Written questions by Morello.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with the Environment Agency on rules governing sewage discharge into rivers during periods of heavy rainfall.

The Government is committed to tackling the root causes of sewage pollution into our rivers, lakes and seas. We will enable a step change to allow for more ‘pre-pipe’ solutions to reduce the volume of rainwater and pollutants entering the sewerage system. This includes better rainwater management, including sustainable drainage systems, and tackling sewer misuse. Between 2025 and 2030, over £11 billion is being invested in improving nearly 3,000 storm overflows across England and Wales, targeted at those affecting the most sensitive sites for ecological and human health, including in rural areas. Storm overflows are strictly regulated by the Environment Agency (EA). The regulators will not let companies get away with illegal activity and where breaches are found, will not hesitate to hold companies to account. The EA has increased its target for water company inspections to 10,000 in 2025/26 as part of the Government’s wider focus to hold companies to account and improve our water environment. Ministers meet regularly with the EA Chair and Chief Executive to discuss governance, performance and delivery across the EA’s remit.

What steps his Department has considered to support informal carers providing care to psychiatric patients.

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need.We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.Through measures in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are equipping and supporting carers by making them more visible, empowering their voices in care planning, joining up services, and streamlining their caring tasks by introducing a new ‘MyCarer’ section to the NHS App.The Government has not made a specific assessment of the need for additional recognition and support for unpaid carers of people with mental ill-health. Local authorities are required by the Care Act 2014 to undertake carer’s assessments to support people caring for their family and friends who appear to have a need for support, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and to meet their eligible needs upon request from them.The Government is making approximately £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements. Local areas determine how the money is best used to support carers, depending on local need and with reference to their statutory responsibilities.Informal carers with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies or be referred by their general practitioner. The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes expanding Talking Therapies services and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.

What assessment he has made of the need for additional recognition and support for informal carers supporting people with mental health conditions.

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need.We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.Through measures in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are equipping and supporting carers by making them more visible, empowering their voices in care planning, joining up services, and streamlining their caring tasks by introducing a new ‘MyCarer’ section to the NHS App.The Government has not made a specific assessment of the need for additional recognition and support for unpaid carers of people with mental ill-health. Local authorities are required by the Care Act 2014 to undertake carer’s assessments to support people caring for their family and friends who appear to have a need for support, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and to meet their eligible needs upon request from them.The Government is making approximately £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements. Local areas determine how the money is best used to support carers, depending on local need and with reference to their statutory responsibilities.Informal carers with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies or be referred by their general practitioner. The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes expanding Talking Therapies services and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.

What steps his Department is taking to recognise the role of informal carers providing care to psychiatric patients.

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need.We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.Through measures in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are equipping and supporting carers by making them more visible, empowering their voices in care planning, joining up services, and streamlining their caring tasks by introducing a new ‘MyCarer’ section to the NHS App.The Government has not made a specific assessment of the need for additional recognition and support for unpaid carers of people with mental ill-health. Local authorities are required by the Care Act 2014 to undertake carer’s assessments to support people caring for their family and friends who appear to have a need for support, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and to meet their eligible needs upon request from them.The Government is making approximately £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements. Local areas determine how the money is best used to support carers, depending on local need and with reference to their statutory responsibilities.Informal carers with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies or be referred by their general practitioner. The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes expanding Talking Therapies services and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure informal carers supporting psychiatric patients have access to appropriate support services.

The Government recognises the vital role of unpaid carers, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and is committed to ensuring they have the support they need.We have raised the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage and representing the largest cash increase ever.Through measures in the 10-Year Health Plan, we are equipping and supporting carers by making them more visible, empowering their voices in care planning, joining up services, and streamlining their caring tasks by introducing a new ‘MyCarer’ section to the NHS App.The Government has not made a specific assessment of the need for additional recognition and support for unpaid carers of people with mental ill-health. Local authorities are required by the Care Act 2014 to undertake carer’s assessments to support people caring for their family and friends who appear to have a need for support, including those caring for people with mental ill-health, and to meet their eligible needs upon request from them.The Government is making approximately £4.6 billion of additional funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements. Local areas determine how the money is best used to support carers, depending on local need and with reference to their statutory responsibilities.Informal carers with common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies or be referred by their general practitioner. The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes expanding Talking Therapies services and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of halogen and high-intensity headlights on driver safety and visibility for vulnerable road users.

Approved Halogen, Xenon and LED light sources have been permitted in road vehicle headlamps for many years; no UK specific assessment has been made of their effect on drivers' safety and visibility for vulnerable road users. Nevertheless, international regulations require more powerful headlamps to be fitted with an automatic washing system to reduce the risk of light being misdirected by dirt on the lens, and with an automatic levelling systems to allow the correction of headlamp aim when the vehicle is loaded. We know headlamp glare is a real frustration for many drivers and is even discouraging some from driving at night and in the recent Road Safety Strategy we have committed to carrying out further focused research in this area. In advance of the next phase of work we are engaging with the College of Optometrists to better understand the issues and experiences their patients are raising with them.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of dip headlights on motorcycles in improving road safety.

There are detailed requirements that must be satisfied before vehicles can be sold or registered in the UK. The lighting system fitted to motorcycles is included in the pre-registration assessment which requires that headlamps are approved to internationally recognised standards to ensure that they are bright enough to light the road ahead but not so bright as to dazzle other road users. Headlamp operation and aim is also routinely checked as part of the annual MoT inspection. No recent UK assessment has been made of the effectiveness of dipped motorcycle headlamps but in response to public concerns raised about glare from vehicle headlamps an international glare prevention taskforce has been established at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. UK officials and vehicle manufacturers’ representatives are actively involved in the work of the group which is reviewing existing requirements and looking at potential measures to reduce the occurrence of headlamp glare.

Whether her Department plans to review regulations relating to motorcycle headlight brightness and beam alignment.

There are detailed requirements that must be satisfied before vehicles can be sold or registered in the UK. The lighting system fitted to motorcycles is included in the pre-registration assessment which requires that headlamps are approved to internationally recognised standards to ensure that they are bright enough to light the road ahead but not so bright as to dazzle other road users. Headlamp operation and aim is also routinely checked as part of the annual MoT inspection. No recent UK assessment has been made of the effectiveness of dipped motorcycle headlamps but in response to public concerns raised about glare from vehicle headlamps an international glare prevention taskforce has been established at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. UK officials and vehicle manufacturers’ representatives are actively involved in the work of the group which is reviewing existing requirements and looking at potential measures to reduce the occurrence of headlamp glare.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications of modern military technologies, including drones, for the security of the Falkland Islands.

As the Strategic Defence Review set out, a core role for Defence is the protection of the UK’s overseas territories, which includes maintaining a defensive military posture in the Falkland Islands. We review that posture regularly to ensure it reflects all relevant developments. I am confident that our current military presence in the region is appropriately scaled to ensure the security of the Islands.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the defence of the Falkland Islands reflects developments in long-range missile technology.

As the Strategic Defence Review set out, a core role for Defence is the protection of the UK’s overseas territories, which includes maintaining a defensive military posture in the Falkland Islands. We review that posture regularly to ensure it reflects all relevant developments. I am confident that our current military presence in the region is appropriately scaled to ensure the security of the Islands.

What steps she is taking to help ensure that motorcycle lighting systems do not cause glare for other road users.

There are detailed requirements that must be satisfied before vehicles can be sold or registered in the UK. The lighting system fitted to motorcycles is included in the pre-registration assessment which requires that headlamps are approved to internationally recognised standards to ensure that they are bright enough to light the road ahead but not so bright as to dazzle other road users. Headlamp operation and aim is also routinely checked as part of the annual MoT inspection. No recent UK assessment has been made of the effectiveness of dipped motorcycle headlamps but in response to public concerns raised about glare from vehicle headlamps an international glare prevention taskforce has been established at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. UK officials and vehicle manufacturers’ representatives are actively involved in the work of the group which is reviewing existing requirements and looking at potential measures to reduce the occurrence of headlamp glare.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of UK military capabilities to deter threats to the Falkland Islands.

As the Strategic Defence Review set out, a core role for Defence is the protection of the UK’s overseas territories, which includes maintaining a defensive military posture in the Falkland Islands. We review that posture regularly to ensure it reflects all relevant developments. I am confident that our current military presence in the region is appropriately scaled to ensure the security of the Islands.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure funding for physics research.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed to a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. Of this, UKRI will deliver £38.6 billion towards research and innovation with £14.5 billion allocated towards curiosity-driven research, in recognition of its fundamental importance for our future. DSIT and UKRI are also significantly increasing investment in areas underpinned by physics such as AI, quantum, semiconductors, cybersecurity and advanced connectivity technologies. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) also provides funding for physics research, and has a £1.2 billion allocation for applicant led research over the SR. The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) within UKRI is currently working with the sector to model different spending scenarios for its portfolio in particle physics, astronomy and nuclear physics (PPAN). The impacts of different modelled scenarios will be considered alongside feedback from the sector when taking final decisions. No final spending decisions have been made. The UK also remains committed to international physics collaboration, including at CERN, where we are the second-largest contributor. More generally, DSIT has asked UKRI to ensure that its allocation decisions, including those on individual physics programmes, are informed by meaningful consultation with the scientific research community and a robust assessment of potential consequences for the UK’s scientific capability and international standing.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of bright vehicle headlights on people with (a) sensitive and (b) elderly retinas.

Approved Halogen, Xenon and LED light sources have been permitted in road vehicle headlamps for many years; no UK specific assessment has been made of their effect on drivers' safety and visibility for vulnerable road users. Nevertheless, international regulations require more powerful headlamps to be fitted with an automatic washing system to reduce the risk of light being misdirected by dirt on the lens, and with an automatic levelling systems to allow the correction of headlamp aim when the vehicle is loaded. We know headlamp glare is a real frustration for many drivers and is even discouraging some from driving at night and in the recent Road Safety Strategy we have committed to carrying out further focused research in this area. In advance of the next phase of work we are engaging with the College of Optometrists to better understand the issues and experiences their patients are raising with them.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure adequate numbers of qualified physics teachers in secondary schools.

The government’s Plan for Change is committed to recruiting an additional 6,500 new expert teachers across secondary and special schools and our colleges over the course of this Parliament.In 2023/24, just 17% of the postgraduate initial teacher training target for physics trainees was met. In 2025/26, this increased to 78%, with 1,095 new entrants, reaching the highest number for physics since comparable statistics began in 2014/15.We are continuing to support physics teacher recruitment with bursaries worth £29,000 and scholarships worth £31,000 tax free. We are also supporting retention alongside increased recruitment, with an offer of a targeted retention incentive, which has a value of up to £6,000 after tax for physics teachers in years 1-5 of their career who choose to work in the most disadvantaged schools. This comes on top of near 10% pay rises for all teachers and leaders in the last two years, and we continue to work with sector leaders to reduce workloads, improve wellbeing and increase flexible working.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of improvements in physics education on the development of new technologies and economic growth.

Physics education is the responsibility of the Department for Education.The government recognises the importance of research, including physics, to economic growth and its contribution to the UK’s innovation capacity and industrial strategy.This academic year, two thirds of the £1.3bn Strategic Priorities Grant to HE is to support the provision of high-cost subjects, including physics. From this, the Office for Students allocates £1,737 per student FTE to providers for physics students.42% of UK Research and Innovation funded PhDs in 2024/25 were through the Science and Technology Facilities Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. UKRI will invest over £2bn in doctoral training this spending review period.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of combined sewage overflows discharging into the South Winterborne at Martinstown on the environment.

The Environment Agency regularly assess the impact of storm overflows on the environment, including those discharging into the South Winterborne at Martinstown. Water companies are installing continuous water quality monitors to quantify the impacts of sewerage undertaker assets, including storm overflows, on the quality of receiving watercourses.

Media and Sport, what support her Department is providing to Premiership Women’s Rugby clubs.

The Government monitors the financial situation of rugby union closely and continues to work with the RFU, PWR, and the wider sport sector to support the ongoing sustainability of elite and community level rugby union. We are working to drive a Decade of Change in women’s sport and we are using the Women’s Sport Taskforce to drive progress across the sector. The Women’s Sport Taskforce was launched at the Women’s Rugby World Cup and seeks to understand and tackle challenges facing women and girls in sport from grassroots to elite.

Media and Sport, what long-term strategies her Department is promoting to help improve the (a) sustainability and (b) levels of participation of women’s rugby clubs across England.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact 25, which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby. This includes clubs based in the West Dorset constituency such as Dorchester RFC who received £5,000 towards upgrading the club's bathroom facilities.

Media and Sport, what measures are in place to support the long-term viability of grassroots rugby clubs in the South West.

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to and can benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities, including rugby. We are also committed to supporting the financial sustainability of rugby clubs, and ensuring this translates into tangible outcomes that span grassroots participation through to elite performance. The Government provides the majority of funding for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England, which invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. Sport England provides long term investment of £16.9 million to the Rugby Football Football Union and £15.7 million to the Rugby Football League between 2022 and 2029, the National Governing Bodies for rugby to support grassroots participation. Since summer 2024, the Government has also provided £6.7 million into the Women’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Programme, Impact 25, which has benefited 850 clubs across the country. These clubs have received investment which goes towards supporting girls of all ages to get involved in rugby. This includes clubs based in the West Dorset constituency such as Dorchester RFC who received £5,000 towards upgrading the club's bathroom facilities.