Written questions by MacDonald.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support the extension of local DAB multiplexes in areas where coverage is limited.

The government is highly supportive of the value of radio in local communities, and wants to support areas that are struggling to gain access to local services on digital. Commercial radio and the BBC are responsible for the operation of their respective radio networks, including the DAB radio networks. This includes delivering coverage to areas and the provision of radio services to listeners as more listening migrates to digital radio and to online services. DAB household coverage was assessed by the Digital Radio and Audio Review report published in October 2021. The Review concluded that the financial challenges involved meant that further DAB coverage by the BBC and commercial radio over the next 5 years was likely to be modest. While there are no current plans by the BBC to further expand the coverage of its national DAB network or by commercial radio operators to add more sites to the local DAB network, the government will continue to work with the BBC and commercial radio on developing future options. As well as supporting the improvements to national and local DAB coverage, DCMS has backed the development of small-scale DAB with Ofcom and the radio industry. Small-scale DAB is a new way of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to a relatively small geographic area. This initiative will provide local commercial and community radio stations with a viable opportunity to broadcast on digital, and reach under-served areas.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle potential barriers to home ownership for local people in popular tourist destinations.

The government recognise that excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as local services.Local authorities are now able to apply a premium of up to 100% extra on the council tax bills of second homes. The premium will provide additional funding for councils and help local leaders to address the impacts of second homes and improve the sustainability of communities where they consider it necessary.From 31 October 2024, the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on additional dwellings were increased from three percentage points above standard rates to five percentage points above standard rates. This is to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and businesses purchasing residential property.We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets and second homes.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of DAB radio services in the Highlands.

The government is highly supportive of the value of radio in local communities, and wants to support areas that are struggling to gain access to local services on digital. Commercial radio and the BBC are responsible for the operation of their respective radio networks, including the DAB radio networks. This includes delivering coverage to areas and the provision of radio services to listeners as more listening migrates to digital radio and to online services. DAB household coverage was assessed by the Digital Radio and Audio Review report published in October 2021. The Review concluded that the financial challenges involved meant that further DAB coverage by the BBC and commercial radio over the next 5 years was likely to be modest. While there are no current plans by the BBC to further expand the coverage of its national DAB network or by commercial radio operators to add more sites to the local DAB network, the government will continue to work with the BBC and commercial radio on developing future options. As well as supporting the improvements to national and local DAB coverage, DCMS has backed the development of small-scale DAB with Ofcom and the radio industry. Small-scale DAB is a new way of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to a relatively small geographic area. This initiative will provide local commercial and community radio stations with a viable opportunity to broadcast on digital, and reach under-served areas.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of short term holiday lets on accessibility to local housing stock.

The government recognise that excessive concentrations of short-term lets and second homes impact on the availability and affordability of homes for local residents to buy and rent, as well as local services.Local authorities are now able to apply a premium of up to 100% extra on the council tax bills of second homes. The premium will provide additional funding for councils and help local leaders to address the impacts of second homes and improve the sustainability of communities where they consider it necessary.From 31 October 2024, the higher rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on additional dwellings were increased from three percentage points above standard rates to five percentage points above standard rates. This is to ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and businesses purchasing residential property.We are considering what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by short-term lets and second homes.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of short term holiday lets on accessibility to local housing stock for communities in the Scottish Highlands.

As the hon. Member will be aware, housing within Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government.

What assessment he has made of the importance of (a) early intervention and (b) prevention before the cure in eating disorder treatment.

The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery. We are committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.As part of our mission to build an NHS fit for the future, there is a critical need to shift treatment of eating disorders from hospital to the community. NHS England is currently seeking to expand the capacity of children’s community eating disorder services, to allow for crisis care and intensive home treatment. Improved care in the community will give young people early access to evidence-based treatment involving families and carers, improving outcomes and preventing relapse. By preventing eating disorders from progressing to adulthood, we will build on our aim of raising the healthiest generation of children.Early intervention is a priority for adults with eating disorders too, as set out in NHS’s Adult Community Mental Health Framework. NHS England have established 15 Provider Collaboratives focusing on adult eating disorders. These Collaboratives are working to redesign care pathways, and focus resources on community services. By providing treatment earlier and closer to home, we will see better outcomes for adults with eating disorders and their families.

What discussions he has had with the Scottish Health Minister on the importance of focusing on early intervention in eating disorders in Scotland.

Close collaboration between the devolved governments is important and takes place on a regular basis. Although no recent specific discussions have taken place with the Scottish Health Minister on this topic, we acknowledge that specialist expertise and facilities are shared between the four nations to combat eating disorders.The Government recognises that the earlier that treatment is provided, the better the chance of short-term recovery, and is committed to ensuring that everyone with an eating disorder can access specialist help.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that the Ukrainian nationals living in the UK are aware of the information on her Department’s page on gov.uk entitled Immigration information for Ukrainians, British nationals and their family members, last updated on 2 August 2025; and what steps she plans to take to ensure that Ukrainian nationals living in the UK are updated about any future changes to visa (a) schemes and (b) expiration dates.

The Home Office provide updates to GOV.UK pages as it is required, updating information to ensure any changes that impact Ukrainians are clearly explained and noted.The Home Office will continue to update GOV.UK, when necessary, with the latest information so individuals remain informed.

If her Department will consider (a) adding dental therapists to the Temporary Shortage List and (b) establishing a transitional sponsorship route for healthcare professionals whose Graduate visas expire after 22 July 2025.

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer I gave on 16th September to Question 70526.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing Dental Therapist/Hygienist roles from the Skilled Worker visa route from 22 July 2025 on NHS dental services.

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer I gave on 16th September to Question 70526.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with her counterpart in the Scottish Government on Scotland’s short-term let regulatory regime.

DCMS Ministers met with the Scottish tourism minister in July 2025 as part of the Devolved Administrations' Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) for Tourism, where Short-Term Lets were briefly discussed. Additionally, DCMS officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the Devolved Administrations, including the Scottish Government, to discuss issues related to tourism, including short-term lets.

If he will review the level of Israeli compliance with international humanitarian law in the context of the war in Gaza; and if he will suspend the provision of training to Israeli Defence Force personnel in the UK during the conduct of this review.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is the lead Government Department for assessing international partners’ compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL). The Ministry of Defence (MOD) works closely with the FCDO to ensure we are consistent with their approach. The MOD’s provision of training to foreign armed forces is assessed carefully on a case-by-case basis and seeks to ensure any training provided by the UK is in accordance with IHL. All training courses promote British values, including human rights, democracy and compliance with international humanitarian law. Given the Government of Israel’s decision to escalate its offensive in Gaza City, the MOD decided to pause future Israeli participation on UK training and education courses. We are keeping this decision under review and are mindful of the potential prospects for a ceasefire and long-term resolution to the conflict.

Whether she has had discussions with regulators on ensuring compliance with equality legislation within regulated firms.

The government is clear that regulated firms should be aware of their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 both when providing services and as employers. It is a matter for individual regulators as to whether they actively encourage compliance by firms within their supervision, but there is guidance and codes of practice to assist firms in being compliant and we regularly discuss and review these with the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Whether she has had discussions with the Equality and Human Rights Commission on monitoring employer compliance with maternity-related workplace rights.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) regulates equality law across England, Wales and Scotland. The EHRC is independent of the government and makes its own enforcement and regulation decisions. The Government regularly engages with EHRC on a range of areas covered in their remit.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage the uptake of (a) outdoor farrowing and (b) other higher welfare rearing systems for pigs.

We are firmly committed to maintaining and improving the lives of farm animals and want to work closely with the farming sector to deliver high standards. The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway supports farmers to improve the health and welfare of their livestock through funded vet visits as well as targeted grants such as the Animal Health & Welfare Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF25). The FETF provides grants to farmers, including pig keepers, of between £1,000 and £25,000 towards the cost of a list of equipment items that deliver improvements in the health and welfare of their animals. The item list includes kit specifically intended to improve and upgrade pig housing such as outdoor farrowing arks, automatic curtain systems and LED lighting. This follows the FETF24 offer in which funding for over 800 farrowing arks was claimed by pig keepers. We continue to work with industry as part of the Pathway to encourage improvements in pig welfare.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring the Bank of England to pay interest on its reserves to commercial banks.

The Bank of England has operational independence from the government to carry out its statutory responsibilities for monetary policy and financial stability. Monetary policy, including quantitative easing, is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England. There are no plans to change the way reserves are remunerated at the Bank of England. The government continues to support the Bank to bring inflation in line with its target, including by managing the public finances responsibly.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with devolved Administrations on the consistency of on-farm animal welfare inspections across the United Kingdom.

Animal welfare is a devolved matter in the UK. This means that responsibility for animal welfare policy in the individual nations is the responsibility of the relevant nations’ Ministers. However, Defra works closely with the devolved Governments on a range of shared priorities and will discuss any relevant matters as necessary such as animal welfare inspections.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 67746 on Military Aircraft, whether any aircraft leasing contracts include the provision of ground crew services.

Yes.

With reference to p.16 of the document entitled Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, published on 3 July 2025, what progress his Department has made on the development of the business case for the proposed use of Public-Private Partnerships in Neighbourhood Health Centres.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Department and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority are working on a business case for a public-private partnerships model around Neighbourhood Health Centres that sets out the potential and an assessment of the value for money so that a final decision on the approach can be taken by the time of the 2025 Budget.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of mandatory animal welfare labelling for products from pasture-fed livestock on (a) farmers and (b) consumers.

On 12 June 2025, we published the summary of responses and the Government response to the fairer food labelling consultation, which was undertaken last year by the previous government. The response is available here on GOV.UK. We will consider the potential role of method of production labelling reform as part of the ongoing development of the Government’s animal welfare strategy.