Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on funding for fire and rescue services.

I meet regularly with the Fire Brigades Union to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern. The Government recognises that the current fire funding formula was designed over a decade ago. In line with responses to the principles of reform consultation in December 2024, the Government updated the fire and rescue relative needs formula by using the most up-to-date data available. We will work with the fire sector on a comprehensive review of the formula ahead of the next Spending Review and are currently engaging with the sector on this. The 2026-2027 Funding Settlement marks the first multi-year funding Settlement for local government in 10 years, making available almost £1.9 billion in core spending power (CSP) for fire and rescue authorities. Fire and Rescue Services have had an additional £15 million funding secured since the provisional settlement, which will provide a minimum 3.8% increase in CSP for all standalone services, with some services seeing increases of over 7% in CSP.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of maternity pay in fire and rescue services.

Setting fire pay and conditions, including setting a minimum national maternity entitlement, is the responsibility of employers and representative bodies, working through the National Joint Council. The Government plays no role in setting firefighter pay. I meet regularly with the Fire Brigades Union to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on introducing national standards across fire and rescue services.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

If he will hold discussions with the Fire Brigades Union on the implementation of health monitoring for firefighters.

On 16 April 2026, the Department announced its intention to co-produce a Firefighters’ Concordat on Health and Wellbeing, to develop a bespoke health monitoring offer for firefighters, and to undertake new research to improve understanding of the long-term health risks firefighters face and the most effective forms of support. The Concordat will be jointly designed and developed with the sector, bringing together national and local Government, the National Health Service, fire chiefs, employers, the Fire Brigades Union and firefighters themselves. This work is being taken forward through the Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) on Fire and Rescue Reform.The health monitoring offer will be developed in partnership with the NHS, alongside the MAG, and with firefighters and their representatives, employers, clinicians, public health and occupational health experts, and relevant national bodies. The MAG will provide a mechanism to maintain shared oversight as the offer is designed, tested and refined.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact in changes in the number of firefighters since 2010 on a) response times and b) risk to firefighters.

Decisions on how fire and rescue services are run, including the number and locations of fire stations and firefighter numbers, are for the local fire and rescue authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. FRAs are responsible for ensuring the needs and demands of their local community are met. They are responsible for directing their resources where they are needed most and in accordance with their Community Risk Management Plans (CRMPs). The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) publishes statistics on fire and rescue service (FRS) workforce numbers, response times, and firefighter injuries. The full time equivalent (FTE) number of firefighters and the number of firefighter workplace injuries have both declined since 2010, whilst response times have increased. Correlations between statistics, either positive or negative, are not necessarily causal.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of firefighter numbers in (a) the UK and (b) Poole.

Decisions on how fire and rescue services are run, including the number and locations of fire stations and firefighter numbers, are for the local fire and rescue authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. FRAs are responsible for ensuring the needs and demands of their local community are met. They are responsible for directing their resources where they are needed most and in accordance with their Community Risk Management Plans (CRMPs). The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) publishes statistics on fire and rescue service (FRS) workforce numbers, response times, and firefighter injuries. The full time equivalent (FTE) number of firefighters and the number of firefighter workplace injuries have both declined since 2010, whilst response times have increased. Correlations between statistics, either positive or negative, are not necessarily causal.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty for firefighters in England to respond to flooding events.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government. Fire and Rescue Authorities already have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. We recognise the interest in creating a statutory duty for flood response and my officials are working with DEFRA, as lead government department for flooding, to consider this and any wider implications. MHCLG supports Fire and Rescue Authorities in responding to flood incidents by providing the sector with national resilience High Volume Pump (HVP) capabilities. These are available to be used by Fire & Rescue Services across the country during major flood incidents. Additionally, DEFRA hold the Flood Rescue National Asset Register, a list of teams or assets that voluntarily join the register and maintain availability for national deployment in England.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of fire station closures on response times.

It is the responsibility of each Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) to decide how each authority’s resources, including staff, are best deployed to meet core functions, including appropriate targets for local response times. Decisions are based on analysis of risk and local circumstances within local Community Risk Management Plans. When considering proposals for changes to station provision, including potential closures, FRAs should assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with the Fire Brigades Union on maternity pay in the fire and rescue services.

Setting fire pay and conditions, including setting a minimum national maternity entitlement, is the responsibility of employers and representative bodies, working through the National Joint Council. The Government plays no role in setting firefighter pay. I meet regularly with the Fire Brigades Union to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

If he will ensure that new Energy Transitional Certificates uphold high environmental standards to protect UK seas from oil and gas operations.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

If his department will take legislative steps to increase the £50,000 cap on fines for oil spills during oil and gas operations.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What estimations his Department has made of the cost of integrating the social care sector into the Department and devolving it to local government level.

No estimation or assessment has been made. The Department currently has responsibility for social care policy. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to meet the eligible care and support needs of people in their local area.

If it will make an assessment of the potential merits of transferring control of social care to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government to provide services at the local level.

No estimation or assessment has been made. The Department currently has responsibility for social care policy. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities have a duty to meet the eligible care and support needs of people in their local area.

What level of skilled professional workforce the Department estimates is needed to meet the current demand of the social care sector and what steps is it taking to meet this target.

Demand for long‑term care is projected to rise markedly over the next decade, driven by growth in the older population. Current projections from Skills for Care, and the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at the London School of Economics suggest that this would require workforce growth of approximately 2% to 3% per year to broadly keep pace with demand.Recent data from Skills for Care shows a 3.2% increase in filled posts in domiciliary care and a 1.4% increase in residential care between March 2025 and February 2026.The Department’s immediate priority is to support the adult social care sector to meet current demand by improving recruitment, retention, and workforce stability. While responsibility for workforce planning and delivery sits primarily with local authorities and providers, the Department is taking action to support the sector and improve its sustainability.This includes introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to improve pay, and terms and conditions, delivering a national recruitment campaign to promote care as a career, working with the Department for Work and Pensions to support domestic recruitment, and continuing to monitor workforce capacity through Skills for Care data, the Capacity Tracker, and intelligence from sector partners.The Department of Health and Social Care is also taking action to professionalise and upskill the workforce, which is essential for both short-term capacity and long-term sustainability. This includes implementing the Care Workforce Pathway as the first universal career structure for adult social care, investing a further £10 million this financial year through the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme to fund training and qualifications including the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate, providing £2.3 million to support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment, and piloting a fund to enable adult social care nurses to prescribe medications and support care workers to take on healthcare activities.Together, these measures aim to improve retention through clearer progression, better recognition of skills, and increased opportunities for development, while supporting the sector to meet rising and increasingly complex demand.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans her Department has to help ensure the safety of UK citizens on board the Global Sumud Flotilla.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advises against all travel to Gaza. Palestine travel advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Delivering aid on the scale needed can only be done properly and safely through the well-established land routes. We continue to urge Israel to allow sufficient aid into Gaza in line with minimum targets set out in the 20 point plan.

What steps he is taking to help develop short-term and long-term strategic plans for the social care sector.

The independent commission into adult social care is underway, developing plans for how we move to a National Care Service based on greater choice and control, joined-up health and care services, and higher quality of care.Phase 1 of the commission will report this year, making recommendations to address immediate priorities for adult social care, laying the groundwork for long-term reform and setting us on the path to deliver a National Care Service.In the meantime the Government is already putting the foundations in place, enabling choice and control through record investment in the Disabled Facilities Grant, including £723 million this year, improving care quality through the first ever adult social care Fair Pay Agreement backed by £500 million, and joining up services by improving national data and digital infrastructure and developing neighbourhood health services.

What level of skilled professional workforce the Department estimates is needed to meet the current demand of the social care sector and what steps is it taking to meet this target.

Demand for long‑term care is projected to rise markedly over the next decade, driven by growth in the older population. Current projections from Skills for Care, and the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at the London School of Economics suggest that this would require workforce growth of approximately 2% to 3% per year to broadly keep pace with demand.Recent data from Skills for Care shows a 3.2% increase in filled posts in domiciliary care and a 1.4% increase in residential care between March 2025 and February 2026.The Department’s immediate priority is to support the adult social care sector to meet current demand by improving recruitment, retention, and workforce stability. While responsibility for workforce planning and delivery sits primarily with local authorities and providers, the Department is taking action to support the sector and improve its sustainability.This includes introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to improve pay, and terms and conditions, delivering a national recruitment campaign to promote care as a career, working with the Department for Work and Pensions to support domestic recruitment, and continuing to monitor workforce capacity through Skills for Care data, the Capacity Tracker, and intelligence from sector partners.The Department of Health and Social Care is also taking action to professionalise and upskill the workforce, which is essential for both short-term capacity and long-term sustainability. This includes implementing the Care Workforce Pathway as the first universal career structure for adult social care, investing a further £10 million this financial year through the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme to fund training and qualifications including the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate, providing £2.3 million to support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment, and piloting a fund to enable adult social care nurses to prescribe medications and support care workers to take on healthcare activities.Together, these measures aim to improve retention through clearer progression, better recognition of skills, and increased opportunities for development, while supporting the sector to meet rising and increasingly complex demand.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of social care resources being transferred to local government departments to deliver social care services.

Funding for adult social care is provided by the Government to local authorities as part of the local government finance settlement and various grants. Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people.In exercising these duties, local authorities should balance a range of relevant factors when considering the type of care provider they commission. They should encourage or deliver a range of different services to ensure people have a genuine choice of high-quality care services. Market decisions should be informed by considerations of population needs and market sustainability, with the aim of improving outcomes through high‑quality, personalised care.The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is assessing how local authorities in England are meeting the full range of their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014. The assessments identify local authorities’ strengths and areas for improvement, facilitating the sharing of good practice and helping us to target support where it is most needed. If the CQC identifies that a local authority has failed or is failing to discharge its duties under the Care Act to an acceptable standard, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has powers to intervene. All reports are published on the CQC’s website at the following link:https://www.cqc.org.uk/care-services/local-authority-assessment-reports

What steps he is taking to help to support the development of individual good life plans for people in social care.

The Care Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to promote wellbeing when arranging social care for an individual, and this provides individuals and their carers with more control over the way in which care and support is provided. As part of the Department’s national improvement and support offer to the adult social care sector, it funds Think Local Act Personal (TLAP), to deliver a programme that supports the personalisation of services. This includes facilitating local use of TLAP’s Making it Real framework and principles, which ensure that people who draw on care and support are involved in shaping services. TLAP also helps with practical models of self-directed support and advice on the personalisation of services. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is assessing how local authorities in England are meeting the full range of their duties under Part 1 of the Care Act 2014, including assessing needs. The assessments identify local authorities’ strengths and areas for improvement, facilitating the sharing of good practice and helping us to target support where it is most needed. If the CQC identifies that a local authority has failed or is failing to discharge its duties under the Care Act to an acceptable standard, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has powers to intervene. All reports are published on CQC’s website at the following link: https://www.cqc.org.uk/care-services/local-authority-assessment-reports. As part of the progress we are making on building a National Care Service, we are supporting the CQC to be a trusted partner, regulator, and driver of standards across England for adult social care, underpinned by provider inspections and local authority (LA) assessments that shine a light on LA performance.

What estimate he has made of the level of skilled professional workforce required to meet the long-term demand of the social care sector; and what steps he is taking to meet that target.

Demand for long‑term care is projected to rise markedly over the next decade, driven by growth in the older population. Current projections from Skills for Care, and the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at the London School of Economics suggest that this would require workforce growth of approximately 2% to 3% per year to broadly keep pace with demand.Recent data from Skills for Care shows a 3.2% increase in filled posts in domiciliary care and a 1.4% increase in residential care between March 2025 and February 2026.The Department’s immediate priority is to support the adult social care sector to meet current demand by improving recruitment, retention, and workforce stability. While responsibility for workforce planning and delivery sits primarily with local authorities and providers, the Department is taking action to support the sector and improve its sustainability.This includes introducing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement to improve pay, and terms and conditions, delivering a national recruitment campaign to promote care as a career, working with the Department for Work and Pensions to support domestic recruitment, and continuing to monitor workforce capacity through Skills for Care data, the Capacity Tracker, and intelligence from sector partners.The Department of Health and Social Care is also taking action to professionalise and upskill the workforce, which is essential for both short-term capacity and long-term sustainability. This includes implementing the Care Workforce Pathway as the first universal career structure for adult social care, investing a further £10 million this financial year through the Adult Social Care Learning and Development Support Scheme to fund training and qualifications including the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate, providing £2.3 million to support newly qualified social workers through the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment, and piloting a fund to enable adult social care nurses to prescribe medications and support care workers to take on healthcare activities.Together, these measures aim to improve retention through clearer progression, better recognition of skills, and increased opportunities for development, while supporting the sector to meet rising and increasingly complex demand.