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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor on extending the Home Survey Standard to include (a) soil, (b) lead light windows, (c) decorative lead flashing and (d) lead contaminated dust in roof spaces.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on the inclusion of tests for (a) lead paint, and (b) sampling of (i) dust and (ii) for lead in its equipment checklist.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on the potential merits of amending its single survey property inspection technical guidance to include lead risk.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with he Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors on the inclusion of questions on (a) lead pipes and (b) paint in its vendor liaison checklist.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors RICS on the inclusion of lead hazards in communications to its members.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions has she had with the Chief Medical Officer on the potential merits of the inclusion of lead testing in early years medical screening for children.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussion has she had with the Housing Ombudsman on the potential merits of a pilot testing scheme on for lead in UK housing stock.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with the Housing Ombudsman on testing for (a) lead contamination and (b) risk in housing.

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

Government has regular dialogue with The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other professional bodies in the built environment to ensure that the services their members provide uphold the highest ethical and technical standards for consumers. RICS are an independent body, and it is for them to consider and prioritise any guidance or communications they issue to members regarding built environment risks.

The Housing Ombudsman is an independent service providing redress to individual social housing residents in dispute with their landlords. It regularly publishes reports on, and shares with the sector and Government, its findings and makes recommendations for landlords on how they can respond in similar circumstances.

The Secretary of State of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government has had no engagement with RICS, the Housing Ombudsman, nor the Chief Medical Officer, regarding lead contamination in homes. However, we would welcome any written representations or evidence from the Rt. Hon. Member on this matter.

The health risks associated with lead in housing are longstanding and well known. All building owners are responsible for managing building safety and performance issues of all kinds in their buildings in a proportionate, risk-based, and evidence-based manner, taking action where they deem necessary. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) outlines where historic sources of lead might lead to exposure in the home, accessible here: Lead: information for the public - GOV.UK.

Homes must be free from health and safety hazards, including lead, at the most dangerous ‘category 1’ level. The Housing Act 2004 says that local authorities must take enforcement action if they find category 1 hazards in any dwelling, regardless of tenure. In addition, social housing fails the Decent Homes Standard if it contains hazards, including lead, at category 1 level. The government has committed to bringing forward a consultation in 2025 setting out plans for a reformed Decent Homes Standard that will apply to both the social and private rented sectors.

Finally, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and of people in or about buildings under review and will undertake their own engagement across the sector to achieve this. Where action needs to be taken, the BSR will advise the Government accordingly.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he is taking steps to prevent health companies based overseas from selling hormone treatments online to people living in the UK.

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

In response to recommendations by the Commission on Human Medicines, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced an indefinite ban on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues for new patients with gender dysphoria and/or incongruence. This legislation came into effect on 1 January 2025 as the previous section 62 emergency order expired, and is available at the following link:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/1319/made

This indefinite order continues to prohibit the sale or supply of GnRH analogues prescribed by private United Kingdom-registered prescribers, for gender dysphoria or gender incongruence, to under 18 year olds not already taking them, and the sale and supply of the drugs against prescriptions from prescribers registered in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, for any purposes, to anyone under 18 years old.

Regarding other hormone treatments, we would always recommend patients use services and clinical practitioners registered in the UK so they can be assured of the safety and quality of the services they receive. Medicines bought outside the legal supply chain do not have a UK marketing authorisation and may be harmful. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency works with national and international partners to prevent unlicensed medicines from entering the UK.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2024 to Question 13215 on Lead: Contamination, when the review of lead in food (a) commenced and (b) plans to report.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is reviewing dietary lead as part of its ongoing risk analysis of environmental contaminants in food, including in areas with higher exposure. Scoping work has begun to identify the additional evidence needed, including plans to gather data on lead levels in food from high geochemical lead areas. The detailed schedule and plan for this work is not yet finalised. Updates on its progress will be made available on the FSA’s website.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she hold discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of lead exposure on trends in the level of gross domestic product.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Treasury works closely with other government departments to manage risks to the UK economy and support economic stability, an essential foundation for long-run economic growth. This includes collaboration with colleagues from the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and the UK Health Security Agency.

The UK Health Security Agency supports partners in identifying the pathway and source of lead exposure and implements public health interventions to reduce associated risks. By continuing to address lead exposure through source identification, remediation, and public awareness, efforts are being made to reduce the potential long-term economic impacts, improving public health outcomes and mitigating associated healthcare costs and productivity losses.

Found: January Danny Kruger Not selected Dame Meg Hillier COMMITTEE STAGE Thursday 30 January 2025 4 Sir Julian Smith

Found: Danny Kruger Not selected Dame Meg Hillier COMMITTEE STAGE Wednesday 29 January 2025 4 Sir Julian Smith

Found: January Danny Kruger Not selected Dame Meg Hillier COMMITTEE STAGE Tuesday 28 January 2025 4 Sir Julian Smith