Information between 6th October 2025 - 16th October 2025
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Business Rates
Asked by: Lord Bailey of Paddington (Conservative - Life peer) Monday 6th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the merits of enabling councils and local authorities in England to require businesses to pay all business rates in advance. Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip) The government has not assessed the merits of requiring businesses to pay in advance. Typically, councils will bill in ten monthly instalments, but ratepayers can request to make twelve monthly payments to help businesses spread the cost. Ratepayers can also choose to pay their bill annually, should they wish to. This supports the flow of funding to local government and contributes towards the cost of local services. |
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Travel
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree) Tuesday 7th October 2025 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 3 July 2025 to Question 62978 on MHCLG: Travel, if he will provide the (a) date, (b) cost and (c) approximate location of each Ministerial journey. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) This information is not held centrally and can only be collated at a disproportionate cost to the department. |
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Artificial Intelligence
Asked by: Lee Anderson (Reform UK - Ashfield) Tuesday 7th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what purposes their Department has used artificial intelligence in the last year. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 65073 on 14 July 2025, Question UIN 57235 on 9 June 2025, Question UIN 27966 on 13 February 2025, Question UIN 27102 on 7 February 2025, Question UIN 24137 on 4 March 2025 and the answer to Question UIN 12978 on 15 November 2024.
In addition to the uses outlined in the answers above, MHCLG has developed the Safer Greener Buildings Image Recognition Tool which uses an algorithm to ascertain an accurate estimate of residential building height and understanding of the external wall system materials. This is published as part of the government’s Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) in line with the mandatory obligation for central government departments to report where algorithmic tools are used in decision-making. |
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Building Safety Regulator: Standards
Asked by: Damien Egan (Labour - Bristol North East) Monday 13th October 2025 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 potential impact of the time taken by the Building Safety Regulator to process (a) applications and (b) approvals on levels of employment in the construction sector. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The department recognises the importance of Gateway 2 approvals to the supply of new homes and the construction sector.
That is why the government announced in June 2025 changes to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). These reforms include delivering operational improvements in the BSR which will allow decisions on applications submitted to the BSR to be made more quickly. The department will continue to work with the BSR to deliver further improvements in its performance in the short and medium term. |
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Electoral Register
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has provided to local authorities on whether individuals can have three entries on the electoral roll. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) In the UK, citizens are entitled to be registered at more than one address in certain circumstances. It is the responsibility of the local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to consider each application (to register to vote) on its own merits and to be satisfied that a person meets the residence criteria for each address. The Electoral Commission as the independent electoral regulator, holds responsibility for issuing guidance on electoral registration. |
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Empty Property: Urban Areas
Asked by: Max Wilkinson (Liberal Democrat - Cheltenham) Monday 13th October 2025 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 potential impact of trends in the pace of the regeneration of empty buildings on high streets. Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) There are no plans to make such an assessment. However, MHCLG has commissioned a formal evaluation of the Future High Streets Fund as part of the wider Towns Fund evaluation. Emerging findings published in July 2025 include case studies on regeneration projects in Northallerton, Loftus and Yeovil, highlighting early process and impact insights on pride in place, well-being and economic growth. Final results are expected in Spring 2026.
The Government is committed to bringing empty buildings back into use, and is championing the use of High Street Rental Auctions by local authorities, a key tool to help reduce vacancy and make high streets more accessible. |
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Doors: Fire Prevention
Asked by: Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat - Maidenhead) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of creating an accreditation scheme for fire door replacement works to allow approved contractors to carry out such works without requiring Building Safety Regulator approval. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government introduced the higher-risk building control regime to ensure more stringent oversight and accountability during the design and construction of higher-risk buildings, backed by stronger enforcement and sanctions. All proposed higher-risk building work now must receive approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) before starting. These changes are in line with Dame Judith Hackitt’s recommendations to improve the focus on compliance with building regulations and to ensure residents are, and feel, safe in their homes.
However, we are aware that there are concerns regarding the impacts of the delays and the difficulty in getting approval for certain types of high-volume work to existing higher-risk buildings, including the repair and replacement of fire doors. We are working closely with the BSR to address these current challenges and to ensure the regime is proportionate and fit for purpose.
Nevertheless, allowing certain types of higher-risk building work to progress without BSR oversight risks inconsistency in applying building regulations, potentially compromising safety standards and resulting in non-compliance. Therefore, any changes would need to be carefully considered, particularly while the sector is still getting to grips with the new regime.
Competent Person Schemes allow registered professionals and companies to self-certify their work as compliant with the building regulations. Operation of a scheme is voluntary, as is membership of a scheme. Scheme operators are authorised under paragraph 4A of Schedule 1 to the Building Act 1984 and are named in Schedule 3 to the Building Regulations 2010. After applying, they are assessed by the BSR and approved by MHCLG ministers. Before ministerial approval, applicants must demonstrate that they have the managerial, financial and technical ability to operate a scheme. This includes demonstrating compliance with the Conditions of Authorisation. At this time, no industry organisation has expressed interest in operating a Competent Person Scheme for the repair and/or replacement of fire doors. |
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Property Development: Repairs and Maintenance
Asked by: Joshua Reynolds (Liberal Democrat - Maidenhead) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to publish guidance for managing agents and freeholders on how costs should be allocated for remedial works relating to historic building defects when the developer is no longer in existence. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The Building Safety Act allows for civil cases to be brought against companies which were associated with those responsible for historic building defects, even when these responsible parties are no longer in existence or are making use of complex corporate structures to avoid their remediation responsibilities.
Guidance on how costs should be allocated for remedial works relating to historic building defects when the developer is no longer in existence (in which case costs are shared between government, leaseholders and freeholders) has already been published and can be found here: Remediation costs: what leaseholders do and do not have to pay - GOV.UK |
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Local Government: Reorganisation
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to issue guidance to newly created local councils who inherit areas at different stages of the local plan-making process and have not adopted a local plan. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government expects local planning authorities to work towards the adoption of an up-to-date local plan as soon as possible. Local government reorganisation should not hinder this essential work. The legal status of local plans is not impacted by local government reorganisation. Where reorganisation occurs, new unitary authorities are expected to promptly prepare a local plan covering the whole of their area. Until that new plan is adopted, existing constituent local plans remain in force as part of the development plan for their area. New unitary authorities will have the discretion to progress emerging constituent local plans.
A new legal framework for local-plan making will be introduced later this year. Significant financial assistance has already been provided to eligible authorities to support plan-making and authorities should make the most of other support available through the Local Government Association’s Planning Advisory Service. |
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Local Government: Reorganisation
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to issue guidance to newly created local councils inheriting different areas with and without adopted local plans in place. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government expects local planning authorities to work towards the adoption of an up-to-date local plan as soon as possible. Local government reorganisation should not hinder this essential work. The legal status of local plans is not impacted by local government reorganisation. Where reorganisation occurs, new unitary authorities are expected to promptly prepare a local plan covering the whole of their area. Until that new plan is adopted, existing constituent local plans remain in force as part of the development plan for their area. New unitary authorities will have the discretion to progress emerging constituent local plans.
A new legal framework for local-plan making will be introduced later this year. Significant financial assistance has already been provided to eligible authorities to support plan-making and authorities should make the most of other support available through the Local Government Association’s Planning Advisory Service. |
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Council Tax
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce the level of council tax charged by local authorities. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) It is for individual local authorities to set their level of council tax, taking into account all relevant local factors. The government maintains a referendum threshold, and authorities who choose to increase their council tax above this must obtain the approval of voters. The government will set out its position on referendum principles for the next financial year at the local government finance settlement in the usual way. |
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Hotels: Taxation
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has received representations from mayoral authorities on powers to introduce local taxes on hotels. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The Government has received representations from Mayors to consider the introduction of a visitor levy. The Government currently has no plans to introduce a levy in England. Manchester and Liverpool have already introduced a levy on overnight stays through Accommodation Business Improvement Districts. |
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Council Tax
Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department is taking steps to reduce council tax. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) It is for individual local authorities to set their level of council tax, taking into account all relevant local factors. The government maintains a referendum threshold, and authorities who choose to increase their council tax above this must obtain the approval of voters. The government will set out its position on referendum principles for the next financial year at the local government finance settlement in the usual way. |
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Vagrancy Act 1824
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for repealing the Vagrancy Act 1824. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) It is unacceptable that the antiquated Vagrancy Act 1824 remains on our statute book. The legislation does nothing to target the root causes of homelessness. That is why we are committed to repealing this punitive legislation.
We will commence the repeal once replacement measures in the Crime and Policing Bill come into force next year. |
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Local Government: Reorganisation
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has issued guidance to local councils due to be reorganised encouraging the creation of joint committees to advise on measures to synchronise plans for provision of local services. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) Unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens. As we set out in ‘Local government reorganisation: Considerations for partnership working in social care for new unitary authorities’ local government reorganisation and wider social care service reforms are a significant undertaking, and authorities will naturally want to collaborate to share knowledge, expertise and learning to maintain a focus on improving service delivery and supporting innovation. If, following consultation, the Secretary of State decides to implement a council’s proposal for unitary local government then secondary legislation, which will be subject to Parliamentary approval, will be required which will include appropriate transitional arrangements. This could include a joint committee to oversee the implementation plan ahead of any elections where appropriate locally. Government will work closely with councils as decisions are made with regard to these arrangements. |
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Homelessness: Young People
Asked by: Anna Gelderd (Labour - South East Cornwall) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review the disparity in targeted funding for young people experiencing homelessness. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The Government has increased funding for homelessness services this year by £233 million to a total of £1 billion. Local authorities can use this funding flexibly to meet the needs of people experiencing and at risk of homelessness in their area, including young people, according to local need. |
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Disadvantaged: Rural Areas
Asked by: Rachel Gilmour (Liberal Democrat - Tiverton and Minehead) Monday 13th October 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 make an assessment of the potential merits of changing the English indices of deprivation to include rurality as a factor. Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The most recent iteration of the English Indices of Deprivation was published in September 2019 and all data tables and resources are available online here - https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-indices-of-deprivation-2019
The department is currently working on an update and confirmed recently that the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 will be published within a provisional October/November 2025 timeframe. This has been published on GOV.UK.
As part of this work, DEFRA has contributed funding to investigate rural deprivation. This collaborative project is considering what deprivation in rural areas is, data sources and methods to help quantify it and more formal guidance on the use of the Indices and their application to rural areas. A report on rural deprivation will form part of the updated English Indices of Deprivation release. |
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Eden Project: Morecambe
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley) Monday 13th October 2025 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 25 February 2025 to Question 33500 on Eden Project: Morecambe, how much government funding has been spent on supporting the project to date; and on what date were the funds released. Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The MHCLG Levelling Up Fund, Town Deals, and Simplification Pathfinder Pilot have been consolidated into the Local Regeneration Fund. This new fund will give local authorities more local control, reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and maximising freedom and flexibility to get on with delivery.
As of March 2025, £6,336,514 has been released to support the Eden project: Morecambe. Department officials contacted Lancaster City Council on 11 September to confirm details for a payment to cover forecasted activity for the remainder of the 2025/26 financial year. A further payment, of £10,814,457, is due to be paid in September 2025. |
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Electoral Register
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre) Monday 13th October 2025 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 his Department's policy paper entitled Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, published on 17 July 2025, what progress has been made on testing (a) digitally enabled and (b) convenient approaches to electoral registration. Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government is actively exploring a range of approaches to improve electoral registration, including making it easier for people to register to vote. User research is undertaken throughout the policy and digital service development process. |
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Second Homes: Council Tax
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of removing local authority discretion to waive the Council Tax premium on second homes in cases where the second property is used for essential non-luxury purposes on homeowners. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) Decisions on whether to apply council tax premiums are a matter for individual councils. Where a council chooses to implement a premium, they have the discretionary power to set their own local exceptions to premiums, or provide discounts where they consider this appropriate. The government has no plans to restrict or remove these powers. |
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Business Premises: Rents
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree) Monday 13th October 2025 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 July 2025 to Question 68123 on Business premises: Rent, if he will list the external organisations that he consulted before the decision to ban upwards only rent review. Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government conducted considerable research and engagement before deciding to ban upwards only rent reviews. This included extensive engagement with industry experts, including representatives of the retail, hospitality, and property sectors. |
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English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley) Monday 13th October 2025 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 1 September 2025 to Question 69680 on English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, whether the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners supported changing the voting system to supplementary vote. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government has engaged with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), on the proposals set out in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
The government firmly believes the Supplementary Vote system works better for electing people to single executive roles and ensures a wider range of support than First Past The Post. |
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Electoral Commission
Asked by: Cat Smith (Labour - Lancaster and Wyre) Monday 13th October 2025 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 potential merits of removing the Government's Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The existing Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission does not reflect this Government’s priorities and will not remain in place.
On 17 July, we published our strategy for modern and secure elections which included proposals to give significant new powers and responsibilities to the Electoral Commission to strengthen the enforcement of political finance rules. In light of these new responsibilities, we intend to designate a new Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission to reflect this Government’s priorities for elections and the Commission’s increased roles and responsibilities. |
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Police: Finance
Asked by: Shaun Davies (Labour - Telford) Monday 13th October 2025 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 potential merits of extending capitalisation flexibilities to police forces. Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) Police and Crime Commissioners already fall under the definition of local authorities in the relevant parts of the Local Government Act 2003, under which the Secretary of State may grant capitalisation flexibilities to local authorities. |
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Local Government: Essex
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock) Monday 13th October 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to amend the first past the post voting system for local council elections in Essex following local government reorganisation. Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government) The government has no plans to change the electoral system for local elections in England. |
| Department Publications - Transparency |
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Wednesday 8th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: MHCLG: workforce management information, August 2025 Document: (webpage) |
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Wednesday 8th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: MHCLG: workforce management information, August 2025 Document: View online (webpage) |
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Wednesday 8th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: MHCLG: workforce management information, August 2025 Document: MHCLG: workforce management information, August 2025 (webpage) |
| Department Publications - Statistics |
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Thursday 9th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: Local authority Green Belt statistics for England: 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) |
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Thursday 9th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: Local authority Green Belt statistics for England: 2024 to 2025 Document: Local authority Green Belt statistics for England: 2024 to 2025 (webpage) |
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Thursday 9th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: Local authority Green Belt statistics for England: 2024 to 2025 Document: (ODS) |
| Department Publications - Policy and Engagement |
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Monday 13th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales: Scheme improvements (access and protections) Document: Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales: Scheme improvements (access and protections) (webpage) |
| Department Publications - Policy paper |
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: Annual report on English devolution 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) |
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Source Page: Annual report on English devolution 2024 to 2025 Document: Annual report on English devolution 2024 to 2025 (webpage) |
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Note: Cited speaker in live transcript data may not always be accurate. Check video link to confirm. |
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13 Oct 2025, 6:35 p.m. - House of Commons "Secretary of State for MHCLG. But the previous Home Secretary, the " Dan Jarvis MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Barnsley North, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript |
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14 Oct 2025, 12:13 p.m. - House of Commons "ministers and MHCLG in ensuring that the private rented sector database will contain. >> Information around EPC so that " Florence Eshalomi MP (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Labour ) - View Video - View Transcript |
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14 Oct 2025, 12:13 p.m. - House of Commons ">> Just wanted to know what. >> Discussions had been ongoing with ministers and MHCLG in ensuring that " Florence Eshalomi MP (Vauxhall and Camberwell Green, Labour ) - View Video - View Transcript |
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14 Oct 2025, 7:37 p.m. - House of Lords "course by ministers in the House and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in their quasi " Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Labour) - View Video - View Transcript |
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16 Oct 2025, 9:47 a.m. - House of Commons "including Disney and MHCLG, to ensure that the needs of the visitor economy are considered as part of " Stephanie Peacock MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) (Barnsley South, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript |
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16 Oct 2025, 9:47 a.m. - House of Commons "CIP regime. I will reflect her comments to MHCLG, but of course such large infrastructure projects " Stephanie Peacock MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) (Barnsley South, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript |
| Parliamentary Debates |
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Oral Answers to Questions
161 speeches (10,718 words) Tuesday 14th October 2025 - Commons Chamber Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Mentions: 1: Florence Eshalomi (LAB - Vauxhall and Camberwell Green) only a few weeks, but what discussions has she had with colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Link to Speech 2: Katie White (Lab - Leeds North West) We are working with MHCLG on bringing forward the future home standard. - Link to Speech |
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Security Update: Official Secrets Act Case
9 speeches (3,697 words) Tuesday 14th October 2025 - Lords Chamber Northern Ireland Office Mentions: 1: Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab - Life peer) A final decision will be made in due course by Ministers in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Link to Speech |
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Flood and Coastal Erosion Resilience and Investment
1 speech (1,515 words) Tuesday 14th October 2025 - Written Statements Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Mentions: 1: Emma Hardy (Lab - Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice) Government, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Link to Speech |
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Retrofit Measures: ECO4 and GBIS
1 speech (1,516 words) Monday 13th October 2025 - Written Statements Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Mentions: 1: Martin McCluskey (Lab - Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West) support us to develop these proposals, and we are working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Link to Speech |
| Select Committee Documents |
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Thursday 16th October 2025
Scrutiny evidence - Submission from the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association on the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (HC 1298) and Response from the Home Office Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee Found: temporary accommodation on this basis. 11 Indeed, it specifically states, at paragraph 30, that ‘MHCLG |
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Thursday 16th October 2025
Special Report - 2nd Special Report - Review of the 2024 general election: Government and the Electoral Commission responses Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Found: EROP integrates with all the electoral management systems, and the MHCLG Elections Digital team continues |
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Wednesday 15th October 2025
Written Evidence - SOLACE NI EGNI0008 - Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors - Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Found: funded in NI to date – “local” delivery has been undertaken at regional (NI) level, either directly by MHCLG |
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Wednesday 15th October 2025
Written Evidence - Health and Safety Executive (HSE) BSR0174 - The Building Safety Regulator Building Safety Regulator - Industry and Regulators Committee Found: MHCLG Ministers have been considering the best way forward on accessible new build housing and will shortly |
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Wednesday 15th October 2025
Report - 47th Report - First Annual Report of the Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts Public Accounts Committee Found: sceptical about the achievability of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG |
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
Written Evidence - Department for Transport STM0020 - Skills for transport manufacturing Skills for transport manufacturing - Transport Committee Found: o The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is responsible for the English devolution |
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
Correspondence - From the Minister for Border Security & Asylum relating to Asylum accommodation 08.10.2025 Home Affairs Committee Found: strategy in Autumn of 2023, working closely with Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG |
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
Oral Evidence - HM Treasury, HM Treasury, and HM Treasury Preparing for an Ageing Society - Economic Affairs Committee Found: We work very closely with MHCLG and DHSC in developing plans around scenarios for each of the spending |
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Monday 13th October 2025
Oral Evidence - Voluntary & Community Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP), and West Midlands Local Resilience Forum The National Security Strategy - National Security Strategy (Joint Committee) Found: In terms of the resilience forums, there is good communication through the MHCLG and the government |
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Monday 13th October 2025
Oral Evidence - National Preparedness Commission, Embassy of Finland, and Embassy of Estonia The National Security Strategy - National Security Strategy (Joint Committee) Found: In terms of the resilience forums, there is good communication through the MHCLG and the government |
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Monday 13th October 2025
Report - 4th Report – Flood resilience in England Environmental Audit Committee Found: Farmers’ Union (FRE0151) 53 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, National Planning |
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Thursday 9th October 2025
Government Response - Government response to the Committee's report 'Media literacy'. 3rd Report, Session 2024-25 Communications and Digital Committee Found: Ministers from DSIT, DHSC, MHCLG, HMT , DWP and DCMS were invited to discuss how to ensure digital inclusion |
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Thursday 9th October 2025
Government Response - Government Response to the Environment and Climate Change Committee report 'Nitrogen: time to reduce, recycle, reuse' Environment and Climate Change Committee Found: biomethane production and industrial emissions relating to transition to wards net zero and with MHCLG |
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Landscapes Review
Asked by: Julian Lewis (Conservative - New Forest East) Wednesday 15th October 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent representations she has received from the Campaign for National Parks on the effectiveness of the Protected Landscapes Duty, introduced under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, in promoting (a) earlier consideration of environmental aspects of planning proposals, (b) cleaner rivers, (c) improved public transport for rural communities, (d) stronger local economies, (d) more wildlife and biodiversity recovery and (e) fairer public access to nature; and whether the impact of the Protected Landscapes Duty has fulfilled the principal recommendations of the 2019 Glover Review. Answered by Mary Creagh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) The Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Defra and MHCLG Secretaries of State and the Minister for Nature received a letter from the Campaign for National Parks on 7 October 2025 titled ‘Do not weaken the laws protecting National Parks and National Landscapes’. We will respond in due course.
The Government is working with a range of partners to consider the impact of the Protected Landscapes Duty. The duty is intended to facilitate better outcomes for England’s Protected Landscapes, which are in line with their statutory purposes.
The Government has published guidance on the Protected Landscapes duty to ensure public bodies operating in these areas, including water companies, deliver better environmental outcomes working together with Protected Landscape organisations. |
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Local Growth Deals: Northern Ireland
Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East) Wednesday 15th October 2025 Question to the Northern Ireland Office: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, when information on the operation of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland will be available. Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK Government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across Northern Ireland, once the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ends in March 2026.
My department is working in close partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to implement and develop the new Local Growth Fund. The Government is committed to engagement with stakeholders in Northern Ireland to help implement a package of funding that meets local needs and delivers impact. More information on the development of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland and engagement plans will be set out soon.
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Members: Correspondence
Asked by: Rosena Allin-Khan (Labour - Tooting) Wednesday 15th October 2025 Question to the Department for Business and Trade: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when he plans to respond to the correspondence of 24 June, 1 August and 15 September 2025 from the hon. Member for Tooting relating to case reference RA69084. Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) The Department of Business and Trade aims to respond to correspondence in 15 working days. This case has been transferred to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to answer. |
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English Language: Education
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) Wednesday 15th October 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much funding was allocated to English for Speakers of Other Languages provision in 2024-25; what is the budget for 2025-26; and what proportion in each case was allocated as grants to local authorities. Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions) Funding for adults to develop the English language skills they need is made available across government – from the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education.
The department supports adults aged 19+ in England who speak English as a second or additional language to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), subject to eligibility requirements. ESOL funding is not ringfenced.
Currently 68% of the ASF is devolved to 12 Strategic Authorities and the Greater London Authority. These are responsible for deciding how to make best use of their ASF to meet their local needs, including ESOL.
The department continues to be responsible for the remaining ASF non-devolved areas although colleges, local authorities and other training providers in non-devolved areas have the freedom and flexibility to determine how they use their ASF allocation to meet local skills needs, including ESOL provision.
The department supports 16 to 19-year-olds through funding that is allocated to schools and colleges and enables students to take part in either study programmes or T Levels, which includes funding specifically for English courses where appropriate.
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Flood Control: Local Government
Asked by: Charlotte Cane (Liberal Democrat - Ely and East Cambridgeshire) Wednesday 15th October 2025 Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with local authorities on flood preparedness. Answered by Emma Hardy - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) The Floods Resilience Taskforce meets quarterly to coordinate and drive forward work on national flood resilience by national and local government, including representatives from Local Resilience Forums, Mayoral Authorities and MHCLG. It met on 8 September and reviewed preparedness for flooding this autumn and winter.
The Taskforce discussed the risk of flooding and the improvements made by Taskforce members to prepare, respond and recover. They also discussed national flood modelling and forecasting, communication of flood warnings, exercising of the National Flood Response Centre and improving the awareness of flood schemes.
Lead local flood authorities (unitary and county authorities) are required to manage local flood risks from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. Local flood risks should be identified and managed as part of a local flood risk management strategy.
The Environment Agency and Defra will continue to work with their partners in local authorities to improve flood readiness, including Lead Local Flood Authorities. |
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Civil Servants: Remote Working
Asked by: Lord Patten (Conservative - Life peer) Wednesday 15th October 2025 Question to the Cabinet Office: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the number of civil servants working from home for three days a week or more is increasing or decreasing. Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip) Data on Civil Service Headquarters (HQ) occupancy is collected and published quarterly on GOV.UK for all HQ buildings of Whitehall Departments, Office for Scotland, Office for Wales and Northern Ireland Office.
Data for the latest period for which data is available is copied below. No other information on occupancy data or workforce attendance is gathered centrally.
Departments manage their own arrangements for monitoring workforce attendance. Heads of departments have agreed that 60% minimum office attendance for most staff continues to be the best balance of working for the Civil Service. Monthly Average HQ Building Occupancy (Quarter 1: April to June 2025)
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| Parliamentary Research |
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Children, young people and the built environment - CBP-10363
Oct. 14 2025 Found: and the built environment 35 Commons Library Research Briefing, 14 October 2025 sponsored by the MHCLG |
| National Audit Office |
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Oct. 14 2025
Report - Energy efficiency installations under the Energy Company Obligation (PDF) Found: Other central government functions Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) Responsible |
| Department Publications - Transparency |
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Thursday 16th October 2025
HM Treasury Source Page: Consolidated Fund account 2024 to 2025 Document: (PDF) Found: • Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for Vehicle Excise Duty • Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government |
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
Department of Health and Social Care Source Page: DHSC: spending over £25,000, June 2025 Document: (webpage) Found: Social Care 26/06/2025 Capital Grants to local authorities Adult Social Care MINISTRY OF HOUSING, COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
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Tuesday 14th October 2025
Department for Education Source Page: Best Start Family Hubs: section 31 grant determination letter Document: (PDF) Found: that this letter has also been copied to His Majesty’s Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government |
| Department Publications - Policy and Engagement |
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Thursday 16th October 2025
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Source Page: Government response to the OEP review: Local Nature Recovery Strategies and their role in contributing to nature recovery commitments in England Document: (PDF) Found: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has set out that the Integrated Settlement |
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Thursday 9th October 2025
HM Treasury Source Page: Block Grant Transparency: October 2025 Document: (Excel) Found: : CommunitiesBudget Cover TransferBCT from MHCLG for Ukrainian refugees (thank you |
| Non-Departmental Publications - Guidance and Regulation |
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Oct. 16 2025
HM Land Registry Source Page: Local land charges news Document: HM Land Registry launches new property data pilot (webpage) Guidance and Regulation Found: This initiative is part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)’s plans |
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Oct. 16 2025
HM Land Registry Source Page: Local land charges news Document: October (PDF) Guidance and Regulation Found: live service, and an overview of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG |
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Oct. 16 2025
HM Land Registry Source Page: Local land charges news Document: October (PDF) Guidance and Regulation Found: These interactive workshops offer: — the latest updates on the Local Land Charges Programme and the MHCLG |
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Oct. 16 2025
HM Land Registry Source Page: Local land charges news Document: June (PDF) Guidance and Regulation Found: Newsletter Newsletter June 2025June 2025 In this edition — GOV.UK rebrand — Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government |
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Oct. 16 2025
HM Land Registry Source Page: Local land charges news Document: December (PDF) Guidance and Regulation Found: workshops in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG |
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Oct. 16 2025
HM Land Registry Source Page: Local land charges news Document: September (PDF) Guidance and Regulation Found: — Live service wants your opinion — API port access is changing — The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government |
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Oct. 16 2025
HM Land Registry Source Page: Local land charges news Document: November (PDF) Guidance and Regulation Found: Act 2023 — Migration Hub content is now on GOV.UK — Collaborating with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government |
| Non-Departmental Publications - Transparency |
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Oct. 14 2025
Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements Source Page: Independent Monitoring Authority Annual Report 2024 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: new guidance to local authorities from the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG |
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Oct. 14 2025
Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements Source Page: Independent Monitoring Authority Annual Report 2024 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: new guidance to local authorities from the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG |
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Oct. 14 2025
Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements Source Page: Independent Monitoring Authority Annual Report 2024 Document: (PDF) Transparency Found: new guidance to local authorities from the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG |
| Non-Departmental Publications - Statistics |
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Oct. 09 2025
Migration Advisory Committee Source Page: Temporary Shortage List: Stage 1 report Document: (PDF) Statistics Found: Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG |
| Scottish Government Publications |
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Friday 10th October 2025
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 Data Protection Impact Assessment Document: The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) (PDF) Found: This takes a similar approach to the one taken by the UK Government Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government |
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Friday 10th October 2025
Energy and Climate Change Directorate Source Page: The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 Non-Domestic Buildings Research Document: The Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2025 Non-Domestic Buildings Research (webpage) Found: using the current and revised rating systems.BRE developed the iSBEM software for the UK Government (MHCLG |
| Scottish Parliamentary Debates |
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Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
132 speeches (66,947 words) Tuesday 7th October 2025 - Committee Mentions: 1: None I was at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government last week, speaking to the expert - Link to Speech |
| Welsh Senedd Debates |
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4. Building Safety (Wales) Bill: Evidence session 8
None speech (None words) Thursday 9th October 2025 - None |
| Welsh Senedd Speeches |
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No Department |