Written questions by Anderson.

What support is available to retrofit homes in rural areas.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 February 2025 to Question 30705.

What steps she is taking to tackle childcare deserts in rural areas.

It is the department’s ambition that all families have access to high quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, improving the life chances for every child and the work choices for every parent.In the 2025/26 financial year alone, the department plans to provide over £8 billion for early years entitlements, a more than 30% increase compared to the 2024/25 financial year, so eligible working parents of children aged from nine months can access 30 hours of funded childcare from September this year. To support the sector during this period of expansion, the government is providing further supplementary funding of £75 million for the early years expansion grant. We also announced the largest ever uplift to the early years pupil premium, increasing the rate by over 45% compared to the 2024/25 financial year, equivalent to up to £570 per eligible child per year. On top of this, providers will receive £25 million through the forthcoming National Insurance Contributions grant for public sector employers in the early years.The government’s plan to deliver 3,000 school-based nurseries and will help deliver on our commitment to ensure families right across the country have access to high quality childcare and early education. Funding will be allocated to the first wave of nursery projects in spring 2025 to support delivery for the first cohort of places from September. We know that families in some areas are struggling to find childcare places which meet their needs, so we will be working with schools and local childcare providers to deliver much-needed places across all our communities.Under Section 6 of the Childcare Act 2006, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that the provision of childcare is sufficient to meet the requirements of parents in their area. Part B of the ’Early education and childcare’ statutory guidance for local authorities highlights that local authorities are required to report annually to elected council members on how they are meeting their duty to secure sufficient childcare, and to make this report available and accessible to parents. The department has regular contact with local authorities in England about the sufficiency of childcare and any issues being faced. Where local authorities report sufficiency challenges, we discuss what action the local authority is taking to address those issues and, where needed, support the local authority with any specific requirements through our childcare sufficiency support contract. We do not currently have any reports of sufficiency issues in any local authority.

What steps he is taking to improve the (a) quality and (b) quantity of apprenticeships within the (i) Armed Forces and (ii) associated supply chains.

The Armed Forces is the largest single deliverer of apprenticeships in the UK, with over 23,000 personnel employed on a nationally recognised apprenticeship programmes at any one time and over 95 per cent of our non-commissioned military recruits offered an apprenticeship aligned to their trade training. That represents an annual average of 7.5 per cent of Armed Forces personnel starting an apprenticeship in the last three years and over 10 per cent on programme at any one time. The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list 2024 (as ranked by the Department of Education, DfE) saw all three Services named in the top five places. The Armed Forces provided 16 per cent of all apprenticeship places within the Top 100 and continue to add more apprenticeships every year. Defence needs a skilled, sustainable, capable workforce that are trained and equipped to defend the nation’s interests. The Armed Forces apprenticeship programme is intrinsic to the achievement of this aim. The majority of the apprenticeships completed by military personnel are delivered at level 2 (GCSE) and level 3 (A Level), but they are increasingly available at higher levels up to degree level (level 6), which supports an individual’s through-career personal and professional development. The apprenticeship opportunities coupled with the inclusion of Functional Skills in Literacy and Numeracy also act a key contributor to social mobility through military Service. All apprenticeships are rigorously evaluated with the DfE to ensure quality and applicability. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is also actively involved in ‘Trailblazer’ groups which develop new apprenticeship standards. The standards are developed in collaboration with other employers from the different sectors of industry, meaning Armed Forces personnel are being equipped for Defence roles whilst also qualified to contribute to wider society when they transition to new opportunities at the end of their Defence careers. The MOD is also an active and valued member of apprenticeship network groups where we help promote and champion the opportunities on offer. The two key bodies to which we contribute are the Government backed Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and the 5% Club, the latter being an employer movement working to drive forward a nationwide ‘Earn and Learn’ agenda. The MOD is a Platinum member of the 5% Club, with over 10% of our workforce in ‘Earn and Learn’ positions. The MOD is unable to comment on the quality and quantity of apprenticeships within our supply chains as this is a matter for individual companies.

What steps she is taking to increase capacity within the prison system.

This Government inherited a criminal justice system in crisis, with prisons operating at over 99% capacity and on the brink of collapse.The 10-year Prison Capacity Strategy was published on 11 December 2024, alongside the Annual Statement on Prison Capacity. The former set out our aims to: deliver 14,000 prison places by 2031, invest in maintenance to refurbish the prison estate and improve safety, buy new land for prison development, and introduce planning legislation to build prisons faster.The previous Government promised to deliver 20,000 places, but ended up only adding around 500 to the prison estate. This Government will build where the previous administration failed to do so. Of the 14,000 prison places, we will deliver around 6,500 places in new prisons (of which HMP Millsike is the first and is due to open in Spring 2025). 6,400 prison places will be delivered through houseblocks at existing sites and around 1,000 through Rapid Deployment Cells, and we are also refurbishing residential units, facilities and ancillaries across the estate.As well as the 10-year capacity strategy, in October we launched an Independent Review of Sentencing with the aim to ensure we are never again left in a position where we have more prisoners than prison places.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to respond to Question 25742 tabled by the hon. Member for South Shropshire on 22 January 2025.

An answer to Question 25742 is being prepared and will be provided as soon as possible.

What steps he is taking to support local authorities with the impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on public health contracts.

In determining Public Health Grant allocations for 2025/26, we considered a range of cost pressures affecting local authority commissioned or provided health services, including increased operational costs. 2025/26 Public Health Grant allocations have been increased by an average of 5.4% relative to 2024/25.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on police recruitment.

The 2025-26 final police funding settlement provides funding of up to £19.6 billion for the policing system in England and Wales. This is an overall increase of up to £1.1 billion when compared to the 2024-25 and represents a 6% cash increase and 3.5% real terms increase in funding.This includes an additional £230.3 million of funding for territorial police forces to cover the costs of the increases to National Insurance Contributions.The Government is committed to ensuring police forces are supported to effectively tackle crime. That’s why we have committed £200 million to kickstart the recruitment of 13,000 additional neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs in communities across the country.

How many local authorities reported an (a) underspend and (b) overspend on public health grants in the last five financial years.

Local authorities must account for the full allocated Public Health Grant and must accrue any money that is not committed to a ring-fenced reserve. These reserves serve an important purpose, for example to support strategic changes which may involve a one-off change in spending patterns, or as provision against future spending plans. The following table shows the movement of public health reserve levels as reported by each local authority from 2019/20 to 2023/24: Movement of reserve levels2019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24Decreased reserves7311215883Increased reserves501101016945Source: local authority revenue outturn data, available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financingNotes:the data for 2020/21 and 2021/22 includes the impact of the Contain Outbreak Management Fund on Grants and the impact of COVID-19 on services, the information published for 2023/24 does not include any reserve outturn data for two local authorities, Birmingham and Westmorland and Furness, and the data for Barking and Dagenham was only partially completed.the reserve outturn data refers to the whole of the Department’s local authority Public Health Spend, not just the Public Health Grant.the total number of local authorities may vary across years due to local government structural changes.Local authorities do not report underspends on the Public Health Grant.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on apprenticeship schemes.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations as well as an overview of the equality impacts.The Office for Budget Responsibility also published the Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), which sets out a detailed forecast of the economy and public finances.Eligible businesses can claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under-21s and under-25 apprentices.For more information about available reliefs please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/allowances-expenses-and-reliefs-when-you-run-a-business

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing local authorities longer-term public health funding.

Following the upcoming Spending Review, we will aim to issue multi-year public health grant allocations to local authorities from 2026/27. We recognise that multi-year funding settlements for councils provide several benefits, enabling them to focus on delivering outcomes in a stable environment rather than managing budget uncertainties. In addition, 93% of respondents in a Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (Solace) survey stated that they believe multi-year settlements would support economic prosperity.

What steps he is taking to prioritise businesses that have signed the Armed Forces Covenant when tendering public sector contracts.

The Government encourages communities, charities and businesses to sign the Armed Forces Covenant. The Cabinet Office has published guidance on how departments can encourage suppliers to sign the Covenant and to raise awareness of the Armed Forces Covenant. This guidance is published on gov.uk and available here PPN 008: Armed Forces Covenant (HTML) - GOV.UK.

What steps his Department is taking to innovate the delivery of public health services in rural areas.

Upper tier local authorities have a statutory duty to take steps to improve the health of local people. Under this duty, local authorities commission a range of public health services and are responsible for determining the most effective approaches to the delivery of these services taking account of different local needs, including the needs of rural areas.In 2025/26, we will provide funding of £3.858 billion to local authorities for their public health duty, through the Public Health Grant and the 100% retained business rate arrangement for local authorities in Greater Manchester. This is a cash increase of £198 million, an average 5.4% cash increase and 3.0% real-terms increase compared to 2024/25.NHS England is responsible for commissioning further specified public health services, including national immunisation and screening programmes, under a statutory delegation from the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and informed by the recommendations of the UK National Screening Committee and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Working with NHS Integrated Care Boards, commissioning of these services should also take account of local needs, including the different urban and rural characteristics of communities.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of Public Health Grants in rural areas.

In line with the Government’s Health Mission, our goal is to create a more equitable healthcare system that leaves no person or community behind.The government recognises the health inequalities faced by rural communities in England, particularly around access to healthcare services.In response, we are working closely across the department, with NHS England (NHSE), and regional Directors of Public Health (DPHs) to develop approaches that address these inequalities. The Department supports statutory Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) in delivering National Health Services across England. ICSs are partnerships of organisations which come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services, this includes considering adequate healthcare provision for populations in rural and remote areas.The local authority Public Health Grant, including funding for the ten Greater Manchester authorities through a business rate retention arrangement is £3.858 billion in 2025/26. This is an increase of 5.4% in cash terms, 3% in real terms, compared to 2024/25. On average, funding for the most deprived local authorities is more than two times greater than that for the least deprived.

What steps he is taking to ensure the long-term sustainability of air ambulance charities.

The Government supports the longstanding independent air ambulance charities model for the successful operation of helicopter emergency medical services in England, including through the training and provision of National Health Service clinicians.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure the commercial viability of (a) racecourses and (b) associated supply chains.

A major source of support for all 59 racecourses across the country and the wider related industry is the Horserace Betting Levy, which generated £105m in 2023/4. The levy sits alongside commercial deals between the betting and racing industries. Approximately 70% of levy funds is used for prize money and invested into racing’s eco-system supporting owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff.The Horseracing Betting Levy Board, which is tasked with the distribution of funds collected via the Levy, has also made funding available to support modernisation of weighing room facilities as part of a long-term programme of improvement works to future-proof facilities across all British racecourses, via a racecourse loan scheme.In relation to any increase to the Horserace Betting Levy, the Government has written to both betting and racing industries to resume negotiations on a voluntary deal, focusing on areas where there has been previous agreement. One such area was on the merits of a potential fund to support reform and growth of the sport which would be beneficial for both industries. The Government supports the ongoing negotiations between racing and betting on a voluntary agreement as the quickest means of seeing additional funding flow into the sport.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve water quality at (a) the River Teme and (b) other bathing sites.

For too long, water companies have discharged unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. It will also give regulators new powers to take tougher and faster action to crack down on water companies not delivering for customers and the environment. The Water Industry National Environment Programme and the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan will reduce water industry impacts on bathing waters in England. As part of the Plan, water companies will have improved all storm overflows discharging near every designated bathing water by 2035. On 12th November 2024, Defra, jointly with the Welsh Government, announced a consultation on a package of potential reforms to The Bathing Water Regulations 2013. We are currently analysing responses to the Consultation and will publish a response in due course. The Environment Agency has developed an Action Improvement Plan for the Shropshire bathing water sites to identify actions needed to improve them, as well as trialling novel monitoring approaches on the River Teme at Ludlow to provide greater insight into bathing water quality. Upstream of Ludlow, the Environment Agency has completed over 80 farm inspections over the last 2 years, ensuring compliance with agricultural regulations and providing advice to reduce farming impacts on our waterways. Tree planting along rivers can help improve water quality, such as by trapping and removing pollutants from agricultural runoff water before it reaches the river. The England Woodland Creation Offer provides financial support for tree planting and incentivises woodland creation that improves water quality through supplementary payments. The ‘Woodlands for Water’ project, supported by Defra, has been providing targeted facilitation to support landowners to access tree planting grants to support the creation of riparian woodland corridors, including in the River Teme catchment.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of specialist education provision in (a) rural areas and (b) South Shropshire constituency.

For too long the education and care 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. We want more children and young people to receive the support they need to achieve and thrive in their local mainstream school, reducing the need for pupils to travel a long way to access a suitable placement. Alongside this, we recognise the vital role that special schools play in catering to those with the most complex needs. Many mainstream settings are already going above and beyond to deliver specialist provision locally, including through resourced provision and special educational needs units. Following the last Ofsted inspection, departmental officials have been working with Shropshire Council to closely monitor progress against the areas for improvement identified by inspectors. A SEND Advisor was appointed to support and work alongside Shropshire Council and the local area partnership. Shropshire is also gaining valuable insights and learning across the SEND and alternative provision system through engagement in the Change Programme.Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. Of that total, Shropshire Council is being allocated over £46 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of £3.8 million on this year’s DSG high needs block.Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education has now announced £740 million for high needs capital in 2025/26 to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. This new funding is intended to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools or adapt classrooms to be more accessible for children with SEND, alongside continuing to provide places in special schools for pupils with the most complex needs. In Shropshire and other rural areas, where specialist providers are more likely to be geographically dispersed, this could reduce the need for pupils to travel a long way to access a suitable placement. We will confirm allocations for the £740 million funding for the 2025/26 financial year in the spring.

What steps her Department has taken to improve access to specialist education in (a) rural areas and (b) South Shropshire constituency.

For too long the education and care 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. We want more children and young people to receive the support they need to achieve and thrive in their local mainstream school, reducing the need for pupils to travel a long way to access a suitable placement. Alongside this, we recognise the vital role that special schools play in catering to those with the most complex needs. Many mainstream settings are already going above and beyond to deliver specialist provision locally, including through resourced provision and special educational needs units. Following the last Ofsted inspection, departmental officials have been working with Shropshire Council to closely monitor progress against the areas for improvement identified by inspectors. A SEND Advisor was appointed to support and work alongside Shropshire Council and the local area partnership. Shropshire is also gaining valuable insights and learning across the SEND and alternative provision system through engagement in the Change Programme.Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. Of that total, Shropshire Council is being allocated over £46 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of £3.8 million on this year’s DSG high needs block.Additionally, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education has now announced £740 million for high needs capital in 2025/26 to support children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision. This new funding is intended to create specialist facilities within mainstream schools or adapt classrooms to be more accessible for children with SEND, alongside continuing to provide places in special schools for pupils with the most complex needs. In Shropshire and other rural areas, where specialist providers are more likely to be geographically dispersed, this could reduce the need for pupils to travel a long way to access a suitable placement. We will confirm allocations for the £740 million funding for the 2025/26 financial year in the spring.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to (a) protect and (b) improve access to leisure facilities in rural areas.

The Government recognises that leisure facilities are important to communities up and down the country. High-quality, inclusive facilities help people get active. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to high quality facilities and opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity.The ongoing responsibility for public leisure facilities lies at Local Authority level. Local Authorities work in partnership with operators who manage leisure services. The Government and Sport England continue to work closely with Local Authorities to monitor pressures in the sector.The Government has committed to continued funding for grassroots facilities. £123 million will be invested UK-wide via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25. Grassroots sport is also funded through the Government’s Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, who invest over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year.

What steps she is taking to improve the availability of apprenticeships in rural areas.

This government has a driving mission to break down barriers to opportunity. Meeting the skills needs of the next decade is central to delivering the government's five missions on economic growth, opportunity for all, a stronger NHS, safer streets and clean energy. Through delivering the opportunity and growth missions, the department will ensure that we have the skilled workforce needed to deliver the national, regional and local skills needs. This will align with the government’s industrial strategy and break down the barriers to opportunity for learners.In order to help meet these skills needs, the government has committed to widening the apprenticeships offer into a levy-funded growth and skills offer, with apprenticeships at the heart. This will offer greater flexibility to learners and employers, including those in rural areas. As a first step, this will include shorter duration and foundation apprenticeships in targeted sectors, helping more people learn new high-quality skills at work, fuelling innovation in businesses across the country and providing high-quality entry pathways for young people.In addition, Skills England will help to ensure that there is a comprehensive suite of apprenticeships, training and technical qualifications for individuals and employers to access, and that regional and national skills needs are met.The department is committed to supporting employers, including those in rural areas, to offer apprenticeship opportunities. The government continues to pay additional funding to employers and training providers to support them to take on young apprentices, apprentices with learning difficulties and disabilities and care leavers.The department pays 100% of apprentice training costs for small employers when they take on apprentices aged 16 to 21 and £1,000 to all employers and training providers when they take on apprentices aged under-19. This payment is to support young apprentices in the workplace and can be used to support costs such as travel, work equipment and uniforms.