Written questions by Snowden.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42350 on General Practitioners: Employers' Contributions, how much and what proportion of the £22.6 billion will be allocated to (a) frontline health services, (b) primary care and (c) other services.

The £22.6 billion funding increase announced in the 2024 Autumn Budget provided an above inflation increase for all health spending, with an average growth of 3.4% across 2024/25 and 2025/26.The funding is not ringfenced and becomes part of the overall Department’s budget. It is therefore not possible to easily track how it has been deployed in a way that is distinct to how the overall budget is allocated. In primary care, we’ve made recent announcements to uplift the general practice and community pharmacy contracts, and on front line services we’ve provided an additional £1.8 billion in 2024/25 for elective care, which then rolls forward into 2025/26, which has helped the National Health Service to deliver two million additional operations, scans, and appointments in our first year of the Government.The £22.6 billion does not include the additional funding that HM Treasury is providing to departments for employer National Insurance contributions.

What steps her Department is taking to assess the quality of road construction in Fylde constituency.

Local authorities are required to provide data to the Department for Transport each year on the condition of their classified roads. The data is available on gov.uk.In September 2024, the Government released a new data standard for road condition monitoring (PAS 2161) that will help the sector to innovate and drive efficiencies. Local highway authorities will be required to gather road condition data using this standard from the 2026/27 financial year.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many farmers are (a) enrolled in the Higher Level Stewardship scheme and (b) expected to receive an uplift in payments from January 2025 in (i) Lancashire and (ii) Fylde constituency.

I can confirm that there are 164 live Higher Level Stewardship-related agreements that fall within the Lancashire County that should receive an uplift. This figure is spread across 16 constituencies in Lancashire and includes constituencies (Morecambe and Lunesdale & Southport) that are spread across county lines. None fall within the Fylde constituency.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the reforms announced in her Department's press release entitled Government backs SME builders to get Britain building, published on 28 May 2025, what steps she is taking to support SME housebuilders in Fylde.

With regard to support for small and medium-sized housebuilders, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 June 2025 (HCWS673).With regard to the National Housing Delivery Fund, the government will set out further details at the Spending Review.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to publish annual updates of regional waste crime heatmaps produced by the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency have had a positive response to their recent article that included regional waste crime heatmaps and have committed to publishing future updates.

What steps she is taking to help support children with SEND following the application of VAT to private school fees in Fylde constituency.

The majority of children with special educational needs (SEN), including most with education, health and care (EHC) plans, are already educated in mainstream state-funded schools where their needs are met. The department works to support local authorities to ensure that every local area has sufficient places for children that need them, including pupils with SEN requiring places at state-funded schools.The government is providing an almost £1 billion uplift in high needs revenue funding for the 2025/26 financial year. The government has also announced £740 million of high needs capital funding for 2025/26 to invest in places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, or who require alternative provision.Local authorities fund pupils’ places in private schools where their needs can only be met in a private school. Where this is the case, local authorities will be able to reclaim that VAT on the fees from HMRC.

Pursuant to the Answer of 20 April 2025 to Question 46934 on Energy: Prices, what his Department's timetable is for publishing its response to the consultation entitled Expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme, 2025 to 2026, published on 25 February 2025.

The Government will publish its response to the consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme in due course.

What steps Great British Energy plans to take to support projects in Lancashire.

On 21 March 2025, the government announced £180 million of funding for rooftop solar panels for schools and hospitals delivered through Great British Energy (GBE). Five NHS trusts within Lancashire will be fitted with solar panels under this scheme. Successful schools will be announced in due course. GBE will strategically develop, invest in, and own clean energy projects across the UK. It will also create thousands of good jobs and build supply chains in every region of the UK through the projects that it supports.

How many households were in receipt of the Warm Home Discount in Fylde constituency on 30 May 2025; and what estimate his Department has made of the number of households in Fylde constituency that would be eligible for the Warm Home Discount under its proposals.

The latest published Warm Home Discount statistics are for 2023-24 and use the constituency boundaries operating prior to the 2024 General Election. Most (85%) of the residential premises in the current Fylde constituency come from the Fylde constituency under the previous boundaries, in which 3,919 households received the Warm Home Discount rebate in 2023-24. The Warm Home Discount statistics for 2024-25 will be published on 26th June 2025. The statistics only cover receipt of the Warm Home Discount and estimates of eligibility are not available.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, what the start date of the new Higher Tier scheme will be; and how farmers can apply.

Defra will open the rolling application window for Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) later in the year. Currently, CSHT is by invitation only following contact by Natural England or the Forestry Commission. This ensures that bespoke pre-application advice is provided to support those invited. We have published information that sets out what you can do now to prepare to apply for CSHT on GOV.UK. (Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier: preview guidance - GOV.UK).

What recent discussions she has had with banking sector representatives on the future of face-to-face banking services for (a) older people, (b) people with limited digital access and (c) other people.

Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. The Government also recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Under its rules, the UK’s largest banks and building societies are required to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. The FCA is required by law to keep its access to cash rules under review and is monitoring the impact of these rules on an ongoing basis to ensure they deliver the right outcomes for businesses and consumers. The FCA also requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Furthermore, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. Banking hubs offer everyday counter services provided by Post Office staff, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 160 are already open.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46934 on Energy: Prices, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the transition to clean energy on levels of (a) grid reliability and (b) energy supply (i) at all times and (ii) during periods of peak demand.

Great Britain has a secure and diverse energy system. As published in the Statutory Security of Supply Report 2024, Great Britain is expected to have sufficient supplies of electricity and gas to meet demand in the short and long term, including during peak demand. The government’s mission is to secure our energy supply with home-grown, clean power and we have set out the steps to achieve this in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan – which explains how we will boost energy security, grid reliability and protect consumers.

Whether any schools in Lancashire are (a) currently part of and (b) will be included in the next phase of the PINS programme.

The Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme is a national programme, backed by £9.5 million of investment in 2025/26. It is a cross-government collaboration between the department, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England, supported by the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF).An equal budget has been allocated to each Integrated Care Board (ICB) to enable them to deliver PINS to an additional 30 schools and provide ongoing support to the 40 schools supported in the first year of the programme. The specific amount available to each ICB is determined by the NHS fair share formula, which adjusts budgets to take account of local cost variations. Each ICB nationally will receive a minimum of £209,000.Across Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB footprint, 40 schools took part in PINS in 2024/25 and will continue to receive support to embed their learning over 2025/26. The ICB is in the process of recruiting an additional 30 new schools for 2025/26. The programme is being evaluated by a consortium led by CFE Research, and the learning will inform future policy development around how schools support neurodivergent children.

How many schools will be affected by the expansion of the PINS programme in the Fylde constituency

The Partnerships for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme is a national programme, backed by £9.5 million of investment in 2025/26. It is a cross-government collaboration between the department, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England, supported by the National Network of Parent Carer Forums (NNPCF).An equal budget has been allocated to each Integrated Care Board (ICB) to enable them to deliver PINS to an additional 30 schools and provide ongoing support to the 40 schools supported in the first year of the programme. The specific amount available to each ICB is determined by the NHS fair share formula, which adjusts budgets to take account of local cost variations. Each ICB nationally will receive a minimum of £209,000.Across Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB footprint, 40 schools took part in PINS in 2024/25 and will continue to receive support to embed their learning over 2025/26. The ICB is in the process of recruiting an additional 30 new schools for 2025/26. The programme is being evaluated by a consortium led by CFE Research, and the learning will inform future policy development around how schools support neurodivergent children.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 36179 on Bank Services: Visual Impairment, what support is available to communities in instances when LINK has not recommend a new service following a cash access assessment request.

Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. The Government also recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Under its rules, the UK’s largest banks and building societies are required to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. The FCA is required by law to keep its access to cash rules under review and is monitoring the impact of these rules on an ongoing basis to ensure they deliver the right outcomes for businesses and consumers. The FCA also requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Furthermore, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. Banking hubs offer everyday counter services provided by Post Office staff, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 160 are already open.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 March 2025 to Question 36179 on Bank Services: Visual Impairment, whether she plans to increase the number of banking hubs beyond 350 if demand or need increases.

Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. The Government also recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Under its rules, the UK’s largest banks and building societies are required to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. The FCA is required by law to keep its access to cash rules under review and is monitoring the impact of these rules on an ongoing basis to ensure they deliver the right outcomes for businesses and consumers. The FCA also requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK. Furthermore, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. Banking hubs offer everyday counter services provided by Post Office staff, allowing people and businesses to withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay bills and make balance enquiries. They also contain dedicated rooms where customers can see community bankers from their own bank to carry out wider banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 160 are already open.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 51543 on Cost of Living: Fylde, what steps she is taking through the Household Support Fund to support vulnerable households with (a) energy and (b) food costs in Fylde constituency; and what steps she plans to take to ensure the effective delivery of support to people.

We are providing £742 million to extend the Household Support Fund until 31 March 2026 in England. This enables Local Authorities to continue to provide vulnerable households with immediate crisis support towards the cost of essentials, such as energy, water and food, and to develop their schemes to help prevent poverty locally and build local resilience. Authorities have the discretion to design and deliver their own local schemes within the parameters of the guidance and grant determination that the Department for Work and Pensions have set out. This is because they have the experience and the relationships to determine how best to support those in their local areas. Authorities also have a wide range of data and sources of information at their disposal to identify and provide support to a broad cross section of vulnerable households. Authorities must make sure that this support is clearly advertised and is inclusive and accessible. The scheme guidance states that every Authority must operate part of their scheme on an application basis to allow the opportunity for individuals struggling with the cost of essentials to ask for further support.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 42350 on General Practitioners: Employers' Contributions, what steps he is taking to improve patient access to GPs in (a) Fylde, (b) Lancashire and (c) England.

The Government is determined to work with the National Health Service to fix the front door of our health service and to ensure that everyone can access general practice (GP) appointments nationally, including in Lancashire and Fylde. That’s why in October 2024, we invested £82 million into the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme to support the recruitment of 1,700 newly qualified GPs across England, helping to increase appointment availability and improve care for thousands of patients We delivered the biggest boost to GP funding in years, an £889 million uplift, with GPs now receiving a growing share of NHS resources. Additionally, the new £102 million Primary Care Utilisation and Modernisation Fund will upgrade more than a thousand GP surgeries across England, helping to improve productivity.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 May 2025 to Question 51548 on Primary Care: Lancashire, if he will define the term most at need in relation to those targeted by the integrated dental access programme.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England.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, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2025 to Question 38171 on Farmers: Lancashire, how much and what proportion of the Farming Recovery Fund has been allocated to support the mental health and wellbeing of farmers in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The Farming Recovery Fund provided a recovery payment for farmers who have suffered uninsurable damage from notably high main river flooding following Storms Babet and Henk or fall within an area which we have determined to be in receipt of exceptionally high rainfall during October 2023 to March 2024. Lancashire did not fall into an eligible area.