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 MHCLG Accounting Officer System statement, 17 July 2026, para 4.7.1, on what date was the Single Departmental Plan last updated, and whether it will be revised mid-year following the change in Prime Minister and Secretary of State.

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

The recent iteration of MHCLG’s Single Departmental Plan was published internally in April 2026 and shared with HMT. The next departmental plan will be published internally by April 2027, with preparations already underway to align it with the new Prime Minister and Secretary of State’s priorities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the status of the new fund for local authorities to provide asylum accommodation.

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

The Home Office is working across government to explore innovative models of asylum accommodation that achieve value for money and support asylum system reform and further detail will be provided in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to recommendation 17 of the document entitled The Rycroft Review: Report of the independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics, updated on 27 April 2026, her Department's document entitled The Rycroft Review: HM Government response, published on 6 July 2026, and the Prime Minister's Oral Statement of 1 September 2026 on Direction of Government, Official Report, columns 36 and 46, whether the Home Office's Permanent Secretary remains the lead on democracy and elections across Government following the recent restructuring of Government.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) (Security) (Jointly with the Cabinet Office)

The Home Office Permanent Secretary is the lead for defending democracy, having been appointed by the Cabinet Secretary following Recommendation 17 of the Rycroft Review. This is in support of my role as chair of the Defending Democracy Taskforce (DDTF).

Responsibility for elections policy sits with the Minister for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities and Faith.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (a joint Cabinet Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Unit) leads on election security and preparedness, and is a member of the DDTF.

The Cabinet Office are leading on assembling a new cross-Government task and finish team, which will be in conjunction with the work already delivered by the DDTF. The Taskforce operates across government to tackle the full range of national security threats to our democracy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2026, to Question 14978, on Community Development, and further to the guidance, Sustainable Communities Act and barrier busting: how to submit proposals, updated 2 July 2026, if she will publish the application form for Sustainable Communities Act bids.

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

Guidance for the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 invites local authorities to contact the department to receive a copy of the form used to submit a proposal under the Act. Local authorities can request a copy of this form by contacting [email protected]. The government has no current plans to publish this form but will keep this under review.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to prevent electoral wards and divisions being drawn up in a partisan manner as part of unitary local government restructuring; what criteria is used to assess electoral areas when submitted to her; and whether this will be included in the review announced on 7 September 2026.

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

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is the independent body responsible for setting electoral arrangements for councils. However, it cannot undertake an electoral review until a new council has been established in law. Where a proposal is implemented, councils are asked to suggest interim electoral arrangements for inclusion in the legislation establishing the new authority. Neither councils nor Ministers have the power to draw new electoral boundaries through this process. Instead, interim arrangements must be based on existing electoral areas, including district wards, county divisions, parishes and parish wards. Councils are expected to have regard to the Commission's published guidance when developing their suggestions, and the Commission offered support to councils undertaking this work earlier in the year.

The rapid review will consider the local government reorganisation programme as a whole, ensuring it is robust and aligns with the new Government’s plans to rewire the state.

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 oral statement by the Prime Minister of 1 September 2026, Official Report, whether she plans to revoke Regulation 45 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992.

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

The Government has no plans to ban councils from using enforcement agents to recover unpaid council tax. Councils are expected to act sympathetically towards those in hardship and use enforcement powers proportionately, but it is right that they retain appropriate tools to recover debt where necessary.

The Government recognises concerns about enforcement agents’ actions when recovering council tax and is taking steps to strengthen the oversight of the enforcement sector. On 28 August 2026, the Minister for Courts and Legal Services announced that all private enforcement agents will be subject to independent oversight by the Enforcement Conduct Board. This will give people who are facing enforcement action and are struggling financially greater protection and access to an independent complaints’ procedure.

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 Review of local government reorganisation launched, published on 7 September 2026, if she will outline a summary of the substantive grounds for which the Department's decision-making deemed to be unlawful, without disclosing the legal advice.

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

On 7 September 2026, the Secretary of State announced that decisions taken for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk would be withdrawn and that implementation of other local government reorganisation decisions would be paused while the Government considers next steps. It is a longstanding principle that the Government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the First Time Buyer ISA: Consultation, updated 29 June 2026, for what reason the pension saving option has been removed from the First Time Buyer ISA successor scheme which replaces the Lifetime ISA.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to making the aspiration of home ownership a reality for as many people as possible and recognises that the Lifetime ISA (LISA) is not working for everyone. Its dual purpose of supporting both home ownership and retirement saving can create complexity for savers.

The Government therefore consulted on a simpler, first-time-buyer focused ISA product. The consultation closed on 18 August, and we are carefully considering the responses received.

Until the new product is offered it will remain possible to open a LISA. Existing LISA holders, including those currently using the LISA for retirement, will continue to be able to use their accounts in line with the existing rules.

Savers, including the self-employed, will continue to benefit from generous tax relief on pensions savings via workplace and self-invested pensions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department plans to take to facilitate the transfer of armorial bearings from district and county councils to the new unitary authorities.

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

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether VAT is charged by HMRC on the overnight visitor levy set by councils in (a) Wales and (b) Scotland.

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

Under UK VAT law, VAT is charged on the full amount paid by a customer for the goods or services they are purchasing. Therefore, where an overnight visitor levy forms part of the consideration paid for accommodation, VAT is charged on the total amount paid, including the levy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to HMT, Treasury Minutes, CP1668, August 2026, para 7.2 (page 9), if she will list each of the significant challenges that have prevented the Government from updating official estimates of failed asylum seekers in the UK.

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

Producing official estimates of the number of failed asylum seekers is dependent on completion of work to re-establish the assured statistical datasets required after the transition of asylum caseworking to the new Atlas system.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the No10 press release entitled "Burnham means business: PM slashes business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues", of 23 July 2026, and the pledge to fully fund the reduction in business rates, whether there will be £100 million of increases in business rates by reducing reliefs.

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

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 4 September 2026, to Question 22095, on Urban Areas: Planning Permission, whether the new positive contribution will apply to (a) all businesses, and all business rate reliefs, or (b) only Retail, Hospitality and Leisure businesses.

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

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to HMT, Treasury Minutes, CP1668, August 2026, para 6.8 (page 8), if she will publish the comprehensive review of asylum accommodation contracts.

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

We have committed to provide further information to the Public Accounts Committee by December 2026. Consideration of what material can be published will be made in the usual way, taking account of commercial sensitivities and contractual obligations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to HMRC Research Programme: Updated July 2026, published in August 2026, entry: Tax Reliefs, Ref: 2324TRE04, Evaluation of tax reliefs intended to support house building, which organisation is undertaking the research, what are the terms of reference, and what is the timetable for the research to be completed.

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

This evaluation examines tax reliefs relevant to housebuilding. It aims to:

1. Assess stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the reliefs.
2. Understand how and when the tax reliefs are considered during the development process.
3. Explore the reliefs’ influence on project viability and housing supply.

Following a competitive tendering exercise, the contract to conduct this research project was awarded to Verian. A report on the findings will be published in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the reduction in business rates for pubs announced in July 2026 is subject to a subsidy limitation regime for individual businesses.

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

The 20 per cent relief announced in July will be available for all pubs, social clubs and all but the very largest live music venues.

The scope of the 20 per cent relief will broadly mirror the scope of the existing 15 per cent relief. ^[1]

Eligible social clubs must be open to the general public and permit drinks to be purchased at a bar. Social clubs include working men's clubs, ex-servicemen's clubs and other community membership clubs that are open to broad sections of the local community.

The 20 per cent relief will be awarded at the discretion of Local Authorities, who will determine eligibility using guidance published by the Government and based on existing definitions.

The Government will set out further details of the relief, including the treatment of the very largest venues, at the Budget.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pubs-and-live-music-venues-relief

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether residential asylum accommodation will be liable for the council tax surcharge.

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

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge is a new charge on owners of residential property in England worth £2m or more.

The Government consulted on a proposed list of discounts and exemptions. and a response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 9 June 2026, to Question 5344, on Council Tax: Surcharges, whether the powers of officers appointed by the Commissioners of His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs to undertake valuations for the new council tax surcharge will use the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as their statutory basis, or whether the Government intends to legislate to provide additional powers.

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

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge will be legislated for in Finance Bill 2026 and subject to Parliamentary approval in the normal way.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans his Department has to amend business rates for (a) pubs and nightclubs and (b) the thresholds for independent small businesses.

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

The Government has introduced permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. Local Authorities determine whether a hereditament meets the legislative definition of Retail, Hospitality or Leisure (RHL) and therefore qualifies for the RHL multiplier.

Full details of eligibility for the new multipliers are set out in the relevant statutory instrument (SI), which can be found online here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/1093/contents/ made with guidance to support in interpreting the SI found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/business-rates-multipliers-qualifying-retail-hospitality-or-leisure.

The Government recognises that pubs, social clubs and live music venues have faced significant pressures in recent years. Earlier this year, the Government cut every pub, social club and live music venues bill by 15 per cent and ensured bills will be frozen in real terms for a further two years.

The Government is now going further by introducing an additional 20 per cent cut for pubs, social clubs, and all but the very largest live music venues, building on the support already in place.

Further decisions on wider business rates reforms will be set out in the normal way at the Budget.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Valuation Office Agency annual report and accounts 2025-26, July 2026, p.22, if he will list each of the individual datasets use for the data collection and sales verification.

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

The Model Specification Document is published on gov.uk here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e6a9a08ac59d1882eaddf5/Model_specification_document.pdf

This sets out datasets used for data collection and sales verification under the heading Updating VOA Records on page 2.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Note 026 published on 5 August 2026 (a) applies to and (b) is mandatory for (i) local government and (ii) non-Civil Service Arm’s Length Bodies.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs) should be adopted and actioned by Central Government Departments, their Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies. Primary legislation would be required to set social value requirements for local government and non-Civil Service Arms Length Bodies. However, the PPN can be adopted on a voluntary basis.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate has the ONS made of the real terms change in house prices in each of the last twenty years in the (a) UK, (b) each constituent nation of the UK and (c) each local authority area of the UK.

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

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman Parliamentary Question of 9th September is attached.

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 answer of 7 July 2026 to Question HL1337 on Anti-Muslim Hostility, how her Department is engaging central and local public authorities on the new definition; and whether the engagement includes police forces.

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

The Department is engaging with sectors to consider the best approaches support effective implementation of the definition of anti-Muslim hostility.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 August 2026 to Question 15737 on Elections: Pilot Schemes, what was the topic of the planned protest on election day that lead to Plymouth City Council withdrawing from the pilot scheme.

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

Participation in the flexible voting pilots is voluntary and is a matter for Returning Officers, who are responsible for the conduct and security of elections in their area.

The Government is not in a position to comment on operational or security matters considered by the Returning Officer at Plymouth City Council.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the High Value Council Tax Surcharge consultations, published 19 May 2026, whether any single person discount will apply to the council tax surcharge.

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

The Government has consulted on the design of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, including proposed exemptions and support arrangements and will publish its response 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, which minister in her Department is responsible for issues relating to late-night licensing.

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

I am the minister responsible for late-night licensing in this department. However, the Home Office is the responsible department for licensing, more broadly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether civil servants in her Department who are assigned to London but permanently move to No10 North will lose their London weighting allowance; and whether they will be paid a relocation allowance.

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

Civil Servants who are permanently recruited to new departments move to the relevant terms and conditions of their new department. Number 10 North formally operates as part of the Cabinet Office and therefore any relevant pay and allowances for permanent positions recruited to in Number 10 North for staff moving from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) would be determined by Cabinet Office policies and practices rather than those applicable within MHCLG.

MHCLG does not pay a separate London weighting allowance. MHCLG does operate National and London pay bands, and has policies in place regarding the transfer to National pay bands from London pay bands upon a change in office location within the department. No relocation package is currently available in MHCLG at this point in time.

If there was a Machinery of Government change involving a formal transfer of staff and responsibilities under the Cabinet Office Statement of Practice (COSoP) the relevant terms and conditions would be considered in light of legislative practice.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer of 28 August 2026 to Question 18023, on Social Rented Housing: Eligibility, in what circumstances are immigrants who have no recourse to public funds eligible for (a) temporary accommodation and (b) homeless support from local housing authorities.

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

Eligibility for statutory homelessness assistance from housing authorities is determined by immigration status. In general, an applicant who is a person from abroad with a no recourse to public funds (NRPF) condition will not be eligible for assistance. Guidance on eligibility for homelessness services is set out in Chapter 7 of the Homelessness Code of Guidance Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities - Download this guidance - Guidance - GOV.UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the automatic voter registration pilots will cross constituency boundaries.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will test automated registration in a range of different locations and settings, with different characteristics and challenges.

We will develop criteria with the Electoral Commission to inform outreach to local authorities to as much as possible encourage the participation of a balanced range of areas, for example areas with different geographical, demographic and structural characteristics.

We want to ensure the pilots work effectively and we are considering the issue of constituency boundaries as part of the pilot design process.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 July 2026 to Question 14978, on Community Development, what Sustainable Communities Act bids have been submitted since 7 July 2026.

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

None.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the risk assessments on political donations in the Representation of the People Bill will apply to bequests where the donor has died.

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

Bequests are expressly recognised within the political finance regime. Where a bequest constitutes a donation under the relevant regime, it is treated as a political donation and subject to the relevant donation controls. Recipients must continue to comply with the existing statutory requirements for donations, including taking the steps required by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to establish whether a donation is permissible before it can be accepted.

All recipients of political contributions above £11,180 (as a single donation or by aggregation from the same donor in the relevant reference period) including relevant donations, regulated transactions and bequests, will need to carry out a risk assessment as required by the Know Your Donor regime. The recipient remains responsible for satisfying itself that it has complied with the statutory requirements in electoral law before accepting that donation, having regard to Electoral Commission guidance where relevant.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the moratorium on cryptocurrencies will apply to digital tokens and memecoins.

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

As announced on 25 March 2026, the ban applies to all cryptoassets of any value that meet the definition set out in the Government's amendment. This includes digital tokens and memecoins where they are a cryptographically secured digital representation of value or contractual rights that uses distributed ledger technology and can be transferred, stored or traded electronically.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 1 September 2026 to Question 17446, on Prayer: Public Places, whether the Home Office has issued guidance on whether silent public prayer is permissible in a safe access zone.

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

The Government is committed to protecting freedom of expression and religion, while ensuring that individuals can access abortion services without harassment or intimidation.

The legislation does not specify particular behaviours which are permissible or not permissible in safe access zone. It is for the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, who are operationally independent of Government, to determine whether conduct meets the threshold for an offence in the circumstances of a particular case.

The Crown Prosecution Service has published guidance which explains that activities such as vigils or silent prayer could fall within the scope of the offence depending on the intent and circumstances of the case. Operational guidance to police forces on the policing of safe access zones is provided by the College of Policing.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission provides on whether Commonwealth citizens can stand for election to (a) Parliament and (b) local government, and what are the necessary qualifications in terms of leave to remain.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission’s guidance for candidates and agents sets out the qualification requirements for UK parliamentary elections and local government elections in England. Commonwealth citizens must meet these requirements to stand, and they must either have indefinite leave to remain or not need leave to enter or remain.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission was consulted prior to the announcement of the cancellation of unitary elections in May 2027.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission was not consulted on the announcement of the cancellation of unitary elections in May 2027.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Government plans to make changes to the dispersal system for asylum seekers to different local authority areas.

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

The Home Office remains responsible for meeting its statutory obligations to accommodate asylum seekers under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Decisions on the procurement and allocation of asylum accommodation are therefore a matter for the Home Office.

The Department works closely with local authorities, Strategic Migration Partnerships and other local partners to inform decisions on asylum accommodation provision. Local authorities are consulted on proposed dispersed accommodation properties and are able to provide local information and intelligence to support decision-making.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions has the (a) Secretary of State and (b) Minister for Local Government had with (i) Birmingham City Council, (ii) the Best Value intervention team, (iii) trade unions on the bin strike in Birmingham.

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

During the acute phase of the waste dispute last year, the Government took decisive action in lock step with the Council to ensure waste in the city was safely and sustainably managed. The result was to establish a regular, reliable waste collection service despite industrial action.

The ongoing waste dispute is damaging for the residents and reputation of the great city of Birmingham. It is disappointing that a resolution has not yet been achieved, but this matter remains a local issue and is between Birmingham City Council, as the employer, and Unite, representing employees. The Government is not a party to this dispute, but we continue to urge both parties to work together to bring about a sustainable solution to end the strike, in the interests of the people of Birmingham.

We take the progress made across Birmingham City Council very seriously. A successful and prospering Birmingham is a priority for this government, and the department regularly engages with the Council in line with standard practice for statutory interventions. This is alongside receiving regular updates on progress from Commissioners, including on the waste dispute.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 28 August 2026 to Question 18180 on Air Conditioning, whether she plans to hold a public consultation on the Building Safety Regulator’s review of Part O.

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

The Government committed to undertaking a full technical review of Part O of the Building Regulations in its response to the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation. This review, which is being led by the Building Safety Regulator, is now underway.

The review will consider whether any changes to Part O or the associated statutory guidance are needed, informed by evidence from the 2023 call for evidence and stakeholder feedback. Ministers will consider how best to proceed once the review has concluded.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 28 August 2026 to Questions 18015 and 18016 on Political Parties: Finance, whether the new residency declaration and test will be retrospectively applied to donations since 25 March 2026 in relation to individuals continually registered as domestic electors but residing abroad.

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

The Government has been clear that donors contributing above the £100,000 annual cap should demonstrate a genuine and ongoing connection to the United Kingdom.

We are therefore considering ways to strengthen the residency requirements so that the policy achieves its intended effect and cannot be readily circumvented.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, for what reason the Public Works Loan Board is a non-discretionary lender; and what consideration has been given to the potential merits of it assessing the purpose of a municipal loan application.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury

The assessment of Public Works Loan Board loan applications is the responsibility of each local authority’s Section 151 (finance) Officer, who must be satisfied that they are acting in line with statute and affordability considerations. This framework preserves the principle that local authorities are accountable to their electorates for their decisions. The Public Works Loan Board prevents its loans being used to fund purely commercial investments, but otherwise operates as a non-discretionary lender.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Office for National Statistics has made an assessment of the impact of council tax levels on the cost of living.

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

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 9th September is attached.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) meetings and (b) correspondence she has had with Propertymark.

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

Details of ministerial meetings are published on gov.uk on a quarterly basis. The Secretary of State has not exchanged ministerial correspondence with Propertymark, not has she met with Propertymark since her reappointment.

Found: Concluding the debate for the Conservatives, David Simmonds, shadow minister for housing, communities