Submit Evidence (by 27 Jan 2025)

As Government seeks to reform local government finance, this inquiry will consider whether the local government finance system is fit for purpose and assess how it can meet the needs of local authorities and service users.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how the Decent Homes Standard is monitored and implemented.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

It is imperative that homes are decent, safe and warm. The Decent Homes Standard plays a key role in setting a minimum quality standard that all social homes should meet. The government is extending the Decent Homes Standard to apply to the private rented sector for the first time through the Renters’ Rights Bill.

In the social rented sector, landlords are held accountable for meeting the standard by the Regulator of Social Housing. Once applied in the private rented sector, local authorities will be responsible for enforcing the Decent Homes Standard.

Compliance with the Decent Homes Standard is monitored primarily through the English Housing Survey, which reports annually. The government also reviews a wider range of self-reported monitoring data provided by social housing providers.

The government will launch a consultation on an updated Decent Homes Standard next year.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill will be published for pre-legislative scrutiny.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the noble Lord to the Written Ministerial Statement made on Thursday 21 November 2024, which sets out government’s intentions to publish draft legislation on leasehold and commonhold reform in the second half of next year so that it may be subject to broad consultation and additional parliamentary scrutiny.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have carried out an impact assessment for the Renters' Rights Bill on the supply of properties in the private rented sector.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government published its Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 22 November 2024, following scrutiny from the Regulatory Policy Committee. The Impact Assessment received a ‘green’ rating, indicating it is ‘fit for purpose’. The Impact Assessment is available at the following link.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many British citizens living overseas for more than 15 years became eligible to vote in the 2024 General Election following a change to the rules under the Elections Act 2022.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This data is not held centrally. However, the supporting Impact Assessment to the Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 estimated that around 2.3 million British citizens living overseas were enfranchised by the changes to the franchise under the Elections Act 2022. The Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what proportion of British citizens living overseas for more than 15 years voted in the 2024 General Election.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

This data is not held centrally. However, the supporting Impact Assessment to the Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 estimated that around 2.3 million British citizens living overseas were enfranchised by the changes to the franchise under the Elections Act 2022. The Representation of the People (Overseas Electors etc.) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support local authorities to reduce spending on translation into foreign languages, and whether they have issued any guidance to local authorities on this.

Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As independent bodies who take their own decisions, local authorities are responsible for assessing the need and value for money in delivering any translation services for their residents.

Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities.

We continue to support English language provision in various ways, including through providing £11.5 million for English language courses and employment support for up to 12,500 Ukrainians across the UK through the ‘STEP Ukraine’ programme. Other cohorts supported with similar English Language provision include Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) and Afghans arriving in the UK through HMG-led relocation schemes.

More generally, the Department for Education supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, via the Adult Skills Fund.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to improve integration in communities by supporting English language proficiency.

Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As independent bodies who take their own decisions, local authorities are responsible for assessing the need and value for money in delivering any translation services for their residents.

Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities.

We continue to support English language provision in various ways, including through providing £11.5 million for English language courses and employment support for up to 12,500 Ukrainians across the UK through the ‘STEP Ukraine’ programme. Other cohorts supported with similar English Language provision include Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) and Afghans arriving in the UK through HMG-led relocation schemes.

More generally, the Department for Education supports adults aged 19+ in England who do not have English as a first language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision, via the Adult Skills Fund.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with (a) mayors and (b) local authorities in the level of support provided to local government help tackle (i) rough sleeping and (ii) other homelessness in the Autumn Budget 2024.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26.

We have established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed, and engages regularly with mayors and councils.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2024 to Question 8190 on Social Services: Finance, for what reason a decision on council tax (a) referendums and (b) associated thresholds will not be taken until the spending review, in the context of earlier timetabling requirements for the 2025-26 local government finance settlement.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has published the local government finance policy statement setting out referendum thresholds for 2025-26. This is available here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will set council tax referendum thresholds for 2025-26.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has published the local government finance policy statement setting out referendum thresholds for 2025-26. This is available here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the early release of prisoners on levels of homelessness.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Prisons, probation and local authorities worked closely together to mitigate the risk of homelessness during the standard determinate sentence (SDS40) release scheme. MHCLG is working closely with the MoJ to build on lessons learned through SDS40.

The MoJ is currently collating data relating to the September and October SDS release dates and this will be published.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, by what dates her Department is required to (a) publish and (b) ratify the local government finance settlement for 2025-26; and what the deadlines are for local authorities to publish their (i) budget and (ii) council tax requirements for 2025-26.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Precepting authorities must set their council tax by 1 March each year and billing authorities must set their council tax by 11 March. Within 21 days of setting their council tax, billing authorities are required to publish details of the total council tax charges in their area. There are no set dates by which the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) must be published.

To allow councils to set their budgets in good time, ahead of the 1 March deadline for setting council tax bills, the Department should publish and put before Parliament the final Local Government Finance Settlement 2025/26 before the end of February 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take legislative steps to reinstate Council Tax Benefit.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has no current plans to reinstate Council Tax Benefit.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which consultations launched in her Department by the previous Government have closed but have not yet received a substantive Government response, in the context of the Cabinet Office's publication entitled Consultation principles: guidance, last updated in March 2018.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is committed to using consultations and other forms of public engagement to support effective decision-making and delivery. We will respond to all consultations in a timely manner, in line with agreed deadlines.

Within MHCLG, responsibility for managing consultations primarily sits with the relevant individual policy team. No staff are therefore specifically employed to work on consultations.

Information relating to consultations under the previous administration cannot be provided, as it is not held centrally and collating it would result in a disproportionate cost to the department.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 5412 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Consultation, how many officials in her Department are employed to work specifically on consultations.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is committed to using consultations and other forms of public engagement to support effective decision-making and delivery. We will respond to all consultations in a timely manner, in line with agreed deadlines.

Within MHCLG, responsibility for managing consultations primarily sits with the relevant individual policy team. No staff are therefore specifically employed to work on consultations.

Information relating to consultations under the previous administration cannot be provided, as it is not held centrally and collating it would result in a disproportionate cost to the department.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the National Audit Office's report entitled Dangerous cladding: the government’s remediation portfolio, published on 4 November 2024.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My officials and I have carefully considered the National Audit Office’s recommendations and expect to come before the Public Accounts Committee next year.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also set out shortly, further steps on remediation, as promised by the Prime Minister on 4th September 2024, following publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report.

Buildings insurance premiums remain high for many leaseholders in buildings with fire safety issues, who have been paying too much for too long.

The Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility, led by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and reinsurance broker McGill and Partners, launched in April 2024. The Facility aims to increase capacity in the market and may reduce high premiums for some of the most affected multi-occupancy buildings with fire safety issues.

The Government has been monitoring the use and impact of the Facility and will provide an update in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the objectives are for the Recovery Strategy Unit; and how many live cases is it processing.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In April 2022, the Building Safety Act was passed, providing a range of new powers to hold to account those responsible for unsafe buildings. The Recovery Strategy Unit uses those new powers to:

a) expose and pursue the most egregious actors, to ensure that organisations and individuals are held to account for their building safety failings;

b) promote wider behaviour change across the sector; and

c) test legislation in practice so learning can be fed back into the process.

We have successfully obtained 10 Remediation Orders against two freeholders, Grey GR Ltd and Wallace Estates Ltd, ensuring that they remediate their homes within committed timescales. The department is now pursuing legal action to secure Remediation Contribution Orders for 12 buildings from Yianis Group, Urban Splash, and Hollybrook, aiming to recover approximately £72 million, which would otherwise fall on taxpayers or leaseholders.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent progress her Department has made on implementing the recommendations in the phase (a) one and (b) two reports of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has overseen progress against Phase 1 and has committed to publishing regular progress updates on the relevant section of gov.uk, with a final update due to be published in the new year. Of the Inquiry’s 46 Phase 1 recommendations, all but one have now been considered and addressed, with the final fire and rescue service recommendation due to be addressed by the end of the year.

On phase 2, it is of course important that government carefully considers the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations in full. The Prime Minister has indicated that the government will respond to the inquiry’s recommendations within six months, and update Parliament annually on progress against every commitment made.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the National Audit Office's report entitled Dangerous cladding: the government’s remediation portfolio, published on 4 November 2024; and whether she plans to take steps to tackle high insurance premiums on flats affected by building safety defects.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My officials and I have carefully considered the National Audit Office’s recommendations and expect to come before the Public Accounts Committee next year.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also set out shortly, further steps on remediation, as promised by the Prime Minister on 4th September 2024, following publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry final report.

Buildings insurance premiums remain high for many leaseholders in buildings with fire safety issues, who have been paying too much for too long.

The Fire Safety Reinsurance Facility, led by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and reinsurance broker McGill and Partners, launched in April 2024. The Facility aims to increase capacity in the market and may reduce high premiums for some of the most affected multi-occupancy buildings with fire safety issues.

The Government has been monitoring the use and impact of the Facility and will provide an update in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 October 2024 to Question 7823 on Local Government: Productivity, if she will publish that letter.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As noted in my answer to Question 7823 on 16 October 2024, I wrote to all councils to acknowledge the productivity plans submitted after the election, and to thank them for developing innovative efficiency solutions. I was clear that I will not micromanage councils going forward and I am committed to working together to explore how we can make better use of existing resources.

The department does not routinely publish letters issued to local authorities and we will not be publishing the letter in this instance.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department collects once building safety enforcement action has been taken by local regulators; and if she will make an estimate of the number of buildings where (a) residents have been subsequently decanted from their homes and (b) a waking watch has been subsequently installed at leaseholders' cost in the last 12 months.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Decants arise in one of two ways – either in a planned way as part of a schedule of works or as an emergency situation due to emerging safety concerns. Not all decants are reported to the department, particularly if they are planned. Emergency decants are a local operational matter led either by the entity responsible for the building or local regulators. Where emergency decants are reported to the department we work with local regulators and responsible entities to ensure residents are placed at the centre of decision making by all parties. In the past 12 months’ six emergency decants have been reported to the department, three of which took place as a result of enforcement action. The department also works collaboratively with local regulators and other parties to prevent decants from taking place and in the past 12 months this work has allowed over 1500 households to remain in their homes safely.

When local authorities take enforcement action against a mid or high-rise residential building the department asks the local authority to voluntarily upload details to a designated data platform. Local authorities share details of buildings subject to enforcement under powers within the 2004 Housing Act, including inspections, information gathering notices and statutory notices requiring action (such as improvement and prohibition notices). Local authorities can also share data pertaining to remediation orders and remediation contribution orders under the Building Safety Act 2022. We publish enforcement information as part of the monthly remediation data release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/building-safety-remediation.

The department does not collect comprehensive data on the number of buildings requiring a waking watch due to enforcement for building safety failures, nor where the costs of the waking watch fall as a result of enforcement action taken by local regulators.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's practice is on ministerial attendance at (a) meetings and (b) conferences (i) sponsored and (ii) connected to firms associated with the Grenfell Tower fire.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has written to firms associated with the failing identified by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, as the first step to stopping them being awarded government contracts. While this process continues, Ministers within my department will avoid meetings and events associated with firms identified as contributing to these horrific failings through their systematic dishonesty and manipulative practices.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department collects on the number of buildings where residents have been decanted due to building safety concerns.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Decants arise in one of two ways – either in a planned way as part of a schedule of works or as an emergency situation due to emerging safety concerns. Not all decants are reported to the department, particularly if they are planned. Emergency decants are a local operational matter led either by the entity responsible for the building or local regulators. Where emergency decants are reported to the department we work with local regulators and responsible entities to ensure residents are placed at the centre of decision making by all parties. In the past 12 months’ six emergency decants have been reported to the department, three of which took place as a result of enforcement action. The department also works collaboratively with local regulators and other parties to prevent decants from taking place and in the past 12 months this work has allowed over 1500 households to remain in their homes safely.

When local authorities take enforcement action against a mid or high-rise residential building the department asks the local authority to voluntarily upload details to a designated data platform. Local authorities share details of buildings subject to enforcement under powers within the 2004 Housing Act, including inspections, information gathering notices and statutory notices requiring action (such as improvement and prohibition notices). Local authorities can also share data pertaining to remediation orders and remediation contribution orders under the Building Safety Act 2022. We publish enforcement information as part of the monthly remediation data release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/building-safety-remediation.

The department does not collect comprehensive data on the number of buildings requiring a waking watch due to enforcement for building safety failures, nor where the costs of the waking watch fall as a result of enforcement action taken by local regulators.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024 to Question 5412 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Consultation, if she will list the consultation documents that closed between 4 July 2022 and 4 July 2024 that have not yet received a formal response.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government is committed to using consultations and other forms of public engagement to support effective decision-making and delivery. We will respond to all consultations in a timely manner, in line with agreed deadlines.

Within MHCLG, responsibility for managing consultations primarily sits with the relevant individual policy team. No staff are therefore specifically employed to work on consultations.

Information relating to consultations under the previous administration cannot be provided, as it is not held centrally and collating it would result in a disproportionate cost to the department.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on facilitating the use of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre by Parliament during its Restoration and Renewal Programme.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There is no policy or agreement in place with the Houses of Parliament on using the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre during the Restoration and Renewal Programme. However, the Government continues to work with Parliament on the Restoration and Renewal Programme ahead of proposals coming to the House in 2025.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much has been spent on refurbishment of Ministerial offices in her Department since 4 July 2024, broken down by (a) furniture, (b) fixtures, (c) fittings and (d) shoe racks.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 9072 on 3 December 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2024 to Question 8688 on Affordable Housing: Construction, if she will make a comparative assessment of the (a) spending profile and (b) contractual commitment profile of the 2021-26 programme with the (i) 2011-15 and (ii) 2015-18 programme.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The National Audit Office’s report into the Affordable Homes Programme since 2015, which can be found here, assessed the programme’s management and whether it achieved the intended benefits. The report captured a range of helpful data and made a number of key findings.

As we confirmed in July, the previous government agreed but did not publish a reduction in the 2021-26 programme's delivery targets from “up to 180,000 homes should economic conditions allow” to between 110,000-130,000.

This government will seek to learn lessons from earlier affordable housing programmes as we work to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to commission further rounds of the (a) Build to Rent fund and (b) Private Rented Sector Guarantee scheme.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government provides development finance for Build to Rent schemes alongside institutional investors through our Levelling Up Home Building Fund, delivered by Homes England.

Building on the announcement in the last Budget, we will be reopening the Private Rented Sector Guarantee Scheme (PRSGS) for another three years to new applicants, and just under £2 billion of guarantee capacity will be available to Build-to-Rent developers to support housebuilding.

We have also modernised the scheme rules to reflect the current state of the market, meaning that more housebuilders will be able to access lending.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 31 October 2024 to Question HL1722 on Housing: Regeneration, whether the 1.5 million new homes target will count residential dwellings resulting from a change of use from non-residential hereditaments.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As confirmed in my recent evidence to the select committee, net additional dwellings will be the main measure of the commitment to deliver 1.5 million homes over this Parliament.

This statistic includes residential dwellings resulting from a change of use from non-residential hereditaments.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to remove the requirement for councillor’s home addresses to be published.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Primary legislation is needed to remove the requirement for local government members’ home addresses to be included in published versions of registers of interests. We intend to legislate at the first available opportunity.

There are also limited circumstances where those local government candidates acting as their own election agent may need to disclose their home address during an election, when they do not provide an office address. We are considering whether to amend this requirement, whilst ensuring that agents continue to provide a correspondence address for enforcement and legal purposes.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 7872 on Local Government: Elections, if she will update the list of years in which each council’s elections will be held with the (a) council and (b) combined authority mayoral elections expected to take place in (i) 2025 and (ii) 2026.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government will update the list of local authority elections in England - which can be found here - to include elections for mayors for combined authorities and combined county authorities. The list already includes elections for councils and is easily found through an internet search without the need to submit a parliamentary question.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the Local Government Pension Scheme in supporting local and regional economic growth.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The LGPS already invests approximately 30% of its assets in the UK, as part of its duty to invest to pay pensions. The government believes that the LGPS can make a distinctive contribution to local and regional economic growth building on its local role and networks, through increasing its long-term investment in local communities. We are currently consulting on proposals, including requiring LGPS funds to set a target for local investment and to work with Mayoral Combined Authorities and equivalent bodies to identify suitable local investment opportunities.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Institution of Civil Engineers’ policy position statement on evolving the UK strategic infrastructure planning system, published on 12 July 2021, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of the ICE's recommendations on publishing a national policy statement for infrastructure.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to improving National Policy Statements and in the July speech, the Chancellor announced an immediate 12-month review of National Policy Statements. To build on the review, we will legislate, through the Planning Infrastructure Bill, to mandate the updating of National Policy Statements every five years.

Longer term, Government is developing a 10-year Infrastructure Strategy and establishing the National Infrastructure Strategy and Transformation Agency, which will play a crucial role in shaping the future of national infrastructure.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many young people are (a) classified homeless and (b) in emergency accommodation in Sherwood Forest constituency.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The annual homelessness statistics includes age of applicants in temporary accommodation by local authority as of 31 March 2024. This information is available at table TA5 - Additional_temporary_accommodation_breakdowns__31_March_2024.ods.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her (a) housing and (b) planning policy is on encouraging councils to turn (i) empty and (ii) redundant office space into residential accommodation.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that substantial weight should be given to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements, including the development of under-utilised land and buildings to meet the need for homes and other uses.

As part of our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the Framework, we set out proposals to broaden the existing definition of brownfield land, set a strengthened expectation that applications on brownfield land will be approved, and make clear that plans should promote an uplift in density in urban areas.

On 22 September we published a ‘brownfield passport’ policy paper inviting views on how we might further prioritise and fast-track building on previously used urban land.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and (b) properties built on the grey belt have access to sufficient quantities of water for domestic and business use.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Through the Development Consent process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, applicants will undertake water resource assessments for their projects and consultations with water authorities. This ensures that water infrastructure is planned before a Development Consent Order is granted.

In our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, we consulted on a definition of grey belt land. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year that will include a final definition of grey belt land and detail on the operation of the concept.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to ensure that new developments in rural areas are (a) sustainable and (b) environmentally friendly.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We fully support the need for all new homes to be well designed, sustainable and environmentally friendly, including those in rural areas.

Future standards next year will set our new homes on a path that moves away from relying on volatile fossil fuels and ensures they are fit for a net zero future. These homes will be future proofed with low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. No further energy efficiency retrofit work will be necessary to enable them to become zero-carbon over time as the electricity grid continues to decarbonise.

Of course, the construction of new homes also results in the release of embodied carbon emissions, which come from producing, transporting, and using building materials. My department is considering the best approach to measuring and reducing these emissions.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's policy paper, entitled Brownfield Passport: Making the Most of Urban Land, published in September 2024, whether it is her policy that planning approvals under the new brownfield passport regime would still require a substantive planning application.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government’s planning reform working paper regarding a brownfield passport invites views on further action the government could take through the planning system to support the development of brownfield land in urban areas. It proposes options for a form of ‘brownfield passport’, which would be more specific about the development that should be regarded as acceptable, with the default answer to suitable proposals being a straightforward “yes”. The proposals relate to the principle, the scale, and the form of development, and to the potential wider use of Local Development Orders to grant area-wide permissions – all in a way that retains appropriate local oversight. A series of questions are posed at the end of the paper, to inform discussions with the sector before determining whether any of these proposals are taken forward. We continue to accept responses to the paper, and will set out further information on how we intend to respond in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2014 to Question 5416 on Civil Dignitaries and Members: Age, for what reason the Government deems 16 and 17 year olds to be old enough to vote in (a) local and (b) Parliamentary elections but not stand in those elections.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 October 2024, to Question 5416, the introduction of Votes at 16 is about building long lasting engagement with our democracy among young people. By engaging voters early, when they are young, we will build the foundations for their long-term participation in our electoral processes.

That is why this government is rightly focused on delivering on the manifesto which it was elected on and the commitment to lower the voting age for all UK elections. As set out in the previous answer, the government has no plans to change the eligibility criteria of candidacy age for local and parliamentary elections.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has issued guidance on whether the embodied carbon of an existing building is a material consideration in the planning process.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government’s Planning Practice Guidance on Climate Change, National Design Guide and National Model Design Code provide general guidance on how carbon impacts can be taken into account in the planning process.

In our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system, we sought views on whether carbon can be accurately measured and accounted for in plan-making and planning decisions. The consultation closed on 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 November 2024 to Question 12061 on Agriculture: Land Use and with reference to the approval of the solar farm development at Honiley Road solar farm by the Minster of State, dated 23 July 2024, what the evidential basis is for the report that that solar farm has delivered 135% Biodiversity Net Increase.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The full reasons for the decision to grant the permission in question are set out in the published decision letter and Inspector’s Report. The Inspector’s Report provides a complete list of the evidence which was before the Inquiry. Having issued this decision, the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to reduce waiting times for accommodation for (a) victims of domestic violence and (b) their families in (i) Stoke-on-Trent North constituency and (ii) Kidsgrove.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities, in areas such as Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove, are responsible for designing and managing their own housing allocations policies to meet local need. As part of this, they have the freedom to manage their own waiting lists but must give priority to people who are homeless or who need to move for medical or welfare reasons. This includes victims and their families who have escaped abuse. Allocations guidance also encourages local authorities to give additional preference to people who are homeless and require urgent rehousing as a result of domestic abuse.

Further to my answer to Question UIN 2150 on 9 September 2024, the department will bring forward changes to social housing allocations regulations to exempt all victims of domestic abuse from local connection and residency tests to improve their access to social rented housing.

Furthermore, the government has committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, and I refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave to Question UIN 11383 on 31 October 2024.

By law, local authorities in England are also required to ensure victims of domestic abuse and their children can access the support they need within safe accommodation if they have to flee their homes. This includes refuges, sanctuary schemes, and dispersed accommodation. The Government will be providing £160 million in funding to local authorities to support them to fulfil their duties in 2025/26.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her Department's policies of the report by the New Economics Foundation entitled Building Hope: how land reforms will help deliver the homes we need, published on 20 November 2024.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government have made clear its intention to reform the compulsory purchase order process and land compensation rules to enable more effective land assembly that will speed-up and lower the costs of the delivery of housing and critical infrastructure in the public interest. We will work with a wide range of experts and organisations to develop our policy in this area and will consider reports such as this one as part of that work.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much funding has been provided to local authorities from Right to Buy receipts to fund new housing in each year since 2009-10.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Since 2012, councils have been able to retain a portion of the capital receipts generated from Right to Buy sales to use towards new affordable housing.

Prior to 2012, around 75% of receipts were returned to the Treasury and the remaining 25% was retained by the council for any capital purpose.

Since 2012, councils have retained on average £446.8 million per year for replacement social housing.

Between 2012-13 and 2021-22 councils were required to return a portion of the capital receipt to HMT representing approximately £183 million per annum.

As announced at Budget, the government is allowing councils to retain the share of the receipts that was previously returned to HMT so support the delivery of replacement homes.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the total cost to the public purse of out of court settlements for employment tribunal cases across local government in each of the last five years.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The information requested is not held centrally.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure the provision of adequate funding to support (a) up-to-date local plans and (b) high-quality design codes.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Within weeks of taking office, the government consulted on increasing planning fees to put planning services on a firmer footing and to reflect the real costs of the services they provide.

Subject to the outcome of our consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework, the government will provide funding to enable eligible local authorities to progress their plans to examination quickly. Further details on the funding will be provided in due course.

More generally, the government is committed to supporting local planning authorities. At the Budget, the Chancellor announced a £46 million package of investment into the planning system to support capacity and capability in local planning authorities. This includes funding for the recruitment and training of 300 graduate and apprentice planners, along with funding to Public Practice for the recruitment of planners, architects, and urban designers. Together, this framework provides a clear basis for the delivery of more high-quality, well-designed homes.

We are also developing a wider programme of support, working with partners across the planning sector, to ensure that local planning authorities have the skills and capacity they need, both now and in the future to modernise local plans and speed up decision making, including through innovative use of digital planning data and software.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress her Department has made on improving access to pet friendly properties in the (a) social and (b) private rented sectors.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government wants to ensure more tenants can experience the benefits of pet ownership – including the benefits to mental and physical health. Many social landlords set out their pet policies in their tenancy agreements and will allow tenants to keep pets where it is appropriate to do so. Consideration is given to whether the pets can be well looked after and any adverse effects on the lives of neighbours and those living nearby. We encourage all social landlords to adopt similar policies. The circumstances in which pets may be kept is, however, for social landlords to determine locally, taking account of the views of their tenants.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will give private tenants the right to request a pet and ensure that landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent. Landlords will be required to respond to any requests by a tenant to keep a pet within 28 days, instead of the 42 that had been proposed by the previous Government. Tenants will also be able to challenge unfair decisions by either going to the courts or the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to utilise architects to allow development of complex brownfield sites in proposed National Planning Policy Framework reforms.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

National planning policy sets out the circumstances in which the development of brownfield land is considered appropriate, and the standards that are expected, including a high quality of design. It does not specify the professions which should be involved, which is a matter for the client, but is important that a range of disciplines is brought to bear as appropriate to the nature of the site, and architects will often play a key role. We have set out proposals for how brownfield development could be better supported in our consultation on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and our discussion paper on ‘brownfield passports’.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 23 of the King’s Speech Background Briefing Notes, published by the Prime Minister's Office on 17 July 2024, whether strategic planning will operate at the combined authority level.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Yes. The Government is proposing that all combined authorities will oversee the development and agreement of strategic plans for their areas. This will be formalised in legislation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for the publication of the new cladding remediation plan.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On Monday 2 November we announced a Remediation Acceleration Plan which sets out key measures to remove unsafe cladding from buildings faster, identify remaining buildings still at risk and ensure that residents are supported through the remediation process.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help ensure that new housing developments are supported by adequate local infrastructure.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

Local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure and identify what infrastructure is required and how it can be funded and brought forward. This will remain the case irrespective of whether any proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework or wider national planning policy are taken forward.

When preparing a Local Plan, Planning Practice Guidance recommends that local planning authorities use available evidence of infrastructure requirements to prepare an Infrastructure Funding Statement. Such Statements can be used to demonstrate the delivery of infrastructure throughout the plan-period.

The government provides financial support for essential infrastructure in areas of greatest housing demand through the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The changes proposed as part of our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework are intended to support the increased provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure.

The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.

The government is also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure that new developments provide appropriate affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6395 MHCLG: departmental responsibilities, what work the Deputy Prime Minister's Policy and Strategy Unit does for her remit as Deputy Prime Minister.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Deputy Prime Minister's Policy and Strategy Unit supports delivery of priorities across both her remit as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Deputy Prime Minister. The policy and strategy unit performs a similar role to equivalent units established under previous administrations.

The Policy and Strategy Unit is comprised of two Deputy Directors, supported by policy advisors (at grade HEO/SEO) and senior policy advisors (at grade 7/6). The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the approach taken for these central functions under the previous administration.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6395 on MHCLG: departmental responsibilities, what the headcount number of staff is for the Policy and Strategy Unit by civil service grade.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Deputy Prime Minister's Policy and Strategy Unit supports delivery of priorities across both her remit as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Deputy Prime Minister. The policy and strategy unit performs a similar role to equivalent units established under previous administrations.

The Policy and Strategy Unit is comprised of two Deputy Directors, supported by policy advisors (at grade HEO/SEO) and senior policy advisors (at grade 7/6). The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the approach taken for these central functions under the previous administration.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for responding to the policy paper entitled Publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report, published on 4 September 2024.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We are considering the recommendations set out in the Grenfell Inquiry report. The Prime Minister has committed to respond in full to the Inquiry’s recommendations within six months.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure that vacant homes built under section 106 agreements are occupied.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is well aware of concerns about reduced appetite from Registered Providers of social housing to buy affordable homes delivered under Section 106 agreements. We will continue to work with housebuilders, local authorities, and Registered Providers to tackle this problem.

One of the main causes of the problem is a reduction in Registered Providers’ financial capacity over recent years. The government recognises that Registered Providers need support to build their capacity and make a greater contribution to affordable housing supply. We are currently consulting on a new 5-year social housing rent settlement, to give Registered Providers the certainty they need to invest in new social and affordable housing.

We have also announced that councils will be allowed to keep 100% of the receipts generated by Right to Buy sales, so that they are better able to build and buy new homes. We have provided flexibility for councils to combine Right to Buy receipts with Section 106 contributions (this flexibility will be in place for an initial 24 months and then subject to review).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6190 on Permitted Development Rights, whether her Department has made an assessment of the extent to which that consultation met the Cabinet Office’s consultation principles guidance.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

While we cannot comment on the actions of the previous government, the consultation document sets out how it was planned to adhere to the consultation principles issued by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homes (a) in total and (b) by type of tenure have been financed under the Levelling Up Home Building Fund.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Since the Levelling Up Home Building Fund launched in 2022, it has committed funding to support the delivery of 35,695 new homes against its target of 42,000.

Tenure breakdown information is only available once construction is started on site, so is not available against the total number of homes financed.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reason the Minister for Homelessness and Democracy is no longer responsible for the Grenfell brief.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Trusted relationships between ministers and the Grenfell community are essential for this Department. Before I became a Minister, I called for the French delegation of the Franco-British Colloque to cut ties with Saint Gobain. But I understand that perception matters and I therefore concluded that the building safety portfolio would be best transferred to another minister.

Updated ministerial responsibilities were published in October.

Our goals of making buildings safe and preventing another tragedy continue to be very important issues for me, and the Deputy Prime Minister and the rest of the ministerial team have my full support in delivering on this work.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides on the processes to be followed by other Government departments making representations on the potential call-in or recovery of a planning application or appeal.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There is no separate guidance provided to other government departments regarding making representations on the potential call-in or recovery of a planning application or appeal. Processes are laid out in the House of Commons Library research briefing ‘Call-in of planning applications (England)’ (2024). Advice on these matters may also be requested from this department’s Planning Casework Unit.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 3005 on Housing: Greater London, what discussions he has had with the Greater London Authority on the reasons for housing delivery being below below existing London Plan targets.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to working in partnership with the Mayor of London, boroughs and the sector to significantly increase housing delivery in the capital. My department, both ministers and officials, meet regularly with the Greater London Authority to discuss housing delivery.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the (a) substantive information requested and (b) decision was for each (i) Freedom of Information Act and (ii) Environmental Information Regulation request received by her Department since the general election; and what exemption was used to (A) refuse and (B) part-refuse each request.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Cabinet Office has responsibility for Freedom of Information policy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and publishes information on the handling of requests at this link: Freedom of Information statistics - GOV.UK.

Statistics for the period requested are attached. We have annexed the information you requested to this response.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Prime Minister’s Oral Statement of 21 November 2024 on G20 and COP29 Summits, Official Report, columns 371-373 and pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024, to Question 14996, on Chinese Embassy: Planning Permission, whether the Prime Minister has had discussions with her on the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy between 23 August and 18 October 2024.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The decision to call in the planning application for the proposed Chinese Embassy was made by the Deputy Prime Minister, in line with current policy on call-in.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the proposed eight consolidated Local Government Pension Scheme megafunds, announced in the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, will be able to invest overseas; and what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposals on UK infrastructure.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

On 14 November, we published a consultation on proposals to strengthen Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pooling arrangements, including by mandating pooling of all LGPS assets and minimum standards for LGPS asset pools, in line with international best practice. The consultation does not include proposals to consolidate or merge LGPS funds. LGPS administering authorities would remain responsible for setting a high-level investment strategy, with the implementation of that strategy delegated to their asset pool.

The government believes that completing the consolidation of LGPS assets will enable delivery of the full benefits of scale and support UK growth, including through greater capacity and expertise to invest in alternative asset classes such as UK infrastructure. LGPS members’ pensions and benefits are not affected by the proposals as they are protected and guaranteed in statute and are not affected by the performance of investments.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria will be used to decide how 86 Local Government Pension Scheme funds will be consolidated, as announced in the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech; and how the interests of pensioners will be protected when doing so.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

On 14 November, we published a consultation on proposals to strengthen Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pooling arrangements, including by mandating pooling of all LGPS assets and minimum standards for LGPS asset pools, in line with international best practice. The consultation does not include proposals to consolidate or merge LGPS funds. LGPS administering authorities would remain responsible for setting a high-level investment strategy, with the implementation of that strategy delegated to their asset pool.

The government believes that completing the consolidation of LGPS assets will enable delivery of the full benefits of scale and support UK growth, including through greater capacity and expertise to invest in alternative asset classes such as UK infrastructure. LGPS members’ pensions and benefits are not affected by the proposals as they are protected and guaranteed in statute and are not affected by the performance of investments.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent estimate her Department has made of the number of children living in temporary accommodation.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities in England report the numbers of households in temporary accommodation and this data is published each quarter as part of the Homelessness Case Level Information Collection (H-CLIC). The most recent figures for April - June 2024 showed that on 30 June 2024, 78,420 households with children were in temporary accommodation, which includes 159,380 children. The figures for April – June 2024, including regional breakdowns, are available here (see tab TA1): Statutory homelessness in England: April to June 2024 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to regulate property management companies.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is committed to ensuring that those living in the rented and leasehold sectors are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous property agents.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November 2024 (HCWS244), the Government is looking again at Lord Best’s 2019 report on regulating the property agent sector. As part of our response to this report, the Government will strengthen regulation of managing agents to drive up the standard of their service.

As a minimum, this should include mandatory professional qualifications which set a new basic standard that managing agents will be required to meet. We will consult on this matter next year.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to (1) review, and (2) revise, legislation relating to mobile and park homes.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN 1177 on 31 July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to promote community cohesion.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has made £15 million available to the places most severely affected by the violent disorder of the summer through the Community Recovery Fund. Officials from my department have also carried out an extensive engagement process with these places to understand and address the underlying causes of the unrest.

This Government is determined to take a long-term, strategic approach to building social cohesion. This is a priority and I have stood up a cross-government Communities & Recovery Steering Group to oversee this work.

This Government is committed to ensuring that communities across Britain are safe, resilient, and united.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has had discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive on legislation on (a) leasehold and (b) freehold affecting properties in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The department regularly engages with the Northern Ireland Executive on a range of policy areas including housing. Recently this has included ministerial attendance of the British Irish Council's Planning and Places meeting in November, as well as through direct bilateral engagement.

Property law is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland. However, in early 2025, the Deputy Prime Minister will be chairing the first inter-ministerial meeting for Housing, Local Governments and Communities with the devolved governments.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to (a) end homelessness and (b) involve people who have lived experience of homelessness in that process.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help end child homelessness.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to tackle rural homelessness.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps she has taken to reduce homelessness in (a) Slough constituency and (b) Thames Valley region.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of 8 October 2024 to Questions 5762 and 5607 on Devolution: Norfolk and Devolution: Suffolk, what the evidential basis is for the Government's policy that a single local authority model of devolution would risk the optimal delivery of services.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This government strongly believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved through the establishment of combined authorities or combined county authorities over sensible economic geographies and supported by a directly elected mayor. These institutions and mayors, with their regional economic competencies and status as members of the Council of Nations and Regions add the capacity and focus required to get the best from new devolved powers and funding. We have therefore decided that mayoral devolution will only be available to areas that come together to establish such institutions over a wider geography.

The Government is committed to bringing meaningful devolution to Norfolk and Suffolk and stands ready to work with partners across the region on progressing a more ambitious devolution settlement, in a way that delivers the best outcomes possible the people of Norfolk and Suffolk, and which sees the right powers in the right places. We are pleased that discussions remain positive and look forward to making progress on devolution.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 November 2024 to Question 12772 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: HOPE not hate, if she will list the issues on which officials have engaged with Hope not Hate since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon member to the answer to Question UIN 12772 on 15 November 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help provide accommodation for homeless people in rural areas.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent steps she has taken with cabinet colleagues to tailor homelessness prevention strategies for (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other rural communities.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This Government recognises the devastating impact this can have on those affected. We are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25) and brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26. Allocations for individual local authorities in England will be set out later in December, which will include Slough, West Dorset, the Thames Valley region and wider rural communities.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness and deliver long-term solutions to end all forms of homelessness, including rural and child homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across Government to develop a long-term homelessness strategy.

We have also established an Expert Group to bring together representatives from across the homelessness and rough sleeping sector, local and combined authorities and wider experts. The role of this expert group is to provide knowledge, analysis and challenge to help Government understand what is working well nationally and locally and where improvements are needed.

The department also has a lived experience forum to ensure the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness are reflected in the homelessness strategy.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

The Government is also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of extending the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on (a) small business, (b) farmers and (c) community infrastructure.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Autumn Budget announced that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), for which the previous government made no plans beyond March 2025, will be extended for 2025-26 at a reduced level of £900 million. This transitional arrangement will allow places to continue investing in local growth in advance of wider funding reform. It will ensure stability and flexibility for areas to deliver the most important local projects, which can include help for small businesses and community projects where relevant.

We are committed to evaluating the impacts of the UKSPF. The UKSPF evaluation strategy is published online and sets out the approach to evaluation at programme, intervention and place level. The department is committed to publishing evaluation findings on an ongoing basis as they are available.

The Rural England Prosperity Fund is delivered alongside UKSPF to help rural communities and businesses, including farm businesses. Its evaluation is also now underway.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to renew play equipment in (a) parks and (b) public spaces.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The provision of playgrounds in parks and public spaces is primarily a matter for local authorities. We support local government and recognise the challenges that local authorities are facing as demand increases for critical services. We have listened to voices across the sector and it was prioritised at the Budget, where we announced over £4 billion in additional funding for local government services, including £1.3 billion provided through the Local Government Finance Settlement. Overall, the provisional Settlement will mean local government receives an around 3.2% real-terms increase in Core Spending Power.

The National Planning Policy Framework, which local authorities are expected to consider when developing their Local Plans, is clear that planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on ending Pan-Regional Partnership core funding.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

At the Autumn Statement, the government announced its intention to end core funding for Pan-Regional Partnerships and consult on the impacts of this decision, if it were taken forward. This public consultation is now live and accessible on Gov.uk and Government will consider all responses received by the deadline of Monday 16th December.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Written Statement of 28 November 2024 on Local Government Finance, HCWS265, and to the Answer of 28 November 2024 to Question 15204, if he will publish the council tax referendum principles for (a) the Greater London Authority and (b) Transport for London for the financial year 2025-26.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The local government finance policy statement 2025 to 2026 (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-government-finance-policy-statement-2025-to-2026/local-government-finance-policy-statement-2025-to-2026), set out a proposed referendum principle of 3% for the Greater London Authority’s non police precept and a £14 flexibility for the police element. There is no separate council tax precept charged by Transport for London.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2024 to Question 2820 on Private Education: Business Rates, whether business rates will be levied on (a) nurseries and (b) pre-school premises affiliated with an independent school.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Non Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill will remove the eligibility for charitable rate relief from private schools that are charities in England. Standalone private nursery schools with their own rates bills are outside of the scope of the Bill and, where charities, will retain their relief. Private schools that provide education for pupils of compulsory school age but also have nursery classes within the school will lose their rate relief entirely unless the nursery classes are on separate premises with their own rates bill.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many international (a) air miles and (b) flights have been completed by (i) Ministers and (ii) officials in their Department since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Data on minister’s overseas travel and on senior civil servant’s business expenses is published on a quarterly basis. This can be found here: DLUHC: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings, April to June 2024 - GOV.UK, DLUHC: senior officials’ business expenses and hospitality, April to June 2024 - GOV.UK.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what new financial support is available to local authorities affected by Storm Bert.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The impact of flooding, wherever it occurs, is traumatic for the communities impacted and I have great sympathy for all those affected. The government is ready to consider local authority requests for Bellwin Scheme support which can help with the reimbursement of immediate eligible costs for the local authorities affected by the recent storms, including storm Bert.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Homes England press release of 15 October 2024, entitled Homes England invests in Schroders Capital’s Real Estate Impact Fund, whether the £50 million of funding is (a) capital spending, (b) revenue spending and (c) a financial transaction.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Homes England investment into Schroders Capital’s Real Estate Impact Fund was announced following the government’s International Investment Summit. The investment of £50 million was a Financial Transaction from Capital Spending budgets (CDEL- FT) and sits alongside other capital from private sector investors with the aim of generating a financial return for shareholders. The commitment from Homes England will increase the ability of the fund to secure further allocations whilst also enabling the provision of new social and affordable homes and supporting town centre regeneration, key objectives of Homes England.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation entitled Reforming the Right to Buy, published on 20 November 2024.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government published the ‘Reforming the Right to Buy’ consultation via www.gov.uk on 20 November 2024, and is content that it meets the expected accessibility standards to allow all interested parties to contribute their views. As prescribed in the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the consultation is published in HTML format to make it easier to read and to find.

It provides a variety of ways to respond to meet the range of accessibility needs; an online response option, a direct email address and a postal address for those unable to respond online. Anyone having any difficultly responding can get in touch using the contact details available to request assistance or an alternative way to respond.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's press release of 15 October 2024 entitled Thousands of new homes to be built as government unlocks brownfield sites, what the target date is to complete the delivery of 5,200 homes; and whether 5,200 homes is the target for the whole of the 2022-25 Brownfield Land Release Fund 2.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Round three Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 land release milestones are set for 31 March 2028. Housing is then delivered up to three years after the land release milestone. The 5,200 homes forecast applies only to the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2, round three. The whole of the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2 is forecast to release land for 14,100 homes.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ground rent costs on the ability of long-term leaseholders to sell their leased properties.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November 2024 (HCWS244).

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether any planning applications for national significant infrastructure development consent have been delayed from the original statutory deadline since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There has been a total of seven planning applications delayed from the original statutory deadline since 4 July 2024.

They are as follows:

• Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant;
• Heckington Fen Solar;
• Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange;
• Luton Airport;
• Lower Thames Crossing;
• North Lincolnshire Green Energy Park; and
• West Burton Solar.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Prime Minister's speech entitled PM International Investment Summit Speech: 14 October 2024, whether she plans to remove (a) nutrient neutrality rules, (b) Environmental Information Assessments and (c) Strategic Environmental Assessments.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 556 on 26 July 2024 and Question 1315 on 26 July 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6386 on Affordable Housing, whether the social rent homes target in the 2021-26 Affordable Housing Programme has increased since 9 September 2024.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in the Deputy Prime Minister’s statement made on 30 July 2024 (HCSW48), we have asked Homes England and the Greater London Authority to maximise the number of Social Rent homes in allocating the remaining Affordable Homes Programme funding. The programme targets for the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme remain as set out in our update on 30 July.

At the Budget the Chancellor announced an immediate injection of £500 million into this Programme. This will support delivery of up to 5,000 additional homes and bidding is already open to local authorities and other social landlords. I have asked Homes England and the GLA to prioritise social rent homes in assessing those bids and allocating this funding.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take additional fiscal steps after the Autumn Budget 2024 to help deliver more homes for social rent before the end of this Parliament.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

At the multi-year Spending Review next year, the government will set out details of new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much base funding she plans to provide for (a) domestic abuse and sexual violence and (b) drugs and alcohol services in Torbay constituency.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In 2024/25, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) allocated Torbay, as a Tier One authority, £321,538 to commission support for victims of domestic abuse and their children within safe accommodation locally.

On 28 November, the Government announced a £30 million increase to the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant, bringing the total investment to £160 million in 2025-26. This funding will enable all local authorities in England to continue investing in essential support within frontline safe accommodation services, ensuring victims of domestic abuse can access the support they need. Individual allocations to local authorities will be published shortly.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) provides ringfenced funding to Police and Crime Commissioners for community-based support to victims of crime, including victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. The Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly received £3,752,000 for 2024-25.

Despite the challenging financial environment, MoJ ministers have decided to protect victims spending in the department by maintaining 2024-25 funding levels for sexual violence and domestic abuse support next year. This means that for 2025-26, the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Fund (RASASF) grant will be maintained at its current level (£21 million for 25-26). Recipients of the RASASF in Devon and Cornwall received a combined total of £782,500 for 2024-25.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is continuing to invest in improvements to local drug and alcohol treatment services. In addition to the Public Health Grant, DHSC allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024-25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from DHSC, MHCLG and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. As part of this, in 2024/25 Torbay received £798,783 through the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant and £40,085 through the Inpatient Detoxification Grant. Now that the autumn budget has concluded, DHSC is working to announce future funding allocations for drug and alcohol treatment and recovery systems.

Funding from April 2026 will be a matter for Phase Two of the Spending Review.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will bring forward legislative proposals to require building and health and safety standards in (a) emergency and (b) temporary accommodation provided to homeless families.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

All tenants deserve a safe and decent home, and the Government is working to improving standards across all sectors with a commitment to introduce a new Decent Homes Standard.

Local authorities must ensure temporary accommodation is suitable and should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Housing authorities should as a minimum ensure that all temporary accommodation is free of Category 1 hazards as identified by the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). To enable effective enforcement, we have given local authorities strong powers, including financial penalties of up to £30,000, extending rent repayment orders and introducing banning orders for the most serious and prolific offenders.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will drive significant improvements to conditions in the private rented sector. Ensuring landlords adhere to a legally binding Decent Homes Standard and extending ‘Awaab’s Law’ to private landlords will significantly reduce the number of poor-quality privately rented homes and empower tenants to raise concerns about damp, dangerous and cold homes.

Through the Bill, the Government has introduced powers to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, which includes new powers to bring temporary accommodation into scope of the DHS. This will ensure that safe, secure housing is the standard people can expect in temporary accommodation.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will also make it possible to apply Awaab’s Law to temporary accommodation occupied under licence through regulations. We will consult in due course on how best to apply Awaab’s Law to such accommodation occupied under licence to make sure we strike the right balance by providing protections to residents while maintaining ambitions on supply.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what formula her Department plans to use to determine (a) which local authorities will receive funding from the Recovery Grant and (b) the amount of such funding allocated to each local authority.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Recovery Grant, worth £600 million, will be distributed using a formula that is based on deprivation and council tax base, using the most recently available public data. The grant will go to places where, weighted by population, deprivation outweighs council tax raising ability. The grant is intended to be highly targeted, meaning that not all authorities will receive an allocation.

We will set out more detail on the formula and consult on allocations at the provisional Settlement in December.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to increase scrutiny arrangements in mayoral combined authorities.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There is an existing system of accountability and scrutiny arrangements for Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) to ensure that public spending is achieving value for money with an array of monitoring and reporting processes for MCAs. The government is committed to strengthening the accountability and scrutiny arrangements that will enable central government, mayors, combined authorities and combined county authorities to shift gear into a new mode of genuine partnership. This will be set out in the upcoming English Devolution White Paper.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to reduce the hope value of land.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government recently brought into force regulations that provide for the removal of ‘hope value’ from the assessment of compensation in compulsory purchase cases, where there is justification in the public interest. Guidance and a fact sheet on the measures was published on 3 October 2024 and can be found here.

We have made clear our intention to further reform the compulsory purchase process and land compensation rules to enable more effective land assembly that will speed-up and lower the costs of the delivery of housing and critical infrastructure in the public interest. The reforms will be subject to consultation which will be published shortly.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her Department's timetable is for responding to the National Planning Policy Framework consultation that ended on 24 September 2024.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 7852 on 14 October 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the change in (a) core spending power and (b) settlement funding for (i) Aylesbury Vale District Council in each financial year between 2010-11 and 2019-20, (ii) Buckinghamshire County Council in each financial year between 2010-11 and 2019-20 and (iii) Buckinghamshire Council in each financial year since 2020-21.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Detailed information on core spending power and settlement funding for Aylesbury Vale District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council and Buckinghamshire Council for each year from 2015/16 to 2020/21 can be viewed here.

Due to changes in the function and financing of local government, comparable data on Core Spending Power is not available prior to 2015/16.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policies of the occupancy rate for houses in Watchet in Tiverton and Minehead constituency.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.

Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found here.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many affordable homes were (a) started and (b) completed in England between 2010-11 and 2023-24.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The number of affordable housing starts and completions is available in live table 1000 here Live tables on affordable housing supply - GOV.UK.

The number of completions is available since 1991-92. The department started publishing the number of starts in 2015-16. However, starts not reported via Homes England or the Greater London Authority only started being collected in 2016-17 and are collected on a voluntary basis. This means 2015-16 data does not include these data and subsequent years may still be under reporting it.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 28 November 2024 on Local Government Finance, HCWS265, whether her Department has carried out an equality impact assessment on repurposing the Rural Services Delivery Grant.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government took into consideration the Public Sector Equality Duty when making decisions regarding the Rural Services Delivery Grant.

This Government is absolutely committed to tackling the issues that matter to rural communities. Places with a significant rural population will on average receive around a 5% increase in their Core Spending Power next year, which is a real terms increase. No council will see a reduction – and new funding will be available to rural areas in 2025-26 through guaranteed EPR payments.

The Government will set out more detail on all measures set out at the provisional Settlement in December where we will consult on allocations for 2025-26, alongside launching a consultation on the objectives and principles of local government funding reform. The Settlement consultation will request views on the approach to changing how we deliver grant funding through the Settlement, and on equalities impacts. The Government welcomes views of rural councils in response to each of these consultations.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's consultation entitled Enabling remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings, published on 24 October 2024, what assessment she has made of the (a) effectiveness of in-person debate and (b) potential impact of in-person debate on decision making.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The attendance of elected members at local authority meetings is a core part of the democratic process at the local level, and is integral to members carrying out their functions effectively. At the same time, the Government recognises that there are circumstances in which it may not always be possible for members to attend meetings in person. We will consider all responses to the consultation before deciding on a course of action.

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Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to ensure the availability of rehabilitation treatment for people with (a) drug and (b) alcohol dependencies in (i) Slough constituency and (ii) Berkshire.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Drug and alcohol treatment is funded through the Public Health Grant. In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. Future targeted funding for drug and alcohol treatment services beyond 2025 will be announced very shortly. The Department will write directly to each local authority to set out indicative allocations for 2025/26, which will be subject to departmental and HM Treasury approvals, so final allocations could vary. We understand the importance of funding certainty for informing local system’s operational decision making and future planning, and we are engaging with commissioners and providers on this.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also made it clear that the Government will conclude a multi-year Spending Review in the first half of 2025. In future, we anticipate that Spending Reviews will be set every two years to cover a three-year period, including a one-year overlap with the previous Spending Review, helping build in greater certainty and stability over public finances.

The Department is focused on supporting local areas to deliver high quality drug and alcohol treatment services, including in the Slough constituency and Berkshire. This includes additional investment in 2024/25 in the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery systems of £950,455 in Slough, and £1,860,131 in the wider Berkshire area, through a range of specific grants. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has also produced a Commissioning Quality Standard which provides guidance in commissioning effective alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services, and a range of wider guidance and data that will support the delivery of high-quality treatment and recovery services. Further information on the Commissioning Quality Standard is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-quality-standard-alcohol-and-drug-services

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of extending the funding for local authorities to provide drug and alcohol support services.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Drug and alcohol treatment is funded through the Public Health Grant. In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. Future targeted funding for drug and alcohol treatment services beyond 2025 will be announced very shortly. The Department will write directly to each local authority to set out indicative allocations for 2025/26, which will be subject to departmental and HM Treasury approvals, so final allocations could vary. We understand the importance of funding certainty for informing local system’s operational decision making and future planning, and we are engaging with commissioners and providers on this.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also made it clear that the Government will conclude a multi-year Spending Review in the first half of 2025. In future, we anticipate that Spending Reviews will be set every two years to cover a three-year period, including a one-year overlap with the previous Spending Review, helping build in greater certainty and stability over public finances.

The Department is focused on supporting local areas to deliver high quality drug and alcohol treatment services, including in the Slough constituency and Berkshire. This includes additional investment in 2024/25 in the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery systems of £950,455 in Slough, and £1,860,131 in the wider Berkshire area, through a range of specific grants. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has also produced a Commissioning Quality Standard which provides guidance in commissioning effective alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services, and a range of wider guidance and data that will support the delivery of high-quality treatment and recovery services. Further information on the Commissioning Quality Standard is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-quality-standard-alcohol-and-drug-services

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps this Department is taking to reduce (a) drug- and (b) alcohol-related deaths.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Drug-related deaths are tragically at record highs, especially in deprived areas. We are committed to tackling this problem through working across health, policing, and wider public services. For example, we recently took legislative action to expand access to naloxone, meaning more services and professionals are able to supply this life-saving opioid overdose antidote medication.

In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. Future targeted funding for drug and alcohol treatment services beyond 2025 will be announced very shortly.

Alcohol-specific deaths are also at the highest rates on record, having increased dramatically during the pandemic. Through our mission-driven Government, we will prioritise actions targeted at reversing this trend. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, over £30 million of national funding has been invested between 2019 and 2025, on an ambitious programme to establish new, or optimise existing, Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs) in the 25% hospitals with the highest need, which is 47 out of 188 eligible sites in England. ACTs identify people in hospital whose ill health is related to alcohol use, commence treatment for alcohol dependence, and refer to community alcohol treatment on discharge.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has an action plan to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths. In light of the recent data, this plan will be reviewed to ensure that it is grounded in the latest understanding of the drivers of drug and alcohol related deaths, and is responding to these. In addition, earlier this year the Department published guidance for local authorities and their partnerships on how to review adult drug and alcohol-related deaths and near-fatal overdoses to prevent future deaths. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-drug-and-alcohol-deaths-partnership-review-process

Through our Health Mission, the Government has committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to understand how best to reduce alcohol-related harms. The OHID, with the support of partners from the devolved administrations, has developed the first ever United Kingdom clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment, which are expected to be published in the coming months. The aim of the guidelines is to promote and support good practice and improve quality of service provision, resulting in better outcomes.

Education on drug use is an essential part of harm reduction and prevention and is a statutory component of relationship, sex, and health education in England. Lesson plans and other resources to support teachers are being updated, and there will be increased emphasis on the risks of synthetic drugs. The Department has worked with the Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education Association to develop the lesson plans on alcohol and drugs, and has commissioned an update of the resources to be published later this year. The Government also has an alcohol and drug information and advice service called Talk to FRANK, which aims to reduce alcohol and drug use and its harms by providing information and increasing awareness for young people, parents, and concerned others. Further information on Talk to FRANK is available at the following link:

https://www.talktofrank.com/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to raise awareness of the harms of (a) drug and (b) alcohol misuse.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Drug-related deaths are tragically at record highs, especially in deprived areas. We are committed to tackling this problem through working across health, policing, and wider public services. For example, we recently took legislative action to expand access to naloxone, meaning more services and professionals are able to supply this life-saving opioid overdose antidote medication.

In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. Future targeted funding for drug and alcohol treatment services beyond 2025 will be announced very shortly.

Alcohol-specific deaths are also at the highest rates on record, having increased dramatically during the pandemic. Through our mission-driven Government, we will prioritise actions targeted at reversing this trend. As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, over £30 million of national funding has been invested between 2019 and 2025, on an ambitious programme to establish new, or optimise existing, Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs) in the 25% hospitals with the highest need, which is 47 out of 188 eligible sites in England. ACTs identify people in hospital whose ill health is related to alcohol use, commence treatment for alcohol dependence, and refer to community alcohol treatment on discharge.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) has an action plan to reduce drug and alcohol-related deaths. In light of the recent data, this plan will be reviewed to ensure that it is grounded in the latest understanding of the drivers of drug and alcohol related deaths, and is responding to these. In addition, earlier this year the Department published guidance for local authorities and their partnerships on how to review adult drug and alcohol-related deaths and near-fatal overdoses to prevent future deaths. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-drug-and-alcohol-deaths-partnership-review-process

Through our Health Mission, the Government has committed to prioritising preventative public health measures to support people to live longer, healthier lives. The Department will continue to work across Government to understand how best to reduce alcohol-related harms. The OHID, with the support of partners from the devolved administrations, has developed the first ever United Kingdom clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment, which are expected to be published in the coming months. The aim of the guidelines is to promote and support good practice and improve quality of service provision, resulting in better outcomes.

Education on drug use is an essential part of harm reduction and prevention and is a statutory component of relationship, sex, and health education in England. Lesson plans and other resources to support teachers are being updated, and there will be increased emphasis on the risks of synthetic drugs. The Department has worked with the Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education Association to develop the lesson plans on alcohol and drugs, and has commissioned an update of the resources to be published later this year. The Government also has an alcohol and drug information and advice service called Talk to FRANK, which aims to reduce alcohol and drug use and its harms by providing information and increasing awareness for young people, parents, and concerned others. Further information on Talk to FRANK is available at the following link:

https://www.talktofrank.com/

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that homeless children have the same rights of access to (a) education and (b) health care as looked-after children in corporate parentship.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department knows that homelessness levels are far too high, and this can have a devastating impact on those affected, especially children. Too many children are spending years in temporary accommodation, at a point in their lives when they need space to play and develop, nutritious food to thrive and access to education.

We understand the physical and mental health impacts of poor housing on children and families. The Child Poverty Unit is exploring options with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), to encourage greater integration of health, housing, education and care services at a local level which will better meet the needs of children and families in poverty.

More detail on the approach and priorities for the Child Poverty Strategy is set out in the 23 October publication ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing Our Strategy’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-child-poverty-developing-our-strategy.

Through the supporting families programme and our reforms to family help from April 2025, we will ensure that more children and families can access the help and support they need at the earliest opportunity. Support will be delivered by community based, multi-disciplinary teams, made up of professionals from relevant agencies. This could include specialist homelessness advisors.

My right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, is leading cross-government work to deliver the long term solutions we need to get back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long term strategy.

We are also tackling the root causes of homelessness, including by delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament.

MHCLG are already taking the first steps to get back on track to ending homelessness. As announced in the Autumn Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 2025/26.

This government will also abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions with immediate effect, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

In relation to healthcare, clearly homeless children have the same right to healthcare as children in any other situation in England. All children have equal access to use the NHS, and DHSC and the NHS are working together to ensure health inequalities in ease of access are mitigated.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women from the three lowest multiple deprivation deciles donated eggs between 2011 and 2020.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.

There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.

The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.

The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:

Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.

Notes:

1. this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;
2. multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; and
3. data provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what impact assessment his Department made of the increase in the amount paid to egg donors on 1 October 2024.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.

There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.

The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.

The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:

Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.

Notes:

1. this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;
2. multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; and
3. data provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a minimum age of 25 for egg donation.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.

There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.

The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.

The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:

Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.

Notes:

1. this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;
2. multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; and
3. data provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of a ban on advertisements for egg donors.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

There are no plans to make an assessment on banning advertisements for egg donors. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) Code of Practice states that advertising should be designed with regard to the sensitive issues involved in recruiting donors, and that advertising or publicity aimed at recruiting gamete or embryo donors, or encouraging donation, should not refer to the possibility of financial gain or similar advantage, although it may refer to compensation permitted under relevant HFEA Directions.

There are no plans to raise the minimum age of egg donation to 25 years old. The HFEA has advised that their published data shows that egg donors had a consistent average age of 31 to 32 years old from 1991 to 2020. The HFEA Code of Practice states that gametes for the treatment of others should not be taken from anyone under the age of 18 years old. This reflects the latest professional body guidance that all donors must be aged 18 years old or above.

The compensation rate for egg and sperm donation is set by the HFEA, rather than the Department, as provided for in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The increase in donor compensation in October 2024 reflected the rise in inflation and cost of living since the last change from 2011. The Department has not undertaken an impact assessment, however, academic research in the United Kingdom has consistently found that donating eggs and sperm is driven by altruism, and the HFEA published data shows that egg and sperm donors in England from 2011 to 2020 lived in similar or more affluent socio-economic areas than the general population.

The following table shows the number of egg donors living in each of the multiple deprivation deciles in England at time of registration, between 2011 and 2020:

Source: the HFEA report, Trends in egg, sperm and embryo donation 2020.

Notes:

1. this data includes donors with a postcode in England only;
2. multiple deprivation deciles were calculated using 2015 data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and post code information from the HFEA register; and
3. data provided is from a live register and may not match data published elsewhere.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if his Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Energy Performance Certificate on the ability of households to manage heating bills.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Currently, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) produce an energy efficiency rating (EER) based on the estimated running costs of the property. Basing the rating and recommendations of the EPC on cost is done with the aim of generating improvement which will lead to a reduction in energy costs.

Last week, the Government published the consultation on EPC Reform, developed through close collaboration between DESNZ and MHCLG. The Government proposes using four key metrics for domestic EPCs: "fabric performance," "heating system," "smart readiness," and "energy cost." The Government is reviewing the methodology underpinning EPCs to make it fit for purpose to support net zero. The department is also reviewing consultation responses for the new building physics model, the Home Energy Model.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce barriers to accessing drug treatment faced by women.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is focused on supporting local areas to deliver high quality drug and alcohol treatment services, including better meeting the needs of women and vulnerable groups. Current work in relation to women and vulnerable groups includes: providing targeted support to local areas; enhancing data tools to better inform local needs assessments; supporting workforce development; and implementation of the Commissioning Quality Standard and the sharing of good practice. The quality standard provides guidance for local authorities to support them in commissioning effective alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services in their areas and includes a requirement that local authority commissioning partnerships include services that reflect their local populations and work with underrepresented groups, as identified in their local needs assessment, such as people from minority ethnic groups and women. Further information on the Commissioning Quality Standard is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-quality-standard-alcohol-and-drug-services

In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use. This funding will help improve women’s access to treatment, removing barriers they face and ensuring the care they receive is tailored to their needs.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to reduce alcohol-specific deaths.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

A vital part of delivering the Health Mission shift to prevention will be action to reduce the health harms and resulting deaths from excess alcohol consumption. The Department is continuing to invest in improvements to local drug and alcohol treatment services. Funding for drug and alcohol treatment services is provided through the Public Health Grant. In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use.

Earlier this year the Department published guidance for local authorities and their partnerships on how to review adult drug and alcohol-related deaths and near-fatal overdoses to prevent future deaths. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preventing-drug-and-alcohol-deaths-partnership-review-process/preventing-drug-and-alcohol-deaths-partnership-review-process

Additionally, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities has published Commissioning quality standard: alcohol and drug services, which provides guidance for local authorities to support them in commissioning effective alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services in their areas. Further information on the guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commissioning-quality-standard-alcohol-and-drug-services

The Department will soon publish the UK Clinical guidelines on alcohol treatment, which will include recommendations on developing effective, accessible, and inclusive services. The Department continues to work with all local areas to address unmet need and drug and alcohol misuse deaths, and to drive improvements in the continuity of care. This includes the Unmet Need Toolkit which can be used by local areas to assess local need, and plan to meet it.

As part of the NHS Long Term Plan, over £30 million of national funding has been invested between 2019 and 2025, on an ambitious programme to establish new, or optimise existing, Alcohol Care Teams (ACTs) in the 25% hospitals with the highest need, which is 47 out of 188 eligible sites in England. The ACTs identify people in hospital whose ill health is related to alcohol use, commence treatment for alcohol dependence, and refer to community alcohol treatment on discharge.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when his Department will announce future funding for drug treatment services beyond 2025.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

We understand the importance of funding certainty for informing local system’s operational decision making and future planning. We are engaging with commissioners and providers on this. Future funding for drug treatment services beyond 2025 will be announced very shortly. The Department of Health and Social Care will write directly to each local authority soon to set out indicative allocations for 2025/26, which will still be subject to Departmental and HM Treasury’s approvals, and so final allocations could vary.

My Rt. Hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has also made clear that the Government will conclude a multi-year Spending Review in spring 2025. In future, we anticipate that Spending Reviews will be set every two years to cover a three-year period, including a one-year overlap with the previous Spending Review, helping build in greater certainty and stability over public finances.

In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department allocated local authorities £267 million in 2024/25 to improve the quality and capacity of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. An additional £105 million from the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is improving treatment pathways and recovery, housing, and employment outcomes for people affected by drug and alcohol use.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 25 November 2024 to Question 14625 on Business Rate: Tax Allowances and with reference to line 18 of Table 5.1 of the Autumn Statement 2023, CP 977, for what reason the forecasts differ.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Autumn Statement 2023 (AS23) announced 75 per cent relief to Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) properties up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

Based on local authorities’ Non-Domestic Rates form (NNDR1) returns, the static cost of RHL relief is forecast to be £2.4 billion in 2024/25. The costings contained in Table 5.1 of the ‘Policy Decisions’ chapter of AS23 account for the static cost being adjusted to reflect that business rates are deductible for Corporation Tax for companies and Income Tax for the self-employed, and that business rates are devolved. It also accounts for new burdens funding that English Local Authorities receive for the administrative and IT costs associated with the delivery of the relief.

Therefore, the final cost is estimated to be £2.65 billion in 2024/25. Further information can be found in AS23 Policy Costings on page 23: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6560c3ef3d77410012420197/Autumn_Statement_2023_Policy_Costings_-_Final.pdf

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will, in due course, publish outturn figures, based on data collected by local authorities, which will set out the final amount of business rate relief provided to businesses in 2024/25.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2024 to Question 2635 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Expenditure, if she will state how her department has changed the previous Government’s approach to extremism to facilitate the efficiency saving of £5 million that was included in the MHCLG savings listed in HM Treasury's document entitled, Fixing the foundations: Public spending audit 2024-25, published on 29 July 2024.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Secretary commissioned the counter extremism sprint to identify gaps in current policy approaches and to recommend a new approach to tackling radicalisation that can draw people to hateful ideologies, both online and offline. The aim was to develop objectives and the foundations for a new strategy and recommend a coherent and sustainable approach to counter extremism across His Majesty's Government. The sprint was conducted over the summer and has now concluded.

Departmental budgets are currently under review and will be announced by His Majesty’s Treasury in due course. The Home Office intends for all projects to deliver value for money and remain in line with budgetary capabilities.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their announcement on 17 November regarding £1 billion in funding for bus services, when they will publish the formula for allocation.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The way funding has been allocated to local authorities represents a change from previous methodologies to a fairer and simpler system, moving away from a competitive process. This funding for local authorities to deliver their Bus Service Improvement Plans has been allocated based on local needs, considering three factors, equally weighted. These are:

• The level of population, the greater the population of the local transport authority the more money they will receive;
• The distance covered by buses in the authority, the greater the tendered bus mileage, the more money they will receive; and
• The index of multiple deprivation, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This is the official measure of relative deprivation in England.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on taking steps to help support high street businesses.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Revitalising our high streets is a priority for this government. The Secretary of State and I are working with MHCLG to engage colleagues across Whitehall in delivering a cross-government approach for creating better conditions for high street businesses to thrive.

This means addressing anti-social behaviour and crime, working with the banking industry to roll out 350 banking hubs, reforming business rates, stamping out late payments, empowering communities to make the most of the vacant properties, strengthening the Post Office network, and upgrading the new apprenticeship levy.

Found: can help you as a 4 Member of Parliament About this Overview 5 Priorities and achievements 6 How MHCLG

Found: Downloads Related work In 2023-24, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG

Found: planning consent exemptions to include low-voltage connections and upgrades in England, and engage with MHCLG

Found: Planning Inspectorate, allowing the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG

Found: devolution policy across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will move from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: victims and their children is provided by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG

Found: Ordnance Survey 100032216 GLA Source: Indices of Deprivation 2019, MHCLG For common diseases such as

Found: carrying out research into cities and health, Department for Transport, and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Last week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government also gave the go ahead for a new

Found: hazards regulatory framework, for both planning (regulation to control where sites are located - MHCLG

Found: From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Department for Levelling Up, Housing

Found: housebuilder registered provider (RP) local authority (LA) Homes England and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local

Found: Suggested data sources: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government household projections,

Found: Development Schemes must also be produced in compliance with any data standard for this purpose published by MHCLG

Found: Introduction 1.1 This explanatory memorandum has been prepared by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local

Found: -1-5286-5326-8 E03257795 12/24 For all our latest news and updates follow us on X: https://x.com/mhclg

Found: Advice from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is that the maximum level

Found: standardised shared services platform for HM Revenue and Customs, DfT and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Benefit overpayments by source (includes estimates) On 8 June 2020, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: The most recent Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government housing statistics18 show that

Found: of Westminster and into our communities with an English Devolution Bill (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: (MHCLG).

Found: open-government-licence/version/3/ This document/publication is also available on our website at www.gov.uk/mhclg

Found: From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local

Found: From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local

Found: open-government-licence/version/3/ This document/publication is also available on our website at www.gov.uk/mhclg

Found: https:/ /national-infrastructure-consenting. planninginspectorate.gov.uk 4 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: for National Statistics, and Index of Multiple Deprivation scores from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: (MHCLG).

Found: local authority district within London. 2All programmes are funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: local authority district within London. 2All programmes are funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: In addition to its annual release, MHCLG combines half- year data from Homes England and the GLA to

Found: However, the completions are reported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG

Found: DfE), Children’s Commissioner, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: The BSR is central to the UKG’s response, and it is likely to be January 2025 before they or MHCLG (UKG

Found: copying this letter to the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Minister for Housing and Planning (MHCLG

Found: then Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, now called the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government