theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_383
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_383

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of exposure to (a) glyphosate, (b) per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and (c) heavy metals in period products on public health. \p Kate Dearden: During the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, the Government committed to consult on period product safety. As part of this Officials are reviewing the need for any further research and testing for harmful chemicals and heavy metals in period products to complement the consultation.

We are working closely with DEFRA who advise that studies carried out in the EU on chemicals in period products found that the chemicals identified were present only in low concentrations, with no evidence of significant risks to human health. Defra is continuing to monitor research in this area.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_384
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_384

Anneliese Dodds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Centre for Social Justice's report entitled At what cost? Exploring the impact of forced labour in the UK, published in October 2024, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure the registration of hand car washing facilities. \p Kate Dearden: The government is creating the Fair Work Agency, which will enhance the enforcement of employment rights across sectors, including hand car washes. As announced in the Budget, the Agency will establish a dedicated 'hidden economy' team which will target sectors with multiple regulatory breaches, starting with hand car washes.

The initiative will address employment rights violations while collaborating with relevant enforcement authorities to protect workers and support legitimate businesses operating within the law.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_385
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_385

Nick Timothy:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what reasonable steps employers will be expected to take to comply with clause 18 of the Employment Rights Bill. \p Kate Dearden: Clause 18 of the Employment Rights Bill introduces a new right to time off following bereavement or pregnancy loss before 24 weeks. We are currently consulting on the details of this entitlement, including with employers and business representative organisations, to seek their views on the entitlement and how we can best support them on its implementation. This will be reflected within the policy design and future guidance to help employers implement the entitlement and effectively support their employees. Once published we expect employers to engage with this guidance to help guide their Bereavement Leave policies.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_386
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_386

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment has the Government made of the financial impact on UK small and medium-sized enterprises of the adverse effects on competition identified in the Competition and Markets Authority's Cloud Services Market Investigation, specifically regarding egress fees and technical barriers to switching cloud providers. \p Kate Dearden: The Government has not assessed the impacts of the practices detailed in the CMA’s Cloud Service Market Investigation.

In the Final Report published on 31 July 2025, the key recommendation was for the CMA Board to prioritise commencing investigations under the digital markets regime to consider designating the two largest providers - Microsoft and AWS - with strategic market status in relation to cloud services.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_387
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_387

Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of UK and EU conformity assessment alignment on the economy. \p Chris Bryant: We are aware that UK and EU stakeholders have highlighted that conformity assessment barriers negatively impact their ability to trade since the UK left the EU. Ahead of the UK-EU summit in May 2025 we explored a number of proposals with our EU partners on manufactured goods. To inform these discussions the government assessed the potential economic impact of a range of measures, including a mutual recognition agreement on conformity assessment, which indicated that such an agreement would be mutually beneficial for both the UK and EU. What was announced at the UK-EU summit reflects the outcome of the discussions.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_388
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_388

Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of negotiating improved business travel mobility arrangements with the European Union. \p Chris Bryant: Improved business travel mobility arrangements with the EU would benefit individuals and businesses in both the UK and EU, likely increasing trade between us and the EU and increasing our GDP over time. The UK government is committed to supporting UK businesses to trade more easily with our biggest trading partner, the EU.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_389
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_389

Danny Beales:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department plans to conduct a review into current fireworks legislation to determine whether it is fit for purpose and efficiently protects animals and vulnerable people. \p Kate Dearden: The Government is continuing to engage with businesses, consumer groups and charities, including those supporting animals and vulnerable people, to gather evidence on the issues with and impacts of fireworks to inform any future action and review into the current fireworks legislation.

The Government launched a public campaign on fireworks safety for this year’s fireworks season. The campaign also featured new guidance for those running community fireworks events which recommends the use of low-noise fireworks to reduce the impact on communities, as well as social media materials that emphasise the risks from the misuse of fireworks.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_390
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_390

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing measures to stop the underage sale of fireworks online. \p Kate Dearden: No assessment has been made of the merits of increasing measures to stop underage sale of fireworks online. There are enforcement mechanisms in place to tackle situations when fireworks are unsafe, sold illegally, or misused. Sales offences in Great Britain are enforced by Local Authority Trading Standards, and the penalty for retailers who sell to children is a fine and/or three months in prison.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_391
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_391

Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a regionally adjusted Living Wage for major urban areas outside London, including Greater Manchester. \p Kate Dearden: This government is committed to building an economy that delivers for working people. As part of this work, the government sets the statutory minimum rates for the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and the National Living Wage (NLW) which applies to all employers.

We have not considered implementing a regionally adjusted NLW. Defining regional economies presents significant challenges and the complexities of enforcing multiple rates would likely impact upon compliance. Furthermore, businesses consistently highlight that one of the NLW’s primary strengths lies in its simplicity and ease of administration with the same rates applying across the country.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_392
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_392

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the total number of calls (a) answered (b) abandoned was for each public helpline numbers provided by his Department and its executive agencies for each year from 2015 to date. \p Kate Dearden: This information is not held centrally and would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold to estimate these figures.

Any member of the public can get in touch with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) helplines on xx-xxxx-xxxx or via our website.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_393
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_393

Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that proposed changes to the Universal Service Obligation are implemented in a way that maintains service quality for customers and engages with postal workers. \p Blair McDougall: On 10 July this year, Ofcom announced its decision to make changes to the universal postal service obligation.

Implementation of those changes are for Royal Mail’s management and the new owner in consultation with its unions. The government is aware that discussions are ongoing and encourages all parties to continue their constructive engagement to agree the best approach to reform that supports workers, delivers for customers and secures the long-term financial sustainability of the universal postal service.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_394
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_394

Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to review the regulatory framework for postal services, including the oversight of parcel courier companies and their contribution to the universal postal network. \p Blair McDougall: Ofcom is the independent regulator for the postal sector with the responsibility and powers to regulate postal services.

Ofcom requires all postal operators to establish, make available, and comply with transparent, simple, and inexpensive procedures for dealing with consumers’ complaints about the services they receive.

The government will continue to work with the regulator to ensure that the framework supports fair competition, consumer protection and the long-term sustainability of the universal postal network.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_395
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_395

Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will have discussions with EP Group on their compliance with agreements made with the Communication Workers Union on reform of the Universal Service Obligation; and whether he has assessed the adequacy of the performance of Royal Mail’s Optimised Delivery Model trials in delivering service improvements. \p Blair McDougall: The government engaged with EP Group and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) throughout the process of Royal Mail’s ownership transition. The Deed of Undertaking we agreed with the new owner includes a commitment from EP Group that they will continue to recognise the unions and abide by the future terms of legally binding agreements they make with them.

We will continue to monitor compliance with these undertakings and maintain dialogue with all parties to ensure that agreed protections and principles are upheld.

Royal Mail and the CWU agreed to run pilots in selected offices to design, test and review the operation of the proposed delivery model in response to Ofcom’s USO changes. The government does not have a role in the operational decisions of the business.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_396
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_396

Patrick Hurley:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent progress he has made on doubling the size of the mutuals sector. \p Blair McDougall: As part of the Autumn Budget announcements, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) launched a Call for Evidence on Business Support for Co-operatives and Mutuals. This will be open across Great Britain for 12 weeks.

DBT ensured that for Financial Year 25/26 Growth Hubs in England offer support to businesses with alternative business models – including Co-operatives and Mutuals, as a condition of funding, and included more information on Co-operatives and Mutuals through the highly successful Help to Grow Management programme.

DBT is looking at how to integrate support for Co-operatives and Non-Financial Mutuals within the government’s overall approach for supporting SMEs, including via the Business Growth Service.

DBT continues to work closely with the sector, including the new Mutual and Co-operative Business Sector Council.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_397
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_397

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many people have been a) arrested b) charged and c) convicted in relation to (i) underage and (ii) illicit sales of cigarettes each year for the past five years. \p Kate Dearden: The Department for Business and Trade does not hold this data.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_398
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_398

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many Trading Standards enforcement officers there were in each (a) region, (b) local authority area and (c) parliamentary constituency in each year for the past 5 years. \p Kate Dearden: Trading Standards enforcement officers are the responsibility of individual Local Authorities.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_399
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_399

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to ensure the effectiveness of private enforcement in competition cases in the courts. \p Kate Dearden: The competition opt-out collective actions regime enables competition claims to be brought where many individuals have claims substantially similar in nature. This provides a route to litigation where it would otherwise be impractical or unaffordable.

The Government launched a review of the operation of the competition opt-out collective actions regime in August 2025, commencing with a call for evidence that closed on 14 October 2025. Responses to the call for evidence are now being considered and a consultation on options for reform will be brought forward in due course.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_400
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_400

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what framework his Department intends to put in place to help small and medium sized enterprises in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency engage with Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership markets. \p Chris Bryant: The Department for Business and Trade provides practical CPTPP guidance for businesses via business.gov.uk market pages. This covers policy areas such as rules of origin, preferential tariffs and digital trade, as well as sector-specific guidance for CPTPP countries.

Small and medium sized businesses can access export support through our UK and overseas teams using our digital enquiry service, and tailored assistance is available on business.gov.uk to help businesses enter new markets and expand their presence in existing ones. We actively engage through events and working with the wider business community to promote CPTPP opportunities.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_401
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_401

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department will take to assess the opportunities for businesses in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency to benefit from recent developments in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. \p Chris Bryant: Last week, I met with other CPTPP Ministers in Melbourne, where they agreed to launch accession talks with Uruguay, held trade and investment dialogues with both the EU and ASEAN, and agreed on areas where the CPTPP Agreement can be improved.

These developments demonstrate our strong commitment to the continued expansion of high-standard, rules-based trade to benefit businesses across the UK, as outlined in the Trade Strategy.

Access to new markets, closer relations with other trading blocs and improved rules will create opportunities for businesses across the UK, including those in Bletchley and Buckingham.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_402
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_402

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the likely effect on regulatory alignment for UK businesses resulting from future Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership rule-reviews. \p Chris Bryant: Assessment of the effects of regulatory alignment under the CPTPP Agreement relate to the CPTPP Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Chapter.

While this chapter does not require regulatory alignment, it encourages greater transparency for CPTPP members to be better informed about the development of product regulations and conformity assessment requirements. The chapter enables members to request technical discussions and provides routes to address issues.

For CPTPP to remain of the highest possible standard, the UK has engaged in the General Review process in a way which seeks to protect and promote UK interests, including on the TBT chapter.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_403
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_403

Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what specific measures his Department will offer companies located in the Buckingham and Bletchley constituency to help them navigate any non-tariff barriers emerging from Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership dialogues. \p Chris Bryant: My officials engage extensively across the UK and overseas to assess opportunities and identify non-tariff barriers arising from CPTPP membership. This includes hosting targeted events and webinars to promote the utilisation of the Agreement, providing updates on the latest developments, and gathering feedback from businesses on how CPTPP is working in practice.

The Department’s business-facing teams are equipped with the tools and information they need to confidently engage with businesses, helping them understand and navigate non-tariff barriers, and access commercial opportunities across CPTPP markets.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_404
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_404

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what information his Department holds on how exports made by UAV Tactical Systems Ltd to Israel since October 2023 have been used. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: Two export licences have been issued to this company since October 2023, but each licence has been assessed to ensure that the items were not for use by the Israeli military in military operations in Gaza.

This is pursuant to the decision on 2 September 2024 when we suspended export licences for the Israeli Defence Forces covering equipment that might be used in military operations in Gaza, based on our assessment that these could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Licences for military equipment which is not for use in operations in Gaza or which relate to components for products which are ultimately for re-export to other countries were not included in the scope of the suspension.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_405
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_405

Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what permits his Department has issued to UAV Tactical Systems Ltd for the export of (a) hardware, (b) software and (c) technical support to Israel since October 2023. \p Mr Douglas Alexander: From 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2024, the latest date covered by our most official statistics release, UAV Tactical Systems LTD have been issued  2 export licences covering exports to Israel.

Each licence has been assessed to ensure that the items were not for use by the Israeli military in military operations in Gaza, pursuant to the decision on 2 September 2024 to suspend exports of equipment to Israel that might be used by the Israeli military in operations in Gaza.

Licences for military equipment which is not for use in operations in Gaza or which relate to components for products which are ultimately for re-export to other countries were not included in the scope of the suspension.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_406
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_406

Andy McDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce (a) the duration of stays in temporary accommodation and (b) the use of out-of-area placements for households from Middlesbrough and Thornaby East. \p Alison McGovern: The Government publishes quarterly homelessness statistics which is available on gov.uk here.

We must build more homes in the areas where they are needed so we can reduce the need for out of area placements and reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation, which is why we will deliver the biggest increase to social and affordable housing in a generation.

We have also increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million to a total of more than £1 billion in 2025/26 to support local authorities to deliver homelessness services. This includes a £10.9 million top up announced last month to support households in the worst forms of temporary accommodation, such as bed & breakfast or out of area accommodation.

We are publishing a cross-Government homelessness strategy later this year that will get us back on track to ending homelessness.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_407
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_407

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to UIN 89916, whether Thurrock's 2026 local elections will be to elect all councillors; and whether he plans to amend the Thurrock (Electoral Changes) Order 2025. \p Alison McGovern: The May 2026 elections to Thurrock Council are for all councillors. We have no plans to amend the 2025 Order.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_408
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_408

Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to implement Council Tax equalisation as part of proposed funding reforms; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those reforms on councils with lower ability to raise local revenue. \p Alison McGovern: On Thursday 20 November, we published the government response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0, which sets out the government’s plan to introduce a fairer and evidence-led funding system.

As part of this, the government is clear that it has an important role as an equaliser for local government income, directing funding towards the places that are less able to meet their needs through locally raised income. The government will therefore apply a resource adjustment which accounts for the differing Council Tax raising ability between local authorities which will be implemented as part of the 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement and will be phased in over three years.

The resource adjustment achieves the objective of full equalisation. This provides funding in a way that supports local authorities to offer a consistent level of service to their residents regardless of their tax base.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_409
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_409

Alison Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed ban on upwards only rent reviews on rents of leased Government offices; and what the square footage is of the office property occupied by the Government on commercial leases. \p Samantha Dixon: According to the Government’s 2023–24 Government Estate Annual Data publication, the Government occupies around 1.9 million square metres (approximately 20.5 million square feet) of leasehold office space across the central government estate. The Government has assessed the impact of banning upwards only rent reviews and published this in an Impact Assessment for the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_410
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_410

Sarah Owen:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the impact of Sport England’s consultee status on planning applications for playing fields. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a wide range of issues. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

A consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system is underway and can be found on gov.uk here.

The consultation asks for views on the impacts of removing Sport England’s status as a statutory consultee as part of our work to align the statutory consultee system with the development and economic growth objectives set out in our Plan for Change.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_411
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_411

Lola McEvoy:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities to (a) impose penalties on developers who fail to complete adoptable highway works within agreed timescales and (b) recover administration and remedial costs through statutory enforcement notices. \p Matthew Pennycook: Local planning authorities already have a wide range of enforcement powers, with strong penalties for non-compliance.

Where a local planning authority thinks that a condition imposed on a planning permission has not been met, they can serve a breach of condition notice which requires the recipient to remedy the breach within a specified time. There is no appeal against such a notice and failure to comply with it is an offence punishable by an unlimited fine.

An enforcement notice can be served against any breach of planning control – where there is no planning permission for development or the terms of a permission (including a condition) have been breached.

Enforcement is a statutory function for which local planning authorities need to budget. As such, the costs of enforcement activity are not generally recoverable. In some circumstances, authorities can take direct action to remedy a breach of planning control and seek to recover any costs reasonably incurred in doing so from the landowner.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_412
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_412

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of trends in the number of battery fires for electric personal mobility vehicles such as e-bikes and scooters for each year since 2020. \p Samantha Dixon: The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government collects data on incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs), with this data including the cause of the fire and the source of ignition. This data is published in a variety of publications, available on gov.uk here. This does not yet include data on whether fire incidents attended were caused by or involved batteries for electric mobility vehicles, such as electric bikes or electric scooters.

Our new Fire and Rescue Data Analysis Platform (FaRDAP) is being rolled out and work is ongoing to update the data it will collect covering both the questions and answer categories to capture lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, e-scooters and e-bikes, and more.

In addition, OPSS publishes data using information available from Fire and Rescue Services on fires involving e-bikes and e-scooters. Updated data now including figures for 2017-2024 was published in June this year on gov.uk here.

MHCLG is working closely with FRS and officials from other Government Departments to build an evidence base, share intelligence and develop mitigations to tackle the fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries and PLEVs.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_413
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_413

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of homes in (a) Surrey and (b) England have been built on land classified as grey belt land. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department does not hold the requested information.

It is for individual local planning authorities to undertake the necessary assessments to identify if land is grey belt, either through plan making or through considering specific applications that come forward.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_414
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_414

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to protect green belt land being reclassified as grey belt. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to preserving Green Belts which have served England's towns and cities well over many decades, not least in terms of checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas and preventing neighbouring towns merging into one another.

However, we know that there are simply not enough sites on brownfield land registers to deliver the volume of homes that the country needs each year, let alone enough that are viable and in the right location.

The government’s new approach to the Green Belt, including prioritising the release of lower quality grey belt land and introducing ‘golden rules’ to ensure development benefits communities and nature, is set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December.

On 27 February, Planning Practice Guidance was published to assist local authorities and other decision-makers, and to support a consistent approach to determining whether land is grey belt. It can be found on gov.uk here. This new guidance will support authorities in producing Local Plans, while also making sure that planning applications and development on suitable grey belt land can proceed in the short-term in areas without an up-to-date plan.

The government has also provided 133 local planning authorities with £70,000 of pump priming funding each to contribute towards the costs of carrying out Green Belt reviews in their areas.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_415
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_415

Ian Roome:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the resources available to local authorities to pursue enforcement measures against rogue landlords. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department is providing £18.2 million to local housing authorities for this financial year to help them prepare to undertake their new enforcement responsibilities under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_416
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_416

Lizzi Collinge:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is to respond to the 2022 report on the maximum 10 percent commission charged on park home sales; and when his Department plans to open its further evidence-gathering process with the sector. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 63790 on 4 July 2025.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_417
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_417

Liam Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his proposed timetable is for establishing a West Midlands mayoral development company for east Birmingham. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: I understand that the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) board has agreed on 17 October 2025, the intention to create Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) in East Birmingham by Autumn 2026. WMCA is planning to carry out public consultation in early 2026 ahead of submitting a formal notification to the Secretary of State to establish the MDC in summer 2026.

Under the Localism Act 2011, Mayors have the powers to designate Mayoral Development Areas (MDAs) and once the Secretary of State receives a notification per section 197(6) of the 2011 Act, he must by order establish an MDC for the area designated by the Mayor.   I look forward to working with the Mayor on this important growth initiative.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_418
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_418

Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Recovery Grant on local authorities' ability to maintain essential services and introduce new support measures for residents. \p Alison McGovern: The government introduced the £600 million Recovery Grant in 2025-26 to support those local authorities facing higher need and demand for services, and which are least able to fund their own services through income raised locally.

Following a large number of representations on the importance of this funding, the government confirmed in the local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29 on 20 November that we would maintain all existing Recovery Grant allocations from 2025-26 across the multi-year Settlement. The government agrees – after years of funding cuts to local government, in which the most deprived places suffered the most – that the recovery is not over.

We will also provide a Recovery Grant Guarantee to upper tier authorities which were in receipt of the Recovery Grant. This will be capped at £35 million per authority over the multi-year period. These upper tier authorities will see an above real-terms increase, except for where the cap is applied.

We will publish provisional local authority allocations at the upcoming provisional multi-year Settlement in December. Proposals and allocations will be subject to consultation and the usual Parliamentary process.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_419
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_419

David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 74185 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, whether the Government Property Agency intends to claim back the over-paid second homes council tax premium. \p Samantha Dixon: No overpayment has been made. Westminster City Council has determined that a premium is due regardless of the change in occupancy.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_420
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_420

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to UIN 89916, whether elections for (a) Basildon Council, (b) Essex County Council and (c) other councils in Essex will be cancelled in 2026. \p Alison McGovern: As I made clear in my answer to Question UIN 87207 on 10 November 2025, our starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification otherwise. No local elections in Essex were cancelled in 2025. Elections to Essex County Council and to Thurrock Council were postponed for one year, to 2026. There are no plans to cancel any May 2026 elections except in Surrey where elections to the new councils of East Surrey and West Surrey will replace scheduled council elections, subject to Parliament.

Postponements have previously occurred in areas undergoing local government reorganisation only where councils requested or agreed to the postponement.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_421
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_421

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which Minister would be responsible for the planning decision regarding the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre following the passage of the Holocaust Memorial Bill. \p Samantha Dixon: Arrangements for handling of the planning application for the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre are publicly available on gov.uk here.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_422
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_422

Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he last met with the National Fire Chiefs Council to discuss wildfires; and if he will publish the minutes. \p Samantha Dixon: Ministers regularly meet with external stakeholders. As is precedent, details of Ministerial meetings with external organisations and individuals are published quarterly on GOV.UK.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_423
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_423

Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the inclusion of housing costs in the Indices of Multiple Deprivation does not disadvantage more deprived areas with lower housing costs, particularly those with higher Council Tax rates. \p Alison McGovern: On Thursday 20 November, we published the government response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0, which sets out the government’s plan to introduce a fairer and evidence-led funding system. The government has used the most robust and up to date evidence available. On this basis, we are now using data from the recently published 2025 Indices of Multiple Deprivation in our assessment of need. The Indices are an Accredited Official Statistic produced by MHCLG.

The government has an important role as an equaliser for local government income, directing funding towards the places that are less able to meet their needs through locally raised income. The government will apply a resource adjustment which accounts for the differing Council Tax raising ability between local authorities.

We are proposing that the resource adjustment achieves the objective of full equalisation. This provides funding in a way that supports local authorities to offer a consistent level of service to their residents.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_424
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_424

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her department has had recent discussions with FirstPort property management on the adequacy of their service. \p Matthew Pennycook: In response to widespread concerns raised in the debate on property service charges on 30 October, I met Martin King, Managing Director of FirstPort, on 17 November.

In that meeting, I pressed Mr King and his associates on a wide range of issues stemming from reports of poor service, and I left him in no doubt that in the government’s view, FirstPort’s performance is not good enough.

I have written to FirstPort to follow up on the issues raised and have deposited a copy of my letter in the House Library.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_425
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_425

Anneliese Midgley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the evidential basis is for the inclusion of the Remoteness Adjustment within the Area Cost Adjustment of proposed funding formulas. \p Alison McGovern: On Thursday 20 November, we published the government response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0, which sets out the government’s plan to introduce a fairer and evidence-led funding system. In doing so, we will target a greater proportion of grant funding towards the most deprived places which need it most, ensuring the best value for money for government and taxpayers.

We will apply a remoteness adjustment to the Adult Social Care Formula, but not to formulas more broadly. The government recognised in the last consultation the case in principle for the impact of a remoteness adjustment on costs.

On balance, taking into consideration the available evidence and the views of stakeholders, the government has made a judgement that remoteness should be accounted for when assessing the cost of delivering adult social care services.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_426
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_426

Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking with the Department of Health and Social Care to reduce the number of people discharged from NHS care into homelessness. \p Alison McGovern: In January 2024, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department of Health and Social Care published Discharging people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, guidance to help staff plan safe discharges and prevent homelessness after NHS care.

We will look closely at the issue of people being discharged from NHS care into homelessness in our cross-government Homelessness Strategy.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_427
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_427

Joe Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on the use of the Community Recovery Fund in the North East. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: MHCLG has maintained proactive engagement with stakeholders across the North East to ensure effective deployment of the Community Recovery Fund. In particular, the Department continues to work in close partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, Middlesbrough Borough Council, and Sunderland City Council, the three areas awarded funding, to ensure alignment with local priorities and the delivery of community - led initiatives.

In the North East, the Community Recovery Fund has been strategically utilised at the local authority level to support the recovery and resilience of affected communities. This includes investment in the repair of physical infrastructure, targeted support for vulnerable groups and local businesses, and initiatives designed to foster social cohesion and rebuild trust within communities.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_428
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_428

James MacCleary:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure accountability for flood risk considerations in the planning process. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 81948 on 14 October 2025.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_429
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_429

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many NSIP applications for data centres have been approved since January 2020 where the relevant local authority submitted a report raising concerns about the development. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 90592 on 21 November 2025.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_430
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_430

Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when devolution proposals for Wessex will be considered by his Department. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Regular meetings are held between officers from local authorities in Wessex and officials this Department on a range of topics important to the area, including devolution. Ministers have also exchanged views in correspondence with local leaders, in which we have been clear that decisions on future devolution will be subject to further ministerial decisions and local conversations.
wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_431
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-12-01)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-12-01 conversation_431

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what measures has the government taken to help ensure that outdoor and indoor markets are sustainable. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes markets have an important economic and social role at the heart of many communities. It is for local authorities, not central government, to make decisions on running, supporting and investing in local markets in their areas.

From 2026/27, we are introducing permanently lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties with rateable values below £500,000, including markets. This permanent tax cut will ensure that eligible markets benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Communities can also choose to invest in markets through the Government’s Pride in Place programme, which will provide £20 million over 10 years to 244 of the most deprived places in the UK.