Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 32, which diverse communities the Race Equality Unit will engage with.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The government wants the widest range of lived experiences perspectives to inform its work on public service reform. The government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving public services for everyone. That is why the Race Equality Unit’s engagement will be representative of the challenges and opportunities of different groups when accessing public services.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question
To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, whether the Commission has been consulted by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in relation to its proposals to introduce Know Your Donor checks on donations to Members of Parliament.
Answered by Nick Smith
The Commission has not been consulted.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
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 Environmental Principles Assessment for the (a) December 2024 National Planning Policy Framework and (b) 2026 to 2036 Affordable Housing Programme.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I will deposit a copy of the relevant documents in the House of Commons Library.
The hon. Member should note that there are some redactions to the assessment for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-2036 that fall within the exception to disclosure at regulation 12(4)(e) and 12(4)(d) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR).
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 110385, on Asylum: English language, for what reason there is a three-year qualifying period for English language training for those other than asylum seekers whose claims have been outstanding for six months or more.
Answered by Mike Tapp - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
Since August 2025, there has been no three-year residency requirement to access Adult Skills Fund provision. A correction to PQ 110385 was issued on 31 March.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
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 met with representatives of the (a) Dar Alhekma Trust, (b) Islamic Centre of England, (c) Abrar Islamic Foundation, and (d) Centre for Media Monitoring, since July 2024.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Department has not met with representatives of the (a) Dar Alhekma Trust, (b) Islamic Centre of England, (c) Abrar Islamic Foundation, or (d) Centre for Media Monitoring.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
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 command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 28, what issues the consultation paper on national integration will include.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
This government recognises that integration is a two-way street: we all share a role in providing opportunities for people to participate free from fear of discrimination or bigotry, while newcomers have a responsibility to engage with and embrace what it means to be British.
As set out in Protecting What Matters, we will set clear national integration expectations - focused on stronger social connections, shared identity, English language proficiency, and participation in work. To ensure these expectation are grounded in evidence and lived experience, we will launch a national consultation later this year.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026, to Question 110397, on Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation Review, if she will make it her policy to set terms of reference to independent reviews that require them to follow the Government’s non-engagement principles.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
An independent review should provide objective, credible and evidence-based assessments of the subject matter which it has been asked to evaluate.
In line with the approach that has been taken by independent reviewers under successive governments, Chairs of independent reviews should determine which groups and organisations they wish to engage with in order to fulfil the terms of reference for their review. Direction from government as to appropriate engagement could impact the credibility and independence of a review.
Once a review concludes, it is for Government Ministers to carefully consider its findings and recommendations before determining whether to accept them.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
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 command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, page 29, whether requirements to learn English for new arrivals will apply to asylum seekers as a condition of receiving (a) asylum and (b) settled status.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The ability to use and understand our shared language is a fundamental basis for participating in society and an expectation of all who wish to call the UK home. English language proficiency is a key facilitator of cohesive communities, and proficiency provides opportunity for individuals, including improved social connections, participation, access to employment and access to essential services.
A decision to grant asylum is based on whether an individual is at risk of persecution in their home country. In compliance with our international obligations, this does not take into account whether or not they can speak English.
As outlined in Protecting What Matters, this government has already strengthened English language requirements for people subject to immigration control, including those applying for settlement. We will also review English language provision to identify best practice, and explore how innovation, including digital delivery, can increase the numbers able to speak English, with conclusions published in Autumn 2026.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 March 2026 to Question 121394, on Radicalism, if the Government will make it their policy to ensure that (a) Departments, (b) working groups and (b) arm’s length bodies adopt a unified approach on non-engagement toward specific organisations.
Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
As set out in ‘Protecting What Matters’, we are embedding the 2024 definition of extremism across Government to ensure a consistent understanding of extremism. We are reviewing the existing engagement principles to ensure they are still valid and in line with current legislation and guidance and cover the full range of threats that exist. This will support due diligence capabilities to ensure partners can take evidence-based decisions about engagement, including participants on forums such as working groups, which are in line with the updated principles.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Budget Policy Costing 2025, November 2025, page 51, on the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, what proportion of the (a) -£60 million impact in 2025-26, (b) -£120 million impact in 2026-27 and (c) -£155 million impact in 2027-28 is from (i) lower stamp duty, (ii) lower capital gain tax, (iii) lower inheritance tax and (iv) lower Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings receipts, in each case and year.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The OBR publishes a breakdown of the Budget 2025 policy costings here:
Policy costings - Office for Budget Responsibility