Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scott of Bybrook on 19 May (HL7668), whether the Local Government Pension Scheme should still expect that, in line with the Local Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales): Governance and reporting of climate change risks consultation proposals, which closed on 24 November 2022, Local Government Pension Scheme trustees or managers will be required to produce Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures reports by December 2024.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
We recognise that clarity on the timetable for implementation will be helpful to funds as they make plans and secure appropriate advice. The Government wrote to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Advisory Board on 15 June confirming we will not be implementing any requirements related to the governance or disclosure of climate-related financial risks for the financial year 2023/24. The Government is continuing to analyse the responses received to the consultation and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they will respond to the Local Government Pension Scheme (England and Wales): Governance and reporting of climate change risks consultation, which closed on 24 November 2022, and for which the regulations were expected to be in force by April 2023.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Government is continuing to analyse the responses received to the consultation and will respond in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have issued any guidance to councils to protect older people in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Scotland, and (4) Northern Ireland, who have removed cash or telephone credit card payment options from parking services and have introduced digital or app-only payments that require ownership and Wi-Fi connection of smartphones.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Secretary of State recently wrote to all local authorities in England setting out his expectations that parking services for which councils are responsible for remain accessible. For example, it would not seem appropriate for parking on a high street to be solely available for those who have access to a mobile phone. Nor would it appear sensible for local authorities to phase out paper-based parking options such as 'scratch cards' if the only available replacement is an entirely digital option.
All local authorities have statutory duties to ensure that they do not discriminate in their decision making against older people or those with vulnerabilities. Cash remains legal tender and it will continue to be used by people who favour its accessibility and ease. Local authorities should ensure that there are alternative provisions for parking payments available so that no part of society is digitally excluded.
A copy of the letter is available on gov.uk
Questions about medical appointments should be directed to the Department of Health and Social Care. Responsibility for local government is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but officials in this department will engage counterparts on these matters.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that all parking facilities and essential public services, including (1) medical appointments, (2) council enquiries, (3) service payments, and (4) registrations, are always available to those who do not have internet access, Wi-Fi connection or smartphones.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Secretary of State recently wrote to all local authorities in England setting out his expectations that parking services for which councils are responsible for remain accessible. For example, it would not seem appropriate for parking on a high street to be solely available for those who have access to a mobile phone. Nor would it appear sensible for local authorities to phase out paper-based parking options such as 'scratch cards' if the only available replacement is an entirely digital option.
All local authorities have statutory duties to ensure that they do not discriminate in their decision making against older people or those with vulnerabilities. Cash remains legal tender and it will continue to be used by people who favour its accessibility and ease. Local authorities should ensure that there are alternative provisions for parking payments available so that no part of society is digitally excluded.
A copy of the letter is available on gov.uk
Questions about medical appointments should be directed to the Department of Health and Social Care. Responsibility for local government is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but officials in this department will engage counterparts on these matters.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the compliance of digital or app-only payment options for essential services such as parking in public spaces with the Equality Act 2010.
Answered by Baroness Scott of Bybrook - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
The Secretary of State recently wrote to all local authorities in England setting out his expectations that parking services for which councils are responsible for remain accessible. For example, it would not seem appropriate for parking on a high street to be solely available for those who have access to a mobile phone. Nor would it appear sensible for local authorities to phase out paper-based parking options such as 'scratch cards' if the only available replacement is an entirely digital option.
All local authorities have statutory duties to ensure that they do not discriminate in their decision making against older people or those with vulnerabilities. Cash remains legal tender and it will continue to be used by people who favour its accessibility and ease. Local authorities should ensure that there are alternative provisions for parking payments available so that no part of society is digitally excluded.
A copy of the letter is available on gov.uk
Questions about medical appointments should be directed to the Department of Health and Social Care. Responsibility for local government is devolved in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but officials in this department will engage counterparts on these matters.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that all (1) parking facilities, and (2) essential public services, including medical appointments, council inquiries, service payments, and registrations, are always available to those who do not have (a) internet access, (b) a Wi-Fi connection, or (c) a smartphone.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government's Service Standard is mandated for government departments to follow in the development of new digital services. The Service Standard requires new services to be accessible to all users, including disabled people, people with other legally protected characteristics, people who do not have access to the internet and/or lack the skills or confidence to use the internet.
The Service Standard mandates that users who need “assisted digital support” should be able to access public services by phone, face to face meetings, or via webchat. All central government services must meet these requirements to go onto GOV.UK and assurance is provided through a formal Assessment process.
The NHS also follows the Service Standard with additional elements specific to health needs. People can contact their GP practice by telephone, in person or using a secure online form and patients unable to access remote general practice consultations for any reason should be offered an alternative appointment mode. In England and Wales there is no provision for births, deaths, marriages or civil partnerships to be registered online, attendance in person is required. Online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing general practice, and practice receptions should be open so that patients without access to telephone or online services are in no way disadvantaged.
Responsibility for parking facilities rests with the relevant local authority, as they are best placed to consider how local needs can be effectively met.
DLUHC is currently reviewing Private Parking Code of Practice, which has previously recommended that operators accept at least two different payment methods. For example, cash and card. There are currently no plans to issue a similar direction to local authority car parks.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made on the formation of the cross-departmental taskforce on older people’s housing, as outlined in the Levelling Up the United Kingdom white paper, published on 2 February.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
This Government is committed to further improving the diversity of housing options available to older people and boosting the supply of specialist elderly accommodation.
The Older People's Housing taskforce will look at ways we can provide greater choice, quality and security of housing for older people, and support the growth of a thriving older people's housing sector in this country. This work will be taken forward in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care. Further details about the taskforce including panel membership and scope will be confirmed in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how much has been paid out by local authorities as a result of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigations into adult care complaints each year in the last five years; and how they plan to support local authorities to improve adult care services.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government does not monitor how much local authorities pay out as a result of Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigations. Local authorities are independent bodies and ministers have no remit to intervene in their day to day affairs.
The Ombudsman recommends a range of outcomes to achieve justice for individuals. The individual case reports, as well as the focus reports, public interest reports, and annual reviews the Ombudsman publishes on his website set out wider service improvement recommendations.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many retirement properties have been empty while awaiting sale for more than (1) six months, and (2) two years, in (a) England, and (b) Wales.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Department does not collect data on the types of properties that have been empty while awaiting sale in England and Wales.
Asked by: Baroness Altmann (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assistance is available to bereaved relatives who are being required to pay council tax at full or double rate after being unable to sell an inherited retirement property that has been on the market while potential purchasers have been unable to view or move during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
When a property is empty following the death of its owner or occupant, and there is no other liable person, it is exempt from council tax for as long as it remains unoccupied and until probate is granted. A further six months exemption is then possible. Authorities have powers to provide further discounts where they consider that the circumstances merit it. Authorities can also agree alternative payment arrangements, such as deferring payment until the proceeds of a sale are made available. Potential purchasers who wish to move home can do so, and guidance on home moves is available (attached) at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak.