theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) quality and (b) efficiency of radiator systems installed in new-build homes. \p Alex Norris: Statutory guidance on the design of radiator systems in new-build homes is set out in Approved Document L Volume 1, which accompanies Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations. This is intended to ensure that radiator systems in new homes are correctly sized, energy efficient, and equipped with appropriate controls.

The most recent update to this guidance was made through the 2021 uplift to Part L, which came into effect in June 2022. The Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHBS) consultation, which closed in March 2024, proposed further changes to Part L and the accompanying Approved Documents to improve the energy efficiency of heating systems in new-build homes. The Government intends to publish its response to the FHBS consultation in autumn this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to bring people into high streets. \p Alex Norris: This Government is taking several steps to regenerate high streets to make them attractive to businesses, communities and visitors.

The Government has announced communities funding for up to 350 places, including the 75 places named in the Plan for Neighbourhoods in March 2025. The Plan for Neighbourhoods will provide £1.5bn to some of the most left-behind communities in the United Kingdom over ten years – including Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Places will be able to use their £20m to enrich their town centre offering and revive footfall in their high streets.

Additionally, the Government is tackling vacancy with High Street Rental Auctions, giving local authorities the power to auction rental rights of persistently vacant commercial properties. We are also legislating through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill for a new Community Right to Buy, enabling communities to acquire valued assets. These measures will help revive footfall, boost local economies, and empower communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Natasha Irons:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the supply of supported housing meets future demand. \p Matthew Pennycook: At the Spending Review, we announced £39 billion for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.

The programme will not set numerical targets for particular types of homes other than Social Rent. However, it is designed with the flexibility necessary to support a greater diversity of social and affordable housing supply including supported housing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to ensure that Ministers who make decisions on (a) called-in planning applications, (b) recovered planning appeals and (c) Special Development Orders will be required to undertake the same training on planning as councillors. \p Matthew Pennycook: On 28 May 2025, my Department published a technical consultation on proposals for reform of planning committees. It can be found on gov.uk here.

We are currently reviewing the feedback received and will set out further details, including in relation to mandatory member training, in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will hold discussions with local authorities on the potential merits of enabling people to voluntarily pay for rooms for homeless people in shelters. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has invested £3.57 million in 2025/26 through the Night Shelter Transformation Fund to enhance emergency accommodation provision in the homelessness sector. This funding forms part of the government’s £1 billion funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services in 2025/26.

MHCLG’s team of homelessness and rough sleeping advisers hold regular discussions with local authorities on the provision and delivery of homelessness services in their areas. Many local authorities and charities provide ways for the general public to support services and individuals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's transparency data entitled MHCLG: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings, January to March 2025, published on 26 June 2025, what the (a) cost and (b) name was of each of the hotels she used during her visit to Africa. \p Alex Norris: The Deputy Prime Minister did not use hotel accommodation during this visit.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps with her international counterparts to include Commoners of the New Forest as a national minority according to the criteria for such a designation under the terms of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities laid down by the Council of Europe. \p Alex Norris: The UK Government is committed to support minority communities and uphold our obligations under the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities - to create a society in which all citizens feel acknowledged, safe and able to achieve their full potential. The flexibility provided in the Convention means that we can take a broad approach and consider the experience and specific needs of all minority communities in the UK, to ensure that they receive the support they require. As such, we have no plans for the New Forest Commoners to be formally recognised.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Natasha Irons:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help support (a) homeless services and (b) supported housing providers with their finances. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £233 million in 2025/26 to a total of £1 billion to prevent rises in the number of households in temporary accommodation and to help prevent rough sleeping. This includes £185.6 million through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. The allocations for this grant can be found on gov.uk here.

The Spending Review provided over £5 billion of new grant funding for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding through the Local Government Finance Settlement.

We also announced a 10-year rent settlement (that will permit increases by up to CPI+1% each year), which will give providers the financial certainty to invest in new and existing homes, and have committed to implement a convergence mechanism as part of the new rent settlement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to mandate embodied carbon reporting. \p Alex Norris: The government recognises that embodied carbon can account for a significant portion of a building’s whole life carbon emissions and remains committed to the 2050 net zero target. We have recently published research to improve understanding of embodied carbon and the data currently available, to support those who want to take action and to help inform future thinking across the sector. The government remains committed to supporting progress in this area in a way that is both practical and sustainable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she has taken to support women from minority faith communities in (a) England and (b) Romford constituency. \p Alex Norris: The government recognises the central role that women play in all faith communities across the country and the Minister for Faith is committed to championing spaces for women to help foster cohesion and resilience within their communities.

The government supports a variety of initiatives in this regard. This includes Near Neighbours whose work to strengthen social cohesion includes empowering women, particularly from ethnic minority backgrounds, as leaders in their local communities. Near Neighbours operates in several parts of England, including a local hub in East London.

We also recognise that Muslim women face specific challenges as a result of discrimination and intolerance often being directed at them. The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the new definition of Islamophobia will be adopted by the police for (a) the recording of non-hate crime incidents and (b) deciding whether to prosecute an individual for telecommunications or public order offences. \p Alex Norris: The Government established an independent Working Group to advise the Government on a definition of Islamophobia/Anti-Muslim hatred. Should the Government accept the recommendations of the Working Group, the definition used will be non-statutory. It will enable Government and other relevant bodies to have a greater understanding of unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities. Once the Government has had time to review this independent advice, it will consider its next steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support people under Ukrainian Permission Extension schemes in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Alex Norris: We provide a tariff of £5,900 per Ukrainian arrival to councils. Councils can use this funding flexibly to support households as best suits the local area, including supporting guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities.

All Ukrainian guests have access to public services, including benefits to support housing, healthcare, education, as well as other essential services. The Citizens Advice Bureau can advise on which benefits individuals may be eligible for and how to apply for those.

Thank you payments have also been extended for sponsors/hosts under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. This allows sponsors/hosts to continue to support guests who wish to remain in sponsorship.

We recently closed a competitive tender process for the delivery of a new programme to continue our English language and employment support for Ukrainians and Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders. This programme will provide support for up to 4,000 individuals. This builds on the success of the STEP Ukraine pilot which has supported over 13,000 Ukrainians, with an impressive 84% successfully completing the programme and 73% achieving a 100% in their English language test.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether 16 and 17 year olds who are held in (a) young offenders institutes, (b) secure training centres and (c) secure children's homes will have the same voting restrictions as adult prisoners. \p Alex Norris: There has been no change to the government’s position on prisoner voting rights, which will continue to prevent those convicted of a crime and serving a sentence in custody from voting when the franchise for non-devolved elections is extended to 16 and 17 year olds.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many employees in her Department earn (a) £100,000 and (b) £166,000 or more per year. \p Alex Norris: Organogram data is released by all central government departments on a quarterly basis. Names and salaries are also listed for Senior Civil Servants. MHCLG organograms are available on gov.uk.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the (a) expected and (b) average office attendance rate is in each of her Department's offices outside London. \p Alex Norris: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government expects staff to work towards attending the office or other premises for official business for 60% of their working time. Some of our offices cannot currently accommodate this level of attendance and lower expectations are therefore in place.

MHCLG publishes quarterly HQ Occupancy Statistics for its headquarters at 2 Marsham Street, London (not proportional attendance). We do not intend to publish individual office attendance information.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of QR code fraud in municipal car parks; and what guidance she has provided to (a) local authorities and (b) the public to help mitigate this. \p Alex Norris: QR Code Fraud is a crime.

The Department for Business and Trade provide funding for general consumer education and information campaigns to Citizens Space.

On behalf of the Consumer Protection Partnership, Citizens Advice run an annual scams awareness campaign. The October 2024 campaign was focused on financial scams and included Parking QR code scams. The campaign was actively promoted in print and social media at both national and local level.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Sir Alec Shelbrooke:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to replace the Community Ownership Fund. \p Alex Norris: On 23 December 2024, we announced that the Community Ownership Fund (COF) is closed and that there will be no further application windows. Whilst we have closed the COF programme, this Government remains committed to the communities sector and to community empowerment.

As part of the Spending Review, we announced communities funding for up to 350 places, which will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 75 Plan for Neighbourhoods areas announced in March.

Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, we will also introduce a new Community Right to Buy to give local people stronger powers to acquire valued community spaces. This new measure will give community groups the first option to purchase registered assets when they are put up for sale and a longer timeframe to raise funding to purchase the asset.

The Bill will also expand the definition of an Asset of Community Value (ACV) to help protect a wider range of assets, including those that support the economy of a community and those that were historically of importance to the community. This will empower local people to bring community spaces back into community ownership and help to end the blight of empty properties on our high streets.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's guidance entitled Summary: Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Government Amendments to Part 3 (Lords Committee Stage), published on 17 July 2025, whether an impact assessment has been undertaken on those measures. \p Matthew Pennycook: The amendments to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill tabled on 17 July do not constitute a substantive change to the way the Nature Restoration Fund will operate and so a formal Impact Assessment is not necessary.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take legislative steps to require (a) fold-down shelves and (b) appropriate sanitary disposal bins for stoma bags in all newly (i) installed and (ii) refurbished disabled toilet cubicles. \p Alex Norris: All building works need to meet the functional requirements of the Building Regulations 2010, including Part M on accessibility. Approved Document M, which provides guidance to support compliance with the requirements of Part M in common building situations, states that consideration should be given to installing a shelf and a sanitary disposal unit in wheelchair accessible toilets. The Building Regulations apply to new building work or where existing buildings are undergoing a material redesign or refurbishment, and they do not apply retrospectively. Additionally, the Building Regulations do not extend to the management of sanitary bins for buildings in use, which is the responsibility of building owners.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Siân Berry:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to section 3 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, when she plans to lay a report before Parliament on the delivery of the levelling-up missions. \p Alex Norris: The Government published the Levelling Up Missions annual report 2024 to 2025 on 21 May 2025.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will hold discussions with the Chair of the Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition on the potential merits of publishing all responses to the call for evidence. \p Alex Norris: As noted in the Terms of Reference, the advice provided to government by the independent Working Group will be private. Once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many applications have been made to the Building Safety Regulator since 4 July 2024; and how many of those (a) were approved, (b) were rejected and (c) are awaiting Gateway (i) 2 and (ii) 3 approval. \p Alex Norris: The table below shows number of building control approval applications received by the BSR and how many of those where approved, rejected, and are awaiting approval, for both Gateway 2 and 3, since 4 July 2024.

Decision Made

Gateway 2

Gateway 3

Grand Total

Approval

254

29

283

Invalid

422

422

Rejection

247

1

248

Withdrawn

107

107

Awaiting Approval

917

80

997

Grand total

1947

110

2057

The BSR will be regularly publishing data demonstrating the volumes of applications received, outcomes and decision times for determination. The first tranche of this data for Gateway 2 applications was published 9 July 2025.
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Helena Dollimore:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Plan for Neighbourhoods on Hastings. \p Alex Norris: The £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods programme announced in March 2025 will deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities, including Hastings. The programme will lay the foundations to help bring communities together, kickstart growth and drive-up living standards.

We look forward to receiving Hastings’ 10-year vision and 4-year investment plan for the local area. We have already provided £450,000 in capacity funding for Hastings Neighbourhood Board which they can use for high-quality community engagement the results of which we will want to see in their Regeneration Plan.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Ayoub Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) reducing the remit of the Commissioners appointed to oversee Birmingham City Council and (b) recalling them with immediate effect. \p Jim McMahon: Commissioners appointed to Birmingham City Council play a key role in supporting the Council’s recovery and ensuring it returns to a sustainable footing. They provide oversight, advice and challenge across the Council’s operations and exercise all functions associated with the Council’s governance and scrutiny of strategic decision making, and all functions relating to senior appointments. They have powers to make decisions directly should they deem that necessary.

There are currently no plans to make changes to the Commissioner team.
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Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to encourage local authorities to undertake high street rental auctions. \p Alex Norris: The government is working with eleven early adopter councils who are taking steps to implement High Street Rental Auction powers to showcase their benefits and provide a source of best practice for other councils. My officials are also providing practical support and guidance to other councils and we have made up to £1 million available in 2025/26 to support the creation of vacancy registers and fund property refurbishments, as well as new burdens funding for local authority administrative costs.
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Helena Dollimore:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support community ownership of local assets. \p Alex Norris: We want to support communities to take ownership of assets that are important to them. Community Right to Buy, introduced in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, will empower local people to bring community spaces back into community ownership and help to end the blight of empty properties on our high streets.

This new measure will give community groups the first option to purchase registered assets when they are put up for sale and a longer timeframe to raise funding to purchase the asset.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with the Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London Adjudication Joint Committee on automatic number plate recognition powers for off-street car parks. \p Alex Norris: Whilst the Secretary of State has held no meetings with the Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London Adjudication Joint Committee, the government is committed to raising standards for off-street private parking operators.

On 11 July, the government published a consultation document setting out its proposals for raising standards across the private parking industry ahead of preparing a code of practice and an accompanying compliance framework for private parking operators. The consultation document can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation closes on 5 September.
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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that leaseholders receive cladding remediation as swiftly as possible. \p Alex Norris: On 2 December 2024, the government set out the Remediation Acceleration Plan (RAP) which, for the first time, set targets for remediation so that by the end of 2029 all 18m+ buildings with unsafe cladding in a government funded scheme will have been remediated. It further committed that by the end of 2029 every building of 11m+ with unsafe cladding will either have been remediated, have a completion date, or the landlord will be liable for severe penalties.

On 17 July 2025, the government published an update to the RAP which set out the next steps for addressing the barriers to remediation so buildings can be fixed faster, work can be done to identify those buildings still at risk and that residents and leaseholders can be supported through the process. The update included our intention to create new powers to accelerate remediation and force landlords to act, including through a remediation backstop, which will give powers for government to get work done where landlords fail. A Remediation Bill will be brought forward implementing measures to compel landlords to remediate their buildings when parliamentary time allows.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of building regulations on the speed of development of new towns. \p Alex Norris: The Building Regulations 2010 are intended to protect people’s safety, health and welfare. They establish minimum legal performance standards for the design and construction of new building work. The government assesses the impact of any proposed changes to building regulations, including the potential impact on development where appropriate and proportionate.

The New Towns Taskforce will submit its final report with detailed recommendations on new towns this summer, including on potential locations. We will start building as quickly as possible, with work beginning in some sites by the end of the Parliament.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 June 2025 to Question 59791 on Greater Manchester Combined Authority: Housing Investment Programmes, whether (a) her Department and (b) Homes England have had recent discussions with (i) Sheikh Mansour and (ii) Abu Dhabi United Group on housing development in Greater Manchester. \p Matthew Pennycook: I am not aware of any recent engagements between my Department or Homes England with Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi United Group regarding housing development in Greater Manchester.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 64085 on Oxford Growth Commission: Public Appointments, if she will publish the letter. \p Alex Norris: The Department does not routinely publish information on the remuneration of direct ministerial appointments as they are not regulated public appointments. The Chair of the Oxford Growth Commission wrote to the previous shadow Secretary of State sharing details of his remuneration on 16 July.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, April 2025, published on 30 May 2025, what the research commissioned from the Greater London Authority on 22 April 2025 was. \p Alex Norris: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60469 on 20 June 2025.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support Hong Kong British National (Overseas) passport holders in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Alex Norris: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 58070 on 30 June 2025, Question UIN 23695 on 21 January 2025, and Question UIN 52871 on 4 June 2025.

In Surrey Heath, BN(O)s benefit from the support of the South East Welcome Hub, which offers advice and guidance to new arrivals.

Surrey County Council has supported BN(O)s to access English language course via the Welcome Programme.
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Claire Coutinho:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's news story entitled British Muslim Trust appointed as new partner to monitor and tackle anti-Muslim hatred, published on 21 July 2025, when her Department was informed that Akeela Ahmed would be appointed CEO of the British Muslim Trust. \p Alex Norris: The Combatting Hatred Against Muslims Fund was established this year to respond to the evolving nature of religious intolerance and targeted hate incidents faced by Muslim communities, which are at the highest level on record.

The British Muslim Trust (BMT) was appointed as the recipient of the Fund following a rigorous and transparent application process, in which it was the highest scoring applicant.

The application submitted by BMT on 18 May 2025 included information on their intentions for the staffing of key individuals, including the CEO. These plans were dependent on being identified as the preferred bidder for the Fund.

In establishing the BMT, The Aziz Foundation and Randeree Charitable Trust have worked closely with Akeela Ahmed MBE, who they intend to appoint as CEO, drawing on her decades of experience in working with grassroots organisations and policy-level anti-hate work.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of people rough sleeping in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £233 million in 2025/26 to a total of £1 billion to prevent rises in the number of households in temporary accommodation and to help prevent rough sleeping. This includes £185.6 million through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. The allocations for this grant can be found on gov.uk here.

The government’s forthcoming homelessness strategy will set out the steps to be taken by government, in partnerships with Mayors, local authorities, and the homelessness sector, to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
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David Simmonds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 65809 on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Working Group, what the (a) grade and (b) title is of the senior civil servant providing oversight of the working group. \p Alex Norris: The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Working Group has not met with any of the mentioned groups. The Working Group launched a Call for Evidence to build on the extensive consultation they’ve already undertaken which closed on Sunday 20 July. It was open to the public and any individual or organisation was welcome to submit evidence.

Per the Terms of Reference for the Working Group, the Group is supported by a small secretariat function based within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, with Senior Civil Servant-level oversight provided in the usual manner.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_441

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the licensing regime for Houses in multiple occupation in (a) identifying and (b) addressing potential conflicts of interest involving public contract holders. \p Matthew Pennycook: It is important that private rented properties are safe, well-maintained, and properly managed. Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing schemes play a crucial role in achieving this. Local authorities have robust powers to ensure landlords of HMOs comply with all relevant regulations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_442

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Future Homes Standard will permit (a) air conditioning and (b) air to air reversible heat pumps in (i) new build and (ii) refurbished dwellings. \p Alex Norris: Under the Future Homes Standard (FHS), which will apply to new builds only, new homes will be required to be built with low carbon heating. We do not mandate specific technologies in the Building Regulations and so we expect a range of different types of heat pumps or other low carbon technologies to be used.

While the FHS will not be focused on overheating, Part O of the Building Regulations requires that new residential buildings are built to mitigate the risk of overheating. Mechanical cooling can be used, however, given the government’s net zero commitment, our preferred means of mitigating overheating is through passive means. Developers must demonstrate that all possible passive means of cooling a dwelling have been implemented before adopting mechanical cooling. As part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standard consultation, which closed in March 2024, we sought evidence on whether current overheating standards are appropriate or require amendment. The government will set out the evidence it received and its response to this in Autumn 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_443

Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support is available for leaseholders in buildings under eleven metres in height impacted by building safety issues; and whether her Department plans to review the exclusion of such buildings from financial remediation schemes under the Building Safety Act 2022. \p Alex Norris: Fire risks from cladding are generally proportionate to building height. If remediation is required in buildings under 11 metres in height, the responsibility should rest with building owners. They should not pass these costs on to leaseholders but should seek to recover costs from those who were responsible for building unsafe homes.

The department announced targeted funding for multi-occupied residential buildings under 11 metres in the Remediation Acceleration Plan update. This funding will be available in exceptional cases, where there are life-critical fire safety risks from cladding and no alternative route to funding. This will protect leaseholders from unjust costs. Clear eligibility criteria which outline the application process for this exceptional funding will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_444
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_444

Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to Annex A of his Department's FOI release entitled FOI2024-00250: Correspondence about the appointment of Emily Middleton, published on 30 September 2024, if he will publish the document entitled Senior Civil Servant (SCS) Resourcing and Handling of Future SCS Recruitment Exceptions. \p Feryal Clark: The Honourable Member can consult FOI2024-00289, Annex F.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_445

Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many (a) contracts were awarded and (b) payments were made to Public Digital by his Department since 4 July 2024. \p Feryal Clark: If the Honourable Member consults Contracts Finder, she will see that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has not awarded any new contracts to Public Digital since 4 July 2024.

No payments have been made by the Department to Public Digital. Payments were made by the Cabinet Office for a pre-existing contract which was inherited mid-contract by DSIT in the Machinery of Government change. Further details can be found on Contract Finder.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_446

Julia Lopez:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 19 September 2024 to Question HL812 on Emily Middleton, whether the relevant background information provided to the Civil Service Commission included that secondment from Public Digital. \p Feryal Clark: The Director General, Digital Centre Design was appointed in line with Civil Service Recruitment Principles. The Civil Service Commission was provided with the relevant background information requested, including Ms Middleton’s full employment history, when approving this temporary appointment. This included Ms Middleton’s CV where the reference to the secondment was made. This text was released in FOI2024-00256 Internal Review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_447

Sarah Edwards:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will publish the animal welfare strategy before 6 November 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation. The Prime Minister announced that we will be publishing an animal welfare strategy later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_448

Rosie Duffield:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Marine Management Organisation is taking to ensure (a) adequate support and (b) fair enforcement of the IVMS license condition for under 12m vessels. \p Daniel Zeichner: Regarding adequate support

Introduction of the I-VMS licence condition was communicated to industry in March 2025 before coming into force on 12 May 2025 for English licensed vessels. It is an interim measure to support English vessel owners be as prepared as possible for when the legislation comes into force, by ensuring vessels have a type-approved device installed and also so we can work with owners and suppliers to address any technical or logistical issues.

MMO continues to work with I-VMS device suppliers to assist industry with any issues with I-VMS devices to try and resolve them. We are aware both suppliers are currently experiencing a high volume of enquiries. Fishers are able to contact a dedicated MMO I-VMS helpline which is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by calling xx-xxxx-xxxx, or email  xxx@xxx.xx.

Regarding fair enforcement

Where MMO are informed fishers are taking steps to be compliant by arranging installation or working with suppliers to resolve issues, they will take a measured approach to any enforcement activity under the licence condition.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_449

Robbie Moore:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his planned timetable is for implementing the proposed reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013. \p Emma Hardy: The Government announced reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 on 12 March 2025 following a public consultation. In this, we outlined plans for three core reforms, nine technical amendments, and two wider reforms to the bathing water Regulations.

A Statutory Instrument is being prepared to implement the core and technical reforms, including removing automatic de-designation, assessing feasibility of improving water quality to ‘sufficient’ for designation, and removing fixed bathing season dates from the Regulations.

We have also begun policy development and research for the wider reforms: expanding the definition of ‘bathers’ and introducing multiple monitoring points to assess water quality. We will work closely with stakeholders to shape our approach, and a timetable for implementation will be planned for this next piece of work in due course.
wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_450
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_450

Yuan Yang:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of (a) trends in levels of (i) flooding and (ii) resulting closure of the B478 from Sonning to Playhatch and (b) the potential impact of climate change on future levels of flooding in that area. \p Emma Hardy: The B478 between Sonning and Playhatch is located on the River Thames floodplain and is subject to frequent flooding. Sonning Quarry is located nearby where Tarmac Group Ltd is extracting minerals and undertaking restoration work.

The Environment Agency is working closely with South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council to understand how these works, and any subsequent restoration activities, might impact the frequency and severity of flooding. To ensure there is no detrimental impact on local businesses and communities the Environment Agency is working with partners to ensure any works are consistent with national planning policy and an appropriate strategy to manage and mitigate flood risk associated with the works is agreed.

The Environment Agency is always improving it’s understanding of flood risk and shares the best available information with local authorities to influence land use, infrastructure adaptation and potential flood risk mitigations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_451

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to support the sugar beet industry in South Suffolk constituency. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Government is committed to supporting and promoting growth in the UK sugar beet industry, including in South Suffolk. For example: we are funding research into crop resilience and sustainable practices through the Farming Innovation Programme. The Government continues to work with industry stakeholders to ensure fair market conditions and is monitoring challenges faced by the industry.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-04)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-04 conversation_452

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on mandating the (a) size and (b) clarity of recycling labels on consumer plastic products. \p Mary Creagh: The Government is committed to introducing mandatory recycling labelling for packaging. We are aiming to do this in 2028 once we have reviewed the potential to bring forward an approach that is consistent with the provisions being established under PPWR for the EU.

Analysis has been undertaken on the impact of recycling labels on the waste management system and we will update this analysis in our upcoming options and impact assessment for labelling regulations.

The Secretary of State has not yet had discussions with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the details of the labelling requirements as this is still to be developed following review of the EU equivalent regime.