Written questions by Morello.

What discussions he has had with Ofgem on reducing the level of disruption caused by gas mains repairs.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

What steps his Department is taking to improve domestic capability in wired drone technology production.

Defence routinely engages with industry to iterate, and spiral develop capability in close cooperation with allies. One of the key mechanisms to ensure that Defence is up to date with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics is learning lessons from global conflicts and through our support to Ukraine, where drone capabilities are developed and exploited in cooperation with drone component suppliers. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendation to establish a Defence Uncrewed System Centre (DUSC) at Initial Operating Capability by February 2026 will be an important cohering and directing component alongside the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority (DUxDA) for advancing the UK's domestic capability in drone technology production. Lessons have been learned with regard to developments in wired drone technology witnessed in the Ukraine conflict which will inform a broader understanding of where to focus Defence capability development as outlined in the SDR. Defence will continue to invest in drone technology to advance our capabilities in tandem with UK industry.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken since the spending review to improve broadband connectivity in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset.

The government has recently reconfirmed its commitment to achieving nationwide gigabit coverage and the government now expects 99% of premises to have access to a gigabit-capable connection by 2032.Following the Spending Review, Building Digital UK (BDUK) is refreshing its delivery plans to meet the government’s new 2032 target. Wessex Internet is delivering two Project Gigabit contracts: one in North Dorset, and another covering other parts of Dorset and South Somerset. Approximately 4,100 premises in the West Dorset constituency are currently included in these contracts. Build on the latter contract is expected to complete in 2029, while build in North Dorset is expected to complete shortly.

What support is available for women born in the 1950s impacted by State Pension age changes in West Dorset constituency.

We are absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. The State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people. In 2025-26 we will spend £174.9 billion on benefits for pensioners in Great Britain, 5.8% of GDP. This includes spending on the State Pension which is forecast to be £145.6 billion in 2025-26 Through our commitment to protect the Triple Lock both the basic and new State Pensions increased by 4.1% in April, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £470. That’s up to £275 more than if pensions had been uprated by inflation. From the end of this Parliament, spending on the State Pension as a result of our commitment to protect the Triple Lock is forecast to be around £31 billion more a year, compared with 2024/25. This will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £1,900. Pension Credit provides vital financial support for pensioners, with 66% of those receiving support being women. It tops up state and private pensions to a guaranteed weekly minimum - the Standard Minimum Guarantee. This also increased by 4.1% in April and is now £227.10 pw for a single person and £346.60 pw for couples. Additional amounts can be paid in respect of disability, caring responsibilities and certain housing costs. The Government wants all pensioners to get the support to which they are rightly entitled. That is why we ran the biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign, which included adverts on television, radio, social media, on YouTube, on advertising screens in post offices and GP surgeries as well as in the press. The next stage of the campaign starts this month and will run through to the end of the financial year. The Government offers further direct financial help to low-income pensioners through the Warm Home Discount, providing eligible households across Great Britain with £150 off their winter energy bill. We have also extended the Household Support Fund for an additional year until 31 March 2026. For those people who are unable to work but who are not yet eligible for pensioner benefits because of their age, financial support is available through the welfare system.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the potential loss of (a) the Global Surgery Network and (b) other National Institute for Health and Care Research funded global health research networks on the UK’s role in international health research.

The Department of Health and Social Care funds high quality applied global health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and in collaboration with UK and international funders. This funding is supported by the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. In February 2025, the Prime Minister made the announcement to reduce ODA to the equivalent of 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027. Following this announcement, and the outcome of the 2025 Spending Review, the Department has taken the decision to focus new ODA research funding on global health security and particular diseases of poverty. The NIHR-funded Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery was originally awarded over £6.9 million in Global Health Research’s inaugural Units call in 2017 and, following a second NIHR funding competition, received a further award of £7 million in 2021 to establish a sustainable network of surgical research. This latest award is due to conclude in June 2026, and we have been clear that we will honour all ongoing research commitments. No assessment has been made yet regarding the potential impact of the potential loss of the Global Surgery Network and other NIHR funded global health research networks on the UK’s role in international health research. The Department continues to recognise the critical importance of global health research to drive the health and well-being of the poorest and most vulnerable. Any updates on our funding opportunities will be reflected on the NIHR website.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on reducing the level of disruption caused by gas mains maintenance in West Dorset constituency.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

When her Department last estimated the number of women born in the 1950s affected by State Pension age changes in West Dorset constituency.

All women born since 6 April 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age. No specific estimate has been made for the number of women born in the 1950s in West Dorset constituency. However, estimates can be made with 2021 census data. ONS population estimates indicate that in 2021 there were approximately 8,500 females born in the 1950s resident in the West Dorset constituency in that year.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure mental health services are included in the Prevent strategy.

The aim of Prevent is to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism.Healthcare professionals have a key role in Prevent because they will meet and treat people who may be susceptible to radicalisation and those working for the NHS play an important role under the Prevent duty.Prevent works closely with DHSC and the NHS to ensure mental health services are actively involved in Prevent where appropriate, and the Prevent duty guidance encourages collaboration between local authorities, health services, and police to ensure coordinated support.If a healthcare professional is concerned that a patient is being radicalised, a Prevent referral could allow the patient to get the help and support needed to prevent them being radicalised into terrorism.Where a person is referred to Prevent due to radicalisation concerns, as part of a Channel panel, multi-agency partners can conduct an assessment and offer a tailored package of support. Mental health professionals are represented on Channel panels and provide advice and guidance to put a support plan in place.In a written ministerial statement on 16 July 2025, the Home Secretary noted that: 'the first stage of the strategic policy review into how Prevent manages people with mental ill-health or who are neurodivergent has also concluded. Action is underway to implement those findings.' The Home Office is continuing to work with the DHSC and partners to ensure that mental health considerations are fully integrated into Prevent delivery.

How many women in West Dorset constituency born in the 1950s are impacted by changes to the State Pension age.

All women born since 6 April 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age. No specific estimate has been made for the number of women born in the 1950s in West Dorset constituency. However, estimates can be made with 2021 census data. ONS population estimates indicate that in 2021 there were approximately 8,500 females born in the 1950s resident in the West Dorset constituency in that year.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the UK’s domestic capability in drone technology production.

Defence routinely engages with industry to iterate, and spiral develop capability in close cooperation with allies. One of the key mechanisms to ensure that Defence is up to date with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics is learning lessons from global conflicts and through our support to Ukraine, where drone capabilities are developed and exploited in cooperation with drone component suppliers. The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommendation to establish a Defence Uncrewed System Centre (DUSC) at Initial Operating Capability by February 2026 will be an important cohering and directing component alongside the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority (DUxDA) for advancing the UK's domestic capability in drone technology production. Lessons have been learned with regard to developments in wired drone technology witnessed in the Ukraine conflict which will inform a broader understanding of where to focus Defence capability development as outlined in the SDR. Defence will continue to invest in drone technology to advance our capabilities in tandem with UK industry.

What steps he is taking to increase the number of businesses powered by green energy in West Dorset constituency.

We are delivering on our Clean Power 2030 Action Plan to increase the number of businesses powered by green energy. We have lifted the onshore wind ban, established Great British Energy, consented almost 2GW of solar, delivered a record renewables auction, and launched carbon capture and hydrogen industries. In addition, we are driving forward vital planning and networks reforms to speed up clean power deployment. The Government also is helping businesses to improve their energy efficiency and reduce the amount of energy they use by providing funding to upgrade their old boiler. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers grants of £7500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing heat pumps, and £5000 towards a biomass boiler, for properties looking to replace their existing fossil fuel heating.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that advice services can meet increased demand.

The Department for Work and Pensions provides a range of support to customers claiming Universal Credit. This includes a dedicated Universal Credit helpline, information on gov.uk, face to face support in Jobcentres as well as support from the Help to Claim service. Help to Claim is delivered independently by Citizens Advice, in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland, to provide practical tailored support to enable individuals to make a new claim to Universal Credit or move from legacy benefits. Help to Claim is available to anyone making a claim to Universal Credit and is focussed on providing help that meets an individual’s needs at any time until the first full payment of Universal Credit is made. The Department for Work and Pensions forecasts demand as part of its Grant Funding Agreement with Citizens Advice to ensure they have the resources required to deliver Help to Claim. Since April 2019, Help to Claim has supported over 1.1 million people, with 9 in 10 people rating their overall experience as good or very good and would recommend it to friends and family.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the treatment of SSIP funds as savings rather than pensions by local authorities.

DWP does not take into account the value of a pension fund (such as a SIPP) that someone and/or their employer has paid into, this protects investments for retirement. Monies drawn from a pension fund, either as a lump-sum, a pension/annuity or both will be taken into account in means-tested benefits in the usual way. This includes where someone reaches the age for state pension credit and has chosen to continue to defer their private/occupational or state pension, in which case this may be taken into account as notional income. How SIPPs are treated by local authorities is a matter for them and MHCLG.

What assessment his Department has made of the scope of responsibilities for the revised physician associate role.

The principle question of the Leng Review was to assess whether the roles of physician assistants and physician assistants in anaesthesia, still legally known as anaesthesia associates and physician associates, are safe and effective. The review’s findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles to continue as supportive, complementary members of medical teams. The Government has accepted all 18 of the review’s recommendations.NHS England has published a letter and a Frequently Asked Questions document, setting out what the accepted recommendations mean for employees and employers, both in the immediate and longer term. The Frequently Asked Questions document is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/leng-review-nhs-england-faqs-on-actions-for-nhs-organisations.pdfThe Leng Review’s recommendations are far reaching and require cross-system partnership working to be considered, planned, and delivered effectively. We will work with NHS England, royal colleges, unions, and other relevant stakeholders as we develop a clear implementation plan to address the review’s 18 recommendations. Further information on implementation will be set out in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on the potential impact of coastal erosion on public safety when there are high numbers of visitors to the coast.

Local authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making around public safety near coastlines. The National Coastal Monitoring Programme (NCMP) comprises of six regional programmes led by Coastal Authorities and the Environment Agency to optimise coastal investment and protect communities through the monitoring and analysis of existing coastal assets. The new NCERM provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency has worked with local authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on the condition of gas mains infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The condition and maintenance of gas mains is typically managed by local Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs), under the regulatory supervision of Ofgem. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) also play a key role in ensuring safety during mains replacement activities. While oversight of gas mains infrastructure ultimately lies with the GDNs and HSE, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular discussions with Ofgem, HSE and the wider sector on a range of energy infrastructure issues to ensure that gas networks continue to operate safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to consumers, including those in West Dorset.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of drone technology on domestic defence capabilities.

The Strategic Defence Review considered all aspects of Defence, including the capabilities required by UK Defence to meet the challenges, threats, and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Both autonomous and uncrewed technologies features in both Current and Planned Force Testing events, to ensure we capture the impact of changing technology on our force design. The mix of weapons systems required to defeat different target sets has also been the subject of Force Variation Testing. The results of these assessments are militarily sensitive, so are not releasable.The Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn, to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure this plan considers the capabilities we need to deliver a more lethal Integrated Force, alongside infrastructure and people. The plan will ensure Defence has the flexibility to seize new technological opportunities and maximise the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy.

Whether HMRC defines SSIPs as pension assets for the purposes of (a) means-tested benefits and (b) financial assessments.

The treatment of Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs) for the purposes of means-tested benefits and financial assessments does not fall within HMRC’s remit. HMRC’s role is to define and regulate pension schemes for tax purposes, including SIPPs, which may be registered pension schemes under the Finance Act 2004. Decisions regarding the treatment of pension assets in means-tested benefits are a matter for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), while financial assessments for adult social care are administered by local authorities under guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). HMRC does not define SIPPs as assets for the purposes of benefit entitlement or financial assessments. Any determination of how such pensions are treated in those contexts should be sought from the relevant departments.

What the average administrative cost is of collecting VAT from a VAT-registered company.

HMRC calculate annually the cost to collect £1 of VAT. In 2024-25, it cost 0.58 pence, i.e. less than one penny, to collect £1 of VAT on average. This ratio has been broadly stable over recent years. Cost of Collection - VAT - 5 year Trend from 2020-2021 to 2024-2025 2020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025pencepencepencepencepenceVAT0.630.520.540.580.58

How many businesses had energy efficiency measures installed in West Dorset constituency between 2010 and 2024.

The Government does not hold any information or statistics about this area. While a range of Government schemes and incentives have supported energy efficiency improvements across the commercial sector, detailed data is not collected at a national or constituency level.