Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48653 on Parking: Private Sector, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of local councils transferring their parking facilities to private parking companies on a) council finances and b) people parking there.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Local authorities are responsible for their own parking arrangements, and it is for them to determine what is best for their own area. As such, my department has not conducted an assessment of these potential impacts.
Authorities that outsource any area of parking enforcement to private companies should ensure that the contractor fulfils all the requirements set down for the authority itself.
We do, however, recognise the concerns many people have with private parking companies. That is why we are working on implementing the new Private Parking Code of Practice. This initiative aims to address these concerns and ensure fairer and more transparent practices within the private parking sector.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 45236 on Parking: Private Sector, what meetings he has had with private parking companies between June and October 2025.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Secretary of State has had no meetings with private parking companies during the period of June to October 2025.
On 9th June, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Alex Norris MP chaired a round table meeting with the two parking Trade Associations and motorist groups to hear their views and proposals for the government’s Code of Practice.
As part of the government’s work to introduce this new Code of Practice and raise standards across the private parking industry, my officials have regular monthly meetings with both the two parking trade associations and with motorist representatives.
In addition to these regular sessions, officials have ad hoc meetings with both groups, dependent on business needs.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help reduce the number of private parking scams.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This government is taking action to protect motorists.
The Department for Business and Trade provides annual funding to Citizens Advice to deliver general consumer information, education and to raise awareness. This includes the Annual Scams Awareness campaign which Citizens Advice run on behalf of the Consumer Protection Partnership.
The October 2024 campaign was focused on financial fraud, including Parking QR code scams.
Further to this, in accordance with the Private Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government has recently outlined its proposals for a new code of practice for private parking operators. This code will drive up standards across the private parking industry and protect motorists.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the brownfield land release fund will be made available to councils.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Brownfield Land Release Fund Round 2, Year 4, will be made available to local authorities before the end of 2025.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle homelessness in Newton Abbot constituency.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million to a total of over £1 billion in 2025/26. Funding allocations are published on gov.uk here.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of making the qualification of Certificate in Local Council Administration (a) mandatory and (b) included in training in the first year of employment for town and parish clerks.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Town and parish council clerks play a crucial role in enabling councils to effectively serve and represent their communities. There are currently no plans to make the Certificate in Local Council Administration mandatory for town and parish council clerks, as this would place an undue burden on the sector. Town and parish councils operate independently of central government and are best placed to understand their staff’s development needs.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 publish a consultation on (a) reducing and (b) abolishing the 10% commission charge on the sale of park homes.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69040 on 24 July 2025.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
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 impact of a 10% commission charge on the sale of park homes on park home owners.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69040 on 24 July 2025.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to respond to the email from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot dated 24 July 2025.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The former minister responded to the hon. Member’s enquiry via correspondence on 29 August. I have sent a copy of the response to his office for reference.