Written questions by Wrigley.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate the cost to the public purse of reconfiguring sewerage systems in Devon.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Storm overflows are safety valves within our combined sewage system to protect properties from flooding. The Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan sets stretching targets to reduce the harms from storm overflows. This ambitious plan is guiding future investment in sector. Water companies are investing around £12 billion between 2025-2030, a record amount, to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales, and reduce spills by 45% compared to 2021 levels. In Devon, a large spill reduction programme of works will be undertaken by South West Water, in the next 5 years to improve overflows in the Exe river & estuary catchments. This will see improvements to Combined Storm Overflows, pumping stations & sewage treatment works. We are also carrying out a full review of the water sector to shape further legislation that will transform how our water system works and clean up rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce sewage overflows in Devon.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Storm overflows are safety valves within our combined sewage system to protect properties from flooding. The Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan sets stretching targets to reduce the harms from storm overflows. This ambitious plan is guiding future investment in sector. Water companies are investing around £12 billion between 2025-2030, a record amount, to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales, and reduce spills by 45% compared to 2021 levels. In Devon, a large spill reduction programme of works will be undertaken by South West Water, in the next 5 years to improve overflows in the Exe river & estuary catchments. This will see improvements to Combined Storm Overflows, pumping stations & sewage treatment works. We are also carrying out a full review of the water sector to shape further legislation that will transform how our water system works and clean up rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the time needed to reconfigure sewerage systems in Devon.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Storm overflows are safety valves within our combined sewage system to protect properties from flooding. The Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan sets stretching targets to reduce the harms from storm overflows. This ambitious plan is guiding future investment in sector. Water companies are investing around £12 billion between 2025-2030, a record amount, to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales, and reduce spills by 45% compared to 2021 levels. In Devon, a large spill reduction programme of works will be undertaken by South West Water, in the next 5 years to improve overflows in the Exe river & estuary catchments. This will see improvements to Combined Storm Overflows, pumping stations & sewage treatment works. We are also carrying out a full review of the water sector to shape further legislation that will transform how our water system works and clean up rivers, lakes and seas for good.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with water companies on sewage infiltration.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Regulators are working with South West Water on their Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and will be ensuring they look at the investment needs for the issues raised relating to reducing infiltration in their sewerage system, leaks from the system, and removing surface water. As part of its Waterfit programme, South West Water is carrying out surface water separation programmes within the catchments of Dawlish, Goodrington, Mothecombe, Millandreath & Ilfracombe, with the purpose of spill reduction and bathing water protection.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of infiltration on sewage in Devon.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. Regulators are working with South West Water on their Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans and will be ensuring they look at the investment needs for the issues raised relating to reducing infiltration in their sewerage system, leaks from the system, and removing surface water. As part of its Waterfit programme, South West Water is carrying out surface water separation programmes within the catchments of Dawlish, Goodrington, Mothecombe, Millandreath & Ilfracombe, with the purpose of spill reduction and bathing water protection.

If she will take steps to support benefits claimants who are being investigated by her Department but no longer have access to required information because it has been deleted by their bank.

Where DWP is conducting a criminal investigation into suspected fraud it may request relevant information from third parties. Information received may be presented as evidence if that investigation proceeds to prosecution. Requests for information must comply with DWP’s statutory Code of Practice. Where an individual is asked to provide information to the department, they should endeavour to provide it unless there is a reason that they cannot. If they are dissatisfied with the service they have received, they should raise the issue with the team handling their case. If they do not feel they have received a satisfactory service, they can raise this with the Independent Case Examiner. DWP’s complaints procedure can be found here.

If he will provide additional funding for local dental laboratories.

We recognise the importance of dental laboratories and the role they play in support of National Health Service dental services.The independent pay review body for doctors and dentists recommended a 6% pay uplift for 2024/25. The Government accepted the recommendation and has uplifted NHS primary care dentistry contract values by 4.64%, net of pay and expenses elements. Laboratory costs are part of the expenses element of this uplift.The Government implemented the overall uplift to contract values on 29 January. Uplifted payments will be made in March, backdated to 1 April 2024.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of GDPR regulations on people who experience bank (a) fraud ,(b) error and (c) deletions.

DWP will ensure that any data is processed in compliance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. The Department routinely handles large volumes of data and has robust security processes in place to manage the safe transfer, storage, and use of data.

Whether she has plans to announce any changes to the benefit system for financial year 2024-25.

Our Get Britain Working White Paper sets out that we plan to develop proposals for long term reform of the system of health and disability benefits.We are working to develop proposals for Health and Disability reform in the months ahead and will set them out in a Green Paper in Spring.The Get Britain Working White Paper also sets out our plans to bring down economic inactivity levels and take the first steps to delivering our long-term ambition to achieve an 80% employment rate. It can be accessed here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/get-britain-working-white-paper

If she will make it her policy that all changes to financial support for (a) people who are unwell and (b) disabled people be preceded by a public consultation.

We are working to develop proposals for health and disability reform in the months ahead and will set them out in a Green Paper ahead of the Spring Statement. This will launch a public consultation on the proposals. This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, so we will consult on these proposals, where appropriate, with disabled people and representative organisations.

If she will make it her policy to take into account the potential impact on access to health services in (a) Exeter, (b) Torbay, (c) Newton Abbot, (d) Dawlish and (e) Teignmouth when making decisions on (i) transport and (ii) connectivity.

Transport investment decisions are based upon the development and consideration of a business case, which assesses the costs of investment set against a wide range of benefits to transport users.

If she will make it her policy to take into account the potential impact on access to health services in (a) Exeter, (b) Torbay, (c) Newton Abbot, (d) Dawlish and (e) Teignmouth when making decisions on phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience programme.

Transport investment decisions are based upon the development and consideration of a business case. Business cases assess the costs of investment against a wide range of passenger benefits, set against the operational cost to the railway.

If she will take into account the potential impact on (a) health, (b) hospitals and (c) health services when making decisions on (i) transport and (ii) connectivity.

Transport investment decisions are based upon the development and consideration of a business case, which assesses the costs of investment against a wide range of benefits to transport users and the rest of society, including health-related impacts such as air quality, noise, accidents, and physical activity. The Department’s Transport Analysis Guidance (TAG) provides comprehensive guidance and tools to support the inclusion of these impacts in business cases.

If she will make an estimate of the number of Russian shadow fleet vessels that have entered UK waters in the last 12 months.

The UK Government proactively monitors a variety of vessels of interest in UK waters to ensure the safety of seafarers, protect the marine environment, and for national security purposes.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will reinstate capital grants for hedgerow work.

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals. In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position. We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget. We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze on hedgerow grants on employment in the hedgerow business this winter.

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals. In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position. We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget. We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the blog entitled An update on capital grants, published on 27 November 2024, what assessment he has made of changes to capital grants on young people starting their career in land management.

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals. In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position. We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget. We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will end the freeze on applications for hedgerow grants.

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals. In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position. We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget. We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the pause on new applications for grants on hedge restoration and planting.

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals. In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position. We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget. We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the freeze on applications for grants on farmer confidence in Countryside Stewardship.

The Government fully recognises the importance of hedgerow creation and the contribution of the Capital Grants scheme. In 2024 the scheme supported agreements to plant over 4,000 miles of new hedgerows across England, creating essential habitats for at-risk species of birds and mammals. In November 2024, we closed the Capital Grants scheme to new agreements following unprecedented demand. The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) received more applications from May to November 2024 than over the whole of the 2023-24 financial year. These applications were also worth more. The value of standalone capital applications received as of November 2024 was up 45% compared to the whole of the last financial year. This pattern risked unsustainable spending which would have impacted other schemes. The RPA has written to all farmers who have submitted or started an application to explain the position. We are forecast to spend more on capital grants this financial year than ever before. This is only possible because we have allocated the largest ever budget for sustainable food production through the farming budget. We currently are reviewing the Capital Grants offer to ensure funding goes further to improve outcomes for food security and nature conservation. We will provide an update shortly.