Written questions by Cane.

Food and Rural Affairs what steps he has taken to mitigate the impact of flooding on households ahead of winter 2025-26.

We are investing a record £2.65 billion over two years for the construction of new flood schemes, and the maintenance and repair of existing ones. Around 1,000 projects will receive fresh funding in 24/25 and 25/26. Flood Action Week, running from 13th of October, will inform the public how to understand their flood risk and the actions they can take. This will include raising awareness of the flood warning service, what to do when they receive a warning, and the benefits of taking property flood resilience measures. The Flood Resilience Taskforce, which brings together national and local government, emergency services and other partners, met on 5 September and reviewed preparedness for flooding in autumn and winter, The Taskforce considered improvements to national flood modelling and forecasting, communication of flood warnings and improving awareness of schemes to support those affected by flooding. The Taskforce concluded that at local and national levels, preparedness for flooding has overall increased compared to September 2024. Taskforce members will continue to work throughout the autumn and winter to protect communities.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of inequalities in cancer treatment access in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients across England, including in Ely and East Cambridgeshire.The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a strong track record in delivering the cancer performance standards over the years. There is a comprehensive action plan to address the recent deterioration in the waiting times that patients are experiencing for cancer diagnostics and treatment. This includes the provision of additional consultant appointments and theatre lists, as well as recruitment to expand capacity across a number of treatment pathways, with breast, urology, and skin cancer services identified as specific priorities to meet local needs.A new Cancer Operational Taskforce has been launched to drive the delivery of the actions required to improve cancer waiting times for patients, including those who reside within the Ely constituency area.The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.Reducing inequalities is also a key priority for the National Cancer Plan. The plan will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival and will develop interventions to tackle these. This includes looking at protected characteristics, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geographic location. We know that people living in deprived areas are less likely to have their cancers diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment can be more effective, and we want to reduce the gap in early diagnosis between those living in the richest and poorest areas through the National Cancer Plan.

What steps he plans to take to improve cancer waiting times in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Government is committed to improving outcomes for cancer patients across England, including in Ely and East Cambridgeshire.The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has a strong track record in delivering the cancer performance standards over the years. There is a comprehensive action plan to address the recent deterioration in the waiting times that patients are experiencing for cancer diagnostics and treatment. This includes the provision of additional consultant appointments and theatre lists, as well as recruitment to expand capacity across a number of treatment pathways, with breast, urology, and skin cancer services identified as specific priorities to meet local needs.A new Cancer Operational Taskforce has been launched to drive the delivery of the actions required to improve cancer waiting times for patients, including those who reside within the Ely constituency area.The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan which will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, speed up diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.Reducing inequalities is also a key priority for the National Cancer Plan. The plan will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival and will develop interventions to tackle these. This includes looking at protected characteristics, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geographic location. We know that people living in deprived areas are less likely to have their cancers diagnosed at an early stage, when treatment can be more effective, and we want to reduce the gap in early diagnosis between those living in the richest and poorest areas through the National Cancer Plan.

What discussions her Department had with stakeholders in the horseracing industry prior to the Government's consultation on gambling tax simplification being launched.

As part of the consultation process, the Government engaged with a wide range of stakeholders. We are working with representatives of the horseracing industry to identify any potential unintended consequences for the sector, and how they might be mitigated.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of safety regulations for battery energy storage sites.

In GB, battery fires are rare and are mitigated by a robust framework overseen by the Health and Safety Executive, requiring responsible parties to ensure safety throughout a battery’s deployment. The latest available 5-year annual average fire incidence rate for GB batteries is 0.7% (2020/21 to 2024 to 2025)1, lower than for wider non-domestic building fires in England at 0.8% (2019/20 to 2023/24).2 To complement this regulation, DEFRA is consulting on including batteries within the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR). EPR requires sites to demonstrate to the Environment Agency that harms are avoided or controlled and provides for ongoing regulatory inspections. [1] https://modoenergy.com/indices/industry-metrics?r=gb&m=operationalSites [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fire-statistics-monitor

Whether he plans to provide information to communities affected by battery energy storage sites on the safety of those sites.

Communities near potential grid-scale battery sites should be informed about them via planning law, which requires local planning authorities to notify neighbours regarding planning applications either by site notice or letter, and to publish information about the application on a website. This provides the local community the opportunity to make representations about the applicationThe government has published guidance on existing battery safety standards.[1] Separately, the Health and Safety Executive has published guidance[2] for battery duty-holders under health and safety law. While intended for developers, communities may find this information helpful in gaining assurance that appropriate standards are in place for batteries. In GB, fires at battery sites are rare and are mitigated by a regulatory framework overseen by the Health and Safety Executive. The latest available 5-year annual average fire incidence rate for GB batteries is 0.7% (2020/21 to 2024 to 2025)[1], lower than for wider non-domestic building fires in England at 0.8% (2019/20 to 2023/24)[2]. [1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661feca73771f5b3ee757fac/grid-scale-storage-health-safety-guidance.pdf[2] https://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/battery-energy-storage-systems.htm

Whether his Department plans to make (a) local fire services and (b) the Environment Agency statutory consultees for battery energy storage sites.

This government takes fire safety extremely seriously. In GB, fires at battery sites are rare and are mitigated by a regulatory framework overseen by the Health and Safety Executive. The latest available 5-year annual average fire incidence rate for GB batteries is 0.7% (2020/21 to 2024 to 2025), lower than for wider non-domestic building fires in England at 0.8% (2019/20 to 2023/24). We do not intend to make fire authorities or the Environment Agency statutory consultees on planning applications involving Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS). However, DEFRA is currently consulting on the principle of including batteries under the scope of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR). EPR requires sites to demonstrate to the Environment Agency that harms are avoided or controlled and would provide for ongoing regulatory inspections.

What steps he is taking to increase funding for research and innovation to improve cancer outcomes.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests £1.6 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Cancer is one of the largest areas of spend at over £141.6 million in 2024/25, reflecting its high priority.As well as funding cancer research, the Department also invests in centres of excellence, services and facilities to enable and delivery of cancer research in England. This includes NIHR funding for the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres, a UK-wide network for delivery of early phase cancer trials, and NIHR’s Biomedical Research Centres, collaborations between world-leading universities and NHS organisations, bringing together academics and clinicians to do translational research, including for all cancer types. NIHR also works closely with industry to bring innovative research to the United Kingdom. This creates a strong portfolio of work reflecting the need for research and innovation to improve cancer outcomes.Additionally, the Office for Life Sciences’ Cancer Healthcare Goals Programme have invested £21.5m to date for cancer research and innovation programmes, with their aim to maximise and direct global industrial investment for the development and acceleration of new cancer diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and devices in the UK through: providing research investments to support the development of innovations in the early stages of the development pathway; and supporting industry to accelerate cancer diagnostic and therapeutic technologies and devices in the latter stages of development into the National Health Service.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, as well as speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.The NIHR continues to encourage and welcome applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including all cancer types.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that women in the armed forces are equipped with appropriate (a) uniforms and (b) equipment.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is continually seeking to ensure all women in our Armed Forces are equipped with appropriate clothing, including uniforms, and equipment. Following the House of Commons Defence Sub-Committee on Women in the Armed Forces report, "Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life" published on 25 July 2021, the MOD responded by starting work on improving the experience for women in the Armed Forces, and a branch of that was through updating clothing. Women’s uniform and equipment is now regularly reviewed and discussed at a Defence-level working group to ensure the equal provision of safe and suitable clothing and equipment to all Service personnel to allow them to deliver their operational outputs and effects. So far, suppliers have developed more than 85 samples across 38 key clothing items to ensure the female fit meets the requirement. New items now available to women include sports bras, Mess Dress trousers and under-body armour combat shirts. The Tactical Ballistic Plate project will deliver hard armour plates in a range of different sizes, ensuring greater comfort and integration for all users across Defence. Successful Human Factors Integration trials have been completed across a diverse cohort, that included female representation. Narrow-fit Scalable Tactical Vest STV are now in service, which provides improved fit and comfort for all personnel, with special measuring available for those who measure outside of the 12 sizes available.

Innovation and Technology, if the Government will allocate Ministerial responsibility for science centres to a specific Department.

The UK’s Science and Discovery Centres have an important role in engaging the public with science and technology and in inspiring young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, their primary role is as visitor centres focussed on the role of science in the UK’s culture. DSIT will engage with DCMS to discuss how government’s relationship with these important institutions can best be supported going forward.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of changes to immigration laws on the level of recruitment of skilled science professionals from abroad.

The Government remains committed to attracting the best talent from around the world to the UK.The Immigration White Paper makes clear the valuable contribution that high-skilled workers make to our science and technology sectors. It also set-out our ambition to increase the number of very high skilled individuals coming here through high-talent routes like the Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas, alongside faster routes for bringing people to the UK who have the right skills and experience to supercharge UK growth in strategic industries.DSIT is working closely with the Home Office to implement these commitments.

If he will take further steps to support children's hospices with their energy costs.

While most palliative care and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part that voluntary sector organisations, including children’s hospices, also play in providing support to people at the end of life and their loved ones.Most children’s hospices are charitable, independent organisations which receive some statutory funding for providing NHS services. The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between integrated care board (ICB) areas. This will vary depending on demand in that ICB area but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provision from both NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area.We are supporting the hospice sector with a £100 million capital funding boost for eligible adult and children’s hospices in England to ensure they have the best physical environment for care. We know that many hospices have chosen to use this funding on energy efficiency measures, such as boiler upgrades or solar panel installation, to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency in the longer term.We are also providing £26 million of revenue funding to support children and young people’s hospices for 2025/26.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that women in the armed forces are equipped with appropriate (a) uniforms and (b) equipment.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is continually seeking to ensure all women in our Armed Forces are equipped with appropriate clothing, including uniforms, and equipment. Following the House of Commons Defence Sub-Committee on Women in the Armed Forces report, "Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life" published on 25 July 2021, the MOD responded by starting work on improving the experience for women in the Armed Forces, and a branch of that was through updating clothing. Women’s uniform and equipment is now regularly reviewed and discussed at a Defence-level working group to ensure the equal provision of safe and suitable clothing and equipment to all Service personnel to allow them to deliver their operational outputs and effects. So far, suppliers have developed more than 85 samples across 38 key clothing items to ensure the female fit meets the requirement. New items now available to women include sports bras, Mess Dress trousers and under-body armour combat shirts. The Tactical Ballistic Plate project will deliver hard armour plates in a range of different sizes, ensuring greater comfort and integration for all users across Defence. Successful Human Factors Integration trials have been completed across a diverse cohort, that included female representation. Narrow-fit Scalable Tactical Vest STV are now in service, which provides improved fit and comfort for all personnel, with special measuring available for those who measure outside of the 12 sizes available.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of harmonising gambling tax rates on the horseracing industry.

The Government consultation on proposals to simplify the current gambling tax system by merging the three current taxes that cover remote (including online) gambling into one closed on 21 July 2025. Responses are now being analysed and a response to the consultation will be published at Autumn Budget 2025.If any changes are made to gambling duties at a future Budget following the consultation, they will be accompanied by a Tax Information and Impact Note which will set out the expected impacts.

Whether he has considered introducing multi-year NHS funding for the health elements of children's palliative care.

Palliative care services, including for children, are included in the list of services that integrated care boards (ICBs) must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. ICBs are responsible for the commissioning of palliative and end of life care services, to meet the needs of their local populations. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.The Department and NHS England are looking at how to improve the access, quality and sustainability of all-age palliative care and end of life care in line with the 10 Year Health Plan. The Government and the National Health Service will closely monitor the shift towards strategic commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services to ensure that the future state of services reduce variation in access and quality, although some variation may be appropriate to reflect both innovation and the needs of local populations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department plans to take to help tackle animal beatings in Cambridgeshire.

Enforcement of animal welfare standards is primarily delivered through the powers available under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 amended the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. Anyone who is cruel to an animal face being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both. Local authorities have powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to intervene where an animal is suspected to be suffering on any land, public or private.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the Vet Times's article entitled Animal beating reported ‘once every 15 minutes’ – RSPCA, published on 22 August 2025.

Cruelty to animals is unacceptable. The Government keeps animal welfare policy under review and is committed to ensuring that animals are protected from unnecessary suffering. Enforcement of animal welfare standards is primarily delivered through the powers available under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause any animal unnecessary suffering or to fail to provide for its welfare. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 amended the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to increase the sentences available to our courts for the most serious cases of animal cruelty. Anyone who is cruel to an animal faces being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure the effective prosecution of people who commit spiking.

Administering a substance to a person without their consent – commonly known as ‘spiking’ – is a serious criminal offence. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to prosecuting spiking cases effectively where they are referred to us by the police. We have seen a 40% increase in the number of spiking related offences the CPS have charged between 2022/23 to 2024/25.The CPS has undertaken work to improve prosecutions for violence against women and girls (VAWG), which can include spiking. Through initiatives such as the National Operating Model for Adult Rape and the Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan with policing, the CPS is embedding a suspect-focused approach to VAWG offending. This means that prosecutors examine the behaviour and actions of the suspect before, during, and after the alleged assault. Spiking may form part of a wider pattern of predatory behaviour, and identifying this is key to building a strong prosecution case.The CPS is also promoting closer collaboration between prosecutors and police to ensure that key aspects of the evidence-gathering process – such as a forensic strategy – are agreed at an early stage in the investigation.This Government is proposing to introduce an updated offence of spiking through the Crime and Policing Bill. This would streamline the legislative framework – which is currently spread across several provisions in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 – and support prosecutors in identifying the most appropriate charge.We recognise spiking is an under-reported crime, and strongly encourage anyone who has been a victim of this offence to report it to the police.

What steps her Department is taking to encourage businesses to employ people with autism.

In the plan to Make Work Pay (October 2024), government committed to raising awareness of all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace. This includes autism. In January 2025, DWP launched an independent panel of academics with expertise andexperiences of neurodiversity to advise us on boosting neurodiversity awareness and inclusion at work. The panel have reviewed the workplace barriers neurodivergent people encounter in getting into or remaining in employment and will be making their recommendations later this autumn. The work of the expert panel will also be shared with the Keep Britain Working Review on healthy and inclusive workplaces, being led by Sir Charlie Mayfield.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage farmers to farm sustainably.

The Government is backing British farming. We are prioritising investment that supports the government’s Plan for Change and building on the Secretary of State’s work to reform Defra to drive growth while maintaining a steadfast commitment to farming, food security, and nature’s recovery. We are providing farmers and land managers with the support needed to help restore nature, which is vital to safeguard our long-term food security and build resilience to climate change. There are currently record numbers of farmers taking part in farming schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive. As of April 2025, these schemes supported 885,000 hectares of arable land being farmed without insecticides; 330,000 hectares of low input grassland being managed sustainably; and 85,000 kilometres of hedgerows being protected and restored. In the recent spending review, we committed to carrying on the transition towards paying to deliver public goods for the environment, with over £7 billion directed into nature’s recovery between 2026 and 2029. This includes environmental farming schemes (£5.9 billion), tree planting (£816 million) and peatland restoration (£85 million).