Written questions by Shannon.

What assessment he has made of the level of access small rural communities have to legal advice services.

Supporting access to justice for everyone in England and Wales is a key objective for this Government.We recognise that accessing legal services can be more challenging in some areas than others, and that some people are digitally excluded and will require access to in-person provision. We support a mix of legal aid service provision including face-to-face, telephone and remote support for eligible people. People can use the ‘Find a legal aid adviser’ tool on GOV.UK to locate nearby solicitors or call the Civil Legal Advice helpline for advice on housing, debt, education and discrimination. Where local provision is limited, we signpost users to providers able to support clients remotely. Through our legal support grants and online advice services such as Advice Now, the Ministry of Justice is supporting delivery of in-person and online legal support for people with social welfare problems in England and Wales.We are taking steps to improve access to and availability of legal support and legal aid. We have announced nearly £20 million of multi-year grant funding up to March 2029, for the delivery of legal support. In December 2025, we announced uplifts to immigration and housing legal aid fees in civil legal aid – the first major uplift since 1996. This will inject an additional £20 million into the civil legal aid sector each year once fully implemented. We are also providing additional funding of up to £34 million a year for criminal legal aid advocates, alongside a commitment to match-fund a number of criminal barrister pupillages. This is on top of the £92 million a year of additional funding for solicitors which we have recently introduced.

What information her Department collects on (a) digital impersonation of children and (b) other forms of online crime.

The Home Office collects data on online crime recorded by the police in England and Wales, which is published as official statistics each quarter by the Office for National Statistics. It is not possible to separate out incidents of digital impersonation of children in data held centrally.The latest information can be found in Table C5 of the Appendix tables to Crime in England and Wales at the link below:https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtables/yearendingseptember2025/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtablesyesep2025.xlsx

What steps his Department is taking to provide end-of-life palliative care in rural areas.

Everyone should have access to high-quality, compassionate palliative care and end of life care, regardless of where they live.In England, integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning palliative care and end of life care services to meet the needs of their local populations, including those in rural and remote areas. To support ICBs in meeting this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.NHS England has also developed a palliative care and end of life care dashboard, which brings together all relevant local data in one place. The dashboard helps commissioners understand the palliative care and end of life care needs of their local population, enabling ICBs to put plans in place to address and track the improvement of health inequalities.Additionally, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Policy Research Unit in Palliative and End of Life Care has been recently extended for a further two years to run to the end of 2028, delivering high-quality policy research to help improve palliative care and end of life care, and tackle inequalities.Through our modern service framework, we will closely monitor the shift towards the strategic commissioning of palliative care and end of life care services to ensure that services reduce variation in access and quality.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to protect local media outlets from needing to consolidate.

This Government is committed to ensuring a healthy and plural local media, for the benefit of communities and citizens across the UK. We recognise the vital role that local media plays in scrutinising local institutions, and reflecting communities’ views and perspectives.The actions in the Local Media Action Plan are aimed at helping local newsrooms across the country to innovate and adapt their business models for the online world, while incentivising and encouraging the production of high quality, trustworthy news.The Local News Fund, which is worth £6m in 2026/2027 and up to £6m in 2027/2028, will help the industry adapt in the short-medium term, before longer term measures set out in the Plan begin to take effect in helping enable a plural and thriving online local media ecosystem. Further detail on the Fund will be announced in the coming weeks.The Secretary of State has powers to intervene in media mergers which she believes are or may be harmful to the public interest. For newspapers, she has the power to intervene if she believes the merger may be harmful for freedom of expression, accurate presentation of news, sufficient plurality of views and sufficient plurality of control. She has the power to define the market in which she considers the public interest tests, and can therefore consider the plurality impacts on a specific region in the context of a local news acquisition or merger.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help support heritage farmland.

The Government is committed to supporting British farmers and the vital role they play. In England, the Government will continue to invest in our farmers and land managers to make their businesses, food production and our country more sustainable and resilient through Environmental Land Management (ELM), including our heritage farmland. Part of ELM, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier includes actions and capital items which support farmers and land managers in protecting and restoring historic or archaeological features and carrying out heritage actions. For example, actions include:“Control scrub on historic and archaeological features” (CHS4)“Manage historic features in woodlands supplement” (CWS7)“Stone wall restoration” (BN12) Furthermore, there are three boundary feature actions and two heritage actions remaining available in the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 offer, as follows:“Manage hedgerows” (CHRW2)“Maintain dry stone walls” (BND1) and “Maintain earth banks or stone-faced hedgebanks (BND2)“Maintain weatherproof traditional farm or forestry buildings” (HEF1) and “Manage historic and archaeological features on grassland” (HEF6)

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the number of minority tradespeople that her Department has provided assistance to abroad in each year for which information is available.

No such assessment is readily available, but the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office publishes regular updates of the work it has done to promote investment and growth in the UK and in partner countries around the world in the Department's annual report and accounts.

What steps his Department is taking to support schools to recognise early signs of rare mental health disorders.

We recognise the importance of early intervention for children and young people’s mental health, which is why we are accelerating the rollout of Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) in schools and colleges in England.MHSTs are transforming access to mental health support for children and young people by bringing skilled, trusted professionals directly into schools, where support can be delivered early and effectively to make the greatest difference. They offer a clear route to practical help and, where signs of rare mental health disorders are recognised, ensure children and young people are identified quickly and signposted to the specialist care they need.MHSTs represent a step-change in how we look after children’s mental health and wellbeing, so that it is proactive, preventative, and rooted in the places young people trust. Up to 900,000 additional children and young people will have access to a National Health Service funded MHST in their school or college by spring 2026, and with full national coverage by 2029, MHSTs will create a universal foundation of mental health support across England’s schools.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle loneliness among older men.

The government is committed to supporting people of all ages, including older men, to have the social connections they need. Our ambition to strengthen positive social connections is a key part of achieving wider government objectives to create a healthier society and more connected communities across all ages.This government funds the Tackling Loneliness Hub, an online community which enables people to connect across sectors to share insights and collaborate. A recent webinar on the Hub highlighted this report regarding interventions to specifically address loneliness among older men. The Hub has recently been refreshed to reach a broader range of people who work on tackling loneliness and improving social connection.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help improve community cohesion.

On 9th March, MHCLG published Protecting What Matters. This is a cross-Government action plan that sets out the initial steps government will take to improve social cohesion. The publication aims to create confident, cohesive, and resilient communities. Protecting What Matters contains policy aimed at building bridges, bringing people together and combatting those seeking to radicalise and create division.This is in addition to the government’s Pride in Place Strategy which aims to build stronger communities across the UK. Neighbourhoods in Derry-Londonderry and Coleraine are part of the transformational £5.8bn Pride in Place programme which will bring people together and restore a of local pride. We will continue to work with the devolved governments to align priorities across governments and support social cohesion in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help protect whistleblowers in small charities.

Charity workers in England and Wales have statutory protections and are able to make disclosures to the Charity Commission for England and Wales about their charity. Charity workers in Northern Ireland and Scotland also have statutory protections and are able to make disclosures to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator respectively.Volunteers, including charity trustees, do not have the same statutory whistleblowing protections as workers. However, the Charity Commission treats whistleblowing disclosures by volunteers and trustees in the same way as disclosures by workers. DCMS considers the current protections for those who make whistleblowing disclosures, regardless of their status, to be appropriate.The Charity Commission for England and Wales publishes guidance for charities on a range of subjects, including reporting serious wrongdoing at a charity as a worker or volunteer.

Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help support digital literacy in older people.

We recognise that older people often have lower rates of digital literacy, which can put them at greater risk of digital exclusion.The Government remains committed to supporting older people to develop the skills and confidence they need. Through the Government’s digital entitlement eligible adults, including older learners, can take part in fully funded courses and qualifications designed to build basic digital skills.In addition, the Government’s £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund supports projects that directly help older people get online. This includes £289,247 of funding for the Age UK Digital Champion Programme, providing digital skills sessions and devices for older people.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle hate speech directed towards minority faith communities.

The government is committed to tackling all forms of religious hatred, wherever and however it manifests. On 9 March 2026, we published our Protecting What Matters which details the specific action being taken by government to tackle religious hatred across the country. This can be found on gov.uk here.

What recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of demand for additional pilots resulting from airport expansion; how many UK commercial airline pilots are set to reach mandatory retirement age in the next five years; what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability and retention of qualified flight instructors; and what consideration her Department has given to reducing financial barriers to entry for aspiring pilots.

As of 26 March 2026, Civil Aviation Authority (the Regulator) records indicate that 1315 commercial pilots aged 60 to 64 are expected to reach the mandatory retirement age of 65 within the next five years. The UK aviation sector operates predominantly in the private sector, and it is for individual airlines to recruit and train the pilots and flight instructors needed to meet both current and future demand. However, supporting the UK’s aviation workforce remains a priority for this Government. I welcome the steps taken by British Airways and Jet2.com to strengthen the future pilot pipeline, including through periodically offering partly or fully funded training programmes. Ministers and officials continue to engage regularly with industry and with representative bodies, including the British Airline Pilots’ Association, on aviation skills issues. A major training organisation has now been approved to deliver the First Officer apprenticeship, which will enable young people to train as pilots at no personal cost. We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and Skills England to encourage airlines to take up and deliver this apprenticeship.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to tackle flooding in flood-prone areas.

Protecting communities around the country from flooding is a priority for this Government. That is why we set up a Flood Resilience Taskforce to provide oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season. Protecting communities from floods is a devolved responsibility. Delivering on the Plan for Change, in England, this Government is investing at least £10.5 billion until 2036 to construct new flood schemes and repair existing defences, protecting communities from the devastating impacts of climate change. This Labour Government are investing £4.2 billion over the next three years—2026-27 to 2028-29—to construct new flood defence schemes and maintain and repair existing defences across England.

What support exists for family-run businesses.

The government is committed to supporting all small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) including family-run businesses through the Small Business Plan - the most comprehensive support package in a generation. The plan features the most significant legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments; unlocking billions of pounds in finance for start-ups; removing unnecessary red tape; revitalising High Streets, as well as boosting Digital and AI Adoption. The Business Growth Service makes it easier for SMEs to access the right support at any stage of their growth journey, while Go Succeed provides expert advice for businesses in Northern Ireland.

What steps he is taking to promote ethical business practices.

The UK has a range of measures in place to promote ethical business practices. In the Trade Strategy, the Government launched a review of the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct, focused on addressing human rights abuses, labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. The review is objective and evidence‑based, examining both existing policies and potential alternative approaches. We will update the House when the review is complete.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help prevent international human rights abuses.

The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are all key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in a single answer. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support persecuted Christians abroad.

The issues raised in the Hon Member's questions are all key priorities for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and our work in these areas cannot adequately be summarised in a single answer. However, he can find regular updates about that work by following the FCDO news feed on GOV.UK, or continuing to attend sessions of FCDO departmental questions.

What steps she is taking to support sustainable transport initiatives.

Delivering greener transport is a departmental priority and we are focused on supporting a range of sustainable travel choices for people using public and private transport. More opportunities to walk, wheel and cycle will create happier and healthier communities and supporting the transition to electric vehicles will make our transport system cleaner and more resilient. Recent actions include: Announced on 25 March, the multi-year Depot Charging Scheme and Zero Emission Van and Truck Grants are providing a £1 billion boost for British businesses to roll out clean trucks and vans and install new electric vehicle chargers at depots – helping to build resilience against fuel price uncertainty.The Electric Car Grant has already helped over 80,000 drivers to choose an electric vehicle since launching last year.A £4 million boost to the NHS chargepoint scheme has helped modernise the health service, will decarbonise 460 million journey miles a year and save millions in fuel costs.In March 2026 we announced up to £73 million in additional funding to support the delivery of approximately 484 zero emission buses across 10 projects in England, on top of £38 million announced last April.The Bus Services Act 2025 will place a requirement on bus operators not to use new diesel buses on local bus routes in England. It will not take effect prior to 2030 so that the sector has time to plan a smooth transition. We are currently engaging with the bus sector as to the date.A freeze on rail fares, saving passengers £600 million and easing cost‑of‑living pressures as we rebuild a better and more reliable railway with passengers at its heart through Great British Railways.

What steps he is taking to prevent pensioner poverty.

The Government is committed to supporting pensioners, ensuring they have financial security and dignity in retirement. From 6 April, both the basic and new State Pensions will increase by 4.8%, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £575. Our commitment to maintain the Triple Lock throughout this Parliament – helping to raise the value of the State Pension over time – will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rising by up to £2,100. Pension Credit continues to provide a vital financial safety net by guaranteeing a minimum level of income – called the Standard Minimum Guarantee – which will also increase by 4.8% from 6 April, protecting pensioners on the lowest incomes. Crucially, receipt of Pension Credit also opens the door to a whole range of additional support, which is why maximising Pension Credit take-up is a key departmental priority. We have been running the biggest campaign to date encouraging pensioners and their families to check their eligibility and to apply. Housing Benefit continues to support pensioners who rent, and pensioner homeowners on income-related benefits, including Pension Credit, may receive Support for Mortgage Interest to help with interest on eligible secured loans. And around nine million pensioners in England and Wales will benefit from a Winter Fuel Payment from Winter 2025/26. From April, the new Crisis and Resilience Fund will provide a long-term mechanism for local authorities to support vulnerable households at risk of hardship. The Fund will provide a safety net for people on low incomes who face financial crisis, including unforeseen increases in essential costs, and need immediate support. We have also revived the Pensions Commission, which will make recommendations to government on a future pensions framework that is strong, fair and sustainable - one that delivers financial security in retirement and supports those approaching retirement. The Pensions Commission is expected to publish an interim report this Spring.