Written questions by Rosindell.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of reports of attacks against churches in Vietnam; and what diplomatic steps he is taking to help (a) ensure the protection of the Christian community and (b) promote religious freedom in that country.

Our Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, David Smith MP, closely follows events in Vietnam including restrictions of the freedom for religion and belief of Christians. We are aware of credible reports indicating that members of unregistered religious groups continue to face harassment and intimidation. The UK raises concerns about freedom of religion or belief with the Vietnamese authorities, both bilaterally through the annual UK-Vietnam Strategic Dialogue and through multilateral forums including Vietnam's 2024 Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council. Our Embassy in Hanoi engages with civil society and the diplomatic community to monitor developments and support dialogue on religious freedom. We continue to urge the Vietnamese government to uphold its international human rights obligations, including those under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to ensure that all individuals, including members of the Christian community, can practise their faith freely and without fear of persecution.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the consultation on poultry catching and handling, which ended on 2 May 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure that the research project to study the impact of various catching methods and different housing systems will reflect the practices of (a) the Netherlands, (b) Brazil and (c) other countries where upright catching is mandatory.

The Poultry catching summary of responses was published in June, and includes a summary of views on the research and how robust data could best be generated. As set out in the Government response to the public consultation, we have commissioned research that will focus on addressing gaps in the scientific evidence on the impact of upright and two-legged catching within a commercial GB setting. The research has started at SRUC and the University of Bristol and will take account of published peer-reviewed research, which may include information from other countries where relevant.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether Parliamentary time will be allocated for an annual debate to monitor progress towards achieving the goals set out in the animal welfare strategy.

Government has no such plans at the present time. The Prime Minister announced that we will be publishing an animal welfare strategy later this year.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to Sections 79-81 of the Building Safety Act 2022, how many buildings the Building Safety Regulator has (a) invited to submit a building assessment certificate application, (b) received a building assessment certificate application from, (c) granted a building assessment certificate to and (d) rejected a building assessment certificate application for.

On 4th August 2025, the BSR launched the new Fast Track Innovation Unit. This will accelerate the determination of building control approval applications initially for new Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).Early indications suggest the new model is working effectively. I expect the model to start to deliver improvements in processing times in the coming months.Work has begun to provide a dedicated focus to building safety by moving the BSR from within the HSE to a new body as the first step towards the establishment of a new single regulator for construction, a recommendation of the Grenfell Inquiry Report.This is subject to secondary legislation. The BSR and MHCLG are working closely together to ensure that the transition does not impact day to day delivery.BSR officials have provided the requested building assessment certificate stats below:(a) Invited to submit a building assessment certificate application, 1,609.(b) Received a building assessment certificate application from, 1,402.(c) Granted a building assessment certificate to 79.(d) Rejected a building assessment certificate application 273.

Communities and Local Government, what is her planned timetable for the Building Safety Regulator to determine the majority of building control applications within the regulator’s statutory time frame.

On 4th August 2025, the BSR launched the new Fast Track Innovation Unit. This will accelerate the determination of building control approval applications initially for new Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).Early indications suggest the new model is working effectively. I expect the model to start to deliver improvements in processing times in the coming months.Work has begun to provide a dedicated focus to building safety by moving the BSR from within the HSE to a new body as the first step towards the establishment of a new single regulator for construction, a recommendation of the Grenfell Inquiry Report.This is subject to secondary legislation. The BSR and MHCLG are working closely together to ensure that the transition does not impact day to day delivery.BSR officials have provided the requested building assessment certificate stats below:(a) Invited to submit a building assessment certificate application, 1,609.(b) Received a building assessment certificate application from, 1,402.(c) Granted a building assessment certificate to 79.(d) Rejected a building assessment certificate application 273.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Reforms to Building Safety Regulator to accelerate housebuilding of 30 June 2025, when she plans to (a) establish the new regulator and (b) introduce legislation to amend Section 2 of the Building Safety Act 2022 to change the regulator.

On 4th August 2025, the BSR launched the new Fast Track Innovation Unit. This will accelerate the determination of building control approval applications initially for new Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs).Early indications suggest the new model is working effectively. I expect the model to start to deliver improvements in processing times in the coming months.Work has begun to provide a dedicated focus to building safety by moving the BSR from within the HSE to a new body as the first step towards the establishment of a new single regulator for construction, a recommendation of the Grenfell Inquiry Report.This is subject to secondary legislation. The BSR and MHCLG are working closely together to ensure that the transition does not impact day to day delivery.BSR officials have provided the requested building assessment certificate stats below:(a) Invited to submit a building assessment certificate application, 1,609.(b) Received a building assessment certificate application from, 1,402.(c) Granted a building assessment certificate to 79.(d) Rejected a building assessment certificate application 273.

If she will take steps to deport immigrants found guilty of violent crimes.

Foreign nationals who commit serious crimes in our country will face the full force of the law and be deported at the earliest opportunity.This government has already removed almost 5,200 foreign national offenders in its first year of office, a 14 per cent increase on the previous twelve months (5 July 2024 to 4 July 2025) and we will continue to crack down on any foreign nationals who come to this country and break our rules.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish (a) training and (b) reference material given to Building Safety Regulator (i) Case Officers, (ii) Regulatory Leads, (iii) Principal Regulatory Leads and (iv) external Multi-disciplinary Team members on (A) building control applications, (B) completion certificate applications, (C) emergency repairs notices and (D) regularisation certificate applications.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a set learning programme, delivered to a) Case Officers, b) Regulatory Leads and c) Principal Regulatory Leads that takes approximately 6 weeks to complete. The Building Control learning programme includes content on i) building control applications, ii) completion certificate applications and iv) regularisation certificate applications. Initial training is enhanced by a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions delivered weekly to Regulatory Leads and Principal Regulatory Leads. CPD is informed by matters raised by both industry and BSR. Topics have included regularisation, emergency repairs, controlled changes and regulating through the construction phase. The BSR does not publish internal training material. Training on iii) emergency repair notices is not covered specifically by this training package but has been included in CPD sessions. Formal training to external Multi-Disciplinary Team members is not provided by BSR. Regarding data, the BSR is currently prioritising the automation of Gateway 2 data. Data releases for Gateway 3 and Regularisation Certificate applications will be developed and are intended to be published in 2026. The BSR remains committed to publishing regular (quarterly) data. BSR colleagues plan the next release of building control approval application data (Apr – Jun 2025) to be published by the 30 September 2025.

What assessment he has made of the safety of (a) over the counter and (b) prescription grade sun cream in England.

Legislation requires that cosmetics, including sun creams, must be safe. To ensure that products are safe before sale, a safety assessment must be completed by a qualified assessor.Sun protection products which have been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) for NHS prescribing for specified conditions are listed in Part XV of the Drug Tariff. Products which are not medicines or medical devices may be prescribed by clinicians. If a sun cream is prescribed that is not classified as a medical device it will still need to meet the safety requirements in the Cosmetic Regulation.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the transparency data entitled Building Safety Regulator building control approval application data October 2023 to March 2025, published on 9 July 2025, whether she plans to include data for (a) gateway 3 and (b) Regularisation Certificate Applications in future releases.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a set learning programme, delivered to a) Case Officers, b) Regulatory Leads and c) Principal Regulatory Leads that takes approximately 6 weeks to complete. The Building Control learning programme includes content on i) building control applications, ii) completion certificate applications and iv) regularisation certificate applications. Initial training is enhanced by a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions delivered weekly to Regulatory Leads and Principal Regulatory Leads. CPD is informed by matters raised by both industry and BSR. Topics have included regularisation, emergency repairs, controlled changes and regulating through the construction phase. The BSR does not publish internal training material. Training on iii) emergency repair notices is not covered specifically by this training package but has been included in CPD sessions. Formal training to external Multi-Disciplinary Team members is not provided by BSR. Regarding data, the BSR is currently prioritising the automation of Gateway 2 data. Data releases for Gateway 3 and Regularisation Certificate applications will be developed and are intended to be published in 2026. The BSR remains committed to publishing regular (quarterly) data. BSR colleagues plan the next release of building control approval application data (Apr – Jun 2025) to be published by the 30 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the transparency data entitled Building Safety Regulator building control approval application data October 2023 to March 2025, published on 9 July 2025, when she plans to publish the next set of transparency data.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a set learning programme, delivered to a) Case Officers, b) Regulatory Leads and c) Principal Regulatory Leads that takes approximately 6 weeks to complete. The Building Control learning programme includes content on i) building control applications, ii) completion certificate applications and iv) regularisation certificate applications. Initial training is enhanced by a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions delivered weekly to Regulatory Leads and Principal Regulatory Leads. CPD is informed by matters raised by both industry and BSR. Topics have included regularisation, emergency repairs, controlled changes and regulating through the construction phase. The BSR does not publish internal training material. Training on iii) emergency repair notices is not covered specifically by this training package but has been included in CPD sessions. Formal training to external Multi-Disciplinary Team members is not provided by BSR. Regarding data, the BSR is currently prioritising the automation of Gateway 2 data. Data releases for Gateway 3 and Regularisation Certificate applications will be developed and are intended to be published in 2026. The BSR remains committed to publishing regular (quarterly) data. BSR colleagues plan the next release of building control approval application data (Apr – Jun 2025) to be published by the 30 September 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what training is given to Building Safety Regulator (a) Case Officers, (b) Regulatory Leads, (c) Principal Regulatory Leads and (d) external Multi-disciplinary Team members on (i) building control applications, (ii) completion certificate applications, (iii) emergency repairs notices and (iv) regularisation certificate applications; how long that training takes; and whether assessments take place on that training.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a set learning programme, delivered to a) Case Officers, b) Regulatory Leads and c) Principal Regulatory Leads that takes approximately 6 weeks to complete. The Building Control learning programme includes content on i) building control applications, ii) completion certificate applications and iv) regularisation certificate applications. Initial training is enhanced by a programme of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions delivered weekly to Regulatory Leads and Principal Regulatory Leads. CPD is informed by matters raised by both industry and BSR. Topics have included regularisation, emergency repairs, controlled changes and regulating through the construction phase. The BSR does not publish internal training material. Training on iii) emergency repair notices is not covered specifically by this training package but has been included in CPD sessions. Formal training to external Multi-Disciplinary Team members is not provided by BSR. Regarding data, the BSR is currently prioritising the automation of Gateway 2 data. Data releases for Gateway 3 and Regularisation Certificate applications will be developed and are intended to be published in 2026. The BSR remains committed to publishing regular (quarterly) data. BSR colleagues plan the next release of building control approval application data (Apr – Jun 2025) to be published by the 30 September 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to protect freedom of religion (a) Albania, (b) Serbia, (c) Bosnia and (d) other European countries.

The UK is committed to championing freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) across the Western Balkans and Europe. On 8 July, the Government set out its approach to FoRB, providing a framework for engagement with other countries. Senior UK ministers and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials, including the Foreign Secretary and UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, have engaged closely with key stakeholders across Europe to promote constructive interfaith dialogue and policies that ensure greater protections for religious beliefs. More generally, we continue to support FoRB on the international stage, through our position in the United Nations, G7 and Article 18 Alliance.

If she will make it her department's policy to ban (a) bilingual and (b) and foreign language street signs.

Traffic signs are regulated through the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016. This does not permit languages other than English to be used in England. Traffic signs is a devolved matter with the Scottish and Welsh Governments being responsible for policy on signing within Scotland and Wales. Scottish Gaelic is permitted on some traffic signs in Scotland. Traffic signs in Wales are required to be bilingual in Welsh and English. Decisions on what to name streets are a matter for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the sale of Time 107.5 FM to Nation Broadcasting on the provision of (a) local news and (b) community programming in Romford constituency.

Local radio is an integral part of the communities it exists within, and local commercial and community radio services can bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. Changes made by the Media Act 2024 remove some regulatory burdens on commercial radio operating on FM licenses, including requirements for commercial stations to deliver particular types of content or to target specific groups. This gives commercial radio stations the freedom to organise its programmes to meet the changing needs of its audiences, particularly as listening increasingly shifts to digital. At the same time, Part 5 of the Media Act now strengthens protections for the regular broadcast of local news and local information. For example stations will be specifically required to provide news which has been gathered within the locality and the area to which they broadcast. The detailed requirements have been set out in new guidance that Ofcom has published on 1 July. Ofcom is currently running a consultation on the implementation of these changes to local news provision (closing 22 September), and will in due course publish a new Code of Practice that will set out the detailed requirements for commercial radio stations in delivering local news relevant to their local communities. Any assessment of compliance with licensing requirements, including the requirements to provide local news, and in light of the changes proposed by Nation Radio following its acquisition of Time 107.5, is a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that local radio stations continue to meet their commitments to locally produced content under the Media Act 2024.

Local radio is an integral part of the communities it exists within, and local commercial and community radio services can bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. Changes made by the Media Act 2024 remove some regulatory burdens on commercial radio operating on FM licenses, including requirements for commercial stations to deliver particular types of content or to target specific groups. This gives commercial radio stations the freedom to organise its programmes to meet the changing needs of its audiences, particularly as listening increasingly shifts to digital. At the same time, Part 5 of the Media Act now strengthens protections for the regular broadcast of local news and local information. For example stations will be specifically required to provide news which has been gathered within the locality and the area to which they broadcast. The detailed requirements have been set out in new guidance that Ofcom has published on 1 July. Ofcom is currently running a consultation on the implementation of these changes to local news provision (closing 22 September), and will in due course publish a new Code of Practice that will set out the detailed requirements for commercial radio stations in delivering local news relevant to their local communities. Any assessment of compliance with licensing requirements, including the requirements to provide local news, and in light of the changes proposed by Nation Radio following its acquisition of Time 107.5, is a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator.

Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that local radio stations continue to meet their commitments to locally produced content under the Media Act 2024.

Local radio is an integral part of the communities it exists within, and local commercial and community radio services can bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. Changes made by the Media Act 2024 remove some regulatory burdens on commercial radio operating on FM licenses, including requirements for commercial stations to deliver particular types of content or to target specific groups. This gives commercial radio stations the freedom to organise its programmes to meet the changing needs of its audiences, particularly as listening increasingly shifts to digital. At the same time, Part 5 of the Media Act now strengthens protections for the regular broadcast of local news and local information. For example stations will be specifically required to provide news which has been gathered within the locality and the area to which they broadcast. The detailed requirements have been set out in new guidance that Ofcom has published on 1 July. Ofcom is currently running a consultation on the implementation of these changes to local news provision (closing 22 September), and will in due course publish a new Code of Practice that will set out the detailed requirements for commercial radio stations in delivering local news relevant to their local communities. Any assessment of compliance with licensing requirements, including the requirements to provide local news, and in light of the changes proposed by Nation Radio following its acquisition of Time 107.5, is a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator.

Media and Sport, whether Ofcom has reviewed the compliance of Nation Broadcasting with the original licence conditions of Time 107.5 FM, following its (a) rebranding and (b) programming changes.

Local radio is an integral part of the communities it exists within, and local commercial and community radio services can bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. Changes made by the Media Act 2024 remove some regulatory burdens on commercial radio operating on FM licenses, including requirements for commercial stations to deliver particular types of content or to target specific groups. This gives commercial radio stations the freedom to organise its programmes to meet the changing needs of its audiences, particularly as listening increasingly shifts to digital. At the same time, Part 5 of the Media Act now strengthens protections for the regular broadcast of local news and local information. For example stations will be specifically required to provide news which has been gathered within the locality and the area to which they broadcast. The detailed requirements have been set out in new guidance that Ofcom has published on 1 July. Ofcom is currently running a consultation on the implementation of these changes to local news provision (closing 22 September), and will in due course publish a new Code of Practice that will set out the detailed requirements for commercial radio stations in delivering local news relevant to their local communities. Any assessment of compliance with licensing requirements, including the requirements to provide local news, and in light of the changes proposed by Nation Radio following its acquisition of Time 107.5, is a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator.

Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the sale of Time 107.5 FM to Nation Broadcasting on the provision of (a) local news and (b) community programming in Romford constituency.

Local radio is an integral part of the communities it exists within, and local commercial and community radio services can bring localities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. Changes made by the Media Act 2024 remove some regulatory burdens on commercial radio operating on FM licenses, including requirements for commercial stations to deliver particular types of content or to target specific groups. This gives commercial radio stations the freedom to organise its programmes to meet the changing needs of its audiences, particularly as listening increasingly shifts to digital. At the same time, Part 5 of the Media Act now strengthens protections for the regular broadcast of local news and local information. For example stations will be specifically required to provide news which has been gathered within the locality and the area to which they broadcast. The detailed requirements have been set out in new guidance that Ofcom has published on 1 July. Ofcom is currently running a consultation on the implementation of these changes to local news provision (closing 22 September), and will in due course publish a new Code of Practice that will set out the detailed requirements for commercial radio stations in delivering local news relevant to their local communities. Any assessment of compliance with licensing requirements, including the requirements to provide local news, and in light of the changes proposed by Nation Radio following its acquisition of Time 107.5, is a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote religious freedom in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is a focus country in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's (FCDO) new approach to freedom of religion or belief, announced by the UK Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, on 8 July. FCDO officials regularly press the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, most recently in August. We continue to support the UN Special Rapporteur and his mandate to document human rights abuses in Afghanistan, including against minority groups. Without truly inclusive governance that reflects the religious, ethnic, gender and cultural diversity of Afghanistan, we will never see an Afghanistan at peace with itself and its neighbours.