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 merits of facilitating the installation of solar panels on listed properties and properties in conservation areas.

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

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included policies that recognised that the installation of energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures in listed buildings and conservation areas are an important public benefit to be taken into account when determining planning applications.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response 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 progress he has made on regulating the property agent sector.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 85213 on 4 November 2025.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making unpaid carers eligible for vaccination against Coronavirus.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Suffolk Coastal on 3 March 2026 to Question 115220.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has assessed the potential merits of introducing mandatory offer disclosure in Modern Method of Auction property sales.

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

The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team are investigating practices in the auction market involving the submission of misleading or inauthentic bids.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 prohibits unfair commercial practices by traders in their dealings with consumers, including misleading actions or omissions, which can extend to auction property sales. The Act also requires businesses to act with professional diligence, in line with honest market practice and general principles of good faith.

On 6 October, my Department published two consultations outlining reform proposals to transform home buying and selling. Transparency during the property sales process is one of the core objectives of these reforms. That is why we proposed requiring sellers to provide comprehensive upfront information to buyers and mandating the provision of critical information in property listings. The consultations can be found on gov.uk here and here.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Future Homes Standard will make solar batteries mandatory on new build homes.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Batteries aren’t mandated under the Future Homes and Buildings Standards because Building Regulations set performance‑based outcomes and do not mandate specific technologies. This ensures flexibility for developers and avoids locking in solutions that may not be suitable in every setting.

Battery storage is permitted and encouraged, and we continue to welcome ambitious developers who choose to go further than the minimum requirements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make it his policy to use the mandatory Adaptation Reporting Power regularly.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We are reviewing our approach to the Adaptation Reporting Power ahead of the fifth round of reporting, due 2026–2029. This work includes a synthesis of past rounds and other relevant reporting regimes, and an evaluation of the costs and benefits of the previous round. Taking these outputs into account, Defra will be consulting shortly on the approach to the next round of reporting. We will publish the supporting evidence alongside this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing people with disabilities and chronic illness so add voluntary National Insurance contributions beyond the current six year limit.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Individuals can pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for up to six years in arrears to fill gaps in their National Insurance record.

There are also a wide range of National Insurance credits available, ensuring people can build their National Insurance record. Some are linked to benefits that can be claimed in relation to illness or disability such as Employment and Support Allowance.

Trade union de-recognition at GB Railfreight

Found: 43 (76.7%) Terry Jermy (Labour, South West Norfolk) (added 27 Oct 2025) 8 of 11 (72.7%) Jayne Kirkham

Found: Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat; Glastonbury and Somerton) Terry Jermy (Labour; South West Norfolk) Jayne Kirkham

Found: Q615 Jayne Kirkham: It is not that.