Asked by: John McNally (Scottish National Party - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make the use of professional equipment mandatory for the testing of carbon dioxide alarms.
Answered by Alok Sharma - COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
There are no requirements for carbon dioxide alarms in England and so there are no plans to make the use of professional equipment mandatory for the testing of them.
On carbon monoxide alarms, building regulations in England require that an alarm be provided when a solid fuel appliance is installed, and sets standards for the quality of that alarm. The Building Regulations set requirements when building work is carried out and do not set on-going requirements for testing.
Asked by: John McNally (Scottish National Party - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the effect of business rate revaluations on the hair and beauty industry; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Marcus Jones - Treasurer of HM Household (Deputy Chief Whip, House of Commons)
The effect of the revaluation of business rates on businesses in the hair and beauty industry will depend on the specific circumstances and location of the relevant property. A £3.6 billion transitional relief scheme will provide support to properties which face an increase in rates. My Department is working closely with the Treasury to determine how best to provide further support to businesses facing the steepest increases. We expect to be in a position to make an announcement on this at the Budget.
Asked by: John McNally (Scottish National Party - Falkirk)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if the Government will apply for funding from the EU Solidarity Fund for relief payments for issues arising from recent flooding.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
The Government will consider an application once the full costs are known. The European Union Solidarity Fund does not provide additional funding to local areas. It reimburses emergency costs that the Government would have incurred anyway. For this reason, the Government's immediate priority remains dealing with the urgent needs of those affected, which is why we have provided just under £200 million to help those affected by the floods to support recovery and repair.