theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Carla Lockhart:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the average processing time for asylum applications for people based in Upper Bann constituency; and how many applications have been refused in the last five years. \p Dame Angela Eagle: The average time taken to process a substantive decision is not currently available from published data.

However, the Home Office does publish data on the number of asylum claims awaiting an initial decision by duration in table Asy_D03 of the ‘Asylum detailed datasets’, as part of the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’.

Additionally, data on the percentage of applications processed within 6 months is published in table ASY_01 of the ‘Immigration and Protection’ data of the Migration Transparency Data collection.

The Home Office publishes data on asylum claims that have been refused at initial decision in Asy_D02 of the ‘Asylum detailed datasets’. The latest available data relates to the year ending March 2025.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 25 June to Question 61581 on Undocumented Migrants: Lancashire, which stakeholders in Lancashire have been consulted in the last (a) month and (b) 12 months. \p Dame Angela Eagle: Our engagement is undertaken through a number of regular local and regional forums that local authority partners, including officials within Lancashire, are invited to attend.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58350 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel and with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23 March 2023, what metrics are used to measure (a) progress and (b) the effectiveness of these policies. \p Dame Angela Eagle: I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 17 June to Question 58350. Further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.
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Sir Desmond Swayne:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he is taking to replace the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. \p Hilary Benn: Last December, I laid a proposal for a draft remedial order in Parliament, representing the first step in fulfilling the Government’s commitment to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

I am continuing to speak to all interested parties about our forthcoming primary legislation, which will ensure we have legacy mechanisms in place that are lawful and in which people can have confidence in.
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Chris Murray:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Executive on improving childcare provision in Northern Ireland. \p Fleur Anderson: This Labour government’s mission is to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage across the UK.

Earlier this month, the Minister for Early Education and I met with NI Education Minister Givan in Belfast to discuss childcare and areas of shared learning between the two governments.

The NI Education Minister recently announced £55m for measures which will include an extension of the Childcare Subsidy Scheme to cover school-age children in Northern Ireland, which I welcome.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to para 3.152 of the Review Body on Senior Salaries, Forty-seventh annual report on senior salaries, published in May 2025, CP 1329, what the past-service deficit payment is on the Alpha employer contribution rate. \p Georgia Gould: The employer contribution rate is determined by the Civil Service Pension Scheme Valuation, which takes place every four years, with current rates being set following the 2020 valuation.

Details of the past service deficit are available on pages 22-25 of the 2020 Civil Service Pension Scheme Valuation available at https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/media/qgbfvy5h/civil-service-gb-valuation-report_18_9_23_accessible.pdf
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to para 3.61 of the Review Body on Senior Salaries, Forty-seventh annual report on senior salaries, published in May 2025, CP 1329, whether he plans to tackle the pay differentials for civil servants at the same grade working in the same building who are employed by the (a) UK, (b) Welsh and (c) Scottish governments. \p Georgia Gould: The Government has recently accepted the recommendation from the Senior Salaries Review Body for a fundamental review of the Senior Civil Service pay and reward frameworks.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there is a successor publication to the Central Office of Information's white book. \p Georgia Gould: The White Book is no longer in publication.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department has spent on (a) social media promotions, (b) influencer marketing and (c) online advertising in the last 12 months. \p Georgia Gould: Commercial sensitivities exist around aspects of this spend which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 May 2025 to Question 53200 on Cabinet Office: Labour Party, what the value of the payments was; and what dates those payments relate to. \p Georgia Gould: The dates and value of payments received are as follows:

Sept 2024 - £4.87

Sept to Nov 2024 - £2,827.94

Dec 2024 - £102.40

Each of these payments was for use of Government Car Service.
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Esther McVey:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who his Department consulted at Cheshire East Council before approving the decision to move the Information Commissioner's Office from Wilmslow to Manchester. \p Georgia Gould: Cabinet Office approval for this property transaction comes under National Property Controls in the Office of Government Property. The value threshold meant that approval was taken at official level.

The decision to move was made by the Information Commissioner’s Office, itself, on analysis based upon HM Treasury’s Green Book principles. The move will lead to a reduction of office space and the overall rent payable. National Property Controls were satisfied by the property rationale for the move to the proposed building. It would be a matter for ICO to decide on what wider consultation on the relocation was appropriate.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Box 1.D of the Spending Review 2025, CP1336, published on 11 June 2025, whether she has made an estimate of the number of civil servants funded to exit the civil service in (a) 2025-26 and (b) 2026-27. \p Georgia Gould: The cost of paid exits in the Civil Service varies significantly as the terms of the Civil Service Compensation Scheme, which sets the terms for paid exits in the Civil Service, is based on length of service and salary. However, we expect the transformation fund for employee exit schemes, matched by departments themselves, to enable a reformed Civil Service that is focussed on delivery, through an efficient and cost-effective workforce.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether guidance has been provided on how the provisions of the Bribery Act 2010 could potentially apply to the provision of gifts and hospitality to Ministers. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Ministerial Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of Ministers, including the overarching duty to comply with the law.

The Code sets out guidance on the acceptance of gifts and hospitality, stipulating that Ministers should not accept any gift, hospitality, or service which would, or might reasonably appear to, compromise their judgement or place them under an obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence their work in government. The Code also explains how details of ministerial gifts or hospitality received will be published, and that gifts given to Ministers in their ministerial capacity become the property of the government.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54011 on Intelligence and Security Committee, whether there will be a (a) formal and (b) public government response to the ISC press release of 1 May. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: The Cabinet Office is engaging constructively with the Intelligence and Security Committee, and will continue to do so.
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Charlie Dewhirst:To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what his planned timetable is for responding to the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee's report entitled Lobbying and Influence HC 203, published on 2 May 2024. \p Ms Abena Oppong-Asare: In addition to steps this Government has already taken to improve transparency, in particular through the introduction of the monthly register of ministers' gifts and hospitality, the Government continues to develop its broader work on ethics and standards and will update the Committee on the outcome of that work in due course.
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Jim Shannon:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of apprentices in the renewable energy sector. \p Michael Shanks: Energy and skills are generally devolved matters, and we have regular discussions with Ministers in the devolved governments on shared priorities for clean energy skills development.

No formal assessment has been made of the adequacy of the number of apprentices specifically in the renewable energy sector. DESNZ estimates that the offshore and onshore wind sectors could support up to 145,000 direct and indirect jobs across Great Britain by the end of the decade.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with the Energy Ombudsman on identified breaches of standard licencing conditions by energy companies related to (a) bill accuracy and (b) shortfalls in service. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.

On 19 June the Government announced that we will consult on strengthening the Energy Ombudsman to ensure that suppliers comply with its final decisions or pay compensation to their consumer. This consultation will also look at introducing automatic referrals to the Ombudsman instead of consumers having to do this themselves, and also to explore the reduction of referral waiting times from 8 weeks to 4 weeks.
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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support residents of rural 1950s properties to use alternative fuels to heat their homes; and if he will take steps to reduce the VAT rate on fuel for those unable to install heat pumps. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: For most off-grid properties, transitioning to clean heat will involve installing a heat pump as these are cost-effective, proven technologies. The Government expect sustainable biomass to be prioritised where there are limited alternatives for decarbonisation. Renewable liquid heating fuels are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions.

Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.

The tax treatment of renewable liquid fuels is a matter for Treasury.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of existing regulations relating to the introduction of a renewable liquid heating fuel obligation. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: For most off-grid properties, transitioning to clean heat will involve installing a heat pump as these are cost-effective, proven technologies. The Government expect sustainable biomass to be prioritised where there are limited alternatives for decarbonisation. Renewable liquid heating fuels are also much more expensive to use than other heating solutions.

Before taking decisions on whether to support the use of renewable liquid fuels in heating, the Government would require stronger evidence on their affordability for consumers, and the availability of sustainable feedstock.
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David Chadwick:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to help ensure that energy supplier read electricity meter readings are accurately recorded on customer energy accounts. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: It is the role of the independent regulator Ofgem to ensure compliance with Standard Licence Conditions, including condition 21B. I meet regularly with Ofgem to discuss consumer protection issues.

To ensure Ofgem’s continuing effectiveness, in December the Government launched its first comprehensive review of the regulator. The review is considering whether Ofgem has effective compliance and enforcement tools, so consumers can be confident that any failures will be investigated and rectified quickly.
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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of replacing domestically refined oil with imported oil at Grangemouth on the UK's balance of payments. \p Michael Shanks: We do not expect a substantial impact as Grangemouth already imported more than 90% of its crude oil in 2023.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on (a) oil prices and (b) the economy. \p Michael Shanks: Oil and gas markets are well supplied and functioning normally. Though they have responded to events in the Middle East, prices remain within the bounds we have seen over the last year. We have not witnessed any material reduction of traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. DESNZ will continue monitoring closely for any future impacts.

The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.
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Brian Leishman:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has had discussions with Ineos on the country of origin of the crude oil it intends to import into the Grangemouth refinery. \p Michael Shanks: Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how much his Department has spent on (a) social media promotions, (b) influencer marketing and (c) online advertising in the last 12 months. \p Michael Shanks: This detail of information is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
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Graeme Downie:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what guidance he has given to the Mining Remediation Authority on (a) property (i) conveyancing and (ii) valuation in Scotland and (b) their implications for compensation offers to homeowners affected by old mine workings. \p Michael Shanks: The circumstances for purchasing property damaged by old coal mine workings are covered in the Coal Mining Subsidence Act 1991. This includes gaining agreement with individual property owners on the full market value of the property in its undamaged condition based on independent local valuations. In addition, there is also a payment for all reasonable moving expenses, professional fees and home loss compensation capped at £15,000. Where required, payment for temporary accommodation is also covered. Buying properties in Scotland is covered by the missives process which differs to the process of buying properties in England and Wales.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure a gas supply at MBR Acres in Wyton in Cambridgeshire. \p Michael Shanks: The Department is aware of concerns regarding the continuity of supply of LPG to MBR Acres in Wyton due to ongoing protests and the potential impact on the delivery of liquefied petroleum gas. We have and are continuing to engage cross-government as well as with LPG suppliers to ensure that lawful supply chains can continue to operate safely.
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Sarah Bool:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to support (a) South Northamptonshire and (b) other local authorities to improve grid connections for clean energy projects under the Connections Accelerator Service. \p Michael Shanks: Clean energy projects in South Northamptonshire and other local authorities will benefit from ongoing reforms to the grid connection process which will release up to 500GW of capacity from the queue, enabling accelerated connections for schemes that are ready to progress and aligned with our strategic needs, as set out in the Clean Power Action Plan.

As set out in the Industrial Strategy, the Connections Accelerator Service will support demand projects to connect to the grid, including prioritising those that create high-quality jobs and bring the greatest economic value.
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Sir John Hayes:To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an estimate of how many and what proportion of solar panels installed in the UK in the last five years were made (a) in the UK and (b) in China. \p Michael Shanks: The Department does not hold this information. HMRC publishes the value and mass of solar panels imported, by country, on its data portal at www.uktradeinfo.com/trade-data/ots-custom-table/.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what progress she has made on extending the protection of the Cornish language from Part II to Part III of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. \p Alex Norris: The government recognises the importance of protecting and celebrating the unique cultural heritage and minority languages which exist in the UK. We note the request for greater recognition and protection for the Cornish language and we continue to support Cornish language and culture through a range of measures – from our work to ensure that indigenous and minority languages - including Cornish - form part of the public service remit for television in the UK through the Media Act 2024; to funding of £500,000 for Cornish language and culture work as part of Cornwall’s Devolution Deal.
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Paulette Hamilton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Spending Review 2025, published on 11 June 2025, what plans her Department has to provide dedicated capital funding for (a) safe, (b) modern, (c) sustainable and (d) inclusive facilities for fire and rescue services in (a) West Midlands Fire Service and (b) England. \p Alex Norris: On 3 February, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published the 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement, which sets out funding allocations for all Local Authorities, including Fire and Rescue.

These allocations, which include the National Insurance Contribution Grant, will see standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) receiving an increase in core spending power of £69.1 million in 2025/26. This is an increase of 3.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2024/25.

In 2025/26, West Midlands FRA has a core spending power of £135.3 million. Decisions on how their resources are best deployed to meet their core functions are a matter for each FRA.

Fire and Rescue Services play a crucial role in making our communities safer, both in prevention and in responding to emergencies. Government will continue to work with the Fire and Rescue sector to understand the investment needed and how that need can be addressed.

Following the Spending Review, my department is now working through departmental allocations. Once this process is complete, I will be able to share what the Spending Review means for the Fire and Rescue sector.
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Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to encourage the use of swift bricks in newbuild homes in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) in Lancashire. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by incorporating features which support priority or threatened species such as swifts, bats and hedgehogs.

As part of our work to develop a set of national policies for decision making, the government has committed to consulting on changes which would require swift bricks to be incorporated into new buildings unless there are compelling reasons which preclude their use, or which would make them ineffective.

As an interim step ahead of the consultation, my Department published updated Planning Practice Guidance setting out how swift bricks are expected to be used in new development. This outlines that developments should include swift bricks where possible, with the general aim across a development of a minimum of one nest box per unit.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 55284 on Housing: Construction, and with reference to Annex 10 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Impact assessment, published in May 2025, whether she plans to achieve the delivery of the 374,000 annual new additions in England in the (a) 2026-27 financial year, (b) 2027-28 financial year and (c) calendar year 2027. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 55284 on 10 June 2025.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help support local authorities to increase house building. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to Question UIN 58440 on 17 June 2025.
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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a target for the number of homes funded by the Affordable Homes Programme that are available for social rent. \p Matthew Pennycook: The 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme has a target to deliver at least 40,000 social rent homes. My Department published an update on targets in that programme on 30 July 2024 which can be found on gov.uk here.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the lifting of local connection tests for the specified vulnerable groups on social housing demand and allocations in (a) Milton Keynes and (b) Buckinghamshire. \p Matthew Pennycook: Regulations were laid on 19 June to ensure that young care leavers and victims of domestic abuse across England do not face unfair barriers to accessing social housing.

My Department will be monitoring the impact at local authority level through the Local Authority Housing Statistics and the social housing lettings and sales data returns.

We will not be able to assess the potential impact on (a) Milton Keynes or (b) Buckinghamshire specifically.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 54886 on Asylum: Housing, whether she has made an estimate of the number of appeal decisions that have been made by the Planning Inspectorate in relation to (a) hotels and (b) hostels being used to house asylum seekers in the last 12 months. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 60845 on 30 June 2025.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what monitoring systems will be introduced to ensure consistent exemption of victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests in all English local authorities. \p Rushanara Ali: The department will monitor the implementation of the exemption of victims of domestic abuse and young care leavers from local connection tests for social housing in all English local authorities through the Local Authority Housing Statistics data collection.
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Callum Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what changes to Homes England’s structure or governance her Department is making to designate its subsidiary as a Public Financial Institution under the National Housing Bank proposal. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 18 June 2025 (HCWS712).
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Sarah Olney:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she is taking steps to ensure that a proportion of shared ownership homes are adapted to be accessible to those with physical disabilities. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 53184 on 27 May 2025.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps is she taking to encourage the development of affordable homes on brownfield sites. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is committed to delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation.

The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that planning policies and decisions should give substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for homes and other identified needs – such as affordable housing – and support development that makes efficient use of land.

The government has also committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure that new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure, including on suitable brownfield sites. Further details will be set out in due course.

At the Spending Review, the Chancellor announced £39 billion for a successor to the Affordable Homes Programme over 10 years from 2026-27 to 2035-36.

This new Social and Affordable Homes Programme will give Registered Providers a decade of certainty over the capital funding they will have available to build new, more ambitious housing development projects.

Outside of London, Homes England will be able to use this funding to support the development of affordable homes, including on suitable brownfield land across the country.

The programme will not have numerical targets or ringfenced budgets for particular regions or types of home beyond the GLA’s portion, but we will ensure that established Mayoral Strategic Authorities (EMSAs), including the Mayor of the West Midlands, can set its strategic direction in their areas and indicative upfront spend subject to suitable projects.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed Chinese Embassy development at the former Royal Mint site on local communities in Tower Hamlets. \p Matthew Pennycook: An appointed Inspector held a public inquiry which heard a range of evidence for and against the proposals in question.

As this case will come before Ministers in MHCLG to determine, it would not be appropriate to comment further.

Decisions on planning applications are based on material planning considerations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_258

James Cartlidge:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the merits of continuing to fund (a) Strategic Environment Assessments, (b) Habitat Regulations Assessment screening, (c) the costs of Independent Examination and (d) Neighbourhood Plan Referendums. \p Matthew Pennycook: Following the Spending Review, my Department announced that it is unable to commission new neighbourhood planning support services for 2025 onwards.

We will ensure that local planning authorities continue to be appropriately funded for their neighbourhood planning function, including funding for neighbourhood planning examinations and conducting referenda.

Local planning authorities can continue to provide other forms of support to neighbourhood planning groups, including in relation to carrying out strategic environment assessments and habitats regulation assessments where they are needed.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_259

Darren Paffey:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of using (a) no-deposit and (b) deposit alternative schemes in the private rented sector on tenants; and what plans she has to ensure tenants are protected from costs associated with those schemes. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government is aware of the issues raised in 2023 by the Competition and Markets Authority in relation to deposit products.

While my Department has not conducted a detailed assessment of ‘zero-deposit’ or ‘deposit alternative’ products, we continue to monitor their impact on private rented sector tenants.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is responsible for the Tenancy Deposit Protection system, managing the six contracts which deliver the government-arranged schemes that protect tenants' deposits.

As part of the upcoming re-procurement of these contracts we are reviewing the current tenancy deposit system and will explore what improvements can be made to ensure the best possible protection for tenants.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_260

Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 57573 on Housing: Sales, when her Department plans to launch the consultation on new reforms to the section 20 ‘major works’ procedure. \p Matthew Pennycook: As set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 21 November 2024 (HCWS2440), the government are committed to consulting on new reforms to the section 20 ‘major works’ procedure that leaseholders must go through when they face large bills for such works. We will set out more detail shortly.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_261

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what status local designations have under the National Planning Policy Framework. \p Matthew Pennycook: Locally designated sites have no special status within the National Planning Policy Framework. However, under the Framework local plans are expected to identify, map and safeguard locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity, including Local Wildlife Sites. As a result, locally designated sites will be considered by local planning authorities when assessing proposals for development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_262

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to paragraph 55(a)(ii) of the report by the Competition and Markets Authority entitled Summary of CMA market study final report into housebuilding, published on 26 February 2024, what steps her Department plans to take to (a) introduce a consistent set of quality standards for new homes and (b) enable new home buyers to (i) be able to customise their new home and (ii) resolve snags and faults more easily. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government published its response to the recommendations made by the Competition & Markets Authority market study into housebuilding on 22 October 2024. It can be found on gov.uk here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_263

Juliet Campbell:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether her Department is taking steps to simplify the planning permission process for pubs. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework is clear that planning policies and decisions should plan positively for the provision and use of community facilities, such as pubs.

On 28 May 2025, the government published the Planning Reform Working Paper: Reforming Site Thresholds (which can be found on gov.uk here) which seeks views on taking a gradated approach to the system as a whole – removing and streamlining disproportionate requirements on small and medium sites, while maintaining and strengthening requirements on major development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_264

Dr Luke Evans:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to fund support services for local neighbourhood plan development. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59114 on 19 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_265

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to page 7 of the New Towns Taskforce’s interim update Building new towns for the future, published in February 2025, what models other than local authority maintenance of assets are being considered. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 36088 on 14 March 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_266

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Transport supporting the delivery of transport infrastructure through the planning system. \p Matthew Pennycook: In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

My Department continues to work closely with the Department for Transport on matters relating to transport infrastructure and planning, as appropriate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_267

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of permitted development rights on (a) community engagement with and (b) levels of local oversight for planning; and what steps she is taking to ensure that all developments of a significant scale require local (i) consultation and (ii) scrutiny at the planning stage. \p Matthew Pennycook: Where permitted development rights consent development which could have local impacts, a prior approval process can allow for consideration of specified planning matters by the local planning authority and the local community.

Planning law requires local planning authorities to publicise applications for planning permission and consult any relevant statutory bodies for a minimum of 21 days. The local planning authority must not determine the application until after this period. This is 30 days if the development is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment.

The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_268

Dr Allison Gardner:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the press release entitled Vulnerable people given greater access to social housing, published on 19 June 2025, whether the new regulations will apply to victims of (a) child abuse and (b) parent-on-child violence. \p Matthew Pennycook: The regulations in question will apply to domestic abuse victims over the age of 16, as defined by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Only those aged over the age of 16 can hold a social housing tenancy.

The regulations will also apply to care leavers within the scope of the corporate parenting duty. These include eligible children, relevant children, and former relevant children.

Local authorities have the discretion to exempt and support those not covered by these regulations, considering local need and special circumstances.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_269

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether public conveniences are eligible for retail, hospitality and leisure business rate relief in 2025-26. \p Jim McMahon: The Retail Hospitality and Leisure Rate Relief Scheme 2025/26 does not expressly provide relief for public conveniences. Public toilets may indirectly benefit from RHL relief where they are not separately-assessed and instead form part of a larger property, such as a shop or café, which itself is eligible for the relief. Nevertheless, the Non-Domestic Rating (Public Toilets) Act 2021 provides a statutory 100% business rates relief for separately-assessed public toilets in England and Wales, including those operated by both local authorities and private sector operators.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_270

Ruth Cadbury:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how (a) local authorities and (b) magistrates’ courts can obtain liability orders under the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992. \p Jim McMahon: Where a council tax debt remains outstanding following a final notice, the council may apply to the magistrates court for a liability order confirming this debt. The individual will be issued with a summons to appear before the magistrate’s court. Where the court is satisfied that the amount is payable they will issue a liability order for this debt. Regulations 33 to 36A of the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, set out the processes councils must follow in obtaining a liability order.

The government is currently consulting on modernising and improving the administration of council tax. As part of this it is seeking views on changes to the process for obtaining a liability order, including the time before a council can seek this and the fees involved.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_271

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to Table 5.17 in the Spending Review 2025, CP1336, published on 11 June 2025, whether local government core spending power includes revenue from (a) GLA council tax including police, (b) the Police and Crime Commissioner precept, (c) the fire precept for combined police and fire commissioners and (d) combined authority mayoral precepts with policing powers; and what revenue streams are included in the police core spending power included in Table 5.8 in that document. \p Jim McMahon: Local government core spending power includes revenue from the Greater London Authority (GLA) council tax, including the policing element. It also includes the fire precept flexibility for standalone fire authorities, and combined police and fire commissioners. However, it does not include revenue from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) precept or precepts set by combined authority mayors with policing powers.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 59321 on 17 June 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-07-02)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-07-02 conversation_272

Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what representations she has received on council tax (a) revaluation and (b) rebanding since 5 July 2024. \p Jim McMahon: The government recognises interest from a number of groups in reforming council tax. However, it does not collect statistics on the issued raised in correspondence it receives. The government currently has no plans to reform council tax.