Written questions by Duncan-Jordan.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing regulation of non-therapeutic male circumcision.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulates male circumcisions including those performed for non-therapeutic reasons, when carried out by a healthcare professional. Circumcisions performed by regulated healthcare professionals are subject to CQC registration and oversight, ensuring consistent standards of safety and quality in those cases. Religious or cultural circumcisions by individuals who are not registered healthcare professionals remain outside the regulatory scope.The Department had made no recent assessment of the potential merits of introducing regulation of non-therapeutic circumcision when performed by those who are not healthcare professionals.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has made representations to her Israeli counterpart on its decision to remove registration from 31 December 2025 from international NGOs operating in the occupied Palestinian territory.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement I made on 5 January.

Communities and Local Government, how many existing homes meet the M4(2) accessibility standard.

The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home. Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities; everyone deserves to live in a decent home in which they feel safe.The Government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making, designed to make planning policy easier to use and underpin the delivery of faster and simpler local plans. The consultation includes policies on accessible housing. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of homes in each constituency that currently meet the M4(2) accessibility standard.

The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home. Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities; everyone deserves to live in a decent home in which they feel safe.The Government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making, designed to make planning policy easier to use and underpin the delivery of faster and simpler local plans. The consultation includes policies on accessible housing. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, how many homes in Poole constituency meet the M4(2) accessibility standard.

The data requested is not held centrally although the English Housing Survey does collect data on accessibility and adaptations within the home. Housing is one of this Government’s top priorities; everyone deserves to live in a decent home in which they feel safe.The Government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making, designed to make planning policy easier to use and underpin the delivery of faster and simpler local plans. The consultation includes policies on accessible housing. The consultation on changes to the NPPF is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether the Prime Minister plans to appoint a minister for coastal communities.

Our coastal communities and their economies add unique value to the country and offer significant growth potential. As the Minister responsible for communities and local growth, I work closely with my colleagues across government to promote economic growth and create strong communities in all parts of the country, including coastal communities.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has carried out an impact assessment for the decision to require 40% of new build homes to meet accessibility standards M4(2).

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals for local planning authorities to set requirements for the delivery of M4(2) and M4(3) housing that will meet or exceed their locally assessed need for these types of housing. In relation to M4(2) requirements, the government is proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standards. This approach is intended to ensure that necessary levels of accessible housing are provided, while providing authorities with an appropriate degree of flexibility to maximise housebuilding overall. Through the consultation we are seeking views on these proposals, including whether 40% is the right minimum proportion or whether an alternative requirement is preferable, and on the potential impacts of our proposals on protected groups under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, for what reason the number of new build homes that meet accessibility standards M4(2) has been reduced to 40%.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals for local planning authorities to set requirements for the delivery of M4(2) and M4(3) housing that will meet or exceed their locally assessed need for these types of housing. In relation to M4(2) requirements, the government is proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standards. This approach is intended to ensure that necessary levels of accessible housing are provided, while providing authorities with an appropriate degree of flexibility to maximise housebuilding overall. Through the consultation we are seeking views on these proposals, including whether 40% is the right minimum proportion or whether an alternative requirement is preferable, and on the potential impacts of our proposals on protected groups under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, what discussions he had with disabled people’s organisations on the reduction of the number of new build homes that meet accessibility standards M4(2).

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals for local planning authorities to set requirements for the delivery of M4(2) and M4(3) housing that will meet or exceed their locally assessed need for these types of housing. In relation to M4(2) requirements, the government is proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standards. This approach is intended to ensure that necessary levels of accessible housing are provided, while providing authorities with an appropriate degree of flexibility to maximise housebuilding overall. Through the consultation we are seeking views on these proposals, including whether 40% is the right minimum proportion or whether an alternative requirement is preferable, and on the potential impacts of our proposals on protected groups under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, if he will introduce a minimum target of 10% for the proportion of wheelchair accessible new build homes.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals for local planning authorities to set requirements for the delivery of M4(2) and M4(3) housing that will meet or exceed their locally assessed need for these types of housing. In relation to M4(2) requirements, the government is proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standards. This approach is intended to ensure that necessary levels of accessible housing are provided, while providing authorities with an appropriate degree of flexibility to maximise housebuilding overall. Through the consultation we are seeking views on these proposals, including whether 40% is the right minimum proportion or whether an alternative requirement is preferable, and on the potential impacts of our proposals on protected groups under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether he has carried out an impact assessment for the decision not to set a minimum target for the proportion of wheelchair accessible new build homes.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals for local planning authorities to set requirements for the delivery of M4(2) and M4(3) housing that will meet or exceed their locally assessed need for these types of housing. In relation to M4(2) requirements, the government is proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standards. This approach is intended to ensure that necessary levels of accessible housing are provided, while providing authorities with an appropriate degree of flexibility to maximise housebuilding overall. Through the consultation we are seeking views on these proposals, including whether 40% is the right minimum proportion or whether an alternative requirement is preferable, and on the potential impacts of our proposals on protected groups under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to publish draft legislation to abolish leasehold.

Leasehold and commonhold reform are key priorities for this government and we remain determined to honour the commitments made in our manifesto and do what is necessary to finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end. As per my letter to the Chair of the Select Committee dated 18 December 2024, the government expect to be in a position to publish the draft Bill for scrutiny in the coming weeks.

Communities and Local Government, what each local authority’s target is for new build homes that meet the M4(2) standard.

The government is currently consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making. The consultation includes proposals for local planning authorities to set requirements for the delivery of M4(2) and M4(3) housing that will meet or exceed their locally assessed need for these types of housing. In relation to M4(2) requirements, the government is proposing a national minimum that ensures at least 40% of new housing over the course of the plan period is delivered to M4(2) standards. This approach is intended to ensure that necessary levels of accessible housing are provided, while providing authorities with an appropriate degree of flexibility to maximise housebuilding overall. Through the consultation we are seeking views on these proposals, including whether 40% is the right minimum proportion or whether an alternative requirement is preferable, and on the potential impacts of our proposals on protected groups under the Public Sector Equality Duty. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

Innovation and Technology, what ethical safeguards she plans to introduce for the future use of AI.

A range of existing rules already apply to AI systems, such as data protection, competition, equality legislation, and online safety. In response to the AI Action Plan, the government committed to work with regulators to boost their capabilities. This is complemented by the work of the AI Security Institute, which has deepened our understanding of the critical security risks posed by frontier AI. The government remains committed to ensuring our rule book is up to date and future-proofed so the UK is prepared for the changes AI will bring. The government is also supporting the UK AI assurance market, which will provide ways to measure, evaluate and communicate the trustworthiness and safety of AI systems.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the (a) risks of AI and (b) potential impact of AI on society.

We are optimistic about how AI will transform the lives of British people for the better, but advanced AI could lead to serious security risks. The capabilities of AI models continue to increase; this may exacerbate existing risks and present new risks for which the UK needs to be prepared. The role of the AI Security Institute (AISI) is to build an evidence base on these risks, so the government is equipped to understand their security implications. It recently published an evidence‑based assessment of how the world’s most advanced AI systems are evolving on gov.uk, bringing together results from two years of AISI's frontier model testing. AISI works with a broad range of experts and companies to assess the potential risks these could pose as the technology continues to develop.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the decision to introduce a pay per mile levy on hybrid and EV drivers on their future choice of vehicle.

As announced at Budget 2025, the Government is introducing Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) from April 2028, a new mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars, recognising that electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to congestion and wear and tear on the roads but pay no equivalent to fuel duty. The taxation of motoring is a critical source of funding for public services and investment in infrastructurePHEVs have the capacity to drive in either electric or petrol mode and will continue to pay fuel duty on miles driven in petrol mode. In recognition of this, they will be subject to a reduced eVED rate of 1.5 pence per mile upon its introduction in April 2028 – half the rate that will apply to fully electric carsAlongside the introduction of eVED, the Government is also providing generous additional support to incentivise the use of electric vehicles, including £1.3 billion of additional funding for the Electric Car Grant (ECG), £200 million for chargepoint rollout, and increasing the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) threshold to £50,000 for EVsNew electric car sales are still forecast to more than triple from nearly 0.5 million sales in 2025/26 to around 1.6 million by 2030/31.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of ending the ECO scheme on the number of MCS-registered heat pump and solar installations.

ECO4 has played a part in delivering clean heat technologies; however, issues identified by the NAO and PAC support a shift to a more direct, publicly-funded approach focused on technologies that cut bills and accelerate the transition to clean heat such as heat pumps, solar PV and batteries. The government is providing an additional £1.5 billion—taking planned capital investment to almost £15 billion—to upgrade low‑income homes and scale clean home‑energy technologies. Deployment will be further supported through wider policies and details of this will be set out soon in the Warm Homes Plan.

With reference to Budget 2025, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed scrapping of the Energy Company Obligation on heat pump and solar panel (a) installers, (b) manufacturers, (c) importers, (d) wholesalers and (e) the wider supply chain.

ECO4 has played a part in delivering clean heat technologies; however, issues identified by the NAO and PAC support a shift to a more direct, publicly-funded approach focused on technologies that cut bills and accelerate the transition to clean heat such as heat pumps, solar PV and batteries. The government is providing an additional £1.5 billion—taking planned capital investment to almost £15 billion—to upgrade low‑income homes and scale clean home‑energy technologies. Deployment will be further supported through wider policies and details of this will be set out soon in the Warm Homes Plan.

What assessment has been made as to the (a) merits of and (b) funding for retrospective indexation arrangements for all pre 1997 pensions scheme members.

Most defined benefit schemes pay some indexation on pensions earned before 1997. The Government recognises that the absence of indexation on pre-1997 rights in pension schemes can erode the value of pensions over time and affect members who rely on these benefits in retirement. Reforms in our Pension Schemes Bill will enable more trustees of well-funded defined benefit pension schemes to share surplus with employers, deliver better outcomes for members, and benefit the wider economy. As part of any agreement to release surplus funds to the employer, trustees will be better placed to negotiate additional benefits for members, including discretionary indexation.

With reference to Budget 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed scrapping of the Energy Company Obligation scheme on the level of energy sector tax revenue.

The Energy Company Obligation is a regulated obligation on suppliers and is not a tax measure. However, as VAT is placed on the total cost of energy, lowering energy bills through ending this scheme will reduce the tax base for VAT on domestic energy. This measure, alongside the Government funding 75% of the legacy Renewables Obligation, will save households an average of £150 off their energy bills.