Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is central to the mission-driven government, from fixing the foundations of an affordable home to handing power back to communities and rebuilding local governments.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Angela Rayner
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Thornhill (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing)
Baroness Pinnock (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Gideon Amos (LD - Taunton and Wellington)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Housing and Planning)
Vikki Slade (LD - Mid Dorset and North Poole)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Conservative
Kevin Hollinrake (Con - Thirsk and Malton)
Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
David Simmonds (Con - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Shadow Minister (Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Lord Jamieson (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Paul Holmes (Con - Hamble Valley)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Ministers of State
Matthew Pennycook (Lab - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Jim McMahon (LAB - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Rushanara Ali (Lab - Bethnal Green and Stepney)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Alex Norris (LAB - Nottingham North and Kimberley)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Lord Khan of Burnley (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Tuesday 7th January 2025
Town Centres
Westminster Hall
Select Committee Inquiry
Wednesday 11th December 2024
The Funding and Sustainability of Local Government Finance

As Government seeks to reform local government finance, this inquiry will consider whether the local government finance system is fit …

Written Answers
Tuesday 7th January 2025
Housing: Infrastructure
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential …
Secondary Legislation
Friday 17th May 2024
Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) and Persons Subject to Immigration Control (Housing Authority Accommodation and Homelessness) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Regulation 2 of these Regulations makes a number of changes to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations …
Bills
Wednesday 13th November 2024
Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill 2024-26
A Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the introduction of higher non-domestic rating multipliers as regards large …
Dept. Publications
Tuesday 7th January 2025
16:17

News and Communications

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Dec. 02
Oral Questions
Dec. 09
Urgent Questions
Jan. 06
Written Statements
Jan. 07
Westminster Hall
Nov. 28
Adjournment Debate
View All Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Secondary Legislation

Regulation 2 of these Regulations makes a number of changes to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1294) (“the Eligibility Regulations”).
These Regulations amend the Energy Performance of Building Regulations 2012 (“the Principal Regulations”) in relation to data sharing.
View All Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petitions with most signatures
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not participated in any petition debates
View All Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


0 Members of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: Previous Inquiries
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Annual Report & Accounts 2019-20 Local government and the path to net zero Long-term delivery of social and affordable rented housing Progress on devolution in England Local Authorities and Commissioners inquiry Local Plans Expert Group recommendations inquiry Capacity in the homebuilding industry inquiry Public parks inquiry Adult social care inquiry Pre-appointment hearing: Chair of the Homes and Communities Agency Housing Ombudsman one-off evidence session Business rates inquiry Consultation on National Planning Policy inquiry Homelessness inquiry Pre-appointment hearing: Local Government Ombudsman Work of DCLG 2016 inquiry Homelessness Reduction Bill inquiry Work of DCLG Housing for older people inquiry Overview and scrutiny in local government Private Rented Sector inquiry Brexit and Local Government inquiry Housing need and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Business rates retention inquiry Department for Communities and Local Government Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17 Homelessness Reduction Act Independent review of building regulations Draft Tenant Fees Bill inquiry DCLG Annual Report and Accounts 2016 Integration Review one-off evidence session Housing for older people inquiry Overview and scrutiny in local government inquiry Government draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill inquiry Housing White Paper and business rates inquiry Land value capture inquiry Planning guidance on fracking inquiry Housing Ombudsman Pre-appointment Hearing inquiry MHCLG Housing priorities Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Property in Common Occupation) Bill inquiry High streets and town centres in 2030 inquiry Local authority support for Grenfell Tower survivors inquiry Priorities for the Secretary of State inquiry Leasehold reform inquiry Social Housing Green Paper inquiry Funding of local authorities’ children’s services inquiry MHCLG Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18 inquiry Modern Methods of Construction inquiry Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman review session inquiry Local Government Finance and the 2019 Spending Review inquiry Implications of the Waste Strategy for Local Authorities inquiry Homelessness Reduction Act - One Year On inquiry Work of the Secretary of State 2019 inquiry Progress on devolution in England inquiry Long-term delivery of social and affordable rented housing inquiry Litter Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham Community Rights Operation of the National Planning Policy Framework Local Government finance settlement 2014/15 Local government chief officers' remuneration Devolution in England: the case for local government Building Regulations certification of domestic electrical work Further review of the work of the Local Government Ombudsman Housing and Planning Bill one-off evidence session DCLG Annual Report 2014-15 inquiry Financial Settlement one-off evidence session Interim Chair of the Homes and Communities Agency Board one-off evidence session The Government's Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill inquiry The housing association sector and the Right to Buy inquiry Planning and productivity one-off evidence session DCLG priorities in the 2015 Parliament one-off evidence session Local Council bank loans inquiry Performance of the DCLG 2013-14 Work of the Communities and Local Government Committee Appointment of the Housing Ombudsman Private Rented Sector Local Government Procurement High Streets and Town Centres Performance of the DCLG 2012-13 Regulation Committee of the Homes and Communities Agency Planning issues Abolition of regional spatial strategies Localism Audit and inspection of local authorities Regeneration National Planning Policy Framework Taking forward Community Budgets Performance of the Department 2011-12 Building Regulations Localisation issues in welfare reform Proposed Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity Local Government Ombudsman Mutual and co-operative approaches to delivering local services The role of local authorities in health issues The role of the Housing Ombudsman The Government’s Review of Planning Practice Guidance Greater London Authority Act 2007 and the London Assembly Park Homes Planning, housing and growth Councillors and the community Financing of new housing supply European Regional Development Fund Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Sustainable Communities Act 2007 Community Budgets Decentralisation and codifying the relationship between central and local government Work of the Department Impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on homelessness and the private rented sector Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill Reforming the Private Rented Sector Draft Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission Funding for Levelling Up Electoral Registration Reforms to national planning policy The Spending Review and Local Government Finance Financial Reporting and Audit in Local Authorities The finances and sustainability of the social housing sector Shared Ownership Fire Safety Disabled people in the housing sector The Office for Local Government Local authorities in financial distress Children, young people and the built environment Improving the home buying and selling process The Committee’s past recommendations and the work of successive UK governments Cladding: progress on remediation Children in Temporary Accommodation Rough Sleeping Hazardous Substances (Planning) Common Framework Local Authority Financial Sustainability and the Section 114 Regime The Funding and Sustainability of Local Government Finance

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of banning unincorporated associations from donating to political parties in order to increase the level of transparency concerning their funding.

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems and combatting the threat of foreign interference in our democracy. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections. As stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will provide details to Parliament in due course.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to use their powers under section 109 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 to require donors to political parties to certify the original sources of donated funds, and whether they consider that this may help to address concerns about potential foreign funding influencing elections in the UK.

Effective regulation of political finance is crucial for maintaining public trust in our electoral systems and combatting the threat of foreign interference in our democracy. The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections. As stated in our manifesto, we intend to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties to protect our democracy. My department is developing proposals to give effect to these commitments and will provide details to Parliament in due course.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to provide (a) mayors and (b) councils with additional fundraising powers, in addition to the planned infrastructure levy.

The English Devolution White Paper has provided powers for local leaders to deliver for their places and support economic growth. The government keeps all taxes under review.

Jim McMahon
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are taking steps to extend the consultation period for expressions of interest from top-tier and lower tier local government in England for forming the new combined authorities outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December.

The Government will work with places to deliver a Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) to roll out devolution to an ambitious timeline, aiming to deliver new strategic authorities and elected Mayors by May 2026.

This Programme will provide a fast-track to mayoral devolution for areas ready to come together under sensible geographies which meet the criteria set out in the White Paper.

To meet these ambitious timelines, we have asked areas to express an interest by the 10th of January, so we can begin delivery at pace. For areas not on the DPP, we will continue to discuss how to extend and deepen devolution in their area to a slower timeframe.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to allowing enough time for the consultation for the proposed new combined authorities outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December, to be worked through.

The Government will work with places to deliver a Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) to roll out devolution to an ambitious timeline, aiming to deliver new strategic authorities and elected Mayors by May 2026.

This Programme will provide a fast-track to mayoral devolution for areas ready to come together under sensible geographies which meet the criteria set out in the White Paper.

To meet these ambitious timelines, we have asked areas to express an interest by the 10th of January, so we can begin delivery at pace. For areas not on the DPP, we will continue to discuss how to extend and deepen devolution in their area to a slower timeframe.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government how many people they estimate are homeless each night in each region of the United Kingdom, and whether that number is increasing or decreasing.

As of 30 June 2024, 123,100 households were in temporary accommodation, which is an increase of 16.3% from 30 June 2023. This is the highest on record.

The annual snapshot statistics remain our official and most robust measure of rough sleeping on a single night. The number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a single night in autumn 2023 was 3,898 – a 27% increase on autumn 2022 and a rise for the second year in a row.

Local Authorities are required to publish homelessness data each quarter. The most recent figures for Q2 2024 are available below using tab TA1:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024

The most recent rough sleeping snapshot in England was published in February 2024 and covers Autumn 2023. This can be accessed by using the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2023/rough-sleeping-snapshot-in-england-autumn-2023

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
19th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure brownfield land as well as empty, derelict houses and commercial buildings are used first to solve the housing crisis and protect the green belt.

Planning is a devolved matter and the information provided relates to England only.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including bringing back into residential use empty homes and the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses.

Changes we made to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 broadened the definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and made clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas.

On 22 September 2024, we published a ‘brownfield passport’ policy paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2024 have (a) been and (b) are due to be commenced.

Following Royal Assent of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) in October 2023, a small number of provisions were commenced by the previous government, for example relating to pavement licensing, planning enforcement and certain reforms to the compulsory purchase process.

Building on these measures, in September last year, a power enabling local authorities to bring forward affordable housing, national health or educational facilities through the use of compulsory purchase without paying ‘hope value’ compensation was fully commenced.

We have also made clear that we intend to commence powers contained in the LURA to improve the transparency of build out rates for residential development, including the introduction of commencement notices and progress reports. This was announced alongside the government’s response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, published on 12 December.

We do not intend to commence provisions from the LURA that would cut across our commitments to streamline the planning process and unlock development, such as the Infrastructure Levy.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
2nd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans not to commence provisions of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023.

Following Royal Assent of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) in October 2023, a small number of provisions were commenced by the previous government, for example relating to pavement licensing, planning enforcement and certain reforms to the compulsory purchase process.

Building on these measures, in September last year, a power enabling local authorities to bring forward affordable housing, national health or educational facilities through the use of compulsory purchase without paying ‘hope value’ compensation was fully commenced.

We have also made clear that we intend to commence powers contained in the LURA to improve the transparency of build out rates for residential development, including the introduction of commencement notices and progress reports. This was announced alongside the government’s response to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation, published on 12 December.

We do not intend to commence provisions from the LURA that would cut across our commitments to streamline the planning process and unlock development, such as the Infrastructure Levy.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many hectares of the Best and Most Versatile agricultural land are (a) protected, (b) under consideration for development and (c) approved for consent in each (i) local authority area and (ii) constituency.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 17576 11 December 2024.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) identify and t(b) rack the ownership of long-term empty properties.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to the Question UIN HL3269 on 20 December 2024. The statistics in question are published annually and include a breakdown of vacant dwellings by local authority district. They can be found on gov.uk here.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of (a) developing and (b) approving a single mandatory consumer code for all housebuilders.

The government is committed to improving upon existing means of redress for new build homebuyers for when things go wrong. The government responded to the CMA Housebuilding Study in October 2024 and committed to implementing recommendation 2.1, namely a single mandatory consumer code for housebuilders.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the evidential basis is for the expectation that reformed local authorities should generally have a population of 500,000 or more.

The overall case for local government reorganisation is set out the English Devolution White Paper. New unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks. For most areas this will mean creating councils with a population of 500,000 or more, but there may be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including for devolution, and decisions will be on a case-by-case basis.

Jim McMahon
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to improve the regulation of car parking management companies.

The Government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector.

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.

At this time the Government is not able to share any further details but please be assured we will announce our plans for the new Code in due course.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for introducing a new private parking code of practice.

The Government is determined to drive up standards in the private parking sector.

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.

At this time the Government is not able to share any further details but please be assured we will announce our plans for the new Code in due course.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 November 2024 to Question 14870 on National Landscapes and with reference to section 245 of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, for what reason that Answer states that local authorities should have regard to rather than seek to further the purposes of national landscapes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer, as corrected, given to Question UIN 14870 on 26 November 2024.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
3rd Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, (a) when and (b) how her Department became aware of the new planning application for the proposed new Chinese Embassy near the Tower of London.

Decisions on whether to call in a planning application routinely arise following a representation or notification from a third party. In this instance, the Department were notified of the new planning application by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department’s Planning Newsletter issued to local authorities on 13 December 2024, what steps local planning authorities will need to take as part of the requirement to update their Local Development Scheme within 12 weeks of the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework; and whether this will require amendments to an existing Local Plan.

Local Planning Authorities have a statutory obligation to produce a Local Development Scheme and to keep it up-to-date and publicly available. As the Secretary of State set out in her letter of 12 December 2024, we are asking all Local Planning Authorities to review and update their Local Development Scheme in light of the revised National Planning Policy Framework and transitional arrangements by no later than 6 March 2025.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of implementing common adoptable standards for public amenities on new housing estates.

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

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of improving protections for residential freeholders from unnecessary costs charged by estate management companies.

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

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of prohibiting new embedded management arrangements in residential developments.

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

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help prevent delays by relevant authorities in the adoption of public amenities on housing estates.

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

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
19th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to implement the recommendations of the Competition and Markets Authority Housebuilding Market Study on private estate management.

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

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 December 2024, Official Report, HCWS308, whether local authorities with existing Local Plans produced under the previous standard method will now be required to update their Local Plans (a) as a consequence of the new housing need requirements and (b) in order to deliver the extra year’s worth of homes in their five year housing pipeline.

Having an effective up-to-date plan in place is essential to planning for, and meeting, development needs.

Whether a local authority is required to update their Local Plan as a consequence of the new housing need requirement will depend on the stage a draft plan has reached. This is set out in Annex 1 of the NPPF, particularly paragraphs 234-237.

Authorities that do not have an emerging plan at an advanced stage will need to use the revised NPPF and new housing requirement when preparing their next plan.

The 5-year housing land supply policy is a crucial mechanism in the planning system that ensures local authorities maintain a pipeline of sites for housing. The requirement introduced in para 78 c) in the NPPF means some LPAs will have to add a 20% buffer to their five-year housing land supply requirement. It does not necessitate LPAs producing a plan update.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release on building, published on 5 December 2024, what the mechanism is by which she plans to meet the target of 150 infrastructure decisions to be decided; and whether this target relates to (a) national infrastructure planning and (b) major developments under the Town and Country Planning Act.

As part of its Plan for Change, the government has pledged to make decisions on at least 150 major infrastructure projects within this parliament. This target is aimed at projects of a certain type and over a certain size as set out under the Planning Act 2008, which are considered by government to be of national importance and therefore should be consented at a national level through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
18th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of new dwellings built in (a) England and (b) London were flats in the last year for which figures are available.

Annual estimates of the proportion of building control reported new build purpose-built flats in England and London are shown in Live Table 254, which can be found on gov.uk here.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what differentiating powers she plans to provide to (a) unitary authorities and (b) mayors in (i) considering individual planning applications and (ii) developing local and spatial plans.

The English Devolution Bill will create in law the concept of a strategic authority, which will include all combined authorities and combined county authorities, both mayoral and non-mayoral, as well as the Greater London Authority.

The Bill will place a duty on all strategic authorities to produce a spatial development strategy. Strategic authorities with mayors will also receive development management powers like those enjoyed by the Mayor of London. This will include powers to ‘call in’ and determine applications of potential strategic importance and make Mayoral Development Orders.

Local authorities, including unitary authorities, will remain the local planning authorities for their areas and will continue to have a duty to produce a local plan and to determine planning applications.

The establishment of strategic authorities across England will be a gradual process. Our aim is to have a universal system of strategic planning in place by 2030, so the Planning & Infrastructure Bill will place a duty on all combined authorities and combined county authorities, both mayoral and non-mayoral, to produce a spatial development strategy.

Outside of these areas county councils and unitary authorities will also be required to produce a spatial development strategy, either individually or in defined groupings. In some instances, they may also be grouped with a non-mayoral combined authority or combined county authority. The Mayor of London will continue to produce a spatial development strategy for the capital.

The precise geographical extent of these groupings is yet to be determined, but the government believes that they should be based on the sensible geography criteria set out for agreeing devolution deals in the English Devolution White Paper, in anticipation of these groupings forming the basis for future strategic authorities.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to allow almshouses to secure funding as affordable housing providers.

As part of the recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, the government sought views on whether changes were needed to the definition of ‘affordable housing for rent’ to make it easier for organisations that are not Registered Providers, including almshouses, to develop new affordable homes.

While the government are committed to making it easier for almshouses to develop new affordable homes, we ultimately decided against extending the definition to capture almshouses for the reasons set out in our response to the consultation which can be found on gov.uk here.

Informed by the points raised in the consultation, the government will actively explore options in future changes to national policy related to decision making.

For those landlords who wish to register with the Regulator of Social Housing, there is no bar to registration because of size. Registered providers of social housing must meet standards that ensure tenants live in homes that are good quality and well-maintained and that landlords are well-managed and remain financially viable. The Regulator is operationally independent and has designed a registration process that seeks to ensure providers are able to meet its standards once registered.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure almshouse providers who do not have 1,000 homes but are willing to become registered social landlords are able to do so.

As part of the recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, the government sought views on whether changes were needed to the definition of ‘affordable housing for rent’ to make it easier for organisations that are not Registered Providers, including almshouses, to develop new affordable homes.

While the government are committed to making it easier for almshouses to develop new affordable homes, we ultimately decided against extending the definition to capture almshouses for the reasons set out in our response to the consultation which can be found on gov.uk here.

Informed by the points raised in the consultation, the government will actively explore options in future changes to national policy related to decision making.

For those landlords who wish to register with the Regulator of Social Housing, there is no bar to registration because of size. Registered providers of social housing must meet standards that ensure tenants live in homes that are good quality and well-maintained and that landlords are well-managed and remain financially viable. The Regulator is operationally independent and has designed a registration process that seeks to ensure providers are able to meet its standards once registered.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if (a) she and (b) the Minister for Housing and Planning will meet the hon. Member for Horsham to discuss Horsham's Local Plan, the hearing process and water neutrality.

Due to the Secretary of State’s quasi-judicial role in the planning system, it would not be appropriate for me to discuss the details of the Horsham Local Plan and its progress through examination. However, I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss general principles in relation to local development plans and water neutrality and I have asked my officials to contact his constituency office with a view to finding a mutually convenient date and time.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
18th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have considered alternative proposals to local government unitarisation put forward by district councils.

The Local Government Minister wrote to all councils on the 16 December in two tier areas to set out the arrangements for local government reorganisation, including inviting council leaders to develop unitary proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area, rather than developing competing proposals.

Unitary councils can lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be reinvested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians who are more able to focus on delivering for residents. The Government’s policy is to facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
18th Dec 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they will apply to "small unitary authorities" when assessing whether they will be expected to merge with other authorities.

The Minister for Local Government wrote to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries on publication of the English Devolution White Paper on 16th December to set out his ambitions and expectations in greater detail. In this letter the Minster set out his intention to formally invite unitary proposals in January 2025, and this invitation will set out further detail on the criteria that will be considered when taking decisions on proposals that are submitted to Government.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
10th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 6 December 2024 to Question 16736 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Expenditure, if she will list the activities previously undertaken by her Department that have been (a) curtailed, (b) suspended and (c) discontinued, in the context of the efficiency savings of £5 million.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 16736 on 6 December 2024. Departmental budgets are currently under review and will be announced by His Majesty’s Treasury in due course.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to allow elected Mayors outside London to appoint Deputies in the same way as the Mayor of London.

The English Devolution White Paper sets out that the government will legislate so that Mayors are able to appoint and remunerate ‘Commissioners’ who would be able to support the delivery of key functions with portfolios to be determined by Mayors.

Jim McMahon
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
12th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the proportion of houses planned to be built during this Parliament that will home new arrivals to this country.

My Department does not collect data on the nationalities of people buying homes for private sale on the open market.

Eligibility for social housing is already tightly controlled. If a person’s visa means that they cannot access state benefits or local authority housing assistance, they are not eligible for an allocation of social housing. Migrants arriving in the UK on student or work visas are not eligible and nor are those who arrive in the country illegally with no leave to remain.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
13th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had recent discussions with the Migration Advisory Committee on (a) population growth projections and (b) her Department's housebuilding targets.

MHCLG ministers have had no recent discussions with the Migration Advisory Committee about the government’s ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England this parliament.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has contributed to the extremism review.

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 15694 on 2 December 2024. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has supported the rapid review ordered by the Home Secretary, and the government will set out its approach to countering extremism in due course.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of funding provided by her Department to Steps to Work in Walsall through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is committed to evaluating the impacts and effectiveness of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The UKSPF evaluation strategy sets out the approach to evaluation. The department has committed to publish evaluation findings on an ongoing basis as they are available.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of higher levels of immigration on (a) house prices and (b) rental costs.

The government is determined to address the dire inheritance left by its predecessor and restore order to the asylum and immigration systems, delivering lower net migration.

Boosting the supply of homes of all tenures must be at the heart of any strategy to improve housing affordability which is why the government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will empower private rented sector tenants to challenge unreasonable within-tenancy rent increases.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 5420 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Pentland Communications and Sovereign Strategy, where on gov.uk details are published of meetings between special advisers and external organisations that are not senior media executives.

In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of external meetings held by Special Advisers are published in line with the requirements set out in guidance here.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
11th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of trends in the level of service charges by housing associations.

The government recognise the considerable financial strain that rising services charges are placing on leaseholders and tenants of housing associations.

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 of their service charges they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 includes measures designed to drive up the transparency of service charges to make them more easily challengeable if leaseholders consider them to be unreasonable.

The government is committed to acting quickly to implement the provisions of the Act. Further detail can be found in the written ministerial statement published on Thursday 21 November (HCWS244).

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps under the National Planning Policy Framework to increase protections for (a) chalk streams and (b) ancient woodlands.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, which can include ancient woodland and chalk streams, should be refused, unless there are wholly exceptional reasons and a suitable compensation strategy exists.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has an annual house building target for England.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question UIN 19066 on 20 December 2024.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many staff in her Department work on integration and community cohesion.

Staff in the department often work across a range of policy areas other than their primary role so it is not possible to specify exact numbers.

Cohesion & Integration is a core thread of policy that cuts across many aspects of the departments work.

Details of staffing are published in departmental organograms, which are updated periodically.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many high street businesses in (a) England and (b) Aldershot constituency closed in each of the last five years; and whether she plans to make changes to the business rates system.

Whilst there is no strict definition for a high street business, the Office for National Statistics publishes business demographic information on an annual basis. The latest release was published on 18 November: Business demography, UK - Office for National Statistics.

At Budget 2024, the government published ‘Transforming Business Rates,’ this sets out the government’s first steps to reform the business rates system.

As part of this reform plan, the government has announced that it intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27, and has introduced primary legislation to deliver on this commitment.

Jim McMahon
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
25th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the impact of planning restrictions on the ability of private rented homes to meet the new Energy Performance Certificate C requirement.

The Government will shortly consult on implementing a minimum energy efficiency standard of Energy Performance Certificate Band C or equivalent in the private rented sector by 2030. The consultation will be accompanied by an Options Assessment, which will consider impacts arising from the policy proposals.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2024 to Question 17559 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Secondment, which organisations second staff to her Department.

Organisations provided are for secondments active on 30/11/2024 within the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government.

Organisation

University of Cambridge

Aylesbury Vale District Council

Newcastle City Council

Homes England

Local Government Association

Sandwell Council

Natural England

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 December 2024 to Question 15005 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Buildings, if she will list the address of every departmental office in the United Kingdom which is (a) remaining open and (b) closing by how many staff are assigned to each of those offices.

The address of every departmental office and the number of staff assigned to each of those offices is set out below, together with confirmation of which offices will remain open and which will close.

Office Location

Address

Status

Staff assigned

Belfast

Erskine House
20-32 Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 4GF

Remaining open

21

Birkenhead

Rosebrae Court
Woodside Ferry Approach
Birkenhead
Merseyside
CH41 6DU

Remaining open

87

Bristol

Temple Quay House
Redcliffe
Bristol
BS1 6HA

Remaining open

169

Cambridge

First Floor
Eastbrook
Shaftesbury Road
Cambridge
CB2 8DU

Remaining open

53

Cardiff

Ty William Morgan
6 Central Square,
Cardiff
CF10 1XS

Remaining open

45

Darlington

Feethams House
Feethams
Darlington
DL1 5BF

Remaining open

127

Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth House
Sibbald Walk
Edinburgh
EH8 8FT

Remaining open

52

Hastings

1 Priory Square
Hastings
TN34 1EA

Remaining open

27

Hemel Hempstead

The Forum
Hemel Hempstead
HP1 1DN

Remaining open

57

Leeds

7 Wellington Place
Leeds
LS1 4AP

Remaining open

168

London

Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
Westminster
London
SW1P 4DF

Remaining open

2,222

Manchester

Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD

Remaining open

199

Norwich

Rosebery Court
Norwich
NR7 0HS

Remaining open

12

Nottingham

Apex Court
City Link
Nottingham
NG2 4LA

Remaining open

70

Plymouth

Seaton Court
2 William Prance Road
Plymouth
PL6 5WS

Remaining open

23

Wolverhampton

i9 Building
Railway Drive
Wolverhampton
WV1 1LH

Remaining open

278

Birmingham

23 Stephenson Street
Birmingham
B2 4BH

Closing

149

Exeter

The Senate
Southernhay Gardens
Exeter
EX1 1UG

Closing

26

Newcastle

Citygate
Gallowgate
Newcastle
NE1 4WH

Closing

67

Sheffield

2 St Paul’s Place
125 Norfolk Street
Sheffield
S1 2FJ

Closing

51

Truro

Lemon Quay House
Lemon Quay
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 2PU

Closing

15

Warrington

Renaissance House
1220 Centre Park Square
Warrington
WA1 1RU

Closing

59

Grand Total

3,977

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) fire risk appraisals and (b) EWS1 assessments carried out by an engineer who has been suspended by the Institution of Fire Engineers must be reassessed.

Robust auditing processes are in place to ensure that all Fire Risk Appraisals of External Walls (FRAEWs) for buildings in the Government’s remediation funding programmes meet appropriate standards before the associated funding application can progress. Where required, feedback is given to allow assessors to make appropriate changes to the FRAEW to address any deficiencies identified. Reassessments of appraisals are not therefore necessary.

EWS1s are not a legal or regulatory requirement. Their use is a commercial decision by lenders and subject to their individual lending criteria. If residents have concerns about the fire safety of their building they should raise this with the building owner or person responsible for fire safety.

The Institution of Fire Engineers is an independent organisation following bespoke reporting and investigation processes. Following the publication of the Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry Report, the Department is reviewing the findings and recommendations in relation to the fire engineering sector.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)