Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 89453 on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, on what specific date did HM Government inform Westminster City Council that the Ministerial residence was paying the wrong level of council tax.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Government Property Agency (GPA), an executive agency of the Cabinet Office, is responsible for the administration and payment of any tax liabilities for Admiralty House. The Government Property Agency wrote to Westminster City Council in June to confirm that the former Deputy Prime Minister was residing in Admiralty House on a second home basis. Westminster City Council issued a bill applying the second home premium in July, which was paid in full the same day. The bill was paid for the full year of 1 April 2025 - 31 March 2026.
The Cabinet Office accepts that it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. It is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109630 on Council tax: Valuation, what the completion date is for the Council tax valuation operating system; and whether it will be used to assist the (a) council tax revaluation in Wales and (b) council tax surcharge in England.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Valuation Operating System for Council Tax was launched in 2025 and supports all Council Tax work in England and Wales, including the High Value Council Tax Surcharge
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2025, to Question 92614, on Deputy Prime Minister: Admiralty House, and with reference to Section 16 of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, for what reason Westminster City Council was not notified within 21 days that the March 2025 council tax bill was incorrect in not applying the second homes council tax premium for the dwelling.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
The Cabinet Office accepts it was delayed in notifying Westminster City Council that the Admiralty House flat allocated to the former Deputy Prime Minister was being used on a second home basis. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility. New legislation for the first time gave rise to the terms of a Minister’s occupation (as main or secondary residence) having a bearing on the council tax liability.
With particular reference to the requirements of Regulation16 of the Council Tax Administration and Enforcement Regulations 1992, the Cabinet Office notified Westminster City Council within 21 days of first having reason to believe that the property was in fact subject to the second home premium.
While Westminster City Council was provided with the correct information as soon as the Cabinet Office realised it was necessary, it is regrettable that this delay occurred. The Cabinet Office is taking steps to change its internal processes to ensure this does not happen again. This was not the former Deputy Prime Minister’s error or responsibility.
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 the (a) Ministerial Envoys, (b) his Department and (c) Defending Democracy Taskforce is taking steps to help ensure the integrity of the ballot in the councillor and mayoral election in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets in May 2026.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Security of our democratic processes is paramount, and this Government has robust systems in place to ensure the integrity of its elections.
The Joint Election Security and Preparedness unit (JESP) is leading cross-government efforts in preparation for the 2026 elections, which are taking place across the UK. JESP will stand up an election cell over the election period to monitor election security risk and be ready to stand up a response if required.
JESP has issued updated security advice and guidance to candidates and ROs in England and Wales, which brings together expertise from across the security community, including the Police, the National Protective Security Authority, National Cyber Security Centre, and others, to help candidates and ROs implement security measures and ensure the integrity of the polls.
A statutory intervention is in place in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to secure the Council’s compliance with its Best Value Duty. This is centred on a team of Ministerial Envoys who provide support and advice to the Council’s leadership team and oversee the Authority’s improvement work.
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 written statement of 9 February 2026 on Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27 to 2028-29, what estimate his Department has made of the total increase in Band D council tax for each of the six local authorities on which the estimated increase in council tax revenue was based in (a) 2027-28 and (b) 2028-29.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the answer provided on 2 March to Question UIN 113733.
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, pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2026 to Question 108644 on Council tax: billing, what his planned timetable is for responding to that consultation; and whether the change on billing would require primary legislation.
Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Government will respond to the consultation in due course. It would not require primary legislation to move to 12-month billing by default, this could be done by secondary legislation.
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2026 to Question 109632 on Council tax: Valuation, what (a) geographical tools and (b) datasets are accessible within the new Valuation Office Agency Valuation Operating System.
Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer given to Question UIN UIN109632 on 5 February 2026.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, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the capacity of the Planning Inspectorate to deal with (a) national planning policy framework changes and (b) measures in the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025.
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 112059 on 24 February 2026.
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, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the performance of the Planning Inspectorate against its targets on planning decisions.
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 112059 on 24 February 2026.
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, what requirements does Pride of Place funding have to be spent on (a) capital and (b) revenue in (i) England and (ii) each other constituent nation; and whether this differs from Levelling Up Funding.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government’s Pride in Place Programme will provide up to £5.8 billion of funding and support over 10 years to up to 284 places. Each community will receive up to £20 million over that period. For Phase 1 places, funding is split 75% capital and 25% revenue. For Phase 2 places, funding is split 63% capital and 37% revenue, paid to respective local authorities in line with the published funding profiles. The capital and revenue splits and funding requirements apply equally to all places selected to receive funding under the programme, in all parts of the UK.
The Levelling Up Fund was predominantly capital-focused and did not include a defined revenue allocation for capacity building and engagement.