Written questions by Morello.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing subsidies to support farmers to (a) introduce and (b) maintain beekeeping.

Figures from the annual hive count suggests that the number of beekeepers has remained relatively stable and is not declining. Defra supports beekeepers through the work of the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit which operates our bee pest surveillance programmes and provides free training and advice to beekeepers, including on pest and disease recognition. Effective pest and disease control is important for preventing spread to other apiaries and pollinators. Defra supports pollinators through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Landscape Recovery, in that the schemes offer a choice of support for more regenerative approaches to farming, and creation or restoration of habitats in appropriate areas. We are working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding, and further information about the reformed SFI will be provided shortly.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing vaccination as part of the national bovine TB control strategy.

An assessment of the potential merits of vaccination was made by a reconvened panel of independent experts, led by Professor Sir Charles Godfray. The panel’s updated report, published on 4 September 2025, considered the latest evidence on both cattle and badger vaccination, and will inform the development of the refreshed bovine TB strategy for England.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with farming organisations on subsidies for beekeeping.

Figures from the annual hive count suggests that the number of beekeepers has remained relatively stable and is not declining. Defra supports beekeepers through the work of the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit which operates our bee pest surveillance programmes and provides free training and advice to beekeepers, including on pest and disease recognition. Effective pest and disease control is important for preventing spread to other apiaries and pollinators. Defra supports pollinators through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Landscape Recovery, in that the schemes offer a choice of support for more regenerative approaches to farming, and creation or restoration of habitats in appropriate areas. We are working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding, and further information about the reformed SFI will be provided shortly.

If her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the X53 Weymouth to Axminster service.

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

If her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the CR6 Bridport to Beaminster service.

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

If her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the X53 Weymouth College to Axminster service.

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

If her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the X51 Bridport to Axminster bus service.

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

If her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the (a) Axminster to Exeter train and (b) its connecting bus services from Bridport and Lyme Regis.

Following the successful introduction of the Arterio fleet elsewhere on the South Western Railway (SWR) network, there will be an opportunity to look at the South Western timetable in detail. Relevant stakeholders, such as Dorset council, will have the chance to comment. The government knows that integrated public transport is vital to keeping communities connected. We also know that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing services, including other modes of transportation such as rail links. The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, including ensuring integration with other modes, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

If she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the enforcement of existing regulations on e-bike use.

A modified e-cycle is only road-legal where it complies in full with the requirements set out in the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. Where this is not the case, the e-cycle is classed as a motor vehicle and needs to be approved and registered with the DVLA, as well as being taxed and insured. Enforcement of these requirements is a matter for the police, who already have powers to seize illegally modified e-cycles and to fine individuals who fail to stop when instructed to do so. While we have not carried out any formal review, the Government is providing the police with more powers to make it easier for them to seize any vehicle, including illegally modified e-cycles, where it is being used in an anti-social manner. Measures contained in the Crime and Policing Bill will allow the police to seize the vehicle without first being required to provide the rider with a warning.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that communities in (a) rural constituencies and (b) West Dorset constituency can easily access the SAFE European defence funds.

We are committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth in all regions across the UK, including West Dorset. Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will be a truly nationwide effort, ensuring that the benefits of every pound spent on defence will be felt across the UK. Recognising the potential opportunities SAFE could provide for UK industry, we have set out our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

Whether the UK has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to Ukraine as part of its military support package.

The UK and its partners remain committed to equipping Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to defend its sovereign territory, in line with its priority requirements. This includes the provision of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs).We continue to work closely with the Government of Ukraine to ensure that the support we provide aligns with the evolving tactical demands of the conflict.

Whether his Department plans to support organisations in West Dorset to access the SAFE European defence funds.

We are committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth in all regions across the UK, including West Dorset. Our new Defence Industrial Strategy will be a truly nationwide effort, ensuring that the benefits of every pound spent on defence will be felt across the UK. Recognising the potential opportunities SAFE could provide for UK industry, we have set out our ambition to explore the potential for enhanced cooperation through the proposed SAFE instrument, as soon as the EU’s necessary processes are complete.

What steps her Department is taking to decrease (a) National Insurance and (b) business rates costs for pubs (i) since the Spending Review and (ii) ahead of the Autumn Budget in (A) rural constituencies and (B) West Dorset.

The Government has taken difficult but necessary decisions to deliver long-term growth. Fixing the public finances is critical to creating long-term stability in which businesses can invest and thrive. The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest employers, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change this year. Businesses will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices. From 2026-27, we intend to introduce permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties in England with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible RHL businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support. Ahead of these changes being made, the Government recognises that business will need support in 2025-26. As such, we have extended the RHL relief for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business. Under the previous Government, RHL relief was due to end entirely in April 2025. By extending the relief, the Government has saved the average pub, with a RV of £16,800, over £3,300. To ensure that key amenities are available, and that community assets are protected in rural areas, Rural Rates Relief provides 100% business rates relief for certain properties in eligible rural areas with populations below 3,000, including those that are the only public house, with a RV of up to £12,500.

Whether he plans to publish a description of the new job role for physician associates before implementation of the Leng Review.

NHS England has published a letter and a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document, setting out what the accepted Leng Review recommendations mean for employees and employers, both in the immediate and longer term. The document is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/leng-review-nhs-england-faqs-on-actions-for-nhs-organisations.pdfNHS England will consider the development of new model job descriptions for the roles of physician assistants (PAs) and physician assistants in anaesthesia (PAAs), still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, in consultation with key partners as part of any wider implementation plan. Whilst such model job descriptions would not be mandatory, they would provide guidance on the general duties of newly qualified PAs and PAAs for employers when recruiting.Prior to implementing new job descriptions, these should be evaluated either through local primary care approaches or the National Health Service job evaluation scheme for secondary care providers.In the meantime, employers of the roles should ensure their competencies and job activities are assessed to ensure they are appropriate, reflect the required work activities within the service, and that clinical governance and oversight of the roles is clearly documented.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing targeted (a) visa and (b) relocation support for American scientists seeking to work in the UK in the fields of (i) cancer and (ii) Alzheimer’s research.

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of costs of (a) energy, (b) water and (c) business rates on the viability of pubs in West Dorset constituency.

The Government recognises the significant pressures facing the hospitality sector, including pubs in West Dorset, due to rising costs and the Government is providing support through various measures to help ease these pressures.We aim to permanently reduce business rates for RHL properties with a rateable value of less than 500,000 and we have announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality trial which aims for Pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels to receive free energy and carbon cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the government’s Plan for Change.Additionally, the Department will continue to engage with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council with an aim to co-create solutions to the issues impacting business performance.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing the level of carbon removal on the UK's ability to meet it's net zero targets by (a) 2030 and (b) 2050.

The Government will deliver an updated plan that sets out the policy package out to the end of Carbon Budget 6 in 2037 for all sectors of the economy, including Greenhouse Gas Removals (GGRs), by October 2025. The Government will also set Carbon Budget 7 by June 2026, in line with our statutory duties. Under the Climate Change Act, the UK has a legally binding commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. GGR technologies will be important for reaching net zero – balancing residual emissions from hard-to-decarbonise sectors while providing new economic opportunities.

What recent discussions he has has local stakeholders in response to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s findings on WASPI women in West Dorset.

No discussions have taken place in West Dorset. After careful consideration of the Ombudsman’s findings, we made our decision which was fair and based on the evidence. There is now live litigation on this matter.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential economic impact of attracting American research scientists in (a) cancer and (b) Alzheimer's on UK research.

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to provide funding support to support UK research institutions to recruit American scientists from US universities.

The Immigration White Paper and Modern Industrial Strategy emphasised the importance of enabling high-skilled international researchers to come to the UK with ease, and committed to improvements to key visa routes, including the Global Talent Visa.The £54 million Global Talent Fund will attract around 60-80 leading researchers across Industrial Strategy sectors including Life Sciences to UK institutions. The Fund includes targeted visa and relocation cost support, and complements existing funding and talent schemes from UKRI, the National Academies and NIHR.The new Global Talent Taskforce will promote UK strengths and opportunities to exceptional talent, including international Life Sciences talent.