theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_105
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_105

Chris Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of gambling advertising on (a) children under 18, (b) adults and (c) people with a gambling addiction. \p Stephanie Peacock: This government recognises that while advertising is a legitimate advantage which licensed operators have over illegal gambling firms, increased exposure to gambling advertising can have an impact on gambling participation. Some forms of advertising can also have a disproportionate impact on particular groups, such as children and those who are already experiencing problems with their gambling.

There are existing robust rules in place to ensure that advertising, whenever it appears, is socially responsible, with a particular regard to the need to protect children, young persons and other vulnerable persons from being harmed and exploited. The Gambling Commission is also introducing new requirements for operators to allow customers to have greater control over the direct marketing they receive, and have also consulted on measures to ensure that incentives such as free bets are constructed in a socially responsible manner.

However, we recognise that more can be done to improve protections. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards and this work will be monitored closely.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_106
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_106

Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the speech by the Minister for Gambling at the GambleAware conference of 4 December 2024, what discussions (a) she and (b) other Ministers have had with the Betting and Gaming Council on future action on advertising since that speech. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Gambling Minister has met with the Betting and Gaming Council since her speech at the GambleAware conference on 4 December 2024 and the Department continues to work with the BGC on the issue of advertising. We have set the gambling industry a clear task to raise standards in this area to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm and this work will be monitored closely.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_107
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_107

Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her regulatory policies of the use of category C gaming tablets by high street casinos, in the context of regulations on combined numbers of category B3 and C machines. \p Stephanie Peacock: No more than 20% of the total number of gaming machines made available for use in an adult gaming centre or licensed bingo premises are permitted to be Category B machines. The other gaming machines made available for use must be Category C machines or Category D machines. This rule is known as the ‘80/20 rule'. It does not apply to casinos or other land-based gambling venues.

The Gambling Commission provides guidance around the circumstances in which a machine is available for use, which sets out when a machine can count towards the 80/20 rule. The guidance notes that in relation to tablets, licensees should ensure that there is sufficient floorspace in the premises to permit counted tablets to be used simultaneously.

We are considering the best available evidence from a wide range of sources to inform our decisions on the proposals in the previous government’s 2023 gambling white paper, including proposed changes to the 80/20 rule.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_108
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_108

Chris Bloore:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Football Governance Code will stipulate requirements for independent directors to be included in a club's governance structure. \p Stephanie Peacock: It will be the responsibility of the Independent Football Regulator to determine the key elements of the Football Governance Code, including whether independent directors should be included. This will be done in consultation with the FA and other stakeholders with an interest in safeguarding the long-term future of our national game.

We recognise that independent directors can greatly improve decision-making and independent scrutiny on corporate governance, however, it will be for the Regulator to determine whether independent directors are included in scope of the Football Governance Code.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_109
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_109

Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money released by the Dormant Assets scheme has been allocated to Scotland in each year since the scheme began. \p Stephanie Peacock: To date, the Dormant Assets Scheme has unlocked over £1 billion for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes all funding between the four nations in the UK. This is done in accordance with the Distribution of Dormant Account Money Order 2011: England receives 83.9%; Scotland 8.4%; Wales 4.9%; and Northern Ireland 2.8%.

To date, £82.7 million has been allocated to Scotland:

2011/12: £4.0 million

2012/13: £4.1 million

2013/14: £7.0 million

2014/15: £4.1 million

2015/16: £3.1 million

2016/17: £7.9 million

2017/18: £12.8 million

2018/19: £6.0 million

2019/20: £5.8 million

2020/21: £7.6 million

2021/22: £4.5 million

2022/23: £7.8 million

2023/24: £8.0 million
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_110
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_110

Melanie Ward:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much money has been released through the Dormant Assets scheme in each year since it began. \p Stephanie Peacock: The Dormant Assets Scheme has unlocked over £1 billion of dormant assets for good causes. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes all funding between the four nations in the UK. This is done in accordance with the Distribution of Dormant Account Money Order 2011: England receives 83.9%; Scotland 8.4%; Wales 4.9%; and Northern Ireland 2.8%. DCMS is responsible for the English portion and the relevant Devolved Governments are responsible for their own portion.

As of 2023-2024, a total of £984.5 million has been allocated to the Dormant Assets Scheme in the UK:

2011/12: £47.5 million

2012/13: £49.5 million

2013/14: £83.3 million

2014/15: £49.1 million

2015/16: £36.6 million

2016/17: £94.3 million

2017/18: £152.6 million

2018/19: £71.3 million

2019/20: £68.7 million

2020/21: £90.1 million

2021/22: £53.4 million

2022/23: £92.9 million

2023/24: £95.2 million
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_111
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_111

Tonia Antoniazzi:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made in ensuring women and girls have access to (a) safe and (b) fair play in gender-affected sports at all levels. \p Stephanie Peacock: We want to break down the barriers that prevent women and girls from being active, including but not limited to kit, facilities, time and cost. As a government, we are investing £123 million in inclusive grassroots sport facilities that will support more women and girls to take part in the sports that they love.

Sporting bodies have a responsibility to protect the integrity and fairness of women's sport and the safety of all participants, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.

National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our UK sports councils have produced guidance to help domestic sports bodies determine the right position for their sport.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_112
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_112

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her Department's timetable is for introducing a statutory registration scheme for holiday lets. \p Chris Bryant: Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, and we are committed to introducing such a scheme as soon as possible. The initial phase of digital development is now complete, with public testing planned to start in the next 12 months. During this next phase, we will test a working interface with users to ensure our systems are robust and effective before launching a first version of the service.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_113
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_113

Tony Vaughan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to reduce homelessness in the South East. \p Rushanara Ali: Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.

Homelessness legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

Guidance sets out that local authorities should avoid placing households out of their borough. However, in some areas where there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation it is sometimes necessary to place households in temporary accommodation outside of the local area. This should be as a last resort. If a local authority places a household into temporary accommodation in another local area, they are required by law to notify the local authority of any placement. We must build more homes in the areas where they are needed so we can reduce the need for out of area placements, which is why we will deliver the biggest increase to social and affordable housing in a generation.

The Government is clear that, in the short-term, we must prioritise eliminating the worst forms of temporary accommodation such as families in Bed and Breakfast (B&B), other than in genuine emergencies. We have also launched Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £5 million, to work with 20 local councils with the highest use of B&B accommodation for homeless families. This will support LAs to move families into more suitable accommodation.

In addition, the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing and better-quality temporary accommodation for local communities.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_114
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_114

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of not having an official definition of Islamophobia on the effectiveness of the policing of non-crime hate incidents. \p Alex Norris: We are actively considering our approach to Islamophobia including any potential new definition. A new definition of Islamophobia must be given careful consideration, so it comprehensively covers multiple perspectives and considers potential implications for different communities and how it may affect the policing of non-crime hate incidents.

The Home Office has agreed that the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), supported by the College of Policing, will conduct a review on the use and effectiveness of NCHIs. The review will cover when the police should record information that has not reached the criminal threshold, but which is still deemed necessary to monitor community tensions and keep the public safe, It will also take into account the fundamental right of freedom of expression and recent court ruling in this area. The Government welcomes this review and will work closely with the NPCC and the College as they develop their findings and any proposals on this issue.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_115
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_115

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what meetings she has had with registered owners of car parking sites. \p Alex Norris: My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am arranging to meet them in the near future.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_116
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_116

Bobby Dean:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in the number of leasehold flat forfeitures arising from a leaseholder’s inability to pay costs arising from building safety defects on the mortgage securitisation market. \p Alex Norris: The Government does not hold data regarding the number of buildings below 11m and collectively-owned buildings constructed since 1992 with partial or no protection from costs arising from building safety defects under the Building Safety Act 2022.

However, the risk to life from historic fire safety defects is lower in buildings under 11m and so works are required in only a very small number of these buildings. In the rare cases where cladding remediation work is required, the Department has engaged the relevant developers and is having constructive conversations about funding these works so that leaseholders are not required to pay those costs.

The leaseholder protections on service charge and remediation costs do not apply in collectively-owned buildings where for example some or all the leaseholders have acquired the freehold.

However, leaseholders in these buildings, either individually or collectively, can pursue developers – and their associated companies – via a remediation contribution order, for funds they have spent or will spend remediating their buildings for relevant defects.

Please be assured that we are committed to reviewing how to better protect leaseholders from costs and to accelerate the pace of remediation across the country.

The Government is also unable to estimate or predict the number of residential leaseholders who may face forfeiture due to their inability to pay building safety costs, however, we are committed to removing the disproportionate and draconian threat of forfeiture as a means of ensuring compliance with a lease agreement.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_117
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_117

Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with Birmingham City Council on child poverty. \p Alex Norris: This Government is committed to reducing and alleviating child poverty. The Deputy Prime Minister is a member of the ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce that has engaged extensively across regions and nations, recognising that tackling child poverty requires a national effort. As Chair of the Mayoral Council, the Deputy Prime Minister met with mayors in January, including the Mayor of the West Midlands, to discuss shared priorities for the strategy. Combined and local authorities are key partners in this effort, and we will continue to engage with them to ensure the strategy supports and enables shared solutions.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_118
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_118

Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to protect green spaces in the urban areas of Birmingham Perry Barr constituency. \p Alex Norris: The Government recognises the value of that parks and green spaces, especially within urban areas, provide vibrant and inclusive locations for communities to socialise, volunteer, work, and exercise. I commend Perry Bar for its impressive upkeep of Perry Barr Playing Fields, which achieved the renowned Green Flag Award in 2021 and 2022. This MHCLG-owned award scheme sets the national standard for parks and green spaces that are welcoming, safe, well-maintained and promote biodiversity and community participation.

MHCLG has established the Parks Working Group, which brings together sector experts with government officials to find innovative ways of managing parks, creating employment, hosting economic activities and encouraging inward investment. Finally, the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) allows communities to designate land as Local Green Space, in order to protect green areas that are important to them.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_119
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_119

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has received legal advice from third party organisations on the implementation of an independent parking regulator. \p Alex Norris: The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course.

We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_120
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_120

Munira Wilson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27485 on Parking: Private Sector, if she will restrict access to DVLA records by private parking companies that consistently issue unfair parking notices. \p Alex Norris: The law permits the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to release the contact details of the registered keeper of a vehicle where the requester can demonstrate “reasonable cause” for requesting that information, and where a parking operator is a member of a trade association and adheres to sector’s code of practice.

The disclosure of keeper details to private parking companies is subject to a range of safeguards to ensure the information is requested and used appropriately. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups, two parking trade associations and DVLA.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_121
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_121

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the benefits of a private parking model of profits based on penalty charge notices (i) issued and (ii) collected. \p Alex Norris: The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations.

MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government.

We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_122
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_122

Bobby Dean:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to require the removal of all combustible material from residential buildings over 18 metres in height. \p Matthew Pennycook: On 29 November 2018, the Government banned the use of combustible materials in the external walls of new high-rise residential buildings over 18 metres in height. The ban also applies to new hospitals, residential care premises, dormitories in boarding schools, and student accommodation over 18 metres.

All building safety defects must be assessed and regulators must have the power to enforce where the risks identified are not quickly and appropriately addressed. The Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP), which was announced on 2 December 2024, is focused on addressing the immediate life safety fire risks associated with cladding.

The publication of the RAP announced targets around the pace of remediation in England for the first time, such that, by the end of 2029, all 18m+ buildings with unsafe cladding in a government funded scheme should be remediated, every 11m+ building with unsafe cladding will either have been remediated, have a date for completion, or its landlords liable for penalties.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_123
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_123

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has conducted opinion research on default payment options for council tax bills. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon Member to my statement made on 18 December 2024 (Official Report HC, Volume 759, Column, 47WS), which set out the government’s planned consultation on council tax billing.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_124
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_124

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21621 on Unitary Councils, what was the (a) research or (b) methodological basis for the population figure of 500,000. \p Jim McMahon: The overall case for local government reorganisation is set out the English Devolution White Paper. New unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks.On the 5 February, I formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries.

The guidance provided with the letter sets out that: “As a guiding principle, new councils should aim for a population of 500,000 or more” and “There may be certain scenarios in which this 500,000 figure does not make sense for an area, including on devolution, and this rationale should be set out in a proposal”. It is for councils to develop and submit proposals that are in the best interests of the area.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_125
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_125

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24794 on Local Government: Reorganisation, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of breaking up a county council social care department into multiple unitary councils on economies of scale. \p Jim McMahon: The case for unitarisation in the English Devolution White Paper set out the opportunities available to areas for local government reorganisation. We will prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens and communities above all other issues. Unitary councils bring lower and upper tier services together, creating opportunities for service transformation which can support improvements in delivery.

The potential impact of local government reorganisation on individual areas will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals for reorganisation. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens; proposals should show how new structures will improve local government and service delivery and should avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_126
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_126

Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with (a) local authority officers and (b) local authority elected representatives on the cancellation of local elections in Suffolk; and if she will publish those discussions. \p Jim McMahon: The Secretary of State has not had discussions with these local authorities on the cancellation of local elections.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_127
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_127

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the New Towns Taskforce will publish a list of potential new towns. \p Matthew Pennycook: As per its Terms of Reference which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will submit a final report in summer 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_128
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_128

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 26038 on Local Government: Reorganisation, whether unitary local government restructuring will be introduced in two-tier areas where all the local district councils oppose the proposals. \p Jim McMahon: On the 5 February, I formally invited unitary proposals from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. We therefore expect local leaders to work collaboratively and proactively, including by sharing information, to develop robust and sustainable unitary proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area to which this invitation is issued, rather than developing competing proposals. Following the submission of proposals, I will consider any and all proposals carefully before taking decisions on how to proceed.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_129
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_129

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she expects her reforms to local government to abolish the office of the elected Mayor of Bedford. \p Jim McMahon: On the 5 February I invited unitary proposals from all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitaries and while Bedford Borough Council have not received this invitation, the White Paper is clear that Government will also facilitate reorganisation for those unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries are impacting on their responsibilities. The Government is open to discussions with all areas where structural change will help them get onto a more sustainable footing.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_130
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_130

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 31 January 2025 to Question 26034 on Local Government: Reorganisation, if she will place a copy of the report entitled Population size and local authority performance, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2006, in the Library of the House. \p Jim McMahon: A House of Commons Library Research Briefing (https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9056/CBP-9056.pdf) published on 11 February 2025 includes information on the 2006 report commissioned by the Department; ‘population size and local authority performance’. This briefing also includes access to the published report.

I have also made arrangements for a copy of the report to be made directly available within the House of Commons Library.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_131
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_131

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure adequate funding for local government in Devon. \p Jim McMahon: For Devon Council, the final Local Government Finance Settlement represents an increase in Core Spending Power of up to 5.4% – making available a total of up to £837.2 million in 2025-26. Taken together, the additional funding announced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget and through the 2025-26 Settlement will provide over £5 billion of new funding for local services over and above local council tax. This includes an additional £2 billion of grant through the Settlement in addition to a guarantee that local authorities in England will receive at least £1.1 billion in total in 2025-26 from the new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_132
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_132

Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 24125 on Parish and Town Councils: Employers’ contributions, what discussions her Department is having with parish and town councils about these issues. \p Jim McMahon: I refer my hon Friend to the answer given to Question UIN 27565 on 7 February 2025.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_133
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_133

Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions on councils. \p Jim McMahon: Additional funding for employer NICs has been determined based on a national assessment of the costs for directly employed staff. The grant distribution methodology has been published in an explanatory note on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/updated-explanatory-note-on-the-employer-national-insurance-contribution-grant-2025-to-2026.

We recognise the challenges that local authorities are facing as demand increases for critical services. That is why the government is providing an additional £2 billion of grant funding through the Settlement, which includes £502 million of additional grant funding to manage the impact of employer National Insurance Contributions changes on council budgets, and £13 million for combined authorities, totalling £515 million. The final Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_134
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_134

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the decision to close her Department's regional office in Exeter on civil servants in Devon. \p Alex Norris: The department has made the decision to close six offices over the next two years, including its office in Exeter, in order to create a more coherent office estate across the UK. The department will continue to have an office in every English region, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and that will include an office in Plymouth, to ensure we maintain a presence in Devon.

The department has recently invested in a new office in Plymouth, giving our staff based there a more modern working experience. The new office also has a greater capacity than our previous office in Plymouth, which will allow any staff who are currently based in Exeter the opportunity to work from there should they wish. We will provide a package of measures to support Exeter-based staff who want to transition to Plymouth. All staff in the six offices which will close will be able to continue in their roles and there will be no compulsory redundancies.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_135
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_135

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written ministerial statement of 10 February 2025 on Homeowners next steps, HCWS427, what her planned timeline is for digitalising property data and transactions. \p Rushanara Ali: The government committed to two projects to digitalise the home buying and selling process, including opening up local authority data and developing common data standards. These will be launched in the spring.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_136
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_136

Jo Platt:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to encourage investment into high streets in (a) Leigh, (b) Atherton, (c) Golborne and (d) Tyldesley. \p Alex Norris: The government is determined to reverse the decline of our high streets and bring them back to life as part of our mission to drive growth, raise living standards and deliver an era of national renewal.

In December High Street Rental Auctions regulations came into force, which will help to tackle high vacancy rates in high streets across Wigan. Wigan was also recently confirmed as a recipient of the Long-Term Plan for Towns - it was confirmed at Autumn Budget that this programme would be retained and reformed as part of a new regeneration programme.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_137
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_137

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's timetable is for the publication of a White Paper on Elections and Democracy; and whether she plans to consult with political parties before it is published. \p Rushanara Ali: We will be setting out the Government’s approach to elections and electoral reform for this Parliament in a published document before summer recess. This will include our approach to the delivery of our manifesto commitments and the outcomes of our review of electoral registration and conduct, in which we are consulting with various sector stakeholders.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_138
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_138

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help prevent postal vote fraud. \p Rushanara Ali: Our postal voting systems contain a range of measures that are designed to protect the security of postal voting, such as the requirement for postal voters to use personal identifiers when applying for and returning their ballot.

We are currently carrying out a review of electoral registration and conduct, and if any further changes to postal voting are found to be necessary or appropriate, we will bring forward proposals for them in due course.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_139
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_139

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many recipients of funding under the Homes for Ukraine scheme lived in Bromsgrove constituency on 10 February 2025. \p Rushanara Ali: As of 10 February 2025, the area covered by Bromsgrove District Council has received 163 arrivals through the Homes for Ukraine scheme. Some may have moved out of the area since their arrival. We hold data on guests leaving the UK, not their location in the UK.

Local authorities receive a tariff of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival in their area to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_140
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_140

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 January 2025 to Question 22386 on Local Government: Code of Practice, if she will make it her policy to ensure any mandatory, minimum code includes the free speech protection for councillors introduced by the London Borough of Bromley. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 22386 on 15 January 2025, which noted that the results of the ongoing consultation on a range of proposals to strengthen the local government standards regime, including views on the possible introduction of a mandatory minimum code of conduct for local authorities in England, will help to inform any policy or legislative change.

The Government would likely set out any mandatory code in regulations to allow flexibility to review and amend in future. This would also provide the opportunity for further consultation on the detail.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_141
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_141

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 22 January 2025 on Local Government Best Value, HCWS378, whether councillors from each of the opposition parties represented on London Borough of Tower Hamlets council have been invited to (a) attend and (b) participate in meetings of the Transformation Advisory Board. \p Jim McMahon: The Council has been directed to work with and to the satisfaction of the Ministerial Envoys to reconfigure the Council’s existing Transformation Advisory Board into a Transformation and Assurance Board. This includes deciding which two Opposition Councillors are invited to sit on its Transformation and Assurance Board, and whether Opposition party representation on this Board should increase.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_142
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_142

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the number of houses in Local Plan sites highlighted in the NaFRA2 flood zone data as having a high (a) current and (b) future likelihood of surface water flooding in Bedfordshire. \p Matthew Pennycook: The revised National Planning Policy Framework that was published on 12 December 2024 is clear that new housing, and most other forms of development, should not be permitted in functional flood plains.

Estimates have not been made of the number of homes which might, exceptionally, be built in areas at risk of flooding. However, development proposals would have to pass robust tests in order to proceed in such locations.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_143
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_143

Bradley Thomas:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to increase the availability of (a) cash and (b) ATMs in Bromsgrove constituency. \p Emma Reynolds: The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced regulatory rules for access to cash in September 2024. Its rules require the UK’s largest banks and building societies to assess the impact of a closure or material alteration of a relevant cash withdrawal or deposit facility, putting in place a new service if necessary.

Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this parliament. Over 200 hubs have been announced so far, and over 100 are already open.

Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found at the following link:  https://www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cash

LINK publishes data on the number of ATMs across each parliamentary constituency. LINK’s most recent data (December 2024) identifies 56 ATM cash access points, including 43 that are free-to-use in the constituency of Bromsgrove.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_144
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_144

Dr Andrew Murrison:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc on the economies of surrounding settlements. \p Emma Reynolds: The Chancellor has recently announced the government’s commitment to unlock growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the high potential sectors within it, building on the proposed route of East West Rail, as part of the government’s Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth.

The Oxford-Cambridge region is home to world leading universities and globally renowned science and technology firms. But the region's true potential is being held back by several constraints, including poor transport connections and unaffordable housing and we need to go further to address the key barriers to growth across this region to deliver benefits for the whole country. This region already accounts for over 7% of total UK GDP, contributing over £40 billion to the UK economy, and fully realising its potential could add a further £78 billion by 2035 according to industry experts.

More broadly, the government has extended the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for a further year, providing £900 million for local authorities to invest in local priorities right across the UK. This includes almost £1.9 million for Wiltshire in 2025-26.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_145
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_145

Michael Payne:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) public health services and (b) adult social care on demand for (i) primary and (ii) acute NHS services. \p Stephen Kinnock: 42 integrated care boards (ICBs) across England are responsible for meeting the healthcare needs and demands of their respective populations. There is evidence that public health and adult social care interventions of different kinds can be effective, and cost-effective, in preventing or delaying the onset of ill health, which in turn supports better use of health and care resources. A shift from treatment to prevention and from acute hospital services to community are part of the three strategic shifts underpinning our 10-Year Health Plan.

We also recognise the need to alleviate pressures through increasing supply and reducing demand. We will make sure the future of general practice is sustainable by training more general practitioners, guaranteeing a face-to-face appointment for all those who want one and delivering a modern booking system. For example, in the NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB, 539,000 general practice appointments were delivered in December 2024, up from 510,000 in December 2023. Additionally, in early 2025, the Government will publish a plan setting out how urgent and emergency care services across England will be supported to deliver improvements.

Furthermore, for 2025/26, approximately £9 billion will be committed to the Better Care Fund (BCF), a framework for ICBs and local authorities to make joint plans and pool budgets for the purposes of delivering better joined-up care. This includes around £3.3 billion provided to local authorities and £5.6 billion to ICBs.

Its main objectives are to support:

- the shift from sickness to prevention;

- people living independently; and

- the shift from hospital to home.

These objectives should reduce demand on services, and the recently revised BCF framework, published on 30 January 2025, sets out the actions that local authorities and ICBs should take to achieve these objectives, including improving discharge, preventing avoidable admissions, reducing the pressure on social care, intermediate care, unpaid carers and housing.
wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_146
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-19)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-19 conversation_146

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 3 February 2025 to Question 26911 on Dental Services: Contracts, how many NHS dental providers have had to return their contracts in each month since January 2020. \p Stephen Kinnock: The following table shows the total number of general dental practice contracts that were terminated by contractors each financial quarter since the first financial quarter of 2020, to September 2021:

Quarter

Number of contractor terminations

April to June 2020

1

July to September 2020

1

October to December 2020

7

January to March 2021

0

April to June 2021

11

July to September 2021

18

The data collection period changed from quarterly to monthly from October 2021. Therefore, the following table shows the total number of general dental practice contracts that were terminated by contractors in each month from October 2021 to December 2024:

Month

Number of contractor terminations

October 2021

9

November 2021

6

December 2021

6

January 2022

3

February 2022

5

March 2022

22

April 2022

10

May 2022

2

June 2022

7

July 2022

7

August 2022

6

September 2022

10

October 2022

3

November 2022

8

December 2022

0

January 2023

5

February 2023

6

March 2023

20

April 2023

7

May 2023

4

June 2023

28

July 2023

4

August 2023

9

September 2023

17

October 2023

9

November 2023

7

December 2023

9

January 2024

15

February 2024

2

March 2024

12

April 2024

4

May 2024

7

June 2024

7

July 2024

6

August 2024

5

September 2024

5

October 2024

4

November 2024

3

December 2024

1

Notes: