Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on extending the Pensions (Extension of Automatic Enrolment) Act 2023 to (a) include auto-enrolment for employees aged 18 and above, (b) enable pension contributions to to be applied from the first £1 of pay and (c) increase employer contribution rates for auto-enrolment.

Security in retirement is a key priority for this Government. AE has seen over 11.1 million people automatically enrolled into a workplace pension to date and more than 2.4 million employers have complied with their legal duties. This has helped to deliver an additional £43 billion being saved into pensions in 2023 compared to 2012 (in 2023 earnings terms) for eligible individuals. We will consider if and when to make changes to AE, balancing the need for improved pension outcomes with the effects on businesses

Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on the recycling of glass fibre boats.

In our manifesto, the Government committed to reducing waste by moving to a circular economy. A circular economy is a system that decouples economic activity from new resource extraction, using a systemic approach across the full material and product lifecycle to maintain the value of our resources for as long as possible. Recycling has a role to play in the circular economy, but where possible the approach will mean moving materials and products further up the waste hierarchy by encouraging better design, reuse and repair. The UK is leading action under the OSPAR Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter to improve the management of end-of-life recreational vessels. The OSPAR Convention is the Regional Seas Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic. This includes work with other Contracting Parties: to develop a methodology to estimate the quantity, distribution and material composition of these vessels; to collate an inventory of end-of-life vessels; and to develop guidance to support their waste management. The UK also commissioned Resource Futures to undertake research to inform policy development to discourage abandonment and improve waste management of end-of-life recreational vessels, focused on establishing volume, location and type of materials in the waste stream and understanding current disposal options and barriers in the UK and across the OSPAR Maritime Area. This research is published online: Marine litter from end of life recreational vessels - ME5247.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has commissioned recent research into the potential impact of glass fibre boats on ecology.

End of life recreational vessels are often made from glass reinforced polymer, or fibreglass, and are recognised as a source of marine litter when abandoned offshore or on shorelines where their degradation can lead to macro and micro litter. Defra has not commissioned research into the potential impact of glass fibre boats on ecology directly, but the UK is leading action under the OSPAR Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter to improve the management of end-of-life recreational vessels. This includes work with contracting parties: to develop a methodology to estimate the quantity, distribution and material composition of these vessels; to collate an inventory of end-of-life vessels; and to develop guidance to support their waste management. The OSPAR Convention is the Regional Seas Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic and, as a Contracting Party, the UK participates in monitoring programmes to assess regional trends in marine litter and implements actions under the Regional Action Plan. The UK also commissioned Resource Futures to undertake research to inform policy development to discourage abandonment and improve waste management of end-of-life recreational vessels, focused on establishing volume, location and type of materials in the waste stream and understanding current disposal options and barriers in the UK and across the OSPAR Maritime Area. This research is published online: Marine litter from end of life recreational vessels - ME5247.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing guidance to all Departments to require them to use alternative social media sites to X.

The Government uses a range of channels to reach and engage the public. Any use of these platforms would be assessed against the high standards for digital safety set out in the Government Communication Service (GCS) SAFE framework. The four core principles of the framework are safety and sustainability, ads context, freedom of speech, and ethics and enforcement.

If she will introduce a national capability for flood rescue (a) led by Fire and Rescue Authorities and (b) underpinned by a statutory duty.

Defra is the lead government department for flooding in England, they 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.This is coordinated through the National Resilience Assurance Team, for which Merseyside FRS are the lead authority. The National Asset Register holds assets from the Fire and Rescue Service and Non-Government Organisations who are assured to the standards set out in the Flood Rescue Concept of Operations.Fire and Rescue Authorities have duties under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) to prepare for emergencies, including major flooding. Fire Rescue Authorities also have discretionary powers to respond to incidents under their general powers in the Fire and Rescue Services Act (2004) and in response to the risks set out in their Community Risk Management Plans prepared under the National Framework.The Home Office is undertaking further work alongside Defra, the National Fire Chiefs Council and other relevant stakeholders to understand in more detail if there are gaps in the Fire and Rescue Services flooding response and resilience system.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Child health GP hubs on access to specialists in local GP settings.

We will trial neighbourhood health centres to bring together a range of services, ensuring healthcare is closer to home and patients receive the care they deserve. This is part of our broader ambition to move towards a neighbourhood health service, with more care delivered in local communities to spot problems earlier. They will bring together existing services such as family doctors, district nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, palliative care, and mental health specialists.We have also made changes to the Medical Performers List to remove barriers preventing secondary care doctors working in primary care, which would allow paediatricians to deliver care in general practice settings as part of a multidisciplinary team.

What recent discussions officials in her Department have had with the (a) States of Jersey, (b) States of Guernsey, (c) ferry operators and (d) trade unions on the long term provision of ferry services from (i) Poole and (ii) Portsmouth to the Channel Islands.

Maritime officials within the Department have had no discussions on the long-term provision of ferry services from (i) Poole and (ii) Portsmouth to the Channel Islands. Ferry services are predominantly run on a commercial basis without UK government intervention. However, where services are pertinent to local and regional objectives, relevant bodies can become involved in the specification of service provision. In this case, we understand that the governments of the States of Guernsey and Jersey have undertaken a procurement process to meet the Islands’ ferry service needs. This is a matter for those States, and therefore this Department has not had discussions with Islands, ferry providers, or unions, in this instance.

What recent discussions the child poverty taskforce has had with medical professionals.

The Child Poverty Taskforce understands the importance of children’s health in tackling child poverty. In December, children's health will be discussed at the external experts meeting as part of strategy development for ensuring low-income families are able to access quality services to tackle the impacts of poverty. This engagement is happening alongside a wider commitment for the Taskforce to involve families, charities, campaigners, and leading organisations across the UK to understand the multiple drivers and impacts of poverty. Recently Taskforce co-chairs, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Secretary of State for Education, visited a Barnado’s Family Centre in Brent to join a children’s session focused on healthy eating and heard how parents are struggling with the costs of essentials. The Taskforce has set out their broader engagement strategy in their latest publication titled ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing Our Strategy’. This engagement is in addition to the large existing evidence base on child poverty in the UK and internationally, which the Taskforce is building understanding from. Individual medical professionals as well as organisations are also welcome to submit specific evidence to childpoverty.secretariat@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. We will set out details on the publication of the Strategy in due course.

With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, if she will make it her policy to exempt hospices from the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions.

Resource spending for the Department of Health and Social Care is set to increase by £22.6 billion in 2025-26 compared to 2023-24 outturn, providing a real-terms growth rate of 4% for the NHS, the largest since before 2010 excluding Covid-19 years. The Government will support local authority services through a real terms increase in core local government spending power of around 3.2%, including at least £600 million of new grant funding to support social care.The government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500, meaning more than half of businesses with NICs liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Our tax regime for charities, including exemption from paying business rates, is among the most generous of anywhere in the world with tax reliefs for charities and their donors worth just over £6 billion for the tax year to April 2024.The Budget will provide support for government departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer NICs costs only. Private sector firms or charities including hospices or social care providers that are contracted by central or local Government will not be exempt from these changes. General Practitioners are independent contractors and therefore will not be exempt from these changes.This is consistent with the approach to previous Employer NICs changes, as was the case with the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.DHSC will confirm funding for General Practice for 25/26 as part of the usual GP contract process later in the year, including through consultation with the sector.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will ensure that (a) audio and (b) tactile solutions are available at polling stations to enable (i) blind and (ii) partially sighted voters to vote (A) independently and (B) in secret.

I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to Question UIN 10319 on 29 October 2024.

If she will have discussions with the Royal Household on the administration of the Duchies of (a) Cornwall and (b) Lancaster.

The Duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster are private estates, and neither Duchy manages public money. The government has a limited number of functions in relation to their administration, prescribed by Acts of Parliament.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) restricting the sale of fireworks to licensed retails and (b) lowering the noise limit of fireworks to 90 decibels.

Most people use fireworks in a responsible, safe, and appropriate manner and there are laws in place to address situations where fireworks are misused. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property. The Government has recently launched an awareness campaign on the Gov.uk website to provide guidance on minimising the impacts of fireworks on people and animals.To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities shortly after the fireworks season to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks. Officials regularly meet and correspond with charities to listen to and understand their views.

What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of school nurses.

Too many children are not receiving the start in life they deserve, and the Government is committed to creating the healthiest generation of children in our history by shifting the focus from treatment to prevention. School nurses have an important role to play, leading the delivery of the 5-19 components of the Healthy Child Programme.My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is aware that school nurse numbers have decreased, with 27% fewer now than in October 2015. In June 2024 there were 1,985 school nurses of all grades employed within the National Health Service. The Chief Public Health Nurse Office has established a programme of work which aims to improve the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme, which includes school nursing.

If his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 to protect (a) people and (b) animals from the negative impact of fireworks.

Most people use fireworks in a responsible, safe, and appropriate manner and there are laws in place to address situations where fireworks are misused. The current regulatory framework is designed to support people to enjoy fireworks whilst lowering the risk of dangers and disruption to people, pets, and property. The Government has recently launched an awareness campaign on the Gov.uk website to provide guidance on minimising the impacts of fireworks on people and animals.To inform any future decisions on fireworks policy I intend to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities shortly after the fireworks season to gather evidence on the issues and impacts with fireworks. Officials regularly meet and correspond with charities to listen to and understand their views.

Whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of fireworks on veterans (a) with PTSD and (b) experiencing other war-related mental health trauma.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of fireworks on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or any other mental health condition.Recognising the particular challenges that veterans face, NHS England has commissioned several services for veterans, including Op COURAGE, the bespoke integrated veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service. The services provide a fully integrated mental health care pathway, including personalised care plans, to ensure veterans can access support and treatment both in and out of hours.Op COURAGE is available across England. Individuals can contact the service to make an appointment or ask someone to do this on their behalf. Further information is available at the following link:https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/armed-forces-community/mental-health/veterans-reservists/

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of banning greyhound racing in England.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eastleigh, Liz Jarvis, on 18 September 2024, PQ 5214.

Whether the new cap on bus fares will include services that are solely for the transport of pupils to and from their place of education.

The new fare cap will be designed to be as equitable as possible in terms of its support for passengers across England. One of the key principles of the scheme will be to include ‘open’ services which allow any member of public to board. ‘Closed’ school services, defined as a service which would not allow a member of the general public to board, and school services which operate in term-time only will not be eligible for inclusion. This is in keeping with the approach of the previous fare cap scheme, which did not allow for the inclusion of closed school services. Services from participating operators that serve schools, are open to members of the public and run all year round will be eligible for inclusion in the scheme.

What the total value was of pension tax relief to people paying the (a) 20% and (b) 40% rate in the latest period for which data is available.

Information on estimates of Income Tax relief on pension contributions can be found online in Table 6 of the Private Pension Statistics publication. Estimates of the total value of Income Tax and National Insurance contribution relief, broken down by the rate at which the contributions were relieved, can be found in Tables 6.1 and 6.2 of the publication respectively.

How many people received tax relief on their pension contributions at the (a) 20% and (b) 40% rate in the latest period for which data is available.

Information on estimates of Income Tax relief on pension contributions can be found online in Table 6 of the Private Pension Statistics publication. Estimates of the total value of Income Tax and National Insurance contribution relief, broken down by the rate at which the contributions were relieved, can be found in Tables 6.1 and 6.2 of the publication respectively.

What steps she is taking to help reduce wealth inequality.

The Government is committed to making sure everyone pays their fair share of tax, which helps to fund our vital public services.The UK taxes wealth across many different economic activities, helping to ensure that the most well-off in our society make a fair contribution.