Written questions by Wrigley.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 22413 on Childcare, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of stretching 38 weeks of paid childcare to cover 52 weeks on parents.

The department does not collect data on how childcare providers deliver the entitlements. Therefore, we cannot provide detail on the numbers and proportion of childcare providers that allow parents to stretch the 38 weeks of paid childcare over 52 weeks.Parents are able to stretch their child’s entitlement by taking fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year, although hours cannot be compressed into fewer than 38 weeks per year. This means, where possible, parents can use their funded hours of childcare all year round alongside Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit. Local authorities are able to help parents by providing details of childcare settings who offer this option.There is no requirement for childcare providers to deliver funded hours at particular times of the day or on particular days of the week. Providers are free to choose when to deliver funded hours, as long as they comply with the terms of their arrangements with the local authority.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure adequate funding for local government in Devon.

For Devon Council, the final Local Government Finance Settlement represents an increase in Core Spending Power of up to 5.4% – making available a total of up to £837.2 million in 2025-26. Taken together, the additional funding announced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget and through the 2025-26 Settlement will provide over £5 billion of new funding for local services over and above local council tax. This includes an additional £2 billion of grant through the Settlement in addition to a guarantee that local authorities in England will receive at least £1.1 billion in total in 2025-26 from the new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme.

What estimate she has made of the revenue to the public purse from the sale of car owners' details by the DVLA to private parking enforcement agencies in each year since 2012, broken down by sales to each private parking enforcement agency.

The income from the fees charged for providing information about registered vehicle keepers by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is shown in the table below: Financial yearTotal (£m)20126.6220137.9520149.52201511.33201614.02201716.68201819.89201923.29202013.18202123.90202230.18202334.08 These fees are set to cover the costs of providing services to customers. Please note that the figures above do not just relate to requests for information from private parking companies. The specific information requested about private parking companies can only be provided at disproportionate cost as it would require the interrogation of each request for information to identify by whom the request was made.

What information his Department holds on commercial usage of DVLA vehicle keeper requests that result in failed parking charge notices.

The law permits the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to disclose information to allow the management of parking on private land. Information is provided as a first point of contact to help investigate alleged parking breaches, determine any liability and to help resolve disputes. The information is provided only to companies that are members of an appropriate accredited trade association and are subject to auditing to ensure the information provided is used appropriately. Private parking operators must follow a code of practice and have processes for private parking charges to be challenged, including referral to an independent appeals service. Motorists may decide to appeal private parking charges for a range of reasons. This is a matter for the private parking sector and the information requested is not held. The DVLA monitors complaints and takes appropriate action, particularly where issues with operators or specific car parks appear to be recurrent.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has received advice on the implementation of an independent parking regulator from car park (a) beneficiaries, (b) owners and (c) private equity groups.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will make an assessment of the benefits of a private parking model of profits based on penalty charge notices (i) issued and (ii) collected.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of not completing phase 5 of the South West rail resilience programme on the economy.

The Department is not intending to undertake any assessments of Phase 5 of the South-West Rail Resilience Programme whilst the Spending Review is ongoing.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of time taken for construction between phases 4 and 5 of the rail resilience programme on the design team.

The case for further assessment and delivery of Phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience Programme will be considered as part of the current Spending Review.

Communities and Local Government, what meetings she has had with registered owners of car parking sites.

My officials meet regularly with the two private parking trade associations and consumer groups and I am arranging to meet them in the near future.

Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to cap the level of fines issued by private parking companies.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with private carparking site registered (a) owners and (b) beneficiaries on the implementation of an independent parking regulator.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has received advice on the potential impact of independent parking regulation of the parking industry on private equity firms.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish information held on private equity group investment in car parking sites.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to introduce a £50 cap for parking charge notices.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish information held on beneficiaries of car parking sites.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to (a) promote and (b) support the participation of young people in (i) youth charities and (ii) the voluntary sector in Devon.

This Government is committed to enabling effective youth participation in decision making at all levels. DCMS funded programmes such as the #iwill Fund, the UK Youth Parliament, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Uniformed Youth Fund support youth voice and youth social action in communities across the country.Youth participation is at the heart of the recently announced National Youth Strategy, which will be co-produced with young people and published in the summer. It will better coordinate youth services, as well as move away from one-size-fits all approaches from central government, bringing power back to young people and their communities and rebuilding a thriving and sustainable sector.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will take steps to help prevent the displacement of residents in Gaza.

Gaza lies in ruins, and it is crucial we move through the phases of the current ceasefire agreement to the reconstruction of Gaza. We oppose moving Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians, nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza strip. Palestinian civilians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes and their lives. We support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Only that over time will ensure the long-term peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish information held on registered owners of car parking sites.

The Government is aware of the concerns about the poor practice and behaviour of some parking operators and is determined to drive up standards. We are exploring ways to give motorists the best protection and support and continue to engage with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations. MHCLG does not hold information on the ownership of private car parks, as this is private land not managed or overseen by Government. We will announce our plans regarding the Government code in due course. In the meantime, however, I can confirm that we will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Communities and Local Government, whether she has received legal advice from third party organisations on the implementation of an independent parking regulator.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is working with both consumer groups and the two parking trade associations to raise standards and deliver better protection and support for motorists. The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 places a duty on the Government to prepare a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. The Government will announce plans for the Code of Practice in due course. We will consult and assess the impacts of any new measures before those are implemented.

Pursuant to the Answer of 7 February 2025 to Question 27628 on Railways: South West; whether the business case for completing phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience programme includes (a) impacts and (b) costs related to access to health services in the region.

Impacts and costs related to access to health services were not considered in the Outline Business Case for Phase 5 of the South West Rail Resilience Programme, prepared by Network Rail in early 2024.