21 Oct 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to help tackle pollution caused by untreated sewage overflow to local authorities in West Dorset constituency in the 2024-25 financial year
ReplyIt is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. Since 2021 Water Companies have invested in 65 schemes in the West Dorset constituency which includes 6 impr...
21 Oct 2024·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, whether she has had discussions with representatives of arts centres on the potential impact of their finances on their ability to provide employment for young people.
ReplyThe Secretary of State meets with a range of cultural and arts organisations and discusses the issues facing them - including financial stability and their workforce issues.After 14 years of indifference and cultural vandalism, this government is committe...
21 Oct 2024·Department for Energy Security and Net Zero·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department is taking to support rural off-grid households to switch to low-carbon heating solutions in West Dorset constituency.
ReplyThe Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills across the UK, including in West Dorset. We will partner with combined authorities and local and ...
21 Oct 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department is taking to provide health services for disabled people in isolated areas.
ReplyUnder the NHS Act 2006, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care must promote a comprehensive health service in England.Integrated care systems (ICSs) are responsible for the planning and delivery of health and care services in...
21 Oct 2024·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support rural (a) arts venues, (b) museums and (c) community centres in West Dorset constituency.
ReplyAfter 14 years of indifference and cultural vandalism, this government is committed to making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few.Local Authorities are one of the largest funders of arts and culture in...
21 Oct 2024·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what a
ReplyThe government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my...
21 Oct 2024·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what a
ReplyThe government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my...
21 Oct 2024·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what s
ReplyThe government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my...
21 Oct 2024·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential economic impact of sewage discharges into the sea on businesses in constituencies who rely on the tourism industry.
ReplyWe have no plans to commission expensive impact surveys, given it is well established that sewage discharges into the sea at tourist sites are extremely likely to hit tourism. Instead, the Government is focused on protecting and enhancing the environment....
21 Oct 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat plans he has to improve access to health services for veterans living in rural areas.
ReplyNHS England commissions Op COURAGE, the integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Veterans can self-refer to Op COURAGE. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, including rural areas, and is delivered from a ra...
21 Oct 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department is taking to support veterans’ mental health in rural constituencies.
ReplyNHS England commissions Op COURAGE, the integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Veterans can self-refer to Op COURAGE. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, including rural areas, and is delivered from a ra...
16 Oct 2024·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
AskedCommonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to represent the interests of British farmers in global food security discussions.
ReplyInvestment in global food security supports stable, sustainable and resilient global food markets to the benefit of British farmers, exporters, and consumers. For example, for each £1 the UK invests in CGIAR, the world’s leading agricultural science and i...
16 Oct 2024·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, if she will conduct a review of arts centres to ensure that buildings are (a) safe and (b) sustainable.
ReplyCultural 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-...
16 Oct 2024·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, if she will increase funding for arts centres in West Dorset constituency to help ensure their financial stability.
ReplyThis 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 opportuniti...
16 Oct 2024·Department for Culture, Media and Sport·Answered
AskedMedia and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support rural (a) arts venues and (b) community centres in West Dorset constituency.
ReplyThis 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 opportuniti...
10 Oct 2024·Department for Work and Pensions·Answered
AskedWhether she plans to investigate complaints about the AEA Technology pension scheme.
ReplyThe 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 originall...
10 Oct 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedWhat steps his Department is taking to improve support for people living with secondary breast cancer in rural areas.
ReplyReducing 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 a...
10 Oct 2024·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·Answered
AskedFood and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that fishing catch limits are in line with scientific advice on that matter.
ReplyAs 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 approa...
10 Oct 2024·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
AskedIf 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.
ReplyThe 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 ...
10 Oct 2024·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
AskedCommunities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure there is adequacy supply of social housing in West Dorset constituency.
ReplyThe 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...