Written questions by Maguire.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS dental capacity in Bodmin.

Data on dental activity is available at integrated care board (ICB) level, with statistics available from the NHS Business Services Authority. These are available at the following link, with the most recent statistics for 2023/24 having been published on 22 August 2024: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 The data for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which includes Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Padstow, Wadebridge, Tintagel, Delabole, Port Isaac and Saint Columb Major, shows that 34% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 48% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS dental capacity in Launceston.

Data on dental activity is available at integrated care board (ICB) level, with statistics available from the NHS Business Services Authority. These are available at the following link, with the most recent statistics for 2023/24 having been published on 22 August 2024: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 The data for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which includes Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Padstow, Wadebridge, Tintagel, Delabole, Port Isaac and Saint Columb Major, shows that 34% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 48% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What recent assessment his Department has made of NHS dentist capacity in Saint Columb Major.

Data on dental activity is available at integrated care board (ICB) level, with statistics available from the NHS Business Services Authority. These are available at the following link, with the most recent statistics for 2023/24 having been published on 22 August 2024: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 The data for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which includes Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Padstow, Wadebridge, Tintagel, Delabole, Port Isaac and Saint Columb Major, shows that 34% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 48% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS dental capacity in Tintagel.

Data on dental activity is available at integrated care board (ICB) level, with statistics available from the NHS Business Services Authority. These are available at the following link, with the most recent statistics for 2023/24 having been published on 22 August 2024: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 The data for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which includes Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Padstow, Wadebridge, Tintagel, Delabole, Port Isaac and Saint Columb Major, shows that 34% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 48% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS dental capacity in Wadebridge.

Data on dental activity is available at integrated care board (ICB) level, with statistics available from the NHS Business Services Authority. These are available at the following link, with the most recent statistics for 2023/24 having been published on 22 August 2024: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 The data for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which includes Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Padstow, Wadebridge, Tintagel, Delabole, Port Isaac and Saint Columb Major, shows that 34% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 48% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS dental capacity in Camelford.

Data on dental activity is available at integrated care board (ICB) level, with statistics available from the NHS Business Services Authority. These are available at the following link, with the most recent statistics for 2023/24 having been published on 22 August 2024: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 The data for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which includes Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Padstow, Wadebridge, Tintagel, Delabole, Port Isaac and Saint Columb Major, shows that 34% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 48% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of NHS dental capacity in Padstow.

Data on dental activity is available at integrated care board (ICB) level, with statistics available from the NHS Business Services Authority. These are available at the following link, with the most recent statistics for 2023/24 having been published on 22 August 2024: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202324 The data for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, which includes Bodmin, Bude, Camelford, Launceston, Padstow, Wadebridge, Tintagel, Delabole, Port Isaac and Saint Columb Major, shows that 34% of adults were seen by a National Health Service dentist in the previous 24 months up to June 2024, compared to 40% in England; and 48% of children were seen by an NHS dentist in the previous 12 months up to June 2024, compared to 56% in England. The Government plans to tackle the challenges for patients trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments and recruit new dentists to areas that need them most. To rebuild dentistry in the long term, we will reform the dental contract with the sector, with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of exempting (a) parish councils and (b) town councils from the planned rise in employer National Insurance contributions.

The Government has taken a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances and fund public services.One of the toughest decisions the Government took was to raise employer National Insurance contributions.The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional employer National Insurance costs only.The Government has no direct role in funding parish and town councils and therefore does not intend to provide further support for the employer National Insurance changes.This is the usual approach Government takes to supporting the public sector with additional employer NICs costs, as was the case with the previous government’s Health and Social Care Levy.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that prisoners are not at risk of harm or violence while serving their sentences.

Safety in prisons is a key priority and we are working hard to make prisons as safe as possible for those who live and work in them.Safe prisons are vital to enable prisoners to engage in rehabilitative activities that reduce reoffending.We are supporting prisons to effectively manage individuals who are violent or at risk of self-harm or suicide and providing prison officers with the right tools to do their jobs.Prisons have a range of physical security measures to counter the smuggling of contraband such as drugs, mobile phones and weapons – that drive prison violence and undermine safety. We have rolled out over 13,000 Body Worn Video Cameras across adult public sector prisons which means that every Band 3-5 officer has access to a camera whilst on shift.All new members of staff with prisoner contact receive training on suicide and self-harm prevention, and violence reduction. In addition, a violence reduction, and a gangs and harmful group behaviour training module are available to help staff better understand the drivers of violence and how to mitigate and manage these risks. All staff who undertake key roles relating to risk assessment and case management for those at a raised risk of suicide and self-harm or of being violent also receive specific training relating to these roles.

If his Department will (a) collate and (b) release figures on the numbers of (i) suicides and (ii) overall deaths due to consumption of sodium nitrate.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 21st February is attached.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing mobile banking hubs to serve people in (a) rural areas and (b) North Cornwall constituency.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets, and rural areas across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to delivering these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open.Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office.Some banks also provide their own community banking services via pop-ups in community centres and libraries or operate mobile banking vans to serve more remote areas, and the Government supports these initiatives.

Whether the Government's forthcoming road safety strategy will prioritise infrastructure improvements at the A30 Plusha Junction in North Cornwall constituency.

The Government treats road safety with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. My department is developing our road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, and will set out more details in due course.

What steps her Department has taken to help prevent (a) accidents and (b) fatalities at the A30 junction at Plusha in the last 12 months.

National Highways have conducted a study of the section of the A30 between Kennards House and Five Lanes which includes the junction at Plusha. Fatalities have all occurred due to right turn movements out of Plusha, and in November 2024 National Highways closed this crossover with temporary traffic measures preventing these movements eastbound towards Launceston. Instead, road users are being encouraged to use the nearby Five Lanes grade separated junction. The speed limit has also been reduced to 50mph at this location. National Highways, working with Cornwall Council and Devon and Cornwall Police, will be delivering a £4.6m scheme to improve the safety of this junction and broader route by limiting movements at a number of junctions along the A30.

If Ministers within her Department will meet with the hon. Member for North Cornwall to discuss safety improvements at the A30 junction at Plusha.

I would be delighted to meet with the Hobourable Member to discuss these issues, and I understand this has been arranged and will take place in the coming weeks.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the potential impact of a new planning class and permitted development rights for short-term lets on the number of (a) short-term lets and (b) private rented homes.

Whilst 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 have committed to introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets and removing the furnished holiday let 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.

Communities and Local Government, whether planned leasehold reforms will include (a) protection for owners of park homes and (b) control of charges and commissions payable when a site owner wishes to sell and leave a site.

The government’s planned reforms to the leasehold sector will not apply to park homes, which are legally defined as caravans. The contractual terms between a site owner and a park home resident for stationing a home on a pitch are set out in the Mobile Homes Act 1983. Park home owners do not have leases for their homes or the pitch on which the home sits. The government recognises that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home. We will set out plans in due course to seek further evidence from the sector on the rationale for the commission.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the planned closure of (a) Lloyds Bank and (b) Halifax branches in Launceston on customers reliant on in-person banking services.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide local residents and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. Over 200 banking hubs have been announced so far, including two in North Cornwall, and over 100 are already open. Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks and building societies, FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

Whether she plans to introduce measures to protect access to essential banking services in rural areas.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities, high streets and rural areas across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide local residents and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. Over 200 banking hubs have been announced so far, including two in North Cornwall, and over 100 are already open. Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks and building societies, FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the formal mechanisms set out in section 2 of the International Criminal Court Act 2001 have been triggered in relation to the arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu issued by the International Criminal Court on 21 November 2024.

If the UK receives a request for arrest and surrender or a request for provisional arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an indicted individual who is visiting the UK, then these warrants will go into a domestic legal progress. It is this process through our independent courts that determines whether or not to endorse, or issue, the warrant in accordance with the UK's ICC Act 2001.

If he will have discussions with the Integrated Care Board on the need for GP surgeries in Camelford and Bodmin.

Integrated care boards (ICB) are responsible for planning and commissioning healthcare services to meet the reasonable needs of the people for whom they are responsible, including primary medical services. ICBs are best placed to understand the needs of their local population and to make decisions on new general practice (GP) surgeries based on those needs. ICBs’ annual commissioning plans must consider requirements for new practices, including those driven by population growth, contract expiries, or unplanned closures. We expect ICBs to act if services are not meeting the reasonable needs of their patients.The Government is committed to delivering a National Health Service that is fit for the future. That is why we have set out our commitment to fix the front door to the NHS, for example through the £102 million of capital funding announced at the Autumn Budget for upgrades to GP estates over the next financial year.We know that some patients are struggling to see a GP and we are committed to improving GP provision across the country, including in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB area.We recognise the pressure that housing developments can place upon local health infrastructure. At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to address this issue in national planning guidance and ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community.