Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Community gardens make a great contribution to the health, wellbeing and spirit of communities.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear that open space should not be built on unless there is clear evidence it is no longer required, or equivalent or better provision is secured in a suitable location, or development of the site is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use.

The NPPF also provides for the designation of land as Local Green Space through local and neighbourhood plans, allowing communities to identify and protect green areas of particular importance to them.

Britain in Bloom has a huge impact upon our local environments and communities, inspiring thousands to get involved in their community. It is one of many excellent initiatives to create better access to green spaces for all sections of society.

Whilst we are not taking direct steps to increase the scope of Britain in Bloom specifically, the government’s own Green Flag Award sets the standard for green spaces across the UK. In 2024 a record 2,227 Green Flag Awards were awarded. To increase the impact of the green flag award, we have modernised the Award, adjusting its aims and deliverables to focus on community engagement, increased access and usage of parks and to address local health and environmental priorities.

The consultation to which the Honourable Member refers sought views from across the local government sector on the appropriateness of creating a national body to consider appeals, alongside a range of other proposed measures to strengthen the local government standards framework. The Government Response will be issued in due course. After its release, we will continue to work actively with local government on developing the detailed policies for implementation.

This Government is committed to rejuvenating our high streets. At Spending Review, it announced 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods that will each receive up to £20 million over the next decade as part of a new fund. This forms part of communities funding for up to 350 places announced at the Spending Review, including the 75 places already named in the £1.5 billion Plan for Neighbourhoods in March.

We have introduced High Street Rental Auctions, powers for local authorities in England to auction the leases of persistently vacant commercial properties; through the English Devolution Bill we will introduce a community ‘right to buy’.

This Government is committed to delivering 1.5 million quality homes over this Parliament, to ensure people have access to the high-quality housing they need.

The Building Regulations are intended to protect people’s safety, health, and welfare. Building Regulations set minimum performance standards for new building work, including when a building is being designed, constructed, or subject to major re-design. The Building Safety Act 2022 also requires the Building Safety Regulator to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review, which includes advising government on updates on Approved Documents.

In December 2021, the previous government introduced an uplift in energy efficiency and ventilation standards for new homes and buildings, which came into force in June 2022. These changes will help to ensure that new homes and buildings are warm and comfortable, with high indoor air quality. As part of the 2021 uplift, the previous government also introduced a new overheating requirement to reduce the risk of overheating in new residential buildings.

The Government plans to publish the Future Homes Standard in autumn this year. Homes built to the Future Homes Standard will be future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. This will contribute to ensuring that new homes are both warm and comfortable.

To further reinforce standards, we remain committed to introducing a statutory New Homes Ombudsman scheme that developers will have to join, with an accompanying Code of Practice about the standards of conduct and standards of quality of work expected of members.

The Valuation Tribunal Service offer an online search engine which the hon Member may use to search any appeals relating to council tax liability, the second homes premium or second homes more broadly. This is available on gov.uk here.

The government recognised the potential economic impact that could result from the withdrawal of testing standard BS 476-22 and the transition to the European Standard (BS EN 13501), including on timber fire door manufacturers, through the consultation response impact analysis.

In response, an extended five-year transition period was introduced for fire resistance classifications, running from 2 September 2024 to 2 September 2029. This extended period was developed in consultation with industry to allow sufficient time for retesting and certification under the new standard.

While concerns have been raised about the timing of the transition, we remain committed to the planned timeline. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will continue to monitor the impact of the change and support industry through the transition. BSR will keep these standards under review as part of their continuous review of Approved Document B, in line with their duty under the Building Safety Act to keep the safety and standard of building under review in England.

The Government has engaged with, and continues to engage with, various stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission, ahead of the publication of the Government's Strategy for Elections. As the independent regulator, the Electoral Commission offers valuable insight, and its contributions are helping to inform policy development in a number of areas.

The Government Cyber Security Strategy sets a clear target for all public bodies to be resilient to known vulnerabilities and common attack methods by 2030. Cyber insurance should be considered as part of wider cyber security resilience measures taken by organisations. The NCSC (The National Cyber Security Centre) has provided helpful guidance for organisations thinking about taking out cyber insurance.

In 2024 MHCLG introduced the Cyber Assessment Framework for local government to help councils assess and improve their cyber security. The framework also aims to promote good cyber security practices and cultures within councils to minimise the impact of cyber-attacks.

On 3 June the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon OBE MP) has updated the House to confirm that the Department had provided individual written feedback to each area on the interim plans for local government reorganisation that they submitted by 21 March 2025. Areas have been encouraged to share that feedback with MPs and the Department also published a summary of the feedback to support all areas in progressing their proposals and in the interests of transparency.

The Department publishes an annual release entitled ‘Housing supply: net additional dwellings, England’, which is the primary and most comprehensive measure of housing supply. This includes estimates of housing supply in each financial year to 2023-24; is shown in the table below; and can be found in Live Table 120 on gov.uk here.

Net additional dwellings in the devolved regions of the United Kingdom and aggregate figures for the UK are not held centrally by MHCLG.

Council tax levels are decided by individual local authorities. The Office for Budget Responsibility has projected a continued 5% principle for the next spending review period. However, the government determines referendum principles annually with the approval of the House of Commons to give residents the final say over excessive increases.

The government annually publishes data on council taxbases including their use of any council tax premiums. Data for the 2024 snapshot is available here. Data for the 2025 snapshot will be published in November.

This data sets out that 292 billing authorities made use of the long-term empty homes premium in 2024. The data also provides a breakdown for each billing authority and the various percentages of premiums they have applied.

Councils have had the power to charge a council tax premium on second homes since April this year. Data on the number of billing authorities making use of the second home premium will be published in the 2025 council taxbase statistics in November.

The government annually publishes data on council taxbases including their use of any council tax premiums. Data for the 2024 snapshot is available here. Data for the 2025 snapshot will be published in November.

This data sets out that 292 billing authorities made use of the long-term empty homes premium in 2024. The data also provides a breakdown for each billing authority and the various percentages of premiums they have applied.

Councils have had the power to charge a council tax premium on second homes since April this year. Data on the number of billing authorities making use of the second home premium will be published in the 2025 council taxbase statistics in November.

MCHLG does not record such information. Responsibility for planning enforcement rests with local planning authorities.

While individual funding programmes are managed and assured independently by their respective departments, an ongoing assessment of the authority's progress against the best value notice will be based on a holistic judgement of all available information and considered engagement with the authority

Under the department’s stewardship and the Best Value Notice issued on 3 April, Tees Valley Combined Authority is leading its own improvement efforts and working with local partners to build on the progress made following the independent Tees Valley Review. It remains the responsibility of relevant ministers and Senior Responsible Owners overseeing a grant programme to ensure they have sufficient assurance and performance management arrangements that an authority has the capacity and capability to deliver a programme effectively.

The contract with AtkinsRéalis UK Limited is for the audit of the government approved accreditation schemes who have the responsibility for maintaining the quality of energy performance certificates. This contract provides assurance that the requirements of section 22 of the Energy Performance of the Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 are being met.

The forthcoming Private Parking Code of Practice does not apply to local authorities because civil parking enforcement operates under a different legislative framework. Local authorities have autonomy to decide on appropriate parking arrangements, within the framework provided by the Traffic Management Act 2004 which requires Local Authorities to ensure local parking policies are proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities.

The current Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions recommends that enforcement authorities consult locally on their parking policies, including seeking the views of people and businesses with a range of different parking needs.

The Secretary of State does not audit Local Authority compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. However, members of the public can challenge a Local Authority as to their compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty if they believe a public authority has not complied with its obligations.

The forthcoming Private Parking Code of Practice does not apply to local authorities because civil parking enforcement operates under a different legislative framework. Local authorities have autonomy to decide on appropriate parking arrangements, within the framework provided by the Traffic Management Act 2004 which requires Local Authorities to ensure local parking policies are proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities.

The current Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions recommends that enforcement authorities consult locally on their parking policies, including seeking the views of people and businesses with a range of different parking needs.

The Secretary of State does not audit Local Authority compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. However, members of the public can challenge a Local Authority as to their compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty if they believe a public authority has not complied with its obligations.

We are considering the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Triennial Review and will respond in due course.

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces, including the terms and conditions offered to contractors. Ministers have little remit to intervene in employment issues within local authorities, except where specific provision has been made in legislation.

The Department welcomes the Housing Ombudsman’s report on Hackney Council, published on 22 May 2025, and takes its findings seriously.

Issuing such reports is part of the Housing Ombudsman Services’ role in using insights from individual cases to identify systemic issues and drive improvements in landlords’ complaint handling and service delivery.

The Ombudsman has issued orders and recommendations to Hackney Council and has committed to working with Hackney during a monitoring period to track progress against these recommendations. They also highlighted the availability of resources through the Centre for Learning to support the Council in implementing improvements.

More generally, in August 2024, the Regulator of Social Housing issued a regulatory judgement identifying significant failings in delivery of the outcomes set by the consumer standards by Hackney Council. Since then, the Regulator has been engaging intensively with the Council to secure assurance that the necessary improvements are being made.

The Government recognises the need for high standards in the private parking industry and is committed to delivering a Code of Practice that promotes good practice, in accordance with The Parking (Code of Practice) Act 2019.

We are progressing with plans to protect and support all motorists. We will be launching a consultation in due course to help us further understand the potential impacts of the Code and its accompanying enforcement framework, including our approach to scrutiny and oversight.

We have no estimate of the upfront cost of reorganisation. As set out in my answers to Question UIN 31960 answered on 3 March 2025, and Question UIN 48973 answered on 8 May 2025, the upfront costs of local government reorganisation will be a matter for local councils to consider as they develop their proposals.

In our invitations to councils, we set out that proposals should set out how an area will seek to manage transition costs. We expect that areas will be able to meet potential costs over time from existing budgets, including the flexible use of capital receipts and invest-to-save projects, and the efficiencies from reorganisation.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

The Building Safety Act 2022 (the Act) provided protections for certain leaseholders from the costs of remedying certain historical safety defects which might otherwise be recovered from leaseholders via the service charge. The definition of “qualifying lease” is in Section 119 of the Act and defined protection from 14 February 2022. The department keeps under review the impact of the Act on leaseholders, regardless of the status of their leases (qualifying or non-qualifying).

The Act put in place a statutory framework to protect residents and ensure buildings were remediated. Where remediation is needed and not progressing, remediation orders, defined in Section 123 of the Act, can be applied for. They provide a route against a relevant landlord for interested persons (e.g. leaseholders) to obtain remediation of a building with a relevant defect. The leaseholder protections under the Act prevent internal defect remediation costs from falling disproportionately on leaseholders, which might otherwise slow remediation. We are confident that the Act is not delaying progress with regards to the length of time remediation takes to be completed.

Under regulations following the Act, the leaseholder deed of certificate (LDC) is used to confirm whether a leaseholder qualifies for protections under the Act. Leaseholders cannot be charged to complete the deed of certificate by the landlord. A deed of certificate can be completed by the leaseholder without professional support. There might be, however, a small charge to access the necessary HM Land Registry documents that may be required as evidence.

Both local authorities and private parking operators who provide parking are required under legislation, such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and to provide them equal opportunities to access services.

Further to this, the single industry code reminds operators of the obligations placed on them by the Equality Act 2010. This is irrespective of contractual changes.

Both local authorities and private parking operators who provide parking are required under legislation, such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and to provide them equal opportunities to access services.

Further to this, the single industry code reminds operators of the obligations placed on them by the Equality Act 2010. This is irrespective of contractual changes.

Both local authorities and private parking operators who provide parking are required under legislation, such as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Equality Act 2010, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people and to provide them equal opportunities to access services.

Further to this, the single industry code reminds operators of the obligations placed on them by the Equality Act 2010. This is irrespective of contractual changes.

Local authorities are empowered by law to decide on appropriate parking arrangements, within the legal framework provided by the Traffic Management Act 2004 which requires Local Authorities to ensure local parking policies are proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities

The Secretary of State does not monitor or audit these decisions which are best made locally.

There is no statutory duty to consult prior to making changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and/or associated planning guidance.

That said, the Secretary of State keeps the matter of consultation under active consideration ahead of making any changes to planning policy alongside any legal obligations including those under the Equality Act 2010 and the Environment Act 2021.

The ‘Extract’ tool is currently being tested. When the tool is launched the department will provide guidance alongside it to support local authorities in verifying and producing accurate data. The tool has also been designed to include a human verification element in the process of extracting data, which will enable local authorities to identify if any of the data is inaccurate and amend the results.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 51403 on 19 May 2025.

The Department’s Planning Practice Guidance provides guidance on the use of negatively-worded planning conditions (often termed Grampian conditions) which restrict the occupation of a development until a certain action has occurred such as the provision of infrastructure (like sewerage upgrades) required for the development.

This is contained in the Use of Planning Conditions section which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework is 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 (ALC) 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.

As of the end of September 2024, ground-mounted solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares. This amounts to around 0.1% of the land area of the UK.

The government does not hold information on the number of ground-mounted solar projects that have been permitted and built on different agricultural grades, or the number of acres of grade 1 and 2 land which has been built on since 2020.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework is 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 (ALC) 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.

As of the end of September 2024, ground-mounted solar PV panels covered an estimated 21,200 hectares. This amounts to around 0.1% of the land area of the UK.

The government does not hold information on the number of ground-mounted solar projects that have been permitted and built on different agricultural grades, or the number of acres of grade 1 and 2 land which has been built on since 2020.

It is for councils to determine their own capital strategies, as they are best placed to understand local needs and are accountable to the local electorate.

In doing so, local authorities have a duty to comply with the Prudential Framework and must have regard to statutory guidance to ensure plans are prudent, affordable, and sustainable.

Guidance for local authorities on investments was published under the previous government – a copy can be found here.

The New Towns Taskforce delivered a series of public engagement events in existing new towns to understand from those with lived experience the legacy of the post-war new towns.

23 RED Limited provided event management services for these events.

Findings from the public engagement events will be used in the Taskforce’s Final Report, due to be submitted to ministers this summer.

The government is committed to increasing accountability and transparency in the social rented sector.

We will direct the Regulator of Social Housing (‘the regulator’) to introduce new Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRs) for private providers of social housing, including housing associations, to enable residents to request information about their housing management.

All registered providers of social housing are already required to deliver the outcomes of the regulator’s Transparency, Influence and Accountability standard, which requires registered providers to ensure that communication with and information for tenants is clear, accessible, relevant, timely and appropriate to the diverse needs of tenants.

Guidance on the costs that may be considered when calculating planning fees will be published at the earliest opportunity following Royal Assent of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

It is unlawful for local authorities to prevent their new employees from joining the Local Government Pension Scheme. Local authorities are scheduled bodies, as defined by part 1 of Schedule 2 of the LGPS Regulations 2013, and scheduled bodies must offer the LGPS to directly employed staff.

Local planning authorities should consider several factors in the retention of their records. These include compliance with statutory requirements such as the General Data Protection Regulation, the Freedom of Information Act, the Environmental Information Regulations, the requirement to hold evidence until the threat of a legal challenge has passed under the Limitation Act 1980, operational purposes and historic interest.

In general, digital and hard copy records have the same status.

The 19 April 2025 press release is focused on the AI tool ‘Extract’ and its ability to help councils convert decades-old, handwritten planning documents and maps into data in minutes.

On the 9 June 2025, as part of London Tech Week, the Prime Minister announced the government’s intention to roll Extract out across the country by Spring 2026. As part of this long-term transition to digital ways of working the Department will consider how paper records should be dealt with.

This government has implemented a number of measures to improve auditing arrangements for local bodies, including the introduction of statutory backstop dates for the publication of audited accounts. Two of these dates have now passed. As a result, the vast majority of local bodies have published audited accounts for financial years up to and including 2023/24.

Where disclaimed opinions are issued as a result of backstops, auditors’ statutory duties – including value for money reporting, making statutory recommendations, and issuing public interest reports – remain a high priority. The government recently announced £49 million in funding to support bodies impacted by the backstop measures.

In December 2024, the government set out its strategy to overhaul local audit. The strategy set out proposals to simplify and streamline the system including a clear purpose for local audit and its users, the establishment of the Local Audit Office, proposals for simplified and proportionate financial reporting, improvements to the system’s capacity and capability, and ways to build strong relationships between local bodies and auditors. The government also published a response to its consultation in April 2025, which outlined 16 further commitments to reform the system including simplifying financial reporting requirements and increasing capacity to avoid reliance on a small number of auditors.