Every parliamentary written question tabled by Adam Dance this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 101–120 of 609 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to support young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities into farming.
The Government recognises the importance of attracting young people into farming. Building on the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper, Defra is developing a workforce strategy to equip people with skills for thriving careers in agriculture. This incl...
Whether guidance on universal screening for neurodivergence will be included in the proposed National Inclusion Standards.
The department will appoint an independent panel of experts, selected for their skills, knowledge, and professional standing, and led by health and education co-chairs, to design the National Inclusion Standards and Specialist Provision Packages.The Natio...
What steps he is taking through the criminal justice system to support victims of violence against women.
We are treating violence against women and girls as a national emergency, by investing £550 million in victim support services; strengthening the criminal law to tackle online enabled VAWG; rolling out tough new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders; announcin...
Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to strengthen protections for victims of sexual abuse from (a) harassment and (b) threatening or coercive communication online.
The Secretary of State and I have acted to prevent platforms hosting child sexual abuse material and material that contributes to violence against women and girls by banning AI nudification apps and requiring platforms to take down non-consensual intimate...
Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to bring forward secondary legislation to implement changes to marriage value under the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 103549 on 14 January 2026 and the King's Speech 2026 background briefing notes which can be found on gov.uk here.
When she will provide details on how the role of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities tribunal will be reformed.
The department’s consultation ‘SEND reform: putting children and young people first’ has now closed after a 12-week consultation period including over 200 engagement events, meetings and roundtables. We are carefully reviewing and taking into account all ...
What steps he is taking to ensure better understanding amongst Personal Independent Payment assessors of how much Cystic fibrosis symptoms can vary.
The department is committed to ensuring that individuals with cystic fibrosis receive high-quality and accurate Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments. All health professionals (HPs) carrying out PIP assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, with a clear focus on understanding the functional effects of a claimant’s condition rather than the diagnosis itself.To support this approach, the department provides assessment suppliers with core training and guidance materials on the varying symptoms of cystic fibrosis. These materials include clinical background information and detail the potential functional impacts of the condition, enabling HPs to deliver informed, consistent and accurate assessments.In addition, all training and guidance materials are currently subject to a comprehensive review and update programme. A dedicated team is overseeing this work to ensure alignment with national best practice helping to ensure that guidance remains accurate, relevant and up to date.
What steps he is taking to help reduce the number of avoidable severe allergic reactions in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.
Last year, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved two sublingual immunotherapy treatments for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis.National Health Service partners in Somerset encourage all patients with a diagnosis of severe allergy to have prescribed and to carry with them an adrenaline injection device which when used early enough in a severe allergy response can prevent patient harm and admission.Over the past five years, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has delivered a substantial programme of work to improve allergy safety in restaurants and food businesses, including in Yeovil. The FSA published new best practice guidance in March 2025 to improve allergen information when eating out. The FSA has also expanded its free online allergen training, which has now been taken by over one million people since 2020. Through this work, the FSA is aiming to enable people with food allergies to make informed and safe choices and trust the food that they receive.The Department for Education is developing new statutory guidance which will significantly strengthen how schools support pupils with allergy. The Government has also amended the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to place a new statutory duty on schools to develop and publish an allergy safety policy, and to give powers to my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, to make regulations relating to allergy safety, including requiring schools to stock adrenaline devices, to secure allergy awareness training, and to record and report incidents of near misses. These measures should help to prevent instances of children experiencing severe allergic reactions while at school.
What steps she is taking to ensure that service children with SEND are included in (a) initial teacher training, (b) continuing professional development, (c) SEND practitioner training and (d) school leadership training.
It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the average time to complete the digital registration of property deeds by HM Land Registry.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 103008 on 13 January 2026.
What steps she is taking with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to help ensure adequate levels of workplace (a) support and (b) flexibility for women experiencing menopause symptoms in Yeovil constituency
Effective workplace support for menopause symptoms is crucial not only for employee wellbeing, but also because if women cannot access the support they need, employers will miss out on their skills and experience.This Spring, we launched voluntary action plans for large employers, encouraging them to publish what they are doing to support employees experiencing menopause, alongside the steps they are taking to address their gender pay gap.We have published step-by-step guidance, including a list of evidence-informed actions, to support employers in developing their action plans. Our common-sense actions include menopause training for managers, transparent, flexible working policies, and tailored workplace adjustments.This guidance is available to employers across the country, including in Yeovil constituency, to support employers in providing effective support and flexibility for employees experiencing menopause.In addition, other measures introduced under the Employment Rights Act 2025 encourage more supportive and flexible workplaces; for example, improved access to flexible working and enhanced Statutory Sick Pay can help employees manage menopause symptoms.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of the time taken to digitalise property deeds by HM Land Registry.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 103008 on 13 January 2026.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of expanding secondary school breakfast provision in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.
Through our Opportunity Mission, this government will ensure that all children get the best start in life. We are committed to rolling out free breakfast clubs in all schools with primary-aged pupils, helping to build strong foundations in the first years of school. It is right that we start from supporting the youngest children.The National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) is an inherited scheme from the previous government, providing subsidised breakfast food only to schools in disadvantaged areas via a national supplier, Family Action. This contract will end in July 2026.In November 2025, we announced that all NSBP-participating schools with primary-aged pupils had been offered a place on the free breakfast club programme from September 2026. We also confirmed that all NSBP schools with secondary-aged pupils will continue to be supported to an equivalent value for the 2026/27 academic year so that these schools can continue to offer breakfast to their pupils.Further details will be provided to these secondary schools in due course.
What steps he is taking to help improve data on the (a) severity of, (b) functional impact of and (c) outcomes among those diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
NHS England does not currently collect data on the severity and functional impact of and outcomes for people diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). NHS England first published management information on ADHD waits nationally in May 2025 as part of the ADHD data improvement plan. Additionally, technical guidance has been released to integrated care boards (ICBs) to enhance the recording of ADHD data, aiming to improve the quality of ADHD waits data and enable more localised reporting. We are currently refreshing the ADHD data improvement plan and remain committed to publishing data at ICB level, which is currently planned for the May 2026 publication. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support systems to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs. Through the Medium-term planning framework, published 24 October, NHS England has set clear expectations for local ICBs and trusts to improve access, experience, and outcomes for ADHD services over the next three years, focusing on improving quality and productivity.
What steps he is taking to reduce the time it takes to process a war pension scheme application.
I refer the hon. Member to my previous answer provided to 103061 in January 2026, and 126385 in April 2026.The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is currently managing a high volume of War Pension Scheme (WPS) claims, which has resulted in longer processing times. We remain fully committed to improving performance and reducing delays in claim processing. To address these challenges, the Department has implemented a range of targeted measures:Flexible resource management: Teams now have the ability to reallocate resources as needed, while staff are being trained in multiple skillsets to enhance efficiency and build greater resilience across operations.Accelerated processing: Overtime and weekend working have been introduced to expedite the clearance of outstanding claims.Increased capacity: Additional administrative and caseworker staff have been recruited to strengthen processing capabilities and improve overall throughput.The MOD places the highest priority on claims from terminally ill individuals, ensuring they are fast-tracked at every stage. Furthermore, MOD Veterans Services continues to provide dedicated support and assistance to veterans, Service personnel, and their families, ensuring they receive the help they need.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of tacking steps to help tackle land banking in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.
In May 2025, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out inviting views on further action the government should take to speed up homes being built. It can be found on gov.uk here. On the same day, we launched a technical consultation on implementing measures to improve the transparency of build rates from new residential developments, which includes proposals to implement provisions in Section 113 of the LURA on the power to decline to determine applications. That consultation can be found on gov.uk here. We are now analysing the responses to both consultations, and we will set out our next steps in due course. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals designed to ensure major development proposals are capable of being implemented within a reasonable period – taking into account tenure mix, local market conditions and development history of the site. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
What steps he is taking to help reduce waiting times for atrial fibrillation ablation procedures in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.
Catheter ablation for paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation for adults is a prescribed specialised service commissioned in accordance with a published national clinical commissioning policy. Consequently, NHS England’s regional specialised commissioning teams and integrated care boards (ICBs), including the Somerset ICB, are responsible for monitoring activity, reviewing equity of access for their populations, and addressing unwarranted variation through local oversight arrangements and clinical networks.
What improvements he anticipates to stroke services as part of the forthcoming Modern Service Framework for cardiovascular disease.
The cardiovascular disease Modern Service Framework (MSF) will prioritise ambitious, evidence-led and clinically informed approaches to reducing premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by 25% within the next decade. The MSF will be published in spring.
Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce barriers for people seeking to self-build their own properties in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.
The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December 2024 includes measures designed to strengthen support for self and custom build housing by promoting mixed tenure development, including plots for self and custom build, and strengthening the wording around small site allocation for SME housebuilders. Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to supporting a diverse mix of homes and supporting small and medium sites. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of trail riding on people's health and wellbeing through active recreation.
The Department has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact of trail riding on people's health and wellbeing through active recreation. The Department recognises that participation in outdoor activities using trails, such as cycling, walking, wheeling, and running, can have a range of physical and mental health benefits through movement, social engagement, and access to green and blue spaces.The Government and the National Health Service recognise that reducing physical inactivity in people of all ages is important in helping people live longer, healthier lives. As committed to in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will address physically inactivity and help build movement into everyday lives through investing in grassroots sports, developing a new Physical Education and school sports partnership network to support children reap the benefits of movement, and supporting cycling and walking infrastructure.