Written questions by Gelderd.

What steps his Department is taking to increase support for veterans entering civilian life in South East Cornwall constituency.

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 the South East Cornwall constituency, have access to the health, housing, employment and other support they need.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 Career Transition Partnership, the initial point of provision for those leaving military Service in search of new job opportunities, and Op ASCEND, the employment pathway for veterans.We recently announced VALOUR, a new commitment to establish the first-ever UK-wide approach to veteran support, to 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 their local communities. Further details on VALOUR will be announced in due course and more information can be found at the following link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/valour-information-and-next-steps

What steps his Department is taking to improve the specialist support available to bereaved military families.

Defence provides active and comprehensive support to the families of those Service personnel who die in Service. We take a holistic, multi-agency approach to supporting the bereaved with assistance provided through the single Services, the Defence Bereaved Families Group (DBFG) and Veterans Services. Defence has recently undertaken several initiatives to improve this support including working to ensure that the bereaved community are clearly recognised and referenced as distinctly separate to any other cohort, through changes to official communication and language. Additionally, the Purple Book (a guide that supports those responsible for handling the affairs and arrangements following a Service persons death) has recently undergone a full review following stakeholder engagement and consultation with representatives of bereaved families, to ensure its content was appropriate, accurate and informative; this was subsequently endorsed by the DBFG.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of mentoring schemes for service personnel transitioning out of the armed forces in South East Cornwall constituency.

Service personnel transitioning out of the military are entitled to support, including for two years post discharge, through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), delivered by Reed in Partnership since 1 October 2024. Under this contract, 94.3% of Service leavers who choose to transition to a new career have achieved that goal within six months of discharge. Service leavers benefit from individual tailored programmes of support, dedicated expert consultancy and specialist advice, and an enhanced digital platform that provides greater and more flexible access to assistance regardless of where they are serving or where they choose to relocate. The CTP work with a supply chain of expert providers to ensure a holistic approach to resettlement, including the option of mentoring for those choosing to start their own business. Within the South East Cornwall constituency, CTP hosted a successful regional Employment Fair at Home Park in Plymouth on 14 May 2025 which attracted over 200 Service personnel and 40 local and national employers, charities, and veteran groups. This event will now be held annually.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure access to specialist support through partnerships with (a) SSAFA and (b) other organisations for military families with (i) adults and (ii) children with additional needs.

The Ministry of Defence acknowledges the challenges faced by Armed Forces families with dependants who have additional needs or disabilities. That is why we have committed to put the Armed Forces Covenant fully into law. Defence also continues to work with various organisations like SSAFA and Carers UK to enhance support for these families through partnerships and shared experiences. Our collaboration extends to cross-Government efforts to improve support for Service families, focusing on areas like Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

If he will take steps to introduce a nationwide system to ensure that people experiencing mental health crises have access to support services when they need them; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the mental health support provision for patients in South East Cornwall constituency.

We recognise the importance of ensuring that individuals experiencing mental health crisis can access timely, effective and appropriate support, including those in South East Cornwall. Substantial progress has been achieved in building more robust crisis care pathways across all ages and in all regions, towards ensuring that people in mental health crisis can receive the right care.For example, the Government has committed £26 million in capital investment to support people in mental health crisis, including opening new mental health crisis centres across England, which aim to provide accessible and responsive care for individuals in mental health crisis. In addition, we are piloting several neighbourhood mental health centres which provide support to individuals in crisis without needing to book an appointment; these operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.People of all ages in England experiencing a mental health crisis can speak to a trained National Health Service professional at any time of the day via the NHS 111 service. This service gives people the chance to be listened to by a trained member of staff who can help direct them to the right place.We will fulfil the Government’s commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health staff by the end of the Parliament.NHS commissioners in England are responsible for ensuring that mental health services are safe, effective, sustainable and meet the needs of the population.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help tackle the octopus bloom in Cornwall following discussions on 20 May 2025.

Defra, Government scientists (Cefas), the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and local Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) met on 20 May to discuss this phenomenon, the evidence, the impacts on the crab and lobster stocks and potential actions. Since this meeting Defra has commissioned a report from Cefas on the background, available stock science and potential causes of the bloom. The Devon and Severn IFCA have issued guidance on the regulations regarding fishing for octopus. A meeting with industry is due to take place on 6 June,

What plans his Department has to harmonise referral (a) rules and (b) procedures for mental health crisis support across regional NHS trusts; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of differences between those rules and procedures on the time taken for people living in South East Cornwall constituency to access mental health support.

We recognise the importance of ensuring equitable access to mental health crisis support across all regions, including in South East Cornwall. Substantial progress has been achieved in building more robust crisis care pathways across all ages and in all regions, towards ensuring that people in mental health crisis have access to timely and appropriate support.For example, the Government has committed £26 million in capital investment to open new mental health crisis centres across England, which aim to provide accessible and responsive care for individuals in mental health crisis. In addition, we are piloting several neighbourhood mental health centres which provide support to individuals in crisis without needing to book an appointment. These centres operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.People of all ages in England experiencing a mental health crisis can speak to a trained National Health Service professional at any time of the day via the NHS 111 service. This service gives people the chance to be listened to by a trained member of staff who can help direct them to the right place.

What steps his Department is taking to involve (a) patients, (b) families and (c) communities in changes to the mental health referral system in (i) England and (ii) South East Cornwall constituency.

Any changes to mental health referral systems should be developed with the input of patients, families, and communities, to ensure services meet their needs.At local level, we would expect National Health Service trusts, including those in the South East Cornwall constituency, to take the same approach in actively engaging with service users and local communities when making changes to local referral pathways.We are also taking steps in legislation to improve how people subject to the Mental Health Act and their families or people close to them are involved in decisions about their care. The Mental Health Bill includes a new clinical checklist that requires clinicians to take certain steps when deciding a patient’s care and treatment, where they are detained under the Mental Health Act. This enables clinicians to support the patient to take part in decision making about their care, to consider their wishes and feelings, including those in an Advance Choice Document, to consult with those close to them, and to avoid making unjustified assumptions about the patient. This ensures care and treatment decisions are more patient centric.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help (a) ensure that medical aid reaches people who are most in need in and (b) evacuate (i) people and (ii) children who need more extensive medical support from Gaza.

The UK continues to urge Israel to let Gazans receive urgent healthcare, including allowing the sick and wounded to temporarily leave the Gaza Strip for treatment. On 19 May, the UK, Canada, and France jointly called for Israel to cease its renewed military offensive and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid. It is vital there is a full resumption of aid with Israel allowing the United Nations and other aid organisations to operate independently.We announced a £7.5 million package of support to bolster medical care in Gaza and the region including additional funding for UK-Med, World Health Organization Egypt, and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territories Humanitarian Fund.The UK has supported an initiative by Project Pure Hope to bring a small number of children from Gaza to the UK for privately funded specialist care. On 1 May, I announced that two children have arrived in the UK to begin privately funded medical treatment.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the Trading Standards complaints process.

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need. Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm. Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

For what reason consumers in England are not able to deal directly with Trading Standards services; and whether he plans to review this approach.

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need. Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm. Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

What processes are in place to help ensure that consumers who submit complaints to Trading Standards through Citizens Advice receive feedback on the outcome of their complaint.

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need. Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm. Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that the Trading Standards system meets consumer needs.

Trading Standards are provided by local authorities who operate independently from central government and make enforcement decisions according to local need. Trading Standards act in the collective interest of consumers rather than resolving individual matters. In most cases, Trading Standards will not need to contact a complainant directly but will use information provided to prioritise intervention or enforcement action against rogue traders causing the most harm. Citizens Advice consumer service received over 827,000 contacts in 2023-24. Every contact received by Citizens Advice is logged on a national database, which is accessible by consumer enforcement agencies, including local Trading Standards, to analyse trends and inform their enforcement activities.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Seasonal Worker visa scheme to support labour availability for longer crop cycles.

The Seasonal Worker route is already available to growers throughout the full year but there are no plans to extend the maximum visa grant beyond the existing six months.

Whether she plans to extend the Seasonal Worker visa route beyond 6 months.

The Seasonal Worker route is already available to growers throughout the full year but there are no plans to extend the maximum visa grant beyond the existing six months.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce any (a) fiscal and (b) policy incentives to support longer-term leasing arrangements between (i) landowners and (ii) tenant farmers.

The Department recognises the benefits that longer-term tenancy agreements can provide for both tenants and landlords. The joint Defra-Industry Farm Tenancy Forum is working on guidance and best practice to encourage more landlords and tenants to enter into longer-term agreements. Alongside this we continually look at how fiscal and policy interventions across the Department may impact on landlord decisions to offer longer-term agreements. In addition, we are in the process of appointing a Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector to help embed fair practice across the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage landowners to offer longer-term leases to tenant farmers.

The Department recognises the benefits that longer-term tenancy agreements can provide for both tenants and landlords. The joint Defra-Industry Farm Tenancy Forum is working on guidance and best practice to encourage more landlords and tenants to enter into longer-term agreements. Alongside this we continually look at how fiscal and policy interventions across the Department may impact on landlord decisions to offer longer-term agreements. In addition, we are in the process of appointing a Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector to help embed fair practice across the sector.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the planned restructuring of the health component of Universal Credit on (a) armed forces veterans and their dependents and (b) armed forces veterans with limited access to employment.

In our recent Pathways to Work Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, we announced a broad package of reforms to the health and disability benefit and support system. Importantly, no changes are proposed to Armed Forces Independence Payments (AFIP), which continue to provide support to some of the most severely disabled veterans. For those in receipt of PIP who may be affected by the proposed eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to ensure health and eligible care needs are met. We also intend to launch a wider review of the PIP assessment process, bringing together experts, stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience. We will provide further details as plans progress. As we develop proposals further, we are carefully considering the potential impacts, including on veterans and their families, as part of our broader response to the Green Paper consultation. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, such as the Royal British Legion, the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA), and many others, to contribute their views on how best to support wounded, injured, and sick veterans. I have also asked my officials to work with their counterparts in the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) to organise a dedicated consultation event for armed forces stakeholders, likely to take place in June. We are also providing detailed briefings on the proposals to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and OVA officials. Once we have completed the consultation we will be building up to a White Paper, where we will once again engage with MoD and the OVA in advance of collective agreement.We are also welcoming views on raising the age at which someone can access the Universal Credit health element to 22 as part of our Green Paper consultation.A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.There will be no immediate changes. Changes to PIP eligibility and rebalancing of UC aren’t coming into effect immediately. Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from April 2026 for UC and November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval.The social security system will always be there for those who can’t work. As part of making changes to the payment rates in Universal Credit, we will ensure that the incomes of those with the most severe, lifelong conditions who will never be able to work have their incomes protected.Protecting those most in need is at the heart of our reforms. Our Green Paper outlines why we think removing the WCA and moving to using the PIP assessment as the single assessment for additional financial support, is the correct decision for the reformed system.We understand that for some people, work is simply not possible. We will work through how, without a WCA, these people can be identified and put in place appropriate protections, such as considering award reviews. Engagement with employment support will be determined on a personal basis, according to needs.For new claimants on the UC health element after April 2026, we are proposing that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will see their incomes protected.Those on UC, with the most severe, life-long conditions, which mean a person cannot and will never work, will not be called for review in future.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of restricting access to the limited work capability component of Universal Credit for those under the age of 22 on (a) armed forces early service leavers and (b) people who have been medically discharged from the armed forces.

In our recent Pathways to Work Green Paper, published on 18 March 2025, we announced a broad package of reforms to the health and disability benefit and support system. Importantly, no changes are proposed to Armed Forces Independence Payments (AFIP), which continue to provide support to some of the most severely disabled veterans. For those in receipt of PIP who may be affected by the proposed eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to ensure health and eligible care needs are met. We also intend to launch a wider review of the PIP assessment process, bringing together experts, stakeholders, and individuals with lived experience. We will provide further details as plans progress. As we develop proposals further, we are carefully considering the potential impacts, including on veterans and their families, as part of our broader response to the Green Paper consultation. We would encourage organisations supporting and representing veterans, such as the Royal British Legion, the Soldiers', Sailors', and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA), and many others, to contribute their views on how best to support wounded, injured, and sick veterans. I have also asked my officials to work with their counterparts in the Office for Veterans' Affairs (OVA) to organise a dedicated consultation event for armed forces stakeholders, likely to take place in June. We are also providing detailed briefings on the proposals to Ministry of Defence (MoD) and OVA officials. Once we have completed the consultation we will be building up to a White Paper, where we will once again engage with MoD and the OVA in advance of collective agreement.We are also welcoming views on raising the age at which someone can access the Universal Credit health element to 22 as part of our Green Paper consultation.A further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be developed and undertaken in the coming months.There will be no immediate changes. Changes to PIP eligibility and rebalancing of UC aren’t coming into effect immediately. Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from April 2026 for UC and November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval.The social security system will always be there for those who can’t work. As part of making changes to the payment rates in Universal Credit, we will ensure that the incomes of those with the most severe, lifelong conditions who will never be able to work have their incomes protected.Protecting those most in need is at the heart of our reforms. Our Green Paper outlines why we think removing the WCA and moving to using the PIP assessment as the single assessment for additional financial support, is the correct decision for the reformed system.We understand that for some people, work is simply not possible. We will work through how, without a WCA, these people can be identified and put in place appropriate protections, such as considering award reviews. Engagement with employment support will be determined on a personal basis, according to needs.For new claimants on the UC health element after April 2026, we are proposing that those with the most severe, life-long health conditions, who will never be able to work, will see their incomes protected.Those on UC, with the most severe, life-long conditions, which mean a person cannot and will never work, will not be called for review in future.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the assessment process for veterans for the unemployment supplement; and what steps he is planning to take to ensure veterans with service-related disabilities are not disadvantaged by the replacement of the work capability assessment.

Unemployability Supplement is one of the supplementary allowances paid under the War Pension Scheme which is assessed and administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Where equivalent benefits provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are considered to overlap, in line with longstanding public policy, assessments ensure an individual would not be compensated twice for any single injury or condition. The MOD and DWP continue to collaborate closely to ensure that any proposed changes to respective schemes and benefits are communicated and considered.