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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what proportion of public assets in freeports has been acquired by private (a) companies and (b) corporations.

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

While the Department oversees the Freeports Programme, it does not collect data on the ownership of individual assets within Freeport areas. However, the vast majority of Freeport sites were in private ownership at the point of designation, reflecting the Programme’s aim to stimulate private investment and create jobs in parts of the country that see too little of it.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to bring sections (a) 143 and (b) 144 of the Building Safety Act into force in the current parliament.

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

Section 144 of the Building Safety Act (2022) created a power to mandate a requirement for all new build homes to be sold with a new build warranty. No decision has been made by the government on commencement of this power.

In the meantime, most new build warranties cover damages caused by structural defects for a 10-year term, while the developer is often held accountable for the first two years of this period.

In October 2024 the previous government published its response the Competition and Market's Authority's housebuilding study. This included a commitment to bring forward a new consumer code for housebuilders and a New Homes Ombudsman service which will empower homeowners to rightly challenge developers for any quality issues they face in their home which the current government is also committed to.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 54882 on Elections: Fraud, if she will take steps to improve (a) transparency and (b) accountability in local government.

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

The government is taking steps to strengthen both.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to Question UIN 54882 on 9 June 2025. Statutory guidance on overview and scrutiny was updated in April 2024. We are also working to strengthen standards, governance, financial management, and local audit to fix the foundations of local government to ensure that it is fit, legal and decent.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Plan for Neighbourhoods: Regeneration Plan guidance, published on 9 June 2025, what estimate she has made of the (a) quantity and (b) length of the total paperwork required for participants to receive Plan for Neighbourhoods funding.

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

On 9^th June, the government published the Plan for Neighbourhoods Regeneration Plan Guidance which re-iterates our commitment for a light touch assessment process. The Plan for Neighbourhoods represents a break from the competitive bidding process and micromanaging of previous regeneration funds. Instead, this is a model whereby Neighbourhood Boards are provided with a list of pre-approved interventions and given the autonomy such that, if that activity can be evidenced as a clear priority of the community, it can be pursued without the need to provide a lengthy business case. The activities listed range from eye-catching new developments to the bread-and-butter issues raised by people on the doorstep.

The Plan for Neighbourhoods will transform “left behind” areas to deliver meaningful change in the day-to-day lives of local people.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many Sikhs are employed in her Department; and whether they are recorded as (a) an ethnic or (b) a religious group.

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

Sikhism is recorded as a religion or belief. Annual statistics by department, as of 31 March, are available in the 2024 Civil Service Statistics (Table A3): https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/civil-service-statistics-2024.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to reduce the number of empty and abandoned homes in Devon.

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

The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country, including in Devon.

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

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

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 document entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, what consultancy services were commissioned from UBDS IT Consulting Limited.

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

MHCLG’s March 2025 listing of spending over £25,000 include three entries for UBDS. This spend relates to the provision of specific technical services to deliver a range of improvements to the Department’s data tools and technologies. They are augmenting internal teams.

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 transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, April 2025, published on 30 May 2025, if she will publish the research commissioned from the Greater London Authority.

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

This funding was to cover legal and administrative costs incurred by the Greater London Authority in setting up the Grenfell Assisted Home Ownership Scheme.

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 Government press release entitled Rooftop solar for new builds to save people money, published on 6 June 2025, if she will make it her policy to require rooftop solar panels installed on new homes under the Future Homes Standard to be fitted by individuals with proven competency in both (a) electrical and (b) roofing.

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

The government will publish the Future Homes Standard (FHS) this autumn to ensure new homes are zero carbon ready, meaning they will require no future retrofit work as the electricity grid fully decarbonises.

The FHS will apply to all new homes and will ensure they have low carbon heating and high levels of energy efficiency. We will set out appropriate transitional arrangements for the FHS in due course to ensure a smooth adoption of the new standards.

To ensure the quality and safety of installations, including the requirements around structural safety, fire safety and electrical safety, works must be approved by building control or carried out by someone registered as part of the competent persons scheme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to amend planning (a) policy and (b) legislation to help facilitate the construction of new water reservoirs.

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

On 29 May, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the Fens and Lincolnshire Reservoirs would be given ‘nationally significant’ status and set out the government’s intention to legislate so that similar projects would automatically be ‘Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects’ and considered under the Planning Act 2008.

The National Policy Statement for Water Resources Infrastructure, which includes policy on reservoirs, was designated in September 2023.

The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs intends to undertake a targeted update to the NPS to streamline water resources infrastructure projects.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58289 on Planning: Bank Services and Postal Services, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local planning authorities consistently apply National Planning Policy Framework guidance relating to access to (a) banking and (b) postal services.

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

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions.

Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58289 on Planning: Bank Services and Postal Services, how her Department monitors whether planning decisions have adequately protected access to (a) banking and (b) post offices in rural communities.

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

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions.

Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 58289 on Planning: Bank Services and Postal Services, what data her Department holds on the accessibility to banking and postal services in planning applications approved in each of the last five years.

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

Policies set out in the National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing local development plans and are a material consideration in planning decisions.

Local planning authorities are responsible for implementing these policies, so my Department does not hold detailed information on how they have been considered in respect of specific decisions made at a local level.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will take steps to ensure local authorities are able to require standards in excess of legal minimums as conditions for planning approval.

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

Planning conditions attached to the grant of planning permission can be used to require development to meet certain standards.

However, as the National Planning Policy Framework states, such conditions should only be imposed where they are necessary, relevant to planning and to the development to be permitted, enforceable, precise and reasonable in all other respects. They should also not duplicate the role of other regulatory regimes.

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 impact of levels of resourcing for Natural England on the use of developer levies collected through the Nature Restoration Fund for nature recovery.

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

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working closely with Natural England to ensure that resources are in place to administer the Nature Restoration Fund, which is designed to run on a cost recovery basis.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued on considering downstream carbon emissions in planning applications.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change should be considered in preparing and assessing planning applications.

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

While these do not deal with downstream emissions specifically, the government keeps guidance under review and intends to update the Climate Change guidance to provide additional advice on taking carbon emissions into account.

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 paragraph 4.39 of HM Treasury's document entitled Spending Review 2025, published on 12 June 2025, what her planned timetable is for completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund; and whether the new local growth fund will be devolved in full or partially.

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

UKSPF was committed for a further transition year in 2025-26. From 2026-27, the government is providing targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

This includes establishing a new local growth fund, including a 10-year capital settlement from 2026-27 to 2035-36 for specific mayoral city regions in the North and Midlands with the highest productivity catch-up and agglomeration potential.

Further detail on the fund and how it will operate will be set out in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her planned timetable is for making a decision on local government restructuring in Essex; when she plans to hold a formal consultation process on the number of new unitary councils to be created; when she plans to publish the proposed council (a) wards and (b) divisions for the new unitary councils; and whether the date of election for the new unitary councils will be in the (i) same year or (ii) different year from the election to the combined authority mayor for Greater Essex.

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

On 5 February 2025 councils in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock were invited to submit proposals for unitary local government by 26 September 2025. Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute. The exact timings and detail will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence.

The government's consultation on Devolution Priority Programme areas closed on 13 April. We are now carefully considering the evidence collected to decide whether to establish mayoral institutions in each of the areas, including Greater Essex.

It is expected that elections to new unitary authorities in Devolution Priority Programme areas undergoing local government reorganisation will take place in May 2027, with those new unitary authorities going live in April 2028. Legislation implementing a proposal for unitarisation will include provision for warding or divisional arrangements for the inaugural council elections.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure new homes in West Dorset constituency do not exceed local sewage treatment capacity.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 9948 on 23 October 2024.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what postcodes in Cheltenham her Department has identified as falling in the eligible Income Deciles 1-2 of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the most recent iteration of the English Indices of Deprivation in September 2019. All data tables and resources are available on gov.uk here.

Our Open Data Communities platform provides postcode level and decile data for each Local Authority across all Indices domains as at time of release.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that planning decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate account for local housing need in (a) areas where there is (i) acute demand for affordable homes and (ii) community opposition to retirement-only developments and (b) other areas.

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

The Planning Inspectorate is an arm’s length body, responsible for examining local development plans impartially to ensure they are legally compliant and sound, and for considering appeals against planning decisions.

Inspectors will make decisions in light of the policies in the given adopted Plan, of relevant policy in the National Planning Policy Framework, and of all other factors material to a particular planning case and its location including the evidence and concerns of local people.

The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local authorities should assess the size, type, and tenure of housing needed for different groups, including those who require affordable housing (including Social Rent) and older people, and reflect this in their planning policies.

Plan making authorities should also set clear policies to address the housing needs of older people and, where there is an identified unmet need for specialist housing for older people, local authorities should take a positive approach to schemes that propose to meet this need.

The needs of different groups should be taken into account in making planning decisions. This includes an expectation that major development should provide the affordable housing required to meet identified local needs.

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 Spending Review 2025, CP1336, of 11 June 2025, Table 5.17, what the average annual (a) cash and (b) real terms increase is in the central government grant to local government across the spending review period.

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

This Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. This includes £3.4 billion of new grant funding which will be delivered through the Local Government Finance Settlement within financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29. The £3.4 billion, when taken together with a 3% core council tax referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept, results in an average overall real terms increase in local authority core spending power of 2.6% per year over the next multi-year settlement (2026-27 to 2028-29).

The additional £3.4billion on Local Government Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) budget means the estimated average annual real terms increase in grant funding between 2023-24 and 2028-29 will be 5.2%. Between 2025-26 and 2028-29, it will be 1.1% in real terms. This is set out in Table 5.17 of CP1336.

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 Spending Review 2025, CP1336, of 11 June 2025, Table 5.17, what the assumed increase is in the Greater London Authority precept over the spending review period.

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

Projected overall local government spending from additional income is set out at table 5.17 of the Spending Review document. This includes estimated funding from council tax. However, this remains subject to final decisions on the referendum principles set by government with the approval of the House of Commons, and the council tax levels set by individual authorities. In the case of the GLA the council tax charge includes an additional element for the Metropolitan Police which will have its own principle. Referendum principles will be set out as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement in the usual way.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether a dwelling subject to a Class G exemption on a second homes council tax premium can apply for a Class H exemption after 12 months of applying a Class G exemption; and whether the reverse is the case.

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

Exceptions to council tax premiums may apply in succession where the dwelling meets the necessary criteria as set out in regulations. It is for individual councils to assess whether an exception applies to a dwelling

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to ensure new housing developments are supported by (a) physical and (b) social infrastructure in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 26106 on 5 February 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 she is taking to increase the number of disability-accessible houses in South Holland and the Deepings constituency.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 40122 on 26 March 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 she has made of the potential impact of not making water companies statutory consultees in planning consultations on new housing developments.

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

Water companies are not statutory consultees on individual planning applications, but they are consulted as part of the preparation of local development plans.

The government recently declared a moratorium on any new statutory consultees, along with a review of the existing statutory consultee arrangements to ensure they align with the government’s ambitions for growth.

Further details can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on 10 March 2025 (HCWS510).

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on introducing a new planning use class C5 for short-term lets in England; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of including in it properties described by the landlord as guest houses but that are short-term lets within a house in multiple occupation.

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

The previous government consulted on proposals for a new planning use class for short-term lets.

The consultation generated a wide range of responses and highlighted both the merits and various challenges associated with the proposal.

In addition to the measures the government has already committed to, including a registration scheme for short term lets and changes to the furnished holiday lets rules, we continue to consider what additional powers we might give local authorities to enable them to respond to the pressures created by excessive concentrations of short-term lets, and what type of properties such powers might apply to.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to expand schemes to help encourage downsizing in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) rural areas.

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

Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of trends in the number of under-occupied homes on housing availability in West Dorset constituency.

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

Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to incentivise the use of existing housing stock to help tackle low room occupancy rates.

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

Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of under-occupied homes on housing availability.

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

Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support older homeowners to downsize in West Dorset constituency.

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

Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the levels of under-occupied homes in West Dorset constituency.

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

Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to reduce low room occupancy rates in West Dorset constituency.

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

Under-occupation is recorded in the English Housing Survey’s annual statistics.

The choice to sell a home is ultimately one for the owner of the property to make.

However, the government are taking steps to modernise the home buying and selling process, including through digital innovation.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 26 November 2024 (HCWS249), we are also giving careful consideration to the recommendations from the Older People’s Housing Taskforce report.

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 local authority planning decisions have been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate in the last 12 months.

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

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 the Planning Inspectorate overturned 4,747 planning decisions made by Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).

These represent 31% of the 15,344 decisions made by the Planning Inspectorate on LPA planning cases in this period. Note these figures are taken from administrative data and so are subject to minor revisions.

The most recent published MHCLG statistics help put the 4,747 decisions in context (noting the different time periods covered). Between January to December 2024:

• 316,715 planning decisions were made by LPAs – so roughly 1.5% of these are overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.
• 44,479 planning applications were refused by LPAs – so approximately 11% of refused LPA decisions are overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to make water companies statutory consultees in the planning system.

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

As the hon. Member is aware, the government does not plan to make water companies statutory consultees in the planning system.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when she plans to answer Question 59537, tabled by the hon. Member for South West Devon on 12 June 2025.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59537 on 20 June 2025.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the average length of time it takes for the Building Safety Regulator to complete its approval process following application for building control approval.

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

The Building Safety Regulator currently has 360 employees which equates to 350.4 full-time equivalent, with an additional 8 staff who are contractor staff filling roles until they are permanently filled.

Additional funding has been provided to the Building Safety Regulator from government to support a further recruitment campaign. This will enable the recruitment of a further 190 staff which will increase staffing levels to full complement.

The overall average length of time taken for the Building Safety Regulator to complete its approval process following applications for building control approval is currently 23.3 weeks.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Building Safety Regulator has a full complement of staff.

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

The Building Safety Regulator currently has 360 employees which equates to 350.4 full-time equivalent, with an additional 8 staff who are contractor staff filling roles until they are permanently filled.

Additional funding has been provided to the Building Safety Regulator from government to support a further recruitment campaign. This will enable the recruitment of a further 190 staff which will increase staffing levels to full complement.

The overall average length of time taken for the Building Safety Regulator to complete its approval process following applications for building control approval is currently 23.3 weeks.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance has been issued on whether municipal electoral returning officers and electoral registration officers are deemed to be local authorities in relation to the re-use of public sector information regime.

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

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN 41457 on 3 April.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help local authorities with the costs for the provision of temporary accommodation.

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

The Government has invested £1 billion in homelessness and rough sleeping services in 2025/26, a £233 million increase on the previous year. The 2025 Spending Review has protected this record level of investment.

Where families do end up in temporary accommodation, it should be high quality and affordable for local authorities. The Government is providing £950 million of investment for the fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund – the largest investment in the fund to date - to support local authorities to increase the supply of good quality temporary accommodation and drive down the use of inappropriate and costly bed and breakfasts and hotels.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government how many employees the Building Safety Regulator has.

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

The Building Safety Regulator currently has 360 employees which equates to 350.4 full-time equivalent, with an additional 8 staff who are contractor staff filling roles until they are permanently filled.

Additional funding has been provided to the Building Safety Regulator from government to support a further recruitment campaign. This will enable the recruitment of a further 190 staff which will increase staffing levels to full complement.

The overall average length of time taken for the Building Safety Regulator to complete its approval process following applications for building control approval is currently 23.3 weeks.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 10 April (HL6032), what estimate they have made of the annual cost of the Building Standards Regulatory Body.

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

Currently building standards are regulated by the Building Safety Regulator. The annual net cost of Building Safety Regulator is expected to be £43m for 2025/26.

Government has accepted the recommendation made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase 2 report to create a ‘single construction regulator’ for the building system. Proposals for design of the future regulator will be published and consulted on later this year.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Greater London Authority on the level of housing targets in the next edition of the London Plan.

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

The government meets with the Greater London Authority on a regular basis to discuss matters related to housing.

The current London Plan is not based on the standard method for assessing housing need as it was prepared before the standard method was introduced. The next London Plan will need to take account of the standard method and mandatory housing targets, as set out in the revised NPPF published on 12 December 2024.

The Mayor of London has commenced work on the next London Plan which will be submitted to the Secretary of State in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the target number of jobs was for UK (a) freeports and (b) special economic zones; and how many jobs UK (i) freeports and (ii) special economic zones have delivered to date.

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

As policies developed in partnership with local partners, MHCLG has not set specific targets for job creation in Freeports, nor in Investment Zones, its other major economic zone policy.

However, Freeports have set out the economic impacts they expect to deliver through business cases, available on Freeports’ websites once approved by government. MHCLG-commissioned analysis projects that the 8 English Freeports alone will directly create 60,000 additional jobs and will support another 42,000 jobs across the supply chain. Local partners expect that Investment Zones across the UK will create over 90,000 jobs over the life cycle of the programme.

The Department will track job creation by Freeports and Investment Zones, as a key indicator of their economic impact. To date, Freeports have attracted £6.4 billion in private investment, which is expected to create at least 7,200 jobs.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance they have produced on whether (1) elected representatives and political parties and (2) community groups have to obtain a licence or make a payment to a local authority to have a street stall in a public place.

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

The provision and administration of street trading and highways licences are the responsibility of Local Authorities under either the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 or the London Local Authorities Act 1990, depending on their location. The Government has not issued guidance on application to political parties or community groups. However, signposting to local authority guidance is provided via gov.uk.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to require overseas landlords who own empty retail units to engage with local authorities.

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

This government has introduced High Street Rental Auctions, powers available to local authorities in England to require landlords, regardless of their country of residence, to rent out vacant commercial premises. As a deterrent it is a criminal offence for a landlord not to engage in the auction process and where they do not comply local authorities are empowered to progress with the measures in their absence.

We want to ensure that councils across the country, such as Cheltenham Borough Council, have the support they need to implement the powers. To that end, a fund of £1 million is available to support delivery this financial year and a new burdens payment can be drawn down to meet the administrative costs. Furthermore our local authority early adopters are also available to offer practical support to help facilitate implementation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help support Cheltenham Borough Council to run high street rental auctions.

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

This government has introduced High Street Rental Auctions, powers available to local authorities in England to require landlords, regardless of their country of residence, to rent out vacant commercial premises. As a deterrent it is a criminal offence for a landlord not to engage in the auction process and where they do not comply local authorities are empowered to progress with the measures in their absence.

We want to ensure that councils across the country, such as Cheltenham Borough Council, have the support they need to implement the powers. To that end, a fund of £1 million is available to support delivery this financial year and a new burdens payment can be drawn down to meet the administrative costs. Furthermore our local authority early adopters are also available to offer practical support to help facilitate implementation.

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 document entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, what consultancy services were commissioned from CFE Research and Consulting Ltd.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government appointed a consortium of organisations, led by CFE Research and including Cordis Bright, Revolving Doors, and the Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR) at The University of Sheffield, to undertake an independent evaluation of the Changing Futures programme. The spend in March was for research and evaluation activity for this programme evaluation.

The Changing Futures programme is an initiative between the UK Government and The National Lottery Community Fund, running from 2021 to 2026. All evaluation publications to date are available at: Evaluation of the Changing Futures programme - GOV.UK.

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 provide additional funding to restart Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s joint fleet workshop collaboration with Essex Police.

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

On 3 February, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement which sets out funding allocations for all local authorities including fire and rescue.

These allocations, which include the National Insurance Contribution Grant, will see standalone fire and rescue authorities including Essex receiving an increase in core spending power of £69.1 million in 2025/26. This is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

In 2025/26, Essex Fire Authority will have core spending power of £95.7 million; an increase of 4 per cent on 2024/25. Decisions on how their resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.

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

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

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

Homelessness levels are far too high, and this can have a devastating impact on those affected, including young people. We must address this and deliver long term solutions.

The government has increased funding for homelessness services by £233 million in 2025/26 compared to last year, taking our total investment to £1 billion. Local authorities can use this funding to respond to the needs of their communities.

The government is also considering youth homelessness as part of our long-term, cross-government strategy; working with Mayors, councils and key stakeholders to get us back on track to ending homelessness for good.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to include youth homelessness in the cross-government homelessness strategy.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 52307 on 14 May 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average (a) cash grant and (b) subsidy per unit is for a unit of (i) social rent housing, (ii) affordable rent and (iii) affordable home ownership.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to questions UIN 15764 on 3 December 2024, UIN 23794 on 22 January 2025, UIN 31045 on 25 February 2025 and UIN 31046 on 25 February 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 her Department has made of the potential impact of housing investment announced in the Spending Review 2025 on (a) the protection of Green Belt land and (b) new housing starts in Surrey Heath constituency.

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

The government has not made any such assessment.

The allocation of housing investment announced at the Spending Review will depend on the bids received from registered providers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information her Department holds on the number of private landlords that have issued Section 21 notices to their tenants since 5 July 2024.

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

My Department does not hold data on Section 21 evictions issued by landlords.

However, the English Private Landlord Survey 2024 indicated that Section 21 notices are the most common way landlords evict tenants, and we know that chronic insecurity in the private rented sector has real-life consequences for individuals and families.

The Renters’ Rights Bill will deliver our manifesto commitment to transform the experience of private renting, including the long-delayed abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

The Bill will give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether homes built as part of their new towns programme will count towards councils' overall housing targets in terms of the target of delivering 1.5 million new homes over this Parliament.

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

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to Question UIN 16954.

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 table B.3 of HM Treasury's document entitled Spending Review 2025, published on 12 June 2025, whether her Department's average annual real growth in capital expenditure during 2025-26 to 2029-30 includes the Affordable Housing Programme.

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

The calculations showing MHCLG’s average annual real growth in capital expenditure during 2025-26 to 2029-30 in table B.3 of the HM Treasury’s Spending Review 2025 publication includes the funding allocated to the Affordable Housing Programme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to support displaced people to (a) build English language skills and (b) secure well-paid employment to support their ability to rent.

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

The Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities. We regularly monitor the English language and employment support available to new arrivals alongside other government departments.

We have launched a competitive tender process for the delivery of a new programme to continue our English language and employment support for Ukrainians and Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders. This programme will provide support for up to 4,000 individuals. This builds on the success of the STEP Ukraine pilot which has supported over 13,000 Ukrainians, with an impressive 84% successfully completing the programme and 73% achieving a 100% in their English language test.

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 paragraph 4.19 of HM Treasury's document entitled Spending Review 2025, published on 12 June 2025, what her Department's target is for the (a) total number and (b) proportion by tenure type of additional new build homes funded by the Affordable Housing Programme.

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

The new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme that was announced at the Spending Review will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for social rent. We will confirm further details in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what her policy is on the Affordable Housing Programme funding the purchase by social housing providers of affordable homes already obligated by developers under Section 106 during the Spending Review period.

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

The Affordable Homes Programme supports the delivery of social and affordable homes additional to those that developers have committed to delivering through Section 106 agreement. We have no plans to change these arrangements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to help ensure that housing developments are completed after they have been granted planning permission.

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

The government wants to see homes built faster and we recognise the frustrations that stalled or delayed sites can cause to communities.

Once housebuilders have been granted permission for residential development, meeting local housing needs and preferences, we expect to see them built out as quickly as possible.

Local planning authorities already have powers to issue a completion notice to require a developer to complete their development if it is stalled. If they fail to do so, the planning permission for the development will lapse.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December includes policies designed to support increased build out rates, including the promotion of mixed tenure development.

On 25 May, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out (which can be founded on gov.uk here) inviting views on further action the government should take to speed up homes being built.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department has taken to support the integration of displaced Ukrainians following the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025.

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

The Government recognises that the ability to speak English is key to helping people integrate into life in the UK, as well as supporting people to access education, employment and other opportunities. We regularly monitor the English language and employment support available to new arrivals alongside other government departments.

We have launched a competitive tender process for the delivery of a new programme to continue our English language and employment support for Ukrainians and Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visa holders. This programme will provide support for up to 4,000 individuals. This builds on the success of the STEP Ukraine pilot which has supported over 13,000 Ukrainians, with an impressive 84% successfully completing the programme and 73% achieving a 100% in their English language test.

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 6 June 2025 to Question 53925 on Green Belt: Planning, what definition her Department uses for a built-up area; and what level of density or rurality provides that development on residential gardens is considered construction on brownfield land.

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

The definition of Previously Developed Land is set out in Annex 2: Glossary of the National Planning Policy Framework. It excludes land in built-up areas such as residential gardens, parks, and allotments.

The National Planning Policy Framework, and associated Green Belt guidance, do not introduce a definition of a built-up area.

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 June 2025 to Question 54410 on Mo Baines, if she will publish that declaration.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 50166 on 14 May 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Cities and Local Growth Unit has been closed.

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

The Cities and Local Growth Unit, a joint Unit with the Department for Business and Trade, ended on 31 March 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 she has made of the safety of the Jewish community in the UK.

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

Antisemitism has no place in our society, and tackling it is a top priority for this government. We are particularly concerned about the steep increase in antisemitism we have seen since the abhorrent 7 October attacks.

The government is committed to protecting the safety of the Jewish community in the UK and making our streets and communities safer. That is why funding of £72 million has been allocated for the Community Security Trust to continue their vital work from 2024/25 until 2027/28, providing security to schools, synagogues and other Jewish community buildings.

The government works closely with the Independent Adviser on Antisemitism to provide independent advice to the Secretary of State on the most effective methods to tackle antisemitism and to ensure that the Jewish community’s concerns about antisemitism are heard and acted upon. We also work with the police to regularly review potential threats and ensure that everything is done to protect communities from hate crime.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to paragraph 4.41 of the Spending Review (CP 1337), which new mayoral strategic authorities they are supporting to enable them to access the benefits of strong local leadership.

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

At the Spending Review, this government reconfirmed its commitment to the Devolution Priority Programme. The six areas on the DPP are Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk. Following recent consultations in these areas, Government is now carefully considering the evidence collected in order to decide whether statutory tests have been met.

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 6 June 2025 to Question 53912 on Asylum: Housing, if she will make it her policy to issue planning practice guidance on changing hotels to asylum hostel accommodation.

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

My Department has no plans to issue such guidance.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of unpredictable housing transaction timelines on removals and storage businesses and the ability of those businesses to meet demand.

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

The home buying and selling process in England is cumbersome , taking an average of nearly five months to complete and a third of transactions fall through – this is holding up the property market.

We believe an improved home buying and selling system that is more efficient has the potential to help people move into their homes more quickly and plan their moves with more certainty. This will benefit the storage and removals sector by enabling more predictable moving timelines, helping businesses anticipate demand more effectively.

On 9 February we announced action to improve home buying and selling by digitalising the process. In collaboration with HM Land Registry, we are working with local authorities to digitise property data, introduce common data standards, and enable digital identity services for the property sector. More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-land-registry-local-land-charges-programme/local-land-charges-programme.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of their formula funding of student accommodation to support local authorities in the absence of council tax or business rate income, and of whether this formula should be updated to reflect the increased numbers of students using local services over the past decade.

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

The Government has recently published the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation document setting out detailed proposals to update and reform the local government funding system through the 2026–27 Local Government Finance Settlement. As part of these proposals, we are considering how best to reflect the impact of student populations on local authorities’ ability to generate council tax revenue.

Specifically, we are proposing to account for the presence of student-exempt properties within the Resource Adjustment element of the funding formula. This would mean that authorities with a higher number of student-exempt properties would receive a smaller resource adjustment, thereby recognising their reduced capacity to generate income locally through council tax.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's policy paper entitled Government announces 25 trailblazer neighbourhoods to receive long-term investment - details, published on 11 June 2025, what the evidential basis was for the selection of the trailblazer areas.

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

We have announced 25 trailblazer areas that will benefit from funding. These 25 areas were selected through a robust metric-based methodology which assessed the most in need communities across the UK, further details will be published in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answers of (a) 4 June 2025 to Question 54046 on Waste Disposal: Birmingham and (b) 7 May 2025 to Question 48129 on Birmingham City Council, what information (i) her Department and (ii) Best Value Commissioners hold on legal injunctions successfully awarded by Birmingham City Council against Unite the Union on refuse collection industrial action.

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

A negotiated outcome is in everyone’s interest and the government remains committed to supporting Birmingham’s long-term transformation, for the benefit of residents.

The details of the civil injunction are a matter for Birmingham City Council.

Following the issuance of the Section 114 notice in 2023, the government appointed commissioners to exercise certain functions of the council, including governance, finance, and recruitment. Commissioners are working to ensure the council is meeting the requirements of the Best Value Duty and operate independently within the framework of their statutory responsibilities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to address variation between local authorities in the application of discretionary business rates relief for not-for-profit organisations.

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

Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 provides billing authorities with discretionary powers to award business rates reliefs to properties within their area. This is a local decision for individual billing authorities.

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 7 May 2025 to Question 48129 on Birmingham City Council, what information her Department holds on which contractors are collecting domestic rubbish from households in Birmingham.

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

The government has been working intensively with Birmingham City Council to tackle the backlog and clean up the streets in the interests of Birmingham residents and public health. Birmingham City Council believe the amount of waste on the streets is broadly back to 'normal' for the city, with households receiving one collection per week per household.

Details about operational arrangements in relation to the waste service are a matter for Birmingham City Council.

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 paragraph 2.59 of HM Treasury's document entitled Spending Review 2025: departmental efficiency delivery plans, published on 11 June 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of insourcing services on levels of efficiency in her Department.

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

The department is committed to improving efficiency by reducing reliance on external suppliers and consultants, having already achieved a 50% reduction in consultancy use since 2023/24. Consultants are only engaged for time-limited, specific needs where internal expertise is not available, ensuring that costs remain tightly controlled. As part of our ongoing invest-to-save initiative, we are actively replacing contractors and professional services with permanent civil servants. This approach has already delivered substantial savings and is expected to generate further annual efficiencies. By building in-house capability, the department is not only reducing costs but also enhancing the skills and sustainability of the civil service workforce, which in turn supports more effective and efficient delivery of our objectives.

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 core spending power budget line in table B.2 of HM Treasury's document entitled, Spending Review 2025, published on 12 June 2025, what is the estimated total revenue from council tax in each year from 2024-25 to 2028-29 in England.

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

Projected overall local government Core Spending Power within Resource Departmental Expenditure Limits is set out at table B.2 of the Spending Review document. This includes estimated funding from council tax. However, this remains subject to final decisions on the referendum principles set by government with the approval of the House of Commons, and the council tax levels set by individual authorities. Referendum principles will be set out as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement in the usual way.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what funding her Department has provided to Greater Manchester Combined Authority's Housing Investment Loans Fund; and whether (a) guidance and (b) conditions were attached to that funding.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) provided Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) with a £300m Housing Investment Loan Fund in 2015, as part of its devolution deal.

The requirements of the fund, including the conditions, are set out in a Facility Agreement – executed as a deed – between MHCLG and GMCA. Summaries of how the fund operates are publicly available at gov.uk https://democracy.manchester.gov.uk/Data/Executive/20150318/Agenda/21_GMHousingInvestmentFund_2.pdf and https://democracy.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=34289

On 17 June 2025 we announced that the fund will be extended to deliver thousands of new homes over the next ten years.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help local authorities in rural areas effectively use compulsory purchase orders to bring derelict buildings back into community use.

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

Local authorities have various compulsory purchase powers which they can use to acquire and develop derelict or empty properties. To assist them in the use of their powers, the government has implemented the package of reforms in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 to streamline and modernise the compulsory purchase order (CPO) process and clarify that local authorities’ CPO powers can be used to deliver regeneration in their areas. Further reforms to improve the CPO process and land compensation rules have been included in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. We also publish guidance on the compulsory purchase process to help local authorities understand and use their powers.

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 Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, CP 1336, whether the £39 billion for a new 10‑year Affordable Homes Programme is (a) in cash terms and (b) takes into account inflation.

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

As under the existing Affordable Homes Programme, registered providers will need to bid for the grant funding announced at the Spending Review. The government will confirm further details, including the timing and process for bids to the new fund, in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to support local authorities in receipt of exceptional financial support to resolve funding issues in the long term.

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

The Government recognises the significant pressures that councils are facing. The Spending Review provides over £5 billion of new grant funding over the next three years for local services that communities rely on. The £3.4 billion, when taken together with a 3% core council tax referendum principle and a 2% adult social care precept, results in an average overall real terms increase in local authority core spending power of 2.6% per year over the next multi-year settlement (2026-27 to 2028-29).

The government is committed to fixing the foundations of local government through ambitious reform. The Fair Funding Review 2.0 is open from 20 June to 15 August and seeks views on the approach to local authority funding reform through the Local Government Finance Settlement from 2026-27.

In line with our commitment to support councils’ receiving Exceptional Financial Support to improve, as a condition of the support agreed councils will be subject to additional external assurance to give them independent and expert help to drive local improvement and manage their financial position.

Finally, we also followed through on our commitment to not make borrowing more expensive for those councils in the most financial difficulty, by removing the condition requiring a 1% premium on borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB).

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what ability landlords will have to comply with tied agricultural dwelling planning conditions when an agricultural employee leaves the industry but chooses to remain in their tied agricultural occupancy property under the provisions of the Renters' Rights Bill.

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

The Renters’ Rights Bill will transform how tenancies work ending the threat of arbitrary section 21 evictions. The new tenancy system will provide tenants with greater security and stability.

We value the contribution made by responsible landlords and believe they must enjoy robust grounds for possession where there is good reason to take their property back. The Bill clarifies and expands grounds for possession, allowing landlords to regain possession when necessary.

A landlord will be able to seek possession of an agricultural dwelling using ground 5A when the duties of the agricultural employee end. This will enable the landlord to re-let the property to a new tenant in compliance with the planning conditions associated with the property.

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Found: The Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26 is a programme led by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

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Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment eligibility on the number of people qualifying for PIP experiencing homelessness.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is there to help people, now and into the future, with the extra costs of living with a disability.

PIP is not intended to cover housing costs, which are paid through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, but my department is committed to identifying and preventing homelessness amongst all customers.

Tailored support is available to those at risk of and experiencing homelessness. This includes easements for those with work-related requirements, to give the space to resolve housing issues; referrals to local authority housing teams under ‘duty to refer’ legislation; and signposting to money advice services.

We are continuing funding this year for local authorities to provide additional financial support for people struggling with housing and other essential living costs through the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. Through the Spending Review, we announced £1bn a year including Barnett consequentials from 2026 to reform crisis support in England.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper announced a broad package of plans and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. Our reforms will ensure the most vulnerable and severely disabled people are protected, so they can live with dignity and security, while supporting those who can work to do so. As we develop detailed proposals for change, we will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms.

Ending all forms of homelessness is a priority for this Government. £1 billion has been invested in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year. DWP is fully committed to playing its part in homelessness prevention and supporting MHCLG to develop a new cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to help prevent homelessness among people that receive Personal Independence Payment.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is there to help people, now and into the future, with the extra costs of living with a disability.

PIP is not intended to cover housing costs, which are paid through Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, but my department is committed to identifying and preventing homelessness amongst all customers.

Tailored support is available to those at risk of and experiencing homelessness. This includes easements for those with work-related requirements, to give the space to resolve housing issues; referrals to local authority housing teams under ‘duty to refer’ legislation; and signposting to money advice services.

We are continuing funding this year for local authorities to provide additional financial support for people struggling with housing and other essential living costs through the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. Through the Spending Review, we announced £1bn a year including Barnett consequentials from 2026 to reform crisis support in England.

The Pathways to Work Green Paper announced a broad package of plans and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. Our reforms will ensure the most vulnerable and severely disabled people are protected, so they can live with dignity and security, while supporting those who can work to do so. As we develop detailed proposals for change, we will continue to consider the potential impacts of reforms.

Ending all forms of homelessness is a priority for this Government. £1 billion has been invested in homelessness and rough sleeping services this year. DWP is fully committed to playing its part in homelessness prevention and supporting MHCLG to develop a new cross-government strategy to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, CP 1336, published on 11 June 2025, what the constituent parts are of the commitment to making at least 5% savings and efficiencies other than the changes already announced to Level 7 apprenticeships.

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

Spending Review 2025 delivers on the Plan for Change and sets out spending plans for the rest of the Parliament. The settlement for the department ensures that we can invest in excellence for every child, so that we break the unfair link between background and success.

As set out in the Department for Education's section of the Departmental Efficiency Delivery Plans, the department will deliver efficiencies in both its frontline and non-frontline spending.

95% of the department spending goes to the frontline and we will continue to support frontline providers in getting maximum value from every pound spent.

In relation to children’s social care, for example, the programme (joint with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) to reform the sector focuses on preventative activity which avoids families’ needs escalating, reducing costs and demand in the system. In relation to schools, the department will work alongside the sector to go further to get best value from their resources and is expanding the suite of productivity initiatives available. We will also work with the further education (FE) sector to improve the value for money of government spend by providing FE Commissioner support to colleges and other relevant providers. We are seeking to provide opportunities for economies of scale arising from more 16 to 19-year-olds moving into post-16 education and training, simplifying processes and reducing data collection burdens, and providing greater certainty of capital funding to enable colleges with estate planning, and exploring commercial efficiencies. Further information can be found in the Departmental Efficiency Delivery Plans.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on issuing guidance to local planning authorities on giving further weight to food production in rural planning decisions.

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

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) safeguards the best and most versatile agricultural land. Where significant development of agricultural land is demonstrated to be necessary, areas of poorer quality land should be preferred to those of higher quality. Defra is working with MHCLG on policy and guidance to ensure that planning decisions made by local planning authorities are informed by the impacts on food production.

Later this year, the Government will publish a Land Use Framework for England, which will set out the evidence, data and tools needed to support development that safeguards our most productive agricultural land.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the publication entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, if she will publish the full specification of the research commissioned from Thomas Coram Foundation.

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

The Thomas Coram Foundation research contract was commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as part of the Supporting Families programme in 2023. When the programme moved to the Department for Education (DfE) as part of a machinery of government change in 2024 the management of, and funding for, the research contract moved to DfE. The contract continues to be held in MHCLG for commercial reasons.

The research contract aims to test whether systemic practice is an effective way to work with families to achieve positive outcomes. It is a randomised control trial working with 12 local authorities. The contract ends in March 2026.

Further information is available in the Supporting Families annual report, which was published on 9 June 2025 and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supporting-families-programme-annual-report-2024-to-2025.

As per research protocol, DfE will publish relevant documents and findings associated with the contract at appropriate points in the research.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she had discussions with the Chinese Government on the proposed Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint (a) at the 11th round of China-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue and (b) on any other occasion.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Chancellor has engaged with the Chinese Government on a number of occasions, including during her visit to China for the 2025 UK-China Economic and Financial Dialogue, and has discussed a range of economic and financial issues. The Chancellor published a written ministerial statement about her visit to China on the morning of Monday 13 January (found here) and delivered an oral statement to the House of Commons on Tuesday 14 January (found here).

On 10 June, the Planning Inspector responsible for the Planning Inquiry into China’s application to build a new embassy at Royal Mint Court submitted her report to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. A target decision date of 9 September has been set. As this case will come before ministers in MHCLG for determination, it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure access to NHS dentistry in new housing estates.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure all new and existing housing developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure. This is alongside guidance on how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better negotiated and used towards delivering local health services and infrastructure.

The responsibility for commissioning primary care services, including National Health Service dentistry, to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to the integrated care boards (ICBs) across England.

ICBs are responsible for having local processes in place to involve patient groups, and for undertaking oral health needs assessments, to identify areas of need. For the West Dorset constituency, this is the NHS Dorset ICB.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 5 June 2025 to Question 53973 on Defending Democracy Taskforce, if she will provide a copy of the Defending Democracy Taskforce's assessment of transnational repression to the Planning Inspector considering the planning application for the proposed site for the new Chinese embassy.

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

The planning application has been called in by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and she will make this quasi-judicial decision independent from the rest of Government.

The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary submitted written representations to the planning inspector on 14 January 2025. That letter is clear that the Home Office has considered the breadth of national security issues and where necessary, relevant agencies and departments have been consulted on the national security implications of the application.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average (a) age and (b) condition ratings are for (i) all Ministry of Defence-managed residential properties and (ii) Ministry of Defence-managed residential properties in Fylde constituency.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

The average age of Service Family Accommodation (SFA) and Single Living Accommodation (SLA) can be found in the table below:

The Government's Decent Homes Standard is the current benchmark for SFA condition used by the Ministry of Defence. This standard is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Subsequently, the condition ratings for SFA will be revised in line with any new recommendations.

The average condition ratings for SLA can be found in the table below:

*The information concerning the condition grading is only held for 46% of sites with SLA.

All existing SLA within Weeton Barracks were built in 1985. A condition grading inspection for Weeton Barracks is currently underway and there are three new SLA blocks currently being constructed.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what progress her Department has made on establishing Young Futures Hubs.

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

Officials and Ministers from seven government departments (Department for Education, Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Department for Health and Social Care) have been working together, using evidence of what works, to start to shape Young Futures Hubs.

To roll-out Young Futures Hubs, building on the success of existing infrastructure and provision, the government will establish a number of early adopter hubs, the locations of which will be determined by where they will have the most impact. This will inform the longer term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs and where they may be located. The government will set out more details on timelines and locations in due course.

Young Futures Hubs are just one part of delivering support within a much wider youth landscape and they will work closely with core services and wider initiatives spanning youth, education, employment, social care, mental health, youth justice and policing. The government is developing a National Youth Strategy to set out a new long term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions is she having with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on (a) the consultation on a new National Youth Strategy and (b) the implications of the strategy for Young Futures Hubs.

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

Officials and Ministers from seven government departments (Department for Education, Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Department for Health and Social Care) have been working together, using evidence of what works, to start to shape Young Futures Hubs.

To roll-out Young Futures Hubs, building on the success of existing infrastructure and provision, the government will establish a number of early adopter hubs, the locations of which will be determined by where they will have the most impact. This will inform the longer term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs and where they may be located. The government will set out more details on timelines and locations in due course.

Young Futures Hubs are just one part of delivering support within a much wider youth landscape and they will work closely with core services and wider initiatives spanning youth, education, employment, social care, mental health, youth justice and policing. The government is developing a National Youth Strategy to set out a new long term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to identify early adopter areas for Young Future Hubs; and what her planned timetable is for launching these.

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

Officials and Ministers from seven government departments (Department for Education, Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Department for Health and Social Care) have been working together, using evidence of what works, to start to shape Young Futures Hubs.

To roll-out Young Futures Hubs, building on the success of existing infrastructure and provision, the government will establish a number of early adopter hubs, the locations of which will be determined by where they will have the most impact. This will inform the longer term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs and where they may be located. The government will set out more details on timelines and locations in due course.

Young Futures Hubs are just one part of delivering support within a much wider youth landscape and they will work closely with core services and wider initiatives spanning youth, education, employment, social care, mental health, youth justice and policing. The government is developing a National Youth Strategy to set out a new long term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she is having with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the role of Young Futures Hubs in the prevention of serious youth violence.

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

Officials and Ministers from seven government departments (Department for Education, Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Department for Health and Social Care) have been working together, using evidence of what works, to start to shape Young Futures Hubs.

To roll-out Young Futures Hubs, building on the success of existing infrastructure and provision, the government will establish a number of early adopter hubs, the locations of which will be determined by where they will have the most impact. This will inform the longer term development of the programme, including how quickly we move to a greater number of hubs and where they may be located. The government will set out more details on timelines and locations in due course.

Young Futures Hubs are just one part of delivering support within a much wider youth landscape and they will work closely with core services and wider initiatives spanning youth, education, employment, social care, mental health, youth justice and policing. The government is developing a National Youth Strategy to set out a new long term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, if she will publish the full list of the 350 deprived communities that will receive new investment.

Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The government is setting out a more targeted, long-term local growth funding model across the UK, completing the transition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This is only one part of our wider regional growth strategy, including our support for devolution, local government funding reform, and significant investment in housing, transport and innovation, ensuring that benefits are felt across the country.

The government is investing in up to 350 deprived communities across the UK, to fund interventions including community cohesion, regeneration and improving the public realm.

MHCLG will set out more detail in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help reduce instances of wildfires during the summer.

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

Defra encourages landowners and land managers to undertake wildfire risk assessments and consider mitigating actions as part of good quality wildfire management plans. Defra regularly engages with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and other Government departments in addition to bodies such as the National Fire Chiefs Council and the England and Wales Wildfire Forum, to monitor and review sector-led improvements and mitigations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure adequate GP provision for new housing developments in Surrey Heath constituency.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We recognise the challenges that areas of significant housing and population growth can place on primary care infrastructure.

The Department of Health and Social Care continues to work closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to address this issue in national planning guidance and to ensure all new developments have an adequate level of healthcare infrastructure. This is alongside work to ensure developer contributions from new housing developments can be better negotiated and used towards delivering local health services and infrastructure.

The Frimley and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Boards are responsible for commissioning, planning, securing, and monitoring general practice services within the Surrey Heath Constituency, through delegated responsibility from NHS England. The National Health Service has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient medical services, including general practices, in each local area. It should also take account of population growth and demographic changes.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of further integrating artificial intelligence into the civil service, following the recent Government-led trial of artificial intelligence software.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

As referenced in the GDS Digital Government Blueprint, AI Opportunities Action Plan, and more recently, the Spending Review, integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the civil service is a core priority of this government, with the goal of delivering a lean and agile state, where expenditure is focussed towards services on which the public rely.

The model for delivering AI into the civil service includes both central focus from GDS, and also dispersed expertise within departments who understand the complex landscape of public service delivery. Tools are also being trialled across GDS, as well as within departments such as MHCLG, Home Office, HMRC, DHSC and MoJ. Many of these trials are underpinned by technology and tools created by the government's incubator for Artificial Intelligence (i.AI).

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