Written questions by Wilkinson.

Communities and Local Government, what her Department's timetable is for the implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Rights Act 2024; and when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals on leasehold and commonhold reform.

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024. It also clarifies government's plans to reform leasehold and commonhold.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of employment tribunal processes on litigants without legal representation.

Tribunals, including the Employment Tribunals, are designed to be expert, accessible, low cost and without a need for legal representation. Legal aid is available for legal advice and assistance in relation to discrimination cases which fall under the Equality Act 2010 and some earlier discrimination enactments, subject to passing the means and merits tests. Legal aid for other employment matters may be available through the Exceptional Case Funding (ECF) Scheme, if a failure to provide legal aid would breach, or likely risk a breach of, an individual’s human rights under the Human Rights Act 1998.We are providing over £10 million of grant funding to improve access to legal support and advice, including for litigants in person. This includes support to help people navigate the process effectively where court or tribunal proceedings are needed, as well as the provision of online support across a range of civil, family and tribunal jurisdictions. This includes online advice for the employment tribunal.For free independent legal advice, litigants may approach the following organisations: Law Centres Network; The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service; Advocate; Law Works.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to prevent (a) residents in retirement properties from being over-charged and (b) charging relatives for a property once the resident has passed away.

Leaseholders living in retirement housing who pay variable service charges will benefit from measures contained in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.The measures in question will ensure all leaseholders receive minimum key financial and non-financial information on a regular basis, including introducing a standardised service charge demand form and an annual report, so that leaseholders can scrutinise and better challenge costs if they are considered unreasonable.The government is committed to acting quickly to implement the provisions of the Act. Further detail can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on Thursday 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

If she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of IR35 regulations for UK businesses working together in foreign markets.

The off-payroll working reforms have proved effective in reducing non-compliance. As well as preventing tax non-compliance, keeping the reforms in place also protects around £1.5 billion a year of government revenue, which supports strong public finances and helps fund our vital public services.

Whether she plans to implement the policies in her Department's policy paper entitled The plan for drivers, published on 2 October 2023.

“The Plan for Drivers” was published by the previous government. The Department is considering the measures within it in the light of this Government’s priorities.

Whether his Department plans to undertake a national audit of care needs.

Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authority to make their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014.The Government is committed to building a consensus on the long-term reform needed to build a National Care Service that meets the needs of older people and working age disabled adults.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to bring forward legislative proposals to allow local authorities to make (a) empty and (b) abandoned houses available to people on housing waiting lists.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 6686 on 14 October 2024.

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to require insurance companies to set industry-wide definitions for claims classifications.

The Government has no plans to propose legislation requiring insurance companies to set industry-wide definitions for claims classifications.

What steps she is taking to help protect school pupils who are known to have allergies.

Section 100 of the Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on maintained schools, academies and pupil referral units to make arrangements for supporting pupils with medical conditions, including allergies.The statutory guidance ‘Supporting pupils at school with medical conditions’ makes clear to schools what is expected of them in taking reasonable steps to fulfil their legal obligations and meet the individual needs of pupils with medical conditions. Schools should ensure they are aware of any pupils with medical conditions and have policies and processes in place to ensure these can be well managed.The department included a reminder to schools of these duties in its regular schools’ email bulletin in both March and September 2024. In the same communication, the department also alerted schools to the newly created Schools Allergy Code. The Code was developed by the Allergy Team, the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association and the Benedict Blythe Foundation, who are all trusted voices on the matter of allergies. The department has now also added a link to the Code to its online allergy guidance on GOV.UK.The department will keep the statutory guidance under review as it takes forward its commitment to delivering an inclusive mainstream system.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of the West Midlands Pension Fund on (a) delays in payments and (b) planned resolutions.

Members of the local government pension scheme should be able to expect that their pensions are paid in a timely manner. I am aware of some delays to the pension payments at the West Midlands Penson Fund, which is responsible for the administration of the scheme in the area. I have written to the Fund and met with them to ask for a thorough explanation, and to understand the steps are being taken to resolve the unacceptable delays. We will continue to engage with the Fund as they work to improve the service to Members.

If she will take steps to ensure that asylum seekers are not deported prior to a final judgement on their case.

Every asylum claim admitted to the UK asylum system is carefully considered on its individual merits by assessing all the evidence provided by the claimant against a background of published country information. No one who is at risk of persecution or serious harm in their home country is expected to return there. Refugee status is normally granted when someone has a well-founded fear of persecution under the Refugee Convention. Those found not to need protection are refused. However, it is only when any appeal rights are exhausted that failed asylum seekers are expected to leave the UK.A refusal of a protection or a human rights claim can, in some circumstances, be certified under Section 94 and Section 96 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. This process removes the right of appeal against the decision.Failed asylum seekers may be eligible for help to go home under the Voluntary Returns Service (VRS). Where a failed asylum seeker fails to leave voluntarily, we will seek to enforce their removal.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of waiting times for accessing services through the NHS Continuing healthcare programme on patient outcomes; what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Liaison Care on those waiting times; and what further steps his Department is taking to improve waiting times for the NHS Continuing healthcare programme.

Statutory guidance and assurance regimes are in place so that people are assessed and receive care in a timely way. For example, NHS England’s assurance standard requires that integrated care boards (ICBs) must ensure that in more than 80% of cases proceeding to a full assessment of eligibility, the eligibility decision should be made within 28 days of being notified of potential NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) eligibility. Nationally, 72% of referrals were completed within 28 days during July to September 2024.Once an individual has been referred for a full assessment of NHS CHC eligibility, the ICB is responsible for coordinating the process until the eligibility decision has been made. The ICB should identify a coordinator who may be either from the ICB or an external organisation. An individual should not be left without appropriate support while they await the outcome of the assessment and decision-making process.

How much funding the Government has allocated for spending on advertising (a) in total and (b) by Department over the next Parliament.

The Cabinet Office operates spend control on behalf of HMT on an annual basis. During this process departments and ALBs submit an overview of any spend (including marketing and advertising) planned for the next financial year. Historical data on advertising spend is listed by department on the Government efficiency, transparency and accountability page on GOV.uk.

How much funding the Government allocated to spend on advertising in each year since 2015, broken down by Department.

The Cabinet Office operates spend control on behalf of HMT on an annual basis. During this process departments and ALBs submit an overview of any spend (including marketing and advertising) planned for the next financial year. Historical data on advertising spend is listed by department on the Government efficiency, transparency and accountability page on GOV.uk.

If she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential impact of Part II of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 on the effectiveness of the Government's work on tackling violence against women and girls.

This Government has set out an unprecedented mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade and we are determined to deliver on that ambition.We will keep all legislation under review as we develop our approach to tackle sexual exploitation and violence against women and girls. We currently have no plans to change the law but will consider licensing regulations to make sure that they are protecting the vulnerable and tackling sexual crime, as well as public nuisance.

What assessment she has made of the ability of local authorities to resource Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews.

Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) offer a vital opportunity for national and local agencies, local communities and society as a whole to learn lessons from domestic abuse related deaths and treat every death as preventable.The funding for DHRs is provided through the local government funding settlement and the Home Office is unable to provide specific guidance on how funding should be allocated locally.However, whilst the Government is committed to the fundamental principle of the DHR process, we recognise that there is room for improvement in the way these reviews are currently conducted and the lessons applied.The department recently ran a public consultation seeking views on a revised version of the statutory guidance which underpins DHRs and we will be carefully considering the findings to ensure that improvements are made.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of reduced media coverage of magistrates' courts on (a) democracy and (b) transparency of the justice system.

We are aware of the reduced number of journalists to cover magistrates' proceedings. The Ministry of Justice is committed to open justice and ensuring that the media can report on proceedings effectively. Allowing the public to scrutinise and understand court processes helps to build trust and confidence in the justice system and our democracy. Courts and tribunals are improving how they provide information to the media and the public, ensuring our justice system remains transparent.

What assessment she has made of the impact of train cancellations by Great Western Railway on passengers travelling to and from Cheltenham Spa station on (a) weekdays and (b) weekends.

The Rail Minister recently met with Great Western Railway and Network Rail Western route to review recent performance and made it clear that both organisations must address issues contributing to cancellations. Officials continue to monitor both organisations’ performance against targets and when performance falls below these, appropriate action will be taken to address this.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing VAT from defibrillators in the forthcoming Budget.

The Government currently provides VAT reliefs to aid the purchase of defibrillators. This means that charities pay no VAT if they purchase a defibrillator and then donate it to an eligible body. VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and exceptions to the standard rate have always been limited and balanced against affordability considerations. Following the spending audit, the Chancellor has been clear that difficult decisions lie ahead on spending, welfare and tax to fix the foundations of our economy and address the £22 billion hole in the public finances left by the last government. The government keeps all taxes under review.

If she will (a) lower the Housing Benefit taper rate and (b) increase the applicable amount to help young homeless people into work.

People in receipt of Housing Benefit are always better off in work than someone wholly reliant on benefits. In addition to any financial advantage, there are important non-financial benefits of working. These benefits include learning new skills, improved confidence and independence as well as a positive effect on an individual's mental and physical health. The Department acknowledges the challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and will consider the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.