Written questions by Osborne.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2025 to Question 24615 on Housing: Carbon Emissions, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of planned amendments to building regulations on the economy.

The Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation was published in December 2023 and closed in March 2024. It set out proposals for improving the energy efficiency of new homes and buildings. An impact assessment was published concurrently, which included an assessment of the economic impact of the proposals, and the consultation invited consultees to offer their views on this assessment.We are carefully considering the feedback received. We intend to introduce new energy efficiency standards later this year and will publish an updated impact assessment at that time.

Whether he plans to issue new guidance on the use of (a) Novarapid, (b) Insulin flextouch, (c) Insulatard and (d) Levimir for diabetes patients before March 2025.

In late 2024, the Department issued communications on the discontinuation of both Novorapid Flextouch and Insulatard Penfill cartridges to the National Health Service, advising on suitable alternatives. The Department is working with NHS England and clinical experts to develop management advice for healthcare professionals ahead of the discontinuation of Levemir, in December 2026. This will be communicated at the earliest opportunity. There are no plans to issue guidance on Insulin Flextouch.

What her planned timetable is for the proposed consultation on e-invoicing.

At Budget 2024, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a public consultation on e-invoicing to promote its wider use across UK businesses and government departments. HMRC and Department for Business and Trade will be publishing a joint consultation with an expected publication date of early 2025. The consultation will run for 12 weeks and will be open to all business sizes and sectors, individuals, and software providers.

Whether the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will be resuming the annual evidence reviews on tobacco-based products previously undertaken by Public Health England.

Public Health England did not previously publish annual evidence reviews on tobacco-based products. However, Public Health England did publish a series of reports on nicotine vaping products over 10 years. They are available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/e-cigarettes-and-vaping-policy-regulation-and-guidanceThese reports aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. Heated tobacco products were also assessed in two of the reports. The final report in the commission was published in 2022, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nicotine-vaping-in-england-2022-evidence-updateThe Department continues to monitor emerging data, and we are working closely with stakeholders and experts, including internationally, to ensure we are researching the long-term health impacts of vaping. We are exploring additional research and will set out plans in due course.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of mandating the display of restaurant food hygiene ratings in all English licenced premises assessed.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is operated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.We will consider whether the mandatory display of ratings should be introduced in England in du...

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a statutory food hygiene rating scheme in England.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is operated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.We will consider whether the mandatory display of ratings should be introduced in England in du...

Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Government plans to incorporate harvest control rules into future fisheries management plans.

Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs) are evidence-based action plans ensuring stocks can be sustainably harvested. Work is being done to implement actions in the six published FMPs. Collectively, these can be considered as equivalent to the ‘harvest control ...

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish proposed measures for the Stage 3 offshore Marine Protected Areas.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rotherham on 16 September 2024, PQ 4529.

With reference to HMRC's policy paper on making tax digital, updated on 19 December 2022, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a digital tax system for managing duty on vaping.

The government is committed to modernising tax administration to enhance efficiency and compliance.HMRC operates on a ‘digital by default’ basis and will look to mandate digital channels by which all businesses within the scope of the Vaping Products Duty...

What assessment she had made of the adequacy of the condition of local roads in Kent and Medway.

The Government takes the condition of local roads very seriously and is committed to maintaining and renewing the local road network. Kent County Council and Medway Council are the local highway authorities for different parts of the Chatham and Aylesfor...

What steps she is taking to help reduce driving test waiting times in (a) Medway and (b) Kent.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA’s) main priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.DVSA continues to take measures to increase test availability. These include the recruitment of ...

What data her Department holds on the use of section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 by police forces to tackle nuisance behaviour involving (a) motorbikes, (b) e-bikes, (c) e-scooters, (d) quad bike

Information about the powers the police use to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents is not held centrally by the Home Office, and is collected by HMICFRS.The Home Office collects and publishes data about the number of ASB nuisance incidents on a q...

What his Department's timetable is for making a decision on the development Medway Maritime Trust elective care centre in Chatham.

Presently, there is no Medway elective treatment business case going through assurance with the Department. NHS England has delegated authority for business cases costed at under £25 million, in which case the Department is not the decision maker. This al...

What steps her Department is taking to increase Crown Court capacity in Kent.

The Crown Court outstanding caseload remains one of the biggest challenges facing the Criminal Justice System. The caseload has risen in recent years as a result of the pandemic and an increase in cases coming before the criminal courts.To address this, w...