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1672643

registered interest
date	23/11/2023
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Health Services: Weather
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help prepare the NHS for winter 2023-24.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	3561
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2023 answer text <p>Winter planning for the National Health Service started earlier this year than in previous years. The urgent and emergency care recovery plan was published in January 2023 which included £1 billion of dedicated funding to support capacity. In July 2023, NHS England wrote to integrated care boards, trusts and primary care networks to set out a national approach to 2023/24 winter planning and the key steps to be taken across all parts of the system to meet the challenges expected from winter pressures.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 28/11/2023 09:44:56 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1672644

registered interest
date	23/11/2023
answering body	Department of Health and Social Care
answering dept id	17
answering dept short name	Health and Social Care
answering dept sort name	Health and Social Care
hansard heading	Surgery: Waiting Lists
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the number of elective surgeries cancelled in the last 12 months.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	3562
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 29/11/2023 answer text <p>Official NHS England statistics show that between September 2023 and September 2024 (latest National Health Service published data) the total number of elective surgeries cancelled in England for non-clinical reasons was 76,021. Some common non-clinical reasons for cancellations by the hospital include ward beds being unavailable, surgeon or theatre staff being unavailable, or emergency cases needing the theatre.</p><p>Further information is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancelled-elective-operations/cancelled-ops-data/" target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancelled-elective-operations/cancelled-ops-data/</a></p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 29/11/2023 14:35:46 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson previous answer version 3976 answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1672378

registered interest
date	22/11/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Standards
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure equitable standards of SEND provision in (a) urban and (b) rural communities.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	3387
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2023 answer text <p>In the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Improvement Plan, published in March 2023, the department set out plans to build a consistent national SEND and AP system which parents and carers can trust, easily navigate, and have confidence in, whether they live in an urban or rural area.</p><p>The foundation for the new nationally consistent SEND and AP system will be new evidenced-based National Standards for early and accurate identification of need, and timely access to support to meet those needs. The standards will include clarifying the types of support that should be ordinarily available in mainstream settings and who is responsible for securing the support.</p><p>This will help families, practitioners and providers understand what support every child or young person should be receiving from early years through to further education, no matter where they live or what their needs are. By the end of 2025 the department will publish a significant proportion of the National Standards.</p><p>New local SEND and AP partnerships will support this work by bringing together Education, Health and Care partners with local government to produce evidence-based Local Area Inclusion Plans setting out how to meet the needs of children and young people with SEND and in AP in the local area, in line with National Standards.</p><p>The department is testing and refining reforms through the £70 million Change Programme to collect evidence about what works for children and young people with SEND and their families at a local level. The department is working with 32 local authorities and their local areas in each of the nine regions. To form a <ins class="ministerial">Change Programme Partnership</ins><del class="ministerial">Child Protection Plan</del>, in the majority of cases, a lead local authority will work in partnership with up to three neighbouring local authorities which will ensure impact is spread across a range of local areas, with differing levels of performance and demographics.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 27/11/2023 17:55:06 question first ministerially corrected 26/03/2024 16:40:15 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston previous answer version 3062 answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1672380

registered interest
date	22/11/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Special Educational Needs: Rural Areas
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure there is adequate funding for the provision of SEND services in rural schools.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	3388
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/11/2023 answer text <p>Funding for specialist Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) services is allocated to local authorities through the high needs funding block of their Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG).</p><p>Local authorities are responsible for deciding how much of that funding to spend on appropriate local SEND services, to ensure there is effective support for the education of children and young people with SEND in all local schools, including rural schools.</p><p>Nationally, high needs funding is increasing to over £10.5 billion in the 2024/25 financial year, which is an increase of over 60% since the 2019/20 allocations. The department has already announced provisional 2024/25 high needs allocations for local authorities, and Lancashire County Council’s allocation is £203 million, which is over £10 million more than the Council will receive for 2023/24.</p> answering member constituency Wantage answering member printed David Johnston question first answered 27/11/2023 17:53:15 answering member 4761 label Biography information for David Johnston
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1671758

registered interest
date	21/11/2023
answering body	Department for Business and Trade
answering dept id	214
answering dept short name	Business and Trade
answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
hansard heading	Hospitality Industry: Cost of Living
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps her Department has taken to support the hospitality sector in the context of the rise in the cost of living.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	2965
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/11/2023 answer text <p>My Department meets regularly with the hospitality sector and understands the challenges businesses face. The Hospitality Sector Council is focusing on steps to build the sector’s resilience.</p><p> </p><p>In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a business rates support package worth £4.3 billion over the next five years to support small businesses and the high street. The small business multiplier will be frozen for a fourth consecutive year, and Retail, <br> Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief will be extended, ensuring the most vulnerable <br> businesses continue to be supported.</p><p> </p><p>The Chancellor also announced a freeze on alcohol duties until 1 August 2024 to give businesses time to adapt to the duty system introduced on 1 August 2023.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake question first answered 28/11/2023 14:00:33 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1670560

registered interest
date	16/11/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Lancashire Constabulary: Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what data his Department holds on the number of (a) members of staff and (b) officers in Lancashire Constabulary for whom (i) the correct level of vetting has not been applied and (ii) vetting clearance has expired.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	2387
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2023 answer text <p>The Home Office does not hold data in relation to the number, status or levels of vetting for individuals working in policing. Vetting and recruitment matters are handled independently, and on a case-by-case basis, by each force. Decisions on vetting should be made in accordance with the statutory Vetting Code of Practice and vetting authorised professional practice (APP), issued by the College of Policing.</p><p>His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire &amp; Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carries out regular inspections on the effectiveness of forces’ vetting arrangements. Details of these inspections are available on its website: <a href="https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/</a></p><p>The vetting APP outlines the criteria that forces should consider when determining the level of vetting clearance which is to be applied to a post rather than a particular rank. This includes whether the post requires access to particularly sensitive information and/or assets.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 2388 question first answered 21/11/2023 14:29:31 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1670561

registered interest
date	16/11/2023
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Police: Vetting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether management vetting is required for all officers who hold the rank of sergeant in the police force.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	2388
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/11/2023 answer text <p>The Home Office does not hold data in relation to the number, status or levels of vetting for individuals working in policing. Vetting and recruitment matters are handled independently, and on a case-by-case basis, by each force. Decisions on vetting should be made in accordance with the statutory Vetting Code of Practice and vetting authorised professional practice (APP), issued by the College of Policing.</p><p>His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire &amp; Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carries out regular inspections on the effectiveness of forces’ vetting arrangements. Details of these inspections are available on its website: <a href="https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/</a></p><p>The vetting APP outlines the criteria that forces should consider when determining the level of vetting clearance which is to be applied to a post rather than a particular rank. This includes whether the post requires access to particularly sensitive information and/or assets.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 2387 question first answered 21/11/2023 14:29:31 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1657467

registered interest
date	01/09/2023
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Probate
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average waiting time was to process a probate application in the latest period for which data is available; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce the average waiting time.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	197320
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/09/2023 answer text <p>The probate service received record levels of applications during 2022 and this has continued to grow with significantly higher levels of receipts during January to March 2023. Whilst HMCTS has increased resources to meet the higher demand the training and upskilling of those new and existing staff has led to applications taking longer in the short term.</p><p>HMCTS is focused on increasing outputs to reduce overall timeliness on all types of applications and the average mean length of time taken for a grant of probate, following receipt of the documents required, is 9 weeks during January to March 2023.</p><p>Average waiting times for probate grants, are routinely published on gov.uk via Family Court Statistics Quarterly and currently cover the period up to March 2023.</p> answering member constituency Finchley and Golders Green answering member printed Mike Freer question first answered 11/09/2023 14:47:38 answering member 4004 label Biography information for Mike Freer
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1639373

registered interest
date	22/05/2023
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Students: Loans
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing student maintenance loans above the planned 2.8 per cent given the current level of inflation.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	186264
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/05/2023 answer text <p>Decisions on student support for higher education courses are taken on an annual basis and changes for the 2023/24 academic year were made through regulations laid in January 2023. The department has continued to increase maximum loans and grants for living and other costs on an annual basis, with a 2.3% increase for the 2022/23 academic year and a further 2.8% increase for 2023/24.</p><p>The government recognises the additional cost of living pressures that have arisen this year which have impacted students. On 11 January 2023 the department announced a one-off funding boost of £15 million to this year's student premium. There is now £276 million of student premium funding available this academic year to support disadvantaged students who need additional help. This extra funding will complement the help universities are providing through their own bursary, scholarship and hardship support schemes.</p><p>Furthermore, students who have been awarded a loan for living costs for the 2022/23 academic year that is lower than the maximum, and whose household income for the tax year 2022/23 has dropped by at least 15% compared to the income provided for their original assessment, have been able to apply for their entitlement to be reassessed.</p> answering member constituency Harlow answering member printed Robert Halfon question first answered 31/05/2023 15:14:21 answering member 3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton

1639374

registered interest
date	22/05/2023
answering body	Department for Transport
answering dept id	27
answering dept short name	Transport
answering dept sort name	Transport
hansard heading	Motorways: Safety Measures
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what impact the Government's announcement on scrapping new smart motorways will have on existing smart motorways.
tabling member constituency	West Lancashire
tabling member printed	Ashley Dalton
uin	186265
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/05/2023 answer text <p>I refer the Honourable Member to the Written Ministerial Statement of 17 April 2023.</p> answering member constituency North West Durham answering member printed Mr Richard Holden question first answered 30/05/2023 11:20:27 answering member 4813 label Biography information for Mr Richard Holden
tabling member	4981 label Biography information for Ashley Dalton