theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on supporting new solar power installations for state schools via Power Purchase Agreements. \p Josh MacAlister: The department is committed to helping schools decarbonise and reduce energy costs through sustainable solutions like solar. Rooftop solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) can deliver public sector savings and wider social benefits through partnerships with community energy groups. Ministers at the department, and HM Treasury, are clear on the potential here and continue to explore ways to increase renewable energy across the education estate

The government remains focused on supporting schools in adopting renewables to cut emissions and energy bills. The department is already partnering with Great British Energy on an £80 million initiative to install solar panels and other decarbonisation technologies in up to 200 schools and colleges in 2025/26. This programme aims to deliver long-term savings and contribute to net zero goals. We continue to work across government to ensure schools have access to sustainable tools and funding.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a cross-departmental taskforce to review the adequacy of childcare provision for (a) student nurses and (b) other parents in full-time healthcare education. \p Olivia Bailey: It is our ambition that all families have access to high-quality, affordable and flexible early education and care, giving every child the best start in life and delivering on our Plan for Change.

Where student parents are not eligible for 30 hours funded childcare, they will remain eligible for the universal 15 hours of free early education, which is available to all 3 and 4-year-olds, regardless of family circumstances.

The government recognises the value of parents continuing in education and provides a range of options for students in higher education to support them with childcare. Support available to full-time students with dependent children includes the Childcare Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance. Entitlement to these grants is based on a student’s household income.

Healthcare students may also be entitled to the NHS Learning Support Fund. Information on eligibility and how to apply is available here: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf.

Further information on the childcare offers available to parents can be accessed here: https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk/.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Gideon Amos:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department plans to review the eligibility criteria for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund to ensure that adoptive families whose children were not previously looked after by a local authority can access therapeutic support, in the context of the complex (a) emotional and (b) psychological needs those children may have. \p Josh MacAlister: The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) is targeted at children who were previously looked after by a local authority, as the local authority maintain a statutory responsibility to these children. Local authorities may still provide support for other children where appropriate, including any adopted children who were not previously looked after, using alternative funding streams. Eligibility and budget considerations for the ASGSF are assessed as part of the broader spending review discussions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children in families subject to No Recourse to Public Funds have received the concession on access to free school meals since 2022 by (a) region and (b) year. \p Olivia Bailey: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, to the answer of 24 September 2025 to Question 76011.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Tom Morrison:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the absence of a formal central email channel for early years foundation stage updates for early years settings on the safety of children in those settings. \p Olivia Bailey: When changes are made to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, the department ensures that there is a programme of communications and engagement with the sector to ensure they understand the changes being made. This includes emails sent to local authorities to disseminate to all early years settings.

In addition, where appropriate, the department produces webinars and vodcasts on the Foundation Years website, which we promote to the sector via numerous channels, including local authorities, stronger practice hubs and sector representatives. The Foundation Years website is available here: https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with local authorities on the publication of safeguarding data; and if he will make it his policy to require all local authorities publish their safeguarding data annually. \p Josh MacAlister: Local Authorities currently submit annual data to the department on all ‘children in need’ and ‘children looked after’ in their authorities. This includes information on Section 47 enquiries, initial child protection conferences and children with child protection plans and is published on the department’s ‘Explore Education Statistics’ website. This contains statistics on serious incidents involving children that local authorities have notified to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. Safeguarding partners also complete annual reports which focus on multi-agency priorities, learning, impact, evidence, and improvement. These are subsequently sent to the department and National Panel and published in the public domain.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Kate Osamor:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating the maximum income threshold for free school meals eligibility for children in families with No Recourse to Public Funds in line with the eligibility criteria introduced on 4 June 2025. \p Olivia Bailey: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, to the answer of 24 September 2025 to Question 76012.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Bradley Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that termly cut-off dates do not disadvantage families whose children are born mid-term resulting in the parent’s statutory maternity concluding after the 30 September leaving them ineligible for free care in the autumn term; and whether her Department plans to provide additional transitional support or flexibility to parents whose return to work is after the deadline. \p Olivia Bailey: The government’s Plan for Change sets out a commitment to give children the best start in life, breaking the link between background and opportunity.

Children become eligible for an early education and childcare place from 1 September, 1 January or 1 April, the term after they reach the relevant age and meet relevant eligibility criteria.

Depending on when a child is born and when the eligibility criteria are met, there will be differing periods to wait until the relevant termly date.

Termly deadlines enable local authorities and childcare providers to better plan and ensure sufficient early years places are available for parents each term, as there are clear periods for when children are likely to enter into a place.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Tom Gordon:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on what date she decided to reduce the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund fair access limit to £3,000 in 2025-26. \p Josh MacAlister: The decision to set the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF) fair access limit at £3,000 for 2025/26 was taken as part of departmental business planning decisions in the spring, following the announcement to Parliament on 1 April that the ASGSF would be continuing into 2025/26.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Michael Wheeler:To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of a minimum recommendation of 80 hours of enrichment per academic year. \p Georgia Gould: I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Worsley and Eccles to the answer of 2 July 2025 to Question 62871.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-14)

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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has conducted any assessments on the implications of replacing council tax with a property-based tax payable by property owners rather than occupiers. \p Alison McGovern: The government remains committed to keeping all taxes and elements of the local government finance system under review. The government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the system and consider options for reform where there is clear evidence that change would deliver better outcomes for residents and councils alike. The Chancellor makes tax policy decisions at fiscal events.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_1
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate she has made of the number of (a) businesses and (b) hereditaments eligible for Retail Hospitality and Leisure business rate relief which are subject to the £110,000 cap. \p Jim McMahon: The Government does not collect business-level data regarding recipients of business rate reliefs. All available hereditament-level data is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-non-domestic-rates-collected-by-councils. This data does not contain specific estimates concerning hereditaments which are subject to the £110,000 cap on retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter of 16 December 2024 to council leaders from the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, whether her Department has undertaken an equality impact assessment in relation to its decision to postpone local elections in certain areas undergoing local government reorganisation. \p Jim McMahon: I can confirm that my Department has undertaken analysis fulfilling the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty as set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, in relation to the postponement for one year of the May 2025 elections to the councils specified in the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a process whereby the formal acceptance of a home purchase offer creates a legally binding contract between the buyer and the seller. \p Rushanara Ali: We recognise that the home buying and selling process in England and Wales is inefficient and costly for consumers and professionals with one in three property transactions falling through. On 9 February, we announced that we are launching a series of projects to improve the availability of property information through digitalisation that will help towards reducing the number of transactions that fall through. We continue to review evidence from other jurisdictions, including on protections such as reservation agreements, as we consider next steps.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending voting rights to unenfranchised migrant residents. \p Rushanara Ali: The Government has no plans to extend voting rights to unenfranchised migrant residents. In common with most other democracies, voting rights are limited to citizens. In addition, in UK elections for which the UK Government and Parliament have responsibility (that is, not devolved elections in Scotland and Wales), Commonwealth and Irish citizens can vote in all reserved elections, while eligible EU citizens can vote in elections which use the local government register.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Ian Byrne:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure local authorities have adequate levels of Government funding. \p Jim McMahon: The Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available over £69 billion for local government, which is a 6.8% cash terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

Taken together, the additional funding announced by the Chancellor at the Autumn Budget and through the 2025-26 Local Government Finance Settlement will provide over £5 billion of new funding for local services over and above local council tax. This includes: an additional £2 billion of grant through the Settlement; a guarantee that local authorities in England will receive at least £1.1 billion in total in 2025-26 from the new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme; and a further £233 million of additional funding for homelessness services.

We are also taking immediate action to begin addressing the significant challenges facing local government by ensuring that funding goes to the places that need it most in 2025-26.

The Government is committed to introducing an improved and updated approach to funding local authorities from 2026-27.

The Ministry works closely with local government and other government departments to understand specific demand and cost pressures facing local government on an ongoing basis.

We recognise the challenges that local authorities are facing as demand increases for critical services. Funding allocations from future settlements are subject to the outcome of future Spending Reviews.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Daisy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the prevalence of alleged aggressive council tax debt collection practices. \p Jim McMahon: Councils are responsible for the collection and enforcement of council tax. The government’s clear expectation is that councils will be proportionate and sympathetic to those in hardship when determining the most appropriate action to collect tax. The government will publish a consultation in 2025 to consider options to improve council tax billing and wider council tax administration changes to support taxpayers.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to her oral statement of 5 February 2025 on English Devolution and Local Government, Official Report, Column 766, whether she plans to follow article five of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in the context of her consultation on local government restructuring. \p Jim McMahon: The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, sets out the process we will follow in undertaking local government reorganisation. The undertakings in the Act are consistent with the UK’s commitments under the European Charter of Local Self Government and we will continue to fully comply with all our obligations under the Charter.

In formulating proposals for local government reorganisation we expect local leaders to ensure there is wide engagement with their Members of Parliament, local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses in working up their proposals.

Once a proposal has been submitted it will be for the Government to decide on taking a proposal forward and to consult as required by statute.

Once established, the new unitarities will determine the structure of their own administrative services and terms of employment.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether Surrey will have (a) mayoral combined authority and (b) unitary council elections in (i) 2026 and (ii) 2027. \p Jim McMahon: Surrey will not have a mayoral election in 2026 as it has not been included in the Devolution Priority Programme; decisions on subsequent devolution have not yet been taken. The date of any unitary council elections will depend on the nature of proposals for local government reorganisation and progress on development of those proposals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the (a) substantive petition text and (b) Government response to each campaign referred to in paragraph 7.4 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025. \p Jim McMahon: My Department has no plans to publish the correspondence or substantive text of the petitions mentioned in paragraph 7.4 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Local Authorities (Changes of Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025, or to publish the Government’s responses.

The period a new unitary council exists in shadow form before assuming all council functions will depend on the nature of proposals for local government reorganisation and progress on development of those proposals. The typical period for the recent local government reorganisations has been around one year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the correspondence entitled Local government reorganisation: invitation to local authorities in two-tier areas, published on 6 February 2025, whether members of the public can respond to the invitation letters; and what weight will be given to representations from organisations other than the (a) principal authorities and (b) town and parish councils. \p Jim McMahon: The formal invitations to submit unitary proposals were sent to the leaders of all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring small unitaries. These letters have been published on gov.uk. The letters set out the criteria for the development of unitary proposals, as well as the process that will be followed.

The letter asks areas to provide an interim plan to Government on or before 21 March 2025, and provides guidance as to what areas should include in their interim plans.

The letters set out expectations that areas jointly develop and submit a single proposal however there will be some cases when it is not possible for all councils in an area to jointly develop and submit a proposal and Government will consider any suitable proposals submitted by the relevant local authorities.

It is for councils to respond to the invitation letters, having developed robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area. They should engage their Members of Parliament, and ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses in working up their proposals.

The letter sets out that once a proposal has been submitted, it will be for the Secretary of State to decide on taking a proposal forward and will consult on proposals, as required by statute.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Oral Statement of 5 February 2025 on English Devolution and Local Government, Official Report, Column 766, what steps she is taking to monitor the potential savings to the public purse following her planned local government reorganisation. \p Jim McMahon: It will be for the new councils to achieve the efficiencies identified in reorganisation proposals and subsequent detailed implementation and transformation plans while delivering high quality and sustainable public services to local residents and businesses. This has been the case in recent local government reorganisation processes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has commissioned research into local government restructuring in the last two years. \p Jim McMahon: My department has not commissioned research into local government restructuring in the last two years, of which over a year of that period was covered by the previous government.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to her oral statement of 5 February 2025 on English Devolution and Local Government, Official Report, Column 766, whether she plans to follow article four of the European Charter of Local Self-Government in the context of her proposals to transfer powers from local authorities to strategic authorities. \p Jim McMahon: In December 2024, the government published its English Devolution White Paper, which set an ambitious new framework for English devolution, moving power out of Westminster and into the hands of those who know their area best. This devolution programme will continue to fully comply with all our obligations under the Charter.

We want to see all of England access devolution by establishing Strategic Authorities – organisations made up of a number of councils working together over areas that people recognise and work in - that can make the key decisions to drive economic growth. Ultimately, our goal is mayoral devolution. This government believes that the benefits of devolution are best achieved where there is a mayor in place, to provide strong local leadership and accountability.

We want to achieve this goal in partnership with local areas wherever possible.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_14
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued to local authorities on (a) public participation and (b) engagement with hon. Members in (i) council and (ii) combined authority meetings. \p Jim McMahon: We have not issued guidance on public participation or engagement with MPs in council meetings.

In 2014 the Department for Communities and Local Government published a plain English guide to open and accountable local government. This guidance addressed the public’s right to attend and report on council meetings, and related matters such as access to meeting documents.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Written Statement of 18 December 2024 on Local Government Finance Settlement, HCWS342, for what reason her Department plans to change the default option for council tax to paying over 12 months. \p Jim McMahon: The government has announced it will consult on moving to default 12-month billing to support taxpayers to manage their household finances and further spread the cost of their bills. No decisions on the policy have yet been taken.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 January 2025 to Question 22038 on Council Tax: Probate, what  the minimum length of time is that a property has to be empty for, before which an empty homes council tax premium can be applied by a local authority, in cases where the dwelling is put on sale or let immediately on becoming empty. \p Jim McMahon: Local authorities have the discretionary power to charge a council tax premium on homes which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The government has published guidance which sets out that certain classes of dwellings including those actively marketed for sale or let may be excepted from the premium. This exception will apply provided the dwelling has not been marketed for sale or let for more than one year. Where a property has been marketed for more than one year it would not be eligible for this exception.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Steve Race:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to add specific protections for young people to the Homelessness Code of Guidance. \p Rushanara Ali: Our Homelessness Code of Guidance provides a summary of the homelessness legislation duties, powers and obligations on housing authorities and others towards people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, including young people.

We keep the Homelessness Code of Guidance under review and update it regularly following changes to legislation and feedback from our Homelessness Advice and Support Team of advisors who meet frequently with local authorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 19 of her Department's Guidance on planning propriety: planning casework decisions, published in December 2021, if she will place in the Library a copy of the records of all discussions held (a) by her Department and (b) between her Department and other government departments on the latest Chinese Embassy planning application that have not otherwise been made available to the public via the Planning Inspectorate, including information held on Ministers’ (i) non-corporate and (ii) corporate electronic devices. \p Matthew Pennycook: As has been the case under successive administrations, government does not normally disclose internal communications.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Brian Mathew:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will take steps to ensure that new build houses will not be placed in (a) coastal areas at risk for rising sea levels and erosion and (b) upstream flood areas that will also be at risk for rising sea levels. \p Matthew Pennycook: National planning policy is clear that development should be directed to areas with the lowest possible flood risk from all sources, including from the sea.

Where development is proposed in areas at risk of the impacts of coastal change, development should not be approved unless it can be demonstrated that it will be safe for its lifetime.

Development proposals would have to pass these robust tests to proceed in such locations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Almshouse Association is eligible for support through (a) Section 106 agreements and (b) the Community Infrastructure Levy. \p Matthew Pennycook: Section 106 planning obligations assist in mitigating the impact of unacceptable development to make it acceptable in planning terms, including through the provision of affordable housing.

Whether accommodation provided by almshouse charities can be secured through a section 106 agreement is a matter for the decision maker, taking into account the National Planning Policy Framework and other material considerations.

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) cannot be used to fund affordable housing. However, there is greater flexibility in how the neighbourhood portion of CIL may be spent. This could include provision of accommodation provided by almshouses, provided this meets the requirement to ‘support the development of the area’. In addition, accommodation provided by almshouses is eligible for a CIL exemption.

I also refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 20627 on 6 January 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has changed community engagement principles since 4 July 2024. \p Alex Norris: The engagement principles have not been further updated since July 2024. The existing principles remain valid.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what engagement she has had with local communities on the construction of the Coryton Energy Park. \p Matthew Pennycook: Due to the role of MHCLG Ministers in the planning system it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific cases. For the same reason, Ministers do not actively engage communities in relation to specific development proposals.

Local planning authorities are required to publicise applications for a minimum of 21 days, prior to determining planning applications, and must take any material matters raised into consideration when making a decision.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Dan Carden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her Department's policies of Common Wealth's briefing, entitled Housing Coalitions of the Future, published on 18 January 2025. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government has made no formal assessment of the potential implications for MHCLG policies of the briefing in question.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the level of Community Infrastructure Levy monies being contributed towards childcare provision and infrastructure. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is used to fund infrastructure needed to support development in a local authority’s area. This may include childcare facilities.

Any local planning authority that has received developer contributions is required to publish an Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) at least annually. The IFS report should include summary details of CIL expenditure during the reported year, including the items of infrastructure to which CIL has been applied.

There is no statutory requirement for a consolidated Infrastructure Funding Statement for England to be published, and one has not been published to date.

The government is committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.
wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_25
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 August 2024 to Question 1517 on Wind Power: Planning Permission, and with reference to the Environmental Information Regulations request with reference EIR2024/17924, for what reason the requested information was released under the EIR regime; and if she will now publish that substantive disclosure. \p Matthew Pennycook: Environmental principles assessments are not routinely published. However, the information in question was released following a request under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_26

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of affordable housing levies on the (a) cost and (b) size of housing units in developments. \p Matthew Pennycook: I interpret ‘affordable housing levies’ in this context to mean affordable housing policy requirements.

As set out in Planning Policy Guidance on viability, which can be found on gov.uk here, policy requirements for developer contributions should be informed by evidence of infrastructure and affordable housing need, and a proportionate assessment of viability that takes into account all relevant policies, and local and national standards, including the cost implications of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and section 106. Plan makers should consider how needs and viability may differ between site typologies and may choose to set different policy requirements for different sites or types of development in their plans.

The government intends to review the guidance on viability, and we are also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 12 December includes new Golden Rules for development on the Green Belt. Prior to development plan policies for affordable housing being updated in accordance with the revised NPPF, the affordable housing contribution required to satisfy the ‘Golden Rules’ is 15 percentage points above the highest existing affordable housing requirement that would otherwise apply to the development, subject to a cap of 50%. We estimate that under this model, the median Green Belt local planning authority affordable housing requirement will be 50%.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_27

Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 19 of her Department's Guidance on planning propriety: planning casework decisions, published in December 2021, if she will place in the Library a copy of all representations made to (a) her and (b) her Department on the latest Chinese Embassy planning application that have not otherwise been made available to the public via the Planning Inspectorate, including those from Parliamentarians. \p Matthew Pennycook: Post-inquiry representations are routinely listed at the end of the decision letter, and are also publicly available on request.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_28

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what disclosures her Department has made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on special adviser meetings with external organisations. \p Alex Norris: We have not received any such requests for disclosure under the FOI Act since 5 July 2024.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_29

Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the availability of thatching materials. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has no plans to make an assessment of the availability of thatching materials at this time.

Following discussion with the National Society of Master Thatchers, Historic England has updated its roof guidance to clarify the decision-making process for both applicants and local authorities on applications for listed building consent.

Historic England’s update roof guidance is available on that organisation’s website here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_30

Chris Law:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government,  whether the Government plans to formally adopt a definition of anti-Palestinian racism. \p Alex Norris: The government condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination and related forms of intolerance. We are committed to combatting it. We have a strong legal framework in place to deal with the perpetrators of racist and other forms of hate crime and expect the perpetrators of such offences to be brought to justice.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_31

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department plans to provide interim guidance on the tax treatment of payments received under the Biodiversity Net Gain scheme. \p James Murray: The Government has established the joint HMT/HMRC working group with industry representatives to identify solutions that provide clarity on the tax treatment of ecosystem service markets, including the Biodiversity Net Gain scheme. The work of the group is currently ongoing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_32

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has plans to issue guidance on the tax treatment of payments received under the Biodiversity Net Gain scheme. \p James Murray: The Government has established the joint HMT/HMRC working group with industry representatives to identify solutions that provide clarity on the tax treatment of ecosystem service markets, including the Biodiversity Net Gain scheme. The work of the group is currently ongoing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_33

Manuela Perteghella:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress her Department's joint working group with HMRC has made on clarifying the tax treatment of payments received under the Biodiversity Net Gain scheme. \p James Murray: The Government has established the joint HMT/HMRC working group with industry representatives to identify solutions that provide clarity on the tax treatment of ecosystem service markets, including the Biodiversity Net Gain scheme. The work of the group is currently ongoing.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_34

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on when the Valuation Office Agency plans to publish the draft Rateable Values for all hereditaments in England as part of the 2026 business rates revaluation. \p James Murray: In line with Section 41 of The Local Government Finance Act 1988, the VOA will publish the 2026 rating lists in draft on Gov.uk by 31 December 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_35

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Valuation Office Agency considers (a) the level of taxes and (b) other changes to fiscal policy when determining the valuation of a (i) pub and (ii) other hereditament. \p James Murray: The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) assesses non-domestic properties in line with legislation. This will be based on a set date, called the Antecedent Valuation Date (AVD). For the current rating list, this is 1 April 2021.

The VOA’s valuations are based on the level of rent the property could earn at the AVD. Should the level of taxation and fiscal policy affect rents paid in the open market at that specific point in time, they will be reflected in any rental evidence that is used.

Any change in the level of taxation or fiscal policy that occurs after the AVD, or would not have been known at the AVD, would not be considered until a subsequent non-domestic revaluation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_36

John Glen:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 28 January 2025 to Question 25682 on Motor vehicles: taxation, whether any impact assessment has been produced on changes to tax on double cab pick-up vehicles in the Autumn Budget 2024. \p James Murray: The change in treatment for Double Cab Pick-ups (DCPUs) as announced at Autumn Budget 2024 was to align treatment with recent case law to treat them as cars, and not a change in policy requiring legislation. As mentioned in my answer of 28 January 2025, given this was not a policy change, it sits outside the Tax Consultation Framework. Under that framework, Tax Information and Impacting Notes (TIINs) are only published alongside legislation at fiscal events. More information on the Tax Consultation Framework can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a79567ee5274a3864fd622b/tax-consultation-framework.pdf
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_37

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 24513 on Business Rates: Tax Allowance, what the net value is of the package when adjusted for changes to the (a) retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief and (b) standard multiplier in the 2025-26 financial year. \p James Murray: Autumn Budget 2024 announced the extension of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and the freezing of the small business multiplier for 2025-26. This is a package worth over £1.6 billion in 2025-26.

For both business rates measures, the breakdown of costings over the scorecard period can be found on page 120 (lines 47-48) in ‘Chapter 5: Policy decisions’ of Autumn Budget 2024: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/672b9695fbd69e1861921c63/Autumn_Budget_2024_Accessible.pdf
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_38

Ben Maguire:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of exempting (a) parish councils and (b) town councils from the planned rise in employer National Insurance contributions. \p James Murray: The Government has taken a number of difficult but necessary decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the public finances and fund public services.

One of the toughest decisions the Government took was to raise employer National Insurance contributions.

The Government will provide support for departments and other public sector employers for additional employer National Insurance costs only.

The Government has no direct role in funding parish and town councils and therefore does not intend to provide further support for the employer National Insurance changes.

This is the usual approach Government takes to supporting the public sector with additional employer NICs costs, as was the case with the previous government’s Health and Social Care Levy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-02-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-02-28 conversation_39

John Glen:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2025, to Question 21295 on Employers’ Contributions: Equality, whether a longer Impact Assessment or screening document was produced internally by her Department on the changes to National Insurance contributions that subsequently informed the content in the Tax Information and Impact Note. \p James Murray: The Government carefully considers the impact of all decisions on those sharing protected characteristics in line with both our legal obligations and with our commitment to greater fairness and opportunity.

The Government is committed to meeting its obligation to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and Treasury ministers are confident the Government has met the obligation for the changes to National Insurance.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and an overview of the equality impacts.

The Office for Budget Responsibility also published the Economic and Fiscal Outlook (EFO), which sets out a detailed forecast of the economy and public finances.