Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find on gov.uk here.

Temporary accommodation must be appropriate to the needs of the household, which includes accessibility needs.

MHCLG does not hold data on the number of accessible properties that are temporary accommodation, emergency accommodation or social housing available through local authorities in the South East.

The Code will set out the minimum standards that private parking operators must adhere to. The government intends to lay the Private Parking Code of Practice in Parliament in autumn 2026.

The Government is committed to taking clear and proportionate action in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s findings.

The Public Engagement Policy and which companies it applies to is published on GOV.UK. Ministers and senior civil servants will decide how and when they engage with external bodies bearing in mind the principles of accountability, transparency and the balance of public interest.

Parent and child bays are not prescribed or required by national legislation. The Department has made no assessment of the adequacy of parent and child parking spaces, or measures to prevent their misuse, in local authority or private car parks.

The provision of parent and child parking bays in private car parks is a matter for the operator. The government is aware of the enforcement challenges to prevent the misuse of these bays. Whilst there have been no recent discussions with retailers on this matter, the government will continue to work closely with representatives for local authorities and parking operators.

Parent and child bays are not prescribed or required by national legislation. The Department has made no assessment of the adequacy of parent and child parking spaces, or measures to prevent their misuse, in local authority or private car parks.

The provision of parent and child parking bays in private car parks is a matter for the operator. The government is aware of the enforcement challenges to prevent the misuse of these bays. Whilst there have been no recent discussions with retailers on this matter, the government will continue to work closely with representatives for local authorities and parking operators.

Parent and child bays are not prescribed or required by national legislation. The Department has made no assessment of the adequacy of parent and child parking spaces, or measures to prevent their misuse, in local authority or private car parks.

The provision of parent and child parking bays in private car parks is a matter for the operator. The government is aware of the enforcement challenges to prevent the misuse of these bays. Whilst there have been no recent discussions with retailers on this matter, the government will continue to work closely with representatives for local authorities and parking operators.

The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.

The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.

The Government recognises the importance of safe, high-quality playgrounds for children and families. Responsibility for the provision, inspection, maintenance and management of local authority-owned playgrounds rests with individual local authorities, which are best placed to assess local needs and priorities. My department does not currently plan to issue guidance on these matters but will keep this under review in the usual course of business.

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

Playgrounds are an important part of healthy, happy and connected communities, supporting children’s physical health, wellbeing and social development. Responsibility for the provision and maintenance of public playgrounds sits mainly with local authorities, who are best placed to understand local need and determine local priorities.

The Government recognises that access to safe, high-quality, accessible and inclusive play spaces varies across England. That is why we are providing the £18 million Playground Fund, which will support 66 local authorities to create, improve or enhance up to 200 playgrounds in areas of greatest need. The Fund has been targeted using national data on child income deprivation, children per playground, playground size and children’s travel distance to playgrounds. Guidance has been issued to local authorities to help them focus on engaging with communities and improving the inclusivity of these spaces. This will help improve access in deprived communities and reduce geographic inequalities.

The National Planning Policy Framework, published in August 2026, strengthens support for new and improved community facilities, including where they are required to support new development. It also safeguards against the loss of playing fields and other formal and informal play spaces.

The Government recognises that parks and green spaces can make a significant contribution to public health and community wellbeing by supporting physical activity, improving mental health, strengthening social connections, promoting community cohesion and pride in place, and delivering wider environmental benefits. We are therefore committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to manage parks and green spaces.

Responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining these assets rests primarily with local authorities, and spending decisions are a matter for them. The 2026-27 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. 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. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

The Government recognises that parks and green spaces can make a significant contribution to public health and community wellbeing by supporting physical activity, improving mental health, strengthening social connections, promoting community cohesion and pride in place, and delivering wider environmental benefits. We are therefore committed to supporting Local Authorities in developing best practice to manage parks and green spaces.

Responsibility for funding, managing and maintaining these assets rests primarily with local authorities, and spending decisions are a matter for them. The 2026-27 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. 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. The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is unringfenced recognising that local leaders are best placed to identify local priorities.

We have not procured any corporate-branded or non-essential merchandise. We do not collate centrally how much arm’s length bodies have spent on these products.

We have not procured any corporate-branded or non-essential merchandise. We do not collate centrally how much arm’s length bodies have spent on these products.

This Government recognises that too many neighbourhoods, including in market towns, have been let down by broken promises of renewal, resulting in the loss of valued community assets and the decline of local high streets.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the merits of having a civic centre in every market town. However, through our wider work to regenerate town centres and strengthen communities, we are supporting places to invest in the civic and community assets that best meet local needs. Our Pride in Place programme is empowering local people to shape the future of their neighbourhood. Supported by up to £5.8 billion in funding for 284 places across the country, Neighbourhood Boards are working with residents to deliver improvements that improve public spaces and create thriving communities.

The visitor levy will apply to short-term, commercially let overnight accommodation. National exemptions will apply to non-commercial accommodation or land uses. This includes Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites, temporary accommodation, and charitable accommodation for shelter or refuge.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

The Government has consulted on the surcharge, including the treatment of different property types and possible exemptions and will publish a response in due course.

Local authorities are central to the Government's ambitions for economic growth, public service reform and stronger communities.

As set out in the Government's Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement (here), we are committed to shifting power from central government to local leaders and communities, including through ensuring that powers, functions and resources are exercised at the level most appropriate to achieving better outcomes for people and places.

The Government has also committed to increasing the proportion of business rates retained by local government. Further detail on our approach to devolution and the distribution of responsibilities across different levels of government will be set out in a forthcoming White Paper.

On 7 September 2026, the Secretary of State announced that decisions taken for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk would be withdrawn and that implementation of other local government reorganisation decisions would be paused while the Government considers next steps.

It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice. The Government does not routinely publish correspondence relating to ministerial decision-making.

On 7 September 2026, the Secretary of State announced that decisions taken for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk would be withdrawn and that implementation of other local government reorganisation decisions would be paused while the Government considers next steps.

It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice. The Government does not routinely publish correspondence relating to ministerial decision-making.

On 7 September 2026, the Secretary of State announced that decisions taken for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk would be withdrawn and that implementation of other local government reorganisation decisions would be paused while the Government considers next steps. It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

New powers adopted in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act will enable local authorities to immediately suspend licenses in the interests of public safety, regardless of where a driver is licensed. To support licensing authorities in using this new power, the Government will provide guidance on its use to ensure it is exercised consistently and where justified by the circumstances of the case.

The Single Data List (SDL) is a list of all the datasets that local government must submit to central government. The SDL is reviewed and updated annually. The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 sets transparency requirements for local authorities. The Government has no current plans to update the SDL or the Transparency Code in response to HM Treasury's Sustainability Reporting Guidance 2026-27, which relates to central government. Local authorities are subject to their own reporting and transparency requirements on sustainability and reducing waste.

The call for evidence for the Seventh National Action Plan for Open Government (NAP7) was undertaken by Cabinet Office to assess the potential for the co-creation of open government commitments, but did not adopt any specific policy proposals, and the development of commitments is currently ongoing. MHCLG is keeping the Local Transparency Code under review in the context of wider policy relating to local government accountability including reforms to the local audit system and simplifying local authority accounting.

Local and combined authorities are central to the Government’s ambitions for economic growth, public service reform and stronger communities.

As we set out in the Government’s Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement (here), we are committed to shifting power and resources from central government to local leaders and communities across the whole country, including through ensuring that powers, functions and resources are exercised at the level most appropriate to achieving better outcomes for people and places.

The Government is committed to increasing the proportion of business rates retained by local government.

We will set out further detail on our approach to devolution and the distribution of responsibilities and resources across different levels of government in a forthcoming White Paper.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act establishes Local Scrutiny Committees, which are intended to strengthen oversight of Mayors and Strategic Authorities and improve accountability for decision-making and the use of public funds. Local Scrutiny Committees will be responsible for scrutinising value for money and reviewing the exercise of devolved powers by the Mayor and their Strategic Authority, rather than spending and decision making in their constituent authorities.

These committees will not apply to existing two-tier authorities, nor will they apply to unitary authorities formed through the process of local government reorganisation. Instead, they will apply to Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities from 2027 and be extended to all Mayoral Strategic Authorities from 2028.Constituent authorities will continue to operate their own Overview and Scrutiny Committees following local government reorganisation.

The Government is already taking decisive action to reform and modernise property law to ensure that it works effectively for people across the country. We are reforming the home buying and selling system to make it faster, more certain, and less stressful for consumers. We are ending the outdated leasehold tenure and making commonhold the default tenure for new flats, capping ground rents at £250 before changing to a peppercorn after 40 years and ending draconian enforcement remedies such as forfeiture. This leasehold reform programme is informed by the extensive work of the Law Commission. In addition, the Renters’ Rights Act is delivering the biggest increase to renters’ rights in a generation, transforming the experience of private renting by ending Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and giving renters greater security and stability in their homes.

The Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement committed to ensuring there is a clear role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and local councillors. Mayors are responsible for the areas of competence set out in the devolution framework and will have the autonomy to decide how funding is used to deliver for local residents in these areas. While Mayors will be accountable at the local level, as part of the Devolution White Paper, the Government is considering how MPs can engage with strengthened local accountability arrangements in relation to these responsibilities. Further details will be set out in due course.

Water companies are consulted as part of the preparation of local development plans. Strategic water issues, such as water capacity, drainage and wastewater management, are best addressed through the plan-making process, where it is easier to identify and mitigate capacity issues or damaged infrastructure early, and which steers planning application decisions. We are maintaining the current moratorium on the creation of new statutory consultees on planning applications, subject to periodic review.

All stakeholders can of course comment on any planning application about which they have concerns.

The Rewiring the State Cabinet Statement committed to ensuring there is a clear role for Members of Parliament in local accountability, working with mayors and local councillors. As part of the development of the Devolution White Paper, Ministers and officials are engaging with a range of stakeholders, including mayors and local government representatives on the co-design and implementation of these reforms. Further details will be set out in due course.

Strong, capable local authorities are the foundation for devolution. If we are to devolve more powers from Westminster to local leaders, local government needs must be simpler, stronger and more sustainable.

In addition to all the wider benefits of reorganisation, experience from previous local government reorganisations shows that, while there are upfront implementation costs, unitary councils can be more efficient, reduce duplication and deliver savings over time. For example, North Yorkshire Council has reported around £90 million of savings since its establishment in April 2023.

The Government has announced it will review business rates reliefs for businesses not making a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops. Further details will be set out in due course.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is the independent body responsible for setting electoral arrangements for councils. However, it cannot undertake an electoral review until a new council has been established in law. Where a proposal is implemented, councils are asked to suggest interim electoral arrangements for inclusion in the legislation establishing the new authority. Neither councils nor Ministers have the power to draw new electoral boundaries through this process. Instead, interim arrangements must be based on existing electoral areas, including district wards, county divisions, parishes and parish wards. Councils are expected to have regard to the Commission's published guidance when developing their suggestions, and the Commission offered support to councils undertaking this work earlier in the year.

The rapid review will consider the local government reorganisation programme as a whole, ensuring it is robust and aligns with the new Government’s plans to rewire the state.