Written questions by Dance.

What estimate she has made of the potential cost to local authorities of the provisions of the Children’s Wellbeing and School Bill.

I refer the hon. member for Yeovil to the answer of 20 January to Question 24930.

What estimate he has made of the number of people not taking prescribed medication due to prescription charges.

No assessment has been made of the number of people not taking prescribed medication due to prescription charges.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with long term or chronic conditions may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the average cost to the public purse was of vets fees for testing cattle herds for bovine tuberculosis in 2023 and 2024.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) holds contracts with regional Delivery Partners to deliver the TB Eradication Strategies across England and Wales respectively. Each regional Delivery Partner maintains its own network of subcontracted veterinary practices who deliver TB skin testing on farms following TB Test allocation by APHA. Contract costs between APHA and its Delivery Partners include TB test delivery on farm, quality assurance, administration, travel, and a contribution to overhead costs of both the Delivery Partner organisations and their subcontractors. For England: The average cost per TB skin test event* in the 2023/24 financial year was circa £715 (based on an average test calculation). The average cost per Head of Cattle in the 2023/24 financial year was circa £5.40. The average cost per TB skin test event in the 2024/25 financial year (to date) is circa £760 (based on an average test calculation and based upon data from April to December 2024 inclusive). The average cost per Head of Cattle in the 2024/25 financial year (to date) is circa £5.70 This information does not include costs of Gamma Interferon testing. * A TB test event may include the whole herd (usually all the animals of at least 42 days of age), a proportion of a herd, or a few individual animals in a herd.

What steps she is taking to reduce bullying in schools.

I refer the hon. Member for Yeovil to the answer of 23 January 2025 to Question 22877.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of prescription charges on the uptake of prescribed medication for people who have undergone a kidney transplant.

There are no plans to assess the impact of prescription charges on people who have undergone a kidney transplant.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with long term or chronic conditions may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, whether they have a qualifying medical condition, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) are also available. PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as they need for a set cost, with three-month and 12-month certificates available. The 12-month PPC can be paid for in instalments.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the methodology used to calculate the carbon sequestration generated by cattle.

Defra has evaluated the methodologies used in on-farm carbon calculators to assess greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration on-farm. This found that methodologies differed between these calculators. For example, there was no consistent, agreed approach taken to assess and report carbon removals or emissions from soil, land use or land use change. This divergence and a lack of verification has driven confusion, reducing trust and confidence in the resulting figures. Building on the recommendations from the above research, Defra remains committed to developing a harmonised approach for measuring carbon emissions from farms. This will increase consistency and comparability across tools, thereby reducing uncertainty for farmers and the rest of the supply chain. Defra also funds research to establish the impacts of farm systems, including bringing the latest cutting-edge science into the UK’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the the adequacy of the implementation of the Rock Review.

Defra works closely with the Farm Tenancy Forum and together have delivered the majority of the Rock Review recommendations. These include making Environmental Land Management schemes more accessible for tenants, setting the standard for landlord, tenant and agent behaviour with a new Code of Practice and announcing England’s first Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector. Defra continues to ensure that the unique needs of the sector are accounted for in policy design.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the farming sector's provision of access to (a) healthy eating and (b) nature on preventative health care.

Shifting the focus from sickness to prevention is one of the three shifts in the Government’s mission for a National Health Service fit for the future, and is a cornerstone of supporting people to live healthier lives. We are working collaboratively across Government to deliver a resilient food system that promotes health and food security, protects the environment, and champions British farming.Consuming fruit and vegetables are critical parts of the Government’s dietary recommendations under the Eatwell Guide. Consumers in the United Kingdom would need to eat at least 30% more of a variety of fruits and vegetables by weight to meet the Government’s dietary recommendations. For fruits and vegetables, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affair’s data suggest UK farms provide 53% of vegetables that are sold domestically, as well as 16% of the fruit. This means the farming sector plays a critical role in the sustainable and resilient food and nutrition security of the country, with a direct impact in preventing obesity and improving diet-related health.The food strategy will work to provide healthier, more easily accessible food to help people live longer healthier lives, and will support the Farming Roadmap to reduce the impact of farming on nature and biodiversity.Access to nature, including green spaces provided by farms, plays a crucial role in preventative healthcare. Studies have shown that exposure to natural environments can reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and lower the risk of conditions such as heart disease and obesity. Green spaces linked to farming, such as walking trails, woodlands, and agricultural land, help encourage physical activity, and foster social well-being.

What estimate she has made of the cost of home schooling a child for (a) parents and (b) local education authorities in this financial year.

The department does not hold data on the cost of elective home education for parents or local authorities.As set out in our elective home education guidance, parents who home educate assume the full financial responsibility for their child’s education, since a state-funded school place is available for their child.The new duties created by the Children Not in School measures in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will include the creation of a duty on local authorities to create and maintain Children Not in School registers and a duty to provide support to home educating families, should it be requested. Local authority delivery will be funded by central government in line with the New Burdens Doctrine. To determine the level of funding, the department will carry out a new burdens assessment.

What steps she is taking to help improve (a) vocational education and (b) apprenticeships in agriculture.

The government is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce in all sectors, including agriculture and drive economic growth through our industrial strategy.We have established Skills England to ensure we have the highly trained workforce required to deliver the national, regional and local skills needs of the next decade. It will ensure that the skills system is clear and navigable for individuals, both young people and older adults, strengthening careers pathways into jobs across the economy.The department’s reformed growth and skills offer, which will have apprenticeships at its core, will deliver greater flexibility for learners and employers. As a key first step towards greater flexibility, we are introducing new foundation apprenticeships for young people as well as shorter apprenticeships. These will help more people learn high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country. During autumn 2024, Skills England engaged with employers and other key stakeholders on initial priorities for the new offer. The department will set out more detail on the offer in due course.The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in agriculture through its technical education offer, with a range of high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities at all levels. We recognise the crucial role that land-based colleges and providers play in delivering the skills training and innovation needed for the current and future workforce.Employers have developed several apprenticeships in the agriculture sector to support them to develop skilled workforces, including general farm worker (level 2), livestock unit technical (level 3) and assistant farm manager (level 4).21 T Levels are being delivered in a range of in-demand subjects. T Levels in Agriculture, Land Management and Production, and Animal Care and Management are now being taught across the country, providing students with the core knowledge and skills needed for entry to a range of occupations in the rural sector.Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs), which are occupation-focussed level 4-5 qualifications, are approved and quality marked as providing the skills demanded in the workplace by employers. To date, 263 HTQs have been approved for delivery across a range of occupational routes, with the Agriculture, Environmental and Animal Care route becoming available for first teach from September 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, what the average cost was of compensating farmers for cattle culled due to bovine tuberculosis in (a) 2023 and (b) 2024 to date.

In 2023 a gross amount of £29,450,689.00 was spent on compensating farmers for cattle culled due to Bovine Tuberculosis in England. The average gross amount of compensation per animal culled was £1,454.86. Data for 2024 is currently only available for the period 1 January to 30 September inclusive. During that period a total of £23,411,612.00 was spent on TB compensation for cattle, meaning an average gross payment per animal of £1,464.23. TB compensation is determined by the GB average market value for cattle.

What plans he has to improve access to training for (a) dentists and (b) dental nurses in rural areas.

We are determined to rebuild National Health Service dentistry, but it will take time and there are no quick fixes. Strengthening the dental workforce, including dentists and dental nurses, is key to our ambitions.We have launched a 10-Year Health Plan to reform the NHS, a central and core part of which will be our workforce. This summer we will publish a refreshed Long Term Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade.Integrated care boards have started to recruit 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. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What assessment he has made of the impact of geographic barriers in rural areas on access to (a) regular check-ups and (b) timely intervention.

Since June 2022, 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) across England have been responsible for arranging National Health Service healthcare services to meet the needs of their respective populations, reflecting the different needs of different populations. The local ICB is therefore responsible for ensuring that NHS services are accessible in their area.However, the Government recognises the health inequalities faced by rural communities in England, particularly around access to healthcare services. In response, work is underway across the Department, NHS England, and the regional Directors of Public Health to develop approaches that address these inequalities. In line with the Government’s Health Mission, the Department’s goal is to create a more equitable healthcare system that leaves no person or community behind.More specifically, the Government is aware of the challenges faced in accessing general practice (GP) and dentistry services, particularly in more rural areas.The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, the Government will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.And, in October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England. This will increase the number of appointments delivered in GPs, benefiting thousands of patients that are struggling to get the care they desperately need. Additionally, we have announced a proposed £889 million uplift to the GP Contract in 2025/26, the largest uplift in years, with a rising share of total NHS resources going to GPs.

What steps he plans to take to improve public oral health education in rural areas.

In England, local authorities are responsible for assessing the oral health needs, developing oral health strategies, and commissioning oral health improvement programmes for their local area. We have also published evidence-based resources for dental teams on preventive advice to improve their patients’ oral health. This is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/delivering-better-oral-health-an-evidence-based-toolkit-for-preventionWe will be implementing a national targeted supervised toothbrushing programme to children aged three, four, and five years old living in our most deprived communities.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of implementing a set price list for private dental practices.

The National Health Service contracts independent dental providers to deliver NHS dental treatment. Dentists must make clear which treatments can be provided on the NHS and which can only be provided on a private basis, and the costs associated for each. If a patient decides to choose alternative private options, this should be included in their treatment plan.The Department and NHS England do not control the cost of private dental or orthodontic treatment.

With reference to the guidance entitled Reconfiguring NHS services - ministerial intervention powers, published on 31 January 2024, if he will clarify the changes in circumstances following which he may consider and intervene in the same reconfiguration more than once.

The Department will always review each call-in request on reconfigurations, regardless of any previous or concurrent requests.If my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care decides to call in a reconfiguration, as per the Health and Care Act 2022, once he has given direction on a called-in reconfiguration, National Health Service commissioning bodies must implement the decision. The statutory guidance, published January 2024, allows for final decisions on a called-in service change to be revisited in limited circumstances, only when a material change in circumstances may be identified, for example an issue arising that might affect the ability to implement a decision made by my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring social housing providers to refer tenants to a local debt advice service before serving them with an eviction notice for rent arrears.

The government is clear that social landlords should seek to sustain tenancies and should only evict as a last resort.Landlords will, when managing their social housing schemes, provide advice and assistance to those struggling financially, including signposting to support services.The Pre-Action Protocol for Possession Claims by Social Landlords sets out the actions social landlords should take to support the tenant before they consider taking legal action for rent arrears. These actions include making early contact with tenants to discuss the cause of the arrears, checking eligibility for housing benefit, assisting with any claim, and agreeing affordable repayment terms for the arrears. The protocol can be found on the justice website here.

What steps her Department is taking to consult with organisations that advocate for deaf and disabled people on employment support reforms; and what recent discussions she has had with those organisations on supporting deaf and disabled people in the workplace.

This Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and to working with disabled people to design our reforms. The Get Britain Working White Paper announced that DWP will establish a panel to consult disabled people as part of our wider efforts to ensure that the views and voices of disabled people are at the heart of the design and delivery of the reforms set out in the White Paper. We will expand our engagement with Deaf and Disabled people's organisations and disabled people, and work collaboratively to ensure their voices are heard. The Minister for Social Security and Disability regularly meets with disabled people and Disabled People’s Organisations, including through the Disability Unit’s Regional Stakeholder Network and the Disabled People’s Organisation Forum England.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the bedroom tax on the number of incidences of exploitation by criminals taking over the homes of vulnerable people.

No such assessment is planned. Taking over of a person’s home for use by criminals, also known as ‘cuckooing’, is an appalling practice which can drive violence, exploitation and anti-social behaviour in our communities. The Government’s Safer Streets Mission aims to tackle this issue. The Removal of the Spare Room Subsidy (RSRS) policy, sometimes known as the bedroom tax, was introduced in 2013 for working age Housing Benefit or Universal Credit claimants where the claimant is living in the social rented sector in a property that is considered to have more bedrooms than their bedroom entitlement. Those unable to meet a rental shortfall arising from this policy, can seek a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from their local authority. DHPs can be paid to those in receipt of qualifying housing support who face a shortfall in meeting their rental housing costs.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of difficulties faced by NHS patients in Somerset in receiving prescriptions of Creon.

The Department monitors and manages medicine supply at a national level so that stocks remain available to meet regional and local demand. We have not made an assessment of stock levels within Somerset specifically.The Department has been working with suppliers, NHS England and national clinical specialists to address current supply issues with Creon, which is a brand of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). The supply issues with Creon are impacting countries throughout Europe and have been caused by limited availability of raw ingredients and manufacturing capacity constraints to produce volumes needed to meet demand. These issues have resulted in knock-on supply disruptions of alternative PERT medications.The Department is continuing to work with all suppliers of PERT to help resolve the supply issues in the short and longer term by asking that they expedite deliveries, source stock from other markets and increase production. The Department has also been working with specialist importers of unlicensed medicine to ensure National Health Service patients can obtain unlicensed imports of PERT where appropriate to help mitigate this supply issue. Comprehensive guidance has been issued to the NHS and is being regularly reviewed and updated as the situation changes.