Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The government notes that creating designated night-time economy and hospitality zones can deliver wide-ranging benefits that benefit businesses including through use of licensing and planning measures. We are working with other government departments to explore these measures and how we can encourage more local authorities to adopt this approach.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England, including the possible use of mobile polling stations. While mobile polling stations were not piloted in May 2026, they remain a possibility for any future pilots.

I refer the Hon. Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which sets out that only physical bank cards will be accepted at the polling station.

The maximum available budget for the 2026 pilots is approximately £5.84m, the majority of which was allocated to one-off software development for real-time digital registers, which were needed to enable the pilots. We anticipate this development work supporting any future piloting schemes and potential roll-out.

The pilots represent one step in a longer-term strategy to future-proof our democracy. The insights gained will inform future phases of reform. Decisions on funding for any future pilots in 2027 will be made in due course.

The Department has no plans to amend legislation to allow election agents to resign after close of nominations.

The Government has no plans to publish expressions of interest or applications from local authorities relating to the flexible voting pilots.

The Government has included powers in the Representation of the People Bill to enable the testing and introduction of new methods of registration. On the introduction of the Bill in February 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government wrote to shadow spokespeople across the House, with an invitation to meet, which followed a subsequent similar invitation in 2025.

As previously made clear, further details of any pilots will be set out in secondary legislation, which will be subject to the affirmative procedure. During the development of this work, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will continue to offer engagement with political parties.

The new rules will not exclude companies less than three years old. The three‑year period is intended as a window of time for assessing whether a company can demonstrate sufficient revenue; it is not an age‑based restriction. Companies may make political donations, provided they are able to demonstrate sufficient revenue and meet the other eligibility criteria set out in legislation.

On-call firefighters play a vital role in responding to emergencies in their local communities. The government is grateful for their dedication.

Responsibility for managing local risk and demand sits with each fire and rescue authority (FRA) and its fire and rescue service, via their local Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP). This includes making decisions on how the service’s resources are organised and deployed.

On-call firefighters play a vital role in responding to emergencies in their local communities. The government is grateful for their dedication.

Responsibility for managing local risk and demand sits with each fire and rescue authority (FRA) and its fire and rescue service, via their local Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP). This includes making decisions on how the service’s resources are organised and deployed.

Data on allegations and outcomes of electoral fraud is recorded by police forces across the UK and provided to the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission publishes this information annually on its website in the section titled ‘research, reports and data’.

The Government continues to work closely with the Electoral Commission, the police and other partners to safeguard the integrity of elections and maintain public confidence in the democratic process.

As I set out in my answer to Question UIN 124762 on 21 April 2026, this will be a matter for the Electoral Commission to consider.

The preparation for, response to and recovery from extreme weather sits across a number of organisations, including the Cabinet Office, UK Health and Security Agency, and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) in England are tasked with coordinating local emergency preparedness for extreme weather events. Local Authorities are members of the Local Resilience Forum and work with all organisations within the Local Resilience Forum to ensure plans are in place for severe weather events to reduce and mitigate impacts upon local communities.

The UK Health Security Agency and Centre for Climate and Health Security last month published an updated toolkit to help local authorities prepare for heat risks.

MHCLG encourages Local Authorities to initiate the policies and procedures associated with the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol. MHCLG also shares relevant NHS guidance, alongside MHCLG’s Night Shelter Operating Principles, guidelines.

Local planning authorities (LPAs) are not under a general statutory duty to either (a) retain or (b) disclose DSEAR assessments for major infrastructure projects.

The legal duties under DSEAR sit primarily with the employer/operator (the duty holder). The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require employers to assess the risks to safety from fire, explosions and substances corrosive to metals and put control measures in place to either remove the risks or, where this is not possible, control them. Employers should also prepare plans and procedures to deal with accidents, incidents and emergencies involving dangerous substances and ensure that employees are properly informed and trained to control or deal with the risks from the dangerous substances.

The government places great importance upon our agricultural land and food production.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should recognise the benefits of the Best and Most Versatile Agricultural Land (land in grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification system).

Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of a higher quality.

The Land Use Framework published on the 18 March 2026 sets out a long-term, strategic approach to using England’s finite land more efficiently to meet the country’s needs for housing, infrastructure, food production, climate resilience, and nature recovery.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

Decision makers must take account of all relevant policies in the National Planning Policy Framework in reaching decisions on all planning enforcement appeals and retrospective planning applications.

Exemplary development should be the norm not the exception so that more communities feel the benefits of new development and welcome it.

As we act to boost housing supply, we are also taking steps to improve the design and quality of the homes and neighbourhoods being built.

On 21 January 2026, we published new consolidated draft Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) for consultation which can be found on gov.uk here.

The draft PPG encourages local planning authorities to embed clear design visions in local plans and to use tools such as design codes, masterplans, and local guidance to respond to the distinct context of their areas, including architectural character.

The consultation closed on 12 March 2026. We are currently analysing feedback and will set out next steps in due course.

Exemplary development should be the norm not the exception so that more communities feel the benefits of new development and welcome it.

As we act to boost housing supply, we are also taking steps to improve the design and quality of the homes and neighbourhoods being built.

On 21 January 2026, we published new consolidated draft Design and Placemaking Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) for consultation which can be found on gov.uk here.

The draft PPG encourages local planning authorities to embed clear design visions in local plans and to use tools such as design codes, masterplans, and local guidance to respond to the distinct context of their areas, including architectural character.

The consultation closed on 12 March 2026. We are currently analysing feedback and will set out next steps in due course.

Estimates of Rateable Value for each property on the central list are published by the Valuation Office, which can be used to calculate estimated business rates receipts: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-central-rating-list.

Business rates receipts from the central list are estimated to be, in cash terms, £2.1 billion in 2024-25, £2.1 billion in 2025-26 and £2.4 billion in 2026-27.

For later years, business rates receipts from the central list are estimated to be, in cash terms, £2.5 billion in 2027-28 and £2.5 billion in 2028-29.

The Government is currently in the process of determining the details of a target operating model for the Local Audit Office, which will allow a clearer determination of its annual budget. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 has provided for the Local Audit Office to be funded through both grant-in-aid from the department and the ability to charge fees for delivering its services. The Government intends to shortly publish more detailed information on the Local Audit Office ahead of its establishment in Autumn, including expectations on its priorities and estimated budget.

On 6 October 2025, my Department published two consultations outlining reform proposals to transform home buying and selling, including the use of conditional contracts to make transactions binding at an early stage and requiring upfront property information.

These consultations can be found on gov.uk here and here.

Both consultations closed on 29 December. We are now reviewing the feedback received.

Subject to the outcomes of the analysis being undertaken, we will publish a roadmap setting out further details of our reforms later this year.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124377 on 17 April 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124377 on 17 April 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124377 on 17 April 2026.

The Renters’ Rights Act contains a power for government to require private rented sector enforcement data from local authorities, including the number of full-time equivalent staff responsible for enforcement in the private rented sector.

I otherwise refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 2020 on 27 May 2026.

The government has published guidance on enforcement measures for landlords, which can be found on gov.uk here, and for local authorities, which can be found on gov.uk here.

This guidance contains information regarding the definitions of “knowingly” and “reckless” in relation to the misuse of a possession ground.

Transparency around who is promoting campaign material is a key part of equipping people with the tools to scrutinise political messages and make informed decisions in elections and referendums.

Under UK law, printed and digital campaigning material in scope of the rules is required to include the name and address of the promoter of the material and any person on behalf of whom the material is being published. Printed material also requires the name and address of the printer.

The Government has no plans to prescribe the language of imprints. There are already requirements in legislation to ensure the legibility and accessibility of imprints and the Electoral Commission publishes guidance to support campaigners to meet those requirements.

It is an offence to distribute printed or digital election campaign material without a compliant imprint and enforcement is a matter for the police or the Electoral Commission.

As I indicated during the Public Bill Committee debate on 24 March 2026, in response to points raised by the Hon. Member for Hamble Valley, I intend to write to him shortly with further details on issues relating to the duty for EROs to notify postal voters that their postal vote is due to expire. A copy of that correspondence will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses as soon as it has been issued.

As indicated during the Public Bill Committee debate on 24 March 2026, in response to points raised by the Hon. Member for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner, I intend to write to him shortly with further details on issues relating to children in secure accommodation. A copy of that correspondence will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses as soon as it has been sent.

The Government has had discussions with the Electoral Commission’s Parliamentary Parties Panel to seek their views on the recommendations made in the Rycroft Review and the practicalities around implementing them.

The Government is committed to responding formally and in full to the Rycroft Review in advance of the Commons report stage of the Representation of the People Bill. As part of this, the Government will continue to engage across the sector, including with the Parliamentary Parties Panel.

The Government does not have any current plans to introduce a uniform approach to the publication of local election results by local authorities. Returning Officers are responsible for publishing election results in their local areas.

Regarding a central repository of local election results, the Government intends to take a power in the Representation of the People Bill 2026 to enable the Government or the Electoral Commission to collect election‑related information, including election results, from relevant officers responsible for the delivery of elections, referendums, petitions and electoral registration. The Government is working with the Electoral Commission to develop the use of this power in a way that improves the accessibility of election information for electors.

The Government is clear that it is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic and electoral processes. Security in democratic processes is paramount, and the Government has systems in place to ensure the integrity of its elections. The UK’s elections, both national and local, remain safe and secure.

We continue to work with the Electoral Commission, policing partners and the elections sector to ensure that polls are delivered as effectively and securely as possible. Every eligible elector should be able to cast their vote with confidence in the integrity of the process and without interference. Electoral fraud has no place in our democracy and anyone who has any concerns about the conduct of a poll should contact the Returning Officer or the police.

The statutory framework for donations to UK political parties explicitly provides for Northern Ireland parties to receive donations from eligible people and organisations based in Ireland. Donations to Northern Ireland parties from eligible Irish sources are regulated by the Electoral Commission. Rules on donations to Irish political parties are a matter for the Irish Government.

These provisions are consistent with the principles set out in the Good Friday Agreement, particularly those relating to equality and respect for the different political traditions on the island of Ireland.

Separately, the Government has set out its intention to legislate in relation to donations from overseas electors to political parties in the UK. This includes overseas electors from Northern Ireland and donations to Northern Ireland political parties.

The Representation of the People Bill introduces strengthened measures in relation to political donations, including enhanced checks on donor eligibility.

The Government is committed to maintaining the integrity and transparency of the UK's political finance regime and ensuring that new strengthened measures regarding political donations apply to donations that Northern Ireland parties receive from eligible Irish sources.

Legislation and statutory guidance is clear that local authorities should, wherever possible, place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse). However, in some areas where there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation it is sometimes necessary to place households in temporary accommodation outside the local area. This should be as near as possible to the original placing local authority.

We have published data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data in the detailed local authority table (tables TA9 onwards) here.

The published data show the local authority where the household is owed a duty and the region where a local authority places a household. The Department does not collect more detailed information on out of area placements (for example, addresses) of temporary accommodation placements, and it is not possible to determine the exact, or average, distance of out-of-area placements.

Information on local authority spending is here, including the Revenue Outturn (RO4) return, which covers housing services and includes information on local authorities’ expenditure on homelessness activities. However, the Department does not collect information on the financial impact of out-of-area temporary accommodation placements.

The Department has committed to publish a Temporary Accommodation Toolkit which will cover a range of issues, including good practice on procurement to ensure an appropriate supply of suitable, local accommodation, and on mitigating negative impacts of out of area placements when they are unavoidable, including through appropriate notification and links to support.

Legislation and statutory guidance is clear that local authorities should, wherever possible, place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse). However, in some areas where there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation it is sometimes necessary to place households in temporary accommodation outside the local area. This should be as near as possible to the original placing local authority.

We have published data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data in the detailed local authority table (tables TA9 onwards) here.

The published data show the local authority where the household is owed a duty and the region where a local authority places a household. The Department does not collect more detailed information on out of area placements (for example, addresses) of temporary accommodation placements, and it is not possible to determine the exact, or average, distance of out-of-area placements.

Information on local authority spending is here, including the Revenue Outturn (RO4) return, which covers housing services and includes information on local authorities’ expenditure on homelessness activities. However, the Department does not collect information on the financial impact of out-of-area temporary accommodation placements.

The Department has committed to publish a Temporary Accommodation Toolkit which will cover a range of issues, including good practice on procurement to ensure an appropriate supply of suitable, local accommodation, and on mitigating negative impacts of out of area placements when they are unavoidable, including through appropriate notification and links to support.

Legislation and statutory guidance is clear that local authorities should, wherever possible, place homeless households within their own area, except where there are clear benefits for the person seeking assistance (for example, in cases of domestic abuse). However, in some areas where there is a limited supply of suitable accommodation it is sometimes necessary to place households in temporary accommodation outside the local area. This should be as near as possible to the original placing local authority.

We have published data on out-of-area placements, setting out which areas have received placements, the composition of households placed out of area and the type of accommodation they are placed into. You can find this data in the detailed local authority table (tables TA9 onwards) here.

The published data show the local authority where the household is owed a duty and the region where a local authority places a household. The Department does not collect more detailed information on out of area placements (for example, addresses) of temporary accommodation placements, and it is not possible to determine the exact, or average, distance of out-of-area placements.

Information on local authority spending is here, including the Revenue Outturn (RO4) return, which covers housing services and includes information on local authorities’ expenditure on homelessness activities. However, the Department does not collect information on the financial impact of out-of-area temporary accommodation placements.

The Department has committed to publish a Temporary Accommodation Toolkit which will cover a range of issues, including good practice on procurement to ensure an appropriate supply of suitable, local accommodation, and on mitigating negative impacts of out of area placements when they are unavoidable, including through appropriate notification and links to support.

The Envoys outlined in their second report (published on 17 March 2026), that partners had expressed that the methodology in awarding grants is not always clear, lacks transparency, and decisions are not always communicated effectively. As set out in the responses of 20 April 2026 to Question UIN 124686 and 27 May to Question UIN 2018, the Envoys are undertaking a ‘deep dive’ project as part of the strengthened intervention package, announced on 17 March 2026, to provide assurance in relation to long-standing concerns, this includes resource allocations (community assets and community grants).

The Government publishes annual data on local authority exit payments in England, based on returns submitted by local authorities. These data include pension-related exit costs. The published release for 2024-25 is available on gov.uk here.

Fees across the public sector, including those charged by local authorities, can only be set at the cost of delivering the service, or less. This is to ensure the public sector does not profit at the expense of consumers.

As part of the Fair Funding Review 2.0, the government has committed to conduct a review of the existing sales, fees and charges system for local government. We recognise the importance of providing local leaders greater flexibility. However, we must ensure that any changes to fees are proportionate and considered.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 2013 on 22 May 2026.