Written questions by Maguire.

Communities and Local Government, how many public houses have been unlawfully (a) converted to another use and (b) demolished in (i) Cornwall and (ii) England since 2017.

The change of use or demolition of a public house requires planning permission.The government does not collect data on the number of public houses which have unlawfully changed use or have been demolished in Cornwall or England.We have not made any assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law in relation to such matters. We continue to keep the operation of the current protections for public houses under review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law for unlawful (a) demolition of public houses and (b) conversion of public houses to another use.

The change of use or demolition of a public house requires planning permission.The government does not collect data on the number of public houses which have unlawfully changed use or have been demolished in Cornwall or England.We have not made any assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory duty on local planning authorities to remedy breaches of planning law in relation to such matters. We continue to keep the operation of the current protections for public houses under review.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to tackle private parking companies issuing penalties to customers for taking too long to purchase a ticket due to (a) queues at the parking payment machine and (b) limited mobile phone/internet signal.

The Government is committed to driving up standards across the private parking sector for the benefit of motorists.The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a code of practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities.We hope to announce our proposals regarding the code as soon as possible.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of legislating to increase the minimum percentage of affordable housing requirement when hew housing developments are (a) planned and (b) built.

The golden rules introduced through the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 require that development on the Green Belt delivers 15 percentage points more affordable housing than the existing local plan affordable housing requirements, up to a maximum of 50% (except where the local plan requirement is already higher). We estimate that the median affordable housing target in the Green Belt will be 50%.Outside of the Green Belt, it is for local authorities to assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require affordable housing, and to reflect this in planning policies. We will consider what further steps we can take to support social and affordable housing as part of our intent to produce a set of national policies for decision making later this year.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a system for dispute resolution available to freeholders paying estate management fees.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 includes measures that extend access to redress schemes to freehold estate homeowners. It does this by requiring estate management companies who manage communal areas to join a redress scheme.Bringing the provisions of the Act into force will require an extensive programme of secondary legislation.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the government will consult on implementing the Act’s new consumer protection provisions next year and to bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of a devolution deal for Cornwall that does not involve any other regions or counties in the South West.

This Government strongly believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined authorities or combined county authorities over sensible economic geographies and supported by a mayor. This follows our minded-to decision in September to progress a non-mayoral deal with Cornwall Council as a first step towards deeper devolution subject to local agreement.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of a devolved Cornish assembly.

This Government was elected on a manifesto to widen and deepen devolution across the country. We believe that economic prosperity, productivity, and social cohesion are best achieved by devolving powers to local areas who best understand the needs of their communities. We will shortly be publishing a White Paper outlining an ambitious new framework for English devolution. The White Paper will present a clear and attractive offer, and we are eager to work with all areas, including Cornwall, to expand devolution across England. This follows our minded-to decision in September to progress a non-mayoral deal with Cornwall Council as a first step towards deeper devolution subject to local agreement.

Communities and Local Government, whether any parts of North Cornwall constituency will receive funding from the Recovery Grant announced by her Department on 28 November 2024; and what additional steps she is taking to tackle rural poverty in that constituency.

The government published a policy statement on 28 November 2024 that confirmed that local government will receive an around 3.2% real-terms increase overall in Core Spending Power as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement 2025-26. Places with a significant rural population will on average increase of around 5%.We are also introducing a new ‘Recovery Grant’, worth £600 million, distributed using a formula that is based on deprivation and council tax base. This will start to correct the unfairness of the current system by putting councils in the areas with greater need and demand for services on a more stable footing. This grant marks the first meaningful step towards preparing for reform that has been taken in over a decade.We will set out more detail at the provisional Settlement in December where we will consult on allocations for 2025-26, alongside launching a consultation on the objectives and principles of local government funding reform.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of devolving legislative powers to a Cornish Assembly.

The Government is committed to transferring power out of Westminster and into local communities; we believe that economic prosperity, productivity, and social cohesion are best addressed by devolving powers to local areas who best understand the needs of their communities. An ambitious new framework for English devolution will be published in due course. We intend this framework will set out an attractive, far-reaching offer which will increase devolution across all parts of England, including Cornwall. I am also pleased we have recently confirmed we are minded to progress a non-mayoral devolution agreement as part of the county’s journey to deeper devolution.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of (a) recognition of the Cornish as a national minority under the European Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and (b) protection of the Cornish language under the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages on policy on devolving powers to Cornwall.

The Government is committed to seeing more areas benefit from devolution agreements, with new powers that will allow them to play a leading role in delivering growth and bringing economic benefit to their communities. In taking forward any devolution agreement, the Government recognises the importance of considering the distinct culture, history and identity of Cornish people and will always have regard to its international obligations.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the disparity in wealth of the wealthiest 10% of the population and the average household on (a) economic prosperity, (b) productivity and (c) social cohesion in Cornwall.

This Government is committed to improving the living standards of the average household across the United Kingdom. The Employment Rights Bill will upgrade the UK labour market to make it fit for our modern economy, driving business growth and tackling poor productivity through providing greater security to working people.We believe that economic prosperity, productivity, and social cohesion are best addressed by devolving powers to local areas who best understand the needs of their communities. Cornwall’s recently announced Level 2 devolution agreement is the start of that journey to move more powers from Whitehall to local people in Cornwall. Local authorities will be given new powers to address the challenge of short-term lets and second homes which are a particular challenge in Cornwall.