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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) infrastructure levy and (b) Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and section 106 system.

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

The Government want to deliver the much-needed affordable housing local communities need and the wider infrastructure that will mitigate the impacts of new development. We do not believe the Infrastructure Levy as introduced in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 is the best way to achieve this. We therefore made clear in the consultation on proposed reforms to National Planning Policy Framework that we will not be implementing it. Instead, we intend to focus on improving the existing system of developer contributions. Further details on strengthening that system 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, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing local council planning fees so that they cover the costs of local planning services.

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

In our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, we sought views on changes to planning application fees to cover the costs of local planning services. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to make an assessment of the impact of daylight saving time on (a) mental health and (b) seasonal affective disorder.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has no current plans to change the approach to Daylight Savings.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring senior people to retake their driving test upon reaching a certain age.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) believes that most people want to be safe, law-abiding drivers and any post-test intervention needs to be focused where it will achieve most benefit and, where appropriate, should be targeted against irresponsible drivers.

The courts already have the powers to require drivers to retake the driving test in certain circumstances, and the police can also offer remedial education courses to those who would otherwise be prosecuted for some driving offences.

There are no plans to introduce mandatory vehicle driving re-tests.

If drivers do not drive for a period of time, DVSA recommends they receive a form of refresher training.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of oversight of the Homes for Ukraine Scheme by her Department; and what steps she is taking to prevent abuse of that scheme.

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

The British public has shown a true generosity of spirit by opening their homes to Ukrainians seeking sanctuary from Putin’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This generosity should not be abused, and taxpayers’ money must be used to support the intended beneficiaries of the scheme.

Local authorities are responsible for the prevention and detection of sponsor payment related fraud on the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The department has engaged local authorities and found they have counter-fraud measures in place and are recovering payments where fraud has been identified. As part of ongoing efforts to identify and reduce instances of fraudulent sponsorship and other abuses of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, existing guidance on GOV.UK has been expanded to improve information for guests, sponsors and local authorities on how to recognise and avoid fraudulent sponsorship or misuse of the scheme. Further mitigations to minimise the impacts of these issues on the Homes for Ukraine scheme are kept under constant review.

Guidance on reporting suspected fraud is available at: Reporting fraud: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK for guests, Reporting fraud: Homes for Ukraine - guidance for sponsors - GOV.UK for sponsors and Handling suspected fraud: Homes for Ukraine - GOV.UK for councils.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of an NHS-funded salaried training route to becoming a school counsellor.

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

We have no plans to do so, as there is already an existing National Health Service-funded salaried training route for education based mental health practitioners, which enables them to work across education and healthcare to provide mental health support for children and young people in schools and colleges.

Children's Grief Awareness Week 2024

Release of Emily Damari

Establishment of the Women’s Caucus in Westminster

Found: Mike Martin Mr Lee Dillon Bob Blackman Liz Saville Roberts John Milne Ian Roome Tessa Munt Marie

Found: Mike Martin Mr Lee Dillon Bob Blackman Liz Saville Roberts John Milne Ian Roome Tessa Munt Marie

Found: Lee Dillon Anna Sabine Ann Davies Munira Wilson Susan Murray Martin Vickers Tessa Munt Marie

Found: Lee Dillon Anna Sabine Ann Davies Munira Wilson Susan Murray Martin Vickers Tessa Munt Marie