Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department provides to police and crime commissioners on the (a) maintenance, (b) security and (c) future use of disused police station buildings.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, are a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience and in line with existing budgets. The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure, including any associated costs to policing.

As set out in the Revised Financial Management Code of Practice (FMCP) for police forces in England and Wales, the accounting for assets including property should comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. Any plans for the significant rationalisation or expansion of the estate should be included in a police force’s medium-term financial strategy. PCCs should consult with the Chief Constable when developing the budget and medium-term financial strategy, including a full assessment of the assets required to meet operational requirements.

Police stations are just one of the ways in which people can access their local police, including reporting online and by phone 24/7 via 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergency calls.

A key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing, The commitments set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are now making a considerable difference to the service communities receive from their neighbourhood policing teams. We have also provided £200 million in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of the Parliament. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the estimated annual cost to police forces is of maintaining vacant police station buildings in (a) Essex and (b) the UK.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, are a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience and in line with existing budgets. The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure, including any associated costs to policing.

As set out in the Revised Financial Management Code of Practice (FMCP) for police forces in England and Wales, the accounting for assets including property should comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. Any plans for the significant rationalisation or expansion of the estate should be included in a police force’s medium-term financial strategy. PCCs should consult with the Chief Constable when developing the budget and medium-term financial strategy, including a full assessment of the assets required to meet operational requirements.

Police stations are just one of the ways in which people can access their local police, including reporting online and by phone 24/7 via 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergency calls.

A key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing, The commitments set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are now making a considerable difference to the service communities receive from their neighbourhood policing teams. We have also provided £200 million in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of the Parliament. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police stations in Essex have been closed or left vacant since 2020; and what plans her Department has to support the repurposing or renewal of those sites.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, are a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience and in line with existing budgets. The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure, including any associated costs to policing.

As set out in the Revised Financial Management Code of Practice (FMCP) for police forces in England and Wales, the accounting for assets including property should comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. Any plans for the significant rationalisation or expansion of the estate should be included in a police force’s medium-term financial strategy. PCCs should consult with the Chief Constable when developing the budget and medium-term financial strategy, including a full assessment of the assets required to meet operational requirements.

Police stations are just one of the ways in which people can access their local police, including reporting online and by phone 24/7 via 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergency calls.

A key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing, The commitments set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are now making a considerable difference to the service communities receive from their neighbourhood policing teams. We have also provided £200 million in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of the Parliament. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of permanently closed police stations on (a) local community safety and (b) public confidence in policing.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

Decisions regarding the management of local police resourcing and estates, including police stations, are a matter for Chief Constables and directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (or equivalents). They are best placed to make these decisions based on their knowledge of local need and their experience and in line with existing budgets. The Home Office does not collect data on the number or location of police stations, or the impact of their closure, including any associated costs to policing.

As set out in the Revised Financial Management Code of Practice (FMCP) for police forces in England and Wales, the accounting for assets including property should comply with the requirements of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. Any plans for the significant rationalisation or expansion of the estate should be included in a police force’s medium-term financial strategy. PCCs should consult with the Chief Constable when developing the budget and medium-term financial strategy, including a full assessment of the assets required to meet operational requirements.

Police stations are just one of the ways in which people can access their local police, including reporting online and by phone 24/7 via 999 for emergencies and 101 for non-emergency calls.

A key part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission is focused on restoring neighbourhood policing, and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing, The commitments set out in the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee are now making a considerable difference to the service communities receive from their neighbourhood policing teams. We have also provided £200 million in FY 2025/26 to support the first steps of delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of the Parliament. This increase in neighbourhood policing, alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will strengthen the connections between the police and the communities they serve.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that taxpayer-funded local radio stations continue to produce content that is tailored to local audiences, rather than shifting towards increased national programming; and what steps she has taken to help protect the distinct local character and public service value of such stations.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Local radio continues to bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information.

The BBC is the only public radio broadcaster and is funded by the licence fee. It is for the BBC to decide how it delivers its services, given it is operationally independent from the Government. However, the BBC is required under the terms of its Charter and its Framework to continue to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK.

Local commercial radio stations, which are not tax payer funded, that broadcast on AM or FM are subject to requirements to provide local news and information and these requirements were recently revised by the Media Act 2024. The implementation of the revised local news requirements is currently being reviewed by Ofcom, following the closure of a consultation on 22 September 2025.

Community radio stations - such as Gateway 97.8 which covers the Basildon area - provide an essential contribution to local audiences with tailored content of a distinct local character. Whilst community radio stations are mostly funded by advertising and community support, DCMS does provide financial support to community radio stations through the Community Radio Fund. This is operated by Ofcom, and provides grant funding to to support the sustainability and growth of the sector.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of maintaining two different types of state pension on the economy.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

No recent assessment has been made. State Pensions are paid in accordance with the rules in place at the point the person reaches State Pension age.

This Government is committed to supporting both current pensioners and future retirees and ensuring a decent standard of living for all. That is why the Government have recently launched the Pensions Commission to ensure our pensions system delivers this in the decades ahead. The Pensions Commission will consider what is required in the long term to deliver a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative assessment his Department has made of rates of pensioner poverty between people receiving the (a) pre-2016 and (b) new state pension.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Estimates of the rates of pensioner poverty categorised by people receiving the pre-2016 State Pension or new State Pension are not available, as this categorisation is not recorded in the Family Resources Survey.

Statistics on the number of individuals living in families where at least one member is in receipt of State Pension that are in Absolute and/or Relative Poverty in 2023/24 are published on Stat-Xplore (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/) in the Households Below Average Income dataset.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to review the uprating mechanism for the pre-2016 State Pension.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

There are no current plans to review the uprating mechanism for the pre-2016 State Pension.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has provided guidance to (a) family court judges and (b) Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service officers on recognising and responding to psychological manipulation and coercive control in cases of parental alienation.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government does not recognise the concept of “parental alienation” syndrome and does not believe it is capable of diagnosis.

The family court is governed by the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) and associated Practice Directions. FPR 1.1 outlines the overall objective of these rules and makes clear that their purpose is to enable the court to ensure (amongst other things) that cases are dealt with “expeditiously and fairly” and that the “parties are on an equal footing” throughout proceedings.

The Government is enhancing transparency in family court proceedings to provide greater accountability, de-mystify legal processes and increase public confidence in the family justice system. Officials have worked with the judiciary to roll out new provisions relating to Transparency Orders, now applicable to all children’s cases in England and Wales. They provide a clear framework for reporting where a journalist or legal blogger has attended a family court hearing to ensure the identities of children and families involved remain protected.

The Family Justice Council published guidance on “responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour” in 2024. The guidance was endorsed by the President of the Family Division and makes clear that where there are findings of domestic abuse the victim cannot be found to have alienated the child from the other parent. Where an appropriate and justified reason cannot be found for a child’s rejection of the other parent the guidance provides a clear framework for assessing whether alienating behaviours are present.

Cafcass practitioners receive mandatory training on alienating behaviours. Cafcass’ training programme includes training on the domestic abuse practice policy (introduced in 2024) and on indicators of understanding why a child does not want to spend family time with a parent guide. This training makes it clear that the first step in assessing the reasons for a child not wanting to see a parent is to consider whether domestic abuse is a factor and to explore the pattern of behaviours through a trauma-informed lens.

The Government has not undertaken an analysis of the prevalence of “parental alienation” instances in the family court.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that family court proceedings are (a) transparent, (b) equitable and (c) free from bias against either parent in cases involving allegations of parental alienation.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government does not recognise the concept of “parental alienation” syndrome and does not believe it is capable of diagnosis.

The family court is governed by the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) and associated Practice Directions. FPR 1.1 outlines the overall objective of these rules and makes clear that their purpose is to enable the court to ensure (amongst other things) that cases are dealt with “expeditiously and fairly” and that the “parties are on an equal footing” throughout proceedings.

The Government is enhancing transparency in family court proceedings to provide greater accountability, de-mystify legal processes and increase public confidence in the family justice system. Officials have worked with the judiciary to roll out new provisions relating to Transparency Orders, now applicable to all children’s cases in England and Wales. They provide a clear framework for reporting where a journalist or legal blogger has attended a family court hearing to ensure the identities of children and families involved remain protected.

The Family Justice Council published guidance on “responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour” in 2024. The guidance was endorsed by the President of the Family Division and makes clear that where there are findings of domestic abuse the victim cannot be found to have alienated the child from the other parent. Where an appropriate and justified reason cannot be found for a child’s rejection of the other parent the guidance provides a clear framework for assessing whether alienating behaviours are present.

Cafcass practitioners receive mandatory training on alienating behaviours. Cafcass’ training programme includes training on the domestic abuse practice policy (introduced in 2024) and on indicators of understanding why a child does not want to spend family time with a parent guide. This training makes it clear that the first step in assessing the reasons for a child not wanting to see a parent is to consider whether domestic abuse is a factor and to explore the pattern of behaviours through a trauma-informed lens.

The Government has not undertaken an analysis of the prevalence of “parental alienation” instances in the family court.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the prevalence of parental alienation instances in family court cases in England and Wales.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government does not recognise the concept of “parental alienation” syndrome and does not believe it is capable of diagnosis.

The family court is governed by the Family Procedure Rules (FPR) and associated Practice Directions. FPR 1.1 outlines the overall objective of these rules and makes clear that their purpose is to enable the court to ensure (amongst other things) that cases are dealt with “expeditiously and fairly” and that the “parties are on an equal footing” throughout proceedings.

The Government is enhancing transparency in family court proceedings to provide greater accountability, de-mystify legal processes and increase public confidence in the family justice system. Officials have worked with the judiciary to roll out new provisions relating to Transparency Orders, now applicable to all children’s cases in England and Wales. They provide a clear framework for reporting where a journalist or legal blogger has attended a family court hearing to ensure the identities of children and families involved remain protected.

The Family Justice Council published guidance on “responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with a parent and allegations of alienating behaviour” in 2024. The guidance was endorsed by the President of the Family Division and makes clear that where there are findings of domestic abuse the victim cannot be found to have alienated the child from the other parent. Where an appropriate and justified reason cannot be found for a child’s rejection of the other parent the guidance provides a clear framework for assessing whether alienating behaviours are present.

Cafcass practitioners receive mandatory training on alienating behaviours. Cafcass’ training programme includes training on the domestic abuse practice policy (introduced in 2024) and on indicators of understanding why a child does not want to spend family time with a parent guide. This training makes it clear that the first step in assessing the reasons for a child not wanting to see a parent is to consider whether domestic abuse is a factor and to explore the pattern of behaviours through a trauma-informed lens.

The Government has not undertaken an analysis of the prevalence of “parental alienation” instances in the family court.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has plans to introduce measures which aim to minimise the time taken for emergency services to be able to attend to accidents as part of the upcoming Road Safety Strategy.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Government treats road safety seriously and is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people in Essex who have been able to successfully utilise the help to buy scheme.

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

A total of 14,665 have accessed Help to Buy in the county of Essex.

A breakdown of Help to Buy figures from April 2013 to May 2023 is as follows:

• Basildon 1,015
• Braintree 1,469
• Brentwood 506
• Castle Point 192
• Chelmsford 1,437
• Colchester 2,829
• Epping Forest 243
• Harlow 1,280
• Maldon 546
• Rochford 585
• Tendring 1,156
• Uttlesford 771
• Southend-on- Sea 507
• Thurrock 2,129

Total 14,665

Statistics for all Local Authorities can be found on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help retain UK-trained STEM graduates in the domestic workforce; and what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of international recruitment offers on talent retention in the UK.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

DSIT is strengthening retention of UK‑trained STEM graduates through investment in talent and skills, including support for postgraduate researchers via the New Deal for Postgraduate Researchers. DSIT funds studentships and globally prestigious fellowships through UKRI and the National Academies. Analysis of all respondents who completed recent UK R&I Workforce Surveys found a statistically significant drop in the proportion of respondents considering leaving the UK, from 26% in 2022 to 22% in 2024 overall.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of first-time buyers in (a) Essex and (b) the UK unable to purchase homes due to ground rent escalator clauses.

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

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of people in Essex who have a shared ownership property which are subject to ground rent escalator clauses.

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

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of Essex homeowners in financial hardship due to escalating ground rent clauses.

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

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of homeowners in Essex unable to sell properties due to mortgage lenders refusing to lend to prospective buyers due to ground rent clauses.

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

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of leaseholders who are affected by escalating ground rent clauses in (a) Essex and (b) the UK.

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

I refer the hon. Member to UIN 74455 on 15 September 2025.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the key drivers behind the emigration of highly skilled UK (a) graduates and (b) other workers.

Answered by Josh Simons - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 10th October is attached.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 3.9 of the report by the National Audit Office entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, published on 16 June 2025, HC 951, what further steps he plans to take to ensure that his Department has sufficient commercial levers to influence Capita's administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The government has taken significant steps to ensure the Cabinet Office has sufficient commercial levers to influence Capita's administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme. The new contract provides a more robust and strengthened position that includes a number of levers to address any aspects of under performance by the supplier.

Steps have been built into the new contract primarily through enhanced enforcement mechanisms, new key performance indicators, and financial penalties.

Alongside this we have increased development within the contract management functions to ensure that the overall delivery continues to meet the requirements for the scheme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by the National Audit Office entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, published on 16 June 2025, HC 951, what steps he has taken to ensure that changes to (a) staffing levels and (b) other matters within the contract with Capita for the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme are effectively monitored.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The government has taken specific steps to ensure that changes to (a) staffing levels and (b) other matters within the Capita contract are effectively monitored. Key measures include setting contractual expectations for sufficient resourcing and establishing robust governance structures and reporting requirements to oversee delivery and continuous improvement.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 3.14 of the report by the National Audit Office entitled Investigation into the administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, published on 16 June 2025, HC 951, when he expects the track my case function to be available for members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office expects the ‘Track My Case’ function to be available for members of the Civil Service Pension Scheme after the full service transition to Capita in March 2026.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the profit margin obtained by MyCSP in each year of their administration of the Civil Service Pension Scheme contract.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

MyCSP is required to provide updates on profit as part of the gainshare provisions within the contract. MyCSP continues to provide this to the Cabinet Office on a six monthly basis. This information is financially sensitive and is not currently reported in the public domain.

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 ensure that pensioners who retired before April 2016 do not fall into poverty.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to supporting pensioners and ensuring they have financial security and dignity in retirement.

The State Pension remains the foundation of our support for pensioners. In April this year, both the basic and new State Pensions increased by 4.1%, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £470. And our commitment to maintain the Triple Lock – helping to protect the value of the State Pension – for the entirety of this Parliament will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rise significantly.

Pensioners who reached State Pension age before April 2016, and therefore receive the basic State Pension, may also receive an earnings-related additional State Pension (also known as the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) or from April 2002 the State Second Pension) and Graduated Retirement Benefit. This means that although the rate of the basic State Pension is set below the rate of the new State Pension, a person who retired before April 2016 may be receiving a larger amount of pension than just the basic rate – and in many cases above the level of the new State Pension.

Pension Credit continues to provide vital financial support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, have been unable to save for or contribute towards their retirement and find themselves on a low income. It was introduced by the last Labour Government specifically to help prevent pensioners falling into poverty and it does this by guaranteeing a minimum level of income, currently £227.10 week for a single pensioner or £346.40 week for a couple. For pensioners who reached State Pension age before April 2016, the Savings Credit element of Pension Credit also provides a tapered award for those with other income such as a modest private or occupational pension.

Receipt of Pension Credit opens the door to other financial support, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support and help with NHS costs as well as help with fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.

That is why we continue to promote Pension Credit to eligible pensioners and their family and friends, with our ongoing campaign featuring adverts on television and radio; on social media and on digital screens in GP surgeries and Post Offices, as well as in the press.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve consistency in the identification of special educational needs across genders.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Effective early identification and intervention is critical in improving the outcomes of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Many settings already have mechanisms in place to identify needs early and effectively.

The department wants to build on best practice and use further research to develop and support settings with evidence-based approaches for identifying needs early, whenever those needs may emerge, from early years through to post-16, and across all genders.

Recently published evidence reviews from University College London aim to help to drive inclusive practices by highlighting the most effective tools, strategies and approaches for teachers and other relevant staff to identify and support children and young people with different types of needs. In addition, the ‘What works in SEND’ research programme, led by a team from the University of Warwick, is researching tools that settings can use to identify the needs of neurodivergent children and young people.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Shared Ownership scheme in helping young people into long-term home ownership.

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

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership.

In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme.

Shared Ownership has already helped thousands of people take their first step on to the housing ladder. It plays a vital role in offering a route into home ownership to those who would otherwise struggle to buy a home.

The evidence suggests that shared ownership effectively support younger home buyers. In 2023–24, 65% of purchasers were aged under 40, including 32% under 30, based on CORE data which can be found on gov.uk here and in Live Table 695 on gov.uk here. It should be noted that this reflects only recorded transactions by Registered Providers and does not capture all shared ownership sales.

The government is considering what more can be done to improve the experience of shared owners.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of numbers of international students on the availability of university places for UK students.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

I refer the hon. Member for South Basildon and East Thurrock to the answer of 28 February 2025 to Question 31700.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of house prices in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency on rental affordability in the local private rented sector.

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

My Department has made no specific assessment of house prices or housing affordability in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency or the East of England more generally.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data on house prices and annual earnings to calculate affordability ratios for national and subnational geographies in England and Wales on an annual basis. This is published on the ONS website here. The East of England average affordability ratio in 2024 was 9.1.

The ONS also publishes data on private rental and house prices. The latest release can be found on the ONS website here.

The ONS also publishes annual data on private rental affordability in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The latest release can be found on the ONS website here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of trends in house prices in the East of England in the last 10 years.

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

My Department has made no specific assessment of house prices or housing affordability in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency or the East of England more generally.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data on house prices and annual earnings to calculate affordability ratios for national and subnational geographies in England and Wales on an annual basis. This is published on the ONS website here. The East of England average affordability ratio in 2024 was 9.1.

The ONS also publishes data on private rental and house prices. The latest release can be found on the ONS website here.

The ONS also publishes annual data on private rental affordability in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The latest release can be found on the ONS website here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the affordability of housing in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

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

My Department has made no specific assessment of house prices or housing affordability in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency or the East of England more generally.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes data on house prices and annual earnings to calculate affordability ratios for national and subnational geographies in England and Wales on an annual basis. This is published on the ONS website here. The East of England average affordability ratio in 2024 was 9.1.

The ONS also publishes data on private rental and house prices. The latest release can be found on the ONS website here.

The ONS also publishes annual data on private rental affordability in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The latest release can be found on the ONS website here.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the barriers faced by young people in accessing the Lifetime ISA.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Lifetime ISA encourages younger people to save towards later life at the same time as being able to save for their first home. The Lifetime ISA is open to all UK residents of the UK aged 18 or over and is offered by a range of providers.

As of 2023/24, there were over 1.3 million LISA accounts open and, since its introduction in 2017, the LISA has helped 227,600 people purchase their first property.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 72662 on Timesharing: Regulation, whether this guidance applies to fractional ownership schemes as well as shared ownership schemes.

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

The guidance referenced in the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 72662 applies specifically to shared ownership schemes that are grant-funded or delivered via Section 106 agreements.

Other types of housing ownership scheme or arrangement, that are not grant funded or supported by Government, are not covered by this guidance and are not subject to the same regulatory framework.

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 improve the enforcement of child maintenance payments.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to making the most effective use of its strong enforcement powers and have made a number of improvements to its processes to drive case compliance and challenge non-compliant behaviours.

The Department publishes quarterly statistics for the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) and the latest statistics are currently available to June 2025. Table 6 in the latest National tables provides information on all enforcement actions used by the CMS from quarter ending June 2015 to quarter ending June 2025 to collect both the maintenance arranged by the CMS, and Child Support Agency arrears that have been transitioned to CMS systems. This may include actions taken against parents for whom no ongoing maintenance has been arranged under the CMS.

The table shows that between April 2017 and June 2025, the CMS has collected a total of £95.9m from Paying Parents via civil enforcement actions.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that all schools have effective (a) fencing, (b) access control systems, (c) CCTV and (d) other perimeter security measures to prevent unauthorised access to school premises in (i) Essex and (ii) nationally.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Responsibility for the school estate lies with responsible bodies such as local authorities, academy trusts, or charitable trustees.

The department’s 'Good estate management for schools' guidance, alongside more detailed 'Site security' guidance, outlines best practice for perimeter security and access control.

Capital funding for school buildings will rise to £2.1 billion in 2025/26, increasing to around £2.3 billion by 2029/30. Essex County Council received £9.3 million for its maintained schools, with other responsible bodies also allocated funding. Smaller trusts and colleges may bid into the Condition Improvement Fund.

The department’s ‘Protective security and preparedness for education settings’ and ‘School and college security’ guidance supports settings to assess vulnerabilities and ensure safe environments.

Ofsted expects compliance with safeguarding but does not inspect site security specifically.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that schools implement her Department's guidance entitled School and college security, updated on 12 July 2024; and what steps she is taking to monitor the implementation of that guidance.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Responsibility for the school estate lies with responsible bodies such as local authorities, academy trusts, or charitable trustees.

The department’s 'Good estate management for schools' guidance, alongside more detailed 'Site security' guidance, outlines best practice for perimeter security and access control.

Capital funding for school buildings will rise to £2.1 billion in 2025/26, increasing to around £2.3 billion by 2029/30. Essex County Council received £9.3 million for its maintained schools, with other responsible bodies also allocated funding. Smaller trusts and colleges may bid into the Condition Improvement Fund.

The department’s ‘Protective security and preparedness for education settings’ and ‘School and college security’ guidance supports settings to assess vulnerabilities and ensure safe environments.

Ofsted expects compliance with safeguarding but does not inspect site security specifically.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the proportion of schools in (a) Essex and (b) England that have adequate systems for preventing unauthorised access.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Responsibility for the school estate lies with responsible bodies such as local authorities, academy trusts, or charitable trustees.

The department’s 'Good estate management for schools' guidance, alongside more detailed 'Site security' guidance, outlines best practice for perimeter security and access control.

Capital funding for school buildings will rise to £2.1 billion in 2025/26, increasing to around £2.3 billion by 2029/30. Essex County Council received £9.3 million for its maintained schools, with other responsible bodies also allocated funding. Smaller trusts and colleges may bid into the Condition Improvement Fund.

The department’s ‘Protective security and preparedness for education settings’ and ‘School and college security’ guidance supports settings to assess vulnerabilities and ensure safe environments.

Ofsted expects compliance with safeguarding but does not inspect site security specifically.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help improve collaboration between (a) schools, (b) local authorities and (c) police forces to ensure that intelligence that could help to prevent security breaches on school grounds is shared.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Responsibility for the school estate lies with responsible bodies such as local authorities, academy trusts, or charitable trustees.

The department’s 'Good estate management for schools' guidance, alongside more detailed 'Site security' guidance, outlines best practice for perimeter security and access control.

Capital funding for school buildings will rise to £2.1 billion in 2025/26, increasing to around £2.3 billion by 2029/30. Essex County Council received £9.3 million for its maintained schools, with other responsible bodies also allocated funding. Smaller trusts and colleges may bid into the Condition Improvement Fund.

The department’s ‘Protective security and preparedness for education settings’ and ‘School and college security’ guidance supports settings to assess vulnerabilities and ensure safe environments.

Ofsted expects compliance with safeguarding but does not inspect site security specifically.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which Departments contributed to the cost of redesigning the GOV.UK logo.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The cost of redesigning the GOV.UK brand was drawn from the Cabinet Office and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The refreshed GOV.UK brand is much more than just a logo. It is a comprehensive system of guidance, assets and components that are being used across the whole GOV.UK product suite, including the new GOV.UK App, to ensure a modern, coherent and accessible online user experience, as set out in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to reduce the average age in which people in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency are able to purchase their first home.

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

The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership.

In addition to increasing the supply of homes of all tenures, the government is supporting people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme and the Lifetime ISA.

The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers.

Additionally, the Bank of England is easing the loan-to-income limit, enabling up to 36,000 additional first-time buyers in the first year.

The Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) ongoing review of the mortgage market means many buyers can now borrow 10% more towards a property purchase. The government looks forward to ambitious proposals from the FCA’s paper.

First-time buyers may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of unreliable child maintenance payments on child poverty.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

We know that children in separated families are poorer and more likely to live in poverty than those in non-separated families. Child maintenance payment through both statutory and non-statutory arrangements keep approximately 120,000 children out of poverty each year. DWP estimates that streamlining the CMS into a single maintenance collection and transfer service in line with our current proposals for change could result in around 20,000 fewer children in poverty.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will work hard to make sure parents pay in full and on time. Where parents fail to take responsibility for paying for their children, the CMS will not hesitate to use the range enforcement powers available. The CMS is committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families. Our current proposals should result in securing money for children more quickly in many of these cases.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he plans to take to help tackle high vacancy rates in (a) shopping centres and (b) other retail units.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to fostering the conditions to reduce vacancy, including in our high streets and shopping centres. We have introduced legislation to ban upwards-only rent reviews in commercial leases to make tenancies more affordable, and will introduce lower business rates multipliers for retail, hospitality, and leisure properties from 2026. As set out in the recent Pride in Place strategy, we have also introduced High Street Rental Auctions, empowering councils to bring vacant units back into use, and other measures to support revitalisation of vacant space including a new Community Right to Buy for valued assets, such as shops and pubs, and streamlined compulsory purchase orders. This is alongside up to £5 billion investment in 244 of the most deprived neighbourhoods which can be used to tackle high street vacancy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities on taking steps to help support high streets in the context of trends in the levels of online shopping.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is fully committed to working with councils and other partners to revitalise our changing high streets. Through the Pride in Place programme, we are investing up to £5 billion funding to revive deprived neighbourhoods and high streets. The department engages regularly with councils on a variety of issues, including our plans for neighbourhood and high street regeneration.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review regulations affecting (a) rent and (b) service charges in (i) high streets and (ii) shopping centres.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government recognises the importance of a fair commercial leasehold market for the health of the high street. We are legislating to ban the use of upwards-only rent reviews, which make high street businesses uncompetitive if the market declines. We have also tasked the Law Commission, in addition to their ongoing review of the Landlord and Tenant Act (1954), with considering the law governing the maintenance, repair and upgrading of leased commercial buildings, including service charges.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her business rates policies on small hospitality businesses.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27.

The final design, including the rates, of the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

Ahead of the new multipliers being introduced, the Government prevented RHL business rates relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and froze the small business multiplier.

Over a third of properties (more than 700,000) already pay no business rates as they receive 100 per cent Small Business Rate Relief, with an additional c.60,000 benefiting from reduced bills as this relief tapers.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help support small and medium-sized businesses in the hospitality sector.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government recognises the vital role hospitality businesses in our communities and economy, including those in South Basildon and East Thurrock and that’s why we’re taking targeted action to support them with the pressures they face. That is why we are offering targeted support for the sector, like the Hospitality Support Scheme to co-fund projects such as Pub is The Hub to encourage local investment.

In April, we launched a Taskforce to consider ways to create a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025). These reforms are part of the Small Business Strategy, which also tackles late payments, improves access to finance, and cuts red tape. We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents.

Additionally, we’re creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council to address the challenges facing businesses.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of energy costs on the number of hospitality business closures in each year since 2021.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Whilst no specific assessment has been made on these trends, as Government we understand the importance to businesses of reducing their energy bills and reaching net zero and recognise the increased burdens and barriers businesses, particularly SMEs, face when trying to overcome these challenges.

The Government has announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality Trial, which aims to provides pubs, cafés, restaurants and hotels with free energy and carbon-cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. This initiative is designed to help businesses reduce costs and support the transition to net zero.

The Government continues to work closely with the Hospitality Sector Council, which brings together industry leaders to address strategic challenges and co-create solutions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 81178, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of volumetric concrete mixers which operate over the incoming 32 tonne limit.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department does not hold specific data on the proportion of volumetric concrete mixers that operate above the forthcoming 32-tonne weight limit.

In the concrete delivery sector, the Department estimates there are in the region of 1,000 VCMs in operation. Existing vehicles can continue to operate beyond the end of the temporary arrangement provided they are loaded to the lower weight limits (for example, up to 32 tonnes for 4 or more axle rigid vehicles).

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions in numbers of pubs on the vitality of high streets.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

We recognise the value of Pubs in all communities across in the UK. They’re social anchors that support local economies and footfall and are a key part in a high street’s vitality. We’re also aware of the pressures that they face.

We want planning and licensing systems to work fairly for businesses and residents and so we are creating a more balanced premises licensing system that not only safeguards communities but also supports responsible businesses. On 7 October the Government issued a Call for Evidence on Reforming the licensing system - GOV.UK (deadline: midday, 6 November 2025).

Additionally, we have cut alcohol duty on qualifying draught products, covering about 60% of pub sales saving pubs over £85m annually. We are also creating a fairer business rates system, including permanently lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure properties under £500,000 rateable value and through the English Devolution Bill, we have introduced a strong new ‘right to buy’ to help communities safeguard valued community assets, empowering local communities to reclaim and revitalise empty shops, pubs, and community spaces, helping to revamp our high streets and eliminate the blight of vacant premises. We continue to work closely with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council, working together to address the challenges facing all hospitality businesses.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department provides to NHS trusts on the wearing by healthcare staff in hospital settings of (a) perfumes, (b) scented laundry products and (c) other fragranced products; and what assessment has been made of the potential impact of such products on patients with (i) respiratory conditions, (ii) allergies, and (iii) fragrance sensitivities.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS organisations set their own policies locally and these generally form part of their unform policy. Although there is no national guidance in place, some organisations do advise in their own guidance that the wearing of perfumed products must be discrete and not overpowering.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to ensure that (a) medical and healthcare education and (b) training curricula include guidance on the appropriateness of wearing (i) perfume, (ii) aftershave and (iii) other fragranced products in clinical settings.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

NHS organisations set their own policies locally and these generally form part of their unform policy. Although there is no national guidance in place, some organisations do advise in their own guidance that the wearing of perfumed products must be discrete and not overpowering.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps his Department have taken to (a) improve patient outcomes and (b) reduce waiting times for patients in Essex living with prostate cancer.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

To improve outcomes for patients with prostate cancer, including in Essex, NHS England has introduced a best-practice timed pathway for prostate cancer so that those suspected of prostate cancer receive an MRI scan first, which ensures that only those men most at risk of having cancer undergo an invasive biopsy.

The Government has also invested £16 million towards the Prostate Cancer UK-led TRANSFORM screening trial, which is seeking to find ways to catch prostate cancer in men as early as possible.

The ‘AI in Health and Care Award’ has also been established, which aims to accelerate the testing and development of AI technologies. £113 million has already been allocated to support 86 AI technologies. Three of these projects specifically relate to prostate cancer, one of which is the Paige prostate cancer detection tool, developed by the University of Oxford.

The Department will publish a National Cancer Plan later this year which will include details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients across England, reduce waiting times for diagnosis and treatment, and ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to support charities that provide make a wish experiences for children undergoing cancer treatment.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to improving outcomes and patient experience for children and young people with cancer. NHS England is taking steps to improve the experience of children in hospital and their families, including young cancer patients. To improve standards for the provision of play in hospitals, the Taskforce on Children’s Play in Healthcare has developed national guidance on play provision for commissioners and new national play standards for service providers.

NHS England has published service specifications that set out the service standards required of all providers of children and young people’s cancer services. The requirements include ensuring that every patient has access to specialist care and reducing physical, emotional, and psychological morbidity arising from treatment for childhood cancer. The specifications are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-b/b05/

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the potential impact of sensory rooms in hospitals on the treatment experience of children with cancer.

On 4 February 2025, the Department relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce to identify tangible ways to improve outcomes and experiences for young cancer patients. The taskforce will explore opportunities for improvement, including detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, research and innovation, and patient experience. The taskforce will also ensure that the unique needs of children and young people with cancer are carefully considered as part of the National Cancer Plan for England, which will include further details on how we will improve play provision for children and young people with cancer.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of sensory rooms in hospitals on treatment experience of children with cancer.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is committed to improving outcomes and patient experience for children and young people with cancer. NHS England is taking steps to improve the experience of children in hospital and their families, including young cancer patients. To improve standards for the provision of play in hospitals, the Taskforce on Children’s Play in Healthcare has developed national guidance on play provision for commissioners and new national play standards for service providers.

NHS England has published service specifications that set out the service standards required of all providers of children and young people’s cancer services. The requirements include ensuring that every patient has access to specialist care and reducing physical, emotional, and psychological morbidity arising from treatment for childhood cancer. The specifications are available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/spec-services/npc-crg/group-b/b05/

The Department has not made a formal assessment of the potential impact of sensory rooms in hospitals on the treatment experience of children with cancer.

On 4 February 2025, the Department relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce to identify tangible ways to improve outcomes and experiences for young cancer patients. The taskforce will explore opportunities for improvement, including detection and diagnosis, genomic testing and treatment, research and innovation, and patient experience. The taskforce will also ensure that the unique needs of children and young people with cancer are carefully considered as part of the National Cancer Plan for England, which will include further details on how we will improve play provision for children and young people with cancer.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with mortgage lenders on their role in supporting home ownership in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

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

The government is in regular contact with mortgage lenders with a view to understanding their position and current lending conditions.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury and I hosted major high street banks on 10 September and called on lenders to make first-time buyers their top priority. The press notice can be found on gov.uk here.

The pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the government does not intervene.

The UK benefits from a competitive mortgage market with various first-time buyer products available.

The government has worked with the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England, who have clarified and increased the flexibility of their mortgage regulations. This is helping more customers – especially first-time buyers – to borrow what they need to buy the homes they want, while retaining protections so that lending remains affordable and responsible.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure that road safety improvements do not adversely impact (a) the reduction of emissions, (b) the use of sustainable transport and (c) other environmental objectives.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Improving road safety is one of my Department’s highest priorities. However, it is vital that we do not inadvertently impact the environment when implementing measures to improve safety. To ensure this, and in line with the Environment Act 2021, Ministers will comply with their legal duty to have due regard to the Environmental Principles Policy Statement when making policy decisions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to integrate (a) modern road safety technology, (b) smart signage and (c) AI-based monitoring systems into transport planning for new housing developments in Essex.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

The Road Safety Strategy is under development and will include a broad range of policies. More details will be set out in due course.

More broadly, we are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to continue to actively explore innovations in the housing and planning sector, such as the recent PropTech Innovation Challenge that is funding innovative and scalable PropTech solutions to help deliver homes.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report, published in November 2024.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to increase the supply of accessible housing suitable for older people.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of older people living in under-occupied housing.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of availability of accessible housing on the ability of older people to move out of larger family homes.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of suitability of housing for older people on levels of hospital admissions among those people.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support older homeowners that wish to (a) downsize and (b) move to more accessible accommodation.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025 and UIN 74681 on 12 September 2025.

Thurrock Centre for Independent Living

Thurrock Christian Fellowship

Replace the UK-France migration deal

Cancellation of local elections

Opposing the proposed age restriction to the health element of Universal Credit

Support for pubs

Volumetric concrete mixers

NHS dentist appointments

Brighter Opportunities for Special People

Funding of Lebanese internal security forces

Local government reorganisation

East Tilbury Primary School award

Cost of asylum seeker accommodation (No. 2)

Preventing sight loss in people with diabetes

Baby Loss Month

National Memorial for armed forces veterans who lost their lives in Northern Ireland

Verdict in the Soldier F trial

Transparency and accountability in social media account closures

Government proposals for mandatory digital ID

Cost of asylum seeker accommodation

Local government and social care

English language and translation policy in the NHS

Suicide prevention on railways

Death of Wayne Broadhurst

National Cancer Plan

Attendance of the Attorney General at the Bar of the House on the Chinese espionage case

Eligibility variations in access to IVF

Acquittal of Soldier F

Poppy Appeal in Northern Ireland

Coastal erosion in Hemsby

Drug deaths (No. 2)

Council elections in areas pursuing devolution reform

Digital ID cards and surveillance