theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Dr Simon Opher:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to make it easier for (a) communities and (b) charities to receive planning permission for infrastructure projects. \p Matthew Pennycook: The National Planning Policy Framework sets out that the purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, including the provision of supporting infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

Local development plans should address needs and opportunities in relation to infrastructure and identify what infrastructure is required and how it can be funded and brought forward. When preparing a Local Plan, Planning Practice Guidance recommends that local planning authorities use available evidence of infrastructure requirements to prepare an Infrastructure Funding Statement. Such Statements can be used to demonstrate the delivery of infrastructure throughout the plan-period.

The government provides financial support for essential infrastructure in areas of greatest housing demand through Land and Infrastructure funding programmes, such as the Housing Infrastructure Fund.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 will also support the increased provision and modernisation of various types of public infrastructure. It makes clear that local authorities should have policies that set out an overall strategy for the pattern, scale and design quality of places; that they should make sufficient provision for infrastructure including energy; and that applications which could affect drainage on or around the site should incorporate sustainable drainage systems.

The government is also committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.
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Jack Rankin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the tilted balance in decision making is formally recognised as part of national planning policy; and what guidance his Department has issued to ensure consistent application by planning authorities. \p Matthew Pennycook: Users of the National Planning Policy Framework sometimes describe the effect of paragraph 11d of the Framework as a ‘tilted balance’. However, the term itself does not form part of national planning policy.

The Framework is a material consideration in decision-making. The government’s suite of planning practice guidance contains guidance for decision makers regarding the application of the policies in the Framework.
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Alberto Costa:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of levels of contested parish council elections on accountability in local government. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Contested town and parish elections strengthen local accountability, by encouraging broader representation and democratic engagement. Town and parish councils rely on individuals stepping forward to serve their communities, and a greater number of candidates increases the likelihood of contested elections. We continue to value the role of town and parish councils in driving forward community priorities and delivering effective local services.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the provision of (a) short-term and (b) long-term accommodation for asylum seekers is included within the target of 1.5 million new homes. \p Matthew Pennycook: The government’s Plan for Change includes a hugely ambitious milestone of building 1.5 million new homes in England in this Parliament.

Progress against this commitment is being measured through net additional dwellings. The types of accommodation included are defined on gov.uk here.
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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how he plans to determine which proposed sites for new towns will go ahead. \p Matthew Pennycook: On 28 September 2025, the government published the independent New Towns Taskforce report as well as its initial response to that report. Both can be found on gov.uk here.

As set out in the initial government response, we warmly welcome all 12 of the locations it has recommend. Prima facie, each has the clear potential to deliver on the government’s objectives, with Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank looking particularly promising as sites that might make significant contributions to unlocking economic growth and accelerating housing delivery.

On 28 September 2025 we commenced a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to understand the environmental implications of new towns development. This will support final decisions on precisely which locations we take forward. No final decisions on locations will be made until that SEA concludes and preferred locations could change as a result of the process.

Ministers and officials will now begin work with local partners to develop detailed proposals and enhance our understanding of how different locations might meet the government’s expectations of what a future New Towns Programme can deliver, with all promising sites and reasonable alternatives assessed and considered through the SEA process. Appropriate assessment under the Habitats Regulations will also be undertaken when required.

We are determined to get spades in the ground on at least three new towns in this Parliament and the government is prepared to progress work on a far larger range of locations if it proves possible.

The post-war new towns programme was the most ambitious town-building effort ever undertaken in the UK. The next generation of new towns must match that post-war vision. The government will be looking for assurance that any location can be effectively and efficiently delivered in partnership with local communities, has a clear economic purpose, and will support national economic growth. We will also seek to test different delivery vehicles to learn lessons for how future large settlements are delivered and to contribute to a wider transformation of housing supply.

The government will publish the draft proposals and final SEA for consultation early next year, before confirming the locations that will be progressed as new towns later in the Spring alongside a full response to the New Towns Taskforce’s report.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 69680 on English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, with which mayors his Department has held discussions on the supplementary vote. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Before the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced on 10 July 2025, all Mayors were invited to a briefing on the Bill, which included discussions on the change back to the supplementary vote.
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Alberto Costa:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to ensure that interim officers in local government are held accountable for decisions made during their tenure. \p Alison McGovern: Local authorities are independent employers responsible for the management of their own workforces, including holding interim officers to account. Ministers have little remit to intervene in employment issues within local authorities, except where specific provision has been made in legislation.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average difference is in Band D council tax rates between parished and non-parished areas in 2025-26. \p Alison McGovern: The Department does not hold data on the average Band D council tax for parished and non-parished areas.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question 69050 on Local Government Finance, what the aggregate value was of the capitalised costs in 2024-25. \p Alison McGovern: Since 2016, under a general direction initially put in place by the previous government, local authorities have the flexibility to use eligible capital receipts to fund the costs of projects that produce ongoing savings or efficiencies.

Local authorities are required to provide annual returns to Government, including data on revenue expenditure. The latest return was published on 18th September 2025: Local authority revenue expenditure and financing England: 2024 to 2025 – first release - GOV.UK. The data includes reported revenue spend funded by capital receipts under the general direction.

These values may be subject to revision as authorities provide further or updated information.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether statutory consultation on devolution is required for (a) the establishment of mayoralties and (b) all other local government reorganisation. \p Alison McGovern: Statutory consultation requirements apply to the establishment of a Mayoral Combined Authority or Mayoral Combined County Authority, as set out in the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 and the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, respectively.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced to the House of Commons on 10 July 2025, includes provisions to make it quicker and simpler for local areas to agree and implement mayoral devolution arrangements in the future.

Local government reorganisation is a separate process and we have invited proposals for unitary councils from councils in the 21 two-tier areas in England. There is a requirement for the Secretary of State to consult with affected councils and such other persons as he considers appropriate before implementing a proposal.
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Alex Easton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what plans his Department has to ensure that the Local Growth Fund provides (a) continuity for UK Shared Prosperity Fund programmes, (b) equivalent levels of funding in real terms and (c) clarity on the (i) timeline and (ii) decision-making framework for implementation of projects in Northern Ireland. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: As announced at the Spending Review, from 2026-27 the UK Government will provide targeted, long-term local growth funding to support growth across the UK, once the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ends in March 2026.

In Northern Ireland, we are working closely with the Northern Ireland Office to implement and develop the new Local Growth Fund, in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Executive. The Government is committed to engagement with key stakeholders in Northern Ireland to help implement a package of funding that meets local needs and delivers impact. More information on the development of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland and engagement plans will be set out soon.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written ministerial statement of 2 September 2025 on Local Regeneration, HCWS900, whether funding allocations previously given to local authorities from the Levelling Up Fund will be retained by those authorities. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Yes, as part of the Local Regeneration Fund, allocations provided to Local Authorities from the Levelling up Fund will be retained.

The Local Regeneration Fund consolidates multiple funds into a single pot, with greater flexibility. It exemplifies this government’s commitment to pushing power to local authorities, reducing burdens and allowing them to get on with delivery.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to publish the Community Cohesion Strategy; and what recent progress he has made in developing the Strategy. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Ministry for Communities, Housing and Local Government is leading cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.

On 25 September, MHCLG published the Pride in Place Strategy, which sets out how we will deliver £5 billion funding and support over ten years to 339 neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of deprivation. This funding can be used to support community cohesion interventions.

Our strategy is a significant step change in how we support communities. It focuses on three overarching objectives: building stronger communities; creating thriving places; and helping communities to take back control of their own lives and areas.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has issued guidance to the Local Government Pension Scheme on hiring lobbyists; and whether his Department has had recent discussions with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund. \p Alison McGovern: The Department has not issued guidance to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) on hiring lobbyists. Local authorities should have regard to the provisions of the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity.

The Department is in regular contact with LGPS funds and asset pools, including the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, as part of work to implement LGPS reforms.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether strategic authority commissioners will be politically restricted. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government will be setting out further details on Commissioners in statutory guidance using powers set out in Schedule 3 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. We will consider appropriate political restrictions to be included in this guidance.
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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the level of funding to local authorities to support homelessness (a) prevention and (b) relief in Manchester Rusholme constituency. \p Alison McGovern: The Government has increased funding for homelessness services by £316 million this year to a total of more than £1 billion. This includes an extra £84 million announced on 10 October 2025.

Local authority allocations are published through gov.uk here.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to support local authorities in promoting community cohesion in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit works to support and promote cohesion across England, through working closely with local authorities, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments.

The Government's new £2.87m Common Ground Resilience Fund is supporting community connection and cohesion by funding locally led interventions to build community resilience. As part of this, the Common Ground Award is investing capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services.

Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with local government, communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues.
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Stuart Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department plans to provide through the Plan for Neighbourhoods to (a) towns and (b) villages in South Shropshire constituency. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: On 25 September the government announced the Pride in Place Programme, supporting 244 of Great Britain’s most in need neighbourhoods with up to £20 million each over the next decade. This will serve as the cornerstone of this government’s support for communities, incorporating the existing 25 trailblazer areas announced at Spending Review and the 75 Plan for Neighbourhoods programme areas that were announced in March.

New areas across England were selected using a robust, metrics-based methodology based on deprivation (the Index of Multiple Deprivation) and community need (the Community Needs Index) to identify areas with the poorest social and economic outcomes. The Pride in Place strategy sets out how this government will support all places throughout the UK, with communities given new tools and powers to shape their neighbourhoods in a way that is truly reflective of local need. We want to make it as easy as possible for communities in places such as South Shropshire to make the changes they want to see, acknowledging that local people are best placed to understand local priorities.

The full list of areas and place selection methodology was published and is set out on gov.uk here.
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Dr Roz Savage:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Flood Recovery Framework in providing timely support to affected households and businesses; and what steps she is taking to (a) reduce the time taken for applicants to receive payments and (b) improve the application process for applicants in (i) South Cotswolds constituency and (ii) the UK. \p Alison McGovern: My thoughts are with all householders and business owners impacted by flooding, which is a devastating experience for those affected.

Following activation of the Framework for Storms Babet and Henk in 2023/24, a joint review was undertaken to improve the delivery of flood recovery grants. While the core principles of the Framework remain unchanged, in response to feedback several administrative enhancements have been introduced to streamline processes, clarify responsibilities, extend data returns/claims deadlines and the sharing of best practices. These changes will improve the system for any part of England affected.
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Andrew George:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help ensure that (a) incoming and (b) existing Mayors of combined authorities are set targets for community-led housing in local growth plans. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Local Growth Plans provide a long-term strategic framework for growth in their regions, and all mayors will be required to produce and publish one. The plans articulate a ten-year vision for growth, identifying shared priorities to be taken forward with the UK Government.

As locally led plans, MSAs may identify priorities in relation to housing where relevant in their Local Growth Plans. In addition, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill enables mayors of combined authorities to specify an amount of housing (of any kind) in their spatial development strategies, where they consider it to be of strategic importance to the strategy area.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will set out the transitional arrangements prior to equalisation of differences in Council Tax rates across merging local authorities. \p Alison McGovern: Council tax is managed by local authorities, who decide what level of council tax they wish to set. The Government sets referendum principles each year and any authority which sets a council tax increase above the principles must have it approved by voters. There is an established system for the harmonisation of council tax levels across the area of a restructured local authority area, whereby the difference between the Band D level of the highest and lowest charging predecessor areas must narrow each year, until a single uniform Band D is reached across the new authority. There is no minimum or maximum requirement on the extent to which the gap must close each year, provided harmonisation is completed by the start of year 8 at the latest. This is set out in The Local Government (Structural Changes) (Finance) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/3022).
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how much (a) revenue and (b) capital funding has been allocated to the Local Regeneration Fund in each year of the Spending Review period; and whether any of this funding has been repurposed from cancelled schemes. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The Local Regeneration Fund is a consolidation of existing local growth capital funds (Levelling Up Fund, Town Deals, and the Pathfinder Pilot). No schemes were cancelled. Local Authorities in receipt of Local Regeneration Fund were paid £1,330m Capital and £9.4m Revenue in September 2025 for financial year 2025/26. Departmental internal business planning processes for future years are still ongoing, therefore we cannot yet confirm specific allocations for the LRF at this time as allocations are provisional.
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Connor Naismith:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department is taking steps to help support bereaved families with council tax owed following the sale of a property. \p Alison McGovern: When a property has been left empty following the death of its owner or occupant, it is exempt from council tax for as long as it remains unoccupied and until probate is granted. Following a grant of probate (or the signing of letters of administration), a further six months exemption is possible, so long as the property remains unoccupied and has not been sold or transferred to someone else. Furthermore, this government has introduced an exception to any council tax premiums for up to 12 months after probate, provided the property has not been sold. The government does not currently have any plans to change this.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68122 on Business Premises: Rents, if he will publish that research. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: The government published a full Impact Assessment upon First Reading of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill on 10 July. All sources for our analysis are included within it.
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Mr Lee Dillon:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of undertaking a public consultation on the reorganisation of local government. \p Alison McGovern: As set out in the English Devolution White Paper we are ending the two-tier system of local government and establishing single tier councils everywhere. Two tier local government slows down decision making and delivery. It leads to fragmented public services, wastes money on duplication, and is confusing about who is responsible for what.

We have invited proposals for unitary councils from councils in the 21 two-tier areas in England. There is a requirement for the Secretary of State to consult with affected councils and such other persons as he considers appropriate before implementing a proposal.
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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of (a) reducing and (b) abolishing the (i) £7 fee for obtaining title information and (ii) other leaseholder fees charged by HM Land Registry to leaseholders. \p Matthew Pennycook: In line with my letter of 4 February 2025 to the HM Land Registry (HMLR) Board Chair, which can be found on gov.uk here, I would like to see HMLR fees support government objectives for investing in the accessibility and value of data, increasing the ease of doing business in the property market and providing a simple and efficient customer experience.

In addition I would like HMLR to prioritise free access to data, in particular minimising the cost of information services wherever possible.

HMLR is reviewing how its fees can be made simpler, fairer and enable better access to data it holds.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the average amount of time is for the Land Registry to update the title deeds on gov.uk following a purchase of a dwelling. \p Matthew Pennycook: HM Land Registry’s processing times are publicly available on gov.uk here.
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Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 8 September 2025 to Question 73599 on Personal Pensions: Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the treatment of self-invested personal pensions in relation to local council tax support. \p Alison McGovern: The Department has not issued guidance on the treatment of self-invested personal pensions in relation to local council tax support schemes. Support for working age households is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities. Pension-age council tax support is centrally prescribed in the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2012. The regulations set out how income and capital are to be treated when determining the level of support, including various types of retirement pension income.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 26 March 2025 to Question 40156 on Green Belt, whether allotments are deemed to be Grey Belt land. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department published updated guidance on Green Belt policy on 27 February 2025 to assist local authorities and other decision-makers in determining whether land is grey belt. It can be found on gov.uk here.

It is for decision-makers to consider how to apply this to particular local circumstances and assess whether a site constitutes grey belt, as it will depend upon the circumstances of each case. The government does not maintain a definitive list of land uses or categories which constitute grey belt land.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is his planned timetable for implementing local government re-organisation in Bedfordshire. \p Alison McGovern: The English Devolution White Paper announced that we will facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, and for unitary councils where there is evidence of failure or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services.

On 5 February councils in all 21 two-tier areas together with small neighbouring unitary authorities were invited to submit proposals for unitary local government. The three councils in Bedfordshire were not included as part of this process. The Government is open to discussions with all areas where structural change will help them get onto a more sustainable footing.
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Nadia Whittome:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to prevent property owners providing false information when applying for Temporary Exemption Notices. \p Matthew Pennycook: A Temporary Exemption Notice (TEN) may be served by a local authority where a person having control of or managing a licensable property (under HMO or selective licensing) notifies the local authority of their intention to take steps so that the property no longer requires a licence.

It is for local authorities to determine if, on the basis of the information provided, they are satisfied that the applicant is taking genuine steps to ensure that the property no longer requires a licence before granting the notice.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions her Department has had with (a) district and (b) county councils in Norfolk and Suffolk on cancelling the planned local elections in May 2026. \p Alison McGovern: The Department has had no discussions with district or county councils in Norfolk or Suffolk about cancelling the planned local elections in May 2026.
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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance her Department has issued on whether public disturbances outside asylum hotels are a material consideration in relation to (a) planning harm and (b) change of use from a hotel into asylum hostel accommodation. \p Matthew Pennycook: My Department has not issued any such guidance.
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Afzal Khan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on the number of households in temporary accommodation in Manchester; and what his policy is on reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation in Manchester. \p Alison McGovern: The Government publishes data on the number of people in temporary accommodation in England on gov.uk here.

The Government is working to get back on track to ending homelessness, including developing a new cross-Government strategy and increasing funding for homelessness services this year by £316 million to a total of more than £1 billion.
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Edward Morello:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the mandatory housing targets are for (a) Dorset, (b) West Dorset constituency and (c) the South East for 2025-29. \p Matthew Pennycook: The revised National Planning Policy Framework published on 12 December 2024 includes a new Standard Method for assessing housing needs that is aligned to our Plan for Change milestone of building 1.5 million new safe and decent homes in England by the end of this Parliament.

Indicative local housing need figures resulting from the new Standard Method can be found on gov.uk here.

Indicative figures have not been provided for West Dorset constituency, as it falls under Dorset Council.

Planning Practice Guidance is clear that plan-making authorities should use the most up-to-date data available when assessing housing need.
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UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_411

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the value of allotments to local communities. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: We recognise the significance of allotments and the valuable contribution they make to the health, wellbeing, and spirit of communities.

Local Authorities have a duty to provide allotments if there is sufficient demand, and we believe they are best placed to assess the needs of their areas. Therefore, there is currently no national assessment of the value of allotments to local communities.

However, we are seeking to improve allotment provision through the Government’s Green Flag Award scheme. Under this scheme, allotments (if entered as a community garden) can be awarded Green Flag accreditation if they meet the highest quality standards. Recent updates to the Green Flag Award contract, managed by the MHCLG, have included a criterion for ‘community involvement’, which evaluates the value of green spaces to their local communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_412

Mr Andrew Snowden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September 2025 to Question 76390 on Road Adoption: Insolvency, whether the upcoming consultation will make an assessment of the potential merits of placing a statutory duty on developers or management companies to ensure transfer of ownership or maintenance responsibility in the event of insolvency. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 76390 on 19 September 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_413

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to the letter from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 13 August 2025. \p Samantha Dixon: The Rt Hon Member’s letter has been passed to the Department for Business and Trade for a response.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_414

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 4 September 2025 to Question 69673 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Remote Working, if he will list the expected level of attendance expectations at each of his Department's offices by (a) percentage and (b) location. \p Samantha Dixon: All Senior Civil Servants in the Department are expected to attend an office for 60% of the time, irrespective of which office they are based in. Staff at delegated grades are currently expected to attend for 50% of the time, with the exception of staff in the following offices who are currently expected to attend for 40% of the time due to capacity constraints; Darlington, Hemel Hempstead, Manchester, Sheffield and Wolverhampton. The ambition of the Department is for all staff to attend an office for 60% of the time in due course.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_415

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 75188 on MHCLG: University of Cambridge, for what reason the salary of the Chief Scientific Adviser is recharged through Cambridge University. \p Samantha Dixon: The MHCLG Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) is a Professor of Engineering at Cambridge University. MHCLG is recharged a proportionate amount to account for his role as CSA in the department.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_416

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 75449 on MHCLG: Standards, if he will list each metric presented on the Ministerial Delivery Dashboard. \p Samantha Dixon: MHCLG uses a range of metrics and data to monitor and track delivery progress on key departmental priorities, as well as support policy development and decision-making. The table below shows a list of the publicly available metrics included in the dashboard.

Priority

Metric

Build 1.5m new homes

Net additional homes

Build 1.5m new homes

Housing starts

Build 1.5m new homes

Homes granted planning permission

Build 1.5m new homes

New affordable housing by type of tenure

Build 1.5m new homes

New affordable housing supply (gross) by region

Build 1.5m new homes

Permanent dwellings completed by providers (LA / Housing associations)

Build 1.5m new homes

Permanent dwellings started by providers (LA / Housing associations)

Build 1.5m new homes

Rolling annual number of first-time buyers with a mortgage

Build 1.5m new homes

House price to workplace-based earnings ratio

Build 1.5m new homes

Annual rental inflation - all rents

Build 1.5m new homes

New lets (Zoopla)

Building remediation

Completions as a percentage of buildings estimated to need works

Building remediation

Starts on site as a percentage of buildings estimated to need works

Building remediation

The number of buildings identified as a percentage of buildings estimated to need works

Homelessness & rough sleeping

Number of families in temporary accommodation

Homelessness & rough sleeping

Number of families in B&B accommodation

Homelessness & rough sleeping

Total number of people sleeping rough (according to autumn snapshot)

Homelessness & rough sleeping

Number of people who are sleeping rough over the course of the month

Devolution

Devolution depth and coverage

Local government financial stability

Percentage of upper tier local authorities in 'high' and above risk categories

Local government financial stability

Number of local authorities receiving financial support

Community & cohesion

Percentage of people agreeing that they can personally affect local decisions

Community & cohesion

Percentage of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live

Community & cohesion

Percentage of people agreeing that people in their immediate neighbourhood can be trusted

Community & cohesion

Percentage of people with each level of trust in general
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_417

Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of extending Energy Performance Certificate regulations to SMEs in the self-catering sector in Surrey Heath constituency. \p Samantha Dixon: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) considers that the impact of extending Energy Performance Certificate regulations to SMEs in the self-catering sector in the Surrey Heath constituency is low, and no different to other constituencies which fall into scope of these requirements. We expect that, if we change government policy to require short term lets to have an EPC at the point of being let that costs to businesses will be low. The cost of obtaining a domestic EPC is around £70 and they are valid for 10 years. We recently consulted on policy changes. We are considering the feedback received, and our response will be published in due course.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_418
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_418

Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will (a) review and (b) update legal obligations on electricity providers to (i) inspect, (ii) evaluate and (iii) replace (A) outdated and (B) dangerous wiring. \p Samantha Dixon: An electricity Distribution Network Operator's responsibility ends at the domestic cutout fuse. An electricity supplier’s responsibility ends at the meter. Anything on the consumer side of the meter is the building owner’s responsibility, including domestic wiring. Building owners have a responsibility to manage their building with a view to the safety of occupiers and people who work in or may be around the building. New building work, including installation of controlled services, must meet the requirements of the Building Regulations including, at Schedule 1 Part P, Electrical Safety. Electrical work must be carried out in accordance with the Building Regulations.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_419

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether their Department has run any (a) recruitment and (b) internship schemes aimed to increase the number of people from underrepresented groups in the workforce in the last year. \p Samantha Dixon: Recruitment

As set out in the Civil Service People Plan 2024 - 2027, MHCLG are committed to ensuring we attract, develop and retain talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds to create a modern Civil Service, now and for the future

Civil Service recruitment must follow the rules set out in legislation within the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (CRaGA) 2010 which outlines the requirements to ensure that civil servants are recruited on merit, via fair and open competition

Going Forward into Employment (GFiE, pronounced gif-ee) accredits life chance recruitment pathways across government. GFiE pathways recruit people from a wide range of backgrounds into the Civil Service, including people from low socio-economic backgrounds, prison leavers, veterans, carers and care leavers. People recruited by GFiE develop skills, gain experience and build a career, contributing to the Opportunity Mission and to the wider economy.

MHCLG participated last year in the Care Leavers GFiE scheme, offering work experience in government to those entitled to a leaving care package.

In February 2025, MHCLG also gained accreditation to deliver Civil Service Masterclasses as a new life-chance pathway. This is a unique two-week face to face programme designed to support candidates aged 19+ from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The programme breaks down barriers and helps participants in a practical learning setting to develop skills and knowledge to access Civil Service roles at AO or EO level. The scheme is available to all departments and supporting bodies based in the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, and County Durham/Darlington areas.

Internships

In this period, MHCLG participated in the following internship schemes with a focus on increasing representation of under-represented groups:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_420

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 70567 on Deputy Prime Minister: Finance, what the status is of staff in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister who did not work on matters in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, following the appointment of the new Deputy Prime Minister. \p Samantha Dixon: Staff allocated to the Office of the former Deputy Prime Minister continue to be employed by MHCLG, working on the priorities of the new Secretary of State.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_421

Sir James Cleverly:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 29 August 2025 to Question 68790 on MHCLG: Civil Servants, for what reason the London pay range is paid to civil servants in the Hemel Hempstead office. \p Samantha Dixon: The application of the MHCLG London pay scale to the Hemel Hempstead office relates to a historic decision and wider contractual pay agreement reached with Departmental Trade Unions.