Written questions by Platt.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of VAT reform to support repair, maintenance and retrofit projects over demolition and rebuild within the built environment se

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the role heritage-led regeneration can play in supporting the renewal of town centres and local economic growth.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has plans to promote guidance on material selection within retrofit policy, particularly regarding (a) durability, (b) compatibility and (c) whole-life per

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has been made of the potential merits of cultural infrastructure in supporting high street regeneration and local economic resilience.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of using guidance for Local Growth Plans to encourage Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities to map, protect and grow cultural infrastructure as part of place-based regeneration.

Awaiting answer.

Communities and Local Government, what progress he has made on the High Streets Strategy; and whether that strategy will include illicit trade on high streets.

High streets are at the heart of local communities, supporting jobs, local businesses and social connection. The Government recognises that illicit trade can undermine the success of our high streets and threaten legitimate traders. Government is working with enforcement bodies through a dedicated taskforce to improve understanding of the scale and impact of illegality on high streets and to develop a long-term policy response. The High Streets Strategy will be published later this year and will consider how Government can go further.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of illegal trade on high streets and communities.

High streets are at the heart of local communities, supporting jobs, local businesses and social connection. The Government recognises that illicit trade can undermine the success of our high streets and threaten legitimate traders. Government is working with enforcement bodies through a dedicated taskforce to improve understanding of the scale and impact of illegality on high streets and to develop a long-term policy response. The High Streets Strategy will be published later this year and will consider how Government can go further.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking the tackle the number of vacant properties on high streets.

This government is taking action to revitalise our high streets, including tackling vacancy through High Street Rental Auctions, which empower local authorities to bring long-term vacant commercial properties back into use. This is complemented by place-based regeneration funding, including up to £5.8 billion through the Pride in Place programme, supporting 284 places, including Leigh.The government will also bring forward a High Streets Strategy, backed by at least £150 million, to revive some of the most struggling high streets.

Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to provide more flood resilient new homes in Leigh and Atherton constituency.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk (whether existing or in the future). Where development is necessary in such areas, the development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere. The government is consulting on changes to the NPPF, including a dedicated chapter on planning for flood risk and coastal change. The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here. If it is found to be necessary to build homes in areas of flood risk, statutory guidance accompanying the Building Regulations promotes flood resilient building work in flood-prone areas, through Approved Document C which can be found on gov.uk here. This may include adequate sub-soil drainage; use of non-return valves and anti-flooding devices on sewers and drains; water resistant construction; and provision for inspection and clearance of sub-floor voids.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that tenure reform supports continued long-term investment in housing-with-care schemes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce a National Development Management Policy for older people’s housing.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 69042 on 24 July 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that affordable new homes are built to a high standard of flood resilience.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk (whether existing or in the future). Where development is necessary in such areas, the development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere. If it is found to be necessary to build homes in areas of flood risk, statutory guidance accompanying the Building Regulations promotes flood resilient building work in flood-prone areas, through Approved Document C which can be found on gov.uk here. This may include adequate sub-soil drainage; use of non-return valves and anti-flooding devices on sewers and drains; water resistant construction; and provision for inspection and clearance of sub-floor voids.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will provide a revised target for the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26 split between (a) total grant-funded completions and (b) completions for letting at social rents.

All homes delivered through the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme are supported by grant. Those homes are in addition to affordable homes that developers have committed to delivering under negotiated Section 106 agreements.My Department published an update on targets for the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme, including our target for delivering homes for social rent, on 30 July 2024. It can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to introduce a national development management policy for older people's housing.

We will consult later this year on a suite of new national policies for decision-making. Further details will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help tackle aggressive begging.

Begging is a complex issue, though where it causes a nuisance or distress to communities, local areas need appropriate tools to maintain community safety. The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 already provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of flexible tools and powers to respond to ASB, including ASB that occurs in the context of begging. The Home Office will be updating their statutory guidance to ensure it is clear to agencies how ASB powers could be used in this context if an individual’s aggressive begging reaches the ASB threshold. The Home Office have also introduced measures in the Crime and Policing Bill to tackle exploitative organised begging facilitated by others.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to encourage investment into high streets in (a) Leigh, (b) Atherton, (c) Golborne and (d) Tyldesley.

The government is determined to reverse the decline of our high streets and bring them back to life as part of our mission to drive growth, raise living standards and deliver an era of national renewal.In December High Street Rental Auctions regulations came into force, which will help to tackle high vacancy rates in high streets across Wigan. Wigan was also recently confirmed as a recipient of the Long-Term Plan for Towns - it was confirmed at Autumn Budget that this programme would be retained and reformed as part of a new regeneration programme.

Communities and Local Government, what additional funding and resources will be allocated to local authorities to implement the recommendations of the Government's Resilience Review.

The Resilience Review is considering established practices and policies to support UK resilience against the full spectrum of risks we face. It is evidence based and is identifying what should be kept, changed or improved to ensure we are best prepared now and into the future.Government will continue to work closely with local partners to ensure local resilience is at the heart of the Review; and relevant outcomes will be considered as part of any future investment into national and local resilience.The Resilience Review is due to conclude in Spring 2025.