Westminster Hall Scrutiny Prompts Consultations, Reviews and Pilots

High-Level Summary

Westminster Hall held five debates covering planning policy for quarries, no recourse to public funds (NRPF) and homelessness, support for grassroots cricket, the Autumn Budget’s impact on graduates, and healthcare for transgender people. Members cited casework, data and regulatory concerns; Ministers outlined existing frameworks, funding and forthcoming consultations or reviews. Three debates concluded with the House agreeing they had been considered, the 30‑minute Budget debate ended after the Minister’s reply, and the final debate on transgender healthcare adjourned with the motion lapsing. Next steps highlighted included consultations on a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), reviews of adult gender services and LGBT+ health evidence, a four‑council NRPF homelessness pilot, and Government funding for two cricket domes alongside a planned “Waiting Well” pilot for adult gender services.

Detailed Summary

Quarries: Planning Policy

Alberto Costa opened by citing a proposed Tarmac sand and gravel “mega‑quarry” at Misterton and argued current guidance is outdated, particularly on air quality baselines and dust dispersion. He noted the Institute of Air Quality Management’s 2016 guidance is under review, quoting: “there are some elements of the document that are dated” [ref: a294.0/9], and pressed that decisions use up‑to‑date local PM2.5 data [ref: a294.0/5]. He argued fine particulates can travel further than assumed and raised bringing quarrying under Construction (Design and Management) Regulations [ref: a294.0/19; a296.1/4‑a296.1/5]. Other Members described impacts from dust, HGV traffic, blasting and planning complexity, with proposals such as financial bonds and buffer zones; for example, a 600 m to 1 km buffer was advocated as a planning policy option [ref: a307.2/12].

The Minister, Samantha Dixon, set out existing policy in the NPPF, under which mineral planning authorities must “ensure that there are no unacceptable adverse impacts on the natural and historic environment, human health or aviation safety” [ref: a312.2/3] and control “noise, dust and particle emissions and any blasting vibrations” [ref: a312.2/5]. She flagged an imminent consultation on a revised NPPF including clearer minerals policies and encouraged participation [ref: a313.8/3]. Outcome: “Question put and agreed to… Resolved, That this House has considered planning policy for quarries.” [ref: a316.0/4; a316.0/6].

No Recourse to Public Funds: Homelessness

Olivia Blake argued that the NRPF condition drives homelessness and rough sleeping, stating: “Around 4.5 million migrants in the UK are subject to no recourse to public funds… On a single autumn night this year, 27% of those sleeping rough in the UK were non‑British citizens” [ref: a317.3/3]. She cited barriers including visa fees, long settlement routes, the immigration health surcharge and Right to Rent, and sought better data and clarity on a Home Office pilot [ref: a317.3/4; a319.1/3].

Minister Mike Tapp described NRPF as a “long‑standing” policy with safeguards via change‑of‑conditions applications for those facing destitution or exceptional circumstances [ref: a321.0/2; a321.0/3]. He highlighted the national homelessness strategy’s pledges “to halve the number of long‑term rough sleepers, to end the unlawful use of B&Bs for families and to prevent more households from becoming homeless” [ref: a321.0/5], a four‑council pilot focused on immigration advice and short‑term accommodation [ref: a321.0/7], and work to improve data, including adding NRPF questions to the 2026‑27 Family Resources Survey [ref: a321.0/9]. He said NRPF “will continue to be a means by which we operate a managed but fair immigration system” [ref: a321.0/11]. Outcome: “Question put and agreed to.” [ref: a323.1/2].

Government Support for Grassroots Cricket Clubs

Andrew Lewin highlighted participation and community value, noting “this summer 2.5 million of us played the game” and that “216,000 fixtures were recorded across England and Wales” [ref: a324.2/3; a324.5/3]. He urged more support for facilities (including indoor ‘domes’), planning protections and better use of private school facilities, referencing Sport England’s statutory consultee role to protect pitches [ref: a325.3/3; a326.1/3].

Minister Stephanie Peacock cited investment: “This Government are not only funding facilities with £400 million… through Sport England… more than £250 million, and an additional £1.5 million for cricket domes” [ref: a342.1/7]. She highlighted growth of the women’s game and England and Wales hosting the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026 [ref: a342.1/10‑a342.1/11], and said protecting playing fields remains important alongside a consultation on Sport England’s consultee role and the NPPF [ref: a342.1/18‑a342.1/19]. Outcome: “Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for grassroots cricket clubs.” [ref: a345.0/9; a345.0/11].

Budget 2025: Impact on Graduates (30‑minute debate)

Jack Rankin argued the Autumn Budget increases costs for graduates through frozen tax thresholds and student loan changes, saying that a young worker’s repayments will rise and that “a worker on £35,000 a year will be £1,400 poorer because of the freeze” [ref: a348.2/6]. He criticised freezing the plan 2 loan repayment threshold and interest, and warned of hiring impacts from employer national insurance increases [ref: a348.0/2; a348.2/5].

Minister Torsten Bell said the Government’s strategy is to support growth while cutting borrowing and inflation, noting growth was “upgraded from 1% to 1.5%” and that falling interest rates help mortgage‑holders [ref: a350.0/3; a350.0/5]. He confirmed the “freeze on the repayment threshold for plan 2 student loans from April ’27” within a wider package, while stressing “Students will pay nothing back unless they earn above the threshold” [ref: a350.0/10; a350.0/14]. Outcome: Debate concluded after the Minister’s reply: “Question put and agreed to.” [ref: a350.0/16].

Transgender People: Provision of Healthcare

Rachel Taylor described discrimination and very long waiting times, including a constituent “told that she could not use the women’s toilets” and being repeatedly misgendered [ref: a353.1/5]. She called waiting times “nothing short of a national scandal”, saying “more than 48,000 trans adults remained on waiting lists” with reported waits of “12 years in England, two years in Wales, 41 years in Northern Ireland and a staggering 58 years in Scotland” [ref: a354.1/2]. Stressing the value of gender‑affirming care, she quoted testimony that “The only effective treatment for gender dysphoria is transition and leaving this untreated is killing people.” [ref: a354.3/4].

Minister Karin Smyth affirmed universal access to first‑class healthcare and outlined steps being taken. She said NHS England has increased adult gender dysphoria clinics “from seven to 12” and commissioned a “Waiting Well” pilot to support those waiting [ref: a367.0/5]. She confirmed the independent review of adult gender services by Dr David Levy would be published “shortly” and that an LGBT+ health evidence review led by Dr Michael Brady should be “finalised in the new year” [ref: a367.0/6; a367.0/4]. She reiterated implementing the Cass Review via new regional services and a puberty blockers trial under strict approvals [ref: a367.0/9; a367.0/11]. Outcome: The motion lapsed on adjournment [ref: a372.0/2].