Written questions by Maguire.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Bedruthan Steps Beach.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Fistral Beach.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Crantock Beach.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Greenbank Cove.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Bassetts Cove.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Fishing Cove.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Fox Cove.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Harbour Cove.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Harlyn Bay.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) tackle and (b) prevent sewage dumping at Gwithian Beach.

Cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas is a top Government priority. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the government’s commitment to put water companies under special measures. It will drive meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. On 23 October, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Welsh Government, launched an Independent Commission on the water sector regulatory system, to fundamentally transform how our water system works and clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. With respect to the areas mentioned, data does not show widespread releases of raw sewage from the sites raised; pollution incident reports from beach users are very low and water quality data remains consistently high. All the designated bathing waters raised are classified as Excellent or Good South West Water’s plans for Asset Management Period 8 (covering 2025-2030), include improvements to sewage treatment infrastructure and storm overflows in the area to further reduce pollution in the area.

What steps she is taking to support Ukrainian biometric residence permit holders whose jobs may be affected by the revised biometric residence permit extension application period.

The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme will open applications on 4 February 2025, with applications being accepted within 28-days of an individual’s current permission expiring.Applications under most immigration routes are only accepted 28 days before the expiry of the current permission. This ensures sufficient time to apply to the scheme before existing permission expires. Provided an application is made before the date of expiry of existing permission, the applicant will continue to benefit from ongoing permission in the UK (and associated access to benefits and services) until a decision is made on their UPE application.The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements as the existing Ukraine Schemes, to access work, benefits, healthcare and education. Further details on eligibility and application processes can be found at: Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of shortening the application period for extending biometric residence permits from three months to 28 days on (a) all biometric residence permit holders and (b) biometric residence permit holders with children who are (i) taking exams and (ii) applying for university or apprenticeships.

The Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme will open applications on 4 February 2025, with applications being accepted within 28-days of an individual’s current permission expiring.Applications under most immigration routes are only accepted 28 days before the expiry of the current permission. This ensures sufficient time to apply to the scheme before existing permission expires. Provided an application is made before the date of expiry of existing permission, the applicant will continue to benefit from ongoing permission in the UK (and associated access to benefits and services) until a decision is made on their UPE application.The scheme will provide the same rights and entitlements as the existing Ukraine Schemes, to access work, benefits, healthcare and education. Further details on eligibility and application processes can be found at: Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What steps his Department is taking to help tackle rogue builders.

There are a strong set of consumer law duties that apply to builders like any other trader in the UK, and the Government believes that dealing with rogue builders is primarily a matter of effective enforcement of that legislation. To this end DBT is strengthening consumer law enforcement through the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The Act gives the CMA new administrative powers, and the CMA and courts the ability to impose significant monetary penalties on businesses which exploit their customers.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing ring-fenced funding to post-16 colleges to fund bus transport for students.

The department recognises that the cost and availability of public transport can be an issue for some 16 to 19-year-olds when travelling to their college or sixth form.It is the responsibility of local authorities to put in place transport arrangements to help young people aged 16 to 19 to access education or training, including those aged 19 to 24 with special educational needs, through appropriately prioritising their spending.Many local authorities do offer some form of subsidised transport, for example, in North Cornwall, Cornwall Council offer discounted fares to all young people, and free transport for those with education, health and care plans to access relevant learning where eligible.The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund can be used for transport costs to support young people to access education and training. Schools and colleges are responsible for deciding how to distribute their bursary allocations to students, and for establishing what criteria to use.To ensure that the distribution of this funding around the regions matches the needs of young people, we use up-to-date disadvantage data and focus more on the costs of transport, to ensure institutions get more Bursary Fund if their students are from more disadvantaged areas and/or travel a long way to attend. Institutions decide which young people receive bursaries and determine the level of financial support they receive. They develop their own eligibility criteria for access to the discretionary bursary fund and must publish information on this for students.More generally, 16 to 19 funding allocations which go to a range of providers including colleges, incorporate funding to support disadvantaged students. This funding does not have specified delivery conditions and providers are free to choose the best ways to use this additional funding to attract, retain and support disadvantaged students, including offering travel support.

With reference to the oral contribution of 21 November 2024 by the then Secretary of State for Transport, Official Report column 369, when the road safety strategy will be implemented.

Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a graded junction at the A30 Plusha junction.

The Department is aware of the safety issues at the junction between the A30 and B3257 at Plusha. National Highways is investigating a number of possible early-delivery modest safety improvements for this stretch of the A30. This is part of its A30 Kennards House to Five Lanes Safety Study. A wholly new graded junction would need to be considered for delivery beyond 2030 as part of a future road investment strategy period.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing hon. Members to propose locations for funding from the Road Safety Strategy.

The Department has not made an assessment. The Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course. Local authorities are responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government. It is for the local authority to decide what measures may be appropriate in their local areas.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of financial support for people paying increased water bills in the South West.

For too long, sewage systems were allowed to deteriorate. The previous Government allowed water companies to divert customers' money to unjustified bonuses and shareholder payouts rather than fixing our water and sewage systems. Now, to fix this mess we need to invest in our aging infrastructure and deliver clean water. That has meant that bills have had to rise across the country. Ofwat, as the independent regulator, is responsible for ensuring the prices water companies charge their customers are fair. The Water (Special Measures) Bill will deliver on the Government's commitment to deliver for customers by driving meaningful improvements in the performance and culture of the water industry as a first important step in enabling wider, transformative change across the water sector. We will always protect the most vulnerable and this Government expects water companies to put robust support in place for customers that are struggling to pay their bills to address water poverty. All companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay their bills, including WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks, and debt management support. We are also continuing to explore what more can be done to support families at risk of being unable to pay future water bills.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a system for dispute resolution available to freeholders paying estate management fees.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 includes measures that extend access to redress schemes to freehold estate homeowners. It does this by requiring estate management companies who manage communal areas to join a redress scheme.Bringing the provisions of the Act into force will require an extensive programme of secondary legislation.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the government will consult on implementing the Act’s new consumer protection provisions next year and to bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter.

What steps her Department is taking to support adult education in Cornwall.

The department is investing in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), which is worth £1.34 billion this academic year. The ASF fully or co-funds education and skills training for eligible adults aged 19 and above, from pre-entry to level 3, to help them gain the skills they need for work, an apprenticeship or further learning.Currently, approximately 60% of the ASF is devolved to nine Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Mayor of London, acting where appropriate through the Greater London Authority. These authorities are responsible for the provision of ASF-funded adult education for their residents and allocation of the ASF to learning providers. The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is responsible for the remaining ASF in non-devolved areas.Cornwall is currently a non-devolved area, meaning the ESFA grant funds the providers who decide the provision offered. The department believes that local areas should have more control over adult education in their areas. As such, the government has agreed a devolution deal with Cornwall which includes the devolution of the ASF from the 2025/26 academic year. This will provide the area with the ability to commission adult education to Cornwall residents.