Written questions by Snowden.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the condition of school buildings in Fylde constituency.

The department supports academy trusts, local authorities and voluntary-aided bodies, who are responsible for managing the safety and maintenance of their estates, with capital funding, rebuilding programmes and guidance on effective estate management.We recently confirmed details of £2.1 billion of capital funding for the 2025/26 financial year to improve the condition of schools, up from £1.8 billion committed for the 2024/25 financial year. Allocations are partly informed by consistent data on the condition of the estate collected by the department reflecting the relative need of schools.This is on top of the continuing school rebuilding programme, which includes Lytham St Annes High School in Fylde constituency.From 2021 to 2026, the department’s Condition Data Collection 2 is providing updated data on the condition of schools in England. Findings from Condition Data Collection 1, including those in Fylde, can be accessed here: https://depositedpapers.parliament.uk/depositedpaper/2285521/details.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of inflation on average household disposable income in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Inflation has fallen from the peak of 11.1%, returning to the 2% target in September 2024, before increasing again to 3.5% in April. The independent Office for Budget Responsibility forecast that CPI inflation will peak at 3.8% in July this year before falling rapidly to around the 2.0% target from mid-2026 onwards. Real household disposable income (RHDI) per person is a common measure of living standards. It includes the total income of households, in a given period, after direct taxes have been accounted for and adjusting for the effect of inflation. RHDI per person is only available at the UK wide level and cannot be disaggregated by county or constituency. In the latest data, for Q4 2024, RHDI per person grew at its fastest quarterly rate in two years, rising by 1.5% compared to Q3 2024.According to the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2025 forecast, RHDI per person was forecast to grow at an annual average of 0.5% over this parliament (Q3 2024 – Q2 2029).

What support is available to local authorities to expand family hubs in areas with limited public transport access.

The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life. Delivering this will require strengthening and joining up family services to improve support through pregnancy and early childhood. This includes continuing to invest in and build up the Family Hubs and Start for Life programme.75 local authorities with some of the highest levels of deprivation have received funding and a further £12 million has supported Family Hubs in 13 additional local authorities through the Family Hubs Transformation Fund. There are now more than 500 Family Hubs across the 88 funded local authorities.In the 2025/26 financial year, the government is providing £126 million to give every child the best start in life and deliver on the Plan for Change. More information on this funding can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/families-to-receive-126-million-in-early-years-support. Future funding decisions are subject to the multi-year spending review.The evidence and learning from this investment will help to improve services across England where they are most needed.

What support her Department provides to victims of online fraud and scams in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU), led by the City of London Police, is a national service that supports all 43 forces in England and Wales, which provides victims of all types of fraud and cybercrime with the support they need.The aim of NECVCU is for victims to feel safe and more confident following contact, whilst assisting them to cope and recover from the crime, and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. Since its inception in 2018, NECVCU has supported over 440,000 victims of fraud.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of short-term holiday lets on local housing availability in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Whilst second homes and short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes, both to rent and buy.We remain committed to introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets and removing the furnished holiday lets rules to ensure all income from property will be treated the same for tax purposes.We also recognise that more needs to be done and are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short term lets.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) flood resilience and (b) coastal erosion defences along the Fylde coast.

The Environment Agency regularly provides information to community emergency response and flood action groups within Fylde. Coastal communities have been identified as a priority and are included in the Environment Agency’s engagement planning strategy. The Shoreline Management plans set out a planned approach to manage the flood and coastal erosion risk. The Environment Agency is working with partners on the ‘Our Future Coast’ project to design and test new approaches to coastal flood risk management. The Fylde coast is currently protected by several coastal flood defences from Blackpool to Warton. The Environment Agency is working with the Local Authorities to identify funding streams and opportunities for future schemes along this coastline to further enhance existing defences. An example of this includes the Fylde Sand Dune project.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of inflation on small and medium businesses in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

DBT monitors the financial health of the SME population using a wide range of sources, including the SME Finance Monitor which stated that in 2024, 35% of SMEs rated costs as a major obstacle to running business in the next 12 months, compared with 38% in 2023. The Bank of England is responsible for controlling inflation through monetary policy tools. It has cut the interest rates four times since August 2024 as inflationary pressures eased from their recent peak, working to sustainably returning inflation to the 2% target rate.In addition, the government is establishing trade agreements that will help reduce cost. Supermarkets have said publicly that the recently announced UK-EU SPS Agreement will help to ease the pressure on food prices.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to improve water safety in coastal areas.

Responsibilities for water safety sit with various government departments and agencies including the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs and the Health and Safety Executive, which has produced the Prevention of drowning document (link). In addition, The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is responsible for enforcing the safety of boats used in navigation, including people on them, and the safety of the crew. Together with the Department for Transport they produced the Maritime Safety Action Plan (link).The National Governing Bodies are responsible for providing advice and guidance for how to participate in their sports safely. The Government provides support to these organisations through funding from Sport England.

What steps she is taking to reduce antisocial behaviour in town centres in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million has been allocated to forces for 2025/26 to support the Government’s commitment to deliver an additional personnel into neighbourhood policing . Lancashire Constabulary has been allocated £5,090,296 and will deliver an increase of 53 police officers and 30 PCSOs by 31 March 2026.​These officers will be equipped with tougher powers, such as the Respect Order, which was introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill, to crack down on persistent anti-social behaviour and crimes blighting our high streets and town centres. Other measures in the Bill include enhancing the powers for the police to seize nuisance off-road bikes, and other vehicles which are being used in an anti-social manner, without having to first give a warning to the offender.The Home Office is also providing £66.3 million funding in 2025-26 to forces in England and Wales to deliver high visibility patrols in the areas worst affected by knife crime, serious violence and anti-social behaviour. Lancashire Police will receive £1,713,512 of this funding.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Questions 46950 on Night-time Economy: Finance, how many nightclubs have been listed.

DCMS meets regularly with all parts of the music industry, including the nightclub sector. In developing the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, we engaged with the sector to ensure that the expanded fund caters for all grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music. Through Arts Council England we continue to engage with the industry through targeted webinars and events to promote the Fund to the club sector and encourage applications.The government’s work to review the licensing framework has brought together representatives from government, industry, police and local government, including key stakeholders from the nightclub sector. This Taskforce will make recommendations that will deliver effective change in the licensing framework that fosters vibrant hospitality, night-time economy, and creative and cultural industries.The Creative Foundations Fund, delivered by Arts Council England, will invest £85 million to support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. This will ensure buildings and infrastructure are fit for future generations to benefit from, and will increase access to culture for all and drive cultural, community and economic growth. Historic England considers there to be currently in the region of 45 listed nightclubs in England.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Questions 46950 on Night-time Economy: Finance, what assessment her Department has of the potential impact of the Creative Foundations Fund on contemporary culture.

DCMS meets regularly with all parts of the music industry, including the nightclub sector. In developing the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, we engaged with the sector to ensure that the expanded fund caters for all grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music. Through Arts Council England we continue to engage with the industry through targeted webinars and events to promote the Fund to the club sector and encourage applications.The government’s work to review the licensing framework has brought together representatives from government, industry, police and local government, including key stakeholders from the nightclub sector. This Taskforce will make recommendations that will deliver effective change in the licensing framework that fosters vibrant hospitality, night-time economy, and creative and cultural industries.The Creative Foundations Fund, delivered by Arts Council England, will invest £85 million to support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. This will ensure buildings and infrastructure are fit for future generations to benefit from, and will increase access to culture for all and drive cultural, community and economic growth. Historic England considers there to be currently in the region of 45 listed nightclubs in England.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Questions 46950 on Night-time Economy: Finance, what meetings she has had with the nightclub sector to develop those (a) policies and (b) funds.

DCMS meets regularly with all parts of the music industry, including the nightclub sector. In developing the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, we engaged with the sector to ensure that the expanded fund caters for all grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music. Through Arts Council England we continue to engage with the industry through targeted webinars and events to promote the Fund to the club sector and encourage applications.The government’s work to review the licensing framework has brought together representatives from government, industry, police and local government, including key stakeholders from the nightclub sector. This Taskforce will make recommendations that will deliver effective change in the licensing framework that fosters vibrant hospitality, night-time economy, and creative and cultural industries.The Creative Foundations Fund, delivered by Arts Council England, will invest £85 million to support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. This will ensure buildings and infrastructure are fit for future generations to benefit from, and will increase access to culture for all and drive cultural, community and economic growth. Historic England considers there to be currently in the region of 45 listed nightclubs in England.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the number of PIP claimants on the cost of reasonable adjustments required for disabled employees in the public sector.

Whether or not an employer makes a reasonable adjustment for an employee, and how much that costs, is independent of the benefit status of an employee, so no assessment has been made.

What steps he is taking to reduce physical inactivity in older people.

The Government and the National Health Service recognise that prevention will always be better and cheaper than treatment. Reducing physical inactivity in people of all ages, including in older people, is important in helping people live longer, healthier lives, and a key part of the Department’s shift from treatment to prevention.The NHS Better Health Campaign promotes ways for people of all ages to move more, and signposts to digital support like the NHS Active 10 walking app, an accessible way of building movement into everyday life.The NHS, together with local authorities, provides a range of services to support older people, such as exercise on referral and social prescribing, aquatic/swimming classes, dance classes, and fall prevention training through strength and balance classes.

What steps he is taking to improve mental health services in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) across Lancashire.

Too many people with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they need, including in the Fylde constituency and across Lancashire, and we know that waits for mental health services are far too long. We are committed to improving mental health care for people with a range of mental health conditions, and to shifting the focus from treatment to prevention as we make the National Health Service fit for the future. Our reforms to the Mental Health Act will give patients a greater say in their care and will ensure that people get the appropriate and compassionate mental health support they need. We have also launched 24/7 mental health crisis support services via NHS 111, and we will recruit 8,500 mental health staff, create a network of community Young Futures Hubs, and provide access to mental health support in every school.

What steps she is taking to help support residents in Fylde constituency with the cost of living.

The Government know increased costs in essential areas such as energy, food, and housing are causing genuine worries and hardship for many people. That is why the Government is prioritising growth so we can boost wages and put more money in people’s pockets. To support those most in need, we have introduced a Fair Repayment Rate on debt deductions in Universal Credit and extended the Household Support Fund in England, as well as Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales. At recent fiscal events and in the Chancellor’s January growth speech, the Government set out the next steps in delivering our approach for regional growth, spreading growth across the country through investment and reform, including via devolution of funding and powers. This will benefit people across the country, including in the Fylde constituency.

What steps she is taking to ensure people with physical disabilities are able to access job opportunities in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The Government is committed to supporting disabled people and people with health conditions, including people with physical disabilities, and have a range of support available so individuals can stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. These include Additional Work Coach Support which provides disabled people and people with health conditions with increased one-to-one personalised support from their work coach to help them move towards, and into, work and access wider support including our employment programmes earlier. Support is now available in all Jobcentres across England, Scotland and Wales, informed by trialling in Jobcentres.Employers play an important role in addressing health and disability. The Disability Confident Scheme encourages employers to create disability inclusive workplaces and to support disabled people to get work and get on in work. The Minister for Social Security and Disability has been discussing ideas for making the Disability Confident scheme criteria more robust with stakeholders and will be bringing forward proposals for this in due course.To build on this, the government has commissioned “Keep Britain Working”, an independent review of the role of UK employers in reducing health-related inactivity and to promote healthy and inclusive workplaces. The lead reviewer, Sir Charlie Mayfield, is expected to bring forward recommendations in Autumn 2025.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to increase broadband access for (a) residents and (b) businesses in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire.

According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 99% of homes and businesses in the Fylde constituency can access superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and over 94% have access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection (>1000 Mbps). In Lancashire, over 98% of homes and businesses can access superfast broadband speeds, and over 90% have access to a gigabit-capable connection.To improve this coverage further, Openreach is delivering a Project Gigabit contract across Lancashire, targeted at bringing gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses in hard-to-reach areas that are unlikely to be otherwise reached by suppliers’ commercial rollout. Approximately 11,450 homes and businesses in Lancashire are currently expected to benefit from this contract, including in Fylde.

Innovation and Technology, what recent progress he has made on achieving full gigabit coverage by 2030.

According to the independent website ThinkBroadband.com, over 87% of UK premises now have access to a gigabit-capable connection.More than £2.3 billion in Project Gigabit contracts have now been signed to connect over 1 million more premises. This includes the latest contract in Scotland we announced with Openreach earlier this month.In the last few months, the first premises have been connected as part of Project Gigabit contracts in areas including Norfolk, West Yorkshire and South Wiltshire, and build has now started in earnest in other parts of the country too. In March, we announced the Project Gigabit contract for Cumbria, being delivered by Fibrus, had been extended to connect an additional 21,000 premises.

What steps she is taking to increase the number of job opportunities in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

As announced in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new service that will enable everyone to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them to progress in work, including through an enhanced focus on skills and careers advice. In Fylde and Lancashire our Jobcentre teams are work closely with Blackpool Borough Council and Fylde Borough Council as well as a range of employers and providers to create numerous job opportunities. Our Employer and Partnership Team support events within the community, recently this has included the Northwest Apprenticeship & Careers Expo 2025 and the Fylde Coast 'Work this Way' Jobs Fair. The team also encourage the take up in initiatives such as Sector Based Work Academies, Mentoring Circles, Apprenticeships and Work Experience as these help our customers meet employers and partners and explore all the opportunities available to them. We will provide an update on our plans to Get Britain Working and the steps we are taking in due course.