Written questions by Gosling.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of recognising businesses with proactive equality practices.

This government recognises that equality and opportunity are at the heart of our programme of national renewal, this includes in our workplaces. The best employers understand that an inclusive workplace, where employees are supported to succeed, is good for productivity and good for the business.Under the landmark Employment Rights Bill we are taking steps to ensure that all workplaces follow the fantastic example set by some of our leading businesses. This includes requiring large employers to publish plans setting out how they are tackling the gender pay gap and supporting employees during the menopause. Through this process we expect to be able to highlight those employers exhibiting best practice, and ensure that they can share their experiences for other businesses to learn from.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ensuring that companies (a) record and (b) publish ethnicity pay gap data.

The King’s Speech announced our intention to publish draft legislation this session that will introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for large employers (those with 250 or more employees).Pay gap reporting can help businesses better understand their workforce, which can lead to them adopting policies and changes which support improved productivity and improved rates of progression and retention, ensuring they make the most of the skills of their employees.

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to increase the supply of social housing in Nuneaton constituency.

I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question 10272 on 28 October 2024.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of (a) ensuring that academy schools publish full SEND information reports and (b) sanctioning schools that do not.

Maintained and Academy schools are required to publish special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) information reports according to the Children and Families Act 2014, s69. The specific information required is set out in the SEND regulations 2014 and the SEND code of practice, which can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/6/part/3 and here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25. The department welcomes the publication of the response to the Big Listen, which stated that Ofsted will consult on introducing a new inspection judgement area for inclusion across education settings. The department will continue to work with Ofsted to consider how outcomes for children and young people with SEND, or in alternative provision, are better reflected in the Education Inspection and the Area SEND inspection frameworks.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of reforming the Insolvency Service to ensure (a) greater transparency, (b) faster investigations and (c) greater accountability for insolvency practitioners.

The work of the Insolvency Service is kept under continual review by the Department and Ministers. The Insolvency Service, on behalf of the Secretary of State, performs a crucial function in overseeing the Recognised Professional Bodies’ regulation of Insolvency Practitioners. The regulation of Insolvency Practitioners was subject to a public consultation in 2021, and the Government is considering the introduction of reforms in this area.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that key water infrastructure is (a) constructed and (b) adopted alongside the development of new housing.

Water companies have a statutory duty to provide a secure supply of water for customers and set out how they plan to do this through Water Resources Management Plans (WRMPs). To develop their plans, water companies must consult local authorities and consider all demand management and supply options available to meet future water needs, including those for new homes. Sewerage undertakers have a statutory obligation to prepare, publish and maintain a Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP), detailing the actions the company proposes to take to meet current and future demand.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients are aware of the right to choose medical care.

The Government is committed to putting patients back at the heart of care. This includes supporting a patient’s right to choose, if they wish, where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. Further details for patients are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework/the-nhs-choice-framework-what-choices-are-available-to-me-in-the-nhsThe Department is working closely with NHS England on plans for targeted support starting in the most disadvantaged areas. General practitioners (GPs) can see waiting time information for different providers displayed as part of the e-Referral Service. GPs and patients can also use the Manage Your Referral service, allowing patients to make an informed choice of provider online or through the NHS App following their appointment.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that General Practitioners are (a) aware of and (b) able to communicate effectively the right for patients to choose medical care.

The Government is committed to putting patients back at the heart of care. This includes supporting a patient’s right to choose, if they wish, where they go for their first appointment when referred to consultant-led care as an outpatient. Further details for patients are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-choice-framework/the-nhs-choice-framework-what-choices-are-available-to-me-in-the-nhsThe Department is working closely with NHS England on plans for targeted support starting in the most disadvantaged areas. General practitioners (GPs) can see waiting time information for different providers displayed as part of the e-Referral Service. GPs and patients can also use the Manage Your Referral service, allowing patients to make an informed choice of provider online or through the NHS App following their appointment.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of allowing local authorities to (a) buy unoccupied housing in longstanding disrepair at a reduced rate and (b) raise council tax on long-term unoccupied housing to ensure properties are kept in the market in a suitable condition.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found here.