Written questions by Griffiths.

Whether his Department has identified any delays in issuing public health advice during the recent meningitis outbreak.

Protocols for escalating suspected meningitis outbreaks were followed. The rapid emergence of cases in this outbreak was genuinely unusual, and the response reflected the pattern and pace of cases identified in this outbreak. National Health Service clinicians and the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA’s) local Health Protection Team followed well established national guidance for management of cases and contacts of meningococcal infection. Further information is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69c25a5bbb0dfe55b83e4c2a/UKHSA-meningo-disease-guidelines-dec2025.pdfNo delays in issuing public health advice have been identified. The UKHSA local Health Protection Team was notified of a cluster of cases on 14 March 2026. The team acted immediately and communication to those at immediate risk took place on 14 and 15 March 2026. In addition, on 15 March 2026, a letter was sent to all University of Kent students and staff with warn and inform information to ensure rapid identification of symptomatic individuals and also provided details on eligibility for antibiotic chemoprophylaxis. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/outbreak-of-meningococcal-disease-linked-to-university-of-kent-and-the-area-of-canterbury/Throughout the outbreak, the UKHSA has worked closely with the National Health Service, educational settings, and other partners. Further information on meningitis B and this outbreak is available on the UKHSA’s blog, at the following link:https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=The%20rapid%20emergence%20of%20cases,variable%20immunity%20and%20other%20factors

Whether he has met with representatives of Meningitis Now since the recent meningitis outbreak; and whether he plans to meet them to discuss their recommendations.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, regularly engages with charitable organisations on a variety of issues.A targeted vaccination programme has been introduced in direct response to the Kent outbreak, and he has asked the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review the evidence on the scope of the meningococcal group B vaccine programme.The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has engaged closely with meningitis and sepsis charities throughout the outbreak. This includes Meningitis Now, the Meningitis Research Foundation, and the UK Sepsis Trust. As part of this collaboration, Meningitis Now co-badged a signs and symptoms poster developed by the UKHSA, which has been shared widely to support public awareness.

Whether protocols for escalating suspected meningitis outbreaks to national public health authorities were followed in full in the recent outbreak.

Protocols for escalating suspected meningitis outbreaks were followed. The rapid emergence of cases in this outbreak was genuinely unusual, and the response reflected the pattern and pace of cases identified in this outbreak. National Health Service clinicians and the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA’s) local Health Protection Team followed well established national guidance for management of cases and contacts of meningococcal infection. Further information is available at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69c25a5bbb0dfe55b83e4c2a/UKHSA-meningo-disease-guidelines-dec2025.pdfNo delays in issuing public health advice have been identified. The UKHSA local Health Protection Team was notified of a cluster of cases on 14 March 2026. The team acted immediately and communication to those at immediate risk took place on 14 and 15 March 2026. In addition, on 15 March 2026, a letter was sent to all University of Kent students and staff with warn and inform information to ensure rapid identification of symptomatic individuals and also provided details on eligibility for antibiotic chemoprophylaxis. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/outbreak-of-meningococcal-disease-linked-to-university-of-kent-and-the-area-of-canterbury/Throughout the outbreak, the UKHSA has worked closely with the National Health Service, educational settings, and other partners. Further information on meningitis B and this outbreak is available on the UKHSA’s blog, at the following link:https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2026/03/18/meningitis-b-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know/#:~:text=The%20rapid%20emergence%20of%20cases,variable%20immunity%20and%20other%20factors

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the administrative burden placed on volunteer-led sports clubs and community sports facilities by annual reapplication requirements for discretionary business rates relief.

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief is the responsibility of local government, having regard to the relevant legislation or, where applicable, guidance published by central government. Local authorities are responsible for deciding any application process for the locally funded discretionary rate relief schemes they administer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of delays in determining discretionary business rates relief applications on the financial sustainability of grassroots sports clubs in England.

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief is the responsibility of local government, having regard to the relevant legislation or, where applicable, guidance published by central government. Local authorities are responsible for deciding any application process for the locally funded discretionary rate relief schemes they administer.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to issue guidance to billing authorities on the publication of aggregate and recipient-level information on discretionary business rates relief awarded to premises used wholly or mainly for community sport.

Billing authorities report on the value of discretionary relief provided to Community Amateur Sports Clubs and a snapshot of the number of hereditaments in receipt of this discretionary relief via the Department’s national non-domestic rates forms. Guidance to help complete the forms is provided to billing authorities. The latest published information on the value of the relief in 2026-27 can be found at table 2 here. The latest published data on the number of hereditaments in receipt of discretionary relief as at 31 December 2024 can be found in Table 4 here. Data on hereditaments as at 31 December 2025 will be published in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of local authority budget pressures on decisions to award discretionary business rates relief to sports clubs and community sports facilities.

The administration of business rates, including billing, enforcement and decisions on the award of relief is the responsibility of local government, having regard to the relevant legislation or, where applicable, guidance published by central government. Local authorities are responsible for deciding any application process for the locally funded discretionary rate relief schemes they administer.

What comparative assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on (a) coastal visitor economies with shorter average stays and lower average visitor spend and (b) major urban destinations.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a overnight visitor levy in England on levels of visitor spend in local high streets, hospitality businesses, and attractions in levy areas.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

What estimate her Department has made of the annual administrative and compliance costs of an overnight visitor levy in England for small and independent accommodation providers, including guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, campsites, self-catering properties and short-term lets.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on non-mayoral visitor economies, including Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, of limiting powers to introduce an overnight visitor levy in England to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and any future Foundation Strategic Authorities.

West Sussex is a constituent member of the Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority, which was formally established on 25 March 2026. Consequently, the towns of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton will benefit from a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for the region with the power to introduce an Overnight Visitor Levy (OVL). As set out in the Visitor Levy consultation document, the Government believes this power best sits with MSAs as Mayors hold the levers to drive local growth and have the mandate to make strategic decisions over a large geography. Evidence from other countries suggests that modest levies have a limited impact on visitor numbers and displacement. In February, the Government invited all local authorities that do not currently have a devolution agreement to come forward with proposals for a Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) across a sensible geography to ensure everywhere has access to the benefits of devolution. As you note, the Government has also consulted on whether to give the Visitor Levy power to FSAs, given they also hold levers to drive local growth and have strategic roles in economic development over a significant geographic area. The Government will publish the response to the consultation which ended on 18 February shortly

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of an overnight visitor levy in England on levels of displacement of overnight stays in levy areas to nearby non-levy areas; and whether she has modelled the potential impact of such displacement on coastal and seasonal visitor economies.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth, including through support for the local visitor economy. The Government recognises the important role our rural and coastal communities play in supporting the visitor economy. At Budget, the Government published a consultation so that the public, businesses, and local government could shape the design of these powers, including options to minimise the burden on businesses and communities. This consultation closed on the 18th of February and the Government will publish a response in due course. The precise design and scope of the power for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy is still under development, and the impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult on specific proposals. We expect Mayors to engage constructively with businesses and their communities to hear any concerns. Following consultation, we expect Mayors to publish a summary of the consultation results and their response, including a final prospectus, and an impact assessment.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance the Environment Agency provides to local planning authorities on assessing the cumulative impact of development on surface water flood risk and drainage capacity in low-lying coastal areas.

Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) are the lead authority for managing surface water flooding. LLFAs are statutory consultees on major development, providing expert advice to local planning authorities. The Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview for all sources of flooding. In December 2024 the EA published its updated National Assessment of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk in England. This included an updated assessment of surface water flood risk. The EA also supports consideration of surface water flood risk in decision making for new developments through the Flood Map for Planning and Check your long term flood risk services. The EA is supporting implementation of the Government’s new flood and coastal erosion risk management funding policy, which made several improvements to aid investment in managing surface water flooding. The EA has produced guidance explaining how the new policy will work in practice.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the enforcement powers available to the Environment Agency to ensure effective oversight of the maintenance of privately owned watercourses in high flood risk areas; and what steps she is taking to review those powers.

Defra has examined the statutory powers and responsibilities for mapping, monitoring, inspecting and maintaining all flood and coastal erosion risk assets, including those owned by third parties. This review which also considered enforcement powers, including under the Water Resources Act 1991, will be published soon. We expect all asset owners, risk management authorities, public and community bodies, private organisations and riparian owners to invest in maintenance and make timely repairs. The Environment Agency has updated its guidance on riparian owners Owning a watercourse.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Environment Agency has made of the condition and remaining operational lifespan of pumping, outfall, and other flood risk management assets for which it is responsible in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton constituency; and what plans are in place to refurbish or replace those assets where required.

Over the last 5 years, the Environment Agency has inspected all the flood risk assets it operates and maintains across the Bognor Regis and Littlehampton area. Each year the Environment Agency delivers an asset reconditioning programme whereby assets rated poor or worse are prioritised for repair or replacement when funding is available. Priority is given to assets that protect the most properties, and assessments are made on decommissioning assets where they no longer provide a flood risk benefit.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much flood risk management funding has been allocated to Environment Agency projects affecting the Aldingbourne Rife catchment in each of the last five financial years; and what funding is planned for each of 2026–27 and 2027–28.

The Environment Agency has invested over £735,000 in the past two years on routine vegetation clearance and channel maintenance across the Aldingbourne Rife and connected watercourses. Each May the Environment Agency inspects the channel, followed by machine and hand‑cutting works through summer and autumn as needed. Flood risk assets, including the Bognor Regis sea wall, ramps and flood gates and Felpham Pumping station, are routinely checked throughout the year and debris screens are cleared whenever needed, 24/7, especially before and during rainfall events. This pattern of routine maintenance and operational checks will continue in 2026-2027.

Food and Rural Affairs, what watercourse maintenance and channel clearance works the Environment Agency carried out on the Aldingbourne Rife in the last 24 months; and what further works are planned in 2026–27.

The Environment Agency has invested over £735,000 in the past two years on routine vegetation clearance and channel maintenance across the Aldingbourne Rife and connected watercourses. Each May the Environment Agency inspects the channel, followed by machine and hand‑cutting works through summer and autumn as needed. Flood risk assets, including the Bognor Regis sea wall, ramps and flood gates and Felpham Pumping station, are routinely checked throughout the year and debris screens are cleared whenever needed, 24/7, especially before and during rainfall events. This pattern of routine maintenance and operational checks will continue in 2026-2027.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of hereditaments in England used wholly or mainly for community sport that receive (a) mandatory charitable rate relief, (b) mandatory Community Amateur Sports Club rate relief and (c) discretionary rate relief from local authorities; and what estimate he has made of the total value of relief awarded in each category in 2025-26.

The Department only collects aggregate data on the rateable values and reliefs and does not collect data broken down by type of business. Forecast data for 2025-26 is published on gov.uk here. Support for ratepayers facing increases in their business rates bills at the 2026 revaluation is provided by the Transitional Relief Scheme and the Supporting Small Business Relief Scheme. Transitional Relief caps the bill increases of all ratepayers and is calculated from a base liability of the 2025/26 bill before all other reliefs. Supporting Small Business Relief calculates support from a base liability of the 2025/26 bill including eligible reliefs. For the 2026 scheme, those ratepayers losing some or all of their Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and leisure Relief, or 2023 Supporting Small Business Rate Relief will be eligible for the 2026 Supporting Small Business Scheme. Further information on business rates reliefs can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of hereditaments used wholly or mainly for community sport in England that will see an increase in their (a) rateable value and (b) business rates liability from 1 April 2026; and what transitional arrangements will apply to those hereditaments.

The Department only collects aggregate data on the rateable values and reliefs and does not collect data broken down by type of business. Forecast data for 2025-26 is published on gov.uk here. Support for ratepayers facing increases in their business rates bills at the 2026 revaluation is provided by the Transitional Relief Scheme and the Supporting Small Business Relief Scheme. Transitional Relief caps the bill increases of all ratepayers and is calculated from a base liability of the 2025/26 bill before all other reliefs. Supporting Small Business Relief calculates support from a base liability of the 2025/26 bill including eligible reliefs. For the 2026 scheme, those ratepayers losing some or all of their Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and leisure Relief, or 2023 Supporting Small Business Rate Relief will be eligible for the 2026 Supporting Small Business Scheme. Further information on business rates reliefs can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number and proportion of sports clubs and community sport facilities in England that will qualify for the retail, hospitality and leisure business rates multipliers from 1 April 2026.

The Department only collects aggregate data on the rateable values and reliefs and does not collect data broken down by type of business. Forecast data for 2025-26 is published on gov.uk here. Support for ratepayers facing increases in their business rates bills at the 2026 revaluation is provided by the Transitional Relief Scheme and the Supporting Small Business Relief Scheme. Transitional Relief caps the bill increases of all ratepayers and is calculated from a base liability of the 2025/26 bill before all other reliefs. Supporting Small Business Relief calculates support from a base liability of the 2025/26 bill including eligible reliefs. For the 2026 scheme, those ratepayers losing some or all of their Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, 2025/26 Retail, Hospitality and leisure Relief, or 2023 Supporting Small Business Rate Relief will be eligible for the 2026 Supporting Small Business Scheme. Further information on business rates reliefs can be found on gov.uk here.