Written questions by Smart.

What steps her Department is taking to reduce delays in the (a) processing and (b) hearing of cases at the First-Tier Tribunal.

This Government inherited a broken justice system with record and rising court backlogs. We are determined to reverse these trends in this Parliament. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) continues to invest in improving tribunal productivity by:Increasing capacity. The Lord Chancellor announced on 5 March 2025 a record investment of £2.5 billion across all court and tribunals, both civil and criminal, in 2025/26. This will allow HMCTS to increase the number of sitting days available to the tribunals to close to maximum capacity and continue a substantial judicial recruitment programme which is already underway. We have continued investment this year in the recruitment of up to 1,000 judges and tribunal members across all jurisdictions. This includes recruitment targeted at First-tier Tribunal chambers with the greatest business need.Smarter case management. The Government is encouraging the greater use of technology to speed up the start to end process from receipt of appeal applications to their disposal. For example, in the Employment Tribunals, HMCTS has introduced a new digital case-management system, legal-officer triage, remote-hearing technology and a “virtual region” to hear appeal applications more efficiently. We are also investing in expanding our mediation offering to resolve cases before they reach the Tribunal, such as in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal where we have expanded the remit of Judicial Alternative Dispute Resolution.We expect these actions to have a positive effect on timeliness performance.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to simplify regulatory requirements for community hydroelectric schemes; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of doing so on his (a) net zero and (b) other green energy targets.

The Government makes full use of the comprehensive and wide ranging environmental regulatory framework in England. Defra and the Environment Agency have contributed to HMT’s Regulatory Action Plan and other recent reviews into regulatory effectiveness, including the review led by Dan Corry. We remain committed to upholding high environmental standards to protect our natural environment and local communities when supporting new infrastructure and development, including community hydroelectric schemes.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the voluntary agreement by major retailers to restrict the sale of disposable barbecues within one mile of National Parks in reducing the risk of wildfires.

Defra does not hold this data and has not made an assessment. As the lead department for wildfires, MHCLG encourages the public to follow local advice from their local Fire and Rescue Service, Local Authority and landowners. Officials continue to work alongside partners including the National Fire Chiefs Council to issue proactive communications including, for example, advice around the safe use of barbecues, cigarettes and open fires.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to review the (a) proportionality and (b) cost-effectiveness of the Environment Agency’s (i) licensing and (ii) inspection processes for small-scale community energy providers.

The Government makes full use of the comprehensive and wide ranging environmental regulatory framework in England. Defra and the Environment Agency have contributed to HMT’s Regulatory Action Plan and other recent reviews into regulatory effectiveness, including the review led by Dan Corry. We remain committed to upholding high environmental standards to protect our natural environment and local communities when supporting new infrastructure and development.

Whether NHS England plans to include (a) diver safety organisations and (b) medical experts in future consultations on the national contract for recompression services.

Last year, NHS England held a public consultation on a revised service specification and changes to commissioning arrangements for hyperbaric oxygen services. This included consideration of the impacts on geographical access to services and traveling times.As a formal public consultation, responses were invited from all those with an interest in these services, and responses were received from a range of experts.Further information regarding the feedback received was published in November 2024, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-engagement-report-November-2024.pdfThe updated service specification was published in January 2025, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdf

What steps NHS England is taking to ensure equitable regional access to hyperbaric treatment services.

Last year, NHS England held a public consultation on a revised service specification and changes to commissioning arrangements for hyperbaric oxygen services. This included consideration of the impacts on geographical access to services and traveling times.As a formal public consultation, responses were invited from all those with an interest in these services, and responses were received from a range of experts.Further information regarding the feedback received was published in November 2024, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-engagement-report-November-2024.pdfThe updated service specification was published in January 2025, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdf

Whether NHS England conducted an impact assessment on (a) diver safety and (b) emergency response times before reducing the number of hyperbaric chambers available under the national contract for recompression services.

Last year, NHS England held a public consultation on a revised service specification and changes to commissioning arrangements for hyperbaric oxygen services. This included consideration of the impacts on geographical access to services and traveling times.As a formal public consultation, responses were invited from all those with an interest in these services, and responses were received from a range of experts.Further information regarding the feedback received was published in November 2024, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-engagement-report-November-2024.pdfThe updated service specification was published in January 2025, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdf

What estimate NHS England has made of average emergency travel times to hyperbaric chambers for cases of suspected decompression illness.

Last year, NHS England held a public consultation on a revised service specification and changes to commissioning arrangements for hyperbaric oxygen services. This included consideration of the impacts on geographical access to services and traveling times.As a formal public consultation, responses were invited from all those with an interest in these services, and responses were received from a range of experts.Further information regarding the feedback received was published in November 2024, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-engagement-report-November-2024.pdfThe updated service specification was published in January 2025, and is available at the following link: Hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy-services-all-ages-Service-specification-January-2025.pdf

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of her Department's revised guidance entitled Nationality: good character requirement, published on 11 February 2025, on levels of community cohesion in Greater Manchester.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on 3 April to Question 40163, and on 25 February to Question 31371.

What proportion of UK citizenship applications refused since 10 February 2025 have had entry to the UK by irregular means cited as the reason for refusal.

The information requested is not centrally held, and could only be collected and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

With reference to the guidance entitled Nationality: good character requirement, published on 11 February 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to the good character requirement for British citizenship on long-term UK residents who were granted protection after arriving by irregular routes.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on 3 April to Question 40163, and on 25 February to Question 31371.

With reference to the guidance entitled Nationality: good character requirement, published on 11 February 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that people who arrived in the UK as children are not affected by changes to the guidance on the good character requirement when applying for UK citizenship as adults.

I refer the Hon Member to the answers I gave on 3 April to Question 40163, and on 25 February to Question 31371.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to support the redevelopment of vacant commercial properties into affordable housing.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including bringing back into residential use empty homes and the development of under-utilised land and buildings, to meet the need for homes, including social and affordable homes, and other uses. Changes we made to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas. On 22 September 2024, we published a 'brownfield passport' policy paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land.

With reference to her Department's White Paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, what level of English language proficiency people applying for refugee family reunion will be expected to have.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including family reunion, further details of which will be set out in due course.

What recent discussions her Department has had with the charity sector on changes to refugee family reunion rules.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including family reunion, further details of which will be set out in due course.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to family reunion rules on the number of refugees taking dangerous journeys.

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including family reunion, further details of which will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether they will consider introducing a requirement for companies issuing parking tickets by post to use signed-for delivery services in order to provide proof of receipt.

The government is aware of concerns regarding the poor practises on some parking operators. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. We will be launching a consultation in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to help reduce the time taken to process visa applications.

Visa processing times are published on the UKVI website at Visa decision waiting times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Visa decision waiting times: applications inside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). UKVI are currently processing applications on the overwhelming majority of its visa routes within their published customer service standards.

What steps her Department is taking to support people in switching to more affordable mortgage products.

According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the vast majority of borrowers switch within 6 months of the end of an introductory deal. However, the Government understands the challenges facing mortgage borrowers that struggle to switch to new loans. These borrowers are predominantly with closed book mortgage providers. Correspondence from the FCA to the Treasury Select Committee has shown that the number of borrowers with closed book mortgage providers have consistently declined since 2021. There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers across the mortgage market. FCA rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support. Closed book lenders must also comply with the FCA’s Consumer Duty, which ensures firms prioritise fair treatment and good outcomes for their customers.

What recent estimate her Department has made of the number of homeowners who are unable to switch to a cheaper mortgage due to changes in the (a) lending regulations and (b) policies of their current lender.

According to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the vast majority of borrowers switch within 6 months of the end of an introductory deal. However, the Government understands the challenges facing mortgage borrowers that struggle to switch to new loans. These borrowers are predominantly with closed book mortgage providers. Correspondence from the FCA to the Treasury Select Committee has shown that the number of borrowers with closed book mortgage providers have consistently declined since 2021. There are significant measures in place to protect vulnerable mortgage borrowers across the mortgage market. FCA rules require lenders to engage individually with their customers who are struggling or who are worried about their payments in order to provide tailored support. Closed book lenders must also comply with the FCA’s Consumer Duty, which ensures firms prioritise fair treatment and good outcomes for their customers.