Written questions by Ingham.

What assessment his Department has made of the capacity of the UK transport network to facilitate the delivery of Special Order category abnormal indivisible loads required to achieve the Government’s Net Zero targets.

National Highways manage the High and Heavy Loads Grid on behalf of the Department to facilitate the movement of abnormal indivisible loads. Management of assets (such as bridges) is a devolved matter with responsibility falling to the relevant owner, such as National Highways for those on the Strategic Road Network, or a local transport authority for local roads. All special-order proposals require case-by-case consultation with National Highways’ central team and a special-order permit to be issued. That team co-ordinate the route clearance with every road and structure owner and police authority along a suggested route to gain approval, taking into account the dimensions of a proposed vehicle configuration. Only when all affected parties give their approval that the proposed route is safe to traverse can a special-order permit be issued.

What recent assessment he has made of the levels of ambulance delays for Category (a) 1, (b) 2, (c) 3 and (d) 4 calls; and what assessment he has made of the impact of ambulance delays on healthcare in Stafford constituency in the last 12 months.

Ambulance services in Stafford are provided by the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, with responsibility for commissioning services a matter for the local Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board. Any assessment of the specific local actions needed to improve response times should be undertaken and agreed locally by National Health Service organisations in the best interests of the local population and patients.At a national level, the Government and NHS England are committed to improving ambulance response times. The NHS 2025/26 priorities and operational planning guidance sets national priorities, which include improving accident and emergency waiting times and ambulance response times compared to 2024/25.

What assessment she has made of the impact of the (a) closure of local banks and (b) opening of banking hubs on people who are elderly or disabled.

Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefiting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. While branch closures are commercial decisions for banks, the Financial Conduct Authority (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. This seeks to ensure that branch closures are implemented in a way that treats customers fairly. The FCA requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers, such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, banks must make reasonable adjustments to ensure their services are accessible to all. 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. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open. The FCA introduced regulatory rules for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts. Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK (the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network) assesses a community’s access to cash withdrawal and deposit needs, and can recommend a new service if necessary. Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found on LINK’s website. 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. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

How much funding has been allocated to (a) Stafford Constituency for (i) road maintenance and (ii) pothole filling since July 2024.

For the 2024/25 financial year, the previous Government allocated Staffordshire County Council £28.935 million for local highway maintenance. For the 2025/26 financial year, this Government is providing Staffordshire County Council with £39.4 million, an increase of around £10.5 million, for local highway maintenance. The Department advocates a risk-based whole life cycle asset management approach to local authority highway maintenance programmes. This considers all parts of the highway network, such as bridges, cycleways and lighting columns – not just the fixing of potholes. Funding is not ring-fenced, and it is entirely a matter for Staffordshire County Council to determine how the money is best spent to improve its local highway network according to local needs and circumstances.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the inclusivity of public parks for children with Special Educational Needs and Disability.

The government is firmly committed to creating better access to public parks. They are an essential part of local social infrastructure which supports more connected, stronger communities.Local authorities must consider their obligations under the Equalities Act of 2010 when providing public spaces, this includes ensuring that they are accessible and inclusive. Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places. The government is committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for all disabled people and putting their voices at the heart of what we do.

What recent estimate his Department has made of the number of open NHS Dentists (a) on the most recent date for which figures are held and (b) in 2010 in Stafford Constituency.

As of 4 February 2025, in the Stafford constituency, there were 13 National Health Service dentist practices, with five showing as ‘accepting new child patients when availability allows’ and two showing as ‘accepting new adult patients when availability allows’. Data is not held on the number of open NHS dentists in the Stafford constituency for 2010.This data is sourced from the Find a Dentist website and is matched to constituencies based on the postcode data shown on the website, which is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist/

What comparative assessment she has made of the level of attainment of (a) girls and (b) boys under 11 in (i) maths and (ii) sciences in Stafford constituency.

A breakdown of attainment is not available for the Stafford constituency, however a breakdown for Staffordshire local authority is as follows. Data for Stafford Constituency is available at key stage 2, however this is not split by sex. In the 2023/24 academic year, 74% of boys in Staffordshire met the expected standard in mathematics and 79% of boys in Staffordshire met the expected standard in science at the end of key stage 2. In the same year, 74% of girls in Staffordshire met the expected standard in maths and 86% of girls in Staffordshire met the expected standard in science at the end of key stage 2. At the end of key stage 2, children are 10 or 11-years-old. The multiplication tables check is taken by pupils, aged 8 or 9 years old, at the end of year 4. In the 2023/24 academic year, the average attainment score for boys in Staffordshire was 21.2 and 20.8 for girls.

What plans he has to (a) meet the Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and (b) visit businesses in Stafford constituency.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to driving long-term, inclusive and secure economic growth in all parts of the country, and engagement with businesses and communities in all regions, including the West Midlands, is therefore a priority.DBT officials are in regular contact with Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce colleagues, helping to support their local businesses. The Ministerial team's plans for engagement, including regional and local visits, are revisited regularly.

How many people in Stafford constituency have (a) applied for and (b) been awarded Pension Credit since 10 July 2024.

On 27th February we published Pension Credit applications and award statistics. This publication provides application volumes up to 23 February 2025. Pension Credit Applications - February 2025 We do not hold data at regional or constituency level for applications made. We do hold Pension Credit caseload data by Parliamentary constituency. You can find the latest available data held on Stat-Xplore - Home which shows Pension Credit caseload data by Parliamentary constituency up to August 2024.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Rural England Prosperity Fund will receive funding for 2025-2026.

The Autumn Statement on 30 October confirmed Defra’s budgets for 2024-25 and 2025-26. Funding allocations for individual programmes for the next financial year will be determined through the department’s business planning exercise. The Department are working closely with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government and will update on the Rural England Prosperity Fund in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many people have accessed financial support through the (a) Property Flood Resilience grant and (b) Flood Recovery Framework in Stafford constituency.

Defra currently has two active Property Flood Resilience (PFR) Grant schemes running, one for Storm Babet from October 2023 and a second for Storm Henk from January 2024. Staffordshire County Council are participating in both. PFR Grant schemes run for 18 months. Final data on the number of properties receiving Defra PFR grants after Storms Babet and Henk will not be available until both the schemes close later in 2025.

How many former British Coal employees were recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Stafford constituency.

As of 30 October 2024, there were 141 members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in Stafford constituency.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that compensation payments for victims of the infected blood scandal are not subject to Inheritance Tax in circumstances where payments are transferred to a deceased victim’s next of kin and then passed on again to the next of kin's benefactors in a will.

Infected Blood compensation payments are relieved from inheritance tax under Schedule 15 of the Finance Act 2020. This is applied to the estate of the recipient of the compensation payment. Where these payments are subsequently inherited, they become part of the beneficiary’s estate and are subject to standard inheritance tax rules, in line with normal practice for compensation schemes.This ensures victims receive full compensation without tax burdens whilst maintaining fairness in the tax system and protecting the public finances.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of regulating companies that are funded by local government to provide day activity services to adults with disabilities.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. The CQC has powers under the Health and Care Act 2008 to regulate adult social care services to make sure they provide safe, effective, compassionate, and high-quality care. Where concerns on quality or safety are identified, the CQC uses the regulatory and enforcement powers it has available, and will take action to ensure the safety of people drawing on care and support.Day activity centres, in which social, recreational, and care services may be provided to older people or those with a disability, are not currently within the scope of the CQC’s regulation, as set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.Any changes to those regulations would be subject to the usual Parliamentary process, which would include a public consultation, and thus an opportunity to consider the merits of further regulation of services.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of funding for domestic violence services in the next financial year.

This Government is committed to supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse.We understand the importance of specialist support services and their critical role in providing tailored support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse to help them r...

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of access to SEND services in Staffordshire.

Following the last Ofsted inspection, departmental officials have been working with Staffordshire County Council to closely monitor progress against the areas for improvement identified by inspectors. These areas were that coproduction was weak and that t...

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition of roads in (a) Stafford and (b) the surrounding area.

This Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local highway network. Staffordshire County Council is the local highway authority for the Stafford constituency, and they are therefore res...

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the defences against flooding in rural areas.

All flood and coastal risk management investment schemes are carefully assessed to make sure they benefit the most people and property. As I announced on 13 November, additional financial support will be provided to rural communities, recognising the sign...

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of changes to (a) funding and (b) National Insurance contributions at the Autumn Budget 2024 on hospices.

Palliative care services are included in the list of services an integrated care board (ICB) must commission. Whilst the majority of palliative and end of life care is provided by National Health Service staff and services, we recognise the vital part tha...