Written questions by Blake.

Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to consult on the draft of the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill.

I refer my hon Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help secure the release of Jimmy Lai.

We call on Hong Kong authorities to end their politically motivated prosecution of Jimmy Lai. The Prime Minister raised his case with President Xi at last week’s G20 Summit; the Foreign Secretary raised with China’s Foreign Minister last month; and I rais...

Whether she has had discussions with (a) local authorities and (b) organisations that represent local authorities on the use of dockless e-bikes.

The department works closely with local authorities and their representative organisations to deliver our shared transport objectives. My officials regularly meet with local authority officials to discuss specific transport challenges and better understan...

If she will introduce advanced disclosure and barring service checks for pedicab drivers.

The Pedicabs (London) Act 2024, which received Royal Assent on 25 April 2024, confers powers onto Transport for London (TfL) to regulate London’s pedicab industry for the first time. TfL is preparing to consult on these prospective regulations, which will...

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 18 November 2024 to Question 13348 on Private Rented Housing: Rents, what her planned timetable is for introducing a registration scheme for short-term lets; and whether

Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, and we are committed to introducing such a scheme as soon as possible. , We will soon publish the government’s response to the 2023 consulta...

What estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse per (a) week and (b) month of waiting for the release of (i) design and (ii) planning funding for the rebuilding of St Mary’s H

While the review into the New Hospital Programme is taking place, requests for funding are being considered on a case-by-case basis.We are finalising the implications of the review for all schemes in the programme so we can be honest and upfront with ever...

Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on establishing a Jewish History Month.

This Government is committed to celebrating the positive contributions to society made by this country’s faith and belief groups, including our Jewish communities. We are proud of the contribution that Jewish people have made and continue to make to the U...

What data her Department holds on the number of road traffic incidents which involved bicycles operated by (a) Lime and (b) Forest in 2023.

The Department does not hold the information requested. The Department collects information on personal injury road collisions reported to police via the STATS19 data collection system. STATS19 data does not require information on whether the vehicle was ...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 on recent trends in the cost of service charges for leaseholders.

The level of service charge that leaseholders pay depends on many factors, including the terms of a lease and the age and condition of a building.By law, variable service charges must be reasonable. Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness o...

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of short-term letting websites on recent trends in private rental prices in Cities of London and Westminster constituency.

Whilst short-term lets can benefit local economies, the government appreciate that excessive concentrations in some areas of the country can impact the availability and affordability of homes both to rent and buy. We have committed to introducing a regist...

Food and Rural Affairs, what data his Department holds on the number of residences that are ineligible for Floor Re support due to qualifying policy five in Cities of London and Westminster constituency.

The department does not hold data on the number of residences that are ineligible for Floor Re support due to qualifying policy five in Cities of London and Westminster constituency. Tenants and leaseholders can however, obtain contents insurance supporte...

What steps his Department is taking to improve employment regulation applicable to (a) Deliveroo, (b) Just Eat and (c) other online food delivery companies.

Online food delivery companies, like all companies, must comply with their legal obligations to ensure those they engage receive the rights and protections to which they are entitled. However, we recognise the complexity of the UK’s current three-tiered e...

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Israeli legislation on the (a) status and (b) operation of UNWRA on the humanitarian situation in (i) Gaza and (ii) the

As the Foreign Secretary said in his statement to the House on 28 October, the UK is gravely concerned at legislation against United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) passed by Israel's Knesset. This risks mak...

What funding had been (a) allocated and (b) confirmed by Government for the redevelopment of St Mary's Hospital as of 2 July 2024.

The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support plannin...

What estimate his Department has made of the total cost to the public purse of work on St Mary's Hospital via the New Hospital programme.

The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support plannin...

What the cost to the public purse was of work on St Mary's Hospital via the New Hospital programme in financial year 2023-24.

The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support plannin...

What the (a) business case status and (b) RIBA stages are for the delivery of work on St Mary's Hospital as part of the New Hospitals Programme.

The standard process for confirming the total funding amount for major infrastructure projects involves the review and approval of a Full Business Case. All trusts in the programme have previously received indicative funding allocations to support plannin...

If her Department will remove the cap on housing benefit subsidy rates for temporary accommodation.

DWP pays local authorities a Housing Benefit subsidy for temporary accommodation cases. There are restrictions on the amount paid, including a subsidy cap which is £500 per week in certain areas of London or £375 elsewhere. We appreciate these are difficu...

Communities and Local Government, how much of the previous Government’s £4.2 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund remains (a) unspent and (b) unallocated.

The £4.2 billion Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) is now fully allocated to HIF projects. As of the end of June this year, £1.8 billion had been drawn down by local authorities.The Department estimates that HIF has unlocked c260,000 homes. Local Authorit...

Communities and Local Government, with reference to the National Audit Office report entitled The effectiveness of government in tackling homelessness, published on 23 July 2024, what steps her Department is taki

The Government recognises that homelessness levels are far too high and that this can have a devastating impact on those involved. That is why we will take the action needed to tackle this issue and develop a long-term, cross-government strategy working w...