theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been prosecuted for driving with excessively noisy exhausts in the last ten years. \p Sarah Sackman: The Ministry of Justice publishes data on prosecutions for a wide range of offences including motoring offences at criminal courts in England and Wales in the Outcomes by Offences data tool, that can be downloaded from the Criminal Justice Statistics landing page here: Criminal Justice Statistics.

However, the data do not identify cases as a result of illegally tinted windows, excessively bright lights, or excessively noisy exhausts.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many permanent civil servants in her Department had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years. \p Sarah Sackman: The Department’s HR system shows the total number of permanent Civil Servants leaving the Ministry of Justice recorded as ‘Dismissal – Unsatisfactory Work Performance’, as 18 in the financial year 2022-2023, 27 in year 2023-2024, and 31 in year 2024-2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will amend section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to ensure victims of rape and sexual violence do not have their past disclosures used as evidence to drop their case. \p Sarah Sackman: This Government is committed to improving public confidence in the criminal justice system, so that victims feel the system is fair and justice will be done.

The Law Commission is currently concluding its comprehensive review into the use of evidence in sexual offence prosecutions, including the use of evidence relating to victims’ past disclosures. They are reviewing the law, practice, guidance and procedure in sexual offence cases and will make recommendations for reform, so that practitioners throughout the criminal justice system do not unfairly rely on myths and misconceptions when reviewing evidence and making decisions.

We wish to carefully consider the Law Commission’s recommendations on this and on other related measures, to ensure that our approach takes on board their in-depth consideration, and to avoid making piecemeal legislative change.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance under the UN. \p Alex Davies-Jones: The Government considers that the current domestic framework and legislation already prevents arbitrary arrests, prohibits torture and degrading treatment, and holds the Security and Intelligence Agencies to account. We therefore currently have no plans to sign or ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

We strongly condemn any instances of enforced disappearance internationally. We urge states to fully investigate any allegations, prosecute those responsible and provide justice to victims.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the level of prisoner phone call charges included in current contracts for HMP Wandsworth on prisoners.. \p Sir Nicholas Dakin: This Government is aware of the importance of allowing prisoners to maintain contact with family and other positive relationships, and the positive influence this can have on their wellbeing and rehabilitation. Provision of in-cell telephony is one of several ways that we enable that contact to take place and we aim to make this affordable for prisoners.

We have negotiated a 20% reduction in call costs to all UK landline and UK mobile numbers which came into effect from 1 April 2025, which will make communication more affordable.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) capacity, (b) capability and (c) competitiveness of the nuclear supply chain in the UK for the production of small modular reactors. \p Michael Shanks: As the UK enters the new golden age of nuclear, the government will accelerate the growth of a robust and secure sector, collaborating across the supply chain to mitigate barriers to entry, develop policies that maximise domestic opportunities, and support access to international markets to drive exports.

Following a robust, two-year procurement process, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to build the UK’s first small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. It is expected that an SMR project could support up to 3,000 skilled jobs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Dan Norris:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of providing funding for projects to generate geothermal energy from former coal mines that have been flooded. \p Michael Shanks: The Government recognises that mine water heat shows good potential as a renewable source for heat networks. The technology was eligible for support through the Heat Network Investment Project from 2018 and is currently eligible for funding from the Green Heat Network Funding https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-heat-network-fund-ghnf. Mine water schemes at Gateshead and Seaham Garden Village have been supported through these schemes. Feasibility assessments have also been supported by Heat Network Delivery Unit Funding in other locations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many permanent civil servants in his Department had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years. \p Michael Shanks: Human Resources data for Energy Security and Net Zero has been available from September 2023. Since then, the Department dismissed 5 permanent employees in 2023-24 and 6 permanent employees in 2024-25 as a result of issues relating to poor performance.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support vulnerable households with energy costs in off-grid communities. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government believes the only way to protect billpayers permanently is to speed up the transition towards homegrown clean energy. The creation of Great British Energy will help us harness clean energy, reduce our reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, and enable us to meet our target to be a clean energy superpower by 2030.

We recognise that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power. This is why we delivered the Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. We have recently consulted on the expansion of the Warm Home Discount, giving more eligible households £150 off their energy bills. These proposals would bring around 2.7 million households on a qualifying means-tested benefit into the scheme – pushing the total number of households that would receive the discount next winter up to around 6 million. The consultation closed on 24 March and DESNZ is considering the responses received.

The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock, including those off gas grid, into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the timing of the construction of the first British-built small modular reactor on the UK’s manufacturing sector. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature.

Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.
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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that British suppliers are used for Government-funded small modular reactors. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature.

Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.
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David Taylor:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate he has made of the number of vehicles owned by his Department coming to their end of life; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of making those vehicles available to the Ukrainian military. \p Michael Shanks: The Department for Energy and Net Zero does not own any vehicles.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

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Mr Clive Betts:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of building the first British small modular reactor outside the UK on the UK manufacturing sector. \p Michael Shanks: Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature.

Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.
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Richard Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the capacity of the National Grid to provide (a) timely and (b) adequate connections in the context of estimated trends in the level of adoption of rooftop solar installations on commercial properties. \p Michael Shanks: Ofgem recently made it easier for smaller generation projects (under 5MW in England and Wales) to connect, by removing the requirement for a transmission network impact assessment [1]. For larger projects, the implementation of connections reform will prioritise connections that are ready and aligned with our clean power 2030 ambitions. Furthermore, the next Ofgem price control for electricity distribution (ED3, 2028-2033) will promote strategic network investment ahead of need, including through the introduction of Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs). This will enable the timely connection of rooftop solar and other low carbon electricity generation across Great Britain.

[1] https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/decision/decision-approve-cmp446-increasing-lower-threshold-england-and-wales-evaluation-transmission-impact-assessment
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Richard Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the feasibility of installing a grid connection corridor along the A1 and A421 to enable commercial warehouses in that area to connect rooftop solar installations to the National Grid. \p Michael Shanks: Distribution Network Operators are upgrading local electricity distribution networks across Great Britain to enable the connection of low carbon generation, including rooftop solar. For the current electricity distribution price control (RIIO-ED2, 2023-2028), Ofgem have allowed £22.2bn of upfront investment, including £3.1bn for network upgrades for low-carbon technologies. For the next electricity distribution price control (RIIO-ED3, 2028-2033), Regional Energy Strategic Plans (RESPs) will support strategic network investment ahead of need, on a locational basis. The government will continue to support Ofgem in ensuring that consumer costs are protected while enabling the network transformation required for net zero.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many times he has taken a domestic flight for official travel purposes; which locations he has travelled to; and what the cost was for those flights. \p Michael Shanks: Data on ministers’ travel is published on a quarterly basis. This can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/desnz-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings
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Carla Denyer:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution emissions reduction target under the Paris Agreement, what his emissions reduction target is in each year between 2025 and 2035. \p Kerry McCarthy: The UK’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a target to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% compared to 1990 levels. The 2035 NDC is consistent with the effort to deliver against the UK’s sixth carbon budget (2033-37), as set out in the Climate Change Act. The sixth carbon budget limits UK emissions to an annual average of 193 megatons carbon dioxide equivalent, including international aviation and shipping.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29262 on Insulation: Housing, if he will launch an investigation into homes that had spray foam installed under the Green Grant Scheme. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Government recognises that the system of quality assurance and consumer redress that we inherited needs reform. This work is already underway, with the existing system being tightened, but we will set out plans for root and branch reform as part of the Warm Homes Plan.

Under the Green Home Grant Voucher Scheme (GHGVS) the previous Government did not specify which types of insulation should be installed in any particular property, only that the installations should be carried out by TrustMark registered installers in accordance with the relevant standards and consumer protection requirements.

If the installation has met the standards required in the GHGVS, we would not expect it to require removal or prevent a mortgage from being issued given the publication of the inspection protocol that surveyors can use to make a judgement.
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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking with Ofgem to help ensure there is adequate data (a) governance and (b) controls for sustainability arrangements at Ofgem. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Ofgem is an independent regulator and HM Treasury has principal oversight over Ofgem’s finances. As an independent regulator and Non-Ministerial Government Department, Ofgem is responsible for setting its own internal policies and controls in-line with its legal functions and duties, and it is directly accountable to Parliament for the performance of its functions and duties.

However, the Department collaborates with Ofgem, in line with the Greening Government Commitments (GGCs), to work towards our mutual net zero 2050 target. This includes reviewing our respective environmental impact and ensuring that Ofgem’s operations and procurement support are delivered in advance of the government’s targets.

Ofgem, with guidance from the Department, use the Greening Government Commitments as the main measure of progress – these commitments span the period from 2021-2025 and set out a sustainability framework for government departments.

Ofgem’s annual report that outlines their data governance and sustainability arrangements: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-04/Ofgem-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-2024.pdf
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the energy efficiency of older housing stock in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Warm Homes Plan will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future, including those within the South Holland and the Deepings constituency and Lincolnshire. The Government will partner with combined authorities and local and devolved governments to roll out this plan.

We are investing £13.2 billion to help upgrade millions of homes and cut energy bills for families across the country to tackle to cost of living crisis. Further details on the Warm Homes Plan will be set out in due course.
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Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that households on heat network schemes have access to the same consumer protections as people on standard tariffs. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: DESNZ is introducing heat network regulation which aims to provide consumers with comparable protections to existing gas and electricity consumers.

From 27 January 2026 Ofgem will formally commence their role as the market regulator, with powers to investigate high prices and enforce authorisation conditions. These conditions will include rules on treatment of vulnerable consumers, transparent billing and quality of service. The scope of Consumer protection is not limited to the item’s bellow, but includes powers to investigate unfair pricing, require suppliers to institute protections for vulnerable consumers, and establish guaranteed standards of performance to ensure that a minimum quality of service is provided at all timesIn addition, from 1 April 2025 heat networks consumers have been able to access support specific to heat networks from Citizens Advice or Consumer Scotland, and have had add access to the Energy Ombudsman’s Consumer Redress .
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Tony Vaughan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of additional powers for local authorities to instigate stronger penalties against repeat illegal parking violations. \p Jim McMahon: Local Authorities are empowered to determine their parking arrangements, as they are best suited to understand the best way of responding to local needs.

They must do so in a way which meets standards set by national government that parking policies should be proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and reconcile competing demands for kerb space, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities as required in the Traffic Management Act 2004.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme on levels of industrial action by municipal firefighters. \p Alex Norris: Proposed changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) are not expected to lead to industrial action by firefighters. Non-uniformed staff of local fire and rescue services are members of the LGPS but firefighters have their own separate pension scheme, the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, what the spending to ATKINSRÉALIS PPS LIMITED reference CSSP - F&G was for. \p Alex Norris: £99,053.21 was paid in March for works completed in February 2025 for professional services rendered in connection to the Client Side Support provision for the Building Safety Fund and ACM programmes. CSSPs support applicants by providing technical advice and overseeing remediation work so the projects deliver quality and timely remediation.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the provisions in her Department's guidance entitled Sensitive information in planning applications have been used for the planning application for the Chinese Embassy in relation to information provided by (a) the applicant and (b) third parties. \p Matthew Pennycook: There is no direction under section 321 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in force in respect of this case.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of high annual ground rents on the ability of leaseholders to sell their properties in (a) Fylde and (b) Lancashire. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government remains firmly committed to its manifesto commitment to tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents, and we will deliver this in legislation.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, if she will publish a target for social rent housing for (a) each year and (b) the 10 year period of funding for the Affordable Homes Programme. \p Matthew Pennycook: The new investment to succeed the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme that was announced at the Spending Review will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for social rent. We will confirm further details in due course.

The government has not set an affordable housing target to date, but we continue to keep the matter under review.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, what the full specification was of the research commissioned from Ipsos on the spending items entitled (a) research and (b) place level case studies evaluation. \p Alex Norris: The payments for research commissioned from IPSOS comprised:

a) Research: work conducted as part of the Domestic Abuse Duty Evaluation, a three year independent evaluation of Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

b) Place level case studies: delivery of interim reports from the place-level evaluation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Further details are published on gov.uk here.
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Dr Beccy Cooper:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help tackle disparities in leasehold maintenance charges for residents living in self-contained bungalows who are charged for communal amenities they cannot not use. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to ensuring that leaseholders, including those living in self-contained bungalows, are protected from unfair practices, including in relation to service charges.

Individual leases set out what services leaseholders may expect to receive and areas they can access, and what they should pay for.

Overcharging through service charges is completely unacceptable.

By law variable service charges must be reasonable and, where costs relate to works or services, the works or services must be of a reasonable standard.  Should leaseholders wish to contest the reasonableness of their service charges, they may make an application to the appropriate tribunal.

Leaseholders may also access free, independent advice from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which is funded by the Department and offers a range of online resources, as well as telephone and email support.

We intend to consult in the very near future on the measures in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 designed to drive up the transparency of service charges and to make them more easily challengeable if leaseholders consider them to be unreasonable.
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Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement entitled Building the Homes We Need, of 30 July 2024, HCWS48, what steps she has taken to ensure that development on the green belt will offer at least 50 per cent affordable homes. \p Matthew Pennycook: Through the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system last year, the government sought views on implementing ‘Golden Rules’ to ensure development in the Green Belt is in the public interest.

As set out in the formal response to the consultation published on 12 December 2024, we noted concerns that setting a national 50% affordable housing target could lack flexibility and fail to account properly for regional variation. The government has adopted an approach which balances the need for an ambitious affordable housing target with the viability challenges that may occur in some cases.

Local planning authorities will be able to set their own ‘Golden Rules’ in relation to affordable housing through their new local plans. The affordable housing requirement should: a) be set at a higher level than that which would otherwise apply to land which is not within or proposed to be released from the Green Belt; and b) require at least 50% of the housing to be affordable, unless this would make the development of these sites unviable (when tested in accordance with national planning practice guidance on viability).

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%. The 50% cap does not apply to rural exception sites or community-led development exception sites, or if the local planning authority has a relevant existing policy which would apply to the development which is above 50%. We estimate that under this model, the median Green Belt local planning authority affordable housing requirement will be 50%.

The government intends to update planning practice guidance on viability as part of our commitment to strengthen the system of developer contributions. Prior to new viability guidance being published, site specific viability assessment should not be used on schemes where the ‘Golden Rules’ apply.
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James Asser:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help increase the availability of affordable housing in West Ham and Beckton constituency. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.

At the Spending Review on 11 June, the Chancellor confirmed £39 billion for a successor to the Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36. For the first time in recent memory, this will give registered providers a decade of certainty over the capital funding they can access to build new housing developments.

The new programme will deliver a mix of homes for sub-market rent and homeownership, with a particular focus on delivering homes for social rent. We will publish further details shortly including in relation to the kinds of homes and schemes it will fund and the timeline for opening bids.

Following the recent consultation, the government has also confirmed a rent settlement of CPI + 1% for ten years, alongside a consultation to follow shortly on how to implement a catch-up (convergence) mechanism for social rents below formula.

We are also providing £950m capital for the fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund – the largest round of the fund to date – to support local authorities in England increase the supply of better quality temporary accommodation and drive down the use of Bed and Breakfasts for families with children. The fund will also provide safe and suitable housing for those on the Afghan Resettlement Programme. LAHF investment will provide local authorities with a lasting affordable housing asset for the future.

The government has also confirmed over £1 billion between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to accelerate social housing remediation by giving social housing providers equal access to government funding as private building owners receive. This will support providers of social housing to supply more affordable homes, while also improving the living conditions of tenants.

These announcements cover the main elements of our social and affordable housing investment strategy in this parliament. We will announce further details about other aspects of our reform programme, including in respect of future regulation on quality and safety and Right to Buy, shortly, so that there is the clarity and certainty needed to quickly ramp up investment in existing and new stock.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the document entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, if she will publish the full specification of the research commissioned from Verian Group UK Limited on (a) Private Rented Sector - Research work and (b) Leasehold Programme Evaluation Scoping. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Private Rented Sector research carried out by Verian forms part of the Department’s wider monitoring and evaluation work in relation to the Renters’ Rights Bill (further details can be found in its Impact Assessment here). Specifically, my Department commissioned Verian to carry out a longitudinal survey of private renters, to help inform, baseline, and monitor the private rented sector reforms. The findings, which will set out the requirement for the work commissioned, will be published in due course, in line with the our research and analysis evaluation strategy which can be found on gov.uk here.

My Department has also commissioned Verian to conduct an evaluation scoping project to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the government’s leasehold and commonhold reforms. Again, we will publish the evaluation findings, which will set out the requirements of the work commissioned for the scoping study, in due course, in line with the above evaluation strategy.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_82

Freddie van Mierlo:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to take steps to improve protections for (a) pubs and (b) other community assets against (i) long-term commercial vacancy and (ii) speculative planning applications. \p Matthew Pennycook: Through the forthcoming English Devolution Bill, we will introduce a ‘right to buy’ for valued community assets, such as pubs and other spaces. This will give communities stronger powers to secure these assets if they go up for sale.

Long-term vacant pubs may also be eligible for a High Street Rental Auction.

Where planning permission is sought to change the use of community facilities, the National Planning Policy Framework is clear that local planning decisions should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued community facilities and services.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_83

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential impact of the proposed Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court on (a) policing and (b) public order. \p Matthew Pennycook: As has been the case under successive administrations, government does not normally disclose details of internal discussions.

An independent Inspector held a public inquiry into the proposals, at which interested parties were able to put forward evidence and representations.

All material planning considerations will be taken into account in reaching a decision on this case.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_84

Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of ensuring that new build estates include adequate provision of (a) bungalows, (b) ramp access and (c) other accessible housing needs. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answers to Questions UIN 50375 on 23 May 2025 and UIN 53184, on 27 May 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_85

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to protect long-standing (a) cultural and (b) night-time economy venues from (i) closure and (ii) restrictions due to new residential development. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework provides strong protections to ensure that new residential development can be integrated effectively with existing businesses and community facilities.

It sets out that existing businesses and facilities should not have unreasonable restrictions placed on them as a result of development permitted after they were established.

Where the operation of an existing business or community facility could have a significant adverse effect on new development (including changes of use) in its vicinity, the applicant (or ‘agent of change’) should be required to provide suitable mitigation before the development has been completed.

We will consider how we can ensure the most effective implementation of the ‘agent of change’ principle as part of our work to create a new set of national policies for decision making which we will consult on this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_86

Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies on park homes of her Department's report entitled The impact of a change in the maximum park home sale commission, published on 16 June 2022. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 44299 on 16 April 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_87

Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to green belt protections on (a) biodiversity, (b) access to green space and (c) the long-term preservation of rural character in Cookham. \p Matthew Pennycook: The revised National Planning Policy Framework was published on 12 December 2024, following extensive consultation, including with local planning authorities.

I otherwise refer the hon. Members to the answers given to questions UIN 26508 on 5 February 2025, UIN 29375 on 18 February 2025, UIN 40156 on 26 March 2025 and UIN 43157 on 7 April 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_88

Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will formalise the role of representative community groups in local planning decisions. \p Matthew Pennycook: A key objective of our planning reforms is to improve certainty and decision making in the planning system.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes provisions to that end, including a national scheme of delegation and requiring planning committee members to undertake mandatory training before they can take planning decisions.

Planning law requires local planning authorities to publicise planning applications through various means, including site notices, advertisements in local newspapers, and publishing information on their website. We are exploring ways to enhance community engagement through the greater digitalisation of the planning system. This will help remove barriers to participation in the planning application process, including among those in representative community groups.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_89

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 97 of the National Planning Policy Framework, published on 7 February 2025, what criteria are used to designate a town centre. \p Matthew Pennycook: Town centres are defined in the National Planning Policy Framework Annex 2: Glossary.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_90

Sir Oliver Dowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local plans will need to be updated following local government reorganisation. \p Matthew Pennycook: Where reorganisation occurs, new unitary authorities are expected to promptly prepare a local development plan covering the whole of their area. Until that new plan is adopted, existing constituent local plans remain in force as part of the development plan for their area. New unitary authorities have the discretion to progress any emerging constituent local plans.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_91

James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to consider the potential costs for policing protests when making her decision on the planning application for the Chinese embassy at Royal Mint Court. \p Matthew Pennycook: An independent Inspector held a public inquiry into the proposals in question, at which interested parties were able to put forward evidence and representations. All material planning considerations will be taken into account in reaching a decision on this case.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_92

Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the operating costs are for Mayoral Combined Authorities for (a) the 2025-26 and (b) each of the next five financial years. \p Jim McMahon: The costs for operating Mayoral Combined Authorities can vary depending on their size, the responsibilities they exercise, and local political and financial decisions. Mayoral Combined Authorities are best placed to make assessments of the allocation of funding towards these costs. The government does not hold estimates of future operating costs. Mayoral Combined Authorities’ financial information can be found in their published, annual budgets.
wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_93
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_93

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's transparency data entitled MHCLG: spending over £25,000, March 2025, published on 28 April 2025, what the spending to Livewire Consultancy Limited on Research Services was for. \p Jim McMahon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59139 on 16 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_94

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Government is taking to support the freedom to pray. \p Alex Norris: Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right, and one which underpins many of the others.  Any individual or group is free to express and practice religion, views and beliefs, but they have a duty to behave responsibly and to respect other people’s rights.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_95

Grahame Morris:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 12 June 2025 to Question 58194 on Letter Boxes, if he will make an estimate of the number of property developers who do not comply with the guidance on the positioning of letterboxes and letterplates. \p Alex Norris: The department does not hold this data.

Since October 2023, the Building Safety Regulator have a duty under the Building Safety Act 2022 to keep under review the safety and standards of all buildings in England, which includes keeping Approved Document Q under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-06-17)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-06-17 conversation_96

Ben Goldsborough:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential merits of community ownership to businesses in rural areas. \p Alex Norris: This government is committed to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutuals sector. Diverse business models are important, not only in terms of our growth mission, but also to support our communities to thrive. That is why we welcomed the independent Co-operatives and Mutual Business Council, formed in March, to help us explore how working together, we can fulfil our ambition to grow the sector.

And, earlier this month DBT and HMT Ministers hosted a reception at No.10 Downing Street to celebrate the Co-operatives and Mutuals sector and set out the Government’s next steps – including launching a Call for Evidence later this year, on how we can continue to support co-operatives and mutual businesses to start, grow and scale, as well as support existing businesses transition to become a co-operative or mutual.

We are also delivering on the pledge to replace the community ‘Right to Bid’ with a strengthened ‘Right to Buy’ for Assets of Community Value, creating a clearer route to community ownership.