Written questions by Gilmour.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential merits of incorporating (a) environmental and (b) animal welfare considerations into the planning application process for (i) new and (ii) expanding farm premises.

The Department works closely with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to deliver planning reforms with regular discussions on how the impacts of development can be fully considered and planning can improve outcomes for nature whilst enabling farmers and rural businesses to build the infrastructure they need. New or expanding farms permitted under the Town and Country Planning Act are subject to the National Planning Policy Framework which clearly sets out that if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided, adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused and that planning policies and decisions should prevent new and existing development from contributing to, being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by, unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability. The animal welfare considerations for buildings and accommodation used for farmed animals are set out in The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 with further guidance set out in the relevant species-specific welfare code of practice.

Food and Rural Affairs, what methods for public recourse are available when a council authority is unable to fulfil their statutory duties on flood prevention.

Protecting all communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. Lead local flood authorities (unitary and county authorities) are required to manage local flood risks from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. Local flood risks should be identified and managed as part of a local flood risk management strategy. Local authorities receive revenue funding for local flood risk management through the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) looks at complaints about councils and some other authorities and organisations. The service is free, independent and impartial.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed charge for waste exemption permits on the ability of small environmental farms to recycle.

The Environment Agency charges consultation included information on the affordability of waste exemption charges for the agriculture sector. It can be found online here. Included in the document is the following estimates for a 3-year registration period: 43% of farmers will pay the lowest charge of £144 for the 3-year registration period (£56 registration charge plus common on-farm charge of £88). This equates to an average cost of £48 per year. This cost will be lower if the cost of individual waste exemptions being registered is less than the £88 common on-farm charge.50% of farmers will pay less than £500 for the 3-year registration period90% of farmers will pay less than £1,000 for a 3-year registration period This is considered a worst-case scenario, as Environment Agency data suggests farmers often register more waste exemptions than they need. Approval to charge will be considered after the Environment Agency has analysed responses from the consultation.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) support for homeless people and (b) the criteria by which those at risk of homelessness are deemed vulnerable.

Homelessness levels are far too high and this Government is taking action to deliver long term solutions. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25), bringing total spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26.We are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness, including:Delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.Abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.Regarding the criteria by which those at risk of homelessness are deemed vulnerable, the Homelessness Reduction Act places duties on local housing authorities to take reasonable steps to try to prevent and relieve a person’s homelessness. If a housing authority is unable to prevent an applicant from becoming homeless, or to help them to secure accommodation within the ‘relief’ stage, they are required to reach a decision as to whether the applicant has a priority need for accommodation. Priority need primarily includes pregnant women or those with dependent children, people who are vulnerable due to old age, mental illness, physical disability or other special needs, people who are at risk of harm, such as those feeling domestic violence or other threats to their safety, people who are homeless due to an emergency, such as fire or flood and people who have been in care or under supervision (such as leaving the care of local authorities, prison, or other institutions).

If his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of funding levels for NHS Dentists in the South West of England; and if his Department will draw up plans on how to use additional funding for the NHS as announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 to provide more dental appointments in the South West of England.

A budget of £3.8 billion for primary, community, and secondary dentistry has been allocated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England for 2024/25, to deliver new initiatives and address the challenges facing National Health Service dentistry. Allocations for 2025/26 will be confirmed shortly, and long-term funding will be considered during phase 2 of the Spending Review, which will set budgets for 2026/27 to 2028/29.The Government plans to tackle the challenges patients face when trying to access NHS dental care with a rescue plan to provide 700,000 more urgent dental appointments, and recruit new dentists to the areas that need them most.Responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the ICBs across England. For the Tiverton and Minehead constituency, this is the NHS Somerset ICB.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the resources available to local government for planning enforcement in (a) Devon and (b) Somerset.

In the answer to Question UIN 16501 on 5 December 2024 I set out the government’s investment to support capacity and capability in local authorities. This will be further underpinned by increases in planning fees that will help improve the resourcing of planning application services, so that local planning authorities can fund the skills they need.It is for local planning authorities to ensure they have the resources in place to carry out their planning enforcement function.The government have no plans to undertake an assessment of the adequacy of the resources available for such enforcement in Devon and Somerset.

What steps his Department is taking to deliver a consultation on technical issues associated with renewable liquid heating fuel under Section 159 of the Energy Act 2023.

As sustainable biomass is a limited resource, the Government expects to prioritise its use in sectors like aviation which have fewest options to decarbonise. Renewable liquid heating fuels (RLHF) are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions. Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of RLHFs, like hydrotreated vegetable oil, in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstocks.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of paying the State Pension in monthly instalments.

State Pension payments are usually paid four weekly in arrears. People have the option to be paid weekly or in some circumstances bi-weekly. There are no plans to introduce alternative payment arrangements.

Whether his Department plans to implement the recommendations within the Blood Cancer UK report entitled, UK Blood Cancer Action Plan, published on 4 September 2024.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Poole on 11 October 2024 to Question 7389.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of legislation on tackling (a) tax evasion and (b) illicit financial transactions in British Overseas Territories; and what estimate his Department has made of when full public registers for British Overseas Territories will be published.

The Overseas Territories (OTs) work to uphold international standards such as those set out by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Financial Action Task Force on tax transparency and countering illicit financial flows respectively. Responsibility for implementing their recommendations into legislation is a matter for OT governments.At the Joint Ministerial Council last month, I confirmed the UK Government's expectation that OTs implement full Publicly Accessible Registers of Beneficial Ownership (PARBOs). Full PARBOs have already been introduced in Montserrat and Gibraltar, and commitments were made by the Falkland Islands and Saint Helena to introduce these by April 2025. Saint Helena has recently passed the relevant legislation.Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands committed to implement Legitimate Interest Access Registers of Beneficial Ownership which offer the maximum possible degree of access and transparency whilst containing the necessary safeguards to protect the right to privacy in line with respective constitutions, at the latest by June 2025.

If she will make an estimate of the potential impact of freezing Income Tax thresholds until 2028 on the number of people who will begin paying (a) Income Tax and (b) the higher rate of Income Tax in each financial year of this Parliament.

The information requested is published as part of the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO). The published table sets out the effects of the threshold freeze on taxpayers, by showing estimated numbers with and without indexation of the thresholds and the impact of the thresholds being frozen. This information has been updated in the EFO at each recent fiscal event. The below is an extract from this published table: 3.18 Effect of threshold freezes on additional taxpayers Million 2023-242024-252025-262026-272027-282028-292029-30Number of taxpayers …brought into income tax2.23.33.53.94.24.24.2…brought into higher-rate band1.42.22.52.83.03.03.0 The full table is available as Table 3.18 in the detailed forecast of receipts: October 2024 Economic and fiscal outlook – detailed forecast tables: receipts (obr.uk)

Whether he has had recent discussions with adult social care providers on the planned level of funding for the (a) NHS and (b) social care in the next four financial years.

The Department holds regular meetings with adult social care stakeholders, including service providers and representative bodies, to discuss key issues and developments, such as the impact of the Budget on the sector.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Fruit and Vegetables Aid scheme beyond 31 December 2025.

The Government appreciates and values the vital work of our fruit and vegetable growers and recognises their important role in maintaining a secure supply of home – produced fresh produce. The Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme is an EU legacy scheme and legislation in place to close it on the 31 of December 2025. As part of our mission-driven government, the Department is now considering how we can achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for all our farming sectors. Defra meets regularly with growers to discuss a range of issues. These discussions help inform future policy development and help us understand what support the sector needs to help it thrive.

If his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of public funding for Devon Hospiccare in Exeter.

Palliative care services are included in the list of services that the integrated care boards (ICBs) in England, including the NHS Devon ICB, under which Devon Hospiscare falls, must commission. This promotes a more consistent national approach and supports commissioners in prioritising palliative and end of life care. To support ICBs in this duty, NHS England has published statutory guidance and service specifications.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 like Devon Hospiscare, also play in providing support to people at end of life, and their loved ones.We do understand that, financially, times are difficult for many voluntary and charitable organisations, including hospices, due to a range of concurrent cost pressures. We will consider next steps on palliative and end of life care, including funding, in the coming months.

Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's timetable is for making a decision on whether to extend the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme beyond 31 December 2025.

The Government appreciates and values the vital work of our fruit and vegetable growers and recognises their important role in maintaining a secure supply of home – produced fresh produce. The Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme is an EU legacy scheme and legislation in place to close it on the 31 of December 2025. As part of our mission-driven government, the Department is now considering how we can achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for all our farming sectors. Defra meets regularly with growers to discuss a range of issues. These discussions help inform future policy development and help us understand what support the sector needs to help it thrive.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to expedite the establishment of the Supported Housing Advisory Panel.

The Government remains committed to implementing the measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, including appointing members to a Supported Housing Advisory Panel.The recruitment of Panel members has resumed and applications closed on 9 December. We will appoint the panel as soon as possible.

Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will make an assessment of the current adequacy of (a) regulation of fipronil and imidacloprid products, (b) (i) methods and (ii) scale of publication and promotion of Health and Safety regulations for handing fipronil products, with specific relevance to their visibility to pet owner and (c) regulations around remedies for pets in respect of their requirements to have a full Environmental Impact Assessment under the relevant legislation.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) authorises veterinary medicinal products under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013 (as amended) to protect public health, animal health, the environment, and promote animal welfare. This involves ensuring medicines are approved only when their benefits outweigh any potential risks. For pet owner safety, all veterinary medicines undergo a comprehensive User Risk Assessment before market authorisation. Clear safety warnings are included in product literature to minimise risks during proper use. These risks are also considered against the consequences of not using such medicines, such as the spread of flea- and tick-borne diseases, which can impact both pets in terms of parasitic disease and humans because of the public health issues of disease transference (zoonotic disease). Environmental safety is also considered during authorisation. While current international guidelines assume minimal environmental exposure from companion animal medicines, the VMD now believes there is sufficient evidence to support a review of these guidelines, despite existing data gaps. The VMD have established the cross-government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Group, whose aim is to provide advice on possible policy options to help reduce pharmaceutical pollution in the UK, including disposal. An immediate priority for the PiE Group is to develop a strategy to reduce the levels of fipronil and imidacloprid being detected in UK surface water.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has had discussions with producer organisations on (a) the closure of the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme and (b) replacing that scheme (i) in part or (ii) in full.

The Government appreciates and values the vital work of our fruit and vegetable growers and recognises their important role in maintaining a secure supply of home – produced fresh produce. The Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme is an EU legacy scheme and legislation in place to close it on the 31 of December 2025. As part of our mission-driven government, the Department is now considering how we can achieve our ambitious, measurable and long-term goals for all our farming sectors. Defra meets regularly with growers to discuss a range of issues. These discussions help inform future policy development and help us understand what support the sector needs to help it thrive.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the occupancy rate for houses in Watchet in Tiverton and Minehead constituency.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found here.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the (a) adequacy of regulations on the fishing of bass by charter boats which are also commercially-registered fishing vessels and (b) potential merits of introducing measures to enable such vessels to allocate caught fish to quotas for either (i) charter boats or (ii) commercially-registered fishing vessels.

The Bass Fisheries Management Plan published in December 2023 sets out a number goals and measures to deliver long-term sustainable management of bass fisheries in English and Welsh waters. This includes working with the newly established bass management group, comprising commercial and recreational sectors, scientists, regulators, policy officials and environmental interests. This group will help (a) improve communication and understanding of bass regulations, and collaboration between regulators on targeted enforcement; and (b) in the longer term consider the merits of a move away from bycatch limits towards a catch limit or quota approach. The bass management group will consider the adequacy of regulations for all bass fishermen, including charter boats, in these discussions.