Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

We are consulting on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, including proposals relating to developer contributions and viability. The changes aim to promote greater clarity about expected contributions, including those related to affordable housing, and the limited circumstances in which site-specific viability assessments may be justified.

The consultation is available here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

My Department’s annual Social Housing Lettings in England statistical series includes data on the number of the new social housing lettings in England each year to households by the self-reported nationality of the lead tenant. It can be found on gov.uk here.

Data from 2006/07 to 2024/25 can be found in table 3e in the Social Housing Lettings in England, tenants summary tables: April 2024 to March 2025, which can be found here.

For details on the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 11 November 2025 (HCWS1027).

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that it is for local planning authorities to assess the size, types and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including (but not limited to) those who require social rented homes and to reflect this in their planning policies.

By the end of the multi-year Settlement, we will have made available a 15.1% increase in Core Spending Power for councils in England, worth over £11 billion, compared to 2025-26. The vast majority of social care authorities will see a real terms increase across over the multi-year Settlement.

The government agrees with respondents to the December consultation and Fair Funding Review 2.0 that implementing funding reform in full in 2026-27 without transitional arrangements would be the wrong approach. We will support local authorities to manage their updated funding positions by introducing changes over the multi-year Settlement and protecting councils’ income, including locally retained business rates growth.

The government is committed to enhancing provision and choice for older people in the housing market and we will continue to consider this issue as we develop our long-term housing strategy.

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 in relation to specialist accommodation for older people.

The government is consulting on changes to the NPPF, including proposed changes to support the delivery of specialist forms of accommodation such as housing for older people. The consultation is open for responses until 10 March 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 95245 on 5 December 2025.

The Government believes that the leader and cabinet governance model provides clearer and more easily understood decision-making structures, and would expect it to have a positive impact where it is adopted by a council.

The Government remains keen to work closely with all councils required to adopt the leader and cabinet model to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

Municipal parking provision and enforcement is the responsibility of local authorities, and it is for them to determine what is best for their own area. Many councils offer parking concessions or schemes for carers, such as a personal carers parking permit. Those interested in local parking concessions can check their local councils’ website for further details of any local schemes.

Furthermore, the Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions allows local authorities a discretionary power to cancel a Penalty Charge Notice at any point throughout the process. It can do this even when an undoubted contravention has occurred if the authority deems it to be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. Currently, there are no plans to amend this guidance.

Unpaid carers are entitled to a range of benefits and financial support, including the new statutory right to 5 days of unpaid leave per year for caring introduced in April 2024. The government continually keeps under review ways to provide additional support to unpaid carers.

Municipal parking provision and enforcement is the responsibility of local authorities, and it is for them to determine what is best for their own area. Many councils offer parking concessions or schemes for carers, such as a personal carers parking permit. Those interested in local parking concessions can check their local councils’ website for further details of any local schemes.

Furthermore, the Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities in England on Civil Enforcement of Parking Contraventions allows local authorities a discretionary power to cancel a Penalty Charge Notice at any point throughout the process. It can do this even when an undoubted contravention has occurred if the authority deems it to be appropriate in the circumstances of the case. Currently, there are no plans to amend this guidance.

Unpaid carers are entitled to a range of benefits and financial support, including the new statutory right to 5 days of unpaid leave per year for caring introduced in April 2024. The government continually keeps under review ways to provide additional support to unpaid carers.

For those connected to the transition of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to a new body, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) understands this represents a significant change. The Department is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all as valued colleagues.

The Transfer of Undertaking Protections of Employment (TUPE) and Cabinet Office Statement of Practice (COSOP) provides protections to employee rights when they transfer. MHCLG is committed to protecting existing terms and conditions wherever we can and will continue to engage staff and Trade Unions ahead of the consultation process. We have heard what is important to colleagues and will prioritise, namely the Civil Service Pension Scheme and access to internal Civil Service jobs.

The consultation process with trade unions will cover the full range of measures affected by the transfer. We expect this consolation to start in early January as agreed with HSE Trade Unions but are awaiting confirmation. Both HSE and the Department have extensive experience in managing transitions of this nature and will work closely together to ensure that all affected colleagues are fully supported throughout the process.

Neither the Department, nor the Ministry of Justice, hold information on enforcement action broken down by which part of the building regulations was breached. Local authority building control teams have powers that enable them to intervene where it is found that buildings are in breach of any of the Building Regulations and there is no initial notice in force from a private sector Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA).

The department is working with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) on reforms of the competent person schemes to improve public and building safety. In the new year, the BSR will publish a call for evidence about their ‘conditions of authorisation’, which are the rules that organisations must follow to become or remain competent person scheme operators, with a view to updating these rules to make them more effective. This call for evidence is part of wider work to improve the schemes and their oversight.

The Building Control Independent Panel is also looking at the enforcement of the building regulations as part of its work; we expect their final report in the Spring of 2026 and will respond shortly thereafter. As part of its ongoing work as steward of the built environment, the Department continues to keep enforcement and the regulations under review.

Neither the Department, nor the Ministry of Justice, hold information on enforcement action broken down by which part of the building regulations was breached. Local authority building control teams have powers that enable them to intervene where it is found that buildings are in breach of any of the Building Regulations and there is no initial notice in force from a private sector Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA).

The department is working with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) on reforms of the competent person schemes to improve public and building safety. In the new year, the BSR will publish a call for evidence about their ‘conditions of authorisation’, which are the rules that organisations must follow to become or remain competent person scheme operators, with a view to updating these rules to make them more effective. This call for evidence is part of wider work to improve the schemes and their oversight.

The Building Control Independent Panel is also looking at the enforcement of the building regulations as part of its work; we expect their final report in the Spring of 2026 and will respond shortly thereafter. As part of its ongoing work as steward of the built environment, the Department continues to keep enforcement and the regulations under review.

On Thursday 20 November 2025 the government published the response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 alongside the local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29.

On Wednesday 17 December 2025 the government published the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-2027 to 2028-2029, with a 4-week consultation period, that is seeking views by 14 January 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 101292 and 101294 on 6 January 2026. The Government takes electrical safety very seriously but has seen no need to establish a mandatory national register of electricians modelled on the Gas Safe Register. Any individual or organisation carrying out building work must demonstrate that they are competent to do so. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 already require that people carrying out electrical work of any sort must be competent to prevent danger and injury, or must be under a degree of supervision that is appropriate to the nature of the work.

The Building Regulations require work to the fixed electrical system in the home to be carried out safely to protect people from fire and injury. In domestic situations, competent electricians can self-certify that their work is compliant with Part P of the Building Regulations, in line with statutory guidance set out in Approved Document P Electrical Safety – Dwellings. All electricians that have been authorised by a government approved Competent Person Scheme are listed on the Registered Competent Person Electrical Register. The department is working with the Building Safety Regulator on reforms of the Competent Person Schemes to improve public and building safety.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 101292 and 101294 on 6 January 2026. The Government takes electrical safety very seriously but has seen no need to establish a mandatory national register of electricians modelled on the Gas Safe Register. Any individual or organisation carrying out building work must demonstrate that they are competent to do so. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 already require that people carrying out electrical work of any sort must be competent to prevent danger and injury, or must be under a degree of supervision that is appropriate to the nature of the work.

The Building Regulations require work to the fixed electrical system in the home to be carried out safely to protect people from fire and injury. In domestic situations, competent electricians can self-certify that their work is compliant with Part P of the Building Regulations, in line with statutory guidance set out in Approved Document P Electrical Safety – Dwellings. All electricians that have been authorised by a government approved Competent Person Scheme are listed on the Registered Competent Person Electrical Register. The department is working with the Building Safety Regulator on reforms of the Competent Person Schemes to improve public and building safety.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 96485 on 10 December 2025.

The Government is committed to supporting regional growth. Analysis informed by OECD evidence shows that equipping local leaders with fiscal tools can stimulate investment in priority areas and foster sustainable growth. This is why we are pursuing further fiscal devolution through enhanced local revenue raising powers, including our intention to introduce a new power for Mayors to introduce a levy on short-term overnight stays. A public consultation was launched immediately following the Chancellor’s Budget statement and will run until 18 February.

The government is committed to ensuring that victims of domestic abuse have access to the support they need within safe accommodation.

On 20 November, the government announced at least £480 million to support delivery of the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Duty, followed by an announcement on 15 December of a £19 million uplift. This is part of the government’s action to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls with better support for victims, as set out in the Strategy (Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross-government strategy - GOV.UK ) published on 18 December.

Provisional allocations for all relevant local authorities, including those in Norfolk, can be found in the government’s published allocation table for the provisional local government finance settlement on gov.uk here. These figures represent minimum allocations for the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Duty, based on the flat cash value of £480 million. Final allocations, including the £19 million uplift, will be confirmed in the final Local Government Finance Settlement in February.

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out immediate action to help councils address the most unacceptable forms of homelessness, including our target to end the use of B&B accommodation for families except in emergencies by the end of this parliament. To achieve this target, we will support and drive temporary accommodation models that address specific challenges in local areas and share good practice through an Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme with £30 million funding to tackle a wider range of poor practice – including B&B and unsuitable out-of-area placements.

We will also increase the supply of good-quality, affordable temporary accommodation including through the £950 million fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund.

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out immediate action to help councils address the most unacceptable forms of homelessness, including our target to end the use of B&B accommodation for families except in emergencies by the end of this parliament. To achieve this target, we will support and drive temporary accommodation models that address specific challenges in local areas and share good practice through an Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme with £30 million funding to tackle a wider range of poor practice – including B&B and unsuitable out-of-area placements.

We will also increase the supply of good-quality, affordable temporary accommodation including through the £950 million fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund.

The National Plan to End Homelessness sets out immediate action to help councils address the most unacceptable forms of homelessness, including our target to end the use of B&B accommodation for families except in emergencies by the end of this parliament. To achieve this target, we will support and drive temporary accommodation models that address specific challenges in local areas and share good practice through an Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme with £30 million funding to tackle a wider range of poor practice – including B&B and unsuitable out-of-area placements.

We will also increase the supply of good-quality, affordable temporary accommodation including through the £950 million fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund.

The majority of Shared Ownership providers are registered with the Regulator of Social Housing. This means that they are required to meet the applicable regulatory standards. These include standards relating to governance and financial viability, alongside relevant consumer standards, including those relating to transparency, influence, and accountability.

Where they are registered charities, not for profit registered providers are also required to adhere to charity law principles, to ensure that their purpose serves the public interest.

As part of the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, we are placing new expectations on providers to improve the experience of shared owners. These include giving greater consideration to long-term customer affordability, increasing transparency and fairness on costs, and giving customers the ability to opt out of fees for services that are optional.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 98397 on 17 December 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 98397 on 17 December 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 98397 on 17 December 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 68820 on 2 September 2025.

Our consultation on reforms to the statutory consultee system seeks views on raising the threshold for consulting Active Travel England on residential development from 150 to 250 units. It is expected that this will focus resources on sites which are most likely to be able to benefit from Active Travel England’s advice on enhanced active travel opportunities. No decisions will be made until we have fully considered views on the impacts of these proposals. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 13 January 2026.

National planning policy is clear that local planning authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require social and affordable housing, and reflect this in planning policies.

In December 2024, the government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which made clear that local authorities should consider the particular needs of those who require social rent.

The government is currently consulting on further reforms to the NPPF, including proposals designed to further support the delivery of social housing. These include reforms to the viability system and specifying a minimum proportion of social rent housing that would be required of major development unless otherwise specified in development plans. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

National planning policy is clear that local planning authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require social and affordable housing, and reflect this in planning policies.

In December 2024, the government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which made clear that local authorities should consider the particular needs of those who require social rent.

The government is currently consulting on further reforms to the NPPF, including proposals designed to further support the delivery of social housing. These include reforms to the viability system and specifying a minimum proportion of social rent housing that would be required of major development unless otherwise specified in development plans. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

National planning policy is clear that local planning authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, including those who require social and affordable housing, and reflect this in planning policies.

In December 2024, the government published a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which made clear that local authorities should consider the particular needs of those who require social rent.

The government is currently consulting on further reforms to the NPPF, including proposals designed to further support the delivery of social housing. These include reforms to the viability system and specifying a minimum proportion of social rent housing that would be required of major development unless otherwise specified in development plans. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

The government is consulting on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which includes a revised presumption in favour of sustainable development and new policies on development inside and outside settlements. These changes aim to provide for a more certain and rules-based approach to managing development and to steer it towards the most appropriate locations. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

In the absence of an up-to-date local plan, there is a high likelihood that development will come forward on a piecemeal and speculative basis, with reduced public engagement and fewer guarantees that it will make the most of an area’s potential. It is for these reasons that we have been clear that we intend to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible with a view to achieving universal local plan coverage. In the new plan-making system that will come into force early next year, local plans will be expected to be prepared and adopted within a 30-month timeframe and be more frequently prepared so that plans are kept up-to-date.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes clear that to provide the social, recreational and cultural facilities and services the community needs, planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities (such as local shops, meeting places, sports venues, open space, cultural buildings, public houses and places of worship) and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments.

The NPPF is also clear that local planning policies and decisions should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services.

The government is currently consulting on further reforms to the NPPF to provide for clearer, more rules-based policies for decision-making and plan-making. This includes policies relating to community facilities. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here and will remain open for responses until 10 March 2026.

The government has already taken action to remove barriers for those most in need of access to social housing, including exempting former members of the regular armed forces, young care leavers under 25 and victims of domestic abuse from local connection tests.

As announced in the government’s National Plan to End Homelessness on 11 December, we will work with partners to update statutory guidance on social housing allocations to ensure that allocations reflect local need and ensure homes go to those who need them the most.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas.

As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas.

As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas.

As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas.

As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

I spoke to leaders in Greater Essex following the announcement of funding and next steps for the devolution agreements that are being developed through the Devolution Priority Programme. The Department has continued to engage closely with them since the announcement, jointly discussing the benefits devolution will bring to these areas.

As the Government confirmed to Parliament on 4 December, we remain committed to the long-term funding offer to all DPP areas, providing £1 million mayoral capacity funding for all areas for financial year 25/26, and a minimum of £3 million over the following three financial years, subject to the establishment of the Mayoral Strategic Authorities. Government will also provide each area with a proportion of their investment funds to ensure they can start delivering on key local priorities and deliver the benefits of devolution on the ground, ahead of the mayors taking office.

My Department has made no such assessment as we do not forecast or project housing delivery for individual local planning authorities.

We expect the new plan-making system to have a positive impact on housing supply by helping ensure there is a more sustainable pipeline of land for development.

The Regulator of Social Housing operates independently of Government. The department does not routinely discuss ongoing investigations or operational matters with the Regulator.

Registered providers must meet the Regulator of Social Housing’s economic standards, including the Governance and Financial Viability and Value for Money standards, which require robust governance, internal controls, and management of conflicts of interest to protect social housing assets and prevent misuse for personal gain. All landlords must also meet strengthened consumer standards, notably Transparency, Influence and Accountability, which require openness, fair treatment, and effective complaints handling. The Regulator regulates providers of social housing through monitoring data returns, proactive inspections, and publishing regulatory judgements. It takes appropriate action if the outcomes of the standards are not being delivered.

Under existing regulations, campaigners are required to include an imprint with their name and address on printed and digital campaigning material. Imprint rules play an important role in promoting trust in our democratic process by ensuring voters can clearly see who is behind political campaigning material.

The Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of elections. As part of this, we intend to add unregistered third-party campaigning organisations to the list of entities who are required to include a digital imprint on their organic digital campaigning material and extend the Electoral Commission’s remit to be the primary enforcer of all imprint rules.

The Government has no plans at this time to introduce a public database for online political advertisements, but welcome the steps taken by social media companies to create “advert libraries”.