Written questions by Savage.

Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to introduce digital identity cards.

The Government has announced plans for a new national digital identity credential to be available to UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. This will make it easier for people to securely access the services they are entitled to, where they want to, while also helping to prevent illegal working and deter illegal migration. Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks using the new digital ID by the end of this parliament.We recognise the importance of both cybersecurity and privacy. We will consult and engage on the practical operation of the scheme, and the data structures underpinning it, as it is developed. The data for the digital ID scheme will be federated, as doing so is good practice for things like this. That means most data will stay where it is already safely stored, such as in HM Passport Office or other government departments, and only joined up if and when needed.Following the Machinery of Government changes of 23/10/2025 policy responsibility now sits with the Cabinet Office.

Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance her Department has issued on compensation for farmers for (a) crop loss, (b) soil compaction and (c) business interruption caused by (i) leaks and (ii) repair works on water undertakers’ apparatus on private farmland; and whether she plans to review those arrangements.

Under the Water Industry Act 1991, Section 181, Ofwat has powers to determine particular customer disputes about how companies go about undertaking work on their assets in private land. Ofwat can determine compensation of up to £5,000 in relation to:failure of the company to consult adequately before or in the course of exercising their work in private land powers, oracting unreasonably in how they exercise those powers, causing the complainant to sustain loss or damage or to be subjected to inconvenience. Furthermore, this Government took decisive action to increase customer protections by updating the Guaranteed Standards Scheme which came into force 2 July 2025, increasing customer compensation by more than double when they have been failed by water companies. The standards, outlined in the Guaranteed Standards Scheme, set out a baseline for customer service in the water sector. They include providing timely restoration of water supply following an interruption, responding to written complaints and managing the risk of sewer flooding.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to encourage local authorities to support arts and culture.

Local arts and culture are vital for community well-being and connection. The Secretary of State regularly discusses arts and culture with Cabinet colleagues.We have committed an additional £3.4 billion in grant funding to local government by 2028-29, including investment in culture. The department also partnered with MHCLG on the "Pride in Place" strategy. DCMS recently committed £270 million through the Arts Everywhere Fund.The Creative Industries Sector Plan includes the £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund for six Mayoral Strategic Authorities.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that older people entitled to Home Responsibilities Protection compensation are not excluded from claiming due to identity verification requirements.

Customers who are unable to access their Personal Tax Account can apply for Home Responsibilities Protection by completing a print and post form (CF411) which is available on GOV.UK. Alternatively, they can contact the National Insurance helpline to request a paper form.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to (a) support local authorities with the availability of larger family homes and (b) ensure that future developments reflect local demand for such housing through neighbourhood planning.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that it is for local planning authorities to assess the size, types and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including (but not limited to) families with children, and to reflect this in their planning policies. We have already strengthened national policy to encourage the delivery of mixed tenure development and will consider what further steps we can take as part of our intent to produce a set of national policies for decision making later this year. The government remains of the view that neighbourhood plans can play an important role in the planning system. Communities can continue to prepare neighbourhood plans where they consider that doing so is in their best interests. Neighbourhood planning works best where it builds upon the foundation of the local plan to meet the priorities, preferences, and housing needs of the community. Government planning policy for traveller sites should be read in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility for free prescriptions to people with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.

There are no plans to review the list of medical conditions that entitle someone to apply for a medical exemption certificate.There are extensive arrangements in place in England to ensure that prescriptions are affordable for everyone. Approximately 89% of prescription items are dispensed free of charge in the community in England, and there is a wide range of exemptions from prescription charges already in place for which those with Schwachmann Diamond Syndrome may be eligible. Eligibility depends on the patient’s age, whether they are in qualifying full-time education, whether they are pregnant or have recently given birth, or whether they are in receipt of certain benefits or a war pension.People on low incomes can apply for help with their health costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme, which provides help based on a comparison between a person’s income and requirements.People who need to pay and need many prescription items could save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). PPCs allow people to claim as many prescriptions as needed for a set cost. An annual PPC costs £114.50 and will save money if they need 12 or more items in 12 months. To help spread the cost, people can pay for an annual PPC by ten monthly direct debits, which works out as just over £2 per week. A three-month PPC for £32.05 is also available.

Whether she has had discussions with the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) on its compliance with Section 9.4 of the IOPC Statutory Guidance, published on 1 February 2020; and what guidance her Department has issued on whether the IOPC has discretion to decline to investigate matters that fall within the mandatory referral criteria.

The IOPC has powers to issue statutory guidance under section 22 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to local policing bodies, the 43 Home Office territorial police forces in England and Wales and other law enforcement bodies, such as the National Crime Agency. Paragraph 9.4 of this guidance is directed not at the IOPC but at such police forces and bodies (known as “appropriate authorities”). Paragraph 9.4 places a requirement on them to “notify the IOPC where concerns or issues arise after the initial referral that indicate the matter should be referred [to the IOPC] again” in line with mandatory referral criteria.The 2002 Act itself sets out the requirements on the IOPC as to how should carry out its functions. It gives the IOPC discretion to decide whether it is necessary that cases that have been referred to it under the mandatory referral criteria should be investigated and, if so, how they should be investigated. For example, the IOPC can decide it is necessary for it to investigate a case independently itself or it can decide that the appropriate authority should do so on its own behalf or that the appropriate authority or another force should investigate as directed by the IOPC. Paragraph 15 of Schedule 3 of the 2002 Act specifically sets this out. Other requirements on the IOPC are set out elsewhere in the 2002 Act and in the Police (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2020.

For what reason outstanding pension payments to veterans under the McCloud Pension Remedy are being delayed.

The implementation of the McCloud Pension Remedy represents one of the most complex undertakings ever associated with Public Sector Pension Schemes, affecting over three million individuals Within the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, the scale of delivery and the technical challenges involved have unfortunately resulted in delays for some members in receiving their Remedial Service Statements. However, the Ministry of Defence is making significant efforts to address these challenges and remains fully committed to ensuring that all members receive their Remedial Service Statements as promptly as possible, with a firm deadline of 31 March 2026. Regular updates on the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 Remedy are available on GOV.UK via the following link:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans#pension-remedy

Food and Rural Affairs, by what means the Weeds Act 1959 is being enforced.

Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure whilst NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.

Food and Rural Affairs, in the context of Natural England no longer accepting complaints about the spread of injurious weeds, by what means the Weeds Act 1959 is now being enforced.

Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure whilst NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.

Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason Natural England is no longer accepting complaints about the spread of injurious weeds.

Natural England (NE) is dealing with historic weeds complaints but is not currently taking new complaints. This is a temporary measure whilst NE reviews with Defra the approach to addressing injurious weeds, to improve access to appropriate advice and guidance and ensure enforcement resources are targeted most effectively.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of taking into account both parents’ income in Child Maintenance Service calculations.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) operates through broad rules set out in child support legislation which aim to provide the best overall outcome for all parents who use the CMS. However, we have to allow for sensible decision-making across a large range of cases and, therefore, the CMS cannot provide a bespoke service that is unique to a parent’s individual circumstances. The calculation represents an amount of money that is broadly commensurate with the amount that a paying parent would spend on the child if they were still living with them, irrespective of the income or assets of the receiving parent. The income of the receiving parent is not included as they are already discharging their parental responsibility through being the child’s primary care giver. The Government is conducting a review of the child maintenance calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose. This includes updating the underlying research and considering how to ensure the calculation reflects current and future societal trends. Options for proposed reforms are currently being considered. Any changes made to the child maintenance calculation will be subject to extensive public consultation, which we plan to publish late this year, and if made, will require amendments to legislation so would be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of drought on farmers in the South West; and what steps he is taking to help mitigate that impact.

Drought has led to an early harvest with a reduction in crop quality and yields. Livestock farmers are facing a growing risk with forage, winter feed supplies and consequently buying additional food or selling animals to reduce pressure on supplies. Measures to support farmers include: Allowing short term options to improve access to water outside of abstraction licence conditionsSupporting the establishment of Water Abstractor Groups to enable sharing of water rights and for the development of jointly owned infrastructure. Funding has been made available to the West Country Water and Environment to help create Water Abstractor GroupsLocal Resource Option screening studies are supporting farmers to collaborate on schemes such as multi-farm reservoirs, water trading, with one project in the South West. An updated prospect report will be published this autumn to inform farmers of the water resources situation in order to improve resilience and planning for next year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of local authorities selling statutory allotment sites on (a) rural and (b) smaller communities; and what steps she is taking to ensure those communities retain adequate access to allotment provision.

There are strict criteria in place to protect statutory allotments – these are sites covered by the Allotment Act 1925. A local authority cannot sell or dispose of statutory allotment land without the consent of the Secretary of State, who will only grant it if they are satisfied that either adequate alternative provision is made for displaced plot holders, or that such provision is unnecessary or not reasonably practicable.The rules on sales of assets have also been in place since 2016 and they have not changed. In fact, ministerial approval for sales of allotments were lower in 2024/25 than the average for previous years.The information regarding the number of people on waiting lists for an allotment is held by individual Local Authorities, not MHCLG, as they have the responsibility for the running, management and organisation of allotments.Government has made no formal assessment on the merits of selling statutory allotment sites in rural or smaller communities. The protections under the Allotment Act 1925, and the requirements under the Small Holdings and Allotment Act 1908 for local authorities to provide allotments where there is demand, provides the framework to ensure allotments are available to all communities.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring equitable taxation of (a) income derived from assets and (b) other passive income.

The Government is committed to making sure the wealthiest in our society pay their fair share of tax. That is why the Chancellor announced a series of reforms at Autumn Budget 2024 to help fix the public finances in as fair a way as possible.  These and other decisions announced at the Budget will help repair the public finances and fund public services such as the NHS and education. The Government keeps all taxes under review as part of the tax policy making process. Any tax changes are generally announced at Budget where decisions are taken in the round.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the ingestion of microplastics from plastic-based chewing gum on public health.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is monitoring and assessing emerging information concerning the wider issue of microplastics in food.The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) is an independent scientific advisory committee that provides advice to the FSA and other Government Departments. No assessment has been made on the potential impact of the ingestion of microplastics from chewing gum specifically, as the COT is currently considering the issue of microplastics in general.The COT has previously concluded that there is currently insufficient data to carry out a full risk assessment. Further research is required into standardisation of analytical techniques as well as the effects of microplastics on humans. The FSA is keeping the issue of microplastics under review as new evidence becomes available.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of constituency boundary changes on the availability of (a) discharge to assess and (b) respite care beds in South Cotswolds constituency; and what steps he is taking to ensure local provision of those beds.

Hospital discharge and respite care planning and provision are the responsibility of local authorities and local National Health Service bodies, including integrated care boards, trusts and foundation trusts. The geographical footprint of these bodies is not affected by constituency boundary changes.

If she will work with the Secretary of State for Education to embed food, farming and sustainability education in the national curriculum.

I refer the hon. Member for South Cotswolds to the response of 8 September 2025 to Question 72659.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of improving food, farming, and sustainability education on public health.

As part of the last reform of the national curriculum, an equalities impact assessment was carried out to evaluate whether the proposed changes would impact positively or negatively on groups with protected characteristics. This equalities impact assessment is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211061/Equalities_impact_assessment_-_FINAL_v3.pdf.Additionally, Public Health England provided a framework that guides teachers in applying best practice for food education in secondary schools. It is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80d9c440f0b62305b8d7ff/Foodteaching_Secondaryguidelines_FINAL.pdf.The curriculum and assessment system in England is currently under review by an independent panel of experts. The Curriculum and Assessment Review is now carrying out further investigation into specific policy and subject issues, working closely with the sector and building on the body of evidence gathered so far. No decisions about individual subjects have yet been made. Any subject-specific findings and recommendations that come out of the Review will be included in the final report which will be published in autumn.

Whether she has conducted impact assessments of food, farming, and sustainability education policy in the context of her Department's duties under the Equality Act 2010.

As part of the last reform of the national curriculum, an equalities impact assessment was carried out to evaluate whether the proposed changes would impact positively or negatively on groups with protected characteristics. This equalities impact assessment is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/211061/Equalities_impact_assessment_-_FINAL_v3.pdf.Additionally, Public Health England provided a framework that guides teachers in applying best practice for food education in secondary schools. It is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80d9c440f0b62305b8d7ff/Foodteaching_Secondaryguidelines_FINAL.pdf.The curriculum and assessment system in England is currently under review by an independent panel of experts. The Curriculum and Assessment Review is now carrying out further investigation into specific policy and subject issues, working closely with the sector and building on the body of evidence gathered so far. No decisions about individual subjects have yet been made. Any subject-specific findings and recommendations that come out of the Review will be included in the final report which will be published in autumn.