Written questions by Snowden.

If she will review sentencing guidelines for animal cruelty offences in connection with (a) confining an animal in a hot vehicle and (b) other cases of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

Sentencing guidelines are developed and reviewed by the Sentencing Council for England and Wales, in fulfilment of its statutory duty to do so.In July 2023, the Council issued guidelines on animal cruelty, which provide the Court with guidance on factors that should be considered, which may affect the sentence given. They set out different levels of sentence based on the harm caused and how culpable the offender is. This is available on its website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/crown-court/item/animal-cruelty/.Whilst the Government has no current plans to ask the Council to consider reviewing the animal cruelty guidelines, it is open to individuals to approach the Council to ask that they do so.

Whether her Department had discussions with veterans' organisations in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire on the unique needs of veterans during the development of her proposed welfare reforms.

We welcome the views of veterans and representative organisations. The Pathways to Work consultation invites people to share their views on the proposals set out in the Green Paper. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, from across the United Kingdom, to respond to the consultation setting out their thoughts and views on how wounded, injured and sick veterans can best be supported. To further facilitate input, we held a specific consultation event for Armed Forces and veterans’ organisations to hear their experiences and thoughts directly. As we develop proposals further, we will continue to consider the impacts of changes, including on veterans, as part of our wider consideration of responses to the Green Paper consultation. We are also providing detailed briefings on the proposals to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA). Once we have completed the consultation we will be building up to a White Paper, and we will continue to engage with MoD and the OVA.

What recent assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of demand for adult ADHD assessments in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Lord Darzi’s independent review of the National Health Service, published September 2024, highlighted that demand for assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown significantly in recent years and that there are severe delays for accessing ADHD assessments.For the first time, NHS England published management information on ADHD waits at a national level on 29 May 2025 as part of its ADHD data improvement plan, which has also released technical guidance to integrated care boards (ICBs) to improve the recording of ADHD data, with a view to improving the quality of ADHD waits data and publishing more localised data in future. NHS England has also captured examples from ICBs who are trialling innovative ways of delivering ADHD services and is using this information to support systems to tackle ADHD waiting lists and provide support to address people’s needs.NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is bringing together those with lived experience with experts from the NHS, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June, with the final report expected in the summer.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59059 on Carer's Allowance, what (a) metrics and (b) criteria her Department uses to assess the adequacy of Carer’s Allowance in meeting carers' financial needs.

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.

What information her Department holds on when the Legal Aid Agency's online services will be restored following the cyber attack on 23 April 2025.

This is an unprecedented event involving sophisticated organised crime. It is an evolving situation and every effort is being made to restore systems following the criminal attack on our services. The Legal Aid Agency’s (LAA) digital services have been taken offline to negate the serious criminal threat and prevent further exposure of legal aid providers and users. We will not reopen the system until the appropriate steps have been taken to enable us to do so. We have been able to return some to internal use, enabling an improved ability to support criminal legal aid applications and payments. The Government are committed to ensuring that operational delivery of legal aid continues. We have put in place business contingency plans to ensure that those most in need of legal support can continue to access the help that they need and that those providing vital legal services can be confident they will continue to receive payments whilst systems are offline. In this way we are continuing to provide legal aid to those who need in without interruption. The recent data breach is the result of heinous criminal activity, but it was enabled by the fragility of the LAA’s IT systems as a result of the long years of underinvestment under the last Conservative Government. By contrast, since taking power this Government has prioritised work to reverse the damage of over a decade of under-investment. That includes the allocation of over £20 million in extra funding this year to stabilise and transform the Legal Aid Agency digital services. This investment will make the system more robust and resilient in the face of similar cyber-attacks in future.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance his Department issues to police forces on intervening when dogs are reported to be in distress in locked vehicles during hot weather.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the Act) police officers and local authority inspectors have broad powers to intervene where an animal is in distress, including where they are enclosed in vehicles during hot weather. The powers are explained in the Act and its Explanatory Note.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to raise public awareness of the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars during warm weather.

The Government maintains a Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs which can be found here: Code of practice for the welfare of dogs. The Code summarises important information owners and keepers should consider when caring for their dogs. This includes advice on preventing dogs suffering from heat stress in cars and other enclosed areas on warm days.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 59059 on Carer's Allowance, whether her Department has (a) conducted and (b) commissioned research into the potential impact of the level of Carer’s Allowance on carers’ (i) mental health, (ii) financial stability and (iii) ability to access respite.

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 extend access to cardiovascular screening to people under 40 with a family history of heart disease.

The NHS Health Check is a core component of England’s cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention programme, which assesses the risk factors for CVD in people aged 40 to 74 years old, provides advice on how to reduce the risk of developing CVD, and refers people to behaviour support programmes, clinical assessment, and treatment where appropriate.As part of ongoing reviews to ensure the programme remains evidence based, we are assessing the evidence for expanding eligibility to people under 40 years of age. This work will inform the ongoing policy for the NHS Health Check programme.

Communities and Local Government, what steps the National Housing Bank will take to ensure that housing developments are equitably distributed across different regions.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 June 2025 (HCWS712).

Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) funding and (b) other support his Department gives to seasonal campaigns run by (i) the RSPCA, (ii) the Dogs Trust and (iii) other campaigning organisations to highlight the risks of leaving pets in hot vehicles.

The Government greatly appreciates the work undertaken by the nation’s animal welfare organisations to highlight the risks associated with leaving pets in hot vehicles. The Government regularly engages with animal welfare organisations to discuss their campaigns but does not provide funds.

What steps he has taken to reduce average diagnosis times for endometriosis; and what plans he has to meet the Women’s Health Strategy targets.

It is unacceptable that women can wait up to 10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis and the Government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis.Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered over three million more appointments.In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its guideline on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis to make firmer recommendations on referral and investigations, which will help women receive a diagnosis and effective treatment faster. This includes updated recommendations that for women with symptoms of endometriosis, initial pharmacological treatment should take place in primary care, and that this can take place in parallel with additional investigations and referral to secondary care if needed. The guideline is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73The Government’s focus is on turning the commitments in the Women's Health Strategy into tangible action, such as providing emergency hormonal contraception free of charge at pharmacies on the National Health Service from October 2025, taking urgent action to tackle gynaecology waiting lists through the Elective Reform Plan, and setting out how we will eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 through the new cervical cancer plan.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the provision of financial education in schools in Fylde constituency.

I refer the hon. Member for Fylde to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.

Whether she plans to proscribe Palestine Action.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave on 18 June to Question 59335.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking with relevant authorities to prevent heat-related deaths of household pets in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the Act), owners and keepers must protect their animals from harm and provide for their welfare needs in line with best practice The Act is supported by Codes of Practice for Dogs and Cats. The Codes include guidance on providing a suitable environment for the animal, including information on protecting the animal from extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Local authorities and the police have powers to enforce the Act and can intervene where an animal is suspected to be suffering.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to improve the (a) condition and (b) ecological quality of woodlands in Fylde constituency.

This Government recognises the importance of woodland management to improve the condition and ecological quality of woodlands. We are helping owners manage their woodlands by providing Countryside Stewardship woodland management planning grants, infrastructure grants, and woodland improvement as well as supplements for deer and grey squirrel impact management. Through the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds, grant funding has been made available to stimulate the development and testing of new ideas that can help improve the ecological condition of woodlands. Grants are demand led, and we do not measure uptake at constituency level.

Where she plans to relocate irregular migrants living in hotels in Lancashire by 2029.

The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders and consider a range of options to fulfil its statutory obligations, and deliver our commitment to reduce overall cost of asylum accommodation, including the use of hotels, by the end of this Parliament.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce shoplifting in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

Through our Safer Streets Mission, we are committed to ensuring that people feel safe on our streets and in their communities.To help tackle retail crime, we will provide £5 million over the next three years to continue to fund Opal, the national policing intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime.We will also invest £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.Through our Crime and Policing Bill, this Government has introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores. We will also end the effective immunity for shop theft of and below £200 sending a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously.

What support is available for veterans transitioning out of the armed forces in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire.

This is a Government of service that will always stand up for those who serve our country, no matter which community they are based in. I am working across Government and with civil society to ensure veterans, including those in Fylde and Lancashire, have access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need. For most Service Leavers, the successful transition into employment is the foundation of positive life outcomes. Consequently, as part of their resettlement process, all Regular Service Leavers are entitled to support and receive regular check in calls from the Ministry of Defence’s Career Transition Partnership (CTP). The CTP provides support through a range of career and employment support services, including skills development workshops, seminars, resettlement training advice, vocational training courses, and career consultancy. This has recently been changed to be an opt-out service, increasing attendance of Service Leavers. I recently announced VALOUR, a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support. This will ensure easier access to essential care and support for veterans across the UK. This regional approach, based on a network of VALOUR support centres, together with regional field officers, will ensure that services are designed to meet the needs of local communities. Please raise awareness of VALOUR and encourage organisations to sign up for updates here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps. In England Op RESTORE provides specialist care to veterans who have physical health problems, and Op COURAGE, a mental health specialist service helps veterans and their families. Housing support is available across the United Kingdom via Op FORTITUDE, a single referral pathway to connect veterans with help and support. Veterans can also access a range of tailored employment support, including the CTP and Op ASCEND, the employment pathway for veterans. I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight the Defence Transition Services (DTS) and the Veterans Welfare Service (VWS), which provide additional support to Service Leavers and their families who are most likely to face challenges as they leave the Armed Forces, irrespective of their reason for discharge. In your constituency, VWS have a Regional Welfare Centre based in Blackpool (Norcross).

Whether his Department has set targets for upgrading homes through the Warm Homes Programme in Fylde constituency in the next two years.

The Government is investing £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan over the Spending Review period, in line with the Manifesto commitment. This is a major step forward in the government’s plans to upgrade up to 5 million homes, including those in the Fylde constituency, over this Parliament and cut energy bills for good. Further detail on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out by October, including additional funding allocations for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and Warm Homes: Local Grant.