Written questions by Yasin.

What guidance is provided to local authorities and affiliated organisations on the issuance of written documents outlining financial responsibilities in care arrangements; and what safeguards are recommended to prevent such documents from being relied upon where they may not be legally enforceable.

Under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population, which is why they are tasked with the duty to shape their care markets to meet the diverse needs of all local people, including implementing care arrangements that are transparent and put the people drawing on care at the centre of decisions.Also, under the Care Act, charging is based on a number of principles, including that people should not be charged more than it is reasonably practicable for them to pay and that charging approaches should be clear, transparent, and comprehensive so people know what they will be charged.Where local authorities decide to charge for the provision of care and support, they must follow the Care Act and the Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) Regulations 2014, and they must act under the Care and Support Statutory (CASS) guidance.The responsibility for applying the law and the CASS guidance rests with local authorities, and they should ensure that their approaches to charging are clear and transparent, so people know what they will be charged.

Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department provides to local planning authorities on the treatment of almshouses and other small charitable housing providers in planning obligations, including access to Section 106 agreements; and whether his Department plans to review the definition of affordable housing in the National Planning Policy Framework to better reflect the role of charitable housing providers.

Guidance on the use of planning obligations is available on gov.uk here. The guidance makes clear that policies for planning obligations should be set out in plans and examined in public. By law, applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) must be taken into account in preparing the development plan and is a material consideration in planning decisions. The government is consulting on a new NPPF that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. Whilst the government does not propose to amend the NPPF definition of affordable housing to include almshouses that are not registered providers, the consultation welcomes views on a range of proposals to better support the provision of social and affordable housing. The consultation will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to amend planning rules to include measures relating to the long-term stewardship and public accessibility of green spaces provided as part of residential development.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that local plans should make sufficient provision for green infrastructure, which is defined as a multifunctional network of green and blue spaces. The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes a proposed requirement for local plans to set standards for green infrastructure. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce a requirement for local planning authorities to include targets for social rented housing within their local plans.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 107221 on 28 January 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of national planning policy in securing the long-term management and maintenance of public open spaces in residential developments.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals relating to the provision of new or improved open space. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026. I also refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of trends in the number of social rented homes built through the planning system in Bedford and in England over the past five years.

The number of social rented homes delivered in each local planning authority through Section 106 agreements (S106) since 1991-92 is available in Live Table 1011, on gov.uk here.I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 101017 on 6 January 2026 and UIN 107221 on 28 January 2026, and to the Written Ministerial Statements made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771) and 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283 and HCWS1286).

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with operators of housing-with-care schemes on the potential impact of tenure reform on growth in the sector.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that telecommunications operators engaging in permitted development applications for 5G infrastructure adequately consult and engage with local communities, particularly in residential areas; and what guidance is provided to local planning authorities on assessing siting and appearance under permitted development rules.

Electronic communications code operators using permitted development rights are required to follow the Code of Practice for Wireless Network Development in England. The code has an important role in making sure that appropriate engagement takes place with local communities and other interested parties. Guidance on permitted development rights is available on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether the long-term housing strategy will include steps to grow the Integrated Retirement Community sector.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s September 2025 report entitled Brownfield Potential: Unlocking 1.5 Million Homes; and what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities to bring such sites forward for development.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses. Through the revisions made to the NPPF on 12 December 2024 we 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, the government published a ‘brownfield passport’ working paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land. This included exploring the role of national policy in setting minimum density expectations for certain types of locations, to support intensification in the right places. Utilising the feedback provided, we intend to consult this year on a new suite of national policies for decision making that will give effect to these proposals. On 18 June 2025, my Department announced £5 billion of new capital grant funding for infrastructure and land. This funding will be administered by the new National Housing Delivery Fund, through which councils will be able to secure funding for prospective projects, to contribute to the Government’s priority of delivering 1.5 million homes. We will consider the points made by the Campaign to Protect Rural England in their September 2025 report as we continue to develop our policy in this area.

Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to facilitate downsizing for social housing tenants under-occupying homes.

The government encourages the efficient use of existing housing stock. When it comes to social housing, local authorities and housing associations are encouraged to support under-occupiers to transfer to smaller properties, including through mutual exchanges. In the five-step plan for delivering a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing published on 2 July (which can be found on gov.uk here), the government set out its intention to review how effectively social housing providers use their properties, and explore ways to encourage movement within the sector through mutual exchanges (particularly where homes are overcrowded and under-occupied).

Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that rent review tribunals have access to sector-specific data on market rents in retirement communities.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will enable tenants to challenge above-market rent increases through the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).The Tribunal has the relevant expertise to determine what the market rent should be and will be able to take into account the special characteristics of Integrated Retirement Communities in doing so.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a process whereby the formal acceptance of a home purchase offer creates a legally binding contract between the buyer and the seller.

We recognise that the home buying and selling process in England and Wales is inefficient and costly for consumers and professionals with one in three property transactions falling through. On 9 February, we announced that we are launching a series of projects to improve the availability of property information through digitalisation that will help towards reducing the number of transactions that fall through. We continue to review evidence from other jurisdictions, including on protections such as reservation agreements, as we consider next steps.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to (a) prevent and (b) protect victims of title fraud.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) takes the issue of fraud extremely seriously and is always looking for ways to minimise the risk of property title fraud and to maintain the integrity of the land register. HMLR has a range of controls and processes in place that can highlight fraudulent activity. HMLR’s specialist counter fraud teams focus on detection and prevention of fraud, working with the Cabinet Office, the Public Sector Fraud Authority and other government departments to stay ahead of new and emerging threats, sharing and implementing best practice. HMLR collaborates with law enforcement and regulators to assist with any investigations into property related fraud, safeguarding public trust and the integrity of the land register. HMLR is working with conveyancers to encourage them to use digital cryptographic ID checking as part of their professional responsibilities. The Land Registration Act 2002 places a legal liability on HMLR to indemnify for losses resulting from errors or omissions in the register of title. This includes errors resulting from frauds perpetrated by third parties. HMLR encourages all homeowners to sign up to alerts via their free, award-winning Property Alert service. Information about this can be found on gov.uk here.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to respond to the call for evidence entitled Jointly owned properties which closed on 7 April 2024.

The Government has no immediate plans to respond to the call for evidence launched by the previous administration entitled Jointly owned properties, and which closed on 7 April 2024. The Government is however reviewing how to better protect leaseholders from costs relating to building safety.