Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department's Access to Banking Services Review will consider the introduction of a baseline level of access to in-person banking services, including the potential contribution of the Post Office network.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring that people who need in-person banking can continue to access essential services.

That is why the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes to access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment and the scale of any detriment.

As part of this, the Review will consider existing forms of in-person banking provision. The Post Office provides banking services through over 10,000 branches via the Banking Framework agreement and, as such, the provision of services by the Post Office on behalf of banks will be considered as part of the Review.

The Access to Banking Services Review is being conducted on an independent basis. The Chair will provide a report and recommendations to the Government upon its conclusion, at which point the Government will consider any future actions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department's Access to Banking Services Review will assess the potential impact of the Post Office network on providing access to in-person banking services.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is committed to ensuring that people who need in-person banking can continue to access essential services.

That is why the Government commissioned an independent Review into Access to Banking Services, to assess whether changes to access to in-person banking services are causing consumer detriment and the scale of any detriment.

As part of this, the Review will consider existing forms of in-person banking provision. The Post Office provides banking services through over 10,000 branches via the Banking Framework agreement and, as such, the provision of services by the Post Office on behalf of banks will be considered as part of the Review.

The Access to Banking Services Review is being conducted on an independent basis. The Chair will provide a report and recommendations to the Government upon its conclusion, at which point the Government will consider any future actions.

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 No10 press release entitled PM vows to save hollowed out high streets with crackdown on vape and betting shops, published on10 August 2026, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the changes to planning on the number of empty shops.

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

To give communities and councils greater control over the future of their high streets, we will consult on new planning rules so that most shops changing use to vape shops and adult gaming centres will need to submit a planning application before opening. The consultation on the change will be published in the Autumn.

Whilst the introduction of a licensing for tobacco and vaping retailers using powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will strengthen enforcement, these changes will give councils greater powers to prevent clustering or new shops opening in inappropriate locations, such as near schools.

A clearer definition of a vape shop, combined with planning controls, will help local planning authorities identify and monitor premises whose primary purpose is the sale of vapes. Evidence on likely impacts and whether other premises should also be restricted will be gathered through consultation and considered before final policy decisions are made.

We will also review business rates reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities. Further detail will be set out at the Budget, following careful consideration of the impact of different policy options and definitions on different types of businesses.

These measures are initial steps towards a wider High Streets Strategy, to be published later this year.

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 Number 10 joint press release entitled Burnham means business: PM slashes business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues, published on 23 July 2026, whether she plans to place vaping shops into a different planning use class.

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

To give communities and councils greater control over the future of their high streets, we will consult on new planning rules so that most shops changing use to vape shops and adult gaming centres will need to submit a planning application before opening. The consultation on the change will be published in the Autumn.

Whilst the introduction of a licensing for tobacco and vaping retailers using powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will strengthen enforcement, these changes will give councils greater powers to prevent clustering or new shops opening in inappropriate locations, such as near schools.

A clearer definition of a vape shop, combined with planning controls, will help local planning authorities identify and monitor premises whose primary purpose is the sale of vapes. Evidence on likely impacts and whether other premises should also be restricted will be gathered through consultation and considered before final policy decisions are made.

We will also review business rates reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities. Further detail will be set out at the Budget, following careful consideration of the impact of different policy options and definitions on different types of businesses.

These measures are initial steps towards a wider High Streets Strategy, to be published later this year.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether tobacconists selling vaping products will be included in plans to remove business rate relief from and require planning permission for vaping shops.

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

To give communities and councils greater control over the future of their high streets, we will consult on new planning rules so that most shops changing use to vape shops and adult gaming centres will need to submit a planning application before opening. The consultation on the change will be published in the Autumn.

Whilst the introduction of a licensing for tobacco and vaping retailers using powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 will strengthen enforcement, these changes will give councils greater powers to prevent clustering or new shops opening in inappropriate locations, such as near schools.

A clearer definition of a vape shop, combined with planning controls, will help local planning authorities identify and monitor premises whose primary purpose is the sale of vapes. Evidence on likely impacts and whether other premises should also be restricted will be gathered through consultation and considered before final policy decisions are made.

We will also review business rates reliefs for businesses that do not make a positive contribution to local communities. Further detail will be set out at the Budget, following careful consideration of the impact of different policy options and definitions on different types of businesses.

These measures are initial steps towards a wider High Streets Strategy, to be published later this year.

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 10 Downing Street press release entitled PM hands mayors share of income tax to make lives better in every postcode, published on 30 July 2026, whether Cornwall be will be eligible for retained income tax revenue if it chooses not to enter a mayoral combined authority with Devon.

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

In the Cabinet Statement of 31 July, we set out our intention that mayors will keep a share of local income tax, replacing central government grants, beginning in 2028. For areas to benefit from this, they will therefore need to be part of a Mayoral Strategic Authority. We will not impose mayors on areas that do not want one, so local leaders would need to agree to a Mayoral Strategic Authority for their area, including the footprint of that Authority.

Cornwall Council is a unitary local authority that benefits from some devolved powers under arrangements agreed in 2023. We want all areas in England to have, or be in the process of establishing, a Strategic Authority by the end of 2027, with Strategic Authorities in place everywhere by the end of 2028. We are therefore in discussions with local leaders across the country, including in Cornwall, to agree plans for new Strategic Authorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether Cornwall has a constitutional status within the UK over and above its status as a county council.

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

In the Cabinet Statement of 31 July, we set out our intention that mayors will keep a share of local income tax, replacing central government grants, beginning in 2028. For areas to benefit from this, they will therefore need to be part of a Mayoral Strategic Authority. We will not impose mayors on areas that do not want one, so local leaders would need to agree to a Mayoral Strategic Authority for their area, including the footprint of that Authority.

Cornwall Council is a unitary local authority that benefits from some devolved powers under arrangements agreed in 2023. We want all areas in England to have, or be in the process of establishing, a Strategic Authority by the end of 2027, with Strategic Authorities in place everywhere by the end of 2028. We are therefore in discussions with local leaders across the country, including in Cornwall, to agree plans for new Strategic Authorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what percentage of local list business rates receipts are retained by each individual local billing authority in (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27, after the application of tariffs and top-ups; and which local government areas have business rate retention of (i) 75% and (ii) 100%.

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

The shares of non-domestic rating income retained by billing authorities and major precepting authorities is published annually as part of the national non-domestic rates (NNDR) data collection. The published NNDR returns for 2025-26 and 2026-27 can be found in the national non-domestic data collections.

Tariff and top-up amounts for local authorities is published as part of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement. The 2026-27 figures can be found in the Key Information Table for local authorities.

The proportion of business rates income retained by an authority after the application of tariffs and top-ups can be derived from these published sources, while also factoring levy and safety net amounts.

The Local Government Finance Report sets out which authorities have 100 per cent business rates retention arrangements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what net percentage of business rates revenues are retained by Westminster City Council, after tariffs, in 2026-27.

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

The shares of non-domestic rating income retained by billing authorities and major precepting authorities is published annually as part of the national non-domestic rates (NNDR) data collection. The published NNDR returns for 2025-26 and 2026-27 can be found in the national non-domestic data collections.

Tariff and top-up amounts for local authorities is published as part of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement. The 2026-27 figures can be found in the Key Information Table for local authorities.

The proportion of business rates income retained by an authority after the application of tariffs and top-ups can be derived from these published sources, while also factoring levy and safety net amounts.

The Local Government Finance Report sets out which authorities have 100 per cent business rates retention arrangements.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much of the £5.8 billion for Pride for Place is CDEL spend; and what is the profile of spending in each individual year of the programme.

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

The Government’s Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £5.8 billion of funding and support, including up to £3.8 billion capital funding, over 10 years to up to 284 places. Each community will receive up to £20 million over that period.

For Phase 1 places, funding is split 75% capital and 25% revenue. For Phase 2 places, funding is split 63% capital and 37% revenue, paid to respective local authorities in line with the published funding profiles, available on GOV.UK here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2026 to Question 8085 on Local Government: Israel, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the guidance issued by the Secretaries of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Business and Trade entitled Overseas business risk for Israel, updated on 9 June 2026, on investment decisions by Local Government Pension Fund schemes and on local authority procurement.

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

The guidance referred to, issued by the Secretaries of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Business and Trade, is a useful resource for institutional investors considering the business risks present in Israel. LGPS pools should always be considering financial risks present with any financial asset. Decisions on boycotts, divestment and sanctions are matters of UK foreign policy and are for central government, not local authorities. Authorities must continue to act in line with the law and relevant guidance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 8564, on Council tax, what is the maximum annual percentage increase in council tax for equalisation allowed under council tax harmonisation.

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

Annual increases in council tax levels in restructuring authorities are subject to referendum principles set by central government. The multi-year settlement set out that for the vast majority of councils, the government has maintained a core referendum threshold of 3% and a 2% adult social care precept.

When harmonising the council tax levels, the new unitary council may apply the referendum principle in one of two ways:

1) it can apply the principle to each individual predecessor area’s B and D council tax level; or

2) it can apply the principle to the entire new council area’s average Band D level

This latter approach means that the overall average increase across the new council’s area must not breach the referendum principle.

More information on council tax harmonisation can be found in the FAQ here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 8085 on Local Government: Israel, if she will make it her policy to undertake a desk-based research exercise by officials of which local authorities and Local Government Pension Schemes have adopted anti-Israeli boycott or divestment policies.

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

Government regularly monitors activity, both investment and otherwise, in the LGPS, including through the Scheme Advisory Board. The Department published statutory guidance on Investment Strategy Statements on 29th June 2026 which can be found here. As this set out, LGPS pools are responsible for implementing the investment strategies which their partner administering authorities have set, and strategies should not set exclusions for investments in individual countries, investment styles or companies.

Decisions on boycotts, divestment and sanctions are matters of UK foreign policy and are for central government, not local authorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 June 2026 to Question 8269 on Councillors, whether her Department has issued (a) guidance and (b) advice to local authorities on whether employees of (i) district and (ii) county councils, who are serving on a shadow unitary council, would be prohibited under the pecuniary interest and code of conduct rules from making substantive decisions relating to their current employer.

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

The Department has published implementation guidance that focuses on the role of the shadow council but has not issued specific guidance or advice to local authorities 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 Qq56-58 of the oral evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on 14 July 2026, HC 46, if she will set in what manner council has tax been reviewed to make it more progressive, and whether such work is continuing under the new Administration.

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

The Government remains committed to ensuring the council tax system is fair for taxpayers and local authorities and will continue to keep all parts of the system under review. The Chancellor makes announcements about tax policy at the Budget.

The Government recognises that that owners of the most valuable homes in the country pay far less tax on their properties than they should. That is why the Government will introduce the High Value Council Tax Surcharge from 2028 to be collected alongside council tax. It will be a national tax, the revenue will be used to fund local government, this will be set out at the spending review. We have noted developments in the devolved administrations, including Scotland, but council tax policy in England is determined for England.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment or consideration has been made for council tax policy in England of the proposals in the Scottish Government’s consultation entitled Consultation: Council Tax High-Value Property Bands (Mansion Tax), of 6 July 2026.

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

The Government remains committed to ensuring the council tax system is fair for taxpayers and local authorities and will continue to keep all parts of the system under review. The Chancellor makes announcements about tax policy at the Budget.

The Government recognises that that owners of the most valuable homes in the country pay far less tax on their properties than they should. That is why the Government will introduce the High Value Council Tax Surcharge from 2028 to be collected alongside council tax. It will be a national tax, the revenue will be used to fund local government, this will be set out at the spending review. We have noted developments in the devolved administrations, including Scotland, but council tax policy in England is determined for England.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much local authorities spent on (a) exit costs and (b) pension-related exit costs, in each of the last three years.

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

As independent employers, local authorities are responsible for decisions on employee exit payments. The Government publishes annual data on local authority exit payments in England, based on returns submitted by local authorities. This data includes pension-related exit costs. Data for the last three years is available on GOV.UK here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the process by which the review of statutory duties on local authorities is being undertaken; whether there has been consultation; what are the terms of reference of the review; and if she intends to publish a public list of duties.

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

We have engaged with the local government sector and other government departments to understand whether the duties placed on councils could be simplified or improved, while retaining the critical services that communities expect. This includes considering the legislation, guidance, reporting requirements, and other obligations placed on local authorities. We are reviewing responses and further updates will be provided in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 29 June 2026 to Question 11414, on Business Rates: Tax Yields, if she will publish the full submission and data tables provided by the Department to the OBR used for the March 2026 OBR update.

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

As set out in the answer to Question 11414 published on 29 June 2026, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) sets out the process for the forecast and information it requests from my department. Decisions on the publication of data used in or supporting its forecasts are therefore a matter for the OBR.

For information on the business rates forecast up to 2028-29 for England only, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer to question UIN HL323 on 4 June 2026.

For information on the business rates forecast for both 2029-30 and 2030-31 for England only, I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer to question UIN 11414 on 29 June 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much and what proportion of the average Band D council tax is comprised of the social care precept; and how much and what proportion of local council spending is spent on adult social care.

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

Council tax levels are set by individual local authorities and councils are directly accountable to their local communities for how they spend council tax. The total Council Tax Requirement for 2026-27 is £47 billion, representing 53% of local authorities’ Core Spending Power. The adult social care precept flexibility in 2026-27 accounts for £35, or 1.5%, of the average Band D council tax bill.

The proportion of this funding spent on adult social care varies between local authorities, reflecting differences in need, local priorities and council tax revenue raising ability.

As set out in the latest revenue outturn data, in 2024-25 local authorities spent £25.3 billion on adult social care, accounting for 42% of Core Spending Power in social care authorities. MHCLG’s revenue outturn collection for each financial year is published online here: Local authority revenue expenditure and financing - GOV.UK.

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 Qq56-58 of the oral evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on 14 July 2026, HC 46, what plans she has to review (a) single person discount on council tax and (b) other council tax discounts and exemptions.

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

The Government remains committed to ensuring the council tax system is fair for taxpayers and local authorities and will continue to keep all parts of the system under review. The Chancellor makes announcements about tax policy at the Budget.

The Government recognises that that owners of the most valuable homes in the country pay far less tax on their properties than they should. That is why the Government will introduce the High Value Council Tax Surcharge from 2028 to be collected alongside council tax. It will be a national tax, the revenue will be used to fund local government, this will be set out at the spending review. We have noted developments in the devolved administrations, including Scotland, but council tax policy in England is determined for England.

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 17 June 2026 to Question 8780, on Local Government: Reorganisation, what is the criteria for a council’s use of the committee system to be protected.

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

Councils operating the committee system are generally required to move to the leader and cabinet model. However, where a council has adopted the committee system more recently through either a public referendum or council resolution and remains within the relevant moratorium period, it may retain that model until the end of that period, after which a governance review must be undertaken.

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 OBR forecasts published in the answer of 29 June 2026, to Question 11413, on Council tax, table: 4.17 Local authority current expenditure, for what reason business rates retained by local authorities are forecast to fall from £23.3 billion in 2028-29 to £21.0 billion in 2029-30.

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

Business rates retained by local authorities are forecast to fall from 2028-29 to 2029-30 in table: 4.17 Local authority current expenditure in the answer to Question 11413 published on 29 June 2026 because a number of region wide enhanced business rates retention arrangements are assumed to end after 2028-29, as announced at Autumn Budget 2025. This includes arrangements for the Greater London Authority, the Liverpool City Region, Cornwall and the West of England which results in lower overall business rates retained by local authorities from 2029-30 onwards. The continuation of these arrangements will be subject to future policy decisions. Arrangements in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands are assumed to continue for the entire forecast period as these arrangements are on a longer-term footing.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has received written representations from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham on the (a) Local Government Finance Settlement and (b) the Fair Funding Review 2.0 and (c) council tax rises.

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

The Department regularly engages with local authorities and sector representatives on local government finance matters, including through the Local Government Finance Settlement and Fair Funding Review consultation process, and carefully considers the views provided. The Department does not routinely comment on discussions with individual stakeholders.

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 29 June 2026 to Question 11414, on Business Rates: Tax Yields, what is the reason for the 8 per cent in the department's estimated increase in business rate receipts from 2028-29 to 2029-30.

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

The increase in the department’s estimated business rate receipts from 2028-29 to 2029-30 in the answer to Question 11414 published on 29 June 2026 reflects a number of factors, including the impact of the next business rates revaluation expected in 2029-30, the ending of transitional relief associated with the 2026 revaluation, and the ending of Supporting Small Business Relief in 2028-29. The forecast also assumes continued growth in the business rates tax base and incorporates increases linked to forecast CPI inflation.

As is usual, any transitional relief support aligned to the 2029 revaluation will be considered and announced once the effects of the 2029 revaluation are known.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has had discussions with London CIV Local Government Pension Scheme pool on the divestment policies it is adopting.

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

The department regularly speaks to London CIV as it does with all LGPS pools.

The Department published statutory guidance on Investment Strategy Statements on 29th June 2026 which can be found here. As this set out, LGPS pools are responsible for implementing the investment strategies which their partner administering authorities have set, and strategies should not set exclusions for investments in individual countries, investment styles or companies.

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 4 June 2026 to Question HL323 on Business Rates, whether the figures for 2027-28 onwards include the effect of transitional relief being wound down.

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

The figures for 2027-28 onwards in the answer to question UIN HL323 published on 4 June 2026 include the effect of transitional relief associated with the 2026 revaluation reducing over time and ending by 2028-29.

As is usual, any transitional relief support aligned to the 2029 revaluation will be considered and announced once the effects of the 2029 revaluation are known.

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 timetable for the commencement of the Supplementary Vote electoral system for (a) Police and Crime Commissioner and (b) council mayoral election and by-elections.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 8998 on 16 June 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether fiat currency donations from monies derived from cryptoassets converted in (a) money or (b) other benefits are (i) impermissible or (ii) permissible donations under proposals for a retrospective moratorium on cryptocurrency donations to political parties and regulated donees.

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

The Government has accepted all recommendations of the Rycroft Review and is taking forward those requiring primary legislation through the Representation of the People Bill, which is currently before Parliament. A moratorium on political donations made via crypto assets has applied since 25 March 2026, and any amount donated in crypto assets will be banned under the Bill.

The question of fiat currency donations derived from crypto assets is distinct from a direct donation made in crypto assets. The Government recognises residual concerns that crypto assets could be converted into fiat currency before being donated and will set out further detail on the treatment of such donations 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 motion passed by the shadow West Surrey authority of 30 July 2026 to rename itself as West Surrey and South Middlesex, whether her department is taking to recognise the new name in its departmental publications.

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

Following the council meeting a request was made, which is being considered, for the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026 to be amended so the new council has a legal name of West Surrey and South Middlesex Council instead of West Surrey 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 10 Downing Street press release entitled PM hands mayors share of income tax to make lives better in every postcode, published on 30 July 2026, whether Surrey will be eligible for retained income tax revenue if it does not have a mayoral combined authority (a) across Surrey or (b) across Surrey and another county.

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

In the Cabinet Statement of 31 July, we set out our intention that mayors will keep a share of local income tax, replacing central government grants, beginning in 2028. For areas to benefit from this – including Surrey – they will need to be part of a Mayoral Strategic Authority.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on the domestic rates (a) regional and (b) district council rate for each local authority in Northern Ireland in 2026-27.

Answered by Sarah Owen - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Northern Ireland Office)

The Regional Rates and District Rates are the responsibility of the Executive and the relevant Local NI Councils respectively. My officials monitor developments and retain relevant information on the setting of both rates throughout the year. This allows the Government to consider in detail how the rates will impact the NI budget and economic investment.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 June 2026 to Question 6870 on Asylum: Housing, what is the timetable for publishing further public information on the local authority asylum accommodation model; and whether any pilots have taken place to date.

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 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the timetable for the introduction and implementation of the Overnight Visitor Levy Bill and associated new overnight accommodation tax.

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

The King's Speech in May set out the government's legislative priorities for the second session, which include a bill to introduce the overnight visitor levy. Further detail around implementation of the levy will follow the publication of the Government’s response to the consultation.

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 (a) mean and (b) median (i) cash and (ii) percentage (1) employer and (2) employment contribution to the Local Government Pension Scheme in England.

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

As the LGPS is a locally managed scheme, the Department does not publish statistics on employer or employee contribution rates.

The LGPS Scheme Advisory Board published an analysis of the 2025 Fund valuations in July 2026, which stated the mean contribution rate across all employers for the three years 2026-27 to 2028-29 as 16.5% of pensionable pay per annum, and the mean employee contribution rate in 2024-25 as 6.5%.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 2026, to Question 7451, on Visitor Levy, what is the timetable for (a) legislation on the overnight visitor levy and (b) the commencement date of the levy; and whether primary legislation will be required in addition to secondary legislation.

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

The Government is considering responses received to the consultation on the Overnight Visitor Levy, which closed on 18 February 2026, and will publish its formal response in due course.

The precise design and scope of the levy remain under consideration. The design, scope and commencement arrangements, including administrative details, will be set out, where relevant, in future legislation.

Subject to the legislation passed by Parliament, it will be for Mayors and strategic authorities to decide whether to introduce a levy in their area, in accordance with the relevant governance arrangements and following local consultation.

Business Improvement Districts are business-led organisations, and it will be for BID bodies and businesses within a BID area to determine whether to continue BID arrangements following any local decision to introduce a visitor levy.

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 13 July 2026 to Question 15748 on Council Tax: Greater London, whether a public sector equality duty assessment was undertaken in relation to the (a) Ministerial decision not to set council tax referendum requirements for those six councils and (b) the potential equality consequences of the assumed rises in council tax.

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

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Questions UIN 117748 on 11 March 2026 and UIN 17450 on 16 July 2026.

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 30 June 2026 to Question 12687 on Council Tax: Greater London, whether an impact assessment has been undertaken on the potential impact of the reduction in central government funding to the six councils on the delivery of frontline services, including if council tax does not increase.

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

I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Questions UIN 117748 on 11 March 2026 and UIN 17450 on 16 July 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will be able to levy the overnight visitor levy in addition to the current Business Rate Improvement District levy on hotels and overnight accommodation in Greater Manchester.

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

The Government is considering responses received to the consultation on the Overnight Visitor Levy, which closed on 18 February 2026, and will publish its formal response in due course.

The precise design and scope of the levy remain under consideration. The design, scope and commencement arrangements, including administrative details, will be set out, where relevant, in future legislation.

Subject to the legislation passed by Parliament, it will be for Mayors and strategic authorities to decide whether to introduce a levy in their area, in accordance with the relevant governance arrangements and following local consultation.

Business Improvement Districts are business-led organisations, and it will be for BID bodies and businesses within a BID area to determine whether to continue BID arrangements following any local decision to introduce a visitor levy.

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 intended commencement date for mayoral authorities to start charging the overnight visitor levy.

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

The Government is considering responses received to the consultation on the Overnight Visitor Levy, which closed on 18 February 2026, and will publish its formal response in due course.

The precise design and scope of the levy remain under consideration. The design, scope and commencement arrangements, including administrative details, will be set out, where relevant, in future legislation.

Subject to the legislation passed by Parliament, it will be for Mayors and strategic authorities to decide whether to introduce a levy in their area, in accordance with the relevant governance arrangements and following local consultation.

Business Improvement Districts are business-led organisations, and it will be for BID bodies and businesses within a BID area to determine whether to continue BID arrangements following any local decision to introduce a visitor levy.

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 has given to Parliamentary candidates and agents on whether Representation of the People Act candidate returns must provide invoices for (a) directly incurred expenditure and (b) expenditure paid for through their political party.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission has produced guidance on the records a candidate should keep in order to comply with their reporting responsibilities.

Candidates need to provide invoices for payments they, their agent or anyone authorised to spend on their behalf make. In the case of a political party spending on their behalf, a declaration of the value of the spending must be made.

The Commission encourages candidates to include evidence of the value of notional spending in order to provide greater transparency for voters.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what representations has the Electoral Commission previously made to HM Government on the Government publicly consulting on the implementation of the measures in the Government’s 2025 Elections Strategy.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission has said that any legislative change on elections should be informed by the experience and insight of the electoral community, including electoral administrators, political parties and the wider regulated community. This will help ensure the Bill’s measures are implemented in a workable manner. It has discussed how to do this with the Government.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has been informed of the date and elections of the introduction of the lower voting age.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The UK Government has confirmed it intends for the voting age to be lowered in time for the May 2028 elections, subject to Parliamentary progress of the Bill. I refer the Hon. Gentleman to the answer given to Question 15614.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what estimate the Electoral Commission has made of the level of family voting in polling stations in Birmingham in the May 2026 local elections.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission’s assessment of the May 2026 elections will be published in a post-poll report shortly.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what the (a) FTE and (b) headcount level is of staffing of the Electoral Commission; whether there are plans to increase that figure; and what assessment the Speaker’s Committee has made of the potential impact of measures in the Representation of the People Bill on staffing requirements.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

As of 2 September, the Commission’s FTE level is 295.5 and its headcount level is 300.

The Commission is evaluating the measures in the Representation of the People Bill and will discuss any budgetary changes with the Speaker’s Committee.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the comments of her predecessor on LBC of 14 October 2025, whether (a) her Department has and (b) the Best Value Ministerial Envoys have made an assessment of the sponsorship by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets of the Muslim Charity Run; and whether her Department has issued Best Value guidance to local authorities on supporting sex-segregated events which do not provide equal participation opportunities for both sexes.

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

Ministerial Envoys in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets are supporting the council to tackle Best Value failure, including in relation to its partnerships and community engagement. The Department receives regular reports from Envoys on progress and challenges. Envoys do not routinely report on operational matters considered as part of their day-to-day work.

The Department’s Best Value guidance makes clear our expectation for councils to promote social cohesion, and ensure services they deliver meet the needs of different groups in the community. This is in addition to councils’ statutory obligations to ensure equal opportunities for participation under the Equality Act 2010.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether there are council tax discounts, exemptions and disregards in relation to asylum seekers under arrangements made under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; and whether there are provisions which amend the hierarchy of liability for asylum seekers.

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

The council tax (Liability for Owners) Regulations 1992 does not set out dwellings exempt or discounted from council tax. Instead, it prescribes classes of dwellings where the owner of the dwelling is liable for council tax, rather than the occupant. Therefore, where the dwelling has been provided to an asylum seeker under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the owner will be liable rather than the occupants. The government does not collect data on the dwellings within the classes prescribed by the regulations.

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 28 January 2026, to Question 107022, on Local Government: Reorganisation, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of using her powers under Section 4A of the Local Government Act 1986 to direct compliance with the Recommended Code of Practice for Local Authority Publicity in relation to West Yorkshire Combined Authority's contract reference 20250627172243-103257, awarded to Lexington Communications.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon. member to the answer of 20^th April 2026, UIN 124733.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 7455 on Students: Community Relations, whether her Department assessed the National Union of Students' position to oppose Prevent activity on university campuses when deciding to co-create a cohesion charter; and if the charter will reference Prevent.

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

The department formally re-engaged with the National Union of Students (NUS) on 18 November 2024. This followed progress by the NUS in addressing concerns about antisemitism, including its acceptance and implementation of the recommendations of the independent inquiry led by Rebecca Tuck KC.

Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, universities must have due regard to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism.

The (NUS) has publicly opposed the Prevent programme and the department is aware of this position. However, the government is clear that higher education providers remain subject to their statutory Prevent duty.

The Cohesion Framework, being developed by the department, the University of Salford and the NUS, aims to promote belonging, empathy and social cohesion on and beyond campus. It will establish principles to support constructive student engagement. A first draft of the framework will be produced by the end of the year, working with students across the country.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2026 to Question 7455 on Students: Community Relations, on what date her Department officially re-engaged with the National Union of Students.

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

The department formally re-engaged with the National Union of Students (NUS) on 18 November 2024. This followed progress by the NUS in addressing concerns about antisemitism, including its acceptance and implementation of the recommendations of the independent inquiry led by Rebecca Tuck KC.

Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, universities must have due regard to preventing people from being drawn into terrorism.

The (NUS) has publicly opposed the Prevent programme and the department is aware of this position. However, the government is clear that higher education providers remain subject to their statutory Prevent duty.

The Cohesion Framework, being developed by the department, the University of Salford and the NUS, aims to promote belonging, empathy and social cohesion on and beyond campus. It will establish principles to support constructive student engagement. A first draft of the framework will be produced by the end of the year, working with students across the country.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued on eligibility tests for the Class F exemption for asylum seekers under regulation 2 of the Council Tax (Liability for Owners) Regulations 1992; and whether data is available by local authority for the number of Class F dwellings in 2025.

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

The council tax (Liability for Owners) Regulations 1992 does not set out dwellings exempt or discounted from council tax. Instead, it prescribes classes of dwellings where the owner of the dwelling is liable for council tax, rather than the occupant. Therefore, where the dwelling has been provided to an asylum seeker under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the owner will be liable rather than the occupants. The government does not collect data on the dwellings within the classes prescribed by the regulations.

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 10 Downing Street press release entitled PM hands mayors share of income tax to make lives better in every postcode, published on 30 July 2026, whether central government grants will be reduced to compensate for the increased revenue to mayoral combined authorities from income tax.

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

The government has committed to replace grants from central government with a share of local income tax for every mayor beginning in 2028. I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the ‘Rewiring the State’ Cabinet Statement published on 31 July 2026.

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 13 October 2025, to Question 77627, on Eden Project: Morecambe, and with reference to the Eden Project North, what is the latest timetable for the completion of the project according to information held by his department.

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

Following the Government's funding simplification reforms, the Levelling Up Fund was consolidated into the Local Regeneration Fund, which honoured all previous commitments. Lancaster City Council have been awarded up to £50 million for the Eden Project North.

The Government award is not dependent on match funding. An assessment of wider project funding was undertaken as part of the approval of the business case to ensure project deliverability.

Based on the latest information held by MHCLG, Lancaster City Council forecast that the Eden Project North will complete in October 2028.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Eden Project North will receive £50 million of Government funding; whether the allocation has changed following the cancellation of the Levelling up Fund; and what proportion of government funding is dependent on matched funding.

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

Following the Government's funding simplification reforms, the Levelling Up Fund was consolidated into the Local Regeneration Fund, which honoured all previous commitments. Lancaster City Council have been awarded up to £50 million for the Eden Project North.

The Government award is not dependent on match funding. An assessment of wider project funding was undertaken as part of the approval of the business case to ensure project deliverability.

Based on the latest information held by MHCLG, Lancaster City Council forecast that the Eden Project North will complete in October 2028.

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 23 June 2026 to Question 9587 on Public Expenditure, if she will provide a breakdown of the £62 billion of long-term funding commitments, including the amount in each year outside the Spending Review period, by individual programme.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 198 on 21 May 2026 for a breakdown of programmes funded through the £62 billion of long-term funding commitments made by MHCLG.

Government does not usually publish year-by-year spend on specific programmes in advance. We will continue to publish past year’s expenditure figures in the department's Annual Report and Accounts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many special advisers from the previous Secretary of State have (a) left Crown Service and (b) been retained.

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

Information on the number of special advisers serving in Government is published annually in the Report on Special Advisers.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Department will send a reply to the letter from the Rt Hon Member for Braintree to the Secretary of State of 2 April 2026 on unfunded spending commitments, sent in reply to the letter to the Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition of 21 March 2026.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answers given to UIN 189 and UIN 198 and on 21 May 2026, UIN 9587 on 23 June 2026, and UIN 11404 on 29 June 2026 for information on the £62bn of long-term funding commitments made by MHCLG, including engagement with other political parties and a breakdown of programmes funded through these commitments.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what are the current work streams of the Mayoral Data Council.

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

The Mayoral Data Council (MDC) brings together senior data leaders from Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) to improve how data is used, shared and developed across all layers of government. It provides a collective voice for MSAs on national data issues, helping to shape central government policy while reflecting local priorities The Council focuses on 3 key areas:

• building capability and sharing best practice
• influencing cross-government data strategy
• improving data sharing across organisational boundaries

The Council is chaired by Katherine Fairclough, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region. In 2025-2026 the MDC workstreams are focused on:

• Knowledge exchange: Sharing reusable tools and examples to help MSAs build confidence with data and AI and developing a framework for data and AI maturity.
• Representing local priorities: providing regional views and inputs into national initiatives, for example the 2026 Devolution White Paper,
• Making data sharing easier and safer across all layers of government: focusing specifically on data on young people Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEETs).

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 annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 95, whether there will be further voluntary exits in 2026-27; and whether there will be compulsory redundancies.

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

There are currently no plans for a further Voluntary Exit Scheme like the one the department carried out recently or any Compulsory Redundancies in 2026-27. However, the department reviews its workforce requirements and plans regularly. The department does use Mutually Agreed Exits infrequently where it is right to do so and in line with our policies and processes. Mutually Agreed Exits are a form of Voluntary Exit, and the same Civil Service Compensation Scheme 2010 terms apply.

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 20 October 2025 to Question 78210, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: London Allowance, if she will publish that agreement on designating Hemel Hempstead as Greater London.

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

The application of the MHCLG London pay scale to the Hemel Hempstead office relates to a historic decision and wider contractual pay agreement reached with Departmental Trade Unions. There is no written policy governing this area and the arrangements operate on the basis of established custom and 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 19 June 2026 to Question 8783, and of 18 June 2026, to Question 8574, on MHCLG: Staff, what was the equivalent figure on assigned staff recorded as working from each of the regional offices on 19 June 2026.

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

The Department has provided the number of individuals recorded as attending the office on the specified date, Friday 19 June. This figure is not directly comparable to headcount figures, as headcount does not take account of individual working patterns, part-time arrangements, or scheduled periods of leave.

The table includes both the number of employees attending their assigned office and the total number of visits to each office. As staff are able to attend any departmental office, total visits may include employees whose assigned office is elsewhere, while some employees may have attended an office other than their assigned location. In addition, the figures do not account for employees who were undertaking external visits or other work-related activity away from a departmental office on that day.

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 19 June 2026, to Question 8783, on MHCLG: Staff, what was the equivalent figure on assigned staff recorded as working from 2 Marsham Street office on 19 June 2026.

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

The Department has provided the number of individuals recorded as attending the office on the specified date, Friday 19 June. This figure is not directly comparable to headcount figures, as headcount does not take account of individual working patterns, part-time arrangements, or scheduled periods of leave.

The table includes both the number of employees attending their assigned office and the total number of visits to each office. As staff are able to attend any departmental office, total visits may include employees whose assigned office is elsewhere, while some employees may have attended an office other than their assigned location. In addition, the figures do not account for employees who were undertaking external visits or other work-related activity away from a departmental office on that day.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has spent money on social and digital influencers since July 2024.

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

Today’s media landscape is unrecognisable compared with even a decade ago, and the way the public receives information and communicates has changed drastically in this time. Government has a duty to engage with the public where they are, using channels and voices they trust to ensure all citizens can access government services, information and support - meeting audiences where they are.

The total spend since July 2024 is £114,831.95, which includes agency and wider fees.

Social media content creators are paid fairly for their services, time and expertise in content creation. Their work reaches people directly on the channels they use daily. Without targeted campaigns to inform the public on subjects like renters’ rights reform or social housing tenants’ rights, millions of citizens would miss out on the services and support to which they are entitled. Guidelines for influencer and content creator marketing were created by the Government Communication Service and first published internally in November 2023.

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 annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 30, what the criteria are to join the Going Forward into Employment Civil Service Masterclasses programme; whether civil servants joining via the scheme must be from a working class socio-economic background; and what the formal definition is of a lower social mobility background.

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

Civil Service Masterclasses is an MHCLG accredited scheme that falls under the Going Forward into Employment (GFiE) network. GFiE is a network of over 20 pathways across the Civil Service that civil servants can use to recruit people into the service who face barriers to employment.

The Civil Service Masterclass offers a 2-week face to face programme for individuals from areas of low social mobility, breaking down barriers and allowing individuals to learn in a practical setting. Since launch, Masterclasses have been delivered in Liverpool City region and Manchester.

The defining criteria overall are to recruit individuals who would typically face barriers when applying for Civil Service roles and focuses on enhancing social mobility for the Civil Service. The criteria are:

• Social Mobility
• Right to work in UK and Civil Service
• No previous Civil Service employment
• Civil Service Nationality Rules
• Age
• Criminal Records Check

Social Mobility refers to the difference between your life outcomes and those of your parents. During the sourcing stage, individuals are required to complete an Expression of Interest form. Within this form, they are asked 3 social mobility questions. These are:

1. What was the occupation of your main household earner when you were aged about 14?

2. Did either of your parents attend university by the time you were 18?
3. Compared to people in general, would you describe yourself as coming from a lower socio-economic background?

The answers to the above 3 questions will then determine whether the individual will come from a lower social mobility background.

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 24 June 2026 to Question 10162, for what reason the Facility Agreement was released under the Freedom of Information Act.

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

The Facility Agreement was released as the relevant sensitivities had reduced over time, and disclosure supported transparency around departmental oversight of the Housing Fund.

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 20 October 2025 to Question 78249 on Licensed Premises, what the status is of the introduction of hospitality zones; and whether there will be (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation on that issue.

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

The government has been considering a number of measures to further support the hospitality and nighttime industries, and is looking to build on the July 2026 announcement to cut business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues. Currently, there are no plans to introduce specific legislation on hospitality zones, but we are working with other government departments to explore how we can encourage more local authorities to use existing powers and tools to establish night-time economy and hospitality zones.

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 corrected answer of 29 June 2026 to Question 7833, on Local Government Finance: West Surrey, what specific loans in the Woking Borough Council debt will be written off by the Government, and which loans will remain owed by the council.

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

On 28 October 2025, the Government announced its commitment to repay £500m of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026-27 ahead of the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey (Written statement). This decision followed assurance over the council’s financial position, the council’s commitment to manage and to reduce debt locally within their capacity, and consideration of overall Value for Money for local and national taxpayers.

Subsequently, the Government has worked closely with the Council and its Commissioners to agree the details and timing of the loan repayments process. The first two payments towards Woking’s loans held with the Public Works Loan Board were made on the 1^st and 3^rd September 2026. This process will continue until the end of this financial year in March 2027, fulfilling the Government’s commitment.

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 annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, p.56, what was the longest amount of time for an item of correspondence in 2025-26 to receive a reply, where a substantive reply was sent.

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

The longest amount of time an item of correspondence to receive a substantive reply in 2025-26 was 190 working days.

The average amount of time for correspondence to receive a substantive reply in 2025-26 was 18 working days.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Government Property Agency plans to change policy guidance on toilets in departmental buildings in response to the (i) Supreme Court ruling of [2025] UKSC and (ii) implementation of revised 2024 Approved Document T: Toilet Accommodation building regulations, in relation to the (a) removal of legacy gender-neutral toilets on the government estate, (b) provision of separate single-sex toilets for men and for women and (c) provision of universal toilets in addition to separate single-sex toilets.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Government Property Agency is committed to ensuring that the portion of government estate it manages complies with all relevant legislation, including the 2024 Approved Document T and the April 2025 Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers.

The GPA has updated its policy to ensure that both single-sex and universal welfare facilities are provided in all government workspaces and buildings that it manages. For capital projects and significant refurbishments, facilities are provided in line with the Government Workplace Design Guide V4.0.

Regarding legacy gender-neutral facilities (those that do not meet the requirements of a ‘universal toilet’ as described in Approved Document T) on the existing estate, the GPA is currently auditing these spaces on its estate and developing a programme for lifecycle replacement or refurbishment as required to align them with the updated guidance. The GPA is conducting proportionality assessments across its estate to determine necessary physical or signage changes.

The GPA mandates the provision of single-sex welfare facilities across its managed workspaces.

In addition to single-sex facilities, a minimum of one universal toilet-room will be provided in each GPA-managed building.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the correspondence, Local Audit Office chair: appointment of 1 July 2026, whether a declaration of political activity was made.

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

Candidates applying for public appointments are required to declare relevant political activity as part of their application. Where declared, political activity for successful candidates is publicly disclosed in line with the requirements of the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

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 timetable for the central government payments in relation to Woking Borough Council’s debt.

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

On 28 October 2025, the Government announced its commitment to repay £500m of Woking Borough Council’s debt in 2026-27 ahead of the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation in Surrey (Written statement). This decision followed assurance over the council’s financial position, the council’s commitment to manage and to reduce debt locally within their capacity, and consideration of overall Value for Money for local and national taxpayers.

Subsequently, the Government has worked closely with the Council and its Commissioners to agree the details and timing of the loan repayments process. The first two payments towards Woking’s loans held with the Public Works Loan Board were made on the 1^st and 3^rd September 2026. This process will continue until the end of this financial year in March 2027, fulfilling the Government’s commitment.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the HMT press release, Treasury to call time on uncertainty for pubs and hotels, 24 August 2026, whether Jerry Schurder is a direct ministerial appointment; and whether he will be remunerated.

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

Jerry Schurder was appointed as a Direct Ministerial Appointment to lead an independent review of the valuation methodology used to assess pubs and hotels for business rates purposes. As set out at “Search results – Direct ministerial appointments – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK” he receives remuneration in this role and was appointed on the basis of his relevant expertise and experience.

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 annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 128, what is Operation Gadget, what is the specific nature of the contingent liability of Operation Gadget Bus Case; and what is the timetable for including in the supply estimate.

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

The unquantifiable contingent liability disclosed in the MHCLG Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, described as ‘Operation Gadget Bus Case’, was included in the Main Supply Estimates 2026-27, published 26 April 2026. The liability was described in the Main Estimates as follows:

“A non-quantifiable contingent liability exists in relation to the ongoing Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) proceedings under the 1975 UK–Singapore Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments. MHCLG is contributing 50% (DESNZ the other 50%) of the government’s legal costs to represent them against West Cumbria Mining (WCM) and its investor, Woodhouse Investment Pte (WIP) (“the claimant”). DBT are responsible for managing the government’s defence in the ISDS case. A mediation panel will make a decision by 1 June 2030 as to whether the government is deemed to have breached the terms of the Agreement. In the event of an adverse outcome on the case, where the government is deemed to have breached the terms of the agreement, either partially or fully, the government will be required to pay damages to the claimant.”

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2026 to Question 13145 on MHCLG: Cognizant, if she will list each of the priorities that are tracked on the dashboard.

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

The dashboard is currently being updated.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is her policy on local authorities operating a four day week on full-pay, and whether she intends to re-issue Best Value guidance or interventions on the matter.

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

Local authorities are independent employers responsible for managing and organising their own workforces.

The 2024 Best Value guidance includes ‘Council staff undertaking part-time work for full-time pay without compelling justification’ as one indicator of potential failure but makes clear the indicators are illustrative and no single metric automatically leads to inspection or intervention. The Department is currently consulting on revised statutory Best Value guidance.

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 10 June 2026, to Question 5955, on Council Tax, and with reference to the Fair funding share calculator: final, of 9 February 2026, what is the assumed average council tax per dwelling of each local billing authority in 2026-27, against which its council tax is compared with the notional average council tax in England of £2,063.

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

The department does not make such a comparison.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2026 to Question 13136 on Mo Bains, if she will list those declared interests.

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

Further to the answer of 3 July 2026 to Question 13136, Mo Baines’ declared interests are published in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s Register of Board Members’ Interests, which is available on GOV.UK

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 17 July 2026 to Question 18594 on Homelessness: Finance, how much funding was allocated for rough sleeping in each year of the Spending Review period.

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

To support local authorities, we have introduced significant reforms to how we deliver this funding to councils, to provide multi-year certainty and greater flexibility for them to be able to tailor services to meet local needs.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant (HRSDAG) is worth £2.7bn over 3 years. Further information can be found at the following links:

• Details of previous grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-note-on-funding-simplification-consolidated-grants-and-draft-conditions-final
• Allocations of HRSDAG for 2026-27 to 2028-29 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocations-tables-for-all-consolidated-grants-from-2026-2027-to-2028-29-final

Allocations of other homelessness and rough sleeping grants, including the new Rough Sleeping Programme, are also published on GOV.UK, as are historic allocations of grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG.

Information about total levels of homelessness and rough sleeping spend by local authorities are published through the annual Revenue Outturn release.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate the ONS has made of annual percentage increases in private sector rents in each nation of the United Kingdom in each of the last three years.

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 Rt. Hon Member’s Parliamentary Question of 28 August 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 MHCLG annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page17, how much (a) CDEL and (b) RDEL was allocated to the (i) Homelessness Accommodation Programme, (ii) Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots and (iii) Long-Term Rough Sleeping Accommodation Pilots in 2025-26; whether this was included in the £1 billion figure for 2025-26, and how much has been allocated for 2026-27.

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

To support local authorities, we have introduced significant reforms to how we deliver this funding to councils, to provide multi-year certainty and greater flexibility for them to be able to tailor services to meet local needs.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant (HRSDAG) is worth £2.7bn over 3 years. Further information can be found at the following links:

• Details of previous grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-note-on-funding-simplification-consolidated-grants-and-draft-conditions-final
• Allocations of HRSDAG for 2026-27 to 2028-29 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocations-tables-for-all-consolidated-grants-from-2026-2027-to-2028-29-final

Allocations of other homelessness and rough sleeping grants, including the new Rough Sleeping Programme, are also published on GOV.UK, as are historic allocations of grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG.

Information about total levels of homelessness and rough sleeping spend by local authorities are published through the annual Revenue Outturn release.

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 annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 17, what the breakdown is of spending for homelessness and rough sleeping in each year between 2026-27 and 2028-29; and how much is being allocated in each year outside the Local Government Finance Settlement.

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

To support local authorities, we have introduced significant reforms to how we deliver this funding to councils, to provide multi-year certainty and greater flexibility for them to be able to tailor services to meet local needs.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant (HRSDAG) is worth £2.7bn over 3 years. Further information can be found at the following links:

• Details of previous grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-note-on-funding-simplification-consolidated-grants-and-draft-conditions-final
• Allocations of HRSDAG for 2026-27 to 2028-29 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocations-tables-for-all-consolidated-grants-from-2026-2027-to-2028-29-final

Allocations of other homelessness and rough sleeping grants, including the new Rough Sleeping Programme, are also published on GOV.UK, as are historic allocations of grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG.

Information about total levels of homelessness and rough sleeping spend by local authorities are published through the annual Revenue Outturn release.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the answer of 5 August 2026, to Question HL2418, on Homelessness, in which financial years is the £340 million allocated; whether it is a cumulative figure; and whether it is wholly RDEL spending or whether it includes CDEL.

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

To support local authorities, we have introduced significant reforms to how we deliver this funding to councils, to provide multi-year certainty and greater flexibility for them to be able to tailor services to meet local needs.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant (HRSDAG) is worth £2.7bn over 3 years. Further information can be found at the following links:

• Details of previous grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-note-on-funding-simplification-consolidated-grants-and-draft-conditions-final
• Allocations of HRSDAG for 2026-27 to 2028-29 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocations-tables-for-all-consolidated-grants-from-2026-2027-to-2028-29-final

Allocations of other homelessness and rough sleeping grants, including the new Rough Sleeping Programme, are also published on GOV.UK, as are historic allocations of grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG.

Information about total levels of homelessness and rough sleeping spend by local authorities are published through the annual Revenue Outturn release.

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 annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 17, whether the core spending power figures for the 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement include funding for homelessness and rough sleeping.

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

To support local authorities, we have introduced significant reforms to how we deliver this funding to councils, to provide multi-year certainty and greater flexibility for them to be able to tailor services to meet local needs.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant (HRSDAG) is worth £2.7bn over 3 years. Further information can be found at the following links:

• Details of previous grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-note-on-funding-simplification-consolidated-grants-and-draft-conditions-final
• Allocations of HRSDAG for 2026-27 to 2028-29 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocations-tables-for-all-consolidated-grants-from-2026-2027-to-2028-29-final

Allocations of other homelessness and rough sleeping grants, including the new Rough Sleeping Programme, are also published on GOV.UK, as are historic allocations of grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG.

Information about total levels of homelessness and rough sleeping spend by local authorities are published through the annual Revenue Outturn release.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what date the Elections Strategy was rebranded as the Elections White Paper.

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

The Government has not rebranded the Elections Strategy - entitled Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections - as the Elections White Paper.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the No10 press release, Prime Minister launches national drive to get everyone in for Christmas, 18 August 2026, how much (1) RDEL and (2) CDEL was previously allocated to (i) homelessness and (ii) rough sleeping in each year from 2023-24 ; and what the latest profile is of (1) RDEL and (2) CDEL spending on (i) homelessness and (ii) rough sleeping in each year of the Spending Review period.

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

To support local authorities, we have introduced significant reforms to how we deliver this funding to councils, to provide multi-year certainty and greater flexibility for them to be able to tailor services to meet local needs.

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Grant (HRSDAG) is worth £2.7bn over 3 years. Further information can be found at the following links:

• Details of previous grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/explanatory-note-on-funding-simplification-consolidated-grants-and-draft-conditions-final
• Allocations of HRSDAG for 2026-27 to 2028-29 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocations-tables-for-all-consolidated-grants-from-2026-2027-to-2028-29-final

Allocations of other homelessness and rough sleeping grants, including the new Rough Sleeping Programme, are also published on GOV.UK, as are historic allocations of grants now consolidated in the HRSDAG.

Information about total levels of homelessness and rough sleeping spend by local authorities are published through the annual Revenue Outturn release.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information her Department holds on the estimated change in private rent sector rents for an average (a) flat and (b) house, in (1) London and (2) England, since July 2024, in absolute cash and percentage terms.

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

A response to the Rt. Hon gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 28th August 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 her Department's document entitled Rycroft Review response: letter to parliamentary parties, published on 7 July 2026, what is the rationale for the policy of a modified version of the cap on any individual who moves to the UK from 6 July 2026 and who was not registered as an overseas elector on or after 25 March 2026; and whether the modified cap applies to domestic electors who were not UK resident.

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

We acted immediately when we accepted the recommendation from the Rycroft Review to cap donations from overseas electors, and announced retrospective arrangements from the day of announcement, 25 March 2026.

We have since identified similar risks associated with other individuals returning to the UK. Therefore, this modified cap will apply to any individual who moves to the UK from 6 July, and who was not registered as an overseas elector on or after 25 March 2026.

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 Freedom of Information Act response FOI2026/17558 of 20 July 2026, on what date the Department deleted the responses to the Call for Evidence on the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition; whether this included deleting the organisational responses; and whether the Department holds any whole or partial list of which organisations responded.

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

The Call for Evidence was undertaken to support the independent Working Group on a definition of anti-Muslim hostility. The information collected through the exercise contained personal and special category data. The published Privacy Notice in the Call for Evidence form stated that the data would be shared with the Working Group and used for the purposes of the Working Group only.

In line with that Privacy Notice, the data was processed for the purposes of supporting the Working Group and retained for a period while Ministers considered the Working Group's advice. As per the commitment in the Privacy Notice and in accordance with the GDPR requirements for personal and special category data, the underlying dataset was then disposed of. This included responses submitted by both individuals and organisations.

The Government does not routinely publish the details of individual respondents to calls for evidence.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the House of Commons Registrar will play any role in providing advice to Hon Members on the new due diligence requirements on political donations to Hon Members, and what consideration has been made of a ‘safe harbour’ provision.

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

It is important to distinguish between electoral law and the rules governing the conduct of Members of Parliament. As the independent regulator of elections in the UK, the Electoral Commission is responsible for assisting in compliance with electoral law, including the political finance framework, and provides guidance and support to those subject to it, including political parties, campaigners and candidates.

Separate parliamentary rules and standards, including those relating to Members' conduct and parliamentary proceedings, are the responsibility of the Houses of Parliament and its authorities. Neither the Government nor the Electoral Commission determine or provide authoritative guidance on parliamentary rules, just as parliamentary authorities do not regulate compliance with electoral law.

Further guidance will be produced by the Electoral Commission to support recipients of donations to adhere to the new donation requirements set out in the Representation of the People Bill. We consider this the most effective way to support compliance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to introduce compulsory voting.

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

The Government believes that to increase democratic engagement we must focus on taking down barriers to participation. We are therefore taking steps, including through the Representation of People Bill, which is currently before Parliament, to make voting easier and more accessible.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she intends to amend secondary legislation to require photographic identification for candidates to nominate.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 6801 on 12 June 2026.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what was the public sector debt of Greater Manchester Combined Authority in each year since its establishment.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government collects data returns from local authorities. There are various metrics by which debt can be measured. Relevant links to published data are given below:

• Borrowing and investment live tables - Live tables on local government finance - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). This dataset shows all UK local authorities’ outstanding borrowing and investment on a quarterly basis. The data is split by each authority dating back to 2014.
• Capital expenditure, receipts and financing - Local authority capital expenditure, receipts and financing - GOV.UK(opens in a new tab). This dataset is an annual return collected from English authorities only and dates back to 2000. These returns explain in more detail the expenditure of each authority and how these are financed, including each authority’s year end debt position.

Further, data on loans issued from the Public Works Loan Board are published at Historical Data and Current Data.

Authorities are also required to report their financial position in their Annual Statement of Accounts. These are normally published by authorities on their individual websites.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information his Department holds on the HMRC Valuation Office’s Antecedent Valuation Date for the (a) council tax surcharge in England and (b) council tax revaluation in Wales.

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

a) The antecedent valuation date for the High Value Council Tax Surcharge has not yet been set in legislation.

b) Details about the valuation date of the Council Tax revaluation in Wales can be found here.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether an impact assessments have been undertaken or commissioned to date, on the impact of the council tax surcharge on the relationship between (a) freeholders and (b) leaseholders.

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

The Government has set out plans to introduce the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, which will increase fairness within the system.

The Government has consulted on the design of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, including on a deferral scheme to support those who may struggle to pay, treatment of freehold and leasehold properties (including those with short leases), and a proposed list of discounts and exemptions. This consultation closed on 14 July. The Government is considering responses received and a response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the closed consultation, High Value Council Tax Surcharge, published 19 May 2026, what is her planned timetable for responding to the consultation.

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

The Government has set out plans to introduce the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, which will increase fairness within the system.

The Government has consulted on the design of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, including on a deferral scheme to support those who may struggle to pay, treatment of freehold and leasehold properties (including those with short leases), and a proposed list of discounts and exemptions. This consultation closed on 14 July. The Government is considering responses received and a response to the consultation will be published in due course.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on housebuilders and housebuilding costs from January 2027.

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

The UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will be introduced from 1 January 2027 and will apply to highly traded, carbon-intensive goods, such as cement and iron and steel. The CBAM is an environmental measure, designed to mitigate the risk of carbon leakage and ensure that these carbon-intensive imports face a carbon cost that is comparable to that faced by equivalent goods produced in the UK.

A tax information and impacts note can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/introduction-of-carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism#summary-of-impacts.

The government expects liabilities arising from the CBAM to be modest in its early years. The Government intends to publish illustrative CBAM rates this autumn to help businesses better understand the potential effects of the policy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to implement the Social Fabric Index.

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

The Social Fabric Index is not owned by MHCLG.

In Protecting What Matters, we committed to develop a Social Cohesion Measurement Framework, providing clearer and more consistent metrics to measure local cohesion. This will enable local areas to assess cohesion in a robust and comparable way. The Framework will be available to local government, civil society and impact investors across England, supporting early identification of emerging tensions and ensuring that public and philanthropic investment meets local needs. We will also engage devolved governments as part of this work.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the HMT, Budget Information Security Review, of 9 February 2026, and to the answer of 9 July 2026 to Question HL1393 on Budget November 2025, whether any impact assessment or review has been undertaken on the effect of speculation about changes to Government policy on property taxation on (a) property prices and (b) the number of market transactions.

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

In February 2026, the Government published the Budget Information Security Review where it set out action to strengthen the protection of Budget information and reduce the risk of unauthorised disclosures of sensitive information.

HMT routinely monitors market trends to help inform policy development.

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, what is the evidential basis for the statement that foreign (a) money and (b) powers have (i) exploited the system and (ii) tried to warp elections, and if she will name the (A) identified sources of such foreign funding, and (B) specific foreign powers.

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

There is no evidence of any foreign interference attempts having been ‘successful’ in materially impacting the outcome of a recent UK election or referendum. The UK’s elections, both national and local, continue to be delivered safely and securely. However, this Government is clear-eyed about a range of ongoing and evolving interference threats posed by a range of foreign state actors and their proxies, as we saw with MI5’s disruptive alert on Christine Lee in 2022 and the conviction of Nathan Gill for bribery offences in November 2025.

The guidance that the NPSA published in October 2025 highlights the range of vectors and tactics that foreign actors are using to target individuals working in UK politics, and this Government is committed to safeguarding the UK's elections and taking all necessary measures to mitigate this evolving threat. We have established processes to protect democratic integrity across the country. It is only through maintaining and strengthening our defences that we keep our system secure.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of foreign financial interference in politics from overseas organisations promoting decarbonisation and net zero policies.

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

Safeguarding the integrity, transparency and resilience of the UK’s system of political finance is fundamental to maintaining public trust in our institutions, both nationally and internationally.

The UK already has a strong regulatory framework governing political finance. However, the Government is clear that protections must continue to evolve to keep pace with emerging threats. We will take decisive action to protect and strengthen safeguards, close potential loopholes, and harden the UK’s defences against foreign financial influence.

These reforms will largely be progressed via amendments to the Representation of the People Bill, currently before Parliament. Where utilising the Bill is not a viable or appropriate option, other methods will be deployed to ensure work is progressed efficiently and effectively.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the membership of the Advisory Group on community tensions will be selected through open competition.

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

In Protecting What Matters Government pledged to establish a new Advisory Board to support local authorities should tensions arise. This new function will include frontline practitioners from across the country, with experience responding to crisis incidents - enabling them to be ‘on call’ to local leaders at times of crisis and provide practical assistance and support. The membership of the new group will be selected from a pool of frontline practitioners nominated by local partners with first-hand, frontline experience of responding to crisis incidents, before being agreed by ministers.

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 5 June 2025 to Question 54412 on Tell MAMA: Finance, and further her Department's transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, May 2026, published on 10 August, reference 2100019685, for what period of time the grant period relates to; and whether the contract has been subject to a dispute.

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

The payment referenced in the Department’s transparency data relates to grant funding provided for Faith Matters’ Tell MAMA project under the 2024/25 Grant Funding Agreement, covering activity delivered in the third and fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

Funding provided to support this work under fulfilled a grant funding agreement, not a contract. The grant funding was not subject to a dispute.

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 measures will be used to tackle foreign bot farms.

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

Misinformation and disinformation represent sustained challenges to electoral integrity. It is, and will always be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic processes. The Government remains well prepared to ensure the integrity and security of UK democratic processes, with robust systems in place to protect against a range of threats, including to the information environment around elections.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit coordinates the cross-government response to election security threats, and the Defending Democracy Taskforce has a mandate to address the full range of threats to UK democracy. JESP and DDTF work closely with DCMS, which has policy responsibility for managing the overarching risk posed by online mis- and disinformation.

The government recognises that deceptive coordinated or automated inauthentic activity is an ongoing challenge. Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must address state-backed activity that meets the Foreign Interference Offence threshold and must also consistently enforce their own terms of service against deceptive behaviour, including abuse of reporting and moderation systems. Ofcom has robust enforcement powers to enforce compliance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has been of the potential impact of foreign broadcasting on elections.

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

Misinformation and disinformation represent sustained challenges to electoral integrity. It is, and will always be, an absolute priority to protect our democratic processes. The Government remains well prepared to ensure the integrity and security of UK democratic processes, with robust systems in place to protect against a range of threats, including to the information environment around elections.

The Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit coordinates the cross-government response to election security threats, and the Defending Democracy Taskforce has a mandate to address the full range of threats to UK democracy. JESP and DDTF work closely with DCMS, which has policy responsibility for managing the overarching risk posed by online mis- and disinformation.

The government recognises that deceptive coordinated or automated inauthentic activity is an ongoing challenge. Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must address state-backed activity that meets the Foreign Interference Offence threshold and must also consistently enforce their own terms of service against deceptive behaviour, including abuse of reporting and moderation systems. Ofcom has robust enforcement powers to enforce compliance.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Table 4.1 on council tax receipts in the answer of 29 June 2026 to Question 11413 on Council tax, what the reason is for the forecast fall in the percentage change in the taxbase from 1.9% in 2025-26 to 0.7% in 2026-27.

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

The OBR’s March 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook sets out the full details of its methodology and the changes in its latest official forecast.

The change in annual council tax base growth between 2025-26 and 2026-27 in the March 2026 forecast was driven by a range of factors, including dwelling stock, unemployment forecasts, and changes to council tax exemptions, discounts, and premiums.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 July 2026 to Question 17451 on Recreation Spaces: Planning Permission, if she will set out the stakeholders that will be surveyed, and how will they be selected.

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

The review of existing protections of recreational green spaces will examine the fragmented and outdated nature of current legislative protections for public recreational green spaces. It is not a public consultation.

The survey has been distributed to stakeholders in the green spaces, local government and the development sectors. These organisations have been selected based on their expertise and interest in protecting public recreational green spaces and have agreed to share the survey across their networks.

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 11 June 2026 to Question 6857 on Islamophobia, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of issuing guidance on the new definition that specifies how its use would be (a) lawful and (b) unlawful.

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

We are engaging with sectors to consider the best approaches to provide sector-specific guidance and support effective implementation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2026, to Question 124688, on Business Rates: Tower Hamlets Council, whether JP Morgan has been offered business rate discounts or relief by HM Government in relation to its offices in Canary Wharf, including via the designation of an Enterprise Zone.

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

HM Government, with local authorities, has signed an MoU with JP Morgan. Subject to certain conditions, this sets out arrangements for the provision of business rates relief in connection with JP Morgan’s new tower development in Canary Wharf, through the establishment of a business rates retention zone.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Minister of State for Equalities has responsibility and involvement for (a) faith engagement and (b) defining anti-Muslim hostility.

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

The Minister of State (Minister for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities, and Faith) in the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government is Florence Eshalomi MP. Ministerial portfolios are published on GOV.UK.

This government is committed to supporting faith communities, strengthening community cohesion and tackling all forms of religious hatred. Ministers across Government engage regularly with faith communities as part of their responsibilities.

Earlier this year the Government adopted a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 14 January 2026 to Question 103443 on Council Tax: Valuation, what assessment his Department has made of whether some leasehold dwellings with a market capital value below the council tax surcharge thresholds may be assessed as being liable for the surcharge if they have a short lease.

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

The Government has set out plans to introduce the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, which will increase fairness within the system.

The Government has consulted on the design of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, including on a deferral scheme to support those who may struggle to pay, treatment of freehold and leasehold properties (including those with short leases), and a proposed list of discounts and exemptions. This consultation closed on 14 July. The Government is considering responses received 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 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 Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the Flexible voting pilots 2027: Prospectus​, published on 24 August 2026,whether bids will be considered for mobile voting station pilots.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the timetable in the published Flexible voting pilots 2027: Prospectus.

The Government has no plans to publish the 2026 prospectus and no plans to place the 2027 prospectus in the Libraries of either House.

Applications to pilot at combined authority mayoral elections will be considered.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to the Flexible voting pilots 2027: Prospectus​, published on 24 August 2026, whether bids will be considered for the combined authority mayoral elections.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the timetable in the published Flexible voting pilots 2027: Prospectus.

The Government has no plans to publish the 2026 prospectus and no plans to place the 2027 prospectus in the Libraries of either House.

Applications to pilot at combined authority mayoral elections will be considered.

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 10 June 2026 to Question 5954 on Elections: Local Government, if she will make it her policy to (a) publish the 2026 prospectus on local election pilots and (b) place the 2027 pilot prospectus in the Library of the House once it is distributed to local councils.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the timetable in the published Flexible voting pilots 2027: Prospectus.

The Government has no plans to publish the 2026 prospectus and no plans to place the 2027 prospectus in the Libraries of either House.

Applications to pilot at combined authority mayoral elections will be considered.

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 timetable for councils to bid for a 2027 local election pilot; and whether this will include piloting mobile polling stations.

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

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the timetable in the published Flexible voting pilots 2027: Prospectus.

The Government has no plans to publish the 2026 prospectus and no plans to place the 2027 prospectus in the Libraries of either House.

Applications to pilot at combined authority mayoral elections will be considered.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, further to the No10 press release entitled PM meets mayors in drive to get Britain building and take on blockers, of 3 June 2026, what steps she is taking to ensure that commuter and suburban train services outside Greater London are not downgraded.

Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Government is committed to improving rail services for passengers across the country and requires operators to plan services and timetables that are designed to meet expected passenger demand and provide value for money for the taxpayer. The Railways Bill will create a more locally focused railway, ensuring that Mayoral Strategic Authorities are consulted by Great British Railways (GBR), can form partnerships with GBR, and that GBR has regard to their Local Transport Plans.

Establishing GBR as the single directing mind gives us the opportunity to go further with optimising train services and driving up utilisation. In doing so, GBR will be subject to statutory duties, including a duty to promote the interests of users and potential users of railway passenger services. The closures regime under the Railways Act 2005 will also remain in place, preventing lines or stations from undergoing full closure without due process, including roles for the Secretary of State, Office of Rail and Road, and Scottish and Welsh Ministers where relevant over these important decisions.

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 Written Statement of 16 June 2026 on Neighbourhoods and Public Services, HCWS117, if she will set out how many staff will be allocated to the Place Unit and the budget of the Place Unit for its first 12 months of operation; and how will it differ from the Cities and Local Growth Unit.

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

The Place Unit was announced on 16 June 2026 (HCWS117) as part of a package of communities and public service reform. This unit has been succeeded by the Government’s wider agenda on English devolution, including the establishment of No10 North, which will work in partnership with local leaders to drive forward a place-based approach to policy.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2026, to Question 9580, on MHCLG: Darlington, for what reason the 6 assigned employees did not attend the office at all in that quarter.

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

We do not report on individuals’ personal circumstances. The Department's workplace attendance policy allows colleagues to discuss exceptions to office attendance expectations with their line manager, who is responsible for deciding exceptions in line with departmental policy.

The Department does not routinely publish the specific reasons why individual employees did not attend the office during a particular reporting period.

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 annual report and accounts 2025 to 2026, HC484, 15 July 2026, page 95, for what reason 400 external appointments were made, in the context of the 253 voluntary redundancies; and whether any staff were hired in business units where voluntary exits took place.

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

MHCLG’s Voluntary Exit Scheme (which differs from a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme) was designed both to deliver savings and enable the department to reshape its skills profile where necessary and improve capability and delivery.

As per the published accounts, the department’s civil servant workforce reduced to 3,756 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, a net decrease of 155 FTE over the year by the end of 2025-26.

Recruitment was undertaken in some business areas that also approved staff for release under the Voluntary Exit Scheme during 2025-26 bringing in skills and also to replace critical roles lost through turnover. At the same time, the Department also took on responsibility for Fire Policy via a Machinery of Government change completed in July 2025.

By the end of 2025–26, the department’s civil servant workforce had reduced to 3,756 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, a net decrease of 155 FTE over the year.

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 24 October 2025, to Question 81311, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Official Engagements, if she will make it her policy to have a FOI Disclosure Log on the department’s website on gov.uk.

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

The department publishes information proactively in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Information Commissioner’s model publication scheme. We also publish a wide range of transparency data and departmental information on GOV.UK. We will continue to keep our publication approach under review.

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 18 June 2026 to Question 8785 on MHCLG: Secondment, what the full name is of the seconding body labelled as executive agency.

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

The full title of the body labelled “executive agency” is The Executive office for the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate has the Department made of the average hotel price in England for a 1 night stay including VAT.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

VisitBritain publishes monthly estimates for the Average Daily Rate (ADR) for participating hotel rooms in England, which is based on the England Occupancy Survey.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2026, to Question HL1337, on Anti-Muslim Hostility, whether the Crown Prosecution Service has adopted the definition.

Answered by Andy Slaughter - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) prosecutors make their decisions independently of the police, the government and other external parties. Their duty is to apply the criminal law of England & Wales as agreed by Parliament, to ensure the right person is prosecuted for the right offence and to bring offenders to justice wherever possible.

On 9 March 2026 the UK Government adopted its non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility across all central government departments. The CPS is a non-ministerial department, and CPS employees are civil servants and subject to the same central rules and policies. They may have regard to the definition, alongside other sources of information, in understanding the experience of Muslim communities in this country.

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 20 July 2026 to Question HL2155 on Anti-Muslim Hostility, what guidance and communications have been given to Chief Constables and police forces in relation to the new definition of anti-Muslim hostility.

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

The Government encourages organisations across the public, private and third sectors to consider how the definition may be applied in their own contexts. Any use of the definition by police forces must be consistent with existing legal obligations.

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 Cabinet Office's news story entitled Machinery of Government changes: Fact Sheet, published on July 2026, whether responsibility for faith will be with (a) Office for Equality and Opportunity or (b) MHCLG.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and 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. Whilst the Minister for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities and Faith sits within MHCLG, other government departments will also undertake faith and belief engagement as part of their work.

As the department responsible for communities policy, MHCLG 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. MHCLG seeks 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.

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.

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