Written questions by Morello.

What steps his Department is taking to support rural off-grid households to switch to low-carbon heating solutions in West Dorset constituency.

The Warm Homes Plan will offer grants and low interest loans to support investment in insulation, low carbon heating and other home improvements to cut bills across the UK, including in West Dorset. We will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to property owners, including to those living off the gas grid, to enable them to transition away from fossil fuel to low carbon heating. Support for boosting energy efficiency in off-grid homes is also available through the Home Upgrade Grant, Energy Company Obligation and the Great British Insulation scheme. We have also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant, with delivery expected in 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department has provided to help tackle pollution caused by untreated sewage overflow to local authorities in West Dorset constituency in the 2024-25 financial year.

It is the responsibility of water companies to invest in infrastructure and other improvements to reduce untreated wastewater pollution incidents. Since 2021 Water Companies have invested in 65 schemes in the West Dorset constituency which includes 6 improvement schemes for water quality and 39 monitoring programmes, with 63 of these due for completion by 31/3/2025. All storm overflows, including those in the West Dorset constituency are now fitted with Event Duration Monitors, which provide discharge data from storm overflows in near real time. This will help provide information to support regulators’ investigations.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential economic impact of sewage discharges into the sea on businesses in constituencies who rely on the tourism industry.

We have no plans to commission expensive impact surveys, given it is well established that sewage discharges into the sea at tourist sites are extremely likely to hit tourism. Instead, the Government is focused on protecting and enhancing the environment.VisitBritain/VisitEngland are working with the tourism sector to celebrate and amplify best practice, and to coordinate an industry response that promotes the UK as a leader in sustainable tourism and puts the UK’s natural landscapes and communities at the heart of the country’s brand proposition.Where water safety is at risk, we will work closely with the UK Health Security Agency, water companies and the Environment Agency to mitigate any adverse impacts on the tourism sector and our natural environment from sewage leaks.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support rural (a) arts venues, (b) museums and (c) community centres in West Dorset constituency.

After 14 years of indifference and cultural vandalism, this government is committed to making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few.Local Authorities are one of the largest funders of arts and culture in England, and DCMS will continue to work with local partners to collectively champion the benefits that the arts can bring. The government also supports the arts through Arts Council England (ACE). They play a hugely important role in developing the arts in England and are also responsible for funding and promoting the arts. ACE’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is currently accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in West Dorset. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.DCMS has responsibility for government’s work with Civil Society, including voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs), which often run community centres and hubs. We are supporting VCSEs with their financial viability by delivering grant programmes, growing the social investment market and through the activities and services delivered by our Arm’s Length Bodies such as the National Lottery Community Fund.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what steps her Department is taking to balance requirements for new housing developments with the protection of heritage sites.

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the owners of listed buildings that are seeking to adapt their buildings to modern energy efficiency standards.

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with representatives of arts centres on the potential impact of their finances on their ability to provide employment for young people.

The Secretary of State meets with a range of cultural and arts organisations and discusses the issues facing them - including financial stability and their workforce issues.After 14 years of indifference and cultural vandalism, this government is committed to making sure that the arts and culture will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors. We know that Art Centres are a key part of the Arts sector more widely and we will of course include them as we continue to engage with the sector to understand the whole picture, including employment opportunities.The Government is also transforming the Apprenticeship Levy into a new Growth and Skills Levy, which will give employers more flexibility to spend levy funds on training for the skills they need. We have started engaging with the sector to gather feedback and will continue to do so as we develop Skills England over the next 9 to 12 months.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the consultation entitled Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, published on 30 July 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of those proposed reforms on the owners of listed buildings in rural areas.

The government recognises the importance of our historic environment. We are committed to ensuring it continues to be appropriately protected and that the planning system does not place unnecessary burdens on the owners of listed buildings.Officials in my department are currently analysing responses to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, as part of which we will consider any potential impacts for heritage assets and their owners.

What plans he has to improve access to health services for veterans living in rural areas.

NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, the integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Veterans can self-refer to Op COURAGE. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, including rural areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres. Elements of the service may also be provided online if this is clinically appropriate.Integrated care boards are responsible for providing health and care services to meet the needs of their local populations, taking into account local considerations such as access to services in rural areas. The Government recognises that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and that waits for mental health services are too long. The Government is determined to change that and ensure mental health has the same focus as physical health, to help people in rural areas to access high quality mental health support when they need it.

What steps his Department is taking to support veterans’ mental health in rural constituencies.

NHS England commissions Op COURAGE, the integrated mental health and wellbeing service for veterans. Veterans can self-refer to Op COURAGE. The service has been designed to support veterans from all areas, including rural areas, and is delivered from a range of locations, including National Health Service trusts, general practices, Poppy Shops, veteran hubs, and drop-in centres. Elements of the service may also be provided online if this is clinically appropriate.Integrated care boards are responsible for providing health and care services to meet the needs of their local populations, taking into account local considerations such as access to services in rural areas. The Government recognises that too many people are not receiving the mental health care they need, and that waits for mental health services are too long. The Government is determined to change that and ensure mental health has the same focus as physical health, to help people in rural areas to access high quality mental health support when they need it.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he is taking steps to represent the interests of British farmers in global food security discussions.

Investment in global food security supports stable, sustainable and resilient global food markets to the benefit of British farmers, exporters, and consumers. For example, for each £1 the UK invests in CGIAR, the world’s leading agricultural science and innovation organisation, UK farmers receive between £1.60 and £2.40 in benefits driven by increased UK productivity in the production of wheat, dairy, beef and pulses.

Media and Sport, if she will increase funding for arts centres in West Dorset constituency to help ensure their financial stability.

This government is committed to supporting culture, and making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors.The government supports the arts predominantly through Arts Council England (ACE) funding. They play a hugely important role in developing the arts in England and are also responsible for funding and promoting the arts. ACE’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is currently accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in West Dorset. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.In addition, Local Authorities remain one of the largest funders of arts and culture in England, and DCMS will continue to advocate and help local decision-makers understand and recognise the benefits that the arts can bring.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support rural (a) arts venues and (b) community centres in West Dorset constituency.

This government is committed to supporting culture, and making sure that arts and cultural activities will no longer be the preserve of a privileged few. We are working with Arts Council England and others to understand what the challenges and opportunities are for our sectors.The government supports the arts predominantly through Arts Council England (ACE) funding. They play a hugely important role in developing the arts in England and are also responsible for funding and promoting the arts. ACE’s open funding programme, National Lottery Project Grants, is currently accessible to organisations and individuals across the country, including those in West Dorset. This programme provides over £100 million of support annually to individuals and organisations.In addition, Local Authorities remain one of the largest funders of arts and culture in England, and DCMS will continue to advocate and help local decision-makers understand and recognise the benefits that the arts can bring.

Media and Sport, if she will conduct a review of arts centres to ensure that buildings are (a) safe and (b) sustainable.

Cultural infrastructure, including arts centres, are important parts of our cultural and creative ecosystem. We are aware of challenges with maintaining arts infrastructure and are looking carefully at the issue.Additionally, the Theatres Trust, an arm’s-length body of DCMS, produces the Theatre Green Book with partners which provides guidance to all theatres and performing arts venues across the country, sharing advice and resources to improve sustainability. The Theatre Green book includes a ‘Building Survey Tool’ to support organisations to assess the sustainability of their buildings.

Whether she plans to investigate complaints about the AEA Technology pension scheme.

The AEAT Pensions issue has a long and complex history. The Work and Pensions Committee inquiry report on Defined Benefit pension schemes, published in March 2024, helpfully outlines areas to be considered including on AEAT members. The work was originally halted due to the general election. DWP ministers continue to take advice from officials on these issues.

What steps his Department is taking to improve support for people living with secondary breast cancer in rural areas.

Reducing unwarranted variation in cancer treatment is a strategic priority for NHS England’s Cancer Programme. The programme was commissioned by the Royal College of Surgeons and aims to deliver 10 cancer clinical audits, including two audits on primary and metastatic breast cancer.To help improve outcomes and treatments for patients in all areas, NHS England funded an audit into primary and metastatic breast cancer. Using routine data collected on patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in a National Health Service setting as part of their care and treatment, the audit brings together information to look at what is being done well, where it’s being done well, and what needs to be done better. On 12 September 2024 the National Cancer Audit Collaborating Centre published their State of the Nation Report on primary and metastatic breast cancer.The Department supports statutory integrated care systems (ICSs) in delivering NHS services across England. ICSs are partnerships of organisations which come together to plan and deliver joined up health and care services, to improve the lives of the people who live and work in their area. This includes considering adequate healthcare provision for populations in towns and rural areas, and working collaboratively to plan for population change.The organisations within an ICS include the NHS, local government, social care providers, charities, and other organisations working together to provide more joined up care for people, and to improve the outcomes for their populations.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure that fishing catch limits are in line with scientific advice on that matter.

As an independent coastal State the UK sets catch limits, primarily through negotiation with other coastal States. In line with our domestic and international obligations, including those of the Fisheries Act 2020 and Joint Fisheries Statement, our approach to setting catch limits is based on the best available scientific advice, including advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) on maximum sustainable yield where that is available. Following the conclusion of this year's annual fisheries negotiations, the Government will publish an independent assessment of the number of TACs set consistent with ICES advice for 2025 as it has done in previous years.

What steps she is taking to consider the needs of rural areas when determining police funding allocations.

This Government is committed to reducing crime and disorder in rural areas, given the devastating impact rural crime can have on communities. Under our reforms, rural communities will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent farm theft and fly-tipping. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee will deliver thousands of additional neighbourhood police, police community support officers and Special Constables, across England and Wales, including in rural areas, to speed up response times and build public confidence.The majority of public funding for police forces in England and Wales is provided by the Home Office and is agreed by the House of Commons on an annual basis at the police funding settlement. Each year the Home Office produces a Police Grant Report which is published and voted on by Parliament and contains grant funding allocations for the following year to be paid out under the Police Act 1996.A copy of the most recent Grant Report for 2024-25 has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can be found online:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65b913a1ee7d49000d9849d4/E03063051_-_Police_Grant_Report__England_and_Wales__24-25_Accessible.pdf

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of primary care facilities for the diagnosis of stages of breast cancer.

The two most common routes through which breast cancer is diagnosed is following an urgent referral from a general practitioner, on the basis of signs and symptoms, or via breast screening, which happens in fixed or mobile breast screening units.In March 2024, NHS England published guidance for local systems on implementing a timed breast cancer diagnostic pathway, setting out how diagnosis within 28-days can be achieved for the suspected breast cancer pathway.Urgent referral pathways for people with breast symptoms who cannot be managed in primary care are also in place across England. While not on a suspected cancer pathway, these referrals should still be able to expect an outcome within 28 days of initial referral.Since March 2024, NHS England has also been implementing breast pain pathways across England, with more than 60% of secondary care providers having established a live service. Breast pain on its own is not a sign of breast cancer. Introducing the breast pain pathways helps to ensure that patients who are at low risk of cancer receive rapid reassurance, and also helps to ensure that the urgent pathways are available for those who need them. Breast pain pathways are mainly managed within primary care or community diagnostic centres.

Communities & Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a new waste incinerator in Portland on (a) levels of traffic and (b) infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer to Question UIN 8613 answered on 18 October 2024.