Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the correction to written question 19221 regarding the number of additional radiotherapy treatments, whether her Department plans to assess the National Cancer Plan's projections for radiotherapy capacity and patient access.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the Department’s National Cancer Plan for England, available at the link below, where this drafting error has been corrected.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-cancer-plan-for-england
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of accessible housing for disabled people and wheelchair users.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Requirements set out in the Building Regulations 2010 include Part M, ‘Access to and use of Buildings’. These requirements intend that new building work meets the needs of occupants with differing needs, including older or disabled people, and allow adaptation of the dwelling to meet changing needs over time.
Statutory guidance, called Approved Documents, offer guidance to developers about how to meet the legal requirements set out in the Building Regulations. M4(2) homes provide enhanced accessibility, requiring features such as a living area and step free access at entrance level. M4(3) homes meet or can be easily adapted to meet the needs of wheelchair users. The government has set out a clear position that at least 40% of housing on major development should be built to M4(2), or higher.
On 17 August 2026, the government published a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which can be found on gov.uk here, alongside the government response to the proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework here. The New NPPF includes requirements for authorities to deliver accessible housing. This means that development plans should set out the proportion of new homes that should be delivered to M4(2) and M4(3) accessibility standards, to meet or exceed identified need.
In the government response, we committed to providing further guidance to assist local authorities in assessing older and disabled people’s housing need, and will consider appropriate engagement to support this work.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she plans to provide an update on the Reviewing the Law for Powered Mobility Devices consultation.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department is analysing responses to the consultation, and the Government’s response will be published on gov.uk in due course.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether proposed regulation of the property management industry will cover freeholders who manage communal land through residents’ management companies, as well as leaseholders who manage their buildings through Right to Manage companies.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 12 October 2026 (HCWS363).
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that volunteer directors of residents’ management companies are made aware of the responsibilities and time commitment involved in the role, and whether it plans to provide training or guidance for those undertaking these responsibilities.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) provides free information and advice to leaseholders, including volunteer directors of resident management and right-to-manage companies.
LEASE’s free online learning platform, Lease Learn, includes training on the responsibilities of being a company director and a course, developed with the Building Safety Regulator, for resident directors responsible for higher-risk buildings.
LEASE is continuing to develop and expand its online learning offer as part of its wider digital transformation.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the age limit for GWR scholar discounts on pupils who turn 16 during Year 11 but remain in compulsory education; and whether her Department has considered the potential merits of allowing pupils to retain access to the GWR Scholar Annual Pass until the end of the academic year in which they complete their GCSEs.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of affordable travel for young people and works closely with operators on ticketing products designed to support access to education. Decisions regarding specific rail discount schemes are generally a matter for operators, although the Department keeps arrangements under review to ensure they support passenger needs.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will exempt Armed Forces personnel on mandatory overseas postings from the three year time limit on Stamp Duty Land Tax refunds.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
Successive Governments have taken the view that the three-year limit on SDLT refund claims when replacing a main residence should apply consistently to armed forces personnel and other employment.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has considered introducing a mandatory vehicle noise test as part of the MOT; and what steps she is taking to tackle excessive vehicle noise.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Excessive exhaust noise is already assessed as part of the MOT. Testers must fail a vehicle where its exhaust noise is unreasonably above the level expected from a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition. The Department keeps the content of the MOT under review, but there are practical challenges in introducing an objective noise measurement test in MOT stations. To tackle excessive vehicle noise, the Department continues to work with enforcement partners and supports action under existing legislation against vehicles that do not comply with noise requirements.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure secondary school pupils have unrestricted access to clean, safe toilet facilities.
Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The department expects all schools to provide pupils with access to clean, safe and suitable toilet facilities that support their health and welfare. The School Premises (England) Regulations 2012 require schools to provide adequate toilet and washing facilities, including separate toilets for boys and girls aged eight and over, except where individual lockable toilets are provided. It is for school leaders to manage the day-to-day operation of their schools, including arrangements for pupils’ access to toilet facilities.
Asked by: Dan Aldridge (Labour - Weston-super-Mare)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve access to NHS dental services.
Answered by James Frith - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
I refer the Hon. Member to the press release issued in December 2025, setting out the action we are taking to improve access to National Health Service dental services, available at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-boost-for-millions-of-nhs-dental-patients
The latest NHS Dental Statistics show continued improvement across a range of key measures, with more NHS dental care being delivered, more dentists providing NHS services, improved access for patients, increased preventative care for children, and record levels of urgent dental activity. The publication of the annual dental statistics is available at the following link:
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/dental-england/dental-statistics-england-202526