Written questions by Naish.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing rolling revaluations (a) every three years and (b) on a regular basis to prevent significant increases in bills.

The amount of business rates paid on each property is based on the Rateable Value of the property, assessed by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), and the multiplier values, which are set by the Government. Rateable values are re-assessed every three years. The most recent revaluation took effect from 1 April 2023 and was based on values as of 1 April 2021. The next revaluation will take effect from 1 April 2026 based on values of 1 April 2024. The Government provides transitional relief to support ratepayers seeing large bill increases as a result of revaluations. The Government will announce details on the transitional relief scheme for the 2026 revaluation at Budget 2025, in light of the revaluation outcomes.

What discussions he has had with industry stakeholders on the potential impact of proposals for energy efficiency targets for non-domestic properties on levels of planned investment in non-domestic properties.

Department officials have worked closely with industry on the implementation and design of the policy to ensure the policy is fair and proportionate for landlords and tenants alike. This includes multiple workshops this year with these stakeholders to update the policy to significantly reduce complexity and administrative burdens. We received feedback that the policy has the potential to unlock a significant investment in retrofit of commercial buildings.

What steps he is taking to (a) encourage and (b) incentivise the installation of solar panels on (i) commercial and (ii) industrial roofs; and whether he plans to prioritise the use of those spaces over agricultural land for renewable energy projects.

The Government incentivises commercial/industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Solar is an important part of our strategy for improving energy performance of buildings. New building standards will ensure new buildings are fit for a Net Zero future. The Warm Homes Plan will set out pathways for decarbonisation of all buildings, including non-domestic ones. Further details will be set out by October. Achieving our ambitious clean power mission will require rapid deployment across rooftops and ground-mounted solar farms. However, planning guidance makes clear that, wherever possible, solar developers should utilise brownfield, industrial, contaminated, or previously developed land.

What steps his Department is taking to encourage (a) commercial and (b) industrial property owners to install solar panels on roofs.

The Government incentivises commercial/industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Although we have no plans to mandate the installation of solar panels on commercial roofs, the recently published Solar Roadmap set out that rooftop solar will, where appropriate, play an important role in the Future Buildings Standard for new build non-domestic buildings which is due to be introduced later this year. We are also working to unlock the potential for solar deployment in the non-domestic retrofit space, for example by exploring innovative financing models with the National Wealth Fund, and the upcoming Solar Council will monitor progress and drive delivery of this and other actions in the Roadmap.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of mandating the installation of solar panels on commercial and industrial roofs.

The Government incentivises commercial/industrial rooftop solar in various ways, including permitted development rights, favourable tax treatment, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Although we have no plans to mandate the installation of solar panels on commercial roofs, the recently published Solar Roadmap set out that rooftop solar will, where appropriate, play an important role in the Future Buildings Standard for new build non-domestic buildings which is due to be introduced later this year. We are also working to unlock the potential for solar deployment in the non-domestic retrofit space, for example by exploring innovative financing models with the National Wealth Fund, and the upcoming Solar Council will monitor progress and drive delivery of this and other actions in the Roadmap.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the state of repair of the (a) Deir El Balah War Cemetery and (b) Gaza War Cemetery.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) updates their website on the condition of sites in challenging locations around the world. The Commission reports that as a result of the recent conflict in Gaza, both the Gaza War Cemetery and the Deir El Balah War Cemetery have suffered extensive damage including to approximately 10% of the headstones. A more detailed assessment cannot be carried out until the current situation subsides. The CWGC will, however, restore those sites to a befitting standard as and when circumstances allow. Until then, the locally employed maintenance team remain temporarily relocated outside Gaza.

Whether her Department has had discussions with (a) the Rail Safety and Standards Board and (b) industry stakeholders to (i) develop and (ii) legislate for a minimum requirement for bicycle storage spaces per train unit on (A) new and (B) refurbished rolling stock.

The Department for Transport has not had discussions with the Rail Safety and Standards Board or industry stakeholders regarding legislating for a minimum requirement for bicycle storage spaces per train unit but is considering policy options to improve integration between cycling and rail for passengers.

Whether his Department plans to introduce a requirement for (a) 24-hour on-call neurology cover or (b) rapid tele-neurology support in all major emergency departments.

The Department has no plans to introduce a requirement for 24-hour on-call neurology cover or rapid tele-neurology support in all major emergency departments.

What steps NHS England is taking to ensure that A&E clinicians are trained to (a) recognise neurological red-flag symptoms and (b) initiate (i) plasma exchange, (ii) intravenous methyl-prednisolone and (iii) other urgent treatments.

All accident and emergency clinicians are trained to the highest standards to ensure the best patient care possible. Recognition of neurological emergencies is part of the emergency care curriculum, which is written by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine to the standards set by the medical regulator, the General Medical Council.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that patients who cannot use the internet retain (a) telephone or (b) in-person routes to (i) book GP appointments and (ii) access triage services.

People unable to access the NHS App or online services, or visit their general practice (GP) in person, can ask for a feature called proxy access available through the NHS App. This function allows a trusted relative or carer to act on the patient’s behalf and can be set up through the patient’s GP surgery, so that they can help them manage their health and care. This is done through a proxy, or linked, account. Depending on the access that the GP surgery has enabled, proxy users may be able to act for the person they support, by ordering repeat prescriptions, booking appointments, viewing test results or vaccinations, and accessing all or part of the GP health record, to help with health-related tasks and managing health issues.While digital health tools like the NHS App offer convenience, they should be part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.NHS England has published a framework for National Health Service action on digital inclusion and is developing further resources to support practical actions. All programmes are actively considering how they can contribute to improvements in healthcare inequalities and digital inclusion. Digital health tools are part of a wider offering that includes face-to-face support and telephone services, with appropriate help for people who struggle to access digital services.NHS England has successfully run a number of programmes to support patients, carers, and health service staff with their digital skills. These include: - the NHS App ‘Spoken Word’ Pilot project, designed to test the efficacy of promoting NHS digital health products and services in languages other than English;- the Digital Health Champions programme, a proof of concept to support citizens who have no or low digital skills with understanding how to access health services online; and- the Widening Digital Participation programme, aimed to ensure more people have the digital skills, motivation, and means to access health information and services online. GP surgeries also offer patients non-digital methods to manage their primary and secondary healthcare, and these methods usually consist of telephonic communication and letters. Patients can request a non-digital route by registering their preference with their GP surgery.

What funding has been allocated in the financial year 2025-26 to expand regional (a) neurological emergency networks and (b) tele-neurology services.

There is no formal structure or funding for neurological emergency networks. The acute neurology guidance forming part of the NHS England integrated care system neurology toolkit provides guidance on the organisation of services to ensure patients admitted to acute medical units are able to access neurological advice where necessary. Tele-neurology is available across the country as required.

How many complaints of package holiday operators failing to provide adequate assistance during accommodation emergencies have been reported to the Competition and Markets Authority in each of the last three years.

Obtaining a definitive figure for the number of complaints would require a manual review, which would be disproportionate. But a search for relevant terms identified only one complaint relating to the provision of emergency accommodation by a package travel operator, which was received in 2025.The CMA uses complaints, alongside other sources of information and intelligence, to help inform decisions as to the work it undertakes.

What guidance he has issued to integrated care boards on commissioning pathways that guarantee immediate access to plasma exchange for patients with acute inflammatory neurological disorders.

NHS England’s Specialised Neurology service specification outlines a networked model of care for neurology and stipulates that all specialised neurology centres should have access to timely plasma exchange services to patients with severe autoimmune neurological disorders. Although secondary care hospitals will not ordinarily have plasma exchange services on site, all secondary care hospitals are linked to a regional specialised neurology centre that can offer this treatment in a timely way.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to introduce a statutory code of practice for private estate management in relation to (a) levels of transparency, (b) approaches to tendering and (c) service standards.

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, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a (a) single mandatory redress and (b) ombudsman scheme for freeholders on private estates who want to challenge management charges.

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.

On what date he last met with Baroness Casey to discuss her Commission on adult social care.

My Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, engages with Baroness Louise Casey regularly on a number of issues, including adult social care.The commission is independent, and Baroness Casey has the autonomy to define her own engagement plans, including with ministers, based on what she believes is most appropriate for the commission’s work.

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, whetehr he plans to take steps to mandate the disclosure of contracts between managing agents and maintenance contractors to residents.

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, 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.

Whether she has considered the merits of introducing an offline backup for e-visas.

We are committed to ensuring that the transition to eVisas is as smooth as possible for all status holders. The Home Office has a robust support model in place to facilitate this transition. There is no plan to change the UKVI Account Terms & Conditions. We already operate a process of ex gratia payments where the Home Office is found to be at fault, and this will not change with the introduction of eVisas. Our online immigration status services are designed to be highly resilient, with rigorous testing and concurrent services in place to ensure efficiency. We consistently monitor our online services to resolve any issues as quickly as possible. Where technical issues do arise, there are fallback provisions in place to enable status to be confirmed through alternative means such as the Home Office’s dedicated UK Visas and Immigration Resolution Centre which can assist users who are experiencing technical issues and where necessary, enable a person’s status to be verified through alternative means. On sharecode reliability, we have not identified problems with the share code mechanism itself. The system is designed to invalidate codes in the following circumstances:Expiry after 90 days – Share codes are time-limited to prevent indefinite access to personal immigration data.Status updates – If a user’s immigration status changes after a share code is generated, the code is invalidated to ensure that the migrant has had a chance to review and share the most current status.On carrier eVisa verifications, if someone’s carrier, for example, airline, rail company or other transport provider, is unable to check a person’s permission to travel to the UK, the carrier may contact the UK Border Force Carrier Support Hub for advice, 24/7. This service is for carriers only.We do not collect data on how many times people have been refused airline boarding and UK entry as a result of eVisa issues. This data would rely on either a customer or airline notifying the Home Office and therefore could not be classed as a reliable data source Information requested regarding the breakdown of reported eVisa issues is not available from published statistics. The relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.We have carefully considered possible options for offline backup versions of eVisas. Information on a printed document would not allow demonstration of real-time immigration status, and therefore is not a secure method of sharing and proving immigration status in a way that gives confidence to the user and the checker.