Written questions by Morello.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on reducing the level of disruption caused by gas mains maintenance in West Dorset constituency.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken since the spending review to improve broadband connectivity in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset.

The government has recently reconfirmed its commitment to achieving nationwide gigabit coverage and the government now expects 99% of premises to have access to a gigabit-capable connection by 2032.Following the Spending Review, Building Digital UK (BDUK) is refreshing its delivery plans to meet the government’s new 2032 target. Wessex Internet is delivering two Project Gigabit contracts: one in North Dorset, and another covering other parts of Dorset and South Somerset. Approximately 4,100 premises in the West Dorset constituency are currently included in these contracts. Build on the latter contract is expected to complete in 2029, while build in North Dorset is expected to complete shortly.

What assessment his Department has made of the scope of responsibilities for the revised physician associate role.

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams. The Government has accepted all 18 of the review’s recommendations.NHS England has published a letter and a Frequently Asked Questions document, setting out what the accepted recommendations mean for employees and employers, both in the immediate and longer term. The Frequently Asked Questions 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.pdfThe Leng Review’s recommendations are far reaching and require cross-system partnership working to be considered, planned, and delivered effectively. We will work with NHS England, royal colleges, unions, and other relevant stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations. Further information on implementation will be set out in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that advice services can meet increased demand.

The Department for Work and Pensions provides a range of support to customers claiming Universal Credit. This includes a dedicated Universal Credit helpline, information on gov.uk, face to face support in Jobcentres as well as support from the Help to Claim service. Help to Claim is delivered independently by Citizens Advice, in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland, to provide practical tailored support to enable individuals to make a new claim to Universal Credit or move from legacy benefits. Help to Claim is available to anyone making a claim to Universal Credit and is focussed on providing help that meets an individual’s needs at any time until the first full payment of Universal Credit is made. The Department for Work and Pensions forecasts demand as part of its Grant Funding Agreement with Citizens Advice to ensure they have the resources required to deliver Help to Claim. Since April 2019, Help to Claim has supported over 1.1 million people, with 9 in 10 people rating their overall experience as good or very good and would recommend it to friends and family.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the potential impact of coastal erosion on public safety when there are high numbers of visitors to the coast.

Local authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making around public safety near coastlines. The National Coastal Monitoring Programme (NCMP) comprises of six regional programmes led by Coastal Authorities and the Environment Agency to optimise coastal investment and protect communities through the monitoring and analysis of existing coastal assets. The new NCERM provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency has worked with local authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the condition of gas mains infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of drone technology on domestic defence capabilities.

The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Both autonomous and uncrewed technologies features in both Current and Planned Force Testing events, to ensure we capture the impact of changing technology on our force design. The mix of weapons systems required to defeat different target sets has also been the subject of Force Variation Testing. The results of these assessments are militarily sensitive, so are not releasable.The Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn, to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure this plan considers the capabilities we need to deliver a more lethal Integrated Force, alongside infrastructure and people. The plan will ensure Defence has the flexibility to seize new technological opportunities and maximise the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.

Whether HMRC defines SSIPs as pension assets for the purposes of (a) means-tested benefits and (b) financial assessments.

The treatment of Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) for the purposes of means-tested benefits and financial assessments does not fall within HMRC’s remit. HMRC’s role is to define and regulate pension schemes for tax purposes, including SIPPs, which may be registered pension schemes under the Finance Act 2004. Decisions regarding the treatment of pension assets in means-tested benefits are a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), while financial assessments for adult social care are administered by local authorities under guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). HMRC does not define SIPPs as assets for the purposes of benefit entitlement or financial assessments. Any determination of how such pensions are treated in those contexts should be sought from the relevant departments.

What the average administrative cost is of collecting VAT from a VAT-registered company.

HMRC calculate annually the cost to collect £1 of VAT. In 2024-25, it cost 0.58 pence, i.e. less than one penny, to collect £1 of VAT on average. This ratio has been broadly stable over recent years. Cost of Collection - VAT - 5 year Trend from 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 2020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025pencepencepencepencepenceVAT0.630.520.540.580.58

How many businesses had energy efficiency measures installed in West Dorset constituency between 2010 and 2024.

The Government does not hold any information or statistics about this area. While a range of Government schemes and incentives have supported energy efficiency improvements across the commercial sector, detailed data is not collected at a national or constituency level.

What support is available for hotels in West Dorset constituency to transition to more energy-efficient (a) heating and (b) cooling systems.

The Government is working with local government, businesses, and the private sector to develop options to ensure our commercial buildings are thermally efficient, clean and affordable to run with a clear, practical path to meet Net Zero. We are supporting a pilot for hospitality businesses with Zero Carbon Services to help hospitality SMEs reduce carbon and energy bills. And the Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers businesses grants of £7500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing heat pumps, and £5000 towards a biomass boiler, to replace their existing fossil fuel systems.

What recent steps her Department has taken to improve coordination between counter-terrorism policing units and local authorities in rural areas.

The Counter-Terrorism Policing network stretches across the UK. There are eleven regional counter-terrorism units (CTUs) and intelligence units (CTIUs) that collaborate daily to confront the threat from terrorism. The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST, outlines the importance of working together with partners, including local authorities and communities, to keep us safe. For security reasons, we do not comment on specifics of partnership or operations.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of poor internet access on West Dorset businesses.

We have not made any specific assessment regarding the potential impact of poor internet access on West Dorset businesses.Wider government analysis has shown that fast and reliable connectivity contributes to increased economic growth and productivity. That is why the government is committed to ensuring at least 99% of premises, including businesses, receive gigabit broadband coverage by 2032, with over 88% already able to do so.

Innovation and Technology, when his Department last made an assessment of ultrafast broadband coverage in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset constituency.

Three months ago, when Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2025 Spring reporting (published May 2025) assessed that 57% of rural UK premises and 58% of all West Dorset premises have access to ultrafast broadband (of 100 Mbps or faster).

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of legal aid reductions on the availability of advice services.

Over the last decade we recognise there has been increased pressure on advice services.Legal aid is intended to support those who need it most, while still delivering value for the taxpayer. However, the Government recognises it sits within a wider system of legal support and that the provision of legal support, provided by the advice sector, is important to help people assert their rights and resolve their legal problems, and enable those who are not eligible for legal aid to access justice.Since coming into power, the Labour Government has made substantial investments in civil and criminal legal aid. We have recently consulted on funding of up to £92 million more a year for criminal legal aid solicitors, on top of the £24 million we implemented last year for criminal solicitors. We have also confirmed we will be uplifting fees for housing and immigration legal aid: an increase of £20 million a year once fully implemented.In addition, the Ministry of Justice is providing over £6 million of grant funding in 2025-26 to 60 organisations to improve access to free legal support and information, both in-person and online. In addition, we are working with the advice sector and have established the Legal Support Strategy Delivery Group, which is comprised of key stakeholders from across the legal support and advice sector, to co-design a long-term plan to make the legal support system more sustainable, effective and efficient. The plan focuses on the themes of service delivery, data and evidence, and funding.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Environment Agency and (b) Dorset Council on improving safety around cliffs in West Dorset constituency.

Defra works closely with Environment Agency officials at every level and provides constructive challenge and support on Environment Agency’s performance and delivery to protect and enhance the environment and serve the public. The responsibility for public safety around cliffs and coastlines sits with the Local Authority. Local Authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making. The new National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency worked with Local Authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs, to produce this.

What is his proposed timeline for implementing changes to the scope of practice for physician associates.

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams. The Government has accepted all 18 of the review’s recommendations.NHS England has published a letter and a Frequently Asked Questions document, setting out what the accepted recommendations mean for employees and employers, both in the immediate and longer term. The Frequently Asked Questions 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.pdfThe Leng Review’s recommendations are far reaching and require cross-system partnership working to be considered, planned, and delivered effectively. We will work with NHS England, royal colleges, unions, and other relevant stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations. Further information on implementation will be set out in due course.

Whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the treatment of Small Self-Invested Pensions in financial assessments.

Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must follow the Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, and they must act under the Care and Support Statutory (CASS) guidance.The responsibility for interpreting and applying the law and the CASS guidance rests with local authorities.The treatment of private pension income in financial assessments is set out in Annex C of the CASS guidance. Pension income is generally treated as part of a person’s income when conducting financial assessments for adult social care, unless the regulations specifically disregard it.

What plans his Department has to increase access to specialist breast cancer nurses for patients with secondary breast cancer in West Dorset.

The Department of Health and Social Care will publish a refreshed Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service it will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. The Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people, including breast cancer nurses in West Dorset, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.NHS England is investing in structured career development and education support. The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) programme provides a nationally agreed framework for capability, career development and education for nurses, allied health professionals and support workforce working in cancer care. This is also beneficial for the training and development of specialist nurses working in breast cancer care.

Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with (a) public landowners, (b) the National Trust and (c) Forestry England on the potential impact of cashless-only car parking systems on (i) older people and (ii) people without mobile phones.

No such discussions have taken place. Car parking charges for publicly-owned car parks are primarily a matter for local authorities.