Written questions by Morgan.

Pursuant to Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 58291 on Tomography: Waiting Lists, whether his Department has set a target date by which all patients referred for diagnostic scans in North Shropshire will be seen within six weeks.

The 2025/26 operational planning guidance set out, in line with our Elective Reform Plan, the ambitions for National Health Service providers to deliver 65% RTT performance with a minimum improvement of 5% from 2024/25. We are clear that improvements in diagnostic performance will be critical in enabling systems to meet this ambition.While there is no formal target date set out for when all patients will be seen within six weeks of a referral, the Government is clear through expectations in operational planning guidance on 18-week performance and on time to first outpatient appointment that providers must prioritise diagnosing, seeing, and treating patients sooner. A rigorous performance management process has been put in place to support and monitor this.Providers are being supported to improve their diagnostic performance through capital investment in new capacity and productivity generating digital approaches. Scaling best practice and peer support is also being utilised to improve performance and optimise demand.The Plan for Change commitment is backed by £6 billion of additional capital investment over five years for diagnostic, elective and urgent and emergency care. This will support making progress on the return to the 18-week standard by the end of the Parliament and protecting capacity in emergency departments.

How many officials in his Department are assigned to work on the social care review.

There are 11 officials currently assigned by the Department to work on the independent commission into adult social care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey. This includes Baroness Casey’s independent secretariat team and a small departmental sponsorship function.

Whether she plans to amend reforms to (a) agricultural property relief and (b) business property relief announced at the Autumn Budget 2024.

The Government believes that the reforms to agricultural property relief and business property relief from 6 April 2026 get the balance right between supporting farms and businesses, and fixing the public finances. The reforms reduce the inheritance tax advantages available to owners of agricultural and business assets, but still mean those assets will be taxed at a much lower effective rate than most other assets. Despite a tough fiscal context, the Government will maintain very significant levels of relief from inheritance tax beyond what is available to others and compared to the position before 1992. Where inheritance tax is due, those liable for a charge can pay any liability on the relevant assets over 10 annual instalments, interest-free.

Pursuant to Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58292 on Bus Services: North Shropshire, what metrics will be used to evaluate whether the £4.5 million allocated to Shropshire Council for financial year 2025/2026 is delivering improvements in bus service (a) accessibility, (b) frequency and (c) affordability.

The government allocated £4.5 million to Shropshire Council in 2025/26 through the £712 million Local Authority Bus Grant to support and improve bus services. The government used a formula to determine Local Authority Bus Grant allocations in 2025/26 based on need, including population, the distance that buses travel, and the levels of deprivation. Under the formula, Shropshire Council has seen an increase in bus funding compared to 2024/25, when they were allocated £3.8 million. While the Department closely monitors the finance and delivery performance of all Local Transport Authorities on a quarterly basis, LTAs can use their allocations in whichever way they wish provided this is consistent with the Department's guidance on Bus Service Improvement Plans. The Department encourages local authorities to focus their funding on the actions they and local bus operators believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long-term patronage, revenues and therefore maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In 2025/26 financial year, the Department will also introduce a pilot of an outcomes framework approach. The framework will play a vital role in driving up standards for passengers across England, including North Shropshire.

Pursuant to Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58292 on Bus Services: North Shropshire, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the £4.5 million allocated to Shropshire Council for financial year 2025/2026 in meeting the bus transport needs of North Shropshire constituents.

The government allocated £4.5 million to Shropshire Council in 2025/26 through the £712 million Local Authority Bus Grant to support and improve bus services. The government used a formula to determine Local Authority Bus Grant allocations in 2025/26 based on need, including population, the distance that buses travel, and the levels of deprivation. Under the formula, Shropshire Council has seen an increase in bus funding compared to 2024/25, when they were allocated £3.8 million. While the Department closely monitors the finance and delivery performance of all Local Transport Authorities on a quarterly basis, LTAs can use their allocations in whichever way they wish provided this is consistent with the Department's guidance on Bus Service Improvement Plans. The Department encourages local authorities to focus their funding on the actions they and local bus operators believe will deliver the best overall outcomes in growing long-term patronage, revenues and therefore maintaining service levels, whilst maintaining essential social and economic connectivity for local communities. In 2025/26 financial year, the Department will also introduce a pilot of an outcomes framework approach. The framework will play a vital role in driving up standards for passengers across England, including North Shropshire.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58290 on Banking Hubs: Market Towns, if her Department will commission an independent review of LINK’s access to cash assessment frameworks adequacy to serve rural areas.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent of Government, introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments which will account for challenges in cash access faced by market towns. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community. However, it is important to note that the FCA’s rules, and the LINK assessment criteria which it oversees, pertain only to access to cash, and the FCA has no power to require LINK to consider a community's access to banking needs. Any decision to change LINK’s independent assessment criteria to consider access to banking is a matter for LINK and the financial services sector.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58290 on Banking Hubs: Market Towns, what steps is her Department taking to ensure LINK’s criteria sufficiently reflect the banking needs of (a) digitally excluded, (b) elderly and (c) disabled residents in rural areas.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent of Government, introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments which will account for challenges in cash access faced by market towns. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community. However, it is important to note that the FCA’s rules, and the LINK assessment criteria which it oversees, pertain only to access to cash, and the FCA has no power to require LINK to consider a community's access to banking needs. Any decision to change LINK’s independent assessment criteria to consider access to banking is a matter for LINK and the financial services sector.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58290 on Banking Hubs: Market Towns, whether her Department plans to review LINK’s public transport travel time and cost criteria to account for the availability of public transport in rural areas.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is independent of Government, introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. The FCA’s rules require LINK to consider a range of factors in their assessments which will account for challenges in cash access faced by market towns. This includes travel times to nearby cash facilities and local population demographics, including the levels of vulnerability and the number of elderly people within the community. However, it is important to note that the FCA’s rules, and the LINK assessment criteria which it oversees, pertain only to access to cash, and the FCA has no power to require LINK to consider a community's access to banking needs. Any decision to change LINK’s independent assessment criteria to consider access to banking is a matter for LINK and the financial services sector.

What steps he is taking to support high street businesses whose shipping imports from Asia have to be re-routed around Africa.

For businesses to invest and thrive they need confidence in their supply chains. This government is committed to assessing where supply chains critical to the United Kingdom's economic security and growth could be vulnerable to disruption, including those in the growth driving sectors outlined in the industrial strategy.The Business Secretary has announced a new Business Growth Service which will make it easier and quicker for businesses across the United Kingdom, including those on the high street, to receive advice and support to help them grow and thrive. The Business Growth Service will bring together under one single, trusted banner a range of existing core services as well as new and improved elements of the business support offer that will be delivered both centrally and locally.

Whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the impact of increased business rates on the viability of high street businesses in market towns.

We are creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century. To deliver our manifesto pledge, from 2026-27, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000. This permanent tax cut will ensure that they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so, from 2026-27, we intend to introduce a higher rate on the most valuable properties – those with Rateable Values of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants. Ahead of these changes being made, the Government recognises that businesses will need support in 2025-26. As such, we have prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and we have frozen the small business multiplier. When the new, permanently lower tax rates are set at Autumn Budget 2025, the Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Whether her Department undertook a risk assessment before reducing the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund's fair access limit.

The changes made to the criteria for the adoption and special guardianship support fund ensure that each child can still access a significant package of support. The department always considers the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

Whether she received representations from medical professionals before reducing the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund's fair access limit.

The changes made to the criteria for the adoption and special guardianship support fund ensure that each child can still access a significant package of support. The department always considers the impact of decisions on vulnerable children.

Whether he has made a recent assessment with the Secretary of State for Transport of the potential impact of public transport services in rural areas on the viability of high street businesses operating in market towns.

The government recognises that rural residents must often travel further to access their local high street. We know that this can affect business viability for high streets in rural areas as employee and customer accessibility is a significant barrier.The government is providing over £650 million for local transport outside city regions in 2025-26 to ensure that transport infrastructure and connections improve in our towns, villages and rural areas as well as in our major cities. Addressing intra-regional transport, connecting rural communities to their local high street will increase the viability of high street businesses in market towns. The government is also providing over £1 billion funding to support and improve local bus services and keep fares affordable where we can and increase connectivity to high streets in rural areas.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 8912 on Armed Forces: Housing, how much and what proportion of the (a) £41 million funding for refurbishment, heating, and room conversions to provide extra bed spaces and (b) £7.5 million funding for improving the condition and heating she plans to spend on single living accommodation in North Shropshire constituency.

No major improvement projects are currently planned for Single Living Accommodation (SLA) at sites in the North Shropshire constituency. However, routine maintenance and improvement works take place at all sites as required. Previous works at Clive Barracks in Financial Year 2023-24 and 2024-25 included: The provision of an additional 88 self-contained en-suite facilities (circa £5.2 million).Work to remove damp and mould from rooms and ablutions with additional works identified for improved ventilation.New carpets installed throughout the SLA.Fire Safety Works have been completed to improve fire safety for personnel.

What steps he is taking to improve the quality of military accommodation at Clive Barracks.

The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking an extensive review of its entire Service Family Accommodation portfolio which will include Clive Barracks. The review will also include how the Department will make best use of the properties that have been reacquired from Annington, and which homes and locations can most benefit from investment.The Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, will set out wider plans to improve the standard of Service family homes. The sites that will be refurbished are being worked through carefully, with the ambition to fairly make improvements across the UK.Clive Barracks has been identified for closure, as such, work has been largely limited to ongoing works to improve and maintain ablutions.During Financial Year 2024-25, a project providing new temporary Single Living Accommodation SLA with ensuite bathrooms, comprising of 88 single occupancy bedspaces, with supporting kitchens and utility rooms, was delivered to replace old accommodation that comprised of four-man rooms with shared ablutions, and address a shortfall of bedspaces.No other SLA improvement works are programmed.

What steps he is taking to improve the quality of military accommodation at (a) RAF Shawbury and (b) of armed forces personnel in the surrounding area.

The Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking an extensive review of its entire Service Family Accommodation portfolio, including RAF Shawbury. The review will also include how the Department will make best use of the properties that have been reacquired from Annington, and which homes and locations can most benefit from investment.The Defence Housing Strategy, to be published later this year, will set out wider plans to improve the standard of SFA. The sites that will be refurbished are being worked through carefully, with the ambition to fairly make improvements across the UK.No major improvement projects are currently planned for Single Living Accommodation at RAF Shawbury.

Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October 2024 to Question 8912 on Armed Forces: Housing, how much of the funding for (a) maintaining and (b) improving Service Family Accommodation in 2024-25 will be spent in North Shropshire constituency.

In Financial Year 2024-25 circa £3.3 million was spent on maintaining and improving Service Family Accommodation (SFA) in the North Shropshire constituency. Circa £400,000 was spent on maintenance costs and circa £2.9 million was spent on improvements to SFA. The figures provided do not include the core maintenance costs of the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) Accommodation contract as we are unable to break the costs down into constituency.

Whether his Department has produced a timeline to implement the recommendations of the Kerslake Review.

The Government has commissioned a new Defence Housing Strategy, due for publication later this year, that will set out a roadmap to deliver a generational renewal of military accommodation. The Ministry of Defence remains committed to improving military housing, widening entitlement, and the new consumer charter announced in April 2025. With Strategic Defence Review and Spending Review only recently published and as part of ongoing Defence Reform activity we are actively working on producing a detailed timeline on how to implement the recommendations from the Kerslake review, aligned to the priorities set out by the Secretary of State for Defence. A new taskforce has been formed including HM Treasury, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government that is reviewing how estate disposals are conducted.

What steps his Department is taking to support high street businesses in North Shropshire.

Revitalising our high streets is a priority for this government. We are addressing anti-social behaviour and crime, working with the banking industry to roll out 350 banking hubs, stamping out late payments, empowering communities to make the most of the vacant properties, strengthening the Post Office network and reforming the apprenticeship levy, alongside our plans to reform business rates.We have announced a new Business Growth Service that will make it easier for businesses across the UK to get the help, support and advice they need. It will bring together existing offers including the Business Support Service, which provides tailored information, advice, guidance and signposting on any business topic, and the network of local Growth Hubs across England. The Marches Growth Hub provides businesses of all sizes and sectors across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin with advice and support throughout the business journey.Our forthcoming SME Strategy will set out our further plans to help businesses on the high street and beyond.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund's fair access limit on the financial stability of adoptive families.

The adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) is continuing to play an important role in the overall stability of adoptive families, alongside other forms of support. This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity. The ASGSF is an important part of this, but other sources of support are available to adoptive children and families. For example, this year, we are making £500 million available to local authorities to roll out Family Help and Child Protection nationally to transform services and transition towards earlier intervention.