Written questions by Snowden.

How many (a) migrants and (b) asylum seekers are housed in (i) hotel accommodation and (ii) other temporary accommodation in (A) Fylde and (B) Lancashire.

Data is published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, in each local authority area, at: Asylum seekers in receipt of support detailed datasets, year ending March 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help maintain the number of community allotments.

We recognise the importance of community allotments and the immense contribution they make to the health, wellbeing and spirit of communities.Local Authorities have a duty to provide allotments if there is sufficient demand for allotments.The responsibility for the running, management, and organisation of these allotments falls entirely on the Local Authority. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not provide any specific guidance or regulations on how these allotments should be managed.However, through the Government’s Green Flag Award scheme, allotments (if entered as a community garden) can be awarded for its quality standards.

What steps his Department is taking to help support the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

As set out in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s (CWGC) Royal Charter, the six member countries contribute to the funding of the Commission in proportion to the number of graves maintained for each nation’s Armed Forces. The United Kingdom is the largest contributor, paying 79% of the Commission’s budget via quarterly payments. For this year, that equates to a UK contribution of £59 million. Given the scale of the UK contribution, the Secretary of State for Defence is the Chair of the CWGC. Additionally, the Defence Services Secretary represents Defence at the quarterly CWGC Commissioners’ meetings and the regular finance meetings where budgets are agreed and expenditure monitored. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) also work closely with the CWGC on selected commemorative events. Alongside this year’s landmark VE Day 80 and VJ Day 80 anniversaries, DCMS are leading Government assistance to the CWGC’s delivery of the ‘For Evermore Tour’, a programme of over 250 mobile exhibitions and events across the UK and at key global commemorative sites, to honour and share the stories of those who served in the Second World War. Questions related to that specific assistance should be addressed to DCMS.

What support is available to ensure that children with Down syndrome receive (a) inclusive and (b) appropriate education in mainstream schools in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire.

Improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools is a key part of our ambition to ensure that all children and young people receive the support they need, in the most appropriate setting.High-quality teaching is central to ensuring that all pupils, including those with Down’s Syndrome or other types of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are given the best possible opportunity to achieve. To support all teachers, the department is implementing a range of teacher training reforms to ensure teachers have the skills to support all pupils to succeed.On 1 September 2024, the government introduced a new mandatory leadership level qualification for special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs) in mainstream schools. The qualification will play a key role in improving outcomes for pupils with SEND, including Down’s Syndrome, by ensuring SENCOs consistently receive high-quality, evidence-based training on how best to support children with SEND.We are also strengthening the evidence base of what works to improve inclusive practice in mainstream settings. We have commissioned evidence reviews from Newcastle University and University College London. These will help to drive inclusive practices by highlighting what the best available evidence suggests are the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff in mainstream settings to identify and support children and young people with different types of needs.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of communications in issuing heat alerts.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a Weather Health Alerting (WHA) system in partnership with the Met Office, as part of its Adverse Weather and Health Plan (AWHP) for the health and social care sector. The UKHSA publishes annual reports which contain an assessment of the AWHP’s performance, including communication. The UKHSA collaborates with academic partners to assess how communications are received, and how guidance is utilised. The WHA system has approximately 35,000 subscribers. The UKHSA undertakes communication activity with the Met Office to ensure that the health system and the public are aware of periods of hot weather, the health risks of heat, and what action they should take. The UKHSA issues proactive communications for the first Heat Health Alert of any summer, and whenever an amber or red alert is issued.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help ensure the continuation of core funding to (a) Fylde council and (b) other rural councils during the transition from the Rural Services Delivery Grant to the Recovery Grant.

The government took the difficult decision to end the Rural Services Delivery Grant as it did not properly account for need and a large number of predominantly rural councils received nothing from it. In 2025-26, places with a significant rural population are receiving almost a 6% increase in their Core Spending Power compared to the previous year, which is a real terms increase. The government is absolutely committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. We are currently consulting on reforming the local government funding system via gov.uk The Fair Funding Review 2.0 and invite views and supporting evidence on this issue and beyond. Our updated assessment of need will more effectively capture variations in demand for services within a local authority. We are also proposing to continue to apply Area Cost Adjustments to account for the different costs faced in delivering services, including in rural and urban areas. This includes a new proposal to consider the remoteness of an area alongside its accessibility. We will ensure our approach is informed by the latest data and evidence and are inviting views and supporting evidence from the sector and the public on this approach.

Communities and Local Government, what funding is available to support age-adapted housing developments in (a) rural and (b) semi-rural constituencies with high numbers of retired residents.

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing. The Affordable Homes Programme for 2021-26 includes delivery of supported housing, including for older people, across the country. At the Spending Review the Chancellor announced £39 billion for a successor to the Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36; Funding is available through the locally administered Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to support eligible older and disabled people, including in rural and semi-rural constituencies, to adapt their homes. The government awarded an £86 million in-year uplift to the DFG for 2024-25, bringing the total funding for 2024-25 to £711 million. We are also providing £711 million for 2025-26. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Rural Housing Enabler programme provides grant funding to ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) to deliver and manage a network of independent advisors who work with communities to develop affordable housing schemes across rural England. The advisors help identify suitable development opportunities in communities, and support site owners and community representatives to navigate the planning system and create developments that meet the needs of local people.

Communities and Local Government, whether eligibility for the Rural Services Delivery Grant takes into account sparsely populated rural areas.

The government took the difficult decision to end the Rural Services Delivery Grant as it did not properly account for need and a large number of predominantly rural councils received nothing from it. In 2025-26, places with a significant rural population are receiving almost a 6% increase in their Core Spending Power compared to the previous year, which is a real terms increase. The government is absolutely committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. We are currently consulting on reforming the local government funding system via gov.uk The Fair Funding Review 2.0 and invite views and supporting evidence on this issue and beyond. Our updated assessment of need will more effectively capture variations in demand for services within a local authority. We are also proposing to continue to apply Area Cost Adjustments to account for the different costs faced in delivering services, including in rural and urban areas. This includes a new proposal to consider the remoteness of an area alongside its accessibility. We will ensure our approach is informed by the latest data and evidence and are inviting views and supporting evidence from the sector and the public on this approach.

What guidance she has issued to schools to deal with extreme weather warnings.

The department has an Education Hub, which is a site for parents, pupils, education professionals and the media, that captures everything they need to know about the education system. On 16 June 2025, the Education Hub published an article offering guidance for schools and educational settings on hot weather and heatwaves. This guidance is available here: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2025/06/hot-weather-and-heatwaves-guidance-for-schools-and-other-education-settings/.The department also publishes guidance on emergency planning and response for education, childcare and children’s social care settings. This includes a section on severe weather, including extreme heat, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/emergency-planning-and-response-for-education-childcare-and-childrens-social-care-settings.The UK Health Security Agency also publishes guidance for teachers and other educational professionals about looking after children and those in early years settings before and during hot weather, covering health risks from heat and how to protect children when at school. This guidance can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/looking-after-children-and-those-in-early-years-settings-before-and-during-hot-weather-teachers-and-other-educational-professionals.

What assessment he has made of the impact of rising energy prices on the disposable income of pensioner households in the North West.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. The Government is continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount, which provides £150 to eligible households including those where the bill payer is on Pension Credit. The Government will also increase the level at which Winter Fuel Payments are means-tested in England and Wales from winter 2025-26 so that the vast majority of pensioners benefit from them. Individuals over the State Pension age in England and Wales with an income below or equal to £35,000 will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment. Winter Fuel Payments will be payable in England and Wales at £200 for households including someone between State Pension age and 79, and £300 for households including someone aged 80 or over.

Whether he has made an assessment of the capacity of care settings to cope with extreme heat in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator with oversight of quality and safety in health and care settings. Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 compels providers to assess the risks to the health and safety of service users receiving the care or treatment and to do all that is reasonably practicable to mitigate any such risks. This includes having an appropriate assessment of environmental risks, such as extreme heat events.The CQC would expect providers to follow national guidance on extreme heat safety and to follow any relevant heat alerts when these are issued.

Innovation and Technology, what guidance is his Department provides to local planning authorities on balancing the need for digital infrastructure with environmental and heritage considerations.

Local planning authorities are responsible for determining applications for digital infrastructure, including telecommunications, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework which requires that planning decisions take account local environmental and heritage considerations.In addition, the Department has published a Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England, and the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice 2016 which provide practice on siting and design and encourages early engagement with communities and relevant local authorities to help balance the need for network deployment with environmental factors.

What support his Department is providing to people with Alzheimer's disease in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guidelines.A review of the currently commissioned dementia post diagnostic support service for Lancashire and South Cumbria took place in 2023/24. The outcome of the review was a newly designed service specification, ensuring a consistent service model for all individuals who receive a diagnosis of dementia and who are currently living with dementia, and their carers, from point of diagnosis to end of life.Under this new service, individuals will be systematically referred upon diagnosis into a post diagnostic support service and will then be contacted by a named dementia navigator who will be the contact for the individual throughout their journey with dementia.Additionally, the Government’s 10-Year Health Plan will address the challenges diagnosed by Lord Darzi and will set the vision for what good joined-up care looks like for people with a combination of complex health and care needs. It will set out how we support and enable health and social care services to work together better to provide that joined-up care.

What recent steps his Department has taken to improve early diagnosis and support for children born with Down syndrome in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Pregnant people will be offered a screening test for Down syndrome between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. If the screening test shows that the chance of the baby having Down syndrome is higher than one in 150, this is called a higher-chance result. People who receive a higher-chance result can decide to:not have any further testing;have a second screening test called a non-invasive prenatal testing, which is a blood test that can give a more accurate screening result, and can help people to decide whether to have a diagnostic test or not; andhave a diagnostic test, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling straight away, which tells people for certain whether or not their baby has Down syndrome, but in rare cases can cause a miscarriage.We are taking action to improve access to services for people with Down syndrome and to raise awareness and understanding of their needs through implementation of the Down Syndrome Act 2022. The act requires my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to give statutory guidance to the relevant authorities regarding the appropriate actions they should be taking to support the needs of people with Down syndrome.We are taking forward the development of the statutory guidance as a priority and expect to publish it for public consultation this autumn. The guidance will help to clarify the help and services people with Down syndrome can expect to receive. The draft guidance will set out the process for diagnosing Down syndrome, and the support that health services should provide to a parent carrying a baby with Down syndrome.The draft guidance will also raise awareness of the needs of children with Down syndrome in relation to health, social care, and education, and will set out practical steps that organisations should take to meet these needs.

What steps he is taking to help tackle (a) stigma and (b) discrimination against people with Down syndrome.

The Government is committed to championing the rights of disabled people, including people with Down syndrome. We are taking action to break down barriers to opportunity for people with Down syndrome and to raise awareness and understanding of their needs through the implementation of the Down Syndrome Act 2022. The act requires my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to give statutory guidance to the relevant authorities regarding the appropriate actions they should be taking to support the needs of people with Down syndrome.We are taking forward the development of the draft statutory guidance as a priority and expect to publish it for public consultation this autumn. The draft guidance will set out the existing protection from discrimination for disabled people under the Equality Act, which applies to people with Down syndrome.Under the Health and Care Act 2022, from 1 July 2022, Care Quality Commission registered providers are required to ensure their staff receive specific training on learning disability and autism appropriate to their role. This will help to ensure that staff have the right knowledge and skills to provide safe and informed care. We have published a Code of Practice to guide providers on how to meet this requirement.

What steps his Department is taking to improve access to effective (a) treatment and (b) support for people experiencing chronic insomnia in (i) Fylde and (ii) Lancashire.

It is for the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board to decide what treatments and support for insomnia are offered to its local population, including people living in Fylde. NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression offers low-intensity therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which may include interventions around sleep hygiene. Individuals who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression can be referred by their general practitioner, or can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies via the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/ Individuals can also access helpful resources on sleep problems on the Every Mind Matters website, at the following link: https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/ In addition, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Prioritisation Board has agreed to prioritise digital technologies that deliver CBT interventions for insomnia and insomnia symptoms as a topic for the development of HealthTech guidance.

Whether her Department plans to provide training in (a) military and (b) trauma-informed care to Personal Independence Payment assessors working with veterans in Fylde.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments are not medical consultations and do not require Health Professionals (HPs) to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Instead, they are functional assessments designed to evaluate how an individual’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living activities. HPs conducting PIP assessments are trained specialists in disability analysis. Their focus is on understanding the functional impact of a claimant’s condition, rather than its clinical diagnosis. All HPs receive specific training on assessing the effects of mental health conditions and are supported by Mental Health Function Champions (MHFCs). MHFCs are experienced professionals with relevant expertise in mental health, cognitive, developmental, and learning disabilities. They are available to provide advice and support throughout the assessment process. Additionally, HPs have access to Condition Insight Reports and Continuing Professional Development guides. These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information on a range of conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments.

How many prosecutions have been brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in the last three years for incidents involving dogs left in dangerously hot vehicles.

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on the number of prosecutions under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics. However, data held centrally does not include information on whether defendants were prosecuted for offences related to “incidents involving dogs left in dangerously hot vehicles”. This information may be held in court records but to examine individual court records would be of disproportionate costs.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59059 on Carer's Allowance, whether her Department has made a comparative assessment of Carer's Allowance with equivalent support mechanisms provided to unpaid carers in other OECD countries.

DWP monitors the operation of Carer’s Allowance (CA) and keeps the benefit under continual review to see if it is meetings its objectives, which are to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who are not able to work full time because of their caring responsibilities. We will continue to spend record amounts on CA to provide unpaid carers with the help and support they need and deserve, with CA being uprated each year by the Consumer Price Index to help ensure it maintains its value. As set out in my answer to PQW/24-25/2025/54424, it is important to remember that unpaid carers can also receive means-tested benefits which contain additional amounts specifically to recognise the extra costs and responsibilities of being an unpaid carer. Making international comparisons of benefits and other support is far from straightforward. There are a range of support measures introduced by national governments where caring is taking place. Sometimes their primary objective is to provide financial support for the older or disabled person to help meet the additional costs of needing care and are typically accessed through an assessment of the amount of help required by the disabled or older person. They are also frequently paid to the person receiving care, on the assumption that they will then pass them on to a family caregiver of their choice, sometimes with no formal requirement of how it should be used.Many national schemes are funded through social health or protection insurance payments and the carer’s access to any support is often entirely dependent on the insurance entitlement of the individual or person receiving care. In other instances, ‘cash for care’ measures are aimed at offering consumer-style choice to older and disabled people. In such instances, benefitting carers, if at all, is a secondary aim. In both instances these measures differ widely in terms of target group, eligibility criteria, interactions with formal care service, payment levels and whether they are means-tested. Their impact on carers also varies, depending on local labour markets, the availability of formal long-term care services, and social attitudes towards the roles of families in caring for older and disabled people. Australia and Ireland have schemes which are most similar to the UK system in that they offer support directly to carers, but very importantly they are means tested, unlike CA. We have no current plans to commission specific research into the adequacy of CA or its detailed impacts.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to include chronic primary pain as a compensable condition.

Under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme, pain and suffering are already included in awards for all conditions, the aim being a holistic approach to compensation. How chronic pain could be better addressed under the Scheme is currently being considered by the Independent Medical Expert Group (IMEG) as part of their Forward Work Programme.