Written questions by Morello.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the heightened risk of former British national Islamic extremists escaping from the (a) al-Hol and (b) al-Roj prison camps in Syria following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad on the UK's national security.

As the present situation in Syria unfolds, we are working closely with partners to monitor any threats, including through our work with the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Our priority remains to ensure the safety and security of the UK. We will not hesitate to take action to protect the UK from those who pose a threat to our security. This can, where appropriate, include the exercise of powers to disrupt the travel to the UK, of individuals who are assessed to pose a threat.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to prioritise connectivity to rural premises without access to gigabit-capable broadband in (a) England and (b) the South West.

According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 86% of premises in England have access to gigabit-capable broadband. To improve broadband connectivity further, we have put in place over 30 Project Gigabit contracts that are set to deliver fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million rural and hard-to-reach premises that would otherwise not be reached by the commercial market alone.There are multiple contracts being delivered across the South West, including in Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We recently announced new Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach that will also bring gigabit-capable broadband to premises in Devon and Somerset.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) help mitigate security threats posed by former British nationals in the (i) al-Hol and (ii) al-Roj prison camps in Syria.

As the present situation in Syria unfolds, we are working closely with partners to monitor any threats, including through our work with the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Our priority remains to ensure the safety and security of the UK. We will not hesitate to take action to protect the UK from those who pose a threat to our security. This can, where appropriate, include the exercise of powers to disrupt the travel to the UK, of individuals who are assessed to pose a threat.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve the rollout of broadband in rural areas under Project Gigabit.

According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 86% of premises in England have access to gigabit-capable broadband. To improve broadband connectivity further, we have put in place over 30 Project Gigabit contracts that are set to deliver fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million rural and hard-to-reach premises that would otherwise not be reached by the commercial market alone.There are multiple contracts being delivered across the South West, including in Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We recently announced new Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach that will also bring gigabit-capable broadband to premises in Devon and Somerset.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of repatriating former British nationals from (a) al-Hol and (b) al-Roj prison camp in Syria to prevent (i) further radicalisation and (ii) escape.

Our priority remains to ensure the safety and security of the UK. We will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect the UK from those who pose a threat to our security. All requests for consular assistance from Syria are considered on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all relevant circumstances including, but not limited to, national security.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with international partners on the long-term (a) security and (b) management of (i) al-Hol and (ii) al-Roj prison camp in Syria.

The UK continues to promote security and stability in Syria, to ensure Daesh's territorial defeat continues and they can never resurge. We remain in close contact with the authorities in North-East Syria and with international partners as part of the Global Coalition Against Daesh, including on mitigating the extant Daesh threat emanating from detention facilities and camps, including al-Hol and al-Roj. The Foreign Secretary attended the International Contact Group on Syria in Riyadh on 12 January where he emphasised the need for a political solution in North-East Syria, and for partners to co-operate closely to tackle the threat from Daesh.

What steps her Department is taking to support first-time buyers in rural constituencies with (a) mortgage rates and (b) stamp duty.

In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence. Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025. The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to (a) support residential mobility and (b) ensure adequate housing in areas with high rates of under-occupation.

The government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million new homes in England in this Parliament. We intend to deliver housing of all tenures in the right places, supporting our towns and cities to grow, and providing the homes people want near to businesses and employment opportunities.We also want to see efficient use of existing housing stock. When it comes to social housing, local authorities and housing associations are encouraged to support under-occupiers to transfer to smaller properties, including through mutual exchanges. We are also empowering local authorities to bring empty properties back into use. Where funding, tax, and informal approaches are ineffective, local authorities can use formal enforcement levers to bring homes back into use. The government is also considering recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce on how to improve housing choices for older people.

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce fatality rates of cyclists on rural roads.

The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, by strengthening pedestrian priority on pavements and at crossings and introducing the Hierarchy of Road Users, which places those road users most at risk in the event of a collision, at the top of the hierarchy. The Highway Code makes it clear that those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger they pose to others, and highlights the need to take care and be particularly aware of young cyclists and pedestrians. The Department has awarded local authorities £185.8 million of funding between 2017 and 2024 through the Safer Roads Fund to improve the safety of England's most high risk 'A' roads. To date, it has funded 445.3 miles of rural roads which make up 62.4% of all funded routes. Additionally, Active Travel England works with rural authorities to provide funding and to support the delivery of high-quality walking and cycling schemes, including segregated cycle lanes and junction improvements. This includes training for local authority staff, as well as design workshops and design assurance reviews of schemes under development.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the expiration of the stamp duty relief scheme on (a) residential mobility and (b) local business sustainability in rural communities.

In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence. Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025. The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken to ensure Project Gigabit contracts deliver (a) on time and (b) within budget.

All Project Gigabit contracts include measures and obligations regarding time and budget against which suppliers’ performance is monitored. These include measures to manage effective build plans, milestones, risks and issues.Building Digital UK (BDUK) holds regular meetings with suppliers to discuss their progress. Each supplier’s performance is measured using monthly contractual reporting, reviewing the build progress and payment claims on each contract.Failure to deliver to a contract milestone on any build phase of a contract can result in the trigger of a rectification plan process and cessation of payments until the milestone is achieved.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the stamp duty tax-free threshold for first-time buyers on rural housing affordability in West Dorset constituency.

In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence. Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025. The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the fall of Bashar al-Assad on the trafficking of (a) British and (b) other (i) women and (ii) children by Islamic State.

As the present situation in Syria unfolds, we are working closely with partners to monitor Daesh activity and prevent them from exploiting the current instability, including through our work with the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Daesh's ability to direct, enable and inspire attacks is one of the most significant global terrorist threats, including to the UK, our people, and our interests overseas.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the (a) cost and (b) timeline is for the establishment of his Department's office in Glasgow.

The Outline Business Case for the FCDO's move from East Kilbride to Glasgow has been approved through the FCDO and now rests with HMT and the Cabinet Office. Until this rigorous HMG approvals' process and a tender to fit out the new Joint HQ are complete, we cannot be precise on when the move will take place or its full cost. The costs of the FCDO's move are subject to final commercial negotiations and are, therefore, sensitive and cannot be shared at this point.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help older residents in rural areas to downsize.

The updated National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including older people, and reflect this in planning policies.As the needs of older people can range from accessible and adaptable general needs housing to specialist housing with a high level of care and support, it is up to each local authority to decide how to prioritise particular types or tenures of new housing in order to meet needs.The Framework is also clear that planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances in rural areas.The government have committed to considering further how policy can promote rural affordable housing, and to the recommendations set out in the report of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, published on 26 November 2024.

If he will provide a breakdown of spending on brain cancer research in 2023-24.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.5 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24. Cancer is a major area of NIHR spend, reflecting its high priority.In the financial year 2023/24, total NIHR spending on direct research awards on brain cancer was £2.1 million spent across 22 active studies, with a total lifetime value of £11.8 million. In the same year, our wider infrastructure investments, which enable the country’s leading experts to develop and deliver high-quality translational, clinical, and applied research funded by ourselves, charities, and industry partners, allowed an additional 1,107 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain cancer research in the National Health Service.In addition to direct research awards, NIHR infrastructure funding enables the country’s leading experts to develop and deliver high-quality translational, clinical, and applied research supported by other funders. These investments allowed an additional 1,107 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain cancer research in in the NHS in the same period.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the regularity of bus services on vulnerable users in West Dorset constituency.

We know that bus services can be a lifeline for many, and are committed to delivering better, more frequent services across the country. That is why we are allocating bus funding based on need not the quality of bids. Dorset Council will receive £3.8m next year, a £2.5m annual increase on the previous year.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help ensure reliable mobile coverage in rural areas.

This government wants people across the UK to benefit from reliable and good quality mobile coverage. Through the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage at all. Our ambition goes beyond this, and is for all populated areas, including rural areas, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030 – and we want to support the industry to deliver this.

What steps he is taking to address (a) recruitment and (b) retention in adult social care in rural areas.

The Government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and improve the retention of the domestic workforce.We are introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to the adult social care sector, so that care professionals are recognised and rewarded for the important work they do. Fair Pay Agreements will empower worker representatives, employers, and others to negotiate pay, and terms and conditions in a regulated and responsible manner.

What steps his Department is taking to improve mental health support for social care workers.

Most social care workers are employed by private sector providers who set their pay and terms and conditions, including any occupational health or wellbeing support, independent of the central Government.We recognise the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and to improve the retention of the domestic workforce. We want it to be regarded as a profession, and for the people who work in care to be respected as professionals. We are introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to the adult social care sector so that care professionals are recognised and rewarded for the important work that they do.