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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section (a), point 7 of Flying flags: a plain English guide, updated on 20 July 2021, what guidance her Department issues on the flying of the Jammu and Kashmir flag for their National Day on 24 October.

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

The department does not publish guidance relating to flag flying for specific national days.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when the consultation on the implementation of the new supported housing licencing regime and national supported housing standards will be launched.

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

The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that people on the housing waiting list are included in planning consultation.

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

The Government are exploring new ways to increase and enhance community engagement in the planning process, including by improving access to planning data through its digitisation drawing on provisions in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This will help remove barriers to participation in the planning process, including among those on housing waiting lists.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on providing interim guidance to local authorities pending implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

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

The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an estimate of the number of people made homeless by the consultation on the new powers introduced by the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

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

The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.

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 is taking to encourage the expansion of SME housebuilders.

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

Small and medium sized housebuilders are essential to meeting the government’s housing ambitions and supporting local economies. Our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework included proposals to support the SME housebuilding sector to grow by strengthening small site policy. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

The Government published its response to the CMA Housebuilding Study on 22 October. Officials spoke to the CMA on a range of issues during their market study.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will require councils to identify sites suitable for fewer than 100 dwellings to support SME construction.

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

Small and medium sized housebuilders are essential to meeting the government’s housing ambitions and supporting local economies. Our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework included proposals to support the SME housebuilding sector to grow by strengthening small site policy. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

The Government published its response to the CMA Housebuilding Study on 22 October. Officials spoke to the CMA on a range of issues during their market study.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to negotiate a long-term rent settlement with housing associations.

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

As set out in the Deputy Prime Minister’s Written Ministerial Statement on Monday 28th October (HCWS169), the government will consult on a new 5-year social housing rent settlement to provide the sector with the certainty it needs to invest in new social housing. The intention would be for this to increase with Consumer Price Index inflation figures and an additional 1%. The consultation will also seek views on other potential options to give greater certainty, such as providing a 10-year settlement.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to emphasise the importance of delivery of affordable housing in her proposals for planning reform.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 8302 on 18 October 2024.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to reduce wealth inequality in the UK.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to making sure everyone pays their fair share of tax, which helps to fund our vital public services.

The UK taxes wealth across many different economic activities, helping to ensure that the most well-off in our society make a fair contribution.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had discussions with D&D London on the closure of 35 TGI Fridays branches.

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

We understand that this will be a concerning time for workers at TGI Fridays, and we stand ready to support those impacted. Affected employees will be able to access Government support, including Universal Credit and Job Centre Plus to help them find new jobs, through its Rapid Response Service. DBT officials are monitoring developments and are in touch with administrators.

Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly elections

OVO Energy monthly fees for paper format bills

National insurance increase and the social care sector

Gaza family visa scheme

Haggis the pygmy hippo

Islamophobia Awareness Month 2024

Release of fire appliance and life-saving equipment to Palestine

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication shortages

2% wealth tax

Israeli Knesset decision to ban UNRWA

Support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency

Ticket offices and station staff

Glasgow’s 850th birthday