Written questions by Morello.

What comparative assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) home-based and (b) residential care on the finances of people receiving that care.

Under the Care Act 2014 charging is based on a number of principles, including that people should not be charged more than it is reasonably practicable for them to pay and that charging approaches should be clear, transparent, and comprehensive.Charging rules can differ between home-based and residential care. For home-based care, the person’s main home is disregarded, and income must not fall below the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG). For residential care, the home’s value may be considered unless a spouse or other eligible adult remains living there, and income must not fall below the Personal Expenses Allowance (PEA). Both the MIG and PEA rates are reviewed annually and published in the Local Authority Circular. For 2025/26, these allowances were increased in line with consumer price index inflation, and local authorities may set higher rates at their discretion.

If he will allocate funding to support mental health provision in rural communities in the Autumn Budget 2025.

We know that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and we recognise that people living in rural communities may face particular challenges in accessing the mental health services they need. For 2025/26, mental health spending is forecast to amount to £15.6 billion. This represents a significant uplift of £688 million in real terms spending on mental health compared to the previous financial year.Following publication by NHS England of the Medium Term Planning Framework on 24 October 2025, details of funding arrangements, including integrated care board allocations over the next three years, will be set out across revenue finance and contracting guidance, capital guidance, and published allocations in due course.

If he will make it his policy to introduce a taper for the upper capital limit for savings used to determine eligibility for free social care.

The current adult social care system is means tested and provides funded support for those with the least financial means. Individuals can approach their local authority for a financial assessment to determine their eligibility for support.Under the Care Act 2014, charging is based on a number of principles, including that people should not be charged more than it is reasonably practicable for them to pay. The means test thresholds for support with adult social care costs continue to be reviewed annually.The Government remains committed to reforming adult social care and we have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The Terms of Reference are sufficiently broad to enable Baroness Casey to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future, including considering the affordability of care costs, if she sees fit.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's housing targets are as a proportion of the population in (a) Dorset and (b) West Dorset constituency.

Local housing need is expressed as a total number of dwellings for each local authority area. It is not broken down as a proportion of the population, nor as a proportion of available brownfield land or per square mile.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's housing targets are per square mile in (a) Dorset, (b) West Dorset constituency and (c) England.

Local housing need is expressed as a total number of dwellings for each local authority area. It is not broken down as a proportion of the population, nor as a proportion of available brownfield land or per square mile.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's housing targets are as a proportion of available brownfield land in (a) Dorset, (b) West Dorset constituency and (c) England.

Local housing need is expressed as a total number of dwellings for each local authority area. It is not broken down as a proportion of the population, nor as a proportion of available brownfield land or per square mile.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of using different means tests for residential and home-based care on people with modest savings and significant care needs.

The current adult social care system is means tested and provides funded support for those with the least financial means. Individuals can approach their local authority for a financial assessment to determine whether they are eligible. While the Department sets the minimum thresholds for this means test, local authorities have the discretion to set higher thresholds if they choose.Where an individual receives care at home, the value of their home is not considered during this financial assessment.Where local authorities choose to charge for care, they must follow the Care Act 2014, and must ensure that care charges are both transparent and affordable.The Government remains committed to reforming adult social care and we have launched an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service. The Terms of Reference are sufficiently broad to enable Baroness Casey to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future, including considering the affordability of care costs, if she sees fit.

Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of Ofcom’s enforcement powers to tackle the online sale of illegal drugs in vape liquids.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) places duties on services to reduce the risk that they are used to facilitate illegal sales of controlled drugs. DSIT has regular discussions with Ofcom regarding the implementation of the OSA’s duties. Where providers fail to comply with these duties, Ofcom can issue fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18m, whichever is higher. The Act establishes that the Secretary of State must review the functioning of the Act within 2-5 years of the regime taking effect. This will include reviewing the adequacy of Ofcom's enforcement powers.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the steps it is taking to prevent the (a) sale and (b) marketing of vape liquids containing (i) Class A substances and (ii) spice on social media platforms.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) places duties on services to reduce the risk that they are used to facilitate illegal sales of controlled drugs. DSIT has regular discussions with Ofcom regarding the implementation of the OSA’s duties. Where providers fail to comply with these duties, Ofcom can issue fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18m, whichever is higher. The Act establishes that the Secretary of State must review the functioning of the Act within 2-5 years of the regime taking effect. This will include reviewing the adequacy of Ofcom's enforcement powers.

What recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on tackling sales of THC liquids containing spice to young people.

The Government is committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs, including online, and the harms associated with their misuse.Home Office Ministers and officials work closely with Ofcom, as well as social media platforms, on the issue of illegal online content.We have strengthened the regulatory framework to address online harms and the unlawful sale of controlled drugs online is a priority offence under the illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act 2023. In-scope providers are legally required to implement measures to protect their users and to remove illegal content from their platforms, including that related to the sale of THC liquids containing spice. Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the Act, is monitoring compliance with the regime.The National Crime Agency also works with partners in the UK and internationally to identify offenders operating online, and to take down UK-based sites committing offences.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the current care funding framework on people with dementia who want to remain at home.

Adult social care is part of our vision for a Neighbourhood Health Service that shifts care from hospitals to communities, with more personalised, proactive, and joined-up health and care services that help people stay independent for as long as possible.We are empowering people and giving them more choice and control over their care, for instance by promoting greater use of direct payments. We are also expanding care options to boost independent living at home through an additional £172 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant over two years, enabling approximately 15,600 extra home adaptations, and are introducing care technology standards to help people choose the right support.This year's Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector in making improvements.The provision of dementia health care services is the responsibility of local integrated care boards (ICBs). We would expect ICBs to commission services based on local population needs, taking account of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

Whether he plans to introduce a minimum service guarantee for people funding their own care through their pensions.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes commissioning a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care, including those funding their own care. We are progressing towards a National Care Service based on higher standards, more choice and control, and better joined up services, which will improve the quality of services for people. To build consensus on plans for a National Care Service, Baroness Casey is chairing an independent commission to shape the medium- and longer-term reforms needed. The independent commission has launched a new portal on their website and invited members of the public, people drawing on care and support, and organisations to submit evidence and to share their stories and ideas for improving the adult social care system.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the two-child benefit cap on families in rural areas.

The Taskforce recognises the importance of place, including differences between urban and rural locations, as a driver of child poverty. Children and families in rural areas have played an important role in the development of the Child Poverty Strategy, including through their participation in our research with parents and carers, and with children – which included an emphasis of the importance and role of place in shaping their experiences. Strengthening local support is also one of the pillars through which we are developing the Strategy. No assessment has been made of the impact of removing the Two Child Limit policy in West Dorset or on families in rural areas. However, statistics on the number of households and children in receipt of Universal Credit affected by the Two Child Limit policy are available by local authority and parliamentary constituency on the GOV.UK website, the latest being for April 2025: Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025 - GOV.UK. This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy. In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of removing the two-child benefit cap on child poverty in West Dorset constituency.

The Taskforce recognises the importance of place, including differences between urban and rural locations, as a driver of child poverty. Children and families in rural areas have played an important role in the development of the Child Poverty Strategy, including through their participation in our research with parents and carers, and with children – which included an emphasis of the importance and role of place in shaping their experiences. Strengthening local support is also one of the pillars through which we are developing the Strategy. No assessment has been made of the impact of removing the Two Child Limit policy in West Dorset or on families in rural areas. However, statistics on the number of households and children in receipt of Universal Credit affected by the Two Child Limit policy are available by local authority and parliamentary constituency on the GOV.UK website, the latest being for April 2025: Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2025 - GOV.UK. This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy. In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action. As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. This includes an expansion of Free School Meals that will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament, establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year including Barnett impact, investing in local family support services, and extending the £3 bus fare cap. In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.

Whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen protections for small businesses against “phoenixing” as part of the Government’s late payment reforms in West Dorset constituency.

This Government will legislate to end the scourge of late payments which costs the UK economy £11bn per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day. We published a consultation on our proposed legislative measures on 31st July which is live until 23rd October.The Insolvency Service is committed to working closely with HMRC and Companies House to tackle the harm caused by companies who use ‘Phoenixing’ as a means of avoiding liabilities. There is a range of ongoing activity being led by the Treasury that includes a desire to develop a detailed cross-government threat assessment.

What steps he is taking to ensure rehabilitation pathways reflect the differing needs of stroke survivors.

The National Health Service’s integrated community stroke service model (ICSS) describes stroke services that are integrated, specialist, responsive, and of sufficient intensity to meet the needs of the patient. There are three discharge pathways described in the model: to home with no social care required; to home with social care support; and discharge to a care home, which may be considered as a step-down bed. All pathways have access to needs-led rehabilitation. Integrated care boards are responsible for the commissioning of the ICSS.

If he will make it his policy review the minimum export value for rooftop solar electricity to support investment.

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a market-led mechanism in which energy suppliers, not government, set both tariff levels and structure. This is designed to encourage innovation and competition in the sector and minimise costs to consumers. The Government monitors the SEG to ensure it continues to support the Clean Energy Mission. Any introduction of a minimum export price would need to be carefully balanced against potential costs to consumers.

If she will make it her policy to allocate funding for rainwater management strategies in the Autumn Budget 2025.

The Chancellor will set out any new policy at the Autumn Budget in the usual way. The Government is already investing a record £10.5bn to build new flood defences and repair existing defences. This is the largest flood programme in history and will protect nearly 900,000 properties from the devastation of flooding.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of wages for general practice nurses.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practitioners how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate that good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) benefits and (b) conditions for general practice nursing staff.

As self-employed contractors to the National Health Service, it is up to general practices (GPs) how they distribute pay and benefits to their staff. GP contractual arrangements do not place any specific obligations on practices with regard to GP nurse terms and conditions. Employers have the flexibility to set terms and conditions, for example to aid recruitment and retention, and we anticipate that good employers would set wage rates that reflect the skills and experience of their staff.