Written questions by Chadwick.

Communities and Local Government, what progress has been made on the planned further engagement and call for evidence on the rationale for the payment on the commission on park homes.

The government recognise that there are longstanding concerns about the requirement to pay site owners a commission upon sale of a park home. The previous government published a report in June 2022 on the impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission. It can be found on gov.uk here. We will set out plans in due course to seek further evidence from the sector on the rationale for the commission.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered the potential merits of revising the system for remaining off the electoral register on the grounds of safety from a former abusive partner, so that applications do not need to be renewed annually with supporting evidence from a (a) doctor and (b) judge.

The government committed in its manifesto to improving voter registration. This commitment applies to every eligible elector. The current system requires individuals registered as anonymous electors to reapply annually to maintain their status. The government acknowledges that this requirement imposes an unnecessary burden on those electors.In its published strategy, Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, the government committed to amending the legislation to extend the duration of anonymity period. This reform will mean that anonymous electors will no longer need to reapply each year, thereby streamlining the process and reducing barriers to participation.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department offers support to private homeowners to assist in removing spray foam roof insulation.

Building owners are responsible for costs of maintaining their buildings throughout the lifespan of these buildings. There are no government schemes to support private homeowners with the removal of spray foam insulation in lofts or elsewhere.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason her Department is setting up new neighbourhood boards to decide how to spend funding from the new Plan for Neighbourhoods.

The new £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods will deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities across the UK, a long-term commitment to building the foundations to kickstart local growth and drive-up living standards. Communities are at the heart of this programme, and Neighbourhood Boards should therefore comprise of members with a deep connection to their area to consult the wider community and work with the local authority to develop their Regeneration Plan. As outlined in the Plan for Neighbourhoods’ governance and boundary guidance, published on 12 March, Neighbourhood Boards should comprise representatives from a cross-section of the local community to promote community leadership.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to (a) continue and (b) expand to more towns the Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.

The new £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods will deliver up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade into 75 communities across the UK, a long-term commitment to building the foundations to kickstart local growth and drive-up living standards. There are no plans to expand the programme at this time, this would be a decision for the upcoming Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, what her plans are for the future of the UK Levelling Up Fund.

The Levelling Up Fund is now fully committed. We (MHCLG and DfT) have awarded £4.8 billion across three rounds of the Levelling Up Fund to 271 projects across the UK. We are working with the successful applicants to help deliver the benefits of these projects to communities across the UK.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a statutory duty to provide public conveniences.

Adequate provision of public conveniences is an important issue which local authorities are best suited to manage, given their firm understanding of the needs of their communities.Our English Devolution White Paper, published before Christmas, sets out how we will unleash power from Whitehall back into communities, with local government having a much greater ability to make decisions based on local priorities. Similarly, the Local Government Finance Settlement 2025 to 2026 published in November 2024 outlines how councils will have more financial certainty and flexibility when making decisions for their areas.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities to provide public conveniences.

Adequate provision of public conveniences is an important issue which local authorities are best suited to manage, given their firm understanding of the needs of their communities.Our English Devolution White Paper, published before Christmas, sets out how we will unleash power from Whitehall back into communities, with local government having a much greater ability to make decisions based on local priorities. Similarly, the Local Government Finance Settlement 2025 to 2026 published in November 2024 outlines how councils will have more financial certainty and flexibility when making decisions for their areas.