Written questions by McMurdock.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what steps are being taken to improve oversight of housing contractors in local authorities where serious failings have been identified.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what discussions she has had with Basildon Borough Council regarding its social housing provision and standards since the Regulator of Social Housing's decision.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what oversight is her Department applying to ensure that all necessary safety checks and remedial actions in properties managed by Basildon Borough Council are completed within required timescales.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of tenant engagement and scrutiny arrangements at councils for maintaining suitable housing standards, including at Basildon Borough Council.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that landlords comply with requirements to self-refer significant issues to the regulator.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what steps are being taken to strengthen transparency, tenant voice and accountability in local authority housing services.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

How many instances of benefit overpayments to deceased claimants have been recorded since 2020.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What plans she has to undertake feasibility studies into cross-Thames public transport between Essex and Kent.

The Department for Transport has no plans to undertake feasibility studies into cross-Thames public transport between Essex and Kent. Local councils will retain the ability to use funds allocated by the Department flexibly to meet their local needs and reflect priorities.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Regulator of Social Housing's decision entitled Basildon Borough Council (22UB) - Regulatory Judgement: 15 April 2026, published on 15 April 2026, what future steps she is considering taking regarding councils who fail to self-refer issues to the Regulator of Social Housing, as occurred with Basildon Council in March 2025.

All registered providers of social housing are required to deliver the outcomes of the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. Under the Safety and Quality Standard, landlords must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of tenants in their homes and provide an effective and timely repairs service for the homes for which they are responsible. Under the Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, registered providers are required to treat tenants with fairness and respect and take action to deliver fair and equitable outcomes for them as well as, where relevant, prospective tenants. Since the introduction of the proactive consumer regulation regime in April 2024, the Regulator has begun carrying out regular inspections of large providers to ensure they are delivering the outcomes of its standards. The Regulator has strong enforcement powers to take effective action when it identifies serious failings. Following its regulatory judgement, the Regulator will seek assurance that Basildon Borough Council understands the risks to tenants and is taking appropriate action to mitigate them. The Regulator operates a co-regulatory approach, under which landlords are responsible for ensuring they meet the outcomes of the standards and for addressing problems when they arise. Where a problem is material, the Regulator expects landlords to inform them through self-referral and failure to do so may be taken into account by the Regulator when deciding on any appropriate regulatory action.

What estimate he has made of the total system costs of maintaining grid stability over the last five years for which data is available.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the British High Commission Islamabad press release entitled New UK-Pakistan partnership will bolster Pakistan’s Geological Survey, published on 16 April 2026, what proportion of funding will be spent on UK-based contractors.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release he mentions in his questions, which sets out in detail the purpose of this project.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 April 2026 to Question 120732, what the planned completion timelines are for the 40 funded schemes.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Pursuant to Answer of 17 April 2026 to Question 124401, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the tools available to system operators to manage periods of low renewable generation combined with high demand.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the British High Commission Islamabad press release entitled New UK-Pakistan partnership will bolster Pakistan’s Geological Survey, published on 16 April 2026, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on how the partnership aligns with the Government’s wider strategy on critical minerals and international supply chains.

I refer the Hon Member to the press release he mentions in his questions, which sets out in detail the purpose of this project.

What steps she is taking to reduce congestion on key commuter routes in Essex, such as the a) A13 and b) A127.

Most of the A13, other than a short stretch near the M25, and all of the A127 are roads for which the relevant local highway authorities are responsible. This includes monitoring overall network performance and addressing congestion issues. The Department publishes statistics annually on gov.uk on the average speed, delay and reliability of travel times on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and local 'A' roads. These are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/average-speed-delay-and-reliability-of-travel-times-cgn. Motorways and trunk roads in Essex are the responsibility of National Highways. The Government has recently published the third Road Investment Strategy, its £27 billion 5-year plan for the Strategic Road Network. This includes an unprecedented £8.4 billion of investment in renewing the network, as well as investment in key enhancement schemes such as the Lower Thames Crossing.

What estimate he has made of the proportion of patients attending accident and emergency departments who leave before being assessed by a doctor: and what assessment he has made of the reasons for such patients leaving.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

What assessment she has made of (a) trends in the level of rail commuting from Essex into London and (b) the potential impact of rail disruption on commuter towns.

Data on journeys specific to commuting or strictly from Essex into London are not available. However, the Office of Rail and Road collects regional rail usage figures presented below in Table 1. Table 1: Journeys between London (region) and Essex (million passenger journeys)Time PeriodJourneys (millions)Apr 2022 to Mar 202333.5Apr 2023 to Mar 202439.6Apr 2024 to Mar 202540.6Source: Regional rail usage | ORR Data Portal Ahead of the establishment of GBR, integrated leadership teams are being set up across publicly owned train operators and Network Rail routes to increase collaboration and accountability, in turn delivering improvements for passengers and freight users. Jamie Burles, Integrated Managing Director, will drive this change across the Anglia region.

What proportion of the 12-hour accident and emergency performance period is accounted for by (a) triage, (b) waiting for clinical assessment, (c) diagnostics and (d) treatment and discharge.

This information is not available in the format requested.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of traffic congestion on the a) A13 and b) A127 on commuter journey times.

Most of the A13, other than a short stretch near the M25, and all of the A127 are roads for which the relevant local highway authorities are responsible. This includes monitoring overall network performance and addressing congestion issues. The Department publishes statistics annually on gov.uk on the average speed, delay and reliability of travel times on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and local 'A' roads. These are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/average-speed-delay-and-reliability-of-travel-times-cgn. Motorways and trunk roads in Essex are the responsibility of National Highways. The Government has recently published the third Road Investment Strategy, its £27 billion 5-year plan for the Strategic Road Network. This includes an unprecedented £8.4 billion of investment in renewing the network, as well as investment in key enhancement schemes such as the Lower Thames Crossing.

Pursuant to Answer of 17 April 2026 to Question 124401, what metrics his Department uses to define high levels of resilience in Britain’s electricity system.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.