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To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will review national planning policy to strengthen protections for rural communities in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset where proposed housing developments would alter the character and identity of villages.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will review national planning policy to strengthen protections for rural communities in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset where proposed housing developments would alter the character and identity of villages.
Paragraphs 82-84 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) set out how planning policies and decisions should apply in respect of rural housing.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. That proposed Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included policies relating to rural housing, protected landscapes, and the historic environment. We are currently analysing the feedback received to the consultation and will publish our response in due course.
In respect of brownfield land, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 128472 on 23 April 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support health services providers in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset with extreme heat.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support health services providers in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset with extreme heat.
National Health Service organisations across Somerset, including the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and the NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board, have implemented a range of measures to help services manage periods of extreme heat and to protect patients, staff, and the public.
The Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has enhanced its heatwave preparedness arrangements, drawing on learning from previous periods of hot weather. Actions include supporting staff welfare through flexible working arrangements where appropriate, additional uniforms, increased access to cooling equipment, clear staff communications on staying safe in hot weather, and support for community teams carrying out home visits.
To protect patients during extreme heat, the trust has provided cooler areas for patients waiting for treatment or discharge, prioritised ambulance offloads to minimise delays, issued regular advice to patients and the public on staying safe and accessing services appropriately, and undertaken proactive medication reviews for vulnerable patients where required.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women's health hubs have been established in NHS Somerset ICB; and what services they provide.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women's health hubs have been established in NHS Somerset ICB; and what services they provide.
NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) currently has one women’s health hub operating, at Frome Medical Practice, in Frome. It offers long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), ring pessaries and menopause support.
In addition, there is a specialist menopause service for women in Somerset, which takes place in Glastonbury. The service is available via a general practice referral.
The primary care networks of Castle Cary and North Sedgemoor have LARC and ring pessary clinics for all practices. NHS Somerset ICB is working with primary care networks to develop a neighbourhood model to enhance the way women access a range of health services.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the volume of preventable deaths in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset due to respiratory diseases.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the volume of preventable deaths in (a) Yeovil constituency and (b) Somerset due to respiratory diseases.
Last month, the High Court issued its judgment permitting the development of 119 homes in a flood risk area in the village of Yatton in Somerset. The site had failed the flood risk sequential test. The judgment prioritises building and development over protection against flooding and imperils existing homes and...
Last month, the High Court issued its judgment permitting the development of 119 homes in a flood risk area in the village of Yatton in Somerset. The site had failed the flood risk sequential test. The judgment prioritises building and development over protection against flooding and imperils existing homes and...
Yes, I will, and I will seek an update for the hon. Lady.
Yes, I will, and I will seek an update for the hon. Lady.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of mobile phone coverage in rural areas; and what steps he is taking to tackle gaps in mobile and broadband connectivity in Oake in Somerset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of mobile phone coverage in rural areas; and what steps he is taking to tackle gaps in mobile and broadband connectivity in Oake in Somerset.
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. This includes rural communities such as Oake, as well as towns and cities.
In their Connected Nations Spring update (13 May 2026), Ofcom reported that as of January 2026, 82% of the UK’s rural landmass has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile operators, while standalone 5G is available outside of 76% of UK rural premises from at least one operator.
The rollout of higher quality standalone 5G is commercially led by the network operators, and all three have committed significant investment plans which align with the Government’s ambition. Government is undertaking a Mobile Market Review to assess what further action Government can take to support the sector to invest in comprehensive, high-quality connectivity; we expect to set out next steps later this year. Government also remains committed to unlocking the barriers to telecoms deployment, including supporting mobile network rollout through our recent call for evidence on planning reform in England. We are considering responses and will determine next steps in due course.
Alongside our work to deliver high-quality mobile connectivity right across the UK, we also have a target to deliver nationwide (99%) gigabit broadband coverage by 2032. We have created a competition-friendly environment in areas where deployment is commercially viable, as most gigabit-capable connections will be delivered commercially. Via Project Gigabit we are focusing Government funds on the remaining areas of the country, to tackle gaps in broadband coverage where commercial deployment is unlikely, in support of the Government’s target.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage investment in (a) community initiatives and (b) social infrastructure in Somerset that improves access to (i) affordable and (ii) healthy food.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage investment in (a) community initiatives and (b) social infrastructure in Somerset that improves access to (i) affordable and (ii) healthy food.
Through the Good Food Cycle, published in July 2025, we are working across Government to create a healthier, more affordable, sustainable, and resilient food system, including improving access to safe, affordable, healthy and convenient food options for all.
We will continue to work with partners across the food system to consider how we can better support local and community-led initiatives that improve access to healthy, affordable food, recognising that the best solutions often come from the ground up.
That this House congratulates Somerset Council on the recognition of its Ham Hill Country Park project, Uncovering Ham Hill's Past for its Future, at the Campaign to Protect Rural England Somerset Love Your Countryside Awards 2026; notes that this five-year programme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has delivered new and improved paths and waymarked trails, a new accessible visitor centre with exhibition, café and community facilities, whilst enhancing biodiversity and habitat protection including support for species such as the Shrill Carder Bee; further notes the project's commitment to inclusion through improved accessibility features including an all-terrain mobility vehicle; celebrates the expansion of volunteering, community archaeology and learning opportunities which have deepened local engagement; and calls on the Government to recognise the value of heritage-led countryside programmes in connecting communities with nature, protecting our rural heritage and making the countryside accessible to all.
That this House congratulates Somerset Council on the recognition of its Ham Hill Country Park project, Uncovering Ham Hill's Past for its Future, at the Campaign to Protect Rural England Somerset Love Your Countryside Awards 2026; notes that this five-year programme, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has delivered...
That this House congratulates the organisers, volunteers, musicians and supporters of Home Farm Fest 19, taking place from 12 to 14 June in Chilthorne Domer; notes that Home Farm Fest is the annual fundraiser for School in a Bag, a charity which provides schoolbags filled with stationery and eating utensils to children around the world who are deprived of an education; recognises that since its founding in 2006 the festival has grown from a single-stage, one-day concert into a three-day event with nine stages, over 150 bands, and more than 300 volunteers, with all musicians donating their time and all profits reinvested into the charity's work; further notes with pride that Home Farm Fest has raised over £941,000 for that cause to date; and commends this outstanding example of community spirit, in which the joy of live music in the Somerset countryside is harnessed to support access to educations for some of the world’s most disadvantaged children.
That this House congratulates the organisers, volunteers, musicians and supporters of Home Farm Fest 19, taking place from 12 to 14 June in Chilthorne Domer; notes that Home Farm Fest is the annual fundraiser for School in a Bag, a charity which provides schoolbags filled with stationery and eating utensils...
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for increasing available Units of Dental Activity in Somerset.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timetable is for increasing available Units of Dental Activity in Somerset.
The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. For the Taunton and Wellington constituency this is the Somerset ICB.
Since 2024, a minimum Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) value of £28 is in place to support practices with historically low UDA rates. ICBs have the flexibility to influence the UDA rate locally, which may help to support local interventions. The current differential UDA rates across England also allow providers to use differing pay rates for associate dentists to reflect the local market rates.
In July 2022, ICBs were given new powers to unilaterally rebase a provider’s dental contract if they have consistently failed to deliver the UDAs required, within a contractual tolerance of 96%. In practice this means that ICBs can reallocate these UDAs to practices who are able to deliver them, meaning more available care for patients.
We are committed to fundamentally reforming the dental contract by the end of the Parliament, with a focus on matching resources to need, improving access, promoting prevention, and rewarding dentists fairly, while enabling the whole dental team to work to the top of their capability.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the 2026 Somerset Armed Forces Day's application for funding has been logged on his Department's systems.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the 2026 Somerset Armed Forces Day's application for funding has been logged on his Department's systems.
Following successful engagement with the chairman of the Somerset Armed Forces Day (AFD) event, the MOD can confirm an AFD grant award of £5,000 for 2026 event.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve public awareness of the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve public awareness of the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis in (a) Yeovil constituency, (b) Somerset and (c) England.
To support awareness of inflammatory bowel disease among the public, the National Health Service website provides comprehensive, accessible information on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, helping to raise public awareness and understanding of these conditions, including in the Yeovil constituency.
The site explains what Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are, outlines common symptoms, and gives clear guidance on when to seek medical advice. It also details how these conditions are diagnosed and managed, including available treatments and support services. More information about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis is available at the following two links respectively:
In February, I asked the Minister for Care about access to dentists in rural areas. He said from the Dispatch Box that he would write to me with the numbers of how many more dental treatments have been provided in my constituency and integrated care board area. I was concerned...
In February, I asked the Minister for Care about access to dentists in rural areas. He said from the Dispatch Box that he would write to me with the numbers of how many more dental treatments have been provided in my constituency and integrated care board area. I was concerned...
I am not sure the hon. Gentleman should necessarily draw that conclusion; as he will be aware, the Government are committed to improving access, but, as he will also know, it takes time to turn around the system that we inherited. He is right that if he gets information from...
I am not sure the hon. Gentleman should necessarily draw that conclusion; as he will be aware, the Government are committed to improving access, but, as he will also know, it takes time to turn around the system that we inherited. He is right that if he gets information from...
That this House celebrates Somerset Day 2026 and extends its thanks to the organisers and all those involved in making this year's celebrations a success; notes that Somerset Day on 11th May commemorates King Alfred the Great's campaign in May 878, when he gathered the people of Somerset alongside those from Wiltshire and Hampshire to defeat an invading Viking army at Edington, an event of profound significance in laying the foundations of the English kingdom; recognises Somerset as one of England's ancient and enduring counties, with a history stretching back over a thousand years to the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms; celebrates Somerset's rich and distinctive cultural heritage, including its distinctive landscapes, thriving agricultural traditions, vibrant communities, and proud local identity; and calls for continued recognition and support for Somerset and its people, who embody the spirit of resilience, community, and heritage that has defined the county since the days of King Alfred.
That this House celebrates Somerset Day 2026 and extends its thanks to the organisers and all those involved in making this year's celebrations a success; notes that Somerset Day on 11th May commemorates King Alfred the Great's campaign in May 878, when he gathered the people of Somerset alongside those...
The residents of Cheddar suffer the weekend misery of thoughtless, antisocial drivers who come from across the country to meet in Cheddar Gorge. Not all the drivers are careless, but I have been contacted by well over 100 residents, many of whom fear for their lives as a result of...
The residents of Cheddar suffer the weekend misery of thoughtless, antisocial drivers who come from across the country to meet in Cheddar Gorge. Not all the drivers are careless, but I have been contacted by well over 100 residents, many of whom fear for their lives as a result of...
I am sorry to hear about the experiences of residents in the hon. Lady’s constituency. The Government have brought forward a road safety strategy, but as she points out, this is more than just a question of road safety; it is about policing too, so I will draw it to...
I am sorry to hear about the experiences of residents in the hon. Lady’s constituency. The Government have brought forward a road safety strategy, but as she points out, this is more than just a question of road safety; it is about policing too, so I will draw it to...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 13 February (HL14187), whether National Highways produced a completion report for the infilling work on Ridge Road Bridge; and if so, whether that report recorded the south span of Ridge Road Bridge as...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill on 13 February (HL14187), whether National Highways produced a completion report for the infilling work on Ridge Road Bridge; and if so, whether that report recorded the south span of Ridge Road Bridge as...
In line with current practice, the supervisor (contracted by National Highways) reported progress weekly and therefore no completion report was required.
National Highways has confirmed that the south span was ultimately found not to be fully infilled.