Written questions by Cane.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the suitability of the examination system for dyslexic pupils.

Ofqual, as independent regulator of qualifications, is responsible for ensuring the exams system is fair and accessible for all students. Under the Equality Act 2010, awarding organisations are required to make reasonable adjustments where a disabled person would be at a substantial disadvantage in undertaking exams and assessments. A range of access arrangements are also available for all national curriculum tests, and guidance is provided by the Standards and Testing Agency. In line with the recommendations made by the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, we will work with Ofqual and awarding organisations to ensure that accessibility implications are fully considered for all young people throughout the qualification development process, including for those with special educational needs and disabilities, such as dyslexia.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the postal voting system.

Between October 2024 and April 2025, the Government undertook a strategic review of electoral registration and conduct processes, which considered the key stages in and resilience of election delivery, working in partnership with the Electoral Commission, electoral practitioners and key local authority representatives including the Association of Electoral Administrators and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers and Returning Officers and their teams. Issues relating to postal voting were considered as part of the review and the Government will be bringing forward changes to strengthen the postal voting system to make it more resilient and responsive for electors and electoral administrators.A full list of outcomes of the review and the changes which the Government proposes to bring forward as a result were set out in the policy paper, ‘Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections’ published on 17 July 2025.

What steps his Department is taking to support small and medium sized enterprises in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

Government published its Small Business Plan (Backing your Business) in July 2025, delivering comprehensive support for small and medium sized businesses. The plan outlines five ambitious actions: fixing fundamentals by ending late payments; unlocking finance through a stronger British Business Bank; backing the everyday economy by revitalising high streets, opening international trade opportunities and future proofing business skills through digital technologies and AI.We are committed to providing core funding to a network of Growth Hubs across England. All businesses in Ely and East Cambridgeshire can visit their local Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Growth Hub for free, tailored advice.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to increase the number of prosecutions for sewage dumping.

The Water (Special Measures) Act provides the most significant increase in enforcement powers in a decade, giving regulators the teeth they need to take tougher action against water companies. The Act ensures courts can include imprisonment for any individual in cases where the regulators’ investigations have been obstructed. The Environment Agency already has powers to prosecute company directors and other senior officers under Regulation 41 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, whilst courts have powers to fine individuals within companies who are convicted of polluting our waterways. The Environment Agency has also increased water company inspections to 10,000 per year from April 2025, as part of the government’s wider focus to hold companies to account and improve our water environment. Since July 2024, the Environment Agency has launched 87 investigations and 6 prosecutions against water companies, with fines totalling over £2 million. It has also accepted 24 Enforcement Undertakings since the election, with financial contributions totalling over £8.5 million.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to support (a) households, (b) businesses and (c) developers to increase the re-use of greywater.

A consultation launched on 23 September 2025 proposes tightening Building Regulations to see new homes fitted with Water Saving features, such as aerated taps and showerheads, and dual flush toilets. Strengthened Water Efficiency Standards through updated Building Regulations will boost housebuilding and keep more money in families’ pockets. Updated standards will bolster drought resilience and unblock developments in water scarce areas. Future innovations such as using recycled greywater in homes, is also being considered in a call for evidence running alongside the consultation. The Independent Water Commission Report published in summer recommended that Government work with regulators to develop a new policy and regulatory framework to drive the adoption of reuse infrastructure in the household and non-household space. The Government will respond to the commission’s recommendations through a White Paper and new water reform Bill. Government is also working with Ofwat to encourage higher levels of water and wastewater efficiency in new developments through environmental incentives.

When his Department plans to respond to Question 77307 on Cancer: Health Services, tabled on 15 September 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 November 2025 to Question 77307.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 88050 on Farmers: Mental Health and Productivity, if her Department will make an estimate of the cost of producing such research.

It is impossible to calculate costs of potential research without specifying the exact parameters of what is being researched in detail. Engagement with charities and wider stakeholders has not indicated an immediate need for commissioning of research in this area; however, we will continue to bring together evidence on farmer mental health collected in other ways.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme on the (a) economy and (b) environment.

The Department recognises the benefits that the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement scheme could bring to the region. The previous government stated their support for the project but did not provide funding for it to progress.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help maintain the Fens.

Over 600,000 people live in the Fens, the region generates over £58 billion of benefits. Sustaining the system is getting more challenging in the face of a changing climate.Through Fens 2100+ the Environment Agency (EA) aims to transform how it maintains its assets and invest in flood and coastal resilience. The EA has invested £7.6m million in asset maintenance in 25-26 but is aware that a long-term investment plan is needed to ensure the Fens continues to thrive. In Spring 2026, Fens 2100+ will be launching a strategic case and 15-point Partnership action plan for continued investment and maintenance in the Fens.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of pharmaceutical pollution in waterways on public health.

The Environment Agency routinely monitors for a wide range of chemicals as part of their chemical surveillance of inland water bodies. In addition, the UK Health Security Agency assesses the potential public health impact of these.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department plans to monitor levels of pharmaceutical pollution in waterways.

The Environment Agency (EA) routinely monitors for over 100 pharmaceuticals within rivers using semi-quantitative methods that are routinely updated as new risks are identified by the EA's Prioritisation and Early Warning System (PEWS). The EA works with the water industry on the Chemicals Investigation Programme (CIP), which considers pharmaceuticals in sewage effluent. The Government has been working with water companies under their Chemical Investigations Programme (CIP), to improve the evidence base on the fate of contaminants following treatment processes. The current phase of the Chemicals Investigation Programme (CIP4) includes a specific project to monitor pharmaceuticals in wastewater. As a founding member of the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) group, the EA advises on policy initiatives that will reduce pharmaceutical contamination of surface waters.

Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with stakeholders on the potential merits of extending the Listed Places of Worship Scheme beyond March 2026.

The Minister for Heritage and her officials have had numerous conversations with stakeholders about the Listed Places of Worship scheme. The scheme is funded until March 2026 or when the budget is spent, whichever is earlier.The future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme after March 2026 will be announced when the outcome of the Spending Review and business planning processes have completed.

Whether she plans to reform business rates for the hospitality sector.

In April 2026, the Government will introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with ratable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible hospitality businesses, including pubs, benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates 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. Business rates are a vital source of Local Government funding and support critical local services, including children's and adult social care. As such, the Government has no plans to abolish business rates for pubs. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption that applies to most goods and services.

Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies on flooding of Aviva's report entitled Building Future Communities, published on 14 October 2025.

I recently met with Aviva's CEO of UK General Insurance at the second Insurance Roundtable on 13 October and welcome ongoing engagement to improve support to policyholders. This Government has committed record investment in flood and coastal erosion defences and introduced the most significant change in flood and coastal erosion funding policy for nearly fifteen years. Through our new floods funding policy, we will invest at least £300 million in natural flood management over ten years – the highest figure to date for the floods programme. The Government is committed to building the homes the country needs while maintaining the highest levels of flood protection. We intend to consult on planning policy later this year, including policies on flood risk and SuDS. As flooding policy is a devolved matter, the information provided relates to England only.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking with (a) retailers and (b) police forces to tackle organised shoplifting.

Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. We will not stand for this.We are ensuring the right powers are in place. Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are bringing in a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. We are also removing the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously.Additionally, we are providing over £7 million over the next three years to support the police and retailers tackle retail crime, including continuing to fund a specialist policing team – in partnership with the retail sector - to better understand the tactics used by organised retail crime gangs and identify more offenders.Tackling retail crime requires a partnership approach between policing representatives and business. The previous Minister for Crime and Policing launched the ‘Tackling Retail Crime Together Strategy’, which was jointly developed by the police and industry and aims to provide a collaborative and evidence-based approach to preventing retail crime, including organised shop theft.

What steps his Department plans to take to support the hospitality sector.

We recognise that hospitality businesses are at the beating heart of communities, providing not just a place to socialise but essential services and local jobs. That’s why we’re investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services.In April, we launched a Taskforce to review premises licensing and develop proposals for a more balanced system that safeguards communities while supporting responsible businesses. These reforms form part of the Small Business Strategy, which is designed to tackle late payments, improve access to finance and reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens.We are also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties with a rateable value under £500,000. We continue to work closely with the sector through the Hospitality Sector Council to address challenges.

What assessment he has made of access to dentistry in the Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

Data on dentistry is available in the Dental statistics – England 2023/24 dataset, published by the NHS Business Services Authority on 22 August 2024, and available at the following link:https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324The data for the NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB), which includes Ely and Cambridgeshire, shows that 27% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2025, compared to 40% in England, and that 55% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2025, compared to 57% in England.We have asked ICBs to commission extra urgent dental appointments to make sure that patients with urgent dental needs can get the treatment they require. ICBs have been making extra appointments available from April 2025.ICBs are recruiting posts through the Golden Hello scheme. This recruitment incentive will see dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most for three years.We are committed to reforming the dental contract, with a focus on matching resources to need, improving access, promoting prevention, and rewarding dentists fairly, while enabling the whole dental team to work to the top of their capability. The Government is committed to achieving fundamental contract reform by the end of this Parliament.

What information her Department holds on the number of children that have required access to free school meals in each of the last five years in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The department publishes data on free school meals (FSM) in its annual ‘Schools, pupils and their characteristics’ publication, available here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics/2024-25. The most recent data was published on 5 June, and the next publication is planned for summer 2026.To access FSM data for the Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency for the 2024/25 academic year, refer to the file titled 'School level underlying data 2025 (CSV, 22 MB)', located in the 'Additional supporting files' section.To access data from previous academic years, visit the 'Releases in this series' section on the publication website. Then, locate the 'School level underlying data' file under 'Additional supporting files'.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 November 2025 to Question 86919 on Railways: East of England, if he will take steps to estimate the funding required for Network Rail to undertake detailed planning for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.

The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme. EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.

What steps her Department is taking to progress the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement Scheme.

The previous government had committed to a number of projects that were unfunded, including the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) scheme. EACE will be kept under review. It is a worthy scheme that will be considered for potential progression in the future as funding becomes available.