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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made regarding the potential implications for his policies of revenue-backed lending arrangements for Best Value assessments.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Finance arrangements are considered as part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value, as set out in the statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention. In making borrowing decisions, authorities must comply with legislation and have regard to statutory guidance to ensure that all borrowing is prudent, affordable and sustainable, and in compliance with their Best Value Duty.

Under the current system, local authorities have wide freedoms to borrow and invest as they are best placed to determine their own capital strategies to meet the needs of local residents. Under statute, all borrowing is secured indifferently on the authority's revenues.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the advice the Independent Advisory Board has provided on managing conflicts between borrowing and lending functions to a) Tees Valley Combined Authority and b) South Tees Development Corporation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Tees Valley Combined Authority’s improvement board is independent and appointed by the authority. As part of the Best Value Notice, the Department engages regularly with the Board for updates and broader assurance that the necessary progress is being made. The Board also reports publicly on its findings to the combined authority’s Cabinet.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if the Department will consult a) constituent local authorities, and b) local Members of Parliament regarding the performance of Tees Valley Combined Authority, in relation to its Best Value Notice process.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Through the Best Value Notice process, the Department has engaged extensively with the combined authority, its constituent authorities, government departments, the Independent Advisory Board and the external auditor to understand views and track progress against the Notice. The evidence provided by key local and national stakeholders remain a crucial part of the Best Value Notice process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of consecutive disclaimed audit opinions for Tees Valley Combined Authority accounts and the improvement requirements of the Best Value Notice process.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Audit opinions and compliance with the statutory audit requirements are an important part of the Department’s holistic assessment of a local authority’s delivery of Best Value. The Best Value Notice issued to Tees Valley Combined Authority sets clear expectations for the authority to comply with its external auditor’s recommendations, including delivering sustained improvement in financial governance, capacity and use of resources.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what arrangements are in place to maintain the Schedule 17 Ticketing and Settlement Agreement terms between Rail Delivery Group and train operating companies on a) their transfer to DFT Operator of Last Resort and through b) the transition to Great British Railways.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Train operating companies are expected to maintain the ticket office opening hours set out in Schedule 17 to the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) throughout their transfer to DfT Operator and as Great British Railways (GBR) is established. As part of wider rail reform and the move to GBR, we are considering if changes to the TSA are needed to ensure GBR can fulfil its role as directing mind for the railways in Great Britain.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the extent of recognition of trade unions and provision of trade union facility time at management grades in each train operating company.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Recognition of trade unions and provision of facility time is a matter for train operating companies as employers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has directed DFT Operator of Last Resort to adopt a standard process for recognition of trade unions and provision of trade union facility time at the end of each train operating company franchise agreement.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Recognition of trade unions and provision of facility time is a matter for train operating companies as employers.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to harmonise pay, terms and conditions for staff transferring to the Fair Work Agency from (a) Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, (b) The Employment Agency Standards inspectorate, (c) the Office of the Director of Labour Standards Enforcement and (d) HMRC National Minimum Wage Unit.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Creating the Fair Work Agency is a significant step forward in strengthening the enforcement of employment rights. All transfers of staff into the organisation will be carried out in line with the principles set out in the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice regarding such matters.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with trade unions regarding on the establishment of collective bargaining arrangements under Great British Railways.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with the trade unions about the establishment of collective bargaining agreements under Great British Railways (GBR). This is a matter for rail employers to take forward as plans for GBR progress, and the trade unions will be updated on such matters through the Rail Engagement Group.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Network Rail on the recognition of trade unions at its subsidiary Platform 4.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Trade Union (TU) recognition is a matter for the employer to discuss with the TU.

Platform 4 is now the employer following a TUPE process. While TU recognition agreements were not transferred from Network Rail to Platform 4 under TUPE, Platform 4 has held discussions with the TUs about recognition, with further discussions intended shortly.

Payment of employment tribunal awards

Transition of rail workers into Great British Railways

Middlesbrough City of Culture

Steve Cram CBE

World Social Work Day 2026

Closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan

Future of Hamworthy Fire Station

Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (No. 2)