Written questions by Morello.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure there is adequacy supply of social housing in West Dorset constituency.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Portland Incinerator on local infrastructure in West Dorset constituency.

The full reasons for the decision to grant the permission in question are set out in the published decision letter and Inspector’s Report. The Inspector’s Report provides a complete list of the evidence which was before the Inquiry. Having issued this decision, the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond March 2025.

Future Government spending is a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to help increase tourism in rural constituencies where (a) small businesses and (b) cultural landmarks rely on visitors.

Yes, the Government wants to grow tourism across all parts of the country and recognises the importance of tourism to rural constituencies.DCMS works with VisitBritain/VisitEngland to champion visits to the British countryside to a worldwide audience, and promoting rural areas such as the South Downs, Northumberland, Pembrokeshire and the Yorkshire Dales. DCMS, through VisitEngland, has also accredited 33 Local Visitor Economy Partnerships so far; which aims to drive investment and spend across the regions - including in rural and coastal areas.Regarding cultural landmarks, DCMS will continue to work collaboratively across government departments and with the sector to support marketing campaigns that attract more visitors to heritage sites and cultural destinations across the regions to stimulate inbound demand.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is providing support to local authorities in rural areas where demand for social housing exceeds supply.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of high property prices on the availability of social housing in rural constituencies.

The Government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Details of future government investment will be brought forward at the Spending Review. In addition, our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on the best approach for supporting affordable housing developments within rural areas. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

What steps her Department is taking to support (a) recruitment and (b) retention in rural police forces.

It is important that all forces recruit and retain the skills they need. Decisions about police recruitment, including how recruitment and selection processes are run, are a matter for Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners and are therefore managed locally by forces.We recognise the importance of tackling rural crime. We are committed to safeguarding rural communities, with tougher measures to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing, and stronger laws to prevent farm theft and fly tippers.

Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to increase funding opportunities for grassroots sports facilities in rural constituencies.

The Government is committed to expanding access to community and grassroots sport across the UK and believe it should be accessible to all people, in all parts of the country.The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Sport England’s work focuses on bringing the health and sport sectors together at community level and to champion physical activity with local leaders to develop interventions tailored to communities.Throughout 2024/25, the Government is investing £123 million to provide new and improved multi-sport grassroot facilities and pitches across the UK, including in rural areas. The Football Foundation plans their investment pipeline based on Local Football Facility Plans (LFFPs). These plans have been developed in partnership with local authorities and are in the process of being refreshed to reflect the current landscape. Should a constituent have an enquiry about prospective investment at a specific facility, they can get in touch with the Football Foundation directly via enquiries@footballfoundation.org.uk.We will confirm details of future support following the upcoming Spending Review, including how we intend to distribute funding across communities in different areas of the United Kingdom.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential economic impact of sewage discharges into the sea on the tourism industry.

The Government is focused on protecting and enhancing the environment and putting right the failures of the past. 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.

Whether she plans to provide additional funding to fill potholes in West Dorset constituency.

This Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local road network. To this end, the Government will provide authorities with funding to help them fix up to one million more potholes across England in each year of this parliament. Dorset Council (DC) is the local highway authority for the West Dorset constituency, and it is therefore responsible for the maintenance of the local road network. The council will receive £18.4 million from this Department during 2024/25 to enable it to carry out its local highway maintenance responsibilities. Funding for future years is a matter for the forthcoming Spending Review.

What plans she has to improve road safety in West Dorset constituency.

The safety of our roads is an absolute priority for this Government and will support our health mission. Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. We will set out next steps on this in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure the adequacy of funding for local authorities to improve road safety.

Local authorities are responsible for the management of local roads, within the rules set by Government. It is for the local authority to decide what measures may be appropriate in their local areas.Since the general election, the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. We will set out next steps on this in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve the quality of water in rivers in West Dorset constituency.

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 May 2025. All storm overflows in the West Dorset constituency are now fitted with Event Duration Monitors. The Environment Agency (EA) has also been working with partners in West Dorset on projects such as the Flagship Upper Frome Chalk Stream project and a Natural Flood Management project in the upper River Yeo/River Wriggle, which will deliver a range of environmental improvements to reduce diffuse pollution from land management practices and improve water quality. The EA also has specialist Agriculture Teams that are focused on agricultural regulatory compliance in the Chesil, Fleet and Poole Harbour catchments.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of bank closures in West Dorset constituency on (a) pensioners and (b) owners of small businesses.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Currently, over 80 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by Christmas. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. The locations of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK consider include whether another bank branch remains nearby, local population, number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community. LINK has recommended a banking hub in Sherborne in response to the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch there. Regarding branch closures in West Dorset, FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. As well as banking hubs, alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of poor internet access on rural communities.

Poor internet access can have a devastating impact on rural and urban communities alike, which is why the government is determined to improve access and tackle digital exclusion. Digital connectivity is an important driver of economic growth. In 2022, productivity in rural areas was 86% of the average for England, a gap which improved internet access could reduce.The Government is committed to improving broadband access in rural areas. Government’s £5 billion programme, Project Gigabit, is delivering gigabit capable connectivity for millions of rural homes.

If she will take steps to increase access to cash in West Dorset constituency.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses. This includes taking forward a new regulatory regime to protect access to cash. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently assumed regulatory responsibility for access to cash, and its new rules went live on 18 September. Under these rules, following a request from a local community or the closure of a cash access facility, firms that have been designated by government to be subject to the FCA’s regime are required to undertake an assessment of a community’s cash access needs and to put in place a new service if necessary. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found at the following link: https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cash

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help improve broadband connection in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other rural areas.

According to the independent website ThinkBroadband.com, over 96% of premises in the West Dorset constituency have access to superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and 53% can access a gigabit-capable (>1000 Mbps) connection. To improve this further,Wessex Internet is delivering a £33.5 million contract under Project Gigabit, to bring gigabit-capable broadband to over 21,000 more premises across Dorset and South Somerset, including in West Dorset. Overall, 36 Project Gigabit contracts, with a total value of over £1.9 billion, have been signed to date, to bring gigabit-capable broadband to over 1 million rural homes and businesses.

Whether her Department plans to identify locations for banking hubs in West Dorset constituency.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Currently, over 80 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by Christmas. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. The locations of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK consider include whether another bank branch remains nearby, local population, number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community. LINK has recommended a banking hub in Sherborne in response to the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch there. Regarding branch closures in West Dorset, FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. As well as banking hubs, alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the distribution of improved (a) broadband and (b) mobile signal strength in rural areas.

Government is committed to achieving nationwide gigabit broadband, removing barriers to commercial deployment and, where necessary, providing subsidy for hard-to-reach premises through Project Gigabit. According to the independent website ThinkBroadband, 85% of UK premises have access to gigabit-capable connections.Government wants rural areas to benefit from mobile connectivity. The Shared Rural Network is improving coverage in rural areas, with 94.9% of the UK landmass having 4G coverage from at least one operator.Our ambition is for all populated areas to have high-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We are committed to having the right policy and regulatory framework to support this.I am aware that people’s experience on the ground does not always match Ofcom’s version of mobile signal, and I recently wrote to Ofcom, asking them to set out steps to improve their reporting.

What progress she has made on a timetable for the creation of banking hubs in rural areas.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Currently, over 80 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by Christmas. These hubs will provide small businesses and individuals who need face-to-face support with critical cash and in-person banking services. The locations of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK consider include whether another bank branch remains nearby, local population, number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community. LINK has recommended a banking hub in Sherborne in response to the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch there. Regarding branch closures in West Dorset, FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable. As well as banking hubs, alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking and via the Post Office.