Written questions by Ingham.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 responsible for the condition of their local network. This Government has a commitment to enable local highway authorities in England to fix up to a million more potholes a year. At Budget 2024, the Chancellor announced an extra £500 million for local highway maintenance for the 2025/26 financial year, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the current financial year. The Government will confirm funding allocations to English local highway authorities, including Staffordshire County Council, in due course. The Government publishes data annually on the condition of the local road network in England, including Staffordshire, and these are available on gov.uk.

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 the quality of education, health and care plans was poor.The department has appointed a special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Advisor to support and work alongside Staffordshire County Council and the local area partnership.This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. The department is committed to taking a community wide approach in collaboration with local area partnerships, improving inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, as well as ensuring special schools cater to children and young people with the most complex needs.

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 recover and move forward with their lives. Following the Spending Review announcements in October, the Home Office is now deciding how the total funding settlement is allocated across the department to deliver the Government’s priorities. We will provide more information in due course.

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 significant impact of flooding on farmers. £50 million will be distributed to internal drainage boards (IDBs), and £60m will be paid to farmers impacted by last year’s severe weather: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

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 that voluntary sector organisations, including hospices, also play in providing support to people at end of life, and their loved ones.The amount of funding each charitable hospice receives varies both within and between ICB areas. This will vary depending on demand in that ICB area but will also be dependent on the totality and type of palliative and end of life care provision from both NHS and non-NHS services, including charitable hospices, within each ICB area.At the Autumn Budget 2024, we have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances, enabling the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26. The employer National Insurance contributions (ENICs) rise will be implemented in April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year in due course.The Government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, like hospices, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of businesses with ENIC liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Businesses and charities will still be able to claim ENIC reliefs, including those for under 21-year-old and under 25-year-old apprentices, where eligible.