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 Seventh National Action Plan for Open Government (NAP7): Analysis of initial evidence gathering, published on 4 August 2026, for what reason the proposals on strengthening the Local Government Transparency Code were not adopted as government policy.

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

The call for evidence for the Seventh National Action Plan for Open Government (NAP7) was undertaken by Cabinet Office to assess the potential for the co-creation of open government commitments, but did not adopt any specific policy proposals, and the development of commitments is currently ongoing. MHCLG is keeping the Local Transparency Code under review in the context of wider policy relating to local government accountability including reforms to the local audit system and simplifying local authority accounting.

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 HM Treasury's document entitled Sustainability Reporting Guidance 2026-27, published on 16 July 2026, what plans she has to update (a) the Single Data List and (b) Local Government Transparency Code to reflect the reporting obligations on local authorities.

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

The Single Data List (SDL) is a list of all the datasets that local government must submit to central government. The SDL is reviewed and updated annually. The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 sets transparency requirements for local authorities. The Government has no current plans to update the SDL or the Transparency Code in response to HM Treasury's Sustainability Reporting Guidance 2026-27, which relates to central government. Local authorities are subject to their own reporting and transparency requirements on sustainability and reducing waste.

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 8574, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Piccadilly Gate - Manchester staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 8574 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff and to the Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question 14979 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Eastbrook - Cambridge staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 8574, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned i9 - Wolverhampton staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 8574, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff, and to the answer of 14 July 2026, to Question 14979, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Erskine House -Belfast staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 average percentage attendance rate of assigned 23 Stephenson Street - Birmingham staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 average percentage attendance rate of assigned Queen Elizabeth House - Edinburgh staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 average percentage attendance rate of assigned Renaissance House - Warrington staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 average percentage attendance rate of assigned Priory Square - Hastings staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 8574 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Staff and to the Answer of 14 July 2026 to Question 14979 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Darlington, what was the average percentage attendance rate of assigned Wellington Place - Leeds staff in the most recent working week for which figures are available, expressed as a percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace and in absolute terms.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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 14 July 2026 to Question 14979 on MHCLG: Darlington, if she will provide equivalent figures, expressed as percentage of assigned staff attending the workplace, for each other regional office in the most recent working week for which figures are available.

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

We have provided, for each office location, as at the week commencing 24 August 2026:

• the average office attendance of employees assigned to each office during the week commencing 24 August 2026; and
• the proportion of employees assigned to that office who attended an MHCLG office during the same week.

The attendance figures are not restricted to attendance at an employee's contractual office location. Both the average attendance and proportion attending measures include visits to any MHCLG office.

We would also note that the proportion attending measure does not take account of employees who were absent for legitimate reasons during the period, such as annual leave.

Employees are expected to meet their office attendance requirements over the course of a quarter, rather than in any single week.

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, how many assigned desks are there in (a) the London HQ office and (b) each regional office.

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

It has been the practice of successive governments not to comment, on grounds of both national security and staff safety, on the physical capacity or staffing numbers for individual buildings of the government estate.

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 11665, on Local Government: Reorganisation, what steps is the Government taking to facilitate the continuation of (a) City and (b) Lord Mayor status where it was previously been awarded to a council that is being replaced by a new unitary council.

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

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

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

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

Question to the 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 11665 on Local Government: Reorganisation, what steps her Department is taking to ensure the continued recognition of (a) aldermen and (b) freemen following local government restructuring; and what guidance her Department has issued on this matter.

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

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

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

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

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the number and proportion of rough sleepers in (a) London and (b) England who are foreign nationals.

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

The government publishes rough sleeping management information, including data on the nationality of people sleeping rough, how many people sleeping rough have left the armed forces within the last 85 days and the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who have moved into accommodation, as well as the number of people sleeping rough over the course of the month who had previously moved into settled accommodation. You can access the latest data on gov.uk here.

As well as this, the government’s analytical annex to our National Plan to End Homelessness includes research about the causes of rough sleeping, which you can find 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 the written statement of 20 May 2026, HCWS51, on Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report Update, which organisations are subject to the policy of not sharing a public platform; and whether this is a policy of non-engagement under the 2024 engagement principles.

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

The Government is committed to taking clear and proportionate action in response to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s findings.

The Public Engagement Policy and which companies it applies to is published on GOV.UK. Ministers and senior civil servants will decide how and when they engage with external bodies bearing in mind the principles of accountability, transparency and the balance of public interest.

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 1 July 2026 to Question 12147 on Local Government Translation Services, whether that guidance is extant.

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 12147 on 1 July 2026.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Equality Act 2010: Draft Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, 2026, published on 21 May 2026, what steps are being taken to ensure that the revised practices are adopted by local councils.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC’s) updated statutory guidance - Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations - provides guidance to service providers, associations and those exercising public functions to help them understand and comply with the Equality Act 2010.

The Equality Act 2010 is the law. Duty bearers must comply with the law. The EHRC is the independent equality regulator and ensures compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the policy paper, Equal pay and pay discrimination, of 14 July 2026, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the finances of local government paybill..

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) published the consultation on equal pay and pay discrimination on 14 July 2026, following the Call for Evidence on Equality Law in 2025.

The consultation seeks views on how we can comprehensively reform the pay discrimination framework so that it works better for workers, businesses and the justice system. This includes seeking views on the financial viability and impacts of the proposed reforms and their potential implications for the local government sector.

The OEO is prioritising proportionate, targeted measures for consultation where there is the clearest evidence of their ability to increase pay equality. We will publish a full impact assessment on these measures in due course.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what monitoring and assessment is undertaken by water companies of water usage and wastewater volumes to estimate the size of the resident population in the water area.

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

Water companies use established practises and methodologies to monitor water and wastewater use by their customers. This alongside various factors, such as local authority planning, helps inform the water companies’ long-term plans to secure water and wastewater services.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what dates her department ceased using Palantir software, and what was the previous use of the software.

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

The Department ceased using Palantir’s Foundry software on 21 October 2025. Foundry was used to securely share data between MHCLG, the Home Office, Local Authorities and Devolved Administrations to support the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The National Audit Office published a report on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including use of Palantir technology here.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2026, to Question 9325, on Council of the Nations and Regions: National Identity, for what reason it has met twice.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The government works in partnership with Mayors and devolved governments through a range of intergovernmental fora such as the Council of the Nations and Regions, the Mayoral Council, and the National Economic Council. The Council of Nations and Regions met twice to discuss inward investment and trade and AI respectively. We will continue to use these forums to deliver on shared priorities.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Council of Nations and Regions will continue to meet under the new Administration.

Answered by Hamish Falconer - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The government works in partnership with Mayors and devolved governments through a range of intergovernmental fora such as the Council of the Nations and Regions, the Mayoral Council, and the National Economic Council. The Council of Nations and Regions met twice to discuss inward investment and trade and AI respectively. We will continue to use these forums to deliver on shared priorities.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness in response to the question from the hon. Member for New Forest East during the Urgent Question on Local Government Reorganisation of 13 July 2026, Official Report, column 618, if she will place in the Library a copy of the response to the Rt hon. Member for New Forest East.

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

The Department does not routinely publish correspondence between Ministers and Members of Parliament. The reasons for the local government reorganisation decision in Essex were set out in the then Secretary of State’s decision letter to local council leaders of 25 March 2026, available here.

On 7 September 2026, the Government announced that it had withdrawn this decision and the proposals for Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock will now be considered alongside the wider local government reorganisation programme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, further to the No10 press release, Whitehall officials to be posted into mayors' offices as PM marks first month of No10 North, of 21 August 2026, what the estimated cost is of the mayoral secondment programme; from which budget it will be allocated and whether additional civil service staff will be hired.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Departments will cover the cost to support the capacity and capability building of MSAs as they go through the process of institution building. It is not expected that additional civil servants will be hired by departments to fill roles for individuals participating in this secondment programme.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any recommendations in relation to local government have been submitted to the Call for Ideas on the 7th National Action Plan for Open Government.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The call for evidence for the Seventh UK National Action Plan for Open Government received 17 ideas that specifically mentioned ‘local government’. These are organised against different sub-themes such as open data, public participation, anti-corruption, and Freedom of Information. Further Information about themes and sub-themes are contained within ANNEX I: Detailed Theme Assessment Tables of the call for evidence outcome document.

We will look at the local aspect of sub-themes as relevant commitments are taken forwards.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 29 May 2026, to Question 443, on Home Office: Greenpeace, on what date the policy of non-engagement with Greenpeace was discontinued.

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

The Home Office has no record of ever having had a policy of non-engagement with Greenpeace.

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 56, what was the nature of the Parliamentary Ombudsman complaint that was upheld in full, and whether compensation has been paid.

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

The complaint concerned a longstanding individual case involving historic legal costs and a Charging Order. The Department followed the Ombudsman’s recommendation for a financial remedy.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to her Department's data entitled Public-sector trade union facility time data, for what reason Transport for London facility time expenditure and numbers are not listed in the 2024-25 dataset.

Answered by Mark Ferguson - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Transport for London did not submit their trade union facility time data for the year 2024-25 via the online reporting system.

The Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017 required public-sector organisations to publish their facility time data. Under the previous administration, there was no penalty for organisations who did not submit their data.