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 the Written Statement of 2 September 2024 on Building Safety, HCWS62, what the evidential basis is for the proposition that the European standard (BS EN 13501) is more rigorous and robust than the British fire door testing standard (BS 476-22).

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The withdrawal of National Classes fire testing standards (BS 476) from Approved Document B in favour of the European Standard (BS EN 13501) aimed to enhance fire protection by simplifying compliance routes within the guidance. This change makes it easier and clearer to ensure products meet required standards and enabling simpler performance comparison.

The suitability of BS 476 and the transition to the EN standard was also scrutinised during the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The EN suite of standards is constantly reviewed, periodically updated, and does not rely on withdrawn standards and is therefore seen as more suitable in the long term. The consultation response published alongside the Written Statement on 2 September 2024 shows a majority of respondents were in support of moving to the European Standard.

The Building Safety Regulator will keep these standards under review as part of their continuous review of Approved Document B, in line with their duty under the Building Safety Act to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review in England.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether a business case was prepared for her visit to Ethiopia; and whether she plans to make other foreign visits.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

All ministerial visits are assessed against the government’s domestic and international priorities in the normal way.

As set out on gov.uk, the Deputy Prime Minister’s role includes acting in support of the government’s international agenda, including through overseas travel.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to the Electoral Registration Offices on the mechanisms by which qualified EU nationals should be verified for their eligibility to join the local electoral roll; what guidance her Department provides to ensure that non-qualified individuals are not signed up to the electoral roll; and what assessment she is made of the merits of automatic electoral registration in this context.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are responsible for maintaining accurate electoral registers. As part of the voter registration process, applicants must declare their nationality. EROs hold legal powers which allow them to request documentary evidence to confirm an applicant’s nationality if they are not satisfied as to any applicant's nationality. The application form to register to vote is clear about the possibility of applicants being required to provide additional evidence about their nationality, and that their nationality or immigration status may be checked against government records.

The Electoral Commission has also published guidance for EROs on the types of evidence they may request, and advice on how to check immigration records held by the Home Office.

The Government is committed to improving electoral registration. We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on this manifesto commitment, including making greater use of data and online Government services. Any changes will be based on robust evidence and user research.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has provided to Electoral Registration Offices on the mechanisms by which qualified Commonwealth citizens should be verified for their eligibility to join the local government and UK Parliamentary electoral roll; what guidance her Department has provided on what steps should be taken to ensure that non-qualified Commonwealth individuals are not signed up to the electoral roll; and what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of automatic voter registration on that issue.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are responsible for maintaining accurate electoral registers. As part of the voter registration process, applicants must declare their nationality. EROs hold legal powers which allow them to request documentary evidence to confirm an applicant’s nationality if they are not satisfied as to any applicant's nationality. The application form to register to vote is clear about the possibility of applicants being required to provide additional evidence about their nationality, and that their nationality or immigration status may be checked against government records.

The Electoral Commission has also published guidance for EROs on the types of evidence they may request, and advice on how to check immigration records held by the Home Office.

The Government is committed to improving electoral registration. We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on this manifesto commitment, including making greater use of data and online Government services. Any changes will be based on robust evidence and user research.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 23 April 2025, HCWS593, on Extending licensing hours for the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe Day, whether her Department made an assessment of the potential merits to the hospitality sector of extending the licensing hours on the Friday 8 May in addition.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Licensing hours in England and Wales were extended on Thursday 8 May to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what criteria will her Department use to determine whether scheduled elections in 2026 (a) will and (b) will not be postponed in the context of the ongoing two-tier local government restructuring.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There are no plans to postpone council elections in 2026. The government’s starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on whether the (a) College of Policing and (b) National Police Chiefs’ Council has provided guidance to police forces on election purdah.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) ‘Pre-Election Period Guidance’ provides advice to officers and staff on maintaining impartiality and managing interactions with candidates during the pre-election period. The guidance covers principles of conduct, publicity, and appropriate engagement with political figures. It was most recently updated in 2024 and is available online at: https://www.npcc.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/publications/publications-log/npcc/2024/npcc-pre-election-period-guidance.pdf

The College of Policing also provide Authorised Professional Practice (APP) guidance in relation to election law and the policing of elections. This can be found online at: https://www.college.police.uk/app/policing-elections?s=

Mauritius Treaty

Found: PQ HC 29624 2024-25, 13 Feb 2025 David Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Found: _NC40 David Simmonds Greg Smith .

Found: _NC40 David Simmonds .

Found: _74 David Simmonds .

Found: Negatived on division_72 David Simmonds Paul Holmes Lewis Cocking .

Found: _NC40 David Simmonds ★.