Written questions by Morello.

Media and Sport, if she will increase funding for arts centres in West Dorset constituency to help ensure their financial stability.

This government is committed to supporting culture, and making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors.The government supports the arts predominantly through Arts Council England (ACE) funding. They play a hugely important role in developing the arts in England and are also responsible for funding and promoting the arts. ACE’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is currently accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in West Dorset. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.In addition, Local Authorities remain one of the largest funders of arts and culture in England, and DCMS will continue to advocate and help local decision-makers understand and recognise the benefits that the arts can bring.

Media and Sport, if she will conduct a review of arts centres to ensure that buildings are (a) safe and (b) sustainable.

Cultural infrastructure, including arts centres, are important parts of our cultural and creative ecosystem. We are aware of challenges with maintaining arts infrastructure and are looking carefully at the issue.Additionally, the Theatres Trust, an arm’s-length body of DCMS, produces the Theatre Green Book with partners which provides guidance to all theatres and performing arts venues across the country, sharing advice and resources to improve sustainability. The Theatre Green book includes a ‘Building Survey Tool’ to support organisations to assess the sustainability of their buildings.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that fishing catch limits are in line with scientific advice on that matter.

As an independent coastal State the UK sets catch limits, primarily through negotiation with other coastal States. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, our approach to setting catch limits is based on the best available scientific advice, including advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) on maximum sustainable yield where that is available. Following the conclusion of this year's annual fisheries negotiations, the Government will publish an independent assessment of the number of TACs set consistent with ICES advice for 2025 as it has done in previous years.

Whether she plans to investigate complaints about the AEA Technology pension scheme.

The AEAT Pensions issue has a long and complex history. The Work and Pensions Committee inquiry report on Defined Benefit pension schemes, published in March 2024, helpfully outlines areas to be considered including on AEAT members. The work was originally halted due to the general election. DWP ministers continue to take advice from officials on these issues.

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for people living with secondary breast cancer in rural areas.

Reducing unwarranted variation in cancer treatment is a strategic priority for NHS England’s Cancer Programme. The programme was commissioned by the Royal College of Surgeons and aims to deliver 10 cancer clinical audits, including two audits on primary and metastatic breast cancer.To help improve outcomes and treatments for patients in all areas, NHS England funded an audit into primary and metastatic breast cancer. Using routine data collected on patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in a National Health Service setting as part of their care and treatment, the audit brings together information to look at what is being done well, where it’s being done well, and what needs to be done better. On 12 September 2024 the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre published their State of the Nation Report on primary and metastatic breast cancer.The Department supports statutory integrated care systems (ICSs) in delivering NHS services across England. ICSs are partnerships of organisations which come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services, to improve the lives of the people who live and work in their area. This includes considering adequate healthcare provision for populations in towns and rural areas, and working collaboratively to plan for population change.The organisations within an ICS include the NHS, local government, social care providers, charities, and other organisations working together to provide more joined up care for people, and to improve the outcomes for their populations.

What steps she is taking to consider the needs of rural areas when determining police funding allocations.

This Government is committed to reducing crime and disorder in rural areas, given the devastating impact rural crime can have on communities. Under our reforms, rural communities will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent farm theft and fly-tipping. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will deliver thousands of additional neighbourhood police, police community support officers and Special Constables, across England and Wales, including in rural areas, to speed up response times and build public confidence.The majority of public funding for police forces in England and Wales is provided by the Home Office and is agreed by the House of Commons on an annual basis at the police funding settlement. Each year the Home Office produces a Police Grant Report which is published and voted on by Parliament and contains grant funding allocations for the following year to be paid out under the Police Act 1996.A copy of the most recent Grant Report for 2024-25 has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can be found online:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65b913a1ee7d49000d9849d4/E03063051_-_Police_Grant_Report__England_and_Wales__24-25_Accessible.pdf

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure there is adequacy supply of social housing in West Dorset constituency.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to increase funding opportunities for grassroots sports facilities in rural constituencies.

The Government is committed to expanding access to community and grassroots sport across the UK and believe it should be accessible to all people, in all parts of the country.The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on bringing the health and sport sectors together at community level and to champion physical activity with local leaders to develop interventions tailored to communities.Throughout 2024/25, the Government is investing £123 million to provide new and improved multi-sport grassroot facilities and pitches across the UK, including in rural areas. The Football Foundation plans their investment pipeline based on Local Football Facility Plans (LFFPs). These plans have been developed in partnership with local authorities and are in the process of being refreshed to reflect the current landscape. Should a constituent have an enquiry about prospective investment at a specific facility, they can get in touch with the Football Foundation directly via enquiries@footballfoundation.org.uk.We will confirm details of future support following the upcoming Spending Review, including how we intend to distribute funding across communities in different areas of the United Kingdom.

What steps her Department is taking to support (a) recruitment and (b) retention in rural police forces.

It is important that all forces recruit and retain the skills they need. Decisions about police recruitment, including how recruitment and selection processes are run, are a matter for Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners and are therefore managed locally by forces.We recognise the importance of tackling rural crime. We are committed to safeguarding rural communities, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing, and stronger laws to prevent farm theft and fly tippers.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of high property prices on the availability of social housing in rural constituencies.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is providing support to local authorities in rural areas where demand for social housing exceeds supply.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond March 2025.

Future Government spending is a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to help increase tourism in rural constituencies where (a) small businesses and (b) cultural landmarks rely on visitors.

Yes, the Government wants to grow tourism across all parts of the country and recognises the importance of tourism to rural constituencies.DCMS works with VisitBritain/VisitEngland to champion visits to the British countryside to a worldwide audience, and promoting rural areas such as the South Downs, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire and the Yorkshire Dales. DCMS, through VisitEngland, has also accredited 33 Local Visitor Economy Partnerships so far; which aims to drive investment and spend across the regions - including in rural and coastal areas.Regarding cultural landmarks, DCMS will continue to work collaboratively across government departments and with the sector to support marketing campaigns that attract more visitors to heritage sites and cultural destinations across the regions to stimulate inbound demand.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of primary care facilities for the diagnosis of stages of breast cancer.

The two most common routes through which breast cancer is diagnosed is following an urgent referral from a general practitioner, on the basis of signs and symptoms, or via breast screening, which happens in fixed or mobile breast screening units.In March 2024, NHS England published guidance for local systems on implementing a timed breast cancer diagnostic pathway, setting out how diagnosis within 28-days can be achieved for the suspected breast cancer pathway.Urgent referral pathways for people with breast symptoms who cannot be managed in primary care are also in place across England. While not on a suspected cancer pathway, these referrals should still be able to expect an outcome within 28 days of initial referral.Since March 2024, NHS England has also been implementing breast pain pathways across England, with more than 60% of secondary care providers having established a live service. Breast pain on its own is not a sign of breast cancer. Introducing the breast pain pathways helps to ensure that patients who are at low risk of cancer receive rapid reassurance, and also helps to ensure that the urgent pathways are available for those who need them. Breast pain pathways are mainly managed within primary care or community diagnostic centres.

Communities & Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a new waste incinerator in Portland on (a) levels of traffic and (b) infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 8613 answered on 18 October 2024.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Portland Incinerator on local infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The full reasons for the decision to grant the permission in question are set out in the published decision letter and Inspector’s Report. The Inspector’s Report provides a complete list of the evidence which was before the Inquiry. Having issued this decision, the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential economic impact of sewage discharges into the sea on the tourism industry.

The Government is focused on protecting and enhancing the environment and putting right the failures of the past. VisitBritain/VisitEngland are working with the tourism sector to celebrate and amplify best practice, and to coordinate an industry response that promotes the UK as a leader in sustainable tourism and puts the UK’s natural landscapes and communities at the heart of the country’s brand proposition.Where water safety is at risk, we will work closely with the UK Health Security Agency, water companies and the Environment Agency to mitigate any adverse impacts on the tourism sector and our natural environment from sewage leaks.