Written questions by Blake.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the upcoming Homelessness Strategy addresses homelessness among newly recognised refugees arising from the 28 day move-on period.

Through A National Plan to End Homelessness, the Cross-Government Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, the Home Office has committed to strengthen data sharing processes to ensure councils receive information from asylum accommodation providers for 100% of newly granted refugees at risk of homelessness, within two days of an asylum discontinuation of support notification. This supports early intervention by enabling councils to commence homelessness assessments.

Which government departments and schemes will explicitly include families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) within their eligibility criteria following the introduction of new guidance; and what steps will be taken to monitor and enforce consistency of support across these schemes.

The new guidance being produced by the Home Office is designed to assist local authorities in supporting families with NRPF, as set out in the Child Poverty Strategy. The guidance will provide clarity around statutory duties and key safeguards for local authorities, ensuring a clear and consistent approach. The guidance does not alter the eligibility criteria for any current schemes or benefits.Children whose families are subject to the ‘no recourse to public funds’ condition (NRPF) can currently access schemes and benefits such as free school meals, 15 hours of free childcare for disadvantaged two-year-olds and15 hours free childcare for three- to four-year-old.The Home Office will continue to work across government where relevant to ensure that migrant children with NRPF are specifically considered when reviewing or deciding on eligibility for schemes and benefits.

If he will provide an update on the rollout of a Fracture Liaison Service, due to be implemented by 2030.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for Stockton West on 13 October 2025 to Question 77172.

When he will publish the outcome of the Healthy Start extension for families with the No Recourse to Public Funds condition; and whether a timeline has been set for bringing the scheme into law.

The Department is currently considering options following the consultation titled Eligibility for Healthy Start for groups that have no recourse to public funds or are subject to immigration controls. Further information will be available in due course.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the commitment to end the discharge of newborn babies into bed and breakfast accommodation or other unsuitable shared housing applies to all families, including those seeking asylum and those subject to No Recourse to Public Funds.

The Government has committed to ending the practice of discharging newborn babies into bed and breakfast or other unsuitable shared accommodation through the Child Poverty Strategy. We are working closely across Government, including with Home Office, to consider its implementation and any other associated impacts.Asylum seeking families can access some of the support set out in the Child Poverty Strategy, including Best Start Family Hubs in England.

Who has responsibility for preventing the availability of products containing Melanotan II in England; and what steps he has taken to tackle the availability of these products.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is required to determine whether products are medicines on a case-by-case basis taking into account the definition of a medicine in The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, relevant case law, and any other evidence.Melanotan II injections and pens are considered medicinal products due to their similarity to an authorised medicinal product and potential application to other medical conditions.However, tan-enhancing nasal products which are clearly marketed for self-tanning purposes and which do not have a medical purpose do not fall under medicines regulations and are not within the MHRA’s remit.Medicinal products must hold a relevant Marketing Authorisation to be legally sold and supplied in the United Kingdom. This also guarantees that the medicines have been tested for conformity with strict standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

To set out the legal status of products containing Melanotan II, including i) tan-enhancing injections; ii) tan-enhancing nasal sprays; iii) other products the Department is aware of.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is required to determine whether products are medicines on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the definition of a medicine in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, relevant case law, and any other evidence.There are many products which modify physiological function but which are not medicinal products, and case law has established that products that do so while having no beneficial effects on human health cannot be medicines.Melanotan II injections and pens are considered medicinal products due to their similarity to an authorised medicinal product and potential application to other medical conditions.However, tan-enhancing nasal products which are clearly marketed for self-tanning purposes and which do not have a medical purpose do not fall under medicines regulations and are not within the MHRA’s remit.

Whether the Cancer Plan will specifically address the availability of products containing Melanotan II.

The Government is taking steps to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancers more quickly, including skin cancers. The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway from referral and diagnosis to treatment and ongoing care. It will set out how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including by speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates. We will publish the National Cancer Plan in the new year to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next 10 years.We received over 11,000 responses to our call for evidence from individuals, professionals, and organisations, and we are reviewing the submissions from skin cancer partners. While no formal assessment has been made of the availability and levels of the use of tan-enhancing products containing Melanotan II, respondents shared concerns about tanning products and their potential links to cancer, particularly melanoma. Our expansive engagement will allow the National Cancer Plan to have patients at its heart.The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for the regulation of medicinal products and medical devices in the United Kingdom.Although tanning is not considered to be a medical purpose, injectable products containing Melanotan I or Melanotan II have been determined as medicinal products due to their similarity to the authorised medicine Scenesse.In relation to nasal sprays containing Melanotan I or Melanotan II, there are no equivalent authorised medicines, and in the absence of medicinal claims, they are not regarded as medicinal products.Medicinal products must hold a relevant Marketing Authorisation to be legally sold and supplied in the United Kingdom. This also guarantees that the medicines have been tested for conformity with strict standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. The MHRA takes action when a medicinal product without appropriate authorisations is identified.

If he will consider introducing a more centralised process for Freedom of Information requests concerning surgeons across England.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request is a request for recorded information held by that public authority. The Department is only able to respond to requests for information that it holds at the time of the request, and interaction with other public authorities on FOIs is therefore limited. All requests must be handled in line with the principles of the FOI Act and the guidance issued by the Information Commissioner's Office, as the FOI regulator. There is therefore no ability at present for the Department to operate a separate process for any specific topics or areas of interest.

What steps she has taken to increase the number of lamppost chargers for electric vehicles.

The Government’s £400 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund has been allocated to all highest tier local authorities in England to ensure equitable chargepoint rollout across the country. Funding is primarily targeted at low powered, on-street charging infrastructure such as lamp column chargepoints to make it easier and more convenient for residents without off-street parking, such as those in terraced housing, to charge close to home. The Government has also allocated £25 million to English local authorities to install pavement channels, which will support thousands of residents without off-street parking to conveniently charge their vehicles at home, accessing cheaper tariffs through their domestic energy supplies.

What steps her Department is taking make it easier for those in terraced houses to charge their electric vehicle by their home.

The Government’s £400 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund has been allocated to all highest tier local authorities in England to ensure equitable chargepoint rollout across the country. Funding is primarily targeted at low powered, on-street charging infrastructure such as lamp column chargepoints to make it easier and more convenient for residents without off-street parking, such as those in terraced housing, to charge close to home. The Government has also allocated £25 million to English local authorities to install pavement channels, which will support thousands of residents without off-street parking to conveniently charge their vehicles at home, accessing cheaper tariffs through their domestic energy supplies.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of prohibiting freeholders from seeking financial redress for breaches of leasehold covenants that occurred prior to their acquisition of the freehold.

Leaseholders who receive notice that they are in breach of their lease should look at the terms of their lease and take independent legal advice. They can also access advice and guidance from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service. Where a leaseholder considers that they have been subject to improper or unfair practices then they should also consider contacting their local authority trading standards team. Landlords cannot force leaseholders to pay for breaches of covenant or take their property without getting an Order from the County Court or First-tier Tribunal. Freeholders should give the leaseholder opportunity to rectify any breach before taking formal action. By law, claims for most individual breaches can only go back 6 years (or 12 years if the lease was created by deed).Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided to understand the ongoing costs and obligations involved in purchasing their home. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options. I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on the steps the government intends to take to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and to progress the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good; the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here; and the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here. We will publish an ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill later this year.

When he plans to increase legal aid fees.

We have confirmed we will be uplifting fees for housing and immigration legal aid, the first increase since 1996, and worth £20 million when implemented.We have also recently consulted on funding of up to £92 million a year for criminal legal aid and prison solicitors to help address the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system. This money is in addition to the £24 million uplift the Government introduced to the criminal duty solicitor scheme.Following the cyber security incident, our focus has been on restoring Legal Aid Agency services, ensuring access to justice through business continuity, including delegating authority to providers and offering weekly average civil payments. These contingency measures have supported providers to continue to operate and support the public. However, we are committed to implementing the significant fee uplifts in civil and criminal legal aid as soon as operationally possible.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of a statutory time limit within which freeholders may seek financial redress for alleged breaches of leasehold covenants.

Leaseholders who receive notice that they are in breach of their lease should look at the terms of their lease and take independent legal advice. They can also access advice and guidance from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service. Where a leaseholder considers that they have been subject to improper or unfair practices then they should also consider contacting their local authority trading standards team. Landlords cannot force leaseholders to pay for breaches of covenant or take their property without getting an Order from the County Court or First-tier Tribunal. Freeholders should give the leaseholder opportunity to rectify any breach before taking formal action. By law, claims for most individual breaches can only go back 6 years (or 12 years if the lease was created by deed).Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided to understand the ongoing costs and obligations involved in purchasing their home. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options. I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on the steps the government intends to take to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and to progress the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good; the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here; and the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here. We will publish an ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill later this year.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce legislative measures to prevent freeholders from demanding disproportionate payments from leaseholders for historic breaches of leasehold covenants.

Leaseholders who receive notice that they are in breach of their lease should look at the terms of their lease and take independent legal advice. They can also access advice and guidance from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service. Where a leaseholder considers that they have been subject to improper or unfair practices then they should also consider contacting their local authority trading standards team. Landlords cannot force leaseholders to pay for breaches of covenant or take their property without getting an Order from the County Court or First-tier Tribunal. Freeholders should give the leaseholder opportunity to rectify any breach before taking formal action. By law, claims for most individual breaches can only go back 6 years (or 12 years if the lease was created by deed).Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided to understand the ongoing costs and obligations involved in purchasing their home. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options. I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on the steps the government intends to take to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and to progress the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good; the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here; and the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here. We will publish an ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill later this year.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill will include provisions to grant leaseholders of houses the same Right of First Refusal as leaseholders of flats.

Leaseholders who receive notice that they are in breach of their lease should look at the terms of their lease and take independent legal advice. They can also access advice and guidance from the government supported Leasehold Advisory Service. Where a leaseholder considers that they have been subject to improper or unfair practices then they should also consider contacting their local authority trading standards team. Landlords cannot force leaseholders to pay for breaches of covenant or take their property without getting an Order from the County Court or First-tier Tribunal. Freeholders should give the leaseholder opportunity to rectify any breach before taking formal action. By law, claims for most individual breaches can only go back 6 years (or 12 years if the lease was created by deed).Under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, property listings must not omit information that the average consumer needs to make an informed transactional decision. We would strongly advise prospective buyers and their legal representative to check that all relevant information has been provided to understand the ongoing costs and obligations involved in purchasing their home. If this information was not provided at the time of purchase, a legal representative could advise on possible options. I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 21 November (HCWS244) which sets out further detail on the steps the government intends to take to implement the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and to progress the wider set of reforms necessary to end the feudal leasehold system for good; the proposals set out in the consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services published on 4 July 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here; and the Commonhold White Paper published on 3 March 2025 which can be found on gov.uk here. We will publish an ambitious draft Leasehold and Commonhold reform Bill later this year.

What discussions he has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) on steps to help reduce investigation times by the SRA.

The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of government. The responsibility of regulating the sector sits with approved regulators, overseen by the Legal Services Board (LSB). This framework is set out in the Legal Services Act 2007.  The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and Law firms in England and Wales.As part of its role, the SRA investigates consumers’ complaints when allegations of solicitor misconduct are made. It has a number of disciplinary powers, including the power to issue fines and refer an individual to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT), which can suspend or strike a solicitor off the roll. If someone wishes to complain about the conduct of a solicitor to the SRA, they can do so via the following link: https://www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor.The SRA aims to complete 93% of investigations within 12 months, 95% within 18 months and 98% within 24 months. A small number of more complex investigations, especially those leading to prosecution before the SDT, may take longer. The SRA have confirmed that they are generally meeting or exceeding these targets.  The SRA has seen a rise in reports of solicitors’ misconduct and is taking steps to manage this increase though increasing resource in its investigation teams. It is also continuing to seek improvements in both the quality and timeliness of its investigation work.Given the independence of the regulators, it would not be appropriate for the Ministry of Justice to interfere with the process of the SRA’s investigations. However, the Ministry of Justice maintains regular dialogue with the legal regulators in respect of their statutory functions. This ensures that regulatory independence is respected while also supporting the wider objective of protecting consumers and maintaining public confidence in the justice system. Within this context, I will raise whether investigation timeframes could be made more ambitious at my next meeting with the SRA.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department will take steps to (a) review and (b) increase the powers available to (i) the RSPCA and (ii) other animal welfare organisations to intervene in cases of suspected neglect.

There are no current plans to review or increase the powers the RSPCA or other animal welfare organisations have. The RSPCA has strong working relationships with the Police and Local Authorities who support them in protecting animals where needed. The Government recognises the valuable work the RSPCA and other animal welfare organisations do to improve the welfare of animals. The Government remains committed to working with the RSPCA, and other animal welfare organisations, so that our high animal welfare standards are maintained and offenders are subject to appropriate penalties.

Whether her Department has assessed the potential merits of building more driving test centres to meet demand.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain.These actions include incentivised additional testing offers for driving examiners, doubling permanent training capacity for new driving examiners, and a call for volunteers from those currently in other roles (but qualified to examine) to carry out practical driving tests. DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new driving examiners.DVSA has no current plans to open any further practical driving test centres. DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle the impact of covid-19 on driving test backlogs.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport appeared before the Transport Select Committee and announced that DVSA will take further actions to reduce waiting times for all customers across Great Britain.These actions include incentivised additional testing offers for driving examiners, doubling permanent training capacity for new driving examiners, and a call for volunteers from those currently in other roles (but qualified to examine) to carry out practical driving tests. DVSA continues to run recruitment campaigns for new driving examiners.DVSA has no current plans to open any further practical driving test centres. DVSA is committed to providing its customers with the best service possible and continually reviews its estate to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient.