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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many meetings (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with metro mayors to discuss the devolution of powers to enable the implementation of an overnight visitor levy since the 2024 General Election; and how many such meetings took place (i) before the launch of the consultation on 26 November 2025 and (ii) since that date.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ahead of launching its consultation, the government considered a range of evidence on the case for a visitor levy power, including economic analysis and the success of international examples. Ministers engage regularly with Mayors on devolution-related issues, including through the quarterly Mayoral Council meetings. As the government set out in response to Question UIN 98784 answered on 22 December 2025, the government received representations from Mayors on a visitor levy power ahead of the announcement of the consultation on 25 November.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what evidence his Department considered when determining whether to consult on the principle of introducing an overnight visitor levy.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ahead of launching its consultation, the government considered a range of evidence on the case for a visitor levy power, including economic analysis and the success of international examples. Ministers engage regularly with Mayors on devolution-related issues, including through the quarterly Mayoral Council meetings. As the government set out in response to Question UIN 98784 answered on 22 December 2025, the government received representations from Mayors on a visitor levy power ahead of the announcement of the consultation on 25 November.

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 10% commission payable on the resale of a park home, what financial data he plans to require park home site owners to provide that was not already covered in the report entitled Mobile homes: The impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission, published on 16 June 2022; and what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the compatibility of this policy with (a) consumer fairness and (b) levels of transparency in housing costs.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 115901 on 9 March 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the data structure of HM Land Registry's leasehold dataset for enabling leaseholders to access meaningful information about their properties.

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

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether HM Land Registry's leasehold dataset contains structured data fields for service charge blocks.

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

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the Planning Inspectorate to deal with (a) national planning policy framework changes and (b) measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112059 on 24 February 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Planning Inspectorate against its targets on planning decisions.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112059 on 24 February 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps are being taken to make the Land Registry Leaseholds Dataset machine-readable, including by structuring data fields such as address, lease start date and lease duration.

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

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the number of staff required to make HM Land Registry's leasehold dataset (a) accessible and (b) usable for individual leaseholders.

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

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to add fields for property type, freehold title number, service charge and ground rent to the Land Registry Leaseholds Dataset.

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

HM Land Registry (HMLR) manages a Registered Leases dataset which can be found on gov.uk here. This brings together legal, geographic and transactional information for leases that are registered at HMLR.

The dataset includes structured address data, along with information on lease details including dates, terms, registration order and property descriptions, and links to unique land identifiers, Unique Property Reference Numbers, and historic information on price paid data.

By combining register data with address and location references, HMLR’s dataset supports analysis of leasehold structures, land tenure patterns and property relationships. The dataset was designed and developed for professionals to use for large scale analysis.

Leaseholders can access meaningful information about their properties through HMLR Land and Property Information service, which can be found on gov.uk here, where they can also order official copies of the Title Register and Lease document.

HM Land Registry’s ambitions to improve the structure and accessibility of its data are set out in its ‘Strategy 2025+’, which can be found on gov.uk here, which commits to aligning data to the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) principles.

The forthcoming HM Land Registry Business Plan 2026+ will set out how this ambition will be taken forward during the current Spending Review period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will set out long-term, holistic support for funding for regeneration of homes, alongside new supply.

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

The government is committed to supporting estate regeneration schemes to transform neighbourhoods by delivering well designed housing and public space, a better quality of life and new opportunities for tenants.

While the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme focuses primarily on new supply, it will also continue to support some regeneration schemes that provide a net increase in homes on a site.

Our National Housing Delivery Fund will provide grant funding to unlock complex and low‑viability sites, including brownfield remediation and enabling infrastructure.

The £15 billion Warm Homes Plan will upgrade up to five million homes by 2030, reducing bills and improving living conditions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent staff are assigned to leasehold reform implementation in HM Land Registry.

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

HM Land Registry (HMLR) does not assign a specific number or proportion of full-time equivalent staff assigned to leasehold reform implementation.

HMLR flexibly resources all elements of leasehold reform, appropriate to the stage of each part of the reform, to meet changing demand over time.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the financial sustainability of local authorities that are implementing the maximum permitted council tax increase while also delivering more than £25 million of in-year service reductions; what information his Department holds on the number of councils that have both increased council tax by 4.99% and reduced services in excess of £25 million in the same financial year; and what monitoring his Department undertakes of council tax increases, reserves usage and projected future budget gaps.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It is for individual local authorities to decide their level of council tax, including whether to use their full flexibility and balancing the extra spending with the impact on taxpayers. Local authorities are expected to manage their financial position prudently, and the department does not monitor their day-to-day business.

The department does not proscriptively set a level of expected reserves for local authorities to hold and is clear that that this should be a locally managed decision. We rely on local authorities to accurately reflect their reserve positions in the Revenue Outturn forms to ensure we have good quality data in the department to understand the reserves the sector hold.

The recent Local Government Finance Settlement is our most significant step yet to make English local government more sustainable. We are delivering fairer funding, targeting money where it is needed most through the first multi-year Settlement in a decade. The department will continue to have a framework in place to support those in the most difficult positions. Any council that has concerns about its ability to set or maintain a balanced budget should approach the department in the first instance.

Found: A useful model may be to consider the MHCLG approach to Towns Funds etc which was felt to be appropriate

Found: Committee on Standards in Public Life, Regulating Election Finance, July 2021 2 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: : Fly-tipping is normally a DEFRA responsibility, although I understand why you might have chosen MHCLG

Found: Does that mean you have won the argument with MHCLG to have it in the future homes standard?

Found: Officials at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have also noted the possibility

Found: MHCLG, through statutory guidance and regular communications, supports authorities on administration

Found: 3 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Restoring trust in our democracy, 17 July 2025

Found: Gareth Davies: The responsibility for that balance is with MHCLG, which is responsible for building.

Found: We have worked closely with both MHCLG and local authorities to provide our expertise in support of

Found: Appointment Government Department Housing Ombudsman September 2019 (3 year terms extended until July 2026) MHCLG

Found: Order 2025 Instruments not reported 8 Annex 8 Appendix 1: Memorandum from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Spending Review 2025, CP 1336, 11 June 2025, p. 34 209 Q286 [Dean Cook] 210 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: These responsibilities mainly sit within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (

Found: Its core membership includes representation from: Defra, MHCLG, OxCam, EA, Ofwat, DWI, NE, NISTA, DBT

Found: The resilience and emergency division at the MHCLG provides a steer to local resilience forums and prepares

Found: DPP0077 - Drought Preparedness Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Written Evidence

Found: o The LRF does not exist as a formal organisation, and although we compile reports for MHCLG, there

Found: authorities until they exist, we have been able to share our expertise, experience and learning with MHCLG

Found: Q84 Jonathan Davies: I understand that the responsibility for the inventory sits with MHCLG and DEFRA

Found: conjunction with NHS patient data and other sources such as the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) (MHCLG

Found: authorities until they exist, we have been able to share our expertise, experience and learning with MHCLG

Found: The MHCLG consultation on the draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)1 presents a significant

Found: time: ancient and native woodland and trees policy in England - GOV.UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Q178 Bobby Dean: Can I put to you something that came up at a joint Committee session with MHCLG?

Found: We have brought together—at the time it was DfE but now it is DWP— MHCLG and DBT all to the same party

Found: If not we can find out from MHCLG.

Found: Concessionary fares funding sits in MHCLG so is not represented in the DfT Supply Estimates.

Found: Obviously, he is in the same building as me, just up the corridor at MHCLG.

Found: We recommend that MHCLG, in consultation with DCMS, examines options to better align the two regimes

Found: Only yesterday, the MHCLG published Protecting What Matters.

Found: We cannot address their capacity, of course; that is a matter for MHCLG and the local authorities themselves

Found: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published its Strategy for Modern and

Found: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published its Strategy for Modern and

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the statutory right to connect new developments to the public sewer network on storm overflow discharges.

Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is working together with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure the right to connect for water supply and to the sewerage system supports the Government’s housing delivery objectives and enables sustainable development.

The Government is committed to taking a systematic approach to tackling the issues with drainage and wastewater. This includes a real focus on tackling the root causes of sewage pollution.

We will enable a step change to allow for more ‘pre-pipe’ solutions to reduce the volume of rainwater and pollutants entering the sewerage system. This includes better rainwater management, including sustainable drainage systems, and tackling sewer misuse.

This approach will have benefits for communities, the environment, flood prevention and urban development, ensuring policies and services work better together to deliver real benefits for people and nature. It will also enable economic growth, creating headroom for new development, and create opportunities to alleviate pressures on water supply.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that inward investment agreements for new datacentres include binding requirements on energy efficiency, renewable power sourcing and heat‑recovery obligations; and whether she has made an assessment of the potential environmental risks arising from the absence of a single cross‑government standard for datacentre sustainability.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government is committed to ensuring that new data centres and AI infrastructure are developed responsibly, with due consideration of environmental impacts.

UK data and AI infrastructure is subject to the UK’s environmental and planning frameworks, which require assessment of impacts such as energy use. Larger data centres, which will be able to apply through the recently introduced Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project route, will also be subject to these requirements.

DSIT works closely with DESNZ, DEFRA, and MHCLG to ensure that the UK’s data centre growth align with wider policy objectives, including on sustainability and Clean Power 2030 ambitions. The AI Energy Council, co-chaired by Secretaries of State for DSIT and DESNZ, brings together regulators, energy companies and tech firms to address the growing energy demands of AI in a sustainable and scalable way.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Asylum handouts and accommodation removed for illegal migrants abusing Britain’s generosity, published on 5 March 2026, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the policy on local authority homelessness services; and what protections will be in place to ensure those local authorities are not expected to provide additional support due to this policy.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is developing a new framework for asylum support, including replacing the statutory duty to support with a discretionary power and making compliance with conditions, including not working illegally, a requirement of support. These measures, announced on 5 March, are intended to reduce misuse of support, not to make people homeless or deny support to those who genuinely need it and have no alternative means of supporting themselves.

Policies are still being developed, and we have not made final estimates of the number of people who may lose asylum support or accommodation, the savings to the public purse, or the full impact on local authority homelessness services. However, an impact assessment will be published in due course and the Home Office continues to engage with MHCLG and other stakeholders to understand and mitigate any potential homelessness impacts.

Asylum support will be targeted at those who are genuinely destitute and actively engaging with the asylum system. Decisions to withdraw support will be made on a case‑by‑case basis, with mitigating circumstances and vulnerabilities, including the needs of families with children, carefully considered. Individuals will be notified through established decision‑making processes, and clear guidance will be issued ahead of any changes.

Where it comes to light that a claim for support has been made fraudulently, action will be taken to recover the support that has been paid.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Asylum handouts and accommodation removed for illegal migrants abusing Britain’s generosity, published on 5 March 2026, what estimate she has made of the savings to the public purse from removing asylum support and accommodation from individuals deemed to be abusing the asylum system.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is developing a new framework for asylum support, including replacing the statutory duty to support with a discretionary power and making compliance with conditions, including not working illegally, a requirement of support. These measures, announced on 5 March, are intended to reduce misuse of support, not to make people homeless or deny support to those who genuinely need it and have no alternative means of supporting themselves.

Policies are still being developed, and we have not made final estimates of the number of people who may lose asylum support or accommodation, the savings to the public purse, or the full impact on local authority homelessness services. However, an impact assessment will be published in due course and the Home Office continues to engage with MHCLG and other stakeholders to understand and mitigate any potential homelessness impacts.

Asylum support will be targeted at those who are genuinely destitute and actively engaging with the asylum system. Decisions to withdraw support will be made on a case‑by‑case basis, with mitigating circumstances and vulnerabilities, including the needs of families with children, carefully considered. Individuals will be notified through established decision‑making processes, and clear guidance will be issued ahead of any changes.

Where it comes to light that a claim for support has been made fraudulently, action will be taken to recover the support that has been paid.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Asylum handouts and accommodation removed for illegal migrants abusing Britain’s generosity, published on 5 March 2026, whether asylum seekers deemed to be capable of supporting themselves financially will be expected to contribute towards any of their prior accommodation costs, backdated to when they were deemed to have become financially capable.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is developing a new framework for asylum support, including replacing the statutory duty to support with a discretionary power and making compliance with conditions, including not working illegally, a requirement of support. These measures, announced on 5 March, are intended to reduce misuse of support, not to make people homeless or deny support to those who genuinely need it and have no alternative means of supporting themselves.

Policies are still being developed, and we have not made final estimates of the number of people who may lose asylum support or accommodation, the savings to the public purse, or the full impact on local authority homelessness services. However, an impact assessment will be published in due course and the Home Office continues to engage with MHCLG and other stakeholders to understand and mitigate any potential homelessness impacts.

Asylum support will be targeted at those who are genuinely destitute and actively engaging with the asylum system. Decisions to withdraw support will be made on a case‑by‑case basis, with mitigating circumstances and vulnerabilities, including the needs of families with children, carefully considered. Individuals will be notified through established decision‑making processes, and clear guidance will be issued ahead of any changes.

Where it comes to light that a claim for support has been made fraudulently, action will be taken to recover the support that has been paid.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Asylum handouts and accommodation removed for illegal migrants abusing Britain’s generosity, published on 5 March 2026, what guidance will be issued to accommodation providers and local authorities regarding the removal of asylum accommodation.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is developing a new framework for asylum support, including replacing the statutory duty to support with a discretionary power and making compliance with conditions, including not working illegally, a requirement of support. These measures, announced on 5 March, are intended to reduce misuse of support, not to make people homeless or deny support to those who genuinely need it and have no alternative means of supporting themselves.

Policies are still being developed, and we have not made final estimates of the number of people who may lose asylum support or accommodation, the savings to the public purse, or the full impact on local authority homelessness services. However, an impact assessment will be published in due course and the Home Office continues to engage with MHCLG and other stakeholders to understand and mitigate any potential homelessness impacts.

Asylum support will be targeted at those who are genuinely destitute and actively engaging with the asylum system. Decisions to withdraw support will be made on a case‑by‑case basis, with mitigating circumstances and vulnerabilities, including the needs of families with children, carefully considered. Individuals will be notified through established decision‑making processes, and clear guidance will be issued ahead of any changes.

Where it comes to light that a claim for support has been made fraudulently, action will be taken to recover the support that has been paid.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Asylum handouts and accommodation removed for illegal migrants abusing Britain’s generosity, published on 5 March 2026, what estimate her Department has made of the number of people who may lose asylum support and accommodation under the new policy.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is developing a new framework for asylum support, including replacing the statutory duty to support with a discretionary power and making compliance with conditions, including not working illegally, a requirement of support. These measures, announced on 5 March, are intended to reduce misuse of support, not to make people homeless or deny support to those who genuinely need it and have no alternative means of supporting themselves.

Policies are still being developed, and we have not made final estimates of the number of people who may lose asylum support or accommodation, the savings to the public purse, or the full impact on local authority homelessness services. However, an impact assessment will be published in due course and the Home Office continues to engage with MHCLG and other stakeholders to understand and mitigate any potential homelessness impacts.

Asylum support will be targeted at those who are genuinely destitute and actively engaging with the asylum system. Decisions to withdraw support will be made on a case‑by‑case basis, with mitigating circumstances and vulnerabilities, including the needs of families with children, carefully considered. Individuals will be notified through established decision‑making processes, and clear guidance will be issued ahead of any changes.

Where it comes to light that a claim for support has been made fraudulently, action will be taken to recover the support that has been paid.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department’s press release entitled Asylum handouts and accommodation removed for illegal migrants abusing Britain’s generosity, published on 5 March 2026, what process will be used to notify people when asylum support and accommodation are withdrawn.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government is developing a new framework for asylum support, including replacing the statutory duty to support with a discretionary power and making compliance with conditions, including not working illegally, a requirement of support. These measures, announced on 5 March, are intended to reduce misuse of support, not to make people homeless or deny support to those who genuinely need it and have no alternative means of supporting themselves.

Policies are still being developed, and we have not made final estimates of the number of people who may lose asylum support or accommodation, the savings to the public purse, or the full impact on local authority homelessness services. However, an impact assessment will be published in due course and the Home Office continues to engage with MHCLG and other stakeholders to understand and mitigate any potential homelessness impacts.

Asylum support will be targeted at those who are genuinely destitute and actively engaging with the asylum system. Decisions to withdraw support will be made on a case‑by‑case basis, with mitigating circumstances and vulnerabilities, including the needs of families with children, carefully considered. Individuals will be notified through established decision‑making processes, and clear guidance will be issued ahead of any changes.

Where it comes to light that a claim for support has been made fraudulently, action will be taken to recover the support that has been paid.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her 5th March policy announcements on the asylum system on levels of homelessness in the UK.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

Replacing the statutory duty to support with a power, and making it a condition of support not to work illegally were included in the 5^th March policy announcements. The aim of these measures is to reduce misuse of support, not to make people homeless or deny support to those who genuinely need it and have no way to support themselves.

Our intention is that support will only go to those who are genuinely destitute and actively engaging with the asylum system, not those seeking to exploit it. These changes will give us greater flexibility to take firmer action against individuals who do not comply.

The Restoring Order and Control statement set out the overall direction of the future policy. The intention is to replace the current statutory duty with a more flexible framework, using the discretionary power that can take account of a wider range of factors when assessing and providing asylum support. These factors may include:

- Whether individuals have alternative means of supporting themselves such as right to work

- Whether individuals have complied with relevant immigration conditions; and

- behaviour and conduct in the UK.

Support will only be withdrawn where there has been a breach of the rules. Any withdrawal of support is done on a case-by-case basis, with any mitigating circumstances or vulnerabilities considered in the decision-making process.

We are engaging with MHCLG and other stakeholders on the potential impact of these changes, particularly on homelessness. We will also ensure that the needs of vulnerable people are properly considered as part of the decision-making process, including the needs of families with children. We are committed to ensuring that proposals are considered carefully, so that they support creation of a system which is both fair and sustainable.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 108091 on MHCLG: Repairs and Maintenance, on what date the PFI contract for 2 Marsham Street expires; and which organisation will own the building on expiry.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

The PFI expiry date is 2nd April 2031. It is anticipated an option will be called to allow the property to revert to His Majesty’s Government ownership from that date.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2026, para 5.8, if he will publish the representation to MHCLG from the Electoral Commission.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission’s correspondence to the Secretary of State is available on its website. In it the Commission makes clear its view that scheduled elections should go ahead as planned, and only be postponed in exceptional circumstances.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the community engagement principles guidance published in March 2024, whether the application of a departmental policy of non-engagement means that written representations to a Government consultation or call for evidence from an individual or organisation subject to non-engagement are not read or substantively considered in that consultation process.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

Although The Home Office does not comment on specific groups or individual cases, I would like to reassure you that we are committed to addressing the full range of threats that we currently face as a country and tackling anyone who spreads views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities. The Home Office is continually building our knowledge of potential threats, including information exchange and cooperation with partners on shared issues of concern. Each department must consider their own due diligence when choosing to engage with any organisation or individual and, if asked, we will advise and share information to help inform their decisions.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 18 December 2025 (HL12641) and 21 July 2025 (HL9153), whether the belated second homes premium council tax bill for the then Deputy Prime Minister's Admiralty House residence had been fully paid by the time of the answer of 21 July 2025 stating that the council tax liability was properly discharged.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The former Deputy Prime Minister confirmed to her department (MHCLG) that she would occupy the official residence in Admiralty House on a second home basis, and this information was passed onto the Cabinet Office before the council tax second homes premium came into force on 1 April 2025. As such, the former Deputy Prime Minister had properly discharged her duties at this point, which was to confirm the status of her occupation of the flat.

The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities for Admiralty House.The Government Property Agency wrote to Westminster City Council in June to confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister was residing in Admiralty House on a second home basis. Westminster City Council issued a bill applying the second home premium in July, which was paid in full the same day. The bill was paid for the full year of 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who are the members of the Group Infrastructure Board; and has it has met.

Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Defra Infrastructure Board formally launched, as recommended in the Corry review, in September 2025 and has been meeting regularly since. Membership consists of seniors across Defra Group and other Government departments, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to The New Decent Homes Standard: policy statement, updated 28 January 2025, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the potential impact of the 2035 implementation date for the New Decent Homes Standard on incidence of illness caused by i) damp and mould and ii) other poor conditions in the private rented sector.

Answered by Sharon Hodgson - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care works with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on the links between housing conditions and health, including the risks associated with damp, mould, and other hazards. The jointly published guidance Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home sets out the health risks of damp and mould and the steps landlords should take to address these issues. This guidance is avaiable at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-for-rented-housing-providers/understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-of-damp-and-mould-in-the-home--2

The Decent Homes Standard (DHS) is part of the package of Government action and investment to support improvements in the quality of rented homes, including implementation of Awaab’s Law, the Renters’ Rights Act, and minimum energy efficiency standards. One aim of these measures is to reduce illness linked to damp, mould, and other housing hazards.

The new DHS prioritises safety, decency, and warmth. The Department of Health and Social Care’s engagement has focused on the health-related aspects of the DHS. Decisions on the implementation timetable have been led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and informed by consultation with the sector. The Government expects landlords to begin taking action now to ensure their properties meet the DHS. We recognise, however, that it will take time to plan and deliver works sustainably. The Department of Health and Social Care will work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to produce guidance to support implementation of the DHS. The DHS is avaiable at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-a-reformed-decent-homes-standard-for-social-and-privately-rented-homes

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the oral statement of 27 January 2026, Official Report, Col. 770, on business rates, what the evidential basis is that around three quarters of pubs will see their bills either fall or stay the same next year; what number of bills will remain the same; and what number of pubs were at the £110k cap for RHL relief in 2025-26.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The statistic is based on analysis conducted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) using property-level data on rateable values from the Valuation Office Agency, and local authority returns on the value of reliefs and the number of properties receiving reliefs, published in MHCLG’s National Non-Domestic Rates statistics.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to encourage farmers to develop detailed fire plans, as recommended by the NFU Mutual's Farm Fires Report 2025.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) are the lead Department for wildfire. Defra work closely with MHCLG and support Natural England (NE) in delivering their responsibilities. This includes the recently published EIP commitment that by 2030 NE will conduct research on increasing the natural resilience of habitats to wildfires. This will develop our understanding of actions that can be taken to naturally reduce the risk of wildfires.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the adequacy of funding for domestic abuse services.

Answered by Jess Phillips - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy committed to invest more than £1 billion over the next three years to support victims, including:

• £550 million for victims’ services from the Ministry of Justice;
• £499 million for safe accommodation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

This sits alongside wider investments, across government, to support victims.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent steps he has taken to help tackle homelessness among veterans in Gloucester constituency.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

This Government is fully committed to ensuring that veterans in Gloucester and across the UK have access to the support they need on housing. That is why we have committed an additional £12 million to ensure the continuation of the Reducing Veteran Homelessness programme. Op FORTITUDE has also been extended, putting the service that has already supported over 1,000 veterans on a sustainable footing. These programmes will deliver three years of support services across the UK for veterans at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

In December last year, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published A National Plan to End Homelessness. The Ministry of Defence contributed to this strategy including committing to ensuring that all councils are aware of service provision in their area to support veterans at risk of homelessness.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she can list the (a) Ministerial responsibilities and (b) the responsibilities and reporting arrangements of any relevant cross-departmental units in relation to drugs policy.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Joint Combating Drugs Unit (JCDU) is responsible for driving and co-ordinating efforts across Government to tackle drugs, working in close partnership with six departments – the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Work and Pensions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Education. JCDU comprises full-time civil servants who are seconded from key government departments.

Each department is responsible for delivery of their programmes and projects. Progress is overseen by the lead departmental ministers but also reported to me as the lead drugs Minister, while a lead Permanent Secretary fulfils the role of senior responsible owner at official level.

Illicit drug use affects the whole of society, and this Government is taking a collective response to deliver safer streets, improve health outcomes and contribute to opportunities and growth through reducing crime and saving lives.

Found: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (2025).

Found: departments are the MoD, the Home Office, the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG

Found: departments are the MoD, the Home Office, the Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG

Found: In January 2025, a joint unit working across DBT and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: In January 2025, a joint unit working across DBT and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: DfT has also been working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG); Transport

Found: DfT has also been working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG); Transport

Found: DfT has also been working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG); Transport

Found: These findings demonstrate that while existing regulatory 14 MHCLG, 2025 Home buying and selling

Found: (MHCLG) and with Welsh Government Housing and Violence Against Women, Domestic

Found: greenhouse gas statistics 1990 to 2022. 2 DESNZ (2024) UK greenhouse gas statistics 1990 to 2022. 3 MHCLG

Found: whether Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: whether Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside (MAGIC), the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Earlier media literacy projects helped shape the training the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Earlier media literacy projects helped shape the training the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: On 9 February 2026 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) confirmed the value

Found: provided through the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) which is delivered by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: We may share responses (but not personal information) with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: We will also work with the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG), the NDA,

Found: (MHCLG) at the earliest possible stage to discuss the procedures to be followed

Found: viewed  exhibitions and ate together at a Ramadan event (4 March), held by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: limited number of ground rents still exist that double 12 To further develop the evidence base, MHCLG

Found: For products that were already in the market, OPSS worked with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: notice on the NROSH+ site for more details.1 We now have a data sharing agreement in place with MHCLG

Found: notice on the NROSH+ site for more details.3 We now have a data sharing agreement in place with MHCLG

Found: returns you may be required to make, for example to the Housing Ombudsman or to the CORE survey to the MHCLG

Found: She has also collaborated closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and

Found: a joint programme between DfT, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: papers or correspondence sent to or received from: o the Home Office o the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: MHCLG Energy Performance of Buildings Dataset: A dataset providing information on the energy efficiency

Found: the government bring responsibility for the functions relating to fire safety currently exercised by MHCLG