Written questions by Cane.

What steps he is taking to strengthen retrospective rural-proofing of his Department's policies.

I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave on 10 September to PQ 73922

What guidance his Department provides to claimants of Carer’s Allowance who are self-employed on (a) the number of years of accounts they are required to submit and (b) the format in which those accounts must be provided; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of accepting electronic copies.

Carer's Allowance can be claimed online through the GOV.UK website or by post by requesting or downloading and completing a paper claim form. Eligibility criteria set out that earnings are any income from employment and self-employment after tax, National Insurance and expenses. When claiming Carer’s Allowance, the claim form asks claimants for detail about their self-employment and for the most recent finalised accounts for their business.DWP can accept formalised accounts or information supplied on DWP forms issued to clarify the self-employment, either details for a new business, where there has been a change likely to affect the pattern of trading, or details for an ongoing business. DWP will include a return envelope where additional information has been requested. Where agreement has been made with the claimant, DWP can accept the requested information via electronic copy. However, DWP takes its security of claimant personal data very seriously and will not include any identifying personal information in any email responses.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of unemployment in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The information requested is published and available at:https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/default.asp Guidance for users can be found at:https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/home/newuser.aspThe estimated unemployment levels can be found by selecting “Query data” on the NOMIS home page and selecting “Annual Population Survey/Labour Force Survey” and then “annual population survey (Dec 2004 to Jun 2025)” in the lists of data sources. The Geography will need to be set for the relevant Westminster constituency from the menu, and the Variable set to “Unemployment rate - aged 16+” from the “Key variables” list.

With reference to his Department's guidance entitled Support with employee health and disability, whether he plans to review the guidance.

The Support with Employee Health and Disability digital service, which provides tailored guidance for employers managing health and disability in the workplace, including guidance on disclosures, having conversations, legal obligations and making reasonable adjustments, is in national live testing and we continue to update it on an iterative basis, including in response to user research.

Innovation and Technology, what comparative assessment she has made of the level of broadband coverage in (a) the UK and (b) Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency has good broadband coverage that is comparable to UK wide coverage.According to the independent website ThinkBroadband.com, approximately 89% of UK premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband (of 1000 Mbps or faster) and 98% superfast (30 Mbps or faster), this is compared to around 89% and 98% respectively for premises in the Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the robustness of rural proofing in Government policy.

The Government has made a commitment that all policy decision-making should be rural proofed, ensuring that rural areas are not overlooked and that the intended outcomes are deliverable in rural areas. Defra leads on rural proofing, but individual departments are responsible for ensuring that their policy decision-making is seen through this lens.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of farmers' mental health on the level of agricultural output.

Defra has not done an assessment, but we recognise that poor mental health can have a damaging effect on farm productivity and are supporting farmer specific access to mental health support services through the Farming Welfare Grant.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to safeguard the mental health of farmers in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The Government has invested in mental health to ensure it receives the same attention as physical health. This includes the hiring of 8,500 new mental health support workers, which will reduce delays and provide faster treatment closer to people’s homes – including in rural communities. Since May 2024, Defra has provided £500k through the Farmer Welfare Grant to support farming welfare organisations in delivering projects that safeguard farmers’ mental health. One recipient, the Farming Community Network, is using the funding to expand its FarmWell platform, an online resource offering advice on mental health, isolation, depression and suicide, which can be accessed by anyone at any time including your constituents in Ely and Cambridgeshire. Subject to budget prioritisation, Defra aims to continue and expand this support.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle child poverty in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

In developing a Child Poverty Strategy, the Taskforce is considering all children across the United Kingdom. The UK Government is committed to tackling child poverty across the UK where progress is contingent on reserved, devolved, and local levers. The Child Poverty Strategy will be UK-wide, drawing on devolved and reserved levers and working closely with Devolved Governments, recognising the progress that has been made on their poverty strategies and policies, and in England, with mayors and other local leaders. Local authorities are a key part of our approach to learning directly about the experience of poverty in different communities and solutions already underway. Both the Taskforce and officials in the Child Poverty Unit have engaged with local communities regularly throughout the development of the strategy. This includes through a ministerial taskforce meeting with local leaders from combined and local governments in England, who joined Ministers to discuss the experience of poverty in their local communities, and innovative solutions underway. The Child Poverty Unit also consulted local authorities across England through a virtual webinar in December 2024, allowing authorities to feed into the development of the strategy. and visits to Manchester, Ashton-Under-Lyme, Cheshire and Merseyside. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty including an expansion of Free School Meals and a £39 billion investment in social and affordable housing. At the 2025 Spending Review we also announced a new March 2025 £1 billion package to reform crisis support, including the first ever multi-year settlement to transform the Household Support Fund into a new Crisis and Resilience Fund. This longer-term funding approach enables local authorities to provide preventative support to communities as well as assist people when faced with a financial crisis.

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of access to legal aid in rural areas.

People in England and Wales should be able to access legal aid services regardless of where they live, provided they meet the relevant eligibility criteria. The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is responsible for commissioning legal aid services across the country to ensure coverage in rural areas. It monitors the numbers of providers in each procurement area and across all categories of law. It takes operational action where possible, to respond to market pressures that may arise and works closely with the Ministry of Justice on policy solutions concerning the supply of legal aid.In the recent consultation on immigration and housing legal aid fees, the Ministry of Justice gathered evidence on ways to improve providers’ ability to provide advice remotely and flexibly across all categories of civil legal aid, while maintaining effective arrangements for clients who need face to face advice. Greater use of remote video technology can enable people to access a wide range of specialist advice wherever they are in the country. In addition, legal advice for education, discrimination, housing and debt issues is always available through the Civil Legal Advice telephone service, wherever you are in England and Wales.Moreover, individuals facing the loss of their home can access early legal advice in respect of housing, debt and welfare benefit issues on a remote basis under the Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service (HLPAS).As part of the £24 million increase for criminal solicitors implemented in 2024, the Ministry of Justice is paying for travel time for solicitors who work or commute to work in a small number of scheme areas with fewer than two legal aid providers, as well as the Isle of Wight.The Ministry of Justice and Legal Aid Agency continue to work closely with Citizens Advice on legal aid and legal support. Citizen Advice holds contracts across a number of civil legal aid categories, including housing and debt and HLPAS, and is represented at the Legal Aid Agency Civil Contracts Consultative Group (CCCG), where issues such as provision and capacity are discussed. I recently met with its Chief Executive who also sits on the Legal Support Strategy Delivery Group which is comprised of key stakeholders from the advice sector. This group is working with the Ministry of Justice to develop and implement a long-term programme of work to improve the legal support system across the country, making it more effective, efficient and sustainable.

What economic analysis his Department has conducted on the potential impact of non-price factors in decisions on whether sub-100MW bioenergy power stations currently supported by Renewable Obligation Certificates will receive transitional support from 2027.

Small scale biomass generators have received many years of subsidy support under the Renewables Obligation scheme. These assets begin to roll off the scheme from 2027. Any assessment of further support must fully take into account value for money (including consumer bill impacts), electricity system and broader considerations – such as environmental impacts, which are a matter for Defra. Biomass electricity generation is often more expensive than alternatives and reducing energy bills is a priority for this Government.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she plans to take to support science centres with energy costs.

Science and Discovery Centres have an important role in engaging the public, with science and in inspiring young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to consider STEM studies and related careers. While some centres do carry out some research in addition to their informal science learning activities their primary role is as visitor centres focused on science as a part of the UK’s culture.The department and partners such as UKRI have previously provided support for programmes managed by science centres that met the department’s goals but as institutions, their support does not fall within DSIT’s remit.We want to work with DCMS on a coordinated approach around recognition of science centres as an important part of the UK’s cultural and science engagement ecosystem.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure whether existing policies are rural proofed.

The Government has made a commitment that all policy decision-making should be rural proofed, ensuring that rural areas are not overlooked and that the intended outcomes are deliverable in rural areas. Defra leads on rural proofing, but individual departments are responsible for ensuring that their policy decision-making is considered through this lens.

What assessment he has made of trends in the level of fuel poverty in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

The latest sub-regional fuel poverty statistics, published in April 2025, provide data for 2023. In the Ely and East Cambridge constituency, it is estimated that 4,487 households were in fuel poverty in 2023, equating to 9.6% of all households in the area. As these sub-regional fuel poverty statistics are modelled estimates, we advise against making comparisons over time.

If he will make an estimate of the Gross Domestic Product of Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency in (a) July 2024 and (b) October 2025.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

What data her Department holds on the gender pay gap in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

This Government recognises that gender equality is crucial to achieving economic growth, which is why we are committed to closing the gender pay gap. Currently the national median gap still stands at 13.1%. As part of the Employment Rights Bill, we are taking the first steps towards requiring employers to publish action plans alongside their pay gap figures. These will detail the steps they are taking to narrow their gap; ensuring that every organisation is harnessing the skills of the women in their workforce. Along with other Bill measures, like changes to flexible working and protections for expecting and new mothers; as well as wider work to expand childcare entitlements and review the parental leave system; this government is taking action on the numerous drivers of the gap. The Office for National Statistics releases data on the national gender pay gap annually, this includes breakdowns by region and constituency. This can be accessed at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/annualsurveyofhoursandearningsashegenderpaygaptables

Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to classify static caravans as buildings.

Caravans are temporary structures and the government has no plans to legally define them as buildings.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of social housing provision in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

I refer the hon. Members to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 2 July (HCWS771).

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of harmonising gambling tax rates on the horseracing industry.

There has been ministerial engagement between my Department and His Majesty’s Treasury to ensure that they are aware of the specific way British horseracing is funded and the potential implications of any changes to taxation. Future proposals on Gambling Duties are a matter for HMT, should legislative changes come about, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.

What steps she is taking to tackle the gender pay gap.

This Government recognises that gender equality is crucial to achieving economic growth, which is why we are committed to closing the gender pay gap. Currently the national median gap still stands at 13.1%. As part of the Employment Rights Bill, we are taking the first steps towards requiring employers to publish action plans alongside their pay gap figures. These will detail the steps they are taking to narrow their gap; ensuring that every organisation is harnessing the skills of the women in their workforce. Along with other Bill measures, like changes to flexible working and protections for expecting and new mothers; as well as wider work to expand childcare entitlements and review the parental leave system; this government is taking action on the numerous drivers of the gap. The Office for National Statistics releases data on the national gender pay gap annually, this includes breakdowns by region and constituency. This can be accessed at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/datasets/annualsurveyofhoursandearningsashegenderpaygaptables