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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing a levy for the cost of disposing pesticide products.

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

The Government is not currently considering a levy for the safe and legal disposal of pesticide products.

All pesticide users should follow good practice in the use, storage and disposal of pesticide products, and work to reduce the amount of waste they produce, as set out in the Code of Practice for Using Plant Protection Products.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing a levy on pesticides.

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

The Government is not currently considering a levy on pesticides products.

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 report by the Electoral Commission entitled Report on the 2024 UK Parliamentary general election and the May 2024 elections, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations in that report on postal voting.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 17831 on 12 December 2024.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce mandatory labelling on animal products.

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

The UK maintains high standards on the information that is provided on food labels, whether that be mandatory or voluntary, so that consumers can have confidence in the food that they buy. All food sold on the UK market must comply with food labelling rules.

A public consultation on fairer food labelling was undertaken last year by the previous government. This sought views on proposals to improve and extend current mandatory method of production labelling for certain pork, chicken and egg products. The consultation also sought views on whether new rules should be introduced on country-of-origin labelling. We are now carefully considering all responses before deciding on next steps and will respond to this consultation in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department to tackle shortages of NHS dentists in Devon.

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

We are aware of the challenges people face in accessing a dentist, particularly in more rural and coastal areas. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Integrated care boards have started to advertise posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.

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 is taking to support the building of social housing in Devon.

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

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help (a) support women in the workplace and (b) help tackle (i) pregnancy and (ii) maternity discrimination.

Answered by Anneliese Dodds - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Women’s equality is at the core of this Government's missions. As part of the Employment Rights Bill, we are introducing robust measures to support and safeguard working women. This includes strengthening protections against workplace sexual harassment and requiring employers to develop gender pay gap and menopause action plans.

The Employment Rights Bill will also make it unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on Maternity Leave, and mothers who return to work for a six-month period after they return – except in specific circumstances.

The Bill will also make Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave ‘day one’ rights and ensure flexible working is the default, except where it is not reasonably feasible. These changes will provide further support for both men and women balancing work and care.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to publish the homelessness strategy.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

We expect to publish the strategy following the conclusion of Phase 2 of the Spending Review.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to prohibit landlords from requiring more than one month's rent in advance.

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

The Renters’ Rights Bill already makes such provision. I refer the hon. Member to the Report Stage proceedings on 14 January 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how she plans to roll out additional funding for social homes announced in the Autumn Budget 2024.

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

At the Budget on 30 October 2024, the Chancellor announced a one year top up of £500 million to the Affordable Homes Programme.

Bidding is already open to local authorities and other social landlords through Homes England and the Greater London Authority.

In addition, at the multi-year Spending Review, the government will set out details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme. This new investment will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for Social Rent.

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 help support people with long covid in Devon.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

NHS Devon continues to provide long COVID services for patients in Devon. The services are provided by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Livewell Southwest and Torbay, and the South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.

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 help support people with ME in Devon.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

Integrated care boards are responsible for commissioning specialist myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), services that meet the needs of their population, including in Devon, subject to local prioritisation and funding.

NHS England colleagues in the south west of England have engaged with the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which is in the process of developing formal pathways for acute admission and emergency admission for patients with ME/CFS.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy that all changes to financial support for (a) people who are unwell and (b) disabled people be preceded by a public consultation.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We are working to develop proposals for health and disability reform in the months ahead and will set them out in a Green Paper ahead of the Spring Statement. This will launch a public consultation on the proposals.

This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, so we will consult on these proposals, where appropriate, with disabled people and representative organisations.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has plans to announce any changes to the benefit system for financial year 2024-25.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Our Get Britain Working White Paper sets out that we plan to develop proposals for long term reform of the system of health and disability benefits.

We are working to develop proposals for Health and Disability reform in the months ahead and will set them out in a Green Paper in Spring.

The Get Britain Working White Paper also sets out our plans to bring down economic inactivity levels and take the first steps to delivering our long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate. It can be accessed here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-britain-working-white-paper

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of GDPR regulations on people who experience bank (a) fraud ,(b) error and (c) deletions.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP will ensure that any data is processed in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Department routinely handles large volumes of data and has robust security processes in place to manage the safe transfer, storage, and use of data.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to support benefits claimants who are being investigated by her Department but no longer have access to required information because it has been deleted by their bank.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Where DWP is conducting a criminal investigation into suspected fraud it may request relevant information from third parties. Information received may be presented as evidence if that investigation proceeds to prosecution. Requests for information must comply with DWP’s statutory Code of Practice.

Where an individual is asked to provide information to the department, they should endeavour to provide it unless there is a reason that they cannot. If they are dissatisfied with the service they have received, they should raise the issue with the team handling their case. If they do not feel they have received a satisfactory service, they can raise this with the Independent Case Examiner.

DWP’s complaints procedure can be found here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing financial borrowing rules for local authorities for council house building.

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

Local authorities set their own capital strategies and are free to determine their own borrowing limits within the Prudential Framework.

The government is helping local authorities borrow at a reduced cost from the Public Works Loan Board to support council housebuilding in the Housing Revenue Account. The preferential rate of gilts+0.4% rate will be in place to the end of 2025-26.

We will bring forward details of future government investment in social and affordable housing at the multi-year Spending Review this year.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze on applications for grants on farmer confidence in Countryside Stewardship.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the pause on new applications for grants on hedge restoration and planting.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the pause on new applications for grants on tree nurseries.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the pause on new applications for grants on rural employment.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made on the potential impact of hedgerow grants on the environmental land management scheme budget.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will reinstate capital grants for hedgerow work.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the blog entitled An update on capital grants, published on 27 November 2024, what assessment he has made of changes to capital grants on young people starting their career in land management.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze on hedgerow grant applications on ecosystem services.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze on hedgerow grants on employment in the hedgerow business this winter.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze on applications for grants on farmer confidence in the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with farmers on the freeze on applications for hedgerow grants.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will end the freeze on applications for hedgerow grants.

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

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals.

In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position.

We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget.

We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

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 allow more empty premises to be used.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 6686 on 14 October 2024.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will provide additional funding for local dental laboratories.

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

We recognise the importance of dental laboratories and the role they play in support of National Health Service dental services.

The independent pay review body for doctors and dentists recommended a 6% pay uplift for 2024/25. The Government accepted the recommendation and has uplifted NHS primary care dentistry contract values by 4.64%, net of pay and expenses elements. Laboratory costs are part of the expenses element of this uplift.

The Government implemented the overall uplift to contract values on 29 January. Uplifted payments will be made in March, backdated to 1 April 2024.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will take into account the potential impact on (a) health, (b) hospitals and (c) health services when making decisions on (i) transport and (ii) connectivity.

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

Transport investment decisions are based upon the development and consideration of a business case, which assesses the costs of investment against a wide range of benefits to transport users and the rest of society, including health-related impacts such as air quality, noise, accidents, and physical activity. The Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) provides comprehensive guidance and tools to support the inclusion of these impacts in business cases.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it his policy to introduce a requirement that a minimum proportion of large developments should be social rented housing.

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

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December includes new Golden Rules for development on the Green Belt. Prior to development plan policies for affordable housing being updated in accordance with the revised NPPF, the affordable housing contribution required to satisfy the ‘Golden Rules’ is 15 percentage points above the highest existing affordable housing requirement that would otherwise apply to the development, subject to a cap of 50%. We estimate that under this model, the median Green Belt local planning authority affordable housing requirement will be 50%.

Outside of the Green Belt, it is for local authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require affordable housing, and to reflect this in their planning policies. However, the government have made clear that authorities should consider the particular needs of those who require Social Rent homes when undertaking needs assessments and setting policies on affordable housing requirements.

Changing drinking culture on the parliamentary estate

EWS1 forms and market disruption

US proposals for Gaza

South Western Railway service standards and performance

World Cancer Day and Leukaemia UK’s Take Action, Save Lives report

Impact of Storm Herminia in Somerset and the South West

Maternity care in the UK

Women's health hubs

The EU and the arms trade, human rights, and the Israel-Gaza conflict

Israeli Knesset decision to ban UNRWA

CAMRA Pub of the Year award 2024 for The Bailey Head

Free-to-air television coverage of the Six Nations

Hayes School outstanding Ofsted rating

Preventing sudden deaths from undiagnosed heart conditions

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025

US trade and impact assessments

Found: Martin Wrigley: Yes, but I am still thinking about the larder.

Found: In response to Martin Wrigley (column 77) I said: “The permanent relief will come in at 40% in 2026-

Submit Evidence (by 2 Mar 2025)

Following the general election, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced plans to become the “digital centre of government”. It was also confirmed that the Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for Artificial Intelligence would move from the Cabinet Office into DSIT, to “unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services under one department”.