Written questions by McMurdock.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether he plans to issue guidance to Thurrock Council on planning 2027 local elections.

As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the country in recent weeks about local government reorganisation and elections, including with Basildon Council and Essex County Council.In relation to local elections in 2027, we anticipate that in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock these will be for any new unitary authorities that are announced following the recent statutory consultation. Once a decision is taken on which final proposal for unitary local government, if any, is to be implemented, we will bring forward a Structural Changes Order as soon as possible to give councils certainty. Officials in my Department, alongside the Electoral Commission and other sector bodies, support Returning Officers with some aspects of election preparation to ensure they are progressing effectively.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether he has had discussions on the postponement of Basildon's 2027 local elections.

As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the country in recent weeks about local government reorganisation and elections, including with Basildon Council and Essex County Council.In relation to local elections in 2027, we anticipate that in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock these will be for any new unitary authorities that are announced following the recent statutory consultation. Once a decision is taken on which final proposal for unitary local government, if any, is to be implemented, we will bring forward a Structural Changes Order as soon as possible to give councils certainty. Officials in my Department, alongside the Electoral Commission and other sector bodies, support Returning Officers with some aspects of election preparation to ensure they are progressing effectively.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether the Statutory Instrument to delay local elections will include in the Explanatory Note the reason why those councils have been selected for postponement.

The Secretary of State’s decisions were explained in his Statements to the House on 22 January and the letter he sent to council leaders, which was also copied to the Honourable Member, and is publicly available. The Department will now prepare the necessary Order, which will be laid in both Houses when Parliamentary time allows. The Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the statutory instrument is required to set out the policy context including what is being done by the instrument and why.It is not within the Secretary of State’s gift to change the process for Parliamentary scrutiny of a statutory instrument as this is prescribed in primary legislation, in this case by section 105(5) of the Local Government Act 2000.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the trends of the levels of superfast broadband in (a) Orsett, (b) Bulphan, (c) Horndon-on-the-Hill and (d) South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.

According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations reporting, as of July 2025 superfast coverage for Thurrock Local Authority was reported as 99% up from 97% in September 2023, and for South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency 99% up from 98%.Network coverage data published by Ofcom does not include separate datasets for the villages of Orsett, Bulphan and Horndon-on the-Hill.Superfast coverage in both Thurrock Local Authority and South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency now exceeds the national average of 98%, demonstrating excellent superfast coverage levels and positive progress in maximising the availability of these speeds in the area.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the risk to voters from the holding and postponement of elections in the same area.

There are approximately 650 councillors whose terms will be extended as a result of local election postponements. This does not take into account any by-elections. The exact length of the term of the office will vary, including depending on the election cycle in each local authority and whether elections in 2025 were postponed. In areas with two-tier local government, there is money wasted on duplication and it is confusing about who does what and who is responsible. Through local government reorganisation, we will remove the patchwork of local elections and voters will be able to cast their ballot in a single set of local elections where one council is responsible for all local services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Basildon Council and (b) Essex County Council on local elections.

As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the country in recent weeks about local government reorganisation and elections, including with Basildon Council and Essex County Council.In relation to local elections in 2027, we anticipate that in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock these will be for any new unitary authorities that are announced following the recent statutory consultation. Once a decision is taken on which final proposal for unitary local government, if any, is to be implemented, we will bring forward a Structural Changes Order as soon as possible to give councils certainty. Officials in my Department, alongside the Electoral Commission and other sector bodies, support Returning Officers with some aspects of election preparation to ensure they are progressing effectively.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of Thurrock Council's request to postpone the 2026 local elections following the cancellation of the 2025 local elections.

As per the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January, the necessary legislation will be laid shortly to postpone a minority of local elections in 2026, including Thurrock Council.The Department has had a range of discussions with councils across the country in recent weeks about local government reorganisation and elections, including with Basildon Council and Essex County Council.In relation to local elections in 2027, we anticipate that in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock these will be for any new unitary authorities that are announced following the recent statutory consultation. Once a decision is taken on which final proposal for unitary local government, if any, is to be implemented, we will bring forward a Structural Changes Order as soon as possible to give councils certainty. Officials in my Department, alongside the Electoral Commission and other sector bodies, support Returning Officers with some aspects of election preparation to ensure they are progressing effectively.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his letter to council leaders whose elections he is seeking to postpone published on 22 January 2026, if he will make it his policy to utilise the affirmative procedure to postpone local elections through a statutory instrument.

The Secretary of State’s decisions were explained in his Statements to the House on 22 January and the letter he sent to council leaders, which was also copied to the Honourable Member, and is publicly available. The Department will now prepare the necessary Order, which will be laid in both Houses when Parliamentary time allows. The Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the statutory instrument is required to set out the policy context including what is being done by the instrument and why.It is not within the Secretary of State’s gift to change the process for Parliamentary scrutiny of a statutory instrument as this is prescribed in primary legislation, in this case by section 105(5) of the Local Government Act 2000.

Communities and Local Government, how many councillors’ terms will be extended as a result of the postponement of the elections in May 2026.

There are approximately 650 councillors whose terms will be extended as a result of local election postponements. This does not take into account any by-elections. The exact length of the term of the office will vary, including depending on the election cycle in each local authority and whether elections in 2025 were postponed. In areas with two-tier local government, there is money wasted on duplication and it is confusing about who does what and who is responsible. Through local government reorganisation, we will remove the patchwork of local elections and voters will be able to cast their ballot in a single set of local elections where one council is responsible for all local services.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department's press release entitled Councils granted flexibility to finish reorganisation published on 22 January 2026, whether his Department sought any further information from (a) Basildon, (b) Thurrock, and (c) any other councils requesting election postponements.

I refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State’s statement on 22 January 2026. Many councils gave the view that their elections should go ahead, and many asked us to consider postponing. Some councils did not seek postponement, and two did not provide sufficient evidence to support a postponement decision. Prior to reaching his decisions, the Secretary of State wrote to the leaders of Essex County Council, Norfolk County Council, Oxford City Council and Southampton City Council in relation to their position on 2026 local elections. These letters are published on gov.uk.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with broadband providers on the adequacy of broadband (a) coverage and (b) speed in rural areas.

We recognise that reliable broadband underpins all aspects of modern life, including access to and modernisation of essential services.The government, in consultation with industry set targets for broadband coverage in the UK. The government is committed to achieving 99% gigabit coverage by 2032, ensuring fast, reliable and future-proofed connectivity will be available to support consumer and business needs, including in rural communities.Most gigabit-capable connections will be delivered commercially, so we are focusing government funds on the remaining areas of the country where commercial deployment is unlikely. Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, 89% of premises benefiting from Building Digital UK (BDUK) subsidies were rural.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures for identifying the deterioration of patients' health in Accident and Emergency waiting rooms.

The safety of patients waiting in accident and emergency is of the highest priority, and we have set out various measures in national guidance. There is a national target that patients receive an initial assessment within 15 minutes of arrival in accident and emergency. This assessment considers patient acuity, ensuring those that are most unwell and at greatest risk are identified and prioritised. Patients should be then observed at clinically appropriate intervals to identify any deterioration, with specific arrangements determined through local clinical decision making and governance.The National Health Service and the Department have taken significant steps forward to improve patient safety, including by implementing significant programmes under the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, published in 2019.We are also introducing new clinical operational standards for the first 72 hours of care. These are largely focused on the period after patients leave emergency departments, setting clear expectations for timely reviews and specialist input, but also provide guidance on early assessment and monitoring of older people for frailty and delirium.

What steps he is taking to help ensure that patients waiting in Accident and Emergency are adequately monitored.

The safety of patients waiting in accident and emergency is of the highest priority, and we have set out various measures in national guidance. There is a national target that patients receive an initial assessment within 15 minutes of arrival in accident and emergency. This assessment considers patient acuity, ensuring those that are most unwell and at greatest risk are identified and prioritised. Patients should be then observed at clinically appropriate intervals to identify any deterioration, with specific arrangements determined through local clinical decision making and governance.The National Health Service and the Department have taken significant steps forward to improve patient safety, including by implementing significant programmes under the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, published in 2019.We are also introducing new clinical operational standards for the first 72 hours of care. These are largely focused on the period after patients leave emergency departments, setting clear expectations for timely reviews and specialist input, but also provide guidance on early assessment and monitoring of older people for frailty and delirium.

Communities and Local Government, when he plans to update (a) Basildon, (b) Thurrock and (c) other councils who have requested election postponements.

The Secretary of State announced his decisions to the House on 22 January. We plan to bring forward legislation to postpone Thurrock Council’s 2026 elections. In reaching his decisions, the Secretary of State carefully considered all the representations made.

Communities and Local Government, when he plans to lay Statutory Instruments for councils whose elections will be postponed.

The Secretary of State announced his decisions to the House on 22 January. We plan to bring forward legislation to postpone Thurrock Council’s 2026 elections. In reaching his decisions, the Secretary of State carefully considered all the representations made.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to consider representations from councillors at (a) Thurrock and (b) Basildon councils on alleged procedural improprieties before he decides on cancelling those local elections.

The Secretary of State announced his decisions to the House on 22 January. We plan to bring forward legislation to postpone Thurrock Council’s 2026 elections. In reaching his decisions, the Secretary of State carefully considered all the representations made.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation, published on 19 January 2026, what improvements to water infrastructure will be made in South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency as a result of her Water White Paper.

The Government’s New Vision for Water sets out measures to bring forward a shift towards proactive maintenance of water company assets, and tougher oversight and stronger accountability for water companies to deliver. This includes providing the new, integrated water regulator with a new Chief Engineer and dedicated supervisory teams for each water company, which will guide companies to focus on fixing crumbling pipes and treatment works and increase grip over water company delivery. There are several improvements planned for water infrastructure in the Basildon and Thurrock areas, as part of £104 billion of investment across the country to fund essential infrastructure over five years. Further information on Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) actions for water companies to deliver within the 2025-2030 period is available for the public here: Price Review 2024 Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) App. This can be filtered to show the Basildon and Thurrock areas.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her Department’s press release entitled Government unveils biggest overhaul to water in a generation, published on 19 January 2026, what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of households experiencing water disruption each year which will be resolved as a result of her Water White Paper, once implemented.

The Government’s New Vision for Water sets out our plans to being forward measures specifically designed to improve the resilience of our water infrastructure and minimise disruption for customers. This includes providing the new, integrated water regulator with powers to conduct ‘no-notice’ inspections to bolster enforcement of the Security and Emergency Measures Direction which requires water companies to be prepared to respond to disruption to water supplies in the first place. In addition, a new Chief Engineer will be embedded in the new regulator to oversee company behaviour, and guide companies to focus on fixing crumbling pipes and treatment works, as part of stronger, prevention-first measures to mitigate future disruption. Where disruption occurs, the Government has already taken action to update the Guaranteed Standards Scheme, doubling – or more than doubling – compensation levels and adding new standards, to hold companies to account and stand up for customers.

What steps he is taking to reduce risk of negligence in Accident and Emergency waiting rooms.

The rising costs of clinical negligence claims against the National Health Service in England are of great concern to the Government. Costs have more than doubled in the last 10 years and are forecast to continue rising, putting further pressure on NHS finances.As announced in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, David Lock KC is providing expert policy advice on the rising costs of clinical negligence and how we can improve patients’ experience of claims. The review is ongoing, following initial advice to ministers and the recent National Audit Office report.Over recent years, the NHS and the Department have taken significant steps forward to address the rising costs of clinical negligence and to improve patient safety, including by implementing significant programmes under the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, published 2019. The strategy is now achieving its aim of saving an extra 1,000 lives per year and £100 million in care costs per year.In addition, the Government is committed to restoring urgent and emergency care waiting times to the standards set out in the NHS Constitution by the end of this Parliament, as laid out in out 10-Year Health Plan. The NHS Medium-Term Planning Framework sets out a clear trajectory to improve urgent and emergency care performance year-on-year, reducing long waits and improving patient experience.

Pursuant to the press release entitled ‘Business Secretary backs British scaleups with growth package and red tape review’ published on 20 January 2026, what financial return his Department expects from the £50 million investment into Epidarex Capital and IQ Capital.

These investments were made by the British Business Bank. The Bank’s investments in aggregate are expected to generate a financial return that exceeds the Government’s cost of borrowing. In the year ended March 2025, the Bank reported a profit of £144 million and a five-year average adjusted return on capital employed of 4.2%, against a target of 0.9%. There is no target or expectation for returns from individual investments, which can vary widely. For its commercial equity products, the Bank’s performance will be benchmarked against the median fund performance in the Venture Capital market.