Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

We are considering a range of operating models for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre and will ensure that there are robust governance arrangements in place which are appropriate to the chosen model.

Following a four-week public consultation, in March 2025 the Government announced its intention to end funding for Pan-Regional Partnerships, with an exceptional, time-limited award of £281,250 for the Great South West Pan-Regional Partnership for the 2025/26 financial year.

Pan-Regional Partnerships, including the Great South West, have made a valuable contribution, supporting collaboration between local authorities and government and taking forward a breadth of work on shared growth opportunities. However, as our English Devolution White Paper sets out, we are now moving to a different model of regional collaboration, where we are keen to support new models driven by local leaders.

As we have set out, there are a range of measures to tackle this issue. This government has since announced further action to crack down on illegal high street activity in premises such as mini-marts, barbershops, vape shops, nail bars and car washes. The Autumn Budget has provided £15 million per year to fund enhanced enforcement activity and establish a cross-government policy taskforce to better understand and disrupt organised crime, money laundering and related criminality on our high streets.

This is in addition to wider measures, which support stronger action against those who break the rules, including amending the Company Directors Disqualification Act to extend the circumstances in which directors who break the law can be disqualified.

The evidence is clear that to drive improved economic outcomes, we must devolve core levers over growth – like transport, skills, employment support and strategic planning – and align these across functional economic areas in which people live and work. Decisions on future devolution, including for Wessex, will be confirmed in due course, subject to further ministerial review and local conversations.

The evidence is clear that to drive improved economic outcomes, we must devolve core levers over growth – like transport, skills, employment support and strategic planning – and align these across functional economic areas in which people live and work. Decisions on future devolution, including for Wessex, will be confirmed in due course, subject to further ministerial review and local conversations.

In dealing with any planning casework, Ministers and officials will always act in accordance with published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions, which is available on gov.uk (attached) here.

Handling arrangements are published where they are required in specific cases to ensure that Ministers or officials with any role in promoting planning proposals are explicitly excluded from the planning decision-making process. That does not apply in the case of the application for the Royal Mint Court.

Glenigan provide data on residential development sites and planning applications. Data fields include site dimensions, date application submitted, date application decided, decision outcome, number of proposed units, application type, site location, and planning authority, among other details.

We also receive a calculated metric on the number of homes granted planning permission at detailed and reserved matters stage each quarter. This is published in the department’s quarterly planning applications statistics release.

My Department does not hold this information as we do not forecast or project housing delivery for individual local authorities.

In December 2024 we implemented a new standard method for assessing local housing needs which aligns with the Government’s ambition for 1.5 million new homes over this parliament, and that better directs new homes to where they are most needed and least affordable.

Alongside the revised method, we published indicative local housing need figures, both for local authorities and regions, which can be found (attached) on gov.uk here.

The Government expects each local planning authority to use the revised standard method to assess local housing needs to inform plan-making. Once an assessment has been made, local authorities should take into account land availability, environmental constraints such as National Landscapes, and other relevant matters, to determine how much of the assessed housing need can be met.

Local authorities are required to adopt appropriate policies in their Local Plans to support delivery of the number, type and tenure of homes needed in their area over the lifetime of the Plan.

Our planning practice guidance on housing and economic needs assessment can be found (attached) on gov.uk here.

On 17 November 2025, my Department published a consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system. That consultation closes on 13 January 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

A consultation will also be carried out in due course seeking views on plans to amend and expand the 2024 Consultation Direction currently in force.

On 17 November 2025, my Department published a consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system. That consultation closes on 13 January 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

A consultation will also be carried out in due course seeking views on plans to amend and expand the 2024 Consultation Direction currently in force.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 95296 on 4 December 2025.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 73795 on 15 September 2025.

On 5 November, Homes England published an updated summary of their total allocations from the Affordable Homes Programme for 2021 to 2026 (AHP 2021 to 2026). It can be found on gov.uk here.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 55284 on 10 June 2025.

The letter in question has already been superseded by changes to national planning policy, including the changes made to Green Belt policy as set out in the revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024.

The relevant impact assessments (including Equality Impact Assessment and Environmental Principles Assessment) were taken in relation to these policy changes.

As such, no separate Impact Assessment, Equality Impact Assessment or Environmental Principles Assessment consideration was undertaken in respect of the revocation of the letter.

Additionally, as set out in my letter of 9 October 2025 to the Planning Inspectorate (which can be found on gov.uk here), it is ultimately for the strategic policy-making authority to decide to undertake a review of Green Belt boundaries. The authority should take their decision in accordance with the tests set out in national policy. It is also their responsibility to undertake any relevant impact assessments in relation to that decision.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 2012 sets out the circumstances in which the Secretary of State will use his powers to intervene.

All called in planning applications and appeals will continue to be considered against adopted local plans, in line with s38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, taking into account material planning considerations, which may include emerging Local Plans.

Proposals to determine the appropriate procedure for called-in applications would be introduced by commencing existing provisions in the Planning Act 2008.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 2012 sets out the circumstances in which the Secretary of State will use his powers to intervene.

All called in planning applications and appeals will continue to be considered against adopted local plans, in line with s38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, taking into account material planning considerations, which may include emerging Local Plans.

Proposals to determine the appropriate procedure for called-in applications would be introduced by commencing existing provisions in the Planning Act 2008.

The Written Ministerial Statement of 2012 sets out the circumstances in which the Secretary of State will use his powers to intervene.

All called in planning applications and appeals will continue to be considered against adopted local plans, in line with s38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, taking into account material planning considerations, which may include emerging Local Plans.

Proposals to determine the appropriate procedure for called-in applications would be introduced by commencing existing provisions in the Planning Act 2008.

A response was sent to the hon. Member on 4 December 2025.

The independent New Towns Taskforce final report and the government’s initial response to it stress the importance of community engagement and working with local partners in delivering the New Towns programme.

The government will publish draft proposals and a final Strategic Environmental Assessment for consultation early next year, before confirming the locations that will be progressed as new towns later in the Spring.

At that point, we will publish a full response to the New Towns Taskforce’s report including details of what relevant consultations will take place in respect of each new town location.

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees.

The government recognises the importance of helping older people to live independently at home for as long as possible and is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market, including retirement or sheltered housing.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), the government is giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People's Housing Taskforce report, including its recommendation that the government should implement the Law Commission’s 2017 recommendations to regulate event fees.

Metropolitan Open Land is a local designation used by the Mayor of London in the London Plan.

Policy relating to the designation is entirely a matter for the Mayor and is not set out within the National Planning Policy Framework or Planning Practice Guidance.

Planning law requires that applications for planning permission be determined in accordance with the relevant development plan (which includes the London Plan) unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 22786 on 17 January 2025.

The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.

My Department is currently reviewing responses to both consultations and will publish government responses to both shortly.

We have engaged extensively with social landlords in respect of both consultations and are committed to providing them with clarity on the new SRS Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and EPC reforms as soon as possible.

The definition of a job-related dwelling, for the purposes of exceptions from the second homes premium, is set out in the 2003 regulations. The Government has issued guidance on council tax premiums including exceptions.

Further disruption to Birmingham’s waste service is in no one’s interest, and we remain in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are local issues and rightly being dealt with by the relevant employers. As such, my department has not held discussions with either Unite or the Council’s contracted agency following a ballot on industrial action among some agency refuse workers. It is for the Council to consider and manage all aspects of any dispute, including the financial impact. The government’s priority is Birmingham’s residents, and we will continue to support the council to keep streets clean during any disputes.

A statutory intervention has been in place since October 2023, with Commissioners appointed to oversee and support the Council’s improvement journey. Commissioners continue to support the Council in their operational response to the ongoing dispute, and in developing much needed transformation plans for the waste service. They are experienced local government professionals, and they have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment as laid out under the statutory directions. These powers can be used according to their expert judgment and discretion. Commissioners provide regular progress reports to the Secretary of State, and my department engages regularly with Councils under intervention. On 1 December my department published the Commissioners’ third report, together with my response, and updated the House via a written ministerial statement.

Further disruption to Birmingham’s waste service is in no one’s interest, and we remain in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are local issues and rightly being dealt with by the relevant employers. As such, my department has not held discussions with either Unite or the Council’s contracted agency following a ballot on industrial action among some agency refuse workers. It is for the Council to consider and manage all aspects of any dispute, including the financial impact. The government’s priority is Birmingham’s residents, and we will continue to support the council to keep streets clean during any disputes.

A statutory intervention has been in place since October 2023, with Commissioners appointed to oversee and support the Council’s improvement journey. Commissioners continue to support the Council in their operational response to the ongoing dispute, and in developing much needed transformation plans for the waste service. They are experienced local government professionals, and they have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment as laid out under the statutory directions. These powers can be used according to their expert judgment and discretion. Commissioners provide regular progress reports to the Secretary of State, and my department engages regularly with Councils under intervention. On 1 December my department published the Commissioners’ third report, together with my response, and updated the House via a written ministerial statement.

Further disruption to Birmingham’s waste service is in no one’s interest, and we remain in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are local issues and rightly being dealt with by the relevant employers. As such, my department has not held discussions with either Unite or the Council’s contracted agency following a ballot on industrial action among some agency refuse workers. It is for the Council to consider and manage all aspects of any dispute, including the financial impact. The government’s priority is Birmingham’s residents, and we will continue to support the council to keep streets clean during any disputes.

A statutory intervention has been in place since October 2023, with Commissioners appointed to oversee and support the Council’s improvement journey. Commissioners continue to support the Council in their operational response to the ongoing dispute, and in developing much needed transformation plans for the waste service. They are experienced local government professionals, and they have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment as laid out under the statutory directions. These powers can be used according to their expert judgment and discretion. Commissioners provide regular progress reports to the Secretary of State, and my department engages regularly with Councils under intervention. On 1 December my department published the Commissioners’ third report, together with my response, and updated the House via a written ministerial statement.

Further disruption to Birmingham’s waste service is in no one’s interest, and we remain in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are local issues and rightly being dealt with by the relevant employers. As such, my department has not held discussions with either Unite or the Council’s contracted agency following a ballot on industrial action among some agency refuse workers. It is for the Council to consider and manage all aspects of any dispute, including the financial impact. The government’s priority is Birmingham’s residents, and we will continue to support the council to keep streets clean during any disputes.

A statutory intervention has been in place since October 2023, with Commissioners appointed to oversee and support the Council’s improvement journey. Commissioners continue to support the Council in their operational response to the ongoing dispute, and in developing much needed transformation plans for the waste service. They are experienced local government professionals, and they have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment as laid out under the statutory directions. These powers can be used according to their expert judgment and discretion. Commissioners provide regular progress reports to the Secretary of State, and my department engages regularly with Councils under intervention. On 1 December my department published the Commissioners’ third report, together with my response, and updated the House via a written ministerial statement.

Further disruption to Birmingham’s waste service is in no one’s interest, and we remain in close contact with Commissioners and the Council as we continue to monitor the situation. Birmingham City Council and their contracted agency are independent employers, and the ongoing disputes are local issues and rightly being dealt with by the relevant employers. As such, my department has not held discussions with either Unite or the Council’s contracted agency following a ballot on industrial action among some agency refuse workers. It is for the Council to consider and manage all aspects of any dispute, including the financial impact. The government’s priority is Birmingham’s residents, and we will continue to support the council to keep streets clean during any disputes.

A statutory intervention has been in place since October 2023, with Commissioners appointed to oversee and support the Council’s improvement journey. Commissioners continue to support the Council in their operational response to the ongoing dispute, and in developing much needed transformation plans for the waste service. They are experienced local government professionals, and they have powers relating to governance, finance and recruitment as laid out under the statutory directions. These powers can be used according to their expert judgment and discretion. Commissioners provide regular progress reports to the Secretary of State, and my department engages regularly with Councils under intervention. On 1 December my department published the Commissioners’ third report, together with my response, and updated the House via a written ministerial statement.

We are clear that the starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there is strong justification otherwise.

There is precedent for postponing local elections where local government reorganisation is in progress. That postponement can prevent costly and distracting elections for short-term posts in councils which will shortly be abolished is a key consideration.

The Government will work with areas to hold elections for new unitary councils as soon as possible as is the usual arrangement in the process of local government reorganisation.

Local councils are responsible for the administration of council tax and they have discretionary powers to agree on alternative payment plans including deferrals. The department encourages taxpayers in hardship to contact their local authority to discuss their individual circumstances. The department currently has no plans to introduce a council tax deferral scheme.

On 26 November, the Chancellor announced the introduction of a High Value Council Tax Surcharge. There will be a support scheme in place for those who cannot pay. The Government will consult on options for support or deferral.

The Government has set out, in its guidance, that it will carry out a new burdens assessment to ensure local authorities are fully funded for these costs.

Under existing nationally set permitted development rights, farmers are already able to undertake specific development on their farms. Guidance on the rights in question is available on gov.uk here.

The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.

The Renters' Rights Act delivers the government's manifesto commitment to overhaul the regulation of the private rented sector, including by abolishing Section 21 'no fault' evictions. We want to see tenants benefit from these reforms as quickly as possible.

From 1 May 2026, the new tenancy system provided for by the Act will apply to all private tenancies – existing tenancies will become periodic, and any new tenancies will be governed by the new rules. We will work closely with tenants groups and the landlord and lettings sector to ensure a smooth implementation.

The government has no plans to introduce additional protections before 1 May 2026. Tenants at risk of eviction can seek advice from specialist providers such as Shelter and Citizens Advice.

£644.17 million in funding through the Homelessness Prevention Grant has been made available to local authorities in 2025/26 to support them to deliver services to prevent and respond to homelessness. This includes an uplift of £203.8 million compared to 2024 to 2025.

The government made 21 decisions on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in the first year of this Parliament. This compares with the first year of the last Parliament in which only 15 decisions were made and represents the highest number of annual decisions made since the NSIP programme was introduced in 2011. 27 NSIP decisions have been made so far since the start of this Parliament.

Following acceptance by the Planning Inspectorate, NSIP applications are being processed on average 50 days quicker in this Parliament than in the last.

Through the relevant provisions of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, we are seeking to reduce the average time it takes reach a decision on an NSIP project from its peak of 4.2 years under the previous government.

To achieve our Plan for Change milestone of fast-tracking 150 planning decisions, we will need an average of 32 decisions per year from July 2025. While we have not achieved this in our first year, we expect the rate of decisions to continue to accelerate alongside the already seen increase in projects entering the pipeline.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local development plans should be shaped by early, proportionate, and effective engagement between plan-makers and communities, local organisations, and businesses.

Regulations under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 require a minimum of two separate public consultations on a local plan. Local planning authorities, as public bodies, should conduct these consultations in an open way, without having a pre-determined view on the outcome. They are legally obliged to have regard to representations received and the Planning Inspectorate independently examines plans before they can be adopted.

It is for individual councils to set their own level of council tax. The government intends to maintain a core 3% referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept and will consult on this at the provisional local government finance settlement. The final set of referendum principles will be subject the approval of the House of Commons, in the usual way. Estimates of council tax that may be raised will be published at the provisional local government finance settlement.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that local authorities should assess the size, type, and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including those who require affordable housing (including Social Rent), and reflect this in their planning policies.

This includes setting out the proportion and type of affordable housing that should be expected of new development, including the minimum proportion of Social Rent.

Policy requirements, particularly for affordable housing, should be set at a level that takes account of affordable housing and infrastructure needs and allows for the planned types of sites and development to be deliverable, without the need for further viability assessment at the decision-making stage.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.

The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of the proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.

The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult with businesses and their communities on specific proposals including the rate at which the levy is set – which will determine the revenue raised. Rates vary across the world, for example from 2% in Turkey to 12.5% in Amsterdam. Mayors will also be required to produce an Impact Assessment.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.

The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of the proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.

The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult with businesses and their communities on specific proposals including the rate at which the levy is set – which will determine the revenue raised. Rates vary across the world, for example from 2% in Turkey to 12.5% in Amsterdam. Mayors will also be required to produce an Impact Assessment.

The Government has announced powers for Mayors to introduce a visitor levy on short-term overnight accommodation in their region, to drive economic growth including through support for the local visitor economy.

The Visitor Levy Consultation, running until 18 February 2026, sets out the details of the proposals for this power. This consultation will ensure the public, businesses, and local government can shape the design of the power to introduce a levy that will be devolved to local leaders.

The impacts of the levy will largely be determined by local decisions. Mayors will decide whether to introduce a levy and, if so, consult with businesses and their communities on specific proposals including the rate at which the levy is set – which will determine the revenue raised. Rates vary across the world, for example from 2% in Turkey to 12.5% in Amsterdam. Mayors will also be required to produce an Impact Assessment.

a) Council tax is managed by local authorities, which decide what level of council tax they wish to set. The government intends to maintain a core referendum threshold of 3%, and a 2% adult social care precept and will consult on the principles in the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement. Any authority that wishes to set an increase above its threshold must seek the approval of voters in its area.

The government will continue the existing policy that any protection available through funding floors assumes local authorities use the full council tax flexibility available to them, which will be set out through the Referendums Relating to Council Tax Increases (Principles) Report at the provisional Settlement. Assuming full take up of council tax flexibility balances allocating funding to support authorities adjust to their new allocations and targeting funding to places with higher needs.

The government expects councils to consider all levers at their disposal to manage their financial position ahead of making requests for Council Tax flexibilities, which should be a last resort and will only be granted where levels are below average.

b) The Department expects that a small number of authorities may seek additional council tax flexibility in exceptional circumstances. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, as has been the approach in previous years. No decisions have yet been taken on individual requests.

C) In assessing requests for additional flexibility, the government will consider evidence of significant financial difficulty and whether additional increases are critical to managing financial risk. Requests will not be granted where council tax levels are already above the national average. Taxpayers will remain at the forefront of Ministers’ considerations.

d) We will publish multi-year local authority allocations, including funding for transition and year-on-year Core Spending Power changes, at the upcoming provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this month.