Written questions by Gibson.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the cause of the persistent odour affecting residents in Calne, Wiltshire; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Environment Agency and local authorities have the resources and enforcement powers required to identify and address the source of the smell.

The Environment Agency is aware of persistent odour reports in Calne and continues to treat the issue as a priority. Officers from the Environment Agency’s Wessex Area team have been deployed daily since last Thursday to investigate the source and assess any environmental impacts. They are conducting odour assessments at the times residents report the smell to be strongest, mainly late at night and early morning. These assessments are helping to establish the odour’s intensity and origin and will inform any necessary regulatory action. Defra engages closely with the Environment Agency and other agencies to review resources and enforcement powers.

How many children under the age of 18 were newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in each of the last five years, and how many of those cases involved hospital admission through accident and emergency departments.

The information is not held in the format requested.Information is held on the count of finished admission episodes on emergency admissions and those made through accident and emergency (A&E) departments for patients aged between zero and 17 years old with a primary diagnosis of 'type 1 diabetes' for activity between 2020/21 to 2024/25.YearTotal admissions (including non- emergency)All emergency admissions (including those not made via A&E department)Emergency admissions made via the A&E department2020/216,0065,5693,7712021/227,1206,5614,4832022/236,5086,0274,1752023/246,2715,7924,1792024/256,0135,5374,171Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS England

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to retain dedicated payment rates for (a) organic conversion and (b) organic maintenance within the revised Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Yes, recent announcements have confirmed that DEFRA is retaining dedicated payment rates for organic conversion. Defra has also confirmed that it is removing three actions relating to maintenance of organic land; however, organic farmers will be able to apply for existing conventional actions instead of the ones removed.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the new Sustainable Farming Incentive offer will include long-term organic maintenance payments that take into account the level of similar payments offered in the EU and devolved Administrations.

Defra reviews environmental scheme approaches used internationally, including those in the EU and the devolved nations, to inform our thinking. However, the department ultimately designs and implement schemes that we believe are most appropriate for England.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the 10% commission charge on park home residents requiring residential care in Wiltshire.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 97962 on 15 December 2025.

Communities and Local Government, how many applications for Fit and Proper Person status have been (a) granted, (b) refused and (c) granted subject to conditions since The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020 came into force.

The fit and proper person test, which applies to a site owner or the person appointed to manage a site, is intended to ensure that those managing park home sites are competent to do so. Where properly applied by local authorities, the legislation has been shown to be effective. Local authorities are responsible for administering the fit and proper person test. They are required to publish and maintain a register of persons they are satisfied are fit and proper persons to manage a park home site in their area. The information contained in these registers is held locally and is not held centrally. My Department will continue to monitor the operation of the test and consider whether any changes are required.

What steps he is taking to encourage investment into the UK hydrogen technology manufacturing sector.

The Industrial Strategy set out our public finance offer to crowd private investment into clean energy industries, including our hydrogen economy. This includes: £1bn Clean Energy supply chain fund; £5.8bn for the National Wealth Fund to invest this Parliament in clean industries; and a £4bn British Business Bank Growth Capital scale and start up financing package. The proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs for manufacturing supply chains in priority clean energy sectors such as hydrogen, making the UK an even more competitive place to invest.My officials work with the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero to showcase investment opportunities and our world-class hydrogen sector capability.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support investment into research and development across the hydrogen technology manufacturing sector.

Since 2020, Innovate UK, which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has awarded more than £405 million in hydrogen related R&D funding to support technology development, strengthen supply chains, advance hydrogen production, and to enable its use across the transport, energy, and industrial sectors.The Industrial Strategy set out the government’s approach to attract private investment into clean energy industries, including our hydrogen economy (including the £1 billion Clean Energy supply chain fund), £5.8 billion for the National Wealth Fund to invest in clean industries, and a £4 billion British Business Bank Growth Capital scale and start-up financing package. The proposed British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will also reduce electricity costs for manufacturing supply chains in priority clean energy sectors such as hydrogen.

What funding will be allocated to the UK hydrogen and fuel cell technology manufacturing sector through the Great British Energy £1 billion ‘Energy: Engineered in the UK’ supply chain fund.

Energy, Engineered in the UK (EEUK) is GBE’s flagship supply chain investment programme, delivering £1 billion of funding to increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK. Aside from the £300m Offshore Wind and Networks fund, funding under EEUK has not been pre-allocated to specific technologies or sectors. GBE will deploy the funding strategically, as aligned with its Strategic Plan and the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, working with industry and the wider energy ecosystem to identify where public investment can best unlock UK capability and crowd in private capital. GBE is currently engaging with companies in various clean energy sectors, including the hydrogen supply chain, to explore potential interventions under EEUK.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential for UK hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to contribute to the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as (a) heavy machinery and (b) heavy transport.

The Government expects hydrogen to play a role in decarbonising applications where there are limited alternatives such as maritime, aviation, and off-road machinery. This includes through use as a fuel directly, in a fuel cell, and to produce other low-carbon fuels such as ammonia, methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The Government plans to publish a renewed Hydrogen Strategy in early 2026 to sharpen our priorities, deepen industry collaboration, and unlock the full potential of hydrogen over the next decade. The Department has long supported the research, development, and deployment of hydrogen‑powered transport, including through ensuring hydrogen is eligible for support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation and the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate, through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator, the UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions, and the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas programme.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that UK hydrogen and fuel cell technology manufacturers benefit from the comprehensive Public Financial Institution offer set out in the Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan.

The UK is well placed to be a global leader in hydrogen deployment and supply chains, with significant export market potential for UK manufacturers. The Clean Energy Industries Plan (CEI) sets out a comprehensive Public Finance Institution offer to crowd private investment into sustainable supply chains in the UK and we will ensure hydrogen benefits from this. The offer includes: Energy, Engineered in the UK (EEUK) is Great British Energy’s (GBE) flagship supply chain investment programme, delivering £1 billion of funding to increase UK manufacturing capacity, drive down technology costs, and create and support jobs across the UK. GBE is currently engaging with companies in various clean energy sectors, including the hydrogen supply chain, to explore potential interventions under EEUK.The National Wealth Fund has committed to direct part of its £5.8 billion capitalisation towards low carbon hydrogen and its associated supply chains. Hydrogen is also one of the 10 sectors they have selected to catalyse in their recently published 5-year Strategic Plan. DESNZ is collaborating with the public finance institutions to align these offers with the needs of hydrogen and fuel cell manufacturers.

Whether he has considered the impact of recommendations 11,12 and 19 of the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025 on progress towards achieving the Government’s nature recovery targets set under the Environment Act 2021.

We will present a full government response and implementation plan soon, taking account of our national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes.

What recent assessment has he made of the potential merits of NESO introducing interim guidance that bridges the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan and the delayed Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) is committed to delivering the joined up, strategic energy planning needed for Great Britain to support economic growth, deliver a secure energy system and pave the way to a sustainable energy future. The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan gives a clear direction for our power system strategy for both 2030 and beyond, forming the basis for NESO's reformed connections queue out to both 2030 and 2035. NESO have now delivered clear queue outcomes to developers. At present, Government does not consider it necessary to produce any interim guidance.

What discussions he has had with the National Energy System Operator on the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

The methodology for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) was formally approved in May 2025 by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, together with Ofgem. As announced by NESO, the final SSEP will now be delivered in Autumn 2027, with pathway options submitted for decision by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in summer 2026.

If his Department will publish the independent audit reports commissioned on ECO4 delivery in 2025–26.

The Department for Net Zero and Energy Security commissioned independent audit reports on ECO4 delivery. The results of this audit programme are available on the Government website: Solid wall insulation installed under ECO4 and GBIS: Statistical audit results - GOV.UK We are unable to publish individual household reports as this would contravene GDPR requirements

What geographic barriers there are to accessing independent advocacy services for patients in rural areas, including Wiltshire; and what steps he is taking to help tackle those barriers.

Advocacy services play an important role in helping patients' voices to be heard and in ensuring their legal rights are protected. Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence indicates that advocacy can provide several benefits, including helping to uphold individuals’ rights, supporting vulnerable individuals, involvement in decision-making, and promoting continuity of care.There are several different types of patient advocacy services, and it is for local commissioning bodies to plan and commission advocacy services, in line with relevant legislation.Specifically on complaints advocacy services, whilst National Health Service organisations must have their own complaints procedures, they are not required to provide complaints advocacy services. The legal duty to provide this service rests with local authorities, who are required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to make arrangements for the provision of independent advocacy services in their area. Each year the Government provides approximately £15 million of grant funding to local authorities towards this service.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of independent advocacy services for patients in Wiltshire.

Advocacy services play an important role in helping patients' voices to be heard and in ensuring their legal rights are protected. Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence indicates that advocacy can provide several benefits, including helping to uphold individuals’ rights, supporting vulnerable individuals, involvement in decision-making, and promoting continuity of care.There are several different types of patient advocacy services, and it is for local commissioning bodies to plan and commission advocacy services, in line with relevant legislation.Specifically on complaints advocacy services, whilst National Health Service organisations must have their own complaints procedures, they are not required to provide complaints advocacy services. The legal duty to provide this service rests with local authorities, who are required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to make arrangements for the provision of independent advocacy services in their area. Each year the Government provides approximately £15 million of grant funding to local authorities towards this service.

What requirements are placed on NHS trusts and integrated care boards on the publication of independent NHS complaints advocacy services to patients, including in Wiltshire.

Advocacy services play an important role in helping patients' voices to be heard and in ensuring their legal rights are protected. Guidance issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence indicates that advocacy can provide several benefits, including helping to uphold individuals’ rights, supporting vulnerable individuals, involvement in decision-making, and promoting continuity of care.There are several different types of patient advocacy services, and it is for local commissioning bodies to plan and commission advocacy services, in line with relevant legislation.Specifically on complaints advocacy services, whilst National Health Service organisations must have their own complaints procedures, they are not required to provide complaints advocacy services. The legal duty to provide this service rests with local authorities, who are required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to make arrangements for the provision of independent advocacy services in their area. Each year the Government provides approximately £15 million of grant funding to local authorities towards this service.

Whether his Department has assessed the factors contributing to variation in intervention rates between NHS trusts.

The Department has made no specific assessment. Local National Health Service commissioners are responsible for planning healthcare services that meet the needs of their respective populations. NHS trust interventions will vary across services and in response to a range of local factors.

What plans he has to improve the recording of miscarriage in NHS services.

The risk of miscarriage is estimated at 15%, and there are approximately 100,000 to 150,000 miscarriages per year in the United Kingdom. However, due to lack of data on the earliest losses, the true figure could be higher at approximately 250,000 a year.An update to digital record standards on maternity in March 2025 means that the National Health Service is now able to record the pregnancy outcome for any woman, including miscarriage, where they have been in contact with NHS maternity services.NHS England is in the early stages of a new project to review the Maternity Services Dataset, and we will carefully consider miscarriage information as part of this work.