Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress she has made on improving rail accessibility in Hertsmere constituency.

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

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.

At Elstree & Borehamwood station, full step-free access was delivered under the Access for All programme in 2014. Platform edge tactile paving is already in place at Elstree & Borehamwood station. More recently, platform edge tactile paving has been installed at Radlett (January 2022), Potters Bar (May 2022) and Cuffley (August 2022) stations.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with local planning authorities on efficiently preparing Article 4 directions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 for houses in multiple occupation.

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

The procedure for Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to make an Article 4 direction is laid out in Schedule 3 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, which is available on gov.uk here.

Additional guidance can be found in the “When is permission required?” Planning Practice Guidance, which is available on gov.uk here.

My Department engages with LPAs in respect of Article 4 directions on an ongoing basis.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have introduced Article 4 directions to restrict the number of houses in multiple occupation.

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

Since 1 January 2023, 45 local planning authorities have notified the Secretary of State of ‘Article 4’ Directions removing permitted development rights in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation.

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 24 February 2026 to Question 111727, for what reason his Department has not introduced a definition of large built-up area, town, historic town or village.

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

The government’s Green Belt policies as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) make reference to large built-up areas, as well as towns and historic towns. These are established terms with the Framework.

We have not introduced prescriptive definitions of these terms, and their interpretation remains a matter for planning judgement informed by national policy and associated guidance.

Our updated Green Belt guidance, published on 27 February 2025, sets out detailed considerations to ensure a consistent approach to the identification of grey belt land.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included questions on Green Belt policy. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

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 had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport on funding for accessibility improvements at railway stations from Section 106 agreements.

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

My Department engages regularly with the Department for Transport on a range of issues.

Alongside highways contributions and the Community Infrastructure Levy, Section 106 agreements are a well-established mechanism for making development acceptable in planning terms.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals to support development in sustainable locations, including around train stations, and to increase certainty in respect of planning obligations. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

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

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them.

On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here.

On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here.

The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park.

Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield with Hertfordshire County Council.

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

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them.

On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here.

On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here.

The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park.

Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the New Towns Taskforce has undertaken a consultation on the proposed new town at Crews Hill and Chase Park, Enfield.

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

The government tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them.

On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here.

On 23 March 2026, the government launched a public consultation on the proposed New Towns Programme and its environmental implications. This can be found on gov.uk here.

The consultation makes clear that the government intend to take forward seven locations as part of the Programme, including a site at Crews Hill and Chase Park.

Following the consultation and completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessments, the government intends to publish final proposals and confirm the new towns locations later in the Summer. We will publish a full government response to the recommendations of the New Towns Taskforce, including more detail on how our confirmed locations will be delivered in line with our ambition for the programme.

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 adequacy of the candour and transparency of the Drax power station in its dealings with the Government.

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

The Low Carbon Dispatchable CfD signed with Drax sets out consequences in the event Drax have misrepresented information provided to HMG used when agreeing the strike price. This includes the right to revise the strike price or terminate the agreement under certain circumstances.

Ofgem, the independent regulator, found no evidence that Drax had deliberately misled Government or the wider public regarding the adequacy of the company’s procedures for ensuring that biomass is sourced in a sustainable manner.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to determine the (a) process and (b) timings for identifying future Access for All projects.

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

Funding for future rounds of the AfA programme will be considered as part of the next Spending Review. The process for identifying future projects has not yet been finalised, but we are committed to reforming the programme as we move towards the establishment of Great British Railways, ensuring it continues to deliver maximum benefit for passengers and communities

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the amount of money used for accessibility improvements at railway stations from Section 106 agreements.

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

Since the Access for All (AfA) programme launched in 2006, there has been a steady increase of third party contributions from local sources, including from Section 106 agreements.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps to align the National Cyber Security Centre’s Cyber Essentials certification with the insurance industry’s standards to protect organisations against cyber risk, starting with the inclusion of backups.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government is engaging insurers and brokers to encourage clear, proportionate conversations about cyber risk and good cyber hygiene. Insurers typically take risk‑based approaches to underwriting and the government is encouraging the inclusion of fundamental cyber security measures, such as Cyber Essentials.

Data backups are a key part of the cyber incident response and recovery process and are critical to an organisation’s cyber resilience. The Cyber Essentials scheme focuses on defensive technical controls to prevent the most common cyber threats by stopping attackers gaining access. Data backup is not preventative, and therefore not a requirement for the scheme. However, the Cyber Essentials guidance makes clear that data backup is essential for recovery following a successful attack and strongly encourages organisations to implement a backup solution. The scheme is continually reviewed to ensure the controls remain appropriate and effective.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many state secondary school places are available within Hertsmere constituency.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

School level data on state-funded schools with capacity in any of the year groups from reception to year 11 is published in the annual publication available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity/2024-25. This publication contains the latest available data for school capacity and sixth form places, as from 1 May 2025.

The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places sits with local authorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress her Department has made in helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste.

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

This Government is committed to moving to a circular economy for plastics – a future where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of nature, and a more resilient economy.

We are finalising the Circular Economy Growth Plan and intend to publish it soon.

The Government has also introduced the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging scheme. The scheme works by charging fees to the businesses that produce and/or supply household packaging. From 2026 fees will be higher for materials that are hard to recycle, and lower for packaging that can be easily recycled. Illustrative fees, published in December 2025, estimate that 45% of plastic packaging will attract a ‘red’ rating and therefore incur higher fees.

The Government is launching a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in October 2027 that will cover PET plastic and metal drinks containers (like bottles and cans). The aim of DRS is to reduce littering, boost recycling rates and improve material quality for recycling.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if his Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of the timescale permitted for a second post-mortem examination.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

Once a death has been reported to a coroner, the deceased person’s body remains in the legal control of the coroner until released for burial or cremation. During this time, decisions relating to the body, including on whether to order a post-mortem examination or permit a second post‑mortem examination, are a matter for the coroner as an independent judge.

The Chief Coroner has provided guidance for coroners which makes clear that, where a second post‑mortem examination is permitted, it should be carried out as quickly as possible following the first examination and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, within 28 days of the death being reported to the coroner. The coroner must inform the deceased person’s next of kin or personal representative if the body cannot be released for burial or cremation within this period.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will take steps to reduce the timescale allowed for a second post-mortem examination.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

Once a death has been reported to a coroner, the deceased person’s body remains in the legal control of the coroner until released for burial or cremation. During this time, decisions relating to the body, including on whether to order a post-mortem examination or permit a second post‑mortem examination, are a matter for the coroner as an independent judge.

The Chief Coroner has provided guidance for coroners which makes clear that, where a second post‑mortem examination is permitted, it should be carried out as quickly as possible following the first examination and, unless there are exceptional circumstances, within 28 days of the death being reported to the coroner. The coroner must inform the deceased person’s next of kin or personal representative if the body cannot be released for burial or cremation within this period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will take steps to help reduce waste caused by single use plastics.

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

This Government has already taken a number of steps to help reduce waste caused by single use plastics. We have banned the supply of single-use vapes, effective from 1 June 2025. From this date onwards all vapes sold in the UK must be rechargeable and refillable. We have also legislated to ban the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic in England, marking a major step forward in tackling the plastic and microplastic pollution which harms our waterways.

We will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and/or materials to take a systematic approach, in line with circular economy principles, to reduce the use of unnecessary single-use plastic products and encourage reuse solutions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the use of plastic.

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

This Government has already taken a number of steps to help reduce the use of plastic. We have banned the supply of single-use vapes, effective from 1 June 2025. From this date onwards all vapes sold in the UK must be rechargeable and refillable. We have also legislated to ban the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastic in England, marking a major step forward in tackling the plastic and microplastic pollution which harms our waterways.

This Government is also committed to moving to a circular economy for plastics, reducing our reliance on virgin materials and prioritising principles of reduction, reuse, and recycling, to keep resources within the economy, rather than increasing production of virgin materials and injecting additional resources.

We are finalising the Circular Economy Growth Plan and intend to publish it soon. The Plan will set out how Government will deliver a more circular and more prosperous economy.