Written questions by Morello.

If he will allocate funding for mental health support for nurses in the Autumn Budget 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out any policy changes in the Autumn Budget in the usual way.The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is very important, and the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. At a national level, NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals and support to work healthily and flexibly. We will also roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to ensure staff have access to high quality support for mental health and back conditions.

If he will allocate funding for mental health support for doctors in the Autumn Budget 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out any policy changes in the Autumn Budget in the usual way.The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is very important, and the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. At a national level, NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals and support to work healthily and flexibly. We will also roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to ensure staff have access to high quality support for mental health and back conditions.

If he will allocate ringfenced mental health funding for all NHS staff in the Autumn Budget 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out any policy changes in the Autumn Budget in the usual way.The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is very important, and the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. At a national level, NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals and support to work healthily and flexibly. We will also roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to ensure staff have access to high quality support for mental health and back conditions.

If he will allocate funding to support mental health services for frontline NHS staff in the Autumn Budget 2025.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will set out any policy changes in the Autumn Budget in the usual way.The health and wellbeing of all National Health Service staff is very important, and the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals. At a national level, NHS staff have access to the SHOUT helpline for crisis support alongside the Practitioner Health service for more complex mental health and wellbeing support, including trauma and addiction.As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, we will work with the Social Partnership Forum to introduce a new set of staff standards for modern employment, covering issues such as access to healthy meals and support to work healthily and flexibly. We will also roll out Staff Treatment Hubs to ensure staff have access to high quality support for mental health and back conditions.

If he will remove the two-child benefit cap in the Autumn Budget.

The Government is committed to tackling child poverty. The Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. Commitments made at the 2025 spending review, and since then, are the latest steps in our Plan for Change to put extra pounds in people’s pockets – a downpayment on our Child Poverty Strategy, building on expansion of free breakfast clubs, the national minimum wage boost and the cap on Universal Credit deductions through the Fair Repayment Rate.

If she will make it her policy to allocate funding to support transport (a) infrastructure and (b) services in West Dorset constituency in the Autumn Budget 2025.

This government recognises the challenges people face when it comes to transport provision in regions which are predominantly rural, like West Dorset. That is why we are providing £2.2 billion of Local Transport Grant capital funding over 4 years to local authorities for spending on local transport enhancements and maintenance. Dorset Council will receive over £15 million up to 2029/30 inclusive, including over £2.1 million in 2026/27. This will enable local leaders to support transport schemes in line with their key local priorities, including improvements to public transport for both urban and rural areas and making local streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. We will also be providing in the region of £900m per year to maintain and improve vital bus services. We will announce allocations for each local authority shortly.

If he will make it her policy to increase the level of funding for NHS dentistry in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The budget for Autumn 2025 has not yet been announced, however access to National Health Service dentistry and addressing the issue of under-served areas remains a priority for the Government.

If he will make it her policy to allocate additional funding to support the recruitment and retention of NHS dentists in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The budget for Autumn 2025 has not yet been announced, however access to National Health Service dentistry and addressing the issue of under-served areas remains a priority for the Government.

If he will allocate funding to support mental health services for armed forces (a) personnel and (b) reservists in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The mental health and wellbeing of our Armed Forces is a priority for the Government and will continue to be funded. All Service personnel have access to mental health support throughout their career, including medical and non-medical services. This includes, but is not limited to, preventative support such as wellbeing services, digital content, access to trained mental health first aiders, interventional support, and appointments with clinical staff. For Armed Forces personnel requiring dedicated mental healthcare, the Defence Medical Services provides a responsive, flexible, accessible, and comprehensive treatment service.

If she will allocate funding to support mental health services for police (a) officers and (b) staff in the Autumn Budget 2025.

This Government is committed to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of all police officers and staff.We continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service, which helps forces identify mental health risks, build resilience, and provide timely support, including through initiatives such as the 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support Line. Through the Police Covenant, we are also improving mental health training and occupational health standards across policing.It is for individual Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners to determine how best to use their funding, including how to support the wellbeing of their workforce, based on local needs and priorities.

What comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) home-based and (b) residential care on the finances of people receiving that care.

Under the Care Act 2014 charging is based on a number of principles, including that people should not be charged more than it is reasonably practicable for them to pay and that charging approaches should be clear, transparent, and comprehensive.Charging rules can differ between home-based and residential care. For home-based care, the person’s main home is disregarded, and income must not fall below the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG). For residential care, the home’s value may be considered unless a spouse or other eligible adult remains living there, and income must not fall below the Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA). Both the MIG and PEA rates are reviewed annually and published in the Local Authority Circular. For 2025/26, these allowances were increased in line with consumer price index inflation, and local authorities may set higher rates at their discretion.

If he will allocate funding to support mental health provision in rural communities in the Autumn Budget 2025.

We know that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and we recognise that people living in rural communities may face particular challenges in accessing the mental health services they need. For 2025/26, mental health spending is forecast to amount to £15.6 billion. This represents a significant uplift of £688 million in real terms spending on mental health compared to the previous financial year.Following publication by NHS England of the Medium Term Planning Framework on 24 October 2025, details of funding arrangements, including integrated care board allocations over the next three years, will be set out across revenue finance and contracting guidance, capital guidance, and published allocations in due course.

If he will make it his policy to introduce a taper for the upper capital limit for savings used to determine eligibility for free social care.

The current adult social care system is means tested and provides funded support for those with the least financial means. Individuals can approach their local authority for a financial assessment to determine their eligibility for support.Under the Care Act 2014, charging is based on a number of principles, including that people should not be charged more than it is reasonably practicable for them to pay. The means test thresholds for support with adult social care costs continue to be reviewed annually.The Government remains committed to reforming adult social care and we have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The Terms of Reference are sufficiently broad to enable Baroness Casey to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future, including considering the affordability of care costs, if she sees fit.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's housing targets are as a proportion of the population in (a) Dorset and (b) West Dorset constituency.

Local housing need is expressed as a total number of dwellings for each local authority area. It is not broken down as a proportion of the population, nor as a proportion of available brownfield land or per square mile.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's housing targets are per square mile in (a) Dorset, (b) West Dorset constituency and (c) England.

Local housing need is expressed as a total number of dwellings for each local authority area. It is not broken down as a proportion of the population, nor as a proportion of available brownfield land or per square mile.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's housing targets are as a proportion of available brownfield land in (a) Dorset, (b) West Dorset constituency and (c) England.

Local housing need is expressed as a total number of dwellings for each local authority area. It is not broken down as a proportion of the population, nor as a proportion of available brownfield land or per square mile.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of using different means tests for residential and home-based care on people with modest savings and significant care needs.

The current adult social care system is means tested and provides funded support for those with the least financial means. Individuals can approach their local authority for a financial assessment to determine whether they are eligible. While the Department sets the minimum thresholds for this means test, local authorities have the discretion to set higher thresholds if they choose.Where an individual receives care at home, the value of their home is not considered during this financial assessment.Where local authorities choose to charge for care, they must follow the Care Act 2014, and must ensure that care charges are both transparent and affordable.The Government remains committed to reforming adult social care and we have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The Terms of Reference are sufficiently broad to enable Baroness Casey to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future, including considering the affordability of care costs, if she sees fit.

Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of Ofcom’s enforcement powers to tackle the online sale of illegal drugs in vape liquids.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) places duties on services to reduce the risk that they are used to facilitate illegal sales of controlled drugs. DSIT has regular discussions with Ofcom regarding the implementation of the OSA’s duties. Where providers fail to comply with these duties, Ofcom can issue fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18m, whichever is higher. The Act establishes that the Secretary of State must review the functioning of the Act within 2-5 years of the regime taking effect. This will include reviewing the adequacy of Ofcom's enforcement powers.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the steps it is taking to prevent the (a) sale and (b) marketing of vape liquids containing (i) Class A substances and (ii) spice on social media platforms.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) places duties on services to reduce the risk that they are used to facilitate illegal sales of controlled drugs. DSIT has regular discussions with Ofcom regarding the implementation of the OSA’s duties. Where providers fail to comply with these duties, Ofcom can issue fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18m, whichever is higher. The Act establishes that the Secretary of State must review the functioning of the Act within 2-5 years of the regime taking effect. This will include reviewing the adequacy of Ofcom's enforcement powers.

What recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on tackling sales of THC liquids containing spice to young people.

The Government is committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs, including online, and the harms associated with their misuse.Home Office Ministers and officials work closely with Ofcom, as well as social media platforms, on the issue of illegal online content.We have strengthened the regulatory framework to address online harms and the unlawful sale of controlled drugs online is a priority offence under the illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act 2023. In-scope providers are legally required to implement measures to protect their users and to remove illegal content from their platforms, including that related to the sale of THC liquids containing spice. Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the Act, is monitoring compliance with the regime.The National Crime Agency also works with partners in the UK and internationally to identify offenders operating online, and to take down UK-based sites committing offences.