Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to increase the size of the team in the minerals planning section of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

In 2010 four civil servants worked on minerals planning policy as part of their official duties. There are now fewer staff working on minerals planning policy. A consultation on the draft revised National Planning Policy Framework includes consideration of Government’s future minerals policy. Future staffing levels will take account of the responses to the consultation.