Written questions by Morris.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) the offshore wind industry and (c) trade unions on the collision between the Wind of Hope vessel and a turbine in the Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm on 20 September 2024.

The Secretary of State continues to have ongoing discussions with Cabinet colleagues, the offshore wind industry and trade unions concerning Departmental business.The collision involving the Wind of Hope vessel was reported to the appropriate authorities. It will be a matter for the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on safety procedures for workers on the Seagreen offshore wind farm.

The Secretary of State continues to have ongoing discussions with Cabinet colleagues concerning Departmental business.Safety procedures for offshore wind farms is a matter for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). HSE recently served a prohibition notice to the Seagreen offshore wind farm developer under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

Whether she has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on the collision between the Wind of Hope vessel and a turbine in the Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm on 20 September 2024.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch was notified of the incident via the usual channels. However, no further action was taken as it occurred outside of UK waters and the vessel is French-flagged.

What information her Department has on the number of times the Ro-Ro cargo ferry Laureline called in Purfleet port in the 2023-24 financial year.

According to the Department's vessel arrival statistics, in the calendar year 2023, the merchant vessel Laureline (9823352) did not call at Purfleet port. The Department cannot disclose data pertaining to 2024 as these data are unpublished and will only be available upon publication of the Department’s annual Port Freight statistics 2024, which is expected to be in summer 2025.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 9158 on Homelessness, what redress is available to a receiving Local Authority when a local authority breaches section 208 of the Housing Act 1996 by failing to notify them of an out-of-area placement.

Homelessness legislation and the Code of Guidance is clear that local authorities should place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible. The Government is clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, avoid placing households out of their borough. However, this is not always possible when there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation.Under section 208 of the Housing Act 1996, if a local authority places a household into accommodation in another local area, they are required by law to notify the local authority of any placement, to ensure there is no disruption to education or employment. This notification should be happening in every out of area placement.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) top speed and (b) tilting ability of the new Hitachi 805 trains.

The Hitachi-built Class 805 train has a top speed of 125mph (200km/h), which is adequate for use on the West Coast Mainline and in line with the in-service Class 390 Pendolinos. The Class 805 train, unlike the Pendolinos operated by Avanti West Coast, does not tilt. However, there is a cross-industry line speed enhancement programme underway to enable operation at up to 125mph (200km/h) without tilting.

How many former employees were recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in (a) Easington constituency and (b) the UK in October 2024.

We are unable to provide the breakdown requested. However, information from the trustees shows that, as at 22 July 2024, the number of pensioner and dependant members in the UK was 39,251 and in Easington was 748.

How many dependents were recipients of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme in (a) Easington constituency and (b) the UK in October 2024.

We are unable to provide the breakdown requested. However, information from the trustees shows that, as at 22 July 2024, the number of pensioner and dependant members in the UK was 39,251 and in Easington was 748.

How many members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme are yet to receive their pension because they have deferred their pension.

Information from the Trustees indicates that, as of 9 September 2024, there were 1,143 members who had yet to receive their pension because they have deferred.

How many members of the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme have not reached pension age.

Information from the Trustees indicates that there were 1,861 members who have not yet reached pension age as at 9 September 2024.

Whether his Department has made direct payments to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme under the guarantee arrangements before the surplus sharing arrangements ended.

No such payments have been made.

Whether his Department has made direct payments to the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme under the existing guarantee arrangements.

No such payments have been made.

If she will make an estimate of future rail passenger demand by 2050.

In line with our published guidance, the Department has developed and maintains a number of possible rail demand forecasts in both the medium and long term which we update at regular intervals. Our long-term forecasting framework extends to (and beyond) 2050. As part of this, the Department considers and includes a wide range of evidence.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s (a) maintenance and (b) renewal work since the start of Control Period 7 on 1 April 2024.

The Department for Transport monitors Network Rail’s delivery of its work on a continuing basis and the independent rail safety and economic regulator, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), holds Network Rail to account for its delivery of its maintenance and renewal work. The ORR determines Network Rail’s success against its regulatory targets, set as part of the Periodic Review, and sets out its view of Network Rail’s performance periodically, including in its Annual Assessment.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7729 on Homelessness, what information her Department collects to monitor the distance of out-of-area placements.

Homelessness levels are far too high and can have a devastating impact on households affected, as well as putting local authorities and their services under financial strain. Homelessness legislation and the Code of Guidance sets out that local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority. The Government is clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, avoid placing households out of their borough. However, this is not always possible when there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation.Under section 208 of the Housing Act 1996, if a local authority places a household into accommodation in another local area, they are required by law to notify the local authority of any placement, to ensure there is no disruption to education or employment. This notification should be happening in every out of area placement.The department collects data on statutory homelessness applications, duties and outcomes for local authorities in England, including data on out of borough placements. The department publishes data on out of area placements in the quarterly statistics here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7730 on Homelessness, what sanctions are available when a local authority fails to notify a receiving local authority of an out-of-area placement.

Homelessness levels are far too high and can have a devastating impact on households affected, as well as putting local authorities and their services under financial strain. Homelessness legislation and the Code of Guidance sets out that local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority. The Government is clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, avoid placing households out of their borough. However, this is not always possible when there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation.Under section 208 of the Housing Act 1996, if a local authority places a household into accommodation in another local area, they are required by law to notify the local authority of any placement, to ensure there is no disruption to education or employment. This notification should be happening in every out of area placement.The department collects data on statutory homelessness applications, duties and outcomes for local authorities in England, including data on out of borough placements. The department publishes data on out of area placements in the quarterly statistics here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7731 on Homelessness, if she will require local authorities placing families out of area to make a financial contribution to the receiving local authority.

Homelessness levels are far too high and can have a devastating impact on households affected, as well as putting local authorities and their services under financial strain. Homelessness legislation and the Code of Guidance sets out that local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority. The Government is clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, avoid placing households out of their borough. However, this is not always possible when there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation.Under section 208 of the Housing Act 1996, if a local authority places a household into accommodation in another local area, they are required by law to notify the local authority of any placement, to ensure there is no disruption to education or employment. This notification should be happening in every out of area placement.The department collects data on statutory homelessness applications, duties and outcomes for local authorities in England, including data on out of borough placements. The department publishes data on out of area placements in the quarterly statistics here.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7728 on Homelessness, what sanctions are available to prevent local authorities from placing families significant distances out of area when discharging a homelessness duty.

Homelessness levels are far too high and can have a devastating impact on households affected, as well as putting local authorities and their services under financial strain. Homelessness legislation and the Code of Guidance sets out that local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority. The Government is clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, avoid placing households out of their borough. However, this is not always possible when there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation.Under section 208 of the Housing Act 1996, if a local authority places a household into accommodation in another local area, they are required by law to notify the local authority of any placement, to ensure there is no disruption to education or employment. This notification should be happening in every out of area placement.The department collects data on statutory homelessness applications, duties and outcomes for local authorities in England, including data on out of borough placements. The department publishes data on out of area placements in the quarterly statistics here.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to review the funding criteria of Homes England to help facilitate investment in regeneration projects covering areas with high-density colliery housing that have significant numbers of (a) void, (b) derelict and (c) poor-quality homes, even if such regeneration schemes may result in a net reduction in the overall housing supply.

The department works closely with Homes England to ensure investment in housing and regeneration schemes supports the delivery of the Government’s wider housing ambitions, including providing high-quality new homes in the areas where they are most needed. We will carefully consider investment criteria for future funding against these ambitions to ensure they are being met.The 2021-2026 Affordable Homes Programme can fund regeneration schemes where they are being delivered alongside net additional affordable housing. We plan to address the significant unmet need for affordable housing through the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Any assessment of the role of grant funding in the future delivery of affordable housing will be made at the next Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to limit the distance local authorities can relocate (a) people and (b) families when discharging a homelessness duty.

Homelessness levels are far too high and too many families are living in temporary accommodation. We will take the action needed to tackle this issue and develop a long-term, cross-government strategy, through working with Mayors, councils and key stakeholders, to end homelessness for good.Homelessness legislation sets out that local authorities should try to place individuals within their own area, and when this is not possible, they should place the household as near as possible to the original local authority. The Government is clear that local authorities should, as far as possible, avoid placing households out of their borough. However, this is not always possible when there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation. If a local authority places a household into accommodation in another local area, they are required by law to notify the local authority of any placement, to ensure there is no disruption to education or employment.