Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) provides free initial legal advice and information in respect of leasehold, building safety, commonhold and park home issues for consumers.

In 2024, LEASE limited the number of enquiries per user to 10 over a 12-month period. This has enabled LEASE advisers to deal with more complex cases.

On 6 October, my Department published two consultations outlining reform proposals to transform home buying and selling. They can be found on gov.uk here and here.

The consultations included proposals to require sellers and estate agents to provide upfront property information. This might include information relating to leasehold terms, property condition, and purchasing chains.

In the consultations in question we also made clear our intention to switch on measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to speed up the provision of information for leaseholders and homeowners on private or mixed tenure estates who wish to sell their property.

We are now reviewing the feedback received and will set out details of next steps later this year.

No changes have been made to the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill since its publication on 27 January 2026.

The Government has no plans to publish the representations received.

The government recently published the annual rough sleeping snapshot count for autumn 2025 and the latest management information providing data from September – December 2025. Both of these publications include data on the nationality of people sleeping rough and can be accessed through gov.uk here.

The Government recognises that the current fire funding formula was designed over a decade ago. In line with responses to the principles of reform consultation in December 2024, the Government updated the fire and rescue relative needs formula by using the most up-to-date data available. We will work with the fire sector on a comprehensive review of the formula ahead of the next Spending Review and will be engaging with stakeholders shortly.

I refer the Hon.Member to Question UIN ⁠114606 answered on 9 March.

I refer the Hon.Member to Question UIN ⁠114606 answered on 9 March.

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country.

We are allocating £950 million of capital for the fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) for councils in England to increase their supply of better-quality temporary accommodation for homeless people and resettlement accommodation for people on the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP). MHCLG gives local authorities flexibility to shape their delivery of LAHF according to local circumstances. This can include purchasing empty homes and conversion of other vacant properties to provide more homelessness accommodation.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. As we outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, we intend to strengthen the ability of local authorities to take over the management of empty homes. Further details will follow in due course.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 117179 on 10 March 2026.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) does not hold information on staff qualifications for technical fields such as database architecture or data structure management.

The Data Group at HMLR, which includes all Data Scientists, Data Architects, and Data Engineers, has more than doubled from 30 to 75 members of staff over the last 15 months.

Security of our democratic processes is paramount, and this Government has robust systems in place to ensure the integrity of its elections.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness unit (JESP) is leading cross-government efforts in preparation for the 2026 elections, which are taking place across the UK. JESP will stand up an election cell over the election period to monitor election security risk and be ready to stand up a response if required.

JESP has issued updated security advice and guidance to candidates and ROs in England and Wales, which brings together expertise from across the security community, including the Police, the National Protective Security Authority, National Cyber Security Centre, and others, to help candidates and ROs implement security measures and ensure the integrity of the polls.

A statutory intervention is in place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to secure the Council’s compliance with its Best Value Duty. This is centred on a team of Ministerial Envoys who provide support and advice to the Council’s leadership team and oversee the Authority’s improvement work.

Part P of the Building Regulations 2010 covers electrical safety in dwellings and is intended to protect people from fire or injury. In England, installation of new household circuits, addition or alteration of circuits in specified locations and replacement of a consumer unit or fuse board are notifiable electrical works and must comply with Building Regulations Part P. In existing buildings, fire risk assessments under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 require responsible persons to demonstrate how they are managing fire safety in their buildings, which may include risk arising from electrical equipment.

Currently MHCLG have 6 employees who have indefinite leave to remain in the UK and 39 employees who require a visa.

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has increased their regulatory capacity throughout 2025. There were 115 posts approved, with 83 members of staff already onboarded.

The BSR’s monthly Building Control Approval data was released on 25th February 2026 for data between December 2025 and February 2026. The median wait time between submission and approval of Gateway 2 applications for cladding remediation works on Higher-Risk Buildings which include some older applications was 31 weeks.

Newer applications (received in 2026) are currently being determined significantly quicker due to both improving quality of applications as well as more efficient BSR processes. The BSR is currently launching a plan that will further drive down application times and help unsafe buildings be remediated at pace.

In relation to remediation applications, the statutory target for issuing a determination is eight weeks.

The BSR confirms that, of the 117 Gateway 2 remediation applications received since November 2025, the current position is as follows:

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has increased their regulatory capacity throughout 2025. There were 115 posts approved, with 83 members of staff already onboarded.

The BSR’s monthly Building Control Approval data was released on 25th February 2026 for data between December 2025 and February 2026. The median wait time between submission and approval of Gateway 2 applications for cladding remediation works on Higher-Risk Buildings which include some older applications was 31 weeks.

Newer applications (received in 2026) are currently being determined significantly quicker due to both improving quality of applications as well as more efficient BSR processes. The BSR is currently launching a plan that will further drive down application times and help unsafe buildings be remediated at pace.

In relation to remediation applications, the statutory target for issuing a determination is eight weeks.

The BSR confirms that, of the 117 Gateway 2 remediation applications received since November 2025, the current position is as follows:

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has increased their regulatory capacity throughout 2025. There were 115 posts approved, with 83 members of staff already onboarded.

The BSR’s monthly Building Control Approval data was released on 25th February 2026 for data between December 2025 and February 2026. The median wait time between submission and approval of Gateway 2 applications for cladding remediation works on Higher-Risk Buildings which include some older applications was 31 weeks.

Newer applications (received in 2026) are currently being determined significantly quicker due to both improving quality of applications as well as more efficient BSR processes. The BSR is currently launching a plan that will further drive down application times and help unsafe buildings be remediated at pace.

In relation to remediation applications, the statutory target for issuing a determination is eight weeks.

The BSR confirms that, of the 117 Gateway 2 remediation applications received since November 2025, the current position is as follows:

Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, statutory duties for emergency planning rest with individual Category 1 responders, who fulfil these duties collaboratively through Local Resilience Forums (LRFs). LRFs are not statutory bodies and therefore hold no independent legal responsibilities.

Each Category 1 responder remains accountable through its own governance arrangements—for example, local authority leadership or Police and Crime Commissioners.

LRF Chairs are drawn from Category 1 organisations and serve in a coordinating and facilitative role, bringing partners together to plan for emergencies.

Guidance encourages LRF Chairs to maintain constructive relationships with elected members and MPs to support awareness, communication, and public confidence. This government recognises the valuable role MPs play in emergencies, strengthening community preparedness and supporting local response efforts.

Local authorities are responsible for deciding the level of their council tax. The Secretary of State sets referendum principles for a range of local authorities with different responsibilities, including fire services. The principles are considered on an annual basis, taking into account any changes in those responsibilities, and are consulted on as part of the annual Local Government Finance Settlement.

The Government will respond to the consultation in due course. It would not require primary legislation to move to 12-month billing by default, this could be done by secondary legislation.

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer provided on 2 March to Question UIN 113733.

The government has taken action to remove barriers for victims of domestic abuse to access social housing.

Regulations, which came into force on 10 July 2025, mean that victims of domestic abuse moving as a result of that abuse will no longer need to meet a local connection or residency test in order to access social housing.

We will monitor the impact of these regulations at local authority level through the Local Authority Housing Statistics. The next return will capture implementation as of 31 March 2026 and will be published later this year.

The government has taken action to remove barriers for victims of domestic abuse to access social housing.

Regulations, which came into force on 10 July 2025, mean that victims of domestic abuse moving as a result of that abuse will no longer need to meet a local connection or residency test in order to access social housing.

We will monitor the impact of these regulations at local authority level through the Local Authority Housing Statistics. The next return will capture implementation as of 31 March 2026 and will be published later this year.

As announced in our National Plan to End Homelessness which was published on 11 December last year and can be found on gov.uk here, we will work with stakeholders to review and update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that allocations reflect local need and effectively support vulnerable households.

We will publish updated statutory guidance in due course.

This government is committed to ensuring that coalfield communities across Britain build stronger, brighter futures. Our Pride in Place strategy sets out how we will deliver up to £5.8 billion over ten years to 284 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, including many coalfield communities.

The government’s Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £5.8 billion of funding and support over 10 years to up to 284 places. Each community will receive up to £20 million over that period. For Phase 1 places, funding is split 75% capital and 25% revenue. For Phase 2 places, funding is split 63% capital and 37% revenue, paid to respective local authorities in line with the published funding profiles. The capital and revenue splits and funding requirements apply equally to all places selected to receive funding under the programme, in all parts of the UK.

The Levelling Up Fund was predominantly capital-focused and did not include a defined revenue allocation for capacity building and engagement.

The government recognises the importance of clean, safe public toilets. In keeping with our commitment to funding simplification, we have no current plans to introduce a statutory duty or ringfenced funding relating to toilet provision. We believe that local authorities are best placed to assess and mange toilet provision as they best understand local needs.

At the 2025 Spending Review, we committed more than £5 billion in new grant funding over three years for essential local services such as toilets. In addition, we continue to provide 100% mandatory business rates relief for separately assessed public toilets, reducing ongoing costs for local authorities and supporting the continued operation of these vital facilities.

Penalty charge notices are reserved for local authorities, not the private land to which you refer.

The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019 requires the government to introduce a Code of Practice containing guidance about the operation and management of private parking facilities. Private parking facilities means facilities for the parking of vehicles on ‘Relevant Land’.

‘Relevant Land’ is defined at paragraph 3 schedule 4 of the Protection of Freedom Act 2012. Landowners, including airports, will be responsible to check if their land is in scope.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has a light-touch delegated delivery model, empowering lead local authorities to make decisions on how funding is allocated in their area. As a result, MHCLG does not hold annual project level data.

However, lead local authorities have reported investment in five discrete projects supporting victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse in Scotland over the period April 2022 to March 2026, to the value of £307,714 (actual cost). We anticipate that other projects will also have supported victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse as part of their work, but this information is not held by the department.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is ending in March 2026. No new funding has been allocated for the period 2026-27.

It is for individual local authorities to decide their level of council tax, including whether to use their full flexibility and balancing the extra spending with the impact on taxpayers. Local authorities are expected to manage their financial position prudently, and the department does not monitor their day-to-day business.

The department does not proscriptively set a level of expected reserves for local authorities to hold and is clear that that this should be a locally managed decision. We rely on local authorities to accurately reflect their reserve positions in the Revenue Outturn forms to ensure we have good quality data in the department to understand the reserves the sector hold.

The recent Local Government Finance Settlement is our most significant step yet to make English local government more sustainable. We are delivering fairer funding, targeting money where it is needed most through the first multi-year Settlement in a decade. The department will continue to have a framework in place to support those in the most difficult positions. Any council that has concerns about its ability to set or maintain a balanced budget should approach the department in the first instance.

My Department will publish the toolkit on homelessness prevention and support for survivors of domestic abuse over the coming year.

The toolkit will draw on the Whole Housing Approach piloted by Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse and our evaluation of sanctuary schemes, which provide solutions for survivors who wish to remain in their homes, and provide guidance and best practice support on how to keep survivors safe in their homes wherever possible, and how to deliver trauma-informed homelessness support for victims of domestic abuse.

Multi-year funding allocations were published at the final Local Government Finance Settlement on 9 February 2026.

The final 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement will make available £78 billion in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England in 2026-27, a 6.1% increase compared to 2025-26. By the end of the multi-year Settlement (2028-29), the government will have provided a 15.5% increase in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England, worth over £11.4 billion, compared to 2025-26. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is primarily funded by the Central Government and council tax precept via its parent authority, Surrey County Council. In 2026/27 Surrey County Council will have a core spending power of £1271.2 million, an increase of 6.6% compared to 2024-25.

For Surrey County Council, the Settlement will make available up to £1275.2 million in Core Spending Power by 2028-29, an increase of 6.9% since 2024-25. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

Fire and rescue services play a crucial role in making our communities safer, both in prevention and in responding to emergencies.

Multi-year funding allocations were published at the final Local Government Finance Settlement on 9 February 2026.

The final 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement will make available £78 billion in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England in 2026-27, a 6.1% increase compared to 2025-26. By the end of the multi-year Settlement (2028-29), the government will have provided a 15.5% increase in Core Spending Power for local authorities in England, worth over £11.4 billion, compared to 2025-26. Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is primarily funded by the Central Government and council tax precept via its parent authority, Surrey County Council. In 2026/27 Surrey County Council will have a core spending power of £1271.2 million, an increase of 6.6% compared to 2024-25.

For Surrey County Council, the Settlement will make available up to £1275.2 million in Core Spending Power by 2028-29, an increase of 6.9% since 2024-25. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

Fire and rescue services play a crucial role in making our communities safer, both in prevention and in responding to emergencies.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

The government is committed to supporting estate regeneration schemes to transform neighbourhoods by delivering well designed housing and public space, a better quality of life and new opportunities for tenants.

While the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme focuses primarily on new supply, it will also continue to support some regeneration schemes that provide a net increase in homes on a site.

Our National Housing Delivery Fund will provide grant funding to unlock complex and low‑viability sites, including brownfield remediation and enabling infrastructure.

The £15 billion Warm Homes Plan will upgrade up to five million homes by 2030, reducing bills and improving living conditions.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112059 on 24 February 2026.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112059 on 24 February 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 115901 on 9 March 2026.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) does not assign a specific number or proportion of full-time equivalent staff assigned to leasehold reform implementation.

HMLR flexibly resources all elements of leasehold reform, appropriate to the stage of each part of the reform, to meet changing demand over time.

Ahead of launching its consultation, the government considered a range of evidence on the case for a visitor levy power, including economic analysis and the success of international examples. Ministers engage regularly with Mayors on devolution-related issues, including through the quarterly Mayoral Council meetings. As the government set out in response to Question UIN 98784 answered on 22 December 2025, the government received representations from Mayors on a visitor levy power ahead of the announcement of the consultation on 25 November.