Written questions by Naish.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to require estate management companies to provide estate management agreements to residents when requested.

The government remains committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. We will consult this year on implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act's consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75 million homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness of such charges at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager. The government is also determined to end the injustice of 'fleecehold' entirely and we will consult this year on legislative and policy options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders. Managing agents play a key role in the maintenance of freehold estates. On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation includes proposals to strengthen the regulation of managing agents.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to introduce a prescribed annual statement for estate management charges that itemises (a) contractor costs, (b) management fees and (c) procurement overheads.

The government remains committed to protecting residential freeholders on private and mixed-tenure housing estates from unfair charges. We will consult this year on implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act's consumer protection provisions for the up to 1.75 million homes that are subject to these charges, and bring these measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter. These include ensuring that homeowners who pay an estate management charge have better access to information they need to understand what they are paying for, the right to challenge the reasonableness of such charges at the First-tier Tribunal (in England), and to go to the tribunal to appoint a substitute manager. The government is also determined to end the injustice of 'fleecehold' entirely and we will consult this year on legislative and policy options to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements, which are the root cause of the problems experienced by many residential freeholders. Managing agents play a key role in the maintenance of freehold estates. On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. It can be found on gov.uk here. The consultation includes proposals to strengthen the regulation of managing agents.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of steps that local authorities are taking to help improve the representation of people with (a) a working class background, (b) a minority ethnic background and (c) disabilities in local government.

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management and organisation of their own workforces, including recruitment practices. It is the duty of local authorities to comply with all relevant employment and equalities legislation and there is no role for central government intervening in this, except where specific provision has been made in legislation.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps she has taken on the capital funding request from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

The fiscal position means that there have been tough choices to get us back on the path to recovery. It is in this context that the department is considering the request made for funding by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.I was pleased to meet with Andy Lock to discuss the outstanding work done by the organisation across Britain’s coalfields. I recognise that addressing the acute challenges faced by our coalfield communities will require greater partnership working between government and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, and I am committed to working in partnership with them to explore opportunities for collaboration.This government remains committed to supporting our most disadvantaged communities. At Spending Review, we announced funding for up to 350 places. Of the 100 places announced, 15 are in coalfield areas. Details of the remaining places will be announced in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that local authorities offer adequate reasonable adjustments during recruitment assessments for candidates with declared disabilities.

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management and organisation of their own workforces, including recruitment practices. It is the duty of local authorities to comply with all relevant employment and equalities legislation and there is no role for central government intervening in this, except where specific provision has been made in legislation.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the merits of taking steps to ensure that the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 gives greater weight to (a) food production and (b) agricultural infrastructure in planning decisions.

The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production.The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land in grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) system).Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.Later this year, the Government will publish a Land Use Framework for England, which will set out the evidence, data and tools needed to support development that safeguards our most productive agricultural land.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to consult with local authorities on the development of a revised Disabled Facilities Grant allocations formula.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

Communities and Local Government, in what month in 2025 her Department plans to publish its consultation on a new Disabled Facilities Grant allocations formula; and if she will make it her policy to publish the outcome of that consultation before 31 March 2026.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for (a) completing the review of the Disabled Facilities Grant allocations formula, (b) publishing the findings of that review and (c) implementing any revised formula.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

Communities and Local Government, whether hon. Members will be able to give evidence to her Department's review of the Disabled Facilities Grant allocations formula.

The Government is reviewing the formula for allocating Government Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding to local authorities in England to ensure the funding is better aligned with local needs. It is important that we take the time to consider the issues properly and have committed to consult on a new approach this year. Following the consultation, we will carefully consider responses from local authorities and MPs before finalising the new approach, with a view to implementation as soon as possible thereafter.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an estimate with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of granting the application for a Chinese Embassy at Royal Mint Court on costs for policing protests.

An independent Inspector held a public inquiry into the proposals in question, at which interested parties were able to put forward evidence and representations. All material planning considerations will be taken into account in reaching a decision on this case.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to consider the potential costs for policing protests when making her decision on the planning application for the Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court.

An independent Inspector held a public inquiry into the proposals in question, at which interested parties were able to put forward evidence and representations. All material planning considerations will be taken into account in reaching a decision on this case.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the proposed Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court on (a) policing and (b) public order.

As has been the case under successive administrations, government does not normally disclose details of internal discussions.An independent Inspector held a public inquiry into the proposals, at which interested parties were able to put forward evidence and representations.All material planning considerations will be taken into account in reaching a decision on this case.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with members of the (a) Hong Kong, (b) Uyghur and (c) Tibetan diasporas in the UK on the (i) security, (ii) human rights, (iii) peaceful protest and (iv) transnational repression implications of the proposed Chinese Embassy.

An appointed Inspector held a public inquiry which heard a range of evidence for and against the proposals in question.This case is now with the department, and so it would not be appropriate to comment further.Decisions on planning applications are based on material planning considerations.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37349 on Education: British National (Overseas), what steps her Department has taken (a) before 19 March 2025 and (b) since 19 March 2025, in response to the publication of the report by British Future entitled Working it Out: Hong Kongers, Employment and the Cost of Living, published on 29 October 2024.

The UK provides a welcoming home to Hong Kongers today and it will continue to do so for Hong Kongers tomorrow. In March 2025, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced its fifth year of funding for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Programme, which continues to provide support to Hong Kongers in the UK, including through a network of 12 Welcome Hubs helping BN(O)s understand and connect to services in their local area.We also recently closed a competitive tender process for the delivery of a new programme to provide 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.

Communities and Local Government, if she will instruct the DVLA to conduct an audit of car park records in instances where a pattern of disputes has been identified.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice that promotes good practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019. We are progressing with plans to protect and support all motorists. We will be launching a consultation in due course to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code and its accompanying enforcement framework, including our approach to scrutiny and oversight.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department has taken to communicate changes to voter eligibility to EU voters resident in the UK.

The Electoral Commission, as the independent electoral regulator, holds responsibility for issuance of guidance for local authorities on electoral registration and voting.This can be found at - Our guidance | Electoral Commission.The Electoral Commission also worked (and has continued to work) with voter groups and civil society organisations by providing information and raising awareness on changes to voter registration and eligibility requirements following the passage of the Elections Act 2022.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the introduction of e-visas on voters reliant on physical immigration documentation as voter ID.

An e-Visa is accepted as a form of identification at the polling station, as a digital version of ‘a biometric immigration document issued in accordance with regulations under section 5 of the UK Borders Act 2007’. All electors may also choose to apply to their local authority for a Voter Authority Certificate – an accepted form of identification available free of charge.

Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to provide updated guidance on the classification of dog grooming parlours in the Use Classes Order.

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 groups together uses which have similar land use impacts into classes, allowing flexibility to change between uses within each class.It is for the local planning authority to consider the use of a particular property based on the specific details of the individual case.We have not issued guidance on dog grooming parlours.

Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department has taken to provide clarity to local planning authorities on the classification of dog grooming parlours.

The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 groups together uses which have similar land use impacts into classes, allowing flexibility to change between uses within each class.It is for the local planning authority to consider the use of a particular property based on the specific details of the individual case.We have not issued guidance on dog grooming parlours.