Written questions by Pochin.

Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has considered requiring developers to enter into a Section 38 agreement before selling properties on new-build estates.

Decisions on whether to adopt roads are matters for the relevant local highway authority. When disposing of land, Homes England does not currently require the mandatory adoption of roads. The adoption of roads under s38 of the Highways Act 1980 is reliant on negotiations between the relevant developer and local highways authority. Homes England has no direct role in the process. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

Whether the forthcoming consultation on the proposed merger of shotgun and rifle licensing regimes will publish the evidence underpinning that proposal.

The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on other firearms in the interests of public safety. The Government response set out the reasons why the Government considers this consultation to be important, and we intend to publish this shortly.We will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to the consultation once it is published, before taking any decisions on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and certificate holders, at the relevant time.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the timing of the announcement of successor arrangements to the Energy Company Obligation on the number of jobs at risk in the energy efficiency supply chain.

ECO4 has played a part in delivering clean heat technologies; however, issues identified by the NAO and PAC support a shift to a more direct, publicly-funded approach focused on technologies that cut bills and accelerate the transition to clean heat such as heat pumps, solar PV and batteries. The government is providing an additional £1.5 billion—taking planned capital investment to almost £15 billion—to upgrade low‑income homes and scale clean home‑energy technologies. Deployment will be further supported through wider policies and details of this will be set out soon in the Warm Homes Plan.

Whether the forthcoming consultation on the proposed merger of shotgun and rifle licensing regimes will publish an impact assessment setting out the anticipated costs to police forces and to certificate holders.

The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on other firearms in the interests of public safety. The Government response set out the reasons why the Government considers this consultation to be important, and we intend to publish this shortly.We will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to the consultation once it is published, before taking any decisions on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and certificate holders, at the relevant time.

Communities and Local Government, whether Homes England plans to include (a) mandatory road adoption provisions and (b) time limits for entering into Section 38 agreements within future land-disposal contracts with developers.

Decisions on whether to adopt roads are matters for the relevant local highway authority. When disposing of land, Homes England does not currently require the mandatory adoption of roads. The adoption of roads under s38 of the Highways Act 1980 is reliant on negotiations between the relevant developer and local highways authority. Homes England has no direct role in the process. I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

What consideration she has given to maintaining distinct licensing processes for shotguns and rifles.

The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025, included a commitment to having a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns to bring them more into line with the controls on other firearms in the interests of public safety. The Government response set out the reasons why the Government considers this consultation to be important, and we intend to publish this shortly.We will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to the consultation once it is published, before taking any decisions on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and certificate holders, at the relevant time.

Whether NHS England plans to issue guidance to hospital trusts on providing reasonable parking adjustments for patient groups receiving frequent or intensive treatments, including those undergoing dialysis.

Decisions on the provision of car parking are made locally by National Health Service organisations and should be consistent with the national guidance. This includes the provision of parking adjustments for patient groups receiving frequent treatments, including those undergoing dialysis. Further information on the guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principlesThis guidance requires the provision of free hospital parking to groups classified as most ‘in-need’. This includes disabled people, frequent outpatient attenders, parents of sick children staying overnight, and NHS staff working overnight. These groups will include dialysis patients where applicable.

What assessment NHS England has made of the potential impact of withdrawing dedicated parking provision for dialysis patients on patient safety and treatment adherence.

Decisions on the provision of car parking are made locally by National Health Service organisations and should be consistent with the national guidance. This includes the provision of parking adjustments for patient groups receiving frequent treatments, including those undergoing dialysis. Further information on the guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principlesThis guidance requires the provision of free hospital parking to groups classified as most ‘in-need’. This includes disabled people, frequent outpatient attenders, parents of sick children staying overnight, and NHS staff working overnight. These groups will include dialysis patients where applicable.

Whether NHS England monitors local trust decisions on the withdrawal of designated parking arrangements for dialysis patients; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure such decisions take account of patient mobility and clinical vulnerability.

Decisions on the provision of car parking are made locally by National Health Service organisations and should be consistent with the national guidance. This includes the provision of parking adjustments for patient groups receiving frequent treatments, including those undergoing dialysis. Further information on the guidance is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles/nhs-patient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principlesThis guidance requires the provision of free hospital parking to groups classified as most ‘in-need’. This includes disabled people, frequent outpatient attenders, parents of sick children staying overnight, and NHS staff working overnight. These groups will include dialysis patients where applicable.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of providing limited amounts of non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccines available for patients with clinical contraindications to mRNA vaccines, including through the importation of products already authorised by trusted international regulators.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for autumn 2025 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups:adults aged 75 years old and over;residents in care homes for older adults; andindividuals aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed.As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.COVID-19 vaccines are procured by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in line with JCVI advice.UKHSA advise that as with all vaccines there will be an extremely small proportion of people who cannot receive a particular COVID-19 vaccine due to an anaphylactic reaction, this includes mRNA vaccines. Advice published in the UKHSA Green Book recommends that anyone with a prior allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccines should be seen by an expert allergist and, after a review of the individual’s risks and benefits of vaccination, where it is indicated, they could then be vaccinated in hospital under clinical supervision. Information is not held centrally on how many people seen under this pathway are unable to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine even in a hospital setting. Where an allergist has advised that a vaccine is not suitable, and this is the only type of vaccine available in a particular campaign, the individual should be advised of other mitigations to reduce their risk of becoming infected and be provided with information on access to treatments should they test positive for infection.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a national referral pathway or specialist hub for people who cannot receive mRNA vaccines to ensure equitable access to appropriate COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for autumn 2025 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups:adults aged 75 years old and over;residents in care homes for older adults; andindividuals aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed.As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.COVID-19 vaccines are procured by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in line with JCVI advice.UKHSA advise that as with all vaccines there will be an extremely small proportion of people who cannot receive a particular COVID-19 vaccine due to an anaphylactic reaction, this includes mRNA vaccines. Advice published in the UKHSA Green Book recommends that anyone with a prior allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccines should be seen by an expert allergist and, after a review of the individual’s risks and benefits of vaccination, where it is indicated, they could then be vaccinated in hospital under clinical supervision. Information is not held centrally on how many people seen under this pathway are unable to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine even in a hospital setting. Where an allergist has advised that a vaccine is not suitable, and this is the only type of vaccine available in a particular campaign, the individual should be advised of other mitigations to reduce their risk of becoming infected and be provided with information on access to treatments should they test positive for infection.

How many people are clinically unable to receive mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines; and how this figure has been derived.

The Government is committed to protecting those most vulnerable to COVID-19 through vaccination, as guided by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The primary aim of the national COVID-19 vaccination programme remains the prevention of serious illness, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths, arising from COVID-19.The Government has accepted the JCVI’s advice for autumn 2025 and in line with the advice, a COVID-19 vaccination is being offered to the following groups:adults aged 75 years old and over;residents in care homes for older adults; andindividuals aged six months old and over who are immunosuppressed.As for all vaccines, the JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.COVID-19 vaccines are procured by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) in line with JCVI advice.UKHSA advise that as with all vaccines there will be an extremely small proportion of people who cannot receive a particular COVID-19 vaccine due to an anaphylactic reaction, this includes mRNA vaccines. Advice published in the UKHSA Green Book recommends that anyone with a prior allergic reaction to COVID-19 vaccines should be seen by an expert allergist and, after a review of the individual’s risks and benefits of vaccination, where it is indicated, they could then be vaccinated in hospital under clinical supervision. Information is not held centrally on how many people seen under this pathway are unable to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine even in a hospital setting. Where an allergist has advised that a vaccine is not suitable, and this is the only type of vaccine available in a particular campaign, the individual should be advised of other mitigations to reduce their risk of becoming infected and be provided with information on access to treatments should they test positive for infection.

Communities and Local Government, whether Sport England will remain as a statutory consultee on planning applications involving playing fields.

I refer the hon. Members to the answer given to Question UIN 103087 on 13 January 2026.

Whether he plans to review national protocols that require the automatic cessation of Clozapine following a single red blood result, in the context of cases where such results have subsequently been found to be spurious.

Clozapine is used to treat people with schizophrenia in whom other medicines have not worked and it is also used to treat severe disturbances in the thoughts, emotions, and behaviour of people with Parkinson’s disease in whom other medicines have not worked.Clozapine is associated with potentially life threatening side effects including the risk of agranulocytosis. Patients must have regular blood tests to ensure their white blood cell count doesn’t drop too low which is classified as a red result. Clozapine may only be taken if the patient has a normal blood count.As with all medicines, the safety of clozapine is kept under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) using a number of data sources including reports of suspected side effects through the Yellow Card Scheme, data from marketing authorisation holders, and research published in the scientific literature.The MHRA is currently reviewing the blood monitoring requirements associated with clozapine, to ensure these continue to minimise the risk of agranulocytosis whilst allowing patients to access clozapine when needed. Currently, the product information for clozapine, including the summary of product characteristics states that patients must stop clozapine if a red result is obtained and that they should not be re-exposed to clozapine.

What estimate her Department has made of the additional workload that would fall on police firearms licensing units if Section 1 licence conditions were applied to Section 2 shotgun certificates.

The Government has committed to publishing a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns. This was set out in the Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025.Recommendations to strengthen the controls on shotguns had been made to Government by the Coroner following the inquest into the deaths of those who were shot and killed in Keyham, Plymouth in August 2021. Similar recommendations had also been made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the Plymouth shootings, and by the Scottish Affairs Committee following a fatal shooting with a shotgun in Skye in August 2022.We intend to publish the consultation shortly and we will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to it, before taking any decision on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and to the business community in rural areas, at the relevant time.

Whether she has assessed the potential economic impact on (a) rural communities, (b) sporting shooting activities and (c) conservation work of merging shotgun and rifle licensing regimes.

The Government has committed to publishing a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns. This was set out in the Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025.Recommendations to strengthen the controls on shotguns had been made to Government by the Coroner following the inquest into the deaths of those who were shot and killed in Keyham, Plymouth in August 2021. Similar recommendations had also been made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the Plymouth shootings, and by the Scottish Affairs Committee following a fatal shooting with a shotgun in Skye in August 2022.We intend to publish the consultation shortly and we will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to it, before taking any decision on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and to the business community in rural areas, at the relevant time.

What assessment she has made of the effect of merging Section 1 and Section 2 licensing on existing waiting times for firearms licensing; and whether the merger could exacerbate current delays.

The Government has committed to publishing a public consultation on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns. This was set out in the Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February 2025.Recommendations to strengthen the controls on shotguns had been made to Government by the Coroner following the inquest into the deaths of those who were shot and killed in Keyham, Plymouth in August 2021. Similar recommendations had also been made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the Plymouth shootings, and by the Scottish Affairs Committee following a fatal shooting with a shotgun in Skye in August 2022.We intend to publish the consultation shortly and we will carefully consider all of the views put forward in response to it, before taking any decision on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will also provide an assessment of the impact of any changes that we intend to bring forward, including to policing and to the business community in rural areas, at the relevant time.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of staffing levels and caseload pressures within the Child Maintenance Service.

As more customers apply to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) the demand for its service is increasing. To allow it to meet this demand and provide an efficient service, the CMS continuously reviews its resources and where to focus its efforts to get the greatest value for money and deliver the best service to customers.The CMS reviews its overall resource supply and takes appropriate steps to ensure that staffing levels meet current demands. The service is currently resourced at a level appropriate to its operational demand, ensuring that support is directed to the teams and functions where it is most needed.There is an ongoing recruitment campaign for 2026; this will ensure CMS continues to be resourced to meet current and future forecast demand.

Whether the Child Maintenance Service is meeting its internal target times for progressing cases and taking enforcement action.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to providing a modern and efficient service for all customers.The CMS continues to strengthen its enforcement activity to ensure that parents meet their financial responsibilities. Where parents can afford to pay but do not, the CMS has a range of strong enforcement powers that it can and does use swiftly to influence a return to compliance.Published statistics show a significant increase in compliance, with the proportion of paying parents who paid some maintenance rising from 64% in the quarter ending September 2022 to 74% in the quarter ending September 2025.The published quarterly CMS statistics provide information on application clearances, change of circumstances clearances and Collect and Pay compliance, with the latest data available for quarter ending September 2025.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays in Child Maintenance Service case reviews on the likelihood of later corrective or enforcement action.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) relies on receiving accurate and current information to make child maintenance assessments. If additional or new evidence is provided after a child maintenance assessment has been made for example a Mandatory Reconsideration this can lead to corrective action being taken. As more customers apply to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) the demand for the service is increasing. To allow the CMS to meet this demand and provide an efficient service the service continuously looks at the resources they have and where it should focus their efforts to get the greatest value for money and deliver the best service to their customers. The CMS reviews overall resource supply and takes appropriate steps to ensure that staffing levels meet current demands. The CMS has an ongoing recruitment campaign for 2026; this will ensure the CMS is resourced to meet current and future forecasted demand.