Written questions by Riddell-Carpenter.

Communities and Local Government, how many (a) directions to apply for a building assessment certificate have been issued, (b) applications for a building assessment certificate had been received, (c) building safety certificates have been issued by and (d) applications for a building assessment certificate have been refused by the Building Safety Regulator.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) advised the Department on 26 March 2025 that: (a) 1454 directions have been issued(b) 1368 BAC applications have been submitted(c) 12 Building Assessment Certificates have been issued(d) 1 application has been refused The BSR have also set out that in year 1, the first tranche of buildings have been directed based on meeting at least one of the following criteria:over 30 metres to 49.99 metres high with more than 217 residential unitsover 50 metres high with more than 11 residential unitsclad with combustible aluminium composite materialbuildings of large panel system construction built between 1956 and 1973 with a gas supply, where it was unclear if reinforcement work has been carried out. Plans for future tranches are still being determined.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the full tranching model from the Building Safety Regulator setting out the approach to be taken for calling in applications for building assessment certificates for existing higher-risk buildings.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) advised the Department on 26 March 2025 that: (a) 1454 directions have been issued(b) 1368 BAC applications have been submitted(c) 12 Building Assessment Certificates have been issued(d) 1 application has been refused The BSR have also set out that in year 1, the first tranche of buildings have been directed based on meeting at least one of the following criteria:over 30 metres to 49.99 metres high with more than 217 residential unitsover 50 metres high with more than 11 residential unitsclad with combustible aluminium composite materialbuildings of large panel system construction built between 1956 and 1973 with a gas supply, where it was unclear if reinforcement work has been carried out. Plans for future tranches are still being determined.

What the potential cost to the public purse was of funding from her Department to Suffolk County Council to help pay for Tribunal fees for each year between 2019-2023.

The department does not fund local authorities to cover the costs associated with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) first-tier tribunal hearings. Local authorities fund their legal costs from their operational budgets.

What funding her Department has provided to local authorities for Special Educational Needs and Disability First-tier Tribunal hearings in the past 12 months.

The department does not fund local authorities to cover the costs associated with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) first-tier tribunal hearings. Local authorities fund their legal costs from their operational budgets.

Whether she has considered amending the eligibility criteria for the Employment Allowance to include pre-schools.

As set out in the response to your written question on 26 February 2025, eligibility for the Employment Allowance (EA) is dependent on individual circumstances, in line with HMRC guidance. However, most private childcare providers, including pre-schools, are eligible for the EA. The Government currently has no plans to change the EA eligibility criteria for private childcare providers. Further guidance on EA eligibility is available on https://www.gov.uk/claim-employment-allowance/eligibility

What steps she is taking to support public bodies that are ineligible for the Employment Allowance.

The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional Employer NICs costs, i.e., central government, public corporations and local government, not including self-financed organisations. This is the usual approach the Government takes to supporting the public sector with additional Employer NICs costs, as was the case with the previous Government’s Health and Social Care Levy.

Whether pre-schools can receive the same (a) National Insurance and (b) Employment Allowance benefits as nurseries.

Most businesses and all charities can claim the EA (subject to the connected persons rules); where an organisation is conducting work of a public nature, they need to consider HMRC’s guidance in more detail. This is dependent on individual circumstances in line with the guidance, though most private childcare providers will be eligible for the EA. Further guidance on Employment Allowance eligibility is available on https://www.gov.uk/claim-employment-allowance/eligibility

What steps she is taking to ensure that the application process for (a) Pension Credit and (b) other benefits is (i) accessible and (ii) supportive to (A) elderly and (B) vulnerable people.

Claims for Pension Credit can be made online at: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim. The service is available to use 24/7, and provides those who may struggle to make their claim alone the flexibility to have a friend or family member to support them when making their claim at a time that is most convenient to them. Pension Credit claims can also be made through the Freephone telephone number 0800 99 1234, and there is an option to complete a paper application form. DWP Agents and third-party organisations are also available to support customers with the application process. For customers who are unable to complete forms themselves a home visit from a visiting officer can be arranged. For customers who are deaf and use British Sign Language a Video Relay Service (known as VRS) is available and for customers who cannot hear or speak on the phone, can use Relay UK service. Further information can be found on Gov.uk Easy read: Pension Credit - GOV.UK. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is committed to providing the best possible support for all customers claiming benefits. We recognise as a Department we come into contact with claimants who are vulnerable. Many, particularly those with severe heath conditions and disabilities, already have support in place from third parties (friends, relatives or appointees for example). However, for those who don’t, DWP provide a range of information and services to support customers through its benefit application processes. For the most vulnerable customers we offer support through the Visiting Service. This can include help with form completion or the application process more generally. Support visits if you need help to claim benefits - GOV.UK DWP staff are trained to identify those who may need additional support, and Jobcentres will continue to provide face-to-face support as business as usual for those who cannot access support through telephony and digital channels. The Jobcentre will also consider whether the individual should be referred to specialist support within their geographical area.

Food and Rural Affairs, when the Improving Farm Productivity solar grant will be made available for farmers.

We are committed to supporting all farming sectors to increase levels of productivity whilst increasing their sustainability and resilience. We are looking carefully at how to position further investment and support to enable the delivery of this Government's objectives. We plan to simplify and rationalise our grant funding, ensuring that grants deliver the most benefit for food security and nature. We will confirm any future grant rounds in due course.

Whether business rates apply to onshore converter stations that connect offshore energy to the National Grid.

The Valuation Office Agency assesses onshore converter stations and the cables which transmit the power for non-domestic rating purposes. The cables are rateable between low water mark and the point the cable connects with the National Grid transmission system.

What support he provides for the (a) health and (b) wellbeing needs of thalidomide survivors.

The Thalidomide Health Grant is awarded to meet the health and wellbeing needs, present and future, of thalidomide survivors living in England.In 2023, the Department put in place a new four-year grant agreement with the Thalidomide Trust, to administer the grant of approximately £40 million. The grant was made in recognition of the complex and highly specialised needs of people affected by thalidomide in England, particularly as they approach old age. The funding helps beneficiaries of the Thalidomide Trust to maintain control over their own health, enabling them to personalise the way their health and care needs are met, maintain independence, and minimise any further deterioration in their health.

What steps he has taken to ensure that thalidomide survivors have effective representation in negotiations with Diageo on long-term (a) assistance and (b) compensation.

There is a Deed of Covenant agreed between Diageo plc and the Thalidomide Trust, which is subject to periodic review by both parties, with beneficiary representatives involved in the process. The Department has no role in these periodic reviews.

When she plans to respond to the consultation entitled Pavement parking: options for change, published on 31 August 2020.

We are currently considering the consultation outcome and the options for change. As soon as we have reached conclusions, we will publish a formal response to the consultation, summarising the views received and announcing the Government’s next steps for pavement parking policy.

How many dentists have been recruited under the Dental recruitment incentive scheme in (a) Suffolk Coastal constituency, (b) Suffolk and (c) the East of England.

Within the Suffolk and Northeast Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), three dentists have been recruited, although none of these are within the Suffolk coastal constituency. In the East of England in total, 11 dentists have been recruited under the dental recruitment scheme. The ICBs continue to work with practices in their area to support recruitment to these posts. This recruitment incentive will see up to 240 dentists receiving payments of £20,000 to work in those areas that need them most, for three years.

How much additional funding her Department has allocated for special educational needs provision by Suffolk County Council following the Autumn Budget 2024.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life. Following the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is providing an increase of almost £1 billion for high needs budgets in England in the 2025/26 financial year, bringing total high needs funding for children and young people with complex SEND to £11.9 billion. Of that total, Suffolk County Council is being allocated over £124 million through the high needs funding block of the dedicated schools grant (DSG), an increase of £10.3 million on this year’s DSG high needs block, calculated using the high needs national funding formula (NFF). This NFF allocation is a 9% increase per head of their 2 to 18-year-old population, on their equivalent 2024/25 NFF allocation. As also announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, the department is receiving compensation in recognition of the increase in National Insurance contributions paid by schools and other state-funded SEND provision. That funding is additional to the £1 billion increase in high needs funding. Due to timing constraints, it will be provided as a separate grant, alongside the 2025/26 DSG for local authorities. The department will provide further information on the allocations as soon as possible.

Whether she plans to continue the Academies Programme.

Academies are a crucial and valued part of our school system.This government is proud of the change the academies movement has delivered for children. The government's mission is to break down the barriers for all children. We’re building on the academies programme to ensure that all children and every family has a core entitlement to a high standard curriculum taught by qualified, expert teachers, with space for innovation and flexibility beyond this.The department wants high quality trusts to continue to grow where schools wish to join them and there is a strong case for them to do so.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to review the current Shoreline Management Plans.

Protecting all communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. This Government set up the first ever Floods Resilience Taskforce, on 12th September. The Taskforce marks a new approach to preparing for flooding, and working between national, regional and local government. As announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will invest £2.4 billion over two years to improve flood resilience and better protect communities across the country, including from coastal erosion. Shoreline Management Plans are developed and owned by the local councils and coastal protection authorities. These provide long-term strategic plans which identify approaches for managing the flood and coastal erosion risks at every stretch of coastline. Shoreline Management Plans have recently been refreshed with updated action plans. This follows several years of collaborative work between the Environment Agency and coastal groups.

Communities and Local Government, what steps the Building Safety Regulator takes to ensure a (a) consistent and (b) transparent approach in determining decisions for building assessment certificate applications.

The Building Safety Regulator is required by Section 81(2) of the Building Safety Act 2022 to assess applications for a building assessment certificate received from principal accountable persons. The Regulator has developed criteria for assessors to use based on the requirements of the Act and associated regulations.The criteria used to assess building assessment certificate applications will be published in the next few weeks on the Building Safety Regulator’s website (https://buildingsafety.campaign.gov.uk/). The Regulator will promote the publication of the criteria using social media and via key industry stakeholders.

Communities and Local Government, if she will publish (a) the assessment criteria and (b) other relevant documentation used by the Building Safety Regulator when determining decisions for building assessment certificate applications.

The Building Safety Regulator is required by Section 81(2) of the Building Safety Act 2022 to assess applications for a building assessment certificate received from principal accountable persons. The Regulator has developed criteria for assessors to use based on the requirements of the Act and associated regulations.The criteria used to assess building assessment certificate applications will be published in the next few weeks on the Building Safety Regulator’s website (https://buildingsafety.campaign.gov.uk/). The Regulator will promote the publication of the criteria using social media and via key industry stakeholders.