Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

All forms of discrimination and hate crime are completely unacceptable, and the Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.

The most recent police-recorded hate crime statistics showed that almost 2 in 5 religious hate crimes target Muslims, which is why we have established a working group to provide rapid advice to the Government. Working group members have been selected for their technical expertise, experience and ability to work to deliver the group’s objectives. The group will consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and considered.

The proposed definition will advise the Government and other bodies on the appropriate language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim. It must also be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression. The initial advice the working group produces will be private however once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.

All forms of discrimination and hate crime are completely unacceptable, and the Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.

The most recent police-recorded hate crime statistics showed that almost 2 in 5 religious hate crimes target Muslims, which is why we have established a working group to provide rapid advice to the Government. Working group members have been selected for their technical expertise, experience and ability to work to deliver the group’s objectives. The group will consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and considered.

The proposed definition will advise the Government and other bodies on the appropriate language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim. It must also be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression. The initial advice the working group produces will be private however once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.

All forms of discrimination and hate crime are completely unacceptable, and the Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.

The most recent police-recorded hate crime statistics showed that almost 2 in 5 religious hate crimes target Muslims, which is why we have established a working group to provide rapid advice to the Government. Working group members have been selected for their technical expertise, experience and ability to work to deliver the group’s objectives. The group will consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and considered.

The proposed definition will advise the Government and other bodies on the appropriate language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim. It must also be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression. The initial advice the working group produces will be private however once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.

All forms of discrimination and hate crime are completely unacceptable, and the Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.

The most recent police-recorded hate crime statistics showed that almost 2 in 5 religious hate crimes target Muslims, which is why we have established a working group to provide rapid advice to the Government. Working group members have been selected for their technical expertise, experience and ability to work to deliver the group’s objectives. The group will consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and considered.

The proposed definition will advise the Government and other bodies on the appropriate language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim. It must also be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression. The initial advice the working group produces will be private however once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.

All forms of discrimination and hate crime are completely unacceptable, and the Government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.

The most recent police-recorded hate crime statistics showed that almost 2 in 5 religious hate crimes target Muslims, which is why we have established a working group to provide rapid advice to the Government. Working group members have been selected for their technical expertise, experience and ability to work to deliver the group’s objectives. The group will consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure that the voices of all relevant stakeholders are heard and considered.

The proposed definition will advise the Government and other bodies on the appropriate language to describe, understand and define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim. It must also be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression. The initial advice the working group produces will be private however once the Government has had time to review the advice, it will consider its next steps.

Each fire and rescue authority is required to plan for the foreseeable risks in their area (including wildfire), through their Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), and having regard to the views of other key local responders.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is the lead government department for wildfire response (from 1 April 2025) and owns the National Risk Register (NRR) wildfire risk, however a coordinated approach is essential to mitigate the impact on people, property, habitats, livestock, natural capital and wildlife, and to plan the most effective response to incidents. MHCLG maintains regular engagement with other government departments including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Cabinet Office, along with National Bodies including the National Fire Chiefs Council and England and Wales Wildfire Forum to monitor and review sector led improvements and mitigations. Since 2024 the government has funded a National Resilience Wildfire Advisor to assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to the wildfire risk and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector.

In December 2021 the Home Office, as the former lead government department for wildfire, published the Wildfire Framework for England. The framework identifies responsibilities, clarifies relationships, and facilitates coordination at the government level and between key wildfire stakeholders, in England.

As outlined in the Wildfire Framework for England, Defra maintain responsibility for the review of land management inputs for fuel load management, and for the promotion of wildfire mitigation and adaptation planning to land managers. Landowners and land managers are encouraged to adopt good quality wildfire management plans, use sustainable methods to manage habitat and restore their peatland – wetter, healthy-functioning peatlands are more resilient to the risk of wildfire.

The New Towns Taskforce will submit its final report this summer.

MHCLG Ministers work closely with local leaders across the country, including visiting and working from locations outside of London, including the Department’s offices across the UK. MHCLG does not hold a central record of the number of days Ministers work from each office.

Further announcements on permitted development rights for domestic air source heat pumps will be made in due course.

Local authorities are able to seek a section 106 planning obligation from a developer to mitigate the impact of a development in order to make it acceptable in planning terms. The obligation might, for example, specify the periods at which the required contributions must be provided by the developer. Local authorities have enforcement powers to ensure compliance with any such provisions.

The government does not collect data on section 106 contributions paid to local authorities ahead of a development taking place. However, any local authority that has received section 106 contributions is required to publish an infrastructure funding statement at least annually. Guidance recommends that authorities report on the delivery and provision of infrastructure, as well as estimated future income from developer contributions, where they are able to do so.

The government is committed to strengthening the existing system of developer contributions, including section 106 planning obligations, to ensure that new developments provide appropriate affordable homes and infrastructure. Further details will be set out in due course.

We will set out our plans to seek further evidence from the sector in respect of the rationale for the commission in due course.

The government has published guidance on the implementation of the empty and second homes council tax premiums which encourages councils to consider local circumstances when deciding whether to apply a premium. The guidance can be found here - Guidance on the implementation of the council tax premiums on long-term empty homes and second homes - GOV.UK

It is for councils to decide where it is appropriate to apply the premiums and assess their effectiveness at a local level.

MHCLG and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) both recognise the concerns about the impact of Gateway delays on investment decisions in high-rise projects and are taking significant measures to address the current challenges. The Gateways for building control approval set out under Building Safety legislation have been operational since October 2023 and are a departmental priority to facilitate both new homes and remediation projects and to ensure that failings that led to the Grenfell Tower tragedy do not happen again.

MHCLG and BSR jointly keep BSR’s operational set up under review and are undertaking a further programme of enhancements. MHCLG is exploring all possible options with the BSR to ensure it is equipped for the high demand of applications. The Department has already provided additional funding to bring further capacity into the BSR for building control caseworkers and in-house technical specialists. The benefits of this additional funding will continue to scale up in the coming months.

The BSR is conducting a systematic review of all of its building safety guidance and service content to identify where improvements are needed. This includes understanding themes emerging from user and stakeholder feedback. User testing will form an integral part of any changes made. The BSR will also continue to work with the Construction Leadership Council and other representative bodies to support industry written guidance.

A significant number of poor quality applications that do not meet the regulatory standard are contributing to overall processing times resulting in delays. MHCLG recognises that changes are still bedding in. However, it is clear that the sector must also take responsibility for the projects it delivers. The BSR is supporting applicants to ensure they are meeting the functional requirements of the building regulations.

On 28 April, the Minister for Building Safety, Fire & Local Growth hosted a roundtable with the BSR and developers to discuss industry’s concerns. The BSR meets weekly with the Construction Leadership Council to work through, address and resolve issues associated with the new Gateway processes for building control applications. Both MHCLG and the BSR welcome direct engagement with industry and are prioritising the need to improve the rate in which applications can progress through the system first time, lessening the rate of invalidated and rejected applications.

MHCLG and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) both recognise the concerns about the impact of Gateway delays on investment decisions in high-rise projects and are taking significant measures to address the current challenges. The Gateways for building control approval set out under Building Safety legislation have been operational since October 2023 and are a departmental priority to facilitate both new homes and remediation projects and to ensure that failings that led to the Grenfell Tower tragedy do not happen again.

MHCLG and BSR jointly keep BSR’s operational set up under review and are undertaking a further programme of enhancements. MHCLG is exploring all possible options with the BSR to ensure it is equipped for the high demand of applications. The Department has already provided additional funding to bring further capacity into the BSR for building control caseworkers and in-house technical specialists. The benefits of this additional funding will continue to scale up in the coming months.

The BSR is conducting a systematic review of all of its building safety guidance and service content to identify where improvements are needed. This includes understanding themes emerging from user and stakeholder feedback. User testing will form an integral part of any changes made. The BSR will also continue to work with the Construction Leadership Council and other representative bodies to support industry written guidance.

A significant number of poor quality applications that do not meet the regulatory standard are contributing to overall processing times resulting in delays. MHCLG recognises that changes are still bedding in. However, it is clear that the sector must also take responsibility for the projects it delivers. The BSR is supporting applicants to ensure they are meeting the functional requirements of the building regulations.

On 28 April, the Minister for Building Safety, Fire & Local Growth hosted a roundtable with the BSR and developers to discuss industry’s concerns. The BSR meets weekly with the Construction Leadership Council to work through, address and resolve issues associated with the new Gateway processes for building control applications. Both MHCLG and the BSR welcome direct engagement with industry and are prioritising the need to improve the rate in which applications can progress through the system first time, lessening the rate of invalidated and rejected applications.

MHCLG and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) both recognise the concerns about the impact of Gateway delays on investment decisions in high-rise projects and are taking significant measures to address the current challenges. The Gateways for building control approval set out under Building Safety legislation have been operational since October 2023 and are a departmental priority to facilitate both new homes and remediation projects and to ensure that failings that led to the Grenfell Tower tragedy do not happen again.

MHCLG and BSR jointly keep BSR’s operational set up under review and are undertaking a further programme of enhancements. MHCLG is exploring all possible options with the BSR to ensure it is equipped for the high demand of applications. The Department has already provided additional funding to bring further capacity into the BSR for building control caseworkers and in-house technical specialists. The benefits of this additional funding will continue to scale up in the coming months.

The BSR is conducting a systematic review of all of its building safety guidance and service content to identify where improvements are needed. This includes understanding themes emerging from user and stakeholder feedback. User testing will form an integral part of any changes made. The BSR will also continue to work with the Construction Leadership Council and other representative bodies to support industry written guidance.

A significant number of poor quality applications that do not meet the regulatory standard are contributing to overall processing times resulting in delays. MHCLG recognises that changes are still bedding in. However, it is clear that the sector must also take responsibility for the projects it delivers. The BSR is supporting applicants to ensure they are meeting the functional requirements of the building regulations.

On 28 April, the Minister for Building Safety, Fire & Local Growth hosted a roundtable with the BSR and developers to discuss industry’s concerns. The BSR meets weekly with the Construction Leadership Council to work through, address and resolve issues associated with the new Gateway processes for building control applications. Both MHCLG and the BSR welcome direct engagement with industry and are prioritising the need to improve the rate in which applications can progress through the system first time, lessening the rate of invalidated and rejected applications.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 48951 on 7 May 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 48951 on 7 May 2025.

Leaseholders who are dissatisfied with costs incurred as part of a deed of variation should seek legal advice. Free initial legal advice is available through the Leasehold Advisory Service.

MHCLG Resilience & Recovery Directorate officials attend the multi-agency coordinating group established in response to the declaration of a major incident by Birmingham City Council. Area Team officials are also meeting twice weekly with Birmingham City Council's operational team to support the council's efforts to clear the backlog of waste on the streets. In addition, a number of meetings continue to take place as part of the regular dialogue between MHCLG officials and the leadership of the city council to ensure the welfare of Birmingham residents and a swift resolution to the dispute.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244).

While the government has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the firefighters’ pension scheme regulations, the firefighters’ pension scheme is locally administered by each individual Fire and Rescue Authority.

As the designated scheme manager, it is for each Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) to determine their administrative timetable, including for the McCloud/Sargeant remedy, in accordance with the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (PSPJOA), including when remedy payments will be distributed.

The Government has been working, and will continue to work, with the fire sector and Local Government Association to support and remind FRAs of their duty under the PSPJOA for all affected individuals.

EU citizens who were legally resident in the UK prior to withdrawal from the EU, or whose countries have a bilateral reciprocal voting rights agreement with the UK, can vote in local elections in England and Northern Ireland.

Citizens of EU Member States have never been able to vote in UK general election based on that citizenship. The Government has no plans to change this.

The franchise for local and devolved government elections in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the Scottish Parliament and Senedd Cymru respectively.

All registered providers of social housing, including local authorities, are required to deliver the outcomes of the consumer standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing (‘the regulator’).

The regulatory standards apply to social housing as defined by the Housing and Regeneration Act (2008). The Act defines low-cost rental accommodation as accommodation rented below market rate and made available to those whose needs may not be adequately served by the commercial market.

Socially rented residential homes on local authority owned or managed Gypsy and Traveller sites will be subject to the regulator’s consumer standards if they meet the definition of social housing under the Act.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41927 on 1 April 2025.

The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41307 on 2 April 2025.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 41307 on 2 April 2025.

The responsibility for fixing historical cladding fire safety defects should rest with building owners. They should not pass these costs on to leaseholders but should seek to recover costs from those who were responsible for building unsafe homes.

The department reviews cases brought to its attention which includes engaging freeholders and managing agents to make sure that proposed works are necessary and proportionate.

I refer the hon. member to the answer to Question UIN 36212 answered on 11 March 2025.

Government policy in respect of the designation of new Green Belts may be found in Chapter 13 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which sets out that new Green Belts should be established only in exceptional circumstances.

The Framework was recently updated following extensive consultation, including with local planning authorities.

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) applications once accepted by the Planning Inspectorate are being processed on average 50 days quicker in this Parliament than in the last. This was calculated using the average time taken by projects processed in the parliamentary term July 2019 to July 2024 compared to projects in this parliament between July 2024 to February 2025.

Information on applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, and their decisions, can be found on the Planning Inspectorate’s website here. This page includes information on projects already determined, projects due for decision and projects at an earlier stage in the application process.

In Written Ministerial Statement of 23 April 2025, the government announced that it will amend the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to remove the statutory requirement to consult as part of the pre-application stage for NSIP applications, bringing requirements in line with all other planning regimes. We estimate that these changes could result in a cost saving of £1bn across the pipeline. This estimate is based on analysis from the National Infrastructure Commission which identified that delays can cost a project around £1.5m per month of delay. Together with evidence from key stakeholders in the NSIP process which shows that these changes could save projects 12 months, we estimate a saving of £18m per project. If you apply £18m in savings to the number of expected projects that would benefit from these changes within this Parliament, it will give a total saving of over £1bn.

The government will set out our full position on regulation of estate, letting and managing agents in due course.

The government is committed to ensuring that consumers are protected from abuse and poor service at the hands of unscrupulous estate agents.

All estate agents are legally required to belong to one of two government-approved redress schemes; administered either by The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme. This legislation is currently enforced by local authorities and by the National Trading Standards’ Lettings and Estate Agency Team, who have the power to issue warnings and banning orders to rogue estate and letting agents.

The previous government committed to regulate the property agent sector in 2018 and asked a working group chaired by Lord Richard Best to advise them on how best to do it.

However, they failed to respond to the recommendations set out in the working group’s 2019 Regulation of Property Agents: working group report which can be found on gov.uk here.

This government will set out our full position on regulation of estate, letting and managing agents in due course.

Shared ownership landlords are required to publish clear information about the resales process for shared ownership properties on their websites.

They are also required to outline their current selling fee in a ‘Key Information Document’ provided to prospective shared owners before reservation.

Some shared ownership leases will also state the resale fee which can be charged by shared ownership landlords.

The government is considering what more can be done to improve the experience of shared owners.

The Department has not undertaken an assessment of potential impact of councils right to be placed on the rent books extension.

The government has not issued guidance specific to planning applications on providing information relating to protected characteristics and associated diversity information.

I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made on 21 November (HCWS244).

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 5686 on 11 October 2024.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill includes a regulation-making power to issue statutory guidance on a national scheme of delegation.

The government intend to formally consult on proposals relating to the delegation of planning decisions in England alongside the Bill’s passage.

The government recognises the value of Community Land Trusts in developing homes for local communities.

Community Land Trusts can apply for funding through a range of existing programmes, including the Brownfield Land Release Fund and the Affordable Homes Programme.

The Department continues to engage with the sector and keeps funding options under review to support community-led housing delivery.

The government recognises the value of Community Land Trusts in developing homes for local communities.

Community Land Trusts can apply for funding through a range of existing programmes, including the Brownfield Land Release Fund and the Affordable Homes Programme.

The Department continues to engage with the sector and keeps funding options under review to support community-led housing delivery.