Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what housing cost support is available for young apprentices living independently.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Housing costs support is available in Universal Credit for those of working age who have a liability to pay rent for the home that they live in.

Renters that require further support, where they face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs, can apply for additional discretionary support from their local authority.

For those who live in Temporary or Supported accommodation, housing costs support is provided by Housing Benefit.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to support stable governance for private investment in nature markets.

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

The Government is committed to scaling stable, high integrity markets to mobilise investment in nature recovery and sustainable farming. As detailed in the Summary of Responses to the consultation on Voluntary Carbon and Nature Market integrity, simple and proportionate guardrails, supported by and co-created with business, are critical in ensuring these markets develop with integrity.

We are actively exploring opportunities to streamline and strengthen nature market governance, building on the work of the UK Nature Investment Standards, sponsored by Defra and led by the British Standards Institution. The standards provide clear, consistent, consensus-based criteria for high integrity nature markets, with two new market standards for the supply of biodiversity and nutrient reduction benefits launched in March. The Government also signalled that suppliers should self-assess against the standards for a minimum period of two years while the market matures, during which time we will take steps to move towards accredited, independent certification.

These are critical steps in transitioning to a high-integrity governance framework for UK nature markets, alongside which we are also considering options for proportionate market oversight and coordination. This includes exploration of a potential business-led market oversight pilot, following the recommendations from Dan Corry's independent review of environmental regulation last year.

Defra works closely with the Devolved Governments to ensure, as far as possible, a consistent framework for nature markets for use across the UK, including in the South East of England.

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 availability of affordable housing for (a) care leavers and (b) young people unable to live with their families in Bristol.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that local planning authorities should assess the size, type, and tenure of housing needed for different groups, and should reflect this in their planning policies and decisions.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 88432 on 17 November 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 risk of speculative development in locations without an up-to-date Local Plan.

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

In the absence of an up-to-date Local Plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area’s potential.

It is for that reason that we have made clear consistently and repeatedly that we expect all local planning authorities to make every effort to get up-to-date local plans in place as soon as possible.

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 the Secretary of State for Justice on securing (a) affordable, (b) safe and (c) appropriate accommodation for young people leaving youth custody who cannot return to their family home.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There are regular discussions between cabinet colleagues, and further dialogue through the Inter-Ministerial Group on homelessness and rough sleeping. The details of these discussions are not usually disclosed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to support the scaling up of innovative, low-cost technologies, including fungal filtration, to reduce pollutants such as E. coli, phosphorus and nitrogen in rivers and agricultural runoff.

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

Funding for Environmental Land Management Schemes will increase by 150% from £800 million in 23/24 to £2 billion by 28/29 and we are working actively to target this to help address water pollution, protect nature, and support thriving biodiversity across our landscapes. Innovation and systems change - for example, providing £63 million worth of grants in 2025 -2026 to spark innovation and develop solutions through the Farming Innovation Programme.

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) is designed to address the specific needs of each farm, offering local expert advice, training, and grant support that benefit water quality, such as fencing to prevent livestock from entering watercourses, and improving drainage systems to manage runoff more effectively.

Defra will soon launch a free-to-use, nutrient management planning tool for Great Britain (NMPT-GB) for farmers and advisers over this winter. The tool will help them to plan and manage nutrient use on their land.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the Circular Economy Growth Plan will be published.

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

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of nature, and a more resilient economy.

We intend to publish the Circular Economy Growth Plan soon. The Plan will set out how the Government will deliver a more circular and more prosperous economy. Meanwhile we continue to push forward new policy and delivery to deliver on the Government’s circular economy ambitions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing fiscal incentives to support wildlife restoration and habitat creation.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government is committing more than £2.7 billion per year in sustainable farming and nature recovery from 2026‑27 until 2028‑29. This includes increasing support for nature-friendly farming through Environmental Land Management schemes from £800 million in 2023-24 to £2 billion by 2028-29. This will contribute to the Environment Act targets, including through improving the quality of water, air, and spaces for wildlife so biodiversity can thrive.