Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The department has not made an estimate of the average band D council tax for core spending power calculations. The department’s council tax requirement forecasts in core spending power exclude the precepts of police and crime commissioners and parish and town councils. They also exclude mayoral combined authority precepts other than where these fund fire services.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 85176 on 24 November 2025, which confirmed that MHCLG currently is not responsible for anniversaries of this type.

If the hon. Member is keen to raise this with the Mayor of London himself, his office can be contacted via Contact us form | London City Hall.

Flood risk assessments used in property transactions are typically drawn from environmental searches obtained through commercial search organisations. The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) is the leading trade association for search organisations. Members are required to adhere to a code of practice which sets standards across the search industry.

Conveyancers share search results with clients in line with their duty to act in the client’s best interests. Where clients have concerns, the Law Society recommends conveyancers should advise seeking further input from environmental experts.

On 6 October, my department published two consultations outlining reform proposals to transform home buying and selling. These contained proposals to ensure buyers receive comprehensive upfront property information, including information on flood risk. The consultations can be found on gov.uk here and here.

All forms of hate crime are completely unacceptable and have no place in our communities, including that directed at Hindus.

This government is committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and we will not tolerate anti-Hindu hatred in any form. We recently announced that the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme, which is accessible for all non-Jewish and Muslim places of worship, will receive an uplift of £1.5 million. This will bring the total available to protect Hindu places of worship and facilities, as well as Christian, Sikh and other faith sites to a record £5 million.

The government also provides funding for True Vision – the police hate crime programme and online reporting portal – to encourage communities to report hate crime and reinforce relationships between communities and policing and allow victims of hate to report hate crimes to the police without visiting a police station of call the police.

On Monday 9 March 2026, we published our Protecting What Matters plan which details the specific action being taken by government to tackle religious hatred across the country. This can be found on gov.uk here.

The number of new social lettings to households leaving their last settled home due to domestic abuse can be found in the ‘Social Housing Lettings’ statistics tenants tables 3p and 3pi on gov.uk here.

I will deposit the letter in the House of Commons Library shortly.

My Department has made no such assessment.

The Planning Inspectorate does not compile data on the number of instances Inspectors have cited Housing Land Supply shortfalls to allow an appeal on designated land, such as a protected site.

All submissions to the 2025 Private Parking Code of Practice consultation are currently being analysed and the government will set out further details on the consultation response and the final Code as soon as possible.

The Government is taking action to give local authorities and communities the power greater control over the mix of uses on their high streets. Later this year Government will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy, backed by at least £150 million of support, to tackle the challenges care about most.

When parliamentary time allows, we will introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing, enabling councils to better manage the concentration of gambling premises in vulnerable areas. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will also provide powers to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping and nicotine products. Alongside this, the 2025 Budget committed £15 million per year to tackle illegal activity on the high street.

Since July 2024 the Eden Project Morecambe team has continued design work. An update on potential options for the development, including their size and scale, was presented to MHCLG in March 2025. These options were subject to ongoing community conversations. In September 2025, the department launched the Local Regeneration Fund which provided certainty of funding and flexibility to Local Authorities, including Lancaster City Council as sponsors of the Eden Project Morecambe. The Eden Project Morecambe team submitted a planning application for their preferred option on the 15th of October 2025. The planning application proposal has been approved, subject to S106 approval and 6 week judicial review period.

In December, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced an independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister by the end of March 2026.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will ensure that Mr Rycroft’s report is made available to Parliament at the earliest opportunity after it is received.

The department holds baseline information on private parking appeals, provided through stakeholder engagement.

The government also has a new strategy to enable the regular collection of data regarding the private parking industry, as outlined in the 2025 Code of Practice Consultation, once the revised Code has been published.

The government is aware of concerns amongst some motorists that second stage appeals services are not independent of parking operators because these are facilitated by the trade associations who represent their members. Last summer, my department consulted on this issue to better understand concerns around the current model and consider if change is needed. The Department is considering the findings of the consultation very carefully and will set out further details as soon as possible.

The 2025 consultation document can be found on gov.uk here.

The Department is considering the findings of the Private Parking Code of Practice consultation very carefully and will set out further details on the private parking code of practice as soon as possible.

The government has set out its approach to planning for the conservation and enhancement of the historic environment in England in the National Planning Policy Framework. We have not made an assessment of how local planning authorities are taking this into account in reaching decisions on modifying or removing gas street lamps.

Planning in other parts of the UK is a matter for the devolved administrations.

We have no central record of declining to lay a draft statutory code submitted by an arm’s length body before Parliament.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).

The MHCLG Digital Planning Programme is developing data standards for planning applications and supporting the adoption of modern planning software to make the planning process smoother, faster, and more efficient. Further detail on the programme can be found on gov.uk here.

I otherwise refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 112629 on 2 March 2026.

Relevant guidance on enforcement, including planning injunctions, can be found on gov.uk here.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner. It also supports the increased provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure.

The NPPF is also clear that new development, including commercial development, should be planned for in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Local development plans should identify opportunities for development to draw its energy supply from decentralised, renewable, or low carbon energy supply systems.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new NPPF which includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making and that would give substantial weight is given to the economic benefits of planning applications for commercial development.

The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, set out how planning policies and decisions can make a positive contribution to mitigating and adapting to climate change and emphasised the importance of improving renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner. It also supports the increased provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure.

The NPPF is also clear that new development, including commercial development, should be planned for in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Local development plans should identify opportunities for development to draw its energy supply from decentralised, renewable, or low carbon energy supply systems.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new NPPF which includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making and that would give substantial weight is given to the economic benefits of planning applications for commercial development.

The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, set out how planning policies and decisions can make a positive contribution to mitigating and adapting to climate change and emphasised the importance of improving renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner. It also supports the increased provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure.

The NPPF is also clear that new development, including commercial development, should be planned for in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Local development plans should identify opportunities for development to draw its energy supply from decentralised, renewable, or low carbon energy supply systems.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, the government consulted on a new NPPF which includes clearer, ‘rules based’ policies for decision-making and plan-making and that would give substantial weight is given to the economic benefits of planning applications for commercial development.

The consultation on the revised Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, set out how planning policies and decisions can make a positive contribution to mitigating and adapting to climate change and emphasised the importance of improving renewable and low carbon energy infrastructure.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 105500 on 20 January 2026.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 115497 on 4 March 2026 and to the Written Ministerial Statement on 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 33286 on 3 March 2025.

My Department has made no such assessment.

As stated in the Answer of 26 November 2025 to Question 92034 on Absent Voting, the Government has no plans to make changes to the information which is shared as part of the electoral register or absent voters lists.

Information relating to postal vote applications is held by independent Electoral Registration Officers rather than the UK Government and so it is not possible to provide more information about the number of postal vote applications that were not renewed during any period. The department does not actively track trends in the level of postal vote renewals, or the number and proportion of postal vote applications that were renewed, over any period.

The Government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use.

The 1.5 million homes target will be measured in net additional dwellings. Empty homes are not currently included within net additional dwellings figures.

Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are entitled to register as Parliamentary and as local government electors provided that on the relevant date, they also fulfil the age and residence requirements for such registration and are not subject to any other legal incapacity. A ‘qualifying Commonwealth citizen’ is defined as one who has leave to remain in the UK or does not require it. To register in a particular area, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen must meet the same residency requirements as any other person seeking to register. There is no additional qualifying period in electoral law; if a Commonwealth citizen has been granted leave to remain, or does not require it, they are entitled to register to vote subject to the conditions above.

The table below shows the number of new affordable housing completions (including acquisitions) and starts on site in Tower Hamlets in 2023-24 and 2024-25 by provider.

The data is published in the affordable housing supply statistics open data, published on gov.uk here (attached).

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 December 2025 (HCWS1210).

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statements made on 2 July 2025 (HCWS771) and 28 January 2026 (HCWS1283).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 116475 answered on 9 March 2026.

The selection of polling station locations is a matter for the independent Returning Officer. The independent Electoral Commission is responsible for providing guidance to Returning Officers, including on polling station selection. The Electoral Commission is also responsible for setting standards and monitoring the performance of Returning Officers.

The Secretary of State has not had discussions with local authorities regarding representations by the Muslim Council of Britain on the placement of polling stations.

Data on allegations and outcomes of electoral fraud is collected by police forces across the UK and provided to the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission then publishes this information annually on its website. The Government continues to work closely with the Electoral Commission, the police and other partners to safeguard the integrity of elections and maintain public confidence in the democratic process.

Postal voting is now a major part of our elections, with over a quarter of votes at the 2024 General Election cast by post. As part of the Electoral Commission’s review of that election, 89% of postal voters stated they were satisfied with the process of voting.

While there are no official statistics specifically on qualifying Commonwealth citizens currently living in the UK who are registered to vote, Electoral Commission figures estimate that 66% of this group may be registered to vote (as at 2023). Further information on the Electoral Commission can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is working on the design of direct registration pilots, including timetable and approach, which will be set out in secondary legislation subject to the affirmative procedure. This will give the opportunity for Parliament to scrutinise the plans.

Our plan is to test automated registration in a range of different locations and settings, with different characteristics and challenges, to ensure anything we implement permanently works for everyone. We will be guided throughout by principles of fairness and open engagement. We are consulting a range of stakeholders to develop this programme, including the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators, local authorities and civil society organisations. We will also continue to offer engagement with political parties.

The government does not hold data on the number of qualifying EU citizens on the local government electoral register in England.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) previously published estimates of the number of EU citizens eligible to vote in Local Government elections in England but has not produced equivalent estimates following changes to EU citizens’ voting rights implemented through the Elections Act 2022.

Local authorities have powers provided by section 78 of the Building Act 1984 to take emergency measures when dealing with dangerous structures. If a structure, or part of it, appears dangerous and requires immediate action to remove the danger, the local authority may take steps as necessary for that purpose.

While the Ministry does not issue guidance in relation to ownerless land and highways, the Law Commission in its 14th Programme of Law Reform will look to address the problems that may arise when land ceases to have an owner and transfers to the Crown. The project will carry out a review of bona vacantia and escheat with the aim of clarifying the law.

The government was elected on a manifesto commitment to extend the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds in all UK elections. To deliver this commitment, the Representation of the People Bill was introduced Parliament on 12 February 2026 and received its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 2 March 2026.

Extending the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds represents a significant change to the electoral franchise and requires careful planning to implement effectively. Subject to Parliamentary passage of the Bill, the government intends for the franchise change to be in place in good time ahead of the next UK Parliamentary General Election.

The Welsh Government’s automatic voter registration pilots are discussed when Ministers from across the UK attend the regular meetings of the Interministerial Group (IMG) for Elections and Registration. The meetings are led by the ministers with election policy in their portfolios and meeting reports are then published by the government. Updates on the work relating to the Welsh pilots are a regular agenda item, with the most recent discussion taking place in February.

UK Government and Welsh Government officials are also in regular contact on a range of electoral conduct and registration topics, including the Welsh Government’s pilots on automatic electoral registration.

The 2026/27 Local Government Finance Settlement will make available almost £1.95 billion in core spending power (CSP) for standalone fire and rescue authorities (excluding York & North Yorkshire and Greater Manchester). This was the first multi-year funding Settlement in 10 years, giving services the certainty to plan and invest for the long term.

In 2026/27, all standalone services will see an above inflation increase in CSP, with services seeing CSP increases between 3.8% and 7.7% compared to 2025/26. By the end of the multi-year period, we will have provided a 12.75% increase in CSP compared to 2025/26.

Decisions on how resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each fire and rescue authority.

The Ministry will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure that fire and rescue services have the resources they need to protect communities.

The current Best Value arrangements for Woking and Spelthorne Borough Councils will lapse on West Surrey’s vesting day, due in April 2027, as these councils will be abolished. Commissioners are developing robust handover plans to facilitate a smooth transition into West Surrey. We are working with Commissioners and local stakeholders to consider how the new Council can effectively manage legacy issues moving forward, and what support it will need to deliver for its residents.

We are clear that Woking Borough Council’s debt cannot be managed in full locally. Further to our unprecedented commitment to repay in-principle an initial £500m of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026-27, we are committed to providing interim financial support to the new council until a final decision is made. It is crucial that any debt support must consider value for money for local and national taxpayers.