure that patients can get the treatment they require. ICBs have been making extra urgent dental appointments available since April 2025. NHS Devon ICB, which includes the Torridge and Tavistock constituency, has been asked to deliver 24,269 additional urgent dental appointments as part of the scheme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she will (a) hold discussions with stakeholders on Dartmoor and (b) attend the forthcoming annual Dartmoor Forum this spring.

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

The Government is committed to supporting our Protected Landscapes, including Dartmoor, recognising their vital importance to national priorities.

The Secretary of State will continue to engage with a wide range of partners and stakeholders on Dartmoor as part of this work.

The Dartmoor Land Use Management Group has been established to provide a collaborative and co-ordinated approach to land management on Dartmoor. Its purpose is to bring together farmers, conservation bodies, public agencies, and other stakeholders to help rebuild trust and improve working relationships.

The Secretary of State recently announced a new partnership between Dartmoor, Defra and social entrepreneur Dr Hilary Cottam OBE, working to transform the way uplands land can support food production and create new income opportunities, alongside wider public benefits.

I would be happy to attend the Dartmoor Forum this spring subject to confirmation of the date.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her timetable is for notifying local authorities of their multi‑year allocations for the Local Authority Bus Grants.

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

Multi-year allocations of the Local Authority Bus Grant allocations were published on GOV.UK on 5 December 2025.

Found: rhagdybiaeth wrthbrofadwy’ yn AGGD, a gyhoeddwyd yn 2018 yn dilyn yr adolygiad gan y Twrnai Cyffredinol (Geoffrey Cox

Found: model within the AGGD, promulgated in 2018 following the review by the Attorney General (then Geoffrey Cox

Found: model within the AGGD, promulgated in 2018 following the review by the Attorney General (then Geoffrey Cox