Written questions by Buckley.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending National Insurance Contributions relief to town or parish councils that undertake functions typically carried out by principal authorities.

The government recognises the important role town and parish councils have in improving the quality of life and wellbeing of their communities but has no direct role in funding parish and town councils, and therefore has not provided compensation for the increase in the rate of employer’s National Insurance Contributions, consistent with the approach taken by the previous government. We recognise that the increase in the rate of employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will lead to increased costs for some parish councils, which may require them to increase their precept. We recognise that decisions to increase precepts are not taken lightly by parish councils.

Communities and Local Government, whether she is taking steps to adopt national (a) standards, (b) timescales and (c) charges for (i) roads on new housing estates and (ii) other public amenities.

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

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with private parking firms on issuing penalty charge notices where a person has paid for parking but has made a mistake in keying in the car registration number.

The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.I am arranging to meet with industry representatives soon. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory private parking code of practice.

The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.I am arranging to meet with industry representatives soon. My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups.

Communities and Local Government, what the average waiting time was between completion of a development in areas at risk of flooding and installation of flood defences pledged at planning stage since 2019; and how many developments built since in areas at risk of flooding do not have flood defences.

The department does not hold the requested information.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to increase the number of new homes built to high standards of environmental resilience; and what proportion of housebuilding projects are meeting those standards.

Building sustainable homes for the future is a key goal of this Government. Future standards next year will set our new homes and buildings on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future.The Future Homes Standard consultation was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024, and a government response has not yet been issued. We fully support the need for low carbon homes, fit for a net zero future. We are reviewing proposals and feedback from the Future Homes Standard consultation and will publish the Government response in due course.In addition, in 2021, Part O of the Building Regulations was introduced to mitigate the risk of overheating in new homes. All new homes must now be designed to minimise the amount of unwanted heat.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to take steps to require developers to complete flood defences committed to at planning stage in areas at risk of flooding within a mandated time period.

National planning policy is clear that where development is necessary in areas at risk of flooding, the development should be made safe for its lifetime without increasing flood risk elsewhere.Local planning authorities should consider the use of conditions or planning obligations to make development acceptable, which may include flood mitigation works, and have powers to take enforcement action against any breach of planning requirements.Enforcement is at the discretion of local planning authorities. It is for them to decide when and how they use their powers depending on the particular circumstances of each case.