Written questions by Reader.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to update the guidance for Approved Document F of the Building Regulations to recognise smart ventilation systems as a compliant option for homes.

Revisions to Approved Document F of the Building Regulations were proposed as part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation. Proposed updates to the minimum ventilation standards for homes were described in section 6.2 and proposed updates to the guidance for ventilation installations were described in section 8.3 of the consultation. We are carefully considering the feedback we received to the consultation. We intend to publish the Government response to the consultation, and the new Approved Document F, in autumn this year.We are mindful of the impact of increasing airtightness in our homes and workplaces. While this can have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of buildings, it also requires appropriate, controlled ventilation. We will continue to engage with developing ventilation technology and will update Approved Document F as required.

If he will hold discussions with Ofgem on reducing the time taken to implement reforms to the electricity distribution network.

The National Infrastructure Commission published recommendations on 21 February on making the electricity distribution network fit for net zero. The Government published a formal response on 7th July, which agrees with the study’s view that investment in the distribution network is required ahead of need to accommodate expected growth in electricity demand. In developing the response, we have engaged with Ofgem and other delivery partners.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of mandatory food waste reporting on the economy.

The potential impacts of mandatory food waste reporting were assessed as part of the consultation process in 2022. As with all policies, if the policy were to be taken forward, a further assessment of costs and benefits would be published as part of the legislative process. This Government has announced plans to publish a Circular Economy Strategy for England and is committed to transitioning to a circular economy – one that stimulates growth, reduces waste, and alleviates pressure on household bills. As this work is developed, evidence from across the economy will be considered as the interventions that may be needed are evaluated. This includes for the potential introduction of a mandatory food waste reporting requirement for large food businesses.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reducing permitted weights for Volumetric Concrete Mobile Plants from 2028 on the manufacturing sector.

The Department ran a call for evidence from October to December 2023 seeking views on three potential options on weight limits for Volumetric Concrete Mixers (VCMs). The outcome of this review was published on 18 March 2025 at the following link: www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/volumetric-concrete-mixers-reviewVCMs will continue to be permitted on our roads. A temporary weight limit exemption for this type of vehicle (via vehicle special orders) that was put in place to allow operators and manufacturers time to adapt, will end in 2028, as planned. Existing VCMs will be able to continue operating, but only within the applicable weight limits.

Whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to extend the proposed standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker under the Crime and Policing Bill to include retail delivery drivers.

This Government is committed to tackling retail crime. Through our Crime and Policing Bill, we have introduced a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.Assaults against delivery drivers are already an offence (Common Assault) under the Criminal Justice Act 1988, and are covered under other legislation such as the Offences against the Person Act 1861, which also covers more serious violence, including actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm.Section 156 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 creates a statutory aggravating factor in sentencing cases of assault against public facing workers. It applies where an assault is committed against those providing a public service, performing a public duty or providing a service to the public. This includes those delivering goods to customers and other public-facing roles.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Advanced Manufacturing sector plan on food and drink manufacturers.

The Government recognises the importance of the food and drink sector as the largest manufacturing industry in the UK. The Industrial Strategy will support the whole economy, including businesses outside the eight growth-driving sectors, through an improved operating environment and long-term stability.The Advanced Manufacturing sector operates as an ecosystem of complex supply chains and outputs, not as a set of siloed industries. It therefore includes a range of cross cutting interventions that have wide-spread benefits across the sector including for food and drink manufacturers such as innovation, tech adoption and broader business environment measures such as planning.

Communities and Local Government, which government funding streams have been available exclusively to Mayoral Combined Authorities since January 2024; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this on areas without a devolution deal.

Most government funding streams delivered by Mayoral Combined (and Combined County) Authorities (MC(C)As) in England are devolved from national government. In areas where there is not yet a Combined Authority in place, national government continues to oversee these funds.Several ongoing funding streams are targeted only at MC(C)As in England, but in certain circumstances are paid to a broader range of recipients including in the Devolved Administrations or local authorities.Funds in England exclusive to MC(C)As include:Investment Funds (also known as ‘Gain Share’), which were agreed through Devolution Deals and support multiple themes including transport, infrastructure, skills, culture and enterprise & innovation within MC(C)As.City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (from 2022-2027; 8 MCAs were eligible). From 2027-2032 9 of the current 13 MCAs are eligible for its successor, the Transport for City Regions fund.The Department for Transport also provides a small number of grants to a subset of Mayoral Combined Authorities for the purposes of supporting transport networks specific to these areas; these grants generally pre-date current devolution arrangements.The government has not commissioned analysis on the impacts of devolved funding to those without devolution agreements in England.

What recent discussions his Department has had with industry representatives on the development of consumer-led flexibility in electricity markets.

Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations on single-sex school admissions policies.

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Northampton South to the answer of 09 June 2025 to Question 55359.

Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate she has made of the cost to local authorities of implementing the Equality and Human Rights Commission's revised code of practice for services, public functions and associations.

We have not yet made an assessment of the cost and impact on local authorities of implementing the proposed updates to the Equality and Human Rights Commission Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, which is still open for consultation.

What steps his Department is taking to help support businesses to compete with direct-to-consumer online retailers that are based offshore.

We intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, including those on the high street, from 2026-27. This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties - those with a Rateable Value of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but include the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants.Ahead of these changes being made, we have prevented RHL relief from ending in April 2025 by extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business and frozen the small business multiplier.We are also working with businesses to understand their barriers to growth and High Streets will be a key pillar of our forthcoming Small Business Strategy.

With reference to the Get Britain Working White Paper, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of young people in supported housing becoming worse off when entering into employment because of benefit rules.

The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off 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. Notwithstanding these positive outcomes from work, the Department acknowledges there is a challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in Supported Housing and Temporary Accommodation and receiving their housing support through Housing Benefit. The department will consider the issue carefully in partnership with stakeholders.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including in the integrated national transport strategy measures to (a) help increase efficiency and (b) support decarbonisation in the logistics sector

The Strategy will set the high-level direction for how transport should change to better serve people and is currently in early development. Government recognises the importance of the logistics sector in delivering its missions and transport priorities, ...

If she will make an asssessment of the potential merits of identifying a National Freight Network.

The UK has a complex national freight system handling millions of transactions every day. The merits of increasing our understanding of this system to inform policy making, regulation and investment interventions are well understood, and this Government i...

If she will bring forward legislative proposals to support the use of autonomous last-mile delivery robots on pavements.

The Government has no current plans to legislate in this space. However, we are determined to seize the opportunities of emerging micromobility and tackle any negative impacts which may arise. We are actively monitoring the industry, new vehicle types, an...

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had made an assessment of the potential role of universities (a) within and (b) outside mayoral combined authorities in local growth programmes.

Local leadership is at the heart of our mission to deliver growth. Universities have an important role in driving growth across the country, working in partnership with other local stakeholders to deliver improved outcomes for their communities. In mayora...

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including the regulation of self-driving delivery robots alongside other forms of micro mobility.

This government is determined to seize the opportunities of emerging micromobility and tackle any negative impacts which may arise. We actively monitor the industry and the new vehicle types and business models being developed while carefully considering ...

If she will make an assessment of the financial impact of reducing the housing benefit taper rate for people in supported housing.

The income taper in Housing Benefit ensures people in work are better off 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, i...

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending VAT relief to (a) heat batteries and (b) other new energy saving technologies that can help decarbonise homes when a heat pump cannot be installed.

The installation of qualifying energy-saving materials in residential accommodation and buildings used solely for a relevant charitable purpose benefits from a temporary VAT zero rate until March 2027. Last year, a Call for Evidence (CfE) seeking views on...

Whether he will include measures to strengthen the enablers of growth in the logistics sector and the infrastructure it uses in the forthcoming industrial strategy.

Our Strategy is unreservedly pro-business, engaging on complex issues that are barriers to investment, like skills, recruitment of international talent, data, R&D, technology adoption, access to finance, competition, regulation, energy prices, grid co...