theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Gareth Thomas:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will encourage local authorities to set aside land for (a) community land trusts and (b) housing cooperatives. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government recognises that the community-led housing sector – which includes community land trusts and housing cooperatives – delivers a wide range of benefits including strengthening community participation in local decision-making, engendering community cohesion, achieving high quality design and strengthening the co-operative economy.

In March, we announced a £20 million 10-year social finance investment to provide capital finance for community-led housing, which is expected to directly support the construction of more than 2,500 new homes over the next decade. These housebuilding projects will be led by communities to specifically address local needs in their area.

Through the recent revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework, we have strengthened support for community-led housing, including through changes to the size limit on community-led exception sites and a broadening of the definition of organisations able to deliver community-led housing.

We are also undertaking a significant research project to inform future interventions to support the sector, with a particular focus on sustainable finance.

Looking ahead, as we develop our Long Term Housing Strategy, the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme and the National Housing Delivery Fund, we will consider how the government may further support the growth of the community-led housing sector, helping to deliver the additional homes the country needs.
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Jenny Riddell-Carpenter:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to require local planning authorities to consider the financial viability and track record of developers as part of the planning process. \p Matthew Pennycook: On 25 May, the government published a Planning Reform Working Paper: Speeding Up Build Out (which can be found on gov.uk here) which included proposals to implement a new power for authorities to decline to determine planning applications made by developers who fail to build out at a reasonable rate. The consultation closed on 7 July and we are currently considering all feedback received.

It would not be appropriate for local planning authorities to be required to assess the financial viability of a developer when determining a planning application. This is not a planning matter and would place undue burden on both applicant and local planning authority.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the document entitled Licensing of houses in multiple occupation and selective licensing of other residential accommodation (England) General Approval 2024, published on 16 December 2024 on landlords. \p Matthew Pennycook: The General Approval 2024 grants local authorities the ability to introduce selective licensing schemes of any size in their area, without requiring Secretary of State approval.

No changes have been made to the legislative requirements for introducing and managing a selective licensing scheme. Local authorities must continue to meet the requirements under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004.

We trust local authorities to assess local housing conditions and introduce a selective licensing scheme where there is a need to address local issues. No recent assessment has been undertaken on the impact of the selective licensing General Approval 2024.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has considered bringing forward legislative proposals on Empty Dwelling Management Orders. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government wants to see more empty homes brought back into use across the country.

Local authorities have strong powers and incentives to tackle empty homes. They have the discretionary powers to charge additional council tax on properties which have been left unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for one or more years. The maximum premium that a council can apply increases, depending on the length of time that the property has been empty for, with a premium of up to 300% on homes left empty for over ten years.

They can also access funding through the Affordable Homes Programme and Local Authority Housing Fund. Through the New Homes Bonus, local authorities can also receive the same level of reward for bringing an empty home back into use as building a new one.

Local authorities can also use powers to take over the management of long-term empty homes to bring them back into use in the private rented sector. Local authorities can apply for an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMO) when a property has been empty for more than two years, subject to the production of evidence that the property has been causing a nuisance to the community and evidence of community support for their proposal. More information can be found on gov.uk here.

The government outlined its intent to strengthen local authorities’ ability to take over the management of vacant residential premises in the English Devolution White Paper published in December 2024.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, on how many days the Union Flag was flown on his Department's main buildings in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025 to date. \p Samantha Dixon: MHCLG’s headquarters is 2 Marsham Street, London and the Union Flag has been flown every day throughout 2024 and 2025. In addition, our 2nd headquarters in i9,Wolverhampton also has a flag pole, although we do not maintain records of what flags have been flown when. The Union Flag is flown for the majority of the year and alternative flags are only flown according to official guidance issued by DCMS.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2025 to Question 23864 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Photography, what the length of the fixed term loan of the Secretary of State's photographer; and whether he plans to keep such a role in post. \p Samantha Dixon: MHCLG does not currently employ a photographer on a part or full-time basis and has no plans to. We do not comment on individual staffing matters.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which trade unions in (a) his Department and (b) its executive agencies receive (i) facility time and (ii) diversity network time. \p Samantha Dixon: The Department recognises 3 Unions: PCS, Prospect & FDA. Our agencies each have their own recognised Trade Unions. Facility time is granted in line with Cabinet Office guidance. Requesting time for staff network activities is a separate provision to the facility time granted to recognised Unions. Requests for Diversity Network time are considered in accordance with Departmental policy.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if her Department will publish a list of (a) new settlements and (b) urban extensions planned to contain more than 5,000 homes which have been commenced since 2000; and if her Department will indicate whether a GP surgery has been delivered within the development area. \p Matthew Pennycook: The information requested is not held centrally.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether a new (a) memorandum of understanding and (b) facility agreement is being agreed between her Department and its agencies with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in relation to the (i) Affordable Housing Programme and (ii) National Housing Bank. \p Matthew Pennycook: As committed to in the English Devolution White Paper, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority will have the ability to set the strategic direction of the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme in their area. Memorandums of Understanding and commissioning letters will be agreed with the Greater London Authority and Homes England as the organisations delivering the programme for MHCLG.

As per the Written Ministerial Statement I made on 18 June (HCWS712), MHCLG and the National Housing Bank, when established, will work with Mayors and local leaders to develop integrated packages of financial support to deliver on the housing and regeneration priorities of local areas. MHCLG and Homes England are engaging with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to agree an approach that works best for the needs of each place. We will announce further details in the coming months.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the European Commission in relation to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. \p Matthew Pennycook: The former Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government did not have discussions with the European Commission in relation to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Written Statement of 21 November 2024 entitled Leasehold and Commonhold reform, HCWS244, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of such reforms on the cost of lease extensions for leases which (a) are for 80 years or more and (b) have a low ground rent. \p Matthew Pennycook: An Impact Assessment for the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 was published in December 2023. It can be found on gov.uk here.

An addendum to the Impact Assessment, providing the government’s latest assessment of the impact of the Act’s reforms to leasehold enfranchisement, was published in April 2025. It can be found on gov.uk here.
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James Naish:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help (a) local authorities and (b) Trading Standards take action against rogue builders; and what steps her Department is taking to improve the (i) frequency and (ii) success of Trading Standards actions against rogue builders. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department does not hold the data requested.

Local Authorities are responsible for determining resourcing priorities in accordance with the needs of their local electorates, and the members of those electorates will differ according to the areas where they live.

I otherwise refer the hon Member to UIN 18841 answered on 17 December 2024 and UIN 23175 answered on 16 January 2025.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of (a) integrated playgrounds, (b) play and (c) other inclusive community facilities on the health and wellbeing of (i) disabled children and (ii) their families in Basildon. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government is committed to creating inclusive, accessible parks and play areas.

We have made no assessment of the potential impact of integrated playgrounds, play and other inclusive community facilities in Basildon. local authorities are best placed to evaluate and meet the needs of their local area.

The government is equipping them to do that by providing more funding – an 8% increase in government-funded spending power over the next four years – and the National Planning Policy Framework, which is clear that planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places. Our National Model Design Code, provides a toolkit for planners to help them produce local design codes that include play areas which are accessible and inclusive for all.

Local authorities must also consider their obligations under the Equalities Act of 2010 when providing public spaces, this includes ensuring that they are accessible and inclusive.

The government’s Green Flag Award sets the national and international quality standard for parks and green spaces. The scheme encourages parks managers to ensure parks are welcoming and accessible to all users, including disabled people. I congratulate Basildon’s own Wat Tyler Country Park, a Green Flag Award recipient which includes an inclusive play area with features for wheelchair users and children of all abilities.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what planning (a) policies and (b) guidance her Department has issued on council farms. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has not issued any policies or guidance specific to council farms.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of Homes England’s management of the (a) Techforest and (b) Woolmead sites in Farnham and Bordon constituency. \p Matthew Pennycook: Homes England has worked closely with East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) to support priorities for growth in Whitehill and Bordon for several years. This includes supporting the delivery of new employment sites in the area. Tech Forest has been identified as an employment site and, following consultation with EHDC, will be marketed for employment use.

Homes England purchased Woolmead in Farnham via the Brownfield Infrastructure Land Fund, which has an extant planning permission for 138 new homes and over 4,000m² of commercial space. Homes England is considering options for the delivery of the site, including seeking a new planning consent, and remaining in contact with the market and prospective partners. In the meantime, Homes England continues to manage the site to ensure it remains safe, secure, and in a stable condition whilst longer-term plans for the site evolve.
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Jayne Kirkham:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support is available for first-time buyers in Cornwall. \p Matthew Pennycook: The affordability challenges facing prospective first-time buyers mean that too many people are now locked out of homeownership. This government is determined to change that, ensuring that young families and hardworking renters can buy a home of their own.

Boosting the supply of homes of all tenures must be at the heart of any strategy to improve housing affordability which is why the government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England in this Parliament.

In addition, a number of initiatives are in place to support people into home ownership, including through the shared ownership scheme - which will continue to be delivered through the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme - and the Lifetime ISA. The government has also introduced a new, permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, available to support and sustain availability of low deposit mortgage products for prospective buyers. First-time buyers in Cornwall may also benefit from home ownership initiatives offered at the local level.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will amend the online electoral registration form to ask if applicants live at three addresses. \p Samantha Dixon: There are currently no plans to change the online electoral registration application form, to ask whether applicants live at three addresses.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 183 of the publication entitled Central Government Supply Estimates 2024-25, Main Supply Estimates, published in July 2025, if he will publish the 2024-25 Outcome Delivery Plan. \p Samantha Dixon: The department uses Outcome Delivery Plans as a tool for internal planning and performance management. We will continue to provide transparency through existing published reports and updates to Parliament but as an internal document, we do not intend to publish the 2024-25 ODP in the same way we have not published ODPs in previous years.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Chancellor announces record investment to rebuild National Health Service, published on 11 June 2025, when he plans to confirm the 350 deprived communities in receipt of funding. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: At Spending Review 2025, the Chancellor announced that up to 350 of the most deprived places will receive support from government. Full profiles and detailed guidance will be published in due course.

The programme will adopt a flexible approach offering areas a broad range of options to address the unique challenges in their local area. Youth clubs, libraries, parks, cultural venues, and health and wellbeing services will all be in scope of the programme.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 10 of the MHCLG annual report and accounts 2024-25, HC1062, July 2025, which (a) private and (b) public bodies received funding from the Community Recovery Fund; what information her Department holds on how the funds were spent; and whether her Department spent any funding directly. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Community Recovery Fund (CRF) was provided to 20 local authorities affected by the violent disorder that took place between July and August 2024, to rebuild and repair fractured communities and bring people back together. More details on recipients can be found here: Community Recovery Fund: Guidance - GOV.UK. The Department has not spent any funds directly.

Funding from the Community Recovery Fund (CRF) has been used for a range of activities, including community cohesion work such as strategy development, engagement events and community campaigns. It has also been used to support youth and vulnerable groups through activities such as mentoring and resilience-building programmes, and the development of orientation and inclusion toolkits.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 June 2025 to Question 52871 on Community Development: English Language, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of providing English language support to people in the UK in the (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 financial years. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The below answer refers to funding made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government only. The provisions described are in addition to what other departments may offer.

Councils receive a tariff of £5,900 per Homes for Ukraine arrival in their area to support guests to rebuild their lives and fully integrate into communities. Councils can use this funding flexibly which could include supporting guests to access English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision. Homes for Ukraine funding allocations are published on gov.uk here.

The department provided £11.5 million of funding for English language courses and employment support for up to 12,500 Ukrainians across the UK through the ‘STEP Ukraine’ programme. The department has also allocated £3 million in grant funding to Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs) in England to strengthen the capacity of ESOL teachers and expand community-based English language support for eligible Afghans, Ukrainians, and Hong Kong BN(O)s until March 2026. This builds on the £1 million SMP ESOL capacity grant delivered in 2023–24, which trained over 350 teachers and supported more than 2,500 resettled learners

The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Programme, which is in its fifth year of funding, provides demand led funding to councils in England which can be accessed to cover the costs of English language courses. In 2024-25, the department allocated £4.5 million to councils. Continued funding is available in 2025-26.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy to stop referring to lower socio-economic status in his Department’s publications. \p Samantha Dixon: There are currently no plans to set policy around terminology used in the Department’s publications.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with Sheffield City Council on the proposed change to a Cabinet governance system. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: I have not discussed with Sheffield City Council the measures in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill relating to local authority governance models. I am, of course, very happy to listen to views on all provisions within the Bill as it progresses through Parliament.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 30143 on Byelaws, what legislative vehicle his Department plans to use to implement its proposals on byelaws from the English Devolution White Paper. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Byelaw reform proposals outlined in the English Devolution White Paper will be subject to consultation. The government will consider how proposals will be implemented following this.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department's statutory guidance entitled Flexible use of capital receipts: direction, updated on 26 March 2025, whether the sale of a local authority allotment would qualify under those rules as a capital receipt. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government has not changed the rules with respect to disposing of allotments. There remain in place strict criteria to protect allotments, whereby councils must seek approval from the Secretary of state to dispose of a statutory allotment and only sell it where a defined legal threshold is met. From 2016, the previous government introduced a general flexibility that allows councils to use capital receipts to pay for transformation. We are clear that councils should only do this where it provides value for money and it is in the interests of residents. This flexibility does not override any statutory restrictions that may exist on certain types of assets including allotments.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2025 to Question 44234 on Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners, what her planned timetable is for incorporating the policing powers of the Police and Crime Commissioners in (a) Suffolk and (b) Norfolk into the powers of the new combined authority mayor; and how this process will interact with the passage of (i) the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and (ii) associated secondary legislation. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill will provide a route to allow a single Mayor to be the Police and Crime Commissioner for two or more Police areas, provided that there are coterminous boundaries between the Strategic Authority and the Police areas when taken together. All future transfers of Police and Crime Commissioner functions will take place via powers in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill and will be subject to a confirmatory Statutory Instrument which will set out the date of transfer.

In Suffolk and Norfolk, we expect the Strategic Authority to be set up and inaugural Mayoral elections to be held in 2026 with the transfer of Police and Crime Commissioner functions for the start of the financial year in 2027.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Terms of Reference for the Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition Working Group, for what reason the advice provided to her Department by the independent Working Group will be private. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: It is important that government is transparent in the actions it takes to address all forms of hatred. However, any independent work should also have the space to consider sensitive and complex issues in private. This is the approach the Working Group will take when considering the appropriate and sensitive language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.

Once submitted, the Government will review the Working Group’s advice and consider next steps.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on reforming the Local Government Pension Scheme to consider local growth priorities in investment strategies. \p Alison McGovern: The Pension Schemes Bill includes a new power to require Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) funds to include their approach to local investment in their investment strategies. The Pensions Schemes Bill and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill also include new reciprocal duties on LGPS funds and strategic authorities to cooperate to identify and develop appropriate local investment opportunities. Wider reforms including consolidation of all LGPS assets in the LGPS asset pools and improved governance will also support LGPS investment in local and regional growth priorities.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has provided guidance on the potential use of public funds by local authorities to (a) campaign on and (b) seek to influence Government decisions on unitary local government restructuring; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of this practice. \p Alison McGovern: In coming to any decision on communications, local authorities are required by legislation to consider the Recommended Code of Practice on Local Authority Publicity. Decisions should observe the principles of objectivity and cost effectiveness, as well as being even-handed and appropriate.

Local authorities have been carrying out engagement to help develop local government reorganisation proposals and they are required to give due regard to the Code when doing so.
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Mr Peter Bedford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timetable is for the implementation of local government reorganisation in Leicestershire. \p Alison McGovern: As stated in the previous answer to Question UIN 68332 on 22 July, we do not have any plans to require local referenda as part of the local government reorganisation process. Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, Parliament set out the statutory process for establishing unitary councils in two-tier areas. As set out in the invitation letter, areas must demonstrate how the local community has been engaged in developing proposals.

As stated in the previous answer to Question UIN 53424 on 28 May, feedback on interim plans has been provided to all councils in Leicester and Leicestershire to support them as they progress work on developing final proposals. Their final proposals are due by 28 November 2025. Once any final proposals are submitted it will be for the government to consult as required by statute before deciding which proposal, if any, to implement. An indicative timetable is available on gov.uk.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which international conferences were attended by Homes England in the 2024-25 financial year; and what the cost was of attending each conference. \p Matthew Pennycook: Homes England attended two international conferences in the 2024-25 financial year, MIPIM and the Urban Land Institute (ULI). The total cost to attend MIPIM was £25,213.91 which included flights, hotels and tickets for all attendees. The total cost to attend ULI was £319.20 which included flights and hotel.
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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 5 December 2024 to Question 16542 on Councillors: Data Protection, what progress his Department has made on bringing forward legislative proposals to remove the requirement for local government members’ home addresses to be included in published versions of registers of interests. \p Alison McGovern: Removing the requirement for local government member home addresses to be published requires primary legislation. We intend to legislate as soon as parliamentary time allows.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the use of a hotel as asylum hostel accommodation constitutes a material change of use. \p Matthew Pennycook: Whether or not use of a hotel to accommodate asylum seekers would constitute a material change of use requiring planning permission will be a matter of fact and degree for the local planning authority to determine in the first instance, depending on the individual circumstances of each case.
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James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure service personnel are made aware of the social housing support available if they are at risk of homelessness. \p Alison McGovern: This Government recognises the extraordinary contribution that veterans have given to their country through their service. That’s why we have since made changes to social housing allocations regulations to exempt all veterans from local connection and residency tests to facilitate their access to social housing.

Veterans also receive a high level of support to plan and prepare for their discharge from the Armed Services and can access a number of existing support services, including housing support through Op Fortitude. You can find more details about this on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an estimate of the number and proportion of planning permissions granted since July 2024 that have led to house building starts. \p Matthew Pennycook: The Department does not collect data on the time taken between the granting of planning permission for a residential development and the start of housebuilding within the development.

The information that the Department routinely collects on house building starts does not include the date on which planning permission for the development was granted.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations his Department has received from local authorities on creating charter trustees, in the context of local government restructuring. \p Alison McGovern: No formal representations have yet been received from local authorities on creating charter trustees.

The government will ensure that the ceremonial rights and privileges of an area will be maintained after any reorganisation. As part of the statutory invitation for reorganisation, all areas were asked to consider any impact on ceremonial rights as part of their proposals. Officials have been supporting councils as they develop proposals ready for submission to government in the coming weeks and months.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of making water companies statutory consultees for new sizeable housing developments in Surrey. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60676 on 23 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_272

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that the National Planning Policy Framework supports charities. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework supports the facilities and services communities need. It makes clear that planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities and other local services to enhance the sustainability of communities and residential environments. This can include facilities used by charities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_273

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 9 July 2025 on Local Government Best Value, HCWS796, what remuneration has been provided to the Ministerial envoys. \p Alison McGovern: The fees for Ministerial Envoys at Warrington Borough Council are in line with the standard fees set by the department and covered by the Council, with full details provided in the appointment letters on gov.uk.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_274

Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with local authorities in (a) Surrey and (b) Hampshire on maintaining support for community transport operators following local government reorganisation. \p Alison McGovern: Local support for community transport operators remains a matter for local authorities in Surrey and Hampshire, or any future local authorities that may be set up following local government reorganisation.

Before a local government reorganisation proposal can be implemented, the Secretary of State must first consult any council affected that has not submitted the proposal, as well as any other persons considered appropriate. This includes local public service providers in the area.

The consultation on local government reform in Surrey closed on 5 August. A decision will now be made on which proposal, if any, to implement.

Hampshire is part of the Devolution Priority Programme and final proposals for local government reform in the county are due to submitted to the Government by 26 September.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Liz Jarvis:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department holds information on the level of homelessness in Eastleigh constituency. \p Alison McGovern: The Government publishes homelessness statistics by local authority in England on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Council Tax second homes premium on trends in levels of people changing their property status to business rate holiday lets; and what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his polices of trends in levels of people seeking to meet the 140 day rule to be eligible for business rates. \p Alison McGovern: It is for individual councils to decide whether to make use of the premium, taking into account all relevant local factors.

There are clear criteria that a dwelling must meet before it can be assessed as a holiday let for business rates purposes. The dwelling must have been available to let for at least 140 days in the past year and actually let for at least 70 days in the past year. The government will continue to keep these criteria under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to provide an alternative funding mechanism to help support the development of local neighbourhood plans. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59114 on the 19 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department plans to provide alternative financial support to communities in West Dorset constituency following reductions in Government funding for neighbourhood plans. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59114 on the 19 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Perran Moon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the weight of transport accessibility in allocating regional funding by including metrics such as (a) transport cost as a percentage of household income, (b) public-service frequency, (c) waiting time for buses, and (d) reliability and (e) time taken to travel to capture transport poverty’s multiplier effects. \p Alison McGovern: The majority of funding in the Local Government Finance Settlement is distributed through the Settlement Funding Assessment. This funding includes Revenue Support Grant and retained business rates.

The Settlement Funding Assessment uses a range of formulas to determine the relative funding need of areas, which when combined with a measure of tax base, determines their relative income. Further details on the current funding methodology can be found online, within the ‘Calculation of 2013/14 Formula Funding’ page, linked here.

The government recently published the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, which outlines proposals to update the distribution of funding within the Local Government Finance Settlement for the first time since 2013 – ensuring our approach uses the best available data and evidence. Our proposals include taking account of journey times when calculating the relative differences in cost local authorities face when delivering services to inform funding allocations.

We will publish further information in the government’s consultation response in the Autumn, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.

The Department for Transport leads on all other wider public transport funding for local authorities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions she has had with local authorities in Oxfordshire on traffic filters restrictions. \p Alison McGovern: Local authorities are responsible for managing their local transport networks. The Department has not had discussions with Oxfordshire County Council on its planned introduction of traffic filters in Oxford.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Gareth Bacon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the outcome of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on the London Borough of Bromley. \p Alison McGovern: The government has been listening closely to the views expressed by the public, local authorities and other stakeholder bodies on the proposals set out in the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation.

No final decisions on the outcome of the review have yet been taken. However, the government’s proposals will target central government grant funding to where it is needed the most. The vast majority of councils with social care responsibilities will see their Core Spending Power increase in real terms over the multi-year Settlement.

We will publish further information in the government’s consultation response in Autumn, followed by the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement later this year.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 114 of the Elections Strategy, published in July 2024, what types of information will be shared through the Electoral Commission's statutory gateway for the purpose of assisting the relevant body to carrying out its functions that it is not currently able to share. \p Samantha Dixon: The Electoral Commission currently lacks an explicit statutory gateway to share information with other regulators and enforcement authorities, making routine information-sharing burdensome and impeding effective cooperation. The Government therefore intends to give the Commission an explicit statutory gateway to share information with certain regulators and enforcement authorities, provided that it is for the purpose of assisting the relevant body in carrying out its statutory functions. Providing a solid legal foundation for disclosing relevant information will nurture a collaborative regulatory environment on cross-cutting issues like data protection and digital campaigning. Any disclosures will remain subject to UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Alongside other proposals in the Elections Strategy, we will legislate to bring forward this measure as soon as parliamentary time allows.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-09-16)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-09-16 conversation_283

Peter Fortune:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing simple majority voting in the London Assembly. \p Samantha Dixon: The London Assembly is a unique institution in the English Devolution landscape, responsible for scrutiny rather than executive decision-making. It has successfully served the people of London for the last 25 years and will continue to act as the body responsible for scrutinising the Mayor of London.

The government will engage with both the Mayor of London and the London Assembly on proposals for improving accountability and scrutiny as set out in the English Devolution White Paper. However, the government has no plans to change voting arrangements in the London Assembly.