Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will review the current eligibility criteria for legal aid in private family law proceedings to allow applicants on low incomes to qualify for support even where there is no evidence of domestic abuse or risk to a child.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

This Government recognises that legal aid – a vital part of the justice system – supports the ability of individuals, who need it most, to have access to publicly funded legal assistance in order to uphold their legal rights.

Legal aid is available for some private family matters such as child arrangement orders, if an individual is a victim of domestic abuse or at risk of being abused, or if the child who is the subject of the order is a victim of child abuse or at risk of abuse. Funding is subject to providing the required evidence of domestic abuse or child abuse and passing the means and merits tests.

The Government keeps legal aid policy under continuous review.

For cases which do not qualify for legal aid, individuals may seek free, independent advice from legal support and advice organisations.

The Ministry of Justice is providing funding to support litigants in person, to help them navigate the civil justice system effectively, including preparation for court and support at court. In 2025/26, we are providing over £6 million of funding to 60 organisations to support the delivery of free legal support and information, both in-person and online. This includes some Citizens Advice and Law Centres, Rights of Women and Advice Now.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is taking steps to ensure that site freeholders are financially responsible for fighting fires within derelict buildings.

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

Owners of derelict buildings have obligations in respect of fire safety measures. Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, as amended by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022, the “Responsible Person” (usually the owner or person in control of the premises) must:

- Carry out and record a fire risk assessment

- Take steps to reduce fire risks

- Maintain fire safety measures — even in non-occupied or derelict buildings

Owners of derelict buildings are also required to liaise with their council tax authority concerning payment of council tax.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to provide additional funding to support households to improve their Energy Performance Certificate ratings under the Warm Homes Plan.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The domestic Energy Performance Certificate is based on energy costs. This government is investing £13.2 billion in the Warm Homes Plan to upgrade up to 5 million homes and cut energy bills for good, in line with the Manifesto commitment.

Further details on allocations for individual programmes will be set out soon, but will include increasing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, additional funding for social housing landlords through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund and funding for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, to improve the energy performance of low-income households through the installation of energy efficiency measures and low carbon technologies, as well as funding to deliver heat network schemes.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to consider the needs of the visitor economy when assessing place-based funding decisions.

Answered by James Murray - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The Government recognises the important role of the visitor economy sector, and has set an ambitious goal to grow inbound tourism. These will be set out in more detail when the Department for Culture, Media and Sport publishes its Visitor Economy Growth Strategy.

In September the government launched an overarching Pride in Place programme, providing up to £5bn over 10 years to support almost 250 places. In addition, the Pride in Place Impact Fund will provide around £150 million of funding to 95 places to support the development of shared spaces, revitalise local high streets and improve the public realm, all of which have benefits for the visitor economy.

Following the Green Book Review, HM Treasury is working with relevant departments, as well as local and regional government, to develop place-based business cases. This will bring together the different Departments needed to achieve the objectives of a particular place.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps his Department has taken to introduce regulation of (a) development and (b) residential management companies; and what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a (i) statutory regulator and (ii) code of practice for that 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 77534 on 17 October 2025.

Found: the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Janet Daby; Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law

Found: Gilbert (Labour; Edinburgh North and Leith) Monica Harding (Liberal Democrat; Esher and Walton) Noah Law

Found: Gilbert (Labour; Edinburgh North and Leith) Monica Harding (Liberal Democrat; Esher and Walton) Noah Law

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sarah Champion (Chair); Tracy Gilbert; Monica Harding; Noah Law;