Written questions by Stephenson.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of transferring the ownership of balancing ponds owned by National Highways to Internal Drainage Boards, in the context of flood protection.

The Government recognises the important work Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) undertake to support farmers and rural communities. IDBs are local independent public bodies and they have permissive powers for managing water levels and reducing flood risk in rural and urban communities. In doing so they work closely with other risk management authorities (RMAs), including highways authorities. IDBs use a wide range of measures and assets to deliver their work, ensuring it is the right measure in the right place. IDBs can adopt assets from RMAs and other organisations. This will be on a case-by-case basis, and where they do the IDB will consider the benefits and costs, especially for the farmers and local authorities who fund them.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an estimate of median income for farmers in the 2024-25 financial year.

Data for the 2024/25 financial year is not yet available.

With reference to page 64 of the document entitled GM 701 Asset delivery asset maintenance, published by Standards for Highways in March 2020, if her Department will make an assessment of the effectiveness of Highways England in meeting the standards for drainage and service ducts.

Under its Licence, National Highways must comply with its legal duties and other obligations to ensure the maintenance, resilience, renewal and development of the strategic road network (SRN), and must have due regard to any guidance, standards or specifications relevant to its statutory or other functions. This includes GM701 that the company authors and publishes. It details maintenance requirements to keep the SRN safe and serviceable by undertaking routine cyclical operations, including in areas such as maintaining drainage assets.As the independent Highways Monitor, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) holds National Highways to account in its effectiveness in operating the SRN, delivery of the road investment strategy and compliance with its Licence. ORR does not audit individual maintenance activities, rather it takes a proportional, systemic, approach focussed on holding the company to account for its drainage performance indicator. This indicator shows the susceptibility of the SRN to flooding and provides insight of drainage condition on the SRN.ORR publish an annual assessment of National Highways’ performance. Both ORR and National Highways work closely with the department to keep it informed of performance against areas such as maintenance.

If he will make an estimate of the proportion of GDP that will be spent on defence by 2030.

To ensure the UK is prepared to deal with the changing threat, our Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year. The future spending envelope for Defence will be set out in the usual way.

Whether he has had discussions with his counterpart in the US on levels of defence spending by the UK.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met with Secretary Hegseth on 12 February. He explained that the UK has consistently met the 2% of GDP NATO Defence spending target and that we are also advocating for other NATO Allies to meet and surpass the target. The UK has already increased funding for defence this year by £3 billion and will set out the pathway to 2.5% this Spring.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of levels of workplace sickness on productivity.

The Department has not assessed the potential impact of levels of workplace sickness on productivity. The Department published an estimate of the overall cost to the economy due to sickness absence in 2016 Work, Health and Disability Green Paper. The analyses do not estimate the impact of health on productivity at work but considers the economic output lost as a result of sickness absence. This found that lost output due to sickness absence cost the economy between £15 billion to £20 billion.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional funding to Central Bedfordshire Council to help support the transition from a three to a two-tier education system.

Every year, the department uses the schools national funding formula (NFF) to distribute core funding for 5 to 16 year-old pupils, from reception to year 11, in mainstream state-funded schools in England.In the current NFF, the vast majority of funding is distributed on the basis of pupil numbers and pupils’ characteristics. This allows funding distribution to be based on a fair and consistent assessment of need. The NFF is neutral to how schools are set up and schools are free to choose how best to spend the funding they receive.The department provides capital funding through the basic need grant to support local authorities to meet their statutory duty to provide sufficient school places. While this funding is not designed to fund transitions from a three-tier to a two-tier system, the funding is not ringfenced, subject to published conditions, and local authorities are free to use this funding to best meet their local priorities. Central Bedfordshire Council will receive just under £36.1 million for places needed between May 2022 and September 2026, paid across the five financial years from 2021/22 to 2025/26. This takes their total funding allocated between 2011 and 2026 to just under £121.3 million. Importantly, the decision to move to a two-tier system is one for the local authority to make.

What her planned timetable is for nationalising (a) London Northwestern Railway and (b) Thameslink.

The Department announced in December that South Western Railway’s services will be the first to transfer into public ownership in May 2025, followed by c2c’s services in July 2025 and Greater Anglia’s in the autumn. The Department will issue an expiry notice to Greater Anglia in due course to confirm the exact transfer date. Ministers will take decisions on further transfers in due course, taking account of relevant circumstances prevailing at the time. The Department expects the transfer of all rail passenger services currently operated by private sector train operators under contract with the Department to complete over the next 3 years.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reaching his Department's target to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence in (a) 2030 and (b) 2032 on the effectiveness of the UK's defence capabilities.

To ensure the UK is prepared to deal with the changing threat, our Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5% of GDP on defence in the spring. The Strategic Defence Review is wide-ranging, ensuring we look hard at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Environment Agency's guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, updated on 28 January 2025, whether he has made a comparative assessment between (a) that data on surface water flooding and (b) insurance claims for flooding in 2024-25.

The new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data published on 28 January 2025 was accompanied by online guidance. The new NaFRA uses the best currently available data, both from EA local teams and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) in Bedfordshire and elsewhere. The EA is committed to a rolling programme of further data improvements starting from summer 2025. LLFAs are the lead organisations responsible for managing surface water flood risk. The EA anticipate that LLFAs will review data on surface water flooding, and properties flooded in 2024-25, as part of any ‘Section 19’ reporting they carry out (a requirement on LLFAs under the Floods and Water Management Act 2010). The EA does not have direct access to insurance claims information related to flooding, so have not undertaken any assessment of insurance claims information related to the data on surface water flood risk. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has regular discussions with the EA on a number of matters, including those relating to the new NaFRA. On 25 March 2025 the EA aims to publish the new NaFRA flood zone data on ‘Flood map for planning’ and on data.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the NaFRA2 flood zone data.

The new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data published on 28 January 2025 was accompanied by online guidance. The new NaFRA uses the best currently available data, both from EA local teams and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) in Bedfordshire and elsewhere. The EA is committed to a rolling programme of further data improvements starting from summer 2025. LLFAs are the lead organisations responsible for managing surface water flood risk. The EA anticipate that LLFAs will review data on surface water flooding, and properties flooded in 2024-25, as part of any ‘Section 19’ reporting they carry out (a requirement on LLFAs under the Floods and Water Management Act 2010). The EA does not have direct access to insurance claims information related to flooding, so have not undertaken any assessment of insurance claims information related to the data on surface water flood risk. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has regular discussions with the EA on a number of matters, including those relating to the new NaFRA. On 25 March 2025 the EA aims to publish the new NaFRA flood zone data on ‘Flood map for planning’ and on data.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he reviewed the NaFRA2 flood zone data on surface water flooding before it was published.

The new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data published on 28 January 2025 was accompanied by online guidance. The new NaFRA uses the best currently available data, both from EA local teams and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) in Bedfordshire and elsewhere. The EA is committed to a rolling programme of further data improvements starting from summer 2025. LLFAs are the lead organisations responsible for managing surface water flood risk. The EA anticipate that LLFAs will review data on surface water flooding, and properties flooded in 2024-25, as part of any ‘Section 19’ reporting they carry out (a requirement on LLFAs under the Floods and Water Management Act 2010). The EA does not have direct access to insurance claims information related to flooding, so have not undertaken any assessment of insurance claims information related to the data on surface water flood risk. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has regular discussions with the EA on a number of matters, including those relating to the new NaFRA. On 25 March 2025 the EA aims to publish the new NaFRA flood zone data on ‘Flood map for planning’ and on data.gov.uk.

If her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of rules on access to (a) cash and (b) banking services in new towns.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility and put in place a new service if necessary. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found at the following link:  https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cashThe Government is also committed to ensuring appropriate banking services are in place to support communities across the country. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals with critical cash and in-person banking services. Over 200 banking hubs have been recommended to date and over 100 are already open.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy the Environment Agency's guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, updated on 28 January 2025, in the context of flood risk in Bedfordshire.

The new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data published on 28 January 2025 was accompanied by online guidance. The new NaFRA uses the best currently available data, both from EA local teams and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) in Bedfordshire and elsewhere. The EA is committed to a rolling programme of further data improvements starting from summer 2025. LLFAs are the lead organisations responsible for managing surface water flood risk. The EA anticipate that LLFAs will review data on surface water flooding, and properties flooded in 2024-25, as part of any ‘Section 19’ reporting they carry out (a requirement on LLFAs under the Floods and Water Management Act 2010). The EA does not have direct access to insurance claims information related to flooding, so have not undertaken any assessment of insurance claims information related to the data on surface water flood risk. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has regular discussions with the EA on a number of matters, including those relating to the new NaFRA. On 25 March 2025 the EA aims to publish the new NaFRA flood zone data on ‘Flood map for planning’ and on data.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Environment Agency's guidance entitled New national flood and coastal erosion risk information, updated on 28 January 2025, whether he has made a comparative assessment between (a) that data on surface water flooding and (b) flooded properties in 2024-25.

The new National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) data published on 28 January 2025 was accompanied by online guidance. The new NaFRA uses the best currently available data, both from EA local teams and Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) in Bedfordshire and elsewhere. The EA is committed to a rolling programme of further data improvements starting from summer 2025. LLFAs are the lead organisations responsible for managing surface water flood risk. The EA anticipate that LLFAs will review data on surface water flooding, and properties flooded in 2024-25, as part of any ‘Section 19’ reporting they carry out (a requirement on LLFAs under the Floods and Water Management Act 2010). The EA does not have direct access to insurance claims information related to flooding, so have not undertaken any assessment of insurance claims information related to the data on surface water flood risk. The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has regular discussions with the EA on a number of matters, including those relating to the new NaFRA. On 25 March 2025 the EA aims to publish the new NaFRA flood zone data on ‘Flood map for planning’ and on data.gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, when the New Towns Taskforce will publish a list of potential new towns.

As per its Terms of Reference which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will submit a final report in summer 2025.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the number of current planning permissions granted in areas highlighted in the NaFRA2 flood zone data as having a high (a) current and (b) future likelihood of surface water flooding in Bedfordshire.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024 is clear that new housing, and most other forms of development, should not be permitted in functional flood plains.Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built in areas at risk of flooding. However, development proposals would have to pass robust tests in order to proceed in such locations.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the number of houses built in areas highlighted the NaFRA2 flood zone data as having a high (a) current and (b) future likelihood of surface water flooding in Bedfordshire in the past ten years.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024 is clear that new housing, and most other forms of development, should not be permitted in functional flood plains.Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built in areas at risk of flooding. However, development proposals would have to pass robust tests in order to proceed in such locations.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the number of houses in Local Plan sites highlighted in the NaFRA2 flood zone data as having a high (a) current and (b) future likelihood of surface water flooding in Bedfordshire.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024 is clear that new housing, and most other forms of development, should not be permitted in functional flood plains.Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built in areas at risk of flooding. However, development proposals would have to pass robust tests in order to proceed in such locations.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 26149 on General Practitioners, what discussions his Department has had with the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board on GP provision.

We know that patients are struggling to see a general practitioner (GP) and we are committed to improving GP provision across the country, including in the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (ICB) area. In October 2024, we provided an £82 million boost to the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme, enabling the recruitment of 1,000 newly qualified GPs across England. This will both increase the number of GPs employed and the number of appointments delivered in general practice, benefitting thousands of patients that are struggling to receive the care they desperately deserve. This will also help secure the future supply of GPs and take pressure off the existing workforce. Additionally, we have announced a proposed £889 million uplift to the GP contract for 2025/26, with a rising share of total National Health Service resources going to general practice. We are currently consulting the profession on key proposals to improve access, continuity of care and GP recruitment.The NHS Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes ICB delivered 496,000 appointments in December 2024. Comparatively, in December 2023, 423,000 appointment were delivered. This is a 17.25% increase in appointments delivered over the last year. Additionally, the ICB also saw an increase of 8.3 full-time equivalent GPs in the last year.Integrated care boards are responsible for planning and commissioning healthcare services to meet the reasonable needs of the people for whom they are responsible, including evaluating population needs and planning provision for GP services.