Written questions by Gibson.

Media and Sport, what funding is available to support the (a) creative and (b) cultural sectors in (i) Chippenham constituency and (ii) other rural market towns.

Arts Council England has invested £539,520 in Chippenham since April 2022 through a combination of regular funding and project funding for individuals and organisations such as Folio, a dynamic, female-led new writing theatre company, which received £122,329 over 2 project grants.In addition, Arts Council England’s open-access funds are available across England, including in market towns such as Chippenham. This includes:National Lottery Project Grants – open to applications between £1000 and £100,000. Arts Council England is currently focused on three time-limited priorities: Supporting Grassroots Music, Museum Unlocking Collections and Universal Library Offers projects.Develop Your Creative Practice – awards from £2000 to £12,000 that support individual creative and cultural practitioners to focus on their development and take them to the next stage of their practice.Capital – financial assistance to museums, libraries and arts organisations to invest in buildings, equipment, digital infrastructure and technology with a view to securing their longer term viability and sustainability. For the financial year 2025/2026 the Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) will provide funding for public libraries of up to £500,000 (total available £5.5m).Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) – Funding for urgent repairs to accredited non national museums up to £5m (total available £25m).Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) – Funding for equipment and buildings for arts organisations – Strand 1 up to £1m and Strand 2 Over £1m and up to £10m (total available £85m).The Creative Industries Sector Plan will be published shortly, announcing new measures to grow the creative industries across the whole of the UK.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the level of risk of insolvency to Thames Water following the withdrawal of KKR; and whether he has made an estimate of the potential cost to the public purse of this event.

The company remains stable, and the Government is closely monitoring the situation. As the company has set out, it will continue to work with its creditors and stakeholders as part of its equity raise to improve its financial position. The Government is prepared for all eventualities across our regulated industries- including water - as any responsible Government would be, and stands ready to intervene through the use of a Special Administration Regime, should this be required to ensure the continued provision of vital public services. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the financial matters of a private company.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the availability of grants for farmers to support (a) sustainable and (b) regenerative agricultural practices in Wiltshire.

We are working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025. We plan to launch the new Higher Tier scheme later this year; Capital Grants will re-open in summer 2025; we continue to move forward with Landscape Recovery; we are increasing payment rates for Higher Level Stewardship agreement holders to recognise their ongoing commitment to delivering environmental outcome; and we are making £110 million available for new grant competitions to support research and innovation, technology and equipment for farmers.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support flood resilience in (a) Chippenham and (b) other towns; and whether his Department is taking steps to work with local authorities to develop climate adaptation plans for rural areas.

The Environment Agency (EA) is working with local partners on options to take forward the Chippenham Avon Project. In addition, the EA is working with Wiltshire Council on the Wiltshire Rural Runoff Project to improve understanding of the causes of flooding and to look for potential interventions to reduce the impacts of rural flooding. In 2024, as part of the fourth round of reporting under the Adaptation Reporting Power, we worked with 18 English local authorities to support local reporting of climate risks and adaptation.

Food and Rural Affairs, what contingency plans his Department has in place following the collapse of the proposed equity injection into Thames Water by KKR.

The company remains stable, and the Government is closely monitoring the situation. As the company has set out, it will continue to work with its creditors and stakeholders as part of its equity raise to improve its financial position. The Government is prepared for all eventualities across our regulated industries- including water - as any responsible Government would be, and stands ready to intervene through the use of a Special Administration Regime, should this be required to ensure the continued provision of vital public services. It would be inappropriate to comment further on the financial matters of a private company.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department’s policies of the report entitled Independent Water Commission: review of the water sector, published on 3 June 2025, and what steps he is taking to tackle those issues.

The Government is clear that transformative change is needed across the water sector, and will be carefully considering Sir Jon’s preliminary conclusions as outlined in the interim report published on 3 June. The Government will respond to the findings in full once the Commission has produced its final report later this summer. Our response will include a detailed transition plan for the water sector, which will form the basis of future legislation to reset the sector and attract the investment we need to ensure its resilience for decades to come.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is considering for improving the ecological health of (a) the River Avon, (b) its tributaries and (c) other rivers in Wiltshire, in the context of the Independent Water Commission Interim Report, published on 3 June 2025.

The Government is clear that transformative change is needed across the water sector, and will be carefully considering Sir Jon’s preliminary conclusions as outlined in the interim report published on 3 June. The Government will respond to the findings in full once the Commission has produced its final report later this summer. Our response will include a detailed transition plan for the water sector, which will form the basis of future legislation to reset the sector and attract the investment we need to ensure its resilience for decades to come.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the interim findings of the Independent Review of the Regulation of the Water Industry in England, published on 3 June 2025.

The Government is clear that transformative change is needed across the water sector, and will be carefully considering Sir Jon’s preliminary conclusions as outlined in the interim report published on 3 June. The Government will respond to the findings in full once the Commission has produced its final report later this summer. Our response will include a detailed transition plan for the water sector, which will form the basis of future legislation to reset the sector and attract the investment we need to ensure its resilience for decades to come.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the transition of passenger rail services into public ownership on rail provision in Wiltshire.

The Government is committed to delivering an improved railway for all users across Britain, including those in Wiltshire. We are taking steps to ensure a smooth transition for staff and passengers as services transfer into public ownership. There will be no immediate changes to the running of services at the point of transfer, however, under public ownership, services will be run in the interests of passengers, not shareholders. One by one we are returning the railways to the service of passengers. It will take time, but we’re setting up a railway people can be proud of. Later this session we will be introducing legislation to enable the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR) as the new directing mind for the railways. Unifying track and train under a single public body will deliver better services for passengers and freight customers and better value for money for taxpayers.

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Wiltshire and (b) other rural counties are not deprioritised under the new decision-making framework proposed for Great British Railways.

Great British Railways (GBR) will be organised to work collaboratively with devolved leaders and local stakeholders and ensure rail services meet local needs. All tiers of local government in England will benefit from empowered local GBR business units that are outward-facing and engage local authorities on their priorities and Local Transport Plans. The Government supports greater involvement for devolved and local leaders as they know their areas best. Our proposals intend to balance GBR’s directing mind role with ensuring that devolved and local priorities are a significant consideration in its decision making.

Whether Great British Railways will be required to take into account the specific needs of (a) Wiltshire and (b) other rural and semi-rural areas when determining (i) future service levels and (ii) timetables.

Great British Railways (GBR) will plan services and design timetables to meet both current and future passenger demand, while also ensuring value for money to the taxpayer. GBR will work with all Local Transport Authorities, including Wiltshire, on their priorities and Local Transport Plans.

Whether he is taking steps to ensure that local stakeholders in Wiltshire will have a role in shaping the (a) 30-year strategic plan and (b) five-year business plans proposed for Great British Railways.

In its role as the ‘directing mind’, Great British Railways (GBR) will bring track and train together and plan services on a whole-system basis, to better deliver for passengers, taxpayers, and freight customers, and to unlock growth. This will include working closely with devolved leaders and local partners, drawing on their experiences and expertise. As set out in Getting Britain Moving, the Government intends that all Local Transport Authorities, including Wiltshire, will benefit from empowered local GBR business units that will engage local authorities on their priorities and Local Transport Plans, and seek to ensure the railway plays its part in delivering them where possible. This will include working with sub-national transport bodies on matters of wider regional interest. The Secretary of State will engage with key stakeholders as the Long-Term Rail Strategy is developed and GBR will engage with stakeholders as it develops its plans to translate the strategy into operational decisions.

What plans the Department has to involve (a) passengers and (b) rail user groups in Wiltshire in the development of the proposed independent passenger watchdog.

The new Passenger Watchdog will be established alongside Great British Railways, enabled by the forthcoming Railways Bill. We recently consulted on our legislative proposals, including the watchdog, and we are currently reviewing the responses received. A Government response will be published in due course.

What recent discussions her Department has had with (a) local authorities and (b) transport groups on the potential implementation of proposed rail reform proposals in Wiltshire.

In February, the Department for Transport launched an eight-week consultation “A railway fit for Britain’s future”. As part of that, a webinar event was held for stakeholders to come and ask questions. Further detailed discussions were held with sub national transport groups and community rail. The Department plans to use the publication of the Government’s response to that consultation to set out next steps for rail reform.

What assessment he has made on the Government’s progress in implementing the recommendations of the House of Commons Defence Committee's report entitled Protecting those who protect us: Women in the Armed Forces from Recruitment to Civilian Life, published on 25 July 2021.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6 March 2025 to Question 34425 to the hon. Member for Newton Abbot (Martin Wrigley). Regarding outstanding recommendations from the Report, the new Armed Forces Sexual Harassment Survey has been launched, and the Veterans’ Strategy, to be published later this year, will include a dedicated section on female veterans. In March I briefed the House of Commons Defence Committee on additional commitments Defence has made: We are improving how the most serious Service Complaints are dealt with quickly, fairly and in a standardised way across the Armed Forces via the establishment of an independent tri-Service team, and we have begun work to develop a Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce to support the broader government agenda on this important subject.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the proposals in Law Commission’s report entitled Modernising Wills Law, published on 15 May 2025.

The Government has welcomed the Law Commission’s comprehensive report on the law of making a will and will be giving the report careful consideration.This is the first major review of the law on making wills since the Wills Act 1837, and the reforms proposed by the Law Commission are significant and wide ranging. They deserve detailed consideration. The Government recognises that the current law is outdated, and we must embrace change, but the guiding principle in doing so will be to ensure that reform does not compromise existing freedoms or protecting the elderly and vulnerable in society from undue influence.The Government will make further announcements in due course, once it has given the report the detailed consideration it deserves.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of reducing the therapy funding per adopted child in Wiltshire on the mental health and well-being of these children.

The criteria for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) will enable as many children and families as possible to access funding, including in Wiltshire. The department always assesses the impact of changes on vulnerable children. This includes reviewing the equalities impact assessment, which will be made available in the Libraries of both Houses in due course.Since December 2023, ASGSF applications have required the use of outcomes measurement tools to monitor the impact of ASGSF-funded therapies. Over time, these tools will enable the department and local areas to monitor the long-term impacts of the ASGSF.The department expects the ASGSF to remain an important source of support for adoptive families across the country, with no regional differences. However, it is not the only source of support. We are funding Adoption England with £8.8 million this year, including to improve adoption support. This includes the establishment of Centres of Excellence as multidisciplinary teams in various regions to provide specialist and therapeutic support to families. We are also making £500 million available to local authorities to roll out Family Help nationally to transform services and transition towards earlier intervention. This will nearly double direct investment in preventative services.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the regional differences in the potential impact of reductions to the adoption and special guardian support fund; and what steps she is taking to help tackle any identified disparities.

The criteria for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) will enable as many children and families as possible to access funding, including in Wiltshire. The department always assesses the impact of changes on vulnerable children. This includes reviewing the equalities impact assessment, which will be made available in the Libraries of both Houses in due course.Since December 2023, ASGSF applications have required the use of outcomes measurement tools to monitor the impact of ASGSF-funded therapies. Over time, these tools will enable the department and local areas to monitor the long-term impacts of the ASGSF.The department expects the ASGSF to remain an important source of support for adoptive families across the country, with no regional differences. However, it is not the only source of support. We are funding Adoption England with £8.8 million this year, including to improve adoption support. This includes the establishment of Centres of Excellence as multidisciplinary teams in various regions to provide specialist and therapeutic support to families. We are also making £500 million available to local authorities to roll out Family Help nationally to transform services and transition towards earlier intervention. This will nearly double direct investment in preventative services.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate the long-term outcomes of adopted children impacted by the reduction in therapy funding.

The criteria for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) will enable as many children and families as possible to access funding, including in Wiltshire. The department always assesses the impact of changes on vulnerable children. This includes reviewing the equalities impact assessment, which will be made available in the Libraries of both Houses in due course.Since December 2023, ASGSF applications have required the use of outcomes measurement tools to monitor the impact of ASGSF-funded therapies. Over time, these tools will enable the department and local areas to monitor the long-term impacts of the ASGSF.The department expects the ASGSF to remain an important source of support for adoptive families across the country, with no regional differences. However, it is not the only source of support. We are funding Adoption England with £8.8 million this year, including to improve adoption support. This includes the establishment of Centres of Excellence as multidisciplinary teams in various regions to provide specialist and therapeutic support to families. We are also making £500 million available to local authorities to roll out Family Help nationally to transform services and transition towards earlier intervention. This will nearly double direct investment in preventative services.

What recent steps she has taken with police forces to ensure the accurate collection of data on the abuse of older people; and if she will publish the most recent data held by her Department for Wiltshire.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS), who are responsible for the publication of crime statistics in England and Wales has explored the feasibility of extending the Crime Survey for England and Wales, to cover the population resident in care homes and the use of other sources to improve coverage of elder abuse in its crime statistics. A report on this work has been published and can be found here:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/incorporatingdataoncrimesexperiencedbycarehomeresidentsintocrimestatistics/2023-12-01