That this House recognises the vital role post offices play in supporting rural communities by providing access to banking, cash withdrawals and deposits, parcel services and essential retail facilities; notes that, following widespread high street bank closures, post offices have become the primary point of access to in-person banking for many residents, particularly older or digitally excluded people in rural economies such as West Dorset; further notes with concern that changes by banks to services available through post offices risk undermining their long-term viability and reducing access to essential services; further recognises the dedication of postal workers serving rural communities despite the challenges of longer delivery routes and dispersed populations; expresses concern that postal delivery performance remains well below target, with first-class mail delivery at 79.2% in the Dorchester postcode area against a 93% target; also notes persistent parcel delivery failures in rural areas from delivery companies like EVRI, including missed deliveries, inaccurate tracking, incorrect delivery locations and inadequate customer support; believes rural consumers deserve reliable and transparent postal and parcel services; and calls on the Government to support the long-term sustainability of the Post Office network, work with Royal Mail to improve rural delivery performance, strengthen Ofcom's oversight of parcel delivery operators, require retailers to inform customers at the point of purchase which courier will be used, and work with the Post Office, banks and other stakeholders to safeguard banking services, ensure key financial services remain available through post offices, and secure their future at the heart of communities.

That this House recognises the vital role post offices play in supporting rural communities by providing access to banking, cash withdrawals and deposits, parcel services and essential retail facilities; notes that, following widespread high street bank closures, post offices have become the primary point of access to in-person banking for...

That this House expresses concern at rising and unpredictable service charges in retirement leasehold properties, which disproportionately affect older people, people on lower incomes and those on fixed incomes; notes concerns that many buyers are not provided with clear or realistic information about long-term service charge liabilities before signing leases, and that executors are burdened with large fees outright after the passing of a relative, alongside council tax liability for empty properties which are difficult to sell; further notes that charges are often presented without transparent breakdowns, that future increases are rarely explained meaningfully, and that some developments operate with artificially low or subsidised charges at point of sale which later rise sharply when subsidies are withdrawn; recognises that many leaseholders have little or no control over escalating costs, making properties difficult to sell and creating financial burdens for families during a cost of living crisis; also notes concerns regarding excessive exit fees, restrictions on subletting and resale, and the conduct of some property management companies; acknowledges calls to regulate property management companies and cap annual increases through lease clauses linked to inflation or requiring approval for higher rises; believes there should be a legal requirement for standardised and simplified disclosure before purchase, including current service charges, historic increases, realistic future projections and any subsidy arrangements; and calls on the Government to improve fairness, transparency and consumer protection in the retirement leasehold sector and ensure older people pay only for the property and services they receive.

That this House expresses concern at rising and unpredictable service charges in retirement leasehold properties, which disproportionately affect older people, people on lower incomes and those on fixed incomes; notes concerns that many buyers are not provided with clear or realistic information about long-term service charge liabilities before signing leases,...

That this House recognises that reliable mobile connectivity is essential infrastructure, yet rural areas such as West Dorset continue to experience persistent signal not-spots, including in Stoke Abbott, with serious human, economic and safety consequences; notes that in such communities residents have no mobile signal and are deeply concerned about the impact of the radio teleswitch and digital landline switch-off, particularly where one constituent was moved to digital voice without warning and left without a working phone line for days despite serious health conditions; further notes that in villages without mobile coverage the landline remains a vital lifeline, especially during power cuts; highlights cases where residents cannot contact emergency services, run businesses or access basic services, and where one constituent must travel daily for her pacemaker to transmit vital medical data; also notes that current Ofcom reporting relies on modelled data that masks real coverage gaps due to topography leading to poor enforcement of standard in rural areas, while local evidence shows significant street-level variation and seasonal drops of up to 50 percentage points; further recognises that digital inclusion can deliver a £9.48 return for every £1 invested and unlock over £200 billion in productivity by 2035; welcomes initiatives such as the Shared Rural Network but notes they have not closed the most severe gaps; and calls on the Government to mandate street-level coverage reporting, provide ringfenced funding for local digital capacity, reform planning and business rates for infrastructure, and prioritise rural connectivity to end digital exclusion.

That this House recognises that reliable mobile connectivity is essential infrastructure, yet rural areas such as West Dorset continue to experience persistent signal not-spots, including in Stoke Abbott, with serious human, economic and safety consequences; notes that in such communities residents have no mobile signal and are deeply concerned about...

That this House recognises the outstanding and lifesaving work by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and fire services across the United Kingdom; notes with concern the proposed closure of Charmouth and Maiden Newton Fire Stations in West Dorset; further notes that the proposals are driven by sustained central government funding pressures; highlights that total revenue funding for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is estimated at £79.5 million in 2026–27, while the centrally controlled Revenue Support Grant is projected to fall from £12.8 million in 2026–27 to £10.3 million by 2028–29, a reduction of almost 20 per cent over three years; further recognises that flexibility on the fire precept does not compensate for reductions in core grant, particularly in rural areas where council tax base growth is lower than national assumptions relied on by funding formulas; also notes rising and unavoidable cost pressures, including increases in employer National Insurance contributions not fully covered by government funding, alongside higher fuel, energy and contract costs; acknowledges that station closures would require neighbouring stations, to cover significantly larger areas without corresponding upgrades or additional funding; also recognises that West Dorset’s population rises by up to 42 per cent during summer months and suffers significant flooding pressure, increasing seasonal risk, and dangerous country roads like the A35; and therefore calls on the Government to review the fire and rescue funding settlement to ensure fair and sustainable central government funding for rural and coastal services, so that public safety is protected.

That this House recognises the outstanding and lifesaving work by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and fire services across the United Kingdom; notes with concern the proposed closure of Charmouth and Maiden Newton Fire Stations in West Dorset; further notes that the proposals are driven by sustained central...

That this House notes the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes but believes these must be the right homes in the right places; further notes that in West Dorset constituency 70% of land lies within a designated National Landscape and that the rural economy depends on a healthy environment, with £320 million annually generated by tourism; regrets that National Landscapes are not statutory consultees in the planning system, nor are water companies, despite their crucial role in managing wastewater and environmental risk; is alarmed that in West Dorset constituency alone there were over 4,200 sewage spills in rivers and 48,000 hours of discharge in the sea last year; recognises that local communities often produce neighbourhood plans that identify the need for affordable social housing, key worker homes and smaller properties for older residents, yet these are frequently overlooked; urges the Government to introduce statutory consultee status for water companies and National Landscapes to help ensure rainwater and sewage management, water security, minimal environmental impact, biodiversity protection and local voice are embedded in the planning process; and believes that a more sustainable planning system is essential to building strong rural communities and safeguarding the environment for future generations.

That this House notes the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes but believes these must be the right homes in the right places; further notes that in West Dorset constituency 70% of land lies within a designated National Landscape and that the rural economy depends on a healthy...

That this House believes that everyone deserves high-quality care when they need it and that unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of our social care system; regrets that hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for care and many remain in hospital beds simply because there is no care available, putting additional pressure on the NHS; supports the introduction of free personal care, so provision is based on need not ability to pay; calls for a workforce plan, a Royal College of Care Workers, a national care agency and a higher Carer’s Minimum Wage to raise professional standards; urges the Government to honour the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 by introducing paid carer’s leave and statutory respite breaks; supports increasing Carer’s Allowance and expanding its eligibility, making caring a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, and introducing a Young Carers Pupil Premium; backs a digital care strategy to enable greater independence; welcomes the cross-party commission on social care funding but urges Ministers to act within a year, not three; recognises that investing in social care helps people avoid entering care in crisis, reduces spiralling personal and public costs, eases pressure on NHS services, and ensures everyone receives high-quality care when they need it; and calls on the Government to end its broken promises and fix a system where families face crippling costs in paying for care and where reform has been delayed for over a decade.

That this House believes that everyone deserves high-quality care when they need it and that unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of our social care system; regrets that hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for care and many remain in hospital beds simply because there is no care available,...

That this House recognises the urgent need to properly fund and maintain special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools, including increasing the number of specialist spaces and building new SEND schools, especially in rural areas such as West Dorset, to relieve pressure on mainstream schools and provide children with SEND the care and learning environments they need; notes with concern the delays families in West Dorset and elsewhere face in accessing paediatric assessments and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), often due to referral barriers and long waiting times, which leave children unsupported and behind in their education and wellbeing; calls on the Government to release approved funding for SEND school facility upgrades, including at Dorset Studio School in West Dorset, and to ensure that schools with high SEND populations receive proper financial and staffing support; urges that statutory SEND deadlines are upheld, and ensuring that any support is underpinned by clear, measurable, and enforceable targets, so parents have confidence in their children’s education outcomes; further calls for urgent reform of the SEND system that places children and families at its heart, invests in specialist capacity and mainstream support, improves early identification and reduces waiting lists, and supports local authorities facing financial strain; and emphasises that children with SEND in West Dorset and rural communities must not be left behind due to underfunding or lack of provision, and deserve a fully resourced, inclusive, and effective education system.

That this House recognises the urgent need to properly fund and maintain special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) schools, including increasing the number of specialist spaces and building new SEND schools, especially in rural areas such as West Dorset, to relieve pressure on mainstream schools and provide children with SEND...

That this House notes the vital role played by community pharmacies in delivering frontline healthcare and reducing pressure on general practice and hospitals; recognises that in areas such as West Dorset, 17 pharmacies dispense around 160,000 prescriptions each month and help save approximately 2,500 GP appointments; expresses concern that despite this growing workload, the funding model has not kept pace with expectations, with pharmacies facing 30% real-terms cuts since 2016 and higher operating costs in rural areas due to fewer economies of scale; further notes that pharmacies in towns such as Beaminster and Sherborne have reported six-figure losses; regrets that 700 community pharmacies have closed in the last two years, threatening access to care, particularly in rural communities; welcomes the Government’s commitment of £800 million in additional funding for community pharmacy services this year; but notes with concern that this still leaves a significant £2 billion gap in the sector; and calls on the Government to deliver a sustainable long-term funding settlement for community pharmacies, ensuring they can continue to provide accessible, trusted healthcare in every part of the country.

That this House notes the vital role played by community pharmacies in delivering frontline healthcare and reducing pressure on general practice and hospitals; recognises that in areas such as West Dorset, 17 pharmacies dispense around 160,000 prescriptions each month and help save approximately 2,500 GP appointments; expresses concern that despite...

That this House is deeply concerned that nearly one million people are currently waiting for mental health services across the UK; notes with particular concern the impact on children and young people, including the 300 currently on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) caseload in West Dorset; further notes that CAMHS in that area is centralised in Dorchester, requiring families in Lyme Regis or Beaminster to make a 30-mile round trip, often without access to reliable public transport; is alarmed that a single care coordinator may be responsible for as many as 35 young people, and that there is no local access to trauma-informed support such as EMDR or art therapy; believes that no child should be left waiting over a year for vital mental health treatment; and urges the Government to address regional and rural disparities in service provision, increase funding for specialist staff and therapeutic interventions, and ensure that every child and young person has timely and local access to the mental health support they need.

That this House is deeply concerned that nearly one million people are currently waiting for mental health services across the UK; notes with particular concern the impact on children and young people, including the 300 currently on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) caseload in West Dorset; further...

That this House notes with concern that although about 90% of NHS interactions take place in general practice, only 6% of the NHS budget is allocated to it; recognises that general practice remains one of the most financially efficient parts of the NHS, as highlighted in the Darzi Review 2024, yet continues to be chronically underfunded; further notes that the current funding formula fails to take adequate account of rurality and age, placing additional pressure on practices in areas like West Dorset; expresses concern that in Dorset, over 550,000 GP appointments last year involved waits of more than 28 days; highlights the urgent need to invest in digital infrastructure, including extending the Electronic Prescription Service across hospitals and community trusts to reduce waste, delays and duplication, and to lessen the administrative burden on GPs; also notes that over one-third of GPs report that their buildings are not fit for purpose, with over half of GP premises more than 30 years old and one in five predating the foundation of the NHS; believes that urgent investment in the primary care estate is essential to meet demand, deliver preventative care and avoid long-term costs; calls for a guarantee that patients will be able to see a GP within a week, or within 24 hours in urgent cases, to prevent conditions escalating into avoidable hospital admissions; and urges the Government to properly fund general practice and community healthcare as a vital and cost-effective part of a sustainable NHS.

That this House notes with concern that although about 90% of NHS interactions take place in general practice, only 6% of the NHS budget is allocated to it; recognises that general practice remains one of the most financially efficient parts of the NHS, as highlighted in the Darzi Review 2024,...

That this House is deeply concerned by the growing crisis in NHS dentistry, particularly in rural constituencies such as West Dorset, where just 15 dental practices offer any form of NHS care to a population of 94,000, equating to more than 2,300 residents per dentist; notes that only 36% of adults and just 50% of children in West Dorset have seen an NHS dentist in the last two years, contributing to thousands of avoidable A&E visits due to dental decay, including 3,000 children nationally every year; recognises that the current NHS dental contract is not fit for purpose, leaving patients forced to pay privately or go without care altogether; welcomes the Government’s commitment to deliver 700,000 additional appointments, but stresses that this must be accompanied by immediate, practical support for Integrated Care Boards, such as NHS Dorset, to address local need now; highlights the case of a pensioner in Sherborne who, unable to access NHS dental care, has had to extract his own teeth; notes the British Dental Association's findings that 96% of practices in England are not accepting new NHS patients and that 1 in 5 people who cannot access care are resorting to DIY dentistry; further notes that the South West has the highest rate of dental-related A&E attendances and the highest dental vacancy rate in the country at 22%; and calls on the Government to deliver both long-term reform and immediate action to restore access to NHS dentistry, especially in rural and underserved areas.

That this House is deeply concerned by the growing crisis in NHS dentistry, particularly in rural constituencies such as West Dorset, where just 15 dental practices offer any form of NHS care to a population of 94,000, equating to more than 2,300 residents per dentist; notes that only 36% of...

That this House congratulates all those involved in the hugely successful Stampede by the Sea public art trail across West Dorset, which raised over £180,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare through the auction of more than 50 painted elephant statues; celebrates the creativity of the artists and the generosity of bidders, including the anonymous donor of £25,000 for the elephant Sanctuary; gives particular thanks to West Dorset Leisure Holidays for their generous purchase and donation of Ropey to Bridport Town Council; recognises the council’s plans to tour Ropey around the area to raise further awareness and funds for hospice care; notes the trail’s success in bringing together the communities of Bridport, Lyme Regis, and West Bay; and commends Weldmar Hospicecare for their vital services despite financial pressures and funding reductions.

That this House congratulates all those involved in the hugely successful Stampede by the Sea public art trail across West Dorset, which raised over £180,000 for Weldmar Hospicecare through the auction of more than 50 painted elephant statues; celebrates the creativity of the artists and the generosity of bidders, including...

That this House expresses grave concern over the ongoing sewage pollution crisis in England, particularly in rural constituencies like West Dorset; notes with alarm that over 450,000 sewage spills were recorded across England in 2024, including almost 4,200 in West Dorset, resulting in over 48,000 hours of sewage discharges into local rivers and beaches; further notes that the River Lim, which exits at Lyme Regis, has been declared ecologically dead due to overwhelming pollution, and that in 2019 only 17% of the 24 monitored water bodies in West Dorset were classed as having good ecological status; recognises the severe repercussions of this crisis on tourism, a key economic driver in West Dorset and many other constituencies, with visitors and residents forced to rely on water quality alerts to safely access local waterways; condemns the lack of accountability among water companies, who collectively paid £1.4 billion in dividends in 2022 and £51 million in executive remuneration over 2020 and 2021, while failing to adequately invest in infrastructure to prevent sewage spills; calls on the Government to implement stronger financial penalties for water companies that fail to meet environmental standards, to ring-fence these fines for reinvestment in affected communities, and to prioritise infrastructure upgrades in neglected rural areas; and urges the Government to ensure transparency and accountability in the water industry and to work with local businesses and communities to mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of sewage pollution, securing the future of tourism-dependent economies and protecting the nation’s natural heritage.

That this House expresses grave concern over the ongoing sewage pollution crisis in England, particularly in rural constituencies like West Dorset; notes with alarm that over 450,000 sewage spills were recorded across England in 2024, including almost 4,200 in West Dorset, resulting in over 48,000 hours of sewage discharges into...

That this House recognises the significant challenges faced by rural communities in accessing reliable public transport, particularly in West Dorset constituency and the wider South West; notes with concern that many rural bus services remain sparse and irregular, making it difficult for elderly and disabled residents to travel to medical appointments, employment and essential services; further acknowledges that rurality presents unique transport challenges, requiring sustainable and appropriately designed buses that can safely navigate country roads; believes that urgent action is needed to boost rural bus services by giving local authorities the promised new powers to franchise services and simplifying funding to restore routes and create new ones where there is local need; calls for maintaining the £2 cap on bus fares and the replacement of multiple funding streams with a single integrated fund for local authorities to expand services and transition to zero-emission vehicles; and urges investment in road and bridge infrastructure to ensure that buses can operate safely and reliably in rural areas.

That this House recognises the significant challenges faced by rural communities in accessing reliable public transport, particularly in West Dorset constituency and the wider South West; notes with concern that many rural bus services remain sparse and irregular, making it difficult for elderly and disabled residents to travel to medical...

That this House recognises the brilliant work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance on its 25th anniversary of dedicated service; further recognises the extraordinary contribution of its pilots, volunteers, paramedics, and doctors in providing lifesaving pre-hospital critical care to people in need, particularly in remote, coastal and rural areas; notes that the service has responded to nearly 3,000 incidents in the past year alone; acknowledges the vital role the air ambulance plays in transporting patients to Dorset County Hospital; pays tribute to the first patient treated by the charity 25 years ago, who has spoken of his gratitude and the service’s lifesaving impact; applauds the unwavering support of the public, whose donations have enabled the service to grow from small beginnings to a vital emergency response resource; and expresses profound gratitude for the dedication and commitment of all those who have contributed to the continued success of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in saving lives across the region.

That this House recognises the brilliant work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance on its 25th anniversary of dedicated service; further recognises the extraordinary contribution of its pilots, volunteers, paramedics, and doctors in providing lifesaving pre-hospital critical care to people in need, particularly in remote, coastal and rural areas; notes...

That this House recognises the urgent need for the UK to take world-leading action on climate change and environmental protection; notes that climate change poses the greatest threat to global stability, public health, and ecological preservation; further notes that the UK has an opportunity to lead in the transition to a net-zero economy, with renewable energy now significantly cheaper than fossil fuels, and calls on the Government to ensure these savings are reflected in energy bills for consumers; expresses deep concern over the UK’s ongoing nature crisis, and calls on the Government to double the size of the Protected Area Network and commit to planting at least 60 million trees annually; urges this Government to strengthen protections, including by passing a Clean Air Act, enhancing the powers of the Office for Environmental Protection, and tackling air pollution; further notes that Dorset’s National Landscape covers 40% of the county, underscoring the need for strong national policies to protect natural landscapes; condemns the ongoing sewage scandal, which has led to devastating pollution of UK rivers and coastal waters, and calls on the Government to impose stricter penalties on water companies that fail to prevent sewage dumping; acknowledges that while other nations contribute heavily to environmental destruction, the UK must take a leadership role in developing solutions and setting high standards for climate and environmental policy; and further urges the Government to take bold, immediate steps to halt the decline of Britain’s natural environment for the benefit of future generations.

That this House recognises the urgent need for the UK to take world-leading action on climate change and environmental protection; notes that climate change poses the greatest threat to global stability, public health, and ecological preservation; further notes that the UK has an opportunity to lead in the transition to...

That this House recognises the vital contribution of British farmers to food security, environmental protection, and rural communities; notes with great concern that 30% of farms failed to make profit in 2023/24 and the UK has seen a 5.8% decline in dairy producers; acknowledges farmers are being forced to diversify due to poor profitability; calls on the Government to support farmers’ efforts to diversify alongside their work in food production; further calls on the Government to increase the farming budget by £1 billion a year; also calls for fairer trade deals post-Brexit that protect farming standards and ensure British farmers are not undercut; highlights the urgent need to support farmers facing extreme weather events caused by climate change, such as flooding and droughts, to maintain national food security; further notes the financial strain on family farms due to Inheritance Tax changes, and understands that the new exemption of only the first £1 million in agricultural and business assets leaves many family farms vulnerable; further highlights the case of a brother and sister in West Dorset, who are seventh generational dairy farmers, who will face a tax bill of £400,000 upon their mother's passing, which will exceed their annual profits; calls on supermarkets to prioritise paying farmers fairly rather than prioritising profit; and further calls for the introduction of a fairer food supply chain, greater investment in agricultural technology, stronger mental health support for farmers, and protections for high-quality farmland to support domestic food production.

That this House recognises the vital contribution of British farmers to food security, environmental protection, and rural communities; notes with great concern that 30% of farms failed to make profit in 2023/24 and the UK has seen a 5.8% decline in dairy producers; acknowledges farmers are being forced to diversify...

That this House notes with concern the ongoing funding disparities affecting rural police forces, particularly in areas such as West Dorset; recognises that rural forces face unique challenges, including vast geographical areas to cover with fewer officers, as well as significant seasonal population increases due to tourism, which are not adequately accounted for in current funding formulas; notes that West Dorset experiences a 42% increase in population during peak seasons, placing additional pressure on already stretched police resources; further notes that the current funding deficit of £3.6 million is projected to rise to £7.3 million next year, undermining the ability of local forces to keep communities safe; is alarmed that, despite submitting evidence-backed requests for an additional £12.2 million in annual funding—primarily to recruit 250 additional officers and staff—the necessary support has not been provided; regrets that to meet budget shortfalls, the Police and Crime Commissioner has been forced to reduce Community Support Officers by 43%, freeze staff recruitment, sell off surplus vehicles and buildings, restrict overtime, and halt all non-essential spending; and calls on the Government to urgently revise the police funding formula to ensure rural forces receive a fair and sustainable settlement that reflects the true demands placed upon them.

That this House notes with concern the ongoing funding disparities affecting rural police forces, particularly in areas such as West Dorset; recognises that rural forces face unique challenges, including vast geographical areas to cover with fewer officers, as well as significant seasonal population increases due to tourism, which are not...

That this House acknowledges the inadequate rail services in rural areas such as those on the Salisbury to Exeter railway line, which serves West Dorset constituency; calls on the Government to act on the analysis and recommendations of the Connecting South West England Report from Greengauge 21 on much-needed electrification and the upgrade of single-line tracks with passing points to double lines to reduce delays and improve service reliability for passengers and operators; expresses concern over the lack of alignment between the timeline for the nationalisation of South Western Rail and the establishment of Great British Railways, and the risk this poses for achieving a cohesive and integrated rail strategy; further highlights the potential for missed opportunities in delivering a unified vision for the rail network, risking fragmenting the long term approach to reform the rail network; and calls for targeted investment in rural rail infrastructure to address the underrepresentation of these areas in public transport planning.

That this House acknowledges the inadequate rail services in rural areas such as those on the Salisbury to Exeter railway line, which serves West Dorset constituency; calls on the Government to act on the analysis and recommendations of the Connecting South West England Report from Greengauge 21 on much-needed electrification...

That this House acknowledges the persistent road safety challenges in rural areas such as West Dorset, including large potholes, poor visibility, and narrow, winding roads shared by cars, lorries, buses, cyclists, and horse riders; calls on the Government to prioritise community-based road safety improvements and implement safety measures in new road infrastructure from the outset; highlights the importance of utilising advanced safety technologies in modern vehicles and ensuring road designs are compatible with these technologies; and urges investment in rural road networks to protect all road users and support the needs of local communities.

That this House acknowledges the persistent road safety challenges in rural areas such as West Dorset, including large potholes, poor visibility, and narrow, winding roads shared by cars, lorries, buses, cyclists, and horse riders; calls on the Government to prioritise community-based road safety improvements and implement safety measures in new...