Written questions by Dowden.

With reference to the New Hospital Programme review, when the (a) options and (b) recommendations for Watford General Hospital will be published; and when he plans to announce which hospitals will be prioritised.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, set out a credible and deliverable plan for the new hospital schemes in the New Hospital Programme (NHP) on 20 January 2025, following the conclusion of the review of the NHP. The plan for implementation was laid in the House Library and published on the GOV.UK website, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-hospital-programme-review-outcomeAs confirmed in this publication, the scheme for Watford General Hospital is now part of wave two of the NHP. Construction of the main hospital build is expected to commence between 2032 and 2034.In the 2024 Autumn Budget, my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that health capital spending will increase to £13.6 billion in 2025/26. Further details on this funding will follow at the earliest opportunity, including local capital allocations and national capital programmes for 2025/26, as part of the National Health Service’s planning guidance. Budgets for future years will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review. The state of the NHS estate and safety impacts will be considered as part of this.The Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board received almost £65 million in operational capital funding in 2023/24, and the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has also been allocated £50 to 60 million from NHS funding for planned care services at St. Albans City Hospital.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the film industry in (a) England and (b) Hertsmere.

The Government’s Industrial Strategy will prioritise the creative industries.We will ensure that the sector can continue to drive growth, boost opportunities and help people to fulfil their creative potential across the UK, including in Hertsmere. Our support includes:Providing £1 million in funding for 2025/26 for the British Film Commission, which has previously provided support for both Elstree Studios and Sky Studios Elstree in Hertsmere;Expanding the global reach of independent content through with a further £7 million for the UK Global Screen Fund in 2025/26;Building on the success of the screen sector tax reliefs, by introducing the enhanced Independent Film Tax Credit, and a new 5% uplift on the rate of relief for visual effects.Opportunities to drive growth in our screen sectors exist across the whole of the UK, with seven established film production hubs and many more areas brimming with potential and ambition. The film industry also benefits from two major UK Research and Innovation programmes run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council: the £75.6 million CoSTAR programme and the £56 million Creative Industries Clusters programmeIn addition, the British Film Institute has committed £34.2 million National Lottery funding over 2023-2026 for education and skills programmes. This includes £9 million to develop skills clusters, one of which has been set up to cover the Metro London area, which includes Hertfordshire, led by Film London.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to postpone local authority elections in Hertfordshire in 2025.

My letter to local councils of 16 December 2024 (here) set out that the Government would only consider postponing elections for areas where the council concerned requested it and where it helps an area to deliver reorganisation and devolution to the most ambitious timeline. Hertfordshire County Council has not requested the postponement of their May 2025 elections and therefore I can confirm that those elections will go ahead as planned.

How much of the NHS funding announced in the Autumn Budget 2024, HC 295, will be allocated to ambulance services.

The information requested is not held by the Department. The future allocation of National Health Service funding announced in the Autumn Budget will be decided by NHS England.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending NHS Outer London Weighting to (a) Hertsmere and (b) Watford.

It is for the Pay Review Bodies to make recommendations on the future geographic coverage of high-cost area supplements, and on the value of such supplements. As this is reflected in terms and conditions of service, any changes would need to be collective...

If he will increase the staffing budget for the East of England Ambulance Service.

The allocation of National Health Service funding, including local staffing budgets, is set by NHS England.

Communities and Local Government, what her Department’s planned timetable is for publication of the English Devolution Bill; and how that Bill will impact Hertfordshire.

The English Devolution White Paper, due to be published shortly, will set an ambitious new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best. In July, the Deputy Prime Minister invited places wit...

Communities and Local Government, what powers she plans to devolve to Hertfordshire.

The English Devolution White Paper, due to be published shortly, will set an ambitious new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best. In July, the Deputy Prime Minister invited places wit...

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the cost of further devolution in Hertfordshire.

The English Devolution White Paper, due to be published shortly, will set an ambitious new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and back to those who know their areas best. In July, the Deputy Prime Minister invited places wit...

Communities and Local Government, what criteria she uses to create regional authorities.

This government believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined authorities or combined county authorities over sensible economic geographies and supported by a mayor. We want every part of England to take ...

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, updated 24 September

The proposed standard methodology to calculate local housing need figures for each local authority, including for Hertsmere, is set out in the ‘Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system’ consultati...

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, updated 24 September

The government is committed to preserving the greenbelt which has served England's towns and cities well over many decades. Without changing its purposes or general extent, we intend to take a more strategic approach to Green Belt land designation and rel...

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, updated 24 September

This government inherited a planning system in which only 31% of local planning authorities have adopted plans in the last five years.We are determined to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible, to progress towards our ambition of achieving ...

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, updated 24 September

This government inherited a planning system in which only 31% of local planning authorities have adopted plans in the last five years.We are determined to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible, to progress towards our ambition of achieving ...

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent increases in the minimum wage for 18-21 year olds on the financial sustainability of the hair and beauty sector.

We know this is a difficult time for businesses and workers alike, the Low Pay Commission are independent experts who conducts extensive consultation, analysis and evidence gathering when recommending the minimum wage rates.We asked the LPC to make progre...

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to increase funding for Local Authorities in line with NHS pay awards to ensure that other council services, including SEND and social care provision, are not a

We have announced £1.3 billion of new grant funding in 2025/26 for local government to deliver core services, of which £600 million is for social care and £700 million to support general pressures. We have also announced a £1 billion uplift to special edu...

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle disparities in per-head High Needs Funding between Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

Allocations of high needs funding for the 2025/26 financial year will be published as soon as possible now that overall budgets for next year have been announced. The department will take longer to consider changes to the funding formula that is used to a...

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the protection of historic landscapes which have inspired literature from development.

The Government is committed to ensuring that our most important and cherished landscapes are appropriately protected so they can be enjoyed by future generations.The National Planning Policy Framework sets out how planning policies and decisions should re...

What steps her Department is taking to improve the provision of SEND services in Hertfordshire.

This government is committed to providing the necessary support to improve the experiences for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families. We are committed to taking a community-wide approach, impro...

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle funding gaps for statutory SEND duties in Hertfordshire.

The department is providing schools with extra funding of almost £1.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, to support schools with overall costs, including the costs of supporting their pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Foll...