Written questions by Cocking.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued on whether public disturbances outside asylum hotels are a material consideration in relation to (a) planning harm and (b) change of use from a hotel into asylum hostel accommodation.

My Department has not issued any such guidance.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with (a) district and (b) county councils in Norfolk and Suffolk on cancelling the planned local elections in May 2026.

The Department has had no discussions with district or county councils in Norfolk or Suffolk about cancelling the planned local elections in May 2026.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 40156 on Green Belt, whether allotments are deemed to be Grey Belt land.

My Department published updated guidance on Green Belt policy on 27 February 2025 to assist local authorities and other decision-makers in determining whether land is grey belt. It can be found on gov.uk here. It is for decision-makers to consider how to apply this to particular local circumstances and assess whether a site constitutes grey belt, as it will depend upon the circumstances of each case. The government does not maintain a definitive list of land uses or categories which constitute grey belt land.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations have been made to his Department from the Dutch (a) Government and (b) Parliament on the proposed Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is not aware of any representations being made to the FCDO by the Dutch Government or Parliament regarding the proposed new Chinese Embassy in London.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Chinese Government has accepted the request from the UK Government that the Chinese Government’s diplomatic premises within the United Kingdom should be consolidated into the new Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint if permission is granted for that development.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 10 September to Question 74189.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions the Government had with the US Government on the definition of Islamophobia.

The government does not have an official definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia and so it has not engaged with any foreign government on this. However, we have established a working group to advise government on a definition of anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia, including on how to best understand, quantify and define prejudice, discrimination, and hate crime targeted against Muslims. Alongside drawing on their own expertise, the working group have engaged widely to ensure the definition accounts for the variety of backgrounds and experiences of communities across the United Kingdom.

With reference to page 20 of the Valuation Office Agency's document entitled Annual Report and Accounts 2024-25, published on 17 July 2025, if she will set out the changes to the methodology for valuing (a) petrol filling stations and (b) public houses in the 2026 business rates revaluation.

There has been no change to the valuation methodology for pubs or petrol filling stations for the 2026 business rates revaluation. Our approach to valuing pubs has been established in collaboration with industry experts from the British Beer & Pub Association, UK Hospitality, British Institute of Innkeeping and the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations. Our approach to valuing petrol stations has been established in collaboration with industry experts, including the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) and Fuels Industry UK. The Rating Manual guidance will be updated on 1st April 2026 when the 2026 list takes effect.

Communities and Local Government, whether councillors and mayors will be able to sit on her Department's new social cohesion taskforce.

As set out in my response to UIN 78208, the Social Cohesion Taskforce is an internal Civil Service team comprised of civil servants. As part of our work, we have been engaging with a wide range of relevant stakeholders, including those with experience of delivering cohesion programmes within local government.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with (a) Brighton and Hove council, (b) Tower Hamlets council and (c) Birmingham City Council on the taking down of St George’s flags.

The Prime Minister has been clear that he supports the flying of flags across the country. Flags should be an embodiment of bringing our country and our communities together. Decisions about whether flags should be removed are devolved to local authorities and it is for them to assess the impacts of removing or allowing flags to remain. My Department engages with local authorities on a regular basis across numerous meetings. Where the subject has been raised we have been clear that everyone can make their own decisions, including local councils, on flying flags and that guidance exists to support them, such as ‘Flying flags: a plain English guide” - as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and 2021) – which outlines the regulations related to the flying of flags in England. It is important that the decisions taken by local authorities reflect the character and values of the communities they serve. Where symbols are used in ways that threaten public safety, it is right that action is taken to address this.

What his Department's policy is on Job Centres advertising vacancies relating to the implementation and administration of Sharia Law.

Find A Job is a free platform to help jobseekers find vacancies with employers from various sectors. Employers are verified as legitimate and all jobs they advertise must comply with our terms and conditions: https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/terms-and-conditions-employer.html.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing the separate eligibility criteria for children under three for the Blue Badge scheme.

Since 17 June 2011, children under the age of three have been eligible for a Blue Badge if they fall under either or both of the following criteria: (a) a child who, because of a condition, must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty (b) a child who, because of a condition, must always be kept near a motor vehicle so that, if necessary, treatment for that condition can be given in the vehicle or the child can be taken quickly in the vehicle to a place where such treatment can be given Whilst the Department recommends that local authorities treat each application for children under the age of three as a special case, it does not consider that there is a compelling case for giving automatic Blue Badge eligibility to disabled children below the age of three who do not meet the above criteria. In most cases, they could reasonably be carried in a pram or pushchair, in much the same way as able-bodied children of a similar age.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 March 2025 to Question 38045 on Councillors: Planning, if she will make it her policy to require the Mayor of London to undertake the same compulsory training on planning that will be required of councillors on a planning committee.

As set out in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, it is the intention that mayors will be required to undertake mandatory training.

With reference to the correspondence of July 2025 from the Leader of Kent County Council on visas for social care workers from overseas, if she will publish her Department's response to Kent County Council.

The Government does not routinely publish Ministerial correspondence.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of centrally coordinating stoma services.

Integrated care boards (ICBs) are legally responsible for commissioning the majority of health services, including stoma services, in accordance with their populations’ health needs. There are currently no plans for centrally coordinating stoma services and we expect ICBs to continue commissioning stoma services for their local populations.

Representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 15 July 2025 to Question 65798 on Companies: Political Parties, whether the Electoral Commission has issued guidance on whether registered political parties may be incorporated as (a) limited or (b) unlimited companies.

Electoral law does not dictate the legal structure of a party. Parties can be registered with a range of structures, including unincorporated associations, limited or unlimited companies.If a party includes company arrangements, the Commission expects this to be reflected in party documents such as their constitution and financial scheme. The Commission has issued guidance on what a constitution should include.

What discussions she has had with LINK on the potential for widening the criteria for establishing additional banking hubs across the UK.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector. The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

How many foreign nationals have avoided deportation following criminal convictions due to the absence of a removal agreement with their country of origin.

The specific information requested is not readily available from published statistics and could only be obtained for the purposes of answering this question at disproportionate cost. However, this government has already removed almost 5,200 foreign national offenders in its first year of office (5 July 2024 to 4 July 2025), a 14 per cent increase on the previous twelve months and we will continue to crack down on any foreign nationals who come to this country and break our rules.

How many asylum seekers are being housed in homes of multiple occupation in Broxbourne constituency.

The latest published Immigration Statistics detail the number of supported asylum seekers accommodated by local authority area, not constituency. These statistics can be found in the Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK.

What steps she is taking to support (a) older people and (b) people who are not digitally confident in accessing online banking services.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 230 hubs have been announced so far, and over 180 are already open.Whilst the Government meets with LINK to discuss a variety of matters, any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK and the financial services sector. The treatment of customers by UK banks is governed by the the Financial Conduct Authority, which requires firms to provide a prompt, efficient, and fair service to all of their customers. This includes special considerations for vulnerable customers. In addition, like all service providers, banks and building societies are bound under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments, where necessary, in the way they deliver their services. Alternative options to access everyday banking services can be via telephone banking, through digital means such as mobile or online banking, and via the Post Office. The Post Office Banking Framework allows personal and business customers to withdraw and deposit cash, check their balance, pay bills and cash cheques at 11,500 Post Office branches across the UK.

What consideration is being given to the needs of older people in the implementation of digital-only ticketing systems for public transport.

The Government is not responsible for all digital ticketing. However, when implementing any Government policy, due regard is given to the Public Sector Equality Duty and to protected characteristics, such as age, across all modes of public transport.For those public transport systems, the Government is responsible for this includes the implementation of digital ticketing.For public transport systems outside of Government responsibility, we are clear that consideration is needed to ensure greater uptake of smart ticketing does not result in digital exclusion, and those paying cash are still able to use transport services and are able to reap the benefits of discounted fares.