Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the number of maternal mental health services who are providing support to those who have experienced parent-infant separation at or soon after birth due to safeguarding concerns.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is considering a wide range of issues to inform the development of the maternity and neonatal action plan, including support for perinatal mental health. Perinatal mental health will also be considered as part of our upcoming Mental Health Strategy. We will set out further details in due course.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what rights are in place to protect existing businesses in relation to the development of new neighbouring residential premises.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to policy P4 of the new National Planning Policy Framework published on 17 August.
We will publish new planning practice guidance relating in respect of this policy in due course. In conjunction with publishing the said guidance, we will also write to local authorities highlighting the importance of this issue.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, steps she is taking to help tackle the variation in provision of specialist perinatal mental health midwife roles across NHS Trusts.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is considering a wide range of issues to inform the development of the maternity and neonatal action plan, including support for perinatal mental health. Perinatal mental health will also be considered as part of our upcoming Mental Health Strategy. We will set out further details in due course.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
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 adequacy of the level of specialist perinatal mental health midwife provision across NHS Trusts.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is considering a wide range of issues to inform the development of the maternity and neonatal action plan, including support for perinatal mental health. Perinatal mental health will also be considered as part of our upcoming Mental Health Strategy. We will set out further details in due course.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
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 implications for her policies of the outcomes of the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment pilot since its launch in 2021; and what plans she has to apply lessons learned from that project to improve water conservation and river health elsewhere in Buckinghamshire.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The pilot demonstrates how catchment-scale partnerships can deliver lasting improvements to chalk stream habitats. Through the Water (Special Measures) Act, reforms in the Water White Paper, and targeted investments via the Water Restoration and Water Environment Improvement Funds, we aim to ensure these iconic habitats are preserved for future generations.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of existing (a) education, (b) training and (c) skills provision to support recruitment and retention in the food and farming supply chain.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The government recognises that access to a skilled workforce is essential to the resilience and long-term success of the food and farming supply chain. The Farming Roadmap 2050 sets out a long-term vision for a productive and resilient farming sector, including support for skills, workforce development and career pathways.
Employers across agriculture, food production and processing help shape technical qualifications and apprenticeship standards, helping to ensure training reflects workforce needs. Young people and adults can access a range of routes into these sectors, including apprenticeships, T Levels, technical qualifications, further education courses and higher technical qualifications, alongside provision delivered by specialist land-based colleges.
In 2025/26, the government is investing £154 million in programme funding for land-based colleges, supporting the specialist training and facilities needed to develop the skilled workforce the food and farming sectors require.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to promote participation in technical, vocational and apprenticeship pathways relevant to careers in the food and farming supply chain.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Schools must provide pupils with at least six opportunities during years 8 to 13 to hear directly from providers of apprenticeships and technical education, helping them understand the full range of pathways available.
We fund the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) to work with employers and sector bodies to help young people understand and access technical, vocational and apprenticeship pathways in the food and farming supply chain. CEC is partnering with the Institute of Grocery Distribution through Feeding Britain’s Future to help young people learn about careers and pathways across the food system. It also works with agricultural organisations to bring employer insight into education.
Careers hubs across England support locally led employer engagement, work experience and mentoring in agriculture and agri-tech. This helps young people understand the pathways available while supporting employers to develop future talent.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
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 adequacy of firefighter numbers in Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service; and what estimate she has made of the number of additional firefighters required to meet current and projected operational demand in Buckinghamshire.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Decisions on firefighter resourcing, including on the location, number and staffing model for fire stations, are a matter for each local fire and rescue authority and the Chief Fire Officer. These decisions will best manage and respond to demand based on risks identified within local Community Risk Management Plans.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
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 adequacy of Health and Safety Executive guidance on workplace uniform requirements during periods of extreme heat.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to employers on measures they can take to protect workers during periods of extreme heat. This includes considering changes to working arrangements and relaxing formal dress codes, including staff uniform policies, where appropriate. However, employers must ensure that any personal protective equipment required for the work activity continues to be worn.
HSE will be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature and there will be an opportunity to respond in due course.
Asked by: Laura Kyrke-Smith (Labour - Aylesbury)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to issue guidance to employers on adapting staff uniform policies during heatwaves.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to employers on measures they can take to protect workers during periods of extreme heat. This includes considering changes to working arrangements and relaxing formal dress codes, including staff uniform policies, where appropriate. However, employers must ensure that any personal protective equipment required for the work activity continues to be worn.
HSE will be launching a public consultation on proposed changes to the Approved Code of Practice for the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, including those relating to workplace temperature and there will be an opportunity to respond in due course.