Written questions by Amos.

Communities and Local Government, how many (a) homes and (b) affordable homes will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 52 weeks.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) was established by the previous Government and became the Building Control Authority for higher-risk buildings in England from October 1, 2023.As with any newly established regulator it is typical that there will be a bedding in period as it develops its operations. As the industry adjusts to the new regulatory regime a lot of poor quality and incomplete applications have been submitted. The volume of sub-standard applications demands much of BSR's time and resources which has a knock-on effect on the processing time for all applications.The majority of the 8 applications exceeding 52 weeks are transitional applications which were transferred into the building safety regime from private sector building control companies that ceased trading with construction already underway. As they were not started under the gateway regime developers have had to gather the evidence to demonstrate compliance with Gateway Two. In the meantime the BSR has allowed these projects to continue construction whilst demonstrating compliance with building regulations. These are unique cases which have arisen as part of the transition process and are therefore atypical.Of the applications exceeding 12 and 26 weeks, these will be subject to agreed extensions of time between the BSR and developers. These are often required because the applications have failed to fully demonstrate how the building will comply with building regulations and more information is needed. This is a core responsibility of what the BSR was set up to do and ensures that new buildings meet the requisite safety standards that are set out in law.Some delays to the processing of applications are due to capacity and efficiency issues that exist within the BSR which the new government is seeking to address. This Government has provided an additional £2.1 million to the BSR to engage additional staff to increase capacity which, alongside several efficiency initiatives, is seeing processing times reduce.The Department continues to work with the BSR to monitor timescales and scrutinise progress. The safety of buildings remains a top priority for the department and the BSR, and legal safety requirements must be adhered to.The data the BSR reports to the department does not categorise between homes and affordable homes. The following figures are for new build Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs), Non-HRB conversion to HRB and Category A refurbishments (where this refurbishment increases the number of residential units by 1 or more unit). Note that the figures are nested i.e. the 18,424 includes the 10,192 and the 912; and the 10,192 includes the 912.The number of homes which will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 52 weeks.912 residential units (8 applications)The number of homes which will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 26 weeks.10,192 residential units (46 applications)The number of homes which will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway Two approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 12 weeks.18,424 residential units (85 applications)The estimate of the number of homes that would be created in buildings awaiting Gateway Two approval from the Building Safety Regulator.29,506 residential units (130 applications). These numbers include applications currently within the 0–12-week period.

Communities and Local Government, how many (a) homes and (b) affordable homes will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway Two approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 12 weeks.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) was established by the previous Government and became the Building Control Authority for higher-risk buildings in England from October 1, 2023.As with any newly established regulator it is typical that there will be a bedding in period as it develops its operations. As the industry adjusts to the new regulatory regime a lot of poor quality and incomplete applications have been submitted. The volume of sub-standard applications demands much of BSR's time and resources which has a knock-on effect on the processing time for all applications.The majority of the 8 applications exceeding 52 weeks are transitional applications which were transferred into the building safety regime from private sector building control companies that ceased trading with construction already underway. As they were not started under the gateway regime developers have had to gather the evidence to demonstrate compliance with Gateway Two. In the meantime the BSR has allowed these projects to continue construction whilst demonstrating compliance with building regulations. These are unique cases which have arisen as part of the transition process and are therefore atypical.Of the applications exceeding 12 and 26 weeks, these will be subject to agreed extensions of time between the BSR and developers. These are often required because the applications have failed to fully demonstrate how the building will comply with building regulations and more information is needed. This is a core responsibility of what the BSR was set up to do and ensures that new buildings meet the requisite safety standards that are set out in law.Some delays to the processing of applications are due to capacity and efficiency issues that exist within the BSR which the new government is seeking to address. This Government has provided an additional £2.1 million to the BSR to engage additional staff to increase capacity which, alongside several efficiency initiatives, is seeing processing times reduce.The Department continues to work with the BSR to monitor timescales and scrutinise progress. The safety of buildings remains a top priority for the department and the BSR, and legal safety requirements must be adhered to.The data the BSR reports to the department does not categorise between homes and affordable homes. The following figures are for new build Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs), Non-HRB conversion to HRB and Category A refurbishments (where this refurbishment increases the number of residential units by 1 or more unit). Note that the figures are nested i.e. the 18,424 includes the 10,192 and the 912; and the 10,192 includes the 912.The number of homes which will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 52 weeks.912 residential units (8 applications)The number of homes which will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 26 weeks.10,192 residential units (46 applications)The number of homes which will be provided on completion by the buildings that have been waiting for Gateway Two approval from the Building Safety Regulator for more than 12 weeks.18,424 residential units (85 applications)The estimate of the number of homes that would be created in buildings awaiting Gateway Two approval from the Building Safety Regulator.29,506 residential units (130 applications). These numbers include applications currently within the 0–12-week period.

What are the 10 highest cost-benefit ratios for proposed railway infrastructure projects; and if she will publish the figures.

We are reviewing all of our investment plans, including rail infrastructure, as part of the ongoing Spending Review in order to ensure that they reflect our missions as government whilst delivering value sustainably. I cannot comment on individual schemes until this has concluded. It should also be noted that Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) are only one element of decision-making on proposed rail infrastructure projects and should be considered within the context of the five-case business model (Strategic, Economic, Financial, Commercial and Management) used in Government. We do not routinely share or publish BCRs as they do not capture the full case for a project and can be misleading without wider context.

What steps he is taking to tackle the delay in former civil servants receiving their occupational pensions.

In October 2023, system and process changes were implemented to rectify the pension position of those members impacted by the McCloud judgment, a legal ruling impacting approximately 420,000 Civil Service pension members. This had a significant impact on business as usual ‘retirement quotes’ and ‘finalisations’ as the new systems and processes went live and were embedded over the following months. This led to a dip in performance in providing retirement quotes and paying lump sum payments at retirement. The delay in lump sum payments for some members was up to 20 days; however, monthly retirement benefit payments were not affected and paid on time. The Cabinet Office, as Scheme Manager, has worked closely with MyCSP to rectify this position and return to meeting contractual performance levels. This was achieved at the end of September last year. For the last six months, up to and including March this year, MyCSP is back to achieving over 99.7% of their service level agreements. We continue to monitor performance carefully and work to ensure that any complaints or errors are identified and addressed as quickly as possible.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that lung health is prioritised in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan.

The 10-Year Health Plan will deliver the three big shifts the National Health Service needs to be fit for the future: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention. All of these are relevant to improving respiratory health in all parts of the county.More tests and scans delivered in the community, better joint working between services, and greater use of apps and wearable technology will all help people manage their long-term conditions, including respiratory conditions, closer to home. Earlier diagnosis of conditions will help people manage their conditions, prevent deterioration and improve survival rates.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the Child Maintenance Service calculation formula for the (a) use of pre-tax earnings from the previous financial year for determining payments and (b) exemption from maintenance payments for non-resident parents on benefits; and whether she plans to review that formula.

Information about the paying parent's gross income is taken directly from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for the most recent available full tax year. This allows calculations to be made quickly and accurately. Use of historic income ensures a stable calculation, which we know from customer feedback is valued as it enables parents to rely on maintenance for financial planning purposes. Parents in receipt of benefits (including Jobseeker's Allowance and Universal Credit without earnings) or who have gross weekly income between £7 and £100, are required to pay the flat rate of £7 a week. This rate makes sure that parents contribute financially to their children's upbringing. It also protects the welfare of the paying parent and any children in their household. The Department is currently reviewing the calculation to make sure it is fit for purpose. This has included updating the underlying research and considering how we ensure the calculation reflects current and future societal trends.

Whether his Department plans to increase British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme pensions in line with the changes made to the Mineworkers' Pension Scheme.

The British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme (BCSSS) has some differences to the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme, but we will be working with the BCSSS Trustees to consider their proposals. Any outcome will need to be agreed with the Trustees and the Treasury following analysis of the potential impacts.

If his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the funding for early access programmes.

There are no current plans to increase funding for medicines supplied through early access programmes. The early access to medicines scheme (EAMS) was formed in 2014 and aims to give patients with life threatening or seriously debilitating conditions access to medicines that do not yet have a marketing authorisation when there is a clear unmet medical need. In 2022, EAMS was introduced into the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. EAMS products are classed as unlicensed medicines within the regulations. Additionally, within the regulations, there is no comment on the ability to charge for supply, however, it is stated in the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) guidance that there should be no charge for supply of these medicines under the EAMS programme.Outside of EAMS, companies may put in place early access programmes (EAPs) to allow early access to new medicines that do not yet have a marketing authorisation. These are not approved by the MHRA and participation in such programmes is decided at an individual National Health Service trust level. Under these programmes, the cost of the drug is free to both patients taking part in it, and to the NHS, but NHS trusts must still cover administration costs.NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge medicines schemes such as EAPs, including providing advice on potential financial, administrative, and clinical risks. The guidance aims to support the NHS to drive value from medicines and ensure consistent and equitable access to medicines across England. ICSs should follow the recommendations to determine whether to implement any free of charge scheme, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/

What his Department's timetable is for publishing a consultation on the placement of solar canopies on outdoor carparks.

The Government will this year be publishing a Call for Evidence on the potential to drive solar canopies on carparks over a certain size, as announced in the Clean Power Action Plan.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to help reduce delays in Building Safety Regulator processes that relate to the construction of (a) social and (b) affordable homes.

MHCLG and Building Safety Regulator (BSR) have taken significant steps towards reducing delays relating to the Gateways construction processes. We have put in place a range of mitigations including additional funding aimed at boosting BSR capacity for additional building control caseworkers, who are being trained and have started to make an impact on reducing processing times. This has already resulted in some green shoots of improvement including BSR reporting a reduction in processing times of newly submitted applications. BSR are now informing new applicants to plan on 16 weeks to clear Gateway 2.Older and more complex applications which were transferred from private building control companies that ceased to trade present a particular challenge to the processing time of new applications, but please be assured that the BSR are focused on clearing this backlog as quickly as possible.It is important to recognise that BSR is a newly established operational regulator which is critical to upholding the standard of building regulations to industry. We are working closely with BSR to support their plan for improved delivery and guidance to the sector whilst maintaining the building safety standards. If applications for buildings do not meet this standard and pose a risk to life BSR will not approve them.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she is having with the Secretary of State for Transport to ensure new towns are developed with (a) public transport networks and (b) a mode share pathway promoting a sustainable transport mix.

The government has tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. The Taskforce will submit its final report this summer.As set out in its Terms of Reference, which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest.Not least because construction of the next generation of new towns will only begin toward the end of this Parliament, the government has been clear that they will deliver over and above the targets produced by the standard method. However, we will make sure that the right incentives are in place to support proactive local authorities to work with us to bring new towns forward and will keep under review how the Taskforce’s forthcoming recommendations on new towns interact with housing targets across England.New towns will be well-connected, well-designed, environmentally sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure, amenities and services necessary to sustain thriving communities, including a gold standard aim of 40% affordable and social housing, with an emphasis on social rent.

What estimate she has made of the number of additional homes that will need to apply to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme as a result of delays to the implementation of the Future Homes Standard.

Future standards this year will ensure our new homes and buildings are fit for a net zero future. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is reviewing feedback from the Future Homes and Building Standards consultation and will publish the standard specification in due course. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a demand-led scheme, so uptake will depend on consumers' interest.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require minimum levels of (a) rooftop solar and (b) other renewable generation on new buildings.

The Government understands the urgency of introducing new energy efficiency standards so that as many homes as possible are built to be zero-carbon ready. We are committed to implementing the Future Homes Standard this year, and we are taking the time to set the technical requirements at a level which is ambitious and keeps us on track to achieve our net zero ambitions, while also being achievable across all sites.In the meantime, please rest assured that an uplift to the energy efficiency standards in 2021, which came into effect in June 2022, set high standards for home energy efficiency. New homes built between now and the Future Homes Standard coming into force will likely be built to these 2021 standards. They should therefore have excellent fabric quality, including insulation, and are likely to include low-carbon technologies, such as solar panels or heat pumps.

What estimate she has made of the number of heat pumps that will be required to be retrofitted to properties as a result of delays to the implementation of the Future Homes Standard.

Future standards this year will ensure our new homes and buildings are fit for a net zero future. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is reviewing feedback from the consultation and will publish the standard specification in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether proposed New Towns will (a) be zero carbon and (b) support biodiversity.

The government has tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. The Taskforce will submit its final report this summer.As set out in its Terms of Reference, which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest.Not least because construction of the next generation of new towns will only begin toward the end of this Parliament, the government has been clear that they will deliver over and above the targets produced by the standard method. However, we will make sure that the right incentives are in place to support proactive local authorities to work with us to bring new towns forward and will keep under review how the Taskforce’s forthcoming recommendations on new towns interact with housing targets across England.New towns will be well-connected, well-designed, environmentally sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure, amenities and services necessary to sustain thriving communities, including a gold standard aim of 40% affordable and social housing, with an emphasis on social rent.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to mandate new homes to zero carbon via revisions to building regulations.

The Government understands the urgency of introducing new energy efficiency standards so that as many homes as possible are built to be zero-carbon ready. We are committed to implementing the Future Homes Standard this year, and we are taking the time to set the technical requirements at a level which is ambitious and keeps us on track to achieve our net zero ambitions, while also being achievable across all sites.In the meantime, please rest assured that an uplift to the energy efficiency standards in 2021, which came into effect in June 2022, set high standards for home energy efficiency. New homes built between now and the Future Homes Standard coming into force will likely be built to these 2021 standards. They should therefore have excellent fabric quality, including insulation, and are likely to include low-carbon technologies, such as solar panels or heat pumps.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of giving the final decision on planning decisions for a new town to local authorities.

The government has tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. The Taskforce will submit its final report this summer.As set out in its Terms of Reference, which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest.Not least because construction of the next generation of new towns will only begin toward the end of this Parliament, the government has been clear that they will deliver over and above the targets produced by the standard method. However, we will make sure that the right incentives are in place to support proactive local authorities to work with us to bring new towns forward and will keep under review how the Taskforce’s forthcoming recommendations on new towns interact with housing targets across England.New towns will be well-connected, well-designed, environmentally sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure, amenities and services necessary to sustain thriving communities, including a gold standard aim of 40% affordable and social housing, with an emphasis on social rent.

If he will bring forward proposals to mandate rooftop solar generation through the construction of canopies over car parks.

The increased deployment of rooftop solar is at the heart of the Government’s clean energy mission. As set out in the Clean Power Action Plan, the Government will assess the potential of solar canopies in car parks by launching a call for evidence on the issue. We expect to publish the call for evidence shortly.

If he will take steps with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to develop enhanced tariffs to incentivise rooftop solar generation.

Incentivising rooftop solar is at the heart of the clean energy mission. Actions to support further deployment will be included in the Solar Roadmap, due to be published shortly.

Communities and Local Government, whether housing in new towns will contribute to local authority housing targets.

The government has tasked the New Towns Taskforce, an independent expert advisory panel chaired by Sir Michael Lyons, with developing recommendations to ministers on suitable locations for new towns, as well as how to fund and deliver them. The Taskforce will submit its final report this summer.As set out in its Terms of Reference, which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest.Not least because construction of the next generation of new towns will only begin toward the end of this Parliament, the government has been clear that they will deliver over and above the targets produced by the standard method. However, we will make sure that the right incentives are in place to support proactive local authorities to work with us to bring new towns forward and will keep under review how the Taskforce’s forthcoming recommendations on new towns interact with housing targets across England.New towns will be well-connected, well-designed, environmentally sustainable, and attractive places where people want to live and have all the infrastructure, amenities and services necessary to sustain thriving communities, including a gold standard aim of 40% affordable and social housing, with an emphasis on social rent.