Jayne Kirkham

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 is already in place. This will enable us to reap the benefits of a thriving visitor economy whilst protecting the spirit and fabric of communities, including by giving local authorities valuable data on short-term lets in their area to help address possible housing impacts. We will set out further detail on how the scheme will work as soon as practicable.

The Government and Regulators are engaging with pharmaceutical companies to improve information on use and disposal of their products to help minimise the risk to the environment and human health.

The Environment Agency (EA) is also working with the Royal Veterinary College to investigate levels of these pharmaceuticals in waters where dogs swim, and to improve pet owners’ understanding of their environmental risks.

The EA is a member of the cross-Government Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Group. Fipronil and imidacloprid in UK surface waters has been a priority for this group since April 2023. The group has focused on identifying the sources of fipronil and imidacloprid detected in UK surface waters to work towards reducing these levels.

The EA is actively involved in monitoring, research, educational outreach, and engagement with multiple stakeholders to address environmental concerns about these pharmaceuticals.

More monitoring data and research are needed to better understand the potential environmental hazards and risks of alternative treatments to imidacloprid and fipronil spot-on products and inform options for taking further action.

The packing for the product and supporting product literature for veterinary medicines includes information on how to use the product as well as comprehensive safety information, including environmental safety, to ensure all potential risks are clearly communicated to users, supporting the safe and responsible use of the product. In addition, the VMD and the Pharmaceuticals in the Environment cross-government group are working with stakeholders, including industry and veterinary professionals, to initiate industry-led stewardship to promote the responsible use of pet parasiticides. This initiative will prioritise communication on raising awareness around the appropriate use of these products.

Whilst these substances have been authorised for pesticide use, their use in animals requires authorisation as veterinary medicinal products under a different legislative framework with differing factors coming into consideration. Parasiticides, such as those containing imidacloprid, play an essential role in protecting both animal and human health against fleas and ticks and their associated vector-borne diseases. The VMD also recognise the concerns regarding the potential contribution of flea and tick treatments to the levels of imidacloprid currently being detected in UK surface waters. The VMD is currently gathering evidence around this issue and has led on the formation of a cross-governmental Pharmaceuticals in the Environment (PiE) Group, with the aim is to develop a co-ordinated strategy to reduce the impacts of pharmaceuticals on the environment.

The Government will abolish the Furnished Holiday Lets (FHLs) tax regime from April 2025, and will apply to all furnished holiday let properties.

This measure will equalise the tax treatment of landlords’ property income and gains.

In her speech on the 29th of July, the Chancellor outlined the tough choices that this government will make to guarantee that we are tackling waste and driving efficiency.

This Government is placing value for money at the core of every decision, The Chancellor announced a new Office for Value for Money that will work system-wide to ensure that value for money is prioritised, and recommend necessary changes to deliver this ambition.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 426 on 26 July 2024.

After being served a regulatory notice for health and safety failings, the previous Government prohibited Cornwall Council from accessing new Affordable Homes Programme funding. While I very much welcome the steps that the authority has taken toward addressing the identified breach, it is for the independent Regulator of Social Housing to determine when it might be appropriate to withdraw the notice.

Following the introduction of the new consumer regulation regime on 1 April, the RSH now issues regulatory judgements, which include new consumer gradings, rather than regulatory notices.

In light of these changes, the Government intends to consider its policy with regard to withholding AHP funding following breaches of consumer standards.

Decisions on funding post March 2025 are a matter for the Budget.

We are working closely with local authorities and key stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to future funding, so communities continue to benefit from this vital support. Officials remain available to discuss any issues impacting delivery.

Decisions on funding post March 2025 are a matter for the Budget.

We are working closely with local authorities and key stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to future funding, so communities continue to benefit from this vital support. Officials remain available to discuss any issues impacting delivery.

The Towns Fund is due to close in March 2026 with the expectation that all funding recipients will have invested the entirety of their allocation by this date. The Chancellor’s July ‘Public Spending: Inheritance’ speech set out the state of the UK’s spending inheritance from the previous government - a forecasted overspend of £21.9 billion above limits set by the Treasury in the spring. In this context, the Chancellor has set out a path to confirming plans for this year and next at the forthcoming Budget on October 30th. In advance of the Budget, all current funding profiles still hold.