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 effectiveness of legal protections preventing leaseholders from being pursued for (a) service-charge and (b) balancing-charge debts relating to periods before they acquired their property.

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

The government recognises the importance of potential buyers having the information they need to decide whether a home is right for them.

There is already a requirement under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 that any information that would help a prospective homebuyer to make an informed decision must not be hidden or omitted.

We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Local Power Plan on local jobs and supply chain opportunities for small businesses in the clean energy sector.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Local ownership keeps economic benefits local, supporting local labour markets directly and indirectly. Community-led projects tend to create more local jobs due to local ownership and reinvestment of revenue.

More broadly, our Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan set out Government’s approach to creating investment, growth and jobs in clean energy industries, including supply chains.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps under the Local Power Plan to accelerate grid connections for small business-led renewable energy projects.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department continues to work closely with Ofgem, NESO and DNOs to ensure wider grid connections reforms benefit community and local energy projects, including: Ofgem starting to implement proposals in the End‑to‑End Review, a systematic review of Transmission Impact Assessment thresholds in Scotland, and ongoing work to explore remaining policy and regulatory issues.

Projects connecting to distribution networks in England and Wales (including the majority of community projects) have benefited from a Transmission Impact Assessment (TIA) threshold increase from 1MW to 5MW in May 2025, meaning more projects can now avoid the more complex, lengthy and costly transmission connection process.

The Department is committed to improving the grid connection experience for all connecting customers, including community and local energy projects.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises are directly impacted by the Local Power Plan, including hosting renewable energy installations and participating in shared ownership models.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

This year Government will consult on detailed plans for a possible mandatory shared ownership scheme and Great British Energy (GBE) will develop a Local Energy Platform to provide an end-to-end business solution for onsite renewable generation. This will be available to small and medium sized enterprises.

Great British Energy will set out further funding options in summer 2026. Projects are encouraged to engage early through the EOI form available at https://www.gbe.gov.uk/express-your-interest

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to bring forward reforms enabling local energy communities to sell clean power directly to nearby small businesses through local power purchase agreements.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Local Power Plan is a joint DESNZ‑GBE publication setting out the UK’s largest ever public investment in community energy.

The Department will deliver the policy and regulatory change working with Ofgem, NESO and others as appropriate. Great British Energy (GBE) will act as the principal delivery body for the Local Power Plan, providing funding and advisory support to eligible projects

DESNZ will continue to work across government and with the Community and Local Energy sector to demonstrate the value Power Purchase Agreements offer and develop models in line with accounting standards.

GBE’s capability and capacity support will create a knowledge hub with standardised templates for contracts, including PPAs.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Local Power Plan will help reduce energy costs for small businesses, particularly in rural areas with limited grid infrastructure.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Great British Energy will provide dedicated capacity and capability, and financial support to help local government and community energy groups deliver local clean energy projects.

Clean energy projects owned by local government and community energy groups can lower energy bills and bring in money for the people who own them, which can then be reinvested back into the community.

By generating electricity closer to where people use it, community and local projects help to reduce pressure on the national grid and reduce the need for expensive upgrades, when they are strategically placed and paired with flexible technology.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Great British Energy will offer finance and guidance to help small businesses install on-site renewable generation and battery storage as part of the Local Power Plan.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Backed by up to £1 billion, Great British Energy (GBE) aims to support at least 1,000 local and community energy projects by 2030.

GBE will do this through funding, and support including awareness raising, project origination and project development support and standardised documents and templates.

GBE will also provide dedicated capacity and capability support to help local government and wider public sector deliver local clean energy projects.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Local Power Plan will support small businesses in market towns and rural communities to access affordable, locally generated clean power.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Great British Energy will provide dedicated capacity and capability, and financial support to help local government and community energy groups deliver local clean energy projects.

Clean energy projects owned by local government and community energy groups can lower energy bills and bring in money for the people who own them, which can then be reinvested back into the community.

By generating electricity closer to where people use it, community and local projects help to reduce pressure on the national grid and reduce the need for expensive upgrades, when they are strategically placed and paired with flexible technology.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of trends in the levels of NHS Continuing Healthcare application success rates.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Operational delivery of National Health Service Continuing Healthcare (CHC) is the responsibility of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) with oversight from NHS England. Decisions on eligibility for CHC are taken by the relevant ICB, on a case-by-case basis based on an individual’s assessed needs. Eligibility is not determined by age, clinical condition or financial means. Eligibility can vary across ICBs due to different factors including the age profile of the local population and health need variation between geographical regions.

We have understood “applications” to mean CHC referrals. NHS England measure CHC referrals quarterly at ICB, region, and national level. Latest published CHC and NHS-funded Nursing Care (FNC) data are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/nhs-chc-fnc/

NHS England’s assurance regime promotes accurate assessment, equal access, and consistency within CHC delivery.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered the potential merits of encouraging the inclusion of multiuse sports venues, such as lakes, as part of new housing developments.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) recognises that access to a network of high-quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity are important for the health and wellbeing of communities, as well as delivering wider benefits for nature and support efforts to address climate change.

The Framework makes clear that planning policies should be based on robust and up-to-date assessments of the need for open space, sport, and recreation facilities (including quantitative or qualitative deficits or surpluses) and opportunities for new provision. Information gained from the assessments should be used to determine what open space, sport and recreational provision is needed, which plans should then seek to accommodate.

The government is currently consulting on a new NPPF that includes clearer, more rules-based policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes policies supporting the delivery of new and improved community facilities, which includes sports facilities.

The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using artificial intelligence to assist with mapping the condition of roads in England.

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

In September 2024, DfT introduced a new standard (PAS 2161) for monitoring road conditions in England. The list of the approved technologies against PAS2161 includes AI‑based technologies. Going forward, the Department will encourage a wide range of technologies to seek compliance, driving technical innovation in road condition monitoring.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of reports of variations in police force implementation of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Abnormal Load Guidance and National Policing Guidelines on Charging for Police Services: Special Police Services; and what steps are being taken to ensure consistency of practice.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Police Chiefs are responsible for decisions on escorting abnormal loads and for how guidance relating to movements and charging should be implemented in their areas. Local variation in the management of abnormal loads may be necessary to account for factors such as geography and road infrastructure.

NPCC guidance for forces and the charging framework for on managing abnormal loads were updated in March and May 2025 respectively. These seek to promote greater national alignment across forces, where possible, noting the need for variations. The NPCC has committed to review this guidance twelve months after publication to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether regulations on trade union access under the Employment Rights Act 2025 will include safeguarding provisions for workplaces employing young people; and what guidance will be provided to ensure compatibility with safeguarding duties.

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

In our consultation, Make Work Pay: trade union right of access, we sought views on the operational details of the new statutory access framework, including any further matters the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) must have regard to when making determinations on access.

Officials are carefully reviewing all responses and the government will publish a response, which will include next steps on safeguarding considerations, before finalising these details in secondary legislation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has considered the potential merits of introducing an income tax rebate and relief for (a) people and (b) households who self-fund their social care costs; and if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on (a) people with long-term degenerative conditions such as dementia and (b) their immediate families.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are a wide range of factors to take into consideration when introducing a tax relief. These include how effective the relief would be at achieving the policy intent, how targeted support would be, whether it adds complexity to the tax system, and the cost.

Tax reliefs are typically of greatest benefit to those paying higher rates of tax. Furthermore, new reliefs also add complexity to the tax system and are likely to result in similar calls for reliefs on other forms of personal expenditure or income, which others may argue are equally deserving.

To support social care authorities to deliver key services, in light of pressures, the Government is making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26, which includes a £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant. This is part of an overall increase to local Government spending power of 6.8% in cash terms.

Moreover, the Government is making available around £4.6billion of additional funding for adult social care in 2028/29 compared to 2025/26, to support the sector to improve adult social care.

The Government recognises the significant challenges facing the adult social care system and is committed to transforming the sector and supporting the care workforce. Baroness Louise Casey is leading an independent commission to build consensus on reform. The first phase will report in 2026 and will focus on how to make the most of existing resources.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on hospitality franchise businesses; and whether he plans to provide support for employers to manage costs.

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

The Government has published a comprehensive assessment on the impact of the Act, which includes analysis of the potential sectoral impacts.

The Government recognises the vital contribution of the hospitality sector to the UK, supporting local employment, sustaining high streets and communities, and playing an important role in our cultural and social fabric.

We are delivering long overdue reform to rebalance business rates system. Over 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure properties will benefit from permanently lower tax rates. This is a permanent tax cut worth nearly £900 million with no cash cap, benefitting all qualifying properties on high streets across England.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on the ability of small and medium-sized businesses, including franchises, to re-invest and create jobs.

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

The Government has published a comprehensive assessment on the impact of the Act. As per our Better Regulation requirements, each Impact Assessment includes a small, medium and micro business assessment.

The Small Business Plan also outlines how we will support small and medium sized businesses to grow and thrive across the UK through the most significant package of legislative reforms in 25 years to tackle late payments; unlock billions of pounds in finance to support start-ups and scale ups; remove unnecessary red tape; revitalise the High Street as a place to do business; and deliver growth boosting support for Digital and AI Adoption.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the guaranteed hours requirements in the Employment Rights Act 2025 on a) employees seeking flexibility, including those seeking to match schools terms, and b) employers with seasonal demand changes.

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

My department has published a robust set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025, available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.

The Employment Rights Act is intended to improve security of income and work, while maintaining flexibility. Workers will be able to decline an offer of guaranteed hours if they wish. Employers with seasonal working patterns will continue to have a range of options, including the use of fixed term contracts where appropriate. The government will consult further before making regulations, including on how the right could apply in relation to annualised hours arrangements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will take steps to improve accountability and regulatory oversight of residential managing agents in cases where administrative failure results in financial detriment and disputed arrears being pursued against leaseholders.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 85213 on 4 November 2025 and UIN 113165 on 2 March 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will take steps to investigate reports of alleged wrongdoing by UK Trade Envoys.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Any reports of alleged wrongdoing in public office are taken seriously by the Government. The Government remains committed to meeting its statutory obligations on records management, disclosure, and cooperation with competent authorities, and any requests will be handled in accordance with established procedures.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, a) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the 18-month rule under Section 20B of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 in protecting leaseholders from being billed for historic service-charge liabilities issued outside the statutory deadline, and b) whether his Department has considered the potential merits of improving enforcement mechanisms where managing agents fail to comply with that requirement.

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

The government has not made a specific assessment of the effectiveness of Section 20B. Under Section 20B of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 a landlord must notify leaseholders of service charge costs being incurred or demanded within 18 months of when the costs were incurred. If landlords miss this deadline, leaseholders are not liable to pay these costs unless the landlord sends a written notice within this period about the costs and their future responsibility to contribute. Leaseholders who consider that they received such a demand outside the time limit and without notification should seek advice, for example from the Leasehold Advisory Service. Leaseholders may challenge unreasonable charges at the First-tier Tribunal.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will have discussions with diplomats and officials on reports of alleged wrongdoing by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the fulfilment of his public duties as a UK Trade Envoy.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Rt Hon Member would not expect me to comment on a live police investigation, but the Government will obviously assist the police in any way they require.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will (a) release documents relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as trade envoy and (b) share relevant documents with the police.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Rt Hon Member would not expect me to comment on a live police investigation, but the Government will obviously assist the police in any way they require.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support she provides to farmers when changes are made to pesticide regulations; and if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring the availability of approved alternative substances.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

If changes are made to regulations including pesticides we aim to do so transparently, for example through consultation, with those impacted including the farming sector. When a decision is made about an active substance or plant protection product by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this is done in line with the legislation which ensures that affected individual farmers and businesses are made aware in sufficient time to make changes.

As set out in the UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP), we want to ensure that farmers and growers have sufficient access to safe and sustainable tools to deal with pests and diseases. This includes improving access to biopesticides.

The HSE runs the biopesticides scheme to support companies who want to apply for approval of a biopesticide. The scheme includes dedicated HSE biopesticide champions, free pre-submission advice, and capped fees for biopesticide active substance approval.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that approved pesticides do not pose a risk to public health.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

A pesticide may only be placed on the market in Great Britain (GB) if the product has been authorised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), GB’s pesticide regulator. This only happens following a thorough scientific risk assessment that concludes all safety standards are met.

The GB pesticide Maximum Residue Level (MRL) regime sets high standards of consumer protection to ensure that residues in food do not harm human health. An MRL is the maximum concentration of a pesticide residue in or on food that is legally tolerated. MRLs are always set below the level considered safe for people eating the food.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive maintains up to date standards for pesticides.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) makes decisions on whether to approve pesticides based on a careful scientific assessment of the risks, with the aim of achieving a high level of protection for people and the environment in line with regulatory requirements.

HSE uses a number of mechanisms to assure its decisions are based on up-to-date standards including:

- Using internal HSE scientific expertise. This includes internal peer reviews as well as review meetings involving senior leaders not directly involved in the decision,

- Drawing on independent scientific advice from groups such as the Expert Committee on Pesticides as necessary, and

- Where appropriate, using public consultations and calls for evidence, allowing further evidence that may be relevant to be submitted and considered as part of the decision-making process.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he will make an assessment of the risks of the use of a) Benthiavalicarb, b) Clofentezine, c) Dimethomorph, d) Dimoxystrobin, e) Flufenacet, f) Ipconazole, g) Mepanipyrim, h) Metribuzin, i) S-metolachlor, and j) Triflusulfuronmethyl, in the context of reports that they pose serious health and environmental risks, including cancer and infertility.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Pesticides are subject to strict regulation in Great Britain (GB) and are only approved on the basis that they will not cause harm to human or animal health, and that there are no unacceptable effects to the GB environment.

If new information comes to light that raises questions over the safety of a pesticide, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can and does review active substance approvals under pesticides legislation. HSE is aware of new information which relates to the ten pesticide active substances listed and is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, GB governments and, where appropriate, the pesticide producers, to determine what action is most suitable for these substances.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will take steps to investigate the use of English-as-a-Foreign-Language Courses as a route for individuals trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein to obtain UK visas.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

This is a live police investigation, so we are unable to comment. The Government stands ready to support the police in whatever way it can.

Found: Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/jul/19/tory-whip-julian-smith-urged-to-explain-pairing