Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is central to the mission-driven government, from fixing the foundations of an affordable home to handing power back to communities and rebuilding local governments.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Steve Reed
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Thornhill (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing)
Baroness Pinnock (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Green Party
Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire)
Green Spokesperson (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Conservative
James Cleverly (Con - Braintree)
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

Liberal Democrat
Gideon Amos (LD - Taunton and Wellington)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Housing and Communities)
Zöe Franklin (LD - Guildford)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Local Government)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
David Simmonds (Con - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Shadow Minister (Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)
Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Lord Jamieson (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Gareth Bacon (Con - Orpington)
Shadow Minister (Housing and Planning)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Paul Holmes (Con - Hamble Valley)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Ministers of State
Matthew Pennycook (Lab - Greenwich and Woolwich)
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Alison McGovern (Lab - Birkenhead)
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Samantha Dixon (Lab - Chester North and Neston)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Miatta Fahnbulleh (LAB - Peckham)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Tuesday 28th April 2026
Park Home Owners
Westminster Hall
Select Committee Inquiry
Tuesday 17th March 2026
Modernising Elections

The Government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill, which includes its manifesto commitment to lower the voting age …

Written Answers
Wednesday 29th April 2026
Fire and Rescue Services: Maternity Pay
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with the Fire …
Secondary Legislation
Friday 17th May 2024
Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) and Persons Subject to Immigration Control (Housing Authority Accommodation and Homelessness) (Amendment) Regulations 2024
Regulation 2 of these Regulations makes a number of changes to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations …
Bills
Wednesday 25th February 2026
Grenfell Tower Memorial (Expenditure) Act 2026
A Bill to Authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State …
Dept. Publications
Friday 1st May 2026
12:12

Guidance

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Apr. 13
Oral Questions
Mar. 26
Urgent Questions
Apr. 15
Written Statements
Apr. 28
Westminster Hall
Apr. 28
Adjournment Debate
View All Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament


A Bill to make provision about combined authorities, combined county authorities, the Greater London Authority, local councils, police and crime commissioners and fire and rescue authorities, local audit and terms in business tenancies about rent.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to Authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State in connection with the commemoration of the victims of the fire at Grenfell Tower; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision for expenditure by the Secretary of State and the removal of restrictions in respect of certain land for or in connection with the construction of a Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 22nd January 2026 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision about infrastructure; to make provision about town and country planning; to make provision for a scheme, administered by Natural England, for a nature restoration levy payable by developers; to make provision about development corporations; to make provision about the compulsory purchase of land; to make provision about environmental outcomes reports; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 18th December 2025 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision changing the law about rented homes, including provision abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies; imposing obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation; and for connected purposes.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 27th October 2025 and was enacted into law.


A Bill to make provision for, and in connection with, the introduction of higher non-domestic rating multipliers as regards large business hereditaments, and lower non-domestic rating multipliers as regards retail, hospitality and leisure hereditaments, in England and for the removal of charitable relief from non-domestic rates for private schools in England.

This Bill received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025 and was enacted into law.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government - Secondary Legislation

Regulation 2 of these Regulations makes a number of changes to the Allocation of Housing and Homelessness (Eligibility) (England) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1294) (“the Eligibility Regulations”).
These Regulations amend the Energy Performance of Building Regulations 2012 (“the Principal Regulations”) in relation to data sharing.
View All Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petitions with most signatures
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has not participated in any petition debates
View All Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


0 Members of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee: Previous Inquiries
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Annual Report & Accounts 2019-20 Local government and the path to net zero Long-term delivery of social and affordable rented housing Progress on devolution in England Local Authorities and Commissioners inquiry Local Plans Expert Group recommendations inquiry Capacity in the homebuilding industry inquiry Public parks inquiry Adult social care inquiry Pre-appointment hearing: Chair of the Homes and Communities Agency Housing Ombudsman one-off evidence session Business rates inquiry Consultation on National Planning Policy inquiry Homelessness inquiry Pre-appointment hearing: Local Government Ombudsman Work of DCLG 2016 inquiry Homelessness Reduction Bill inquiry Work of DCLG Housing for older people inquiry Overview and scrutiny in local government Private Rented Sector inquiry Brexit and Local Government inquiry Housing need and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Business rates retention inquiry Department for Communities and Local Government Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17 Homelessness Reduction Act Independent review of building regulations Draft Tenant Fees Bill inquiry DCLG Annual Report and Accounts 2016 Integration Review one-off evidence session Housing for older people inquiry Overview and scrutiny in local government inquiry Government draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill inquiry Housing White Paper and business rates inquiry Land value capture inquiry Planning guidance on fracking inquiry Housing Ombudsman Pre-appointment Hearing inquiry MHCLG Housing priorities Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Property in Common Occupation) Bill inquiry High streets and town centres in 2030 inquiry Local authority support for Grenfell Tower survivors inquiry Priorities for the Secretary of State inquiry Leasehold reform inquiry Social Housing Green Paper inquiry Funding of local authorities’ children’s services inquiry MHCLG Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18 inquiry Modern Methods of Construction inquiry Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman review session inquiry Local Government Finance and the 2019 Spending Review inquiry Implications of the Waste Strategy for Local Authorities inquiry Homelessness Reduction Act - One Year On inquiry Work of the Secretary of State 2019 inquiry Progress on devolution in England inquiry Long-term delivery of social and affordable rented housing inquiry Litter Jay Report into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham Community Rights Operation of the National Planning Policy Framework Local Government finance settlement 2014/15 Local government chief officers' remuneration Devolution in England: the case for local government Building Regulations certification of domestic electrical work Further review of the work of the Local Government Ombudsman Housing and Planning Bill one-off evidence session DCLG Annual Report 2014-15 inquiry Financial Settlement one-off evidence session Interim Chair of the Homes and Communities Agency Board one-off evidence session The Government's Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill inquiry The housing association sector and the Right to Buy inquiry Planning and productivity one-off evidence session DCLG priorities in the 2015 Parliament one-off evidence session Local Council bank loans inquiry Performance of the DCLG 2013-14 Work of the Communities and Local Government Committee Appointment of the Housing Ombudsman Private Rented Sector Local Government Procurement High Streets and Town Centres Performance of the DCLG 2012-13 Regulation Committee of the Homes and Communities Agency Planning issues Abolition of regional spatial strategies Localism Audit and inspection of local authorities Regeneration National Planning Policy Framework Taking forward Community Budgets Performance of the Department 2011-12 Building Regulations Localisation issues in welfare reform Proposed Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity Local Government Ombudsman Mutual and co-operative approaches to delivering local services The role of local authorities in health issues The role of the Housing Ombudsman The Government’s Review of Planning Practice Guidance Greater London Authority Act 2007 and the London Assembly Park Homes Planning, housing and growth Councillors and the community Financing of new housing supply European Regional Development Fund Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser Sustainable Communities Act 2007 Community Budgets Decentralisation and codifying the relationship between central and local government Work of the Department Impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on homelessness and the private rented sector Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill Reforming the Private Rented Sector Draft Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission Funding for Levelling Up Electoral Registration Reforms to national planning policy The Spending Review and Local Government Finance Financial Reporting and Audit in Local Authorities The finances and sustainability of the social housing sector Shared Ownership Fire Safety Disabled people in the housing sector The Office for Local Government Local authorities in financial distress Children, young people and the built environment Improving the home buying and selling process The Committee’s past recommendations and the work of successive UK governments Cladding: progress on remediation Children in Temporary Accommodation Rough Sleeping Hazardous Substances (Planning) Common Framework Local Authority Financial Sustainability and the Section 114 Regime The Funding and Sustainability of Local Government Finance Delivering 1.5 million new homes: Land Value Capture Grenfell and Building Safety Housing Conditions in England Affordability of Home Ownership Pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill Modernising Elections

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

23rd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent planning reforms on the protection of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 45684 on 7 May 2025.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, (a) when he will publish the analysis of responses regarding the ‘Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services’ consultation launched 4 July 2025, and (b) what steps is he taking to help protect leaseholders in Bromsgrove and the Villages from management companies and landlords that do not deliver an adequate level of maintenance.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 123090 on 31 March 2026 and UIN 85213 on 4 November 2025.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 11 March 2026 to Question 110793 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flexible Working, what are the typical working hours that a full-time staff member on compressed hours is expected to work during their four day week; and how does this compare with the expected working hours of a full-time staff member during a five day working week.

Staff who work full-time, have the following conditioned hours per week:

  • 36 hours net – if their normal place of work is in London and if appointed before 1 June 2013
  • 37 hours net – if their normal place of work is elsewhere

If they were appointed to the Civil Service within the department on or after 1 June 2013:

  • 37 hours net – in all locations (including London)

Net hours do not include meal breaks.

Staff working a compressed four-day week have the flexibility to agree their daily working pattern to reach the required conditioned hours per week.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2026, to Question 120055, on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Flexible Working, whether time taken for lunch counts towards the 37 hour limit; and whether a full-time civil servant would be permitted to work from 9am to 6.15pm from Monday to Thursday under a compressed four day week.

Staff who work full-time, have the following conditioned hours per week:

  • 36 hours net – if their normal place of work is in London and if appointed before 1 June 2013
  • 37 hours net – if their normal place of work is elsewhere

If they were appointed to the Civil Service within the department on or after 1 June 2013:

  • 37 hours net – in all locations (including London)

Net hours do not include meal breaks.

Staff working a compressed four-day week have the flexibility to agree their daily working pattern to reach the required conditioned hours per week. As provided, the example hours would not be suitable owing to the reasons given.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, further to his oral statement of 23 February 2026, Official Report, Col.80, on Local Government Reorganisation, on how many occasions since July 2024 have Ministers in his Department made a re-consideration of a Ministerial decision following legal advice or a legal challenge; and in how many cases was the decision made by a different Minister.

It is a longstanding principle that government does not comment on or publish legal advice.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
23rd Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government how many incidents have been reported of lithium batteries (1) exploding, or (2) causing fires, in the past five years.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government collects data on incidents attended by fire and rescue services in England, including information on the cause of the fire and the source of ignition.

This data is published in a range of fire statistics releases, available on GOV.UK at: Fire statistics - GOV.UK (attached).

Our new Fire and Rescue Analysis Platform (FaRDaP) has recently been rolled out, and work is ongoing to update the data it will collect, with data covering lithium-ion batteries role in fire incidents potentially able to be included in the future.

However, the data currently collected does not identify whether incidents attended by fire and rescue services were caused by or involved lithium‑ion battery failures, nor does it record whether a battery exploded. As a result, the Department is unable to provide figures for incidents involving lithium batteries in England over the past five years.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support he can provide Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council in the development of a market strategy.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what specific support he plans to provide market towns like Newcastle in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the (a) fiscal and (b) regulatory framework, including Stamp Duty Land Tax rates, for residential property traders on (i) rates of downsizing and (ii) the release of under-occupied homes onto the market.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what support his Department is giving to local authorities to ensure correct and working CCTV is deployed in their area.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what conversations he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities regarding improving local safety for women and girls, especially at night.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
9th Feb 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's Annual Report 2024-25 and pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 105347 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Public Expenditure, for a breakdown of the (a) £1,012,406,000 in RDEL in 2024-25 on the Affordable Housing Programme, (b) £167,774,00 in RDEL in Investment Funds and (c) programme spend and income of RDEL in FY 2024/5 in the Estimate Lines for (i) Housing and Planning, and (ii) Local Government and Public Services.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to reply to the correspondence from the Rt hon. Member for Braintree of 18 February 2026.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his policy is on consulting (a) HM Opposition and (b) minority opposition parties, in relation to departmental spending pledges that go beyond the Spending Review.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the guidance, A Definition of Anti-Muslim Hostility, section 6, of 9 March 2026, which body or authority will determine or interpret the public interest test.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 118190, on Local Government Finance, what proportion of the £740 million of funding was comprised of unallocated MHCLG budgets for the Spending Review period; and what is the allocation over each year of SR2025.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the oral statement of 23 February 2026, Official Report, Column 78, on Local Government Reorganisation, how much of the £63 million in funding for councils is to be allocated to Retuning Officers to assist them with the cancelled, but then re-affirmed, local elections.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether local authorities considering the Government’s letter on putting evidence to cancel local elections were (a) offering additional funding or (b) advised they may lose funding, by his Department, if the local authority (i) did or (ii) did not, make a request respectively.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will provide a breakdown of the £63 million of funding to support local elections; which local authorities will receive it; what is the methodology; and whether the funding is being taken from any other programme at 2025-26 year end.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether special advisers have met or corresponded with (a) Criterion Capital or (b) Asif Aziz since July 2024.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question HL15625 on Islamophobia, if he will place a copy of the Equalities Impact Assessment on the definition of anti-Muslim hostility in the Library.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2026, to Question 116483, on MHCLG: Publicity, if he will list each supplier who have undertaken translation activities for the department since July 2024; and the amount of expenditure on each supplier.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the letter sent by the Secretary of State to HM Opposition of 21 March 2026, on MHCLG spending commitments, if he will provide a breakdown of the £62 billion of spending commitments, and the profile across each year and each programme.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
14th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to Question 107991, tabled on 23 January 2026.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the local government model for Essex.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, how many consultation responses he reviewed from members of the public before deciding on the local government model for Essex.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, on what date the decision outlined in his letter was formally taken.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to Essex council leaders on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, if he will publish representations received from local authorities in Essex on the final decision on local government in Essex.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to council leaders in Essex on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, what plans he has to publish any representations from council leaders in Essex further to that decision letter.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his decision letter to council leaders in Essex on local government reorganisation, dated 25 March 2026, whether he discussed the proposed models of local government reorganisation with the leaders of (a) Thurrock Council, (b) Basildon Council and (c) Essex County Council before making his final decision.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
14th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, when he plans to respond to Question 117300, tabled on 3 March 2026.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 January 2026 to Question 97134 on Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Departmental Responsibilities, for what reason the Secretary of State's attendance at the Labour YIMBY event on 28 October 2025 was not listed in (a) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Ministers' Hospitality - October 2025 and (b) MHCLG: ministerial meetings, October to December 2025.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
23rd Jan 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2026 to Question 97134 on MHCLG: Departmental Responsibilities, whether his attendance at the Labour YIMBY awards will be declared in gov.uk returns; whether he was accompanied by a private secretary; and if he will publish his speech.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
3rd Mar 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he discussed Departmental business at the Labour YIMBY dinner on 28 October 2025.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt. Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the command paper, Protecting What Matters, CP 1540, 9 March 2026, pages 35 and 40, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the definition of anti-Muslim hostility being adopted by (a) the police and (b) Crown Prosecution Service; and which body will be responsible for the practical guidance.

It has not proved possible to respond to the Rt Hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Miatta Fahnbulleh
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on introducing national standards across fire and rescue services.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
24th Apr 2026
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government on 16 April (HC124632), whether local authorities are recommended to comply with the guidance advising local authorities against translating into foreign languages set out in the Written Statement on 12 March 2013 (HC Deb Col 5WS).

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will place in the Library a copy of the cost-benefit analysis for local government reorganisation in (i) Hampshire (ii) Essex (iii) Norfolk and (iv) Suffolk, including (a) an assessment of the financial resilience of the proposed new authorities, (b) the estimated transition costs and (c) the financial and non-financial benefits of service transformation.

Councils were asked to set out in their proposals how their area would seek to manage transition costs, including how those costs would be met over time from existing budgets, such as through the flexible use of capital receipts to support transformation and invest‑to‑save projects. Proposals were also required to explain how the new authorities would be financially sustainable and resilient over the longer term, and the expected financial and non‑financial benefits of reorganisation.

The government's assessment of the proposals was taken in the round, having regard to all the criteria in the statutory invitation and all relevant information available. This included consideration of the evidence and assumptions provided by councils, representations received during the statutory consultation, and official advice, including assessment of proposed costs and savings and the financial sustainability and resilience of the new councils, informed by departmental analysis and sector benchmarks. A summary of the decision on local government reorganisation already has been provided for i) Hampshire ii) Essex iii) Norfolk and iv) Suffolk. The proposals considered in reaching those decisions are publicly available, and the government has no plans to publish further information relating to the decision‑making process.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish the estimated financial payback periods for each of the options for local government reorganisation in (i) Hampshire, (ii) Essex, (iii) Norfolk and (iv) Suffolk.

Councils were asked to set out in their proposals how their area would seek to manage transition costs, including how those costs would be met over time from existing budgets, such as through the flexible use of capital receipts to support transformation and invest‑to‑save projects. Proposals were also required to explain how the new authorities would be financially sustainable and resilient over the longer term, and the expected financial and non‑financial benefits of reorganisation.

The government's assessment of the proposals was taken in the round, having regard to all the criteria in the statutory invitation and all relevant information available. This included consideration of the evidence and assumptions provided by councils, representations received during the statutory consultation, and official advice, including assessment of proposed costs and savings and the financial sustainability and resilience of the new councils, informed by departmental analysis and sector benchmarks. A summary of the decision on local government reorganisation already has been provided for i) Hampshire ii) Essex iii) Norfolk and iv) Suffolk. The proposals considered in reaching those decisions are publicly available, and the government has no plans to publish further information relating to the decision‑making process.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of (i) ward and (ii) parish financial data to facilitate funding disaggregation as a result of boundary changes and deliver local government reorganisation in Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Decisions about how funding, assets and liabilities are managed are for councils to take forward locally as part of their transition planning, including how budgets and financial risks are apportioned between successor councils and the arrangements needed to maintain safe and legal services during transition.

Recognising the complexity of this work, the Government has made transition funding available and is working with sector partners to provide practical implementation support to help councils manage the additional complexity where disaggregation is required.

The Secretary of State’s consideration of local government reorganisation proposals is based on information provided by councils, representations received through the statutory consultation, and official advice and analysis drawing on published sources and sector data.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
10th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2026, to Question 107992, on Lichfields, whether their work was awarded by open competition, or via direct award.

The contract in question was awarded directly following failed competitions. This information was published within the contract award notice which can be found on gov.uk here.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
11th Mar 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2026 to Question 78241 on MHCLG: Ministers’ Private Offices, whether there are any (a) direct ministerial appointments or (b) external paid consultants who provide advice to Ministers on housing and planning.

MHCLG ministers are advised by civil servants employed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Given the technical nature of this work, the Department does procure some technical planning advice. All Ministerial advice from within the Department, however, is provided by civil servants


There are two Direct Ministerial Appointments as part of the Euston Housing Delivery Group and the Oxford Growth Commission where advice on housing and planning may form elements of advice to Ministers in the specific circumstances of Euston and Oxford. The Chair of the Euston Housing Delivery Group was appointed on 15 October 2024. The Chair of the Oxford Growth Commission was appointed on 12 May 2025.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
24th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his Department's consultation entitled Enhanced protections for homeowners on freehold estates, published on 18 December 2025, when he expects to publish legislation to address the issues raised in that consultation.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 128335 on 27 April 2026.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
21st Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his department has made an assessment of future local planning timetables and how they align with national housing objectives.

My Department does not hold data relating to future unpublished local plan timetables and their correlation with national housing objectives.

The new plan-making system includes a new process for producing plans with clear steps that a local planning authority will need to take. This should support faster preparation of plans and more frequent updates, helping to ensure that plans delivering higher housing figures are in place more quickly.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
22nd Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has considered the report published by TYI on 18 March 2026, titled ‘Small Changes, Big Rewards: Ensuring planning connects with mobile infrastructure ambitions’.

On December 18 2025, my Department, in conjunction with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, launched a joint Call for Evidence on reforming planning rules to accelerate deployment of digital infrastructure. This Call for Evidence closed on 26 February 2026 and can be found on gov.uk here.

My officials are aware of the report in question, and it will be taken into account as part of the wider body of evidence submitted to the Call for Evidence.

Matthew Pennycook
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (i) systems and (ii) manpower capacity in local authorities to implement local government reorganisation; and if he will place a copy of those assessments in the Library.

Councils, as independent employers, are responsible for the management of their staff and undertaking workforce planning. As part of the local government reorganisation programme, local authorities were required to set out in their proposals how they would manage implementation, including their approach to systems, staffing and governance. The Government has considered this information as part of its assessment of proposals, including where decisions have already been taken, and continues to do so for proposals under consideration.

After decisions are taken on proposals, councils are required to put in place the necessary plans to implement the agreed proposal, including putting in place governance arrangements to oversee the delivery of implementation work.

We will continue to work actively with councils to support an effective transition, including providing support to ensure a smooth transfer of staff from councils that will be wound up to incoming new councils.

Alison McGovern
Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the FBU on funding for fire and rescue services.

I meet regularly with the Fire Brigades Union to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

The Government recognises that the current fire funding formula was designed over a decade ago. In line with responses to the principles of reform consultation in December 2024, the Government updated the fire and rescue relative needs formula by using the most up-to-date data available. We will work with the fire sector on a comprehensive review of the formula ahead of the next Spending Review and are currently engaging with the sector on this.

The 2026-2027 Funding Settlement marks the first multi-year funding Settlement for local government in 10 years, making available almost £1.9 billion in core spending power (CSP) for fire and rescue authorities. Fire and Rescue Services have had an additional £15 million funding secured since the provisional settlement, which will provide a minimum 3.8% increase in CSP for all standalone services, with some services seeing increases of over 7% in CSP.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of maternity pay in fire and rescue services.

Setting fire pay and conditions, including setting a minimum national maternity entitlement, is the responsibility of employers and representative bodies, working through the National Joint Council.

The Government plays no role in setting firefighter pay.

I meet regularly with the Fire Brigades Union to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
27th Apr 2026
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has had discussions with the Fire Brigades Union on maternity pay in the fire and rescue services.

Setting fire pay and conditions, including setting a minimum national maternity entitlement, is the responsibility of employers and representative bodies, working through the National Joint Council.

The Government plays no role in setting firefighter pay.

I meet regularly with the Fire Brigades Union to discuss issues of mutual interest and concern.

Samantha Dixon
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)