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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many planning applications for housing to local authorities were (a) partially and (b) wholly funded by the Government since July 2024.

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

The Department does not collect or publish data on how planning applications made to local planning authorities are funded.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of updating the published criteria for exceptional circumstances in leave to remain decisions to include (a) exceptional community work and (b) acknowledgement or honours from the British Government recognising community contribution.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

The Home Office keeps all aspects of the immigration system under regular review, in consultation with a wide range of experts and stakeholders.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he has taken to verify the number of UNRWA operatives involved in the 7 October 2023 attacks in Israel.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

We condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal terror attacks by Hamas and were appalled by the Government of Israel's allegations that United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) staff members were involved. The UN Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) report concluded that nine UNRWA staff members may have participated in the Hamas terrorist attack and the UNRWA Commissioner General took decisive action to terminate their contracts. For the remaining 10 staff there was no or insufficient evidence for the UN to take forward further action. The parallel independent Colonna review found that UNRWA's existing Neutrality Framework was "robust" and more developed than similar UN or Non-Governmental Organisation entities, but that neutrality related issues persist. £1 million of our funding to UNRWA this year is supporting the implementation of the review's agreed Action Plan to ensure UNRWA commits to these neutrality obligations. All alleged involvement of UNRWA staff in appalling acts in support of 7 October and subsequent events must be thoroughly investigated.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the implementation of the terms of trade outlined in the Communications Act 2003 on the (a) independent television production sector and (b) creative economy.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The terms of trade regime as set out in the Communications Act 2003 has been central to the growth of the independent television production sector and the wider creative economy since it was introduced in 2004. A recent report from Pact, the trade body representing independent film and television producers highlighted how the regime had played an important role in enabling independent producers to retain more of the intellectual property they create.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will create an offence of (a) lying in office and (b) using (i) media and (ii) social media to mislead (A) followers and (B) the public.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office has no plans to create such an offence. All public office-holders are expected to adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life which includes the principle of honesty.

In addition, ministers are expected to uphold the high standards of conduct set out in the Ministerial Code. MPs and members of the House of Lords must adhere to the relevant parliamentary code of conduct and in the course of their parliamentary duties have a responsibility to provide accurate information to the public and to Parliament, correcting any errors at the earliest opportunity.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office could be used to support Post Offices with rental costs as they become franchises.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.

Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, over what period the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office would last.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.

Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much and what proportion of the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office would be used to support the transition of directly managed branches to franchises.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.

Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of the introduction of the Terms of Trade regime under the Communications Act 2003 on the (a) independent television production sector and (b) creative economy.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The terms of trade regime as set out in the Communications Act 2003 has been central to the growth of the independent television production sector and the wider creative economy since it was introduced in 2004. A recent report from Pact, the trade body representing independent film and television producers, highlighted how the regime had played an important role in enabling independent producers to retain more of the intellectual property they create.

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 plans to take to help prevent leaseholders facing high fees for leasehold renewals.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44852 on 22 April 2025.

Found: Riddell-Carpenter Mr Richard Quigley Sir Andrew Mitchell Lorraine Beavers Helen Hayes Dr Danny Chambers Neil Coyle

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Patricia Ferguson Simon Hoare Adam Jogee John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: _6 Catherine Atkinson Dame Meg Hillier Rachael Maskell Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Antonia Bance

Found: John Grady Bradley Thomas Sir Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle

Found: John Grady Bradley Thomas Sir Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle