Written questions by Wrigley.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Government has plans to introduce a cap on political donations.

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections and, as stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will share details with Parliament in due course.Political parties play a vital role in our democracy, and it is important that they are able to fundraise effectively and communicate with the electorate. The law sets out that it is the responsibility of political parties to take reasonable steps to verify the identity of a donor and whether they are permissible. The Government will take any necessary steps to ensure those requirements are tightened and abided by.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the decision to close her Department's regional office in Exeter on civil servants in Devon.

The department has made the decision to close six offices over the next two years, including its office in Exeter, in order to create a more coherent office estate across the UK. The department will continue to have an office in every English region, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and that will include an office in Plymouth, to ensure we maintain a presence in Devon.The department has recently invested in a new office in Plymouth, giving our staff based there a more modern working experience. The new office also has a greater capacity than our previous office in Plymouth, which will allow any staff who are currently based in Exeter the opportunity to work from there should they wish. We will provide a package of measures to support Exeter-based staff who want to transition to Plymouth. All staff in the six offices which will close will be able to continue in their roles and there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the closure of her Department's Exeter regional office on the career prospects of civil servants in the South West.

The department has made the decision to close six offices over the next two years, including its office in Exeter, in order to create a more coherent office estate across the UK. The department will continue to have an office in every English region, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and that will include an office in Plymouth, to ensure we maintain a presence in Devon.The department has recently invested in a new office in Plymouth, giving our staff based there a more modern working experience. The new office also has a greater capacity than our previous office in Plymouth, which will allow any staff who are currently based in Exeter the opportunity to work from there should they wish. We will provide a package of measures to support Exeter-based staff who want to transition to Plymouth. All staff in the six offices which will close will be able to continue in their roles and there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason she decided to close the Department's regional office in Exeter.

The department has made the decision to close six offices over the next two years, including its office in Exeter, in order to create a more coherent office estate across the UK. The department will continue to have an office in every English region, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and that will include an office in Plymouth, to ensure we maintain a presence in Devon.The department has recently invested in a new office in Plymouth, giving our staff based there a more modern working experience. The new office also has a greater capacity than our previous office in Plymouth, which will allow any staff who are currently based in Exeter the opportunity to work from there should they wish. We will provide a package of measures to support Exeter-based staff who want to transition to Plymouth. All staff in the six offices which will close will be able to continue in their roles and there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure adequate funding for local government in Devon.

For Devon Council, the final Local Government Finance Settlement represents an increase in Core Spending Power of up to 5.4% – making available a total of up to £837.2 million in 2025-26. Taken together, the additional funding announced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget and through the 2025-26 Settlement will provide over £5 billion of new funding for local services over and above local council tax. This includes an additional £2 billion of grant through the Settlement in addition to a guarantee that local authorities in England will receive at least £1.1 billion in total in 2025-26 from the new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme.

Communities and Local Government, if she will ensure that her Department does not close its regional office in Exeter.

The department has made the decision to close six offices over the next two years, including its office in Exeter, in order to create a more coherent office estate across the UK. The department will continue to have an office in every English region, and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and that will include an office in Plymouth, to ensure we maintain a presence in Devon.The department has recently invested in a new office in Plymouth, giving our staff based there a more modern working experience. The new office also has a greater capacity than our previous office in Plymouth, which will allow any staff who are currently based in Exeter the opportunity to work from there should they wish. We will provide a package of measures to support Exeter-based staff who want to transition to Plymouth. All staff in the six offices which will close will be able to continue in their roles and there will be no compulsory redundancies.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish information held on registered owners of car parking sites.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with private carparking site registered (a) owners and (b) beneficiaries on the implementation of an independent parking regulator.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. 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. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish information held on private equity group investment in car parking sites.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, what meetings she has had with registered owners of car parking sites.

My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am arranging to meet them in the near future.

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to cap the level of fines issued by private parking companies.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. 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. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has received legal advice from third party organisations on the implementation of an independent parking regulator.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. 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. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish information held on beneficiaries of car parking sites.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to introduce a £50 cap for parking charge notices.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. 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. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has received advice on the potential impact of independent parking regulation of the parking industry on private equity firms.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has received advice on the implementation of an independent parking regulator from car park (a) beneficiaries, (b) owners and (c) private equity groups.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the benefits of a private parking model of profits based on penalty charge notices (i) issued and (ii) collected.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 on trends in the turnover of private car parking companies.

Private parking companies regulate themselves through the two main trade associations which are independent of government. These are the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC).The government, however, is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. This includes ensuring there are straightforward standards that private parking operators across England, Scotland and Wales must follow on issues such as ensuring parking charge notices are not confused with fines issued by official bodies.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 announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of trends in the turnover of private parking companies who have a profit model based on parking charge notices given.

The government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists.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 announce our plans regarding the government code in due course.I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of trends in the level of fines from the private parking regulator.

Private parking companies regulate themselves through the two main trade associations which are independent of government. These are the British Parking Association (BPA) and the International Parking Community (IPC).The government, however, is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. This includes ensuring there are straightforward standards that private parking operators across England, Scotland and Wales must follow on issues such as ensuring parking charge notices are not confused with fines issued by official bodies.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 announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.