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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the role of the new local assurance board in Surrey.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to working closely with councils to ensure the right support is available throughout local government reorganisation implementation to mitigate key risks and challenges. As part of this, we have established an Implementation Forum to provide assurance and support for Surrey. Its role is to identify and mitigate risks that could affect delivery, secure cross-government coordination, and identify any support required to enable successful implementation.

As such, the Surrey Implementation Forum will support the successful establishment of East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council by testing implementation plans and reviewing progress against a set of 22 delivery indicators. These indicators were described in the “Sector Support Note” that was shared with MPs on 16 July 2026 and published on gov.uk. They have been developed with local government colleagues and build on lessons learnt from previous reorganisations. The Forum will meet on a quarterly basis, bringing together representatives of Surrey’s Implementation Team with officials from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care and other Government departments as required.

Equivalent arrangements are being put in place across all areas undergoing local government reorganisation.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what discussions took place between his Department and (a) the Local Government Association, (b) Basildon Council and (c) other public bodies before the Notice was issued.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Secretary of State and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness decided to issue a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council after considering a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The Department engaged regularly with the Council and other relevant stakeholders before issuing the Notice and received correspondence from the Council during that period. The Department does not hold a single formal timeline of events leading to the decision. As Best Value Notices are non-statutory, there is no requirement for a representation period, and none took place.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what opportunities were provided to Basildon Borough Council to respond to his Department's concerns before the Notice was issued.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Secretary of State and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness decided to issue a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council after considering a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The Department engaged regularly with the Council and other relevant stakeholders before issuing the Notice and received correspondence from the Council during that period. The Department does not hold a single formal timeline of events leading to the decision. As Best Value Notices are non-statutory, there is no requirement for a representation period, and none took place.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, whether his Department received representations from elected members of Basildon Borough Council prior to issuing the Notice.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Secretary of State and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness decided to issue a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council after considering a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The Department engaged regularly with the Council and other relevant stakeholders before issuing the Notice and received correspondence from the Council during that period. The Department does not hold a single formal timeline of events leading to the decision. As Best Value Notices are non-statutory, there is no requirement for a representation period, and none took place.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, whether his Department holds a timeline of the events that led to the issue of the Notice.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Secretary of State and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness decided to issue a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council after considering a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The Department engaged regularly with the Council and other relevant stakeholders before issuing the Notice and received correspondence from the Council during that period. The Department does not hold a single formal timeline of events leading to the decision. As Best Value Notices are non-statutory, there is no requirement for a representation period, and none took place.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, from which (a) organisations, (b) councillors and (c) other individuals his Department received information that informed the decision to issue the Notice.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Secretary of State and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness decided to issue a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council after considering a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The Department engaged regularly with the Council and other relevant stakeholders before issuing the Notice and received correspondence from the Council during that period. The Department does not hold a single formal timeline of events leading to the decision. As Best Value Notices are non-statutory, there is no requirement for a representation period, and none took place.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, on what date his Department first received information that contributed to the decision to issue the Notice.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Secretary of State and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness decided to issue a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council after considering a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The Department engaged regularly with the Council and other relevant stakeholders before issuing the Notice and received correspondence from the Council during that period. The Department does not hold a single formal timeline of events leading to the decision. As Best Value Notices are non-statutory, there is no requirement for a representation period, and none took place.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, which Ministers and officials were involved in the decision to issue the Notice.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The former Secretary of State and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness decided to issue a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council after considering a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance. The Department engaged regularly with the Council and other relevant stakeholders before issuing the Notice and received correspondence from the Council during that period. The Department does not hold a single formal timeline of events leading to the decision. As Best Value Notices are non-statutory, there is no requirement for a representation period, and none took place.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what work his Department plans to undertake during the time period for reaching a decision on local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; and whether this will include (a) inviting revised submissions from councils behind the original four options, (b) developing a modified option of his own and (c) inviting new proposals from any constituent council.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government will aim to reach a decision on which option, if any, to implement by October at the latest. This will still allow elections to new councils in May 2027 before they go live in April 2028.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he had discussions on Lord Vallance on the implications of the local government reorganisation options for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for delivery of the Growth Corridor, prior to the Government's announcement of 16 July 2026..

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government will aim to reach a decision on which option, if any, to implement by October at the latest. This will still allow elections to new councils in May 2027 before they go live in April 2028.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, by what date he plans to announce a decision on local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; and whether this will affect the planned timetable of shadow elections in May 2027 and vesting day in April 2028.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government will aim to reach a decision on which option, if any, to implement by October at the latest. This will still allow elections to new councils in May 2027 before they go live in April 2028.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has his Department made of each business case submitted for the options in consideration for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government will aim to reach a decision on which option, if any, to implement by October at the latest. This will still allow elections to new councils in May 2027 before they go live in April 2028.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Best Value Notices in improving governance in local authorities.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There are currently seven local authorities that have been issued with a Best Value Notice. No local authorities have been subject to a statutory intervention following the issue of a Best Value Notice in the last ten years.

Current and future assessments of the effectiveness of Best Value Notices will continue to be informed by the available evidence on authorities' progress against the concerns and expectations set out in those Notices.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities have been subject to statutory intervention following the issue of a Best Value Notice in the last ten years.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There are currently seven local authorities that have been issued with a Best Value Notice. No local authorities have been subject to a statutory intervention following the issue of a Best Value Notice in the last ten years.

Current and future assessments of the effectiveness of Best Value Notices will continue to be informed by the available evidence on authorities' progress against the concerns and expectations set out in those Notices.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many local authorities are subject to a Best Value Notice.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There are currently seven local authorities that have been issued with a Best Value Notice. No local authorities have been subject to a statutory intervention following the issue of a Best Value Notice in the last ten years.

Current and future assessments of the effectiveness of Best Value Notices will continue to be informed by the available evidence on authorities' progress against the concerns and expectations set out in those Notices.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what specific reasons was the decision made to delay the decision on selecting an option for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire until the Autumn.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government will aim to reach a decision on which option, if any, to implement by October at the latest. This will still allow elections to new councils in May 2027 before they go live in April 2028.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to tackle anti-Sikh hate crimes and protect the Sikh community from targeted hate crime.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion. We will not tolerate anti-Sikh hatred in any form and will ensure hate crimes are prosecuted with the full force of the law.

We are providing record protective security funding for faith communities to bolster security at places of worship, faith schools and community centres through the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme. This comes alongside the Faith Security Training Scheme, ensuring all faith leaders and volunteers, including within Sikh communities, are strengthening their security awareness and preparedness to respond to concerns.

We also provide funding to support True Vision, an online hate crime reporting portal that lets victims report incidents safely without visiting a police station. We welcome its work with the Sikh Guard and Rakka initiatives to encourage reporting in Sikh communities and help address concerns about the lack of a bespoke reporting and support service for Sikhs experiencing hate crime.

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 to written question UIN 13627, if will list the circumstances where the Government believes that it is not appropriate for Council Tax charges to apply and does this include cases where it has proved impossible to sell a property within the period where there has been a statutory Council tax exemption period due to excessive Service charges and fees.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It is for individual councils to assess whether it is appropriate to apply any further exceptions or discounts for second or empty homes. Councils will make these decisions based on local circumstances. The government has no plans to publish further guidance on this matter.

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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Council's progress in addressing concerns raised by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ministers considered a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance, before issuing a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council. The Notice sets out the Department's expectations, and future assessment will consider the Council’s progress against these expectations and the latest available evidence of compliance with its Best Value Duty. As set out in the Notice, Ministers expect the Council to demonstrate sufficient improvement and strong governance as it prepares for local government reorganisation.

The Regulator of Social Housing is responsible for assessing providers' compliance with its regulatory standards. Ministers considered the Regulator's published findings alongside other available evidence when deciding to issue the Notice.

The Department engages regularly with the Local Government Association on a range of local government stewardship matters, including the support for Basildon Borough 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 the Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what discussions his Department have had with the Local Government Association on the support being provided to Basildon Borough Council.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ministers considered a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance, before issuing a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council. The Notice sets out the Department's expectations, and future assessment will consider the Council’s progress against these expectations and the latest available evidence of compliance with its Best Value Duty. As set out in the Notice, Ministers expect the Council to demonstrate sufficient improvement and strong governance as it prepares for local government reorganisation.

The Regulator of Social Housing is responsible for assessing providers' compliance with its regulatory standards. Ministers considered the Regulator's published findings alongside other available evidence when deciding to issue the Notice.

The Department engages regularly with the Local Government Association on a range of local government stewardship matters, including the support for Basildon Borough 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 the Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what criteria will be used to determine whether the Council has demonstrated sufficient improvement after 12 months.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ministers considered a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance, before issuing a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council. The Notice sets out the Department's expectations, and future assessment will consider the Council’s progress against these expectations and the latest available evidence of compliance with its Best Value Duty. As set out in the Notice, Ministers expect the Council to demonstrate sufficient improvement and strong governance as it prepares for local government reorganisation.

The Regulator of Social Housing is responsible for assessing providers' compliance with its regulatory standards. Ministers considered the Regulator's published findings alongside other available evidence when deciding to issue the Notice.

The Department engages regularly with the Local Government Association on a range of local government stewardship matters, including the support for Basildon Borough 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 the Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what specific evidence led Ministers to conclude that a Best Value Notice was required.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ministers considered a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance, before issuing a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council. The Notice sets out the Department's expectations, and future assessment will consider the Council’s progress against these expectations and the latest available evidence of compliance with its Best Value Duty. As set out in the Notice, Ministers expect the Council to demonstrate sufficient improvement and strong governance as it prepares for local government reorganisation.

The Regulator of Social Housing is responsible for assessing providers' compliance with its regulatory standards. Ministers considered the Regulator's published findings alongside other available evidence when deciding to issue the Notice.

The Department engages regularly with the Local Government Association on a range of local government stewardship matters, including the support for Basildon Borough Council.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department provides to Neighbourhood Boards in Scotland to ensure local communities can effectively maximise Pride in Place funding.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published guidance on GOV.UK here to support delivery of the Pride in Place Programme. The Government has set up a designated Communities Delivery Unit, sitting within MHCLG, which provides direct ongoing support to local authorities, MPs and Neighbourhood Boards. The Government is also establishing a Network for Neighbourhoods across the UK, which will help areas to build connections and share learning, and give Neighbourhood Boards access to expertise and support.

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 through the Pride in Place Programme to support the long-term economic regeneration of town centres in Scotland.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Through the Government's Pride in Place Programme, up to £5.8 billion is being invested over 10 years in 284 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation, including 24 towns and neighbourhoods in Scotland. In each area, a Neighbourhood Board will work with the local community to decide how this funding is spent, which could include investment in town centre regeneration projects, where these reflect local priorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the department is taking to ensure building energy standards are kept up to date in line with technological advancements in energy-saving technology.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government published the Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHBS) on 24 March 2026. New homes built to these standards will have high levels of energy-efficiency, excellent insulation, and low carbon heating, such as heat pumps and heat networks. They will also be zero-carbon ready, meaning they will become zero-carbon in operation as the electricity grid decarbonises without the need for further retrofit.

The FHBS includes a functional requirement for all new homes to have a system of on-site renewable electricity generation, subject to practical site constraints. In most cases, we expect this will be met with the installation of solar panels. The FHBS sets energy efficiency requirements for new homes in performance terms, without prescribing specific technologies to be used. This allows developers to innovate and select the most practical and cost-effective solutions appropriate for the site.

The FHBS comes into force for most non-higher risk building work on 24 March 2027, followed by a further 12-month transitional period to give industries, such as the solar installation industry, time to prepare to meet the demand.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps are being taken to ensure that solar panel installation can be scaled to cover new build properties.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government published the Future Homes and Buildings Standards (FHBS) on 24 March 2026. New homes built to these standards will have high levels of energy-efficiency, excellent insulation, and low carbon heating, such as heat pumps and heat networks. They will also be zero-carbon ready, meaning they will become zero-carbon in operation as the electricity grid decarbonises without the need for further retrofit.

The FHBS includes a functional requirement for all new homes to have a system of on-site renewable electricity generation, subject to practical site constraints. In most cases, we expect this will be met with the installation of solar panels. The FHBS sets energy efficiency requirements for new homes in performance terms, without prescribing specific technologies to be used. This allows developers to innovate and select the most practical and cost-effective solutions appropriate for the site.

The FHBS comes into force for most non-higher risk building work on 24 March 2027, followed by a further 12-month transitional period to give industries, such as the solar installation industry, time to prepare to meet the demand.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if his department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the visitor levy on the fishing industry.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

It will be for Strategic Authorities to decide whether to put in place an Overnight Visitor Levy in their area. Any impacts will largely be determined by local decisions, including whether local leaders choose to introduce a levy and the detail of any local 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 Best Value Notice issued to Basildon Borough Council on 15 July 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the issues identified in the Notice on the transition to the new South West Essex unitary council.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Ministers considered a range of evidence, in line with the Best Value Statutory Guidance, before issuing a Best Value Notice to Basildon Borough Council. The Notice sets out the Department's expectations, and future assessment will consider the Council’s progress against these expectations and the latest available evidence of compliance with its Best Value Duty. As set out in the Notice, Ministers expect the Council to demonstrate sufficient improvement and strong governance as it prepares for local government reorganisation.

The Regulator of Social Housing is responsible for assessing providers' compliance with its regulatory standards. Ministers considered the Regulator's published findings alongside other available evidence when deciding to issue the Notice.

The Department engages regularly with the Local Government Association on a range of local government stewardship matters, including the support for Basildon Borough Council.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many wildfires took place in each local authority in West Yorkshire in each of the last five years.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG collects data on incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England including information on the fire type, location type and source of ignition.

However, wildfires are not currently a recorded fire type, and moorland is not a recorded location type. MHCLG does collect data on outdoor primary and secondary fires in FIRE0303. Outdoor fires by similar available outdoor location types such as “grassland, woodland and crops” are also available in this table.

MHCLG also collects data on primary fires by source of ignition in FIRE0602, which includes barbecues. Secondary fires are excluded as MHCLG does not collect details on cause of secondary fires. However, the data does not specify whether the barbecue was disposable. Therefore, MHCLG cannot provide figures specifically for fires attributed to disposable barbecues.

The number of primary fires in England where the source of ignition was recorded as “barbecue” in the last 5 years was:

• 346 in 2025/26

• 238 in 2024/25

• 267 in 2023/24

• 350 in 2022/23

• 291 in 2021/22

These figures should be interpreted as fires where “barbecue” was recorded as the source of ignition, rather than fires attributed to disposable barbecues.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many fires were caused by disposable barbecues in the last five years.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG collects data on incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England including information on the fire type, location type and source of ignition.

However, wildfires are not currently a recorded fire type, and moorland is not a recorded location type. MHCLG does collect data on outdoor primary and secondary fires in FIRE0303. Outdoor fires by similar available outdoor location types such as “grassland, woodland and crops” are also available in this table.

MHCLG also collects data on primary fires by source of ignition in FIRE0602, which includes barbecues. Secondary fires are excluded as MHCLG does not collect details on cause of secondary fires. However, the data does not specify whether the barbecue was disposable. Therefore, MHCLG cannot provide figures specifically for fires attributed to disposable barbecues.

The number of primary fires in England where the source of ignition was recorded as “barbecue” in the last 5 years was:

• 346 in 2025/26

• 238 in 2024/25

• 267 in 2023/24

• 350 in 2022/23

• 291 in 2021/22

These figures should be interpreted as fires where “barbecue” was recorded as the source of ignition, rather than fires attributed to disposable barbecues.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many wildfires took place in moorland in the last five years.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG collects data on incidents attended by Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) in England including information on the fire type, location type and source of ignition.

However, wildfires are not currently a recorded fire type, and moorland is not a recorded location type. MHCLG does collect data on outdoor primary and secondary fires in FIRE0303. Outdoor fires by similar available outdoor location types such as “grassland, woodland and crops” are also available in this table.

MHCLG also collects data on primary fires by source of ignition in FIRE0602, which includes barbecues. Secondary fires are excluded as MHCLG does not collect details on cause of secondary fires. However, the data does not specify whether the barbecue was disposable. Therefore, MHCLG cannot provide figures specifically for fires attributed to disposable barbecues.

The number of primary fires in England where the source of ignition was recorded as “barbecue” in the last 5 years was:

• 346 in 2025/26

• 238 in 2024/25

• 267 in 2023/24

• 350 in 2022/23

• 291 in 2021/22

These figures should be interpreted as fires where “barbecue” was recorded as the source of ignition, rather than fires attributed to disposable barbecues.

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 document entitled The Rycroft Review: HM Government response, published on 6 July 2026, whether the all donor declaration requirements will apply to donations to (a) hon. Members and (b) Peers; which public body will be responsible for compliance to declaration requirements in relation to regulated donees who (a) are hon. Members and (b) not hon. Members; and whether the House of Commons Registrar and Parliamentary Standards Commissioner will have any role in the new regime.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We announced in response to the Rycroft Review that we would introduce a donor declaration requirement for relevant donations in order to support the effective implementation of the Review's recommendations. The Government will bring forward 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, with reference to her Department's document entitled The Rycroft Review: HM Government response, published on 6 July 2026,what steps her Department is taking to avoid donors having to make separation declarations under the new overseas provisions and the associated Section 54A commencement.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We announced in response to the Rycroft Review that we would introduce a donor declaration requirement for relevant donations in order to support the effective implementation of the Review's recommendations. The Government will bring forward 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, with reference to her Department's document entitled The Rycroft Review: HM Government response, published on 6 July 2026, how will the requirements for an all donor declaration apply to donations in the form of a bequest from an individual who is deceased.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We announced in response to the Rycroft Review that we would introduce a donor declaration requirement for relevant donations in order to support the effective implementation of the Review's recommendations. The Government will bring forward 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 assessment he has made of the impacts on first-time buyers of non-qualifying leaseholder status being tied to a property in perpetuity, in cases where a prior leaseholder owned multiple properties.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Freeholders can charge holders of non-qualifying leases a share of remediation costs incurred, in line with the terms of the lease. However, all leaseholders may still be able to recover remediation costs from a former owner, developer or associated company via a Remediation Contribution Order (RCO) and they may also be protected under the Developer Remediation Contract.

This Government recognises that many people are not fully protected by current rules. We know leaseholders are not responsible for the creation of historic building safety defects, and we are considering how to go further to protect leaseholders from current and future building safety issues, especially those groups left out of existing protections.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that Fire and Rescue Services (a) nationally and (b) in West Sussex are sufficiently resourced.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to ensuring fire and rescue services have the resources and equipment they need to keep our communities safe. The latest Local Government Finance Settlement has made available almost £1.95 billion in core spending power for standalone fire and rescue authorities in England (excluding York & North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester), an average 4.7% increase compared to 2025/26.

In 2026/27, West Sussex County Council, the current Fire and Rescue Authority for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, will have a core spending power of £926 million, an increase of 4.4% compared to 2025/26. West Sussex County Council is responsible for managing the allocation and use of these funds locally.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the ending of the Renters' Rights transition period on levels of homelessness.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government published its Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Act on 22 November 2024, which can be found on gov.uk here. This found that the potential impact of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 on levels of homelessness would be a reduction in the number of households at risk of becoming homeless and a reduction in homelessness duties owed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to publish an impact assessment on the proposed profit test on political donations in her Department's document entitled The Rycroft Review: HM Government response, published on 6 July 2026; and whether political parties have been consulted on the potential financial impact of the proposed changes.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Companies (and limited liability partnerships) making donations will be required to demonstrate a genuine and substantive connection to the UK, preventing the use of shell companies to channel foreign or illicit money into UK politics.

We are introducing new, stringent eligibility criteria for companies and limited liability partnerships wishing to make political donations. Companies/LLPs will have had to make sufficient profit to cover their donation; be headquartered in the UK; and be majority owned or controlled by UK electors or UK citizens usually resident in the UK.

These changes are to ensure that political donations reflect genuine UK-based interests and help prevent foreign interference in our democracy.

The government is committed to understanding different views on the profit test and have continued to engage with Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. We are considering recent feedback and will share further detail on the profit test 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, with reference to the press release entitled Tough new rules to crackdown on foreign money in UK elections, of 6 July 2026, how the proposed profit test on corporate political donations applies to non-cash donations where the provision of (a) goods and (b) services in kind has no monetary cost to the company.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Companies (and limited liability partnerships) making donations will be required to demonstrate a genuine and substantive connection to the UK, preventing the use of shell companies to channel foreign or illicit money into UK politics.

We are introducing new, stringent eligibility criteria for companies and limited liability partnerships wishing to make political donations. Companies/LLPs will have had to make sufficient profit to cover their donation; be headquartered in the UK; and be majority owned or controlled by UK electors or UK citizens usually resident in the UK.

These changes are to ensure that political donations reflect genuine UK-based interests and help prevent foreign interference in our democracy.

The government is committed to understanding different views on the profit test and have continued to engage with Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. We are considering recent feedback and will share further detail on the profit test 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, with reference to the Rycroft Review: HM Government response, CP1636, 6 July 2026, how the profit test will relate to different types of corporate structure, including non-profit making bodies.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Companies (and limited liability partnerships) making donations will be required to demonstrate a genuine and substantive connection to the UK, preventing the use of shell companies to channel foreign or illicit money into UK politics.

We are introducing new, stringent eligibility criteria for companies and limited liability partnerships wishing to make political donations. Companies/LLPs will have had to make sufficient profit to cover their donation; be headquartered in the UK; and be majority owned or controlled by UK electors or UK citizens usually resident in the UK.

These changes are to ensure that political donations reflect genuine UK-based interests and help prevent foreign interference in our democracy.

The government is committed to understanding different views on the profit test and have continued to engage with Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. We are considering recent feedback and will share further detail on the profit test 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, with reference to the press release entitled Tough new rules to crackdown on foreign money in UK elections, of 6 July 2026, what types of elected office will the proposals on candidate declaration requirements apply to.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In response to Recommendation 4 of the Rycroft Review, the Government announced in July our intention to introduce permissibility and transparency requirements for donations to prospective candidates outside of formal regulated periods.

Our intention is for candidates to be required to (i) provide a declaration to confirm donations used to fund campaigning activity prior to formal candidacy are from permissible sources and (ii) report any donations received during this period which exceed £2,230.

We are continuing at pace to develop legislative proposals and are engaging with relevant stakeholders, including Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. The Government will bring forward details of these proposals 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, with reference to her Department's document entitled The Rycroft Review: HM Government response, published on 6 July 2026, if she will set out the formula and process by which the profit test will be conducted.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Companies (and limited liability partnerships) making donations will be required to demonstrate a genuine and substantive connection to the UK, preventing the use of shell companies to channel foreign or illicit money into UK politics.

We are introducing new, stringent eligibility criteria for companies and limited liability partnerships wishing to make political donations. Companies/LLPs will have had to make sufficient profit to cover their donation; be headquartered in the UK; and be majority owned or controlled by UK electors or UK citizens usually resident in the UK.

These changes are to ensure that political donations reflect genuine UK-based interests and help prevent foreign interference in our democracy.

The government is committed to understanding different views on the profit test and have continued to engage with Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. We are considering recent feedback and will share further detail on the profit test 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, whether political donations from trade unions will be subject to the profit test.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Companies (and limited liability partnerships) making donations will be required to demonstrate a genuine and substantive connection to the UK, preventing the use of shell companies to channel foreign or illicit money into UK politics.

We are introducing new, stringent eligibility criteria for companies and limited liability partnerships wishing to make political donations. Companies/LLPs will have had to make sufficient profit to cover their donation; be headquartered in the UK; and be majority owned or controlled by UK electors or UK citizens usually resident in the UK.

These changes are to ensure that political donations reflect genuine UK-based interests and help prevent foreign interference in our democracy.

The government is committed to understanding different views on the profit test and have continued to engage with Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. We are considering recent feedback and will share further detail on the profit test 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, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Tough new rules to crackdown on foreign money in UK elections, published on 6 July 2026, whether the candidates will be required to declare notional expenditure and spending by local accounting units where the local accounting unit has promoted the prospective candidature but undertaken all spending from its own funds.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In response to Recommendation 4 of the Rycroft Review, the Government announced in July our intention to introduce permissibility and transparency requirements for donations to prospective candidates outside of formal regulated periods.

Our intention is for candidates to be required to (i) provide a declaration to confirm donations used to fund campaigning activity prior to formal candidacy are from permissible sources and (ii) report any donations received during this period which exceed £2,230.

We are continuing at pace to develop legislative proposals and are engaging with relevant stakeholders, including Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. The Government will bring forward details of these proposals 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, with reference to the Government response to the Rycroft Review and her department’s proposals for candidate donation declarations, whether she intends the provisions to be extended to candidatures for the (a) Northern Ireland Assembly, (b) Scottish Parliament and (c) Welsh Senedd, including obtaining Legislative Consent Motions from devolved administrations where appropriate.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In response to Recommendation 4 of the Rycroft Review, the Government announced in July our intention to introduce permissibility and transparency requirements for donations to prospective candidates outside of formal regulated periods.

Our intention is for candidates to be required to (i) provide a declaration to confirm donations used to fund campaigning activity prior to formal candidacy are from permissible sources and (ii) report any donations received during this period which exceed £2,230.

We are continuing at pace to develop legislative proposals and are engaging with relevant stakeholders, including Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. The Government will bring forward details of these proposals 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, with reference to the press release entitled Tough new rules to crackdown on foreign money in UK elections, of 6 July 2026, what is the definition of a donation that will be used in relation to the requirement for candidates to declare campaign activity donations from the last 12 months, and how it will relate to personal gifts.

Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In response to Recommendation 4 of the Rycroft Review, the Government announced in July our intention to introduce permissibility and transparency requirements for donations to prospective candidates outside of formal regulated periods.

Our intention is for candidates to be required to (i) provide a declaration to confirm donations used to fund campaigning activity prior to formal candidacy are from permissible sources and (ii) report any donations received during this period which exceed £2,230.

We are continuing at pace to develop legislative proposals and are engaging with relevant stakeholders, including Party representatives at the Parliamentary Parties Panel, as per our commitment. The Government will bring forward details of these proposals in due course.

Found: Regulations 2026 Instruments not reported 3 Annex 3 Appendix 1: Memorandum from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: Dear Toby, Thank you for your letter of 2 September to the Secretary of State asking for an MHCLG

Found: The OEO moved from the Cabinet Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as

Found: The OEO moved from the Cabinet Office to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as

Found: rather than a restatement exhibit of the kind at Appendices A and B.Appendix D — Principal sources MHCLG

Found: comes to the high street, there are so many agencies involved: you, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: MHCLG The Local Government Pension Scheme (Pooling, Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations

Found: propose stronger coordination across bodies such as NISTA, Defra and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: communities are not only affected by the decisions that Defra take but also the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: with developers, lobbyists and think tanks, we cannot even secure a response to our request for the MHCLG

Found: actively raised this with Ministers and officials across Government – including with No10, DCMS, MHCLG

Found: ®Localeconomicgrowthanddevolutionstrategy,fromtheMinistryofHousing,Communities andLocalGovernment(MHCLG

Found: how the UK Government can support economic growth in Northern Ireland. 82 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: We will work with MHCLG and Defra to further encourage and incentivise the use of strategic Wildfire

Found: Resilience Academy policy and Transport Resilience knowledge primer for Category 1 organisations ● MHCLG

Found: Offshore Decommissioning) Regulations 2026 Appendix 3: Memorandum from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Found: MHCLG 75 15.1. MHCLG 75 15.2. Homes England 76 15.3. Planning Inspectorate 77 15.4.

Found: 20,385,002 20,331,804 MHCLG Homes England 57,954,621 69,411,163 75,475,580 MHCLG Housing Ombudsman

Found: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and Department for Education

Found: As the PAC report on Local Government Financial Sustainability highlights, MHCLG do not know whether

Found: Providing NHS 1 MHCLG, ‘Integrated Settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities’, updated March 2026

Found: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, English Devolution White Paper: Power and partnership

Found: fence spending as a single settlement across broad themes such as transport, housing and skills (MHCLG

Found: MHCLG acknowledges that evaluating the impact of devolution is difficult due to limited sub-national

Found: as the main accountability mechanism through which “MSAs with an Integrated Settlement attend an MHCLG-chaired

Found: Prior to their inception, Government (MHCLG/No 10 North) working with MSAs, should provide more detail

Found: We are working closely with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to deliver

Found: the Council, working in close partnership with the GLA, as well as with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government

Found: energy and environment are also necessary - then link in skills, health and legal instruments. 27.MHCLG

Found: that one set of funds is coming from DEFRA and another set of planning enforcement is coming from MHCLG

Found: Q33 Jeff Smith: Presumably DCMS are talking to MHCLG on these issues.

Found: Q33 Jeff Smith: Presumably DCMS are talking to MHCLG on these issues.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 2 September 2026 to question 19560 on Local Government: Cambridgeshire, whether his Department has held discussions with (a) Cambridgeshire County Council and (b) District Councils on Local Government reorganisation.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department has not held discussions with Cambridgeshire County Council or Cambridgeshire district councils on local government reorganisation. Local government reorganisation is the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 13 July 2026, to Question 18049, on Government Departments: Greater Manchester, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Government Property Agency staff at Piccadilly Gate 26 Store St, Manchester M1 2WD in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The GPA does not monitor attendance of its staff at buildings. Gov Pass can obtain the data when looking at building occupancy at any point in time but this data is not broken down to the level of specific staff member identification.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what cross-government work is taking place to help reduce harms associated with controlled drugs.

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

Across Government we are taking a range of action to prevent drug use, improve treatment and recovery support, and support enforcement partners to tackle drug supply.

Each of the departments involved in this work is contributing to reducing harms. In the Home Office we have legislated to control harmful new synthetic opioids, with further controls due to be laid in Parliament soon, we have legislated to expand police powers in relation to drug testing on arrest to enable more people to be diverted into treatment where appropriate and we are making good progress in our work with partner countries to stem the source, target supply routes and secure the UK border.

We are investing £3.4bn in treatment and recovery over the next three years and in DHSC there is a strong focus on further improving the quality of treatment, reducing drug and alcohol related deaths and working closely with MoJ on treatment for those in the criminal justice system, including through improving continuity of care between prison and the community.

DWP and DHSC’s Individual Placement Support programme provides tailored help to those in treatment for drug or alcohol dependency to get into paid work. In DfE the new RSHE curriculum is in place from this term, supporting the mandatory requirement for education on the harms of drugs.

MHCLG are leading delivery of the Prime Minister’s commitment to end rough sleeping and working closely with DHSC to improve treatment access and recovery outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping through the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment (RSDAT) and Housing Support programmes.

The cross-government Joint Combating Drugs Unit (JCDU) works closely with departments to ensure a coordinated, whole-system approach at a national level and with Combating Drugs Partnerships (CDPs) in every area of the country to support a joined-up approach at local level. A recent independent evaluation found that CDPs have strengthened multi-agency working with strong leadership and clear governance key to success (www.gov.uk/government/publications/process-evaluation-of-combating-drugs-partnerships/process-evaluation-of-combating-drugs-partnerships).

I have asked Dame Carol Black, our independent advisor on drugs, to undertake a programme of work to improve our understanding of the opportunities and challenges.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 3 September 2026, to question 23022 on Local Government: Cambridgeshire, if she will publish the proposals submitted to date to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

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

Publication of any plans and proposals is a matter for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. As the Hon Member will know, the Ministry announced on 7 September that it will be undertaking further consideration of the local government reorganisation programme, including proposals for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider the merits of a ban on disposable barbecues.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government will consider the case for further restrictions, including a permanent ban, on the sale of disposable barbecues in the light of experience gained from the temporary ban introduced in August. Any such restrictions are most likely to be implemented under waste legislation, which is why Defra is taking the lead on this issue, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government who are leading the Government’s overall approach to wildfires.

In the meantime, local authorities have powers to establish Public Space Protection Orders, which can prohibit the use of disposable barbecues in designated areas where appropriate. It is for individual councils to decide how and to what extent to use these powers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the potential impacts of the incorrect use of disposable barbecues.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government will consider the case for further restrictions, including a permanent ban, on the sale of disposable barbecues in the light of experience gained from the temporary ban introduced in August. Any such restrictions are most likely to be implemented under waste legislation, which is why Defra is taking the lead on this issue, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government who are leading the Government’s overall approach to wildfires.

In the meantime, local authorities have powers to establish Public Space Protection Orders, which can prohibit the use of disposable barbecues in designated areas where appropriate. It is for individual councils to decide how and to what extent to use these powers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to launch a public consultation on prohibiting the sale of disposable barbecues.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government will consider the case for further restrictions, including a permanent ban, on the sale of disposable barbecues in the light of experience gained from the temporary ban introduced in August. Any such restrictions are most likely to be implemented under waste legislation, which is why Defra is taking the lead on this issue, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government who are leading the Government’s overall approach to wildfires.

In the meantime, local authorities have powers to establish Public Space Protection Orders, which can prohibit the use of disposable barbecues in designated areas where appropriate. It is for individual councils to decide how and to what extent to use these powers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Dorset Council and Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service on preventing and responding to wildfires in West Dorset.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Fire and rescue services have been responding to an exceptionally challenging period of wildfire activity, with multiple significant incidents being managed simultaneously across England and Wales. The Government has taken action to reduce the risk of wildfires igniting, such as the temporary ban on disposable BBQs.

This year, we have made available almost £1.95 billion to standalone fire and rescue authorities in England (excluding York & North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester) through the Local Government Finance Settlement. It is for each fire and rescue authority to decide how best to use that funding, based on local risk.

Defra funding schemes will continue to support land managers to adapt to increasing wildfire risk. This includes practical measures to reduce fire spread and severity, improve access and preparedness for firefighting, and strengthen resilience while also supporting nature and climate objectives. It also includes support for landscape-scale action to reduce wildfire risk and increase resilience.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has recently announced a £97 million investment to upgrade National Resilience assets and equipment. Part of this funding includes a pilot for a national wildfire response capability with specialist firefighters, equipment and training.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support his Department is providing to local authorities, fire and rescue services and land managers to reduce the risk of wildfires in West Dorset.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Fire and rescue services have been responding to an exceptionally challenging period of wildfire activity, with multiple significant incidents being managed simultaneously across England and Wales. The Government has taken action to reduce the risk of wildfires igniting, such as the temporary ban on disposable BBQs.

This year, we have made available almost £1.95 billion to standalone fire and rescue authorities in England (excluding York & North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester) through the Local Government Finance Settlement. It is for each fire and rescue authority to decide how best to use that funding, based on local risk.

Defra funding schemes will continue to support land managers to adapt to increasing wildfire risk. This includes practical measures to reduce fire spread and severity, improve access and preparedness for firefighting, and strengthen resilience while also supporting nature and climate objectives. It also includes support for landscape-scale action to reduce wildfire risk and increase resilience.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has recently announced a £97 million investment to upgrade National Resilience assets and equipment. Part of this funding includes a pilot for a national wildfire response capability with specialist firefighters, equipment and training.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2026, to Question 11403, on MHCLG: Public Consultation, what his Department's policy is on whether written representations to its consultations and calls for evidence from an individual or organisation subject to a FCDO policy of non-engagement are (a) considered or (b) not considered.

Answered by Uma Kumaran - Assistant Whip

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office follows the Government's code of practice on consultations. Submissions are considered on a case by case basis.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 110793 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flexible Working, how many and what proportion of full-time staff on full pay, classed as 1.0 FTE, work compressed hours over a four day week.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The requested data is not centrally held by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will consider the views of rewilding and nature recovery experts when drafting the Wildfire Action Plan.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will jointly develop a cross-Government Wildfire Action Plan to improve resilience and preparedness over the short, medium and long term. The Government will consider evidence from a range of stakeholders, including nature recovery experts.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress she has made on completing the construction of the Haslar Immigration Removal Centre in late 2026.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office is working at pace to open the redeveloped Haslar immigration removal centre (IRC) in 2027.

The Home Office is developing a new IRC at the site of the former Haslar IRC in Gosport, Hampshire. The Government is committed to maintaining a safe, secure and effective immigration detention estate that supports the removal of those with no right to remain in the United Kingdom. The redevelopment of Haslar is a key part of this work, providing additional detention capacity to strengthen enforcement activity and help deliver a more effective returns system.

Planning permission to expand the site’s capacity is being sought through the Crown Development route for nationally important development on Crown land. The Notification of Intent was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 7 May 2026. The Statement of National Importance was subsequently submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Crown Development planning application to the Planning Inspectorate, both on 29 May 2026. Further details about the application can be found here: CROWN/2026/0000005 - Application information – Find a Crown development application.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Haslar Crown Development Application Notification of Intent and Ministerial ITN was submitted in May 2026.

Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Home Office is working at pace to open the redeveloped Haslar immigration removal centre (IRC) in 2027.

The Home Office is developing a new IRC at the site of the former Haslar IRC in Gosport, Hampshire. The Government is committed to maintaining a safe, secure and effective immigration detention estate that supports the removal of those with no right to remain in the United Kingdom. The redevelopment of Haslar is a key part of this work, providing additional detention capacity to strengthen enforcement activity and help deliver a more effective returns system.

Planning permission to expand the site’s capacity is being sought through the Crown Development route for nationally important development on Crown land. The Notification of Intent was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 7 May 2026. The Statement of National Importance was subsequently submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Crown Development planning application to the Planning Inspectorate, both on 29 May 2026. Further details about the application can be found here: CROWN/2026/0000005 - Application information – Find a Crown development application.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2026 to Question 10655 on Arms Length Bodies, if she will name the other 13 public bodies.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The following bodies have been established or announced since July 2024:

1. Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC): Cabinet Office (CO)

2. Government Commercial Agency: Cabinet Office (CO)

3. Building Safety Regulator: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

4. Fair Work Agency: Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

5. National Wealth Fund (NWF): HM Treasury (HMT)

6. Shadow Great British Railways (SGBR): Department for Transport (DfT)

7. Great British Energy (GBE): Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

8. Great British Energy - Nuclear: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

9. Defence Housing: Ministry of Defence (MoD)

10. Warm Homes Agency: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)

11. Independent Immigration Appeals Authority (IIAA): Home Office

12. School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB): Department for Education (DfE)

13. Adult Social Care Negotiating Body (ASCNB): Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 2 July 2026, to Question 13140, on Public Houses: Business Rates, how is the group data derived.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is considering further restrictions on activities which increase the risk of wildfires, including the use of disposable barbecues in high-risk areas.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Fire and rescue services have been responding to an exceptionally challenging period of wildfire activity, with multiple significant incidents being managed simultaneously across England and Wales.

Measures have been taken to reduce wildfire risk including the ban on the sale of disposable barbecues introduced on 14 August as well as the use of the emergency alert system within parts of the UK. The Secretary of State for MHCLG also wrote to local authorities across England reminding them of the powers available to restrict activities that could increase fire risk, including the use of Public Spaces Protection Orders to limit barbecues, campfires and other forms of open fire in vulnerable areas.

This sits alongside wider measures including advice being made more visible through, including social media during high-risk periods, the Cabinet Office Prepare website, the Fire Kills campaign and StayWise, the NFCC-led education platform.

The Government will continue to consider whether further measures are needed, including through the Wildfire Summit announced by the Prime Minister, taking place in autumn.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what discussions Lord Vallance has had with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government ministers or officials, in his role as Ministerial Champion for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, regarding the implications of local government reorganisation proposals for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough for delivery of the Growth Corridor.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As Ministerial Champion for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor Lord Vallance engaged with ministers across Government on how their departments’ agendas can support our ambition to unlock the economic potential of the region.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on ensuring that housing targets are supported by investment in NHS infrastructure and services.

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

We understand the challenges that significant housing growth can place on National Health Service infrastructure. Whilst we have big ambitions to further boost house building, we recognise it must be sensitive to local needs, including health care provision.

That is why over the course of our 10-Year Health Plan, we aim to establish a neighbourhood health centre (NHC) in every community, transforming healthcare access by bringing historically hospital-based services into communities.

We have committed to deliver 250 NHCs by 2035, with approximately 120 centres operational by 2030 delivered through a blend of upgrade schemes and new builds. In March, we announced Wave 1 of NHC upgrade schemes, with 27 sites across England selected to bring care closer to home and backed by approximately £50 million.

The Department of Health and Social Care is also working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government to determine how developer contributions from new housing developments can be better used towards local health services and infrastructure.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many civil servants in His Majesty's Treasury are working on local government reorganisation.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

Responsibility for the oversight and implementation of the Local Government Reorganisation process sits with MHCLG as the lead department. HM Treasury staff work broadly across a range of issues including local government and regional growth.

As such, it is challenging to calculate a precise assessment of resourcing focused on Local Government Reform.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of planning restrictions in conservation areas on the installation of domestic heat pumps.

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

While responsibility for planning policy primarily sits with the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) the two departments work closely on these issues and recognise the importance of ensuring that planning requirements do not create unnecessary barriers to the deployment of low-carbon heating.

In May 2025, the Government amended permitted development rights for air source heat pumps in England to enable more households to install one without planning permission and most households can now do so.

For properties in conservation areas, the cross-government review of the barriers to retrofitting these buildings was published in January 2024 and sets out the core challenges faced by homeowners and the actions Government is taking.

Both the National Planning Policy Framework and Historic England’s guidance state the need to support energy efficiency and decarbonisation within buildings, as far as reasonably practicable without prejudicing the character of the host building or risking the long-term deterioration of the fabric or fittings. Local authorities are expected to take these into account when deciding on individual planning applications.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with HM Treasury and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on Inheritance Tax interest and council-tax liabilities incurred by estates as a result of exceptional delays in obtaining probate and letters of administration.

Answered by Alex Davies-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)

The Government recognises that probate applications are made at a difficult and emotional time for bereaved families and it is important that the service is delivered as efficiently as possible. HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has invested in more staff in 2026, alongside system and process improvements and a programme of upskilling to improve the processing time for applications. The Ministry of Justice publishes regular data on probate timeliness and open caseload in the quarterly family court statistics bulletin: Family Court Statistics Quarterly - GOV.UK.

The Ministry of Justice has not made an estimate of additional financial liabilities incurred by estates as a result of delays in obtaining a grant. Where urgent action is required before the administration of an estate can be completed, it may be possible to obtain a limited grant for a specific purpose.

Ministry of Justice officials engage with other government departments responsible for services linked to the probate system on operational matters as required.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 54 of his department’s Defence Industrial Strategy, published 8 September 2025, which projects his department have identified over the next 5-10 years that may be eligible for expedited planning permission.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation does not hold an identified list of projects which may be eligible for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government under the Crown Development or Urgent Crown Development Planning Permission routes.

As projects are developed, Officials will identify the appropriate planning strategy for delivery liaising with key stakeholders as required for the individual project.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment has been made of whether changes to immigration policy could reduce the financial burden on local authorities arising from support provided to households with no recourse to public funds.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government keeps all immigration policies, including the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) policy, under review and works closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and local authorities to understand the impacts on local services and public finances.

Through regular engagement with local government, including use of the NRPF Connect service and the Home Office’s NRPF Forum, we monitor trends in support provided to households with NRPF and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and consistency.

We have produced new cross government guidance for local authorities to support a more consistent application of the framework across England.

Any changes to immigration policy are subject to appropriate assessment, including consideration of impacts on local authorities and the effective use of public funds.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the interaction between heritage protections and planning policy in delivering solar energy.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

DESNZ and MHCLG work regularly together on planning policy. For Nationally Significant (NSIP) solar projects, the National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure, updated in January 2026, sets out the importance of solar and how heritage considerations should be accounted for. For solar projects under 100MW, the updated National Planning Policy Framework published in August 2026 gives greater prominence to, and strengthens the framework for, renewable generation infrastructure such as solar. The Government will continue to work together to update the Planning Practice Guidance including how specific considerations for solar farms such as heritage impacts, should be applied in practice.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her department has had with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

HM Treasury engages regularly with colleagues across Government on a range of matters, including Local Government Reorganisation. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not routinely disclosed.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether there is an (a) impact assessment or (b) business case, of the (i) costs and (ii) benefits of assigning staff to No10 North making relative to the staff being based in Westminster in HM Treasury.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with HM Treasury)

The Prime Minister established No10 North on the first day of the new administration, including the transfer of local economic growth and devolution strategy from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and local economic growth policy from HM Treasury, with these arrangements confirmed in a statement published on 22 July

To support its initial set up phase, HM Treasury has seconded a number of staff to No10 North on an interim basis, alongside several other departments. Formal recruitment and related budget transfers will take place in due course, ensuring that No10 North is funded from within existing budgets.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions has her department held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Local Government Reorganisation policy is owned by Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Department for Transport officials regularly meet MHCLG officials, as well as counterparts in other Government departments, to discuss Local Government Reorganisation, including the transport implications.

The Secretary of State for Transport has engaged with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on Local Government Reorganisation via letter, setting out the Department's position that this process should ensure the continued effective delivery of local transport, traffic and highway functions.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with cabinet colleagues regarding the feasibility of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Local Government Reorganisation policy is owned by Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Department for Transport officials regularly meet MHCLG officials, as well as counterparts in other Government departments, to discuss Local Government Reorganisation, including the transport implications.

The Secretary of State for Transport has engaged with the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) on Local Government Reorganisation via letter, setting out the Department's position that this process should ensure the continued effective delivery of local transport, traffic and highway functions.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to para 71 of the Explanatory Notes to the representation of the People Bill as introduced in the House of Commons on 14 May 2026, whether the Electoral Commission has been informed of which offences that the Government is minded to prescribe in secondary legislation.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission has discussed the offences that the UK Government may prescribe in secondary legislation. The Electoral Commission continues to work closely with the Government, through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on implementing the measures in the Bill.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to address the temporary accommodation subsidy gap.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

This Government is focused on delivering long-term solutions to reduce homelessness and reliance on temporary accommodation, including increasing the supply of affordable and social housing. We are also working to ensure that temporary accommodation represents good value for money and is sustainable for local authorities as demand continues to rise. The Department is working closely with other Government departments, including MHCLG and HM Treasury, as part of wider cross-government work on homelessness, including considering how the system can sustainably fund good-quality temporary accommodation. The Department continues to keep Housing Benefit subsidy arrangements for temporary accommodation under review as part of this work.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the No10 press release, 23 July 2026, "Burnham means business: PM slashes business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues", and with reference to the MHCLG press release, "Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride" of 24 September 2025, whether the removal of reliefs on premises that do not make a positive contribution to a local community will apply to fake barbers.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The Government will set out further details on funding of the additional 20% business rates relief for pubs, social clubs and live music venues, at the Budget. As part of that work, the Government is reviewing reliefs and incentives across the business rates system, including for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities, such as vape shops.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 20 July 2026 to Question 12715 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Buildings, if she will publish the Government Property Agency Plan for London strategy documentation; and which departments and agencies have agreed to move to 2 Marsham Street.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Plan for London strategy is delivered through a series of non-GMPP (Government Major Projects Portfolio) projects to close leasehold buildings and oversee associated moves, which are managed in conjunction with the impacted departments, agencies and OGP (Office for Government Property in Cabinet Office). Due to commercial-sensitivity in these projects, we will not be publishing the details in full.

Following the future relocation of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to the Government Offices Great George Street, the vacated space at 2 Marsham Street will be occupied by organisations associated with the exit from 102 Petty France, reducing Government's central London office footprint and running costs.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 110793, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flexible Working, how many and what proportion of full-time staff on full pay (1.0 FTE) in the department work compressed hours over a four day week.

Answered by Calvin Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans and People)

1,283 full-time employees are recorded as working one-week compressed hour schedules, representing 2.6 per cent of all full-time employees.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what guidance has been issued to Regional Care Cooperatives on ensuring a more equitable distribution of children's residential care provision between regions.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Earlier this year, the government set out its vision for Regional Care Cooperatives (RCCs) in a published policy statement, which can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regional-care-co-operatives-pathfinder-areas/regional-care-cooperatives-policy-statement.

On 26 March 2026, the department launched an Expression of Interest (EoI) inviting prospective areas to come forward and bid for grant to set up a new RCC. New guidance was published alongside the EoI outlining the minimum requirements for all RCCs going forward, along with the RCC’s role in sufficiency planning in their area. Placement shortages are a key driver of children being placed in homes far from where they live. RCCs look to improve this by increasing local and regional sufficiency and making more places available locally for children who need them.

The department is working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on planning reforms, and with Ofsted on strengthening its regulatory powers, to ensure new children’s homes are established only where there is a clear local need and children’s needs can be fully met.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any of the Going Forward into Employment programmes which recruit Civil Servants require the recruits to be from a working class socio-economic background to be eligible.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) provides support for individuals who face barriers into employment, including those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

GFiE recruiting pathways with eligibility criteria that directly support candidates from lower socio-economic backgrounds include:

• DCMS Learn & Grow Pathway

• DWP Social Mobility Apprenticeship

• Crown Prosecution Service Diversifying CPS Careers

• MHCLG Masterclass Pathway

• Home Office Pathway to Employment

There are also GFiE recruiting pathways that may include people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, but have wider eligibility criteria, for example pathways supporting care leavers, people with convictions, veterans and others. All pathways and eligibility can be viewed at https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/about-gfie/.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the MHCLG annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 62, and to the Cabinet Office, Special adviser data releases: numbers and costs, July 2026, how many of the special advisers listed as working part time also had a part-time role at the Labour Party according to records held by HM Government.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

As per the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, where a special adviser wishes to undertake work for a political party which does not arise out of government business they may do this either in their own time, outside office hours, or under a separate contract with the Party, working part-time for the Government. They may not use annual or unpaid leave for this purpose. Details of where a special adviser has undertaken work for the Party, while working part-time for the Government, will be published as part of the declaration of interest process.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions her Department has held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the feasibility of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

The department engages regularly with colleagues across government on a range of matters, including Local Government Reorganisation. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not routinely disclosed.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions has his Department held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the feasibility of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The department engages regularly with colleagues across Government on a range of matters, including Local Government Reorganisation. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not routinely disclosed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve the responsiveness of the abstraction licensing system.

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

The Government is acting to create a more dynamic abstraction licensing system. We plan to bring abstraction and impoundment regulation into the Environmental Permitting Regulations, providing a more flexible legislative framework.

The Environment Agency (EA) supports innovative approaches to abstraction that ensure the rights of other abstractors are protected, while safeguarding the environment. The EA are also developing digital systems to enable more responsive abstraction management.

Defra and the EA are facilitating an MHCLG funded trial of smart agricultural abstraction in Cambridge this year. The pilot provides real-time monitoring of water flows to farmers, enabling them to time their abstraction when more water is available.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment her Department has made of the number of housebuilding developments currently delayed or blocked due to local water scarcity, and how the construction timelines of the nine planned reservoirs will align with the Government’s housebuilding targets.

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

Defra’s Water Delivery Taskforce brings together key partners, including MHCLG, to identify and resolve water constraints that risk delaying development. Where stakeholders identify water capacity issues constraining growth, the Taskforce acts to find solutions.

Water companies have a statutory duty to maintain secure water supplies and must plan for future housing through their Water Resources Management Plans. A record £104 billion is being invested between 2025 and 2030 in the water sector, including nine new reservoirs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 23 June 2026, to Question 9591, on Business Rates: Retail Trade, what the evidential basis is for the total business rate bills paid by the retail sector in 2026-27 compared to 2025-26.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

The evidential basis is analysis conducted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) using property-level rateable value data from the Valuation Office, alongside local authority returns, as published in MHCLG’s National Non-Domestic Rates statistics.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions has his department held with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the potential impact on Defence of each of the options for Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 2 September 2026 to Question 19548.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government for what reason religion and belief is not included in the remit of the Office for Equality and Opportunity.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Office for Equality and Opportunity is responsible for the Equality Act 2010, including its protections against discrimination and harassment on the basis of religion or belief.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) leads the Government’s work to support and engage faith and belief groups and coordinates the Government’s work to tackle religious hatred.

This government celebrates the central role of faith and belief in our national life, and its contribution to building a more cohesive society where all communities feel safe. We seek to ensure that the voices of people of faith and belief are warmly welcomed and richly valued as we tackle the challenges we face together.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of local government reorganisation in Devon on the governance and independence of Dartmoor National Park Authority; and what steps she will take to ensure that the Authority remains independent.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) programme for local government reorganisation will introduce changes to the local authorities responsible for providing board members for multiple National Parks in England, as laid out in legislation.

Defra is engaging closely with MHCLG to assess the impact of these changes and exploring options where changes may alter the local authority composition of the National Park Boards. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s (MHCLG) programme for local government reorganisation will introduce changes to the local authorities responsible for providing board members for multiple National Parks in England, as laid out in legislation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of extreme weather changes on food availability, flooding and fires; and what measures her Department will take to ensure that the risks associated with extreme weather changes will be mitigated.

Answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government assesses climate risks through the Climate Change Risk Assessment process. Climate change is expected to result in warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, and more frequent and intense weather patterns.

Our diverse and resilient food system, supported by domestic production and international trade, has historically responded well to localised production shocks. There is currently no indication that UK food security is at risk.

The Government is investing £10.5 billion in flood resilience between 2024 and 2036 to construct new flood and coastal erosion schemes and repair existing defences. Defra is strengthening its resource on wildfire and supporting MHCLG as the lead government department for wildfire through a cross-government programme of work covering risk assessment, prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. The Government is strengthening climate adaptation to ensure robust plans are in place to be resilient to a minimum of 2 degrees of global warming by 2050.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on the feasibility of each of the options for local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

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

The Department of Health and Social Care has provided an evidence-based assessment of the proposals submitted to date to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, including the feasibility of each option and the potential impacts on the delivery of health and social care services for this area.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when her Department plans to publish a response to the public consultation on Water Efficiency Standards in the Building Regulations (2010), which closed on 16 December 2025.

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

The Department is taking steps to mitigate water demand from new housing developments in water stressed regions. Policy amendments considering the tightening of Water Efficiency Standards in Building Regulations have been tested through a public consultation which ran from September to December 2025.

The Government response, to be jointly issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is expected in Summer 2026. The response will set out how we will tighten water efficiency standards in new homes to protect water stressed regions. As well as a plan to enable non-potable water, including rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse, in all new homes over the next 10 years.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that water companies do not delay (a) housing developments, and (b) commercial developments as a result of a failure to upgrade relevant infrastructure.

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

The Government is ensuring water infrastructure supports housing delivery and environmental resilience. Water companies have a statutory duty to maintain secure water supplies and must plan for future housing through their Water Resources Management Plans. A record £104bn is being invested between 2025 and 2030 in the water sector, including nine new reservoirs.

Defra’s Water Delivery Taskforce brings together key partners, including MHCLG, to identify and resolve water constraints that risk delaying development, and to oversee delivery. The Taskforce has already helped unblock 10,000s of homes in Oxford, Cambridge, and North Sussex through targeted interventions and improved coordination.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will publish the membership and remit of the water delivery taskforce.

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

The Water Delivery Taskforce was established in Spring 2025 to unblock growth constrained by water and wastewater capacity, while maintaining and strengthening environmental protections.

As Minister for Water, I chair the Water Delivery Taskforce. The taskforce brings together key representatives from government departments and the water sector. Its core membership includes representation from: Defra, MHCLG, OxCam, EA, Ofwat, DWI, NE, NISTA, DBT and Water UK. This supports coordinated, sector-wide action.

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