Written questions by Sabine.

What proportion of first class post in Frome and East Somerset constituency is delivered on time.

Ofcom are the independent regulator of postal services, and the Government do not collect or hold this type of information. Ofcom has a duty to ensure the provision of a financially sustainable and efficient universal postal service. It monitors Royal Mail’s provision of the universal service and has powers to investigate and take enforcement action if Royal Mail fails to achieve its performance targets as appropriate, taking account of all relevant factors.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to progress strategic devolution in the South West.

We have already made progress on strategic devolution in the South West. Subject to parliamentary approval the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority will be established in early 2025, and the Cornwall non-mayoral Devolution Agreement is largely already implemented. We encourage the authorities to continue working together and with their neighbours to explore the next steps towards deeper and wider devolution for their area.We are launching the Devolution Priority Programme, aiming to deliver new Strategic Authorities and see a wave of Mayors elected in May 2026. Regions interested in joining the Devolution Priority Programme have written to Government to express their interest. We are now reviewing proposals, and expect to confirm places on the Programme shortly.However, I recognise that not all areas will be ready to move at such a pace towards mayoral devolution, and I look forward to working with such areas to help them to realise the benefits of devolution in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of taxing wine according to strength on wine (a) producers and (b) vendors.

At Autumn Budget, the Chancellor confirmed that the current temporary wine easement will end as planned from 1 February 2025. By this time, the wine industry will have had over two years to adapt to the strength-based alcohol duty system. The summary of impacts from the alcohol duty reforms announced at Spring Budget 2023, including the wine easement, can be found here: Alcohol Duty Reforms - GOV.UK HMRC plans to evaluate the impact of the new rates and structures three years after the changes took effect on 1 August 2023. The Government welcomes evidence from industry on the impact of the changes so far.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of UK support for a UN convention on the rights of older persons.

The UK Government is committed to equality and opportunity for all, with a particular focus on those most likely to be marginalised and discriminated against, including on the grounds of their age. We are open in principle to the idea of a multilateral instrument dedicated to the human rights of older people and will continue to play a constructive role in discussions on this issue at the UN and other relevant fora.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the cost of insurance.

Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. This is usually informed by the insurer’s claims experience and other industry-wide statistics. The Government does not usually intervene in these decisions by insurers, as this could damage competition in the market. The Government is committed to ensuring that insurers treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules. The FCA is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value. The FCA monitors firms to make sure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it will take action.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of putting a cap on insurance costs for small businesses.

Insurers make commercial decisions about the terms on which they will offer cover following an assessment of the relevant risks. This is usually informed by the insurer’s claims experience and other industry-wide statistics. The Government does not usually intervene in these decisions by insurers, as this could damage competition in the market. The Government is committed to ensuring that insurers treat all customers fairly and insurance companies are required to do so under the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) rules. The FCA is the independent body responsible for regulating and supervising the financial services industry. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value. The FCA monitors firms to make sure they provide products that are fair value, and, where necessary, it will take action.

With reference to paragraph 4.69 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, how she plans to use the additional funding for cycling and walking infrastructure in the 2025-26 financial year.

At the Budget we announced an additional £100 million investment in cycling and walking infrastructure to support local authorities. Final allocations for active travel investment in 2025/26 will be decided as part of the Department for Transport business planning process, which is expected to conclude shortly.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that UK international climate finance reaches (a) children and (b) communities most vulnerable to climate change.

Our international climate finance continues to prioritise support to the most vulnerable communities who are experiencing the worst impacts of climate change, including children. In addition, we are committed to amplifying the voices of the most marginalised, empowering them as decision-makers, advocates and leaders in the climate response, ensuring gender and other factors including age and disability are a key part of our policy and programming. At COP29, I championed gender-responsive and inclusive international climate finance and policy, announcing over £5.8 million to support women's economic empowerment and social norms change and to build the resilience of women's rights organisations against climate threats.

What her policy is on the policy paper entitled The Power of Music to Change Lives: A National Plan for Music Education, published by her Department on 25 June 2022.

As part of our Opportunity Mission, this government is committed to ensuring that every child has a rich and broad education, including access to arts and music, which sets them up to achieve and thrive throughout life.The national plan for music education published in 2022 set out expectations on schools to put in place music development plans as well as a restructure of the Music Hub programme. The programme is being evaluated by the National Centre for Social Research to assess the impact of these changes. Any future steps will be informed by this evaluation.The government’s independent Curriculum and Assessment Review aims to deliver a curriculum which is rich and broad, with a firm foundation in reading, writing and mathematics alongside ensuring that every pupil has access to creative opportunities including music. The government has also committed to launch a new National Music Education Network, to help families, children and schools access broader opportunities and support.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reduced funding for (a) Now Teach and (b) other charities on the recruitment of teachers.

Now Teach currently deliver a national Career Changers Programme. The previous government confirmed to Now Teach in April 2024 that the programme is not being reprocured and will come to a natural end in August 2026 when the current cohort completes the programme.The department continues to support all potential teachers, including career changers, through their journey to apply for teacher training and during the critical early years of teaching. This includes the ‘Get Into Teaching’ service, which offers one-to-one support and advice to all candidates, including career changers.The department has contracts with many organisations, including charities, in support of teacher recruitment and training, and continues to fund and support those organisations in line with the terms of the agreed contracts.

What steps he is taking to increase HPV vaccination uptake amongst school-aged boys.

National Health Service Commissioned School Aged Immunisation Service providers have robust catch-up plans in place for the adolescent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme based on population need.The UK Health Security Agency works closely with charities and academics to develop resources that can be used to raise awareness of HPV and the importance of vaccination, including for boys.NHS England has improved digital communications on vaccinations, including expanding the NHS app, and has improved access to the HPV vaccine outside of schools through community clinics at convenient times and locations.

What resources she is allocating to Integrated Care Boards to help them achieve an increase in the number of NHS dental appointments.

The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access National Health Service dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most. We have also introduced the Golden Hello scheme which will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in areas that need them most for three years. To rebuild dentistry in the long term and increase access to NHS dental care, we will reform the dental contract, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.NHS England is responsible for issuing guidance to integrated care boards on dental budgets, including ringfences. NHS England will publish planning guidance for 2025/26 in due course.

What steps he is taking to ensure contracts made between the NHS and private providers aren't acquired by private equity companies.

In accordance with the NHS Provider Selection Regime, contracts for National Health Service-funded healthcare services may be awarded to NHS trusts or foundation trusts and to non-NHS providers from the private and voluntary sectors. It is possible for a private organisation, that holds such a contract to deliver services to the NHS, to be acquired by a private equity company. In such circumstances, the NHS commissioning organisation, either an integrated care board or NHS England, which holds the contract must be notified of the change of control. In all cases, organisations delivering NHS services must deliver the requirements of the contract, and failure to do so may result in sanctions or even contract termination. More information on the selection regime is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/how-commissioning-is-changing/nhs-provider-selection-regime/

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle road traffic accidents in rural areas.

The safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government and will support our health mission. Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. We will set out next steps on this in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage farmers to implement natural flood management measures.

The new Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes aim to help the environment while supporting farming and food production. These will include support for farmers and land managers to adopt natural flood management approaches in a way that reduces flooding and coastal erosion risks to local communities.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) increase access to and (b) otherwise improve bus routes in rural areas.

The government knows that Britain needs a modern transport network to help kickstart economic growth. Good local bus services are an essential part of prosperous and sustainable communities. As announced in the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, the government will introduce a Buses Bill later this session. This will put the power over local bus services back in the hands of local leaders right across England, ensuring networks meet the needs of the communities who rely on them, including in rural areas.The Bill will increase powers available to local leaders to choose the model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, high-quality partnerships with private operators or local authority ownership. The Department is currently working to consider and determine the exact scope of the Buses Bill.We also plan to empower local transport authorities through reforming bus funding. By giving local leaders more control and flexibility over bus funding so they can plan ahead to deliver their local transport priorities. The Department will work closely with local leaders and bus operators to deliver on the government’s ambitions.

What steps National Highways takes with other road agencies to help ensure there is minimal disruption when there are roadworks.

National Highways work in collaboration with Local Highway Authorities (LHA) to minimise disruption to motorists during roadworks, this includes seeking agreement from LHAs for suitable diversion routes. For longer-term works, National Highways engage with LHAs as well as other key parties to ensure that stakeholders directly affected by roadworks are consulted and their views considered in plans, and if necessary, diversion routes revised. During major closures, National Highways’ National Traffic Operations Centre will use its network of electronic roadside variable message signs (VMS) to tell motorists of any adverse impact. Using this strategic information signing, National Highways will endeavour to keep traffic upon its own network so as not to overwhelm local roads.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the level of teaching on climate (a) change, (b) mitigation and (c) adaptation in schools.

The government is aware of the critical importance of meeting the challenge of sustainability and climate change and empowering children and young people by providing them with the knowledge and skills to take positive climate action and drive solutions.Topics relating to climate change and the environment are already included within geography, science and citizenship in the current national curriculum, with an environmental science A level also available. With regard to the future of the curriculum, the government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, covering ages 5 to 18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review recently launched a call for evidence, closing on 22 November, setting out a number of key questions and themes where it would particularly welcome evidence and input. The government would encourage anyone with evidence regarding climate and sustainability education to engage with the review and their call for evidence.The Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, published by the department in April 2022, has led to a host of additional support and resources for teaching about climate change. The department is including climate change and sustainability in science teachers’ continuing professional development (CPD) to help ensure young people receive high quality teaching on the scientific facts about climate change and environmental degradation. Oak National Academy has published a primary science curriculum plan, which includes an emphasis on nature, with resources including lesson plans, slide packs, worksheets, quizzes and videos now available.To drive greater connection and protection of nature, the department is also increasing opportunities for all children and young people to spend time in nature, learn more about it and become actively involved in the improvement of their local environment.The National Education Nature Park brings together all the land from across education settings into a vast virtual nature park. It empowers children and young people to get involved in taking practical action to improve the biodiversity of their school grounds, learn about nature’s role in climate change and develop skills that will be necessary for the growing number of green jobs.Seeing sustainability brought to life in the buildings around them will allow children and young people to enhance and contextualise their learning regarding mitigation and adaptation efforts. The Sustainability Support for Education hub provides support to all educational settings and helps them to plan and deliver action to enable them to respond to and mitigate against the challenge of climate change and adapt to become more sustainable. This is also supported by the Climate Ambassadors programme which offers education settings in England free access to expertise from in person volunteers across industry to further advise on the development of their climate action plan.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to help protect peatlands in Somerset.

In our manifesto we said that we will expand nature-rich habitats such as wetlands and peat bogs. In Somerset we are restoring and improving our peatlands through a number of projects, including the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme, Landscape Recovery, and the Paludiculture Exploration Fund.

How many (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) sixth-form schools are affected by RAAC in Frome and East Somerset constituency.

No primary, secondary or sixth form schools in the Frome and East Somerset constituency have been identified as being affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).