Written questions by Wrigley.

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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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, 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 she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 on trends in the number of private car parking sites.

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.

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 her Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of regulating private parking charge notices to help ensure they are not confused with fines issued by official bodies.

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 her policies of reports of a recent increase in profit for private 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, what steps she plans to take to tackle youth homelessness in Devon.

Homelessness levels are far too high and this can have a devastating impact on those affected, including young people. We will look at these issues carefully and will consider youth homelessness as we develop our long-term, cross-government strategy working with Mayors and councils across the country, to get us back on track to ending homelessness.As announced at the Budget on 30 October, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25). This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. The Homelessness Prevention Grant is allocated to councils across England based on local homelessness pressures and is used to meet local needs. Councils across Devon will receive £5,731,182 for 2025/26 through the Homelessness Prevention Grant.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to address funding shortfalls faced by local government in Devon, in the context of the local government reorganisation.

We are providing a significant boost to local authorities in England. The final Local Government Finance Settlement 2025-26, alongside funding announced at the Budget, will deliver over £5 billion of new funding for local services over and above council tax. This includes an additional £2 billion of grant through the Settlement.The final Settlement for 2025-26 therefore makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase on 2024-25. For Devon County Council, this makes available a total of up to £837.2 million in 2025-26. Spending decisions beyond 2025-26 are a matter for the upcoming Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, if the Government will appoint a Minister for Coastal Communities.

As the Minister for Local Growth my role is to promote economic growth in all parts of the country including coastal communities. Our coastal economies and communities add unique value to the country and offer significant growth potential.As set out in the English Devolution White Paper we will give local leaders powers to drive forward Local Growth Plans to accelerate regional growth and productivity. This will drive the government’s central mission of economic growth and put more money in people’s pockets.