Written questions by Morello.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the heightened risk of former British national Islamic extremists escaping from the (a) al-Hol and (b) al-Roj prison camps in Syria following the downfall of Bashar al-Assad on the UK's national security.

As the present situation in Syria unfolds, we are working closely with partners to monitor any threats, including through our work with the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Our priority remains to ensure the safety and security of the UK. We will not hesitate to take action to protect the UK from those who pose a threat to our security. This can, where appropriate, include the exercise of powers to disrupt the travel to the UK, of individuals who are assessed to pose a threat.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to prioritise connectivity to rural premises without access to gigabit-capable broadband in (a) England and (b) the South West.

According to the independent website Thinkbroadband.com, over 86% of premises in England have access to gigabit-capable broadband. To improve broadband connectivity further, we have put in place over 30 Project Gigabit contracts that are set to deliver fast, reliable broadband to over 1 million rural and hard-to-reach premises that would otherwise not be reached by the commercial market alone.There are multiple contracts being delivered across the South West, including in Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. We recently announced new Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach that will also bring gigabit-capable broadband to premises in Devon and Somerset.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the expiration of the stamp duty relief scheme on (a) residential mobility and (b) local business sustainability in rural communities.

In September 2022, the previous government announced a change to the level at which purchasers of residential property start paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), from £125,000 to £250,000. This change was made temporary in November 2022, and the rate will revert to £125,000 on 1 April 2025. For first-time buyers, the nil-rate band is currently £425,000 and the purchase price limit for accessing the relief is currently £625,000. After the rates revert, first time buyers will still benefit from paying no SDLT up to £300,000 and will be able to claim relief on purchases up to £500,000. At Autumn Budget 2024, the higher rates of SDLT for additional dwellings were increased by two percentage points from 3% to 5%. This measure will ensure that those looking to move home, or purchase their first property, have a greater advantage over second home buyers, landlords, and companies purchasing residential property. The OBR certified costing estimates that increasing the higher rates of SDLT by two percentage points is expected to result in 130,000 additional transactions over the next five years by first-time buyers and other people buying a primary residence. Regarding the impact of SDLT on local business sustainability, lower, non-residential rates of SDLT apply to purchases of commercial properties and are not affected by the upcoming reversion of the main rates and first time buyer rates on 1 April 2025. The Government will introduce a permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to help buyers who are struggling to save for a large deposit. As set out in the Autumn Budget, we will announce further details of the scheme in Phase 2 of the Spending Review On housing more broadly, the Government has committed to delivering 1.5 million new homes as part of its mission to achieve economic growth across the country. The Government is reforming the National Planning Policy Framework to get Britain building, including by reintroducing mandatory housing targets and changing Green Belt policy to bring low-quality land into scope for development.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department has taken to ensure Project Gigabit contracts deliver (a) on time and (b) within budget.

All Project Gigabit contracts include measures and obligations regarding time and budget against which suppliers’ performance is monitored. These include measures to manage effective build plans, milestones, risks and issues.Building Digital UK (BDUK) holds regular meetings with suppliers to discuss their progress. Each supplier’s performance is measured using monthly contractual reporting, reviewing the build progress and payment claims on each contract.Failure to deliver to a contract milestone on any build phase of a contract can result in the trigger of a rectification plan process and cessation of payments until the milestone is achieved.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the fall of Bashar al-Assad on the trafficking of (a) British and (b) other (i) women and (ii) children by Islamic State.

As the present situation in Syria unfolds, we are working closely with partners to monitor Daesh activity and prevent them from exploiting the current instability, including through our work with the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Daesh's ability to direct, enable and inspire attacks is one of the most significant global terrorist threats, including to the UK, our people, and our interests overseas.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what the (a) cost and (b) timeline is for the establishment of his Department's office in Glasgow.

The Outline Business Case for the FCDO's move from East Kilbride to Glasgow has been approved through the FCDO and now rests with HMT and the Cabinet Office. Until this rigorous HMG approvals' process and a tender to fit out the new Joint HQ are complete, we cannot be precise on when the move will take place or its full cost. The costs of the FCDO's move are subject to final commercial negotiations and are, therefore, sensitive and cannot be shared at this point.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help older residents in rural areas to downsize.

The updated National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including older people, and reflect this in planning policies.As the needs of older people can range from accessible and adaptable general needs housing to specialist housing with a high level of care and support, it is up to each local authority to decide how to prioritise particular types or tenures of new housing in order to meet needs.The Framework is also clear that planning policies and decisions should be responsive to local circumstances in rural areas.The government have committed to considering further how policy can promote rural affordable housing, and to the recommendations set out in the report of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, published on 26 November 2024.

If he will provide a breakdown of spending on brain cancer research in 2023-24.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.5 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR research expenditure for all cancers was £133 million in 2023/24. Cancer is a major area of NIHR spend, reflecting its high priority.In the financial year 2023/24, total NIHR spending on direct research awards on brain cancer was £2.1 million spent across 22 active studies, with a total lifetime value of £11.8 million. In the same year, our wider infrastructure investments, which enable the country’s leading experts to develop and deliver high-quality translational, clinical, and applied research funded by ourselves, charities, and industry partners, allowed an additional 1,107 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain cancer research in the National Health Service.In addition to direct research awards, NIHR infrastructure funding enables the country’s leading experts to develop and deliver high-quality translational, clinical, and applied research supported by other funders. These investments allowed an additional 1,107 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain cancer research in in the NHS in the same period.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help ensure reliable mobile coverage in rural areas.

This government wants people across the UK to benefit from reliable and good quality mobile coverage. Through the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage at all. Our ambition goes beyond this, and is for all populated areas, including rural areas, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030 – and we want to support the industry to deliver this.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the regularity of bus services on vulnerable users in West Dorset constituency.

We know that bus services can be a lifeline for many, and are committed to delivering better, more frequent services across the country. That is why we are allocating bus funding based on need not the quality of bids. Dorset Council will receive £3.8m next year, a £2.5m annual increase on the previous year.

What steps his Department is taking to improve mental health support for social care workers.

Most social care workers are employed by private sector providers who set their pay and terms and conditions, including any occupational health or wellbeing support, independent of the central Government.We recognise the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and to improve the retention of the domestic workforce. We want it to be regarded as a profession, and for the people who work in care to be respected as professionals. We are introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to the adult social care sector so that care professionals are recognised and rewarded for the important work that they do.

What steps he is taking to address (a) recruitment and (b) retention in adult social care in rural areas.

The Government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth, and improve the retention of the domestic workforce.We are introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to the adult social care sector, so that care professionals are recognised and rewarded for the important work they do. Fair Pay Agreements will empower worker representatives, employers, and others to negotiate pay, and terms and conditions in a regulated and responsible manner.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing off-peak tariff periods from 12 to seven hours on households reliant on overnight energy use.

The Government recognises the importance of time of use tariffs, and we are putting in place reforms such as Smart Metering and the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement to support the growth of these products. Tariff setting is a matter for suppliers, including the setting of peak and off-peak tariffs, and is regulated by Ofgem, including through the price cap which already has a variant to accommodate multi-rate tariffs such as Economy 7. I regularly engage with stakeholders, including consumer groups and energy suppliers, to ensure that the sector meets the differing needs of consumers.

Whether his Department consulted (a) consumer groups and (b) energy providers on the reduction of off-peak tariff periods associated with smart meters.

The Government recognises the importance of time of use tariffs, and we are putting in place reforms such as Smart Metering and the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement to support the growth of these products. Tariff setting is a matter for suppliers, and is regulated by Ofgem, including through the price cap which already has a variant to accommodate multi-rate tariffs such as Economy 7. I regularly engage with stakeholders, including consumer groups and energy suppliers, to ensure that the sector meets the differing needs of consumers.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential financial impact on (a) households reliant on Economy 7 and (b) other households using time-of-use tariffs of the reduction of off-peak periods to seven hours.

The Government recognises the importance of time of use tariffs, and we are putting in place reforms such as Smart Metering and the Market-wide Half Hourly Settlement to support the growth of these products. Tariff setting is a matter for suppliers, including the setting of peak and off-peak tariffs, and is regulated by Ofgem, including through the price cap which already has a variant to accommodate multi-rate tariffs such as Economy 7. I regularly engage with stakeholders, including consumer groups and energy suppliers, to ensure that the sector meets the differing needs of consumers.

What steps her Department plans to take to help support the transition to Great British Railways.

While primary legislation is required to establish Great British Railways, the government has begun delivering improvements for passengers and freight users straight away. That is why the main organisations responsible for the operational railway (Network Rail, the Rail Services group in the Department for Transport, and the DfT Operator) have begun working together in closer collaboration to establish a Shadow Great British Railways bringing together track and train ahead of legislation.

What her timeline is for the establishment of Great British Railways; and what key milestones she expects to reach in the next 12 months.

The King’s Speech confirmed legislation – the Railways Bill – will be introduced to create Great British Railways in the first Parliamentary session. The consultation on this legislation will be published around the turn of the year. We anticipate GBR to be set up over the following 12 months after the legislation receives Royal Assent.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the time taken to establish Great British Railways on long-term (a) investment and (b) planning in the rail industry.

The stand up of Great British Railways will happen in parallel to the continued operation of the railway, therefore not impacting long-term investment. As for the passenger service business planning, this won’t change and Network Rail still have the Control Period funding settlement.

What steps her Department is taking to replace end-of-life rolling stock on South Western Railways.

South Western Railway has procured 750 new Class 701 vehicles to replace the older Class 455 units. The first trains have entered passenger service, with a gradual roll out expected over the next two years.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of water bill increases on coastal communities that are affected by sewage dumping.

For too long, investment has not kept pace with the challenges of an ageing infrastructure system, a rapidly growing population, and climate change. Bills will therefore now need to rise to invest in our crumbling infrastructure and deliver cleaner waterways. As the independent economic regulator, it is Ofwat's responsibility to independently scrutinise water company business plans and ensure the prices water companies charge their customers are fair and proportionate. Ofwat will therefore publish their final determinations for Price Review 2024 on 19 December, which will set company expenditure and customer bills for 2025-2030. During its first week of office, the Government announced funding for vital infrastructure investment is ringfenced and can only be spent on upgrades benefiting customers and the environment. Ofwat will therefore ensure when money for investment is not spent, companies refund customers, with money never allowed to be diverted for bonuses, dividends or salary increases.