Written questions by Hayes.

Whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of women affected by the changes to the State Pension age in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

All women born since 6 Apr 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age, through changes brought in by the Pensions Acts 1995, 2007, 2011 and 2014. As State Pension age is now the same for men and women, following equalisation, all men born since the 6 Dec 1953 have also been affected by changes to State Pension age, through the 2007, 2011 and 2014 Pensions Acts. The oldest of the women affected by changes to State Pension age would now be 74 years old, the oldest of the men affected by changes to State Pension age would now be 70 years old. ONS population estimates suggest that in mid 2023 there were 43,216 females aged 74 or below currently resident in the South Hollands and the Deepings constituency, and 345,713 females resident in Lincolnshire aged 74 or below, who have been impacted by State Pension age increases to 65 and 66. Future State Pension age changes are set out on gov.uk, but are subject to confirmation as part of periodic reviews of State Pension age.

What recent estimate his Department has made of the level of household debt in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.A response to the Rt. Hon. Gentleman’s Question of 14 October is attached.

If he will meet National Grid to discuss potential underground cabling alternatives for the proposed Grimsby to Walpole pylon plans.

The design and development of electricity transmission infrastructure is a matter for the developer, with the implications of those choices considered through the planning process. The government’s position, as set out in National Policy Statement for electricity networks infrastructure (NPS EN-5), is that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity networks developments in general, except in nationally designated landscapes where undergrounding is the starting presumption.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make the Fens a designated area for food production in planning policy.

The Government place great importance upon our agriculture and food production, and this is reflected in the National Planning Policy Framework. The Framework is clear that local planning authorities should recognise the economic and other benefits of the best and most versatile agricultural land, including that found in the Fens. Where significant development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, the relevant planning authority should seek to use poorer quality land in preference to that of a higher quality.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support first-time buyer households in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers in Lincolnshire and across the country mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership.In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the Government has committed to introducing a permanent, comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme and to giving first-time buyers the first chance to buy homes.

Whether Ministers in her Department have met representatives of Arden Strategies since 5 July 2024.

Neither my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, nor Ministers in the department have had any Ministerial meetings with representatives of Arden Strategies since 5 July 2024.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of bank closures in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire on (i) pensioners and (ii) small business owners.

The Government understands the impact of bank branch closures on communities and the importance of face-to-face banking. It is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. Over 80 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by Christmas. Furthermore, 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. As well as banking hubs, 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.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether Ministers in his Department have met with representatives of Arden Strategies since 5 July 2024.

No FCDO Minister has met with representatives of Arden Strategies since 5 July 2024.

What steps she is taking to reduce class sizes in Lincolnshire.

The average class size for state-funded primary schools in Lincolnshire is 25.5 pupils, which is below the national average of 26.6 pupils. The average class size for state-funded secondary schools in Lincolnshire is 21.5 pupils, which again is below the national average of 22.4 pupils.Legislation limits the size of an infant class to 30 pupils per school teacher. An infant class is one in which the majority of children will reach the age of five, six, or seven during the school year, which includes reception, year 1 and year 2.There is no statutory limit on the size of classes for older children (pupils aged eight and over), and it is up to schools to decide how to organise classes based on local needs and circumstances to ensure all children can be supported to achieve and thrive.It is local authorities who have responsibility to ensure there are sufficient school places in their area. The department provides capital funding through the Basic Need Grant to support local authorities to provide school places. Lincolnshire will receive £21.5 million in 2025/26 to support the provision of new school places needed by September 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made a recent assessment of the impact of population growth on housing supply.

I refer the Rt Hon Member to my answer to Question UIN 2451 on 5 September 2024.

What steps he is taking to reduce accident and emergency waiting times at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn.

The Government has committed to supporting the NHS to improve performance across the country including in Kings Lynn. This includes returning NHS standards to those set out in the NHS Constitution, including that 95% of patients attending accident and emergency departments are admitted, transferred, or discharged within four hours.As a first step, my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care appointed Professor Lord Darzi to lead an independent investigation of the NHS’ performance. The investigation’s findings were published on 12 September and will feed into the Government’s work on a 10-year plan to radically reform the NHS and build a health service that is fit for the future.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of VAT on private school fees on faith schools.

On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boarding services provided by private schools. A technical note setting out the details of the policy has been published online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees-removing-the-charitable-rates-relief-for-private-schools(opens in a new tab).Draft VAT legislation was also published alongside this technical note, forming a technical consultation, which closed on 15 September. As part of this technical consultation, the Government engaged with a broad range of stakeholders.Whilst developing these policies, the Government has carefully considered the impact that they will have on pupils and their families across both the state and private sector, as well as the impact they will have on state and private schools. Following scrutiny of the Government's costings by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), details of the Government’s assessment of the expected impacts of these policy changes will be published at the Budget on 30 October in a Tax Information and Impact Note.

How many people are in receipt of the Warm Home Discount in South Holland and the Deepings constituency.

The most recent published statistics on Warm Home Discount can be found here: Warm Home Discount statistics, 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Table 5 shows that 5,733 households in South Holland and The Deepings received Warm Home Discount in the 2023-24 scheme year, making up approximately 11.6% of the overall number of households in the constituency.

What steps she is taking to help increase the (a) availability and (b) affordability of childcare in South Holland and the Deepings constituency.

It is the government’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care to improve the life chances for every child and the work choices for every parent.From September 2024, eligible working parents of children age nine months and above have been able to access 15 hours childcare a week for 38 weeks a year. From September 2025, this entitlement will be extended to 30 hours a week. The department is also growing the provision of wraparound childcare, which is before and after school provision, for primary school children.In 2024/25, the department expects to provide over £1.7 billion to support local authorities and providers deliver the childcare expansion. This will rise to over £4.1 billion in 2027/28. By the same year, we expect to be providing over £8 billion every year overall on new and existing early years entitlements.For Lincolnshire County Council, the hourly rate for three to four year olds for 2024/25 is £5.47, which is an increase of 5.2% on 2023/24. For 2 year olds, this rate is £7.61 per hour and for under 2s, £10.36 per hour.In addition to the entitlements, parents may also be eligible for childcare support through Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare. Parents can check what childcare support they are entitled to via the Childcare Choices website, which is accessible at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.The department has regular contact with each local authority in England on their sufficiency of childcare and any issues they are facing, including supporting them through our childcare delivery support contract where appropriate.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce a horticulture strategy.

The Government appreciates and values the vital work of the horticulture industry and recognises its role in maintaining a secure food supply.As part of our mission-driven Government, and in partnership with the sector, we are considering how we can achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for the sector, including how to recognise the sector’s diversity and specialist needs.

Innovation and Technology, how many (a) full-time and (b) full-time equivalent staff are employed by the National Security and Online Information Team.

Previous (but not quite the same question) 16125-6 Dan Jarvis - NSOIT staffing & Publication.docxAlso see response to similar question answered by Minister Clark

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to upgrade sewage infrastructure in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

For too long, investment has not kept pace with the challenges of an ageing infrastructure system, a rapidly growing population, and climate change. Water companies are now expected to deliver £88 billion of investment between 2025 and 2030 across England and Wales. This will improve more than 2,500 projects to reduce spills from storm overflows and upgrades to over 1,500 wastewater treatment works.Sewage infrastructure upgrades are the responsibility of the water company. As part of the Environment Act 2021, a duty exists for water companies in England to produce Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs).

What recent assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of trends in the number of young people not in education, employment or training in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

The department does not hold information on young people who are not in education, employment or training specific to either South Holland and the Deepings and Lincolnshire. Based on data published by the Department for Education, the proportion of 16-17 year olds not in employment, education or training for Lincolnshire is below average in England and can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/participation-in-education-training-and-neet-age-16-to-17-by-local-authority” Under our plan to get Britain Working, the new Youth Guarantee will ensure that all young people aged 18-21 in England can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or employment support. This will sit alongside; a new national jobs and careers service to help get more people into work, work health and skills plans for the economically inactive, and the launch of Skills England to open new opportunities for young people. We will set out further detail in the upcoming ‘Get Britain Working’ White Paper.

Media and Sport, whether Ministers in her Department have met representatives of Arden Strategies since 5 July 2024.

Neither the Secretary of State nor other DCMS ministers have held meetings with representatives of Arden Strategies in their ministerial capacity to date. Ministers attend non-governmental events which Arden Strategies representatives may also attend.

What steps she is taking to ensure that Skills England delivers value for money.

Skills England will bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade and break down barriers to opportunity. It will play a critical part in the government’s mission to drive growth across the country, supporting people to get better jobs and improve their standard of living. The skills system makes a significant contribution to enhancing productivity, and improvements in effectiveness can deliver major positive economic returns. Skills England is currently set up in shadow form in the department with plans to be fully established next year in accordance with Cabinet Office and HM Treasury processes, which includes an assessment of value for money. Both in shadow form and when fully established, Skills England will be subject to all necessary assessments and transparency to ensure it provides value for money for the taxpayer.