Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 6 February (HL4386) about correspondence from the Tees Valley Mayor, whether they have now made a determination about the value for money of the Teesworks project and, if not, why not; and when they expect to publish a response to the Tees Valley Review and to the Mayor’s letter issued on 27 September 2024.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

On 3 April 2025 my department issued Tees Valley Combined Authority with a non-statutory Best Value Notice for an initial period of 12 months. The Notice seeks assurance from the authority that it is complying with its Best Value Duty and has a clear strategy for improvement.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 20 March (HL5602), what representations the government of China or its representatives have made to the Cabinet Office relating to the latest planning application for the Chinese Embassy, prior to and after the Secretary of State's call-in decision, and on what dates.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this decision independent from the rest of Government corresponding to her quasi-judicial role.

Cabinet Office officials speak regularly with the Chinese Government about a range of issues.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 24 March (HL Deb cols 1447–9), whether they have met insurance companies about the rising insurance costs of leaseholders due to the lower remediation required by PAS 9980.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Officials in my department engage regularly with the insurance industry and Minister Norris met representatives earlier in the year. PAS9980:2022 sets out steps that can be taken to identify and assess risk factors as well as mitigation steps that might improve the risk rating of a building via a holistic and fact-based assessment of a building’s construction.

Once buildings comply with Building Regulations or align with industry-accepted PAS 9980 standards, insurers should offer affordable premiums and should not be prescribing additional remedial works.

BSI has commenced the review, which will include a six-week public consultation, and BSI anticipates publishing the updated guidance in early 2026. The consultation will provide the opportunity for industry and the public to participate in the review of PAS 9980.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 20 March (HL5602), what representations the government of China or its representatives have made to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office relating to the latest planning application for the Chinese Embassy, prior to and after the Secretary of State's call-in decision, and on what dates.

Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this decision independent from the rest of Government corresponding to her quasi-judicial role. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials speak regularly with the Chinese Government about a range of issues.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 20 March (HL5602), what representations the government of China or its representatives have made to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport relating to the latest planning application for the Chinese Embassy, prior to and after the Secretary of State's call-in decision, and on what dates.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not received any representations on this matter from the Government of China or its representatives. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the lead department on planning matters, and the final decision rests with its Secretary of State.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Centre for Ageing Better on its Good Home Hubs initiative.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department and I engage in regular discussions with a wide range of housing stakeholders.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage met with the Centre for Ageing Better in September last year and discussed a range of topics, including its Good Homes Hubs initiative.

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: BARONESS TAYLOR OF STEVENAGE _ Baroness Taylor of Stevenage gives notice of her intention to oppose

Found: O’Dowd MLA, Northern Ireland ExecutivePlanning2024-11-07 00:00:00MeetingBilateral with Baroness Taylor of Stevenage

Found: Rebecca Evans MS also held bilateral meetings with:  Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, UK Parliamentary