Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will hold discussions with the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport and Civil Society on including in any review of loneliness, the potential effect of vehicles (a) driving and (b) parking on pavements obstructing access to communities for (i) older and (ii) disabled people who suffer from loneliness.

My Department is supporting the cross-government strategy to tackle loneliness and social isolation led by the Parliament Under Secretary of State for Sport and Civil Society, including by linking our existing initiatives that tackle loneliness to other government policies. Our policies tackle social isolation and loneliness by supporting and celebrating integrated and resilient communities in which everyone can participate. We look forward to raising these policies with the new Minister for Loneliness.

We recognise the nuisance caused to vulnerable members of our community such as visually impaired or elderly people when their access is restricted by road vehicles parked on pavements. My Hon Friend, Jesse Norman MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, is currently considering the effectiveness of powers to tackle pavement parking.

We want to see vibrant hubs where people live, shop, use services, and spend their leisure time, and that includes a welcoming and safe night-time economy.