Written questions by Baldwin.

Communities and Local Government, if he will announce his decision on the reorganization of Worcestershire councils before the rise of the House for the summer recess.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to devolve the District Council power to evict travellers and illegal encampments from council-owned land to Town and Parish councils.

The Government currently has no such plans. Policy announcements will be made in the usual way.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on her Department.

In May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. This deal protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. In addition, an estimated 260,000 jobs are supported by the auto industry in the wider economy.The Government remains focused on making sure British businesses can feel the benefits of the deal as soon as possible.The Government is continuing discussions on the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains.My Department will continue to support the ongoing negotiations with the US, led by the Department for Business and Trade.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has adopted trade union representation requirements in their procurement processes since July 2024.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government procurement processes apply all applicable legislation and published procurement policy set by the Cabinet Office. MHCLG has regard for the National Procurement Policy Statement which drives procurement to deliver Government Missions. The Social Value Model for procurement includes Fair Work criteria including criteria linked to Fair Working conditions and Trade Union representation.

Communities and Local Government, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day.

No. The Civil Service Management Code states that, ‘Departments and agencies may only grant shared parental leave in accordance with the statutory requirements governing eligibility for this category of leave.’ Some staff may qualify for statutory shared parental leave of their first day of service qualifying service includes employment with another civil service organisation.As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024 comes into effect.

Communities and Local Government, what new financial support is available to local authorities affected by Storm Bert.

The impact of flooding, wherever it occurs, is traumatic for the communities impacted and I have great sympathy for all those affected. The government is ready to consider local authority requests for Bellwin Scheme support which can help with the reimbur...