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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that telecommunications operators engaging in permitted development applications for 5G infrastructure adequately consult and engage with local communities, particularly in residential areas; and what guidance is provided to local planning authorities on assessing siting and appearance under permitted development rules.

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

Electronic communications code operators using permitted development rights are required to follow the Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England.

The code has an important role in making sure that appropriate engagement takes place with local communities and other interested parties. Guidance on permitted development rights is available on gov.uk here.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of recent changes to the Motability scheme, including the removal of certain vehicle brands, the introduction of VAT on advance payments and Insurance Premium Tax on scheme insurance, and operational changes to breakdown cover and mileage allowances, on disabled people’s access to suitable vehicles; and if he will publish the estimated cost savings arising from each change, the criteria used to determine which vehicle categories were removed, and which Ministers approved these decisions.

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

We are protecting the taxpayer through changes to the Motability scheme, ensuring it supports disabled people whilst delivering efficient use of taxpayers’ money. This includes the removal of some luxury vehicles from the leasing scheme while maintaining a range of vehicles to support disabled people. Tax changes will not impact vehicles substantially adapted for wheelchair users, or existing leases, and Motability will continue to provide vehicles at no additional cost to the value of eligible disability benefits.

Decisions on tax were made in the usual way by HM Treasury ministers, in close consultation with DWP Ministers and based on extensive advice with due consideration of equalities impacts. Estimated cost savings were published in the budget documentation: Motability Scheme: reforming tax reliefs - GOV.UK

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding is available to support (a) local authorities and (b) police forces with initial installation costs for fixed speed-enforcement cameras.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

Part of the money received from drivers attending courses under the National Driver Offending Retraining Scheme (NDORS) goes to the local Road Safety Partnership, where one exists, which includes the local authority, the police and other partners. This is ringfenced to be used for road safety purposes, including the installation and maintenance of safety cameras. Local authorities and the police are also able to use other unringfenced grants to fund additional road safety activity in their area. In areas with no road safety partnership, the funding from NDORS courses goes to the police.