Written questions by Dance.

Whether he has made a recent assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of providing NHS standard hearing tests to children in primary schools in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) England.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is an independent scientific advisory committee advising Ministers and the National Health Service about all aspects of population and targeted screening. It reviewed screening children for hearing problems in 2019 and did not recommend school age screening unless already implemented in an area. A summary of the recommendations conclusions is available at the following link:https://view-health-screening-recommendations.service.gov.uk/hearing-child/We would encourage anyone with concerns about their child’s hearing to speak with their general practitioner.The NHS does, however, run a national newborn hearing screening programme offering screening to all babies in England ideally within the first four to five weeks after they are born. The test can be done for babies up to the age of three months old. Newborn hearing screening aims to identify permanent moderate, severe and profound deafness and hearing impairment in newborn babies.

What steps she is taking to support (a) schools and (b) local authorities to provide education, care and health plans for children with special educational needs in Yeovil constituency.

The duty to conduct education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments, and to issue EHC plans if required, rests with the local authority.The department monitors and works closely with local authorities that have issues with the EHC needs assessment and plan process. Where there are concerns about a local authority’s capacity to make improvements, we ensure that the cause of problems is identified and an effective recovery plan is implemented.A joint local area inspection of Somerset’s special educational needs and disabilities services, undertaken by Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) in March 2020, identified nine areas of significant weakness. Following actions taken, the CQC and Ofsted revisited in November 2022 and confirmed that sufficient progress had been made in seven areas, including the timeliness and quality of EHC plans. Somerset produced an Accelerated Progress Plan to address the two remaining areas. With specialist support from special educational needs and disabilities advisors, sufficient progress was made on these areas and the plan was stepped down in February 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing discretionary grant funding for the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs on the farming industry in (a) Yeovil constituency (b) Somerset and (c) England.

Encouraging more young people into farming and land-based careers is vital to ensure a skilled workforce is in place and the longer-term viability of the sector. Defra works closely with the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC). Defra provides funding of up to £30,000 per year for specific project-based activity which supports skills development and training. My officials continue to work very closely with the NFYFC to deliver the 2025-26 grant to ensure value for money.

What steps he is taking to address geographic variations in (a) access and (b) efficacy of treatment for multiple sclerosis in (i) the South West and (ii) England.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning services for their local population, including for multiple sclerosis (MS), across England, including in the South West. The Government expects ICBs to assess the demand for service provision in designing their local services.At a national level, to reduce variation in access and treatment for patients with MS, there are initiatives to support better care for patients with neurological conditions such as MS across England. These include the Getting It Right First Time Programme for Neurology, which aims to improve MS care by supporting the National Health Service to address variations in care and promoting best practice.The Progressive Neurological Conditions Toolkit, published by NHS England’s RightCare Programme, supports healthcare systems in improving the care of individuals living with progressive neurological conditions, including MS. It aims to enhance local services and reduce hospital admissions by focusing on preventative care and optimising the delivery of services. NHS England’s Neurology Transformation Programme (NTP) is a multi-year programme to develop a new model of integrated care for neurology services. The NTP has collaborated with clinicians and patient groups to create specific pathways for MS, aiming to improve the quality and coordination of care. Last month, NHS England published its updated Specialised Neurology Service Specification for Adults, which includes MS. Service specifications define the standards of care expected from organisations funded by NHS England to provide specialised care.The three shifts outlined in the recently published 10-Year Health Plan will support people with long-term conditions, including those with MS, to better manage their condition and access services closer to home. For example, it will empower them to access their medical history and allow them to book and manage their appointments and medication.

Whether his Department is taking steps to help (a) increase recruitment and (b) tackle staffing shortages in the hospitality sector in (a) towns, (b) rural communities and (c) other places in (i) Somerset and (ii) other regions.

Hospitality businesses, including those in Somerset and across other regions, play a vital role in driving economic growth and strengthening community cohesion across the country.We work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council to improve the productivity and resilience of hospitality businesses by co-creating solutions to the issues impacting business performance, including in addressing jobs shortages and building the sector’s talent pipeline.As part of this, we are expanding Hospitality Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) which fast track individuals into hospitality vacancies by providing flexible training and support. SWAPs have already seen 10,000 starts in the sector in less than two years.

If he will take steps to increase (a) awareness and (b) understanding of the association between (i) hypermobility and (ii) neurodivergence in the NHS.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including support for neurodivergent people. We expect ICBs to have due regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when commissioning services, and for healthcare professionals to take these guidelines into account for the care and treatment of patients. NICE guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with stakeholders. The NICE guidelines on autism and those on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder highlight that, as part of the diagnostic process, clinicians should include an assessment of the person’s needs, co-existing conditions, and physical health, including fine and gross motor skills.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidanceThis guidance intends to help the NHS improve autism assessment services and the experience for those referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance highlights that physical health, and needs and difficulties, should feature as themes for discussion during the assessment process.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the level of (a) Value Added Tax rates and (b) business rates on the recovery of hospitality businesses in rural areas in Yeovil constituency.

The Government recognises the significant contribution made by hospitality and tourism businesses, including those in rural areas, to economic growth and social life in the UK. To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026/27, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including hotels, with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Ahead of these new multipliers being introduced, the Government recognises that businesses will need support in 2025/26. As such, we prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and we froze the small business multiplier. When the new, permanently lower tax rates are set at Budget 2025, the Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. The UK’s VAT rate of 20 per cent is close to the OECD average of 19.3 per cent. At £90,000, the UK has a higher VAT registration threshold than any EU country and the joint highest in the OECD. This keeps the majority of businesses out of the VAT regime altogether.

What assessment he has made of the potential links between hypermobility and neurodivergence.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including support for neurodivergent people. We expect ICBs to have due regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when commissioning services, and for healthcare professionals to take these guidelines into account for the care and treatment of patients. NICE guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with stakeholders. The NICE guidelines on autism and those on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder highlight that, as part of the diagnostic process, clinicians should include an assessment of the person’s needs, co-existing conditions, and physical health, including fine and gross motor skills.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidanceThis guidance intends to help the NHS improve autism assessment services and the experience for those referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance highlights that physical health, and needs and difficulties, should feature as themes for discussion during the assessment process.

What assessment he has made of the potential need to improve screening for hypermobility in neurodivergent individuals.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including support for neurodivergent people. We expect ICBs to have due regard to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when commissioning services, and for healthcare professionals to take these guidelines into account for the care and treatment of patients. NICE guidelines are developed by experts based on a thorough assessment of the available evidence and through extensive engagement with stakeholders. The NICE guidelines on autism and those on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder highlight that, as part of the diagnostic process, clinicians should include an assessment of the person’s needs, co-existing conditions, and physical health, including fine and gross motor skills.In April 2023, NHS England published a national framework and operational guidance for autism assessment services, which can be found at the following link:www.england.nhs.uk/publication/autism-diagnosis-and-operational-guidanceThis guidance intends to help the NHS improve autism assessment services and the experience for those referred to an autism assessment service. The guidance highlights that physical health, and needs and difficulties, should feature as themes for discussion during the assessment process.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of rising energy costs on small to medium sized hospitality businesses in Yeovil constituency.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. The Government wants to provide businesses with better protection from being locked into unfair and expensive energy contracts, and more redress when they have a complaint. Last year, the Government launched a consultation on introducing regulation of Third-Party Intermediaries (TPIs), such as energy brokers. This is aimed at enhancing consumer protections, particularly for non-domestic consumers. The consultation has now closed, and a Government response will follow in due course once all feedback has been reviewed. The Government recently published a summary of responses to the consultation which set out that we government continues to believe that the current regulations aren’t sufficient and we remain minded to directly regulate this market when parliamentary time allows. From 19 December 2024 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 50 employees can now access free support to resolve issues with their energy supplier through the Energy Ombudsman. This means that 99% of British businesses can now access this service with outcomes ranging up to £20,000 in financial awards.

What steps his Department is taking to help support the local hospitality sector to regenerate high streets in (a) Yeovil, (b) Chard and (c) other towns.

This Government is reforming business rates to protect the high street, including permanently lower taxes for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000 from 2026.We are also slashing red tape to breathe new life into high streets making it quicker and easier to convert disused shops into cafes, bars, and music venues. A new National Licensing Policy Framework and 'hospitality zones' will simplify planning, fast-track alfresco dining and protect long-standing venues.We continue to work with the Retail and Hospitality Sector Councils to improve the resilience of high street businesses by addressing skills gaps and improving productivity through innovation. Locally, businesses in Yeovil can get access to free expert advice, support and signposting to all kinds of Government programmes from the Heart of the South West Growth Hub.This support, alongside other policies set out in our Plan for Small Business published in July, aim to boost local economies and help communities, like those in Yeovil and Chard, to thrive.

What discussions her Department has had with industry bodies on strengthening (a) apprenticeships and (b) training routes in the hospitality sector to support small and medium-sized businesses in Yeovil constituency.

The government offers a range of training options, including apprenticeships and BTECs, to support employers of all sizes in the hospitality sector to benefit from and develop the skilled workforces they need.Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) give small and medium businesses a stronger role in identifying local skills issues and working collaboratively with skills providers and other local stakeholders to resolve them. From October, Business West and Somerset Chamber of Commerce will begin the process of developing a new 3-year LSIP for Somerset, which includes the Yeovil constituency.The department and Skills England engage regularly with the hospitality sector, including industry bodies such as UK Hospitality, regarding training for the sector and the government’s plans for skills.To support apprenticeships in small and medium-sized enterprises the government pays full training costs for young apprentices aged 16 to 21, and for apprentices aged 22 to 24 who have an education, health and care (EHC) plan or have been, or are, in local authority care, when they undertake apprenticeships with non-levy paying employers.The government also continues to pay £1,000 to both employers and providers for apprentices aged 16 to 18, and for apprentices aged 19 to 24 who have an EHC plan or have been, or are, in local authority care.

What steps he is taking to protect children in Yeovil constituency from air pollution.

Children can be susceptible to the health effects from long and short-term exposure to air pollution. The 10-Year Health Plan for England sets out how the Government plans to reduce harmful air pollution, including through a review of the Environmental Improvement Plan, which will set out measures to reduce emissions and everyone’s exposure to air pollution, including those most vulnerable to its effects such as children. We will continue to work across Government to reduce the health harms from air pollution.

What steps he is taking to support investment in memory assessment clinics in Yeovil constituency.

The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.The Government is committed to improving dementia care and is empowering local leaders with the autonomy they need to provide the best services to their local community, including those with dementia. That is why we have published the D100: Assessment Tool Pathway programme, which brings together multiple resources into a single, consolidated tool. This will help places and systems identify where improvements need to be targeted and help create communities and services where the best possible care and support is available to those with dementia.Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services. We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. The Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework will seek to reduce unwarranted variation and narrow inequality for those living with dementia. It will set national standards for dementia care and redirect NHS priorities to provide the best possible care and support.

What steps she is taking to improve small business confidence in Yeovil constituency.

As set out in the Plan for Change, the Government’s priority mission is to deliver strong, secure and sustainable economic growth. The Government will deliver this in partnership with businesses, making the UK the best place in the world to invest and to do business. We recently published ‘Backing your business: our plan for small and medium-sized businesses’ which set out a long-term direction for the Government’s support for smaller firms. This includes:- going further than any previous government with the most significant package of legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments;- increasing the financial capacity of the British Business Bank to £25.6bn, which will enable a two-thirds increase in support for SMEs across the UK. As part of this, we are expanding Start-up Loans to offer 69,000 new businesses, and committing to the British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme for the longer term;- cutting the administrative costs of regulation for business by 25%, to save businesses time and money so they can focus on running successful businesses;- modernising the tax and customs system, as referenced in HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap - including AI powered tech and personalised digital experiences make it easier for small businesses to navigate their tax affairs- Launching a High Streets and Growth Incubators to back high street businesses, redevelop commercial space and trigger private investment.- delivering growth boosting support with a new Business Growth Service to unlock business potential. I recognise the importance of the Defence sector for Yeovil’s economy. Our uplift of national defence spending to 2.6% of GDP, with the ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament when economic and fiscal conditions, will help revitalise our economic base, benefiting towns like Yeovil. Businesses in Yeovil can get access to free expert advice, support and signposting to all kinds of Government programmes by engaging through the Heart of the South West Growth Hub.

What assessment he has made of the potential health impact of air pollution in Yeovil constituency on young residents.

It is well established that children can be more vulnerable to air pollution, which may affect their lungs and worsen conditions like asthma.In March, the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants reviewed the latest evidence and advised that children with asthma should continue to be considered in the Daily Air Quality Index. A full list of its recommendations is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-given-to-the-air-quality-information-system-aqis-review-steering-groupLocal authorities have a duty to monitor and review air quality in their areas. Annual reports with details of the monitoring carried out, as well as actions that are being taken to improve air quality in the Somerset area, including Yeovil, are available at the following link:https://www.somerset.gov.uk/environment-and-food-safety/air-quality-and-health/The Environment Agency manages the United Kingdom's national monitoring sites on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

What assessment he has made of the (a) adequacy of the availability and (b) trends in the level of use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines.

The Department of Health and Social Care has not made an assessment of the availability or trends in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines in the NHS.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides national guidance and advice to improve health. This includes advice on use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machines.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help ensure that the digitally excluded have access to (a) groceries, (b) banking, (c) the NHS and (d) other key services in rural areas in Yeovil constituency.

DSIT is working closely with departments and with partners across the UK to address digital exclusion, making certain no one is left behind in an increasingly digital world.Defra regularly engages with supermarkets and producers about measures to ensure access to nutritious, safe and affordable food.On banking, we are working with industry to rollout 350 banking hubs across the UK to provide face-to-face support for critical cash and in-person services. The Government is also developing a Financial Inclusion Strategy which includes a focus on access to banking and digital inclusion.For NHS England, mitigating the risk of digital exclusion is one of five key priorities asked of Integrated Care Systems to address in their drive to reduce healthcare inequalities.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help tackle digital exclusion in Yeovil constituency.

The Digital Inclusion Action Plan sets out the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including in Yeovil.They will be targeted at local initiatives for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and getting support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of regulations for ensuring developers adhere to basic building regulations.

The Government recognises the critical importance of ensuring developers comply with building regulations, especially those relating to safety and accessibility. Under the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended), it is the legal responsibility of those undertaking building work, including the construction of new homes, to ensure all relevant requirements are met. Developers must demonstrate compliance with the building regulations to a Registered Building Inspector, who is responsible for verifying that the work meets the necessary standards. The Government continues to keep the regulatory framework under review to ensure it remains robust, proportionate, and fit for purpose. Recent reforms to the building control system, including the introduction of a new regulatory regime under the Building Safety Act, are designed to strengthen oversight and improve accountability across the sector.