Written questions by Morello.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to review the regulatory framework governing Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority to improve protections for Atlantic salmon entering Poole Harbour.

Defra is not planning to review the regulatory framework for Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs). IFCAs already have a duty to manage inshore fisheries sustainably, balancing socioeconomic factors with protecting the marine environment, including Atlantic salmon. Southern IFCA have published a Salmonid Good Handling Code of Practice and introduced a Net Fishing Byelaw in 2023, both of which help to protect salmon in Poole Harbour.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to ensure that (a) the River Frome and (b) other chalk streams outside of designated protected landscapes receive equal consideration for (i) conservation and (ii) restoration.

This Government is committed to the restoration of our cherished chalk streams. With 85% of the world’s chalk streams found in the UK, these unique water bodies are not just vital ecosystems but a symbol of our national heritage. The Government is committed to restoring our rivers, lakes and seas, including chalk streams. This is why on 23 October 2024 the UK and Welsh Governments launched an independent commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe and supported by expert advisors, to recommend reforms to reset the water sector regulatory system. The commission aims to build consensus for a resilient and innovative water sector and a robust wider regulatory framework that will deliver long-term benefits to ultimately serve both customers and the environment. The main pressures on the Dorset Frome are point-source and diffuse pollution, historic land use and water management changes such as weirs and channel straightening, and water resources balance. The Environment Agency is working with partners in the Frome Headwaters catchment this year to further understand and address some of these issues with a focus on reducing fine sediment input and improving habitat.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to implement the measures announced in the press release entitled Changes announced to better protect England’s chalk streams, published on 21 September 2023.

On 21 September 2023, the Government brought forward an amendment to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, now Act, to add chalk streams to the definitions of 'environmental protection' and 'natural environment', so that they can be considered when setting the outcomes for a future system of environmental assessment. The Government is committed to securing better environmental outcomes alongside securing the development we need and is considering how best to reform environmental assessment processes with this objective in mind. This includes whether to take forward the powers in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act to introduce Environmental Outcomes Reports We continue to direct investments to projects that will improve chalk streams. In 2024/2025, there are over 45 chalk stream projects receiving funding from the government's Water Environment Improvement Fund, each leveraging private investment, alongside that we are investing in catchment level initiatives through the Water Environment Improvement Fund where the Government is funding 45 projects (worth £2.5m of government investment) this financial year (2024/25) that improve chalk streams, each with the injection of private investment.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that road infrastructure works on the A35 Sea Road South are not indefinitely delayed due to funding constraints.

Improvements across the strategic road network are evidence led, and National Highways will continue to use a prioritisation matrix to ensure that schemes are progressed in line with the associated need across the network. As such the proposed safety improvements running between Charmouth and Yellowham, inclusive of Sea Road South, have been allocated funding for 2025/26.

What criteria her Department uses to determine the level of prioritisation of road improvement schemes.

The Department has responsibility for prioritisation of investment in enhancement on the strategic road network and considers a balance of funding, economic, and strategic factors. These are principally considered through a proposed scheme’s value for money assessment, affordability, deliverability, and alignment to wider government objectives and plans. Prioritisation decisions for local roads are a matter for the relevant local highway authority.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing funding for the A35 Sea Road South scheme in 2025-26.

National Highways has entered an interim settlement year to allow time for ministers to pause and consider Strategic Road Network priorities and capital spend. It has received an allocation of Customer and Communities funding for this interim settlement and prioritised schemes nationally against this allocation. While the A35 Sea Road South scheme did not score highly enough within the prioritisation process to receive this funding, money has been allocated to a scheme which addresses road safety on this route.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the (a) condition and (b) traffic capacity of the A35 Sea Road South.

This Government recognises that maintaining the condition of the country’s roads is essential to ensure people can travel safely and effectively. The condition of the A35 is regularly inspected and any identified maintenance defects are addressed accordingly in line with their severity. Traffic capacity and congestion along the route is monitored regionally by National Highways and fed into a prioritisation process as appropriate.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the level of funding allocated to the A35 Sea Road South scheme on (a) road safety and (b) local transport infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The A35 Sea Road South improvement scheme is assessed, like any other Customer and Communities designated funds scheme. National Highways have developed a safety study running throughout Dorset. Working with partners such as the police they have assessed the safety need along the route and allocated funding in 2025/26 to a scheme to make the route safer and more intuitive for road users.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of recent trends in the level of bank branch closures in West Dorset constituency on (a) small businesses and (b) constituents.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to constituents and businesses in West Dorset and across the UK and is committed to championing sufficient access for all. That is why the Government is working closely with the industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to delivering these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open. FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills, and cash cheques. The Government protects the Post Office network by setting minimum access criteria. These include ensuring that 99% of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 90% of the population within one mile. To stimulate local economic growth, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below half a million pounds from 2026–2027 and later this year, the Government will publish a Small Business Strategy, setting out our vision for small businesses. Taken together, these actions will support businesses in West Dorset and across the country to drive local economic growth.

What steps her Department is taking to support small businesses impacted by a reduction in (a) local bank branches and (b) in-person banking services in West Dorset constituency.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to constituents and businesses in West Dorset and across the UK and is committed to championing sufficient access for all. That is why the Government is working closely with the industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to delivering these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open. FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills, and cash cheques. The Government protects the Post Office network by setting minimum access criteria. These include ensuring that 99% of the UK population lives within three miles of a Post Office and 90% of the population within one mile. To stimulate local economic growth, the Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below half a million pounds from 2026–2027 and later this year, the Government will publish a Small Business Strategy, setting out our vision for small businesses. Taken together, these actions will support businesses in West Dorset and across the country to drive local economic growth.

Whether she plans to (a) install lifts, (b) reopen the subway and (c) implement other measures to enhance accessibility at Dorchester South station.

Stations in the Access for All programme including Dorchester South railway station follow the normal Network Rail project lifecycle, including option selection and detailed design, which once complete will inform which measures are installed to improve accessibility at the station.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to ensure that agricultural environmental payments will be adjusted in line with inflation.

Prices in Environmental Land Management schemes have increased three times in the last three years to reflect inflation and pay a fairer price for action. In 2022 and 2023 prices in Countryside Stewardship increased and at the National Farmers’ Union Conference last week the Secretary of State announced an increase in prices for Higher Level Stewardship agreements.

What progress she has made on the feasibility study for installing lifts at Dorchester South station under the Access for All programme; and what her planned timetable is for the completion of those lifts.

Network Rail are expected to complete the feasibility study for Dorchester South by late spring 2025. Once all 50 studies within the Access for All programme have been completed, expected by summer 2025, Network Rail will be able to confirm a delivery schedule. Stations selected for delivery are due to be completed by 2029.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) financial incentives and (b) support mechanisms to encourage investment in UK-based sustainable aviation fuel production facilities.

DBT works closely with the Department for Transport and industry to capitalise on the opportunity across the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) market. It is estimated that by 2050, up to 15,000 jobs and £5bn GVA in the UK could be supported with future low carbon fuel production for the domestic and international markets. Government has already introduced strong incentives to support the SAF industry in the UK including: the SAF Mandate (effective 1 January 2025), the forthcoming Revenue Certainty Mechanism, and the Advanced Fuels Fund, which is extended for a further year with an additional £63m of funding.

What steps her Department is taking to accelerate the (a) production and (b) commercial viability of sustainable aviation fuel usage in the UK.

Sustainable aviation fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 70% on average over the lifecycle of its production and use, when replacing fossil kerosene. It is an important technology to help decarbonise the aviation sector. This Government’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) Mandate could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings per year by 2040. We work proactively with international partners, particularly across Europe and at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to promote both robust and consistent sustainability standards and certification processes for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) globally. Our own domestic schemes, such as the SAF Mandate, have been designed to facilitate the certification of fuels in an international context while maintaining robustness. The government is working to address barriers to SAF production and use in the UK. The government introduced a SAF Mandate on 1st January 2025 which will build demand for SAF in the UK. To support UK SAF production, the government has allocated £63 million in 2025/2026 which will directly support UK SAF plants through the Advanced Fuels Fund and has committed to legislate to introduce a revenue certainty mechanism to further help de-risk UK SAF projects.

What (a) guidance and (b) support his Department has made available to healthcare professionals on the management of patients impacted by pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy medications shortages.

The Department is continuing to engage with all suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to boost production to mitigate the supply issue. Through this work we have managed to secure additional volumes of PERT for 2025. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market. In December 2024, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider these unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented. The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, has created a webpage to include the latest update on PERT availability and easily accessible advice on the prescribing and ordering of alternative PERT products.We expect normal supply to resume in 2026 but will remain focused on pushing manufacturers to shorten this timeline. The Department also has frequent conversations with representatives from the impacted patient groups so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy medications on patients.

The Department is continuing to engage with all suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to boost production to mitigate the supply issue. Through this work we have managed to secure additional volumes of PERT for 2025. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market. In December 2024, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider these unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented. The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, has created a webpage to include the latest update on PERT availability and easily accessible advice on the prescribing and ordering of alternative PERT products.We expect normal supply to resume in 2026 but will remain focused on pushing manufacturers to shorten this timeline. The Department also has frequent conversations with representatives from the impacted patient groups so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.

What steps the Government is taking with international partners to align (a) sustainability standards and (b) certification processes for sustainable aviation fuel.

Sustainable aviation fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 70% on average over the lifecycle of its production and use, when replacing fossil kerosene. It is an important technology to help decarbonise the aviation sector. This Government’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) Mandate could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings per year by 2040. We work proactively with international partners, particularly across Europe and at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to promote both robust and consistent sustainability standards and certification processes for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) globally. Our own domestic schemes, such as the SAF Mandate, have been designed to facilitate the certification of fuels in an international context while maintaining robustness. The government is working to address barriers to SAF production and use in the UK. The government introduced a SAF Mandate on 1st January 2025 which will build demand for SAF in the UK. To support UK SAF production, the government has allocated £63 million in 2025/2026 which will directly support UK SAF plants through the Advanced Fuels Fund and has committed to legislate to introduce a revenue certainty mechanism to further help de-risk UK SAF projects.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of using sustainable aviation fuel to reduce the aviation sector’s carbon emissions.

Sustainable aviation fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 70% on average over the lifecycle of its production and use, when replacing fossil kerosene. It is an important technology to help decarbonise the aviation sector. This Government’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) Mandate could deliver up to 6.3 megatonnes of carbon savings per year by 2040. We work proactively with international partners, particularly across Europe and at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to promote both robust and consistent sustainability standards and certification processes for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) globally. Our own domestic schemes, such as the SAF Mandate, have been designed to facilitate the certification of fuels in an international context while maintaining robustness. The government is working to address barriers to SAF production and use in the UK. The government introduced a SAF Mandate on 1st January 2025 which will build demand for SAF in the UK. To support UK SAF production, the government has allocated £63 million in 2025/2026 which will directly support UK SAF plants through the Advanced Fuels Fund and has committed to legislate to introduce a revenue certainty mechanism to further help de-risk UK SAF projects.

If he will take steps to ensure a continuous supply of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy medications.

The Department is continuing to engage with all suppliers of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to boost production to mitigate the supply issue. Through this work we have managed to secure additional volumes of PERT for 2025. The Department has also reached out to specialist importers who have sourced unlicensed stock to assist in covering the remaining gap in the market. In December 2024, the Department issued further management advice to healthcare professionals. This directs clinicians to consider these unlicensed imports when licensed stock is unavailable and includes actions for integrated care boards to ensure local mitigation plans are put in place and implemented. The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, has created a webpage to include the latest update on PERT availability and easily accessible advice on the prescribing and ordering of alternative PERT products.We expect normal supply to resume in 2026 but will remain focused on pushing manufacturers to shorten this timeline. The Department also has frequent conversations with representatives from the impacted patient groups so that they are informed on the supply situation and the mitigation actions being taken.