Written questions by Blake.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to accept the recommendations on hidden event fees in retirement properties in the report by the Law Commission entitled Event Fees in Retirement Properties, published on 31 March 2017.

The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy, which will be published later this year.We are giving careful consideration to the recommendations in the final report of the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, including its recommendation that government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of applying speed limits for motor vehicles to (a) pedal bicycles and (b) e-bikes.

No assessment has been made of the potential merits of applying speed limits for motor vehicles to (a) pedal bicycles and (b) e-bikes.Like all road users, people who cycle have a duty to behave in a safe and responsible manner and follow the rules of the road.While speed limits set under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 only apply to motor vehicles, cyclists can still be charged with careless or dangerous cycling offences depending on the circumstances.E-bikes that do not comply with the Electrically Pedal Assisted Cycles regulations, which include a requirement for power assist to cut off at 15.5 miles per hour, are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles. So, riders are already subject to speed limits while riding these bikes if power assist is being used. Riders may cycle faster than 15.5 miles per hour using pedal power.Cyclists are in practice seldom able to exceed the speed limits that apply to motorised vehicles.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of when the Building Safety Regulator will be determining 50% of its judgments within its statutory 12-week target.

We are aware of the delays for applicants in Gateway two. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is an independent regulator in its infancy and operational functions are still bedding in. BSR report to MHCLG that Gateway processing times continue to improve and the BSR has recruited additional personnel who are starting to process applications.We also understand that it currently takes longer than expected to stand up specialist multidisciplinary teams to assess Gateway applications and this is a major contributing factor to delays. To support the BSR with this process the government has provided funding to support additional Fire and Rescue (FRS) staff and funding for new local authority building control inspectors. The recruitment and training of these additional staff is well underway. MHCLG continue to review how multidisciplinary teams are resourced through our internal channels.However, it is also clear that the sector must take responsibility for the projects they deliver. We understand the BSR have rejected a significant number of Gateway Two applications for failing to meet the building safety regulatory standards. Sub-standard rejected applications contribute to the time taken to process compliant applications and the BSR continue to support industry to ensure they are meeting the functional requirements of the building regulations. Guidance is available to support applicants in understanding their duties.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the efficacy of the multi-disciplinary team system within the Building Safety Regulator.

We are aware of the delays for applicants in Gateway two. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is an independent regulator in its infancy and operational functions are still bedding in. BSR report to MHCLG that Gateway processing times continue to improve and the BSR has recruited additional personnel who are starting to process applications.We also understand that it currently takes longer than expected to stand up specialist multidisciplinary teams to assess Gateway applications and this is a major contributing factor to delays. To support the BSR with this process the government has provided funding to support additional Fire and Rescue (FRS) staff and funding for new local authority building control inspectors. The recruitment and training of these additional staff is well underway. MHCLG continue to review how multidisciplinary teams are resourced through our internal channels.However, it is also clear that the sector must take responsibility for the projects they deliver. We understand the BSR have rejected a significant number of Gateway Two applications for failing to meet the building safety regulatory standards. Sub-standard rejected applications contribute to the time taken to process compliant applications and the BSR continue to support industry to ensure they are meeting the functional requirements of the building regulations. Guidance is available to support applicants in understanding their duties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that the protections outlined in the Consular Assistance (Journalists) Bill are extended to all British nationals facing arbitrary detention overseas.

The Government is already committed to strengthening support for British nationals abroad, including through a right to consular assistance in cases of human rights violations. The government is considering its response to the "Consular Assistance (Journalists) Bill" and will respond to the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee in due course.

Media and Sport, what information will be collected by the proposed registration scheme for short-term lets.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is in the process of designing and delivering a short-term lets registration scheme for England. The data collected by the registration scheme will help local authorities understand the number and location of short-term lets in their areas, enabling them to address housing impacts in their communities. The scheme will ensure providers comply with their legal responsibilities, particularly regarding health and safety standards including gas, fire, and electrical safety. While the specific details of information to be collected are still being determined, we are committed to designing a scheme that supports a thriving Visitor Economy.

What discussions her Department has had with stakeholders on insourcing court language interpretation services.

Regarding insourcing, the Ministry of Justice received and considered feedback from various interested parties, including external stakeholders and court users. It was determined that the service that will best suit the wide-ranging needs of users of language services continues to be a national, centralised booking and matching service. I would like to provide assurance the project considered the potential for bringing the service fully or partially in-house when assessing its options. However, these proved to be unaffordable. The Ministry of Justice established an external stakeholder forum in 2021 with external organisations with an interest in the Department’s work, with the first meeting held on 8 June 2021. The forum comprises members from organisations representing interpreters and visual and tactile communication practitioners, as well as voluntary regulator organisations, including the National Register for Public Sector Interpreters (NRPSI). The purpose is to share information, facilitate communication and understand key issues or concerns of their members. The Department informed forum members in 2023 that it planned to continue with an outsourced model after an assessment indicated it is the best model for our needs. With all Government contracts, we must consider what is the best value for taxpayers’ money, taking account of quality, deliverability and cost. On balance, we think outsourcing these services provides the best value for money. The decision has been made with input from a number of functional departments within the Ministry of Justice and approved by the Cabinet Office and the Treasury.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that training of individuals qualified to install heat pumps is accelerated.

The £5 million Heat Training Grant is supporting existing heating engineers in England taking training relevant to heat pumps and heat networks. Since July 2023, nearly 5,500 individuals have gone through heat pump installation training funded through the scheme. We are also supporting new entrants through apprenticeships, to build a diverse and sustainable skills pipeline. To keep up with future demand, the Heat Pump Association estimates that we need to train at least 6,600 installers a year until 2028. Around 9,000 individuals completed training in 2024, so we are well on track with current workforce needs.

Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on setting out a timeline for the commencement of the repeal of the Vagrancy Act 1824.

We are carefully considering the Vagrancy Act and other relevant legislation in developing our new cross-government strategy.

What progress his Department made on extending consumer energy protections to tenants on heat networks.

The Government is introducing heat network regulation in January 2026 which aims to provide heat networks consumers with comparable protections to existing gas and electricity regulations. The heat network regulator, Ofgem, will have powers to investigate and intervene where heat network prices charged to consumers appear to be disproportionate or unfair. We are also introducing mandatory technical standards, building on existing industry-led initiatives to ensure that new and existing heat networks are designed, built, and operated at a high standard. Ofgem’s regulatory oversight will be supplemented by statutory redress through the Energy Ombudsman who, from April 2025, will have the same powers to hear complaints and make legally binding decisions as they do in gas and electricity markets.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 November 2024 to Question 15319 on Holiday Accommodation: Registration, what additional powers her Department plans to give to local authorities to respond to pressures of short-term lets.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer to Question UIN 13348 on 18 November 2024.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the maintenance loans system for meeting students’ cost of living needs.

The government has published an Equality Impact Assessment of changes to fees and student support on groups with protected characteristics for the 2025/26 academic year, which is available here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2025/14/pdfs/ukia_20250014_en.pdf.The government recognises the impact that the cost-of-living crisis has had on students. However, we need to ensure that the student funding system is financially sustainable. Maximum loans and grants for living and other costs for the 2025/26 academic year will be increased by forecast inflation, which is 3.1% based on the RPIX inflation index (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest), with the most support paid to students from the lowest income backgrounds.

What progress his Department has made on introducing early diagnosis services for osteoporosis.

Funding was recently announced to boost bone density scanning capacity, to support improvements in bone health and early diagnostics for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, such as osteoporosis. This will provide an estimated 29,000 extra scans per year.As announced in the Get Britain Working white paper, we are delivering the joint Department for Work and Pensions, Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England’s Getting It Right First-Time (GIRFT) MSK Community Delivery Programme. With a £3.5 million funding boost, GIRFT teams will deploy their proven Further Faster model to work with integrated care board leaders to further reduce MSK community waiting times, including for those with osteoporosis, and improve data, metrics, and referral pathways to wider support services.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of noise regulation enforcement in residential areas.

Local authorities are responsible for investigating noise brought to their attention under Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act, 1990. If they agree that a statutory nuisance is happening, has happened or will happen in the future, councils must serve an abatement notice. No assessment has been made of the adequacy of noise regulation enforcement in residential areas.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of changes to Orchestra Tax Relief from 1 April 2024 on the promotion of UK orchestras.

The government recognises the value of the UK’s world-leading creative industries and arts sectors. On 1 April 2024, several administrative changes to Orchestra Tax Relief took effect, following legislation being passed in Finance Act 2024. In accordance with standard practice, HMRC published a tax information and impact note about the legislation, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industry-tax-reliefs-administrative-changes/administrative-changes-to-the-creative-industry-tax-reliefs As set out in the note, the administrative changes are expected to have a negligible impact on businesses claiming the creative tax reliefs.

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the National and International Cities grant to the Metropolitan Police for policing the capital city.

The Metropolitan Police face increased demands on resources from policing the capital city and, as part of the 2025-26 police funding settlement, the Metropolitan Police will receive £248.7 million through the National and International Capital City grant, an increase of £63.3 million when compared to the 2024-25 settlement.Overall, the Metropolitan Police will receive up to £3.8 billion in funding in 2025-26, an increase of up to £226.9 million when compared to the 2024-25 police settlement.

Whether she plans to reform pay policies at the National Crime Agency.

This Government is committed to supporting the National Crime Agency in the fight against serious and organised crime. A strong pay framework is vital to enable the Agency to deliver its role of disrupting and dismantling the most harmful organised crime groups in and impacting on the UK.As announced alongside the National Crime Agency pay award on 29 July 2024, measures are underway to develop a set of comprehensive proposals for reform of the existing pay structure at the Agency. Once finalised, the government will seek to implement these proposals in a timely fashion.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of rules on local connection for housing allocations.

On the 24 September the Prime Minister announced an ambition to improve access to social housing for veterans, survivors of domestic abuse and young care leavers. Statutory guidance recommends that local authorities exempt victims of domestic abuse and care leavers from local connection and residency tests, and we know that most local authorities already do this. We are clear that a victim of domestic abuse, a care leaver or a veteran should not be disqualified from social housing on the grounds of having no local connection. The Department laid regulations on 27 November which will require local authorities to exempt all veterans from local connection requirements for social housing allocations. We will bring forward similar regulations covering survivors of domestic abuse and care leavers when parliamentary time allows.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to remove the requirement for a local connection for (a) homeless veterans, (b) survivors of domestic abuse and (c) care leavers.

On the 24 September the Prime Minister announced an ambition to improve access to social housing for veterans, survivors of domestic abuse and young care leavers. Statutory guidance recommends that local authorities exempt victims of domestic abuse and care leavers from local connection and residency tests, and we know that most local authorities already do this. We are clear that a victim of domestic abuse, a care leaver or a veteran should not be disqualified from social housing on the grounds of having no local connection. The Department laid regulations on 27 November which will require local authorities to exempt all veterans from local connection requirements for social housing allocations. We will bring forward similar regulations covering survivors of domestic abuse and care leavers when parliamentary time allows.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle the theft of mobile phones.

Set against soaring levels of snatch thefts and pickpocketing, crimes which commonly involve the theft of mobile phones, we have announced a Home Office Mobile Phone Theft Summit, drawing together tech companies and law enforcement to see what more can collectively be done to break the business model of mobile phone thieves.As part of our Safer Streets Mission, this government is determined to crack down on theft and other crimes that make people feel unsafe in our communities, including strengthening neighbourhood policing, tackling anti-social behaviour and restoring public confidence.Through our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, there will be thousands of additional police officers, police community support officers and Special Constables.