Written questions by Morello.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the current care funding framework on people with dementia who want to remain at home.

Adult social care is part of our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service that shifts care from hospitals to communities, with more personalised, proactive, and joined-up health and care services that help people stay independent for as long as possible.We are empowering people and giving them more choice and control over their care, for instance by promoting greater use of direct payments. We are also expanding care options to boost independent living at home through an additional £172 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant over two years, enabling approximately 15,600 extra home adaptations, and are introducing care technology standards to help people choose the right support.This year's Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements.The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

Whether he plans to introduce a minimum service guarantee for people funding their own care through their pensions.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care, including those funding their own care. We are progressing towards a National Care Service based on higher standards, more choice and control, and better joined up services, which will improve the quality of services for people. To build consensus on plans for a National Care Service, Baroness Casey is chairing an independent commission to shape the medium- and longer-term reforms needed. The independent commission has launched a new portal on their website and invited members of the public, people drawing on care and support, and organisations to submit evidence and to share their stories and ideas for improving the adult social care system.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the two-child benefit cap on families in rural areas.

The Taskforce recognises the importance of place, including differences between urban and rural locations, as a driver of child poverty. Children and families in rural areas have played an important role in the development of the Child Poverty Strategy, including through their participation in our research with parents and carers, and with children – which included an emphasis of the importance and role of place in shaping their experiences. Strengthening local support is also one of the pillars through which we are developing the Strategy. No assessment has been made of the impact of removing the Two Child Limit policy in West Dorset or on families in rural areas. However, statistics on the number of households and children in receipt of Universal Credit affected by the Two Child Limit policy are available by local authority and parliamentary constituency on the GOV.UK website, the latest being for April 2025: Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025 - GOV.UK. This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy. In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing the two-child benefit cap on child poverty in West Dorset constituency.

The Taskforce recognises the importance of place, including differences between urban and rural locations, as a driver of child poverty. Children and families in rural areas have played an important role in the development of the Child Poverty Strategy, including through their participation in our research with parents and carers, and with children – which included an emphasis of the importance and role of place in shaping their experiences. Strengthening local support is also one of the pillars through which we are developing the Strategy. No assessment has been made of the impact of removing the Two Child Limit policy in West Dorset or on families in rural areas. However, statistics on the number of households and children in receipt of Universal Credit affected by the Two Child Limit policy are available by local authority and parliamentary constituency on the GOV.UK website, the latest being for April 2025: Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025 - GOV.UK. This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy. In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen protections for small businesses against “phoenixing” as part of the Government’s late payment reforms in West Dorset constituency.

This Government will legislate to end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day. We published a consultation on our proposed legislative measures on 31st July which is live until 23rd October.The Insolvency Service is committed to working closely with HMRC and Companies House to tackle the harm caused by companies who use ‘Phoenixing’ as a means of avoiding liabilities. There is a range of ongoing activity being led by the Treasury that includes a desire to develop a detailed cross-government threat assessment.

What steps he is taking to ensure rehabilitation pathways reflect the differing needs of stroke survivors.

The National Health Service’s integrated community stroke service model (ICSS) describes stroke services that are integrated, specialist, responsive, and of sufficient intensity to meet the needs of the patient. There are three discharge pathways described in the model: to home with no social care required; to home with social care support; and discharge to a care home, which may be considered as a step-down bed. All pathways have access to needs-led rehabilitation. Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of the ICSS.

If she will make it her policy to allocate funding for rainwater management strategies in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The Chancellor will set out any new policy at the Autumn Budget in the usual way. The Government is already investing a record £10.5bn to build new flood defences and repair existing defences. This is the largest flood programme in history and will protect nearly 900,000 properties from the devastation of flooding.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of wages for general practice nurses.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practitioners how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate that good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) benefits and (b) conditions for general practice nursing staff.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practices (GPs) how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. GP contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on practices with regard to GP nurse terms and conditions. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate that good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of introducing digital ID on (a) older and (b) digitally excluded people in West Dorset constituency.

The Government will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to help ensure everyone eligible is able to access the new digital ID. This will include targeted support for those who may struggle to access or engage with digital services or devices. This will be a big opportunity to improve digital inclusion.The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year, setting out the proposed approach in more detail and seeking views on this. This will include the proposed approach to inclusion.The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible.

If he will make it his policy review the minimum export value for rooftop solar electricity to support investment.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism in which energy suppliers, not government, set both tariff levels and structure. This is designed to encourage innovation and competition in the sector and minimise costs to consumers. The Government monitors the SEG to ensure it continues to support the Clean Energy Mission. Any introduction of a minimum export price would need to be carefully balanced against potential costs to consumers.

Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to exempt digitally excluded people from mandatory digital ID requirements.

The Government will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to help ensure everyone eligible is able to access the new digital ID. This will include targeted support for those who may struggle to access or engage with digital services or devices. This will be a big opportunity to improve digital inclusion.The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year, setting out the proposed approach in more detail and seeking views on this. This will include the proposed approach to inclusion.The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible.

If she will make it her policy to introduce a Dorset Railcard.

There are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, such as the Cornwall and Devon Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators. Any discussions for a Dorset based railcard would be subject to engagement between the local area and South Western Railway as the relevant train operator.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of allowing police forces to release details of a suspect's (a) ethnicity, (b) nationality and (c) immigration status on the fairness of subsequent trials.

The Home Office does not direct operational policing decisions, including those related to the disclosure of information about a person suspected or charged with committing an offence. These matters rightly fall under the purview of Chief Constables.The murders and subsequent riots in Southport in July 2024 raised questions about how the Government may best counter misinformation and disinformation without creating a risk of being in contempt of court in relation to ongoing criminal proceedings. There are restrictions on what can be said before and during a trial to ensure that trials are fair and justice is delivered. At the same time, however, social media is putting these long-established rules under strain, especially in cases such as Southport where partial or inaccurate information appears online.The NPCC and the College of Policing issued interim guidance to police forces in August, which aims to support forces in managing sensitive investigations and mitigating risks associated with them.The interim guidance encourages police forces to confirm a suspect’s ethnicity and nationality (where known or recorded) in certain high-profile or sensitive investigations where they determine it is necessary to maintain public safety and reassure the public.

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

The 2025 Autumn Budget 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.

Whether his Department plans to introduce (a) additional regulatory and (b) enforcement measures to prevent directors of insolvent companies from engaging in phoenixing.

The Government is keenly aware of concerns around “phoenixing”, and officials at The Insolvency Service are currently conducting a comprehensive review of the civil enforcement regime to evaluate how best to tackle and prevent wrongdoing by directors of insolvent or dissolved companies. Measures were also announced at both the Autumn Budget 2024 and the Spring Statement 2025 committing HMRC, the Insolvency Service and Companies House to increase collaboration to tackle those using contrived corporate insolvencies and dissolutions (often referred to as ‘phoenixism).

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the (a) prevalence of phoenixing and (b) potential impact of phoenixing on small businesses.

The Insolvency Service is committed to working closely with HMRC and Companies House to tackle the harm caused by companies who use ‘Phoenixing’ as a means of avoiding liabilities. There is a range of ongoing activity set out in the recent Treasury Minutes – CP 1306 including a desire to develop a detailed cross-government threat assessment.

If she will have discussions with local stakeholders on a Dorset Railcard scheme.

There are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, such as the Cornwall and Devon Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators. Any discussions for a Dorset-based railcard would be subject to engagement between the local area and South Western Railway as the relevant train operator.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a Dorset Railcard to support residents with travel costs.

There are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, such as the Cornwall and Devon Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators. Any discussions for a Dorset-based railcard would be subject to engagement between the local area and South Western Railway as the relevant train operator.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of UK-made drone defence systems to protect critical national infrastructure.

The UK has procured advanced Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) capabilities from UK manufacturers which continue to be developed in response to the changing threat. The MOD regularly engages with subject matter experts, including DASA, DSTL, and UK industry partners, to conduct thematic C-UAS capability challenges. These challenges promote the development of C-UAS systems by British companies. In the last two years, the MOD has invested in the development of Directed Energy Weapons, the development teams for which are led by UK consortiums. All C-UAS systems that are currently in use or in development support a range of possible scenarios and user cases, including the protection of critical national infrastructure.