Written questions by Blake.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to regulate Let Only letting agency agreements where an agent markets a property after which the landlord takes over management.

The government has no current plans to introduce specific new regulations in relation to let only agency arrangements.Letting agents who operate on a ‘let only’ basis are already subject to existing regulation. Any agent carrying out letting agency work in England, including marketing a property and setting up a tenancy before the landlord takes over management, must belong to a government approved redress scheme.Compliance with these requirements is enforced by local authorities and by the National Trading Standards’ Lettings Agency Team, which has powers to take enforcement action against noncompliant agents.More broadly, the government’s recent home buying and selling reform consultation sought views on proposals to professionalise property agents, including introducing a code of practice setting out minimum standards for letting, estate and managing agents.The government also proposed a future consultation on mandatory qualifications for letting and estate agents and, depending on the outcome, potential legislation in respect of this issue. The home buying and selling reform consultation closed on 29 December and, subject to the outcomes of our analysis, we will publish a roadmap setting out further details later this year.

With reference to her Department's consultation entitled A Fairer Pathway to Settlement, published on 28 November 2025, whether accrued lawful residence under Appendix Long Residence will be recognised for those already close to settlement; and what transitional arrangements will apply to long-term residents already on the Long Residence Route who are close to qualifying for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

The earned settlement model, proposed in ‘A Fairer Pathway to Settlement’, announced changes to the mandatory requirements and qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. A public consultation ran for 12 weeks and closed on 12 February 2026. We are now reviewing and analysing all responses received. This analysis will help inform the development of the final earned settlement model. The consultation sought views on whether there should be transitional arrangements for those already on a pathway to settlement. Transitional arrangements refer to temporary measures or rules put in place to manage the shift from one system, or policy framework, to another. Details of the earned settlement model, including any transitional arrangements for those already in the UK, will now be finalised, following the consultation.The final model will also be subject to economic and equality impact assessments, which we have committed to publish in due course.

A) what data NHS England holds regarding children who have experienced iatrogenic harm caused by anti-seizure medications (ASMs), and b) what guidance is in place to prevent this harm within NHS England.

The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) in NHS England collects and quality assures data about people with congenital conditions and rare conditions across the whole of England. Further information on the NDRS is available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/ndrs In the most recent official statistics on congenital conditions in England, which contains information on congenital conditions detected in babies delivered in England between 1 January and 31 December 2022, and in previous publications of this series back to inception in 2018, there were no foetuses or babies reported to have a diagnosis of foetal sodium valproate syndrome. No statistics are available for congenital conditions related to other anti-seizure medications. The most recent official statistics on congenital conditions in England, the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service Congenital Condition Official Statistics Report 2022, is available at the following link: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/ncardrs-congenital-anomaly-statistics-annual-data/ncardrs-congenital-condition-statistics-report-2022 It is likely that while some of the individual conditions, for instance neural tube defects, cardiac, oro-facial clefts, and limb difference, that can be associated with this condition are recorded on the register, the overarching diagnosis of foetal sodium valproate syndrome may not yet be registered because foetal sodium valproate syndrome may take more than a year after birth to be confirmed as a diagnosis. The NDRS is assessing the feasibility and reliability of better ascertainment of foetal sodium valproate syndrome by linking the congenital condition register to primary care prescription data. NHS England’s Medium Term Planning Guidance requires providers to address problematic polypharmacy. Structured Medication Review (SMR) is both general concept and also a defined clinical activity in general practice. SMRs are an evidence-based and comprehensive review of a patient’s medication, taking into consideration all aspects of their health. In SMRs, clinicians and patients work as equal partners to understand the balance between the benefits and risks of, and alternatives to, taking medicines. Further information on SMRs is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng5The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), continuously monitors the safety of medicines, including their use during pregnancy. MHRA updated the Summary of Product Characteristics, Patient Information Leaflets and educational materials to reflect the latest data for these medicines. The magnitude and type of risks associated with the use of antiseizure medication in pregnancy have been communicated in the MHRA Safety Roundup, Drug Safety Update, and letters through the NHS Central Alerting System. The MHRA, taking advice from the Commission on Human Medicines, has worked with professional bodies to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and patients of the risks of antiseizure medication, particularly valproate and topiramate when taken during pregnancy.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the value for money delivered through the 2003 - 2005 redevelopment of 2 Marsham Street.

The Department has not undertaken a dedicated, standalone assessment of the value for money delivered specifically through the 2003–2005 redevelopment of 2 Marsham Street. However, the National Audit Office reviewed the associated Private Finance Initiative arrangements for the new Home Office headquarters in 2003. The NAO concluded that the Home Office had secured a good price through a well‑run competition, with risks appropriately allocated and favourable financing obtained. The report indicated that the project was expected to deliver value for money, provided the remaining accommodation and property‑related risks were managed effectively. The Public Accounts Committee’s Eighteenth Report (2003–04) further found that commissioning a new building rather than refurbishing the three former Marsham Towers offered better value for money, avoided the business disruption and costs of temporary accommodation, and supported the consolidation of government estate functions. The Committee noted that the redevelopment contract, valued at £311 million (net present cost), was selected as the most cost‑effective option following full competition. These independent assessments confirmed that the redevelopment represented value for money for the taxpayer at the point the investment decision was taken. The Treasury has made no subsequent assessment that contradicts these findings.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the proportionality of the requirement for planning permission to install double glazing.

My Department has not undertaken such an assessment, as in most cases the replacement of windows of similar appearance can be undertaken without the need for a planning application. However, there may be some local exceptions, and other consents such as listed building consent may be required.

Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help reduce delays to approvals from the Building Safety Regulator to applications to double glaze windows.

We are aware of challenges in the system and delays to approvals of building control applications, and work is underway to address this issue. On the 27 January, the BSR became a standalone organisation under MHCLG, marking a major step towards creating a single construction regulator. Under new leadership, enhanced operating models are delivering significant progress. BSR continues to make strong headway tackling new build cases already in the system with only the most complex cases remaining. The Innovation Unit has dramatically reduced processing time for new build applications, with the highest quality applications approved within the 12-week target. We must go further and build on the progress already made in operations and through the launch of the new body for the BSR. We are undertaking a programme of work to review the proportionality of the higher-risk building control regime, with a view to making targeted changes to the regime to improve proportionality whilst upholding safety aims. In particular, we are focusing on proposals to review the procedural requirements of the regime for high-volume, low complexity, routine works.

With reference to the value for money review of homelessness services announced in the Budget 2025 policy paper, (a) when this review is expected to begin and conclude and (b) what consultation will take place with voluntary-sector organisations delivering homelessness services.

The review will commence in 2026, with the outputs considered as part of the Spending Review 2027. The review will be a collaborative effort across government departments and external expertise will also be used to inform a comprehensive assessment of homelessness services. This will include expertise from frontline services, local government, and other voluntary and charity sector organisations.

Communities and Local Government, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential merits of specialist modern slavery coordinators within local authorities.

The Government recognises the vital work done by Moden Slavery Coordinators working within local authorities. Local authorities are independent employers. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

What steps his Department are taking to help ensure that GPs are not replaced with Physician Associates.

We are clear that physician assistants, still legally known as physician associates, are there to support doctors, not replace them. Professor Leng’s recent review findings were clear that, with changes in line with its recommendations, there remains a place for these roles as supportive, complementary members of medical teams. We hugely value the critical role that general practitioners (GPs) play and are committed to addressing the issues they face. Since October 2024 we have funded primary care networks with an additional £160 million to recruit recently qualified GPs through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme. Over 2,900 individual GPs have now been recruited, preventing them graduating into unemployment. This measure was introduced in response to feedback from the profession and to help solve an immediate issue of GP unemployment.

What steps her Department is taking to improve the performance of South Western Railway.

The new Managing Director of South Western Railway (SWR), Lawrence Bowman, is responsible for both the infrastructure and operations of the SWR network. The new integrated team is working hard to address the issues inherited from the previous private sector operator. Officials are supporting SWR in the delivery of these improvements. Performance is still below the level that passengers should expect but progress is being made. The number of Arterio trains in service has more than quadrupled under public ownership and SWR has accelerated the recruitment of drivers to address traincrew shortages. Also, over £2 billion of works is being delivered in the current five-year control period to help improve the resilience of railway infrastructure.

Communities and Local Government, what governance arrangements his Department has considered for the future Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in Victoria Tower Gardens.

We are considering a range of operating models for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre and will ensure that there are robust governance arrangements in place which are appropriate to the chosen model.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of imposing sanctions on people responsible for human rights violations in Myanmar.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 11 June to Question 57613.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the implementation of the guidance entitled Access to Work: staff guide, published on 1 September 2025, on levels of support provided to successful applicants.

The externally published staff guide replicates the internal guidance with some redactions, eg fraud referrals and any internal business processes. This is updated incrementally to mirror any changes to the internal guidance. The guidance published on 1 September was merely updating/clarifying information and reflecting minor changes to procedures, so would be considered to have little or no overall impact on the scheme.

If he will take steps to consult on extending the definition of those who can be lobbied to trigger registration to include (a) Members of Parliament, (b) peers, (c) senior civil servants and (d) special advisers.

The Government continues to keep transparency around lobbying under review, and will factor into consideration any relevant international comparators, and PACAC's post-legislative scrutiny of the 2014 Lobbying Act, as any policy reforms are considered.

Whether his Department plan to extend the scope of the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists to include (a) in-house lobbyists, (b) trade bodies, (c) think tanks and (d) campaigning organisations.

The Government continues to keep transparency around lobbying under review, and will factor into consideration any relevant international comparators, and PACAC's post-legislative scrutiny of the 2014 Lobbying Act, as any policy reforms are considered.

If he will take steps to require statutory declarations of lobbying activity.

The Government continues to keep transparency around lobbying under review, and will factor into consideration any relevant international comparators, and PACAC's post-legislative scrutiny of the 2014 Lobbying Act, as any policy reforms are considered.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of lobbying registers in (a) Canada, (b) the EU and (c) other jurisdictions in improving public trust in the policy-making process.

The Government continues to keep transparency around lobbying under review, and will factor into consideration any relevant international comparators, and PACAC's post-legislative scrutiny of the 2014 Lobbying Act, as any policy reforms are considered.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory code of conduct for lobbyists.

The Government continues to keep transparency around lobbying under review, and will factor into consideration any relevant international comparators, and PACAC's post-legislative scrutiny of the 2014 Lobbying Act, as any policy reforms are considered.

If he will review the VAT threshold exemption under the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014.

The Government continues to keep transparency around lobbying under review, and will factor into consideration any relevant international comparators, and PACAC's post-legislative scrutiny of the 2014 Lobbying Act, as any policy reforms are considered.

What assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Dental Act 1921 in meeting patient needs in orthodontic care.

The Dentists Act 1921 was repealed in full by the Dentists Act 1957, section 51 and schedule 2, which in turn was repealed by the Dentists Act 1984 , section 54 and schedule 6.