Written questions by Naish.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on the implementation of the recommendations of the report by British Future entitled Working it Out: Hong Kongers, Employment and the Cost of Living, published on 29 October 2024, that fall within the remit of the Department for Education.

The government has noted the report. We continue to support Hong Kong British National (Overseas) on these issues through our Welcome Programme, including through specific English language provision, the network of Welcome Hubs and online resources that provide advice on employment, childcare and accessing public services.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to promote cross-Departmental work to invest in communities following violent disorder in summer 2024.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to UIN 19795 on 20 December 2024.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to take steps to reform funding arrangements for Internal Drainage Board levies.

MHCLG recognises the need for a long-term solution and are working with Defra to explore potential approaches.In line with the previous two years, at the 2025-26 provisional Local Government Finance Settlement the government announced that it will provide £3 million in funding for authorities most impacted by Internal Drainage Board Levies.MHCLG and Defra will ensure that all potential long-term solutions are given careful consideration.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is encouraging developers to make provisions for (a) hedgehogs and (b) other wildlife.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework we published on 12 December 2024 expects developments to provide net gains for biodiversity, including through incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs.Hedgehog highways are identified in the National Model Design Code and Planning Practice Guidance as a feature to enable movement between development sites, and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework sets out how development can incorporate a range of nature friendly features including bricks with a hole which can benefit sparrows, tree sparrows, swifts, starling, and bats.

Communities and Local Government, if she will amend planning regulations to facilitate converting holiday lodges into permanent primary homes.

It is for local planning authorities to consider whether holiday lodges would be suitable to become permanent primary homes. Where a holiday lodge is judged to be unsuitable for use as a permanent home, for example due to its size, location or access to amenities, a local planning authority can attach conditions to the grant of planning permission which restricts the use of the property.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Competition and Markets Authority Housebuilding Market Study on private estate management.

I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the (a) sale and (b) installation of spray foam insulation.

We are aware of the issues some homeowners are facing in obtaining finance where spray foam insulation has been installed.We will bring forward proposals for system wide reform to the construction products regulatory regime in due course.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to encourage local planning authorities to (a) ring-fence and (b) use developer contributions to provide routes identified in local cycling and walking infrastructure plans.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, so that opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use are identified and pursued. Plans should also set out the contributions expected from development, such as that needed for transport and green infrastructure.Any local authority that receives a contribution from development through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) or section 106 planning obligations must prepare an Infrastructure Funding Statement. The Infrastructure Funding Statement should set out future spending priorities on infrastructure in line with up-to-date or emerging plan policies.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of routinely using S106 agreements to pay for new sewage treatment plants in order that large developers always make a direct contribution to upgrades of the water and sewerage network to support new housing.

National planning policy sets out that local planning authorities should include policies in their Local Plan for making sufficient provision for water and sewerage infrastructure.A developer can be required to enter into a section 106 agreement, as a requirement of obtaining planning permission, to make their development ‘acceptable in planning terms’. The section 106 requirement might, for example, require a contribution towards the provision of water and sewerage network upgrades needed due to the development.Separately, developers also pay water companies for new connections to a water main, with water companies entitled to reclaim reasonable costs.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Competition and Market Authority's publication entitled Housebuilding Market Study, published on 26 February 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the findings that (a) that some housebuilders may be sharing commercially sensitive information and (b) some estate management charges are (i) high and (ii) unclear to homebuyers.

The Government welcomes the Competition and Market Authority’s final report following their year-long market study on housebuilding. Government will carefully consider the Authority’s recommendations and respond in due course.The Government is already clear that it is committed to bring the injustice of ‘fleecehold’ private estates and unfair costs to an end – we will consult on the best way to achieve this. We will also implement new protections for homeowners on private estates in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure that play areas are (a) designed and (b) upgraded to be accessible for children with SEND.

The Government is firmly committed to creating better access to play areas, and parks more widely. They are an essential part of local social infrastructure which supports more connected, stronger communities.Local authorities must consider their obligations under the Equalities Act of 2010 in relation to work being done on play areas, this includes ensuring that they are accessible and inclusive. Furthermore, the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places. The Government is committed to improving opportunities and outcomes for all disabled people and putting their voices at the heart of what we do.

Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, last updated on 2 August 2024, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of applying golden rule b to non-Green Belt land.

The Green Belt serves a number of specific national planning purposes, including checking the unrestricted sprawl of large built-up areas, preventing neighbouring towns merging into one another, and assisting in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment.It is precisely because the Government recognises the public value provided by the Green Belt that we believe any major development on land release from it should be subject to golden rules, including providing necessary improvements to local or national infrastructure, to ensure public benefit.Local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure and identify what infrastructure is required and how it can be funded and brought forward. This will remain the case irrespective of whether any proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework or wider national planning policy are taken forward.When preparing a Local Plan, Planning Practice Guidance recommends that local planning authorities use available evidence of infrastructure requirements to prepare an Infrastructure Funding Statement. Such Statements can be used to demonstrate the delivery of infrastructure throughout the plan-period.Additionally, the Government provides financial support through the £1.5 billion Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land fund which will boost local areas by transforming disused sites and investing in vital infrastructure to help create vibrant communities for people to live and work, while also protecting green spaces.