Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

My Department is undertaking an assessment of the new burdens falling on local authorities as a result of their additional enforcement responsibilities under the Renters’ Rights Act. We are committed to funding the net additional costs arising. We anticipate that additional costs will principally be additional staff costs.

In relation to the number of staff currently in Iocal authority private rented sector enforcement teams, I refer the noble Baroness to my answer given to Question UN HL13226 on 14 January 2026

My Department does not currently hold the requested information.

We are in the process of implementing a new mandatory collection of private rented sector enforcement data from local housing authorities, which will include the number of civil penalties issued and the total amount of income received from civil penalties.

My Department does not currently hold the requested information.

We are in the process of implementing a new mandatory collection of private rented sector enforcement data from local housing authorities, which will include the number of civil penalties issued and the total amount of income received from civil penalties.

The Database of Rogue Landlords and Property Agents has 51 active entries. The database does not distinguish between landlord and property agent entries.

The Government is committed to ensuring the process for applying or re-applying for a postal vote is as accessible and straightforward as possible. Our online absent voting application service continues to undergo extensive user research and testing with members of the public, including older, less digitally confident and disabled electors, to ensure the service works effectively for a wide range of users.

As part of these improvements, the service now includes functionality allowing applicants to rotate their uploaded signature image. This helps users who may have scanned or photographed their signature in the wrong orientation and makes it easier to submit an application successfully. Insights from ongoing research will continue to inform further refinements to improve usability.

It is also possible to apply for a postal vote using a paper form, and guidance on how to do so is available on the Gov.uk website. This guidance includes an option to download the relevant paper form. It also includes a tool to allow individuals to look up the contact details for their local electoral registration office, so that they may telephone, email or write to them to request that a paper form be posted to them.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 105012 on 19 January 2026.

Council staff are expected to transfer to new unitary councils. The cost of any exit payments made by a council offered as part of a voluntary exit scheme or resulting from any compulsory redundancies implemented by a new unitary council, including payments under the Local Government Pension Scheme, will depend on local workforce decisions and the composition of the workforce. The Government cannot predetermine or form a view on the outcome of local decisions on the operational and staffing structure of new unitary councils, including the outcome of any consultation with affected staff and their representatives. Councils should work with relevant administering authorities on any implications for the Local Government Pension Scheme and it is for all councils concerned to determine their own policies on exit payments.

The terms of reference for the Communities and Recovery Steering Group (Ministerial) were published on GOV.UK in March 2025.

As referenced in the answer given to Question UIN 33045 on 10 March 2025, in keeping with general practice, we do not currently intend to place minutes in the Library.

We published Protecting What Matters: Towards a more confident, cohesive, and resilient United Kingdom on Monday 9 March 2026. This publication sets out this government’s vision for a fair, tolerant and decent country and the steps we are taking to tackle threats to social cohesion.

Responsibility for assessing and managing the local impacts of HMOs sits primarily with local authorities. Councils are responsible for HMO licensing, regulation and oversight, and for understanding how housing pressures affect local communities, including impacts on cohesion. They are best placed to monitor community tensions and to respond through local housing, planning, community safety and partnership arrangements.

The Department works closely with local authorities, such as Grantham, to provide advice and offer support where issues arise.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84647 on 31 October 2025.

In August 2025, local authorities were invited to apply to pilot a range of flexible voting methods at the May 2026 elections in England. Authorities were required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pilot objectives, feasibility to deliver within the timeframe, appropriate resourcing and supplier management, proportionate contingency planning, and effective communication arrangements.

The Government is funding the costs of the flexible voting pilots. Final costs are not yet available.

As with all elections, responsibility for the manner, conduct and security of polls lies with the Returning Officer. Voting hubs, either on or in advance of the regular day of poll, will be subject to the same security and secrecy provisions as regular polling stations.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

Town and parish councils are not in scope for local government reorganisation and will continue to operate as they do now.  The power to create and restructure town and parish councils is devolved to principal local authorities, which can review and make changes to local governance arrangements through Community Governance Reviews. In doing so, they are expected to take the views of local people into account.

The Government expects town and parish councils – including new councils – to carefully consider the burden placed on taxpayers when setting their precepts. Areas considering the establishment of new town and parish councils should also think carefully about how these might be funded to avoid putting further pressure on local authority finances and/or new burdens on the taxpayer.

Town and parish councils are not in scope for local government reorganisation and will continue to operate as they do now.  The power to create and restructure town and parish councils is devolved to principal local authorities, which can review and make changes to local governance arrangements through Community Governance Reviews. In doing so, they are expected to take the views of local people into account.

The Government expects town and parish councils – including new councils – to carefully consider the burden placed on taxpayers when setting their precepts. Areas considering the establishment of new town and parish councils should also think carefully about how these might be funded to avoid putting further pressure on local authority finances and/or new burdens on the taxpayer.

Local authorities are responsible for designing and reviewing their council tax support schemes for working-age residents. This includes assessing income and eligibility. The referenced council tax information letter encourages local authorities to consider the interaction of their council tax support schemes with changes in the wider benefit system.

The government does not prescribe the requirements for working-age council tax support schemes. It is ultimately for local authorities to decide whether the higher income from the removal of the two-child limit in Universal Credit and working-age Housing Benefit will be liable to reduce the amount of local council tax support for working age households.

The Know Your Donor regime will introduce statutory guidance issued by the Electoral Commission, which will set out how recipients of donations may assess the relevant risk factors, the kinds of circumstances that may signal a heightened level of risk and the steps they may take to reduce that risk.

Following the Commission’s guidance will help recipients ensure they are conducting an appropriate level of risk assessment. Adhering to the guidance will therefore support parties and campaigners in demonstrating that they have taken reasonable steps when evaluating the permissibility and potential risk of donations.

The government is committed to strengthening the system of developer contributions to ensure new developments provide necessary affordable homes and infrastructure.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation, which can be found on gov.uk here, included proposals relating to developer contributions and viability which seek to promote greater clarity on expected contributions at the plan-making stage, and reduce cases of unnecessary site-specific viability assessment by clarifying when it may be appropriate at the decision-making stage.

We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

We do not have plans to update the Index the Dissimilarity or, to produce other indicators of residential segregation.

The estimated £87 million represents the full range of necessary costs Returning Officers can claim for the efficient and effective delivery of the 2024 Police and Crime Commissioner elections, including staffing, polling stations, printing, postal voting, count operations, logistics and Returning Officer fees.

There are no such documents relating to the flexible voting pilots that have not been published in the last six months.

The Government is exploring ways to make voting in person more efficient, more convenient, and better aligned with the expectations of today’s electors and the pilots are a part of this wider work. The Electoral Commission is responsible for carrying out an independent, statutory evaluation of the pilot schemes and will publish its findings.

The government recognises that while AI presents significant opportunities, it also introduces risks including challenges posed by AI-generated content for the online information environment and the potential impact on democratic processes.

Solutions that help to determine what media is real and what is AI-generated are key to tackling a range of AI risks. The government is undertaking work to explore the potential methods for detecting AI-generated content.

Any reforms in this area must be carefully balanced to protect freedom of expression and avoid placing undue burdens on campaigners and online platforms.

The government is actively exploring a range of approaches to improve the completeness and accuracy of the register. User research is undertaken throughout the policy and digital service development process.

Harassment and intimidation of voters, electoral staff and campaigners, both online and in person, is totally unacceptable, whatever the driving cause, and has a profoundly detrimental impact on our democratic process. The Government has welcomed and responded to the report made by the Speakers Conference, which explored the broad factors influencing incidents of harassment and intimidation against candidates and MPs

Before an election takes place, an ‘Election Cell’ is set up by the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit (JESP). This brings together government departments, the police, the intelligence agencies, the Devolved Governments, and external partners to monitor and respond to any emerging issues across physical, cyber and information security. MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit is also a core part of JESP’s Election Cell; the Community Cohesion Unit works closely during election campaigns with local partners, including the police to monitor and address issues related to cohesion.

Government is also working closely with the Electoral Commission to develop an updated Code of Conduct for campaigning to set clear expectations for behaviour during election campaigns.

The government is committed to upholding the integrity of electoral registers. We are exploring a wide range of more automated approaches to enable improvements in both the completeness and accuracy of electoral registers, including making greater use of public sector data and digital services. Any new approaches to registration will be tested for their efficacy in improving the completeness and accuracy of the registers.

Ministers have regular discussions with officials, external experts and ministerial colleagues on a range of issues, including national security, defence and resilience.

The Home Defence Programme was established in August 2024 to build the UK’s resilience to any potential escalation to conflict. It is an evolving and enduring programme of work which provides defence, security and resilience planning, focused on aligning military and civil effort in the event of a period of crisis and international hostilities affecting the UK, informed by and reflecting the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan.

MHCLG is actively supporting this work, including liaising with Local Resilience Forums.

Through the Representation of the People Bill we are removing the requirement for candidates who are acting as their own election agent to have their home address published on the notice of election agents, ensuring that those who partake in our democracy are safe and secure in their homes.

Election agents (including candidates acting as their own agents) will still need to have an office address where legal papers could be served, therefore this cannot be a PO box. Furthermore candidates must provide their current home address on their nomination form, which therefore also cannot be a PO box. Candidates can already however request for their home address not to be published.

The government is committed to improving the voting experience for electors, helping ensure they have the information they need to participate confidently in the democratic process.

The 2024-25 strategic review of electoral registration and conduct highlighted the need to improve election documentation, including the content of forms sent to electors ahead of polls, such as poll cards. In response to this, and as part of our wider work to improve information for electors, the government intends in the future to consider how best to enhance the design and clarity of poll cards.

Any work in this area will be conducted in close collaboration with local authorities and the Electoral Commission.

We have no plans at present to commence these provisions. Overseas electors have the right to participate in UK parliamentary elections, and this includes the right to donate to parties or candidates they support. Political parties and other donees can only accept donations from registered electors. Overseas electors are subject to the same counter-fraud measures as domestic electors, including having their identity confirmed as part of the registration process.

The government has commissioned the Rycroft Review to consider whether political finance laws could be strengthened. We look forward to the findings of this independent review, due in late March, and we anticipate that they will inform the Representation of the People Bill.

Prisoners convicted of a crime and serving a sentence in custody are not allowed to vote in UK Parliamentary elections, or any other elections for which responsibility is reserved.

Those imprisoned for default in paying fines or contempt of court, individuals held on remand who are not convicted, and those released on temporary licence or home detention curfew are not legally barred from voting, but they must meet the other eligibility criteria and be registered to vote.

The government has no plans to change this policy to allow prisoners to vote.

We will publish a response to the 2023 consultation in due course.

The government published a policy statement alongside the draft Bill setting out the existing evidence and considerations of different policy options.

As set out in the response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0, the level of notional council tax is calculated based on the England average rather than the Band D average.

The average band D council tax level in England, including parishes in 2025-26 is £2,280. This is available to view here Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2025 to 2026 (revised) - GOV.UK.

The notional council tax values are set out in the Fair Funding share calculator.

At present, rent increases can happen through a variety of mechanisms including contractual rent review clauses and Section 13 notices. Tenants can currently only challenge a rent increase when it is carried out via Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988.

Once commenced, our Renters’ Rights Act will ensure that all rent increases in the private rented sector will be made using the same process. Landlords will be able to increase rents once per year to the market rate – the price that would be achieved if the property was newly advertised to let. To do this, they will need to serve a simple ‘Section 13’ notice, setting out the new rent and giving at least 2 months’ notice of it taking effect. Tenants who receive a rent increase that they feel is not representative of the market value will be able to challenge the increase at the First-tier Tribunal.

At present, rent increases can happen through a variety of mechanisms including contractual rent review clauses and Section 13 notices. Tenants can currently only challenge a rent increase when it is carried out via Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988.

Once commenced, our Renters’ Rights Act will ensure that all rent increases in the private rented sector will be made using the same process. Landlords will be able to increase rents once per year to the market rate – the price that would be achieved if the property was newly advertised to let. To do this, they will need to serve a simple ‘Section 13’ notice, setting out the new rent and giving at least 2 months’ notice of it taking effect. Tenants who receive a rent increase that they feel is not representative of the market value will be able to challenge the increase at the First-tier Tribunal.

On 17 December 2025, the Department published the results of the Buildings Safety Regulator’s initial review of the definition of higher-risk buildings and its plans for an ongoing review. The initial review found that, at the time of publication, the current definition (including the height-threshold) appropriately reflects the available evidence on risks to individuals from the spread of fire and structural failure.

Going forward, we have agreed that the Building Safety Regulator will, at least once a year, consider whether the definition of higher-risk buildings remains appropriate. The next review will take place in, or before, summer 2026.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

HMRC data on the number of landlords in England declaring income from rental property, which can be found on gov.uk here, shows overall stability in the number of landlords since 2019-20.