Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 31 March 2025 to Question 41063 on Low Alcohol Drinks: Labelling and Marketing, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of amending labelling regulations on pubs.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

While the Government has not made a specific assessment of the potential impact of amending labelling regulations on no or low alcohol products in pubs, work continues across the Government to better understand how we can reduce alcohol-related harms by exploring potential opportunities, including changes to alcohol labelling.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37570 on Housing, whether the Valuation Office Agency collects data on the (a) total plot size of the curtilage of a dwelling and its surrounds including any garden and (b) the area size of the dwelling itself excluding any surrounds and garden.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency only requires data on a dwelling’s total plot size when it is non-standard for a typical property of that type. Plot size is recorded in these instances because an unusually large or small plot could influence the property’s assessment for Council Tax.

The area size of the dwelling itself is recorded for all properties.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many refuges are in each local authority area in England and Wales according to hereditament data held by the Valuation Office Agency to the closest associated Special Category Code.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency does not record data on refuges by Special Category Code.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the £500,000 rateable value threshold will be uprated in April 2026 in line with the average percentage uplift in aggregate rateable values from the 2026 business rates revaluation.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for high street retail, hospitality, and leisure properties, with rateable values below £500,000, from 2026-27.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so the Government intends to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties - those with a rateable value (RV) of £500,000 and above. These represent less than one per cent of all properties, but cover the majority of large distribution warehouses, including those used by online giants.

The Government will confirm the rates for the new multipliers at Autumn Budget 2025, taking account of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation as well as the broader economic and fiscal context.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37583 on Elections: Expenditure, what guidance the Commission has issued on (a) itemising and (b) listing notional spending below £50 in Representation of the People Act returns where the total notional expenditure from that organisation is greater than £50.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Elecotoral Commission has published guidance for candidates and agents on reporting notional expenditure. Property, goods, services or facilities received over the value of £50, provided for free or at a non-commercial discount, must be reported as candidate spending and as a donation. There are no requirements in law for candidates to report items of notional spending where the value is £50 or lower.

Candidates do not need to itemise or list individual items of spending with a value of £50 or below, even when they have received multiple items of spending from the same organisation with a total value over £50.

Agents are required to include the details of any reportable notional expenditure, and a declaration of its value in the candidate spending return.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of biodiversity net gain on (a) housebuilding costs and (b) levels of development.

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

Mandatory biodiversity net gain establishes a consistent set of requirements which give developers clarity on how they can meet their net gain obligations and deliver developments which leave biodiversity in a better state.

The biodiversity net gain regulatory impact assessment determined that the additional costs of the policy would have a low impact on development viability.

As is the case with any new policy, we are collecting information and evidence about the implementation of mandatory biodiversity net gain. Government is committed to working closely with the housebuilding sector to make biodiversity net gain work effectively and implement solutions to unlock new homes without weakening environmental protections.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, in what circumstances a previous landowner is eligible for additional compensation following a Compulsory Purchase Order; and how this applies to Compulsory Purchase Orders where hope value has been removed.

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

Additional compensation may be payable where a compulsory purchase order was confirmed with a direction removing hope value, but the acquiring authority does not build out their scheme as proposed.

The Department has issued guidance on the circumstances where additional compensation may be claimed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Nature Restoration Fund levy will be in addition to Biodiversity Net Gain.

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

The Nature Restoration Fund will be in addition to Biodiversity Net Gain and will run concurrently, focusing on enabling development in areas where it has stalled due to specific environmental obligations relating to impacts on protected sites or species.

We will ensure that developers receive a user-friendly experience and that BNG credit and the Nature Restoration Fund revenue is deployed in a joined-up manner to maximise environmental outcomes.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 36099 on Housing: Parking, whether local authorities may recover costs of dropping a kerb greater than the actual cost of the (a) works and (b) administration.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 provides that local authorities may recover the expenses reasonably incurred by them in carrying out works to create a dropped kerb.

Local authorities are responsible for managing and maintaining the roads in their area and must themselves make any decision on dropped kerbs.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Electoral Commission has produced guidance on the inclusion of local Electoral Returning Officers within the definition of local authorities for the Re-use of Public Sector Information.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commisson has not produced guidance on the inclusion of local Electoral Returning Officers within the definition of local authorities for the Re-Use of Public Sector Information.

The Electoral Commission produces guidance on the roles and responsibilities of Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers in carrying out the statutory functions to deliver well-run electoral services.

The Information Commissioner's Office is responsible for enforcing data protection legislation and has produced guidance for publice sector bodies covered by the Re-Use Public Sector Information Regulations 2015 (RPSI)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether every regulated public (a) appointment and (b) re-appointment is published on the Announcement section of the website entitled Apply for a public appointment; and how long each announcement page remains on that website.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

All regulated appointment and reappointment announcements should be published on the Apply for a public appointment digital service, unless the appointing department determines that the appointment is of a sensitive nature.

All announcements remain on the service indefinitely and are archived within the National Archives catalogue.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) environmental delivery plans and (b) the nature restoration fund will replace suitable alternative natural greenspace.

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

Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) can be used to address the negative effects of development leading to recreational disturbance of Habitats Sites. Where appropriate, SANGs will continue to play an important role in nature restoration under both Environmental Delivery Plans (which will be funded by the Nature Restoration Fund) and the existing Habitats Regulations Assessment regime.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to amend the Habitats Regulations.

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

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes targeted amendments to the Habitats Regulations, with Schedule 4 including changes necessary to streamline environmental assessment as part of Environmental Delivery Plans and Schedule 6 adding Ramsar Sites to Part 6 of the Habitats Regulations so these sites are covered whilst strengthening protections.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2025 to Question 35307, on Asylum: Contracts, whether her Department directly procures asylum accommodation itself, separate to those contracts.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is working closely with a range of stakeholders to fulfil its statutory obligations, while seeking to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation for the taxpayer.

As part of this programme, the Home Office works with its contracted Estates delivery partner, Cushman and Wakefield, to identify potential leasehold and freehold properties for the Home Office to acquire. This involves assessing the feasibility of options and working with Local Authorities and MPs.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether she has considered raising the Aarhus Convention cost limits on judicial reviews of development and infrastructure.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

The Government remains committed to protecting access to justice in environmental cases, while supporting the timely delivery of infrastructure projects under the Government’s Growth Mission. The issue of cost caps relating to Judicial Review in the planning context was considered by Lord Banner in his independent review published in October 2024. He did not recommend any change to the default cost caps in Aarhus cases. Judges already have the power to vary costs caps upwards or downwards according to the particular circumstances in a case.

In addition, between September and December 2024, the Government ran a Call for Evidence on access to justice in relation to the Aarhus Convention. This Call for Evidence considers the recommendations of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee (ACCC) regarding whether changes are required to the Environmental Costs Protection Regime (ECPR).

The Government intends to publish a response to the Call for Evidence in the coming months.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question HL5597 on Political Parties: Finance, if he will place in the Library an unredacted version of the guidance.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

As set out in response to question HL5597, the guidance document in question is owned by the House of Lords Appointments Commission and is an internal document for Commission members.

When ordering release of the guidance in December 2021, the Information Commissioner decided that some of the information in the document should be redacted in order to protect the integrity of the Commission's vetting process.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission has provided on whether a linked donation which a Parliamentary candidate benefits from but given to a national political party during the 2024 general election short campaign, must be declared in the candidate’s Representation of the People Act return.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission publishes guidance for candidates and agents on donations that are held on a candidate's behalf by a party, such as in a local party fighting fund. How a donation must be reported depends on the intention of the donor and who controls the donation once received.

If a donation is held by the party but made with the intention that the candidate benefits and is made available to the candidate, it must be declared in the candidate's spending return.

If there is no intention to donate to the candidate, or the donation is received and controlled by the party, this is likely to be a party donation. If the party then uses the donation to benefit the candidate, the candidate may need to report a seperate donation from the party.

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 plans to change disqualification rules for (a) councillors, (b) mayors and (c) other elected representatives, in relation to those found guilty of sexual offences.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

On changes to local government disqualification criteria, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41451.

The government has been clear that standards in local government need to be improved and that could include a standards regime which has the power to suspend, sanction and disqualify for the most serious breaches.

Councillors and mayors already face disqualification if found guilty of sexual offences. Individuals made subject to the notification requirements or who receive a relevant order for sexual offences are disqualified for as long as they remain subject to them.

Someone cannot be a Police and Crime Commissioner if they have ever been convicted of an imprisonable offence.

We have no plans to extend the House of Commons disqualification criteria beyond those set out in the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the Representation of the People Act 1981. There are also mechanisms in place under the Recall of MPs Act 2015 for the electorate to decide whether to remove MPs convicted of other offences.

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 holds information on the individual bye-laws in force by each local authority.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

MHCLG does not hold information on individual byelaws in force by each local authority.

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 7 March 2025 to Question 31685 on Public Consultation: Young People, what his planned timetable is for the publication of the long term strategy for communities; and what policy areas it will cover.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Young people were invited to participate via DCMS-funded youth programmes. Participants represented a range of age groups and communities from across the country.

The government continues its work to deliver for communities and is currently developing its longer-term strategy. We will set out next steps 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, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 31685 on Public Consultation: Young People, how the young people for the two round tables on the long term strategy for communities were selected.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Young people were invited to participate via DCMS-funded youth programmes. Participants represented a range of age groups and communities from across the country.

The government continues its work to deliver for communities and is currently developing its longer-term strategy. We will set out next steps 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, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on how campaigners can (a) hold street stalls and (b) give out leaflets in local high streets.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has not issued any guidance to local authorities on issues relating to campaigning.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for providing guidance directly to candidates and campaigners.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of whether particular types of retail outlets in high streets and town centres are used for money laundering from the sale of drugs.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Government recognises that cash intensive businesses such as barber shops and nail bars can be exploited by criminals seeking to launder their criminal cash from serious and organised crime. Addressing cash-based money laundering is one of the strategic priorities of the National Economic Crime Centre which sits within the National Crime Agency, and who are currently working with partners to facilitate an increased operational response to this threat.

In parallel, the National Police Chiefs’ Council economic crime co-ordinators are engaged in the development of Clear Hold Build strategies to help police forces tackle serious and organised crime. Clear Hold Build aims to reclaim and rebuild neighbourhoods affected by organised crime, including tackling financial crime on the high street.

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 £2 billion new investment to support biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation, published on 25 March 2025, over what period the (a) funding will be allocated and (b) new homes will be (i) commenced and (ii) completed.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 25 March 2025 (HCWS549)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether environmental delivery plans will apply to all protected species within the designated area.

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

The scale and coverage of an Environmental Delivery Plan (EDPs) will reflect the nature of the specific environmental impact being addressed.

EDPs will only be put in place where Natural England and the Secretary of State are confident that conservation measures will be sufficient to outweigh the negative effects of development. Where this is not the case, existing environmental obligations, including those arising under the Habitats Regulations, will remain in place.

Where a protected species is not suitable for this more strategic approach, Natural England will not propose an EDP.

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 24 March 2025 to Question 38367 on Fast Food: Planning Permission, what rulings the Planning Inspectorate has made on the working definition of a fast food outlet.

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

The Planning Inspectorate has not made any rulings on the working definition of a fast food outlet.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much local highway authorities in England received from the (a) pothole fund, (b) highways maintenance block needs, (b) highways maintenance block incentive, (d) integrated transport block, (e) Maintenance funding uplift from HS2 Euston savings, (f) Network North highways maintenance funding and (g) other repurposed HS2 funding for potholes and road maintenance in the 2024-25 financial year.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

In 2024/25, the Department provided a total of £1,067 million to local highway authorities in England under the pothole fund and highways maintenance block (needs and incentive elements). Nominally, this broke down into approximately £407 million from the potholes fund, £407 million from the highway maintenance block “needs” element, £102 million from the highway maintenance block “incentive” element and £150 million from the Network North plan. In practice, these funding streams now serve the same purpose and are used interchangeably by local highway authorities: the Department will formally consolidate them into a single payment from 2025/26 onwards.

The £150 million funding uplift from the previous Government’s Network North plan was divided up among all CRSTS recipients and local highway authorities in England. Individual authority by authority allocations are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-maintenance-funding-allocations.

The Department also paid a total of £170 million of Integrated Transport Block (ITB) funding to local highway authorities in 2024/25, with the details available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-maintenance-funding-allocations/highways-maintenance-and-itb-funding-formula-allocations-2022-to-2025 .

None of the above figures include the £208 million or so of highway maintenance funding per annum, or the £90 million or so of ITB funding per annum, that has been consolidated into the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) that are paid to some Mayoral Combined Authority areas.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much local highway authorities in England will receive in 2025-26 from the (a) pothole fund, (b) highways maintenance block needs, (c) highways maintenance block incentive, (d) integrated transport block, (e) Maintenance funding uplift from HS2 Euston savings, (f) Network North highways maintenance funding and (g) other repurposed HS2 funding for potholes and road maintenance.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

During 2025/26, the Department will provide a total of £1,567 million to local highway authorities in England under a new single, consolidated highway maintenance capital grant. This consolidates into one single funding stream the previous pothole fund, highway maintenance block (needs and incentive elements) and earlier Network North funding uplift, as well as the £500 million funding uplift announced in the Chancellor’s October 2024 Budget. The funding allocations to individual authorities are all on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-maintenance-funding-allocations/highways-maintenance-block-formula-allocations-2025-to-2026.

The Department will also provide £170 million of Integrated Transport Block (ITB) funding to local highway authorities in 2025/26. Allocations to individual authorities are published on gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/integrated-transport-block-allocations.

None of the above figures include the £208 million or so of highway maintenance funding per annum, or the £90 million or so of ITB funding per annum, that has been consolidated into the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) that are paid to some Mayoral Combined Authority areas.

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 March 2025 to Question 38627 on Democracy and Elections, if she will name each of the stakeholders who have been consulted to date.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government engages with a broad range of stakeholders including local authorities, Civil Society Organisations and electoral bodies including the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators, The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and the Scottish Assessors’ Association. The Government is committed to working proactively and collaboratively with those groups where the Government’s ambitious agenda for electoral reform will have the most impact and we will continue to build on these trusted relationships.

Question to the Leader of the House:

To ask the Leader of the House, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37209 on Government Departments: Written Questions, whether it is her policy that if information would be released under the Environmental Information Regulations it should also be released in response to a written Parliamentary Question.

Answered by Lucy Powell - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

I refer the Hon. Member to the response provided to Question 37209, which answers his question.

I encourage the Hon. Member to raise any specific issues they may have regarding PQ responses with myself and my office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information his Department holds on the total planned cost of the repairs to doors in Flat 1 of Admiralty House; and whether any other works are planned for that property.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

We are not able to comment on specific repairs to Admiralty House on security grounds. Admiralty House is a Grade I listed government freehold property and any necessary repairs undertaken have to be compliant with those 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 14 March 2025 to Question 36103 on Islamophobia, what the public appointment process will be.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia working group has been established to provide government with a working definition of Anti-Muslim Hatred which is reflective of a wide range of perspectives and priorities of British Muslims. The Working Group is made up of representatives from Muslim communities, independent experts, and academics.

Full membership details of the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group have been published on GOV.UK. The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. Further details of the Government’s public appointments process and the Governance Code of Public Appointments can be found on GOV.UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the members of the working group on the definition of Islamophobia will be remunerated; and what is the process by which they have been selected.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Members of the Anti-Muslim Hate/Islamophobia Definition Working Group will not be remunerated but will be able to claim expenses for travel and/or costs incurred whilst carrying out their role. Members are technical experts and have been selected for their ability to deliver against the group’s objectives. All members must follow The Seven Principles of Public Life and the Government retains the right to end the relationship if any member does not abide by the principles. All appointments are subject to assessment of any potential or actual conflicts of interest, which must be fully disclosed to the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government. Further details are provided in the Group’s Terms of Reference which have been published on GOV.UK.

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 Answer by Lord Khan of Burnley of 13 March 2025, Official Report, House of Lords, Column 822, whether the grant funding agreement with Tell MAMA has been signed.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As with all government funding, funding to Tell MAMA is subject to grant funding agreements which are rightly kept under constant review and are subject to continued monitoring and evaluation. Following Tell MAMA’s signing of the required Grant Funding Agreement, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has made payment for the 2024/25.

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 March 2025 to Question 31935 on Civil Society: Islam, how such decisions are (a) recorded and (b) communicated to teams within her Department.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The responsibility for decisions around who departments engage with sits with respective departments and the appropriate policy areas. All policy decisions are taken and recorded in the usual way, as per standard 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 3 March 2025 to Question 32222 on Homes England: Equality, whether this expenditure was signed off by the Principle Accounting Officer for Homes England.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Whitehall Diversity & Industry Group (WIG) Diversity & Inclusion event is a conference with key note speakers, panel discussions and interactive sessions and therefore does not fall under the EDI restrictions and/or require sign off from the Principal Accounting Officer for Homes England.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 28 November 2023 to Question 2562 on Jewish Safety, when the Jewish Community Crime, Policing and Security Taskforce last met.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

The taskforce last met on October 23^rd, 2023. To discuss the surge in antisemitism seen in UK following the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7^th, 2023.

We continue to work closely with the Community Security Trust (CST) and other stakeholders in the Jewish community to discuss the scourge of antisemitism and the protection of Jewish synagogues, schools and other communal centres. The Home Secretary addressed these and other issues in her speech to the CST annual dinner on 26 March 2025, which can be read here: Home Secretary speech at the Community Security Trust - GOV.UK.

Antisemitism has absolutely no place in British society, and we are funding measures to protect Jewish communities and places of worship. We have assigned £72M from 2024/25 to 2027/28 as part of the Jewish Protective Security Grant, which is administered by the Community Security Trust.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of pupils transferring from private to state schools on the cost to local authorities of home school transport.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

Local authorities are required to arrange free home-to-school travel for children of compulsory school age who attend their nearest school and would be unable to walk there because of the distance, their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, or because the route is unsafe. As such, most pupils do not need home-to-school transport.

Departmental officials work closely with local authorities in relation to home-to-school transport and will continue to engage on this. As set out in HMT’s impact assessment, we expect the level of movement from private to state-funded schools following tax changes to be very small. We have not seen any evidence to contradict our expectations.

Most central government funding for home-to-school travel is provided through the Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) administered by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The provisional LGFS makes £69 billion available to local authorities in the 2025/2026 financial year, the majority of which is not ringfenced. Together with local income from council tax and business rates, this will provide a real-terms increase in core spending power of around 3.2%.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 35702 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Flags, whether his Department had previously applied for planning permission to fly that particular flag.

Answered by Catherine West - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The bisexual flag was flown on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) internal Quad flagpole in September 2024. It was thought the flag would not be visible to the public, and so no planning permission was sought. It has subsequently been noticed that the flag may have been partially visible to the public through the FCDO's security gates if stood in the driveway.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of providing additional funding to Internal Drainage Boards.

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

The Government fully supports the important work internal drainage boards (IDBs) do in managing water and flood risk, benefiting communities, businesses and the environment.

On 31st March the Government announced an additional £16 million boost to the IDB Fund to support greater flood resilience for farmers and rural communities. The Fund has increased from £75 million to £91 million to provide opportunities to modernise and upgrade assets. More than 400,000 hectares of agricultural land and around 91,000 homes and businesses across England are expected to benefit.

In addition, IDBs, as risk management authorities, are eligible for the government’s flood investment programme. The government is investing a record £2.65 billion over two years in building, maintaining and repairing flood defences, better protecting 52,000 properties by March 2026.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the ability of councils to provide (a) regular refuse collections and (b) other core services.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The delivery of the Plan to Make Work Pay is a manifesto commitment. We will be engaging closely with local authorities as the policy develops and further detail on funding models will be provided in due course. We will consult extensively on the implementation of the legislation to ensure it works for workers and employers alike.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the written statement of 4 March 2025, HCWS495, on Household Support Fund, what estimate she has made of the number of local authorities that are using the fund to provide support for pensioners in lieu of the reductions to Winter Fuel Allowance.

Answered by Alison McGovern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Local Authorities can use the Household Support Fund (HSF) to provide support with energy costs to households in need.

Management Information on how funding has been spent in previous years, including the proportion spent on households with pensioners and the proportion spent on energy and water, can be found here: Household Support Fund management information - GOV.UK

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 33043 on Home Office, what steps her Department is taking to ensure consistency of approach in its engagement policy.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

Decisions on engagement are always best made on a case-by-case basis, after consulting the relevant evidence and priorities.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 20 March 2025 to Question 38055 on Public Space Protection Orders: Fixed Penalties, whether (a) local authorities and (b) outsourced contracts can generate a profit from the issuing of fixed penalty notices.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers they can use to respond to anti-social behaviour (ASB), including the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The powers in the 2014 Act are deliberately flexible in nature, and it is for local agencies to determine whether their use is appropriate in the specific circumstances of each individual case.

The Home Office does currently not hold data on the number of PSPOs in force but is taking action to address that through the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, introduced to Parliament on 25 February 2025. This Bill will introduce a new power for the Home Secretary to make regulations requiring key local agencies, such as local authorities, to report information about ASB to the Government.

Breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence. Depending on the behaviour in question, the enforcing officer could decide a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) would be the most appropriate sanction. As set out in legislation, FPNs have a fixed upper limit of £100. Provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill will increase the upper limit for breach of a PSPO to £500. This is a penalty for failing to comply with a requirement of the PSPO.

We will be issuing accompanying statutory guidance which will emphasise the importance of the new limits being used proportionately. The guidance will also recommend that local authorities include wording on proportionate use of FPNs in any service level agreements with contractors.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department holds data on the Public Space Protection Orders in force by local authority.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers they can use to respond to anti-social behaviour (ASB), including the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

The powers in the 2014 Act are deliberately flexible in nature, and it is for local agencies to determine whether their use is appropriate in the specific circumstances of each individual case.

The Home Office does currently not hold data on the number of PSPOs in force but is taking action to address that through the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, introduced to Parliament on 25 February 2025. This Bill will introduce a new power for the Home Secretary to make regulations requiring key local agencies, such as local authorities, to report information about ASB to the Government.

Breach of a PSPO is a criminal offence. Depending on the behaviour in question, the enforcing officer could decide a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) would be the most appropriate sanction. As set out in legislation, FPNs have a fixed upper limit of £100. Provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill will increase the upper limit for breach of a PSPO to £500. This is a penalty for failing to comply with a requirement of the PSPO.

We will be issuing accompanying statutory guidance which will emphasise the importance of the new limits being used proportionately. The guidance will also recommend that local authorities include wording on proportionate use of FPNs in any service level agreements with contractors.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to provide additional resources to Birmingham City Council to help support public health.

Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Birmingham City Council’s Public Health Grant for 2025/26 will be £109,102,134. This is an increase of 5.9% relative to 2024/25, and equates to £92.98 per capita against a per capita average across all English upper tier local authorities of £66.64.

Birmingham will also receive targeted investment in 2025/26 of £1,647,900 to improve its Start for Life offer, £1,596,854 to support stop smoking services, and £11,741,333 to support drug and alcohol treatment and recovery. Future funding decisions will be subject to the upcoming Spending Review.

The Government continues to support Birmingham City Council’s recovery, and action to protect and improve public health.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of proximity to an electricity pylon on the average capital value of an average house.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government does not assess the impact of new transmission network infrastructure on house prices.

Landowners, businesses and homeowners that have electrical equipment, such as pylons or towers, sited on their land have the right to compensation for the value of their land, as well as for any losses or expenses incurred. Acquiring authorities can also put in place discretionary schemes offering additional compensation.

We have published guidance on community funds for electricity transmission infrastructure which outlines government’s recommendations on how to communities living near clean energy infrastructure can benefit.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-transmission-network-infrastructure-community-funds/community-funds-for-transmission-infrastructure-accessible-webpage

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what Admiralty House is used for; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using that building for civil servants in his Department.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Admiralty House is a Grade I listed building, and is not an office workspace in the traditional sense. The building contains state rooms, which are used for events, and three flats, which can be allocated at the request of the Prime Minister.

This is the same approach to the use of Admiralty House as taken under the previous Government.

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 her Department's statutory guidance entitled, Best value standards and intervention: a statutory guide for best value authorities, published on 8 May 2024, if she will take steps to intervene in the bin collection strike in Birmingham City Council area.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Department is closely monitoring the situation regarding the ongoing bin collection strike in the Birmingham City Council area and stands ready to play its part in supporting the Council where necessary. The Council should remain responsible for managing local service delivery, as is normal practice across local government, and is working to deal with the backlog of waste swiftly. Commissioners, who were appointed in October 2023 under the previous government to oversee the Council’s broader improvement journey, have been working constructively with the Council to ensure that a meaningful, sustainable resolution is found as quickly as possible. We recognise the importance of this issue for local people and are clear that this must be resolved, with regular services returned, and the accumulated waste and fly-tipping removed from the streets of the city as a matter of urgency.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance she has issued on whether not collecting refuse waste could lead to a best value intervention at a local authority.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

All local authorities are under a statutory duty to comply with Best Value and must make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way their functions are exercised, as outlined in the existing statutory guidance on Best Value standards and intervention. Where there are concerns about a local authority's compliance with this duty, the Secretary of State may consider a range of evidence before deciding whether to intervene. No specific, separate guidance on whether the collection of refuse waste could lead to a best value intervention has been issued.

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 Written Ministerial Statement of 3 February 2025, HCWS413 on the Local Government Finance Settlement 2025-26, whether she plans to provide additional support to local authorities impacted by increases to Internal Drainage Board special levies.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) play a crucial role in managing water levels and flood risk. MHCLG recognises the continued increases in special levies which local authorities are having to pay over the past few years. This is why the government announced, as part of the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement, that it will provide £5 million in funding for the local authorities most impacted by Internal Drainage Board levies. This follows the £3 million grant awarded in the previous two years. Allocations for the 2025-26 IDB levy support grant will be announced in due course.

MHCLG recognises the need for a long-term solution and is working with Defra to explore potential approaches.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential merits of providing additional funding to Internal Drainage Boards.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) play a crucial role in managing water levels and flood risk. MHCLG recognises the continued increases in special levies which local authorities are having to pay over the past few years. This is why the government announced, as part of the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement, that it will provide £5 million in funding for the local authorities most impacted by Internal Drainage Board levies. This follows the £3 million grant awarded in the previous two years. Allocations for the 2025-26 IDB levy support grant will be announced in due course.

MHCLG recognises the need for a long-term solution and is working with Defra to explore potential approaches.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to explore alternative funding models of Internal Drainage Boards.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) play a crucial role in managing water levels and flood risk. MHCLG recognises the continued increases in special levies which local authorities are having to pay over the past few years. This is why the government announced, as part of the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement, that it will provide £5 million in funding for the local authorities most impacted by Internal Drainage Board levies. This follows the £3 million grant awarded in the previous two years. Allocations for the 2025-26 IDB levy support grant will be announced in due course.

MHCLG recognises the need for a long-term solution and is working with Defra to explore potential approaches.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether council tax referendum provisions will be applied to new (a) town and (b) parish councils established in new unitary areas.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In 2025-26 the Government has not set referendum principles for town and parish councils. The Government encourages councils to be mindful of the impact on tax payers when setting precepts. Decisions taken by town and parish councils in 2025-26 will be taken into account by the Government when considering referendum principles in future years.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to reform Internal Drainage Board special levies.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) play a crucial role in managing water levels and flood risk. MHCLG recognises the continued increases in special levies which local authorities are having to pay over the past few years. This is why the government announced, as part of the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement, that it will provide £5 million in funding for the local authorities most impacted by Internal Drainage Board levies. This follows the £3 million grant awarded in the previous two years. Allocations for the 2025-26 IDB levy support grant will be announced in due course.

MHCLG recognises the need for a long-term solution and is working with Defra to explore potential approaches.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of equal pay claims on the financial viability of councils.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities are independent employers and responsible for complying with employment legislation, so the management of equal pay claims is primarily a matter for councils.

The government does however fund the Local Government Association to run a Sector Support Programme, which includes providing support and guidance for councils on equal pay issues.

As always, the Department stands ready to speak to any council that has concerns about its finances, including as a result of equal pay claims, and we will treat all discussions in confidence, with respect and determination to find a solution together.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of local government restructuring on the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local government reorganisation will have impacts on the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and may require the transfer of various functions, including the responsibility for administering an LGPS fund to a different authority. Member benefits are guaranteed in statue and will not be affected.

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 April 2025 to Question 38374 on Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, what estimate her Department has made of the number of local authorities which now have boycott or divestment policies against Israel.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has consistently opposed both the BDS Movement and calls to boycott the State of Israel by public authorities including local authorities. It is not government’s business to monitor the number of debates or motions on any matter provided councils are compliant with the law.

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 28 March 2025 to Question 39867 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, if she will publish all expenditure on those cards since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

In line with Cabinet Office guidance MHCLG publishes details of all spending over £500 using an electronic purchasing card solution (ePCS) on a monthly basis.

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 March 2025 to Question 39870 on Freeports: Finance, what the budgeted (a) capital and (b) resource funding is for freeports in 2025-26.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Departmental budgets for 2025-26 will not be formally confirmed until the Main Estimate has been approved by Parliament.

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 April 2025 to Question 38374 on Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill, if her Department will make an assessment of the potential impact of the resolution of Oxford City Council of 24 March 2025 to boycott and divest from Israel on community cohesion and integration in Oxfordshire.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has consistently opposed both the BDS Movement and calls to boycott the State of Israel by public authorities including local authorities. It is not government’s business to monitor the number of debates or motions on any matter provided councils are compliant with the law.

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 entry for Casas Y Palacios in the publication entitled MHCLG: spending over £500, January 2025, updated on 27 February 2025, what event she attended.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Details of international Ministerial travel are published on a quarterly basis on Gov.uk.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many special advisers are employed by her Department.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Deputy Prime Minister has appointed six Special Advisers to the department.

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 her Department's publication entitled Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund: prospectus, published on 2 April 2025, whether (a) Tell MAMA and (b) Faith Matters will receive any funding from her Department in 2025-26; and whether they will be required to bid for this funding.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We are committed to providing a comprehensive service to monitor Anti-Muslim Hatred and provide support for victims.

Applications to the Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund are now open. With cases of anti-Muslim hatred on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported. We welcome an application from Faith Matters.

In addition to announcing the new Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund, the Government made available £500,000 for funding Tell MAMA in 2025/26 to support their work for Q1 and Q2 of 2025/26, subject to signing of a Grant Funding Agreement. This funding offer has now been rejected by Faith Matters. We are disappointed Faith Matters have chosen to decline our offer of a funding extension - but thank them for their many years of work in monitoring anti-Muslim hatred and supporting victims.

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 her Department's publication entitled Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund: prospectus, published on 2 April 2025, whether groups that disagree with the Government’s new working definition on Islamophobia will be eligible to receive funding.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims. With cases on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this form of hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported.

Non-profit distributing incorporated organisations such as: companies limited by guarantee (including community interest companies), charitable incorporated organisations, and community benefit societies are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to understand and work with Muslim communities.

The prospectus for the fund makes clear that applicants must be aligned with government values concerning hate crime, extremism, community cohesion, and the value of inter-faith work. They must also be willing to record and monitor instances of anti-Muslim hate crime in such a way that is consistent with the government’s working definition of anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia, should the government choose to adopt a definition in future

Further information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, published on GOV.UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether any Muslim organisations are not eligible to submit bids to the Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims. With cases on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this form of hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported.

Non-profit distributing incorporated organisations such as: companies limited by guarantee (including community interest companies), charitable incorporated organisations, and community benefit societies are eligible to apply for funding. Applicants will need to demonstrate their ability to understand and work with Muslim communities.

The prospectus for the fund makes clear that applicants must be aligned with government values concerning hate crime, extremism, community cohesion, and the value of inter-faith work. They must also be willing to record and monitor instances of anti-Muslim hate crime in such a way that is consistent with the government’s working definition of anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia, should the government choose to adopt a definition in future

Further information can be found in the fund’s prospectus, published on GOV.UK.

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) capital and (b) resource funding she plans to allocate to Investment Zones in each of the next four financial years.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The allocation of Investment Zone programme funding to 2028/29 is published in the Investment Zones: technical document - GOV.UK. The amount allocated to individual Investment Zones is determined in consultation with the accountable bodies as part of the year end reporting process and planning for delivery in subsequent years. That reporting and monitoring process is also set out in the Technical Document.

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 March 2025 to Question 36686, on MHCLG: Industrial Disputes, what the disputed issue is between her Department and the PCS trade union relating to that industrial action.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) has declared a Trade Dispute and is balloting members on industrial action. The trade dispute includes planned closures of six offices as part of the department's location strategy, office attendance requirements and recruitment policies. Discussions with Trade Union representatives on a range of issues continue to take place.

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 plans to conduct a review of compliance costs from building regulations.

Answered by Alex Norris - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

All costs associated with updates to the building regulations are considered prior to publication. Full impact assessments including economic, environmental and equalities considerations, are published alongside amendments to the Building Regulations.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the transitional relief scheme for the 2026 business rates revaluation will be financed by (a) direct funding, (b) downward phasing and (c) a higher multiplier.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is legally required to introduce transitional relief for ratepayers to support those seeing the biggest increases at revaluations.

The Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023 removed the requirement for transitional relief schemes to be self-funding.

Only once we understand the complete 2026 revaluation picture will the Government be in a position to make final decisions, at Autumn Budget 2025, on the transitional relief scheme

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Update on tackling intimidation in public life of 18 March 2024, HCWS348, what further steps her Department is taking to help tackle intimidation in (a) elections and (b) public life; and which policies from that Written Ministerial Statement she (i) plans and (ii) does not plan to implement.

Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office)

In light of increasing levels of harassment and intimidation ahead of the General Election, the previous Government invested £31m into additional protective security measures such as expanding the police led operation BRIDGER, and the introduction of a Home Office run private security capability.

However, our approach needs to evolve with the threat and go further. Under the Defending Democracy Taskforce, the Government is actively reviewing its levers for preventing harassment and intimidation, identifying gaps and vulnerabilities, and developing recommendations to strengthen our response.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) local authorities, (b) state schools, (c) universities and (d) NHS Trusts subject to the business rates surcharge for properties with a rateable value over £500,000 from April 2026 onwards will receive compensation for those business rates.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

We are creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

To deliver our manifesto pledge, we intend to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties, from 2026-27.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so from 2026-27 we intend to introduce a higher rate on those properties with Rateable Values of £500,000 and above. This will apply to the most valuable properties, including large distribution warehouses such as those used by online giants, so that they can help support the viability of high streets.

The Spring Statement confirmed the spending envelope for phase 2 of the spending review. We will consider the full range of priorities and pressures facing departments in the round, including any impact of the higher multiplier, when setting these budgets.

Final details on the large business multiplier will be set out at Budget 2025, in light of the outcomes of the 2026 revaluation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of reductions to the collection of household rubbish on the prevalence of (a) vermin, (b) odours and (c) insects.

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

Defra has not produced a specific impact assessment regarding service frequency for residual waste collections. Modelling for this would be subjective to the circumstances of each individual local authority.

Through Simpler Recycling, all householders will receive a comprehensive and consistent set of waste and recycling services. This will enable householders to recycle as much waste as possible and to frequently dispose of bad-smelling food waste, which will be collected from all households at least weekly.

Defra recognises that as recycling services are expanded and improved, local authorities may want to review residual waste services to ensure they are providing best value for money in line with local need. The government’s priority is ensuring that households’ needs are met, and we expect local authorities to continue to provide services to a reasonable standard, as they do now. Building on existing and new legal duties, Defra has published guidance to ensure that local authorities consider certain factors when they review services, to ensure that reasonable standards are maintained.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has issued guidance to local authorities on making (a) licensing, (b) planning and (c) gambling decisions during local election periods.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Local authorities are required to consider the Recommended Code of Practice for Local Authority Publicity (‘the Code’) in coming to any decision on any communication, in whatever form, addressed to the public or a section of the public. A Code principle is that publicity be issued with care during periods of heightened sensitivity, such as in the pre-election period.

The pre-election period of heightened sensitivity does not prevent a local authority from carrying out routine business.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions the Best Value Commissioners in Birmingham City Council have had with (a) council officers and (b) the Unite trade union on bin collection industrial action.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Commissioners, who have been appointed to oversee Birmingham City Council’s improvement journey, continue to work constructively with the Council and encourage opportunities to resolve the ongoing waste dispute in a sustainable, meaningful way. There are ongoing and regular discussions. Commissioners are not directly involved in negotiations between the Council and Unite.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has a planned timetable for the alignment of administrative NHS boundaries with mayoral combined authority boundaries.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN HL5657 on 24 March 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she and her Ministers have had with Unite on the Birmingham bin strike.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Secretary of State engaged with Unite last week to encourage them to get back around the negotiating table with Birmingham City Council. Talks between Birmingham City Council and Unite continue.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional funding to Birmingham City Council for pest control services.

Answered by Jim McMahon - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government is working closely with Birmingham and continues to monitor the disruption caused by the bin strikes and the associated public health risks to the residents of the city. The council continues to manage local service delivery and has put in place measures to deal with the accumulated street backlog which has developed, and is supported by mutual aid from neighbouring authorities. The council has also taken measures to deal with pests including setting baiting stations in key waste hotspot areas, and are considering further measures to support households. The department continues to play its part in supporting the council where necessary and cross government mechanisms have been activated to ensure a coordinated response.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2025 to Question 35700 on Tower of London, whether the Government has had discussions with UNESCO on the potential impact of the planning application for a new Chinese Embassy at the Royal Mint on the Tower of London World Heritage site.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

On 28 February 2025, DCMS submitted a ‘paragraph 172 notification’ letter to the World Heritage Centre that included updated information on a range of developments relating to the Tower of London World Heritage Site.

The letter included an update on the planning process for the redevelopment of the Royal Mint Court, noting that Historic England does not disagree with the conclusions of the Heritage Impact Assessment that any impacts on the Tower of London World Heritage Site from the proposed development would be minimal.

As the Heritage Impact Assessment has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and since the Public Inquiry has closed, DCMS as State Party has not requested further specific advice from ICOMOS (the advisors to UNESCO).

Found: Ramsay Siân Berry Iqbal Mohamed Ayoub Khan Yasmin Qureshi David Smith Christine Jardine Kevin Hollinrake