Written questions by Morello.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has assessed the potential impact of fire station closures on the level of insurance costs for thatched homes.

The consideration and assessment of impacts resulting from proposed fire station closures in Dorset and Wiltshire, is the responsibility of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. When considering proposals for changes to station provision, it is the responsibility of the FRA to assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk as part of their Community Risk Management Plan. Any possible impacts of the proposals are for consideration by the FRA.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with insurers on the potential impact of the level of fire service provision on insurers' risk assessments.

The consideration and assessment of impacts resulting from proposed fire station closures in Dorset and Wiltshire, is the responsibility of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. When considering proposals for changes to station provision, it is the responsibility of the FRA to assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk as part of their Community Risk Management Plan. Any possible impacts of the proposals are for consideration by the FRA.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made with the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the potential impact of fire station closures on the level of insurance premiums.

The consideration and assessment of impacts resulting from proposed fire station closures in Dorset and Wiltshire, is the responsibility of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. When considering proposals for changes to station provision, it is the responsibility of the FRA to assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk as part of their Community Risk Management Plan. Any possible impacts of the proposals are for consideration by the FRA.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of fire station closures on the level of insurance costs in West Dorset constituency.

The consideration and assessment of impacts resulting from proposed fire station closures in Dorset and Wiltshire, is the responsibility of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. When considering proposals for changes to station provision, it is the responsibility of the FRA to assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk as part of their Community Risk Management Plan. Any possible impacts of the proposals are for consideration by the FRA.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to mitigate the potential impact of reduced fire cover on the level of insurance costs in West Dorset constituency.

The consideration and assessment of impacts resulting from proposed fire station closures in Dorset and Wiltshire, is the responsibility of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) and its Chief Fire Officer. When considering proposals for changes to station provision, it is the responsibility of the FRA to assess the impact on response times as part of their overall assessment of community risk as part of their Community Risk Management Plan. Any possible impacts of the proposals are for consideration by the FRA.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on council tax relief for fire-damaged properties.

Where a property is uninhabitable due to damage it may be removed from the council tax list. No one will be liable for council tax for the property whilst it is removed from the list. It is for the Valuation Office Agency to determine whether a property is uninhabitable for council tax purposes. Where a property remains on the list, councils have the discretionary power to provide their own discounts where they consider this appropriate. It is for councils to decide whether to apply a discount. Households may wish to contact their council directly about this.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review the level of council tax support for people whose homes have been rendered uninhabitable by fire in West Dorset constituency.

There is no specific council tax exemption for properties which have been damaged by fire. However, where a property is uninhabitable due to damage it may be removed from the council tax list. No one will be liable for council tax for the property whilst it is removed from the list. It is for the Valuation Office Agency to determine whether a property is uninhabitable for council tax purposes. The government has no plans to change this policy. Where a property remains on the list, councils have the discretionary power to provide their own discounts where they consider this appropriate. It is for councils to decide whether to apply a discount. Households may wish to contact their council directly about this.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has assessed the adequacy of council tax exemptions for fire-damaged homes in West Dorset constituency.

There is no specific council tax exemption for properties which have been damaged by fire. However, where a property is uninhabitable due to damage it may be removed from the council tax list. No one will be liable for council tax for the property whilst it is removed from the list. It is for the Valuation Office Agency to determine whether a property is uninhabitable for council tax purposes. The government has no plans to change this policy. Where a property remains on the list, councils have the discretionary power to provide their own discounts where they consider this appropriate. It is for councils to decide whether to apply a discount. Households may wish to contact their council directly about this.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support homeowners whose properties are uninhabitable due to fire damage, including through council tax exemptions.

There is no specific council tax exemption for properties which have been damaged by fire. However, where a property is uninhabitable due to damage it may be removed from the council tax list. No one will be liable for council tax for the property whilst it is removed from the list. It is for the Valuation Office Agency to determine whether a property is uninhabitable for council tax purposes. The government has no plans to change this policy. Where households are homeless or at risk of homelessness, they should reach out to their local council for advice and support.

Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of complaints relating to private parking fines issued in (a) Dorset and (b) England since December 2024.

The government does not routinely collect or hold information on the number of complaints relating to private parking charges issued in Dorset or England.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to (a) regulate the conduct of private car park operators and (b) help ensure that penalty charges are issued transparently.

In accordance with the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government is working to raise standards across the private parking industry through the introduction of a new Code of Practice for parking operators which we will publish in Parliament in Autumn 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the number of landlords issuing Section 21 eviction notices in advance of the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.

My Department does not expect a spike in Section 21 notices ahead of implementation Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026.The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, show that there was a 17% decrease in Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England between October and December 2025 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number of Section 21 eviction notices issued in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) the South West in the 12 months prior to the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

My Department does not expect a spike in Section 21 notices ahead of implementation Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026.The latest Ministry of Justice official possession statistics, which can be found on gov.uk here, show that there was a 17% decrease in Section 21 accelerated possession claims in England between October and December 2025 when compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of local authorities transferring ownership or management of car parks to private operators on the level of parking charges and penalty notices issued.

The Government has not made an assessment of the number of parking charges or penalty charge notices issued in these circumstances.

Communities and Local Government, what progress his Department has made on the review of private parking regulation, including the introduction of a statutory code of practice for private parking operators.

In accordance with the Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019, the government intends to lay a Private Parking Code of Practice in Parliament in autumn 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Future Homes Standard will require new homes to be built with solar panels installed.

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026. The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets. Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of mandating technologies such as solar panels or electric vehicle chargers in the Future Homes Standard.

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026. The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets. Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to include solar panels as a default requirement in the Future Homes Standard.

The Future Homes Standard (FHS) was published on 24 March 2026. The Future Homes Standard will require new homes to achieve very low carbon emissions and high levels of energy efficiency. Although the FHS is performance based, and does not mandate specific technologies, we expect that in most cases, the requirements will be met through the installation of rooftop solar panels, subject to practical constraints such as site conditions. We expect the majority of new homes to include solar, helping to save families hundreds of pounds a year, while also strengthening energy security by reducing families’ exposure to international gas markets. Electric vehicle charging points are already required for new residential buildings with parking spaces under existing Building Regulations introduced in 2021, and this requirement will continue to apply.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that developers meet their agreed affordable housing commitments.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 95573 on 5 January 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of exit fees from selling a retirement flat on retirees in West Dorset constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 95245 on 8 December 2025 and UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.