Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Whichever consenting route is used – NSIP regime or Town and Country Planning regime, data centre proposals must comply with the relevant national planning policy and environmental protections, including those relating to landscape character, agricultural land, protected habitats and designated site.

For proposals considered through the TCPA regime, the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that development proposals should conserve and enhance landscape character, including placing substantial weight on the statutory purposes of Protected Landscapes, and take into account the quality of agricultural land. The National Planning Policy Framework also sets out specific provisions concerning the protection of designated sites, including Sites of Specific Scientific Interest.

The Government is also preparing a new National Policy Statement for data centres. Once designated, this will set out the relevant national policy framework for decision-making on data centre projects that proceed through the NSIP regime.

The Democratic Engagement Fund will provide grants to civil society organisations to deliver politically neutral, place-based activities that help people understand, engage with and participate in democracy.

Backed by £2.5 million, the Fund will provide grants ranging from £1,000 to £50,000, with most awards expected to be around £25,000. It is targeted at communities that have historically experienced lower levels of democratic participation and voter turnout.

Access to the Fund was through an open application process for eligible civil society organisations. The application window closed on 31 August 2026, with strong interest from across the sector, including many proposals focused on children and young people aged 5 to 25.

Successful organisations are expected to be informed of funding decisions in January 2027, with delivery from April 2027. The Fund will generate evidence on effective approaches to democratic engagement, informing future policy and practice, and helping to lay the foundations for increased participation and civic understanding.

Local authorities must ensure that temporary accommodation is suitable for applicants and members of their household, taking account of their needs, requirements, circumstances and the location of the accommodation. Applicants may ask for a review on request of the housing authority’s decision that the accommodation offered to them is suitable.

The statutory Homelessness Code of Guidance encourages housing authorities to be sensitive to the importance of pets to applicants, particularly people sleeping rough and elderly people who may rely on pets for companionship and to give careful consideration to this aspect when making provision for applicants who wish to retain their pet. Local authorities do their upmost to try and accommodate this, however not all types of temporary or emergency accommodation are suitable for pets, as there may be limited facilities and space available.

Recognising the importance of pets, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced an implied term into private sector assured tenancies, that enables tenants to ask the landlord for permission to keep a pet, and when they do so consent cannot be unreasonably refused.

No specific assessment has been made of the impact on mental health and wellbeing when people experiencing homelessness are separated from a companion animal in order to have access to accommodation, or the impact that pet policies have on levels of rough sleeping.

Local authorities must ensure that temporary accommodation is suitable for applicants and members of their household, taking account of their needs, requirements, circumstances and the location of the accommodation. Applicants may ask for a review on request of the housing authority’s decision that the accommodation offered to them is suitable.

The statutory Homelessness Code of Guidance encourages housing authorities to be sensitive to the importance of pets to applicants, particularly people sleeping rough and elderly people who may rely on pets for companionship and to give careful consideration to this aspect when making provision for applicants who wish to retain their pet. Local authorities do their upmost to try and accommodate this, however not all types of temporary or emergency accommodation are suitable for pets, as there may be limited facilities and space available.

Recognising the importance of pets, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced an implied term into private sector assured tenancies, that enables tenants to ask the landlord for permission to keep a pet, and when they do so consent cannot be unreasonably refused.

No specific assessment has been made of the impact on mental health and wellbeing when people experiencing homelessness are separated from a companion animal in order to have access to accommodation, or the impact that pet policies have on levels of rough sleeping.

Local authorities must ensure that temporary accommodation is suitable for applicants and members of their household, taking account of their needs, requirements, circumstances and the location of the accommodation. Applicants may ask for a review on request of the housing authority’s decision that the accommodation offered to them is suitable.

The statutory Homelessness Code of Guidance encourages housing authorities to be sensitive to the importance of pets to applicants, particularly people sleeping rough and elderly people who may rely on pets for companionship and to give careful consideration to this aspect when making provision for applicants who wish to retain their pet. Local authorities do their upmost to try and accommodate this, however not all types of temporary or emergency accommodation are suitable for pets, as there may be limited facilities and space available.

Recognising the importance of pets, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced an implied term into private sector assured tenancies, that enables tenants to ask the landlord for permission to keep a pet, and when they do so consent cannot be unreasonably refused.

No specific assessment has been made of the impact on mental health and wellbeing when people experiencing homelessness are separated from a companion animal in order to have access to accommodation, or the impact that pet policies have on levels of rough sleeping.

Local authorities must ensure that temporary accommodation is suitable for applicants and members of their household, taking account of their needs, requirements, circumstances and the location of the accommodation. Applicants may ask for a review on request of the housing authority’s decision that the accommodation offered to them is suitable.

The statutory Homelessness Code of Guidance encourages housing authorities to be sensitive to the importance of pets to applicants, particularly people sleeping rough and elderly people who may rely on pets for companionship and to give careful consideration to this aspect when making provision for applicants who wish to retain their pet. Local authorities do their upmost to try and accommodate this, however not all types of temporary or emergency accommodation are suitable for pets, as there may be limited facilities and space available.

Recognising the importance of pets, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduced an implied term into private sector assured tenancies, that enables tenants to ask the landlord for permission to keep a pet, and when they do so consent cannot be unreasonably refused.

No specific assessment has been made of the impact on mental health and wellbeing when people experiencing homelessness are separated from a companion animal in order to have access to accommodation, or the impact that pet policies have on levels of rough sleeping.

Data on the number of households on the housing register (waiting lists) is collected as a snapshot at 31 March each year via the Local Authority Housing Statistics (LAHS). While commentary on the findings is included in the Social Housing Lettings statistical release, no data on housing registers is collected via the Continuous Recordings of Social Housing Lettings.

The latest guidance for the LAHS is published on gov.uk here. The LAHS data is quality assured by my department’s statisticians, as per the publication’s technical notes and in line with Code of Practice for statistics. The latest available are the 2024-25 technical notes which can be found on gov.uk here.

Matters relating to discrimination, harassment and hate crime are governed by legislation, and the Government recognises the fundamental right to freedom of expression within the law. The Government has adopted a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility. The definition does not restrict lawful criticism, debate or even ridicule of religious ideas, including Islam, and is concerned with unacceptable behaviour towards people rather than the protection of belief systems.

This Government recognises that there is no “one size fits all” approach to wildfire risk management. Knowledge and expertise often must be tailored to specific landscapes, whilst techniques and methods used in all aspects of the wildfire risk cycle can be case specific.

MHCLG has recently announced a £97 million investment into the New Dimensions 2 programme which will replace and upgrade National Resilience assets and equipment. This includes a pilot national wildfire response capability with specialist firefighters, equipment and training positioned across England to support Fire and Rescue Services during major incidents.

Fire and rescue services are fully aware of the growing risk of wildfires and working with local authorities. Where aerial support is considered necessary, this is generally taken forward through locally determined arrangements with commercial providers, based on local risk, capability and operational requirements. Wildfire response is a devolved responsibility, and arrangements can vary across the devolved nations

Following the devastating wildfires this summer, the Prime Minister has committed to holding a Wildfire Summit later this year. The summit will bring together a range of partners to turn the lessons of the exceptional wildfire and extreme heat events of 2026 into practical action and will include considerations for Aerial Capabilities.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the UK's political finance framework remains robust and commands public confidence.

We are establishing a cross-government task and finish team to consider the issues threatening UK democracy, including political funding, illegitimate influence and broader threats to political equality.

Further details will be available in due course.

In March 2025, the government announced a £2 billion down-payment as part of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP). Homes England has already secured over 4,200 starts in 2025/26 through their portion of this.

In August 2026, the government announced initial funding allocations for the SAHP, with £9.58 billion being awarded to 33 Strategic Partners outside London.

In August 2026, the government announced the initial Strategic Partnership funding allocations for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP).

Across England (excluding London), 33 providers will receive funding totalling £9.58 billion to invest in new social and affordable housing and deliver 73,600 homes. These 33 providers included PRPs and councils. No funding has been allocated directly to Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSA), and whether an area has an MSA was not a factor in decision making.

Established Mayoral Strategic Authority (EMSA) areas outside London are able to set the strategic direction of the Programme in their areas. To support this, we have published an estimate of how many homes and how much funding providers expect to deliver in each of the initial six EMSA areas.

Net receipts arising from Right to Buy sales received by local housing authorities between 01 April 2012 to 31 March 2017 could contribute up to 30% to the authorities’ expenditure on replacement social housing.

The same type of receipts received between 01 April 2017 and 31 March 2019 could contribute up to 40% to the same type of expenditure.

The same type of receipts from 01 April 2019 onwards can contribute up to 100% to this expenditure.

The number of new build completions funded through Right to Buy receipts can be found in Live Table 693 which can be found on gov.uk here, while the total number of new build completions of affordable housing can be found in Live Table 1009 which can be found on gov.uk here.

Outdoor flags which fall within Class H of Schedule 1 to The Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) (England) Regulations 2007 can be flown without consent.

All other flags must either benefit from deemed consent or have obtained express consent from the relevant local planning authority.

The Government recognises concerns about the role of very large donations in politics and the importance of maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.

The Representation of the People Bill focuses on addressing the most immediate risks to the integrity of UK democracy, including foreign influence, overseas donations and cryptoassets.

Alongside these reforms, we are establishing a cross-government task and finish team to consider the issues threatening UK democracy, including political funding, illegitimate influence, and broader threats to political equality.

No organisations subject to the Government's policy of non-engagement were engaged by the Definition Working Group.

The Department provided funding to councils to support the development of local government reorganisation proposals. Details of allocations, including for Kent and Medway, are available at: Proposal development contributions: Proposal development contributions: area allocations - GOV.UK.

On 7 September 2026 the Secretary of State announced to Parliament that a review of the local government reorganisation programme would be undertaken and that reorganisation activity in affected areas should be paused while the Government considers next steps. The Government wants to ensure that the programme is aligned with its wider ambitions for effective and sustainable local government and the devolution of power to local areas, including in rural areas.

In light of that position and the review, the Government is not currently progressing work on interim warding arrangements and will set out any future requirements relating to local government reorganisation following consideration of these matters. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body responsible for electoral arrangements for local authorities. It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

On 7 September 2026 the Secretary of State announced to Parliament that a review of the local government reorganisation programme would be undertaken and that reorganisation activity in affected areas should be paused while the Government considers next steps. The Government wants to ensure that the programme is aligned with its wider ambitions for effective and sustainable local government and the devolution of power to local areas, including in rural areas.

In light of that position and the review, the Government is not currently progressing work on interim warding arrangements and will set out any future requirements relating to local government reorganisation following consideration of these matters. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is an independent body responsible for electoral arrangements for local authorities. It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

The Government is investing approximately £97m under the New Dimensions 2 programme to uplift and replace national resilience assets. This is the largest scale upgrade of these assets in almost twenty years.

This investment includes a pilot national wildfire response capability with specialist firefighters, equipment and training positioned across England to support fire and rescue services during major incidents.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) funds the national resilience lead authority in Merseyside to deliver a range of services, including capability assurance, to ensure National Resilience Capabilities operate effectively across the country.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

The Department assesses compliance with the Best Value Duty against the Best Value statutory guidance and intervention framework. Consultation is currently underway on this Government’s revised Best Value statutory guidance. The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is subject to statutory Best Value intervention in response to a number of issues, including in the council’s partnerships, governance and use of resources. The Ministerial Envoys regularly report to Ministers on progress in improvement, which inform the Department’s ongoing assessment of the council’s compliance with its Best Value Duty.

My department is working across Government to deliver our manifesto commitment to double the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector, following the commitment to establish a Co-operatives Development Unit in Protecting What Matters and the Pride in Place Strategy. We will set out more details in due course.

The Government remains committed to holding organisations to account for the failings identified by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Officials across Government continue to consider what further commercial measures may be appropriate while safeguarding the integrity of the criminal investigation. MHCLG does not enter into direct contracts with Arconic for the supply of cladding panels.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

It has been the practice of successive governments not to comment, on grounds of both national security and staff safety, on the physical capacity or staffing numbers for individual buildings of the government estate.

The non-compliance list sets out which bodies have failed to meet the relevant backstop date and includes information on whether draft accounts were published in time, the appointed auditor, whether an audit opinion was delivered by the backstop date, and whether audited accounts were subsequently published.

The list highlights that all combined authorities are compliant with the statutory requirements to publish audited accounts except Tees Valley Combined Authority, which has outstanding accounts for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The government continues to engage with all local bodies and audit firms to ensure that issues preventing the issuance of audit opinions are resolved and that outstanding opinions are published as soon as practicable.

The statutory deadline for publishing audited accounts for 2025/26 is 31 January 2027 and the government will continue to publish the outcome of the statutory deadlines. As part of its reform of the local audit system, the government is establishing the Local Audit Office later in autumn 2026, which will strengthen accountability, transparency and oversight across the sector.

The Government has moved away from 'devolution by deal' towards a statutory Devolution Framework, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. Rather than determining individually which powers should be devolved to particular institutions, Strategic Authorities at each of the three levels in the framework will be automatically entitled to a standard set of powers, funding and collaboration agreements, with a clear route to taking on greater responsibilities.

The non-compliance list sets out which bodies have failed to meet the relevant backstop date and includes information on whether draft accounts were published in time, the appointed auditor, whether an audit opinion was delivered by the backstop date, and whether audited accounts were subsequently published.

The list highlights that all combined authorities are compliant with the statutory requirements to publish audited accounts except Tees Valley Combined Authority, which has outstanding accounts for 2023/24 and 2024/25.

The government continues to engage with all local bodies and audit firms to ensure that issues preventing the issuance of audit opinions are resolved and that outstanding opinions are published as soon as practicable.

The statutory deadline for publishing audited accounts for 2025/26 is 31 January 2027 and the government will continue to publish the outcome of the statutory deadlines. As part of its reform of the local audit system, the government is establishing the Local Audit Office later in autumn 2026, which will strengthen accountability, transparency and oversight across the sector.

The Government has moved away from 'devolution by deal' towards a statutory Devolution Framework, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. Rather than determining individually which powers should be devolved to particular institutions, Strategic Authorities at each of the three levels in the framework will be automatically entitled to a standard set of powers, funding and collaboration agreements, with a clear route to taking on greater responsibilities.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is independent of Government and accountable to Parliament. It reviews electoral and boundary arrangements for councils in England, including councillor numbers and the size and distribution of wards. The Commission can only conduct an electoral review once an authority exists in law. Where new councils are established, interim electoral arrangements will be included in the structural changes order. The Government will have regard to the Commission's published guidance on electoral reviews.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Secretary of State's oral statement of 7 September 2026. The Government has withdrawn the March 2026 decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and paused activity in 14 areas while a full review of the local government reorganisation programme is conducted. We recognise the need for clarity and will set out next steps as soon as possible.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is independent of Government and accountable to Parliament. It reviews electoral and boundary arrangements for councils in England, including councillor numbers and the size and distribution of wards. The Commission can only conduct an electoral review once an authority exists in law. Where new councils are established, interim electoral arrangements will be included in the structural changes order. The Government will have regard to the Commission's published guidance on electoral reviews.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Secretary of State's oral statement of 7 September 2026. The Government has withdrawn the March 2026 decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and paused activity in 14 areas while a full review of the local government reorganisation programme is conducted. We recognise the need for clarity and will set out next steps as soon as possible.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to question UIN HL2868 .

As announced on 25 March 2026, the ban applies to all cryptoassets of any value that meet the definition set out in the Government's amendment. This includes digital tokens and memecoins where they are a cryptographically secured digital representation of value or contractual rights that uses distributed ledger technology and can be transferred, stored or traded electronically.

Participation in the flexible voting pilots is voluntary and is a matter for Returning Officers, who are responsible for the conduct and security of elections in their area.

The Government is not in a position to comment on operational or security matters considered by the Returning Officer at Plymouth City Council.

We have invested over £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year, which can be used flexibly to address a range of local needs, including support for young people. The Spending Review protects this record level of investment to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping for the next three years.

For young people ready to live independently, we are delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, backed by the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. We are also reforming the private rented sector to give more security to tenants, bringing an end to rental bidding, outlawing discrimination against prospective tenants with children or those who receive social security benefits; and preventing landlords from demanding large amounts of rent in advance.

In response to Recommendation 4 of the Rycroft Review, the Government announced in July our intention to introduce permissibility and transparency requirements for donations to prospective candidates outside of formal regulated periods.

Our intention is for candidates to be required to (i) provide a declaration to confirm donations used to fund campaigning activity prior to formal candidacy are from permissible sources and (ii) report any donations received during this period which exceed £2,230.

The Government has also committed to enacting Mr Rycroft's recommendations to amend non-party campaigning rules. However, changes in this area require careful consideration and consultation to ensure that any new requirements do not place unnecessary burdens on legitimate campaigning activity. Mr Rycroft recognised the complexity of this area in his review. The Government is considering how best to deliver the objectives in a way that is effective, proportionate and enforceable, including consideration of the period that any requirements should cover.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not hold data on the number of complaints relating to private parking fines issued in Lincolnshire in the past five years.