Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the 10 Downing Street press release entitled PM hands mayors share of income tax to make lives better in every postcode, published on 30 July 2026, what recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of existing levels of accountability of local authorities to local taxpayers for the proposed power to increase or decrease locally raised revenue.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In the Cabinet Statement of 31 July, we set out our intention that mayors will keep a share of local income tax, replacing central government grants, beginning in 2028. For areas to benefit from this, they will therefore need to be part of a Mayoral Strategic Authority. Greater Essex is a prospective Mayoral Strategic Authority area, as part of the Devolution Priority Programme, and we await confirmation from all relevant council leaders in Essex that they wish to proceed with devolution, ahead of legislating to establish the Authority.
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national government to local areas. Local government reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils. While local authorities will continue to be responsible for the critical daily services that their residents rely on, strategic authorities will be institutions with a wider regional focus, responsible for unlocking investment, infrastructure and economic growth across large geographies. It is Mayoral Strategic Authorities that will keep a share of local income tax rather than local councils, and so this stands independently of local government reorganisation and of accountability mechanisms for local authorities. Mayors will not have powers to change tax rates or thresholds.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that Personal Independence Payment assessors have appropriate training to assess complex and less widely understood medical conditions.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Personal Independence Payment assessments are not medical consultations and do not require health professionals (HPs) to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment. Instead, they are functional assessments designed to evaluate how an individual’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living and mobility activities.
All HPs undertaking assessments on behalf of the department must be registered practitioners; they receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, including how to assess the impacts of medical conditions on people’s day-to-day activities, as well as awareness training in a range of conditions, symptoms and disabilities. Assessment suppliers are required to demonstrate that HPs meet all our requirements before they are approved to carry out assessments on behalf of DWP.
HPs have access to a wide range of Core Training and Guidance Material (CTGM), which offers detailed and quality assured clinical and functional information on a range of conditions. There are thousands of unique clinical conditions, most of which have a range of functional effects where disability can vary from nil to profound. It would be impossible to have specific training on all conditions. There are over 23,000 rare diseases alone listed in the Orphanet directory.
As of 9 September 2024, DWP assumed responsibility for the CTGM used within the Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS); this information is provided by DWP to the HAAS assessment suppliers. Following the transfer of responsibilities to DWP, all training and guidance materials are currently undergoing a comprehensive review and update. A newly established team is leading this work, ensuring that all materials are aligned with national best practice standards. To support this, independent clinical experts are being engaged to provide external quality assurance, helping to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and consistency of the content.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 Prime Minister's speech entitled New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, published on 20 July 2026, how the additional £340 million announced in that speech will be allocated between programmes to tackle rough sleeping.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On his first day in office the Prime Minister launched an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity. We are providing £442 million new funding to local areas to ensure that everyone who needs it is offered a route off the streets before Christmas this year, while providing longer-term accommodation and support for people with the most complex and long-term experiences of rough sleeping.
These measures build on the Government's wider action to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including the commitments set out in A National Plan to End Homelessness. This takes total investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years to more than £4 billion.
Funding has been allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities, based on local need, to provide accommodation and support for people experiencing rough sleeping. The Government is working closely with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities and homelessness organisations to support delivery of the Programme.
Further details of the Government's most recent measures are set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 1 September 2026 (HCWS300).
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 Prime Minister's speech entitled New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, published on 20 July 2026, whether the Government plans to publish a timetable for achieving its objective of ending rough sleeping.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On his first day in office the Prime Minister launched an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity. We are providing £442 million new funding to local areas to ensure that everyone who needs it is offered a route off the streets before Christmas this year, while providing longer-term accommodation and support for people with the most complex and long-term experiences of rough sleeping.
These measures build on the Government's wider action to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including the commitments set out in A National Plan to End Homelessness. This takes total investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years to more than £4 billion.
Funding has been allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities, based on local need, to provide accommodation and support for people experiencing rough sleeping. The Government is working closely with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities and homelessness organisations to support delivery of the Programme.
Further details of the Government's most recent measures are set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 1 September 2026 (HCWS300).
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the 10 Downing Street press release entitled PM hands mayors share of income tax to make lives better in every postcode, published on 30 July 2026, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposed fiscal devolution on local government reorganisation, including the allocation of financial responsibilities and revenue-raising powers between successor authorities.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In the Cabinet Statement of 31 July, we set out our intention that mayors will keep a share of local income tax, replacing central government grants, beginning in 2028. For areas to benefit from this, they will therefore need to be part of a Mayoral Strategic Authority. Greater Essex is a prospective Mayoral Strategic Authority area, as part of the Devolution Priority Programme, and we await confirmation from all relevant council leaders in Essex that they wish to proceed with devolution, ahead of legislating to establish the Authority.
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national government to local areas. Local government reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils. While local authorities will continue to be responsible for the critical daily services that their residents rely on, strategic authorities will be institutions with a wider regional focus, responsible for unlocking investment, infrastructure and economic growth across large geographies. It is Mayoral Strategic Authorities that will keep a share of local income tax rather than local councils, and so this stands independently of local government reorganisation and of accountability mechanisms for local authorities. Mayors will not have powers to change tax rates or thresholds.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the 10 Downing Street press release entitled PM hands mayors share of income tax to make lives better in every postcode, published on 30 July 2026, what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) Basildon, (b) Thurrock and (c) Essex councils on the proposed arrangements for retaining income tax revenues.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In the Cabinet Statement of 31 July, we set out our intention that mayors will keep a share of local income tax, replacing central government grants, beginning in 2028. For areas to benefit from this, they will therefore need to be part of a Mayoral Strategic Authority. Greater Essex is a prospective Mayoral Strategic Authority area, as part of the Devolution Priority Programme, and we await confirmation from all relevant council leaders in Essex that they wish to proceed with devolution, ahead of legislating to establish the Authority.
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national government to local areas. Local government reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils. While local authorities will continue to be responsible for the critical daily services that their residents rely on, strategic authorities will be institutions with a wider regional focus, responsible for unlocking investment, infrastructure and economic growth across large geographies. It is Mayoral Strategic Authorities that will keep a share of local income tax rather than local councils, and so this stands independently of local government reorganisation and of accountability mechanisms for local authorities. Mayors will not have powers to change tax rates or thresholds.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the 10 Downing Street press release entitled PM hands mayors share of income tax to make lives better in every postcode, published on 30 July 2026, whether areas undergoing local government reorganisation will receive the same fiscal devolution powers as current mayoral authorities.
Answered by Jim McMahon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
In the Cabinet Statement of 31 July, we set out our intention that mayors will keep a share of local income tax, replacing central government grants, beginning in 2028. For areas to benefit from this, they will therefore need to be part of a Mayoral Strategic Authority. Greater Essex is a prospective Mayoral Strategic Authority area, as part of the Devolution Priority Programme, and we await confirmation from all relevant council leaders in Essex that they wish to proceed with devolution, ahead of legislating to establish the Authority.
Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national government to local areas. Local government reorganisation is about how the powers and funding that sit with local government are organised between councils. While local authorities will continue to be responsible for the critical daily services that their residents rely on, strategic authorities will be institutions with a wider regional focus, responsible for unlocking investment, infrastructure and economic growth across large geographies. It is Mayoral Strategic Authorities that will keep a share of local income tax rather than local councils, and so this stands independently of local government reorganisation and of accountability mechanisms for local authorities. Mayors will not have powers to change tax rates or thresholds.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 Prime Minister's speech entitled New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, published on 20 July 2026, what assessment has been made of the number of additional people expected to be supported by the £340 million announced in that speech.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On his first day in office the Prime Minister launched an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity. We are providing £442 million new funding to local areas to ensure that everyone who needs it is offered a route off the streets before Christmas this year, while providing longer-term accommodation and support for people with the most complex and long-term experiences of rough sleeping.
These measures build on the Government's wider action to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including the commitments set out in A National Plan to End Homelessness. This takes total investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years to more than £4 billion.
Funding has been allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities, based on local need, to provide accommodation and support for people experiencing rough sleeping. The Government is working closely with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities and homelessness organisations to support delivery of the Programme.
Further details of the Government's most recent measures are set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 1 September 2026 (HCWS300).
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 Prime Minister's speech entitled New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, published on 20 July 2026, what discussions have taken place with local authorities on the implementation of the additional funding announced in that speech.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On his first day in office the Prime Minister launched an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity. We are providing £442 million new funding to local areas to ensure that everyone who needs it is offered a route off the streets before Christmas this year, while providing longer-term accommodation and support for people with the most complex and long-term experiences of rough sleeping.
These measures build on the Government's wider action to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including the commitments set out in A National Plan to End Homelessness. This takes total investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years to more than £4 billion.
Funding has been allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities, based on local need, to provide accommodation and support for people experiencing rough sleeping. The Government is working closely with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities and homelessness organisations to support delivery of the Programme.
Further details of the Government's most recent measures are set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 1 September 2026 (HCWS300).
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 Prime Minister's speech entitled New PM says government can bring back hope to Britain, and launches drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity, published on 20 July 2026, what discussions have taken place with homelessness charities on the implementation of the additional funding.
Answered by Florence Eshalomi - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On his first day in office the Prime Minister launched an urgent national drive to end rough sleeping at the earliest opportunity. We are providing £442 million new funding to local areas to ensure that everyone who needs it is offered a route off the streets before Christmas this year, while providing longer-term accommodation and support for people with the most complex and long-term experiences of rough sleeping.
These measures build on the Government's wider action to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including the commitments set out in A National Plan to End Homelessness. This takes total investment in homelessness and rough sleeping services over the next three years to more than £4 billion.
Funding has been allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and local authorities, based on local need, to provide accommodation and support for people experiencing rough sleeping. The Government is working closely with Mayoral Strategic Authorities, local authorities and homelessness organisations to support delivery of the Programme.
Further details of the Government's most recent measures are set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 1 September 2026 (HCWS300).