Written questions by Billington.

With reference to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 52414 on Personal Independence Payment, how many recipients of PIP are forecast by her Department to lose their PIP Daily Living Entitlement after all PIP reassessments have taken place over the projected six year timeframe.

It would take 10 years for all claimants on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to be assessed under the new criteria as many claimants receive 10-year awards. For claimants receiving PIP when the 4-point policy is introduced in November 2026, we estimate that by 2036/37, 440,000 claimants will not receive the daily living component of PIP who would have under current rules, after behavioural effects are taken into account.No one will lose access to PIP immediately. The changes, subject to parliamentary approval, would be brought in from November 2026. After that date, no one will lose PIP without first being reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, who assesses individual needs and circumstance. Reassessments happen on average every 3 years. Someone who didn’t score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment – not least as many conditions tend to get worse, not better, over time.The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has taken into account expected behavioural changes in its numbers and determined that 370,000 (1 in 10) current PIP recipients may lose entitlement by 2029/30 at their next award review after changes to PIP eligibility come into effect in November 2026. We use the same methodology as the OBR to provide the comparable figure for 2036/37.We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. PIP is not based on condition diagnosis but on functional disability as the result of one or more conditions, and is awarded as a contribution to the additional costs which result.We have also announced a wider review of the PIP assessment which I will lead, and we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details as plans progress.Even with these reforms, the overall number of people on PIP and DLA is expected to rise by 750,000 by the end of this parliament and spending will rise from £23bn in 2024/25 to £31bn in 2029/30.

How many people who receive (a) enhanced daily living Personal Independence Payment awards and (b) standard daily living Personal Independence Payment awards did not score four or more points on any individual activity descriptor in 2024-25.

Information on the volume of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants who received a standard Daily Living award rate and scored less than four points in all daily living activities can be found in Table 1 below. The number of people currently on PIP and did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to lose PIP. It’s important to make a clear distinction between the two, not least because we don’t want constituents to be unnecessarily fearful about their situation, when we understand many are already anxious. No one will lose access to PIP immediately. The changes, subject to parliamentary approval, would be brought in from November 2026. After that date, no one will lose PIP without first being reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, who assesses individual needs and circumstance. Reassessments happen on average every 3 years. Someone who didn’t score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment – not least as many conditions tend to get worse, not better, over time. After taking account of behavioural changes, the OBR predicts that 370,000 people who will be receiving PIP at the point of implementation of the four point requirement in November 2026, will lose their PIP Daily Living entitlement by 2029/30. Of all PIP recipients at the point of implementation, 9 in 10 will not lose PIP during the subsequent 3 years from this change. We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. PIP is not based on condition diagnosis but on functional disability as the result of one or more conditions, and is awarded as a contribution to the additional costs which result. We have launched a wider review of the PIP assessment which I will lead, and we will bring together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further details as plans progress. Even with these reforms, the overall number of people on PIP and DLA is expected to rise by 750,000 by the end of this parliament and spending will rise from £23bn in 24/25 to £31bn in 29/30. Table 1: Volume of PIP claimants who are in receipt of the standard daily living award rate and scored less than four points in all daily living activitiesDaily Living AwardVolume of PIP claimants who scored <4 pointsEnhanced203,000Standard1,121,000 Source(s): PIP administrative data Notes:Figures are for England and Wales only.Figures have been rounded to the nearest 1000.Data includes working aged claimants only.Data includes normal rules claimants only, and excludes special rules for end of life (SREL) claimants as they typically receive maximum or very high scores.Claimants with missing point scores have been excluded from the data.

What proportion of people who receive (a) enhanced daily living Personal Independence Payment awards and (b) standard daily living Personal Independence Payment awards did not score four or more points on any individual activity descriptor in 2024-25.

Information on the proportion of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants who received a standard Daily Living award rate and scored less than four points in all daily living activities can be found in Table 1 below. There will be no immediate changes. Our intention is the changes will start to come into effect from November 2026 for PIP, subject to parliamentary approval. After that date, no one will lose PIP without first being reassessed by a trained assessor or healthcare professional, who assesses individual needs and circumstance. Reassessments happen on average every 3 years. Someone who didn’t score 4 points in an activity in a previous assessment may well score 4 points in a future assessment – not least as many conditions tend to get worse, not better, over time. Table 1: Proportion of PIP claimants who are in receipt of the standard daily living award rate and scored less than four points in all daily living activitiesDaily Living AwardProportion of PIP claimants who scored <4 pointsEnhanced13%Standard87% Source(s): PIP administrative data Notes:Figures are for England and Wales only.Figures have been rounded to the nearest percentage point.Data includes working aged claimants only.Data includes normal rules claimants only, and excludes special rules for end of life (SREL) claimants as they typically receive maximum or very high scores.Claimants with missing point scores have been excluded from the data.

Communities and Local Government, when her Department plans to lay statutory instrument to remove the one-metre rule requiring planning permission to install heat pumps in England.

Further announcements on permitted development rights for domestic air source heat pumps will be made in due course.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential implications of the development of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues, including planning. We are working with MHCLG on potential planning development and reform measures, and their interactions with the SSEP.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential implications of the development of the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) regularly engage with each other to deliver the government’s priorities. Our departments will continue to work together to consider the interactions between the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential implications of the development of the National Planning Policy Framework for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues, including planning. We are working with MHCLG on potential planning development and reform measures, and their interactions with the SSEP.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State has regular discussions with Ministerial Colleagues on a number of issues.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a range of issues. Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will continue to work together to consider the interactions between the forthcoming Land Use Framework and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on a range of issues. Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will continue to work together to consider the interactions between the forthcoming Land Use Framework and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. When published, the Land Use Framework will seek to address the delivery challenges faced by communities, businesses, developers, landowners and farmers when considering how to make the best use of their land. It will be a cross-Government strategic document, setting out the evidence, data and tools needed to protect our most productive agricultural land and identify the best areas for nature’s recovery, while making sure appropriate plans are made as to where to build 1.5 million new homes, and the energy infrastructure needed to achieve Clean Power by 2030.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. When published, the Land Use Framework will seek to address the delivery challenges faced by communities, businesses, developers, landowners and farmers when considering how to make the best use of their land. It will be a cross-Government strategic document, setting out the evidence, data and tools needed to protect our most productive agricultural land and identify the best areas for nature’s recovery, while making sure appropriate plans are made as to where to build 1.5 million new homes, and the energy infrastructure needed to achieve Clean Power by 2030.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on the potential implications of the development of the Land Use Framework for the Strategic Spatial Energy Plan.

The Secretary of State has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues. When published, the Land Use Framework will seek to address the delivery challenges faced by communities, businesses, developers, landowners and farmers when considering how to make the best use of their land. It will be a cross-Government strategic document, setting out the evidence, data and tools needed to protect our most productive agricultural land and identify the best areas for nature’s recovery, while making sure appropriate plans are made as to where to build 1.5 million new homes, and the energy infrastructure needed to achieve Clean Power by 2030.

What lessons his Department has learned from the (a) Warm Front and (b) Warmer Homes Scotland schemes.

The government is keen to learn from previous energy efficiency schemes, and from the devolved administrations. Fuel poverty is devolved, and we will work with the devolved administrations to share best practice on how to tackle fuel poverty and deliver energy efficiency improvements. We are currently consulting on a new fuel poverty strategy for England. We have kickstarted delivery of the Government’s Warm Homes Plan, which will transform homes across the country by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.

What the (a) process and (b) criteria is for the selection of young future hubs.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity. Too many children and young people do not have access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers, suffer from poor mental health and, in some cases, end up being drawn into crime rather than going on to achieve and thrive. Young Futures Hubs are just one part of addressing this, as part of a much wider youth landscape which will be brought together in the forthcoming youth strategy.Using evidence of what works, officials from across a range of departments are working together to shape how the Young Futures Hubs will work in practice. To roll-out Young Futures Hubs, building on the success of existing infrastructure and provision, the department will establish a number of early adopter hubs. Locations for these will be determined by where they would have the most impact. These early adopters and the work in local areas will inform the longer-term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs. More details on timelines will be set out in due course.

What her planned timeline is for the introduction of young future hubs.

This government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity. Too many children and young people do not have access to the same enrichment opportunities as their peers, suffer from poor mental health and, in some cases, end up being drawn into crime rather than going on to achieve and thrive. Young Futures Hubs are just one part of addressing this, as part of a much wider youth landscape which will be brought together in the forthcoming youth strategy.Using evidence of what works, officials from across a range of departments are working together to shape how the Young Futures Hubs will work in practice. To roll-out Young Futures Hubs, building on the success of existing infrastructure and provision, the department will establish a number of early adopter hubs. Locations for these will be determined by where they would have the most impact. These early adopters and the work in local areas will inform the longer-term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs. More details on timelines will be set out in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to announce a successor body to the High Streets Task Force.

This Government is fully committed to rejuvenating our high streets and supporting the businesses and communities that make our town centres successful. The Chancellor confirmed at Autumn Budget 2024 that the Long-Term Plan for Towns will be retained and reformed as part of a new regeneration programme. This will include specialised support to communities during the delivery phase of the programme, learning from the support offered through the High Streets Task Force. Further information on the Long-Term Plan for Towns programme will be provided in due course.

When he plans to publish new guidance on Community Benefits for Electricity Transmission Network Infrastructure.

We are committed to ensuring that communities who live near new clean energy infrastructure can see the benefits of this and are currently considering how to most effectively deliver this. This includes developing guidance on community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure, which we will publish in due course.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of reopening Ramsgate Port to international trade on levels of (a) capacity pressure experienced by (i) the Port of Dover and (ii) other ports in the South East of England and (b) congestion on the M20.

New commercially viable freight-only or passenger-carrying services from ports have the potential to contribute positively to local, regional and national economies. The scale of impacts upon the economy and employment, upon other ports and upon congestion on the M20 and other roads, would depend on the nature, capacity and frequency of the service. Such a service could also contribute to national trade resilience overall.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an estimate of the (a) change in funding to Kent County Council (i) in real terms and (ii) as a percentage since 2010 and (b) forecast funding level for 2024 in the event that 2010 funding levels had been maintained in real terms.

This Government recognises that council funding has been under pressure since 2010.The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 was worth up to £64.7 billion for local authorities in England. For Kent County Council, the 2024-25 Local Government Finance Settlement made available up to £1.4 billion.Future local authority funding decisions will be a matter for the next Spending Review and Local Government Finance Settlement in which we are engaged. The department will work with local government leaders to ensure they are better able to fulfil their statutory duties.