Written questions by Pinkerton.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the capacity of sewage treatment sites to accommodate (a) current housing and (b) new housing developments in Surrey Heath constituency.

The government recognises the importance of water and wastewater provision on new developments. As set out in Paragraph 7 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of homes, commercial development and supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner. Sustainable development should be pursued both through the preparation and implementation of local development plans, and the application of policies in the framework. The government is clear that housing must come with appropriate infrastructure, including appropriate water infrastructure. We believe that strategic issues such as water capacity are best dealt with at a strategic level through the plan-making process, rather than through individual planning applications. A key function of local development plans is to guide development to the most suitable and sustainable locations and to ensure that the associated infrastructure requirements are addressed. Effective co-operation early in the plan-making process is essential to ensuring not only that housing and infrastructure need is appropriately planned for, but that they are aligned with each other. The NPPF makes it clear that local planning authorities should collaborate with each other and with other public bodies, including infrastructure providers, to identify relevant strategic matters to be addressed, including providing for sustainable water supplies. Water companies are under a statutory duty to provide new water and sewerage connections to residential properties, as well as planning to meet the needs of growth as part of water resource management plans, and drainage and wastewater management plans. The water resources planning guideline published by the Environment Agency and Ofwat, sets out how those companies should forecast demand for water based on existing customers and planned levels of household and non-household growth, with the number of planned developments being based on published local plans. Relevant planning practice guidance sets out that good design and mitigation measures should be secured during development, both through site-specific and non-site-specific policies on water infrastructure. The revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024 makes clear that developments of all sizes should use sustainable drainage techniques when the development could have drainage impacts and should have appropriate maintenance arrangements in place. We continue to explore whether more needs to be done to ensure sustainable drainage technologies are taken up more widely in new development, either through planning policy or by commencing schedule 3 to the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, and a decision on the best way forward will be made in the coming months. Ensuring that we take a strategic spatial planning approach to the management of water, including tackling pollution and managing pressures on the water environment at a catchment, regional and national scale, was a core objective of the independent review into the regulatory system of the water sector. The government’s full response to the Independent Water Commission’s recommendations will be published through a White Paper published for consultation this Autumn. This will include responses to recommendations which intend to unlock growth by ensuring water infrastructure investment is aligned with regional and national economic priorities and remove long-standing barriers to development.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including parking provision in the licensing criteria for Houses in Multiple Occupation.

My Department has made no such assessment. Section 67 of the Housing Act 2004 allows local authorities to impose conditions on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). We will keep the regulation of HMOs under review.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of making water companies statutory consultees for new sizeable housing developments in Surrey.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60676 on 23 June 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support Surrey County Council in delivering sustainable growth.

Our number one mission is economic growth, and every area across the country has a vital contribution to make to this mission. In Surrey we are supporting this through inviting councils, including Surrey County Council, to come together and consider proposals for reorganisation and devolution which aim to improve service delivery, governance, and long-term economic resilience to support sustainable growth. Surrey will also benefit from the cross-cutting policies and solutions being delivered by the Industrial Strategy, to help ensure a pro-business environment across the UK.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to publish a report on proposals for local government reorganisation in Surrey.

On 17 June, MHCLG launched a consultation on two proposals for unitary local government made by Surrey councils. That consultation closed on 5 August. A decision will now be made on which proposal, if any, to implement by assessing the proposals against the criteria set out in the statutory guidance accompanying the invitation, and having regard to all representations received to the consultation, and to all other relevant information available. In line with usual practice, a summary of the consultation responses will be published in due course.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review (a) accountability and (b) oversight arrangements for Section 151 officers as part of local government reorganisation in Surrey.

There are no plans to review accountability and oversight arrangements for S151 officers as part of local government reorganisation in Surrey.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to make an assessment of the potential (a) costs and (b) merits of local government reorganisation in Surrey.

As set out to the House on 17 June, two proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey were received on 9 May. In accordance with the guidance provided to two-tier areas, it is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. Councils are responsible for working through the implications relating to local government reorganisation, including costs and merits. Following the Government’s consultation which closed on 5 August, the proposals for Surrey will be considered carefully against the published criteria, alongside the responses received and all other relevant information. It would be inappropriate to comment at this stage or give a view on specific unitary proposals, or to pre-empt future decisions under the statutory process for unitarisation.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local councils in Surrey operate on a financially sustainable basis.

The Department works closely with local authorities and other government departments to understand specific demand and cost pressures facing local government on an ongoing basis. Any council that has concerns about its ability to set or maintain a balanced budget should approach the Department in the first instance, where we will treat all discussions in confidence and with respect. The Government accepts that Woking Borough Council holds significant unsupported debt that cannot be managed locally in its entirety. We are committed to providing an initial tranche of financial support for debt repayment for Woking in 2026-27, ahead of the implementation of re-organisation in Surrey. Government-appointed Commissioners are in place in both Woking and Spelthorne, and have been engaged in the development of proposals for unitarisation. The 2025 Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding which will be delivered through the Local Government Finance Settlement within financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29. We will publish the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year, which will inform local authorities of their provisional multi-year allocations.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support people under Ukrainian Permission Extension schemes in Surrey Heath constituency.

We provide a tariff of £5,900 per Ukrainian arrival to councils. Councils can use this funding flexibly to support households as best suits the local area, including supporting guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. All Ukrainian guests have access to public services, including benefits to support housing, healthcare, education, as well as other essential services. The Citizens Advice Bureau can advise on which benefits individuals may be eligible for and how to apply for those. Thank you payments have also been extended for sponsors/hosts under the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme. This allows sponsors/hosts to continue to support guests who wish to remain in sponsorship. We recently closed a competitive tender process for the delivery of a new programme to continue our English language and employment support for Ukrainians and Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders. This programme will provide support for up to 4,000 individuals. This builds on the success of the STEP Ukraine pilot which has supported over 13,000 Ukrainians, with an impressive 84% successfully completing the programme and 73% achieving a 100% in their English language test.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support Hong Kong British National (Overseas) passport holders in Surrey Heath constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 58070 on 30 June 2025, Question UIN 23695 on 21 January 2025, and Question UIN 52871 on 4 June 2025.In Surrey Heath, BN(O)s benefit from the support of the South East Welcome Hub, which offers advice and guidance to new arrivals.Surrey County Council has supported BN(O)s to access English language course via the Welcome Programme.

Communities and Local Government, if she will hold discussions with local authorities on the potential merits of enabling people to voluntarily pay for rooms for homeless people in shelters.

The government has invested £3.57 million in 2025/26 through the Night Shelter Transformation Fund to enhance emergency accommodation provision in the homelessness sector. This funding forms part of the government’s £1 billion funding for homelessness and rough sleeping services in 2025/26.MHCLG’s team of homelessness and rough sleeping advisers hold regular discussions with local authorities on the provision and delivery of homelessness services in their areas. Many local authorities and charities provide ways for the general public to support services and individuals.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of people rough sleeping in Surrey Heath constituency.

The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £233 million in 2025/26 to a total of £1 billion to prevent rises in the number of households in temporary accommodation and to help prevent rough sleeping. This includes £185.6 million through the Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. The allocations for this grant can be found on gov.uk here.The government’s forthcoming homelessness strategy will set out the steps to be taken by government, in partnerships with Mayors, local authorities, and the homelessness sector, to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the support available to fire and rescue services who attend traumatic callouts in Surrey Heath constituency.

The health and wellbeing of firefighters is of the utmost importance. The government recognises the risks that firefighters face and is grateful to them for their bravery. Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) are ultimately responsible for the health and wellbeing of firefighters and the government-issued National Framework directs that all Fire and Rescue Authorities should have a people strategy which sets out the mental and physical health and wellbeing support available to firefighters. National organisations such as The Fire Fighters Charity and Mind also offer valuable support to individuals and services. Their resources can assist Fire and Rescue Authorities in developing local approaches to managing mental health risks and promoting the wellbeing of their workforce. The health and wellbeing support provided by Fire and Rescue services is considered by the fire inspectorate (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) in the course of their work.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to review the guidance on the display of flags to ensure it remains aligned with (a) current practices and (b) community expectations.

The government has no current plans to amend the guidance in question.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of housing investment announced in the Spending Review 2025 on (a) the protection of Green Belt land and (b) new housing starts in Surrey Heath constituency.

The government has not made any such assessment.The allocation of housing investment announced at the Spending Review will depend on the bids received from registered providers.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to address variation between local authorities in the application of discretionary business rates relief for not-for-profit organisations.

Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 provides billing authorities with discretionary powers to award business rates reliefs to properties within their area. This is a local decision for individual billing authorities.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure new housing developments are supported by (a) physical and (b) social infrastructure in Surrey Heath constituency.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 26106 on 5 February 2025.

Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of high annual ground rents on the ability of leaseholders to sell their properties in Surrey Heath constituency.

My Department is aware that some leaseholders may be experiencing problems with mortgaging or selling a property because of their ground rent terms. The government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of establishing mechanisms to evaluate whether codes of practice issued by sector bodies are being effectively implemented in the management of retirement housing.

My Department has not assessed the effectiveness of trade associations in the retirement housing sector or the merits of evaluating codes of practices in the management of retirement housing.There are two government approved codes of practice which outline best practice for managing agents, landlords or other relevant parties for the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing.Where residents in leasehold properties, including retirement housing, are concerned about the management of their homes they may make a complaint against their landlord or managing agent, or seek a determination at the relevant court or tribunal. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings. We continue to work with industry on improving best practice including on any new codes proposed by the sector.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including developing an overarching regulatory approach to the sector to safeguard consumers and give certainty to investors: reviewing and assessing existing codes, their applicability to different sub-sectors and how large-scale monitoring programmes could be delivered to increase compliance with these codes.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of trade associations in the retirement housing sector in (a) setting and (b) monitoring standards for leasehold property management.

My Department has not assessed the effectiveness of trade associations in the retirement housing sector or the merits of evaluating codes of practices in the management of retirement housing.There are two government approved codes of practice which outline best practice for managing agents, landlords or other relevant parties for the residential leasehold sector and private retirement housing.Where residents in leasehold properties, including retirement housing, are concerned about the management of their homes they may make a complaint against their landlord or managing agent, or seek a determination at the relevant court or tribunal. The enforcement of standards set out in these codes can be taken into account as evidence, at court or tribunal hearings. We continue to work with industry on improving best practice including on any new codes proposed by the sector.As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report including developing an overarching regulatory approach to the sector to safeguard consumers and give certainty to investors: reviewing and assessing existing codes, their applicability to different sub-sectors and how large-scale monitoring programmes could be delivered to increase compliance with these codes.