Written questions by Dillon.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that education, health and care plan assessments are (a) progressed and (b) issued promptly.

I refer the hon. Member for Newbury to the answer of 26 November to Question 14834.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to allow social landlords to access the (a) Building Safety Fund and (b) Cladding Safety Scheme.

Social landlords can already apply to the Cladding Safety Scheme and the Building Safety Fund (BSF) where the cost of remediating a building would threaten the financial viability of the landlord or to cover costs which - without the protections of the Bu...

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to provide additional support to local authorities to prepare for flooding in winter 2024-25.

We set up the first ever Floods Resilience Taskforce on 12 September. The Taskforce sets out a new approach to preparing for flooding, and working cohesively between national, regional and local government, including the devolved administrations and flood...

What steps his Department is taking to support the Pharmacy First campaign.

There is a targeted public communications campaign with associated media materials, running from 11 November 2024 until mid-December 2024 as well as coordinated communications across the healthcare system and sharing best practices where the service is al...

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of designating thoroughbred horses as high health animals.

On 25 November 2024 we announced that physical checks at Border Control Posts for live animals imported from the European Union, including horses and other equines, and goods and live animals arriving at west coast ports from Ireland, will not begin in 20...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to introduce digital equine identification.

This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government recognises the importance of the equine sector to the UK economy and of improving equine identification and traceability. Digital enhancements are unl...

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to increase the cleanliness of rivers.

For too long, sewage and pollution have contributed to the uncleanliness of our rivers, lakes, and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the Government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful ...

If he will conduct a review of the decision to delegate the power to hold leases for GP premises to integrated care boards.

NHS England currently accepts ICBs holding leases only as a last resort or by exception due to the significant capital required. While we know that is not the most effective use of ICB resources, it is an important safeguard. We are committed to fixing th...

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the pupil premium for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools.

Every child, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to progress and succeed in school and beyond. This government is committed to breaking the link between young people’s backgrounds and their future success. That is why removing barriers to o...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of lifting the two-child benefit cap on funding for local authorities.

No such assessment has been made.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the clean air policy addresses the risks of (a) carbon monoxide and (b) other indoor air pollutants.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) works in partnership with other organisations to develop advice and recommended actions which can improve detection of, and prevent accidental exposure to, carbon monoxide in homes. This includes participating in a cr...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending funding settlements for the Household Support Fund beyond one year.

We recognise that certainty helps Local Authorities to design and deliver sustainable plans for local welfare assistance. Committing to funding the Household Support Fund until 31 March 2026 will allow them to plan their approach with greater certainty. N...

With reference to the report entitled Budget 2024 Briefing, published by Tech First in October 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of child poverty on resource allocation in sch

The schools national funding formula (NFF) targets funding to schools which have pupils with additional needs. In the 2024/25 financial year, over £4.4 billion (10.2%) of the formula is allocated according to deprivation factors in the NFF, including free...

With reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, published on 30 October 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the rise in the rate of employer national in

We have taken tough decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget. This enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer nat...

What steps she is taking to ensure that teachers have the (a) classroom support and (b) equipment needed to support pupils with SEND.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.High quality teach...

Whether UK Export Finance is taking steps to support companies in Newbury constituency sell their goods and services overseas.

Businesses based in Newbury can take advantage of the range of products that UK Export Finance provides to facilitate exporting, including loan guarantee and insurance facilities.In 2023/24 alone, UKEF provided £8.8 billion support to help UK businesses s...

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of preventing Job Centres from distributing food vouchers on levels of access to foodbanks.

Under the previous administration, the Government introduced a new food charity signposting slip to replace the one previously used, removing personal data to better comply with our departmental obligations, including our GDPR responsibilities, and to imp...

Whether she plans to take steps to make the education, health and care plan application process more efficient.

For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve. This government’s ambition...

Whether her Department plans to reform the SEND system.

For too long the education system has not met the needs of all children, particularly those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), with parents struggling to get their children the support they need and deserve. This government’s ambition...

What steps she plans to take to financially support the early years sector to deliver the expanded 30-hour offer.

The new childcare entitlements for eligible working parents of children aged from nine months will increase from 15 hours to 30 hours from September 2025, helping hundreds of thousands of families with the cost of childcare and supporting parents to work....