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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking is to ensure that new homes are built to be flood resilient.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk (whether existing or in the future). Where development is necessary in such areas, the development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere.

The government is consulting on changes to the NPPF, including a dedicated chapter on planning for flood risk and coastal change. The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

If it is found to be necessary to build homes in areas of flood risk, statutory guidance accompanying the Building Regulations promotes flood resilient building work in flood-prone areas, through Approved Document C which can be found on gov.uk here. This may include adequate sub-soil drainage; use of non-return valves and anti-flooding devices on sewers and drains; water resistant construction; and provision for inspection and clearance of sub-floor voids.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the recent BankConfidential report entitled "Hidden Credit Lines – The Largest Fraud Anywhere Ever", and what steps she plans to take as a result.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Treasury is aware of the Bank Confidential report about former misconduct in SME banking. The Government also recognises the serious impact that issues of misconduct have had on small businesses in the UK.

I would refer the Honourable Member to an answer I gave recently on this topic (UIN 101305), on 6 January, in which I noted that successive governments and the financial services regulator, working with the financial sector, have taken steps aimed at addressing historical issues of SME misconduct, including through a range of compensation and redress schemes, some of which are ongoing.

The Government continues to keep the financial services regulatory framework under ongoing review, working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to introduce interim mitigations for families potentially affected by the outcome of the Parental Leave and Pay Review.

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

The Parental Leave and Pay Review is designed to build on our evidence base, assess how well the current system is working and identify where there may be opportunities for improvement. The Review will conclude in early 2027 and the Government will outline next steps for taking any reforms forward to implementation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of treating Maternity Allowance as unearned income for the purposes of Universal Credit on working mothers who are not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government has committed to review the parental leave and pay system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of his Departments policies relating to Maternity Allowance on women in rural and coastal labour markets in the context of the prevalence of seasonal, part-time or based on short-term contracts in those areas.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government provides a range of state-funded support for new parents depending on individual circumstances. Maternity Allowance is a benefit for women who are working, or have worked recently, but who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.

To ensure that it caters for different types of working arrangements the qualifying conditions for Maternity Allowance are flexible. Maternity Allowance claimants must have worked for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks prior to the expected week of childbirth but that work does not have to be for the same employer, continuous, or undertaken on the same basis. Agency workers and women on zero-hours contracts are also eligible. To calculate the rate of Maternity Allowance women’s earnings are averaged over 13 weeks within their 66-week test period. The 13 weeks do not need to be consecutive, and women can select their highest-earning weeks to increase the rate of Maternity Allowance they will receive.

The Government has also committed to review the parental leave and pay system.

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Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Ruth Cadbury (Chair); Steff Aquarone; Dr Scott Arthur; Mrs Elsie