Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to reduce congestion on local roads in rural areas resulting from major planning developments.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

It is for local planning authorities, in consultation with the relevant highways and transport authorities, to assess the impact of major development on the local road network. Where necessary, they can seek to mitigate those impacts through local transport improvements secured by planning conditions or developer contributions.

The National Planning Policy Framework already requires local planning authorities and developers to consider transport issues from the earliest stages of plan-making and when developing proposals. It promotes a vision-led approach to identifying transport solutions that support well-designed, sustainable and popular places.

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 give local authorities more power to deal with flooding.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Lead Local Flood Authorities (unitary authorities and county councils) are responsible for managing local flood risks and have statutory duties including investigating flood incidents and publishing local flood risk management strategies.

Defra is supporting Lead Local Flood Authorities through its reformed funding approach, which is designed to improve local choice by making more projects eligible for flood and coastal erosion risk management funding. It also gives greater choice for communities and local authorities, through their Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, to decide how to best use local flood levies to reflect local priorities and support greater flood resilience.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to help improve mental health and wellbeing support in the media production industry.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related regulations require employers and the self-employed to protect the health, safety and welfare of workers. Under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments, including risks from work-related stress, and share significant findings with those affected.

To support compliance, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides a range of guidance on common risks which may be applicable to activities within film, television and theatrical production, such as work related stress (Work-related stress and how to manage it - HSE). HSE also provides guidance specific to the film and television industry, describing the various roles and responsibilities of those within the production process (INDG360 - Health and safety in audio-visual production. Your legal duties) and guidance and information sheets for specific production activities and risks, e.g. stunts, use of firearms and filming while using vehicles. All guidance is freely available on the HSE website. Industry specific guidance is also available from a range of industry bodies and stakeholders.

HSE also chairs the Joint Advisory Committee for Entertainment (JACE), which brings together industry trade bodies, trade unions, large event organisations and national broadcasting organisations to address industry concerns and promote higher health and safety standards. In addition, HSE works with the Film and TV Charity, the Society of Occupational Medicine Special Interest Group for occupational health in Film and TV and industry trade unions to raise awareness of, and control, work-related stress and psychosocial hazards within the sector.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure the Environment Agency has adequate powers to pre-emptively tackle flooding in areas of high risk.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change in England and is the lead authority for managing flood risk from main rivers, estuaries and the sea.

The EA is delivering the Government’s flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) investment programme. A new three-year £4.2 billion FCERM investment programme started on 1 April 2026, allocating investment where flood and coastal risk is greatest, using the Government’s new funding policy.

The EA has published information on schemes that will receive funding for the first year of the programme, between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

The EA provides flood alerts, warnings and advice through its Check for flooding service, helping communities prepare for flooding. The new National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service, launched in June 2026, supports faster and more reliable operational responses to emerging flood risks.

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 ensure the Environment Agency deals with issues causing flooding in a timely manner.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency (EA) has a strategic overview of the management of all sources of flooding and coastal change in England and is the lead authority for managing flood risk from main rivers, estuaries and the sea.

The EA is delivering the Government’s flood and coastal erosion risk management (FCERM) investment programme. A new three-year £4.2 billion FCERM investment programme started on 1 April 2026, allocating investment where flood and coastal risk is greatest, using the Government’s new funding policy.

The EA has published information on schemes that will receive funding for the first year of the programme, between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027.

The EA provides flood alerts, warnings and advice through its Check for flooding service, helping communities prepare for flooding. The new National Flood Forecasting and Warning Service, launched in June 2026, supports faster and more reliable operational responses to emerging flood risks.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the NHS online GP booking service, Anima, with specific reference to people experiencing mental health conditions.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

General practices (GPs) are contractually required to provide an online consultation tool, such as Anima, as an option for patients to contact them. These tools are designed to accommodate a wide range of patient needs and to enhance accessibility across different groups of patients, including those with mental health issues.

NHS England requires online consultation systems to meet minimum standards of accessibility and functionality in order to be used by practices, helping to make them easier to use for all patients.

We have introduced a new requirement for GPs to make online appointment requests available throughout the duration of core opening hours, making it more convenient for patients to contact their practice at a time that suits them and offering them greater flexibility in their daily lives. The GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to improve the NHS online GP booking service, Anima, for patients.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

General practices (GPs) are contractually required to provide an online consultation tool, such as Anima, as an option for patients to contact them. These tools are designed to accommodate a wide range of patient needs and to enhance accessibility across different groups of patients, including those with mental health issues.

NHS England requires online consultation systems to meet minimum standards of accessibility and functionality in order to be used by practices, helping to make them easier to use for all patients.

We have introduced a new requirement for GPs to make online appointment requests available throughout the duration of core opening hours, making it more convenient for patients to contact their practice at a time that suits them and offering them greater flexibility in their daily lives. The GP Contract is clear that patients should always have the option of telephoning or visiting their practice in person, and all online tools must always be provided in addition to, rather than as a replacement for, other channels for accessing a GP.

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 to ensure water companies are consulted on planning applications.

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

Water companies are not statutory consultees on individual planning applications, but they are consulted as part of the preparation of local development plans. The government has no plans to change these arrangements.

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 support homeowners with insurance costs in areas deemed to have high flood risk.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Flood Re is a joint Government and industry flood reinsurance scheme designed to promote the affordability and availability of insurance for households at highest risk.

In 2025/26, Flood Re provided cover for over 353,000 household policies, with 742,000 properties benefitting since the scheme’s launch. Prior to Flood Re’s inception, the average home insurance quote for a householder with a flood claim was about £4,400. As of March 2026, the average was around £1,300.

Flood Re has been a major success over the past decade and is performing strongly on its objective of ensuring the availability and affordability of flood insurance. On 1 July 2026, this government announced reforms to ensure that Flood Re continues to succeed, by remaining fair, sustainable and focused on supporting those who need it most. Without reform, rising claims and reinsurance costs would place increasing pressure on the scheme and its affordability.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure patients (a) preparing for and (b) recovering from a major surgery are not deregistered by their GP.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

NHS England has always worked with general practices to regularly review their lists and improve their accuracy. Where there is evidence that a patient may no longer be resident in the United Kingdom, NHS England initiates the standard process under which patients are contacted and given up to five months to respond before any removal action is taken.

Where a patient is identified as potentially no longer resident in England, they are contacted and given multiple opportunities to confirm or update their details. Contact may take place through a combination of letter, email, and SMS, depending on the information available. Patients can respond through a number of routes and are given sufficient time to do so before any further steps are taken. Patients are not removed from a practice list solely because they do not respond to a single communication.

The current programme ensures that patients with evidence of recent National Health Service activity are excluded before progressing further through the process. NHS England currently applies an 18‑month activity check as part of these arrangements, helping to ensure that patients actively accessing NHS services are not inappropriately identified.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure patients are given adequate warning by GPs before they are deregistered.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

NHS England has always worked with general practices to regularly review their lists and improve their accuracy. Where there is evidence that a patient may no longer be resident in the United Kingdom, NHS England initiates the standard process under which patients are contacted and given up to five months to respond before any removal action is taken.

Where a patient is identified as potentially no longer resident in England, they are contacted and given multiple opportunities to confirm or update their details. Contact may take place through a combination of letter, email, and SMS, depending on the information available. Patients can respond through a number of routes and are given sufficient time to do so before any further steps are taken. Patients are not removed from a practice list solely because they do not respond to a single communication.

The current programme ensures that patients with evidence of recent National Health Service activity are excluded before progressing further through the process. NHS England currently applies an 18‑month activity check as part of these arrangements, helping to ensure that patients actively accessing NHS services are not inappropriately identified.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate GP services in areas of high housing development.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Secretary of State for Wales

We recognise the pressure that housing developments can place upon local health infrastructure. These impacts can be particularly acute for general practice, which is often the first point of contact for people seeking healthcare.

Integrated care boards are responsible for planning and commissioning services to meet the reasonable needs of people in the locality. The National Health Service has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient medical services, including general practices, in each local area. It should take account of population growth and demographic changes.

At a national level, we continue to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure all new and existing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure for the community. Local planning authorities are responsible for negotiating and agreeing developer contributions to support necessary associated infrastructure when new housing developments are built, including general practices and primary care provision.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department is taking steps to support people applying for settlement via the UK Ancestry route who miss the deadline to renew their permission due to complex personal circumstances, such as health issues.

Answered by Mike Tapp

The Government expects individuals to make any application to extend their stay or settle in the UK before their existing permission expires. Decisions on immigration applications are made in accordance with the Immigration Rules.

The Immigration Rules contain provisions under which periods of overstaying may be disregarded in certain circumstances. Where relevant, decision-makers will consider all available evidence provided by an applicant, including information relating to serious health issues or other compelling circumstances. Applicants seeking settlement on the UK Ancestry route must continue to meet all applicable requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department is taking steps in response to breaches of the Working Time Regulations 1998 by employers, with specific reference to the live events and media production industry.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

The Working Time Regulations 1998 set out rights for workers and employer obligations on working time, including maximum weekly working time, limits on night work, rest periods and paid annual leave. They apply across sectors, including the live events and media production industry.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has overall policy responsibility for the Working Time Regulations. However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces certain working time requirements, including maximum weekly working time; night work limits; health assessments for night workers; work patterns; compensatory rest in specified circumstances; and record keeping.

Other entitlements, including time off, rest break entitlements and paid annual leave, are not enforced by HSE and are matters for Employment Tribunals.

Local Authorities are responsible for enforcing relevant working time requirements in premises where they are the enforcing authority as set out in the Health and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1998.

Where a Local Authority is the enforcing authority, relevant working time concerns should be reported to that authority. Where HSE is the enforcing authority, concerns can be reported through HSE’s website: Tell us about a health and safety issue - Contact HSE.

HSE assesses all concerns relating to potential breaches of working time requirements in premises where it has enforcement authority. HSE will take enforcement action where appropriate in accordance with its Enforcement Management Model (HSE - The Enforcement Management Model), which supports consistent, proportionate decisions on whether enforcement action is appropriate and what form it should take.

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 to ensure that transport infrastructure is delivered in conjunction with major developments such as new housing and renewable energy projects.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustainable and popular places.  This should involve understanding and addressing the potential impacts of development on transport networks, and realising opportunities from existing or proposed transport infrastructure, and changing transport technology and usage – for example in relation to the scale, location or density of development that can be accommodated.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new NPPF. That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to sustainable transport and updated policy on the vision-led approach to planning for transport. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

Found: Labour; Knowsley) Jo Platt (Labour; Leigh and Atherton) Jeff Smith (Labour; Manchester Withington) Cameron Thomas

Found: Labour; Knowsley) Jo Platt (Labour; Leigh and Atherton) Jeff Smith (Labour; Manchester Withington) Cameron Thomas