Every parliamentary written question tabled by Edward Morello this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 641–660 of 1,693 · this parliament
Innovation and Technology, when his Department last made an assessment of ultrafast broadband coverage in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset constituency.
Three months ago, when Ofcom’s Connected Nations 2025 Spring reporting (published May 2025) assessed that 57% of rural UK premises and 58% of all West Dorset premises have access to ultrafast broadband (of 100 Mbps or faster).
Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of poor internet access on West Dorset businesses.
We have not made any specific assessment regarding the potential impact of poor internet access on West Dorset businesses.Wider government analysis has shown that fast and reliable connectivity contributes to increased economic growth and productivity. That is why the government is committed to ensuring at least 99% of premises, including businesses, receive gigabit broadband coverage by 2032, with over 88% already able to do so.
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 she has made of the potential impact of legal aid reductions on the availability of advice services.
Over the last decade we recognise there has been increased pressure on advice services.Legal aid is intended to support those who need it most, while still delivering value for the taxpayer. However, the Government recognises it sits within a wider system of legal support and that the provision of legal support, provided by the advice sector, is important to help people assert their rights and resolve their legal problems, and enable those who are not eligible for legal aid to access justice.Since coming into power, the Labour Government has made substantial investments in civil and criminal legal aid. We have recently consulted on funding of up to £92 million more a year for criminal legal aid solicitors, on top of the £24 million we implemented last year for criminal solicitors. We have also confirmed we will be uplifting fees for housing and immigration legal aid: an increase of £20 million a year once fully implemented.In addition, the Ministry of Justice is providing over £6 million of grant funding in 2025-26 to 60 organisations to improve access to free legal support and information, both in-person and online. In addition, we are working with the advice sector and have established the Legal Support Strategy Delivery Group, which is comprised of key stakeholders from across the legal support and advice sector, to co-design a long-term plan to make the legal support system more sustainable, effective and efficient. The plan focuses on the themes of service delivery, data and evidence, and funding.
Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Environment Agency and (b) Dorset Council on improving safety around cliffs in West Dorset constituency.
Defra works closely with Environment Agency officials at every level and provides constructive challenge and support on Environment Agency’s performance and delivery to protect and enhance the environment and serve the public. The responsibility for public safety around cliffs and coastlines sits with the Local Authority. Local Authorities can use the most up to date data and information on the coast to assist with their planning and decision making. The new National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) provides the most up to date national picture of current and future coastal erosion risk for England. The Environment Agency worked with Local Authorities, who supplied local data and verified outputs, to produce this.
What is his proposed timeline for implementing changes to the scope of practice for physician associates.
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.
Whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on the treatment of Small Self-Invested Pensions in financial assessments.
Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must follow the Care Act 2014 and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, and they must act under the Care and Support Statutory (CASS) guidance.The responsibility for interpreting and applying the law and the CASS guidance rests with local authorities.The treatment of private pension income in financial assessments is set out in Annex C of the CASS guidance. Pension income is generally treated as part of a person’s income when conducting financial assessments for adult social care, unless the regulations specifically disregard it.
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.
What plans his Department has to increase access to specialist breast cancer nurses for patients with secondary breast cancer in West Dorset.
The Department of Health and Social Care will publish a refreshed Workforce Plan to deliver the transformed health service it will build over the next decade, and treat patients on time again. The Plan will ensure that the National Health Service has the right people, including breast cancer nurses in West Dorset, to ensure patients are cared for by the right professional, when and where they need it.NHS England is investing in structured career development and education support. The Aspirant Cancer Career and Education Development (ACCEND) programme provides a nationally agreed framework for capability, career development and education for nurses, allied health professionals and support workforce working in cancer care. This is also beneficial for the training and development of specialist nurses working in breast cancer care.
Whether his Department plans to provide financial compensation to physician associates made redundant as a result of changes to clinical guidance.
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.Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual National Health Service employers at a local level, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will continue to play an important role in the NHS.Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care, and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.There are no plans to reimburse training costs or provide financial compensation to physician assistants.
If his Department will consider reimbursing MSc training costs for physician associates who are no longer able to work in their profession.
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.Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual National Health Service employers at a local level, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will continue to play an important role in the NHS.Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care, and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.There are no plans to reimburse training costs or provide financial compensation to physician assistants.
Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with (a) public landowners, (b) the National Trust and (c) Forestry England on the potential impact of cashless-only car parking systems on (i) older people and (ii) people without mobile phones.
No such discussions have taken place. Car parking charges for publicly-owned car parks are primarily a matter for local authorities.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent Royal College of General Practitioners guidance on levels of redundancies among GP physician associates.
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.Whilst decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual National Health Service employers at a local level, physician assistants, and physician assistants in anaesthesia, will continue to play an important role in the NHS.Our forthcoming 10 Year Workforce Plan will look at how to get the right people, in the right places, with the right skills to deliver the best care, and we will consider the findings of the Leng Review when developing the plan.There are no plans to reimburse training costs or provide financial compensation to physician assistants.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect funding for UK-led global health research initiatives, following the reduction in the aid budget.
The transition to spending 0.3 per cent of Gross National Input on Official Development Assistance (ODA) demands significant shifts in the scale and shape of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) ODA Research and Development (R&D) portfolio. Our approach to R&D investments will be in line with the shifts underway across the FCDO as we modernise our approach to development. In line with broader reprioritisation of our ODA, ODA R&D will have a sharper focus on humanitarian, health and climate and nature, underpinned by work to develop partners' economies.
If she will review the adequacy of support available through disability benefits to people impacted by in utero exposure to Debendox.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition. Entitlement to PIP focuses on the functional impacts of a person’s health condition or disability on their daily life. It is assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself, so is available to individuals when they meet the PIP qualifying criteria.PIP is non-contributory, non-means-tested and can be worth up to £9,747.40 a year, tax free. Receiving a qualifying rate of PIP can act as a ‘passport’ to extra money or higher amounts of other means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit. It can also provide access to council tax reductions and a Disabled Person's Railcard. Individuals can choose how to use the benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences.
Whether his Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the level of Personal Independence Payments for people affected by long-term conditions associated with in utero exposure to Debendox.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) provides a contribution towards the extra costs that may arise from a long-term disability or health condition. Entitlement to PIP focuses on the functional impacts of a person’s health condition or disability on their daily life. It is assessed on the basis of needs arising and not on the condition itself, so is available to individuals when they meet the PIP qualifying criteria.PIP is non-contributory, non-means-tested and can be worth up to £9,747.40 a year, tax free. Receiving a qualifying rate of PIP can act as a ‘passport’ to extra money or higher amounts of other means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit. It can also provide access to council tax reductions and a Disabled Person's Railcard. Individuals can choose how to use the benefit, in the light of their individual needs and preferences.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken since the Spending Review to improve mobile data coverage in (a) rural constituencies and (b) West Dorset constituency.
The regulator, Ofcom, is responsible for reporting on the state of mobile network coverage across the UK.Ofcom reports that as of January 2025, 4G is available across 78% of UK rural areas from all four mobile operators, while 5G, combined standalone and non-standalone, is available outside 82% of rural premises from at least one operator.In West Dorset, 4G is available across 91% of the constituency from all four operators, while 5G is available outside 87% of premises in the constituency of West Dorset from at least one operator.Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We work closely with the mobile network operators to improve mobile coverage right across the UK, including removing barriers to deployment where they exist. This included hosting a MP roundtable on 1 July attended by the mobile operators and Ofcom. We have also encouraged Ofcom to improve its reporting on mobile coverage, which has resulted in a much improved online checker.
Innovation and Technology, when his Department last made an assessment of mobile data coverage in (a) rural areas and (b) West Dorset.
The regulator, Ofcom, is responsible for reporting on the state of mobile network coverage across the UK.Ofcom reports that as of January 2025, 4G is available across 78% of UK rural areas from all four mobile operators, while 5G, combined standalone and non-standalone, is available outside 82% of rural premises from at least one operator.In West Dorset, 4G is available across 91% of the constituency from all four operators, while 5G is available outside 87% of premises in the constituency of West Dorset from at least one operator.Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. We work closely with the mobile network operators to improve mobile coverage right across the UK, including removing barriers to deployment where they exist. This included hosting a MP roundtable on 1 July attended by the mobile operators and Ofcom. We have also encouraged Ofcom to improve its reporting on mobile coverage, which has resulted in a much improved online checker.
What steps his Department is taking to regulate sudden price increases in privately purchased weight loss drugs.
As we shift the focus from treatment to prevention through our 10 Year Health Plan, we are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay.NHS England has worked with Eli Lilly to ensure that the list price increase will not affect National Health Service commissioning of tirzepatide in England as a treatment for eligible patients, and we remain committed to the rollout of this medicine as a weight loss treatment based on clinical priority. This will enable 220,000 eligible people to access the medication over the first three years. Not everyone who wants tirzepatide will be able to access it at first, and the initial eligibility criteria will be for people with a body mass index of 40 or more in addition to four or more qualifying comorbidities.Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have also entered equivalent agreements to maintain their current commissioning approaches.Pricing in the private market is a matter for Eli Lilly and for private providers. Private patients who are impacted by price increases should discuss any concerns with their private provider. This includes their options regarding payment plans, alternative treatments, and/or stopping or tapering off their current medication. Eli Lilly is working with private providers to support continued patient access.
Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require Natural Landscapes to be statutory consultees for housing developments in (a) all areas with high levels of natural landscapes and (b) West Dorset constituency.
The government is clear that the bar for being a statutory consultee in the planning system, and therefore having to be consulted on planning applications by law, should be high. In January 2025 the government declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth. Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510). The government has not had discussions with Natural Landscapes about their engagement with the planning system.