Written questions by Smart.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the use of e-scooters in (a) town centres and (b) neighbourhoods.

The Home Office does not centrally hold data on the number of illegally modified or off-road bikes that have been seized by police in England and Wales, and could only collate that information for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost.Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million has been allocated to forces for 2025/26 to support the Government’s commitment to deliver additional personnel into neighbourhood policing. This includes ensuring that every force area will have a dedicated lead officer for anti-social behaviour who will work with communities to develop an action plan to reduce and prevent ASB.The Crime and Policing Bill will give police greater powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour involving vehicles of all types, including e-scooters and off-road and illegally modified bikes, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing these vehicles. The Government also recently consulted on proposals to allow the police to more quickly dispose of seized vehicles which have been used anti-socially.

When he plans to respond to the correspondence of 22 April 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS05024.

I replied to the hon. Member’s letter on 14 August 2025.

What assessment his Department has made of the impact of the requirement in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 that micro-entities publicly file their profit and loss accounts on small businesses.

The Department is currently engaging with stakeholders on proposed changes in filing requirements at Companies House, to ensure they strike the right balance between tackling economic crime and avoiding undue burden on business. In 2022, the department estimated that proposed changes to the small accounts regime, which included among other policies the requirement for small and micro-entities to file profit and loss accounts, would result in one-off familiarisation costs to business of £3.2 million in the first year, or £0.4m annual net direct costs to business over 10 years. Recurrent costs from profit and loss account filing were estimated to be negligible.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories plans to respond to the correspondence of 12 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, ref LS06284.

A response to the hon. member for Hazel Grove's correspondence of 12 May 2025, ref LS06284, was sent on 22 August.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories plans to respond to the correspondence of 7 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS06171.

A response to the hon. member for Hazel Grove's correspondence of 12 May 2025, ref LS06171, was sent on 22 August.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) promote respect in workplaces across the UK and (b) support people who have been the victims of bullying at work.

The Government is promoting fairness, equality and wellbeing in the workplace through a range of measures in its Employment Rights Bill. For example, the Bill would require employers to take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment of their employees and strengthen protections for whistleblowers by making it explicit that sexual harassment can be the basis for a protected disclosure. While there is no legal definition of 'bullying' in the UK, a range of existing laws protect workers from unwanted behaviour in the workplace. The Government supports these protections by providing guidance for workers, businesses, and funding the Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service (Acas).

What steps his Department is taking to ensure private tenants are impacted by the Warm Homes Plan.

The Warm Homes Plan will help households, including those in the private rented sector, take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating. The Government has pledged to take action to stand with tenants and deliver the safety and security of warmer, cheaper homes. We have recently consulted on improving energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector in England and Wales. The consultation closed on the 2nd May and we are currently reviewing responses. Further detail will be given in the Warm Homes Plan when it is published in October.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of increasing draft duty relief for (a) consumers, (b) pubs and (c) breweries in Hazel Grove constituency.

The Chancellor’s draught rate cut at Autumn Budget 2024 applied to approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This took a penny of duty off a typical strength pint.Draught beer and cider now pay 13.9% less in duty than their packaged equivalents – an increase of over 50% on the previous draught discount of 9.2%.The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events. The Government welcomes representations from the beer and pub sectors in advance of the Budget.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of including dementia specialist nurses as core members within plans for a new Neighbourhood Health Service.

The Neighbourhood Health Service will bring together teams of professionals closer to people’s homes to work together to provide comprehensive care in the community. We expect neighbourhood teams and services to be designed in a way that reflects the specific needs of local populations, and this could include dementia specialist nurses. While we will be clear on the outcomes we expect, we will give significant licence to tailor the approach to local need. While the focus on personalised, coordinated care will be consistent, that will mean the service will look different in rural communities, coastal towns, or deprived inner cities.The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services, which may include dementia specialist nurses/admiral nurses, based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. NICE recommends providing people living with dementia with a single named health or social care professional who is responsible for coordinating their care.Under the 10-Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services.  We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.

What steps her Department is taking to increase the rate at which asbestos is removed from schools in (a) Greater Manchester, (b) Stockport borough and (c) Hazel Grove constituency.

The department expects all local authorities, governing bodies and academy trusts to have robust plans in place to manage asbestos in school buildings effectively, in line with their legal duties, drawing on appropriate professional advice and our published guidance.Asbestos management in schools and other buildings is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive. We follow their expert advice that, provided asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and unlikely to be disturbed, it is generally safest to manage them in place, otherwise, they should be removed.Asbestos is often removed over time as part of wider rebuilding, refurbishment or major repairs work, including projects delivered by the department, such as the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), or delivered by responsible bodies, such as local authorities or academy trusts.The government has given a long-term commitment for capital investment through to 2034/35 to improve the condition of schools and colleges across England, investing almost £3 billion per year by 2034/35 in capital maintenance and renewal, rising from £2.4 billion in 2025/26. This is in addition to investment in continuing and expanding the SRP, with a further 250 schools to be selected within the next two years.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that people affected by dementia in the Hazel Grove constituency can access guaranteed specialist care.

The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services, which may include dementia specialist nurses, based on local population needs, taking account of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. Dementia care in the Hazel Grove constituency is delivered as part of the wider NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership.Under the 10 Year Health Plan, those living with dementia will benefit from improved care planning and better services. We will deliver the first ever Modern Service Framework for frailty and dementia to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This will be informed by phase one of the independent commission into adult social care, expected in 2026.

Communities and Local Government, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention plans to respond to the correspondence of 16 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, ref LS06955.

The department provided a response on 29 August 2025.

When he plans to respond to the correspondence of 29 May 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, ref LS06945.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Baroness Merron) replied to the hon. Member on 1 August 2025.

Media and Sport, when the Minister for Gambling plans to respond to the correspondence of 24 March 2025 from the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, Ref LS04145.

DCMS did not receive the Hon Member’s letter until her office was contacted on 23 July, on receipt of this question. Baroness Twycross replied via return letter, with reference MC2025/07636/GT, on 26 August. We apologise for the delay.

What steps her Department has taken to help prevent receiving parents from limiting access of children to those parents paying child maintenance in order to receive higher payments.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) operates on the principle that a child's welfare is best served by the continued involvement of each parent in their life, provided that involvement is safe and meets the needs of the child. It is aware that paying parents can face difficulties when attempting to spend meaningful time with their child following separation. Issues relating to access and contact are managed by family courts. The aim of the child maintenance shared care regime is to try and reflect, as far as possible, the actual patterns of care taking place between parents, and the financial consequences of that for the costs of the child. It does not dictate what should happen or require any particular conduct from parents – except that they are truthful in reporting what happens between them in respect of care. Where parents do not tell the truth, the CMS has powers to investigate if fraud is suspected. Reductions can be made for the extra cost of care where it is shared by the paying parent. The paying parent must have overnight care of any qualifying children for at least 52 nights a year, equivalent of 1 night per week. The amount payable is reduced by a maximum of fifty per cent within bands based on the number of nights overnight care is provided over a 12-month period. The bands are used to give greater stability to maintenance payments and as a result there is greater reliability of payments, which contributes towards the welfare of the children in the case. Where a dispute does arise, the CMS will seek to collect evidence from parents, for example a Court ordered arrangement, to establish the correct figure. The evidence acceptable in these circumstances isa current court order providing for contact between the paying parent and the childa formal written agreement, for example drawn up by a solicitor, oranother official document for example, Social Services or Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) reports.

What steps his Department has taken to ensure that hospitals are able to provide (a) nutritious and (b) good-quality food for patients.

Access to good quality, nutritious, and aesthetically pleasing hospital food can improve patient morale and contribute to their recovery.All National Health Service trusts, including in Hazel Grove, are expected to follow the NHS National Standards for Healthcare Food and Drink. There are eight mandatory standards all trusts are required to meet. This includes having a food and drink strategy and demonstrating that they have suitable food service provision 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which is appropriate for their demographic.The guidance requires that NHS organisations must show that they comply with the British Dietetic Associations’ Nutrition and Hydration Digest, which identifies actions to be taken in relation to the provision of nutritional food, and which is available at the following link:https://www.bda.uk.com/specialist-groups-and-branches/food-services-specialist-group/nutrition-and-hydration-digest.htmlFurthermore, A key part of the specific standards for retail, staff, and visitors in healthcare settings is the need to comply with the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services mandatory nutrition standards. These standards are available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/national-standards-for-healthcare-food-and-drink/

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes in the level of funded support through Access to Work on deaf professionals who require full-time BSL interpreters.

As part of the Pathways to Work Green Paper, we consulted on the future of the Access to Work scheme, including how we may better support deaf professionals who require full-time BSL interpreters. Following the conclusion of the consultation, we are now considering our responses and will set out our plans in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of available units of dental activity.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. Dentists delivering NHS dental care are contracted to deliver a certain number of Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) per year. ICBs can commission high performing dental practices to deliver up to 110% of their contracted UDAs.The Government’s ambition is to fundamentally reform the dental contract by the end of this Parliament. As a first step, we are consulting on a package of changes to improve access to, and the quality of, NHS dentistry which will deliver better care for the diverse oral health needs of people across England. Further information on the consultation is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/nhs-dentistry-contract-quality-and-payment-reformsThe consultation was launched on 8 July and will close on 19 August.

What steps his Department is taking to increase the dermatology workforce.

We will publish a 10-Year Workforce Plan to create a National Health Service workforce in England ready to deliver a transformed service. The 10-Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care for patients, when they need it, including those requiring dermatology services. From now on, we will ensure that staff will be better treated, have better training, more fulfilling roles, and hope for the future, so they can achieve more.

What steps his Department has taken to recognise the service of people killed in the Battle of Arnhem.

The war dead of the Battle of Arnhem are commemorated in perpetuity, predominantly at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, which is cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Over 1,700 casualties of the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden are buried there, with over 240 being unidentified. The majority of those commemorated at Arnhem Oosterbeek are British servicemen, but the cemetery also contains Polish, Dutch and German casualties from the Battle of Arnhem. To this day, visiting veterans of the battle are greeted by crowds of appreciative Arnhem citizens who attend annual ceremonies, showing their gratitude for the efforts made by the Allies to liberate their city. Additionally, just under 40 CWGC World War Two graves are located in Arnhem (Moscowa) General Cemetery, which is Arnhem’s civilian cemetery. A single burial also lies in Arnhem Jewish Cemetery. The 80th anniversary of Operation MARKET GARDEN was commemorated last year, with a number of events attended by senior representatives from across Defence and Government, including the Minister for the Armed Forces in the House of Lords (Lord Coaker), the Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories (Stephen Doughty MP), and senior military representatives. This year, like every other year, we commemorate all who have served and their sacrifice as part of the national act of remembrance.