theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_210
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_210

Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with local authorities on enabling earlier start times for concessionary bus pass use in areas where early-morning access to healthcare is limited. \p Simon Lightwood: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

However, local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, such as lowering the age of eligibility or extending travel times. Additional local concessions are provided and funded by local authorities from local resources.   The decision on whether to offer discretionary concessions is for the local authority to make depending on their needs and circumstances.

The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has been allocated £6 million of this funding. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_211
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_211

Tom Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the restrictions on concessionary bus pass use on weekdays before 9:30am on (a) older and (b) disabled people accessing (i) medical appointments and (ii) employment. \p Simon Lightwood: The English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) provides free off-peak bus travel to those with eligible disabilities and those of state pension age, currently sixty-six. The ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and any changes to the statutory obligations, would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme’s financial sustainability.

No specific assessment has been made on the potential impact of extending the ENCTS to the groups you have mentioned or removing the 9:30am travel restriction on access to appointments and employment. However, local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations. Additional local concessions are provided and funded by local authorities from local resources.

The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes £243 million for bus operators and £712 million allocated to local authorities across the country. Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in local areas to support the local economy and environment.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_212
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_212

Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies of the report by the Urban Mobility Partnership entitled Community Bus Partnerships: A proposition to deliver improved local bus services, published on 20 May 2025. \p Simon Lightwood: The government’s reforms to bus services are designed to empower local authorities to improve services to better meet the needs of their communities. The government introduced the Bus Services (No.2) Bill last year, which will increase the powers available to local leaders to choose the bus services model that works best in their area, whether that be franchising, strengthened Enhanced Partnerships with private operators or setting up new local authority bus companies. In parallel, the government is reviewing Enhanced Partnerships, looking at where it can strengthen these to help local areas deliver better services for passengers.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_213
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_213

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to work with the devolved Administrations to increase transport connectivity between the four Home Nations. \p Simon Lightwood: While transport is largely a devolved responsibility for the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Department for Transport is working with its counterparts to improve transport connectivity across the UK.

As recommended by the Union Connectivity Review, the UK government funded three rail feasibility studies in Northern Ireland looking at electrification, re-opening closed railway lines and improving access to airports. The UK Government also funded three studies focused on improving the North Wales Transport Corridor to completion and is funding Transport Scotland’s A75 feasibility study to explore options to bypass Springholm and Crocketford.

Separately, the UK Government subsidises flights between City of Derry Airport and London Heathrow Airport through a Public Service Obligation.

This Government is establishing Great British Railways (GBR) which will be the ‘directing mind’ for the rail industry, bringing together the management of the network and the delivery of passenger services into a single public body. GBR will work closely with the Devolved Governments where responsibilities are devolved and will provide the integrated and long-term thinking the rail sector needs to grow and support the UK economy. GBR will be established in early 2027, subject to the Railways Bill achieving Royal Assent.

We will continue to work, where appropriate, with the Devolved Governments to improve transport outcomes for all people of the UK.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_214
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_214

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55229 on Electric Bicycles: Sales, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to implement a cross-Government strategy on tackling illegally modified electric bikes. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department believes a cross-Government strategy on illegally modified e-cycles is not needed.

E-cycles, including those that have been modified, can only be legally used on the roads where they comply in full with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Unit has a market surveillance unit and has the powers to act against retailers selling non-complaint e-cycles.

Where such e-cycles are used on the roads, the police have powers to seize them. The powers for the police to act are being strengthened in the Crime and Policing Bill, with the police no longer required to provide a warning before seizing any vehicle, including an e-cycle, where it is being used anti-socially.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_215
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_215

Alex Mayer:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 15303 on Euston Station: Bus Services, what progress his Department has made on developing plans for the Euston Station Campus redevelopment; and whether those plans include an agreed location for a new bus station. \p Simon Lightwood: The Department for Transport is working with key partners to develop affordable, integrated plans for the Euston Station Campus. The new HS2 station platforms and passenger facilities will be integrated with an expanded Network Rail station concourse and enhancements to the London Underground station, along with improved local transport facilities and a significant level of development. We will set out more details in due course.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_216
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_216

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans she has to increase the proportion of her Department's spending on active travel infrastructure. \p Simon Lightwood: Future funding for active travel, including capital funding for infrastructure, will be set out following the conclusion of the Spending Review.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_217
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_217

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54450 on Transport: Disability, whether her Department plans to provide funding to improve accessible transport infrastructure under the measures in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill in Fylde constituency. \p Simon Lightwood: The Bus Services (No.2) Bill will require local authorities commissioning the provision of new bus stations and stops or the upgrading of existing ones, to pay regard to new stopping place safety and accessibility guidance, with the aim of helping them to make best use of funds by designing infrastructure inclusively from the outset.

The government has confirmed £955 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services in England outside London. This includes capital funding for local authorities which can be used to improve infrastructure such as bus stations and stops. Lancashire County Council has been allocated over £27 million for the 2025 to 2026 financial year to support and improve bus services, including £12.4 million in capital funding. Future funding for buses will be announced following the conclusion of the multi-year spending review.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_218
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_218

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54450 on Transport: Disability, what steps her Department plans to take to ensure that transport operators in Fylde comply with the disability (a) awareness and (b) assistance training requirements proposed in the Bus Services (No.2) Bill. \p Simon Lightwood: The Bus Services (No.2) Bill will require relevant bus staff to complete both disability awareness and disability assistance training to give them the knowledge, skills and confidence to support every passenger appropriately.

The Bill provisions include a power for the Secretary of State to make regulations prescribing how carriers and terminal managing bodies should collate and publish data on the completion of relevant training by their staff. The Traffic Commissioners will be able to use existing powers to issue a financial penalty in the case of non-compliance.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_219
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_219

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55226 on Electric Bicycles: Road Traffic Offences, whether her Department has considered the use of (a) technology and (b) certification systems to help identify (i) compliant and (ii) illegally modified e-bikes. \p Simon Lightwood: While the Department has not considered the detail of the technology required, any such system for certifying or registering e-cycles would likely be both costly and complex to administer and enforce.

There is also the possibility that some people may be put off cycling, thereby reducing the health and environmental benefits which we know cycling can bring. The Government therefore has no plans to introduce such a system at present.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_220
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_220

Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure effective coordination between (a) statutory bodies, (b) water companies, (c) HS2 Ltd and (d) local authorities to help reduce disruption when (i) planning and (ii) implementing road closures. \p Lilian Greenwood: Sections 59 and 60 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 places a duty on local highway authorities and statutory undertakers (including water companies) to co-ordinate works in order minimise inconvenience for road users and for safety. This is supported by the Code of Practice for the Co-ordination of Street and Road Works produced by my Department to ensure that, although there will always be some disruption from road and street works, these are minimised. Where road closures are unavoidable as part of construction of HS2, contractors work closely with relevant local highway authorities to minimise disruption to local communities.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_221
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_221

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 55226 on Electric Bicycles: Road Traffic Offences, what data her Department has collected on the prevalence of illegally modified e-bikes on public highways. \p Simon Lightwood: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a market surveillance unit which inspects vehicles and equipment to ensure they meet safety and environmental standards.

In 2024 the DVSA identified 39 suppliers of e-cycles and 21 of these were found to be selling e-cycles that were compliant with regulations.

Subsequent “mystery shopper” exercises, carried out by the DVSA and involving 18 suppliers, found 2 suppliers to be selling non-compliant e-cycles for use on the roads. One of these suppliers has since brought their selling practices into compliance, while the other is being investigated further. In addition, over 400 listings of non-compliant e-cycles have been removed from online marketplaces following intervention by the DVSA.

The police also have the powers to seize non-complaint e-cycles being used on the public roads. Some police forces have published statistics in relation to this, but this information is not collated centrally by the Government.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_222
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_222

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure (a) transparency and (b) local accountability in areas where local elections have been cancelled as part of planned devolution arrangements. \p Jim McMahon: Accountability for decisions in all local authorities whose elections were postponed remains with the elected members, whose terms of office were extended by one year.

The government ran public consultations in the areas on the Devolution Priority Programme. We are now carefully considering the evidence collected, in order to decide whether statutory tests have been met to proceed with the legislation required to establish the proposed devolution institutions. Government will share conclusions from the consultation responses once a decision has been made.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_223
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_223

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to publish financial modelling for Essex devolution proposals, in the context of projected levels of funding gaps. \p Jim McMahon: Combined County Authorities (CCA) do not replace the councils in the area – and services such as social care, libraries and education that are provided by the local authorities would continue to be provided by them. The finances of constituent members such as Essex County Council will remain separate from the proposed Greater Essex Combined County Authority.

The CCA would instead benefit from devolution of both powers and funding in the areas of transport, housing and adult skills, as well as attracting a Mayoral Capacity Fund to assist with setting up and a thirty-year Investment Fund for both revenue and capital spending.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_224
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_224

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the ability of (a) county and (b) unitary councils to set balanced budgets for the next financial year. \p Jim McMahon: We have delivered a Settlement for 2025-26 that begins to fix the foundations of local government by providing significant investment redirecting funding towards the services and places that need it most. The Settlement makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

Councils are responsible for managing their budgets locally and setting a balanced budget. Any council that has concerns about its ability to set or maintain a balanced budget should approach the Ministry in the first instance where we will treat all discussions in confidence, with respect and determination to find a solution together.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_225
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_225

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the expected timeline is for the consideration of the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate of the planning enforcement notice issued by the London Borough of Greenwich against the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich; and if she will make it her policy to recover the appeal. \p Jim McMahon: This appeal (reference APP/E5330/C/25/3364847) against the issue of an Enforcement Notice was received as valid on 29 April 2025. The appeal is proceeding by way of a Hearing. In letters to the main parties dated 1 May, the timetable for the receipt of various documents from them was set out in accordance with the legislative requirements. An Inspector has been appointed and the hearing is scheduled to open on 5 August 2025 and expected to last one day. A decision is therefore likely to be issued on behalf of the Secretary of State, well within the ministerial measures range of 24 – 26 weeks from receipt of a valid appeal; those dates being 14-28 October.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_226
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_226

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with social housing providers on (a) the decent homes standard and (b) the provision of furnished tenancies in social housing to reduce levels of furniture poverty. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department engages actively with Registered Providers of social housing on all issues facing social housing tenants and with a range of stakeholders on issues facing residents and has engaged with groups such as End Furniture Poverty to understand their research on this issue.

We will be consulting this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors.

People in need may be able to get support from their local authorities via the ‘Household Support Fund’ and other services available locally.

The Deputy Prime Minister is also part of the ministerial Child Poverty Taskforce, which is considering the impacts of living in poor quality housing on children.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_227
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_227

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when her Department plans to respond to the First Report of the Speaker's Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections, published on 22 June 2025, HC 570; and whether political parties will be consulted prior to that response. \p Rushanara Ali: This government has made it clear that intimidation and abuse of those participating in public life has no place in our society and cannot be tolerated. We value the work done by the Speaker’s Conference to bring attention to and investigate this important issue. We will carefully consider the recommendations made by the Speaker’s Conference in their first report and will respond in due course. The government intends to engage with both political parties and external stakeholders prior to a formal response.

This is a complex challenge, so the joint efforts of government, the police and parliament are crucial to addressing this issue. We will continue to engage with the Speaker’s Conference as they move into the next phase of their work
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_228
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_228

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda, published on 10 March 2025, when she plans to publish the consultation on the removal of statutory consultees in the planning system. \p Matthew Pennycook: As per the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510), we intend to consult shortly on reform of the statutory consultee system. A publication date is yet to be confirmed.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_229
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_229

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of houses currently under construction in each London borough; and what assessment has been made of the potential impact of changes to (a) building regulations and (b) fire regulations on meeting the Government's 1.5 million housebuilding target. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Department does not centrally collect data on homes currently under construction, but we do publish an annual estimate of new homes built and a quarterly estimate of new build starts and completions which can be found on gov.uk here and here respectively. These releases include data for each London borough.

The government assess the impact of any proposed changes to building regulations, fire regulations, and wider building safety policy, including the potential impact on supply where appropriate and proportionate. We publish Impact Assessments at different stages of policy development which consider potential impacts on main affected groups to support public and sectoral engagement.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_230
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_230

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued on recharging visits that include a mix of political and official engagements from political parties. \p Alex Norris: In line with the practice of successive administrations, this is considered on a case by case basis, in line with Chapter 10 of the Ministerial Code.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_231
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_231

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's document entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, April 2025, published on 30 May 2025, for what reason her Department has ceased publishing data for (a) expense type, (b) expense area, (c) voluntary and community sector, (d) SME class, (e) postal code and (f) grant since the publication of MHCLG: spending over £25,000, January 2025 on 27 February 2025. \p Alex Norris: MHCLG reviewed and amended the publication of its spend data to make it more accessible to the lay reader. We are currently in the process of aligning the data that we publish with Cabinet Office mandatory expectations.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_232
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_232

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45696 on Planning Permission, if she will publish the Planning and Infrastructure Bill environmental principles assessment. \p Matthew Pennycook: Environmental Principles assessments are not routinely published. However, environmental considerations in respect of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill were given due regard in line with the requirements of the Environment Act 2021.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_233
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_233

Helen Morgan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support town and parish councils with the costs of developing Neighbourhood Development Plans. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 55389 on 5 June 2025.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_234
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_234

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued to local planning authorities on the installation of 6G masts. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to supporting investment in high-quality, reliable digital connectivity so that communities can benefit from faster economic growth and greater social inclusion. We expect 6G technologies to be available from the early 2030s.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 includes the latest national planning policy on how telecommunications and mobile network infrastructure should be considered. Chapter 10 outlines the government’s current policy on supporting high quality communications infrastructure.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_235
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_235

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what weight her Department gives to planning representations made directly to the Secretary of State after a called-in public inquiry has taken place and prior to the decision-notice by the Secretary of State. \p Matthew Pennycook: All relevant information is taken into account before the Secretary of State determines a called-in planning application or recovered appeal.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_236
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_236

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer to Question 48234 on Planning Permission, if she will set out her planned timeframe. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 53569 on 28 May 2025.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_237
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_237

Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will consider introducing enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks as a condition of being a councillor. \p Jim McMahon: Disclosure and Barring Service checks (‘DBS checks’) for local government members are currently optional; it is for individual local authorities to adopt eligible DBS checks as they feel necessary.

I am considering the benefits and disbenefits to potential changes in local government member DBS check policy.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_238
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_238

Claire Hazelgrove:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to introduce (a) protections and (b) support mechanisms for leaseholders living in buildings under 11 meters. \p Alex Norris: Irrespective of building height, we consider it imperative to support leaseholders, and ensure that fire safety risks are assessed and, if necessary, remediation action is taken promptly.

The department continues to review cases where cladding remediation work is proposed, which includes undertaking audits of fire risk appraisals of external walls to make sure that proposed works are necessary and proportionate. We also press managing agents and building owners not to pass on costs to leaseholders and explore cost recovery options.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_239
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_239

Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) training and (b) resources her Department has provided to fire and rescue services to respond to fires related to electric cars. \p Alex Norris: It is the responsibility of fire and rescue authorities to ensure that firefighters receive the appropriate resources, equipment and training they need to safely respond to the wide range of incidents which they attend. We will continue to work closely with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) to ensure fire and rescue services have access to the training, resources and equipment they need to keep the public safe.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_240
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_240

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Planning Inspectorate Performance update – April 2025, published on 25 April 2025, what steps she is taking to reduce the median decision time. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Planning Inspectorate's Strategic Plan commits to removing all casework backlogs and meeting all Ministerial targets by 2027. Casework including nationally significant infrastructure projects, local plan examinations, critical Secretary of State casework, appeals against refusal of planning permission and appeals against enforcement notices are currently being prioritised over casework of lower general intrinsic economic value.

It is, for example:

The Inspectorate is implementing actions to maintain performance in these areas performing well and to improve end-to-end times for other casework including by:

In addition, the Inspectorate has designed and developed a new digital Appeals Service currently in Beta phase. This new service improves the process for submitting appeals, including reducing the number of invalid appeals submitted. In turn, this reduces the number of validation checks required and is speeding up the time taken to validate appeals. The new service has been expanded to cover all local planning authority areas. In five pilot local authority areas the digital Appeals Service is now being used to progress the appeal from receipt through to decision. This provides an interface for Local Planning Authorities and appellants to manage appeals and automate notifications which are expected to save time for participants, improve their experience of the appeals service and be a foundation for further improvements.

The Planning Inspectorate is an Arm's Length Government Body with responsibility for allocation of resources, prioritisation and overall operational performance. The Inspectorate publishes updates on its performance on its website regularly.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_241
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_241

Joe Robertson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's policy is on the personal use of IT equipment to access the internet through (a) desktops and (b) wifi by (i) staff and (ii) Ministers. \p Alex Norris: MHCLG do not provide desktop computers. However all corporate devices are covered by the same policy and terms and conditions.

WiFi is provided by the GovWiFi service, which is covered by the GovWiFi Terms and Conditions (Terms and conditions - GovWifi) in conjunction with MHCLG acceptable usage policy, which is available to all staff on the Intranet. The policy allows for ‘limited personal use of MHCLG IT is acceptable as long as it does not cause a problem with your work or that of your colleagues’.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_242
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_242

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support leaseholders who cannot (a) sell their properties and (b) re-mortgage due to ground rent charges. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_243
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_243

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to review planning regulations on the conversion of public houses to other uses. \p Matthew Pennycook: Planning permission is always required for the material change of use of a public house to another use, and the government has no plans to change this.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_244
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_244

John Glen:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of levels of (a) freedom of religion or belief and (b) rights for people to engage in peaceful religious expression; and what steps she is taking to balance those rights with other (i) legal and (ii) public interest considerations. \p Alex Norris: Freedom of religion or belief expression is a fundamental human right. The Government believes that everyone in Britain has the right to feel safe and at ease in the place where they live. Any individual or group is free to express views and beliefs, but they have a duty to behave responsibly and to respect other people’s rights.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_245
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_245

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much her Department has spent on (a) taxis and (b) other private hire vehicles since 5 July 2024. \p Alex Norris: MHCLG has spent £41,439.56 on taxis and private hire vehicles since 5th July 2024. We are unable to report separately on private hire vehicles and taxis.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_246
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_246

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 May 2025 to Question 49394 on Buildings: Co-ownership, for what reason she does not plan to publish the call for evidence. \p Alex Norris: The call for evidence undertaken by the previous government was targeted specifically at joint owners of leasehold properties, and did not find evidence that the position of those jointly owning properties is sufficiently different from those solely owning properties to justify changing our current policy. This Government is not currently considering any expansion of the leaseholder protections but is looking very closely at how to address the enduring question of the “in perpetuity” status on non-qualifying leases.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_247
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_247

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many emergency repair notices the Building Safety Regulator received in each month between October 2023 and April 2025 under regulation 10 of the Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023. \p Alex Norris: The Department and the Building Safety Regulator recognise the value to the sector in providing performance data. The BSR will shortly be publishing quarterly data demonstrating the volumes of applications received, recorded outcomes and decision times for determination.

Table 1 shows:

Table 2 shows:

Table 1: Completion Certificates

Year / month

Withdrawn

Total received

2023

0

0

October

0

0

November

0

0

December

0

0

2024

0

40

January

0

0

February

0

0

March

0

0

April

0

1

May

0

0

June

0

4

July

0

4

August

0

3

September

0

5

October

0

6

November

0

5

December

0

12

2025

0

44

January

0

8

February

0

12

March

0

13

April

0

11

Total

o

84

Table 2: Emergency Repair Notices

Year / Month

Emergency Repair Notices

2023

0

October

0

November

0

December

0

2024

71

January

0

February

2

March

0

April

2

May

2

June

5

July

5

August

9

September

7

October

15

November

12

December

12

2025

79

January

36

February

16

March

11

April

16

Total

150
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_248
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_248

Sarah Gibson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the interim findings of the Independent Review of the Regulation of the Water Industry in England, published on 3 June 2025. \p Emma Hardy: The Government is clear that transformative change is needed across the water sector, and will be carefully considering Sir Jon’s preliminary conclusions as outlined in the interim report published on 3 June.

The Government will respond to the findings in full once the Commission has produced its final report later this summer. Our response will include a detailed transition plan for the water sector, which will form the basis of future legislation to reset the sector and attract the investment we need to ensure its resilience for decades to come.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_249
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_249

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to introduce increased (a) sanctions and (b) deterrents to help tackle fly tipping. \p Mary Creagh: We have committed to forcing fly-tippers to clean up the mess they have created. This will build on existing sanctions which include fixed penalty notices of up to £1000, seizing and crushing of vehicles and prosecution which can lead to a significant fine, a community sentence or even imprisonment.

Sentencing is a matter for the courts. The Defra chaired National Fly-tipping Prevention Group has previously produced a guide on how local authorities, and others, can present robust cases to court. This is available at https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/national-fly-tipping-prevention-group.

We encourage councils to make good use of their enforcement powers and are currently taking steps to develop statutory guidance on fly-tipping enforcement. We are reviewing council powers to seize and crush vehicles of fly-tippers, to identify how we could help councils make better use of this tool.

We will move the regulation of waste carriers, brokers and dealers from light-touch registration into environmental permitting. This will enhance the Environment Agency’s ability to take action and make it harder for rogue operators to operate. Under this proposed reform, penalties set out in the Environmental Protection Act 1990, such as prison sentences of up to 5 years, will become applicable to breaches of the new regulations.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_250
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_250

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) ensure that planned upgrades to Markyate Sewage Treatment Works go ahead, in the context of Thames Water’s financial position and (b) to prevent further sewage discharge into the River Ver. \p Emma Hardy: We expect the company to meet their statutory and regulatory obligations.

Thames Water’s current Asset Management Plan includes commitments to both maintain Markyate Wastewater Treatment Works and enhance its performance.

Capital maintenance includes a Groundwater Impacted System Management Plan to reduce infiltration, together with a Wastewater Asset Assurance Programme to avoid pollution incidents and ensure permit compliance.

Under the Water Industry National Environment Programme, Thames Water will deliver an improvement to reduce storm overflow spills at Markyate to an average of 10 spills. They must investigate whether the storm overflow at Markyate is having a local adverse ecological impact, which may drive the spill count of the delivered improvement below an average of 10 spills if it is identified as necessary.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_251
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_251

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to take steps to ensure that fines levied against Thames Water are used to fund environmental restoration projects on (a) Hogsmill River, (b) River Mole and (c) other affected rivers. \p Emma Hardy: The Water Restoration Fund, which launched in April 2024, is reinvesting funding based on water company environmental fines and penalties into projects to improve the water environment. Funding is based on water company fines and penalties from April 2022 until October 2023. Up to £11 million of funding was made available on a competitive basis to support a range of water restoration projects.

Applications were welcomed from a wide range of projects to improve the water environment and water management, such as re-meandering rivers, removing invasive non-native species, creating and restoring water-dependent habitats and managing and reducing sources of water pollution.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_252
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_252

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer 5 June 2025 to Question 56531 on Avian Influenza: Lancashire, whether his Department has provided discretionary financial assistance to poultry producers indirectly affected by avian influenza control measures in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire. \p Daniel Zeichner: This Government is committed to working closely with industry to anticipate the potential social and economic risk from avian influenza, so that response strategies are as effective as possible. Whilst the economic impact of an outbreak of avian influenza on Flyde and Lancashire has not been specifically assessed at the regional level, the impacts of a reasonable worst-case scenario outbreak of avian influenza were assessed for the National Risk Register published on gov.uk in 2025. These national risks are reviewed on a regular basis, taking into account new developments. In addition, the joint Government and industry avian influenza taskforce has committed to publishing a full report on vaccination strategies in the UK this summer; this will include economic assessments from previous outbreaks, including the 2022 outbreak.

Compensation paid for birds culled by the Government for disease control purposes is designed to promote prompt reporting of suspicion of disease and is only payable for healthy birds as set out in the Animal Health Act 1981. There is no compensation available for sick birds or birds that have died. Compensation is not paid for consequential losses, including business interruption caused by control or measures, nor for eggs or poultry meat. However, to support improvements and resilience in the poultry sector laying hen housing for health and welfare grants have been made available to poultry keepers in England through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. Any commercial egg producer or pullet rearer, who is a registered keeper of 1000 or more birds are eligible to apply for these grants.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_253
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_253

Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many non-compliance warning letters for inactive inshore vessel monitoring systems have been sent to fishermen by the Marine Management Organisation since 12 May 2025. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has not sent non-compliance warning letters to licence holders with non-reporting devices. On 16 May, ‘for information only’ letters were sent by MMO to 291 licence holders with I-VMS devices on vessels it knows to have been actively fishing, and where the device had not been transmitting data. These letters were not warning letters and stated a desire to work with vessel owners to help them achieve compliance.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_254
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_254

Noah Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the roll out of inshore vessel monitoring systems by marine management organisation type approved suppliers. \p Daniel Zeichner: The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) regularly assesses the progress of I-VMS uptake by the fishing industry and receives regular updates from the type-approved device suppliers, alongside marine engineer device installation paperwork and validation of successful installation from the suppliers. This information has allowed the MMO to tailor and target communication with the fishing industry throughout the roll-out and support industry be prepared for the forthcoming Statutory Instrument. The choice of supplier is a matter for the individual vessel owner and the MMO is not party to this relationship.
wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_255
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-11)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-11 conversation_255

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many prosecutions have been brought for offences related to waste crime in the last five years. \p Mary Creagh: In the five years up to March 2025 the EA has brought 341 prosecutions against companies and individuals for waste crime offences.