Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she plans to respond to the letter from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 8 September 2025 on Wethersfield.

Answered by Alex Norris - Minister of State (Home Office)

I apologise to my Rt Hon friend for the delay. He will receive a response by 28 October 2025.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her planned timeline is for the introduction of a mandatory short term let registration scheme.

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

Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. A pilot will launch later this year with the scheme launching in 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 paragraph 97 of his policy paper entitled Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September 2025, whether the Cumulative Impact Assessments process will regulate existing betting premises.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Cumulative Impact Assessments will give local authorities powers to determine whether the cumulative impact of the number or density of gambling premises in a local area undermines the licensing objectives, particularly in areas that have been identified as vulnerable to gambling-related harms. We will introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments when parliamentary time allows.

While we expect that this would apply to new premises seeking a gambling licence or variations of existing licences, local authorities do already have a number of tools to manage existing betting premises, such as site inspections, restrictions on opening hours and suspending or revoking a gambling premises licence if premises are found to be non-complaint with the licensing objectives.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to ensure that Cornwall is eligible for full devolution without having to join a combined authority with Devon.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has been clear in its goal to achieve universal coverage in of Strategic Authorities in England.The English Devolution White Paper set out the principles that will guide the government’s programme of widening and deepening devolution.

The government remains committed to working in partnership with local leaders to deliver its vision and will continue to engage with local partners in Cornwall to explore how the area can benefit from devolution.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to rename the combined authority of Hampshire and the Solent to include a reference to the Isle of Wight.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In January 2025 we received an expression of interest from all four constituent councils (Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and the Isle of Wight Council) to establish a combined county authority over this area. They unanimously proposed the name ‘Hampshire and the Solent’. The Hampshire and the Solent mayoral combined county authority can also change its name by resolution once it is established, should it decide to.

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 local government finance statistics collated by his Department, what information he holds on how much local authorities made in profit on (a) on-street and (b) off-street parking in 2024-25.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government holds the below On and Off-Street Parking income data for Local Authorities in England for 2024-25. This is sourced from Revenue Outturn returns submitted by each authority in England.

All monetary values are presented in thousands of pounds (£000)

Local authorities are empowered to determine their parking arrangements through the Traffic Management Act 2004, which requires them to ensure that parking policies be proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and reconcile competing demands for kerb space whilst ensuring traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much (a) revenue and (b) capital he plans to allocate to the Pride in Place programme in each constituent nation in each year of the next 10 years.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We recently announced the Pride in Place programme, which will see up to £280 million shared among 14 places in Scotland, each receiving up to £20 million over 10 years. Up to £180 million will be provided to a further 9 Welsh communities as part of the programme.

These areas will join 10 areas in Scotland and 5 in Wales where work is already underway, taking the totals up to £480 million over 10 years in Scotland and £280 million over 10 years in Wales.

For Northern Ireland, corresponding funding will be made available. MHCLG and the Northern Ireland Office are working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive to determine the appropriate delivery approach.

Further details on the neighbourhoods selected, individual funding profiles and the breakdown between revenue (RDEL) and capital (CDEL) will be shared 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, if he will publish the representations made to the Special Development Order planning inquiry for the Entertainment Resort Complex in Bedford.

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

On 3 July 2025, my Department published a document titled ‘Request for planning permission: Entertainment Resort Complex, Bedford: Environmental Impact Assessment Handling, Publicity and Consultation Arrangements’.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to this document which sets out how the Department intends to conduct publication, notification and consultation in considering a request for planning permission for an Entertainment Resort Complex and associated development in Bedford. It includes how the public will be informed of the final decision.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has had discussions with local authorities on running election pilots in the May 2026 local elections.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government committed in its manifesto to encourage greater participation in democracy. To support this, the Government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors.

Local authorities were invited to submit applications to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England, and these are being considered for approval.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which Minister in his Department is the designated Planning Minister for the called-in Chinese Embassy planning application.

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

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 62966 on 7 July 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has received communications from lobbying companies on local government reorganisation; and whether officials in his Department have had meetings with lobbying companies representing local authorities.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department is regularly contacted by organisations with an interest in local government reorganisation. My officials also conduct regular meetings with a wide range of stakeholders to hear their views and insights, as part of the Department’s public engagement on the issue.

Officials must adhere to the Civil Service code at all times and abide by the Nolan Principles, which set out the standards expected of those in public life.

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 78240 on Absent Voting: British Nationals Abroad, whether he plans to take steps to help tackle postal delays for overseas electors.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to fixing the foundations of our electoral processes.

As set out in the policy paper, Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections (17/07/2025), the Government will introduce a package of measures intended to improve the resilience and capacity of the postal voting system overall. These measures include moving the postal vote application deadline forward by three working days. The deadline for candidate nominations will also be moved forward in order to allow returning officers more time to proof the ballot papers for printers, in turn giving more time for the next part of the process to get underway, and in particular to enable postal ballot papers to be printed and issued to postal voters at an earlier point.

These changes will benefit all administrators and voters, including those living overseas.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 29 of his Department's publication entitled Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September 2025, whether the £5 billion of Pride in place funding includes the £1.5 billion of funding from the Long Term Plan for Towns outlined in the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 40200, on Plan for Neighbourhoods.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 25 September, the government launched its overarching Pride in Place Strategy, committing up to £5 billion in funding and support to 339 communities.

The flagship Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 places over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Phase 1 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March.

The Long-Term Plan for Towns programme was launched in September 2023 by the previous administration. This programme was an unfunded commitment for which the previous administration had no plan as to how that promise would be delivered.

All 75 towns across the UK that were originally selected to receive Long-Term Plan for Towns funding will receive the funding under the Plan for Neighbourhoods package, which is now part of the Pride in Place Programme.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 44 of his Department's policy paper entitled Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September 2025, what the terms of reference are for the Common Ground Resilience Fund; and over which years that funding will be allocated.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The purpose of the Common Ground Resilience Fund is set out in the Pride in Place Strategy. A key strand of the Fund is the Common Ground Award details of which can be found on gov.uk here.

The funding is for the 2025-26 Financial Year.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has given to mayoral combined authorities that cannot find a constituent member to consent to be nominated as a deputy mayor.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department has not issued any guidance to Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) to cover the circumstances where the Mayor cannot find a constituent member to act as their statutory deputy mayor. This situation has not arisen to date and no authority has requested advice.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the proposed strategic authority for Surrey will only include Surrey; whether that strategic authority will have an elected mayor; whether that strategic authority will set a council tax precept; and whether that strategic authority will absorb the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner functions.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Simplifying local government structures in Surrey will ensure a strong foundation for devolution. We are committed to working with partners across Surrey, including new unitary authorities once established, to establish a strategic authority for the area. This strategic authority would receive the functions at the appropriate level, whether Foundation or Mayoral, as set out in the devolution framework, subject to Royal Assent of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

A strategic authority across Surrey will ensure that relevant functions held at the county level can continue to be delivered on that geographic footprint where possible, such as transport and adult skills. The establishment of a strategic authority will be subject to the relevant statutory tests being met and local consent. We will also ensure fire and rescue functions continue to be governed on the same geography.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to review Document O building regulations for windows, in the context of encouraging house building.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Part O of the Building Regulations ensures new housing is built to mitigate the risk of overheating. This came into effect in June 2022.

Since October 2023, the Building Safety Regulator has a statutory duty under the Building Safety Act 2022 to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review. This includes continuous review of the Building Regulations and the Approved Documents, which provide statutory guidance on how to meet the functional requirements on the Regulations.

In the Future Homes and Buildings Standards consultation, which ran from December 2023 – March 2024, the Government sought views on whether the current overheating standards are appropriate or require amendment. We are reviewing proposals and feedback from the consultation and will publish the Government response in the coming months.

We are also engaging with industry via the Future Homes Hub to gain greater insight into how Part O is being implemented in 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 27 February 2025 to Question 32991 on Levelling Up Fund: Culture, which cultural projects that were allocated funding under the Levelling Up Fund have had funding (a) cancelled, (b) postponed and (c) are subject to an ongoing review.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. Hon member to the answer given to Question UIN 78670 on 21 October 2025.

Worcester received £2.3m funding for only some of the activity within its original programme. This amendment was determined on the basis of representations received to the consultation. Prioritisation of funding considered a series of factors including: significant progress of work to date, imminent delivery, and/or the wider strategic impact of withdrawing funding on local regeneration efforts, as well as potential to boost economic growth.

Coventry, Worcester and Newport have been approved, and V&A Dundee, Venue Cymru, Conwy and Shore Road Skills Centre, Belfast are being processed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether single foundation authorities will have (a) access to full devolution and (b) an elected mayor.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Single foundation strategic authorities will be non-mayoral. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill makes provision for the Secretary of State to designate a unitary council or county council, which is not covered by an existing strategic authority, as a single foundation strategic authority, subject to the consent of the council involved. The deepest powers and functions will be available to strategic authorities led by a mayor, as set out in the English Devolution White Paper.

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 his Department's press release entitled PM backs true patriots to lead UK renewal with £5bn investment, whether the £3.5 billion of additional Pride in Place funding is funded from the abolition of the Levelling Up Fund.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 25 September, the Government launched its overarching Pride in Place Strategy, committing up to £5 billion in funding and support to 339 communities.

The flagship Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 places over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Phase 1 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March. This Government is delivering in contrast to the empty unfunded promises that were made by the previous administration.

The Pride in Place funding is separate from programmes announced by the previous administration, including the Levelling Up Fund, and forms part of this Government’s new regeneration agenda to help build strong, resilient communities in areas facing the most entrenched social and economic challenges.

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 policy paper entitled Licensing policy sprint: joint industry and HM government taskforce report, published on 14 August 2025, whether he plans to implement the recommendations in the section entitled Planning – permitted development.

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

The government published its response to the Licensing Taskforce Report on 14 August. We continue to keep permitted development rights under review.

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 initial Government response to the independent report entitled New Towns Taskforce, published on 28 September 2025, what the (a) budget and (b) timetable is for the (i) strategic environment assessment and (ii) habitats regulation assessment.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the government’s initial response to the independent New Towns Taskforce report published on 28 September which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many long-term empty dwellings received funding through the New Homes Bonus in each year since the creation of that scheme.

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

The New Homes Bonus has been paid in respect of over 2.9 million net additional homes since its introduction in 2011. This includes over 745,000 affordable homes and 65,000 long-term empty properties returned to use.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many (a) social and (b) private homes were started in London in the first half of 2025.

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

My Department publishes a quarterly release entitled ‘Housing supply: Indicators of New Supply, England’, which includes estimates of new build starts and completions in London. Statistics to the quarter ending June 2025 can be found in Table 217 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, whether his Department subscribes to planning starts data produced by Glenigan.

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

My Department purchases data from Glenigan covering planning applications for residential developments.

While the data contains some information on site starts, we do not judge this to be a robust and comprehensive picture of building starts and therefore do not use the data for this purpose.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 71489 on Police: Finance, what the estimated cash value of council tax receipts for policing in England is in (a) 2026-27, (b) 2027-28 and (c) 2028-29.

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

As set out in the Spending Review 2025 document, police spending power is projected to increase by an average 1.7% per year in real terms. Police spending power includes projected spending from additional income, including estimated funding from the police council tax precept.

The cash value of council tax receipts for policing in England will be subject to individual decisions from directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) as part of their annual budget setting process. To inform those decisions, the 2026-27 police precept referendum limit for PCCs in England will be confirmed as part of the forthcoming police funding settlement 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, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 75992 on Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund, which organisations submitted an application.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government received 34 applications to the Combating Hatred Against Muslim Fund.

All applicants were required to submit a detailed business plan as well as provide answers to questions related to 16 criteria. More information on the 16 criteria which applications were assessed against can be found on the fund’s prospectus here.

The prospectus for the Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund did not indicate that the names of applicants would be made public and applications were not submitted on this basis.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has received recent representations from relevant stakeholders on the closure of the (a) Smithfield and (b) Billingsgate market.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Secretary of State has not received recent representations from relevant stakeholders about Smithfield or Billingsgate market.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will set out the differences in (a) scope and (b) the terms and reference between the (a) Community Cohesion and Resilience Programme and (b) Community Recovery Fund in 2024-25; and if will list the local authorities that received funding from both in 2024-25.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The scope and terms of reference of the Community Cohesion Resilience Programme was set out in my response to Parliamentary Question UIN 78216. Those for the Community Recovery Fund are set out on GOV.UK Community Recovery Fund: Guidance - GOV.UK including the Councils receiving the funding.

The Councils to receive funding through the Community Cohesion Resilience Fund were:

• Birmingham City Council
• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
• Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
• Brent London Borough
• Burnley Borough Council
• Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
• Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council
• City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
• City of Doncaster Council
• Coventry City Council
• Derby City Council
• Dover District Council
• Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Ealing London Borough
• Enfield London Borough
• Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
• Haringey London Borough
• Hillingdon London Borough
• Hounslow London Borough
• Hull City Council
• Hyndburn Borough Council
• Kirklees Council
• Leeds City Council
• Leicester City Council
• Liverpool City Council
• Luton Borough Council
• Manchester City Council
• Middlesbrough Council
• Newcastle City Council
• Newham London Borough
• North Lincolnshire Council
• Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
• Pendle Borough Council
• Redbridge London Borough
• Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
• Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
• Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
• Sheffield City Council
• South Tyneside Council
• Stoke-on-Trent City Council
• Sunderland City Council
• Tower Hamlets London Borough
• Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
• Wolverhampton City Council

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraphs 24 and 37 of the Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September 2025, how much funding he plans to provide for the (a) 76 places and (b) 169 additional places in each of the next 10 years.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 25 September the Government announced the Pride in Place Programme, supporting 244 of Great Britain’s most in need neighbourhoods with up to £20m each over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Phase 1 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March.

The full funding profile for the initial Phase 1 places is detailed in the prospectus, at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plan-for-neighbourhoods-prospectus-and-tools/plan-for-neighbourhoods-prospectus. Further details about the funding profile for Phase 2 Pride in Place Programme neighbourhoods will be published shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much funding will be allocated to the Pride of Place programme in each of the next 10 years.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 25 September the Government announced the Pride in Place Programme, supporting 244 of Great Britain’s most in need neighbourhoods with up to £20m each over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this Government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Phase 1 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March.

The full funding profile for the Phase 1 Pride in Place neighbourhoods is detailed in the Plan for Neighbourhoods prospectus, published on GOV.UK on 16 June 2025. This is set out at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plan-for-neighbourhoods-prospectus-and-tools/plan-for-neighbourhoods-prospectus. Further details about the funding profile for Phase 2 Pride in Place Programme neighbourhoods will be published shortly.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued advice on ensuring (a) community cohesion and (b) integration, in the context of Operation Raise the Colours during summer 2025.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Prime Minister has been clear that he supports the flying of flags across the country. Flags should be an embodiment of bringing our country and our communities together. Decisions about whether flags should be removed are devolved to local authorities and it is for them to assess the impacts of removing or allowing flags to remain.

My Department engages with local authorities on a regular basis across numerous meetings. Where the subject has been raised we have been clear that everyone can make their own decisions, including local councils, on flying flags and that guidance exists to support them, such as ‘Flying flags: a plain English guide” - as set out in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007 (as amended in 2012 and 2021) – which outlines the regulations related to the flying of flags in England.

It is important that the decisions taken by local authorities reflect the character and values of the communities they serve. Where symbols are used in ways that threaten public safety, it is right that action is taken to address this.

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 September 2025 to Question 75626 on Business Premises: Rents, what sources of external research were used to produce the impact assessment.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN 75626 on 16/9/2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of changing council tax into an annual property tax based on the capital value of the home.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Chancellor makes tax policy decisions at fiscal events. The government remains committed to keeping all taxes and elements of the local government finance system under review. The government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the system and consider where there is clear evidence that change would deliver better outcomes for residents and councils alike.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has had meetings with Henham Strategy since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Details of ministers’ and senior officials’ meetings are published on gov.uk on a quarterly basis. No meetings with Henham Strategy have taken place since 4 July 2024.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of early voting pilots on turnout.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

This Government is committed to improving participation in our democracy. To support this goal, as the world continues to evolve around us, we must continue to ensure our democratic processes keep pace with technology and the way in which people live their lives.

The purpose of these pilots is to explore how to modernise the way polling stations operate by making voting more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors.

The impacts of the pilot will be measured and evaluated by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government and the Electoral Commission. The findings will be carefully considered and may inform future decisions on the delivery of elections.

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 his Department's policy paper entitled Restoring trust in our democracy: Our strategy for modern and secure elections, published on 17 July 2025, whether he received representations from the Co-operative Party prior to the publication of that document.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has worked closely with its partners in local and devolved government, with the electoral sector, with education providers and civil society, and with citizens themselves in the development of the strategy for modern and secure elections. We will continue to engage with a range of stakeholders, including with political parties and sector representative organisations such as the Association of Electoral Administrators, to ensure these changes are delivered successfully.

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 October 2025 to Question 77556 on Electoral Register, what user research he has commissioned; and from which organisations.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Pursuant to Answer of 13 October 2025 to UIN 77556, the Government continues to explore a range of options to improve electoral registration, with user research playing an important role in ensuring services are effective, inclusive, and meet the needs of the public.

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 issued guidance to local authorities on the access of journalists to council proceedings.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Transparency and openness should be fundamental to everything councils do. Under the Local Government Act 1972, all local authority meetings must be open to the public, including journalists, except in limited, defined circumstances.

The most recent guidance remains the 2014 ‘Open and accountable local government: plain English guide’ that was designed to support members of the public, including journalists, accessing, recording, or reporting on local authority meetings and obtaining meeting documents.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the annual cost will be of the draft Local Government Pension Scheme (Fair Deal) Regulations 2026.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Some one-off costs to service providers and authorities are expected, relating to bringing a small number of workers providing local services under outsourced contracts into the Local Government Pension Scheme who are not currently members. These costs are expected to be offset over time by savings for service providers and authorities from improved risk-sharing arrangements, increased competition in the market, and simpler administration and actuarial funding arrangements.

We will consider information on costs provided in response to the consultation launched on 13 October 2025.

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 October 2025 to Question 77535 on Business Premises: Rents, what the names were of those (a) industry experts and (b) representatives of the retail, hospitality, and property sectors.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government conducted considerable research and carried out engagement with numerous experts before deciding to ban upwards only rent reviews. A full Impact Assessment was published upon First Reading of the Bill on 10 July. It provides a summary of the economic analysis and research the government relied upon to reach the decision.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many national significant infrastructure planning decisions have been made (a) within and (b) outside the statutory time frame in this Parliament; how many applications have been made but not yet had a decision; and what estimate his Department has made of the number that would be needed to be approved each year to meet the Government's target.

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

The government made 21 decisions on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in the first year of this Parliament. This compares with the first year of the last Parliament in which only 15 decisions were made and represents the highest number of annual decisions made since the NSIP programme was introduced in 2011.

27 NSIP decisions have been made so far since the start of this Parliament. Of these, 13 were within the statutory timeframes and 14 were not. A number of those 14 decisions made outside of statutory timeframes exceeded the limit during the previous Parliament. This government swiftly made decisions on those projects in July 2024.

To date in this Parliament, 33 projects have submitted an application but have not yet had a decision. Through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, we are seeking to reduce the average time it takes reach a decision on an NSIP project from its peak of 4.2 years under the previous government.

To achieve our Plan for Change milestone of fast-tracking 150 planning decisions, we will need an average of 32 decisions per year from July 2025. While we have not achieved this in our first year, we expect the rate of decisions to continue to accelerate alongside the already seen increase in projects entering the pipeline.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what formal arrangements exist between (a) the Home Office, (b) the NHS and (c) Braintree Community Hospital for (i) scanning and (ii) x-rays of asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airbase.

Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Asylum seekers have access to health and social care services from point of arrival in the UK and the Home Office work closely with the NHS, local authorities and contractors to ensure that asylum seekers can access the support they need. In relation to Wethersfield, financial support is being provided to the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board.

There are varying entitlements to secondary healthcare services across England and the devolved governments. Specific examples can be found on NHS entitlements: migrant health guide - GOV.UK.

Extensive work has been undertaken with local and national health partners including the Multi Agency Forum (MAF) to work through the specifics of healthcare provision being provided at Wethersfield. The health and social care subgroup of the MAF was set up specifically to look at how we minimise the impact on local health services and facilitate primary healthcare on site, However, in specific circumstances, residents can be required to use local NHS facilities.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on how many bedrooms should be provided to benefit claimants with children.

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

There is support through the social security system for low-income households renting in the private or social rented sector which is paid to those in receipt of either Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.

The number of bedrooms required to calculate housing support is determined using a size criterion. The criterion takes account of the number of people in a household and their ages. These size criterions provide a bedroom for a couple, a single person aged 16 or over, two children of the same sex under the age of 16, two children of the same or opposite sexes under the age of 10 and a sole or remaining child. There are exceptional circumstances where support for an additional room can be awarded.

The latest guidance to local authorities was issued following changes to the size criterion in 2017 Housing Benefit Circular: A3/2017. The criteria has not changed since.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) are available from local authorities to those who face a shortfall in meeting their housing costs.

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 his Department's press release entitled Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride, published on 24 September 2025, what his definition is of a fake barber; and how he plans to block them.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is taking a tough stance against illicit trading which suffocates high streets. ‘Fake’ barbers are an example of cash-intensive businesses that are trading illicitly. In March, the National Economic Crime Centre coordinated a three-week crackdown against such businesses.

We are taking further steps to tackle this problem. Companies House has introduced enhanced checks and identity verification requirements, and used new powers to remove false and misleading information from the companies register. Through the Pride in Place strategy, we are empowering communities to reclaim their high streets with powers to auction off vacant premises, a new Community Right to Buy for valued assets, and streamlined compulsory purchase orders.

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 October 2025 to Question 77627 on Eden Project: Morecambe, what the (a) £6.3 million and (b) £10.8 million will be spent on.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The £6.3 million and the £10.8 million referenced in the answer given to Question UIN 77627 is for the technical building / design work and site investigation works that will then lead to enabling and construction work on site.

This is in line with the information provided by Lancashire City Council in their Q4 monitoring return, submitted 16 May 2025.

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 September 2025 to Question 7560, on Sheffield City Council, whether he has received written representations from Sheffield City Council on the proposed abolition of the committee system of local authority governance.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I have not received any written representations from Sheffield City Council on the proposed abolition of the committee system of local authority governance. The Government remains open to hearing views from local authorities and others as the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill progresses through Parliament.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 24 of his Department's policy paper entitled Pride in Place Strategy, published on 25 September 2025, whether the allocation of funding for the 75 places will differ from the (a) 169 places and (b) Pride in Place Impact Fund.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 25 September, the government launched its overarching Pride in Place Strategy, committing up to £5 billion in funding and support to 339 communities.

The flagship Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 places over the next decade. This includes the 75 places announced in March, alongside new funding for an additional 169 neighbourhoods. New areas have been selected using a robust metrics-based methodology, which focused on smaller geographies, targeting hyper-local pockets of deprivation. The full methodology is published here.

In addition, the newly established Pride in Place Impact Fund will offer £1.5 million each to 95 places, aimed at developing shared spaces, revitalising local high streets, and enhancing the public realm. The place selection methodology is set out here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride, published on 24 September 2025, whether the Pride in Place funding replaces an existing funding stream.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 25 September, the government launched its overarching Pride in Place Strategy, committing up to £5 billion in funding and support to 339 communities.

The flagship Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 places over the next decade. This includes the 75 places announced in March, alongside new funding for an additional 169 neighbourhoods. New areas have been selected using a robust metrics-based methodology, which focused on smaller geographies, targeting hyper-local pockets of deprivation. The full methodology is published here.

In addition, the newly established Pride in Place Impact Fund will offer £1.5 million each to 95 places, aimed at developing shared spaces, revitalising local high streets, and enhancing the public realm. The place selection methodology is set out here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride, published on 24 September 2025, whether the funding will involve a bidding programme.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On 25 September, the government launched its overarching Pride in Place Strategy, underpinned by two allocative funding programmes.

The flagship Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £20 million in flexible funding and support to 244 places over the next decade. New areas have been selected using a robust metrics-based methodology, using Indices of Multiple Deprivation and the Community Needs Index. The full list of places and selection methodology is published here.

The Pride in Place Impact Fund will provide £1.5 million of funding to a further 95 places over the next two years. Local Authorities will be responsible for the selection and delivery of projects. The full list of areas and place selection methodology is set out here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation on the SSSI designation in relation to the redevelopment of Ebbsfleet Central West since July 2024.

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

My Department is involved in ongoing discussions with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation in relation to the SSSI designation in question and the redevelopment of Ebbsfleet Central West.

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 October 2025 to Question 77635 on English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which organisations (a) supported and (b) did not support changing the electoral system to Supplementary Vote.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has engaged with a wide range of local government stakeholders during the development of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. We engaged with both Mayors and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners on changing the voting system for Mayors and Police and Crime Commissioners back to the Supplementary Vote.

As part of the usual parliamentary process, a range of stakeholders set out their views on the Bill to the Public Bill Committee, both via the Oral Evidence session on 16 September and in writing.

The Government firmly believes the Supplementary Vote system works better for electing people to single executive roles and ensures a wider range of support than First Past the Post.

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 October 2025 to Question 77627 on Eden Project: Morecambe, whether he plans to allocate £100 million to the Eden Project North.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The department has committed £50 million towards the total project cost of £100 million for Eden Project Morecambe. The Memorandum of Understanding for the full £50 million grant, was fully signed on 19 November 2024.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 21 July 2025 to Question HL9153 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what date was the last communication between the Cabinet Office and Westminster City Council in relation to the former Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in Admiralty House.

Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)

Engagement with Westminster City Council (WCC) regarding Council Tax is managed by the Government Property Agency (GPA).

The GPA last engaged with WCC regarding the former Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in Admiralty House on 29th July 2025.

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 October 2025 to Question 77539 on Flags, whether the removal of national flags placed on lampposts was discussed.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My department holds many routine meetings with local authorities and the subject of flags has been raised in some of these as a point of discussion.

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 15 October 2025 to Question 73798 on Disinformation and Radicalism, if he will publish the most recent report from the National Community Tensions Scheme.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The reports provided by the National Community Tensions Team are not public and contain sensitive data and therefore cannot be published. This data gathered from this team forms part of the National Hate Crime statistics, which are made public.

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 September 2025 to Question 76143, on Planning Permission: Multiple Occupation, what guidance his Department provides on whether local authorities are permitted to use an Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights for Houses in Multiple Occupation that are specifically occupied by asylum seekers.

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

We have not issued any such guidance.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to support the construction of new build bungalows.

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

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 includes a new Standard Method for assessing housing needs that is aligned to our Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new safe and decent homes in England by the end of this Parliament.

Indicative local housing need figures resulting from the new Standard Method do not specify the proportion or type of dwelling that should be provided.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that local planning authorities should assess the size, type and tenure of housing needed for different groups in the community, and reflect this in their Local Plans.

Each Local Plan is subject to a public examination in front of an independent inspector, who plays an important role in examining plans to ensure they are consistent with national policy, supported by evidence and take the views of local people into account.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what information his Department holds on the number of new council houses that have been built in Greater Manchester since May 2017.

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

Data on new affordable housing completions since 1991-92 for Greater Manchester is available on the live tables on affordable housing supply which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 77538 on East End Homes: Finance, what recent assessment the Regulator has made of the financial viability of East End Homes.

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

The independent Regulator of Social Housing last issued East End Homes Limited with a regulatory judgement on 25 May 2023. It can be found ongov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the estimated value of the 2026-2036 Affordable Homes Programme after discounting for (a) the GDP deflator using OBR’s estimates and (b) the Treasury’s Social Time Preference Rate.

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

At the Spending Review, the government announced £39 billion for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.

The Spending Review document sets out that spend on the SAHP will reach £4 billion per year in 2029-30 and rise in line with inflation subsequently.

The programme follows the financial appraisal as set out in the HM Treasury Green Book guidance and uses HMT’s GDP deflator which can be found on gov.uk here.

My Department will continue to publish capital spend figures in its 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, pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2025 to Question HL8844 on Affordable Housing: Finance, what measure of inflation was used to provide the statistical basis for the valuation of the programme.

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

At the Spending Review, the government announced £39 billion for a new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.

The Spending Review document sets out that spend on the SAHP will reach £4 billion per year in 2029-30 and rise in line with inflation subsequently.

The programme follows the financial appraisal as set out in the HM Treasury Green Book guidance and uses HMT’s GDP deflator which can be found on gov.uk here.

My Department will continue to publish capital spend figures in its 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, whether his Department has received the remaining unredacted internal drawings for the proposed development of the Chinese Embassy.

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

The Planning Inspector's Report was received by the Department on 10 June.

Following careful analysis of the report, the Secretary of State referred back to parties on a number of matters, including the redacted drawings, on 6 August. The reference back process is on-going.

Full reasons for the decision and a list of post-inquiry representations will be set out in the final decision letter.

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 September 2025 to Question 74712 on Local Government: Empty Property, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of abolishing the New Homes Bonus on the number of empty homes.

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

Through the New Homes Bonus, local authorities can receive funding for bringing a long-term empty home back into use.

The New Homes Bonus in its current form will close at the end of the financial year 2025-26.

Following its closure, local authorities will still be able to access funding for empty homes work through the Local Authority 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 initial Government response to the independent report entitled New Towns Taskforce, published on 28 September 2025, whether the (a) plan-making for the site and (b) outline planning permissions will be decided by (i) the Government, (ii) development corporations and (iii) local authorities.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the government’s initial response to the New Towns Taskforce’s final report which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's report entitled Initial government response - September 2025, published on 28 September 2025, which of the proposed 12 new towns are supported by the local (a) planning and (b) highways authority.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the government’s initial response to the New Towns Taskforce’s final report which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2025 to Question 77558 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Aviation, whether his Department has a policy on undertaking domestic flights where direct train journeys are available.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG has a Travel and Expenses Policy which requires colleagues to consider cost, business need, sustainability and practicability when planning journeys. Low carbon options, such as Rail travel, must be considered first.

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 September 2025, to Question 69302, on Local Government Finance, whether his Department collates local government finance data on unspent infrastructure levy revenues; and whether his Department has issued guidance to local authorities on publishing that data.

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

Any local planning authority that receives a developer contribution through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) or section 106 planning obligations is required to publish an Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) at least annually, ensuring a transparent and accountable system.

The IFS must report on the total CIL sums demanded, received, and spent in the reported year, with details of how sums were spent and how sums are intended to be spent going forwards.

The IFS must also report on the CIL receipts retained unspent at the end of the reported year both in respect of sums received in the reported year and sums received in earlier years.

Further to this, my Department collects data on local authority revenue expenditure and financing in England, including income from the CIL. This can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 75627 on Byelaws, what his planned timetable is for that consultation.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is considering its approach and timetable for consultation on byelaws system reform.

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 his Department's document entitled Initial government response - September 2025, published on 28 September 2025, whether his Department has made an estimate of the number of homes that will be (a) started and (b) completed in new towns during this Parliament.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the government’s initial response to the New Towns Taskforce’s final report which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many homes will be built in new towns in (a) total and (b) this Parliament.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the government’s initial response to the New Towns Taskforce’s final report which can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 September 2025 to Question 75621 on Elections: Reform, whether the Code of Conduct will be mandatory for registered political parties.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in the Restoring Trust in our Democracy strategy, we will work with the Speaker and the Electoral Commission to develop a code which is fit for purpose. The code will not be mandatory; however, we will work closely with political parties and other stakeholders to ensure it is effective, proportionate and reflective of the needs of candidates and campaigners across the political spectrum.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether Cornwall Council will have a (a) single foundation elected mayor or (b) council elected mayor.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in the Written Statement of 24 June 2025 (Simplified Local Leadership Structures, HCWS736), the Government is taking steps to prevent the creation of any further directly elected local authority mayors in England. In addition, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill makes provision for the Secretary of State to designate a unitary council or county council, which is not covered by an existing strategic authority, as a single foundation strategic authority without a mayor, subject to the consent of the council involved. The English Devolution White Paper makes clear that non-mayoral devolution arrangements for single local authorities will only be considered by exception, and that the Government’s preference is for councils to combine with one or more neighbouring councils in order to be designated a strategic authority.

The Government remains committed to working in partnership with local government, including Cornwall Council, to explore how devolution can best be delivered in each area

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) remaining in and (b) leaving the Aarhus Convention.

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

The Government remains committed to the effective implementation of its international obligations and to the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention of access to environmental information, participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.

We remain committed to working with the Convention's mechanisms to ensure it functions effectively and upholds these principles.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of provisions in the Renters’ Rights Bill on the number of empty homes, in the context of the ban on re-renting homes after a home has been vacated for sale.

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

My Department has made no such assessment.

Landlords making use of new mandatory possession ground 1A (sale of dwelling-house) will be expected to sell their property with vacant possession as intended.

To prevent abuse of this ground, landlords will not be able to market or re-let their property for twelve months after using the selling ground. This will remove the financial incentive to landlords from misusing the grounds and evicting a tenant with the intention to re-let at a higher rent.

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 October 2025, to Question 75980, on MHCLG: Travel, if he will breakdown the requested information for each month of the last six months.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Question 75980 does not relate to travel. If the Rt Hon Member can clarify his question, I will ensure he receives a response.

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 15 October 2025 to Question 78195 on Housing: Greater London, whether his Department has had discussions with the Greater London Authority on the potential merits of (a) reducing the affordable housing quota in London to help encourage more housebuilding and (b) removing regulatory requirements in planning that only apply to London.

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

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by the Secretary of State on 23 October 2025 (HCWS991).

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 15 September 2025, to Question 75442, on Housing: Portsmouth, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 on the Government's target to build 1.5 million houses by the end of this Parliament.

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

My Department has no current plans to undertake a specific assessment of the implications of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 on housing supply, but we continue to keep all policy under review as we progress toward our hugely ambitious Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new homes in England in this Parliament.

While it is the role of competent authorities to carry out an assessment under the Habitats Regulations to test whether a plan or project could adversely affect the designated features of a European site, the government is clear that the Habitats Regulations Assessment process should be applied appropriately and proportionately, with decisions based on the best available scientific evidence.

We are working closely with stakeholders to improve the functioning of the Habitats Regulations. This includes acting on the recommendations of the Corry review and the Post-Implementation Review of the Habitats Regulations.

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 September 2025 to Question 76608 on Local Government: Elections, whether the information sharing gateway will include powers to share information (a) to and (b) from (i) political parties and (ii) other regulators.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government intends to provide the Electoral Commission with an explicit statutory gateway that will enable it to disclose information to certain regulators and enforcement authorities for the purpose of assisting those bodies in carrying out their statutory functions. The gateway will not include political parties. This will provide a solid legal foundation for the Commission to disclose information on cross-cutting issues such as foreign interference and data protection, nurturing a more collaborative and effective regulatory environment. Any disclosures will remain subject to UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many new homes have been completed in London in the first half of 2025.

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

My Department publishes a quarterly release entitled ‘Housing supply: Indicators of New Supply, England’, which includes estimates of new build starts and completions in London.

Statistics to the quarter ending June 2025 can be found in Table 217 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 16 September 2025 to Question 75613 on Central Government: Supply Estimates, whether his Department has produced an internal 2025-26 outcome delivery plan.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 75613 on 16 September 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for (a) decision on and (b) implementation of unitarisation of councils in Surrey; and whether Surrey will have an elected mayor.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. Hon. Gentleman to the Written Ministerial Statement that was published on 28 October 2025, which announced the decision made by the Government to implement the proposal for two unitary councils for Surrey, subject to Parliamentary approval.

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 Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride, published on 24 September 2025, what changes his Department plans to make to (a) use classes, (b) planning policy and (c) planning practice guidance to implement the power to block unwanted shops; what types of shop will it apply to; and what his Department's definition is of unwanted.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Through Pride in Place we will rejuvenate high streets and tackle unwanted shops by giving local communities greater control to influence their high streets. We have announced a suite of tools including a Community Right to Buy for communities to take ownership of local buildings they value and streamlining the compulsory purchase process to help local authorities regenerate high streets.

Where units are vacant for a long time, councils can hold a High Street Rental Auction to ensure they are occupied and can choose whether to exclude certain uses to curate more diverse high streets. We will refresh the best practice guidance for councils’ powers under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which will better enable councils to deal with street frontages in disrepair.

And by the end of the year, we will consult on a new set of planning reforms that make the system clearer, more rules-based, and easier to navigate - this includes ways to strengthen the long-term vitality and viability of town centres.

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 October 2025 to Question 77636 on local government finance, if he will (a) list each local authority that has had a disposal flexibility request approved since 4 July 2025 and (b) the value of each.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts general direction was introduced in 2016 by the previous government and remains substantively unchanged.

As set out in the general direction and guidance, local authorities intending to use the discretionary freedoms must provide the government with details of their planned use of the flexibility. This is to make sure that the government is adequately sighted on the use of the flexibility and can monitor how it is used. Government does not, however, approve the plans or any specific use of the flexibility. Local authorities remain responsible for appropriately complying with the direction and guidance, and ensuring their decisions are in the best interests of local residents.

Since 4 July 2025, MHCLG has received new and updated plans from 16 local authorities.

The government does not publish a list of authorities that have submitted plans or details that authorities have provided on the intended use of the flexibility – in some cases authorities may have chosen not to make this information public for reasons such as commercial sensitivity.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of not facilitating the creation of new directly elected council mayors on mayors for single foundation strategic authorities.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill makes provision to prevent the creation of any new directly elected local authority mayors, whilst allowing for the continuation of 13 existing ‘legacy’ directly elected council mayors. The English Devolution White Paper made clear that single foundation strategic authorities will be non-mayoral. The Government will consider non-mayoral devolution arrangements for a single local authorities by exception. The Government’s preference remains for strategic authorities which bring together more than one local authority over a larger, strategic geography.

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 October 2025 to Question 77631 on Local Government: Reorganisation, whether his Department has commissioned research on the (a) costs and (b) impact of local government restructuring since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN: 77631 on 13 October 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference his Department's policy paper entitled English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether he plans to amend the proposed (a) minimum population and (b) geographic area of new (i) unitary and (ii) combined authorities.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The English Devolution White Paper and the Statutory Invitation set a guiding principle that new unitary councils should have a population size of 500,000 or more. We have been clear on the need for flexibility and there may be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area. For the areas going through local government reorganisation, decisions will therefore be taken individually and proposals will be carefully considered against the criteria set out in the invitation letter of 5 February, alongside the responses to the consultation, all representations and all other relevant information to assess the proposals.

The White Paper also set out that the default assumption is for Strategic Authorities to have a combined population of 1.5 million or above, but we accept that in some places, smaller authorities may be necessary. Decisions on strategic authorities will also be on a case-by-case basis. Instead of presenting a top-down solution for each area, our starting point is to support and empower local leaders and to respect their knowledge, expertise and insight.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what reporting his Department has received under Schedule 3 of the Management Information of the Housing Investment Fund Facility Agreement from the (a) City of Manchester Council and (b) Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

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

In line with the terms of the Housing Investment Fund Facility Agreement, my Department is not obliged to monitor, verify, or check how funds provided by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) through the Fund are used. Management information set out in Schedule 3 of the said Agreement is collected by GMCA and provided to MHCLG upon request.

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 his Department's document entitled Planning applications in England: April to June 2025 - statistical release, published on 18 September 2025, what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for the declines of (a) 5 per cent for planning permission applications compared to the same quarter last year, (b) 5 per cent in granted decisions compared to the year ending June 2024, and (c) 9 per cent in granted residential applications compared to the year ending June 2024.

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

The individual factors affecting changes in quarterly planning statistics are complex and difficult to disentangle.

My Department’s initial assessment is that a combination of structural, economic, and operational factors best explain the Q2 2025 results. These include a rise in financing costs, which particularly impacts SME developers, and capacity constraints within local planning authorities which affect decision-making timescales.

It should be noted that the planning statistics in question do not separately identify outline planning applications.

It is also the case that other data sources indicate a more positive position. For example, TerraQuest figures on residential planning applications outside of London suggest a 68% increase in the number of new homes included in residential applications in Q3 this calendar year.

The government expect that the changes made to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in December 2024, alongside other reforms to the planning system enacted since, will feed through into a higher level of planning applications and decisions.

In its March 2025 outlook, the OBR estimated that the revised NPPF alone would increase net additions by 170,000 over the forecast period 2024/25 to 2029/30, or 120,000 in the Parliament – delivering the highest level of UK housebuilding in 40 years.

Once it receives Royal Assent, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will further streamline planning processes, improve certainty for applicants, and unlock and accelerate more housing and infrastructure delivery.

Through our capacity and capability programme, we are giving local planning authorities the resources needed to provide a more efficient and responsive planning service, including in respect of making timelier decisions.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate his Department has made of the (a) percentage and (b) area of (i) grey belt land within the green belt and (ii) green belt land that is grey belt.

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

My Department does not hold the requested information.

It is for individual local planning authorities to undertake the necessary assessments to identify if land is grey belt, either through plan making or through considering specific applications that come forward.

Similarly, it is for authorities to determine whether and how to evidence, justify, amend, and set out Green Belt boundaries through the preparation or updating of statutory plans.