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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate her Department has made of the total staff exit costs incurred in each instance of local government reorganisation since 2009.

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

No estimate has been made of total staff exit costs as a result of previous local government reorganisation.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 on Question 47705 on Client Earth, (a) when and (b) how his Department has engaged with Client Earth since July 2024.

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

The Department engages with Client Earth in a range of ways. Myself and Client Earth attended a United Nations General Assembly event on 25 September 2024. Client Earth participated in an online Collective Intelligence debate as part of our Environmental Improvement Plan review, in March 2025. We responded to Client Earth letters on 7 January, 23 January and 5 February 2025, and to further correspondence to which Client Earth were co-signatories, since July 2024. Client Earth staff also receive Departmental newsletters.

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 has had with Tony Blair since 1 July 2024.

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

The Deputy Prime Minister joined Tony Blair for a Q&A event in December 2024 at the Tony Blair Institute. They discussed delivering the government’s ambitious agenda on Housing and Devolution.

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 collates information on individual workplace attendance in its offices outside London.

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

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government collates information to support individual colleagues to meet the office attendance expectation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential security impact of the proposed Chinese Embassy development on nearby underground communications cables.

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

National security is the first duty of Government. As set out in a joint letter by the Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary to the Planning Inspector on 14 January, the Home Office has considered the full breadth of national security issues in relation to the planning application. It would not be appropriate to comment further on specific matters relating to national security.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, in her independent, quasi-judicial role, will make the final decision on the Chinese Embassy planning application in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether combined authority mayors will be subject to Independent Office for Police Conduct standards.

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

Combined Authority Mayors who exercise the functions of a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) are subject to the same complaints and conduct system as PCCs.

Where a complaint or allegation of misconduct is made, it must be referred to the IOPC where there is an indication that a criminal offence has been committed.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether any civil servants in her Departmental claim both (a) diversity network and (b) trade union facility time.

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

No civil servants in the department are currently claiming for both a) diversity network and b) trade union facility time.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, which Department is responsible for paying the council tax bill for the empty Ministerial residences in Admiralty House.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The payment of Council Tax (Domestic Rates) costs relating to Admiralty House is the responsibility of the Cabinet Office.

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 is taking steps to support Historic County Flag Day; and which public body organises the event.

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

The department will continue its annual celebration of Historic County Flag Day in July 2025 by flying all registered historic county flags of Great Britain in Parliament Square.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is responsible for organising and overseeing the event.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the two unused Ministerial residences in Admiralty House are now paying the empty homes council tax premium to Westminster City Council in 2025-26.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The residential accommodation within Admiralty House does not attract Westminster Council’s Empty Property Premium. The property, including the residential flats, are managed and maintained by the Government Property Agency (GPA). The GPA ensures that all rates due (business and domestic) in relation to the property are paid.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the level of (a) debt and (b) liabilities held by local authorities on local government reorganisation.

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

On 5 February, the Government issued invitations to councils in two-tier areas in England and neighbouring unitary councils to prepare proposals for local government reorganisation. It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area.

It is the responsibility of councils to manage their budgets, and it is standard for councils to borrow and to hold debt, which they will do in the normal course of business. Local government reorganisation does not change this.

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 23 April 2025 to Question 45389 on New Towns, whether new towns will be designated where the local planning authority does not support the (a) designation or (b) proposed development.

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

As set out in its Terms of Reference, which can be found on gov.uk here, the New Towns Taskforce will work in partnership with local leaders and communities, but its selection of sites will be made in the national interest.

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 Regulatory Policy Committee's report entitled Status of Post Implementation Reviews published on 24 April 2025, why the post-implementation review of The Infrastructure Planning Fees (Amendment) Regulations 2017 was delayed.

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

It is a matter of regret that under the previous government my Department did not manage to carry out and publish the required post-implementation reviews of regulatory provisions in these Regulations in a timely manner.

I reassure the hon. Member, and the Regulatory Policy Committee, that this government will proceed to review these regulatory provisions and publish a report setting out the conclusions as soon as we can.

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 conduct a post-implementation review of The Assured Shorthold Tenancy Notices and Prescribed Requirements (England) Regulations 2015.

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

The government has considered the wider assured tenancy system in the process of preparing the Renters’ Rights Bill.

The Assured Shorthold Tenancy Notices and Prescribed Requirements (England) Regulations 2015 refer only to assured shorthold tenancies, which will cease to exist after the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill.

The regulations will therefore cease to have any effect after implementation of the Bill, so we intend to repeal them by regulation.

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 10 April 2025 to Question 43882 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Industrial Disputes, what the dispute is between her Department and PCS on recruitment policies.

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

The Public and Commercial Service Union (PCS) had written to the department asking it to withdraw plans to “end location neutral recruitment”. The department has confirmed to PCS and the wider department that there are no plans to change our current approach to recruitment, as such we believe there is no reason for a dispute to exist on this issue.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what form of legislation her Department plans to bring forward to merge the Valuation Office Agency with HM Revenue and Customs.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

No legislation is required to bring forward the merger and the change will come into effect by the end of the financial year.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what customer service metrics are collated into (a) Valuation Office Agency and (b) HM Revenue and Customs.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMRC Customer Service Metrics include Net Easy and Customer Satisfaction with its phone, webchat and digital services. HMRC also measures its telephone and correspondence performance through Telephony Adviser Attempts Handled and Customer Correspondence responded to in 15 working days and 40 working days. HMRC monitor performance against these metrics and a set of supporting metrics, which can be found in the monthly and quarterly publications HMRC monthly performance reports - GOV.UK , and HMRC quarterly performance updates - GOV.UK , and in our Annual Report and Accounts: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrcs-annual-report-and-accounts

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has aligned all telephony metrics with HMRC. Other metrics the VOA report on can be found in its Annual Report & Accounts: www.gov.uk/government/collections/valuation-office-agency-annual-report-and-accounts

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in what locations the (a) Valuation Office Agency and (b) HM Revenue and Customs have offices; and whether any offices are shared.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Full details of the current office locations for VOA and HMRC are set out in the tables below:

HMRC offices

VOA offices

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 document by the Regulatory Policy Committee entitled Status of Post Implementation Reviews, published 24 April 2025, when Department plans to publish its post-implementation review of The Infrastructure Planning (Compulsory Acquisition) (Amendment) Regulations 2017.

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

It is a matter of regret that under the previous government my Department did not manage to carry out and publish the required post-implementation reviews of regulatory provisions in these Regulations in a timely manner.

I reassure the hon. Member, and the Regulatory Policy Committee, that this government will proceed to review these regulatory provisions and publish a report setting out the conclusions as soon as we can.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to the Answer of 25 April 2025 to Question 45656 on Government Departments: Legal Opinion, for what reason changes were made to the previous edition; and if she will publish the previous edition.

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

In November 2024, the Attorney General issued amended guidance for assessing legal risk across government to raise standards for calibrating legality and to ensure government lawyers can give full and frank advice to the Government.

The updated legal risk guidance is focused on supporting Ministers in making policy and operational decisions.

It does not give government lawyers any form of veto – decisions are for policymakers – a point the Attorney General’s guidance makes plain in express terms and a point the Attorney General has made clear publicly.

Many elements remain unchanged from previous versions of the guidance, and it retains the same three elements of the risk assessment.

All versions of the legal risk guidance were published at the time they were amended.

The 2015 version remains available here: Legal_Risk_Guidance_-_Amended_July_2015.pdf.

The 2022 version of the guidance is not currently available, but the Attorney General’s Office can provide a copy.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the average office attendance is for (a) Valuation Office Agency and (b) HM Revenue and Customs staff, adjusting for VOA work that requires off-site visits.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

For the period of March 2025, 67% of VOA people attended the office as expected, once off-site adjustments are considered. For the same period, 80% of HMRC people (excluding VOA) did so.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many outstanding (a) council tax and (b) business rate challenges are still open and unresolved in relation to (i) 2022-23, (ii) 2023-24 and (iii) 2024-25 in (A) England and (B) Wales.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) publishes official statistics for England and Wales on Non-domestic Rating and Council Tax: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency/about/statistics

The VOA published an update for business rates on 8 May 2025. This includes the number of outstanding cases from the 2017 and 2023 Rating Lists in England and Wales. They can be found here: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/non-domestic-rating-challenges-and-changes-2017-and-2023-rating-lists-march-2025

The latest published data for Council Tax is 2023-24.

Valuation Office Agency: Council Tax statistics - GOV.UK

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the absence of a cash cap on the cost of retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) rate relief in 2026-27; and what estimate she has made of the gross revenue required from the multiplier surcharge on hereditaments with a Rateable Value above £500,000 to fund the new RHL multiplier in 2026-27.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief has been extended year-by-year by previous governments since the pandemic – creating uncertainty for businesses and an unsustainable fiscal pressure for the Government.

Without any government intervention, RHL relief would have ended entirely in April 2025, creating a cliff-edge for businesses. Instead, the Government has decided to offer a 40 per cent discount to RHL properties up to a cash cap of £110,0000 per business in 2025-26, ahead of introducing permanently lower tax rates for RHL properties from 2026-27. Like all business rates multipliers, these lower RHL multipliers will not be subject to a cash cap. This permanent tax cut will ensure that RHL businesses benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

This tax cut must be sustainably funded, and so we intend to apply a higher rate from 2026-27 on the most valuable properties – those with a Rateable Value of £500,000 and above.

The rates for any new business rate multipliers will be set at Budget 2025 so that the Government can take into account the upcoming revaluation outcomes as well as the economic and fiscal context.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of polygamous marriages approved by sharia law courts in the most recent period for which information is held.

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

This information is not held.

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 boycotting (a) goods and services associated with and (b) companies that trade with Israel.

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

The UK government is committed to promoting our trade and business ties with Israel and strongly opposes boycotts. The Cabinet Office has published guidance to public authorities prohibiting procurement boycotts against Israeli firms and firms which trade with Israel. MHCLG has not issued separate guidance on this matter.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many staff the Valuation Office Agency employs; and whether she has set a target for a reduction to that number.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

As of the 30 April 2025, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) employs 4,005 staff, which equates to 3,749.71 full-time employees. In addition, the VOA employs 88 contingent labour workers.

The VOA has no current plans to reduce the workforce.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46892 on Asylum: Housing, how many dwellings have been procured by (a) Serco, (b) Mears, (c) Clearspring Homes and (d) Corporate Travel Management.

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

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

The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has had discussions with the Bank of England on the proposed Chinese Embassy in London.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Treasury officials hold regular discussions with the Bank of England across various financial and economic matters. A final decision on the application for the new Chinese embassy in Tower Hamlets will be made in due course by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government in her independent, quasi-judicial role. As such, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the case.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45654 on Bank Services: Vetting, what her planned timetable is for issuing revised guidance on Political Exposed Persons.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has been working closely with the FCA to follow up on the findings of its review into the treatment of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) by financial institutions and to ensure firms improve their practices where necessary. The FCA expects that the revised guidance will be published and brought into effect this summer.

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 17 April 2025 to Question 43484 on Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the estimated timetable on the timing of reforms to social care in this Parliament.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Independent Commission is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transcend party politics and build consensus on how we can deliver meaningful, long lasting, and sustainable change. It will be undertaken in two phases, with the first phase reporting next year.

In the first phase of the commission, Baroness Casey will make recommendations that can be delivered within the financial envelope set for this Parliament. The second phase of the commission will consider longer-term reforms and will report back by 2028.

While the commission continues its work, we are already laying the groundwork for more substantial, long-term changes that will create a more resilient and sustainable system. Through our Plan for Change, we've hit the ground running to improve the social care system we inherited in crisis, with up to £3.7 billion in extra funding, £172 million for approximately 15,000 home adaptations for disabled people, a £2,000 uplift to the Carer’s Allowance, and via the introduction of legislation for the first-ever Fair Pay Agreement for care workers.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2024 to Question 15200 on Council Tax: Wales, when the Valuation Office Agency will publish this information.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) published the information on gov.uk on 31 March 2025:

How model assisted valuation delivers large-scale property valuations - GOV.UK – A high level overview of how the VOA uses model assisted valuation and mass appraisal to support large-scale valuation. This links through to further information:

External assurance of the VOA automated valuation model (AVM): VOA response - GOV.UK - This page sets out the VOA response to external review and assurance of the VOA AVM developed to support Wales Council Tax reform.

More_information_on_mass_appraisal_and_AVM.pdf - More information on how the VOA is using mass appraisal to support Council Tax reform in Wales and on the AVM.

Model_specification_document.pdf – A document setting out the data utilised in development of the AVM for a future revaluation of Council Tax in Wales, as well as the core spatial regression model specification and an overview of the comparables model.

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 1 May 2025 to Question 45023 on Fast Food, how the Food Standard Agency defines fast food outlets.

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

The term ‘fast food outlet’ is not one that is used or defined in retained European Union or domestic food hygiene and safety legislation. In addition, there is nothing in terms of food standards regarding the definition of a fast-food outlet.

Any food business that sells, cooks, stores, handles, prepares, or distributes food may be considered a food business and will need to register with their local authority.

When a food business registers, they confirm what type of business they are, including if they supply take away food. They would be regulated in a similar way to restaurants, cafés, and canteens.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45678 on Licensing Laws, who the members of the taskforce are; and how they were selected.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Taskforce Terms of Reference and membership is published Terms of Reference and taskforce member list - GOV.UK

Members were selected by Department for Business and Trade, Home Office, Ministry of Housing Communities Local Government and Department for Culture Media and Sport officials. The Taskforce brings together representatives from government, industry, police and local government, including mayoral areas.

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 28 April 2025 to Question 45688 on Holiday Accommodation and Second Homes: Registration, if she will ensure that homes subject to a second homes council tax premium by local authorities are not charged additional registration fees.

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

The registration scheme for short-term lets legislated for in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 will require registration of specified properties that meet the definition of a short-term rental property. The detailed scope of the scheme is still being determined and will be shaped to meet the scheme’s overarching objectives to provide data that enables local authorities to better understand their visitor accommodation market, support tourism growth, and protect the spirit and fabric of communities.

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 28 April 2025 to Question 45662 on Tax Allowances: Mid Bedfordshire, whether the negotiations over central government support or subsidy for the Universal Studios development have now concluded; and whether the intention is for a legally binding agreement.

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

Details of negotiations with private investors and Government are confidential. The proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and as outlined when the Government announced the deal, further details on Government infrastructure investment around the site will be set out 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 assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Court of Appeal ruling of Mead Realisations Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWCA Civ 32 on the status of (a) planning practice guidance and (b) planning policy.

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

The government has noted the view of the Court of Appeal in Mead Realisations Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWCA Civ 32 that the Planning Practice Guidance can in principle amend national policy. It remains the case that Planning Practice Guidance will continue to be used in a supporting role to, and consistent with, national policy. The government did not appeal this decision within the applicable time period.

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 appeal the Court of Appeal ruling in Mead Realisations Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWCA Civ 32.

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

The government has noted the view of the Court of Appeal in Mead Realisations Ltd v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government [2025] EWCA Civ 32 that the Planning Practice Guidance can in principle amend national policy. It remains the case that Planning Practice Guidance will continue to be used in a supporting role to, and consistent with, national policy. The government did not appeal this decision within the applicable time period.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) MI5, (b) GCHQ or (c) MI6 are able to make representations to (i) the planning inspector and (ii) her as part of the planning inquiry on the proposed Chinese Embassy without such representations being made available to the applicant.

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

Representations on planning applications will be dealt with in accordance with paragraphs 18, 19 and 20 of the published propriety guidance on planning casework decisions found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she will have access to the unredacted plans for the proposed Chinese Embassy when the Planning Inspector’s report is submitted.

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

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 45663 on 29 April 2025.

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 bringing forward legislative proposals under the Electronic Government Act 2000 to reduce the time taken in relation to administration relating to (a) planning applications and decisions and (b) buying and selling homes.

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

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is not intending to bring forward legislative proposals under the Electronic Government Act (2000).

The Department is, however, undertaking a Digital Planning programme which aims to enable a modern and efficient planning system in England. This includes modern development management software delivering time savings relating to planning applications. Increased availability of high-quality, standardised data is essential for ensuring the smooth flow of information between systems.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act includes planning data powers and MHCLG will be introducing data standards for planning applications via secondary legislation.

On 9 February, we announced action to take forward plans to digitalise the home buying and selling sector.

In collaboration with HM Land Registry, we are working with local authorities to digitise property data, introduce common data standards, and enable digital identity services for the property sector.

More information can be found on gov.uk here.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on what topics her Department has produced an environmental principles assessment since 4 July 2024.

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

The Environment Act 2021 requires Ministers to have ‘due regard’ to the policy statement on environmental principles when making policy. This is to ensure that environmental considerations are at the heart of policymaking across government.

Since this duty came into force in November 2023, my Department has produced environmental principles assessments on a range of different topics.

While the Department does not maintain a running list of environmental principles assessments it has undertaken, assessments have included those for the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the December 2024 update to the National Planning Policy Framework.

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 2 May 2025 to Question 47709 on Permitted Development Rights, whether her Department has issued guidance to local planning authorities on making Article 4 directions publicly accessible.

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

The regulations require local planning authorities to publicise all Article 4 directions made.

My Department has not issued any guidance on this.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with the Welsh Government on automatic electoral registration in Wales.

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

UK Government and Welsh Government officials are in regular contact on a range of electoral conduct and registration topics, including the Welsh Government’s pilots on automatic electoral registration.

We are exploring a wide range of options to deliver on the manifesto commitment to improve electoral registration including making greater use of public data and digital services. We are following the Welsh pilots with interest.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story entitled Statement on Serco asylum accommodation list, published on 27 April 2025, whether her Department asked Serco to remove the list from its website.

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

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

The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46900 on Asylum: Housing, whether any asylum accommodation is provided directly by local authorities.

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

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

The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's news story entitled Statement on Serco asylum accommodation list, published on 27 April 2025, which local authorities in Serco provides asylum accommodation to in (a) the North West, (b) the Midlands, (c) the East of England and (d) the rest of the country; and how many individual properties are managed in each local authority area.

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

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

The Home Office does not publish detailed information on the location of asylum accommodation sites for safety and security reasons. Data, published quarterly, on the number of supported asylum seekers in accommodation, including hotels, can be found within the Asy_D11 tab of our most recent statistics release. The data can also be broken down by local authority. Immigration system statistics data tables - GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46893 on Asylum: Local Government, what the names of those grants are.

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

Details of the grant names are accessible through the following links:

Government grants statistics 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e56dd1bb6002588a90d662/2025-03-24_Government_Grants_Register_2023_to_2024.ods.

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 16 April 2025 to Question 43484 on Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, what information his Department holds on which quarter of 2028 the phase two report will be published; when his Department plans to respond to the phase two report; and what estimate he has made of the subsequent timetable for consultation.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Chaired by Baroness Casey of Blackstock, the independent commission into adult social care will be split over two phases.

Phase one, reporting in 2026, will focus on how we can make the most of the existing resources to improve people’s lives over the medium term. Phase two, reporting by 2028, will then consider the long-term transformation of adult social care, setting us on the road to fundamental reform that will build a social care system fit for the future.

Baroness Casey’s commission is independent, but it has been tasked by the Government to report back by 2028. The quarter in which the phase two report will be published will be determined in due course. The Government will consider and respond to the commission’s recommendations, including whether there is a need for further consultation or legislation, when it reports.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Filey Town Council on the return of the Filey Town Centre Bus.

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

The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.

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 number of dwellings subject to a second homes council tax premium in each local authority area.

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

The Department will publish data on the number of second homes liable for a council tax premium in November as part of the annual council taxbase statistics.

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 remove the sanction of imprisonment for non-payment of council tax.

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

The government will be consulting this year on options to modernise the administration of council tax and will seek views on improving the collection and enforcement processes to create a fairer system for taxpayers and councils

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, whether (a) the Church of England, (b) its pension funds and (c) its investment funds support (i) boycotts and (ii) divestment of companies selling (A) goods and (B) services (1) from and (2) to (a) Israel and (b) the Occupied Territories.

Answered by Marsha De Cordova

The National Church Institutions do not have a policy of supporting boycotts or divestments related to Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Church Commissioners’ and the Church of England Pensions Board’s approaches are individually informed by the Ethical Investment Advisory Group, with neither institution implementing an automatic divestment policy for companies connected to Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Church Commissioners and the Church of England Pensions Board each implement a Human Rights policy, in line with which they independently screen holdings for corporate human rights risks in their distinct portfolios and run a Controversies Process. This includes reviewing companies that are alleged to cause, contribute to, or are linked to human rights risks and impacts. Each Fund looks at companies on a case-by-case basis and engages with companies that fail their controversy screens, which can lead to exclusions.

The Church Commissioners and the Church of England Pensions Board each apply this approach across their separate portfolios. In conflict-affected and high-risk areas, each Fund notes the heightened risks of human rights harms and takes this into account when screening their portfolios.

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 2 May 2025 to Question 47712 on Night-time economy: Greater London, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to transfer powers to the Mayor of London.

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

The government will work with the Greater London Authority to review strategic licensing powers and explore a pilot scheme, providing the Mayor of London with new powers over strategic licensing. The government and the Greater London Authority will work closely with local stakeholders to design the pilot scheme, including determining if legislation is required.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what statistics (a) her Department and (b) His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service collates on court waiting times for private rented sector repossession claims.

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

The Ministry of Justice publishes data on timeliness for private landlord claims. The latest data for the quarter January to March 2025 was published on 15 May 2025. This data is available in table 6 which can be found:

Mortgage_and_Landlord_Possession_Tables_Q1_Jan_to_Mar_2025.ods.

The possession type can be filtered to private landlord in the dropdown above the table.

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 previously released individual RPA candidate spending returns under the Freedom of Information Act.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission assesses each request under the FOI Act individually. The Act allows certain exemptions to be applied when considering requests, including an exemption for information that is reasonably by other means. Candidate returns are available on request from local authorities for two years for the date of receipt.

The Commission takes a range of factors into account when considering disclosure of candidate spending returns. The Commission has previously released a number of redacted individual candidate spending returns under FOI after the two-year period or where the return was not available from the Returning Officer.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how many Freedom of Information Act requests the Electoral Commission has substantively responded to since 4 July 2024; and what the outcome was of each.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission provided responses to 178 FOI requests between 4 July 2024 and 14 May.

A copy of the response to each FOI request submitted to the Commission can be found on its website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/about-us/freedom-information .

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how does the Valuation Office Agency determine the area size of a dwelling in (a) England and (b) Wales; and how does it determine the size of a non-standard plot.

Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

I refer the hon. member to the following answer UIN 48452, tabled on 28 April 2025.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48443 on Water Charges, whether the introduction of (a) progressive and (b) seasonal water metering tariffs would require Government (i) support and (ii) consent.

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

This Government supports the innovative approaches being taken to trial new charges aiming to make bills fairer and more affordable. All companies plan to trial new charging structures by 2030 and some of them plan to introduce them more widely for additional customers if the trials are successful.

Companies can design their charges to provide benefits and incentives in a range of ways. As the water regulator, Ofwat regulates the charging trials by issuing rules that require companies to set fair charges for all customers, and to ensure all trials are consistent with good practice principles.

Information on Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 48443 on Water Charges, if he will publish representations received on (a) progressive and (b) seasonal water metering tariffs since 4 July 2024.

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

This Government supports the innovative approaches being taken to trial new charges aiming to make bills fairer and more affordable. All companies plan to trial new charging structures by 2030 and some of them plan to introduce them more widely for additional customers if the trials are successful.

Companies can design their charges to provide benefits and incentives in a range of ways. As the water regulator, Ofwat regulates the charging trials by issuing rules that require companies to set fair charges for all customers, and to ensure all trials are consistent with good practice principles.

Information on Ministerial meetings are published quarterly 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, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45706 on Client Earth, whether the (a) legal and (b) planning divisions of her Department engage with Client Earth.

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

We have not identified any such engagement. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to UIN 49404 on 12 May 2025.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2025 to Question 46900 on Asylum: Housing, if she will provide a national figure.

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

I refer the Hon Member to the Answer he received on the 30 April 2025 to UIN 46900.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many days each Minister in his Department has worked in (a) Departmental offices and (b) Government hubs outside London since 5 July 2024.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office does not hold specific information regarding how many days Cabinet Office Ministers have worked in departmental offices and government hubs outside of London since 5 July 2024.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many permanent civil servants in her Department are staff without assigned posts; and how many are placed in an equivalent (a) people action team, (b) priority movers list, (c) redeployment register, (d) talent pool and (e) skills match hub in the most recent period for which data is available.

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

Less than 1% of the department are in a redeployment position within MHCLG.

There are currently 27 individuals in a redeployment position out of a workforce of c.3900 FTE.

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 reasons for the time taken to process applications to the Building Safety Regulator.

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

The MHCLG and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) both recognise the impact of Gateway delays on the construction pipeline of high-rise projects and are taking action to address the current challenges.

The Department are working closely with the BSR to improve processing times and have already taken several actions. As a new function BSR has needed to refine and improve its processes. We have provided funding to the BSR to recruit an extra 30 frontline staff to bolster its capacity. On 14 May, BSR also launched a campaign to directly recruit Registered Building Inspectors (RBIs), with further recruitment planned in June 2025. BSR is carrying out extensive stakeholder engagement to support applicants to better understand and meet the new requirements. BSR also issued new guidance in March 2025 based on the findings of research with organisations submitting building control applications. MHCLG and BSR are also reviewing better ways to access specialist advice on multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) which assess applications to enable faster assessment times.

Whilst BSR and MHCLG are exploring all possible opportunities to strengthen the new Gateway process and guidance to industry, it is important to recognise that a significant volume of applications continue to be invalidated or rejected for not meeting the legislative requirements. These are buildings that, had they been constructed, might have placed residents at risk and/or living in housing that did not meet long-standing requirements. It is also important to note that additional information requests for missing details in applications can add between at least 4-6 weeks onto the process.

MHCLG are exploring all possible options with the BSR to ensure it is equipped for the high-demand of applications without compromising on quality assurance. In rejecting applications which are not up to standard, the BSR is ensuring the safety of future residents. Ministers continue to monitor the situation closely.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she monitors the (a) work and (b) activities of the Chinese United Front Work Department on foreign interference.

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

We keep all potential threats to the UK under constant review, and when we encounter foreign interference or espionage, we are swift in using all available tools, including prosecutions, exclusions, sanctions and diplomacy, to keep our country safe.

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what information the Electoral Commission holds on the average cost to local authorities for holding (a) Parliamentary and (b) local authority by-elections, broken down by local authority ward.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission does not hold data on the average cost to local authorities for holding elections. Local authorities are responsible for managing the costs of elections within their area and hold their own local data. The cost of conducting UK parliamentary elections is paid for by the UK Government through the Consolidated Fund, while local elections are paid for directly from the individual local authority budgets.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) produces a report on the costs of each UK parliamentary general election, including a breakdown of costs by category, such as staff costs and equipment. The report for the 2024 UK parliamentary general election will be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether the Anti-Islamophobia Working Group provided a training and awareness session in his Department in November 2024.

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

DESNZ is committed to supporting our colleagues in line with our DESNZ Values and the Civil Service Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Expenditure Guidance. The Anti-Islamophobia Working Group provided a one-hour training and awareness session in this Department in November 2024.

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 5 March 2025, to Question 32583, on Independent Commission into Adult Social Care, what is the annual remuneration of Baroness Casey of Blackstock for her role as Chair of the Commission.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Baroness Louise Casey has been appointed as a Direct Ministerial Appointment, and in line with Cabinet Office guidance, this appointment will be remunerated. The commission will report on its financial expenditure in due course.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of written parliamentary questions submitted to the Table Office have been carded in this session.

Answered by Nick Smith

The total proportion of written parliamentary questions carded in this Session of Parliament because they do not comply with the rules of order is just over 19%. Most card queries are resolved quickly by a conversation with the tabling Member. The Table Office offers training to hon. Members and their staff on the rules of order and the drafting of orderly WPQs.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Table Office will meet the staff of Conservative Members of Parliament to discuss their work.

Answered by Nick Smith

While hon. Members alone have the right to table questions, the Table Office routinely deals with Members’ staff, acting with the authority of their Member, about the tabling and drafting of questions, as part of the Office’s responsibility to ensure that questions adhere to the rules of order and practices of the House.

Most issues concerning the drafting of questions are resolved quickly, but where it is not possible to do so with a member of staff, the Table Office will ask to deal directly with the Member concerned. This reflects the fact that responsibility for tabling questions resides with the hon. Member personally and ensures that the Table Office’s resources are used in an effective manner.

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 13 May 2025 to Question 49917 on Aviation, how much was spent by (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants.

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

Pursuant to the answer of Question 49917 on aviation the following was spent on air travel since 4^th July 2024:

Domestic Travel:

Civil Servants £33,025.78

Ministers £1,878.72

Other - UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues £4210.29

Total £39,114.79

International Travel:

Civil Servants £45,662.30

Ministers £17,321.87

Other - UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust Issues £5,529.14

Total £68,513.31

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 2 May 2025 to Question 45642 on European Islamic Centre, in what capacity the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution has engaged with the European Islamic Centre since being appointed.

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

The department does not engage with the European Islamic Centre. Members of Parliament routinely undertake engagements in their own constituencies, separate to any other roles held.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her Department's publication entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on 12 May 2025, whether she plans to make changes to English language requirements for (a) asylum seekers and (b) their dependents.

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

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues – including English language requirements – details of which will be set out in due course.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what type of (a) tenancy and (b) licence (i) her Department and (ii) its contractors use to house asylum seekers.

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

The Home Office’s Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract providers grant licences for the occupation of accommodation under section 4 or Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any gender-neutral toilets have been removed from the Government estate since 4 July 2024.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

A number of gender-neutral toilets have been repurposed into alternative toilet types within the Government Property Agency’s managed estate since 4 July 2024, in response to feedback from users of those buildings about the provision of single-sex and gender neutral toilets, and to ensure compliance with changes to Building Regulations.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 45682 on Unite: Annual Report, what the auditing issues are that have led to the delays in providing full returns.

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

The Certification Officer included an explanatory note alongside her publication of Unite the Union's partial annual returns for 2021, 2022, and 2023. The explanatory note records the Certification Officer's understanding that the issues identified during the auditing process are currently under investigation by other authorities. As such, it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment further on those matters.

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 29 April 2025 to Question 45696 on Planning Permission, what the topic was of each equality impact assessment that has been produced by her Department since 4 July 2024.

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

The following topics of planning practice guidance have been updated or introduced since 4 July 2024:

• Enforcement and post-permission matters
• Natural environment
• Housing supply and delivery
• Viability
• Plan-making
• Housing and economic needs assessment
• Effective use of land
• Green Belt
• Crown Development and Urgent Crown Development
• Fees for planning applications

The Secretary of State considered the Public Sector Equality Duty in issuing these updates.

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 Planning and Infrastructure Bill, whether funds raised through the Nature Restoration Fund must be allocated to Environmental Delivery Plans (a) in the same local authority as the development or (b) within any specified geographical proximity to the development.

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

Each Environmental Delivery Plan (EDP) will address one or more specified environmental features, which will be either a protected species, or a protected aspect of a protected site.

Under an EDP, Natural England will be required to deliver conservation measures that contribute to an overall improvement to the environmental feature(s) specified.

When delivering conservation measures through an EDP, Natural England will look to deliver these in the area where development is taking place.

The Bill allows for those circumstances where it may be appropriate to deliver conservation measures aimed at the same environmental feature but at another site outside of where the development is taking place. For example, if Natural England deem that this may deliver a better outcome for a protected species to create new habitats or enhance existing habitats further afield.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Valuation Tribunal Service has produced guidance on the (a) council tax premium on empty homes and (b) definition of an empty dwelling.

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

The government has published comprehensive guidance on the implementation of council tax premiums, including how empty homes are defined for council tax purposes. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 48979 on 7 May 2025.

The Valuation Tribunal Service has not published specific guidance on council tax premiums on empty homes but has issued a general council tax guidance manual for taxpayers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 7 May 2025 to Question 48442 on Travellers: Caravan Sites, whether he considered appealing the High Court judgment of May 2024.

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

As with all judgements of this nature, we are reviewing the ruling in detail.

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 repeal any retained EU environmental regulations in the context of her proposed planning reforms.

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

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill proposes targeted amendments to the Habitats Regulations, with Schedule 4 including changes necessary to enable the nature restoration fund to address environmental impacts from development in place of the Habitats Regulations.

The previous government secured powers to reform existing environmental assessment legislation, to create a new system of environmental outcomes reports in place of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations.

This government is considering how to utilise these powers as part of our wider efforts to deliver economic growth and secure better environmental outcomes.

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 impact of the recovered appeal decision made by HM Planning Inspectorate with reference 3346061 on her definition of the greybelt.

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

The decision in question was made 12 May 2025 and the proposals were considered taking into account current planning policy, which includes Green Belt policy and published guidance.

Full reasons for the decision are set out in the published decision letter and Inspector’s Report.

Having issued this decision, the Secretary of State has no further jurisdiction in the matter, and it would not be appropriate to comment further.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Land Registry compiles data on the prices of second homes.

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

HM Land Registry does not compile data on the prices of second homes.

Mauritius Treaty

Found: PQ HC 43098 2024-25, 3 Apr 2025 Kevin Hollinrake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the