Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

The Government recognises the challenges faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and is taking forward cross-government action to tackle inequalities and improve access to services across employment, housing, healthcare and education. The Office for National Statistics is undertaking research to better understand the barriers faced by Roma communities across these areas. Alongside this, the Government is delivering a range of measures.

In employment, the Get Britain Working White Paper here (attached), backed by £240 million investment, sets out reforms to create a more inclusive labour market and support people to participate in and progress in work.

In housing, proposals for the National Planning Policy Framework include policies on traveller sites, supporting local authorities to better plan for accommodation needs. We are analysing feedback and will respond in due course.

In health, the Migrant Health Guide here (attached), developed with the Roma Support Group and partners, supports professionals to address health inequalities experienced by Roma communities. NHS England’s Ethnicity Recording Improvement Plan aims to improve data quality for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups

In education, the Opportunity Mission focuses on improving outcomes for disadvantaged children, including those from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller backgrounds, supported by reforms set out in the Schools White Paper here (attached).

The Government recognises the vulnerability of the UK to malign interference in its political finance system, and is committed to strengthening the rules governing political donations. The Representation of the People Bill introduces a comprehensive package of reforms to address these risks, including Know Your Donor requirements, tighter rules on company donations to ensure a genuine connection to the UK, enhanced transparency around the source of funds, and stronger enforcement provisions

These measures build on the findings of the independent Rycroft Review, which identified risks of foreign financial influence and areas where safeguards could be strengthened. The Government is working through the Review’s recommendations as part of its wider approach to strengthening the regime.

Fewer than 1% of all properties across England will be affected by the High Value Council Tax surcharge. The Valuation Office (VO) will be conducting a targeted valuation exercise to identify and value properties in scope.

While local authorities are independent bodies responsible for their own procurement decisions, the Cabinet Office, as responsible for procurement policy, is assessing how guidance can support local authorities to identify opportunities for bringing key local services - such as waste management, housing maintenance, and social care - back in-house where it delivers better value for money and public capability.

The Modern Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 will increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK. Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) are the UK’s primary place-based growth interventions, I will therefore refer to ISZs when answering your questions:

There are 22 ISZs in delivery across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland comprising nine Freeports, ten Investment Zones (IZs) and three regions with both a Freeport and IZ. We do not hold information on the total land area they cover, however, maps of Investment Zones can be found here and maps of Freeports can be found here.

ISZs do not operate under separate legal regimes. Businesses must comply with all applicable UK laws, standards and protections, including on workers’ rights, as reflected in programme guidance and funding agreements.

Each ISZ has a named public authority which acts as its accountable body, ensuring the transparent functioning of the ISZ and the proper management of public funding. Oversight and transparency has been strengthened further through the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, including greater mayoral oversight in England and the publication of Freeport board minutes.

The Government will publish an evaluation in due course.

The Modern Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 will increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK. Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) are the UK’s primary place-based growth interventions, I will therefore refer to ISZs when answering your questions:

There are 22 ISZs in delivery across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland comprising nine Freeports, ten Investment Zones (IZs) and three regions with both a Freeport and IZ. We do not hold information on the total land area they cover, however, maps of Investment Zones can be found here and maps of Freeports can be found here.

ISZs do not operate under separate legal regimes. Businesses must comply with all applicable UK laws, standards and protections, including on workers’ rights, as reflected in programme guidance and funding agreements.

Each ISZ has a named public authority which acts as its accountable body, ensuring the transparent functioning of the ISZ and the proper management of public funding. Oversight and transparency has been strengthened further through the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, including greater mayoral oversight in England and the publication of Freeport board minutes.

The Government will publish an evaluation in due course.

The Modern Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 will increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK. Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) are the UK’s primary place-based growth interventions, I will therefore refer to ISZs when answering your questions:

There are 22 ISZs in delivery across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland comprising nine Freeports, ten Investment Zones (IZs) and three regions with both a Freeport and IZ. We do not hold information on the total land area they cover, however, maps of Investment Zones can be found here and maps of Freeports can be found here.

ISZs do not operate under separate legal regimes. Businesses must comply with all applicable UK laws, standards and protections, including on workers’ rights, as reflected in programme guidance and funding agreements.

Each ISZ has a named public authority which acts as its accountable body, ensuring the transparent functioning of the ISZ and the proper management of public funding. Oversight and transparency has been strengthened further through the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, including greater mayoral oversight in England and the publication of Freeport board minutes.

The Government will publish an evaluation in due course.

The Modern Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 will increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK. Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) are the UK’s primary place-based growth interventions, I will therefore refer to ISZs when answering your questions:

There are 22 ISZs in delivery across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland comprising nine Freeports, ten Investment Zones (IZs) and three regions with both a Freeport and IZ. We do not hold information on the total land area they cover, however, maps of Investment Zones can be found here and maps of Freeports can be found here.

ISZs do not operate under separate legal regimes. Businesses must comply with all applicable UK laws, standards and protections, including on workers’ rights, as reflected in programme guidance and funding agreements.

Each ISZ has a named public authority which acts as its accountable body, ensuring the transparent functioning of the ISZ and the proper management of public funding. Oversight and transparency has been strengthened further through the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, including greater mayoral oversight in England and the publication of Freeport board minutes.

The Government will publish an evaluation in due course.

The Modern Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 will increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK. Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) are the UK’s primary place-based growth interventions, I will therefore refer to ISZs when answering your questions:

There are 22 ISZs in delivery across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland comprising nine Freeports, ten Investment Zones (IZs) and three regions with both a Freeport and IZ. We do not hold information on the total land area they cover, however, maps of Investment Zones can be found here and maps of Freeports can be found here.

ISZs do not operate under separate legal regimes. Businesses must comply with all applicable UK laws, standards and protections, including on workers’ rights, as reflected in programme guidance and funding agreements.

Each ISZ has a named public authority which acts as its accountable body, ensuring the transparent functioning of the ISZ and the proper management of public funding. Oversight and transparency has been strengthened further through the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, including greater mayoral oversight in England and the publication of Freeport board minutes.

The Government will publish an evaluation in due course.

The Modern Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 will increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK. Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) are the UK’s primary place-based growth interventions, I will therefore refer to ISZs when answering your questions:

There are 22 ISZs in delivery across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland comprising nine Freeports, ten Investment Zones (IZs) and three regions with both a Freeport and IZ. We do not hold information on the total land area they cover, however, maps of Investment Zones can be found here and maps of Freeports can be found here.

ISZs do not operate under separate legal regimes. Businesses must comply with all applicable UK laws, standards and protections, including on workers’ rights, as reflected in programme guidance and funding agreements.

Each ISZ has a named public authority which acts as its accountable body, ensuring the transparent functioning of the ISZ and the proper management of public funding. Oversight and transparency has been strengthened further through the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, including greater mayoral oversight in England and the publication of Freeport board minutes.

The Government will publish an evaluation in due course.

The Modern Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 will increase business investment and grow the industries of the future in the UK. Industrial Strategy Zones (ISZs) are the UK’s primary place-based growth interventions, I will therefore refer to ISZs when answering your questions:

There are 22 ISZs in delivery across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland comprising nine Freeports, ten Investment Zones (IZs) and three regions with both a Freeport and IZ. We do not hold information on the total land area they cover, however, maps of Investment Zones can be found here and maps of Freeports can be found here.

ISZs do not operate under separate legal regimes. Businesses must comply with all applicable UK laws, standards and protections, including on workers’ rights, as reflected in programme guidance and funding agreements.

Each ISZ has a named public authority which acts as its accountable body, ensuring the transparent functioning of the ISZ and the proper management of public funding. Oversight and transparency has been strengthened further through the Industrial Strategy Zones Action Plan, including greater mayoral oversight in England and the publication of Freeport board minutes.

The Government will publish an evaluation in due course.

Following delays to the publication of the 2023 Housing Delivery Test (HDT) results under the previous government, this government is committed to re-establishing a regular publication cycle. We therefore combined the data collections for the 2024 and 2025 HDTs and intend to publish both sets of results as soon as possible.

We are taking a cross-government approach to delivering the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to oversee delivery of our strategy. The Inter-Ministerial Group on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping works across government to maintain collaboration and assure delivery of the commitments in this strategy. The Group will receive quarterly data updates, tracking progress against the targets. We will also publish reports at least every two years that monitor progress on the implementation of measures set out in this strategy, including our national cross-government targets. Our headline targets include: eliminating the illegal use of B&Bs, halving long-term rough sleeping, and increasing prevention and relief rates.

More comprehensive information can be found in Chapter 7 of the National Plan to End Homelessness.

The precise design and scope of the overnight visitor levy power are still under development, and its impacts will largely be determined by local decisions. The government will respond to the consultation shortly. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggests that modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers.

Mayors and local leaders will decide whether to introduce a levy. As part of that process, they will be required to consult and consider the impacts on businesses and others.

The precise design and scope of the overnight visitor levy power are still under development, and its impacts will largely be determined by local decisions. The government will respond to the consultation shortly. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggests that modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers.

Mayors and local leaders will decide whether to introduce a levy. As part of that process, they will be required to consult and consider the impacts on businesses and others.

The precise design and scope of the overnight visitor levy power are still under development, and its impacts will largely be determined by local decisions. The government will respond to the consultation shortly. Evidence from international and domestic schemes suggests that modest rates have minimal impact on visitor numbers.

Mayors and local leaders will decide whether to introduce a levy. As part of that process, they will be required to consult and consider the impacts on businesses and others.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) operates a hybrid working model under which staff are expected to spend at least 60% of their time on average working in an office, in line with Civil Service expectations.

Less than 2% of HMLR staff have not attended an office in the last 12 months. In addition to full-time homeworkers for whom this is a reasonable workplace adjustment (for example those managing long-term health conditions and disabilities), this includes employees on long-term sickness absence, maternity/paternity leave, and career breaks. Reasonable workplace adjustments are regularly reviewed.

I refer the Noble Baroness to the response given to UIN HL15918 on 8 April 2026.

The reorganisation programme is designed to support stronger, more joined up local services. By bringing services such as employment support, education, youth services, children’s social care, and housing together within a single council, councils are better able to coordinate services and identify need early to improve outcomes for young people.

My Department engages regularly with stakeholders to discuss the operation and efficacy of the Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) system.

This engagement includes gathering information about the difference in service quality between the two types of TDP schemes, and issues that service users may have with these schemes and how they can be addressed.

My Department also receives Key Performance Indicator data from all TDP providers across both types of schemes. Where reporting shows that there are performance issues, we actively escalate matters with the relevant scheme and require them to take corrective action if necessary.

Tenant representative groups consistently report low awareness of the difference between custodial and insured schemes. Under the insured model, tenants who dispute a landlord’s deduction can feel pressured to accept a deduction, rather than pursue Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Where ADR is used, feedback from tenant representative groups report that it operates effectively and the impartial service provided by TDP providers is valued.

My Department engages regularly with stakeholders to discuss the operation and efficacy of the Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) system.

This engagement includes gathering information about the difference in service quality between the two types of TDP schemes, and issues that service users may have with these schemes and how they can be addressed.

My Department also receives Key Performance Indicator data from all TDP providers across both types of schemes. Where reporting shows that there are performance issues, we actively escalate matters with the relevant scheme and require them to take corrective action if necessary.

Tenant representative groups consistently report low awareness of the difference between custodial and insured schemes. Under the insured model, tenants who dispute a landlord’s deduction can feel pressured to accept a deduction, rather than pursue Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Where ADR is used, feedback from tenant representative groups report that it operates effectively and the impartial service provided by TDP providers is valued.

Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That consultation can be found on gov.uk here. As part of this, we sought views on whether the planning system provides appropriate flexibility to support temporary accommodation affordable housing products, such as stepping stone housing, when considering matters such as space standards. We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.

I also refer the noble Baroness to the answer provided to Question UIN 1861 in the other place on 27 May 2026.

My Department receives data from Tenancy Deposit Protection (TDP) providers regarding the speed of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in respect of both custodial and insured schemes.

My Department also receives information about how quickly a deposit is returned to a tenant upon conclusion of ADR, and for the custodial scheme it receives data on how quickly a deposit is returned if there is no dispute.

Due to the nature of the insured scheme, where the landlord or agents keeps possession of deposit monies, if no dispute is raised there is no official record of how long it takes for the deposit monies to be returned to tenants. Based on recent Key Performance Indicator (KPI) figures for the custodial schemes, over 95% of disputed or undisputed deposits are returned to tenants within two days of notification of the conclusion of a dispute or agreement of any deductions.

However, a recent report from Citizens Advice states that 55% of tenants surveyed reported waiting longer than two weeks to have all or some of their deposit returned. Given the most recent KPI data shows custodial deposit returns are shorter than this, we have concluded that the insured scheme can create unnecessary delays to the detriment of tenants.

The Impact Assessment for the Renters’ Rights Act can be found here.

My Department continues to monitor trends across the private rented sector and is conducting a robust evaluation of the impact of the Renters' Rights Act. Evaluation reports will be published two and five years after implementation.

My Department has no such plans.

The government continues to keep permitted development rights under review.

My Department has made no specific assessment of the adequacy of planning guidance in accounting for the potential presence of undocumented military remains where local authority records are known to be incomplete.

The National Planning Policy Framework makes clear that local planning authorities (LPAs) should require developers to undertake appropriate assessments where a development site includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest.

LPAs should also maintain, or have access to, a historic environment record containing up-to-date evidence about the historic environment in their area. This should be used to predict the likelihood that currently unidentified heritage assets, particularly sites of historic and archaeological interest, will be discovered in the future.

The Renters’ Rights Act does not alter how tenancy swaps work for assured periodic tenancies.

If all tenants and the landlord agree, then a tenant can be swapped for a new one. In such circumstances, the tenancy would continue on the same terms and conditions, without the need for the remaining tenants to vacate the property temporarily or undertake referencing checks for the remaining tenants again.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 124803 on 20 April 2026.

The proposed removal of the insured schemes is based on the objective of ensuring that tenant deposits are as safe as possible.

Under the custodial system, money is held by the Tenancy Deposit Protection provider as a neutral third party. Under the insured scheme, there is an inherent power imbalance against tenants given the landlords and letting agents hold the deposit.

The custodial scheme provides tenants with more confidence to challenge deposit deductions and use the Alternative Dispute Resolution service provided.

There is growing evidence that the insured model also carries a higher fraud risk, with incidents of exploiting insured registration being reported. When agents fail to maintain insurance or Client Money Protection cover, reimbursement for losses can also be delayed, leaving tenants exposed.

I refer the Rt Hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 122204 on 1 April 2026.

The government has no current plans to publish planning practice guidance specifically on the sub-division of agricultural units.

This Government is fully committed to rejuvenating our high streets. Later this year, we will bring forward a High Streets Strategy, backed by £301 million of support, to help turn the tide on the high streets most in need. The funding will support the creation of new High Streets Innovation Partnerships to reimagine and revive the country’s most struggling high streets and includes a further £10 million to support councils to deliver High Street Rental Auctions to reduce high street vacancy.

This comes alongside the £5.8bn Pride in Place Programme, with Boston, Spalding, and Skegness receiving £20m each over 10 years to be used by local people to shape their neighbourhood.

The GSS ethnicity harmonised standard helps to make statistics and data more comparable, consistent and coherent. MHCLG collects data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

I recognise that, for some Sikhs, ethnicity recognition is an important issue. Whilst the current harmonised standard for ethnicity does not include “Sikh” as a specific ethnic group response option, datasets collected using this standard may still capture Sikh ethnicity through write-in responses within the ethnic group question.

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. MHCLG officials have engaged with the GSS harmonisation team over the course of the review to understand the impact of ethnicity data collection on government policy.

ONS will be providing a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026.

The GSS ethnicity harmonised standard helps to make statistics and data more comparable, consistent and coherent. MHCLG collects data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

I recognise that, for some Sikhs, ethnicity recognition is an important issue. Whilst the current harmonised standard for ethnicity does not include “Sikh” as a specific ethnic group response option, datasets collected using this standard may still capture Sikh ethnicity through write-in responses within the ethnic group question.

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. MHCLG officials have engaged with the GSS harmonisation team over the course of the review to understand the impact of ethnicity data collection on government policy.

ONS will be providing a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026.

Any revenue statements provided for small, micro and unlimited companies, in the place of publicly available accounts, must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practise. Any revenue for that financial year that cannot be determined must be disregarded.

Special Advisers are required to comply with the Special Adviser Code of Conduct at all times and are required to make declarations on meetings with senior media figures in line with published transparency guidance.

Where a Special Adviser accompanies their Minister to an official meeting with a senior media figure, the Special Adviser's attendance does not need to be separately recorded as the Minister will be the main attendee. Where an 'informal' lobbying approach is granted time or resource by Government, it should result in a diarised engagement and therefore be recorded.

He was, in line with the practice of successive administrations.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

My Department does not hold the information requested.

My Department does not hold the information requested.